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Board of Internal Economy meeting

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Meeting Minutes

Thursday, June 9, 2022

A meeting of the Board of Internal Economy of the House of Commons was held on Thursday, June 9, 2022, at 11:09 a.m., in Room 225-A, West Block.

In the Chair: The Honourable Anthony Rota, Speaer of the House of Commons

Present: The Honourables Mark Holland and Dominic LeBlanc; Ms. Ruby Sahota, Mr. John Brassard, Mr. Blaine Calkins, Ms. Claude DeBellefeuille, and Mr. Peter Julian

Secretary to the Board: Charles Robert, Clerk of the House of Commons

Also Present: Michel Patrice, Deputy Clerk, Administration; Philippe Dufresne, Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel; Eric Janse, Deputy Clerk, Procedure; Ian McDonald, Clerk Assistant, Committees and Legislative Services Directorate; Michelle Laframboise, Chief Human Resources Officer; Paul St George, Chief Financial Officer; José Fernandez, Deputy Chief Financial Officer; Pat McDonell, Sergeant-at-Arms; and Michelle Tittley, Secretariat

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

The minutes of the meeting of June 2, 2022, were approved for tabling.


BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS

The Board took note of correspondence distributed since its last meeting.


SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON CANADA-CHINA RELATIONS

Ian McDonald, Clerk Assistant, Committees and Legislative Services Directorate, presented a proposal to obtain interim funding for the activities of the Special Committee on the Canada–People’s Republic of China Relationship, and answered questions.

The Board approved the interim budget of $50,000 to finance the activities of the Special Committee, to be allocated from the 2022–2023 global budget envelope for standing committees.


MEMBERS’ ADVERTISING AND HOSPITALITY EXPENSES

Paul St George, Chief Financial Officer, presented a submission seeking the Board’s approval to update the policies on advertising and hospitality expenses and, with José Fernandez, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, answered questions.

The Board approved the following changes, effective April 1, 2022:

1. Advertising at third party events:

• That the limit for advertising at third party events be increased to $660;

• That the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) be authorized to review and adjust the limit annually, based on the consumer price index (CPI); and

• That the CFO be required to inform the Board of any adjustment to the limit.

2. Maximum ticket rate for meals and event entry fees:

• To allow the reimbursement of event ticket costs, whether a meal is included in the cost or not, against the Miscellaneous Expenditures Account, provided that the Member attends the event, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

3. That the Governance and Administration By-law and the Members By-law be amended accordingly.


At 11:19 a.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 11:21 a.m., the meeting resumed in camera.


EMPLOYMENT MATTERS

The Board discussed an employment matter.


MEMBERS’ SECURITY OUTSIDE THE PRECINCT

The Board agreed to the development of a pilot program for the provision of security in relation to their parliamentary duties and events outside the precinct.


The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m.

Charles Robert
Secretary to the Board of Internal Economy