Minutes

The Joint Interparliamentary Council met this day, in camera, at 3:31 p.m., in room 356-S of the Centre Block, the Hon. Donald Plett, Senator, presiding.

Representing the Senate: Hon. Percy Downe, Hon. Michael L. MacDonald and Hon. Donald Plett, Senators.

Representing the House of Commons: John Brassard, Irene Mathyssen, David McGuinty for the Hon. Wayne Easter, Scott Simms, Bruce Stanton and Filomena Tassi, MPs.

In attendance:

From the International and Interparliamentary Affairs Directorate: Gérald Lafrenière, Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Exchanges and Protocol; Danielle Labonté, Deputy Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Associations; Gilles Larocque, Manager, Resource Planning and Administration.

From the Senate: Guylaine Quevillon, Financial Advisor, Finance and Procurement Directorate.

From the House of Commons: Stefany Rockburn, Senior Financial Advisor, Policy and Financial Planning.

From the Library of Parliament: Marcus Pistor, Senior Director, Economics, Resources and International Affairs Division.

1. Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of June 14, 2017:

By unanimous consent, the minutes of the meeting of June 14, 2017 were adopted.

2. Consideration of the JIC Annual Report on Parliamentary Associations’ Activities and Expenditures (2016–2017):

It was agreed that the report be adopted; that the Clerk be authorized to make any editorial, grammatical and translation changes, if required; and that the report be presented to the Senate Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and the House of Commons Board of Internal Economy at the earliest opportunity.

3. Review of Membership Fees (request from CIBA):

The Council assessed the relevance of Parliamentary Associations and Interparliamentary Groups’ membership fees as per the request. After debate, it was agreed that the membership fees remain at their current amount and that the Co-Chairs share the views expressed with the Senate Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.

4. IIA Request for Additional Resources:

The Clerk of the Council presented a request for additional resources to support Parliamentary Associations. After debate, it was agreed that the Clerk prepare a submission to both Boards requesting additional resources; that the Co-Chairs be empowered to approve the final version of the document, taking into consideration this meeting’s discussions; and, that the request be presented to the Senate Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and the House of Commons Board of Internal Economy at the earliest opportunity.

5. Consideration of the Review Subcommittee’s Report – Recommendations (Proposed Action Plan):

The Clerk of the Council presented an action plan to guide the Council’s study of the recommendations. The Council commenced its study of the recommendations.

6. Other Business:

The Council was informed that the Co-Chairs had authorized a request for an exemption from the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie to have a single parliamentarian accompanied by a staff member on an outgoing activity to Morocco in November. The request was in compliance with the three criteria required by the JIC to grant such an exemption.

The Council discussed the meeting schedule and it was agreed that the schedule remain the same.

At 5:20 p.m., the Council adjourned to the call of the Co-Chairs.

Colette Labrecque-Riel

Clerk