The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage (CHPC) is a standing committee of the House of Commons of Canada. The Committee is currently chaired by Scott Simms, with Vice-Chairs Alain Rayes and Martin Champoux.[1]
The Committee studies the policies and programs of the Department of Canadian Heritage and its portfolio, which are concerned with the fields of culture, heritage, and human rights in Canada.[2]
The Committee mandate includes:
The Committee held four meetings during the 1st Session of the 43rd Parliament. On 13 March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all scheduled committee meetings were cancelled.[2] During the 42nd Parliament, the Committee undertook various studies, covering a range of subjects, including:[2]
Between 1979 and 1993, cultural issues were the responsibility of the Standing Committee on Communications and Culture. In 1993, cultural matters, including broadcasting, were moved to the new Department of Canadian Heritage, while responsibility for telecommunications was moved to Industry Canada. As result, in 1994, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage was established.[2]
Since then, the Committee’s mandate has gone through a couple changes. In 2003, responsibility for Parks Canada moved from Canadian Heritage to the Department of Environment. In fiscal year 2015–2016, the Multiculturalism Program transferred from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to Canadian Heritage.[2]
Party | Member | District | |
---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Hedy Fry, Chair | Vancouver Centre, BC | |
Liberal | Chris Bittle | St. Catharines, ON | |
Liberal | Michael Coteau | Don Valley East, ON | |
Liberal | Lisa Hepfner | Hamilton Mountain, ON | |
Liberal | Anthony Housefather | Mount Royal, QC | |
Liberal | Tim Louis | Kitchener—Conestoga, ON | |
Conservative | Marilyn Gladu, Vice-Chair | Sarnia—Lambton, ON | |
Conservative | Martin Shields | Bow River, AB | |
Conservative | Kevin Waugh | Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK | |
Bloc Quebecois | Martin Champoux, Vice-Chair | Drummond, QC | |
New Democratic Party | Peter Julian | New Westminster—Burnaby, BC |