Thursday, June 7, 2018

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

THIRTEENTH 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.

The original budget application submitted to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and the report thereon of that committee were printed in the Journals of the Senate on March 29, 2018. On April 17, 2018, the Senate approved the release of $126,878 to the committee.

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 SUPPLEMENTARY 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, May 23, 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: $70,356

Approved expenses for fiscal year 2018-19: $126,878

Projected new expenses for fiscal year 2018-19: $305,952

Estimate of the total cost of the special study: $503,186

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APPENDIX (B) TO THE REPORT

Thursday, May 31, 2018

The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has examined the budget presented 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 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, as well as approval for sole source for charter flight; includes funds for 6 senators and 1 senator staff to travel - decision on Activity 2 deferred)

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 2018, 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 2018, upon application to the Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.

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,