As the chief presiding officer of the Legislature, the Speaker serves the House by overseeing its meetings, enforcing its rules, and maintaining order and decorum. The Speaker is elected by the members of the provincial Parliament (MPPs) to preside over its debates and be the guardian of MPPs historical rights and privileges.

The Speaker is also the head of the Office of the Assembly and chairs the Board of Internal Economy (BOIE). The Office of the Assembly is separate and distinct from the government of Ontario and is a non-partisan administration that supports the work of all MPPs, while the BOIE reviews and approves operating policy for the office and governs its financial affairs, including the review of the estimates.

The Speaker also has a ceremonial and diplomatic role, welcoming visiting dignitaries to the Legislative Building and representing the Legislature across Canada and abroad. 

Learn more about the current Speaker, Ted Arnott. 

The Clerk is the chief permanent officer of the Legislative Assembly, with the rank and status of Deputy Minister. The Clerk is the principal authority on questions of procedure, practices, and privileges of Parliament, and on interpretation of the rules of the House. The Clerk is also responsible for the overall administration of the Office of the Assembly and is Secretary of the Board of Internal Economy.

The Office of the Clerk includes the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. Parliamentary Counsel is responsible for providing comprehensive legal advice and support services in matters of parliamentary law, procedure, and privilege to:

• the Speaker
• the Clerk
• the House
• committees of the Legislative Assembly
• individual MPPs

The Administrative Services Division provides administrative services to MPPs and staff in the areas of:

• Business Continuity
• Financial Services
• Human Resources
• Purchasing and Operations

Business Continuity

The Business Continuity Office ensures the development and maintenance of a continuity of operations plan to ensure appropriate processes are in place for the ongoing business needs of the Assembly, and to restore operations in the aftermath of an accident, disaster, emergency or threat. 

Financial Services

Financial Services provides support in financial matters to MPPs, their respective caucuses, and all offices and commissions of the Legislative Assembly. This support includes:

• payment processing
• accounts receivable invoicing and collections
• insurance and corporate credit card programs
• financial analysis
• communication and advice on financial policies and procedures

The branch also coordinates the annual estimates, prepares financial reports (including Members' Expenses and Public Accounts), coordinates the annual financial audit for the Office of the Assembly, and provides information as required regarding the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Accountability for Expenses Act.

Human Resources

Human Resources offers services to staff of the Office of the Assembly and commissions reporting to the Legislature. Services include:

• recruitment and staffing
• learning and development
• payroll services
• policy development and establishment of classification
• compensation and benefits

Benefits and payroll administration is also provided for MPPs and their staff, and staff of all caucuses.

Purchasing and Operations

Purchasing and Operations provides:

• centralized purchasing
• contract administration
• mail handling
• receiving
• asset management activities

The office also manages MPPs' furniture and equipment entitlements and telecommunications requirements for legislative precinct and constituency offices across Ontario.

The Building Services Division is comprised of the Parliamentary Food Services and Precinct Properties Branch.

Parliamentary Food Services

Parliamentary Food Services is responsible for all food service operations in the legislative precinct including the In Camera dining room, Quorum Café, and catering services. Food services at Ontario’s legislative building are open to the public during regular operating hours.

Precinct Properties Branch

The Precinct Properties Branch is responsible for building operations and maintenance for the Legislative Building and the first three floors of the Whitney Block. The branch provides general building services that include interior design and repair services. It is also responsible for heritage conservation, a long-term program to upgrade the Legislative Building, and compliance with life and fire safety and accessibility standards.

The Information and Technology Services Division consists of:

• Information Services
• Legislative Library
• Legislative Research Services
• Portfolio Management Office, and
• Technology Services

Services delivered through its various branches include the technological delivery of Assembly information and services, reference and research services, access to the Assembly's print and electronic resources, and the management of the Assembly's documentary heritage.

Information Services

Information Services works with Assembly branches to ensure data is properly managed, published, preserved, findable, and accessible. The branch designs and manages the Assembly’s custom parliamentary applications, enterprise systems, and websites. It provides digitization and data preservation services.  Work includes accessibility testing, records management, user experience design, writing and editing. 

