Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Issue 3 - Minutes of Proceedings - November 17, 2011
OTTAWA, Thursday, November 17, 2011
(7)
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met this day, at 8:30 a.m., in camera, the chair, the Honourable David Tkachuk, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Campbell, Carignan, Comeau, Cordy, Day, Di Nino, Furey, Marshall, Munson, Poulin, Smith (Saurel), Stewart Olsen, Stratton, Tkachuk (15).
In attendance: Mr. Gary W. O'Brien, Clerk of the Senate and other senior Senate officials.
At 9:01 a.m., the committee proceeded in public.
WITNESSES:
Commissioner of Lobbying:
Karen Shepherd, Commissioner;
Bruce Bergen, Senior Counsel.
IE/2011-11-17/061(P) — Adoption of Minutes of Proceedings
It was moved by Senator Munson that the minutes of Proceedings of October 27, 2011, public portion, be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
IE/2011-11-17/062(P) — RFP for the Replacement of the Storage Area Network
The Director, Information Services Directorate, presented a briefing note regarding the replacement of the Storage Area Network (SAN) and informed the Committee that in the context of the budget review process, the replacement of the Storage Area Network had been identified as an organizational priority.
Ms. Bouchard indicated that the funds have been allocated within the 2011-2012 budget to proceed with this initiative and in the 2012-2013 budget for its implementation.
It was moved by Senator Comeau that the Senate Administration be authorized to initiate a competitive process and award a contract anticipated to exceed $100,000 for the replacement of the storage area network, equipment upgrade and for the annual maintenance for a period of 5 years.
The questions being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
IE/2011-11-17/063(P) — New Contract for the Provision of Maintenance Services for Senate Printing Operations — Xerox
The Director, Building Services, presented a briefing note providing an overview of further savings that could be achieved by repurposing existing owned printing equipment and entering into a new service contract to meet current and projected printing volumes and providing justification to the sole sourcing of the maintenance and services contract with Xerox Canada.
It was moved by Senator Cordy that the new contract for the provision of maintenance services for Senate printing operations, be approved.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
IE/2011-11-17/064(P) — RFP for the Contract for the Purchase of Uniforms for the Protective Service
The Director, Protective Service, presented a briefing note seeking approval to initiate a competitive tendering process to award a contract in excess of $100,000 for the procurement of clothing and accessories for the Senate Protective Service Directorate.
Mr. McDonnell indicated that the contract would be for a three (3) year period including two (2) additional one (1) year options.
It was moved by Senator Di Nino that the request for proposal be approved.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
IE/2011-11-17/065(P) — Fifth Report of the Subcommittee on the Review of Committee Budgets and International Travel
The Chair of the Subcommittee on the Review of Committee Budgets and International Travel, Senator Comeau, presented the Fifth Report of the Subcommittee as follows:
Thursday, November 17, 2011
The Subcommittee on the Review of Committee Budgets and International Travel of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to present its
FIFTH REPORT
Your Subcommittee recommends the release of the following amounts for fiscal year 2011-2012:
Social Affairs, Science and Technology
(2004 Health Accord)
Professional and Other Services $ 17,100 Transportation and Communications $ 0 All Other Expenditures $ 15,500 Total $ 32,600 Social Affairs, Science and Technology
(Post-Secondary Education)
Professional and Other Services $ 6,000 Transportation and Communications $ 0 All Other Expenditures $ 15,500 Total $ 21,500
Respectfully submitted,
GÉRALD J. COMEAU
Chair
Senator Comeau and the Principal Clerk, Committees, answered questions.
It was moved by Senator Comeau that the Fifth Report of the Subcommittee on the Review of Committee Budgets and International Travel be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
IE/2011-11-17/066(P) — Sixth Report of the Subcommittee on the Review of Committee Budgets and International Travel
The Chair of the Subcommittee on the Review of Committee Budgets and International Travel, Senator Comeau, presented the sixth report of the subcommittee as follows:
Thursday, November 17, 2011
The Subcommittee on the Review of Committee Budgets and International Travel of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to present its
SIXTH REPORT
Your subcommittee recommends the release of the following amounts for fiscal year 2011-2012:
National Security and Defence (National Security
and Defence Policies) (Supplementary Release)
Professional and Other Services $ 0 Transportation and Communications $ 39,660 All Other Expenditures $ 5,550 Total $45,210
(includes funds for a fact-finding mission)
Funding is being recommended for two senators to travel to Kabul.
Respectfully submitted,
GÉRALD J. COMEAU
Chair
Senator Comeau and the Principal Clerk, Committees, answered questions.
It was moved by Senator Comeau that the Sixth Report of the Subcommittee on the Review of Committee Budgets and International Travel be adopted.
After discussion, and by consensus, it was agreed that the Report not be approved.
IE/2011-11-17/067(P) — Change in Membership of the Joint Interparliamentary Council (JIC)
It was agreed that Senator Furey be replaced by Senator Poulin as an official representative on the Joint Interparliamentary Council (JIC).
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
IE/2011-11-17/068(P) — Reports on International Travel: Senator Munson
It was agreed that Senator Munson's report on his trip to Athens, Greece, from June 26 to July 2, 2011, to attend the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2011, be tabled in the Senate.
At 9:40 a.m., the committee resumed in camera.
At 10:15 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Gary W. O'Brien
Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Lucie Lavoie
Recording Secretary