Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Internal Economy,
Budgets and Administration
Issue 6 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Thursday, April 30, 1998
(14)
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met in camera at 8:30 a.m. this day, the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bryden, Di Nino, Forrestall, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Maheu, Robichaud, P.C. (Saint-Louis-de-Kent), Rompkey, P.C. and Stollery (9)
Other Senators present: The Honourable Senators Bacon, Ghitter, Lewis, Milne and Watt (5).
At 9:35 a.m., the committee proceeded in public.
Committee Budgets
The committee proceeded to the consideration of budgets from Senate committees for fiscal year 1998-99.
98-04-30/124
It was agreed that the following budgets be adopted:
- Transport and Communications (Legislation) - $53,650;
- Transport and Communications (Canada's International Competitive Position in Communications) - $190,050;
- Privileges, Standing Rules and Orders (permanent order of reference) - $10,000;
- Terrorism and Public Safety (Special) - $105,400;
- Legal and Constitutional Affairs (Legislation) - $35,400;
- Energy and Natural Resources (Legislation) - $57,014, conditional upon submitting a communications plan;
- Scrutiny of Regulations (Senate share) - $63,690;
- Aboriginal Peoples (recommendations of the Royal Commission Report on Aboriginal Peoples) - $32,000;
At 10:30 a.m., the committee proceeded in camera.
At 10:40 a.m., the committee proceeded in public.
Restoration of the War Paintings in the Senate Chamber
The committee proceeded to the consideration of the Restoration of the War Paintings in the Senate Chamber.
98-04-30/127
After debate, it was agreed:
1. That this committee sanction this project, whereby PWGSC will enter into contract for the services of a conservator for the cleaning and repair of the War Paintings. Funding to be provided by PWGSC. Supervision of the conservators work by the CWM.
2. That all necessary contractual and logistical arrangements be in place to permit the work to commence on site immediately following Senate adjournment for the summer recess. Work to be completed within six to eight weeks. Should it be necessary to reconvene the Senate during the summer recess, arrangements will be made whereby the work can be temporarily suspended.
3. That the Public Information Office be informed of this project so that tour guides can explain the work in progress to summer visitors and the completed project to visitors thereafter.
4. That arrangements be made for a rededication ceremony, the details of which will be the subject of a further submission.
5. That information relating to the paintings, their history, restoration and re-dedication, including photos, be added to the Internet under the visitor information section.
98-04-30/128
It was also agreed that a study be made of the condition of the art work in Room 256-S.
Senate Pins
98-04-30/129
After debate, it was agreed:
That only one pin be issued to each senator as has been the practice in the past. Pins that are lost will be replaced at no cost to Senators, as has also been past practice; and
That both the old pin and the new pin will be authorized for use until the Senate rises for its summer adjournment at which time only the new pin will be recognized as the senators' identification pin.
Employment Equity and Access for the Disabled
98-04-30/130
It was agreed that the issue of Employment Equity and Access for the Disabled be postponed but that the Recording Clerk be instructed to circulate previous briefing notes on these subjects to committee members.
Media Access to the Foyer
The committee proceeded to the consideration of media access to the Foyer.
98-04-30/131
After debate, it was agreed:
That a comprehensive action plan be developed to address the needs of the disabled for accessibility, services and equipment in the Senate and it recommended that this be accomplished by establishing a committee comprised of client representatives and Senate Administration staff with the mandate to:
- analyze all activities by Senators (committee work, debates in the chamber, etc.) and define the needs of people with disabilities who may have to participate in such activities;
- analyze all services and information offered to the public and formulate ways of making them accessible to everyone;
- analyze all staff positions to determine what level of accessibility is required;
- develop an implementation plan to address any activities which need to be undertaken to ensure the needs of the disabled are met;
- ensure that all activities undertaken by the Senate on equipment and services are consistent with and complimentary to PWGSC activity on accessibility to Senate occupied buildings.
Once an implementation plan is developed, it will be presented to Internal Economy Committee for approval.
98-04-30/132
It was also agreed that the committee play an advisory role for future planning activities with regard to Senate buildings and facilities.
At 10:55 a.m., the committee proceeded in camera.
At 11:10 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Paul C. Bélisle
Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Internal Economy Committee
Gary O'Brien
Recording Secretary of the Internal Economy Committee