NEWS RELEASE

ParlAmericas’ Canadian Section attends Parliamentary Gathering and selected events
during Summit of the Americas

From June 6-8, 2022, Marc G. Serré, MP, Chair of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas, led a delegation to Los Angeles, California, for a number of activities, including a Parliamentary Gathering organized by the United States’ House Democracy Partnership and several events held during the IX Summit of the Americas. The other delegates were Senator Rosa Galvez, Vice-Chair of the Canadian Section and President of ParlAmericas' Parliamentary Network on Climate Change, Richard Cannings, MP, Rob Morrison, MP, and Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, MP.

“Our time in Los Angeles provided members of ParlAmericas’ Canadian Section with invaluable opportunities to meet with parliamentarians, youth and civil society stakeholders from throughout the Western Hemisphere,” stated Mr. Serré. “Meetings with representatives from the Americas and the Caribbean allowed us to deepen our understanding of common challenges and to learn from each other so that we can build and sustain the relationships that enable better decision making on behalf of our citizens.”

“In our meetings, we heard about the current threats to democracy that are occurring in the Americas, including restrictions on media and freedom of expression, political corruption and the dissemination of disinformation,” explained Mr. Serré. “During the Parliamentary Gathering, it became clear that ensuring the existence of strong democracies in the Americas and Caribbean is a shared goal. Inter-parliamentary dialogue with our colleagues from the region plays an integral role in maintaining the health of our democracies.”

To coincide with the IX Summit of the Americas, the House Democracy Partnership’s Parliamentary Gathering brought together 57 delegates from 22 countries in the hemisphere. Consistent with the Summit’s theme of “Building a Sustainable, Resilient, and Equitable Future,” discussions during the Parliamentary Gathering focused on combatting corruption, improving “green energy” practices, promoting parliamentary transparency, encouraging democratic engagement, governing during a health crisis and enhancing women’s inclusion in parliament.

In addition to the Parliamentary Gathering, the Canadian Section’s delegates attended a panel discussion and reception hosted by the Office of the Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti. The theme of the panel discussion was women’s leadership in Latin America. At the reception, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly, PC, MP, made a keynote address.

While at the Summit of the Americas, delegates from the Canadian Section attended the Young Americas Forum and learned about the innovative work of youth from throughout the Western Hemisphere.

Before the Summit concluded, the Canadian Section’s delegates also met with representatives of the Native Women’s Association of Canada. At the meeting, the representatives raised the themes that had been discussed during their meeting with the Summit of the Americas’ Forum of Civil Society.

In Ottawa on 15 June 2022, members of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas met with the diplomatic corps of the Americas and the Caribbean to report on the successful meetings held in Los Angeles for the IX Summit of the Americas. Mr. Serré was pleased to report that the role of parliaments was strengthened by the recognition of the head of states in the Inter-American Plan of Action on Democratic Governance, and that parliaments will now be an integral part of the Summits of the Americas.

-30-

To learn more, follow us on our Twitter account:
Twitter: @ParlDiplomacy
Hashtag: #CPAM

To arrange an interview with Marc G. Serré, MP, 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