Minutes

The Joint Interparliamentary Council met this day at 3:32 p.m., in room 356-S of the Centre Block, Bruce Stanton, M.P., presiding.

Representing the Senate: Michael L. MacDonald for Donald Plett and Jim Munson, Senators.

Representing the House of Commons: Bruce Stanton, Hon. Wayne Easter, Scott Simms, Dave Mackenzie, Irene Mathyssen and Ginette Petitpas Taylor, MPs.

Others present

Chairs and Co-Chairs of Parliamentary Associations:

Hon. Robert Nault, Chair of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas

Randy Hoback (Past Chair of ParlAmericas)

In attendance:

From the International and Interparliamentary Affairs Directorate:

Patrice Martin, Deputy Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Associations;

Gérald Lafrenière, Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Exchanges and Protocol; and

Gilles Larocque, Manager, Resource Planning and Administration

From the Senate:

Khatera Akbari, Acting Manager, Financial Policy, Planning and Corporate Reporting

From ParlAmericas:

Alisha Todd, Director General, International Section of ParlAmericas

1. Request for additional office space for the International Secretarial of ParlAmericas (Mr. Nault)
After debate, on motion by Mr. Easter, seconded by Mr. Mackenzie, it was agreed -- That the JIC prepare submissions to the Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and to the Board of Internal Economy, to recommend that the Facilities Management group of the House of Commons enter into negotiations with Public Works and Government Services Canada on behalf of the Parliament of Canada, to review the 2005 office space agreement with a view to provide additional office space for the International Secretariat of ParlAmericas.

2. Discussion about the possible invitation of association chairs following the allocation of budgets
After debate, on motion by Mr. Mackenzie, seconded by Mr. Simms, it was agreed – That, notwithstanding the motion adopted on April 20, association chairs be invited to appear, as was done in the past, on a need-to basis if they require any additional funding.

3. International conferences
The Clerk of the Council informed Members that the NATO Parliamentary Association has been approached by the International Secretariat to host its 2018 Annual Assembly in Ottawa. As per provisions contained in the Financial Management and Policy Guide for Parliamentary Associations, once the NATO PA Executive Committee has agreed in principle to host the conference, its Chair will submit a detailed written request to the JIC. After debate, it was agreed that the Co-Chairs write to all Associations Chairs and ask that they share with the Council any plan for international conferences in Ottawa between now and 2021, so that a five-year plan may be proposed.

After debate, it was agreed that the Co-Chairs write to all Associations Chairs and ask that they share with the Council any plan for international conferences in Ottawa between now and 2021, so that a five-year plan may be proposed

At 4:10 p.m., the Council adjourned to the call of the Co-Chairs.

Colette Labrecque-Riel

Clerk