Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights
Issue 10, Evidence - March 15, 2012
OTTAWA, Thursday, March 15, 2012
The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 1:04 p.m. for the consideration of a draft budget.
Senator Mobina S. B. Jaffer (Chair) in the chair.
[English]
The Chair: We will get started, honourable senators. The steering committee has looked at a letter that we would take to the subcommittee on the Geneva trip.
Senator Andreychuk, could you please read it through and see if you have any comment?
Senator Andreychuk: Shall I start redrafting now? I think we are saying too much. I would just reference possible travel in budget year 2012-13. I would make the point that we are concentrating on two studies, cyberbullying and portability, and that we continue to monitor other issues that might necessitate a reassessment of the Human Rights Council. We are alerting you that we may have to come back for a budget for that. Do not give them all those details.
The Chair: Are you comfortable with steering drafting something?
Senator Andreychuk: Sure. I think you are saying it here, but you are saying too much. I think it is an alert. I am doing the same thing for the Foreign Affairs Committee. We are not travelling, but we say we finish our studies in September. We are alerting you we might. We are not saying too much else, and that is why I do not think I would. Otherwise they will get into why, how come and all that, and that is not what they are after.
The Chair: That is fair.
Is that okay?
Senator Brazeau: That is fine.
Senator Andreychuk: A simple letter of an alert.
The Chair: During the holidays next week, our clerk will look at that and then we will get that approved.
Next we can go to the budget. Steering has looked at this budget, and the one item that people may have concerns about is the interpretation equipment at Saskatoon. Unfortunately, and Senator Andreychuk will know this for sure, we have to bring it from Regina, and that is the cost.
Senator Andreychuk: I think you can say that, but I know that there is equipment in Saskatoon. I have used it, and it is university services, et cetera. You can say from your investigation you could not come up with any now and that is why the price is there, but if we can find it locally we will.
Daniel Charbonneau, Clerk of the Committee: I know that the Senate has a standing offer with certain companies. The Senate has purchase orders with specific companies according to zones in Canada, so that is our provider. However, I will speak to Finance to see if we can find someone else, university services.
Senator Andreychuk: I also know that the provider from Regina has worked in Saskatoon. You can put it in because you do not know now but you will try and reduce it. That is all I would say.
The Chair: Are there other budget items that senators want clarified?
The one thing that Senator Andreychuk brought up fairly last time was hospitality. Apparently we have to keep that word. Do not ask me why, but it is just refreshments such as coffee, tea and juice.
Senator Andreychuk: Put that in brackets somewhere because "hospitality" is a red flag. If you are really talking coffee and doughnuts, let us put coffee and doughnuts.
The Chair: I would like to but our clerk has instructed me to use "hospitality."
Senator Andreychuk: You can put it down somewhere.
Mr. Charbonneau: I have put it in the budget. It says "hospitality" and meals, but then I specified coffee, tea and juice.
The Chair: Anything else?
May I have a motion to approve this budget?
Senator Ataullahjan: So moved.
The Chair: All those in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Is anyone opposed? Are there any abstentions? So it is unanimous.
Is there any other business? Thank you very much for coming.
(The committee adjourned.)