LIAI Committee Meeting

The Liaison Committee met at 1:12 p.m. this day, in Room 371 West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair and a Vice-Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 107(2).

The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Chair.

On motion of Judi Longfield, seconded by Joe Comuzzi, it was agreed, — That Walt Lastewka be elected as Chair of the Committee.

The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Vice-Chair.

On motion of Clifford Lincoln, seconded by Bonnie Brown, it was agreed, — That Judi Longfield be elected as Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Walt Lastewka took the Chair.

It was agreed, — That a subcommittee on committee budgets be established to approve committees' budget requests and that the Subcommittee be composed of Reg Alcock, Mauril Bélanger, Bonnie Brown, Joe Fontana, Walt Lastewka, Judi Longfield, Andy Scott, Tom Wappel and John Williams; and that Walt Lastewka be its Chair and Judi Longfield, its Vice-Chair.

It was agreed, — That Clifford Lincoln and Gurmant Grewal be named alternate members of the Subcommittee on Committee budgets.

It was agreed, — That a subcommittee on committee rooms be established and that the Subcommittee be composed of Peter Adams, Mauril Bélanger, Gurmant Grewal, Walt Lastewka, Judi Longfield and John Williams.

At 1:17 p.m., the Committee proceeded to sit in camera.

The Committee proceeded to the examination of the general budget envelope for committees. The Clerk gave a presentation on the financial status of the 2003-2004 fiscal year.

Pursuant to S.O. 107(1), the Committee proceeded to the consideration of budget submissions.

It was agreed, — That the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights be granted an operational budget of $31,600 for its study of Bill C-20, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (protection of children and other vulnerable persons) and the Canada Evidence Act.

It was agreed, — That the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights be granted an operational budget of $8,200 for its study of Bill C-33, An Act to implement treaties and administrative arrangements on the international transfer of persons found guilty of criminal offences.

It was agreed, — That the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights be granted an operational budget of $13,000 for its study of Bill C-45, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (criminal liability of organizations).

It was agreed, — That the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food be granted an operational budget of $18,300 for its study on bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) situation in Canada.

It was agreed, — That the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food be granted a travel budget of $39,063 to travel to Washington, DC, from October 19 to 21, 2003, to discuss bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) issues with their U.S. counterparts with the aim to reinstate bovine trade.

The Committee proceeded to the consideration of its future business.

At 1:47 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.