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Board of Internal Economy meeting

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Meeting Minutes

Monday, March 5, 2012

A meeting of the Board of Internal Economy of the House of Commons was held on Monday, March 5, 2012 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. Joe Comartin; and Ms. Chris Charlton

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

Also Present : Richard Denis, Deputy Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel; Mark Watters, Chief Financial Officer; and Suzanne Verville, Secretariat

Tabling of Minutes

The minutes of the meetings of February 6 and 13 , 2012 were approved for tabling .

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the meeting of February 27, 2012 were adopted.

Members of Parliament Retiring Allowances Act

The Board took note of a letter from the Minister of National Revenue regarding payments from the Members of Parliament Retiring Allowances Act and pension income splitting.

Administration

a) Strategic and Operating Review (SOR)

Further to the meetings of February 6 and 27 , 2012, the Board continued consideration of the proposed strategic and operating review, agreed to some reduction proposals, reconsidered others and requested that consideration be resumed at the next meeting.

b) By-law modernization – Transition Strategy

Further to the adoption of the revised By-laws on December 5, 2011 , the Board approved a transition strategy whereby Members finding themselves no longer in compliance as a result of revisions to the By-laws would have until the end of the fiscal year 2012-13 to make arrangements to ensure their full compliance. The Board also approved that the By-laws be made available to all users only electronically.

c) Accrual of Severance Benefits – Unrepresented Employees - 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 unrepresented employees.

Members' Allowances and Services

a) Travel Points System Flexibility

The Board took note of how the House Administration would interpret the Board's policy on travel to New York City.

b) Travel and Hospitality Expenses related to Funerals

The Board approved the proposed wording of the policy related to Members' reimbursement of expenses related to their attendance at funerals.

The meeting was adjourned.

Audrey O'Brien
Secretary to the Board