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

Issue No. 8 - Minutes of Proceedings - December 8, 2016

OTTAWA, Thursday, December 8, 2016
(25)

[English]

The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met this day at 8:30 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, Manning, Marshall, McCoy, Munson, Ngo, Smith, Tannas, Tkachuk and Wells (14).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Dupuis, Lankin, P.C., Mitchell (3).

Also in attendance: Nicole Proulx, Chief Corporate Services Officer and Clerk of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration; Michel Patrice, Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel and Chief, Parliamentary Precinct Services; 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.

WITNESS:

Auger Hollingsworth Professional Corporation:

Brenda Hollingsworth, Lawyer.

CIBA/2016-12-08/202(P)|211| — Adoption of Minutes of Proceedings

The committee considered the Minutes of Proceedings of December 1, 2016, in public portion.

The Honourable Senator Marshall moved:

That the Minutes of Proceedings of December 1, 2016, in public portion, be adopted.

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

CIBA/2016-12-08/203(P)|343| — Update on Former Senators (OAG Report)

Ms. Hollingsworth made a statement regarding the expenses that were challenged by the Auditor General for seven former senators. She also answered questions with Michel Patrice.

At 9:15 a.m., the committee proceeded in camera.

At 9:36 a.m., the committee proceeded in public.

The chair made a statement.

The Honourable Senator Campbell moved:

That the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration accept the recommendation from counsel not to pursue the reimbursement of the remaining expenses that were challenged by the Auditor General for former Senators Sharon Carstairs, P.C., Marie-P. Charette-Poulin, Rose-Marie Losier-Cool, Donald H. Oliver, William Rompkey, P.C., Gerry St. Germain and the late Rod A. A. Zimmer.

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

CIBA/2016-12-08/204(P)|295| — Eighth Report of the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets

The Chair of the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets, the Honourable Senator Tannas, presented the eighth report of the subcommittee as follows:

Thursday, December 8, 2016

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

EIGHTH REPORT

Your subcommittee recommends the release of the following amounts for fiscal year 2016-17:

Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources
(Special study on low carbon economy)

Activity 1: Montreal	$ 18,704
Total	$ 18,704

(includes funds for a fact finding mission, includes funds for 9 senators to travel)

National Finance
(Special study on federal government infrastructure funding program)

General Expenses	$ 18,000
Total	$ 18,000

(includes funds for sole source for professional services)

Respectfully submitted,

SCOTT TANNAS
Chair

The Honourable Senator Tannas made a statement and answered questions.

The Honourable Senator Tannas moved:

That the report be adopted.

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

CIBA/2016-12-08/205(P)|121| — Senator Duffy: Request to Appeal Decision regarding Legal Fees

The chair made a statement informing the committee that Senator Duffy has declined the committee's invitation to present his appeal of the decision to not approve a partial reimbursement of legal fees and disbursements under the Senate Legal Assistance and Indemnification Policy.

At 9:46 a.m., the committee proceeded in camera.

At 9:58 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