STANDING COMMITTEE ON INTERNAL ECONOMY, BUDGETS AND ADMINISTRATION
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Thursday, April 7, 2022
(6)
[English]
Pursuant to the order of the Senate of March 31, 2022, the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met this day in room C128, Senate of Canada Building, and with videoconference at 11:30 a.m., the Chair, the Honourable Sabi Marwah, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Dean, Marwah and Plett (3).
Members of the committee present by videoconference: The Honourable Senators Bovey, Boyer, Campbell, Carignan, P.C., Dawson, Loffreda, Moncion, Moodie, Saint-Germain, Seidman, Smith and Tannas (12).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Francis (1).
Participating in the meeting: Pascale Legault, Chief Corporate Services Officer and Clerk of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration; Gérald Lafrenière, Interim Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments and Chief Legislative Services Officer; Philippe Hallée, Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel; senior Senate officials and other support staff.
WITNESSES:
Toni Francis, Chief Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Directorate (by videoconference);
David Groves, Legal Counsel, Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel (by videoconference);
Pierre Lanctôt, Chief Financial Officer, Finance and Procurement Directorate (by videoconference);
Linda Sabourin, Senior Advisor, Occupational Health, Safety and Wellness, Human Resources Directorate (by videoconference).
Pursuant to rule 12-7(1) of the Rules of the Senate, the committee continued its consideration of financial and administrative matters concerning the Senate’s internal administration.
The Chair made a statement.
The Chair introduced all senators that were present.
CIBA/2022-04-07/066(P) — Adoption of Minutes of Proceedings from March 24, 2022 (public)
The committee considered the Minutes of Proceedings from March 24, 2022 (public).
The Honourable Senator Dean moved that the Minutes of Proceedings of Thursday, March 24, 2022 (public), be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The chair informed the committee that item 2, regarding the request from the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples for emergency funds, would be discussed during the in camera portion of the meeting and that item 3, regarding the Artwork and Heritage Advisory Working Group’s annual plan, would be deferred to a future meeting of CIBA.
CIBA/2022-04-07/067(P) — Clarification of the Senators’ Office Management Policy — Regional Office
David Groves made a statement regarding the clarification to the Senators’ Office Management Policy relating to regional offices.
After debate, it was moved by the Honourable Senator Plett that section 5.14.2 and the glossary of the Senators’ Office Management Policy be amended to clarify existing requirements relating to regional offices.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2022-04-07/068(P) — Proposed Amendment to the Senators’ Office Management Policy — Commercial Rental Accommodations
Pierre Lanctôt made a statement and answered questions regarding the proposed amendments to the Senators’ Office Management Policy in relation to commercial rental accommodations.
After debate, it was moved by the Honourable Senator Campbell that section 7.9.1 of the Senators’ Office Management Policy be amended by adding a subsection to clarify the requirements regarding commercial rental accommodations for multiple weeks/months in the Parliamentary District.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division, with the Honourable Senator Plett being recorded as a dissenting voice.
CIBA/2022-04-07/069(P) — Clarification of the Senators’ Office Management Policy — Senators’ Points for Departure and Arrival
Pierre Lanctôt made a statement and answered questions regarding a clarification to the Senators’ points of departure and arrival rules under Senators’ Office Management Policy.
After debate, it was agreed that this item be reviewed by the Senate Finance Directorate taking into consideration senators’ comments.
It was further agreed that this item be further discussed at a future CIBA meeting.
CIBA/2022-04-07/070(P) — Service Level Agreement — Nursing Services
Toni Francis made a statement and answered questions regarding the renewal of the Service Level Agreement with the House of Commons for nursing services.
After debate, it was moved by the Honourable Senator Dean that the Service Level Agreement with the House of Commons to secure the provision of nursing services for senators and Senate employees for a period of four years (fiscal years 2022 to 2026), estimated in the amount of $86,000, be approved.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2022-04-07/071(P) — Status Update — Accessibility Report
Mathieu Beauregard made a statement regarding the progress of the Senate Working Group on Accessibility in relation to the Accessible Canada Act.
CIBA/2022-04-07/072(P) — Other Matters
The chair made a statement and answered questions regarding committee meeting capacity.
At 12:35 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 12:36 p.m., the committee resumed in camera, pursuant to rule 12-16. (1).
At 1:30 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Pascale Legault
Chief Corporate Services Officer and Clerk of the Standing Committee on
Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Keli Hogan
Recording Secretary