Committee Work

Together for Canadians
Dealing in Depth with the Business of Parliament

Committee work allows Members of Parliament to scrutinize government spending and examine in detail issues of concern to the electorate. Cumulatively, committees usually sit from 60 to 120 hours per week when the House of Commons is in session. Committees will also often travel to hear from groups and individuals. Because they interact directly with the public, committees provide an immediate and visible conduit between elected representatives and Canadians, and often provoke important public debate.

Committee Membership
The House of Commons has 20 standing committees, including two new ones created in 2004-2005: the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics; and the Standing Committee on the Status of Women.

Most standing committees are made up of 12 members, and many Members sit on more than one committee. Party representation on committees is roughly proportional to party representation within the House of Commons. Party whips (those Members charged with keeping others of the same party informed about House of Commons business and ensuring attendance in the Chamber or on committees) submit prospective membership lists to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. The Committee is responsible for presenting a final roster of committee members to the House of Commons for adoption.

In most cases, committee chairs are government members, while first and second vice-chairs are, respectively, members of the Official Opposition party and an opposition party other than the Official Opposition. In the case of Public Accounts; Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics; Government Operations and Estimates; and the Standing Joint Committee on Scrutiny of Regulations, a member of the Official Opposition serves as committee chair. The first and second vice-chairs are, respectively, members of the government party and an opposition party other than the Official Opposition.

Committee Studies
In addition to examining legislation and government expenditures, committees undertook a number of studies early in the first session of the Thirty-eighth Parliament -extending across widely varied issues from the purchase of used British submarines to the rights of children and public-sector whistleblowing. In certain cases, work from the Thirty-seventh Parliament was carried forward into the Thirty-eighth Parliament. For example, the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food continued its examination of BSE-contaminated cattle.

Constant Evolution
New rules adopted in the Thirty-seventh Parliament provided for the election of chairs and vice-chairs by secret ballot. During the period of this report, two committees used this procedure: the Standing Committee on Justice, Human Rights, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (for the election of its chair); and the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans (for the election of the Official Opposition vice-chair).

In 2004-2005, in response to recommendations from the House of Commons Liaison Committee, a comprehensive set of measures was adopted to provide committees with appropriate resources and autonomy. The measures substantially raise the overall annual budget of committees and give them the financial independence they need to work flexibly and responsively on behalf of Canadians, allowing them to travel more extensively and seek the views of citizens in communities across the country. In addition to the funds allotted for committee activities, a contingency fund was created to finance committee requests for specialized expertise in areas such as forensic auditing and
e-consultations. These new measures came into effect
April 1, 2005-the start of the new fiscal year.

The Liaison Committee at work© House of Commons

Bringing Canadians and Committees Closer Together
Technology and process improvements can bring many advantages to the complex and time-consuming task of committee work. The House of Commons made two developments recently to enable Canadians to participate more actively in the work of committees: a pilot project was conducted to improve the public's electronic access to committee evidence; and as part of a renewed committee Web site work continued to create e-consultation tools that will allow committees to use the Internet to consult with Canadians.

Ghosts of Vimy Ridge painting © House of Commons

The House of Commons is the custodian of an important collection of art and artifacts reflecting Canada's social and political history. Many of these works are displayed throughout Parliament, including its committee rooms. This painting, Ghosts of Vimy Ridge, is currently on loan to the new Canadian War Museum, but its permanent home is the Centre Block's historic Railway Committee Room. Portraying the flickering spirits of departed Canadian soldiers making their way toward the summit of the ridge, it was painted in 1929 by Australian artist William Longstaff and purchased by Captain John Dewar, who donated it to Parliament in 1931.

Standing Committees
Standing committees are permanent committees mandated to oversee activities of government departments or to exercise procedural and administrative responsibilities related to Parliament.

Special Committees
Special committees are appointed by the House of Commons to inquire into specific matters. They exist only until they reach their deadline or issue a final report, or until the end of the session.

Legislative Committees
Legislative committees examine and inquire into specific bills referred to them by the House of Commons, and report the same bills with or without amendments.

Joint Committees
Joint committees consist of Members of Parliament and Senators. Members sit on two standing joint committees: the Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations and the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament.

Subcommittees
Standing committees may delegate any or all of their powers to a subcommittee, except the power to report directly to the House of Commons. Special committees may only form subcommittees if so ordered by the House of Commons. Legislative committees may form only one subcommittee, the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure.

For more information on Members' committee activities, visit the Parliament of Canada Web site.

Committee Work

Together for Canadians Dealing in Depth with the Business of Parliament

Together for Canadians
Dealing in Depth with the Business of Parliament