Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Issue 4 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Thursday, May 8, 2003
(16)
The Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met at 9:03 a.m. this day, the Honourable Senator Bacon, Chair, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Austin, P.C., Bacon, Bryden, DeBané, P.C., Gauthier, Gill, Jaffer, Kroft, Robertson, Robichaud, P.C. and Stratton (11).
Also in attendance: Mr. Paul C. Bélisle, Clerk of the Senate and other senior Senate officials.
2003-05-08 — Security Matters
The Chair informed the committee of the unavoidable absence of Commissioner Zaccardelli but that his appearance has been rescheduled until May 29, 2003.
2003-05-08/064 — Adoption of Minutes of Proceedings
It was moved by Senator Gauthier that the Minutes of Proceedings of March 27, 2003 and April 3, 2003 be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was — Resolved in the affirmative.
2003-05-08/065 — 17th Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers Conference
The Chair noted that the 17th Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers Conference would be held in Montebello, Québec from January 9 to 12, 2004.
After debate, it was agreed that the Senate participate in the Conference to be financed, either through the reallocation of surplus resources or including the amount in Supplementary Estimates.
2003-05-08/066 — Seminar in Africa on Parliamentary Democracy
The Clerk provided an update on the proposed Seminar in Africa (Parliamentary Democracy: the Canadian Experience). He noted that at the present time, Nigeria was no longer involved.
After debate, it was agreed that the Senate participate in the Seminar to be financed, either through the reallocation of surplus resources or including the amount in Supplementary Estimates.
Other Matters
Senators discussed the budgeting situation of the Senate, especially with respect to capital and operational expenditures.
The Chair noted that the issue of the budget and budget preparation will be on the agenda of the committee and discussed before the summer adjournment. Other matters to be discussed include CPAC and Security.
At 10:05 a.m., the committee adjourned at the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, May 15, 2003
(17)
The Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met at 9:00 a.m. this day, the Honourable Senator Bacon, Chair, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Atkins, Austin, P.C., Bacon, Bryden, Chaput, Gauthier, Gill, Jaffer, Kroft, Robertson, Robichaud, P.C., and Stratton (12).
Other senators in attendance: The Honourable Senators Corbin and Ringuette (2).
Also in attendance: Mr. Paul C. Bélisle, Clerk of the Senate and other senior Senate officials.
2003-05-15/067(P) — Adoption of Minutes of Proceedings
It was moved by Senator Robertson that the Minutes of Proceedings of May 8, 2003 be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was — Resolved in the affirmative.
At 9:05 a.m., the committee proceeded in camera.
At 9:25 a.m., the committee proceeded in public.
2003-05-15/069(P) — Pilot Project — Output of Realtime Text of Chamber Debate to Parliamentary Television Network (OASIS)
Ms. Hélène Bouchard, Manager, Information Management Services, presented a proposal to provide realtime transcription of Chamber proceedings to hard-of-hearing persons via the Parliamentary OASIS Television Network by installing television screens in the Reading Room and in the visitors' galleries. It was noted that realtime transcription is the digitally produced and unedited text of ongoing debates.
After discussion, it was agreed that consideration would be given to installing a lap top computer with realtime transcription capacity in the Reading Room. Further, the Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office (FHBRO) would be required to review and approve any proposal to install television screens in the Senate Galleries to ensure the integrity and aesthetics of the Senate Chamber.
It was also agreed that the possibility of introducing the use of technology at the Clerks' Table and the Speaker's Dais be reintroduced.
At 9:45 a.m., the committee proceeded in camera.
At 10:40 a.m., the committee proceeded in camera, senators only.
At 11:00 a.m., the committee adjourned at the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, June 5, 2003
(18)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met at 9:05 a.m. this day, the Honourable Senator Bacon, Chair, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Atkins, Austin, P.C., Bacon, Bryden, DeBané, P.C., Gauthier, Gill, Jaffer, Kroft, Poulin, Robichaud, P.C., and Stratton (12).
Other senator in attendance: The Honourable Senators Corbin (1).
