December 19, 2018
House of Assembly Management Commission
No. 71
The Management Commission met at 9:30 a.m. in the House of Assembly.
MR. SPEAKER (Trimper):
Thank you very much, and I see we're now live.
I'd like to welcome the Members of the Management Commission to our broadcasted
portion of our meeting. I'm going to introduce the meeting by introducing
myself. I'm Perry Trimper; I'm the Speaker of the House of Assembly and the MHA
for Lake Melville and, thereby, the Chair of the Management Commission.
I'll turn to my left for introductions, please.
MR. CROSBIE:
Ches Crosbie, Member for Windsor Lake.
MR. HUTCHINGS:
Keith Hutchings, Member for the District of Ferryland.
MS. COADY:
Siobhan Coady, Member for St. John's West.
MR. BROWNE:
Mark Browne, Member for Placentia West - Bellevue.
MR. WARR:
Brian Warr, Member for Baie Verte - Green Bay.
MS. RUSSELL:
Bobbi Russell, Policy & Communications Officer, House of Assembly.
CLERK (Barnes):
Sandra Barnes, Clerk.
MR. SPEAKER:
And on the telephone joining us by teleconference is …
MS. MICHAEL:
Lorraine Michael, MHA, St. John's East - Quidi Vidi.
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you all very much.
What I'd like to do, first of all, is read into the record decisions from our in
camera meeting that we've just concluded of the Management Commission, and I'm
going to do that now.
The first decision that we reached was the Commission directed that the Law
Clerk to respond, on its behalf, to legal counsel for the Member for Humber -
Bay of Islands. The Commission further directed waiving the two-day waiting
period for Commission decisions to expedite sending the response.
Decision number two: In accordance with the
Financial Administration Act, the
Commission directed a write-off of $12,446.95 in relation to severance
overpayments made between April 2017 and November 2018.
And our third and final decision: The Commission deferred a decision with
respect to reimbursement of legal expenses for Members.
I thank the Members for their participation this morning in that portion of our
meeting. I will now turn to our agenda. The first item on the agenda is approval
of the minutes from our previous meeting, which occurred on November 7.
You've had an opportunity, thanks to staff, to review the previous minutes. I
look for a mover to accept those minutes of our previous meeting.
So moved by Mr. Browne; I need a seconder.
Seconded by Mr. Hutchings.
All in favour of approving the minutes of November 7, 2018?
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
MR. SPEAKER:
Against?
The motion is carried.
On motion, minutes adopted as circulated.
MR. SPEAKER:
The next item, in Tab 4, is Speaker's Report, and I have rulings on allowance
use. There is no decision required, but I will just indicate that the act does
give myself, as the Speaker, authority to make rulings when expenditures of
Members have been rejected for payment, provided that ruling is distributed to
and receives concurrence of the Management Commission. There were two items, and
there's an attached report with details to each for the period ending December
13, 2018.
These expenditures were originally rejected for payment because they were not
submitted within 60 days of being made; however, they were both permitted and
are in compliance with other provisions of the
Members' Resources and Allowance Rules.
I have that ability and I did approve those, so I'm just reporting that matter.
I will now go to Tab 5. This deals with two budget transfer requests. The first
relates to a transfer of funds – I'm sorry, first of all, the transfer of funds
policy requires the Management Commission approval to transfer funds to or from
the Allowance and Assistance Main Object of expenditure.
So, there are two separate transfers of funds. The first is to cover the cost of
mandatory training of MHAs, as ordered by a resolution of the House. That was
approved by this House of Assembly on December 4, 2018. The resolution, as per a
recommendation of the Privileges and Elections Committee, directed the training
to be developed and delivered by the Gardiner Centre.
The second transfer of funds related to the training is to cover the associated
costs of MHAs travel to attend this mandatory training. And as the training is
requested by the House, the required travel costs will not count as a
House-not-in-session trip for MHAs. That is in accordance with section 37.3 of
the Members' Resources and Allowances
Rules. Therefore, these costs cannot be charged to a Member's individual
allocation. We have further details in Tab 5.
First of all, is there any discussion on these transfers of funds?
Mr. Browne.
