Minutes

The Joint Interparliamentary Council met in camera this day at 6:37 p.m., in a hybrid format, the Hon. Raymonde Saint-Germain, Senator, and Tom Kmiec, M.P., presiding.

Representing the Senate: Hon. Danièle Henkel, Hon. Krista Ross and Hon. Raymonde Saint-Germain.

Representing the House of Commons: Richard Bragdon, Hon. Élisabeth Brière, Michael Cooper, Julie Dzerowicz for Terry Sheehan, Marilène Gill, Tom Kmiec, Marie-France Lalonde, Hon. Rob Moore and Hon. Ginette Petitpas Taylor.

In attendance:

From the International and Interparliamentary Affairs Directorate:
Julie Geoffrion, Deputy Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Associations;
Evelyn Lukyniuk, 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:
Samuel Maheu, Deputy Director, Financial Planning.

From the Library of Parliament:
Frédéric Forge, Acting Senior Director, International Affairs and Integrated Reference Services Division;
Laura Munn-Rivard, Senior Manager, Parliamentary Diplomacy;
Nicole Sweeney, Senior Manager, International Affairs.

1. Approval of Minutes

It was agreed, – That the minutes of the meeting of November 25, 2025, as amended, be adopted.

2. Reallocation of Funds for the Current Fiscal Year

The Council considered requests for additional funds from the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association, the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie and the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union for the current fiscal year.

It was agreed, – That the request for additional funds of $15,620 from the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association for the fiscal year 2025-2026 be approved.

It was agreed, – That the request for additional funds of $27,000 from the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie for the fiscal year 2025-2026 be approved.

It was agreed, – That the request for additional funds of $40,537 from the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union for the fiscal year 2025-2026 be denied.

3. Bureau of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie

Marie-France Lalonde presented a request from the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie concerning the hosting of the Bureau of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie.

It was agreed, – That the Council approve in principle the organization, by the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie, of the Bureau meeting of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie, in the National Capital Region, in January 2027; and that the Council set aside $96,314 from the overall envelope for this purpose in 2026-2027.

4. Updates to the Financial Management and Policy Guide for Parliamentary Associations

The Council discussed updates made to the Financial Management and Policy Guide for Parliamentary Associations.

It was agreed, – That the guide, as updated, be adopted.

5. Creation of a New Parliamentary Association

The Council discussed a request for the creation of an Indigenous parliamentary association.

It was agreed, – That, in light of the criteria established for the recognition of new parliamentary associations, the Council not support the creation of an Indigenous parliamentary association at this time.

6. Designation of Friendship Groups

The Council discussed the designation of friendship groups.

It was agreed, – That, since friendship groups do not receive administrative or financial support from the Parliament of Canada, the Council would not take a position on their designation.

7. Travel Service Provider

The Council discussed the provision of travel services for the activities of parliamentary associations.

At 7:42 p.m., the Council adjourned to the call of the Co-Chairs.

Jeremy LeBlanc
Clerk