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Board of Internal Economy meeting

The Agenda includes information about the items of business to be dealt with by the Board and date, time and place of the meeting. The Transcript is the edited and revised report of what is said during the meeting. The Minutes are the official record of decisions made by the Board at a meeting.

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Meeting Minutes

Thursday, April 21, 2016

A meeting of the Board of Internal Economy of the House of Commons was held on Thursday, April 21, 2016 at 11:15 a.m., in Room 340-S, Centre Block.

In the Chair: The Honourable Geoff Regan, Speaker of the House of Commons

Present: The Honourables Judy Foote, Dominic LeBlanc and Andrew Leslie; Messrs. Andrew Scheer, Gordon Brown and Peter Julian

Acting Secretary to the Board: Marc Bosc, Acting Clerk of the House of Commons

Also Present: Rob Wright, Assistant Deputy Minister, Public Services and Procurement Canada; Susan Kulba, Senior Director, Architecture and Long Term Vision and Plan Program Management; Daniel Paquette, Chief Financial Officer; Philippe Dufresne, Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel; Stéphan Aubé, Chief Information Officer; Pierre Parent, Chief Human Resources Officer; Robin Kells, Secretariat

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the meeting of March 10, 2016 were adopted and approved for tabling.

Business Arising

The Board noted and discussed correspondence distributed since its last meeting.

The Board requested an update regarding the Bloc Québécois additional resources.

Infrastructure

Parliamentary Precinct Long Term Vision and Plan

The Board discussed a presentation on the Parliamentary Precinct Long-Term Vision and Plan (LTVP) including access to the Library of Parliament, the Peace Tower and the grounds immediately surrounding West Block and Centre Block. The Board requested a detailed briefing on the impacts of the LTVP on parking and associated project dependencies within the Parliamentary Precinct.

It was agreed that Board members would tour the West Block and the 180 Wellington Building in the coming weeks.

Renewal of Constituency Communication Network Services

The Board discussed and approved a proposal regarding the renewal of Internet connectivity services for Members’ constituency offices.

The Board also asked that the House Administration return to the Board every four years, starting in 2023–2024, regarding requirements for hardware renewal.

Special Committee on Pay Equity

The Board approved the funds for the interim budget of $50,000, to finance the activities of the Special Committee on Pay Equity with funds to be allocated from the global budget envelope for standing committees.

Termination Pay for a Member’s Employees

The Board considered and approved the payment of termination pay for a Member’s employees on an exception-basis. The Board also asked the House Administration to review its policies related to termination and continuance of Members’ employees in specific circumstances following an election.

Administration

Accommodating the Special Needs of Members with disabilities

The Board discussed the process and funding required to accommodate the needs of Members with disabilities so they may carry out their parliamentary functions. The Board approved the following:

  • The House of Commons, through its Occupational Health, Safety and Environment Office and under the direction of the Chief Human Resources Officer, will work directly with Members with disabilities to assess their specific needs and implement accommodation plans based on standard practices;
  • Funding, previously approved by the Board, will be maintained and managed by the Chief Human Resources Officer for current and future accommodations;
  • The House Administration will seek the Board’s direction for any expenses it believes exceed the parameters set by the Board or are inconsistent with accommodation approved by the Board in previous cases;
  • The House Administration will report on accommodation expenses for Members through the year-end financial status report and will seek additional funding as required.

Child Care Assistance for Members within the Parliamentary Precinct

After discussion, the Board agreed to engage an external provider to offer short-term, on-call child care services to Members, at Members’ personal expense, while they are in Ottawa. The Board noted that caregivers would be required to obtain a security clearance. The Board asked the House Administration to monitor usage and performance against contractual terms and to report back to the Board after a year.

The Board asked the House Administration to provide further information regarding Members’ access to Children on the Hill Daycare at a future meeting.

House of Commons Administration Strategic Plan 2016–2019

The Board took note of the House of Commons Administration’s Strategic Plan 2016–2019 to be tabled in the House.

Joint Interparliamentary Council Annual Report

2014–2015 Annual Report on Parliamentary Associations

The Board took note of the report on the activities and expenditures of parliamentary associations for fiscal year 2014–2015 , which was presented to the Joint Interparliamentary Council .

Other Items

Members’ Travel Services

The Board noted that several Members have expressed concern about the ability of the external travel service provider to meet Members’ requirements related to travel . The Board requested the House Administration take further corrective action with the provider and conduct a client satisfaction survey with Members.

Request for Exception – Temporary Assignment of an Employee

The Board considered a special request from a member pertaining to his constituency office staff and approved the request on an exception basis.

The meeting was adjourned.

Marc Bosc
Acting Secretary to the Board