MR. BROWNE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Just so I'm clear, there are two requests here to transfer funds for the
training and then the travel.
MR. SPEAKER:
That's right.
MR. BROWNE:
The training, from what I gather, is $46,800 and travel is $30,000.
MR. SPEAKER:
That's correct.
MR. BROWNE:
Okay.
CLERK:
(Inaudible) Mr. Browne, the travel is an estimate (inaudible).
MR. BROWNE:
I'm just wondering if the cheque to the Gardiner Centre – and I'm not familiar
with them. How were they chosen? Was that part of the PEC's work? Did they
choose them? Was there any process in terms of seeking different quotes for
those services?
MR. SPEAKER:
I'll turn to the Clerk, but I would like to make an opening comment that the
Privileges and Elections Committee did entertain several options in terms of how
this might proceed. I wasn't necessarily a party to all the discussions, but
they did submit a proposal to us that the Privileges and Elections Committee
reviewed extensively and then brought before the House and it was included in a
motion.
Is there anything else to add from the Clerk?
CLERK:
No, except that the Gardiner Centre is a public body under the
Public Procurement Act, and we are
allowed to procure services directly from the Gardiner Centre without having to
go through the regular call for proposals.
MR. SPEAKER:
And given that the amount is less than $50,000. So there are two considerations
there within which this sort of sole-source direction would be allowable.
Mr. Hutchings.
MR. HUTCHINGS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Just as a Member of the Privileges and Elections Committee, just to my
colleague's comment, I think there was a recommendation by the Committee to
prioritize this specific piece of work, and direction was taken on that after
review and consultation with the Gardiner Centre.
To the Member's point on a go-forward basis, my understanding is there would be
an open call for similar training in the future and that type of thing on a
long-term basis. So that would be taken care of as we move forward.
MR. SPEAKER:
That's a good point.
Thank you.
Any further discussion on this?
MR. CROSBIE:
In the $46,800, is the facilities rental fee included?
MS. RUSSELL:
Everything is included in that cost. So it would be parking, meals for Members
while they're attending training.
MR. CROSBIE:
Okay. Well, if you divide 40 people and realize it covers four days, it doesn't
seem excessive at all.
MR. SPEAKER:
It's actually two sessions of four days.
MR. CROSBIE:
Is it?
CLERK:
Yes.
MR. CROSBIE:
Two sessions of four days?
MR. SPEAKER:
Yes.
MS. RUSSELL:
Because there are 20 in each session.
MR. CROSBIE:
Oh, okay.
MS. RUSSELL:
So 20 Members are going to one session and 20 Members are going to another
session. So it's really eight days of training, if you take into account both
sessions.
MR. SPEAKER:
Okay.
I'll read out a motion and then I'll look for a mover to that.
The motion is: the Commission approves the following transfer of funds from
subdivision 1.1.04.09 Members' Resources – Allowances and Assistance $46,800 to
subdivision 1.1.04.02 Members' Resources – Training of $46,800.
Part of the same motion: from subdivision 1.1.04.09 Members' Resources –
Allowances and Assistance the amount of $30,000 to subdivision 1.1.04.02
Members' Resources – Travel, $30,000.
I need a mover and a seconder.
Moved by Ms. Coady; seconded by Mr. Crosbie.
MS. MICHAEL:
Second.
MR. SPEAKER:
Okay, Mr. Crosbie.
All those in favour, ‘aye.'
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
MR. SPEAKER:
All those against, ‘nay.'
The motion is carried.
Thank you.
Finally, under Tab 6, this is the motion of political support staff severance.
Let me provide some background for the Commission and for those watching, if I
may. So I'll read, first, some notes.
You may recall that this was first brought to the Commission on the 7th of
November at our meeting, but we deferred a decision pending additional
consultation with separate caucuses.
In correspondence to myself, of October 18, the Government House Leader
requested that the Management Commission meet as soon as possible to consider
adopting government's direction with respect to extinguishment of severance
entitlement and implementation of a termination benefit for political support
staff employed by the Legislature – and there's an attachment there, Attachment
1. Adoption of the Executive Branch policy would align the termination benefits
provided to political support staff of both branches.
