Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Internal Economy,
Budgets and Administration
Issue 2 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Thursday, March 28, 1996 (2)
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met at 9:30 a.m. this day, the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Colin Kenny, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: The Honourable Senators Cohen, Davey, Di Nino, Forrestall, Kenny, LeBreton, Nolin, Petten, Roux and Wood. (10)
In attendance: Officials of the Senate.
The Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters concerning the administration of the Senate.
1. Adoption of Minutes of Proceedings of the February 28th Meeting
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It was agreed that the Minutes of the Committee's proceedings of February 28, 1996, be adopted.
2. Report of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure
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The Chair presented the First Report of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure as follow:
The Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure has the honour to present its
FIRST REPORT
On January 10, 1996, the following mandate was given to the Steering Committee: that until the full Committee decides on how it will structure itself, the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to deal with and resolve immediate administrative problems. This mandate was renewed on February 28, 1996. In accordance with this mandate, your Sub-Committee now reports as follows:
1. It was agreed that the Senate Administration be instructed to interpret the Senate's collective agreements on the subject of same sex benefits in the same way as Treasury Board has announced that it will interpret the government's collective agreements and that the Senate's terms and conditions of employment of unrepresented employees be interpreted on a similar fashion.
2. It was agreed that (i) authorization be given for the necessary costs to carry out the study on Corporate Governance and that the expenditures be taken from the Operational budget (as opposed to the statutory vote); (ii) those Senators involved in the study be informed by the Chair of this Committee that they cannot claim the protection of parliamentary privilege; (iii) the Committee Clerk inform that the witnesses that they will not be protected by parliamentary privilege with regards to their testimony.
3. A report was made to the Senate (i) to reinstate the budget of the Foreign Affairs Committee from the previous session (ii) to increase the budget from $152,840 to $170,000; and (iii) to transfer an amount of $14,000 from Profession Services to Travel Expenses (Senate Minutes, February 28, 1996).
4. A report was made to the Senate recommending (i) that Senators no longer be required to submit applications to the Ad-Hoc Committee to receive the $30,000 component of their research allowance; (ii) that Senators be allowed to access up to $50,000 for research and general office expenses each fiscal year and that this amount shall have the combined flexibility of the previous two separate budgets; and (iii) that the budget be referred thereafter as the "Research and General Office Expenses Budget" (Senate Minutes, February 28, 1996).
5. It was agreed that (i) the quarter point be charged for each one-day return regional trip in which no airfare costs are involved (ii) one half point be charged for each one-day return regional trip in which airfare costs are incurred.
6. A report was made to the Senate recommending amendments to the Guidelines regarding Witnesses Expenses (Senate Minutes, February 28, 1996).
7. A report was made to the Senate recommending that Senators be reimbursed for taxi expenses incurred on public business while in Ottawa to a maximum of $25 per trip; that these expenses be charged to the Statutory Vote; and that taxi expenses be reimbursed on a monthly basis upon the submission of receipts to Finance indicating the amount and destination (Senate Minutes, March 19, 1996).
8. It was agreed that the Carleton University Model Parliament Committee be authorized the use of the Senate Chamber in order to hold a model Parliament on Saturday, March 30, 1996.
9. It was agreed that the Administration be instructed to renew the Senate Bulletin selected clipping service immediately
10. It was agreed that permanent television equipment be installed in all new committee rooms.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Forrestall moved - THAT subject to the parts of the report which have been discharged from the Senate Order Paper, the report be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
3. Senate Budget
The Chair and Senate officials provided an overview of the Senate Budget.
The overview was accepted by the Committee.
4. Renovations in Victoria Building, Centre Block and New Committee Room
The Chair and Senate officials provided an update on renovations in the Victoria Building, Centre Block and the new committee room.
The update was accepted by the Committee.
5. Priorities and Projects
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It was agreed - THAT the next two meetings of the Committee deal with establishing priorities and projects.
6. Printing of Committee Issues
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It was agreed - THAT 250 copies of the proceedings of the Committee be printed.
At 11:00 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Paul C. Bélisle
Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Committee
Gary O'Brien
Recording Secretary