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, the
Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food may examine any issue related
to the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector. It is a public forum that
can address specific events or initiatives that affect the sector.
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 Department
of Agriculture and Agri-Food, including:
- the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA);
- the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB).
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