Currently, upon termination of employment, political support staff employed by
the Legislature are provided a severance benefit in accordance with the
direction provided in a 1989 order-in-council and specified in their employment
contracts. The provisions are outlined in the Briefing Note.
The new Executive Branch policy will provide termination benefits for political
support staff upon release from their contracts, regardless of their length of
service. Those provisions are also outlined in the note.
This applies to approximately 65 political support staff, and that comprises
constituency assistants of MHAs and employees in the caucus offices. All of
these people are employed by this Legislature.
Under subsection 21(3) of the House of
Assembly Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act, the financial and
management policies of the Executive Branch do apply to the House of Assembly
and its statutory offices unless the Management Commission establishes its own
policies.
Should this Management Commission decide to adopt the Executive Branch policy,
it would need to provide direction respecting an implementation date. As
outlined in the note, the Human Resource unit of Corporate and Members' Services
would require sufficient time to update severance due to employees as of the
implementation date; process requests for payout of severance and prepare,
terminate and reissue contracts for all political support staff.
Should the Management Commission not adopt the Executive Branch policy, it will
need to provide direction to continue with the current legislative policy.
CLERK:
(Inaudible.)
MR. SPEAKER:
It has done that. I'm sorry. Yeah.
So I should read that again, Clerk?
CLERK:
Yes. At the November 7 meeting, the Management Commission agreed to continue the
current policy until it had an opportunity to further consider this one.
MR. SPEAKER:
All right, thank you for the clarification.
So I don't need to introduce the alternative there.
The standard office –
CLERK:
(Inaudible.)
MR. SPEAKER:
I'm sorry. Yeah, okay. Sorry, I'm stopping there.
I'm looking for a discussion from the Members of the Commission.
Mr. Hutchings – oh.
MS. MICHAEL:
Mr. Speaker, could I make one point; not to the discussion, but you're really
clear and I can hear the Clerk but when others speak it's not as clear. I don't
know if they can speak more loudly, but I just put that out.
MR. SPEAKER:
Okay, we'll do our best here.
Thank you for letting us know.
MS. MICHAEL:
Thank you.
MR. SPEAKER:
Mr. Hutchings.
MR. HUTCHINGS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Just a couple of points that were raised to me for clarification I guess. When
this severance initiative in other sections of government went through, there
was a letter given to employees in regard to options that's available in regard
to transfer, severance, lump sum, those types of things and timelines to be able
to do that. Would that be replicated in this process as well, and would it be an
identical process?
MR. SPEAKER:
I look to the Clerk who confirmed, yes.
MS. RUSSELL:
I think the options were in the Briefing Note of what was offered to Executive
Branch employees in the same circumstance.
MR. SPEAKER:
Any further discussion around the matter before we seek for some direction?
MS. MICHAEL:
I'd like to speak to this.
MR. SPEAKER:
Ms. Michael.
Yes, please proceed.
MS. MICHAEL:
Thank you.
I won't put out where I think we should go. I'm (inaudible) hear more.
I think one of the key considerations we have to make here is the difference
between the political support staff and the public service employees who come
under the Executive Branch. I think when it comes to things like the
classifications and salary and all that, I think that's fine having the
political support staff being treated the same. But when it comes to the issue
of severance, I think we need to look at the fact that the political staff, no
matter which caucus they're working for, are in a very precarious situation. The
work could actually be identified as precarious work. They are at the whim of
the political system and so a change in an election, for example, could cause
all kinds of changes with political staff.
As a matter of fact, we have an idea of how many people were affected after the
last election; how many people no longer had jobs after the last election. So
they are working in a very different part of our political system than the
public sector workers who, for the most part, are unionized and under the
contracts of the collective agreement. A lot of protection for their positions,
and positions don't end because there's been an election.
So, I really do think we have to look at the different situations for the
political support staff, and that could either be relayed to, (a), the status
quo, it's working fine, maintain that; or make changes to it by creating a
legislature-specific policy. But I really do think we have to look at our
political support staff with the sense of adjustments and equities because of
what I've said. They are part of a democratic process. Our caucuses are part of
a democratic process, and they are part of that democratic process. I think, we,
as the House of Assembly Management Commission, have a responsibility to give
them some protection as employees.
