About

The Standing Orders of the House of Commons give all standing committees the mandate to exercise certain general powers. Standing Order 108(2) gives committees the power ““to study and report on all matters relating to the mandate, management and operation of the department or departments of government which are assigned to them.”” For a more detailed overview of parliamentary committees, please consult the Compendium of House of Commons Procedure.

Generally speaking, the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food may examine any issue related to Canada’s agriculture and agri-food industry. It is a public forum where specific events or initiatives affecting the sector can be addressed.

More specifically, the Committee focuses on bills, expenditures and activities of the organizations that are part of the Agriculture and Agri-Food portfolio:

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC);

• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA);

• The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC);

• The Farm Products Council of Canada (FPCC);

• Two Crown corporations:
  • The Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC);
  • Farm Credit Canada (FCC).

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food also examines the activities of other organizations that are not part of the Agriculture and Agri-Food portfolio, such as the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA).

An important part of the Committee’s mandate is to study and vote on the items for the various agencies in the Agriculture and Agri-Food portfolio.