Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Issue No. 6 - Minutes of Proceedings - October 20, 2016
OTTAWA, Thursday, October 20, 2016
(19)
[English]
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met this day at 9:06 a.m., in room 160- S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Leo Housakos, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Batters, Cordy, Housakos, Jaffer, Manning, Marshall, Munson, Ngo, Smith, Tannas, Tkachuk and Wallace (12).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators McCoy and Mitchell (2).
Also in attendance: Nicole Proulx, Chief Corporate Services Officer and Clerk of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration; Charles Robert, Clerk of the Senate and Chief Legislative Officer; Michel Patrice, Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel and Chief, Parliamentary Precinct Services; Pascale Legault, Chief Financial Officer and other senior Senate officials.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
WITNESSES:
KPMG LLP:
Andrew Newman, Partner, Audit;
Charly Thivierge-Lortie, Senior Accountant.
CIBA/2016-10-20/164(P)|211| — Adoption of Minutes of Proceedings
The committee considered the minutes of proceedings of October 6, 2016, in public portion.
It was moved by Senator Munson that the minutes of proceedings of October 6, 2016, in public portion, be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2016-10-20/165(P)|342| — Report from Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee: Inclusion of Communications Officer in Travel
Senator Batters made a statement regarding the value of including a Communications Officer in committee travel. While a solid communications plan is important on shorter committee trips, a great deal of the communications work can be done remotely from Ottawa and it may not be necessary to include a Communications Officer on the committee trip. After discussion, it was agreed that all committees as well as the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets give careful consideration when requesting or approving this type of request.
At 9:10 a.m., the committee proceeded in camera.
At 9:20 a.m., the committee continued in public.
CIBA/2016-10-20/166(P)|239| — First Report of the Audit Subcommittee: Quarterly Financial Report
The committee considered the First Report of the Audit Subcommittee with respect to the Quarterly Financial Report of the Senate of Canada for the quarter ended June 30, 2016.
The chair of the subcommittee, Senator Smith, and Pascale Legault responded to questions.
After debate, it was moved by Senator Smith that the report be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 9:24 a.m., Andrew Newman, Charly Thivierge-Lortie and Pascale Legault were invited before the committee.
CIBA/2016-10-20/167(P)|239| — Second Report of the Audit Subcommittee: Audited Financial Statements
The committee began its consideration of the Second Report of the Audit Subcommittee with respect to the audited Financial Statements of the Senate of Canada for the year ended March 31, 2016.
The chair of the subcommittee, Senator Smith, made a statement.
Mr. Andrew Newman made a statement.
It was agreed that the committee proceed in camera.
At 9:25 a.m. pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee proceeded in camera to consider a draft report.
At 10 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Nicole Proulx
Clerk of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Jodi Turner
Recording Secretary