So, as I said, either maintain the status quo or come up with a
legislature-specific policy. But I do think when it comes to severance that they
should be treated exactly the same as the employees under the Executive Branch.
And I apologize to the public for my voice. It's a cold problem.
Thank you very much.
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you, Ms. Michael.
Further discussion?
I'm looking for some direction. We have, I'm counting one, two, three, perhaps,
four different ways we can go. We could certainly not approve what's before us,
and continue as we are: status quo. As Ms. Michael indicated, or she at least
suggested as an option, we could direct a legislature-specific policy with the
current policy in the interim, or we could approve the Executive Branch policy
and we just need to have an implementation date.
Mr. Browne.
MR. BROWNE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I'm just looking to the Clerk or yourself to provide some background to us.
Every four years, the MCRC is convened to review compensation, benefits,
salaries and whatnot, for Members. Has it ever been contemplated that
constituency assistants be part of that review process? I don't know when the
salaries, as an example, for CAs were set. Do you know that?
It seems to be some time since these positions were classified to now, and it
appears that we're doing one-offs with respect to political staff. So I'm just
wondering: Has there ever been any consideration of having a regular review
process similar to that for Members for the political staff?
CLERK:
The MCRC only extends to the Members. Under the legislation, it only covers
salaries and benefits and allowances of Members. The Management Commission
actually has the authority to set administrative policy for the House. So if
they wanted to look at it, it would fall to the Management Commission to provide
direction in that regard.
The political support pay scales that have been in place for quite some time, as
have the other pay scales that are used across government. So I think they were
developed and maintained by the Human Resource Secretariat over in Executive
Council.
MR. SPEAKER:
So, Mr. Browne, any follow-up thought there? No.
Okay, Ms. Coady.
MS. COADY:
Thank you very much, and I reflect back on the letter from the Government House
Leader back on October 18 that does outline why this is being brought forward.
It does arise from, I think, discussions and work that's been going on with the
Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees and other
public service unions that have extinguished, basically, severance benefits for
non-bargaining unit employees.
What this severance benefit for political support staff does is basically change
the current policy so that upon termination of their contracts, the political
support staff contracts, they would get a 30-day to a six-week imbursement, a
stipend, regardless of their length of service.
I think what we're trying to do here is have some consistency throughout the
civil service and ensure that we are applying fairness across the entire system.
So I'm supportive of the policy in that it does provide for some transitional
funds. Some termination benefits of six weeks to 30 days, depending on what your
support staff salary scale is. I think that is consistent then with what's
happening with the act that has been moved through the House. Government has
taken measures to prevent the further accrual of severance benefits, and I think
that is in keeping with that direction.
MR. SPEAKER:
I think I would like to follow up. Ms. Coady, did you feel that that's something
that should be implemented now soon or at the conclusion of this term?
MS. COADY:
I would think, in keeping with what's happened across government, that it would
occur soon. It would occur within the next number of months or within a short
period of time. That's in keeping with what's happened across government.
MR. SPEAKER:
Further discussion?
Mr. Hutchings.
MR. HUTCHINGS:
Mr. Speaker, what's the contemplated date if we were to adopt the option one in
terms of implementation of that option?
MR. SPEAKER:
Initially, it had been envisaged – I believe it was in November.
MR. HUTCHINGS:
October I think, wasn't it?
MR. SPEAKER:
The end of October.
CLERK:
The Executive Branch – of course, the Cabinet made the decision and they
implemented as of the end of October. We didn't have the information until then,
so it had to go to Management Commission. So we'd have to set another time. We
can't do it retroactively.
MR. HUTCHINGS:
Okay.
CLERK:
Ms. Michael just emailed and said she had difficulty hearing MHA Coady.
MR. SPEAKER:
Okay.
CLERK:
She was just trying to ascertain the point you were making.
MR. SPEAKER:
Perhaps, Ms. Michael, I can paraphrase a little bit for MHA Coady. She was
reminding us of the rationale for doing this in the first place, and it was to
bring consistency across lines of government and suggesting that by adopting
this policy, it would bring this group of people in line with others and the
direction that we're going.
MS. MICHAEL:
Okay, thank you very much.
