The Committee Inquiry Process
There are five distinct phases of the inquiry process:
- The Committee advertises its Terms of Reference and calls for submissions.
A Discussion Paper may be prepared and published.
- The Committee gathers information, including fact and opinion found in
submissions and presented in Public Hearings, inspections and field trips.
- The Committee considers the arguments, evidence and data it has gathered.
Findings and recommendations are agreed upon.
- The Committee tables a report, including its recommendations, in the Parliament.
- The Minister who initiated the Inquiry or who has portfolio responsibility
for the matter addressed by the Inquiry is responsible for replying to the
Committee's recommendations. The Minister has six months from the date of
the tabling of the report to respond. The Minister may accept, reject, modify
or adapt the Committee's recommendations.
The Environment and Natural Resources Committee does not have legislative
or regulatory powers. The Committee makes recommendations. It is the Minister's
responsibility to address the Committee's recommendations or findings.