The House Speaker's Perks & Powers

Andrew Scheer, Speaker of the House of Commons, will not run for the job again after four years in the big chair.

Though many Canadians might not know much about the job, House Speaker remains a very coveted role.

Here are some of the unique perks and powers that come with the job.

A Pay Bump Of $80,100
As of April 2015, the House Speaker earns $80,100 on top of the base MP salary of $167,400. That's $247,500 a year — the same amount of money earned by cabinet ministers and the leader of the Official Opposition.

An Official Residence Called 'The Farm'
The Speaker also gets to live at a beautiful, official residence.

Located at Kingsmere in the Gatineau Hills, the property consists of a farmhouse and five outbuildings surrounded by four acres of fields and forests.

The residence is closed to the public but you can take a virtual tour on the National Capital Commission website.

An Apartment On Parliament Hill
The Speaker also gets a small apartment in Parliament’s Centre Block, but it isn't as luxurious as you might think.

There's a double-bed and armoire in the small bedroom.

See?
The living room in the Speaker's apartment features a desk, TV, gas fireplace and fridge.

There's also dressing room and a basic bathroom with a tub-shower combo, but no kitchen.

A Driver And $1,000 Car Allowance
The Speaker's yearly car allowance of $1,000 is less than that of the prime minister, cabinet ministers, and the official opposition leader who all get $2,000.

An Office Budget Of $414 Million
The Speaker's job is far from symbolic. He or she presides over question period, can expel misbehaving MPs, and has the power to make rulings when members think their rights have been infringed.

The Speaker is in charge of the administration of the Commons, including staff, security, and printing and postal services.

The Speaker also plays a diplomatic role by hosting foreign dignitaries, and travelling abroad as head of delegations at international conferences and other legislatures.

5th In Order Of Ceremonial Precedence
According to the department of Canadian Heritage, Canada's order of ceremonial precedence is as follows: Governor General, prime minister, the chief justice of the Supreme Court, the Speaker of the Senate, and then the Speaker of the House of Commons.

The Speaker's Scotch? Oh Yes
In what has become a recent tradition, the Speaker selects a "Speaker's Scotch" that can be purchased through the parliamentary restaurant and even gets its own label.