Parliamentary committees are appointed by the Legislative Assembly to undertake work on behalf of the Assembly. These committees consist of small groups of Private Members (Members who are not in Cabinet or the Speaker) from both government and opposition. The work of parliamentary committees is wide-ranging and includes exercising oversight and accountability of government, exercising legislative oversight of statutory officers, reviewing legislation, and examining public policy issues. To inform its work, parliamentary committees may hold public consultations, providing British Columbians with an opportunity to have direct input into the parliamentary process.
Types of Committees
Pursuant to Standing Order 68(1), there are 11 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 and Standing Orders
- Private Bills and Private Members’ Bills
- Public Accounts
Select standing committees are only active if they receive a terms of reference from the Legislative Assembly to undertake work.
Special committees may also be appointed by the Legislative Assembly by way of a motion to undertake a specific task or examine specific issues. These committees cease to exist once they have completed their work and reported back to the Legislative Assembly. Special committees are typically appointed to perform reviews of legislation, or to recommend appointments of 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 determines the composition of the select standing committees at the start of every session while membership for a special committee is usually included in the motion appointing it. A Chair and Deputy Chair are elected at the first meeting.
Committee Work and Reports
To undertake any work, parliamentary committees must receive a terms of reference from the Legislative Assembly. The terms of reference outlines the scope of work or tasks the Assembly wishes it to undertake and also may specify a reporting deadline.
Committee meetings are typically held in public, with proceedings transcribed by Hansard Services. Meetings of special committees tasked with recommending the appointment of a statutory officer are held in camera (behind closed doors) as they involve personnel matters.
At the conclusion of its work, a committee submits a report with its observations and recommendations to the Legislative Assembly. Committee reports are presented by the committee Chair in the House, at which point the report becomes public. If the House is not sitting, the report can be deposited with the Office of the Clerk and then publicly released, and formally presented to the House when it resumes sitting.