Terms of Reference

The Auditor General's (AG) Report tabled on December 1, 1998 restated a recommendation made in his 1992 report that a Parliamentary Buildings Council be constituted. The AG has recommended the creation of a "non-partisan" advisory body to assist Parliament and the government by providing advice on the (long-term) plan and the priorities of work." The Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada has responded positively to the recommendation.

Mandate

The mandate of the Council is to advise the Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada on various matters relating to the renovation and construction program underway in the Parliament Buildings. In accordance with the AG's recommendations, these matters include, but are not limited to:

• maintaining a due regard for the long-term costs of the program;
• the preservation of the buildings, with special reference to their unique heritage status;
• facilitating the decision-making process related to the program.

Membership

The Council will be composed of senior officials from the main stakeholder organizations.

Chairman
The Honourable John A. Fraser
Former Speaker of the House of Commons

House of Commons
Mary Anne Griffith
Former Deputy Clerk Heritage

Senate
The Honourable Sharon Carstairs (1999-2000)
Senator

The Honourable William Rompkey (2000-present)
Senator

Library of Parliament
Richard Paré
Parliamentary Librarian

National Capital Commission
Marcel Beaudry
Chairman

Heritage Canada
Bill Peters
Director General
Canadian Conservation Institute

Royal Architectural Institute of Canada
Terence Williams
Wade Williams Corporation

Association of Consulting Engineers of Canada
Frank LeBlanc

Activities of the Council

• Reviewing the long-term capital plan, with a special emphasis on cost control and heritage considerations
• Reviewing the evolving accommodation needs of a Parliament
• Identifying and facilitating the resolution of stakeholder concerns