Minutes

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

Representing the Senate: Fabian Manning and Jim Munson, Senators.

Representing the House of Commons: Andrew Leslie, Hon. Wayne Easter, Yasmin Ratansi for Scott Simms, Dave Mackenzie, Matthew Dubé for Irene Mathyssen and Ginette Petitpas Taylor, MPs.

Others present

Executive Members of Parliamentary Associations:

Jean Rioux, M.P., Chair of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (NATO PA).

In attendance:

From the International and Interparliamentary Affairs Directorate

Patrice Martin, Deputy Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Associations;

and Gilles Larocque, Manager, Resource Planning and Administration.

From the Senate

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

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 & International Affairs, Economics, Resources and International Affairs Division.

1. Approval of Minutes

On motion of Wayne Easter, the minutes of the meeting of May 18, 2016 were adopted.

2. NATO – Conference 2018

Jean Rioux made a statement and answered questions.

On motion of Dave Mackenzie, it was agreed that the Council support in principle the request from the Canadian Branch of the NATO Parliamentary Association to host the 62nd Annual Session in Halifax, from November 16 to 19, 2018, and that a formal submission be prepared and presented to the Senate Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and the House of Commons Board of Internal Economy.

3. ParlAmericas office space (update)

The Clerk informed Members of the Council that, as mandated by the Council on May 4, 2016, a presentation has been prepared on ParlAmericas’ request for additional office space for its International Secretariat. The presentation is scheduled to be made before to the Senate Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and the House of Commons Board of Internal Economy on June 16, 2016.

4. Associations Funding Strategies 2017-2018

After debate, on motion of Matthew Dubé, it was agreed that the IIA directorate prepare a submission to both the Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and the House of Commons Board of Internal Economy, requesting that the permanent funding available to Associations be increased by 1 million dollars, for a total of $4,563,537, to be presented in the Fall of 2016.

5. Last minute cancellations

After debate, on motion of Dave Mackenzie, it was agreed that, with respect to the March 14, 2012 JIC resolution on accompanying staff, in the event of a last-minute cancellation on the part of one or more delegates less than 72 hours before departure time, support staff be authorized to travel as per the initially planned delegation.

6. Communications guidelines for associations

After debate, on motion of Dave Mackenzie, it was agreed that, considering the desire expressed by many association Chairs to better communicate to Canadians the work their respective associations do to promote parliamentary diplomacy, the Co-Chairs write to all associations chairs to inform them that:

1- The Council is hopeful that the Subcommittee on Review of Parliament’s involvement with associations and recognized Interparliamentary groups, which is scheduled to table its report by March 31, 2017, will provide recommendations to enhance and modernize the communications tools available to associations;

2- In the meantime, the Council invites associations to rely on Social Media platforms provided that:

a) No association or third party funds are used for the purpose of setting up, maintaining or adding content;

b) Communications be posted in both official languages;

c) Content be posted by Members’ staff and that the contribution of IIA and Library of Parliament staff be limited to providing factual association-related information and facilitating translation;

d) The communications strategy be adopted by the Executive Committees and communicated to the Council.

At 5:05 p.m., the Council adjourned to the call of the Co-Chairs.

Colette Labrecque-Riel

Clerk