Interparliamentary Activities and Reports

On 14 April 2021, the Hon. Salma Ataullahjan, Senator, the Hon. Kim Pate, Senator, Ms. Iqra Khalid, MP, and Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, MP, attended a meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) on violence against women and girls. The session was moderated by former Canadian MP, Ms. Paddy Torsney, P.C., Permanent Observer of the IPU to the United Nations (UN). Participants described violence against women and girls as a shadow pandemic which has been intensified by the current global health crisis, in part due to the reduction in services and supports available to women. It was noted that the COVID-19 pandemic is threatening the progress made towards gender equality and that violence against women and girls is itself rooted in gender inequality

During the meeting, Canadian delegates were able to hear from parliamentarians from Bangladesh, Bahrain, the Philippines, Syria, Tanzania, Turkey, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Azerbaijan, Fiji, Nicaragua, Benin, Madagascar and Ecuador, and from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean. The UN Under-Secretary-General, Ms. Pramila Patten, addressed participants through a pre-recorded video. Dr. Dubravka Šimonovic (UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women), Dr. Giovanna Lauro (vice president of Programs and Research at Promundo) and Mr. Khamsavath Chanthavysouk (policy specialist at UN Women) also made presentations.

This meeting was the second of a series entitled “Inter-Parliamentary Dialogue on Gender-Responsive Recovery Post COVID-19.”

In her capacity as President of the Committee on Middle East Questions of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Honourable Senator Salma Ataullahjan chaired a virtual meeting of the committee on April 14, 2021. The session offered members a timely opportunity to discuss the many developments that have taken place in the region since the committee last met in July 2020. As per its mandate, the committee focuses on tracking and supporting the peace process between Israel and Palestine, as well as peace, security and dialogue through the region. It will report on its activities at the next meeting of the Governing Council taking place virtually at the end of May 2021 as part of the IPU’s 142nd Assembly.

The 142nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) took place for the first time in virtual format. Over 750 parliamentarians from over 130 member parliaments debated the overall theme, “Overcoming the pandemic today and building a better tomorrow: the role of parliaments.” They also adopted two resolutions proposed by the Standing Committee on Peace and International Security as well as the Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, elected new officers to various positions and participated in meetings of different subsidiary bodies among other agenda items.

Cheryl Gallant MP, the Vice-Chair of the Canadian NATO-PA, participated in this event which was held over the course of two half-days, and entitled: “Russian Military Build-up and Crisis in Belarus at the Center of Polish Strategic Concerns”.

The Honourable David McGuinty, P.C., M.P., President of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIPU) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Executive Committee Vice-President for the Twelve Plus geopolitical group, participated in the fifth online sitting of the 285th session of the International Executive Committee which took place on April 9, 2021. Members discussed a number of issues relating to the situations in some IPU member parliaments and their implications for these member parliaments’ participation in the organization.

The meeting was attended by the Honourable Senators Jim Munson, Co-Chair; Salma Ataullahjan; René Cormier; Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia; and MPs Sven Spengemann, Co-Chair; Rob Oliphant; Terry Duguid, Yasmin Ratansi; and Gabriel Ste-Marie. First, they welcomed the Chargé d’affaires and a Minister representing the Kenya High Commission in Canada, who discussed current affairs in Kenya and answered questions from parliamentarians. Then, the President of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business and the Chair of its Board of Directors introduced the organization by discussing its mission and activities in Canada and Africa. They also spoke with parliamentarians about co-operation opportunities between parliamentarians and the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business’ members. Lastly, the President of the Kigali Council on Foreign Relations made a presentation about his organization and discussed its mandate, activities and interest in Canada, as well as its role in Africa and other regions of the world regarding current major international issues.