If I could make one comment to that then –
MR. SPEAKER:
Please.
MS. MICHAEL:
– I would say it would bring everybody in line, but everybody is not on an equal
footing because of what I said earlier, and that is the precarious nature of the
political work of the political staff and their positions. So, everybody is
really not in line in that sense. So, for that reason, I think we probably need
a legislature-specific policy.
MR. SPEAKER:
Okay.
I'm looking to the Commission for some direction. We do have a variety of
directions here that we can go.
Perhaps –
MS. MICHAEL:
If I can –
MR. SPEAKER:
Go ahead, Ms. Michael.
MS. MICHAEL:
Okay.
I'm not putting it as a motion or anything, but I'm just wondering if we looked
at a legislature-specific policy, they have a working group involved there, a
Member or two of the Commission, along with the Clerk's office making
representation from caucus offices, maybe the (inaudible) chief of staff, to
come up with a proposal for us that we agreed with, a legislature-specific
policy, I think it would be good to have the voice of those who are working in
those offices involved in this discussion.
MR. SPEAKER:
Ms. Coady?
MS. COADY:
I'd just remind everyone that political support staff employed by the Executive
Branch, this has been implemented as of October 31, so this is across various
other political support staff employed by the Executive Branch.
What we're talking about here, now, is political support staff that are employed
by the precinct, so I think that's the differentiation, so there is consistency.
We are recognizing, what I'm going to call, the termination benefits upon
release from their contracts, because it is a different situation than, say, a
civil servant, by allowing 30 days or six weeks, depending on salary range, so
those things are being recognized.
I'm more supportive of consistency, I guess, than I am – we have to be cognizant
of the fact that we are treating people consistent and fair across our entire
government and precinct, so that we are recognizing that. I'm not trying to put
words in the mouth of Ms. Michael, but I don't know if setting out another group
to study this again is effective. We do have some consistency happening here,
and we have had acceptance across a wide, consistent swath across government and
in the political support staff already.
I'm concerned about moving towards another system where we're re-examining this
again, so I'd raise that.
MR. SPEAKER:
Mr. Hutchings.
MR. HUTCHINGS:
Just one comment, and it's somewhat directed to this. My understanding is
constituency assistants who leave after any number of years of service are not
entitled to adopt the medical plan, which they receive now as a member. So we
could have somebody that served 10, 15, 20 years, but they don't have the
option, as others in the public service, to adopt that health care plan as they
exit, their retirement –
MR. SPEAKER:
So that's not consistent then.
MR. HUTCHINGS:
That's not consistent, no.
I just became aware of that recently. I should've known, but when you think of
someone that works for 15 or 20 years in these roles or whatever role, but when
they leave, everybody else in the public service can access that very important
medical plan, but that individual doesn't have that option. So that, to me, is a
huge inconsistency.
MR. SPEAKER:
I wonder if it's appropriate that I might ask each of the Members of the
Commission just what you're thinking and perhaps we might be able to come up
with a collective motion.
I'll give people a minute to think here.
Ms. Coady.
MS. COADY:
Thank you very much.
I'm reflecting on the letter received on October 18. It does talk about the
rationale for moving forward in this and the fact that the
Salary Restraint and Extinguishment of
Severance Pay Act has gone through the House of Assembly; the fact a
direction has been taken on political support staff employed by Executive
Branch. This is moving forward with the consistency across. It does recognize
the type of position that it is by allowing for a termination benefit upon
release of the contract, so I think it does recognize that.
Therefore, I'm supportive of this, of moving forward with this plan and proposal
and I suggest that we do so as expeditiously as possible.
MR. SPEAKER:
So, that would be your motion.
Do I have a seconder for that?
MS. MICHAEL:
I am going to need to hear the motion again, Mr. Speaker.
MS. COADY:
You didn't ask for a motion; you asked for my position.
MR. SPEAKER:
Okay.
I'm sorry, I asked for a position but in terms –
MS. COADY:
I can make a motion but I thought you asked for a position.
MR. SPEAKER:
She had some preamble but if I may, Ms. Michael, I'll read you a motion that
would be applicable to what she said. That would be that the Commission adopts
the direction of the Executive Branch with respect to the extinguishment of
severance entitlements and implementation of a termination benefit for political
support staff with an implementation date of – and to her words – essentially as
soon as possible, so potentially effective today.
