Minutes

The Joint Interparliamentary Council met this day at 3:33 p.m., in room 356-S of the Centre Block, Mr. Stanton, M.P., presiding.

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

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

In attendance:

Executive Members of Parliamentary Associations: The Hon. Raynell Andreychuk, Senator, Co-Chair, Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association; The Hon. Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P., Director, Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Association (OSCE PA); The Hon. Robert Nault, P.C., M.P., Chair, Canadian Section of ParlAmericas; Ms. Leona Alleslev, Chair, Canadian NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

From the International and Interparliamentary Affairs Directorate: 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. Associations Budgets 2017-2018 – Presentations by Association Chairs/Co-Chairs

Senator Andreychuk, Co-Chair of the Canada-Africa 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.

At 3:46 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 4:02 p.m., the meeting resumed.

Senator Andreychuk, Co-Chair of the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association, answered questions.

Ms. Fry, M.P., Director of the Canadian Delegation to the OSCE PA, presented a short summary of the delegation’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. Nault, M.P., Chair of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas, 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.

Ms. Alleslev, Chair of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Assembly, 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.

2. Approval of Minutes

By unanimous consent, the minutes of the meeting of April 5, 2017 were adopted.

3. Associations Budgets 2017-2018

The Clerk provided an overview of the financial situation for fiscal year 2016-2017. She also explained how budgetary decisions were taken last fiscal year and offered options for this year. The Council agreed to further discuss the process once all Association budget presentations have been made.

4. Communications Strategy (Web Site and Social Media)

The Clerk provided an update on the work that has been done regarding the development of new communications tools for Parliamentary Associations. Additional information will be provided at the next meeting.

5. Digital Binders

The Clerk offered the Council an alternate means for the distribution of meeting documents similar to that used by Senate and House Committees as well as many Associations. The Council agreed to further discuss this option at a later meeting.

At 5:36 p.m., the Council adjourned to the call of the Co-Chairs.

Colette Labrecque-Riel

Clerk