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Planning


Planning

Steering Committees

Steering committees help PACs to set longer-term objectives and plan for meetings.

Practices to Consider
  • Form a planning or steering sub-committee to plan PAC meetings. Such a sub-committee can also develop strategies to strengthen PAC operations in the long term.
  • Maintain regular communication with House Leaders and Whips to create awareness about the importance of minimizing substitutions and turnover.

Planning

Planning can help the PAC prepare for and focus on higher priority issues. Planning is also important because it allows staff and witnesses to prepare for hearings in advance.

Practices to Consider
  • Establish a strategy for the PAC based on the specific challenges and needs of the jurisdiction.
  • Set clear objectives and work plans for hearings.
  • Set fixed meeting schedules, and adhere to them.
  • Encourage the legislative auditor to provide information about planned report-tabling dates.
  • Encourage the legislative auditor to advise the PAC on topics for priority consideration.
  • Plan to request that departments provide detailed action plans to address the recommendations contained in the legislative auditors’ report upon tabling.

Practice Highlights

  • In British Columbia, a PAC planning sub-committee is appointed each session, consisting of the Chair and Deputy Chair. The PAC clerk and the Auditor General attend its meetings on a regular basis; the Comptroller General may also be present.
  • Nova Scotia’s PAC has a Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure which is comprised of the Chair, Vice-Chair and a member of the third party.
  • Saskatchewan’s PAC has a Steering Committee that consults with the legislative auditor's office and ministries in developing meeting agendas.
  • Alberta has an “informal working group” representing all political parties that proposes the agenda for PAC meetings.
  • The House of Commons PAC adheres to a schedule of twice weekly meetings, each lasting two hours.
  • Ontario’s PAC meets weekly for up to four hours while the Legislature is in session.
  • The PAC in the Northwest Territories typically plans its work about six months into the future. Members are made aware of audits being undertaken by the Auditor General of Canada and have a fairly clear indication of when reports will be tabled in the legislature and when public hearings will follow.