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Board of Internal Economy meeting

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Meeting Minutes

Monday, December 2, 2013

A meeting of the Board of Internal Economy of the House of Commons was held on Monday, December 2, 2013 at 11:15 a.m., in Room 112-N, Centre Block.

In the Chair: The Honourable Andrew Scheer, Speaker of the House of Commons

Present: The Honourables Peter Van Loan, John Duncan and Rob Merrifield; Mr. Nathan Cullen; Mrs. Nycole Turmel; Ms. Judy Foote

Secretary to the Board: Audrey O’Brien, Clerk of the House of Commons

Also Present: Marc Bosc, Deputy Clerk; André Gagnon, Clerk Assistant, Committees and Legislative Services Directorate; Eric Janse, Clerk Assistant and Director General, International and Interparliamentary Affairs; Pierre Parent, Chief Human Resources Officer; Kevin Vickers, Sergeant-at-Arms; Mark Watters, Chief Financial Officer; Suzanne Verville, Secretariat

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the meeting of November 4, 2013 were adopted and approved for tabling .

Budget – Special Committee on Violence against Indigenous Women

The Board approved:

  • an amount of $5,449.96, representing the costs incurred by the Special Committee on Violence Against Indigenous Women during the 1st Session of the 41st Parliament, to be allocated from the global envelope for standing committees; and
  • a budget of $77,100 for the Special Committee on Violence Against Indigenous Women in the current (2nd) Session, to be allocated from the global envelope for standing committees.

Joint Interparliamentary Council

2012–2013 Annual Report on Parliamentary Associations

The Board took note of the fourth report on Parliamentary Associations’ Activities and Expenditures for fiscal year 2012–2013 presented to the Joint Interparliamentary Council and to be made available to the public on the parliamentary Web site.

Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) – Contributions

The Board noted the concerns of the Joint Interparliamentary Council (JIC) regarding the high membership fee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the fact that Canada was made the chair of the IPU Sub-Committee on Finance at the 129th Assembly last October in Geneva. After discussion, the Board agreed that Canada would pay its membership fee for 2014. The Board directed that the JIC be informed that the Board expects to see amelioration in the financial governance of the IPU, notably with regard to the internal administrative costs so that membership fees can be reduced.

Administration

December 27, 2013

The Board agreed, in accordance with past practice regarding a working day that falls between two days off, to provide employees of the House of Commons Administration with a paid day off on Friday, December 27, 2013.

Audited Financial Statements 2012–2013

The Board took note of the results of the audit of the 2012–2013 financial statements , and agreed to make them available to the Office of the Auditor General for information purposes. The Board also agreed to post the audit of the House of Commons Financial Statements on parl.gc.ca.

Second-Quarter Financial Status Report for Fiscal Year 2013–2014

The Board took note of the Second Quarter Status Report for fiscal year 2013–2014, as at September 30, 2013.

Next Generation Smartphone Platform

The Board approved that the House move to a multi-platform smartphone solution, including the Blackberry 10 and iPhone, to be funded from existing resources. The Board also requested that the House Administration return with a proposal on an overall mobility strategy, including, but not limited to, the results of the pilot project on “paperless committees” and on other mobility business initiatives.

Members’ Allowances and Services

Controlled Assets

The Board approved the following changes to the limits on the purchase of controlled assets :

  • a $1,200 maximum purchase price for a portable event shelter; colour choices must be limited to white or another neutral, non-partisan colour;
  • a $1,500 maximum purchase price (including all components) for a public address (PA) system; Members are required to submit all receipts related to the purchase of a PA system and its components at one time for reimbursement. A component purchased at a later date must be associated with a specific PA system to qualify for reimbursement; and
  • Two televisions per constituency office with a maximum purchase price of $750, including accessories and installation charges. Members are also required to dispose of any television exceeding the limit and to consult with Materiel and Contract Management for proper disposal procedures.

Public Registry of Designated Travellers

The Board took note of the Public Registry of Designated Travellers to be posted on parl.gc.ca on December 5, 2013.

Franking Privileges

The Board requested that the House Administration provide additional information regarding this matter.

Security

The Board requested an update on this matter and agreed to discuss it at the next meeting.

Other Business

The Board requested an analysis of the policy on advertising.

The meeting was adjourned.

Audrey O’Brien
Secretary to the Board