Thursday, March 29, 2018

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights has the honour to present its

NINTH REPORT

Your committee, which was authorized by the Senate on Thursday, December 15, 2016, to study issues relating to the human rights of prisoners in the correctional system, respectfully requests funds for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019.

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,

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STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS

Study on the issues relating to the human rights of prisoners in the correctional system

APPLICATION FOR BUDGET AUTHORIZATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 2019

Extract from the Journals of the Senate of Thursday, December 15, 2016:

The Honourable Senator Munson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cordy:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be authorized to examine and report issues relating to the human rights of prisoners in the correctional system, with emphasis on the federal system, and with reference to both national and international law and standards, as well as to examine the situation of vulnerable or disadvantaged groups in federal prisons, including indigenous people, visible minorities, women and those with mental health concerns;

That the committee submit its final report no later than October 31, 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.

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Extract from the Journals of the Senate of Thursday, October 19, 2017:

The Honourable Senator Munson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tardif:

That, notwithstanding the order of the Senate adopted on Thursday, December 15, 2016, the date for the final report of the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights in relation to its study on prisoners in the correctional system be extended from October 31, 2017 to October 31, 2018.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

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SUMMARY OF BUDGET

The above budget was approved by the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights on Wednesday, February 14, 2018.

The undersigned or an alternate will be in attendance on the date that this budget is considered.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

GENERAL ESTIMATE OF THE TOTAL COST OF THE SPECIAL STUDY

Pursuant to Chapter 3:06, section 2(2) of the Senate Administrative Rules.

Approved expenses for fiscal year 2017-18: $209,596

Projected new expenses for fiscal year 2018-19: $134,844

Estimate of the total cost of the special study: $344,440

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APPENDIX (B) TO THE REPORT

Thursday, March 29, 2018

The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has examined the budget tabled to it by the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights for the proposed expenditures of the said committee for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, for its special study on the issues relating to the human rights of prisoners in the correctional system, as authorized by the Senate on Thursday, December 15, 2016. The approved budget is as follows:

(includes funds for public hearings and a fact-finding mission; includes funds for 6 senators and 1 senator staff 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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Any 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,