NEWS RELEASE

63rd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference
Dhaka, Bangladesh
November 5 to 8, 2017

OTTAWA, November 3, 2017 — The Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) will join over 500 Parliamentarians at the 63rd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, hosted by the CPA Bangladesh Branch and the Parliament of Bangladesh between November 5 and 8, 2017.

The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Mr. Akbar Khan, and Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, the Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland, will officially open the Conference on Sunday, November 5th.

The Canadian delegation comprises Yasmin Ratansi, MP, head of the delegation and Chair of the Canadian Branch; Senators Salma Ataullahjan and Marilou McPhedran; and Members of the House of Commons: Alexandra Mendès, MP, Matt Jeneroux, MP, and the Hon. Thomas Mulcair, P.C., MP.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Continuing to enhance the high standards of performance of Parliamentarians.” In addition to the CPA regional group meetings, the delegates will discuss the following topics:

• The role of Parliamentarians in building stronger ties within the Commonwealth: including new trade issues, visa issues, travel restrictions, non-tariff restrictions.
• The Climate Change Debate: A challenge for the Commonwealth?
• CPA Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures: Progress in the past 10 years.
• Giving voice to the youth: Mechanisms for ensuring effective participation of youth in the governance process.
• What factors fuel the rise of different kinds of nationalism?

Host Branch Workshop Theme: Democracy must Deliver: Role of Parliament in addressing the Challenges

Gender-Related Workshop Theme: Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s): How can CPA Members work with their own governments in ensuring that the SDG goals have a proper gender lens to ensure success in the areas of alleviating poverty and women’s empowerment?

Small Branches Workshop Theme: Critical Mass: Small jurisdictions and big problems - Logistics and infrastructure challenges

Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, MP, Chair of the Canadian Branch will lead the workshop discussion on the Sustainable Development Goals. The Hon. Thomas Mulcair, P.C., MP, will lead the workshop discussion on CPA Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures. Matt Jeneroux, MP, will facilitate a workshop discussion for young participants on “Giving voice to the youth”. All participants will be taking advantage of the opportunity to participate actively during the workshops.

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For further information, please contact:

Mr. Rémi Bourgault
Association Secretary of the Canadian Branch of CPA
Telephone: 613-222-3681
Email: remi.bourgault.t@parl.gc.ca