Minutes

The Joint Interparliamentary Council met in camera this day at 9:05 a.m., in a hybrid format, the Hon. Raymonde Saint-Germain, Senator, and Chris d’Entremont, M.P., presiding.

Representing the Senate:  Hon. Percy E. Downe and Hon. Raymonde Saint-Germain.

Representing the House of Commons:  Chris d’Entremont, Hon. Mona Fortier, Marilène Gill, Heather McPherson, Hon. David McGuinty, Lianne Rood, Darrell Samson, Marc Serré.

In attendance:

From the International and Interparliamentary Affairs Directorate:
Cynara Corbin, Deputy Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Associations;
Julie Geoffrion, Deputy Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Associations, Conferences and Logistics;
Kevin Pittman, Acting Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Exchanges and Protocol;
Caroline Belley, Manager, Resource Planning and Administration.

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

From the House of Commons:
Kristine Jolivette, Financial Management Advisor, Financial Planning.

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

1. Approval of Minutes

It was agreed, – That the minutes of the meeting of April 15, 2024, be adopted.

2. Annual report 2023-2024

The Council considered the Annual Report on Parliamentary Associations’ Activities and Expenditures for 2023-2024.

It was agreed, – That the report be adopted and that it be shared with the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration of the Senate and the Board of Internal Economy of the House of Commons for their consideration.

3. Statistical review of gender representation on delegations and executive committees

The Council reviewed the annual statistical audit of gender representation on executive committees and delegations. After discussion, the Council asked that the report be adjusted to highlight activities of women’s networks which are reserved to female parliamentarians.

4. Membership fees for parliamentary associations

The Council discussed membership fees for parliamentary associations.

It was agreed, – That the Council increase the membership fees to $50 per year for parliamentary associations and $20 per year for interparliamentary groups starting in fiscal year 2026-2027.

5. Use of travel points for international activities

The Council discussed a possible request to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration of the Senate and the Board of Internal Economy of the House of Commons to expand the Travel Points System to allow for the use of points to travel to additional destinations in the United States.

It was agreed, – That staff be asked to prepare a briefing note on this issue for discussion at a future meeting.

6. Request for exemption-CAPF

The Council considered a request from the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (CAPF) for an exception to the rule regarding the number of staff who may accompany delegations.

It was agreed, – That a staff member be authorized to accompany the Chair of the Association to the 36th European Regional Assembly in Prishtina, Kosovo, from November 10 to 14, 2024.

7. Decisions made by the Co-chairs

The Co-Chairs informed the Council that they had considered and approved a request from Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association to permit a member’s assistant to accompany the Canadian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) from June 24-28, 2024, for the sole purposes of being granted access to the Palais de l’Europe Building public galleries.

At 10:38 a.m., the Council adjourned to the call of the Co-Chairs.

Jeremy LeBlanc
Clerk