| Type of parliamentary body |
Specialized |
| Nature |
Permanent |
| Related to chambers |
House of Commons
|
| Date of creation |
Standing Committees have existed since 1906; the "human rights" component is a recent addition. The present Committee came into existence on 17.2.04 |
| Last renewal date |
|
| Mandate |
The Committee examines, among other things, legislative texts related to the Ministry of Justice and Bureau of the General Solicitor; in addition, article 108 3-e) of the Rules stipulates that the mandate of the "Committee includes the examination of any report by the Canadian Human Rights Committee. |
| Membership |
Twelve members. The list is established by the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, which acts as a selection committee. The House of Commons must adopt a new list at every session. In addition, the composition of the Committee is usually confirmed in September of every year. The Committee Chairperson is elected by his or her peers at the first meeting. |
| Working methods |
In accordance with the Rules of the House of Commons, the committees are masters of their work. Thus, each committee sets its own agenda unless it is circumscribed by a referral from the House. In that case, the House specifies the powers and mandate of the Committee in relation to a particular issue (for example, draft legislation or a specific study). Meetings are public unless the Committee decides otherwise (for the protection of witnesses, the handling of confidential information, etc.) It may organize field visits and hearings of governmental authorities (Canadian or foreign). Decisions are made by vote; members of the Committee decide on the recommendations to be made to the House. Finally, the Rules of the House require that the government produce a global response to the report within 150 days of its submission. |
| Relations with other parliamentary bodies |
Committee reports its work to the House of Commons, which then deals with the reports as it sees fit. |
| Relations with external bodies |
External bodies may be called as witnesses. |
| Subjects dealt with |
Currently, the Committee is reviewing the Anti-Terrorism Act and studying our solicitation laws. |
| CONTACT INFORMATION |
|
PRESIDING OFFICER(S)
|
| Name |
Mr. Ed Fast |
| Notes |
Chair |
| Address (if different from above) |
|
| Phone |
+1 613 995 01 83 |
| Fax |
+1 613 996 97 95 |
| E-mail |
FastE@parl.gc.ca |
| Website |
http://www.edfast.ca/
|
| Name |
Mr. Réal Ménard |
| Notes |
Vice-Chair |
| Address (if different from above) |
|
| Phone |
+1 613 947 45 76 |
| Fax |
+1 613 947 45 79 |
| E-mail |
MenarR@parl.gc.ca |
| Website |
...
|
| Name |
Mr. Brian Murphy |
| Notes |
Vice-Chair |
| Address (if different from above) |
|
| Phone |
+1 613 992 80 72 |
| Fax |
+1 613 992 80 83 |
| E-mail |
MurphB@parl.gc.ca |
| Website |
http://www.brianfpmurphy.ca/
|
|
SECRETARY
|
| Name |
Ms. Miriam Burke |
| Notes |
Committee Clerk |
| Address (if different from above) |
604-180 Wellington Street
OTTAWA, Ontario 671 K1A 0A6 (Canada) |
| Phone |
(+1 613) 995 94 69 |
| Fax |
(+1 613) 996 19 62 |
| E-mail |
sper@parl.gc.ca |
| web site: |
http://www.parl.gc.ca
|
| Notes |
|
