Minutes

The Joint Interparliamentary Council met in camera this day at 12:03 p.m., by videoconference, Mr. Bruce Stanton, MP, presiding.

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

Representing the House of Commons: Hon. Wayne Easter, Marilène Gill, Lindsay Mathyssen, Hon. David McGuinty, Hon. Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Alex Ruff, and Bruce Stanton, MPs.

In attendance:

Members of Parliamentary Associations:
Hon. Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P., Director of OSCE PA.

From the International and Interparliamentary Affairs Directorate:
Jodi Turner, Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Exchanges and Protocol;
Jubilee Jackson, Acting Deputy Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Associations, Conferences and Logistics;
Caroline Belley, Manager, Resource Planning and Administration.

From the Senate:
Stéphanie Giroux, Financial Advisor, Finance and Procurement Directorate.

From the House of Commons:
Samuel Maheu, Financial Management Advisor, Financial Planning.

From the Library of Parliament:
Christine Ivory, Senior Director, Economics, Resources and International Affairs;
Nicole Sweeney, Senior Manager, International Affairs;
Laura Barnett, Senior Manager, Human Rights, Immigration and Citizenship.

1. Approval of Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting of April 8, 2021, were adopted.

2. International Conferences:

Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly.

Ms. Fry made a presentation to the JIC and, with the Clerk of the Council, answered questions.

It was agreed -- That the Council approve in principle that the Parliament of Canada organize the 31st Annual Session of the OSCE PA in Vancouver, in July 2023;

That the Council 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:

• $174,563 for 2022-2023

• $1,703,819 for 2023-2024

That the temporary funding for the fiscal year 2022-2023 be absorbed from the anticipated budget surpluses of Associations; and

That the total cost be shared using the usual formula (30% Senate, 70% House of Commons) between the Senate ($563,515) and the House of Commons ($1,314,868).

Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

It was agreed -- That the Council 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 defer the approved temporary funding from 2021-2022 to 2022-2023, excluding EBP, of $400,650.

That the funding be shared using the usual formula (30% Senate, 70% House of Commons) between the Senate ($120,195) and the House of Commons ($280,455).

That the Council approve the use of anticipated budget surpluses of associations in fiscal year 2022-2023 to cover supplementary costs associated with the postponements of the 65th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, if required, up to a maximum of $270,000.

3. Annual Report 2020-2021:

The Council considered and approved the annual report and agreed that a copy would be provided to the Senate Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, and to the Board of Internal Economy of the House of Commons.

4. Association Budgets 2021-2022:

The Council studied the written requests from associations for budgets for fiscal year 2021-2022.

It was agreed that, the final budget allocation for fiscal year 2021-2022, be as follows:

5. Moratorium on associations’ activities:

Considering the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and the current travel restrictions:

It was agreed -- That the moratorium on all International and Interparliamentary Affairs-supported international travel and incoming delegations, set for June 30, 2021, be extended until September 30, 2021.

6. Subcommittee on the Review of Parliamentary Associations:

It was agreed – That International and Interparliamentary Affairs prepare a draft mandate for the subcommittee for the consideration of the Council, and that the Council meet on or before July 31, 2021, so as to consider the draft mandate as well as the membership and work plan for the subcommittee.

At 1:12 p.m. the Council adjourned to the call of the Co-Chairs.

Jeremy LeBlanc

Acting Clerk