Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Issue 9 - Minutes of Proceedings - June 6, 2013
OTTAWA, Thursday, June 6, 2013
(48)
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met this day, at 8:03 a.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable David Tkachuk, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Campbell, Carignan, Comeau, Cordy, Downe, Doyle, Fraser, Furey, Johnson, Kinsella, Marshall, Munson, Smith (Saurel), Stewart Olsen, Tardif and Tkachuk (16).
In attendance: Mr. Gary W. O'Brien, Clerk of the Senate, and other senior Senate officials.
WITNESSES:
International and Interparliamentary Affairs Directorate:
Eric Janse, Clerk Assistant and Director General;
Jeremy LeBlanc, Deputy Principal Clerk;
Gérald Lafrenière, Deputy Principal Clerk.
IE/2013-06-06/326(P) — Adoption of Minutes of Proceedings
It was moved, by Senator Marshall, that the Minutes of Proceedings of April 25 and May 28, 2013, public portion, be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
IE/2013-06-06/327(P) — Thirty-Fourth Report of the Subcommittee on the Review of Committee Budgets and International Travel
The Chair of the Subcommittee on the Review of Committee Budgets and International Travel, Senator Comeau, presented the Thirty-Fourth Report of the Subcommittee as follows:
Thursday, June 6, 2013
The Subcommittee on the Review of Committee Budgets and International Travel of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to present its
THIRTY-FOURTH REPORT
Your subcommittee recommends the release of the following amount for fiscal year 2013-2014:
Human Rights (Cyberbullying)
General Expenses $ 5,000
Total $ 5,000
Respectfully submitted,
It was moved by Senator Comeau that the Thirty-Fourth Report of the Subcommittee on the Review of Committee Budgets and International Travel be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
IE/2013-06-06/328(P) — Canada's Participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
Eric Janse, Clerk Assistant and Director General, IIA, provided the committee with information regarding Canada's participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), further to a letter from the Co-Chairs of the Joint Interparliamentary Council (JIC) recommending that the Parliament of Canada withdraw from this organization due to the high membership fee.
Eric Janse and Jeremy LeBlanc answered questions.
After debate, it was agreed that the matter be referred back to the JIC for further deliberation, with a suggestion to further examine the membership fees paid by all multilateral associations. The committee also recommended that, before a final determination is made, the Canadian Group of the IPU continue its negotiations with the international secretariat with a view to achieving a 50 per cent cut in the contribution that Canada pays to the IPU.
IE/2013-06-06/329(P) — Other Matters
Senator Cordy thanked the staff of the Senate Administration for their work and their professionalism in the past years with the Auditor General.
Senator Cordy then asked the chair for an update regarding Senator Wallin's file. The chair answered questions.
Senator Campbell moved that the firm Deloitte be asked to appear before the Committee at its next meeting.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
At 9:10 a.m., the committee proceeded in camera.
At 10:21 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