LIAI Committee Meeting

The Liaison Committee met at 1:11 p.m. this day, in Room 112-N, Centre Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair and Vice-Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 107(2).

The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Chair.

On motion of Don Boudria, it was agreed, — That Bonnie Brown be elected Chair of the Committee.

The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Vice-Chair.

Rob Anders moved, — That John Williams be elected as Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Don Boudria moved, — That Tom Wappel be elected as Vice-Chair of the Committee.

The election was conducted by secret ballot and, the ballots having been counted, Tom Wappel was declared duly elected as Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Bonnie Brown took the Chair.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets be comprised of Rob Anders, Bonnie Brown, Massimo Pacetti, Bernard Patry, Andrew Telegdi, Tom Wappel and John Williams.

The Chair gave a presentation on the financial status of the global envelope for committees activities.

On motion of Marlene Catterall, it was agreed, — That the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage be granted an additional operational budget of $30,525, including an additional $2,400 for hospitality expenses, for its study on the Canadian Feature Film Industry.

On motion of Raymonde Folco, it was agreed, — That the limit for official hospitality expenses for the Standing Committee on Public Accounts be increased by $3,000 for fiscal year 2005-2006.

Raymonde Folco moved, — That the Standing Committee on Public Accounts be granted a budget of $31,220 for service contracts, for its study on Chapters 3, 4, 5 of the November 2003 Report of the Auditor General.

Debate arose thereon.

Marlene Catterall moved, — That the budget request be referred to the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 11; NAYS: 3.

Accordingly, the budget request was referred to the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets.

Massimo Pacetti moved, — That the Standing Committee on Finance be granted an operational budget of $48,900 for its Pre-Budget Consultations.

Debate arose thereon.

Rob Anders moved, — That the budget request be referred to the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 3; NAYS: 11.

Debate resumed on the motion of Mr. Paccetti.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 11; NAYS: 3.

Tom Wappel moved, — (1)That the Subcommittee on National Security and Public Safety of the Standing Committee on Justice, Human Rights, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness be granted a travel budget of $27,990 to travel to Washington, DC, for informal meetings with officials in relation to its studies on National Security and Public Safety, and (2)That the Subcommittee on National Security and Public Safety of the Standing Committee on Justice, Human Rights, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness be granted a travel budget of $321, to travel to a detention centre in the Ottawa-Carleton Region, for informal meetings with individuals currently detained on security certificates, in relation to its studies on Public Safety.

Debate arose thereon.

Rob Anders moved, — That the budget requests be referred to the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 3; NAYS: 11.

Debate resumed on the motion of Mr. Wappel.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 11; NAYS: 4.

On motion of Marlene Catterall, it was agreed, — That the Standing Committee on Public Accounts be granted a travel budget of $8,175, to travel within the National Capital region, to attend a conference entitled “Responding to Gomery: The Future of the Public Service of Canada.

On motion of Bernard Patry, it was agreed, — That the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade be granted a travel budget of $123,661, to travel to Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Saskatoon, from December 4 to 10, 2005, for its study on the International Policy Statement.

At 2:02 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.