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ENEV - Standing Committee

Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources

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:

(aidentify and report on the impact transitioning to a low carbon economy will have on energy end users, including Canadian households and businesses;

(bidentify 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;

(cexamine and report on cross-sector issues and undertake case studies, if necessary, on specific programs or initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions;

(didentify 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 - air23,600




12 senators x $1,500 (0224)





7 staff x $800 (0227)



2.Hotel accommodation19,000




12 senators, $200/night, 5 nights (0222)





7 staff, $200/night, 5 nights (0226)



3.Per diem11,286




12 senators, $99/day, 6 days (0221)





7 staff, $99/day, 6 days (0225)



4.Working meals (travel) (0231)2,350


5.Taxis5,700




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


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