The Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs says the House of Commons ought to make permament guidelines which allowed TV cameras into House of Commons committees. Some excerpts from the PROC committee’s report to the House:
“…on May 16, 2001, and adopted the same day, it was recommended that the electronic media be allowed, on a trial basis, to videotape any public committee meetings held within the parliamentary precincts in Ottawa, subject to certain guidelines. This trial period has been successively renewed since 2001.”
“..There do not appear to have been any significant problems or complaints with respect to the guidelines.”
“…We continue to believe that it is important that Canadians be able to see more of the work on committees and of Members, and that the televising of committees is an integral part of making Parliament more accessible and transparent to the public. The original objectives were to provide Canadians with a fuller picture of Parliament, to give them an opportunity to see MPs at work and to see what committees are doing, and to promote coverage of less high-profile hearings and committees, including those of particular interest to certain regions or interest groups. It remains our hope that the electronic media will take advantage of this opportunity to enhance coverage of the work of parliamentary committees.”
“…Members of the Committee believe that it may now be appropriate to make these guidelines permanent.”
But before making the guidelines permament, the Committee says it wants to review the matter with the Parliamentary Press Gallery, the Clerk of the House, and MPs.