Report of the committee
Thursday, April 6, 2017
The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources has the honour to present its
SEVENTH REPORT
Your committee, which was authorized by the Senate on Thursday, March 10, 2016, to examine and report on the effects of transitioning to a low carbon economy, respectfully requests funds for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018.
Pursuant to Chapter 3:06, section 2(1)(c) of the Senate Administrative Rules, the budget submitted to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and the report thereon of that committee are appended to this report.
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD NEUFELD
Chair
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STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Study on the effects of transitioning to a low carbon economy
APPLICATION FOR BUDGET AUTHORIZATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 2018
Extract from the Journals of the Senate of Thursday, March 10, 2016:
The Honourable Senator Neufeld moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Frum:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources be authorized to examine and report on the effects of transitioning to a low carbon economy, as required to meet the Government of Canada’s announced targets for greenhouse gas emission reductions. Recognizing the role of energy production, distribution and consumption in Canada, the committee shall be authorized to:
(a) identify and report on the impact transitioning to a low carbon economy will have on energy end users, including Canadian households and businesses;
(b) identify and report on the most viable way the following sectors — electricity, oil and gas, transportation, buildings and trade-exposed energy intensive industries — can contribute to a low carbon economy in meeting Canada’s emission targets;
(c) examine and report on cross-sector issues and undertake case studies, if necessary, on specific programs or initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions;
(d) identify areas of concern and make any necessary recommendations to the federal government that will help achieve greenhouse gas emission targets in a manner that is sustainable, affordable, efficient, equitable and achievable.
That the committee submit interim reports on identified sectors, cross-sector issues and case studies and submit its final report no later than September 30, 2017, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 180 days after the tabling of the final report.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Charles Robert
Clerk of the Senate
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SUMMARY OF BUDGET
| Activity 1: Eastern Canada (St-John’s, Summerside, Saint-André, Saint John, Parrsboro, Halifax) | $ | 104,436 | ||
| TOTAL | $ | 104,436 | ||
The above budget was approved by the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources on Tuesday, March 28, 2017.
The undersigned or an alternate will be in attendance on the date that this budget is considered.
| Date | Président du Comité sénatorial permanent de l’énergie, de l’environnement et des ressources naturelles RICHARD NEUFELD Chair, Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources | |
| Date | Président du Comité permanent de la régie interne, des budgets et de l’administration LEO HOUSAKOS Chair, Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration |
GENERAL ESTIMATE OF THE TOTAL COST OF THE SPECIAL STUDY
Pursuant to Chapter 3:06, section 2(2) of the Senate Administrative Rules.
Estimated expenses for fiscal year 2016-2017: $84,000
Expenses for fiscal year 2017-2018: $104,436
Estimate of the total cost of the special study: $188,436
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STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Study on the effects of transitioning to a low carbon economy
EXPLANATION OF BUDGET ITEMS APPLICATION FOR BUDGET AUTHORIZATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 2018
| ACTIVITY 1: Eastern Canada (St-John’s, Summerside, Saint-André, Saint John, Parrsboro, Halifax) | ||||||
| FACT-FINDING | ||||||
| 19 participants: 12 Senators, 7 staff | ||||||
| (1 clerk, 2 analysts, 1 communications officer and 3 interpreters) | ||||||
| TRANSPORTATION, ACCOMMODATION AND LIVING EXPENSES | ||||||
| 1. | Transportation - air | 23,600 | ||||
| 12 senators x $1,500 (0224) | ||||||
| 7 staff x $800 (0227) | ||||||
| 2. | Hotel accommodation | 19,000 | ||||
| 12 senators, $200/night, 5 nights (0222) | ||||||
| 7 staff, $200/night, 5 nights (0226) | ||||||
| 3. | Per diem | 11,286 | ||||
| 12 senators, $99/day, 6 days (0221) | ||||||
| 7 staff, $99/day, 6 days (0225) | ||||||
| 4. | Working meals (travel) (0231) | 2,350 | ||||
| 5. | Taxis | 5,700 | ||||
| 12 senators x $300 (0223) | ||||||
| 7 staff x $300 (0232) | ||||||
| 6. | Charter bus (0228) | 3,000 | ||||
| (2 days, $1,500/day) | ||||||
| 7. | Charter flight (0233) (sole source) | 35,000 | ||||
| Sub-total | $99,936 | |||||
| ALL OTHER EXPENDITURES | ||||||
| OTHER | ||||||
| 1. | Miscellaneous costs associated with travel (0229) | 500 | ||||
| RENTALS | ||||||
| 2. | Rental office space (meeting rooms) (0540) | 2,000 | ||||
| (2 days, $1,000/day) | ||||||
| 3. | Rental - interpretation equipment (0504) | 2,000 | ||||
| (4 days, $500/day) | ||||||
| Sub-total | $4,500 | |||||
| Total of Activity 1 | $104,436 | |||||
| Grand Total | $ 104,436 | |||||
The Senate Administration has reviewed this budget application.
| Date | Blair Armitage, Principal Clerk, Committees Directorate | |
| Date | Nathalie Charpentier, Comptroller, Finance and Procurement Directorate |
APPENDIX (B) TO THE REPORT
Thursday, April 6, 2017
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has examined the budget presented to it by the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources for the proposed expenditures of the said committee for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018, for the purpose of its special study on the effects of transitioning to a low carbon economy, as authorized by the Senate on Thursday, March 10, 2016. The approved budget is as follows:
| Activity 1: Eastern Canada (St-John’s, Summerside, Saint-André, Saint John, Parrsboro, Halifax) | $ | 104,436 | ||
| TOTAL | $ | 104,436 | ||
(includes funds for a fact-finding mission, as well as approval for sole source for charter flights; includes funds for 12 senators to travel)
The budgets approved by the Senate for each travel activity are the maximum amount that can be spent for that activity;
Budgets normally include funds for the full membership of the committee to travel;
In general, a reduced delegation actually travels and efforts are made to find additional savings;
Therefore, actual expenditures are expected to be considerably below the approved budget, and they will be reported to the Senate;
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In keeping with the claw back process that is already in effect, any unexpended funds allocated in this budget for travel will be returned to the central committees’ budget at the end of October 2017, to ensure that funds are not tied up unnecessarily. These funds will be made available for redistribution to all committees for travel in the Fall of 2017, upon application to the Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
Any surplus funds remaining at the conclusion of a travel activity will be clawed-back and can be made available for allocation to committees for other activities.
Respectfully submitted,
LEO HOUSAKOS
Chair