Call for Nominations 11th Parliamentary Poet Laureate
Ottawa, Ontario
The Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Commons have issued a call for nominations for Canada’s 11th Parliamentary Poet Laureate.
The Parliamentary Poet Laureate position helps expand the understanding of and appreciation for poetry in Canada. As outlined in the Parliament of Canada Act, Poets Laureate may:
- write poetry, especially for use in Parliament;
- sponsor poetry readings;
- give advice to the Parliamentary Librarian on the Library of Parliament’s collections and acquisitions to enrich its cultural holdings; and
- perform other related duties at the request of the Speaker of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Commons or the Parliamentary Librarian.
Those selected to be Poets Laureate have made significant contributions to Canada’s literary community through their poetry, which can be written or spoken poetry of any genre. We invite nominations of poets from all backgrounds and life experiences. Poets who are residents of Canada, from any province or territory, are welcome.
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 2025–2026 term, the Poet Laureate will be expected to work primarily in English.
As the steward for the Parliamentary Poet Laureate program, the Library of Parliament provides programming support to the Poet over the course of their two-year term. It also offers an annual stipend and a budget for travel, programming and administrative expenses.
The deadline for nominations is June 17, 2024.
Quotes
“The Parliamentary Poet Laureate is a position that allows poets to shine a light on poetry for all of Canada, helping Canadians deepen their knowledge of and appreciation for this art form. I encourage poets from coast to coast to coast to submit their nomination for this incredible opportunity.”
The Honourable Raymonde Gagné, Speaker, Senate of Canada
“The position of Parliamentary Poet Laureate offers poets the unique opportunity to bring poetry to Parliament and to raise the profile of this art form across our country. Poets from all backgrounds should consider submitting their nomination as part of this open competition.”
The Honourable Greg Fergus, Speaker, House of Commons
“Each of the ten former Poets Laureate has brought their own unique perspective to the role, and the Library of Parliament is looking forward to working with and supporting the 11th Parliamentary Poet Laureate.”
Dr. Heather P. Lank, Parliamentary Librarian
Quick facts
- The Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Commons select the Parliamentary Poet Laureate following an open nomination process.
- Poets Laureate hold office for a term not exceeding two years.
- The 11th Parliamentary Poet Laureate is expected to work primarily in English.
- Nominations can be submitted by qualified candidates, a parliamentarian, a member of a literary or writing organization or a member of the public.
- The deadline for nominations is June 17, 2024.
- The position of Parliamentary Poet Laureate was created in 2001. Since then, ten Poets Laureate have occupied the role.
Associated links
Inquiries
Information Service, Parliament of Canada
613-992-4793
1-866-599-4999 (toll free)
