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Witnesses' guide - Public consultations in parliamentary committee (PDF, 279 KB)
A parliamentary committee may hold a consultation on a matter of public interest either on its own initiative or under an order of reference from the National Assembly. To do so, the committee seeks and gathers input from individuals and organized groups. The committee then tables a report in the Assembly, which may contain observations, recommendations and conclusions.
Notice of Consultation
A committee can hold two types of consultation: general consultations and special consultations.
Taking Part in a General Consultation
General consultations address the public as a whole. There are four ways to participate:
Preparing a brief to express an opinion on the subject of the consultation
Requesting to address the committee without submitting a brief
Taking part in an online consultation on the subject
Commenting on the subject of the consultation
A public notice of consultation must be issued before a general consultation may be held.
Once the deadline for submissions has passed, the committee chooses who will be heard in a public hearing from among the individuals and organizations that submitted a brief or a request to address the committee.
Ongoing general consultations are listed in the "Take part in a consultation" section of the Parliamentary Proceedings home page. Click on the title of a consultation to access the appropriate page.
Taking Part in a Special Consultation
Special consultations are limited to individuals and organizations chosen by the committee for their knowledge of the matter being studied. The individuals and groups chosen may submit a brief or present their opinion before the committee.
Participation in special consultations is by invitation only. However, there are two ways in which members of the general public may make their opinion on the subject of the consultation known:
Taking part in a related online consultation, if there is one
Whenever a parliamentary committee holds a general consultation, the committee clerk publishes a notice of consultation:
in the Gazette officielle du Québec
in Québec's major daily newspapers
on the page set up for the consultation on the National Assembly website
The notice of consultation sets out:
the subject of the consultation
the date the public hearings start
instructions for preparing and submitting briefs and requests to be heard
the deadline for submitting briefs and requests to be heard to the Parliamentary Committees Directorate
The deadline for submitting briefs and requests to be heard is at least 30 days after the publication of the notice.
Public hearings are the high point of a consultation. They generally take place at the Parliament Building in Québec City, but in certain cases can be held outside Québec City.
During public hearings, the individuals and organizations that have been summoned present their brief or their opinion and answer Members' questions.
Replying to an Invitation
The committee clerk summons the individuals and organizations the committee has decided to hear at least seven days before the hearing. In the case of a special consultation, the lapse of time may be shorter.
Invitations:
are in writing
state the date, time, place and duration of the hearing
state the time allotted for each presentation, including the discussion with the MNAs
See the plan of the parliament buildings to find the location of the hearing.
Those who have been summoned must confirm their participation with the committee clerk as soon as possible. Organizations must provide the name and title of the people appointed to present their briefs or opinions to the committee.
Preparing a Presentation
Once one's participation has been confirmed, it is possible to contact the committee clerk for details concerning:
how sittings are conducted
the procedure followed during public hearings
It might also be helpful to consult the brochure The Parliamentary Committees of Québec's National Assembly (PDF, 941 KB).
Committee clerks can be reached:
by telephone: 418-643-2722 (toll-free: 1-866-337-8837)
by fax: 418-643-0248
Parliamentary committees can also be reached by email.
The National Assembly provides wireless Internet access in the rooms in which public hearings are held.
Obtaining a Recording of a Presentation
Public hearings are recorded. Some of them are broadcast:
live (or later) on the National Assembly Channel
live on the Assembly website, in the Audio and Video section.
The Audio and Video section also contains archives of hearings and certain consultations.
It is possible, for a fee, to obtain a video excerpt of a public hearing.
More on ordering a video excerpt
Obtaining a Transcript of a Presentation
The transcripts public hearings can be found in a committee's Journal des débats (Hansard). Transcripts of debates can be viewed online. Consult the committee's page in the Committee Proceedings section.
For more on public consultations and how to take part in them, contact the Parliamentary Committees Directorate.
Québec City area: 418-643-2722
Toll-free number: 1-866-337-8837
Email: commissions@assnat.qc.ca
Standing orders 166 to 173.1 of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly govern consultations by parliamentary committees.
Date of last modification : June 30, 2009