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

Minutes of Proceedings - May 2, 2019

OTTAWA, Thursday, May 2, 2019
(75)

[English]

The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met this day at 8 a.m., in room C128, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Sabi Marwah, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Batters, Dawson, Dean, Doyle, Forest-Niesing, Housakos, Marwah, Moncion, Munson, Plett, Saint-Germain, Stewart Olsen, Tannas, Verner, P.C. and Wetston (15).

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 and Clerk of the Parliaments and Chief Legislative Services Officer; Philippe Hallée, Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel; senior Senate officials and other support staff.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

WITNESSES:

Senate of Canada:

Caroline Morency, Acting Director General, Property and Services;

Josée Labelle, LTVP Executive Advisor, Real Property Planning and Projects;

Catherine Piccinin, Principal Clerk, Chamber Operations and Procedure Office.

Public Services and Procurement Canada:

Rob Wright, Assistant Deputy Minister, Science and Parliamentary Infrastructure Branch;

Jennifer Garrett, Director General, Centre Block Rehabilitation Program.

CENTRUS:

Duncan Broyd, Principal Designer, Centre Block Program

Translation Bureau:

Stéphan Déry, Chief Executive Officer;

Nathalie Laliberté, Vice President, Service to Parliament and Interpretation Sector.

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.

The Chair welcomed Philippe Hallée, Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel, who was attending his first meeting.

Philippe Hallée made a statement.

CIBA/2019-05-02/574(P)|211| — Adoption of minutes of proceedings

The committee considered the minutes of proceedings of Thursday, April 11, 2019, public portion.

The Honourable Senator Dean moved:

That the minutes of proceedings of Thursday, April 11, 2019 be adopted.

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

CIBA/2019-05-02/575(P)|370| — Update on Parliamentary Translation Services

Catherine Piccinin made a statement on parliamentary translation services and, together with Stephan Déry, answered questions.

CIBA/2019-05-02/576(P)|231| — Centre Block Rehabilitation Program

Rob Wright, Jennifer Garrett and Duncan Broyd each made a presentation and answered questions on the Centre Block rehabilitation program.

CIBA/2019-05-02/577(P)|231| — Approval of Governance Framework

Caroline Morency made a statement and answered questions on the proposed governance framework.

After discussion, the Honourable Senator Dean moved:

That the governance framework be adopted.

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

CIBA/2019-05-02/578(P)|231| — Mandate for the Subcommittee on Long Term Vision and Plan

The Honourable Senator Tannas made a statement and answered questions on the mandate for the subcommittee on Long Term Vision and Plan.

The Honourable Senator Tannas moved:

That, pursuant to the decision of this committee on March 10, 2016 respecting the creation of the Subcommittee on the Long Term Vision and Plan to supervise the move of the Senate from Centre Block to the Senate of Canada Building, the mandate of the subcommittee be extended to include the following:

To supervise all steps, processes and decisions (excluding those areas that are under the authority of the Speaker) relating to the program of work for the Long Term Vision and Plan for the parliamentary precinct, in coordination with the Senate Administration;

To examine the best ways to ensure the rehabilitation of Centre Block, East Block and all other buildings that will be occupied by the Senate in the end state respect the heritage and the best interests of the Senate, without compromising the integrity of security.

For greater certainty, all matters under the authority of the Speaker will be referred to the Speaker, or his designate.

The Honourable Senator Batters moved:

That the motion be amended by deleting the words "or his designate''.

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

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

CIBA/2019-05-02/579(P)|231| — Senate Standard for Parliamentary Office Units

Caroline Morency made a statement and, together with Josée Labelle, answered questions on the Senate standard for parliamentary office units (POU).

The Honourable Senator Tannas moved:

That the POU standard for accommodation be increased from 80m2 to 90m2 (+/- 10%). The Senate's end state accommodation will achieve the standard where possible, recognizing the limitations of the heritage spaces in the Centre Block and the East Block. All new construction, however, will conform to the updated standard;

That a second POU be added as the standard for all Senate Leadership. The Leadership POU would be located in Centre Block; the second POU would be located in one of the other Senator occupied buildings;

That steps be taken to standardize the amenities of all POUs;

That any additional staff required to support a Senator, beyond those that can be accommodated in the POU, will be accommodated in office support space, or flexible office space (enclosed, private offices) in close proximity to the Senator POU where possible;

That all Leadership Senators and key legislative functions necessary to support the Senate Chamber will be accommodated in the Centre Block, as a design priority. Senate POUs in the Centre Block may also be allocated to non-leadership Senators for accessibility reasons; and

That Non-leadership Senators will be accommodated in the East Block and a third accommodation building allocated to the Senate in the end state.

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

It was agreed to defer the remaining items on the agenda to the committee's next meeting.

At 9:57 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

Gérald Lafrenière

Recording Secretary