NEWS RELEASE

Canadian Section of ParlAmericas tables three mission reports in Parliament

OTTAWA – ‎Yesterday, the Canadian section of ParlAmericas tabled three reports in the Senate and House of Commons on visits by Canadian parliamentarians.

The subjects of these reports are:

• Visit to Havana, Cuba from 13 to 15 March 2017, and San Jose, Costa Rica from 13 to 18 March 2017. In Havana, the delegation met with Cuban parliamentarians, key partners, and stakeholders, to discuss deepening ties and strengthening the relationship between the two countries. In San Jose, the delegation attended a ParlAmericas Open Parliament Network conference. The focus of the conference was advancing the adoption of processes and practices by parliaments that increase citizen participation in parliamentary decision-making.

• The meeting of women parliamentarians held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 22 to 24 May 2017. The Canadian delegation joined parliamentarians from countries across the hemisphere to participate in meetings on fostering women’s empowerment in society and politics, ending violence against women, and ensuring gender equality in the political and economic spheres.

• The forty-seventh regular session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), held in Cancun, Mexico, from 18 to 21 June 2017. The Canadian delegation attended this year’s three-day general assembly, where the hemisphere’s foreign ministers, including Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., discussed the on-going crisis in Venezuela and broader hemispheric issues such as security, the rule of law, development and prosperity, and women’s leadership.

“These reports highlight the lively and enlightened discussions which occurred at each international session. Topics include citizens’ participation in democracy, the need for equality and women in politics, as well as security and development. Open dialogue between ParlAmericas partner countries on these issues facilitates the opportunity to share best practices and personal experiences, which will help to further solidify our inter-parliamentary relationships,” stated Nault.

Founded 15 years ago in Ottawa, ParlAmericas International is the only inter-parliamentary secretariat headquartered in Ottawa. Since the beginning, the Canadian section of ParlAmericas has worked closely with the ParlAmericas International and plays a key role in furthering dialogue by bringing together parliamentarians and hemispheric observers from across the Americas and the Caribbean.

To learn more, follow us on our new Twitter account:

Twitter: @ParlDiplomacy

Hashtag: #CPAM

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For more information or to arrange an interview with the Hon. Robert D. Nault, please contact:

Julian Morelli
613-222-6123
bob.nault.a1@parl.gc.ca

Melissa Dawe
613-996-1161
bob.nault.a2@parl.gc.ca