Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Issue 2 - Minutes of Proceedings - June 5, 2014
OTTAWA, Thursday, June 5, 2014
(18)
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met this day, at 9 a.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Campbell, Charette-Poulin, Cordy, Dawson, Downe, Doyle, Fraser, Kinsella, Lang, LeBreton, P.C., Marshall, Seth, Smith (Saurel), Tkachuk and White (15).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Housakos and Oh (2).
Also in attendance: Mr. Gary W. O'Brien, Clerk of the Senate, and other senior Senate officials.
WITNESSES:
Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF):
Eric Janse, Clerk Assistant and Director General, International and Interparliamentary Affairs;
The Honourable Senator Victor Oh;
Mike Wallace, M.P.
Advisory Working Group on Communications:
The Honourable Senator Leo Housakos;
The Honourable Senator Dennis Dawson.
CIBA/2014-06-05/094(P) — 24th Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) — Vancouver — January 2016
The Honourable Senator Victor Oh, Mr. Mike Wallace, M.P., and Mr. Eric Janse, Clerk Assistant and Director General, International and Interparliamentary Affairs, presented a business case to obtain approval and the necessary funding to host the 24th Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) in Vancouver in January 2016.
After debate, it was agreed that that the APPF Annual Meeting in Vancouver in 2016 be approved in principle and that the Steering Committee be empowered to identify the source of the required funds ($72,816 for 2014-2015 and $327,220.50 for 2015-2016).
CIBA/2014-06-05/095(P) — Report of the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets
The Chair of the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets, the Honourable Larry Smith (Saurel), presented the seventh report of the subcommittee as follows:
Thursday, June 5, 2014
The Subcommittee on Committee Budgets of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to present its
SEVENTH REPORT
Your subcommittee recommends the release of the following amounts for fiscal year 2014-2015:
Fisheries and Oceans (Aquaculture)
Activity 2: Norway and Scotland $162,488 Total $162,488 (includes funds for a fact-finding mission; includes funds for 8 senators to travel)
National Security and Defence (Veterans Affairs)
Activity 1: Ottawa — DND — Canadian Forces Health Services Centre $ 1,050 Activity 2: Ottawa — Veterans Affairs Operational Stress Injury Clinic $ 1,050 Activity 3: Petawawa — Integrated Personnel Support Centre $ 3,350 Activity 4: Winnipeg — Deer Lodge OSI Clinic $38,600 Activity 5: Quebec City — DND and VAC Clinics $19,700 Total $63,300 (includes funds for fact-finding missions; includes funds for 5 senators to travel)
Transport and Communications (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)
Activity 1: Halifax-Quebec-Sherbrooke $159,905 Activity 2: Toronto $ 53,173 Activity 3: Montreal $ 49,733 Activity 4: London, UK — Total $262,811 (includes funds for public hearings and fact-finding missions; includes funds for 12 senators to travel; decision on Activity 4 deferred)
Legal and Constitutional Affairs (Legislation)
General Expenses $5,000 Total $5,000
Respectfully submitted,
Larry W. Smith
Chair of the Subcommittee
It was moved by Senator Smith (Saurel) that the seventh report of the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets be adopted.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2014-06-05/096(P) — Update from the Advisory Working Group on Communications
The Honourable Senators Housakos and Dawson appeared before the committee and made a presentation regarding the need to obtain outside expertise to examine the operations of the Communications Directorate and provide advice with respect to the Senate's future needs and objectives. Senator Housakos informed the committee that the Advisory Working Group on Communications was seeking authorization to initiate a Request for Proposal (RFP) to retain a supplier with communication expertise for an analysis of the Communications Directorate and to present options addressing the Senate's future needs and objectives.
Senators Housakos and Dawson answered questions and received suggestions from members of the Committee on several issues that should be considered in preparing an RFP.
After debate, it was agreed, in principle, that the Advisory Working Group on Communications be authorized to carry out a competitive process, in accordance with Senate procurement policies and guidelines, to seek proposals from communications suppliers on the renewal of the Communications Directorate together with an implementation plan.
It was also agreed that Senators Housakos and Dawson would appear before the steering committee to present the successful bidder after the evaluation of the proposals are made in accordance with Senate contracting policies and guidelines. It is understood that the contract will not be awarded unless the steering committee approve the necessary funding.
CIBA/2014-06-05/097(P) — Modernization of the Joint Parliamentary Network
Hélène Bouchard, Director, Information Services Directorate, presented a briefing note regarding the funding requirements and timelines surrounding the modernization of the Joint Parliamentary Network.
After debate, it was agreed that the Modernization of the Joint Parliamentary Network be approved in principle and that the Steering Committee be empowered to identify the source of the required funds to acquire the equipment over the next 3 fiscal years including the 3-year maintenance and ongoing maintenance.
It was also agreed that a list of all proposed initiatives for the next 3 years be presented to the full committee at a future meeting.
CIBA/2014-06-05/098(P) — Follow-Up to the Proposed Diversity and Accessibility Action Plan — 2014-2016
It was agreed that this item be deferred to the next meeting.
CIBA/2014-06-05/099(P) — Management Procedures for Employees with Disabilities — Senators' Staff
It was agreed that this item be deferred to the next meeting.
At 10:22 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Gary W. O'Brien
Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Lucie Lavoie
Recording Secretary