NEWS RELEASE

Canadian Section of ParlAmericas continues activities during the pandemic

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas have been actively involved in online meetings concerning the impacts of the pandemic in the Americas and the Caribbean.

In particular, while participating in online sessions organized by ParlAmericas’ International Secretariat and the Open Parliament Network, among others, they have engaged with their colleagues on such topics as maintaining open and transparent governments, preventing violence against women, and ensuring a sustainable and inclusive economic recovery.

According to Mr. Marc G. Serré, M.P., Chair of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas, "people across the hemisphere are dealing with the effects of the global pandemic. During various ParlAmericas activities, members of the Canadian Section have listened to and gained insights from other legislators. They have shared information about how Canadians are being supported and how the country’s Parliament is continuing to function as everyone tries to meet the unprecedented challenges faced throughout the world.”

Mr. Serré continued, "We must secure our strong ties to international markets such as those in mining and the mining service and supply sector as well as build upon and tap into our growing markets. This way we can better position our economies and our governments in a mutually beneficial way as we move into the future and deal with these challenging circumstances."

The Honourable Rosa Galvez, Senator, Vice-Chair of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas and Vice-President (North America) of ParlAmericas' Parliamentary Network on Climate Change, added: "As we confront the COVID 19 pandemic and continue to address climate change, communicating with our colleagues from throughout the Americas and Caribbean allows us to hear about a wide range of experiences along the intersection of these dual crises. In fact, our discussions involve consideration of the pandemic’s effects on the themes of ParlAmericas’ three networks. In that context, we have discussed – for example – efforts to maintain openness and accountability in government, such as the important transition to virtual parliament that is still underway in Canada; to support women and other marginalized people during a crisis; and the urgent need to develop and implement a green and just recovery."

In addition to online meetings involving the hemisphere’s legislators, the Canadian Section is contributing to ParlAmericas’ governance activities. On June 16, Mr. Serré and Senator Galvez attended the virtual 50^th Meeting of the ParlAmericas Board of Directors, which had originally been scheduled to occur in Brasilia, Brazil. Among other topics, they discussed ParlAmericas' strategies for continuing to enhance the work of legislators in the year ahead despite the pandemic.

In the coming weeks and months, members of the Canadian Section expect to continue their engagement with their ParlAmericas colleagues as they meet online to discuss disaster resilience, gender-responsive legislation, and the prospects for – and form of – a sustainable and inclusive economic recovery from the pandemic.

ParlAmericas’ Canadian Section has also participated in activities with other parliamentary associations. Members of the Canadian Section and of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union benefitted from a joint virtual briefing on the situation in Venezuela during the pandemic. As well, members of the Canadian Section joined their colleagues from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in holding an online meeting on the topic of virtual parliamentary sessions during the pandemic.

Founded in 2001 in Ottawa, ParlAmericas is the only interparliamentary institution with its International Secretariat headquartered in Canada. The Canadian Section of ParlAmericas works closely with the Secretariat to advance parliamentary diplomacy and political dialogue throughout the Americas and the Caribbean.

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To arrange an interview with Marc G. Serré, Chair of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas, please contact:
Kaylie Dudgeon
(705) 897-2222
marc.serre.c1a@parl.gc.ca

For further information about the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas, please contact:
Julie Pelletier
Association Secretary
613-995-5854
CPAM@parl.gc.ca