Minutes

The Joint Interparliamentary Council met this day at 3:35 p.m., in room 356-S of the Centre Block, Mr. Bruce Stanton, M.P., presiding.

Representing the Senate: Leo Housakos, Donald Plett and Jim Munson, Senators.

Representing the House of Commons: Bruce Stanton, Hon. Wayne Easter, Scott Simms, Dave Mackenzie, Irene Mathyssen and Ginette Petitpas Taylor, MPs.

Others present:

Paul J. Massicotte, Senator and Terry Sheehan, M.P., Co-Chairs of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group

In attendance:

From the International and Interparliamentary Affairs Directorate: Patrice Martin, Deputy Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Associations; Gérald Lafrenière, Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Exchanges and Protocol; and Gilles Larocque, Manager, Resource Planning and Administration

From the Senate: Khatera Akbari, Acting Manager, Financial Policy, Planning and Corporate Reporting.

From the House of Commons: Stefany Rockburn, Senior Financial Advisor, Policy and Financial Planning.

From the Library of Parliament: Marcus Pistor, Senior Director, Economics, Res. & Int. Affairs, Economics, Resources and International Affairs Division

1. Approval of Minutes:

On motion of Dave Mackenzie, the minutes of the meeting of February 3, 2016 were adopted.

2. Associations Budgets (2016-2017) – Presentations by Association Chairs/Co-Chairs:

Paul J. Massicotte, Senator and Terry Sheehan, M.P., Co-Chairs of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group, presented the work and planned activities of the association, as well as their related budget request for the 2016-2017 fiscal year, and answered questions.

On motion of Dave Mackenzie, it was agreed -- That, in advance of further consideration with regards to associations’ budgets, there be an allotment of $50,000 to each association in order to meet expenses related to activities coming up early in the new fiscal year, such as, but not limited to, airline tickets or hotel bookings, which often benefit from advanced purchase in order to reduce costs related to association activities.

3. Creation of new parliamentary associations:

Members of the Council discussed the issue of the creation of new parliamentary associations. It was agreed that the Council deal with the issue in the context of its discussion on the Review of Parliament’s involvement with associations and recognized Interparliamentary groups.

4. Hosting of international parliamentary conferences in Ottawa in 2017:

It was agreed that the Council deal with requests for conferences in Ottawa during the year of the 150th anniversary of the country on a case by case basis.

5. Review of Parliament’s involvement with associations and recognized Interparliamentary groups:

By unanimous consent, it was agreed that the Council undertake a Review of Parliament’s involvement with associations and recognized Interparliamentary groups and that the Clerk of the Council prepare a resolution for consideration at its next meeting.

At 4:40 P.M, p.m., the Council adjourned to the call of the Co-Chairs.

Colette Labrecque-Riel

Clerk