Economic policy: Delegates will debate the balance between domestic manufacturing and economic growth, foreign investment, and international aid. They will amend a proposed bill developed from delegates’ Private Member’s Resolutions.
Crisis: The scenario will be revealed during the conference. Research your assigned MP’s positions so you can respond in character as events develop.
Unlike the typical MUN committee, the Canadian House of Commons will pursue a distinct set of rules of procedure. Delegates are expected to engage in party politics and represent the perspectives of Canadian constituencies, participate in questioning periods, and perform the essential duties of a Member of Parliament.
The HOC is an intermediate committee that offers a dynamic and engaging experience for delegates with an interest in Canadian politics and a parliamentary form of debate.
The Canadian House of Commons follows its own rules of procedure for the first half of committee sessions, modelled after the real Standing Orders of the House of Commons. During the second half of VIHSMUN scheduled committee sessions, crisis procedures will be used. Due to the nature of the committee, HOC crisis procedure may be slightly different than other crisis committees. The dais will explain all rules of procedure in committee sessions to ensure all delegates are in common understanding. Delegates in the Canadian House of Commons at VIHSMUN must submit special position papers known as a Private Member’s Resolution (PMR). The VIHSMUN PMR guide will be linked closer to VIHSMUN 2027’s start date.
The House of Commons will initially be responsible for amending a proposed bill, formed by merging individual delegate PMRs in a bipartisan matter. The final, post-amendment bill created after hours of debate, will include the exact processes in which the Canadian House of Common shall take to enact their theoretical law.
After voting on the bill, the committee will enter an unknown crisis scenario, where delegates must navigate their roles within the parliament to mutually resolve the crisis. Like a crisis committee, each delegate will be given roles and responsibilities by the dais, and it is their job to ensure they are able to effectively share and debate their opinions with the committee. The crisis will last for the entirety of the second half of VIHSMUN committee sessions, longer than any other non-crisis committees. Delegates will not be informed about the topic of the crisis they must handle beforehand, and they are not permitted to research or use technology during committee deliberations. Instead, delegates are expected to research their MPs thoroughly, so that they have a general understanding regarding the potential stances of their characters in the given crisis scenario. The House of Commons Committee is a good choice for delegates who want to experience a longer crisis scenario, but feel they are not ready for the more advanced dedicated crisis committees.