Also in attendance: Mr. Paul C. Bélisle, Clerk of the Senate and other senior Senate officials.
WITNESS:
From Gowling and Henderson:
Mr. Gilles Daigle, Legal Counsel.
2003-06-05/070(P) — Adoption of Minutes of Proceedings
It was moved by Senator Austin that the Minutes of Proceedings of May 15, 2003 be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was — Resolved in the affirmative.
At 9:06 a.m., the committee proceeded in camera.
At 10:26 a.m., the committee proceeded in public.
2003-06-05/073(P) — Eleventh Report of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure
The Chair informed the committee that a letter had been written to the Chair of the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament to review matters related to fact finding missions and the committee budgets process.
Senator Bacon then presented the Eleventh Report of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure (Steering Committee) as follows:
Thursday, June 5, 2003
The Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to present its
ELEVENTH REPORT
Your Subcommittee recommends that committees not be permitted to purchase capital equipment. Where capital equipment is deemed necessary for the work of committees such purchases must be approved by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration. If approved, such purchases will be paid for through the appropriate central Administration budget.
In addition, until such a time as the Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has had the opportunity, preferably in cooperation with the Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament, to fully study the issues related to fact-finding activities, your Subcommittee recommends that committees undertaking fact-finding activities be advised that no transcripts will be permitted to be made.
Respectfully submitted,
Lise Bacon,
Chair
Heather Lank, Principal Clerk, Committees and Private Legislation, provided information on the current practices related to fact-finding missions.
After debate, the Eleventh Report was adopted by consensus.
2003-06-06/074(P) — Proposed Policy on Books and Subscriptions
The Chair presented the Policy on Books and Subscriptions, dated May 6, 2003. She noted that the policy established written guidelines of the practices already in place. It was suggested that the following amendments be made:
Remove the words ``required on an urgent basis'' in Section 2.4.1 in both English and French documents.
Change the word ``essentiels'' with ``nécessaires'' in Section 2.8.1 in the French document.
After debate, it was agreed that the above-noted amendments be made and that adoption of the Policy on Books and Subscriptions be deferred until the next meeting.
2003-06-06/075(P) — Feasibility of Purchasing Goods and Services in Provinces and Regions
This item was deferred to the next meeting.
At 11:02 a.m., the committee adjourned at the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, June 12, 2003
(19)
The Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met at 9:05 a.m. this day, the Honourable Senator Bacon, Chair, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Atkins, Bacon, Chaput, Gauthier, Gill, Jaffer, Kroft, Robertson, Robichaud, P.C. and Stratton (10).
Other senator in attendance: The Honourable Senators Corbin (1).
Also in attendance: Mr. Paul C. Bélisle, Clerk of the Senate and other senior Senate officials.
WITNESSES:
From the Senate:
Mr. Pierre Tessier, Manager, Accommodation, Planning and Projects;
Mr. Serge Gourgue, Director, Parliamentary Precinct Services;
Ms. Lise Rainville, A/Manager, Materiel Management Services.
From Public Works and Government Services Canada:
Mr. Van-Khanh Nguyen, Director, Major Capital Projects Implementation, Parliamentary Precinct Directorate (PPD).
2003-06-12/076(P) — Adoption of Minutes of Proceedings
It was moved by Senator Gauthier that the Minutes of Proceedings of June 5, 2003 be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was — Resolved in the affirmative.
At 9:07 a.m., the committee proceeded in camera.
At 10:25 a.m., the committee adjourned at the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, June 19, 2003
(20)
The Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met at 9:05 a.m. this day, the Honourable Senator Bacon, Chair, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Atkins, Austin, P.C., Bacon, Bryden, Chaput, DeBané, P.C., Gill, Jaffer, Robertson, Robichaud, P.C., and Stratton (11).
Other senator in attendance: The Honourable Senator Prud'homme (1).
Also in attendance: Mr. Paul C. Bélisle, Clerk of the Senate and other senior Senate officials.
At 10:06 a.m., the committee adjourned at the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Paul C. Bélisle
Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Standing Senate Committee
on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Gary O'Brien
Recording Secretary