These tables of contents and alphabetical lists often do not provide much information on the actual contents of the documents, however. For example, the 1875 report of the Secretary of State included information on Indians which is not indexed under Indians. Also be aware of the difference in language or terms. For example the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were the North-West Mounted Police. Some unpublished sessional papers are available on microfilm from 1916 onwards.
Committee reports and minutes are also important research sources.
There may also be Joint Committees of the House of Commons and Senate. Committees consider proposed legislation in depth or advise on issues. They may call expert witnesses from the public and receive written submissions. From approximately 1936 on, minutes and proceedings of committees have been published as separate sets by the Federal government. Prior to that date many of them are available in the Journals.