Officers of Parliament
8 independent watchdogs who report directly to Parliament — not to the government of the day. Their findings and rulings are among the most consequential accountability events in Canada.
Auditor General of Canada
Audits federal government programs and operations to assess whether public money is being spent wisely and reports findings to Parliament. AG reports are among the most consequential accountability documents in Canada.
Parliamentary Budget Officer
Provides independent analysis of the state of Canada's finances and the government's estimates. Costs government bills and produces economic and fiscal projections.
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
Administers the Conflict of Interest Act for ministers, parliamentary secretaries, and senior public servants. Investigates complaints and issues public reports on ethics violations.
Commissioner of Lobbying
Maintains the Registry of Lobbyists and enforces the Lobbying Act. Investigates complaints about lobbying activities and ensures transparency of communication between lobbyists and public office holders.
Chief Electoral Officer of Canada
Administers federal elections and referendums, registers political parties and candidates, and oversees campaign finance compliance through Elections Canada.
Privacy Commissioner of Canada
Oversees compliance with the Privacy Act and PIPEDA. Investigates complaints, conducts audits, and reports publicly on privacy breaches by federal institutions and private-sector organizations.
Information Commissioner of Canada
Investigates complaints from people who believe their access to information requests were wrongly denied or delayed by federal institutions. Promotes transparency and accountability in government.
Senate Ethics Officer
Provides confidential advice to senators on the Conflict of Interest Code for Senators and investigates alleged breaches. Reports to the Senate, not the House of Commons.
Who holds each office right now, when they were appointed, their latest tabled report, and the coverage each finding generated.
Unlock with Starter →Unlike ministers or departments, Officers of Parliament serve fixed terms and cannot be removed by the Prime Minister. They report directly to the House of Commons or Senate — creating a firewall between their findings and political interference. When the Auditor General flags waste, or the Ethics Commissioner rules on a conflict of interest, it becomes a formal parliamentary record.