Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration

Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings - June 9, 2011

OTTAWA, Thursday, June 9, 2011
(1)

The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met this day at 8:52 a.m., the chair, the Honourable David Tkachuk, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Carignan, Comeau, Cordy, Dawson, Di Nino, Downe, Furey, Greene, Jaffer, Kinsella, Marshall, Mitchell, Munson, Stewart Olsen, Tardif and Tkachuk (16).

In attendance: Mr. Gary W. O'Brien, Clerk of the Senate and other senior Senate officials.

IE/2011-06-09/001(P) — Adoption of Minutes of Proceedings

It was moved by Senator Dawson that the minutes of Proceedings of March 3 and 24, 2011, public portion, be adopted.

The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.

IE/2011-06-09/002(P) — Hospitality and Working Meals for Senate Committees

Ms. Heather Lank, Principal Clerk, Committees, presented a briefing note with a proposal to update the policy on hospitality and working meals by Senate committees. Ms. Lank informed the committee that the policy needed to be updated to better reflect current Senate principles and practices and to clearly distinguish between hospitality and working meals.

After discussion, it was agreed that the Policy on Hospitality and Working Meals for Senate Committees be adopted.

IE/2011-06-09/003(P) — Acceptable Use Policy for the Senate Networks

The chair informed the committee that the Acceptable Use Policy for the Senate Networks was being tabled for information and would be discussed at the next meeting.

IE/2011-06-09/004(P) — Telecommunications Policy for Senators

The chair informed the committee that the Telecommunications Policy for Senators was being tabled for information and would be discussed at the next meeting.

IE/2011-06-09/005(P) — Telecommunications Costs Reduction

Ms. Hélène Bouchard, Director, Information Services, presented a briefing note with a proposal to remove the Senate's 1-800 listing from all telephone directories across Canada and to perform an audit of the number of telephone line in senators' offices with the objective to reduce the total number of lines.

After discussion, it was agreed that the Senate Administration be authorized to proceed with an audit of the number of telephone lines being used in senators' offices with the goal of reducing the total number of lines and that Ms. Bouchard provide the committee with more detailed information regarding the 1-800 listing, such as the number of telephone directories, and that a decision be deferred until the next meeting.

IE/2011-06-09/006(P) — First Report of the Steering Committee on Decisions Taken during Dissolution

It was agreed that the first report of the steering committee on decisions taken during dissolution be adopted.

At 9:32 a.m., the committee proceeded in camera.

At 10:16 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Gary W. O'Brien

Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Standing Committee on
 Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration

Lucie Lavoie

Recording Secretary