About this Committee

Mandate

The Standing Committee on the Status of Women was created and received its mandate for the first time at the start of the 38th Parliament in 2004. While this is the first Standing Committee on the Status of Women, a Subcommittee on the Status of Women (under the Committee on Health and Welfare, Social Affairs, Seniors and the Status of Women) existed during the 34th Parliament.

Under Standing Order 108(1), the House of Commons refers matters to the Committee for examination and report. This Order also authorizes the Committee to create subcommittees to focus on particular subjects. Standing Order 108(2) gives the Committee broad authority to study the policies, programs, expenditures and legislation of departments and related agencies, including Status of Women Canada, relating to the status of women.