About

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development (the Committee) is established by the Standing Orders of the House of Commons. 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.” The department and agencies under the purview of the Committee are.

• Environment and Climate Change Canada;

• Parks Canada; and

• the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (formerly the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency).

The Committee examines, enquires into and reports on matters referred to it by the House of Commons. These may include legislation, departmental activities and spending, reports of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, and other matters related to the general subject matter of the environment and sustainable development. Legislation administered by the above department and agencies, which therefore falls under the purview of the Committee, includes:

• the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999;

• the Impact Assessment Act (formerly the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012);

• the Species at Risk Act

• the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994;

• the Canada Water Act;

• the Canada Wildlife Act;

• the pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act.

For a more detailed overview of parliamentary committees, please consult the Our Procedure.