Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings - December 9, 2013
OTTAWA, Tuesday, December 9, 2013
(5)
[English]
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met this day, at 4 p.m. in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cordy, Downe, Doyle, Fraser, Furey, Greene, Johnson, Kinsella, LeBreton, P.C., Marshall, Munson, Seth, Smith (Saurel), and White (14).
Also in attendance: Mr. Gary W. O'Brien, Clerk of the Senate, other senior Senate officials.
CIBA/2013-12-09/025(P) — Tabling of Deloitte Documents
Following Deloitte's appearance before the Internal Economy Committee on November 28, 2013, the chair tabled documents received from Deloitte with respect to any communications with individual Senators Mr. Stewart or Mr. Timm may have had.
CIBA/2013-12-09/026(P) — Canada's Participation in the Interparliamentary Union (IPU)
The Honourable Senator Noël A. Kinsella tabled a motion:
Whereas this committee and the Board of Internal Economy of the House of Commons jointly determine whether or not the Parliament of Canada should withdraw from a given parliamentary association; and,
Whereas the Senate is responsible for thirty per cent of the funding for international contributions and activities of parliamentary associations;
I move:
That, in order to continue Canadian participation on the Inter-Parliamentary Union's Sub-Committee on Finance which is to report on ongoing reforms and a reduction in membership fees to the international Executive Committee in March 2014, this committee instruct the Joint Interparliamentary Council to make the necessary adjustments to its allocation of funds for the current fiscal year in order to allow the Canadian Group to pay its international contribution in January 2014 and to participate in activities including the Inter-Parliamentary Union's Assembly in March 2014.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
CIBA/2013-12-09/027(P) — Main Estimates 2014-2015
The Clerk made an opening statement to present the proposal for the 2014-2015 Main Estimates and Ms. Bonnie Marga, Comptroller, gave an overview of the plan regarding the statutory and voted budgets as well as an outline of the funding requirements outside the reduction plan for the economic increases.
The clerk, Ms. Marga and Ms. Proulx answered questions.
Comments were made regarding the role of the Whips and the resources available to them to fulfil their responsibilities.
After discussion, it was agreed that the steering committee review this matter and present some options to the full committee.
Further, the matter to re-establish the Advisory Working Group on Communications was mentioned and it was agreed that an Advisory Working Group on the Provision of Video Coverage of the Senate Chamber be created. The two whips agreed to provide names for the membership so that the Advisory Working Group can meet during the month of January to develop a proposal.
The chair moved that the proposed Main Estimates 2014-2015 be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2013-12-09/028(P) — Senate's Quarterly Financial Reports — Q1 and Q2 — 2013-2014
It was agreed that the Senate's Quarterly Financial Reports for the first and second quarter of fiscal year 2013-2014 be received.
CIBA/2013-12-09/029(P) — Membership on the Joint Interparliamentary Council (JIC)
It was agreed that the Honourable Senator Munson be the third representative on the Joint Interparliamentary Council (JIC).
At 5:30 p.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