In Canada, a standing committee is a permanent committee established by Standing Orders in the House of Commons or the Senate. It may study matters referred to it by special order or, within its area of responsibility in the Standing Orders, and may undertake studies on its own initiative. There are currently 24 standing committees (including three standing joint committees) in the House and 20 in the Senate, many with particular responsibilities to examine the administration, policy development, and budgetary estimates of certain government departments and agencies. Certain standing committees are also given mandates to examine matters that have government-wide implications (e.g. official languages policy, multiculturalism policy) or that may not relate to a particular department (e.g. procedure of the House of Commons).
| House of Commons | Joint | Senate |
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| Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics Agriculture and Agri-Food Canadian Heritage Citizenship and Immigration Environment and Sustainable Development Finance Fisheries and Oceans Foreign Affairs and International Development Government Operations and Estimates Health Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities Indigenous and Northern Affairs Industry, Science and Technology International Trade Justice and Human Rights National Defence Natural Resources Official Languages Procedure and House Affairs Public Accounts Public Safety and National Security Status of Women Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Veterans Affairs | Exercise of Powers Under the Building Canada Act Library of Parliament Scrutiny of Regulations | Aboriginal Peoples Agriculture and Forestry Banking, Trade, and Commerce Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources Fisheries and Oceans Foreign Affairs and International Trade Human Rights Internal Economy, Budgets, and Administration Diversity subcommittee Human Resources subcommittee Senate Estimates subcommittee Legal and Constitutional Affairs National Finance National Security and Defence Official Languages Rules, Procedure and the Rights of Parliament Selection Committee Social Affairs, Science and Technology Transport and Communication |
See also