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RUUK Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association

On 30 October 2024, members of the executive committee of the Canada–United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association hosted a luncheon to bid farewell to Her Excellency Susannah Goshko, British High Commissioner to Canada, prior to her next appointment as British Ambassador to Mexico. James Maloney, Member of Parliament and Chair of the Association, gave remarks in which he thanked Ms. Goshko for her excellent work to foster deep and productive bilateral relations between Canada and the U.K. He expressed gratitude for her frequent and meaningful engagement with the Association, noting that her appointment had come during a particularly busy time for Canada–U.K. relations. A convivial discussion followed, covering topics such as frozen pensions, party dynamics in the U.K., and the upcoming United States election.

RUUK Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association

On 19 June 2024, Her Excellency Susannah Goshko, British High Commissioner to Canada, hosted a luncheon for the executive members of the Canada–United Kingdom (U.K.) Inter-Parliamentary Association. The conversations centred on the electoral platforms of U.K. political parties in advance of the general election in July 2024. Ms. Goshko and the executive members discussed the parties’ positions on such key issues as trade, migration, environmental protection, energy, defence spending, and the situation of U.K. citizens living in Canada with frozen state pensions.

CAPF Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie

The executive committee of the Network of Women Parliamentarians of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) met by videoconference on May 31, 2024. The purpose of the meeting was to prepare for the next meeting of the APF Network of Women Parliamentarians. The meeting will take place in Montréal (Quebec) on July 6, 2024, as part of the 49th Annual Session of the APF, hosted by the Parliament of Canada. The executive committee was informed of the status of reports currently being worked on and confirmed the agenda for the July 2024 meeting. Marie-France Lalonde, Member of Parliament, took part in the meeting.

CAPF Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie

In order to be eligible to vote, parliamentarians should be members of the association at least seven days prior to the SGM.

CANA Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association

To be eligible to vote at the AGM the deadline for membership for this association is 30 days before the meeting.

CAIE Canada-Ireland Interparliamentary Group

In order to be eligible to vote, parliamentarians must be members of the group before the annual general meeting.

CACN Canada-China Legislative Association

In order to be eligible to vote, parliamentarians shall be members of the association at least three working days prior to the AGM

UIPU Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union

In order to be eligible to vote, parliamentarians should be members of the association at least seven days prior to the AGM.

CAIT Canada-Italy Interparliamentary Group

In order to be eligible to vote, parliamentarians must be members of the group before the annual general meeting.

CAPF Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie

CAPF Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie

The Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) Network of Women Parliamentarians (Network) was formed in 2002 to promote greater participation of women in political, economic, social and cultural life across the francophone world. The Network met in Cotonou, Benin, from April 17 to 19, 2024. Member of Parliament Marie-France Lalonde attended the meeting virtually for the Canadian Branch of the APF. She presented a new draft report theme on family patrimony and francophone women, a proposal that was approved by the Network. Ms. Lalonde announced that she would table an initial draft report in July 2024 at the Annual Session of the APF. The Network also heard a presentation from Gladys Edith O. Campbell Guedegbe, President of the Chambre des Notaires du Bénin, about access to inheritance and land rights for women in Benin.

CADE Canada-Germany Interparliamentary Group

In order to be eligible to vote, parliamentarians must be members of the group before the annual general meeting.

CAFR Canada-France Inter-Parliamentary Association

To be eligible to vote at the AGM the deadline for membership for this association is seven days before the meeting.

CAIL Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group

In order to be eligible to vote, parliamentarians must be members of the group before the annual general meeting.

RUUK Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association

To be eligible to vote at the AGM the deadline for membership for this association is seven days before the meeting.

CPAM Canadian Section of ParlAmericas

To be eligible to vote at the AGM the deadline for membership for this association is seven days before the meeting.

CAAF Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association

To be eligible to vote at the AGM the deadline for membership for this association is seven days before the meeting.

CAPF Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie

In order to be eligible to vote, parliamentarians should be members of the association at least seven days prior to the AGM.

CAJP Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group

In order to be eligible to vote, parliamentarians shall be members of the association at least seven days prior to the AGM

CAEU Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association

In order to be eligible to vote, parliamentarians shall be members of the Association at least seven days prior to the AGM. Once the deadline has passed, the names of all members eligible to vote shall be placed on a voters list.

