Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Minutes of Proceedings - May 18, 2017
OTTAWA, Thursday, May 18, 2017
(37)
[English]
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met this day at 9:02 a.m., in room 160- S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Leo Housakos, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Batters, Boniface, Cordy, Dawson, Downe, Dupuis, Housakos, Marshall, McCoy, Plett, Saint-Germain, Tannas, Tkachuk and Wells (14).
Also in attendance: Nicole Proulx, Clerk of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and Chief Corporate Services Officer; Charles Robert, Clerk of the Senate and Chief Legislative Officer; Michel Patrice, Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel and Chief, Parliamentary Precinct Services; and other senior Senate officials.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
WITNESSES:
The Senate of Canada:
Pascale Legault, Chief Financial Officer, Finance and Procurement Directorate;
Luc Presseau, Director, Human Resources Directorate;
Monique Daigle, Chief, Compensation, Human Resources Directorate;
Hélène Bouchard, Director, Information Services Directorate.
Pursuant to rule 12-7(1) of the Rules of the Senate, the committee continued its consideration of financial and administrative matters concerning the Senate's internal administration.
CIBA/2017-05-18/295(P)|211| — Adoption of Minutes of Proceedings
The committee considered the Minutes of Proceedings of May 11, 2017, in public portion.
The Honourable Senator Cordy moved:
That the Minutes of Proceedings of May 11, 2017, in public portion, be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2017-05-18/296(P)|287| — Update on the Phoenix Pay System
The committee received an update on the Phoenix Pay System. Luc Presseau made a statement and, together with Nicole Proulx and Pascale Legault, answered questions.
CIBA/2017-05-18/297(P)|351| — Criteria for Language Training
The committee considered new criteria under the Senators' Office Management Policy for official language training funding and related travel costs for senators' staff. Luc Presseau made a statement and, together with Nicole Proulx, answered questions.
After debate, it was agreed that the criteria under the Senators' Office Management Policy for official language training funding and related travel costs for senators' staff be amended by substituting "Ottawa'' with "the National Capital Region''.
The Honourable Senator Plett moved:
That the criteria under the Senators' Office Management Policy for official language training funding and related travel costs for senators' staff be amended by adding the following:
"completion of a minimum of two years of language training with the House of Commons Language Assessment Centre or acceptable equivalent accompanied by a written recommendation by a language teacher indicating that immersion would be beneficial at this time'';
"the maximum period of training outside Ottawa for an employee will not exceed two weeks in total''; and
That the criteria be renumbered accordingly.
After debate, it was agreed that the criteria under the Senators' Office Management Policy for official language training funding and related travel costs for senators' staff be referred to the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure for further study.
CIBA/2017-05-18/298(P)|302| — Contract over $100,000: Replacement of Key Equipment Components
The committee considered a request to launch a request for quotations and enter into a contract exceeding $100,000 for the replacement of key equipment components located in Committee Rooms 2 and 9 of the Victoria Building. Hélène Bouchard made a statement and answered questions.
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved:
That the committee authorize the Senate Administration to initiate a request for quotations and subsequently award a contract anticipated to exceed $100,000 (not to exceed $110,000) for the replacement of critical equipment in the Victoria Committee Rooms.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2017-05-18/299(P)|194| — Post-Trip Report: Senator Munson
It was agreed that the item be postponed to the next meeting of the committee.
At 10:05 a.m., the committee proceeded in camera, pursuant to rule 12-16(1).
Pursuant to rule 12-7(1) of the Rules of the Senate, the committee continued its consideration of financial and administrative matters concerning the Senate's internal administration.
At 10:11 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Nicole Proulx
Clerk of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Daniel Charbonneau
Recording Secretary