Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Minutes of Proceedings - June 21, 2018
OTTAWA, Thursday, June 21, 2018
(60)
[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 Larry W. Campbell, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Batters, Campbell, Carignan, P.C., Dawson, Forest, Frum, Jaffer, Manning, Marshall, McCoy, Mitchell, Moncion, Munson, Plett, Saint-Germain and Verner, P.C. (16).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Bovey, Dalphond and Joyal, P.C. (3).
Also in attendance: Pascale Legault, Chief Corporate Services Officer and Clerk of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration; Richard Denis, Interim Clerk of the Senate; Jacqueline Kuehl, Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel; senior Senate officials and other support staff.
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/2018-06-21/464(P)|211| — Adoption of Minutes of Proceedings
The committee considered the Minutes of Proceedings of Thursday, June 14, 2018, public portion.
The Honourable Senator Jaffer moved:
That the Minutes of Proceedings of Thursday, June 14, 2018, public portion, be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2018-06-21/465(P)|374| — Senate Liberals Caucus Funding Request
The committee resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Dawson:
That, notwithstanding the amount listed in the Schedule of the Senate Administrative Rules (Finance Rule 2018-2019 "A"), the Senate Liberals continue to receive research funds for caucuses for the fiscal year 2018-19 in the amount of $460,000, even if the caucus has less than eleven members.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.
CIBA/2018-06-21/466(P)|295| — Report from the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets
The Honourable Senator Verner, P.C., provided an oral report from the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets on a budget request from the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry.
CIBA/2018-06-21/467(P)|365| — Report from the Subcommittee on Diversity
The chair of the Subcommittee on Diversity, the Honourable Senator Jaffer, tabled the first report of the subcommittee as follows:
Thursday, June 21, 2018
The Subcommittee on Diversity of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to table its
FIRST REPORT
Your subcommittee, which was authorized by the committee on Thursday, February 2, 2017, to examine the findings contained in the Fifth Report of the Senate Administration's Advisory Committee on Diversity and Accessibility, tabled on December 15, 2016, and issues of diversity in the Senate workforce, now tables its report entitled: Diversity in the Senate: From Aspiration to Action.
Respectfully submitted,
Mobina S.B. Jaffer
Chair
The Honourable Senator Jaffer made a statement and answered questions.
The Honourable Senator Jaffer moved:
That the report be adopted; and
That the report be tabled in the Senate.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2018-06-21/468(P)|395| — Report from the Advisory Working Group on Artwork and Heritage Assets
The chair, the Honourable Senator Campbell, tabled the first report of the Advisory Working Group on Artwork and Heritage Assets as follows:
Thursday, June 14, 2018
The Artwork Advisory Working Group of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to table its
FIRST REPORT
On April 19, 2018, your working group, made up of Senator Bovey, Senator Eaton and Senator Joyal, P.C., was given the following mandate by the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration (CIBA):
That three senators be appointed to work collectively as an advisory working group with the delegated authority to act on behalf of the committee, on matters related to the Senate Policy on Heritage Assets and Works of Art;
That the advisory working group report to the committee for ratification any recommendations it makes involving expenditures over $5,000 for the purchase, disposal, repairs and restorations of heritage assets and works of art;
That the designated senators report quarterly to the committee its decisions and recommendations; and
That the Property and Services Directorate provide operational and administrative support to the advisory working group.
On May 31, 2018, the Artwork Advisory Working Group (AAWG) received an update related to the Senate's Heritage Program by members of the Senate's Heritage & Curatorial Services department, Property and Services Directorate.
Heritage Policy
Senate Heritage & Curatorial Services will provide a review of the existing policy and update the content to provide a clear vision, mandate, requirements, and roles and responsibilities for managing the Senate's Heritage Collection. A revised vision for the policy for endorsement by the AAWG will be presented in September, with an updated policy document for endorsement by December 2018.
Public Access
Increasing public access to the Heritage Collection is of utmost importance during the closure of Centre Block, as many assets will no longer be displayed in the smaller Government Conference Centre (GCC) building. Heritage & Curatorial Services will work with the AAWG to explore possibilities.
Proposed Loan Agreements
The AAWG was informed of a proposal to borrow works of art from the National Capital Commission's Canadiana Fund. The works must first be accepted and accessioned by the Canadiana Fund before being formally loaned to the Senate. If the loan is accepted, a plan for their display will be developed for approval by the AAWG.
Exhibition Plans
The AAWG approved the planning principles for the exhibition of artwork in both the GCC and 1 Wellington Street with minor modifications. For example, the AAWG added the display of landscapes to the fourth floor and aboriginal artwork to the boardrooms of the GCC. Heritage & Curatorial Services will integrate these changes, which are in keeping with the planning principles approved by the Subcommittee on the Long Term Vision and Plan (June 2016) and the AAWG (May 2017).
Audit
An audit of the Senate's Heritage Program will be performed following the move out of Centre Block scheduled for this summer. Heritage & Curatorial Services will undertake a due diligence exercise, including the identification of potential audit criteria, and validation of appropriate policies and procedures; and provide the AAWG with a briefing on "audit readiness" in November 2018.
1 Wellington
The AAWG accepted the proposed plan for an exhibition of archival photographs in this space. They will adorn the corridor outside each meeting room and include text describing their historical significance. Accepted themes include:
(a) History of the Senate
(b) History of Canadian Parliament
(c) History of the Nation's Capital
(d) History of the Government Conference Centre (Union Station) and Renovation
Respectfully submitted,
| Patricia Bovey | Nicole Eaton | Serge Joyal, P.C. |
| Member | Member | Member |
The Honourable Senator Bovey and the Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C., made statements.
At 9:02 a.m., the committee proceeded in camera, pursuant to rule 12-16(1).
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.
At 9:18 a.m., the committee proceeded in public.
CIBA/2018-06-21/472(P)|371| — Funding Committee Parliamentary Groups
The Honourable Senator Moncion made a statement regarding the funding of caucuses and recognized parliamentary groups for the upcoming budgetary year.
At 9:24 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Pascale Legault
Chief Corporate Services Officer and Clerk of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Daniel Charbonneau
Recording Secretary