ACCESS TO INFORMATION, PRIVACY AND ETHICS members take a closer look at the “state of access to information in Canada” with Information Commissioner Caroline Maynard and Canada’s chief librarian and archivist, Leslie Weir as SUBCOMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS members get an update on the “current situation for democracy and human rights defenders around the world.” (3:30 p.m.)

Earlier in the day, NATIONAL DEFENCE members will begin a self-initiated examination of the “nexus between national defence, national security and Canada’s critical minerals sector” with back-to-back presentations from University of British Columbia professor Michael Byers, University of Calgary associate dean Elizabeth Steyn and the Center for Strategic and International Studies. (11 a.m.)

Over at PUBLIC ACCOUNTS, MPs will start going through the fine print of the annual public accounts for the last two years, with senior officials from Finance and Treasury Board Secretariat, as well as Auditor General Karen Hogan and her team expected to be at the table. (11 a.m.)

Also this morning: FISHERIES AND OCEANS members continue to explore “marine and coastal protections” with representatives of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association and Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation, as well as Canada’s Oceans Supercluster CEO Kendra MacDonald and Fish, Food and Allied Workers – Unifor president Dwan Street. (11 a.m.)

As part of their ongoing examination of the immigration system, CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION members hold back-to-back panel discussions with academic experts, as well as representatives of the Canadian Council for Refugees, C.D. Howe Institute and Halifax Partnership. (11 a.m.)

VETERANS AFFAIRS members explore “barriers to entrepreneurship among veterans.” (11 a.m.)

Later this afternoon, members of the SUBCOMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS get an update on the “current situation for democracy and human rights defenders around the world,” with members of the National Democratic Institute, Demos Kratos and the Iranian Canadian Cultural Society of Vancouver Island among the scheduled witnesses. (3:30 p.m.)
On the Senate side: Anandasangaree heads to NATIONAL SECURITY, DEFENCE AND VETERANS AFFAIRS  to field questions on his plan to bolster Canada’s border security regime, as outlined in legislation adopted with the support of the Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois just before the chamber shut down for the holidays. (4 p.m.)

Committee highlights courtesy of our friends at iPoliticsINTEL.