Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Issue No. 6 - Minutes of Proceedings - October 27, 2016
OTTAWA, Thursday, October 27, 2016
(20)
[English]
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met this day at 8:33 a.m., in room 160- S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Leo Housakos, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Batters, Campbell, Cordy, Downe, Housakos, Jaffer, Marshall, Ngo, Smith, Tannas, Tkachuk, Wallace and Wells (13).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator McCoy (1).
Also in attendance: Nicole Proulx, Chief Corporate Services Officer and Clerk of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration; Charles Robert, Clerk of the Senate and Chief Legislative Officer; Michel Patrice, Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel and Chief, Parliamentary Precinct Services; Blair Armitage, Principal Clerk, Committees; Pascale Legault, Chief Financial Officer; Luc Presseau, Director, Human Resources; and other senior Senate officials.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
WITNESSES:
International and Interparliamentary Affairs:
Colette Labrecque-Riel, Acting Clerk Assistant and Director General;
Gérald Lafrenière, Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Exchanges and Protocol;
Danielle Labonté, Deputy Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Associations.
CIBA/2016-10-27/171(P)|239| — Second Report of the Audit Subcommittee: Audited Financial Statements
The committee continued its consideration of the Second Report of the Audit Subcommittee with respect to the audited Financial Statements of the Senate of Canada for the year ended March 31, 2016.
At 8:34 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 8:48 a.m., the committee resumed.
The Honourable Senator Marshall moved:
That the second report of the Audit Subcommittee be adopted; and
That the chair be authorized to table the report in the Senate.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2016-10-27/172(P)|317| — 2015-16 Annual Report on Parliamentary Associations' Activities
The committee began its consideration of the 2015-16 Annual Report on Parliamentary Associations' Activities.
Colette Labrecque-Riel, Acting Clerk Assistant and Director General, International and Interparliamentary Affairs Directorate provided information on the annual report and responded to questions.
After debate, the Honourable Senator Cordy moved:
That the 2015-16 Annual Report on Parliamentary Associations' Activities be adopted; and
That the chair be authorized to table the report in the Senate.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2016-10-27/173(P)|233| — Joint Interparliamentary Council Funding
The committee considered a permanent funding increase to parliamentary associations and funding for three conferences.
Colette Labrecque-Riel, Acting Clerk Assistant and Director General, International and Interparliamentary Affairs Directorate provided information on the requests and responded to questions
After debate, it was agreed that further debate be postponed to the next meeting of the committee.
CIBA/2016-10-27/174(P)|295| — Seventh Report of the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets
Senator Tannas, chair of the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets, tabled the seventh report of the subcommittee as follows:
Thursday, October 27, 2016
The Subcommittee on Committee Budgets of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to present its
SEVENTH REPORT
Your subcommittee recommends the release of the following amounts for fiscal year 2016 2017:
Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources (Special study on low carbon economy)
General Expenses $1,000 Activity 2: Southern Ontario (Sarnia and Hamilton) $29,792 TOTAL $30,792 (includes funds for a fact finding mission, includes funds for 9 senators to travel)
Fisheries and Oceans (Special study on Maritime Search and Rescue activities)
Activity 2: Newfoundland and Labrador $152,657 TOTAL $152,657 (includes funds for public hearings and a fact finding mission; includes funds for 12 senators to travel)
Respectfully submitted,
SCOTT TANNAS
Chair
After debate, it was moved by the Honourable Senator Tannas:
That the seventh report of the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2016-10-27/175(P)|190| — Proposed Mandate of the Subcommittee on Senate Estimates
The Honourable Senator Wells and Pascale Legault, Chief Financial Officer, provided information on the Senate Estimates and responded to questions. It was noted that a funding request was received from the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., and the Honourable Senator Day, which will be reviewed by the subcommittee.
After debate, it was moved by the Honourable Senator Marshall:
That the Subcommittee on Senate Estimates be authorized to examine and report on any Supplementary Estimates, including new funding requests, for the current fiscal year (2016-2017) as well as the Main Estimates for 2017-2018; and
That the subcommittee review the proposed estimates, keeping in mind the necessity for the Senate and its Administration to demonstrate responsible management of public funds that are allocated to the institution.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2016-10-27/176(P)|287| — Update on the Phoenix Pay System
Luc Presseau provided an update on the Phoenix Pay System and responded to questions.
CIBA/2016-10-27/177(P)|237| — Upcoming Information Sessions on Proactive Disclosure
The chair made a statement regarding the low registration rate for the upcoming information sessions on the new proactive disclosure initiative. He suggested that senators encourage their staff to attend the training sessions before the detailed expenses for each office are published on November 30, 2016.
CIBA/2016-10-27/178(P)|339| — Dispute Resolution Process: Senator Duffy
The Honourable Senator Wallace provided information on his letter to the committee with respect to the decision for Senator Duffy to repay funds to the Senate.
It was agreed that further debate be postponed to the next meeting of the committee.
At 9:47 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Nicole Proulx
Clerk of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Daniel Charbonneau
Recording Secretary