Parliamentary Poet Laureate is the official poet laureate of Canada. The role of the laureate is “to encourage and promote the importance of literature, culture and language in Canadian society.” The position was created in 2001 as part of the Parliament of Canada Act. The position is an officer of the Library of Parliament. The laureate’s term runs for a maximum of two years. Candidates must be residents of Canada. English-speaking and French-speaking poets are selected alternately for the position.
The laureate’s specific duties include writing poems especially for use in Parliament on important occasions, sponsoring poetry readings, and advising the Parliamentary Librarian regarding the library’s collection and acquisitions. The laureate receives 20,000 Canadian dollars annually, plus expenses.
