Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Issue No. 10 - Minutes of Proceedings - March 2, 2017
OTTAWA, Thursday, March 2, 2017
(30)
[English]
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met this day at 8:32 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, Dupuis, Housakos, Jaffer, Lankin, P.C., Marshall, Marwah, McCoy, Mitchell, Omidvar, Smith, Tannas, Tkachuk and Wells (17).
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; 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:
As an individual:
The Honourable Sharon Carstairs, P.C., former senator.
CIBA/2017-03-02/239(P)|211| — Adoption of Minutes of Proceedings
The committee considered the minutes of proceedings of February 16, 2017, in public portion.
The Honourable Senator Jaffer moved:
That the minutes of proceedings of February 16, 2017, in public portion, be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2017-03-02/240(P)|121| — Appeal of Decision regarding Legal Fees
The Honourable Sharon Carstairs, P.C., made a statement and answered questions.
After debate, it was agreed that further debate be postponed to the next meeting of the committee.
CIBA/2017-03-02/241(P)|374| — Consolidation of Budgets
The chair made a statement.
The Honourable Senator Campbell moved:
That the budgets for the offices in the attached table be consolidated as listed and proactively disclosed on the Senate website;
That the table be appended to the minutes of proceedings;
That all staff remunerated from the consolidated budget of a house officer or a leadership position of a caucus be subject to the terms and conditions of employment for house officers' staff;
That this motion be effective on April 1, 2017.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2017-03-02/242(P) — Advisory Working Group: 150th Commemorative Medals
The Honourable Senator Wells made a statement and answered questions.
The Honourable Senator Wells moved:
That the Advisory Working Group on a Senate 150th Anniversary Commemorative Medal be established;
That the membership of the working group be as follows: the Honourable Senators Joyal (Co-Chair), Wells (Co-Chair), Bovey and Unger;
That three members shall constitute a quorum;
That the working group be authorized to examine and make recommendations for the production of a Senate 150th Anniversary Commemorative Medal, including the following elements:
- Cost
- Distribution Criteria
- Design
- Quantity
- Schedule
- Other considerations as required for the implementation of the program;
That the working group report to the committee no later than March 31, 2017.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2017-03-02/243(P)|220| — Broadcasting Committee Proceedings
The Honourable Senator Batters made a statement.
The Honourable Senator Batters moved:
That the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration televise all public meetings when possible.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 9:34 a.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1), the committee proceeded in camera.
At 10:15 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
APPENDIX
2017-18 Mains
| Research and Office Expense | House Officer | Caucus & Other | Total | |
| Speaker of the Senate | 222,480 | 700,222 | $922,702 | |
| Leader of the Government | 222,480 | 1,500,000 | 1,722,480 | |
| Deputy Leader of the Government | 222,480 | 76,350 | 298,830 | |
| Government Whip | 222,480 | 101,800 | 324,280 | |
| Total Government | $2,345,590 | |||
| Leader of the Opposition | 222,480 | 610,800 | 509,000 | 1,342,280 |
| Deputy Leader of the Opposition | 222,480 | 76,350 | 298,830 | |
| Opposition Whip | 222,480 | 101,800 | 324,280 | |
| Total Opposition | $1,965,390 | |||
| Independent Liberals | 222,480 | 760,000 | 982,480 | |
| Deputy Leader of the Senate Liberals | 222,480 | 222,480 | ||
| Whip of the Senate Liberals | 222,480 | 222,480 | ||
| Total Independent Liberals | $1,427,440 | |||
| Independent Senators' Group (Facilitator) (note 1) | 222,480 | 722,000 | $944,480 | |
Note 1: ISG: $722K out of the $944,480 can only be used for salary expenditures.