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Guide for the submission of briefs to a

House of Commons Committee


Who can submit a brief?

Any organization or individual may submit a written brief to a committee of the House of Commons, even if they did not have the opportunity to appear as a witness. Witnesses appearing before a committee are also encouraged to submit a brief to support their presentation.


Format and content of a brief

Although a committee may develop its own criteria as to the relevance and the acceptance of briefs, the general guidelines for their submission and content are as follows:

  • although individuals or organizations may submit briefs in either official language, briefs are not distributed to members of the committee until they are available in both official languages;

  • therefore briefs presented in only one of the two official languages must be sent to the clerk of the committee well beforehand to allow sufficient time for translation;

  • government departments and agencies must submit briefs in both official languages;

  • the brief should include factual information to substantiate the views expressed and the claims made;

  • recommendations to the committee should be as specific as possible, especially in terms of suggested amendments to bills;

  • the name and address of the association, organization or person submitting the brief should be clearly indicated on the title page;

  • briefs should not exceed 10 pages;

  • recommendations should be summarized at the end of the brief;

  • explanatory notes should be placed at the end of the brief;

  • any reference materials used should be clearly indicated;

  • any logos, line drawings, graphs, tables and charts should be done in black ink as other colours may not readily be photocopied;

  • any photographs submitted with the brief must be in black and white and have a glossy finish;

  • the clerk must be consulted on the number of copies required.

Upon request, committee rooms can be made ready for presentations (laptops-with or without audio and internet, screens and projectors). If you wish to use this audio-visual equipment, please contact the Clerk of the Committee at least five (5) working days in advance of your appearance.

Distribution of briefs

Public distribution of all submissions remains within the discretion of the Committee, unless the author specifically requests that the brief be classified as confidential.


Committee study process at a glance

Committee receives/adopts terms of reference.
Committee advertises study.
Committee receives briefs.
Committee conducts public hearings.
Committee conducts public hearings outside the parliamentary precinct(where appropriate).
Committee considers evidence and prepares report.
Committee tables report (which may contain recommendations and a request for
government response) in the House of Commons.
Government considers report and provides response (if there was such request).
The House may adopt the committee report, adopt a motion to recommit the report to the
committee so that it may be re-examined, or simply take no action.


November 2008

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