Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Internal Economy,
Budgets and Administration
Issue 3 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Thursday, April 25, 1996
(3)
[English]
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met in camera at 8:30 a.m. this day, the Deputy Chairman, the Honourable Senator Di Nino presiding.
Members of the Committee present: The Honourable Senators Cochrane, Cohen, Carstairs, Davey, Di Nino, Forrestall, LeBreton, Milne, Nolin, Poulin, Stollery and Wood. (12)
Other Senator present: The Honourable Senator Prud'homme.
In attendance: Officials of the Senate.
The Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters concerning the administration of the Senate.
At 10:30 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, May 9, 1996
(4)
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met in camera at 8:30 a.m. this day, the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Kenny presiding.
Members of the Committee present: The Honourable Senators Cochrane, Cohen, De Bané, Di Nino, Forrestall, Kenny, LeBreton, Milne, Nolin, Petten, Poulin, Stollery and Wood. (13)
In attendance: Officials of the Senate.
The Committee resumed its consideration of the priorities and projects for the coming session.
At 10:30 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, May 16, 1996
(5)
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met in camera at 8:30 a.m. this day, the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Kenny presiding.
Members of the Committee present: The Honourable Senators Bacon, Cochrane, Carstairs, Davey, De Bané, Forrestall, Kenny, Milne, Petten and Wood. (10)
Other Senator present: The Honourable Senator Corbin.
In attendance: Officials of the Senate.
The Committee resumed its consideration of the priorities and projects for the coming session.
At 10:30, the Committee resumed its meeting in public.
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On motion of the Honourable Senator Forrestall,
It was agreed that the following report be made to the Senate.
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to present its
FIFTH REPORT
Your Committee wishes to inform the Senate that the Chair and Deputy Chair have approved the following emergency funds for Senate Committees pursuant to Guidelines 3:03 of the Procedural Guidelines for the Financial Operations of Senate Committees.
- Banking, Trade and Commerce (April 5, 1996)
.....................................................$10,000
- Energy, the
Environment and Natural Resources (April 16, 1996)
..........................$10,000
- Foreign Affairs (May 14, 1996)
............................................................................$10,000
- Legal and Constitutional Affairs (April 5, 1996)
.....................................................$10,000
- Scrutiny of
Regulations (Joint) (May 14, 1996)
......................................................$10,000
- Social
Affairs, Science and Technology (April 5, 1996)
..........................................$10,000
- Transport and
Communications (March 29, 1996)
..................................................$ 5,000
Total ........................................................................................................................$65,000
Your Committee notes it will commence its examination of all Committee budgets for fiscal year 1996-97 on Tuesday, May 28, 1996.
At 10:35 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, May 30, 1996
(6)
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met at 8:30 a.m. this day, the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Kenny presiding.
Members of the Committee present: The Honourable Senators Carstairs, Cochrane, Cohen, Davey, De Bané, Di Nino, Forrestall, Kenny, Milne, Nolin, Petten, Poulin, Stollery and Wood. (14)
Other Senator present: The Honourable Senators Bacon, Corbin and Marchand (3).
In attendance: Officials of the Senate.
The Committee proceeded in camera to review the issue of Improving Senate Communications and Public Relations.
At 10:20 a.m., the Committee proceeded in public.
The Chairman presented the Second Report of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure as follows:
The Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to present its
SECOND REPORT
Your Subcommittee met on Tuesday, May 28, 1996. A total of 18 Senators participated in the meeting.
