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Board of Internal Economy meeting

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Meeting Minutes

September 26, 2011

A meeting of the Board of Internal Economy of the House of Commons was held on Monday, September 26, 2011 at 11:30 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, Gordon O'Connor and Rob Merrifield; Mr. Thomas Mulcair; Ms. Chris Charlton and Judy Foote

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

Also Present: Rob Walsh, Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel; Mark Watters, Chief Financial Officer; Kathryn Butler Malette, Chief Human Resources Officer; Marie Nadeau, Director, External Audit Coordination; and Suzanne Verville, Secretariat

Tabling of Minutes

The minutes of the meeting of June 13, 2011 were approved for tabling .

Minutes of Previous Meetings

The minutes of the meeting of June 20, 2011 were adopted.

Ratification – Budget – Standing Committee on Finance

The Board ratified a budget request of $367,962.06 from the Standing Committee on Finance to allow its staff to prepare the consultations across Canada on pre-budget consultations.

Administration of the House of Commons

Accrual of Severance Benefits – Senior Managers – Elimination

The Board took note that the House Administration will implement the same modifications as the federal public service to eliminate the accrual of severance benefits for House of Commons senior managers and Governor in Council appointees , as of October 1, 2011.

Revision of By-laws – Update

The Board was briefed on the revision of By-laws .

Auditor General - Performance Audit – Update

The Board was briefed on the performance audit of the House of Commons .

The Board agreed to invite the Interim Auditor General of Canada to appear before the Board as soon as possible.

Budget of the House of Commons

The Board discussed the budget of the House in the context of the restraint measures being considered in government departments and agencies and requested further information.

Legal Matters

Legal Fees

The Board approved payment of legal fees incurred by a Member in a legal action found to be frivolous subject to the fees being reviewed by the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel.

Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner

Further to its decision made on November 15, 2010, the Board renewed its request for the advice of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs .

Use of Parliamentary Resources

After discussion, the Board agreed to send a memo to all Members reminding them of the rules regarding the use of parliamentary resources.

Legal Fees

The Board took note of the recommendation of the Law Clerk and agreed with it in principle. The Board requested that the Office of the Law Clerk seek, once again, to obtain further information on the claim and, if such information is provided, to render a final decision on the matter.

Members' Allowances and Services

Travel Policy

The Board approved an exception to the Members' travel policy to allow payment of travel expenses to Members attending a funeral.

The Board approved an exception to the Members' travel policy to allow payment of travel expenses incurred by a Member travelling with constituents.

Constituency Office – Moving Expenses

The Board discussed the policy regarding expenses for moving constituency offices at the demand of the landlord, and requested further information to be discussed at the next meeting.

The meeting was adjourned.

Audrey O'Brien
Secretary to the Board