Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Issue 4 - Minutes of Proceedings - February 16, 2012
OTTAWA, Thursday, February 16, 2012
(15)
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met this day, at 9:02 a.m., the chair, the Honourable David Tkachuk, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Carignan, Comeau, Cordy, Dawson, Di Nino, Downe, Furey, Kinsella, Marshall, Martin, Munson, Poulin, Stewart Olsen, Stratton, and Tkachuk. (16)
In attendance: Mr. Gary W. O'Brien, Clerk of the Senate and other senior Senate officials.
IE/2012-02-16/108(C) — Adoption of Minutes of Proceedings
It was moved, by Senator Marshall, that the minutes of proceedings of February 2, 2012, public portion, be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
IE/2012-02-16/109(C) — Tenth 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 tenth report of the subcommittee as follows:
Thursday, February 16, 2012
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
TENTH REPORT
Your subcommittee recommends the release of the following amounts for fiscal year 2011-2012:
Agriculture and Forestry
(Agriculture Sector — Supplementary Budget)
Professional and Other Services $ 1,000 Transportation and Communications $ 60,856 All Other Expenditures $ 2,300 Total $ 64,156
(includes funds for fact-finding missions)
Your subcommittee notes that, on November 2, 2011, the Agriculture and Forestry Committee received funding for fact-finding trips to Eastern Canada and Ontario, along with a trip to Washington, D.C. and Mexico City. The committee revised its work plan and submitted a supplementary budget to replace the trip to Eastern Canada with fact-finding trips to New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Quebec. The budgets for these trips amount to $8,663 less than what had previously been approved by the Senate for the trip to Eastern Canada.
Fisheries and Oceans (Grey Seal Population)
Professional and Other Services $ 7,480 Transportation and Communications $ 70,330 All Other Expenditures $ 25,750 Total $103,560
(includes funds for fact-finding and public hearings)
Your subcommittee notes that, on November 2, 2011, the Committee on Fisheries and Oceans received funding for public hearings and fact-finding in the Magdalen Islands, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador as part of its general order of reference on the federal government's current and evolving policy framework for managing Canada's Fisheries and Oceans. The committee's study evolved to focus on the management of the grey seal population off Canada's East Coast and a specific order of reference was obtained. Your subcommittee commends the committee for seeking a focused, clear order of reference with a firm reporting deadline. The recommended allocation above for public hearings and fact-finding in Halifax, Nova Scotia amounts to $46,564 less than the trips which had previously been approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Senator Comeau answered questions.
It was moved by Senator Comeau that the Tenth Report of the Subcommittee on the Review of Committee Budgets and International Travel be adopted.
The questions being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
IE/2012-02-16/110(C) — Sixth Report of the Internal Economy Committee on International Travels Reports
The Chair of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy Budgets and Administration, Senator Tkachuk, presented the sixth report of the committee as follows:
Thursday, February 16, 2012
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to table its
SIXTH REPORT
Pursuant to the International Travel Guidelines, the following reports have been submitted:
The Honourable Mobina Jaffer
Trip to Sri Lanka
December 7-10, 2011The Honourable Terry Stratton
Trip to Santiago, Chile
January 12-13, 2012
Respectfully submitted,
Senator Tkachuk answered questions and moved that the Sixth Report of the Internal Economy Committee be tabled in the Senate.
The questions being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
IE/2012-02-16/111(C) — Artwork Advisory Working Group
The Chair moved that an Artwork Advisory Working Group be established and that Senators Eaton, Johnson, Champagne, Patterson, Joyal and Moore be named as members, as well as another senator from the opposition, to be named by the steering committee at its next meeting.
The mandate of the Artwork Advisory Working Group is be to provide advice and oversight on: matters related to the acquisition of heritage assets and works of art for the Senate; the display of works of art and the development of supporting policies and guidelines; and other matters referred to it.
It was also agreed that the Chair of the Artwork Advisory Working Group be named by the steering committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
At 9:15 a.m., the committee proceeded in camera.
At 10:08 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