Call for Applications: 12th Parliamentary Poet Laureate
Ottawa - The Honourable Raymonde Gagné, C.M., O.M., Speaker of the Senate, and the Honourable Francis Scarpaleggia, M.P., Speaker of the House of Commons, are issuing a call for applications to become Canada’s 12th Parliamentary Poet Laureate.
Created in 2001 under the Parliament of Canada Act, the Parliamentary Poet Laureate position helps promote poetry in Canada. The Poet Laureate writes poetry at the request of Parliament and engages the Canadian public through programming and outreach initiatives.
Applicants must have made significant contributions to Canada’s literary community through their poetry, which can be any genre of written or spoken poetry. Applications are welcomed from poets of all backgrounds and life experiences who are Canadian residents, from any province or territory.
To ensure that Canada’s official languages are equitably represented, appointments to the position alternate between a poet who works primarily in English and a poet who works primarily in French. For the 2027–2029 term, the Poet Laureate will be expected to work primarily in French.
As the steward of the Parliamentary Poet Laureate program, the Library of Parliament supports the Poet Laureate over the course of their two-year term by assisting with the planning, coordination and delivery of programming initiatives. It also offers an annual stipend and a budget for travel, programming and administrative expenses.
The deadline for applications is November 10, 2026.
Quotes
“Poetry gives voice to our experiences, our ideas and the many perspectives that shape Canada. This position offers a unique opportunity to forge connections between this art form, Parliament and the Canadian public. I encourage poets from all parts of Canada to apply and share their talent with us.”
– The Honourable Raymonde Gagné, Speaker, Senate of Canada
“Poetry invites us to see the world differently, to reflect on our shared experiences and to connect with one another. The Parliamentary Poet Laureate will bring a distinctive creative voice to Parliament while helping to foster a greater appreciation for poetry throughout Canada. I encourage poets from coast to coast to coast to consider applying for this wonderful opportunity.”
– The Honourable Francis Scarpaleggia, Speaker, House of Commons
“Over the past 25 years, each one of Canada’s Parliamentary Poets Laureate has brought a distinctive perspective to this role. The Library of Parliament looks forward to supporting the 12th Parliamentary Poet Laureate as they build on that legacy and find new ways to connect Canadians with poetry.”
– Christine Ivory, Parliamentary Librarian
Quick Facts
- The Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Commons will select the next Parliamentary Poet Laureate following an open application process.
- The Library of Parliament is the steward of the Parliamentary Poet Laureate program.
- The Poet Laureate holds office for a term not exceeding two years.
- The 12th Parliamentary Poet Laureate is expected to work primarily in French.
- The deadline for applications is November 10, 2026.
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About the Library of Parliament
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Inquiries
Meredith Savka
Senior Director, Public Outreach and Communications
Meredith.Savka@parl.gc.ca
343-571-9330
