Minutes

The Joint Interparliamentary Council met in camera this day at 10:03 a.m., in a virtual format, the Honourable Raymonde Saint-Germain, Senator presiding.

Representing the Senate:  Hon. Dennis Dawson and Hon. Raymonde Saint-Germain.

Representing the House of Commons:  Chris d’Entremont, Marilène Gill, Lindsay Mathyssen, Hon. David McGuinty, Ruby Sahota, Jamie Schmale for Lianne Rood, Marc Serré, MPs.

In attendance:

From the International and Interparliamentary Affairs Directorate:
Marie-Ève Belzile, Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Exchanges and Protocol;
Jubilee Jackson, Acting Deputy Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Associations, Conferences and Logistics;
Andrew Lauzon, Acting Deputy Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Associations;
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;
Laura Barnett, Senior Manager, Human Rights, Immigration and Citizenship;
Nicole Sweeney, Senior Manager, International Affairs

1. Approval of Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting of February 14, 2022, were adopted.

2. Subcommittee on the Review of Parliamentary Associations:

The Council discussed the composition of the Subcommittee on the Review of Parliamentary Associations.

It was agreed – That, notwithstanding the motion adopted on February 14, 2022, a representative of the Progressive Senate Group be appointed to the Subcommittee in place of a representative of the Canadian Senators Group.

3. Moratorium on association activities:

Council members discussed the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and current travel restrictions.

It was agreed – That the moratorium on all International and Interparliamentary Affairs sponsored activities related to travel and incoming delegations be lifted as of April 1, 2022; that the security analysis conducted prior to each activity include the public health situation in the destination country; and, that association staff not be compelled to accompany outgoing delegations if they do not feel comfortable doing so.

It was agreed -- That, notwithstanding the motion adopted on February 14, 2022, the initial allotment to each association, with the exception of Canada-France and Canada-United Kingdom, be increased to $75,000 in order to meet expenses related to activities coming up early in the 2022-2023 fiscal year

4. Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (CAPF):

The Council considered correspondence received from Francis Drouin, Chair of the CAPF, regarding a request to travel.

It was agreed – That, notwithstanding the moratorium on association activities and the rule regarding association staff accompanying a single parliamentarian, the Chair of the CAPF be authorized to travel to Paris, France, for the 40th Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie being held on March 16, and that he be accompanied by the Association Secretary.

5. Update on conferences:

The Co-Chair provided the Council with an update on the status of the 65th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, to be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from August 20 to 26, 2022.

At 10:26 a.m., the Council adjourned to the call of the Co-Chairs.

Jeremy LeBlanc

Clerk