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Joint Interparliamentary Council | Conseil interparlementaire mixte |
Minutes
Meeting No. 208 | April 21, 2026 |
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, Michael Cooper, Julie Dzerowicz for Terry Sheehan, Marilène Gill, Tom Kmiec, Marie-France Lalonde, Hon. Rob Moore, and Hon. Ginette Petitpas Taylor.
Also present: Hon. Amina Gerba, Senator, and Michael Coteau, M.P.
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;
Caroline Belley, Manager, Resource Planning and Administration.
From the House of Commons:
Kristine Jolivette, Financial Management Advisor, Financial Planning.
From the Library of Parliament:
Johanna Smith, Director General, Library and Research Services;
Melissa Fraser-Arnott, Senior Director, International Affairs;
Laura Barnett, Senior Manager, Human Rights, Immigration and Citizenship;
Nicole Sweeney, Senior Manager, Foreign Affairs.
1. Approval of Minutes
It was agreed, – That the minutes of the meeting of March 10, 2026, be adopted.
2. Submission: Canada-Africa Interparliamentary Summit (Summer 2027)
Amina Gerba and Michael Coteau presented a submission from the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association concerning the hosting of a Canada-Africa Interparliamentary Summit in the National Capital Region, in the summer of 2027.
It was agreed, – That the Council defer its decision and request that the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association provide clarifications and additional information regarding the hosting of the event.
3. Association Budget Allocations for the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year
The Council studied the association budget requests for fiscal year 2026-2027.
It was agreed, – That the initial budget allocations for fiscal year 2026-2027 be as follows:
| Associations | Allocated Amounts |
| Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (CAAF) | 111,000 |
| Canada-China Legislative Association (CACN) | 112,000 |
| Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (CAJP) | 103,000 |
| Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (CAEU) | 258,000 |
| Canada-France Inter-Parliamentary Association (CAFR) | 92,000 |
| Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (RUUK) | 63,000 |
| Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (SECO) | 251,000 |
| Canadian Section of ParlAmericas (CPAM) | 157,000 |
| Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (CEUS) | 157,000 |
| Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (CAPF) | 262,000 |
| Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (CANA) | 161,000 |
| Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CCOM) | 134,000 |
| Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIPU) | 230,000 |
| Total | 2,091,000 |
4. Budget Envelope Increase
The Council considered a draft submission for an increase to its budget envelope.
It was agreed, – That the Council submit to the Senate Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and to the House of Commons Board of Internal Economy a request for an increase to its budget envelope for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and subsequent fiscal years.
5. Decision Made by the Council since March 10, 2026
After an electronic vote, the Council made the following decision.
On March 26, 2026, it was agreed that, in addition to the $75,000 advance already received, the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie be granted a further advance of $36,000 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, and that these amounts be deducted from the allocation to be granted to the Canadian Branch for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
6. Other Business
The Co-Chair informed the Council that she had presented the submission to expand the use of the travel points system for travel to the United States to the Senate Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, and that the Committee agreed that the Senate Administration prepare a proposal reflecting the proposed changes to the Senators’ Office Management Policy and develop an estimate of travel budget requirements for the 2027-2028 fiscal year for consideration at a future meeting.
At 8:04 p.m., the Council adjourned to the call of the Co-Chairs.
Jeremy LeBlanc
Clerk