Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Issue No. 7 - Minutes of Proceedings - November 3, 2016
OTTAWA, Thursday, November 3, 2016
(21)
[English]
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 Leo Housakos, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Ataullahjan, Batters, Campbell, Cordy, Downe, Housakos, Hubley, Jaffer, Marshall, Ngo, Smith, Tannas, Tkachuk, Wallace and Wells (15).
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; Pascale Legault, Chief Financial Officer; and other senior Senate officials.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 12-7(1) of the Rules of the Senate, the committee continued its consideration of financial and administrative matters concerning the Senate's internal administration.
CIBA/2016-11-03/179(P)|211| — Adoption of Minutes of Proceedings
The committee considered the Minutes of Proceedings of October 20, 2016 and October 27, 2016.
The chair and the Honourable Senator Batters each made a statement requesting that the minutes reflect that the mandate of Subcommittee on the Senate Estimates was expanded to consider new funding requests from the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., and the Honourable Senator Day.
The Honourable Senator Cordy moved:
That the minutes of proceedings of October 20, 2016 and October 27, 2016, be adopted, as amended.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2016-11-03/180(P)|293| — Mandate of the Advisory Working Group on the Review of Human Resources
The chair made a statement that the Advisory Working Group on the Review of Policies and Rules is requesting that the Advisory Working Group on the Review of Human Resources examine the policies, benefits and working conditions for the employees in the Senate Administration.
The Honourable Senator Tannas moved:
That the Advisory Working Group on the Review of Human Resources be authorized to examine and harmonize the working conditions, policies and benefits of Senate employees.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2016-11-03/181(P)|302| — Newspaper: Continuation of Hard Copy Subscription Service
Pascale Legault made a statement regarding continuing with hard copy newspaper delivery.
The Honourable Senator Wells moved:
That the committee authorizes the Administration to proceed with a competitive process to award a contract with a dollar value greater than $100,000 but less than $250,000 for hard copy newspaper subscription services for a three- year period, with an option to extend the contract by a period of one year for a maximum additional two years; and
That the Administration send a memorandum to senators informing them of the electronic subscription options available.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2016-11-03/182(P)|339| — Set-Off / Seizure from Senator Duffy's Sessional Allowance
The Honourable Senator Wallace made a statement about rescinding the set-off from Senator Duffy's sessional allowance and reimbursing to him all funds obtained to date. He also answered questions.
The Honourable Senator Wallace moved:
That the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration immediately revoke and rescind the decision for Senator Duffy to reimburse $16,955 for ineligible expenses;
That the committee immediately revoke and rescind any further seizure/set-off from Senator Duffy's sessional allowance in regards to the above mentioned expenses; and
That all amounts to date that have been seized/set-off from Senator Duffy's sessional allowance in regards to the above mentioned expenses be reimbursed to him.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senator
Wallace — 1
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Ataullahjan, Batters, Campbell, Cordy, Downe, Housakos, Jaffer, Marshall, Ngo, Smith, Tannas, Tkachuk, Wells — 13
The Honourable Senator Wallace moved:
That his letter to the members of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, dated October 26, 2016, regarding the decision to require Senator Duffy to repay disputed Senate expenses be filed as an exhibit with the clerk of the committee.
Exhibit 1120-04-02-1.42/CIBA-Rule 12-7(1), 5 "1''
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 9:24 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