About this Committee

Mandate

The mandate of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities has changed on several occasions.

Under Standing Order 108(1), standing committees can examine any matters referred to them by the House of Commons and can delegate to subcommittees all or any of their powers, except the power to report directly to the House.

Standing committees may also consider the Estimates, Order in Council appointments, and returns or other papers tabled in the House of Commons.

Under Standing Order 108(2), the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Sills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities can study and report on various matters, including legislation, expenditure plans, program and policy objectives, and the mandate, management and operation of the following department:

• Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

The Committee can choose to study a wide range of topics including, for example: Employment Insurance, Employment Benefits and Support Measures; income security programs; the Canada Labour Code; post-secondary education and training; and various social programs for seniors, families, children and persons with disabilities.

The Committee is also empowered to study and report on the mandate, management and operations of the following agencies and Crown corporations:

• Canada Industrial Relations Board
• Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
• Canadian Artists and Producers Professional Relations Tribunal
• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Although the Standing Orders of the House of Commons give all standing committees the mandate to exercise certain general powers, they may also grant each committee an individual mandate.  Standing Order 108(3)(d) further gives this committee the specific mandate to propose, promote, monitor and assess “initiatives aimed at the integration and equality of disabled persons in all sectors of Canadian society.”

The Committee is also responsible for administering the award provided under the Centennial Flame Research Award Act, enacted in 1991 to provide an annual monetary award to a Canadian with a disability to research and produce a report aimed at publicizing the contributions to public life of persons with disabilities. The award consists of money collected from the Centennial Flame fountain on Parliament Hill, plus any private and corporate donations made to the Centennial Flame Research Award Fund. Those interested in more information on this award may consult the selection criteria or contact the Office of the Clerk of the Committee.