Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Issue 1 - Evidence for May 28, 2009
OTTAWA, Thursday, May 28, 2009
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met this day at 8:35 a.m. to consider administrative and other matters.
Senator George J. Furey (Chair) in the chair.
[English]
The Chair: Senators, we will move to consideration of the fifth report of the Subcommittee on the Review of Committee Budgets. Senator Robichaud, please.
[Translation]
Senator Robichaud: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Honourable Senators, you have before you the fifth report of the Subcommittee on the Review of Committee Budgets which recommends the release of funds to three committees. In reviewing these budgets, your Subcommittee used the same criteria as it has in examining other budgets, recommending the release of funds only for activities scheduled through the end of October, and limiting the release of funds for miscellaneous expenses and conferences.
However, in the case of the budget for the Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations, your Subcommittee is recommending the release of the full amount requested, that is $34,686, even though it includes $26,586 for conferences.
[English]
In this case, Senator Eyton made a compelling argument since the funding is for a conference that is being held in Australia this July specifically on the scrutiny of regulations. This conference is held biannually, but we were told that the committee last sent representatives 10 years ago. It intends to make a submission to this year's conference. Your subcommittee believes that in this specific case, an exception to the $20,000 limit is justified.
In the case of the Foreign Affairs budget, your subcommittee is recommending the approval of funds for the committee's trip to Russia and China in the fall, but it has reduced the recommended allocation for miscellaneous costs to $2,000. Your subcommittee has also postponed consideration of the portion of the budget requesting funds for a trip to India in January 2010.
[Translation]
Finally, with respect to the budget for the Official Languages Committee, your Subcommittee is recommending the release of funds for general expenses, for the committee's trip to Quebec to study Anglophone minority communities and for conferences.
However, we are recommending that miscellaneous costs be reduced to $2,000 for the trip, and conferences have been limited to $20,000. The recommended release amounts for these three budgets totals $566,626. That is in addition to the $1,983,149 already recommended for release to date.
I request the adoption of the fifth report. This report was accepted unanimously by the subcommittee on Budgets of that committee.
The Chair: Are there any questions concerning the Fifth Report?
[English]
The budget is moved by Senator Dawson. All those in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Carried.
The next item on the agenda is a report of the Artwork Advisory Working Group.
Paul C. Bélisle, Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments, Senate of Canada: I report only a membership change.
The Chair: I thought we had already approved this change.
Mr. Bélisle: Senator Fox is to replace Senator Dallaire, and that must be done in this committee.
The Chair: Senator Dallaire is ill and away. Senator Moore has asked that Senator Fox replace Senator Dallaire. We need a motion to approve that change.
Senator Robichaud: I so moved.
The Chair: All in favour? Contra-minded? Carried.
(The committee continued in camera.)