Minutes

The Joint Interparliamentary Council met this day at 3:31 p.m., in room 356-S of the Centre Block, Mr. Stanton, M.P., presiding.

Representing the Senate: Hon. Jane Cordy for Hon. Percy Downe, Hon. Leo Housakos, Hon. Donald Plett, Senators.

Representing the House of Commons: Hon. Wayne Easter, Dave Mackenzie, Hon. Pablo Rodriguez, Scott Simms, Bruce Stanton and Filomena Tassi, MPs.

In attendance:

Executive Members of Parliamentary Associations: Mr. David McGuinty, M.P., President, Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union; Mr. Denis Paradis, M.P., President, Canada-France Interparliamentary Association; Mr. Scott Simms, M.P., President, Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association.

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

From the Senate: Khatera Akbari, Acting Manager, Financial Policy, Planning and Corporate Reporting.

From the House of Commons: Kim Monaghan, Financial Advisor, Policy and Financial Planning.

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

1. Approval of Minutes

By unanimous consent, the minutes of the meeting of February 8, 2017 were adopted.

2. Associations Budgets 2017-2018 – Presentations by Association Chairs/Co-Chairs

Mr. Paradis, M.P., President of the Canada-France Interparliamentary Association, presented a short summary of the association’s accomplishments in fiscal year 2016-2017 as well as the association’s planned activities and related budget request for the 2017-2018 fiscal year, and answered questions.

Mr. McGuinty, M.P., President of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, presented a short summary of the association’s accomplishments in fiscal year 2016-2017 as well as the association’s planned activities and related budget request for the 2017-2018 fiscal year, and answered questions.

Mr. Simms, M.P., President of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association, presented a short summary of the association’s accomplishments in fiscal year 2016-2017 as well as the association’s planned activities and related budget request for the 2017-2018 fiscal year, and answered questions.

3. Other Business

The Chair drew to the Council’s attention a letter received from the Chair of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) on March 8, 2017, regarding a request to have a single parliamentarian accompanied by a staff member on an outgoing activity. The request concerned a mission to Ethiopia next month. After debate, and in light of the fact that the APF demonstrated its compliance with the three criteria required by the JIC to grant exemptions for such requests, on unanimous consent, it was agreed that the request be approved.

The Clerk indicated that, based on the current financial situation for fiscal year 2016-2017, transfers of funds of small amounts, within the JIC envelope, may be required. It was agreed that, the Clerk, after discussion with Financial Officers and Associations Secretaries, be authorized to make the necessary funding adjustments for the current fiscal year.

At 4:24 p.m., the Council adjourned to the call of the Co-Chairs.

Colette Labrecque-Riel

Clerk