Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Issue 1 - Evidence for February 7, 2008
OTTAWA, Thursday, February 7, 2008
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met this day at 9:10 a.m. to consider administrative and other matters.
Senator George J. Furey (Chair) in the chair.
[English]
The Chair: The first item, colleagues, is the report of the Subcommittee on the Review of Committee Budgets.
[Translation]
Senator Robichaud: At the start of the second session, committees had about $2.85 million to be divided between them; about $2.45 million has been distributed to date, leaving $400,000.
The subcommittee received nine other budget requests for a total of about $300,000. As it did before Christmas, the subcommittee invited the chairs to come before it to justify their requests, particularly those dealing with travel or hiring staff.
We are very comfortable in recommending that the amounts requested by these committees be granted, safe in the knowledge that the funds are available and that committees do not spend all the money they are given.
The only exception to this full funding is a modest reduction of $7,200 in the allocation made to the Committee on Social Affairs for its study on early child care, since Senator Eggleton felt that the full amount would not be necessary.
As I indicated when I presented the first report of the subcommittee last December, the 2008-2009 budget year may be more difficult because there is a considerable discrepancy between the budgets submitted and the funds available.
[English]
The subcommittee has discussed draft guidelines for committee budgets that we intend to submit shortly for consideration by the Internal Economy Committee. We believe that these guidelines will assist committees in the drafting of their budgets while ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in the process, including a robust reporting structure.
I, therefore, move the adoption of the second report of the Subcommittee on the Review of Committee Budgets.
[Translation]
The Chair: Are there any questions?
[English]
All those in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Contra minded?
Carried.
The next item on the agenda is the adoption of the minutes of proceedings. I presume colleagues have had a chance to review the December 6 minutes of proceedings. Are there any questions? If not, do we have a motion for adoption?
Senator Jaffer: I so move.
The Chair: All those in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Contra minded?
Carried.
The committee continued in camera.