Page - 149 - in VULNERABLE - The Law, Policy and Ethics of COVID-19

149Ensuring Executive and Legislative Accountability in a Pandemic present petitions,” and “questioning ministers of the Crown, includ- ing the Prime Minister, in respect of the COVID-19 pandemic.”32 A March 24 motion instructed the House of Commons Standing Committees on Health and Finance to “meet at least once per week … for the sole purpose of receiving evidence concerning matters related to the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”33 As of May 21, these committees have met fourteen and sixteen times, respectively, and have heard from a wide range of witnesses from both within and outside government. Six other committees have also met to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on matters falling within their remit.34 The March 24 motion also requires the Minister of Finance to report in writing to the Finance Committee every two weeks on the implementation of aspects of the COVID-19  Emergency  Response  Act,35 and to be available to the Committee to answer questions about the report. The motion creates a mechanism for reporting concerns about the government’s implementation of the Act to the House of Commons, at which time the House must convene to debate the issues the Committee has identified. It also tasks the Finance Committee with a full review of the Act within six months of enactment. One of the most recent laws enacted in response to COVID-19, An  Act  respecting  Canada  emergency  student  benefits  (coronavirus  disease  2019), provides for a review of the Act by a committee of the House of Commons and/ or the Senate before the end of September 2021.36 To date, scrutiny of legislation in the Senate and House of Commons chambers has been minimal. However, work in commit- tee has ramped up dramatically in a matter of weeks. These commit- tees are hearing evidence from both government officials and from individuals, communities, institutions, businesses, and organizations. Their testimony is providing important information about how the 32. House of Commons, Journals, 43rd Parl, 1st Sess, No 34 (20 April 2020). 33. Hansard 24 March 2020, supra note 24. 34. The House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, and the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. 35. SC 2020, c 5. 36. SC 2020, c 7, s 16.