Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIPU)

In the third and final webinar of a series on climate change legislation hosted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law, participants discussed the risks to social stability posed by climate change and the various domestic, regional and international approaches to addressing these risks, including through legislation. The role of parliaments in meeting these challenges was highlighted by presenters, who noted the importance of socio-economic factors in determining the vulnerability of communities to climate change. The webinar included pre-recorded messages from IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong and Vice-President of the German Bundestag Claudia Roth.

The Honourable David McGuinty, P.C., M.P., President of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIPU) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Executive Committee Vice-President for the Twelve Plus geopolitical Group (12+), led a delegation of parliamentarians composed of the Honourable Salma Ataullahjan, Senator, the Honourable Rob Black, senator, the Honourable Raymonde Saint-Germain, Senator, the Honourable Steven Blaney, P.C., M.P., Ms. Marilène Gill, M.P., Ms. Michelle Rempel Garner, M.P. and Mr. Sven Spengemann, M.P.

This meeting was called at the request of the chairs from the five Nordic IPU delegations (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) to discuss the IPU presidency.

The Honourable David McGuinty, P.C.,M.P., President of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIPU) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Executive Committee Vice-President for the Twelve Plus geopolitical Group (12+), the Honourable Salma Ataullahjan, Senator and President of the IPU Committee on Middle East Questions and Sven Spengemann, M.P. and member of the Bureau of the IPU Committee on Democracy and Human Rights, participated in a hybrid Steering Committee meeting of the 12+ Group on September 28, 2020. Members discussed important matters that will be on the agendas of the upcoming virtual meeting of the 12+ Group and the extraordinary virtual session of the IPU Governing Council.

The 12+ Group is a collective of 47 IPU member states that caucus together to discuss key issues that will be presented to the Governing Council of the IPU, the union’s main administrative and policy-making body.

Several members of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIPU) attended an online event organized by the Equal Pay International Coalition to exchange ideas on achieving pay equity around the world. The discussion was led by several individuals from a wide range of sectors (government, academia, business, civil society, sports, broadcasting, labour) with direct experience in advancing equal pay for equal work. Many of the points raised emphasized the importance of systemic change in addition to reforms that reflect the unique nature of a particular sector. Participants also highlighted the aggravating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gender inequalities as well as the increased risk faced by women who are disproportionately represented in vulnerable and high-risk occupations and unpaid work. The event featured prerecordings from government representatives from around the world, including Canada’s Minister of Labour, as well as the United Nations Secretary General, the Director-General of the International Labour Organization, and the Executive Director of UN Women.

Participants representing parliamentarians, civil society, and multilateral stakeholders examined the role of legislation in mitigating the challenges of climate change and its effect on the world’s oceans. Presentations from these communities (including a Canadian researcher) initiated discussion on such topics as the strengths and weaknesses of existing international mechanisms (Sustainable Development Goals) and treaties (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) in facilitating domestic legislative processes. A parliamentarian from Maldives highlighted the challenges faced by vulnerable small island developing states in terms of land loss as well as disruptions to economic activities such as tourism. Other topics raised include recent regional and national mechanisms addressing the ocean-climate nexus (the Caribbean, European Union, Australia, Seychelles, Mexico), Indigenous perspectives, and the opportunity presented by the COVID-19 pandemic to make progress on these interconnected concerns. The webinar was the second of three organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in partnership with the secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) organized in partnership with Arizona State University a virtual panel debate about parliaments, democracy and COVID-19. The discussion was led by parliamentarians, researchers and civil society advocates. Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, participated with a pre-recorded message. Several panelists and participants highlighted the challenges faced by parliaments in shaping responses to the pandemic. Many also underscored the importance of striking a balance between the need for urgent action, protecting human rights, and parliament’s legislative, budgetary and oversight roles. Members of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIPU) who registered for the event include: Senator Salma Ataullahjan, Senator Pate, Mr. Spengemann, and Ms. Andréanne Larouche, MP.

The Honourable David McGuinty, P.C., M.P., President of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIPU) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Executive Committee Vice-President for the 12+ geopolitical group, participated in an Extraordinary Session of the International Executive Committee by videoconference on August 31, 2020. During this meeting, the members reviewed proposed special rules of procedure that could be adopted at the next session of the Governing Council and discussed a few other administrative matters. After a discussion, amendments were proposed. A new draft will be circulated to members for review and approval. The Executive Committee oversees the administration of the IPU and makes recommendations to the IPU Governing Council on various matters.

This webinar was the first in a series organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat and the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law. The goal was to build the capacity of parliamentarians and other key stakeholders in their response to climate change, and to promote knowledge-sharing on key topics in legislation and governance that arise in the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

The presenters explored topics like the meaning of compliance in international law as well as compliance within domestic climate change legislation. The role of the Paris Agreement Implementation and Compliance Committee, of the UNFCCC Secretariat in aiding implementation and supporting coordination, and the essential role of parliaments and parliamentarians were also discussed. The presentations were followed by a lively virtual Q amp; A session with participants.

The Honourable Salma Ataullahjan, Senator, Vice-president of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIPU) and President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Committee on Middle East Questions (MEQ), called an extraordinary meeting of this committee to discuss recent developments in Palestine and in Libya. The Committee received a briefing from the Secretariat regarding the situation in the region and the related correspondence submitted by Member Parliaments before debating developments and possible actions by the committee.

The MEQ was formed in 1987 by the IPU Governing Council to follow the peace process in the region. It is comprised of 14 members with experience or keen interest relating to the Middle East, and each member of the committee is elected by the Governing Council of the IPU for a period of 4 years. Members of the Committee encourage contact between parliamentarians from all sides of the Israeli and Palestinian parliaments, neighbouring countries and members of the Quartet of peace mediators (United Nations, United States, European Union and Russia) and strives to strengthen ties between parliamentarians of the region. Though the Committee meets in private, it prepares and submits reports to the IPU’s Governing Council.