About Committees

Committee Business refers to any business that is placed before a committee for study and consideration. A “committee” is a group of parliamentarians, from either the Senate, the House of Commons or both, selected to consider matters, including bills, referred to it by the Senate or the House of Commons. There are several types of committees: standing, legislative, special and joint committees, as well as Committees of the Whole and the Liaison Committee.

Please consult the following links for information about the composition, mandate and powers of committees.

• General Information
  • Committees – Practical Guide (Eighth Edition)
• Procedural Information
  • Amending Bills at Committee and Report Stages
  • Compendium of House of Commons Procedure
  • House of Commons Procedure and Practice (Marleau and Montpetit), 2000 Edition – Chapter 20: Committees
  • Standing Orders of the House of Commons – Chapter XIII: Committees
• Witness Information
  • A Guide for Witnesses Appearing Before Committees of the House of Commons
  • Preparing a Submission to a House of Commons Committee