Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Minutes of Proceedings - May 16, 2019
OTTAWA, Thursday, May 16, 2019
(78)
[English]
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met this day at 8:30 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, Dalphond, Dawson, Dean, Frum, Marshall, Martin, Marwah, Moncion, Munson, Omidvar, Saint-Germain, Tannas, Tkachuk and Verner, P.C. (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:
Pierre Lanctôt, Chief Financial Officer, Finance and Procurement Directorate;
Charles Feldman, Parliamentary Counsel, Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel.
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/2019-05-16/594(P)|211| — Adoption of Minutes of Proceedings
The committee considered the minutes of proceedings of Thursday, May 9, 2019, public portion.
The Honourable Senator Dalphond moved:
That the minutes of proceedings of Thursday, May 9, 2019 be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2019-05-16/595(P)|295| — Report from the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets
The Chair of the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets, the Honourable Senator Verner, P.C., presented the twenty- seventh report of the subcommittee as follows:
Thursday, May 16, 2019
The Subcommittee on Committee Budgets of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to present its
TWENTY-SEVENTH REPORT
Your subcommittee recommends the release of the following amounts for fiscal year 2019-20:
Aboriginal Peoples
(special study on the federal government's constitutional and legal responsibilities to Aboriginal Peoples)
General Expenses
$ 1,850
Total
$ 1,850
Arctic (Special)
(special study on the significant and rapid changes to the Arctic and the impacts on original inhabitants)
General Expenses
$ 6,500
Total
$ 6,500
Scrutiny of Regulations (legislation)
General Expenses
$ 2,250
Total
$ 2,250
The total funds available for all of 2019-2020 will be $2,382,000, less $500,000 for witness expenses, leaving $1,882,000 for release for individual committee budgets. To date, $782,428 has already been recommended for release to fund four travel activities. Today's recommended release brings us to a total of $793,082 for committee activities, leaving $1,088,918 for the remainder of the fiscal year.
As in past years, the subcommittee notes that typically, committees' actual expenditures are closer to 40% of their total budget request.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSÉE VERNER, P.C.
Chair
The Honourable Senator Verner, P.C., made a statement.
The Honourable Senator Verner, P.C. moved:
That the report be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2019-05-16/596(P)|341| — Senator Dasko — Survey
The committee resumed debate on the survey commissioned by Senator Dasko.
Charles Feldman and Pierre Lanctôt answered questions.
The Honourable Senator Omidvar moved:
That the Committee authorize the Senate Administration to pay the expense of the poll commissioned by Senator Dasko, as it was conducted in conformity with Senate Administrative Rules and the Senators' Office Management Policy.
After debate, the committee considered the following modified version of the motion:
That the committee authorize the Senate Administration to pay the expense for the poll commissioned by Senator Dasko, notwithstanding the lack of consensus on this issue, as it was conducted in conformity with the Senate Administrative Rules and the Senators' Office Management Policy, while it is recognized that the committee is of the view that the rules should be subsequently reviewed.
The question being put on the motion, as modified, it was adopted on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Dalphond, Dawson, Dean, Marwah, Moncion, Munson, Omidvar, Saint-Germain, Tannas, Verner—10
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Batters, Frum, Marshall, Martin, Tkachuk—5
ABSTENTIONS
NIL
A point of order was raised with respect to the use of personal, sharp or taxing remarks.
After debate, the Chair reserved his decision.
At 9:22 a.m., the committee resumed in camera, pursuant to rule 12-16(1).
At 9:42 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