Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Issue 4 - Minutes of Proceedings - October 2, 2014
OTTAWA, Thursday, October 2, 2014
(23)
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, Dawson, Doyle, Frum, Furey, Kinsella, Lang, LeBreton, P.C., Manning, Marshall, Munson, Smith (Saurel), Tkachuk and Wells (15).
Also in attendance: Mr. Gary W. O'Brien, Clerk of the Senate, and other senior Senate officials.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
CIBA/2014-10-02/124(P) — Adoption of Minutes of Proceedings
It was moved by Senator Doyle that the Minutes of Proceedings of September 18, 2014 be adopted, with amendment.
The question being put on the motion, it was — Resolved in the affirmative.
CIBA/2014-10-02/125(P) — Deployment of the New Debates Search Tool (FAST)
Hélène Bouchard, Director, Information Services Directorate and Christine Burbridge, Assistance Managing Editor, Debates Services, gave a presentation on the deployment of the new Debates Search Tool (FAST) and answered questions.
Ms. Bouchard informed the committee that the Debates Search Tool was a temporary solution until it is replaced by a structured database which will be developed and implemented within the new Iris legislative system.
CIBA/2014-10-02/126(P) — Tenth Report of Subcommittee on Committee Budgets
The Chair of the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets, the Honourable Larry Smith (Saurel), tabled, for information, the tenth report of the subcommittee as follows:
Thursday, October 2, 2014
The Subcommittee on Committee Budgets of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to table its
TENTH REPORT
On Thursday, March 27, 2014, through the adoption of a report of your Subcommittee, the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration agreed to table in the Senate the post-activity expenditure reports of Senate committees in order to increase the public's understanding of committee budgets and expenditures.
This responds to an increased demand for transparency regarding Senate expenses.
Therefore, in accordance with the decision of Thursday, March 27, 2014, your Subcommittee now tables the following committee post-activity expenditure reports for 2013-2014 (2nd Session, 41st Parliament), which are appended to this report:
Agriculture and Forestry (Research and innovation efforts in the agriculture sector)
Activity 1: Ontario (Fact-finding mission)
Budget $ 22,556 Expenditures $ 5,648 Surplus $ 16,908 Fisheries and Oceans (Aquaculture)
Activity 1: British Columbia (Fact-finding mission and public hearings)
Budget $ 172,017 Expenditures $ 79,817 Surplus $ 92,200 Legal and Constitutional Affairs (Legislation)
Activity 1: Brockville, Ontario (Fact-finding mission)
Budget $ 4,394 Expenditures $ 715 Surplus $ 3,679 National Security and Defence (International security and defence relations)
Activity 1: Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
(Fact-finding mission)
Budget $ 65,120 Expenditures $ 27,696 Surplus $ 37,424 Transport and Communications (CBC/Radio-Canada)
Activity 1: Winnipeg, Edmonton, Yellowknife
(Fact-finding mission)
Budget $ 80,597 Expenditures $ 31,455 Surplus $ 49,192 Respectfully submitted,
LARRY SMITH
Chair
It was moved by Senator Marshall that the tenth report of the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets be tabled in the Senate as a report of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2014-10-02/127(P) — Senators' Basic Information Policy
Lucie Lavoie, Senior Executive Assistant to the Senate and Michel Patrice, Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel, presented the new Senate Policy on Senators' Basic Information.
It was agreed that this item be further discussed at the next meeting.
CIBA/2014-10-02/128(P) — Joint Advisory Working Group on Canada 150
It was agreed that a Joint Advisory Working Group on Canada 150 be created and that the chair coordinate with the Speaker of the House of Commons a list of members. The chair will report back to the committee with the final membership list.
CIBA/2014-10-02/129(P) — Advisory Working Group on the Main Estimates
It was agreed that an Advisory Working Group on the Main Estimates be created and that the membership be composed of the following senators: The Honourable Senators Nolin (Chair), Cordy, Furey, Smith (Saurel) and Wells. (5)
CIBA/2014-10-02/130(P) — Advisory Working Group on the Review of the SARs
Senator Smith informed the committee that the Advisory Working Group on the Review of the Senate Administrative Rules (SARs) would be starting their review and as agreed on May 29, 2014 the membership will be composed with the same members as the Advisory Working Group on the Review of the Senators' Travel Policy, namely: The Honourable Senators Smith (Saurel) (Chair), Marshall, Lang, Tkachuk, Furey, Downe and Cordy. (7).
CIBA/2014-10-02/131(P) — Parliamentary Treasures: A Glimpse Inside the Archives of the Senate of Canada
The Clerk made a presentation on the new publication: Parliamentary Treasures: A Glimpse Inside the Archives of the Senate of Canada. He indicated that a limited number of copies will be printed, however, the book will also be available as a web version (e-book). The launch of the book is planned for the week of October 20, 2014 and a communication campaign will be developed by the Communications Directorate.
At 10:18 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