Mandate
The House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans (“the
Committee”)
studies and reports on matters referred to it by the House
of Commons, or on topics the Committee itself chooses to examine. It
is a permanent committee established by the Standing
Orders of the House. Legislation, departmental activities and spending,
and other matters related to the general subject matter of the Committee
may be referred to it from time to time. For a detailed list of studies,
select a session of Parliament by clicking on one of the links in the left-hand
column, and then click on "Studies and Activities."
Powers
Under Standing
Order 108(1), standing committees can examine any matters referred to
them by the House of Commons or as required in legislation. They can report
to the House, send for persons or records, and delegate their powers to subcommittees.
They can sit whether the House is sitting or adjourned, and may sit jointly
with other standing committees. In general, committees can report on:
- legislation relating to the department(s) under their purview
- program and policy objectives of the department
- immediate, medium and long-term expenditure plans of the department,
and the effectiveness of their implementation
- an analysis of the relative success of the department, as measured by
the results obtained as compared with its stated objectives
- other matters relating to the mandate, management, organization or operation
of the department, as the committee deems fit
Under Standing
Order 108(2), this Committee can study the policies, programs and legislation
of the department assigned to it, namely, Fisheries
and Oceans Canada (DFO). Various independent agencies and Crown corporations
are also assigned to the Committee:
The role of committees has been strengthened by the use of instruments such
as Standing Order 73, which allows for a bill to be referred to a committee
before second reading, thus providing the committee with the opportunity
to amend the draft legislation more substantially. Furthermore, committees
may be asked by the House of Commons to review draft legislation before it
is introduced in the House.
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