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REPORT ON THE DIALOGUE WITH CANADA Chairperson, Hon. Mr. Charoen Kanthawongsa started the Dialogue with Canada at 2.05 pm at Pattaya 12, the PEACH, Royal Cliff Beach Resort on 5 August 2009. The Rapporteur was Hon. Asst. Prof. Rachada Dhnadirek.
The Dialogue Meeting was attended by the following delegates: Canada Hon. Mr. Bryon Wilfert Hon. Mr. Joseph A. Day Brunei Darussalam Hon. Mr. Dato Paduka Haji Puasa Bin OKSP Tudin Cambodia Hon. Mr. Ouk Damry Indonesia Hon. Dr. Hakim Sorumuda Pohan Laos PDR Hon. Prof. Dr. Phonethep Pholsena Malaysia Hon. Mdm. Fuziah Salleh Philippines Mr. Robert Raymund M. Estrella Singapore Hon. Dr. Ahmad Mohd Magad Thailand Hon. Mrs. Sirintorn Rammasute Hon. Adj. Prof. Virah Mavichak Hon. Adj. Prof. Pinit Kullavanijaya Viet Nam Hon. Mr. Ha Thanh Toan
DISCUSSION The Chairman invited Canada to give views on the main topic on the role of Observers in the ASEAN community. Canada concerned that Observers played a small role in General Assemblies of AIPA and wished to engage directly by exchanging views with the perspective of how Observers can assist ASEAN. Canada suggested to take part in setting a theme of dialogue for the next conference and doing a concrete action instead of reporting in the paper. Canada raised the issue on mutual concerns with AIPA Member Countries and Special Observer on strengthening parliament. To strengthen the parliament, Canada pointed out how weak the ASEAN Parliaments lack in accessible information, mostly concerning the efficient parliament library and the empowerment of parliamentarians or professional staffs to be more effective and efficient through the exchange study programs. ASEAN countries, affected by the financial crisis, need additional funding in order to make it plausible. Canada stressed the importance of Parliamentary oversight of government work and policy. Economic Trade Cooperation and Foreign Investment Canada exported and imported approximately 14.5 billion Canadian Dollars each to ASEAN during the financial crisis. By setting records during the financial crisis, Canada showed sign indicating how ASEAN Community was important to them reiterating their interest in the region. Canada needed to build a good relationship recognizing ASEAN as a golden opportunity not only for Canada but for ASEAN itself. Canada insists in building Free Trade Agreements, after proving how important ASEAN is to them setting records in trade, for a better future of both sides. Canada also concerned about corruption and human rights problems within the ASEAN Community. It will be hard to negotiate if ASEAN has the problems of corruption or human rights. Canada also emphasized how ASEAN community needs to know the rules of security concerning forein direct investment for investors. Canada asked ASEAN countries to identify what their main products would be negotiated in their market. Thailand Thailand agreed with Canada’s idea but it is difficult to model after Canada because of the lack of funding. Singapore Singapore mentioned that ASEAN countries will appreciate if Canada provides financial assistance to pull the ASEAN countries out from the financial crisis.
Other Matters : To Strengthen the Parliament System Philippines The Philippine delegate sought Canada’s advice on the Library of Parliament in Canada. Canada Response The Canadian delegates explained the role of the Library of Parliament and indicated that it also takes part in the training of new parliamentary staff by way of workshops on various topics. Indonesia They expressed that they are experts on the bills and shared the best practice in training, aiming to strengthen officials. Cambodia There are more people interested to research and learn about the library. Cambodia requested Canada to support a capacity to their staffs related to library and other projects. Viet Nam In Viet Nam, there is no congress library but there are two offices which provide the information to members Parliament; a center of information and technology and an institute of policy and strategy. They requested Canada to support training programs for Members of Parliament and officials in the future. Thailand Thai Delegates agreed with Canada to further empower Parliamentarians due to the lack of professional staffs and specialists for the standing committees in Thailand. Thailand welcomes the offer of exchanging training programs from Canada. They also agreed having specialized assistants is important but it is difficult to accomplish due to the low income MPs can provide to their researchers. This is the reason why Thailand hires part-time staffs from other departments. Malaysia Malaysia agreed with the empowerment of parliamentarians and asked Canada to establish working relationships with Malaysia. Malaysia asked if Canadian Parliament can work with specific standing committees besides inter – parliamentary programs. Response from Canada Canada answered their parliaments do work with Foreign standing committees, but only very few, such as with Russia’s committee concerning glacier’s melt down, increasing sea level. Lao PDR Lao PDR shared their experienced that they have a hotline, an office, to collect information for their parliament or ministries from public. The meeting ended at 3.45 pm The Report of the Dialogue with Canada was presented for the approval of the 30th AIPA General Assembly.
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