Parliamentary committees are appointed by the Legislative Assembly to undertake inquiries on behalf of the Assembly. These all-party committees consist of Private Members (Members who are not in cabinet or the Speaker). Committees receive their terms of reference from the Legislative Assembly and must report their findings back to the House. Each year, the committee system provides opportunities for thousands of British Columbians to have direct input into the parliamentary process by making written or electronic submissions and by participating in public hearings.

Select Standing Committees

Pursuant to Standing Order 68(1), there are ten select standing (permanent) committees:

  • Aboriginal Affairs
  • Agriculture, Fish and Food
  • Children and Youth
  • Crown Corporations
  • Education
  • Finance and Government Services
  • Health
  • Legislative Initiatives
  • Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills
  • Public Accounts

Special Committees

Special committees may be established by the Legislative Assembly to examine specific issues. These committees cease to exist once their inquiries are completed and they have reported back to the House. Special committees may also be appointed to perform statutory reviews, or to recommend appointments of independent statutory officers, such as the Auditor General or the Ombudsperson.

Committee Membership

Parliamentary committees vary in size and membership traditionally reflects, as closely as possible, party representation in the Assembly, including any Independent Members. A Special Committee of Selection usually determines the composition of the select standing committees at the start of every session. A chair and deputy chair are elected at the first meeting.

Committee Inquiries and Reports

A parliamentary committee becomes active when the Legislative Assembly assigns a terms of reference that defines the scope of inquiry and permits the committee to meet, call witnesses, and gather evidence. A committee may also be empowered to conduct public consultations on a particular issue, or to consult with experts or stakeholder groups.

Committee meetings are typically held in public, with proceedings transcribed by Hansard Services. Meetings of appointment committees are held in camera (behind closed doors) as they involve personnel matters.

At the end of its deliberations, a committee reports its observations and recommendations to the Legislative Assembly in the form of a report, which is presented by the committee chair in the House. If the House is not sitting, the report can be deposited with the Office of the Clerk and then publicly released.