Minutes

The Joint Interparliamentary Council met in camera this day at 9:07 a.m., in a hybrid format, the Hon. Raymonde Saint-Germain, Senator, and Chris d’Entremont, M.P., presiding.

Representing the Senate: Hon. Rebecca Patterson for Hon. Percy E. Downe and Hon. Raymonde Saint-Germain.

Representing the House of Commons: Michael Cooper, Chris d’Entremont, Francis Drouin, Marilène Gill, Lindsay Mathyssen, Hon. David McGuinty, Lianne Rood, Ruby Sahota, Marc Serré, Terry Sheehan for Marc Serré.

In attendance:

From the International and Interparliamentary Affairs Directorate:
Cynara Corbin, Deputy Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Associations;
Julie Geoffrion, Deputy Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Associations, Conferences and Logistics;
Caroline Belley, Manager, Resource Planning and Administration.

From the Senate:
Stéphanie Giroux, Financial Advisor, Finance and Procurement Directorate.

From the House of Commons:
Samuel Maheu, Financial Management Advisor, Financial Planning.

From the Library of Parliament:
Frédéric Forge, Acting Senior Director, Economics, Resources and International Affairs Division;
Laura Barnett, Senior Manager, Human Rights, Immigration and Citizenship;
Nicole Sweeney, Senior Manager, International Affairs.

1. Approval of Minutes

It was agreed, – That the minutes of the meeting of September 25, 2023, be adopted.

2. Update on request for budgetary increase of the JIC envelope.

The Council was informed that the request seeking a temporary increase of 10% for Parliamentary Associations for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 fiscal years was denied by the House of Commons Board of Internal Economy.

It was agreed, -That the Council consider options for the optimization of the budgetary envelope at an upcoming meeting.

3. Association financial forecasts for the current fiscal year (2023-24)

The Clerk provided an update on the financial situation and the Council considered requests for supplementary funding for the remainder of the current fiscal year.

It was agreed, – That the following requests for supplementary funding be approved:

• Canada-China Legislative Association-$13,350
• Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association –-$35,590 • Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association– $3,110
• Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association– $8,900
• Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union – $40,050

4. Report on 30th annual session of the OSCE PA

The Council discussed the budget deficit incurred during the 30th Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Vancouver, British Columbia, from June 30 to July 4, 2023.

5. ASEAN

The Council discussed the subcommittee’s recommendation to create a Canada-ASEAN parliamentary association.

It was agreed, – That, due to a lack of available funding, a Canada–ASEAN parliamentary association not be created at this time.

6. Role of Association Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the JIC

The Council discussed a briefing note prepared on the role of the Association Chairs and Vice-Chairs appointed as members of the Council.

7. Representation on parliamentary associations survey results

The Council discussed the results of a survey on representation in parliamentary associations that was distributed to all parliamentarians.

It was agreed, – That this information note be shared with the parliamentary associations for their information.

8. Decisions made by the Co-Chairs

The Co-Chairs informed the Council that they had considered and denied two requests request from the Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA). The first request was to allow the association's secretary to accompany the Director to Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia and the second was to allow two staff members to accompany a delegation of four parliamentarians to the OSCE PA Fall Meeting, to be held in Yerevan, Armenia in November.

9. Varia

The Council discussed the possibility of inviting the Minister of Global Affairs and departmental officials to a briefing session with parliamentary association chairs.

It was agreed, – That staff prepare a briefing note on this issue for consideration at the next meeting.

At 10:31 a.m., the Council adjourned to the call of the Co-Chairs.

Jeremy LeBlanc
Clerk