Committees are an often overlooked but fundamentally important organ of the Canadian Parliamentary system. Committees examine, in small groups, selected matters in greater depth than is possible in the House of Commons. They report conclusions of those examinations, and recommendations, to the House. Committees undertake studies on departmental spending, legislation and issues related to their mandate.
Every year in Model Parliament, four or more Committees are struck in order to tackle the issues deemed to be of the most importance to the country during that session of Parliament. The topics and chairs are chosen through a non-partisan system, and Committee members are selected by their parties to work on the issues in question.
Record-keeping on Parliamentary Committees primarily covers the period from MPSP17 (the founding of the archive) onwards. Unfortunately, little information is available for periods prior to this.
Parliamentary Committees of MPSP17
- Standing Committee on Natural Resources
- Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs
- Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage
- Standing Committee on Public Safety