Although it rarely makes the headline news, a great deal of the most important work of government happens within Parliamentary Committees. Among their many responsibilities, these Committees oversee the work of government departments, review particular areas of federal policy, and exercise procedural and administrative responsibilities related to Parliament. Given the volume and variety of issues that Parliament must consider, a system of committees ensures that each issue can be given the attention it deserves.

As one of Canada’s most experienced Parliamentarians, Mr. Lee has served in a variety of leadership roles on a multitude of committees, many of which have benefited from his involvement since he was first elected to office in 1988. Most recently:

Chair, Interim Committee on National Security

Missing from Canada’s fight response to international terrorism has been a means for Parliament to work with the Executive branch of government in being aware of threats to national security, scrutinizing any response and ensuring that the steps taken to protect North American security do not unduly infringe on civil liberties. Since much of the information gathered by intelligence agencies is classified, Members of Parliament have been limited in what they can access. This committee, initiated by the Prime Minister, developed and recommended a committee structure that can regularly receive classified information and collaborate in overseeing the management of national security matters.

Chair, Ad Hoc Committee on Supreme Court Appointments

Formed at the request of the Prime Minister, fulfilling a key element of his Action Plan for Democratic Reform, this committee was given the mandate to review the two most recent nominees for appointment to the Supreme Court of Canada. This was the first occasion in Canadian history that Members of Parliament were involved in the process of making a Supreme Court appointment.

Chair, Standing Committee of Justice, Human Rights, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

With responsibility for all matters relating to the Department of Justice, and the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, as well as the Canadian Human Rights Commission, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the Correctional Service of Canada and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and other associated organizations, this committee tackles many of the legal issues that make it to the front pages of newspapers across the country, such as national security, Criminal Code Amendments, policing (federal) and sentencing.

Vice-Chair, Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics

This body oversees the work of Officers of Parliament, including the Information and Privacy Commissioners, and the newly appointed Ethics Commissioner. Among its recent works is a recommendation to Parliament on a new process for determining the budgets of these Officers. Since these Officers often scrutinize the executive branch of government, the recommended changes offered ensure that budgets for Officers of Parliament are not determined by the same departments they may be called to investigate.

Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations

Perhaps the least glamorous of all committees, this body carries one of the most important mandates of all: ensuring that each and every piece of legislation adopted by the government complies fully with the general law of Canada, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and Parliamentary laws. With his respected background as a lawyer, Mr. Lee brings unparalleled expertise to his work on this committee, and has served on it since he was first elected in 1988, including several sessions as Chair or Vice-chair.