Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Tenth Report of Committee--Debate
February 6, 2024
Moved the adoption of the report.
She said: Honourable senators, I rise today to speak to the report that deals with the 2024-25 Main Estimates, which total $134.9 million, an increase of $8.2 million or 6.5% over the 2023-24 estimates.
The estimates take into account the recommendations of the Subcommittee on Senate Estimates and Committee Budgets. The subcommittee is composed of Senator Forest, who is the chair, Senator Dalphond, who is the deputy chair, and Senator Plett, Senator Loffreda and Senator Tannas. I’d like to thank them for the time and effort they have devoted to examining the estimates.
The members of the subcommittee met with the Senate Administration’s Executive Committee and a number of directors in early December. The directors presented details of additional funding requirements for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
Throughout its review of the 2024-25 Main Estimates, the subcommittee was mindful of the Canadian economic context and the importance of balancing the Senate’s operational needs with the proper use of public funds. The budget has two parts, one representing legislative appropriations, and the other one voted appropriations.
Legislative appropriations are funds allocated by law. They include basic and supplementary allowances and pensions for senators; travel and telecommunication expenses; living expenses; and employer-paid costs for the Public Service Pension Plan, the Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance. Any deficit in these categories at year-end is covered by the Treasury Board. Conversely, surpluses are returned to the Treasury Board, as they cannot be reallocated.
The second part of the budget presents the voted appropriations, which are intended for Senate operations. These are the budgets of senators’ offices and the Senate Administration.
The total amount for statutory items is $39.4 million, an increase of $1.3 million, or 3.5%, over the previous fiscal year.
The main reason for this increase has to do with the senators’ living expenses budget, which has risen by $974,000 over the previous year—
Honourable senators, it is now six o’clock, and pursuant to rule 3-3(1), I am obliged to leave the chair until eight o’clock, when we will resume, unless it is your wish, honourable senators, to not see the clock.
Is it agreed to not see the clock?
There is no agreement; therefore, the sitting is suspended, and I will leave the chair until 8 p.m.