CEUS Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group

In order to be eligible to vote, parliamentarians shall be members of the group at least seven calendar days prior to the AGM.

CCOM Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

In order to be eligible to vote, parliamentarians should be members of the association at least seven days prior to the AGM.

RUUK Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association

On 5 February 2024, members of the Executive Committee of the Canada–United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association hosted a luncheon in honour of the visit of members of the United Kingdom House of Commons Select Procedure Committee. The Procedure Committee is conducting an inquiry on the United Kingdom territorial constitution and is comparing devolution frameworks internationally, including with Canada. Association Chair James Maloney, MP gave opening remarks, and the Chair of the Procedure Committee, the Rt. Hon Karen Bradley MP, responded. Other members of the visiting delegation included Antonia Antoniazzi, MP, Mr. Patrick Grady, MP, Sir Christopher Chope, MP, and Mr. Chris Elmore, MP. What followed was a fruitful discussion about the implications of both countries’ constitutional frameworks on political dynamics, including interjurisdictional cooperation and responses to major events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The parliamentarians also compared their experiences with the restoration and renewal of their respective parliaments.

CAPF Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie

CAEU Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association

On 12 December 2023, members of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (CAEU) met virtually with their counterparts from the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Canada. Ailish Campbell, the Ambassador of Canada to the European Union (EU), also took part in the meeting, as well as Christian Burgsmueller, Deputy Head of Delegation of the EU to Canada, who replaced Melita Gabric, the Ambassador of the EU to Canada, who was unable to participate. Javier Moreno Sánchez, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from Spain, chaired the meeting.

Damian Boeselager, a MEP from Germany, explained how the mission of the European Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) to the United States and Ottawa, at the beginning of November 2023, was very successful. The delegates met with the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner of Canada, among others, and found those meetings useful for their work on the creation of an European ethics body.

Regarding the EU-Canada Summit held on 23 and 24 November 2023, Ambassador Campbell discussed, among other things, Canada’s enhanced participation in Horizon Europe. She underscored Canada’s gratitude towards the EU Member States that helped last summer during the worst forest fire season in Canada, to date. Ambassador Campbell noted the commitment from Canada and the EU to work together to fight climate change and the EU’s decision to join the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge. She also noted Canada-EU collaboration in the new Digital Partnership to develop together a safer digital environment, including artificial intelligence, quantum technology and online platform governance. Ambassador Campbell mentioned that Canada and the EU were hitting record highs in bilateral trade, thanks to the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Strategic Partnership Agreement. She also mentioned the continued collaboration to help Ukraine and expressed the wish to deepen the collaboration with the EU in Gaza. Mr. Burgsmueller agreed with Ambassador Campbell’s positive description of the Summit’s results. He highlighted the importance of the new Green Alliance and the possibilities for future collaboration on green energy, such as hydrogen.

Francesco Sorbara, President of CAEU, touched on the Green Alliance, the Digital Partnership, the enhanced Canadian participation in Horizon Europe, and the EU’s decision to join the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge. He also talked about the Joint Statement that stemmed from the Summit and the challenges confronting Canada and the EU, such as climate change, the war in Ukraine, the crisis in Gaza, and relations with China. Mr. Sorbara also thanked Mr. Moreno Sánchez for his work as Rapporteur on the implementation of CETA. Senator David Wells, Vice-President of CAEU, discussed the seven themes of the Joint Statement, the war in Ukraine and the crisis in Israel and Palestine. Peter Boehm touched on the war in Ukraine, noting President Zelensky’s presence in Washington, D.C., the conflict in Gaza, and insisted on the importance of Canada and the EU working together on priorities related to the cyber and digital world.

Mr. Boeselager argued that the European Parliament elections that will take place in June 2024 could be a chance for a new impetus, to try to solve certain issues such as visa liberalization. Ambassador Campbell noted that CETA offers the possibility to recognize each others’ credentials, when Canadian professionals wish to work in the EU and vice versa, and that only architects are recognized in that manner so far. Stéphane Bergeron noted the quality of the relations between the EU, Canada, and Quebec, and argued that the Covid-19 pandemic showed the importance of intensifying relations with partners that share the same values and objectives.

