Minutes

The Joint Interparliamentary Council met this day, in camera, at 3:35 p.m., in room 356-S of the Centre Block, Mr. Bruce Stanton, M.P., presiding.

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

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

In attendance:

From the International and Interparliamentary Affairs Directorate: Danielle Labonté, Deputy Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Associations.

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

From the House of Commons: Renée Prud’homme, Deputy Director, Financial Planning, Policy and Financial Planning; Stefany Rockburn, Senior Financial Advisor, Policy and Financial Planning.

From the Library of Parliament: Christine Ivory, Chief, International Affairs, International Affairs Section; Marcus Pistor, Senior Director, Economics, Resources and International Affairs Division.

1. Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of November 1, 2017:

By unanimous consent, the minutes of the meeting of November 1, 2017 were adopted.

2. Report on appearances before the Sub-Committee on the Senate Estimates and the Board of Internal Economy of the House of Commons:

The Clerk reported on her appearances regarding the request for additional resources of the International and Interparliamentary Affairs Directorate. After debate, the Council agreed that it would return to the House of Commons’ Board of Internal Economy, represented by Mr. Stanton, Co-Chair.

3. Update on website renewal:

The Clerk presented an update on the work that has been accomplished so far on the renewal of the website. The Council agreed that it be kept informed on this initiative; that Chairs and Co-Chairs, and if possible Executive Committees, of Associations be consulted regarding the new design and features; and, that a presentation be offered to the Senate Internal Economy Sub-committee on Communications at the earliest opportunity.

4. Five-year Review – Action Plan:

The Council agreed that the action plan be discussed at the next meeting.

5. Other Business:

The Clerk informed the Council of the new directive provided by Finance Services on the purchase of travel tickets at year-end. The Council asked that all associations be informed of this directive.

The Clerk informed the Council that two associations, the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association and the Canadian Section of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, were contemplating presenting requests to the Council for the Parliament of Canada to host international conferences in 2020. The Council agreed that the two associations proceed with their requests and that they prepare detailed budgets for consideration.

At 4:40 p.m., the Council adjourned to the call of the Co-Chairs.

Colette Labrecque-Riel

Clerk