MS. MICHAEL:
(Inaudible.)
MR. SPEAKER:
No, no, I'm sorry.
I'm looking to –
MS. COADY:
I'm looking for a date. The date might be January 1 or February 1 depending –
CLERK:
I would have to confirm with the Corporate & Members' Services. I would think
either it would have to be like the end of January or the end of February,
because we have a lot more political support staff than the Executive Branch
has.
MS. COADY:
That's why I said as expeditiously as possible.
MR. SPEAKER:
Okay, as soon as possible.
How does that sound, Ms. Coady?
MS. COADY:
(Inaudible.)
MR. SPEAKER:
Do we have a seconder for that motion or further discussion?
MR. HUTCHINGS:
Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER:
Yes, Mr. Hutchings.
MR. HUTCHINGS:
Again, is there any appetite for – I get the motion, but I think there are
inconsistencies here. I referenced the point in regard to the medical plan and
these individuals not being entitled to that. Is there an appetite here to have
a look at that and to see why that is and what the history has been on it?
MR. SPEAKER:
And Mr. Browne's earlier comment about salary and the Clerk's point that such
staff have not had their compensation reviewed in some time. They haven't been
part of the MCRC review.
CLERK:
The legislation only applies to Members.
MR. SPEAKER:
Right, only to Members, not to the CAs or to the caucus staff.
Yes, Ms. Coady.
MS. COADY:
Thank you, and respective to that query as to whether or not we – I guess the
Management Commission could undertake a review in the next number of months as
to whether or not we have appropriate salary levels. That is the purview of the
Management Commission, is it not? I don't know who does that.
CLERK:
Well, we've always worked very closely with the Executive Branch and our act
says adopt the Executive Branch policies unless you come up with your own. But
the Management Commission does have oversight of the administrative and
financial operations of the Legislature. So, we could ask to review it, yes.
MS. COADY:
Put query, then.
CLERK:
Yes.
MR. SPEAKER:
Mr. Hutchings.
MR. HUTCHINGS:
My issue wasn't related to salaries, per se, and I understand my colleague, but
we're talking about consistency here and extermination of the severance plan and
going to another plan. Within that context, we were asked to go back and discuss
with staff and people that were affected what issues are important to them. And
the issue that came up to me was, and I repeat it, not having access to the
medical plan. That's significant in regard to transitioning from life here on to
out of that position. When you compare that to the public service and what
everybody else is entitled to, it's a glaring omission.
I think it's important, and it's important to these staff. I'm just asking that
somebody specifically take a look at that, because it was a huge concern that
was addressed to me. And that goes to the consistency of severance and
comparably to other people in the public service.
MR. SPEAKER:
As Chair, I'm going to make a bold suggestion that I sense not so much
opposition to developing a consistent policy, yet a concern that we still make
sure we are being consistent on some of these other matters. And given that we
cannot move this immediately and we would have some time, and we're
contemplating a meeting in January of this Management Commission, could we defer
a decision until then, subject to further review? I'm just putting it out there.
Clerk.
CLERK:
Mr. Speaker, I just want to say that that's a substantial effort to undertake
that type of review, and we have a number of other significant pieces of work
that we're working on just now. So resourcing that may be a bit of an issue
until probably middle to late spring.
MR. SPEAKER:
Okay.
Mr. Browne first.
MR. BROWNE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I certainly have listened with interest to my colleague's thoughts on this
matter. I think in the interest of consistency, I would support the matter
before us in terms of severance and moving on that matter to be consistent with
all employees that are paid by the taxpayer of the province.
I certainly concur with my colleague to my right, but I did listen to Mr.
Hutchings's point as well, and perhaps there are other issues pertaining to
political staff, whether they are CAs or in our caucus offices, that are
inconsistent with the practice of the public service or elsewhere.
Perhaps, we could move on this item that we have before us today and, to Ms.
