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

Issue 2 - Minutes of Proceedings - May 1, 2014

OTTAWA, Thursday, May 1, 2014
(14)

The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met this day, at 9 a.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Campbell, Cordy, Downe, Doyle, Fraser, Furey, Johnson, Kinsella, Lang, LeBreton, P.C., Marshall, Munson, Seth, Smith (Saurel), Tkachuk and White (16).

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

CIBA/2014-05-01/073(P) — Adoption of Minutes of Proceedings

It was moved by the Honourable Senator Marshall that the minutes of proceedings of March 27, April 3, and April 10, 2014, be adopted.

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

CIBA/2014-05-01/074(P) — Sixth Report of the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets

The Chair of the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets, the Honourable Larry Smith (Saurel), presented the sixth report of the subcommittee as follows:

Thursday, May 1, 2014

The Subcommittee on Committee Budgets of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to present its

SIXTH REPORT

Your subcommittee recommends the release of the following amounts for fiscal year 2014-2015:

Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(Asia-Pacific Region)

Activity 1: Vancouver, Indonesia and Singapore	$297,566
Total	$297,566

(includes funds for public hearings and a fact-finding mission; includes funds for 12 senators to travel; includes business class travel for the clerk and analyst for overseas flights)

Respectfully submitted,

Larry W. Smith

Chair of the Subcommittee

It was moved by Senator Smith (Saurel) that the sixth report of the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets be adopted.

After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

CIBA/2014-05-01/075(P) — Update on LTVP

Gilles Duguay, Director General, Parliamentary Precinct Services and Brigitte Desjardins, Director, Real Property Planning, updated the Committee on various LTVP projects and answered questions.

After debate, it was agreed that an Advisory Working Group be created to review and oversee all LTVP projects affecting the Senate.

It was also agreed that after consultation with the deputy chair, the chair will, at the next meeting, inform the committee of the names of the senators who will be assigned as members of the Advisory Working Group.

CIBA/2014-05-01/076(P) — Update on the Senate Administrative Rules (SARs)

Michel Patrice, Acting Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel, updated the committee on the review of the Senate Administrative Rules (SARs).

After debate, it was agreed that an Advisory Working Group be created to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Senate Administrative Rules (SARs).

It was also agreed that after consultation with the deputy chair, the chair will, at the next meeting, inform the committee of the names of the senators who will be assigned as members of the Advisory Working Group.

CIBA/2014-05-01/077(P) — Other Matters — Senators' Travel Policy

Senator LeBreton raised concerns regarding the application of the Senators' Travel Policy.

After debate, it was agreed that a subcommittee be created to do a comprehensive assessment of the Senators' Travel Policy.

It was also agreed that after consultation with the deputy chair, the chair will, at the next meeting, inform the committee of the names of the senators who will be members of the subcommittee.

At 10:10 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