A. Committee Budgets 1996-97
Your Subcommittee recommends that the following budgets for the fiscal year 1996-97 be approved by the Senate:
Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (Legislation)
Professional and Other Services .........................$14,300
Transport and Communications .............................26,000
All Other Expenditures ....................................1,500
Total ...................................................$41,800
Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology (Legislation)
Professional and Other Services .........................$12,900
Transport and Communications .............................26,064
All Other Expenditures.......................................500
Total ...................................................$39,464
Special Joint Committee on a Code of Conduct
Witnesses' Expenses .......................................$1,970
Senators Requested to Speak ................................5,120
Miscellaneous ................................................455
Total .....................................................$7,545
Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry (Study - Future of Agriculture)
Professional and Other Services ..........................$ 7,900
Transport and Communications ..............................59,909
All Other Expenditures .......................................850
Total ....................................................$68,659
Standing Joint Committee on Official Languages
Professional and Other Services ............................$ 525
Transport and Communications ...............................1,050
Total .....................................................$1,575
Special Committee of the Senate on the Cape Breton Development Corporation
Professional and Other Services ..........................$11,000
Transport and Communications ..............................18,200
All Other Expenditures .......................................200
Total ....................................................$29,400
Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources (Legislation)
Professional and Other Services .........................$ 17,100
Transport and Communications .............................104,530
All Other Expenditures .....................................4,500
Total ...................................................$126,130
Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources (Study - Energy, Environment and Natural Resources)
Professional and Other Services $ 3,500
Transport and Communications 40,570
All Other Expenditures 1,000
Total $45,070
Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications (Legislation)
Professional and Other Services $39,500
Transport and Communications 10,200
All Other Expenditures 700
Total $50,400
Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications (Study - Canada's International Competition Position in Communications)
Professional and Other Services $78,500
Transport and Communications 15,200
All Other Expenditures 3,000
Total $96,700
Standing Senate Committee on National Finance (Legislation) (for 6 months)
Professional and Other Services $88,200
All Other Expenditures 500
Total $88,700
Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce (Study - Present state of the financial system in Canada)
Professional and Other Services $ 37,260
Transport and Communications 110,757
All Other Expenditures 8,800
Total $156,817
Standing Joint Committee on Scrutiny of Regulation
Professional and Other Services $100,554
Hospitality 600
Witnesses' Expenses 600
Communications 2,500
Miscellaneous 5,400
Total $109,654
B. Guidelines for the Use of the Senate Foyer
Your Subcommittee recommends that the following Guidelines be adopted for the Use of the Senate Foyer:
All requests for the use of the Senate Foyer for a non- parliamentary function shall be submitted for approval to the Chair and Vice-Chair of Internal Economy by the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod who is to certify whether a request meets the criteria established by Internal Economy.
Applications for the use of the Senate Foyer should be for functions respectful of the dignity and image of Parliament.
If it appears that the proposed function will involve costs for maintenance or security, the Chair and Deputy Chair will be advised to determine whether the costs should be absorbed by the Senate or charged to the sponsor of the function.
Senators seeking to use the Senate Foyer should have more than nominal involvement in the event. They should provide an explanation of their role at the event and its general purpose. Senators should be present for the duration of the event for which they have reserved the foyer.
C. Guidelines for the Use of the Senate Reading Room
Your Subcommittee agreed that the following Guidelines be adopted:
The Senate Reading Room is to be used exclusively for Senators. It is a place where they can read and have an opportunity to communicate informally with their colleagues in a relaxed atmosphere and in confidence. Without a lobby, the Senate Reading Room is the only room in the whole Parliamentary precinct where Senators can come together in a bipartisan relationship.
From September to June and beyond, when the Senate is sitting, only Senators will be permitted access to the Reading Room.
Adjacent to the Reading Room is a Senators' work room. This is the place where Senators can make phone calls and hold conversations with their staff. Staff should only be in the work room when their Senators are present.
It is understood that all conversations taking place in the Senate Reading Room are by nature private and Senators are asked to respect this understanding.
96-05-30/25
After debate,
It was agreed that the Report be adopted.
It was also agreed that Part A of the Report (Committee Budgets) be reported to the Senate but that Parts B and C (Guidelines for the Use of the Senate Foyer and Reading Room) be circulated by letter from the Chairman to all Senators.
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