All agreed to continue their fruitful collaboration in the future and wished each other happy holidays.

CAPF Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie

Report – Meeting with representatives of the Fédération de la jeunesse canadienne-française

On November 21, 2023, members of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) met with representatives of the Fédération de la jeunesse canadienne-française (FJCF) as part of the Journée jeunesse sur la Colline event. Members of Parliament Francis Drouin, Darrell Samson and Marie-France Lalonde met with:

- Simon Thériault, President of the FJCF;
- Raymonde Lonla, Nunavut youth representative;
- Mila Benoît, member organization representative, Northwest Territories; and
- Josée Vaillancourt, Executive Director of the FJCF.

During the meeting, Canadian parliamentarians and FJCF representatives discussed strengthening the youth network in Canada, particularly in terms of funding and support for organizations in remote areas; the role of youth and the Canadian youth network in the Government of Canada’s Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028; and initiatives to promote youth employability. Participants also discussed possible opportunities for collaboration between the Canadian Branch of the APF and the FJCF.

CAAF Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association

On October 26, 2023, a ceremony was held to mark the 20th anniversary of the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (CAAF) and to pay tribute to its co-founders, the Honourable Raynell Andreychuk, Senator from 1993 to 2019, and the late Honourable Mauril Bélanger, Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier from 1995 to 2016. CAAF’s co-chairs, the Honourable Amina Gerba, Senator, and Ms. Brenda Shanahan, M.P., delivered speeches and presented plaques to former Senator Andreychuk and Mr. Bélanger’s widow, Ms. Catherine Bélanger.
The new Speaker of the House of Commons, the Honourable Greg Fergus, was in attendance, along with several senators, Members of Parliament, and former staff. Former Senator Andreychuk and Ms. Bélanger highlighted how the Association has played an important role in the co-founders’ lives and has had a positive influence on Canadian and African parliamentarians. The Honourable René Cormier, Senator and vice-chair of the Association, and the Honourable Robert Oliphant, P.C., M.P., vice-chair and former co-chair of the Association, also made vibrant tributes to the two co-founders, as they reflected on the highlights of the past twenty years.

CAPF Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie

CCOM Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

The Canadian Regional Seminar of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), held since 1973, brought together delegates from the federal, provincial, and territorial CPA branches for annual training and exchanges related to their work as legislators. The theme of the 43rd seminar was: Representative Government: Cultivating Inclusive Parliaments.

The Canadian Branch was represented by Ms. Iqra Khalid, M.P., Vice-Chair of the Branch, the Honourable Amina Gerba, Senator, and Mr. Jasraj Singh Hallan, M.P.

RUUK Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association

On 19 September 2023, members of the Canada–United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (RUUK) Executive Committee met with David Rutley, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Americas and Caribbean) at the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and Her Excellency Susannah Goshko, British High Commissioner to Canada. Both parties highlighted how Canada and the United Kingdom can leverage their close ties and shared values to bring about common policy objectives on the global stage, particularly in the Asia Pacific region and South America. Canadian parliamentarians advanced their positions on beef and pork in light of the ongoing bilateral free trade negotiations. They also raised the issue of frozen pensions and proposed ways to promote greater bilateral cooperation on green energy solutions such as offshore wind power.

CAPF Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie
Report

The Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) Regional Assembly of the Americas and the Conference of Branch Chairs were held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, from September 4–7, 2023. The Canadian delegation was composed of seven parliamentarians: five Members and two Senators.

Representatives from nine branches, the Americas secretariat and the APF secretariat were also in attendance.

The theme of the Regional Assembly of the Americas was the role of French at school, at work and in politics. Three panels were held around this theme. The work led to the adoption of three declarations:
• declaration to promote the French and Creole languages;
• declaration of solidarity with the Africa Region; and
• declaration of commitment by the Americas Region.

The declaration of solidarity with the Africa Region was tabled by the Canadian Branch.

