Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Internal Economy,
Budgets and Administration
Issue 12 - Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Reports of the Committee
TUESDAY, September 22, 1998
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to present its
TWENTY-FOURTH REPORT
Your committee has examined and approved the budgets presented to it by the following committees for the proposed expenditures of the said committees for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1999:
Banking, Trade and Commerce -- Supplementary Budget (Examination of the Financial System in Canada):
| Professional and Other Services
|
$ 84,000
|
| Transportation and Communication
|
248,268
|
| All Other Expenditures
|
22,000
|
| TOTAL
|
$ 354,268
|
Standing Joint Committee on Official Languages (Senate share):
| Professional and Other Services
|
$ 3,720
|
| Transportation and Communication
|
40,764
|
| All Other Expenditures
|
3,300
|
| TOTAL
|
$ 47,784
|
Special Committee on Transportation Safety:
| Professional and Other Services
|
$ 53,500
|
| Transportation and Communication
|
42,500
|
| All Other Expenditures
|
1,500
|
| TOTAL
|
$ 97,500
|
Respectfully submitted,
WEDNESDAY, September 30, 1998
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to present its
TWENTY-FIFTH REPORT
Your committee recommends the adoption of Supplementary Estimates of $3,261,200 for the fiscal year 1998-99. Since the Senate had a carry-forward balance of $1,273,000 from 1997-98, the new funding requirements in the Supplementary Estimates is $1,988,200.
This Supplementary Estimate is required to meet operational shortfalls in committees; to provide for salary increase resulting from signed collective agreements; and to provide funds for projects which were not anticipated at the time of the Main Estimates.
A significant part of the Senate's role is to carry out in depth studies by its committees of issues which are important to Canadians. This year's studies have included an examination of the Canadian financial system, issues relating to the harvest of the Boreal Forest, the state of transportation safety, issues relating to custody and access arrangements after separation, Aboriginal self-government and security and intelligence questions. It is the established practice of both Houses of Parliament to fund special studies, special committees and joint committees from Supplementary Estimates. The total amount sought for committees is $1,200,000.
The Supplementary Estimates also covers funds to provide greater public access to the work of Senators, including funds to implement an agreement with the House of Commons to provide technical and production crews for broadcasting Senate committees, and to purchase the relevant equipment. The funds required for broadcasting and communications is $463,000.
Supplementary funds amounting to $230,000 are also required to ensure the continued usefulness of committee rooms and to allow access to interpretation systems for public seating in compliance with the Official Languages Act.
Funds totaling $58,200 are also required to cover the cost of two Parliamentary Associations over and above those funded through the Main Estimates and which were recommended by the Joint Senate -- Houses of Commons Interparliamentary Council.
The remaining $1,310,000 of the requested Supplementary Estimates covers upgrades to information technology to keep the Senate compatible with the parliamentary internet system, as well as funds for additional research expenses and tenant services not expected when the Main Estimates were prepared 12 to 18 months in advance.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM ROMPKEY
Chairman