Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Issue 2 - Evidence - May 8, 2008
OTTAWA, Thursday, May 8, 2008
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met this day at 9:03 a.m. to consider administrative and other matters.
Senator George J. Furey (Chair) in the chair.
[English]
The Chair: Good morning. The first item on our agenda is the adoption of the minutes of proceedings of April 8, 10 and 17. If there are no questions or issues, can we have a motion for the adoption of those minutes?
Senator Robichaud: I so move.
The Chair: All those in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Contrary minded? Carried.
The second item is the fifth report of the Subcommittee on the Review of Committee Budgets. Concern was expressed when this report first came to the committee two weeks ago. We have had a number of discussions with committee chairs, and I believe Senator Robichaud this morning will move an amendment to the report.
Senator Robichaud: How much twisting of my arm will you have to do?
[Translation]
As you recall, when our committee submitted its report at the last meeting, there was discussion on the two recommendations on the second page. It was recommended that we discuss the report in our respective caucuses.
After the discussion, a solution was reached, because people said that there could be problems if, at any point, the chair or the deputy chair refused to follow recommendations one and two. So the amendment I am making is a third recommendation as follows:
3. That, if the Chair and the Deputy Chair do not give their approval, the matter be referred for resolution to a public session of the full committee.
The decision would revert to the committee.
For conferences and other activities, there was a request for more specifics in budget requests for activities and conferences. Because some people thought that there could perhaps be problems, the following was included. It is in red in the report in front of you:
1. That committees specifically identify in their budgets the nature of the activities for which they are requesting funds; and
2. That fund allocated for conferences be used for conferences only.
On behalf of the committee, those are the amendments to the fifth subcommittee report that I am proposing.
The Chair: Are there any questions?
Senator Comeau: My question is about the second amendment. I do not understand why it is not possible to specify the nature of the activities for which funds are being requested. I cannot conceive that people would not know at least what the conferences are about.
Senator Robichaud: It is in case unexpected activities come up at the last minute.
[English]
The Chair: Are there any other questions?
We have a motion from Senator Robichaud to adopt the amended report. Seconded by Senator Nancy Ruth. All those in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Contrary minded? Carried.
The next item on our agenda is the application for budget authorization for the period ending March 31, 2009.
Paul C. Bélisle, Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments: This item relates to an ongoing operational budget for this committee. From time to time, especially in the fall when there is consideration of the estimates, there is a need to have certain meals. For example, as is the case next week, a delegation from Northern Ireland will be here to look at the functioning of our Internal Economy Committee. As a result, like all other committees, there is a need to have an amount of money, but it is strictly operational, in this case for $5,000.
The Chair: Are there any questions? Can I have a motion to approve?
Senator Massicotte: I so move.
The Chair: All those in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Contrary minded? Carried.
The committee continued in camera.