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

Issue 11 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Thursday, December 5, 1996
(14)

The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and 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, Kenny, Milne, Nolin, Poulin, Rompkey and Stollery. (7)

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators DeWare and Lewis (2).

In attendance: Mr. Paul Bélisle, Clerk of the Senate and other Senate officials.

It was agreed that the committee proceed in camera.

It was agreed to proceed in public.

Travel during Prorogation and Dissolution

The committee proceeded to the consideration of travel during prorogation and dissolution.

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After debate,

It was agreed that during any prorogation or dissolution there be no limitation on the existing travel policy of senators.

Procedures for Termination of Contracts upon Prorogation or Dissolution

The committee proceeded to the consideration of procedures for termination of contracts upon prorogation or dissolution

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After debate,

It was agreed that the following procedures be put into place:

1. Within 5 working days following prorogation or dissolution, the committee on Internal Economy (or the Steering Committee if the full committee cannot meet) will review the mandate of each committee and will decide which activities should be continued based on discussions undertaken with committee chairpersons.

2. Final decisions will be communicated, in writing, to Human Resources.

3. Human Resources will issue new contracts for those "Task Forces" to be retained reflecting the new requirements as directed by Internal. For administrative purposes, it is recommended that these individuals be assigned to the committees Directorate.

4. Contractees, whose services are terminated in accordance with their contracts, will be informed both verbally and in writing. Letters will be forwarded directly to the responsible committee Clerk who would be charged to meet the contractee, and after having inform him or her verbally of the decision will give the letter to the contractee and answer any questions they may have.

5. Furthermore, article 3.02 of the contract for committees should be amended to read as follows:

"3.02 This agreement can be terminated if the Contractor is for any reason unable to provide the services required under this agreement at the required time or, at the dissolution or prorogation of Parliament."

Budget of the Subcommittee on Post-Secondary Education of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology

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It was agreed that the supplementary budget of the Social Affairs, Science and Technology Committee for its study on post-secondary education for the amount of $125,993 be approved.

Budget of the Standing Joint Committee on Scrutiny of Regulations

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It was agreed that the budget of the Standing Joint Committee on Scrutiny of Regulations for the amount of $129,581 (Senate share) be approved.

GSMIP and other Benefits

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It was agreed that staff make a review of the options available concerning GSMIP and other benefits.

At 10:30 a.m., the committees adjourned to the call of the Chairs.

ATTEST:

Paul C. Bélisle

Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Internal Economy Committee

Gary O'Brien

Recording Secretary of the Internal Economy Committee