Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Issue 7 - Evidence - May 14, 2015
OTTAWA, Thursday, May 14, 2015
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met this day at 8:32 a.m., in public, for the consideration of administrative matters; and in camera for the consideration of administrative and other matters.
Senator Leo Housakos (Chair) in the chair.
[English]
The Chair: I'd like to welcome Senator Raine, who is replacing Senator Lang, I understand; and Senator Poirier, who is here for Senator LeBreton.
We can get right into the thick of things and go to Item 1.
[Translation]
Adoption of minutes of proceedings of April 23 and May 7, 2015.
[English]
Senators had the opportunity to review the minutes. Is there a motion to adopt? Senator Furey moves that we adopt the minutes. Is everyone in agreement?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Item 2 is the fourteenth report of the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets.
Senator L. Smith: Honourable senators, I have the honour to present the fourteenth report of the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets, which includes recommended allocations for two committee budgets.
[Translation]
Your subcommittee met the deputy chair and third member of the steering committee for the Banking, Trade and Commerce Committee, whose budget application contained proposed expenditures for communications and graphic design for the production of their report on digital currency.
[English]
As always, we wanted to be sure that the committee had clear objectives for this genre of expenditure and that the strategy would effectively reach its intended audience. We were impressed by the committee's plans. For the budget application from Banking, Trade and Commerce, the recommended allocation is $16,700.
The second budget allocation is from the Official Languages Committee for general expenses to cover printing of its report on second language training. The recommended allocation is $500.
When we last presented to this committee, I noted that the Official Languages Committee was looking at travel to Europe on this order of reference. We received a letter noting that the committee has decided to withdraw that budget application and that it might return in the fall with a new application.
If the requested amounts are granted in full, this will mean that a total of $274,406 will have been approved for release this fiscal year.
[Translation]
In context, the total funding available for all of 2015-16 is $1.19 million, less $250,000 for witness expenses, leaving $941,000 for operational expenses. Based on this, and the fact that committees are budgeting for full participation, which, as you know, is the standard even though full participation rarely occurs, your subcommittee feels comfortable recommending the release of the funds.
[English]
I recommend the adoption of the report. If there are any questions, between the two of us here today, we'll answer them, hopefully.
The Chair: You were so good, there are no questions.
Senator L. Smith: I guess they must like my black outfit. Thank you very much. This outfit came from the bachelor, my son, Brad. This is what happens as you age — your kids give you all their clothes. The fact that I can still wear them at this stage of life, that my chest is not in my drawers, I'm very happy.
The Chair: Senators, I would like to remind everybody that the cameras are running and this is a public portion of the meeting. Does anybody move adoption of the report?
Senator Tkachuk: I so move.
The Chair: It's moved by Senator Tkachuk. All those in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Agreed. We will go in camera now.
Senator Tkachuk: I think we should.
(The committee continued in camera.)