Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Minutes of Proceedings - February 21, 2019
OTTAWA, Thursday, February 21, 2019
(70)
[English]
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met this day at 8:30 a.m., in room C128, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Sabi Marwah, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Batters, Bellemare, Dawson, Dean, Forest, Housakos, Marshall, Marwah, Moncion, Munson, Plett, Saint-Germain, Tannas, Tkachuk, Verner, P.C., and Wetston (16).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Pate (1).
Also in attendance: Pascale Legault, Chief Corporate Services Officer and Clerk of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration; Richard Denis, Interim Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments and Chief Legislative Services Officer; senior Senate officials and other support staff.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
WITNESSES:
Senate of Canada:
The Honourable Lucie Moncion, Senator;
Pierre Lanctôt, Chief Financial Officer, Finance and Procurement Directorate;
Nathalie Charpentier, Comptroller and Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Finance and Procurement Directorate.
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.
CIBA/2019-02-21/531(P)|211| — Adoption of Minutes of Proceedings from December 13, 2018
The committee considered the Minutes of Proceedings of Thursday, December 13, 2018, public portion.
The Honourable Senator Saint-Germain moved:
That the Minutes of Proceedings of Thursday, December 13, 2018, public portion, be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2019-02-21/532(P)|295| — Appeal from the Human Rights Committee
The chair informed the committee that the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights had withdrawn their appeal of the decision of the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets.
CIBA/2019-02-21/533(P)|390| — Report from the Subcommittee on Human Resources
The Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Resources, the Honourable Senator Saint-Germain, presented the second report of the subcommittee as follows:
Thursday, February 21, 2019
The Subcommittee on Human Resources of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to present its
SECOND REPORT
Your subcommittee, which was authorized to conduct a review of the Senate Policy on Prevention and Resolution of Harassment in the Workplace, and issues related to human resources in the Senate, now presents its report entitled: Modernizing the Senate's Anti-Harassment Policy: Together let's protect our healthy worklife.
Respectfully submitted,
Raymonde Saint-Germain
Chair
Senator Saint-Germain made a statement and answered questions.
After debate, it was agreed that the report be referred back to the subcommittee and that the subcommittee present the revised report at the committee's next meeting.
CIBA/2019-02-21/534(P)|230| — Report from the Audit Subcommittee: Recommendation for the Formation of an Advisory Working Group on Senators' Pensions
The Chair of the Audit Subcommittee, the Honourable Senator Moncion, tabled the fifteenth report of the subcommittee as follows:
Thursday, February 21, 2019
The Audit Subcommittee of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to table its
FIFTEENTH REPORT
Your Subcommittee recommends that an Advisory Working Group be established with the mandate to review and make recommendations to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration on the Senators' Pension Plan, and that a report be provided for consideration no later than May 31, 2019. This recommendation comes after the approval of the members of the subcommittee following the oral presentation of a motion on this subject.
Respectfully submitted,
LUCIE MONCION
Chair
The Honourable Senator Moncion made a statement.
The Honourable Senator Moncion moved:
That the report be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2019-02-21/535(P)|230| — Report from the Audit Subcommittee: Second Quarterly Financial Report
The Chair of the Audit Subcommittee, the Honourable Senator Moncion, tabled the thirteenth report of the subcommittee as follows:
Thursday, February 21, 2019
The Audit Subcommittee of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to table its
THIRTEENTH REPORT
Your subcommittee received the information on the financial highlights and results for the second quarter of operations, including the summary of budgetary authorities, the analysis of current expenditures and forecast expenditures. Your subcommittee informs you that the second-quarter financial results are compliant. We have reviewed and discussed the risks and uncertainties associated with the institution's operations.
Your subcommittee has approved and now tables the attached Quarterly Financial Report of the Senate of Canada for the quarter ended September 30, 2018.
Respectfully submitted,
LUCIE MONCION
Chair
The Honourable Senator Moncion made a statement.
CIBA/2019-02-21/536(P)|371| — Follow-Up Answers to Questions on Main Estimates 2019-20
Pierre Lanctôt made a statement and answered questions on the Main Estimates 2019-20.
After debate, it was agreed that the Main Estimates be presented in the Senate. It was further agreed that the budget allocation for caucuses and groups be discussed at an upcoming meeting of the committee.
It was agreed to defer the remaining items on the agenda to the committee's next meeting.
At 10:14 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
Gérald Lafrenière
Recording Secretary