Minutes

The Joint Interparliamentary Council met in camera this day at 6:30 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. Michael L. MacDonald, Hon. Krista Ross and Hon. Raymonde Saint-Germain

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

Also present: Hon. Todd Lewis, Senator

In attendance:

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

From the House of Commons:
Kristine Jolivette, Financial Management Advisor, Financial Planning.

From the Library of Parliament:
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 December 2, 2025, be adopted.

2. Granting of a Budget Advance for the 2026–2027 Fiscal Year

It was agreed, – That, in advance of the Council’s consideration of budget requests for the 2026–2027 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.

3. Funding Model for Associations

The Council examined the funding model for association activities, as well as possible options for allocating the budget envelope.

It was agreed, – That, the Council submit a formal request to increase the budget envelope allocated to association activities to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration of the Senate as well as to the Board of Internal Economy of the House of Commons.

4. Use of the Travel Points System for Travel to the United States

It was agreed, – That the Council present a proposal to expand the use of the Travel Points System for travel to the United States to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration of the Senate as well as to the Board of Internal Economy of the House of Commons.

5. CAPF Requests for Exemptions

The Council examined three requests from the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie for exceptions to the rule regarding the number of staff members who may accompany delegations.

It was agreed, – That, a staff member be authorized to accompany the delegations to three intersessional meetings of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie to be held in Morocco (April 2026), Côte d’Ivoire (April 2026), and Cambodia (May 2026).


At 8:01 p.m., the Council adjourned to the call of the Co-Chairs.

Jeremy LeBlanc
Clerk