A committee can study a bill, government spending or an issue related to its mandate, as determined by the Senate. A committee’s name shows its broad mandate (e.g. Human Rights, National Finance, Foreign Affairs and International Trade, or Agriculture and Forestry). Specific studies undertaken by most committees must be voted on by the Senate, which grants the committee an order of reference to conduct its study.

There are several types of committee. The most common are standing committees, which are permanent, issues-based groups written into the Rules of the Senate.

Subcommittees may be formed under these committees to study a specific topic (e.g. the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs, which falls under the Senate Standing Committee on National Security and Defence).

Special committees are formed for a particular purpose and disband after issuing their final reports (e.g. the Special Committee on the Charitable Sector, which existed during the 42nd Parliament).

Joint committees include senators and members of Parliament (e.g. the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament).

A full list of current committees, their members and studies can be found on the Senate of Canada’s website.

Committee reports can change bills and influence public policy. After completing a hearing on a bill, study or administrative matter, the committee drafts and adopts a report with its findings. Reports often contain evidence-based recommendations or observations as well. The completed report is then presented or tabled in the Chamber for the rest of the Senate to consider. Reports are also posted online.

A committee may report a bill with or without amendments. Any amendments proposed by the committee report would be considered by the Senate. If no amendments are proposed, the report is deemed adopted and the bill proceeds to third reading.

Reports on special studies present findings and recommendations back to the Senate. Any recommendations adopted by the Senate become positions of the Senate. These are not binding on the government, but — given the wide range of evidence senators consider during their studies — they can be very influential.

If you are in Ottawa, you can watch committee meetings in person*. A meeting notice for each committee is posted on the Senate’s website and shows when and where the meeting is taking place. If you’re planning on visiting, you can check out this quick guide to security screening processes at the Senate. You can also tune in remotely through Senate ParlVU, which offers live and on-demand streams of all Senate proceedings.

Witnesses are invited directly by committees to participate in a study. If you are interested in appearing before a committee or making a written submission on a specific study, you are invited to review the information provided on the For witnesses page.

*Public access to on-site meetings may be subject to restrictions due to the ongoing public health situation. Audio or audiovisual recordings of public committee meetings can always be accessed online.