CCOM Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

Canada as a whole makes up one of the regions of the CPA, and its 14 branches correspond to the provincial and territorial legislative assemblies and the federal Parliament. Within the Canadian region, legislators can take part in a wide range of exchange programs, conferences and seminars. The Canadian region also has its own publication, Canadian Parliamentary Review. The Regional Council is the decision-making body for the Canadian region.

The Canadian Branch was represented by Ms. Alexandra Mendès, M.P., Chair of the Branch, the Honourable Amina Gerba, Senator, Ms. Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, M.P., and Mr. Damien Kurek, M.P.

SECO Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly

On 12 July 2023, members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) met in the context of the Call for Action – Helsinki +50 Initiative to discuss recent developments regarding the situation in Ukraine. The meeting was moderated by Ambassador Lamberto Zannier, OSCE PA High-Level Expert, and began with opening remarks by Ms. Pia Kauma, President of the OSCE PA, and Mr. Roberto Montella, Secretary General of the OSCE PA.

Three panelists delivered presentations. Ms. Yevheniia Kravchuk, Alternate Member of the Ukrainian delegation to the OSCE PA, provided an overview of the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and emphasized the need to provide assistance to civilians affected by the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam. Mr. Jacek Bylica, Chief of Cabinet in the Director General’s Office at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), presented the IAEA’s activities in Ukraine, including relating to its nuclear safety and security assessments of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. Mr. Michael J Fazekas, Executive Coordinator of the Southeast European Cooperative Initiative (SECI), described the SECI’s activities in Ukraine, including its work to support the provision of medical supplies and water filtration systems to civilians.

Several OSCE PA members took the floor during an open debate. Discussions focused on the support organizations like the IAEA and the SECI require to undertake their activities in Ukraine and the pressing need to provide humanitarian aid to civilians. The Canadian parliamentarians who participated in the meeting were Senators Gwen Boniface, Donna Dasko, Kim Pate and Rebecca Patterson, and the Honourable Dr. Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P.

CAPF Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie
Report

The Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) held its Bureau meeting and 48th Annual Session in Tbilisi, Georgia, from July 4–8, 2023. The Canadian delegation was composed of five parliamentarians: one Senator and four Members.

Over 200 participants from 40 APF branches took part in the proceedings. Representatives from several organizations related to the Francophonie were also in attendance.

The theme of the 48th Annual Session was citizen mobility in the Francophonie, put forward by the Georgia Branch. The APF also adopted a declaration on this theme.

Among the resolutions the APF adopted, three resulted directly from the Canadian Branch’s work:
- impacts of climate change on island, coastal and riparian territories;
- promotion and use of French in francophone nations; and
- period poverty in francophone nations.

CAPF Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie

On June 20, the first joint political committee meeting between the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) and the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) was held by videoconference at the invitation of Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary General of La Francophonie. Other participants included Caroline St-Hilaire, OIF Administrator, and APF representatives Francis Drouin, MP, President; Faustin Boukoubi, First Vice-President; and Bruno Fuchs, Parliamentary Secretary General.

This new joint committee plans to meet regularly. It seeks to improve coordination at the highest level between the primary institutional bodies of La Francophonie and optimize synergies for all francophone nations by capitalizing on the respective strengths of francophone states and governments, as well as francophone parliaments.

CPAM Canadian Section of ParlAmericas

On 15 June 2023, Member of Parliament Marc Serré, chair of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas, met with her Excellency Adriana Solano Laclé, Ambassador of the Republic of Costa Rica in Canada. They discussed the activities of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas and topics of common interest in the Americas, as well as opportunities for collaboration.

CPAM Canadian Section of ParlAmericas

On 15 June 2023, the Honourable René Cormier, Senator, Second Vice-President of the ParlAmericas Open Parliament Network (OPN), attended the Virtual Parliamentary Exchange on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Rights, organized by the OPN. The event brought together parliamentarians from the Americas and the Caribbean to discuss the impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) on legislatures and their citizens.

Speaker of Trinidad and Tobago’s House of Representatives and Vice-President of ParlAmericas’ Board of Directors, the Honourable Bridgid Annisette-George, provided opening remarks. She stressed that given the rapid development of technology, it is crucial that parliamentarians in the Americas and the Caribbean be coordinated in their approach to governing AI-related matters.

