Shannon Miedema

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 19 wordsI am pleased to rise today to speak to Government Motion No. 9 and the importance of parliamentary committees.Procedure Claims · 21 wordsAs members of Parliament, we have been individually elected by our constituents to represent their interests in the House of Commons. Positioning · 83 wordsNot only do we individually represent the interests of our constituents, but together we represent the fabric of who Canadians are. We are a privileged minority of Canadians elected to this House, representing Canadians from every beautiful region of this vast and breathtaking country. We are standing here today to represent our constituents’ interests and as a representation of the will of our constituents. Every moment of our work as parliamentarians is ultimately aimed at good governance for the benefit of all Canadians.Positioning Claims · 16 wordsMuch of this work is done in committees, which is the subject of Government Motion 9.Off point Procedure · 20 wordsBefore I speak to the motion itself, it is important to highlight the role of committees in the Westminster system.Procedure Claims · 123 wordsOne of the fundamental functions of members of Parliament is the development of legislation, and the crux of this work is done in committee. Committees are the venues that allow for and facilitate the detailed examination of not only legislation but also other policies and issues of interest to Canadians. Committees allow us to have focused and detailed discussions on what would be possible in the chamber, where debate is focused on the principle and scope of each bill. Committees are the place where we can review legislation, hear from witnesses and conduct clause-by-clause consideration of bills. It is through this process of legislative scrutiny that we can voice our views, ask experts questions, raise our concerns and debate proposals with each other. Positioning · 15 wordsOur ultimate, and I suggest shared, objective is to improve legislation when it is needed.Positioning Claims · 281 wordsIt is this scrutiny and detailed examination in committees that not only strengthens accountability but also allows members to work together to find solutions to issues facing Canadians. That process and engagement builds trust with Canadians. It encourages open and transparent government. Participation in committees gives members the opportunity to scrutinize decisions and expenditures and monitor progress. Robust and constructive debate in committees is the means through which we arrive at solutions. Committees produce extensive and comprehensive reports, thereby adding to greater transparency for Canadians by ensuring public access to information about the government’s work. These studies help inform government policy and future legislative proposals. Committees are also incubators of non-partisan collaboration. They allow members from across parties to come together to address complex problems in a collaborative manner and foster consensus on difficult issues. Committees allow us to build camaraderie among members so we can bring forward our diverse perspectives as members from across the country, consider evidence-based insights and come together to advance the interests of Canadians. The discussions and insights that committees generate enrich our parliamentary process and our ability to work together. Further, the common thread to the work of all committees is that of hearing directly from Canadians, stakeholders and experts on a range of issues that are important to who we, together in the House of Commons, represent. With every committee study undertaken, through witnesses and briefs, we get to hear the diverse aspects and views on a particular subject, from business leaders to academics, scientists and Canadians from across this great country who are directly impacted by or have a strong interest in any one of the numerous subjects that the parliamentary committees study. Reasoning · 18 wordsThis engagement of experts, stakeholders and citizens acts as a bridge between Parliament and the broader Canadian public. Claims · 89 wordsCommittee work can also bring international perspectives on how we can best achieve our policy goals. Hearing about experiences from like-minded countries can help facilitate an exchange of ideas and ways to incorporate good ideas from abroad that can be implemented here in Canada. By bringing in the international perspective, we get to hear about emerging issues and opportunities to learn from the experience of other countries. Through this process, we learn about what worked well, what did not and how to avoid challenges that other countries have experienced. Anecdote · 33 wordsEvery time I chair or participate in a committee meeting, I am struck by the extent to which witnesses want to share their expertise and lived experiences to inform the studies we undertake.Anecdote Claims · 61 wordsThe fact that we hear from witnesses with varied and sometimes opposing perspectives helps us stay in touch with the diversity of Canadian perspectives. What Canadians think and their views on issues not only matter; they are important to informing us as members of Parliament. All of what we learn through parliamentary committees is taken into account as decisions are made. The ask · 14 wordsI encourage all Canadians to get involved in the work of our parliamentary committees. Positioning · 5 wordsIt is democracy in action.PositioningOff point Procedure · 9 wordsNow I will turn to Government Motion No. 9.Procedure Claims · 82 wordsIt is important to take a moment to note that the standing committees and special joint committees in this Parliament have mandates that are focused on the issues that are important to Canadians and to Canada. The reason they are called standing committees is that they should reflect the standings of the recognized parties in the House of Commons. In a Westminster parliamentary system such as ours, the composition of parliamentary committees is historically determined by reflecting the representation of political parties.¹ Reasoning · 9 wordsThis balances the need for representation with effective governance. Claims · 30 wordsThe composition of committees should always reflect the standings in the House, and Government Motion No. 9 simply seeks to uphold and institute the principle that underpins our parliamentary system.Off point