Committee Participation: A Citizen’s Guide
Learn how parliamentary committees work, why they matter, and how you can engage directly through briefs, testimony, and monitoring studies.
Committee Participation at a Glance
26
Standing Committees
~2,000
Witnesses heard each year
180+
Reports tabled annually
Committees are where most detailed oversight happens in Parliament. Every year, thousands of Canadians contribute directly to policy through testimony and briefs.
What Are Parliamentary Committees?
Parliamentary committees are smaller groups of MPs (and sometimes Senators) that study bills, government spending, departmental performance, and major public policy issues in detail. Committees allow Parliament to do the deep work that cannot happen in the main chamber.
Standing Committees: Permanent, established by the Standing Orders (e.g. Finance, Health, Public Safety).
Special Committees: Temporary, created by the House to study a specific issue.
Joint Committees: Include both MPs and Senators.
Committees are where much of the real, detailed scrutiny of government happens — from line-by-line review of bills to oversight of billions in spending.
Why Committees Matter
Committees hold ministers, departments, and agencies accountable. They hear directly from citizens, experts, and civil society organizations. Their reports often influence government policy and shape the laws that affect Canadians’ lives.
How Citizens Can Participate
Committees are not just for MPs — they provide real opportunities for the public to engage in democracy. Citizens, organizations, and subject matter experts can contribute in several ways:
📄 Submit a Written Brief: Anyone can submit a brief (≤10 pages). Even if you don’t appear in person, your submission becomes part of the official record.
🗓️ Deadlines: If you are invited to appear, submit at least 5 working days before the meeting so it can be translated and distributed.
🗣️ Request to Appear as a Witness: Contact the committee clerk to ask to be scheduled. Committees balance relevance, expertise, diversity of voices, and time available when selecting witnesses.
📺 Attend or Watch Proceedings: Most meetings are public. You can sit in on Parliament Hill or watch live/recorded streams online.
🔒 In-Camera Sessions: Some meetings (e.g., national security, internal planning) are closed to the public.
✅ Follow Up: After submitting or appearing, check the committee’s report and whether your suggestions were adopted.
Briefs can be submitted in either English or French. Federal departments must provide both languages, but community groups and individuals may submit in one.
Tips for Effective Participation
Keep briefs focused, under 10 pages, with clear recommendations.
Use evidence, real-world stories, and data to support your points.
Be respectful and professional; committees operate formally and under parliamentary privilege.
If testifying, practice to fit within the usual 5–10 minutes for opening statements.
Further Reading
House of Commons Procedure and Practice (Chapter 20 — Committees).
Committee Witness and Brief Guides from the House of Commons.
Parliamentary websites that publish schedules, studies, and reports.