Minutes

The Joint Interparliamentary Council met in camera this day at 11:00 am., by videoconference, Mr. Bruce Stanton, MP, presiding.

Representing the Senate: Hon. Donald Plett, Hon. Percy Downe and Hon. Ratna Omidvar.

Representing the House of Commons: Hon. Wayne Easter, John Brassard, Lindsay Mathyssen, Hon. David McGuinty, Hon. Ginette Petitpas Taylor, and Marilène Gill, MPs.

In attendance:

Members of Parliamentary Associations: Francis Drouin, Chair of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF).

From the International and Interparliamentary Affairs Directorate: Jodi Turner, Acting Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Exchanges and Protocol; Patrice Martin, Deputy Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Associations; Jubilee Jackson, Deputy Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Associations, Conferences and Logistics; Chantal Goulet, Logistics Coordinator, Parliamentary Associations.

From the Senate: Guylaine Quevillon, Financial Advisor, Finance and Procurement Directorate.From the House of Commons: Eric Janse, Clerk Assistant, Committees and Legislative Services Directorate Samuel Maheu, Financial Management Advisor, Financial Planning.

From the Library of Parliament: Nicole Sweeney, Chief, International Affairs, International Affairs Section.

1. Approval of Minutes:

The minutes of the meetings of March 11 and February 26, 2020 were adopted.

2. Decisions made electronically since March 11, 2020:

Members of the Council were informed of decisions made electronically since the last meeting on March 11, 2020.

On April 30, 2020, Members approved the following motion:

“Be it resolved -- That the Co-Chairs write to all bilateral and multilateral associations' chairs, to the Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and to the House of Commons Board of Internal Economy to inform them that the moratorium on all International and Interparliamentary Affairs-supported international travel and incoming delegations, adopted on March 11, 2020, by the Council and set for May 6, 2020, is extended until June 24, 2020.”

The results were Yays: 8 | Nays : 0 | Abstention : 0

On May 19, 2020 Members approved the following motion:

Be it resolved that, for the 2020-2021 fiscal year, the total budget allocation for associations be as follows:

The results were Yays: 8 | Nays : 0 | Abstention : 0

On June 26, 2020 Members approved the following motion:

“Be it resolved -- That the moratorium on all International and Interparliamentary Affairs-supported international travel and incoming delegations, set for June 24, 2020, be extended until September 21, 2020.”

The results were Yays: 10 | Nays : 0 | Abstention : 0

3. International conference – APF:

Mr. Drouin made a presentation to the JIC and answered questions.

It was agreed -- That the JIC approve in principle that the Canadian Branch of the APF organize the 48^th Annual Session of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie in Montreal, in July 2022;

That the JIC recommend that the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration of the Senate and the Board of Internal Economy of the House of Commons approve temporary funding excluding EBP of:

•  $27,948 for 2020-2021
• $178,101 for 2021-2022
• $1,097,008 for 2022-2023

That the temporary funding for the fiscal years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 be absorbed from the anticipated budget surpluses of Associations and Exchanges;

That the funding be shared using the usual formula (30% Senate, 70% House of Commons) between the Senate ($390,917) and the House of Commons ($912,140).

At 11:38 a.m. the Council adjourned to the call of the Co-Chairs.

Jeremy LeBlanc

Clerk