Interparliamentary Activities and Reports

The Eastern Regional Conference (ERC) is a regional association of state legislators from 13 states in the U.S. northeast and five Eastern Canadian provinces. By facilitating cooperation among its member jurisdictions, the ERC promotes multi-state and region-wide solutions to the problems and challenges facing state and provincial legislators.

The National Governors Association is the collective voice of U.S. governors from the 50 states, three territories and two commonwealths. It is also a public policy organization that represents the governors on Capitol Hill and before the U.S. Administration on federal issues that affect them, and that develops and implements solutions to public policy challenges.

The Midwestern Legislative Conference is a regional association of legislators from 11 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces. The purpose of the MLC is to foster regional intergovernmental cooperation in the U.S. Midwest through the joint consideration of common problems, the interchange of information and ideas, the sharing of knowledge and experience and, as appropriate, the pursuit of collaborative efforts to improve state government.

The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) is a statutory, bi-national public-private partnership comprising five U.S. states – Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington – and, in Canada, three provinces and two territories – Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and Yukon.

PNWER’s annual summit provides Inter-Parliamentary Group members with the opportunity to discuss regional cross-border initiatives with state and provincial/territorial legislators, as well as engage with private and non-profit organizations that are working to strengthen economic relations between Canada and the United-States.

On the Invitation of the Ukrainian Parliament, Canadian delegates travelled Ukraine in order to participate on an Election Observation Mission for the 2019 Parliamentary Election.

The Council of State Governments West (CSG West) is a non-partisan organization comprising the United States’ 13 western states. British Columbia and Alberta are associate members. CSG West meets annually and facilitates regional cooperation, exchange of information and fosters the strengthening of legislative institutions among its member states.

Canadian delegates travelled to the City of Luxembourg in order to participate at the 28th Annual Session of the Parliamentary Assembly.

The Assembly is the APF’s main decision-making body. It holds an annual plenary session. It sets the agenda based on the priorities announced at the Francophonie Summit and the activities of other Francophonie groups. The plenary assembly is attended by delegations from the member branches and associate branches. The Assembly also deliberates on all issues of common interest, adopts motions, votes on resolutions, and issues opinions and recommendations consistent with its objectives. It debates subjects raised by the institutions of the Francophonie and its authorities and serves in an advisory capacity by issuing advice and recommendations. It hears from and questions the Secretary General of the Francophonie and adopts and amends the APF’s by-laws. It elects the members of the Executive, and on a motion of that Executive, it also subsequently elects the president, first vice president, vice chairs and treasurer before the end of the session. On a motion of the Executive, the Assembly also makes decisions regarding the admission of branches, changes to their status or the revocation of their membership, as well as on the granting of permanent observer status. The Assembly also ratifies the APF’s financial statements.

A delegation went to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to participate in its debates. The delegation then proceeded to Italy for a bilateral mission held in conjunction with the Canada-Italy Interparliamentary Group. The objectives of this mission were to pursue meaningful discussions between Italian and Canadian parliamentarians, to promote a better understanding of the impacts and opportunities created by CETA (the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement). The following themes were discussed in the different meetings and discussions: trade and investment; bilateral relations; the Italian style of government; migration; and climate change.