Michael's point, form some type of a working group over the next number of
months, recognizing that the House is engaged in a number of other files that
perhaps by the next General Assembly, that there could be a framework in place
that would apply to the incoming political staff that are coming in after the
next general election, where a review would have been done by that point that
encompasses the benefits, the salaries, the pensions, whatever benefits they're
entitled to and compare it to the public service to ensure that consistency is
there and that people are being adequately treated and treated fairly.
But I think that we can move forward on this item.
MR. SPEAKER:
Looking to the other Members – Mr. Hutchings.
MR. HUTCHINGS:
I just make one comment to that, in respect to my colleague. There may be some
people – a lot of these positions are filled by females and someone that spends
a vast number of years and, by the next general assembly, some of those could
lose their position. As I said, it's been brought to my attention. It's a huge
concern with regard to medical benefits plans and not being entitled to that.
I would suggest that if we're going to look at this, we strike something to look
it within the next couple of months and report back to the Management
Commission. That would be my recommendation.
MR. SPEAKER:
And how would you feel about moving on this?
MR. HUTCHINGS:
Yeah, I could move on this, but again, I state that I think there's an issue
here that we need to look at.
MS. MICHAEL:
Mr. Speaker, I can't get what Mr. Hutchings is saying.
MR. SPEAKER:
He basically felt that he could move with the adoption of this Executive Branch
policy, but he would like to see Management Commission look at this other
matter, particularly on the medical benefits, to ensure that this group of 65 is
being treated consistently with others that are in this –
Ms. Coady.
MS. COADY:
Thank you.
I think we have a motion before us. And while I may be supportive of other
considerations, the motion before is on this and I would suggest that we move on
this particular piece.
But then, as Mr. Hutchings has pointed out, there are other matters that we may
need to also consider as we move forward.
MR. SPEAKER:
Okay.
MS. COADY:
I'm not suggesting that I'm not supportive of what he's saying, I'm just saying
that I don't think it can be added to this motion.
MR. SPEAKER:
All right, I'm just trying to read the room.
Do I have a seconder to the original motion by Ms. Coady?
MS. RUSSELL:
We need to set an implementation date if we are going to vote on the first
motion to adopt the Executive Branch policy – you'd need to set an
implementation date, an exact date, so we suggested –
MR. SPEAKER:
I thought I heard from staff, though, you weren't sure whether it could be the
end of January or the end of February, or do you have a date now?
MS. RUSSELL:
Because without that we –
CLERK:
When we talked to Dana before –
MS. COADY:
We can say February 1 subject to –
CLERK:
January 31.
MS. COADY:
January 31?
CLERK:
And if there's an issue with that, we will come back to the Management
Commission.
MS. COADY:
Okay.
MR. HUTCHINGS:
Got to meet in January, though.
MS. COADY:
Yeah.
MR. SPEAKER:
We will be.
CLERK:
Yeah.
MR. SPEAKER:
Okay, let me read the motion again, then, and I'll make sure that I have a
mover.
The Commission adopts the direction of the Executive Branch with respect to the
extinguishment of severance entitlements and implementation of a termination
benefit for political support staff, with an implementation date of 31 January,
2019.
Moved by Ms. Coady, seconded by Mr. Browne.
Further discussion?
All in favour of the motion?
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
MR. SPEAKER:
Against?
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Nay.
MR. SPEAKER:
Okay, we have a majority in support.
So the motion is carried.
I would like to go back to Mr. Hutchings's point in terms of an action or a
decision. I would like to record, for the record, the point to bring to this
Commission's attention that we will undertake to do a review of these other
matters of consistency, as applied to this group of 65, to ensure they are being
treated the same.
MS. RUSSELL:
There was some talk of establishing a working group. Is that the intention of
Commission Members, or is it just the –?
MR. SPEAKER:
Mr. Browne.
MR. BROWNE:
I think it would be helpful to do a comprehensive review of everything with
respect to political staff.
I'm certainly amenable to my colleague, Mr. Hutchings's suggestion, that it be
done sooner than the next General Assembly; I'm fine with that. I just think
that it hasn't been done in some time, there are obviously some inconsistencies
as Mr. Hutchings has raised it, so I think it would be helpful to have a
comprehensive review of all the issues pertaining to the political support staff
in both our consistency offices as well as the caucus offices.
