Minutes

The Joint Interparliamentary Council met this day at 4:06 p.m. in room 356-S of the Centre Block, Ms. Denise Savoie, M.P., presiding.

Representing the Senate:  Hon. David Tkachuk and Hon. Carolyn Stewart Olsen, Senators.

Representing the House of Commons:  Denise Savoie, Harold Albrecht, Hon. Rob Merrifield, Philip Toone, Massimo Pacetti, Randy Hoback and Gordon Brown, MPs.

In attendance:

From the International and Interparliamentary Affairs Directorate: Jeremy LeBlanc, Deputy Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Associations; and Gérald Lafrenière, Deputy Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Exchanges.

From the Senate: Julie Pilon, Manager, Financial Policy, Planning and Corporate Reporting, Finance and Procurement Directorate.

From the House of Commons: Gilles Larocque, Senior Financial Advisor, Policy and Financial Planning.

1. Approval of Minutes:

On motion of Mr. Toone, the minutes of the meeting of October 5, 2011 were approved.

2. Supplementary Budget Request:

The Council considered a request from the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association for additional funding.

After discussion, on motion of Mr. Brown, it was agreed that the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association be allotted an additional $71,000 in order to fund the upcoming activities of the association.

3. Reimbursement of Membership Fees for Defeated MPs:

Further to the discussion at the meeting of October 5, 2011, the Council resumed consideration of a request made by a former member of the House of Commons, who was defeated in the general election, to have his association membership fees for 2010-2011 reimbursed.

After discussion, on motion of Mr. Merrifield, it was agreed to decline this request and to consider membership fees for associations as non-refundable.

4. Funding for IPU 2012 Conference:

The Chair explained that, due to the anticipated surplus in the JIC 2011-2012 budget and lower than anticipated levels of spending in this fiscal year in relation to the 127th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, it would be possible to cover the costs related to this conference from the JIC envelope rather than seeking funding via supplementary estimates.

On motion of Senator Tkachuk, it was agreed that the Council allocate $325,000 from the JIC envelope to cover expenses related to the 127th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in 2011-2012.

5. Restructuring Associations:

Members of the Council discussed the issue of the structure of parliamentary associations.

After discussion, on motion of Mr. Albrecht, it was agreed that a subcommittee be appointed to examine the structure of parliamentary associations and to consult with chairs of associations on this issue; that the subcommittee be composed of Rob Merrifield (Chair), Senator Stewart-Olsen, Philip Toone and Massimo Pacetti; and, that the subcommittee report its recommendations and findings to the Council no later than February 28, 2012.

At 4:29 p.m., the Council adjourned to the call of the Co-Chairs.

Eric Janse

Clerk