Mandate
The Standing Orders of the House of Commons give all standing
committees the mandate to exercise certain general powers. Standing
Order 108(2) gives committees the power “to study and report
on all matters relating to the mandate, management and operation of the
department or departments of government which are assigned to them.” Generally
speaking, the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food may examine
any issue related to Canada’s agriculture and agri-food industry.
It is a public forum where specific events or initiatives affecting the
sector can be addressed.
More specifically, the Committee focuses on bills, expenditures and activities
of the organizations that are part of the Agriculture and Agri-Food portfolio:
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC);
- the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA);
- the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC);
- the National Farm Products Council (NFPC);
- two Crown corporations:
- the Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC);
- Farm Credit Canada (FCC).
The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food also examines the activities
of some organizations that are independent of the Minister of Agriculture
and Agri-Food, including:
- the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA);
- the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB).
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