Thread by @JPTasker

“It would make any organization look bad that it took four years to resolve this issue,” Sen. Tannas says of Don Meredith’s victims. There still hasn’t been a resolution for people who allegedly suffered sexual harassment at the hands of the former Senator.

Sen. Saint-Germain says it’s completely unacceptable that it’s been six years since the first harassment claim was filed by one of Meredith’s alleged victim and yet there’s still no recognition of wrongdoing by the Senate.

“It’s a shame,” Saint-Germain says. She says money may be in order to compensate victims.

CIBA (internal economy) is discussing how to fund the new Canadian Senators Group (CSG). Under the rules, the group is entitled to $460,000 in funding. #SenCA

There’s debate about whether the funding should be proportionately reallocated from the other Senate groups to the new CSG or if new funds should be expended. ISG lost 9 of the 11, so there’s some suggestion it should be clawed back from their budget. #SenCA

Sen. Saint-Germain (ISG) says the funds should be reallocated from the other groups to fund CSG. There shouldn’t be a new injection of money - to save taxpayers the expense.

There’s some bickering over the membership of the new CSG. Conservatives and ISG trading potshots over where these senators have come from (many were former Harper appointed Tories turned ISG before they signed on to CSG). #SenCA

Tannas, the interim leader of the CSG, agrees that money should be reallocated. He says there should be discussions among the various parties and groups to see if there’s any “spare change” from their budgets to fund CSG. If not, they’ll make the case again at CIBA for new $.

Plett, the new Conservative Senate Leader, jokes saying hopefully the 43rd Parliament lasts only a few months. Independent Sen. Dalphond says “Hope springs eternal.”

CIBA chair Marwah says Senate caucus/group spending is roughly $1 million below budget for the year so there should be some sort of agreement between leaders to fund the CSG.

Conservative Sen. Tkachuk presses Tannas to explain what is the purpose of CSG, the new group. He’s obviously a bit hostile in his position given two of the members of this group were only recently Tories. He bristles at the name “Canadian Senators”

There’s some debate over the broadcasting contract for the Senate. The Tories are pushing for public discussion. Sen. Marwah says there’s not much to it so don’t worry about it. After some pressure, they’ll discuss it publicly at the next meeting.

The meeting has gone ‘in camera.’ In fact, it’s gone ‘super in camera’ meaning everyone including staff and Senate bureaucrats - just the Senators. This could be the part of the meeting where they discuss harassment.