Prior to 2007, it was the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans' Affairs.
When examining legislation or undertaking a particular study, the Committee may hear from a variety of witnesses including the Minister, relevant departmental and Canadian Armed Forces personnel, academics, subject matter specialists, stakeholders, Ministers and officials from other departments, and members of the public at large.
Within thirty sitting days of this referral, the Committee may choose to examine the qualifications and competence of these appointees in relation to the posts to which they have been appointed.
The Committee is also empowered to study and report the following agencies and other independent bodies: Defence Research and Development Canada* Office of the Chief Military Judge* Communications Security Establishment Canada* Office of the Communications Security Establishment Commissioner* Military Grievances External Review Committee (formerly known as the Canadian Forces Grievance Board)* Military Police Complaints Commission* Office of the Ombudsman for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces National Search and Rescue Secretariat For procedural information regarding the mandate and power of committees please consult the relevant section in the Compendium of House of Commons Procedure.
One result of the Canadian parliamentary reforms implemented during the 1980s was the establishment of a separate Standing Committee on National Defence in 1986.