1.   Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of March 28, 2018

By unanimous consent, the minutes of the meeting of March 28, 2018 were adopted.

2.   Submission for an International Conference - Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association’s Canadian Delegation to the OSCE PA

The Hon. Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P, Director of the Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly presented a request for Canada to host the OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY’S 29TH ANNUAL SESSIONin Vancouver, British Columbia in July 2020 and answered questions from JIC members. By unanimous consent, it was agreed, that the JIC adopt in principle the proposal to host the conference and that a detailed request be submitted to the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and the Board of Internal Economy of the House of Commons for the approval of the conference and the required temporary funding to host this event of $176,595 for fiscal year 2019-2020 and $1,394,387 for fiscal year 2020-2021 for a total of $1,570,982 which would be shared using the usual formula (30% Senate, 70% House of Commons) between the Senate ($471,293) and the House of Commons ($1,099,690).

3.   Submission for an International Conference - Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, M.P., Chair of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association presented a request for Canada to host the 65^thCOMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE in Ottawa, Ontario or Halifax, Nova Scotia in fall 2020 and answered questions from JIC members. By unanimous consent, it was agreed, that the JIC adopt in principle the proposal to host the conference; that the Canadian Branch be authorized to further discuss the proposal with the Canadian Regional Council to make a final decision on the location of the conference; and, that a detailed request be submitted accordingly to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration of the Senate and the Board of Internal Economy of the House of Commons for the approval of the conference and the required temporary funding, for a conference in Ottawa,of $107,615 for fiscal year 2019-2020 and $504,492 for fiscal year 2020-2021 for a total of $612,107 which would be shared using the usual formula (30% Senate, 70% House of Commons) between the Senate ($183,631) and the House of Commons ($428,477), or, for a conference in Halifax, of $110,115 for fiscal year 2019-2020 and $609,956 for fiscal year 2020-2021 for a total of $720,071 which would be shared using the usual formula (30% Senate, 70% House of Commons) between the Senate ($216,020) and the House of Commons ($504,052).

At 4:48 p.m., the meeting was suspended. At 5:10 p.m., the meeting resumed.

4.   Financial Update (last year and current fiscal year)

The Clerk provided an update of the financial status for fiscal year 2017-2018 and for the current fiscal year.

5.    Draft Code of Conduct for Parliamentary Associations’ Delegations

The Clerk presented the draft Code of conduct and invited comments from members. It was agreed that the Council would continue its review of the Code in the fall.

6.    Letter from Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, M.P., Chair of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association,regarding security services for Pakistan’s mission by CPA in March 2018

It was agreed that the delegates who travelled to Pakistan be invited in the fall to present their views and to answer questions.

7.   Other Business

It was agreed to review the request for official recognition of the Canada-Lebanon Friendship Group in the fall as part of the review of the recent recommendations of the JIC Subcommittee regarding the creation of new parliamentary associations.

It was agreed that representatives of the Canada-Japan Interparliamentary Group be invited in the fall to present on their recent activity.

At 5:28 p.m., the Council adjourned to the call of the Co-Chairs.

 Colette Labrecque-Riel

  Clerk