MR. SPEAKER:
Okay. I describe that as a motion that the Management Commission will undertake
to do a comprehensive review of this group, political staff versus other
political staff, and will bring it back to this Table.
MS. RUSSELL:
So in terms of comprehensive review, the intention would be salary and benefits.
So everything?
MR. SPEAKER:
Yes, I'm seeing agreement.
MS. RUSSELL:
So political support staff in the Legislature only. That's the group we're
talking about. So it would be –
MR. SPEAKER:
This group of 65.
MS. RUSSELL:
– constituency assistants –
CLERK:
And caucus staff.
MS. RUSSELL:
– and caucus staff.
MR. SPEAKER:
And caucus staff.
MS. RUSSELL:
Okay.
MR. SPEAKER:
Okay.
So I take that you'll be a mover of that motion, Mr. Browne.
Do I have a seconder for that?
MR. HUTCHINGS:
Seconded.
MR. SPEAKER:
Mr. Hutchings.
All in favour of this comprehensive review?
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
MR. SPEAKER:
Okay. I see support.
Thank you very much.
A further smaller item that came in late –
CLERK:
Yesterday.
MR. SPEAKER:
– yesterday, as a matter of fact. And this is from one of the Members.
Basically, there is approval. The provision by the Clerk of the House of
Assembly to approve the purchase of furniture and equipment up to a maximum of
$1,000. As it turned out, the way the invoice was submitted it came in at $1,512
for a combination of tables and chairs.
If it had been broken up by chairs and by tables, it would have complied with
the criterion; however, it did exceed. So we do need approval of the Commission.
This is regarding the consistency office for the Member for Lewisporte -
Twillingate.
MHA Coady; I'm sorry.
MS. COADY:
Thank you.
I'm just reviewing this. Was there any clarification sought by the Member before
– I'm just looking for consistency on how we deal with these things. This is
over the maximum amount of $1,000. Was there permission sought prior to the
incursion of the expense?
CLERK:
What happened was the requisition was issued as appropriate. And they went and
got the three quotes, and it wasn't picked up that it was over the amount.
As the Speaker had said, if the chairs had been on one requisition and the
tables on another, they would have fit within my authority. The items have
actually been delivered to the Member's office but we have given instruction not
to unpack anything because we're not authorized and we will not be able to pay
the invoice unless the Management Commission approves it. So we'd have to return
or repurpose those items without approval.
MR. CROSBIE:
If there were two invoices we wouldn't be looking at this.
CLERK:
Exactly.
MR. SPEAKER:
That's right.
MR. CROSBIE:
So it's just housekeeping.
MR. SPEAKER:
It is.
CLERK:
It is. I mean, it's –
MS. MICHAEL:
I have a question. It sounds like the Member is setting up space for leaving. Is
there any intention that the tables and chairs (inaudible) purchase and that
would replace the Member looking for space for meetings, small meetings?
CLERK:
Correct. As it happens, that
particular constituency office is in government-owned space. So there is
actually room to have meetings in the constituency office. A number of Members
have come and looked for tables and chairs for their offices where the space
permits them to have those meetings in their offices, and we have approved them.
MS. MICHAEL:
Thank you.
MR. SPEAKER:
I have a proposed motion for the floor.
The Commission approves payment of the invoice in the amount of $1,512 for the
constituency office for the Member for Lewisporte - Twillingate.
Do I have a mover for that motion?
Moved by Mr. Browne; seconded by Mr. Crosbie.
All those in favour, ‘aye.'
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
MR. SPEAKER:
Against?
Let the record show we'll direct the Member for Lewisporte - Twillingate to
unpack his boxes.
Any final remarks from the Commission?
I would like to thank you all for your attendance and support. We had a busy
year. I feel much has been accomplished. I appreciate all of your support and
attention. It's importance that in our time, we come here and everyone's ready.
I also, therefore, need to thank the staff for all the great work they do to
keep us well armed with much detail and much information so we can make these
decisions.
Seeing no further comment, I look for a mover to adjourn.
Moved by Mr. Hutchings; seconded by Mr. Browne.
All those in favour, ‘aye.'
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Michael.
This Management Commission is now adjourned
On motion, meeting adjourned.