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Board of Internal Economy meeting

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Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

A meeting of the Board of Internal Economy of the House of Commons was held on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at 11:15 a.m., in Room 340-S, Centre Block.

In the Chair: The Honourable Andrew Scheer, Speaker of the House of Commons

Present: The Honourables Peter Van Loan, John Duncan and Dominic LeBlanc; Mrs. Stella Ambler; Mrs. Nycole Turmel; Mr. Philip Toone

Acting Secretary to the Board: Marc Bosc, Acting Clerk of the House of Commons

Also Present: Patrick McDonell, Director General, Protective Service and Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms; Mark Watters, Chief Financial Officer; Benoit Giroux, Director General, Members’ Services; Robin Kells, Secretariat

Minutes of Previous Meetings

The Board asked that the minutes of the meeting of February 17, 2015 be amended for approval at its next meeting. The minutes of the meeting of March 10, 2015 were adopted and approved for tabling.

Business Arising from Previous Meetings

The Board reviewed correspondence distributed since its last meeting.

Pre-Dissolution

Budget Allocation in a Year of an Anticipated General Election

The Board approved that in the year of an anticipated general election, the following budgets and allocations be prorated based on the number of days between April 1 and midnight the day before the general election:

  • Member’s Office Budget;
  • all House Officer budgets;
  • National Caucus Research Office Budget;
  • all other national caucus budgets;
  • Travel Status Expenses Account;
  • Travel Points System; and that

for 2015-2016, the budgets and allocations for Members, House Officers and Research Offices be prorated based on the 201 days between April 1 and October 18, 2015.

It was further agreed that Members and House Officers be required to submit all expenses incurred during the previous Parliament within 90 days of the date of the election.

Printing

After discussion, the Board approved that printing and mailing of householders will cease as of the date of dissolution in order to comply with Elections Canada’s position on election expenses .

The Board requested that the Administration come back with options with regard to the season’s greetings card program.

Security

Constituency Office Security Update

The Board approved that, as of April 1, 2015, on-site security assessments continue to be undertaken in consultation with the House Protective Service, and that the cost of the assessment and resulting enhancements be charged against a House central budget.

Enhancing Security Across the Parliamentary Precinct, Phase II

After discussion and the amendment of a recommendation by the Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms, the Board approved the enhanced security measures and the requested temporary and permanent funding.

The meeting was adjourned.

Marc Bosc
Acting Secretary to the Board