Legislative Library

The Legislative Library provides a full range of confidential and non-partisan library and information services to MPPs, their staff, and Office of the Assembly personnel. Services include responses to reference questions, the maintenance of online databases, government documents (print and electronic), books and materials. 

Legislative Research

Legislative Research provides in-depth research and analysis on topics and matters of interest to MPPs, their staff, and Office of the Assembly personnel. Research also supports legislative committees with backgrounders, summaries of presentations, and the writing of committee reports.

Technology Services

The Technology Services Branch is responsible for developing, maintaining and securing the Legislative Assembly's technology infrastructure by providing a full range of information technology services and support.

The Legislative Services Division oversees the branches essential to the proceedings of the Legislature and its committees. It includes:

• the Broadcast and Recording Service
• House Publications and Language Services
• Parliamentary Protocol and Public Relations
•  Procedural Services Branch

Broadcast and Recording Service

The Broadcast and Recording Service operates the Ontario Legislative Television Satellite Network (ONT.PARL.),a source for the streaming of the debates on the Legislative Assembly’s website as well as the Parlance app available for Android and IOS devices, the audio recording of House and committee proceedings for transcription by Hansard, and an in-house closed circuit television system.

House Publications and Language Services

House Publications and Language Services is responsible for the preparation, printing, distribution and indexing of Hansard, the official verbatim transcript of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and its committees.  Additionally, the branch offers language services that include simultaneous interpretation of the Legislature and committees, the translation of written documents, and guidance and assistance relating to the effective delivery of activities and services in French for the Legislative Assembly.

Parliamentary Protocol and Public Relations Branch

The Parliamentary Protocol and Public Relations Branch provides a wide range of bilingual services to MPPs, staff of the Legislative Assembly, and visitors to the Legislative Building. Services include:

• tours and educational programs
• public inquiry service
• exhibit programs for the Legislative Building
• Legislative Gift Shop featuring Ontario products
• Parliamentary Protocol Services (coordinating parliamentary associations, visiting parliamentarians and delegations, managing the flag raising program, and providing protocol advice.)
• the Legislative Page Program for Grade 7 and 8 students
• the Legislative Student Usher Program for university students
• outreach programming
• coordination of special events and room bookings

Procedural Services Branch

The Procedural Services Branch is comprised of three areas that support the work of the Legislative Assembly.

Committees

The Committees section provides procedural and administrative support to standing and select ommittees of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. This support includes:

• providing advice and assistance on the drafting of motions relating to committee business
• responding to questions about parliamentary procedure
• coordinating matters referred to and being considered in committees
•  scheduling meetings

House Documents

The House Documents section coordinates the daily publication of the Orders and Notices Paper and Votes and Proceedings, the official records of the activities and business of the Legislative Assembly. In addition to the Journals, the official permanent record of the proceedings, the House Documents section compiles and distributes a final Status of Business Report for each session, consisting of information on legislation, estimates, committee orders of reference, petitions, written questions, sessional papers and motions considered by the House. All current sessional documents tabled in the House are retained and are available for public inspection. House Documents also responds to questions on the status of legislation (bills) from current and previous legislative sessions.

Table Research

Table Research provides procedural research and analysis services to the Speaker, the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, MPPs, and Office of the Assembly staff. This area is responsible for developing, drafting, and communicating research materials relating to House proceedings, procedure, parliamentary practice and tradition. The office also tracks and compiles House precedents that serve as a reference source for information on the rules governing House procedure.

Sergeant-at-Arms

The Sergeant-at-Arms is responsible for security in the House and the Legislative Precinct, an area that includes the Legislative Building, its grounds, and the Whitney Block across from Queen’s Park. The Sergeant-at-Arms also provides ceremonial services on behalf of the Legislative Assembly and is the guardian of the mace.

Legislative Protective Service

The Legislative Protective Service provides a full range of in-house security services to MPPs and the legislative precinct under the direction of the Sergeant-at-Arms. Learn more about the Legislative Protective Service.