Preparing for Parliamentary Committee Appearances and Testimony

About the Program

Appearing before a parliamentary committee is a critical responsibility for senior public servants, requiring both strategic preparation and confident delivery. Committees play a central role in government oversight, and your ability to communicate effectively under scrutiny can shape public perception, influence decision-making, and uphold your department’s credibility.

This half-day intensive equips senior public servants with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to navigate committee appearances with confidence. Designed and delivered by former senior public servants and current MPs, this highly interactive program provides firsthand insights into parliamentary procedures, political dynamics, and effective testimony strategies.

Through real-world case studies, role-playing exercises, and a mock committee hearing, you will gain practical experience responding to tough questions, handling political pressure, and delivering clear, concise, and credible testimony.

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is designed for teams comprised of:

• Assistant Deputy Ministers (ADMs), Directors General (DGs), and senior EX-level public servants who may be called upon to testify before a parliamentary committee
• Parliamentary affairs professionals responsible for preparing officials for committee appearances
• Communications specialists who develop testimony strategies and responses
• Senior staff in deputy minister, ADM, or ministerial offices with parliamentary liaison responsibilities

What You Will Learn

By the end of this program, participants will have a deeper understanding of:

• How parliamentary committees operate and your obligations as a public servant
• The roles and dynamics of committee members, including the chair, clerk, and MPs from both government and opposition
• The accountability framework for ministers and public servants appearing before Parliament
• Committee procedures, questioning techniques, and the political considerations behind them
• How to structure testimony, respond to challenging questions, and maintain composure under pressure
• Practical strategies and expert tips for a successful committee appearance

Program Facilitators

David McLaughlin

Facilitator

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David McLaughlin

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Facilitator

David McLaughlin is a recognized public policy leader with almost 40 years’ experience in senior government, political, and private sector settings at both national and provincial levels. At the public service level, David served as Clerk of the Executive Council, Cabinet Secretary, and Head of the Civil Service in Manitoba, Deputy Minister to the Premier of New Brunswick for Policy and Planning, and Deputy Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs in both Manitoba and New Brunswick. The premier appointed David as deputy minister to lead New Brunswick’s Commission on Legislative Democracy. 

He was appointed president and CEO of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy and acted as executive director to the Council of the Federation’s panel on fiscal imbalance.

At the political level, David was Chief of Staff to the prime minister of Canada and the federal minister of finance. He directed four successful provincial election campaigns. Most recently, David was president and CEO of the Institute on Governance.

David is a published author and regularly writes and comments on Canadian public affairs and governance issues for national and regional media outlets including the CBC, Globe and Mail, Winnipeg Free Press, and others.

David believes strongly in the value and importance of good governance and a strong, effective public service to serve Canadians.

His teaching interests are in the areas of public governance, democracy and politics, intergovernmental relations, and public policy development, and public service learning.

David holds a BA (Honours) from Mount Allison University, an MA in International Affairs from Carleton University, and an MBA from the University of Bath (UK).

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