THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON INTERNAL ECONOMY, BUDGETS AND ADMINISTRATION
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Thursday, February 12, 2026
(9)
[English]
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration (CIBA) met this day at 8:01 a.m., in room C128, Senate of Canada Building.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Audette, Boehm, Boyer, Forest, LaBoucane-Benson, Loffreda, MacDonald, Moncion, Moodie, Osler, Oudar, Quinn, Smith, Tannas, and Wilson (15).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator McCallum (1).
Participating in the meeting: Shaila Anwar, Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments; Marie‑Ève Belzile, Deputy Clerk, Legislative Services; Pascale Legault, Chief Corporate Services Officer and Clerk of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration; Julie Wellington, Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel; senior Senate officials and other support staff.
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.
WITNESSES:
The Honourable Senator Mary Jane McCallum;
Isabelle Ricard, Chief Financial Officer, Finance and Procurement Directorate;
Nathalie Charpentier, Comptroller and Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Finance and Procurement Directorate;
Toni Francis, Chief Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Directorate.
CIBA/2026-02-12/091(P) — Election of chair
The clerk of the committee presided over the election of the chair.
The Honourable Senator Boehm moved that the Honourable Senator Loffreda do take the chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The chair made a statement.
It was agreed that photographers from the Senate Communications, Broadcasting and Publications Directorate be allowed to take pictures during the meeting, with the least possible disruption.
The senators introduced themselves.
CIBA/2026-02-12/092(P) — Request for Exception to the Senators’ Office Management Policy — Senator McCallum
The Honourable Senator McCallum made a statement and answered questions regarding her request for an exception to the Senators’ Office Management Policy, concerning the use of Senate resources for a printing expense.
Julie Wellington and Shaila Anwar answered questions.
After debate, the Honourable Senator Tannas moved that the committee approve, on an exceptional basis, the request of the Honourable Senator McCallum for an exception to the Senator’s Office Management Policy and the Senate Administrative Rules, pertaining to a printing expense, and that this expense be paid by her office budget.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2026-02-12/093(P) — Consent Agenda
The chair made a statement regarding the consent agenda.
The Honourable Senator Quinn moved that the consent agenda, which is comprised of the following items, be adopted:
- Minutes of Proceedings from December 11, 2025 (In Public);
- Minutes of Proceedings from December 11, 2025 (In Camera);
- Membership of the Advisory Working Group on Artwork and Heritage: that the Honourable Senator Karetak-Lindell replace the Honourable Senator McBean.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2026-02-12/094(P) — Consolidated Request for Living Expense Budget Increase
Isabelle Richard made a statement regarding requests to increase the living expenses budget for senators who submitted a request for an exception for the remainder of the 2025—26 fiscal year.
After debate, the Honourable Senator Quinn moved that the CIBA approve the requests for additional living expenses funding, as detailed in the appendix presented, and authorize the Administration to proceed with the required budget transfers from the overall Senators’ Living Expenses Budget funding envelope to each of the six senators for the 2025—26 fiscal year.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2026-02-12/095(P) — Amendment to the Senate Administration Talent Acquisition Policy
Toni Francis made a statement regarding an amendment to the Senate Administration Talent Acquisition Policy.
After debate, the Honourable Senator Moncion moved that the CIBA approve the proposed amendment to section 1.6.5 of the Senate Administration Talent Acquisition Policy that would extend preferred status in the Senate’s staffing process to former members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who have been medically released.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2026-02-12/096(P) — For Information Item sent via email
The chair made a statement regarding the items that were sent via email to members for information purposes:
- Quarterly Report (Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2025) on Senate Intellectual Property Requests for Commercial Use;
- Security Information Technology Incidents — 2025-2026 Q3 (October 1, 2025—December 31, 2025);
- Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure — Decisions reported to CIBA.
CIBA/2026-02-12/097(P) — Other Matters
The Honourable Senator Forest made a statement regarding the proposed framework for coordinated travel.
It was agreed that the Subcommittee on Senate Estimates and Committee Budgets be granted an extension to report back on the proposed framework from March 31, 2026, to April 30, 2026.
At 9:01 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 9:02 a.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1), the committee resumed in camera.
At 9:44 a.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