Minutes

The Joint Interparliamentary Council met in camera this day at 11:04 a.m., by videoconference, Mr. Bruce Stanton, MP, presiding.

Representing the Senate: Hon. Percy Downe and the Hon. Ratna Omidvar.

Representing the House of Commons: Hon. Wayne Easter, Marilène Gill, Lindsay Mathyssen, Hon. David McGuinty, Hon. Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Alex Ruff, and Bruce Stanton, MPs.

In attendance:

Members of Parliamentary Associations: Francis Drouin, Chair of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF).

From the International and Interparliamentary Affairs Directorate:
Jodi Turner, Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Exchanges and Protocol;
Patrice Martin, Deputy Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Associations;
Jubilee Jackson, Acting Deputy Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Associations, Conferences and Logistics;
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, Chief, Human Rights, Immigration and Citizenship;
Nicole Sweeney, Chief, International Affairs.

1. Approval of Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting of October 28, 2020 were adopted.

2. CAPF – Request for additional funds:

Mr. Drouin made a presentation to the JIC and answered questions.

It was agreed -- That the JIC approve of the request by the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) to host the Parlement francophone des jeunes during the 47th Annual Session of  the APF in July 2022, in Montreal; authorize a maximum budget of $100,000 for those meetings and that this amount be taken from the projected budget surpluses for parliamentary associations; and that the JIC communicate its decision to the Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and the House Board of Internal Economy.

3. Moratorium on associations’ activities:

Considering the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and the current travel restrictions:

It was agreed -- That the moratorium on all International and Interparliamentary Affairs-supported international travel and incoming delegations, set for February 5, 2021, be extended until April 16, 2021.

4. Budgetary process for 2021-2022:

It was agreed – That, in advance of further consideration with regards to associations’ budgets for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, there be an allotment of $30,000 to each association, in order to meet expenses related to activities coming up early in the new fiscal year; and

That the Co-Chairs write to Associations Chairs and Co-Chairs indicating that the Council will study written budget requests in June and that requests should be submitted no later than May 21, 2021.

5. IIA updates:

The Clerk provided updates on various administrative issues.

At 12:16 p.m. the Council adjourned to the call of the Co-Chairs.

Jeremy LeBlanc

Acting Clerk