Parliament of Canada Student Programs

House of Commons Page Program

Each year, 40 students are selected from high schools and CEGEPs across Canada to come to Ottawa to work as Pages in the House of Commons. Pages have the opportunity to learn about the House of Commons while witnessing the legislative process first hand.

Students hired as Pages work on a part-time basis during their first year of study at a university in the National Capital Region.

In the House of Commons, Pages serve in various capacities. For example, Pages collect and distribute official documents, deliver important messages to Members, link Members to their Hill offices, answer telephones, make photocopies and deliver glasses of water. On occasion, Pages also meet youth groups to speak about their experiences on Parliament Hill. Professional, impartial and efficient service has become a hallmark of the Page Program.

Those selected as Pages sign a contract with the House of Commons for a one-year term beginning in late August. The contract precludes them from accepting certain other types of employment and from participating in certain other programs. Pages are required to work a minimum of 15 hours a week, and university course schedules are arranged in consultation with the Page Program to ensure that a Page’s academic timetable and House work schedule are compatible.

Training begins in Ottawa in late August, and Pages receive a salary throughout the year of their service.

Senate Page Program

Each year, 15 university students from across Canada are selected to participate in the Senate Page program. Senate pages are responsible for a wide variety of activities associated with the legislative process. Moreover, they are given a direct opportunity to further their knowledge of parliamentary procedure by exposure to the rich tradition of Canada's parliamentary system and the Senate of Canada.

Senate pages are enrolled as full-time undergraduate students in one of the four universities in the National Capital Region. Students are hired on a one-year contract with the possibility of renewal for a second year. Pages also have the opportunity of remaining for a third year, if chosen as Chief Page or Deputy Chief Page.

The pages are responsible for providing a range of services needed to ensure the effective operation of the Senate and its committees in keeping with the tradition of impartiality and non-partisanship in the Senate Administration.

Parliamentary Guide Program

Are you:

A full-time university student?
Bilingual in English and French?
A Canadian citizen or permanent resident?
Passionate about Canada's history and democracy?

Be part of the action as a Parliamentary Guide. What you'll do:

Welcome visitors to the Parliament of Canada
Give guided tours of Centre Block
Interpret the Peace Tower and Memorial Chamber

And much more!