Assembly and committee business at a glance.
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Committees allow for an in-depth review of issues and permit public and stakeholder input into the legislative process through written submissions and hearings.
The basis for the mandate and powers for each standing committee is set out in the Standing Orders. A government motion often sets the mandate for select special committees.
A committee is the master of its own proceedings, but its activities must remain within an established scope of business outlined in the Standing Orders.
Standing committees exist for the life of a Legislature and are established according to the Standing Orders. At the start of each new Legislature Members are appointed to the standing committees proportionately, based on the number of seats held by each caucus in the Assembly.
At the commencement of the first session of each Legislature, the Assembly also establishes the legislative policy committees, which are standing committees with mandates and memberships outlined by the Standing Orders. Legislative policy committees deal with policy matters referred by the Assembly or by government or taken up on the committee’s own initiative. Legislative policy committees are delegated the authority to review the budget main estimates. A private Member from the government caucus chairs each committee, and a member of the official opposition acts as deputy chair.
The Standing Orders provide for the establishment of the Special Standing Committee on Members' Services. This committee also exists for the life of the Legislature but differs from the other standing committees in that it is traditionally chaired by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
The Assembly strikes select special committees for specific purposes. A government motion is moved outlining the membership of the special committee, its terms of reference and other details. When a select special committee releases its report, its work is complete and the committee is disbanded unless otherwise directed by the Assembly.