Committees

Introduction

As with other deliberative assemblies, the House of Commons has created committees to carry out functions that can be better performed in smaller groups, including hearing witnesses and giving detailed consideration to legislation, estimates and technical matters. Committee work provides specific information to members on issues of concern to the electorate and often generates important public debate. In addition, because committees interact directly with the public, they provide an immediate and visible conduit between parliamentarians and citizens.

During his tenure, Speaker Regan maintained the practice of his predecessors and limited his role to ruling on vital procedural aspects, in general leaving it to each committee to decide how to manage its proceedings. In keeping with normal practice, Speaker Regan declined to intervene in committee matters unless a committee reported to the House an issue that required his intervention.

This chapter includes two cases in which the Speaker was asked to intervene in committee matters: one concerning an alleged question of privilege regarding the adjournment of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities while some members still wished to speak; and the other concerning the adjournment of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration for lack of quorum when the number of members needed for quorum did not return to the meeting following a suspension for a vote in the House. In each instance, Speaker Regan declined to intervene as neither committee had reported the issue to the House.

This chapter also includes a case concerning the failure of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security to comply with an order of the House to issue a report by a specific deadline. In his ruling, Speaker Regan noted that disagreements among members did not absolve a committee from complying with an order of the House.