Thank you, Mr. Chair.
My colleagues and I are appearing before the Board of Internal Economy to obtain the approval of its members to update six policies applicable to members of Parliament.
The first policy deals with relocation.
Currently, during a continuous term, MPs representing a riding outside the national capital region are entitled to a move from a residence in Canada to that region. They are also entitled to a move to a residence outside that region within one year of the end of their term. Under this policy, MPs who wish to move outside the national capital region before the end of their term must do so at their own expense. Furthermore, this policy does not provide MPs with the option of relocating to the national capital region once they cease their parliamentary duties.
The House Administration therefore recommends that eligible MPs be entitled to move from a residence in Canada to a residence in the national capital region, followed by a move to a residence in Canada. These moves could take place at any time during their continuous term and during the year following the end of their term.
The House Administration also recommends that the Board of Internal Economy provide the chief financial officer with the flexibility to authorize, on an exceptional basis, moves when MPs are faced with specific situations or situations beyond their control.
The next item refers to the delegation of forms and signatures.
The current policy requires that re-elected members sign the entire suite of administrative forms relating to various resource allocations, at least at the beginning of each Parliament. This practice is unnecessary, especially as the information remains mostly unchanged.
To streamline the process, the administration recommends changes, as detailed in the submission, to make the forms' delegations of authority and declarations valid for a longer period of time.
The third policy pertains to the nomination of the national caucus meeting organizer. In the current policy, only the party leader can inform the administration of the House officer designated to organize meetings. To facilitate this process, the administration recommends that the whip also be allowed to communicate the party leader’s designee to the administration.
Mr. Speaker, I will now turn the floor over to Stéphan Aubé, who will provide the update on the next policy change.