Minutes

The Joint Interparliamentary Council met in camera this day at 9:04 a.m., in a hybrid format, the Hon. Raymonde Saint-Germain, Senator, and Chris d’Entremont, M.P., presiding.

Representing the Senate: Hon. Pierre Dalphond, Hon. Krista Ross for Hon. Percy E. Downe, and Hon. Raymonde Saint-Germain.

Representing the House of Commons: Michael Cooper, Chris d’Entremont, Hon. Mona Fortier, Marilène Gill, Marie-France Lalonde, Heather McPherson, Lianne Rood, Darrell Samson and 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;
Kevin Pittman, Acting Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Exchanges and Protocol;
Caroline Belley, Manager, Resource Planning and Administration.

From the House of Commons:
Kristine Jolivette, 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 23, 2024, be adopted.

2. Association budget allocations for the 2025-2026 fiscal year

The Council studied the association budget requests for fiscal year 2025-2026.

It was agreed, – That the initial budget allocations for fiscal year 2025-2026 be as follows:

3. ParlAmericas Plenary Assembly - May 2026

Marc Serré presented a request from the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas concerning the hosting of an international conference.

It was agreed, – That the Council give its approval in principle to the organization, by the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas, of the 22nd ParlAmericas Plenary Assembly and the 10th Gathering of the Open Parliament Network in Ottawa in May 2026; and that the Council allocate funds from the global envelope as follows:
• $10,000 for 2025-2026;
• $70,000 for 2026-2027.

4. Request for additional funds for fiscal year 2024-2025

The Council considered a request for additional funds from the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas.

It was agreed, – That the request for additional funds of $15,000 from the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas for the current fiscal year be approved.

5. Financial reports

The Council discussed a proposal from the International and Interparliamentary Affairs Directorate regarding the activity reports of delegations that are presented to the Senate and the House of Commons.

It was agreed, – That the activity reports presented to the Senate and the House of Commons include a hyperlink to the financial disclosure report published on the Parliamentary Diplomacy website, and that this change take effect at the beginning of the 45th Parliament.

6. Decisions made by the Council since September 23, 2024

Following electronic votes, the Council made the following decisions.

On October 23, 2024, it was agreed that the Council recommend to the Senate Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration that Senator Brent Cotter be authorized to participate in an activity of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association occurring in November 2024, notwithstanding the prohibition against travel by Senators who are within 35 days of their 75th birthday.

On November 27, 2024, it was agreed that, in addition to the annual allocation received, the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de Francophonie (CAPF) be provided a supplementary amount of $51,000 for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

On November 27, 2024, it was agreed that all associations and interparliamentary groups be relieved from their constitutional obligation to hold an annual general meeting in early 2025; that the mandates of current executive committees be extended until the opening of the 45th Parliament; that, in the absence of an AGM, budgetary and financial documents typically presented at the meeting be sent to association members by email; and that executive committees be empowered to fill any vacancies which may occur.

On February 14, 2025, it was agreed that, in addition to the annual allocation received, the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (CAPF) be provided a supplementary amount of $56,500 for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

On February 14, 2025, it was agreed that, in addition to the annual allocation received, the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas (CPAM) be provided a supplementary amount of $10,000 for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

On February 14, 2025, it was agreed that, in addition to the annual allocation received, the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (CAEU) be provided a supplementary amount of $46,000 for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

On February 14, 2025, it was agreed that, in advance of the Council’s consideration of budget requests for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, each association be allotted $75,000, with the exception of Canada-France (CAFR) and Canada-United Kingdom (RUUK) which will each receive $50,000, in order to meet expenses related to activities coming up early in the new fiscal year.

7. Decisions made by the Co-Chairs

The Co-Chairs informed the Council that they examined and denied a request for an exemption submitted by the Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association for a legislative assistant to accompany a Member of Parliament to an activity in Belfast and Dublin, as they were not convinced that the reasons provided were sufficient to justify an exception to the travel restriction in place for political staff.

At 9:57 a.m., the Council adjourned to the call of the Co-Chairs.

Jeremy LeBlanc
Clerk