Liberals Flex New Majority Power on the Hill
Canada's federal Liberals have made quick work of their newly reclaimed committee majorities — and not everyone is happy about how they're using them.
Less than a week after securing majority control of parliamentary committees, the Liberal government has begun moving proceedings in camera, a Latin term meaning "in private," effectively locking the public and press out of deliberations that have traditionally been held in the open.
What Does 'In Camera' Actually Mean?
Parliamentary committees have the authority to meet in camera when dealing with matters deemed sensitive — things like national security briefings, personnel matters, or draft reports that haven't yet been tabled. The practice is legal and not uncommon.
But critics argue that using in camera sessions as a matter of course — rather than as a measured exception — undermines the transparency that Canadians expect from their elected representatives. When committees go behind closed doors, journalists can't report on the proceedings, and the public loses direct insight into how laws and policies are being shaped on their behalf.
Opposition Pushback
Opposition parties have not been quiet about the shift. When a governing party holds a majority on committees, they control what gets studied, who gets called as a witness, and — crucially — when the doors get closed. The concern is that majority committee control can become a tool to manage political optics rather than serve the public interest.
For Canadians watching closely, the dynamic echoes longstanding debates about the role of parliamentary oversight. Committees are supposed to be one of Parliament's most important accountability mechanisms — a place where the government faces scrutiny from all parties, not just the opposition benches in the House.
Why It Matters for Canadians
The timing is notable. With a fresh mandate in hand, the Liberal government faces significant files: ongoing trade tensions with the United States, cost-of-living pressures, and a packed legislative agenda. Committees will be central to studying much of the legislation that flows from these priorities.
If key deliberations happen behind closed doors, Canadians — and the journalists who cover Parliament — will have a harder time following the policy sausage being made.
Transparency advocates have long argued that an engaged, informed citizenry depends on open government. That principle doesn't stop mattering simply because an election has been won.
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether the in camera pattern will become the norm under the new Liberal committee majority or whether the early moves represent a cautious transition period. Opposition members will be watching closely, and Canadians have every reason to do the same.
Parliamentary committees may not make for splashy headlines — but they're where the real work of governing often gets done. Keeping that work visible is part of the bargain.
Source: CBC Politics