Attendees participated in a panel discussion entitled, “the inclusive governance of artificial intelligence: Priorities for legislative work.” The discussion was co-moderated by Member of the Chamber of Representatives of Colombia and Vice-President for South America of the OPN, the Honourable Catherine Juvinao, and Member of the Chamber of Deputies of Argentina, Margarita Stolbizer. The panellists were Ambassador Washington Abdala, Uruguay’s Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS) and Chair of the OAS Permanent Council; Senator Kenneth Pugh, chair of the committees on Ethics and Transparency and National Defense of the Senate of Chile; and Cecilia Danesi, researcher at the Institute for European Studies and Human Rights

Panelists and participants agreed that parliamentarians from the Americas and the Caribbean should be involved in international dialogues on AI regulation. As a rapidly evolving form of technology, panelists discussed the urgent need for legislatures to keep pace with developments in AI and to pass legislation that criminalizes AI-related offences (i.e., online phishing and fraud).

During the event, Luz Mary Alpízar (Costa Rica), Vice-President for Central America of the ParlAmericas OPN, presented a new OPN endeavour—the Digital Caucus, a parliamentary working group committed to developing legislative proposals on AI regulation using multidimensional approach. Parliamentarians that wish to endorse this endeavour were invited to sign the Statement of parliamentarians from the Americas and the Caribbean on Artificial Intelligence.

SECO Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly

On 15 June 2023, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) hosted a web dialogue on “Implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2250 and Youth, Peace and Security Agenda: Role of Parliamentarians” organized by Ms. Farah Karimi (the Netherlands), the Special Representative on Youth Engagement. The meeting included remarks by OSCE PA President, Ms. Margareta Cederfelt and a video address by Ms. Jayathma Wickramanayake, the UN Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth. The meeting also featured presentations by Ms. Gracia-Romeral Ortiz Quintilla, Programme Management Officer on Democracy and Political Participation in the Office of the UN Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth, Ms. Anu Apo, National Coordinator for Youth, Peace and Security at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, and Mr. Marjus Ceveli, President and Co-Founder of Sustainable Cooperation for Peace & Security and member of the United Network of Young Peacebuilders.

Discussions focused on best practices related to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2250, with particular emphasis on the adoption of National Action Plans on Youth, Peace and Security. Following the presentations, several OSCE PA members took the floor during the open debate. Participants spoke about youth engagement in the context of current and emerging global and regional challenges, including the impact of armed conflicts on young people in the OSCE region. The Canadian parliamentarians who participated in the meeting were Senator Rebecca Patterson and Senator Marilou McPhedran.

RUUK Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association

SECO Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly

On 7 June 2023, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) and the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) jointly held a web dialogue on “Countering online violence against women: OSCE Guidelines for monitoring online violence against female journalists.” Ms. Teresa Ribeiro, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media provided opening remarks, which were followed by panel presentations from the Honourable Dr. Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P., head of the Canadian delegation to the OSCE PA and the OSCE PA Special Representative on Gender Issues, and Johan Büser (Sweden), Rapporteur of the OSCE PA Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions on the role of national parliaments in monitoring and combatting online violence against female journalists and politicians. Diana Maynard, Senior Research Fellow, Department of Computer Science at the University of Sheffield, presented the OSCE Guidelines for monitoring online violence against female journalists. Presentations were followed by questions and answers.

Dr. Fry’s presentation focused on good practices in the Parliament of Canada to address violence against women journalists and politicians, including the use of Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) to assess the impact of laws, policies, programs and budget measures on different groups. Ms. Lisa Hepfner, Member of Parliament, also attended the meeting.

SECO Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly

This meeting – held in the context of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) Call for Action – Helsinki +50 initiative – focused on challenges to the effective functioning of the OSCE due to Russia’s war in Ukraine. The meeting included interventions by OSCE PA President Margareta Cederfelt; Secretary General Roberto Montella; Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Matteo Mecacci; Allison Hart, Senior Advisor/Chief of Staff to the OSCE Secretary General; and Doug Wake, former US diplomat and senior OSCE official. During the open debate, participants spoke about the need for continued international support for the OSCE to ensure it has the funding necessary to continue its peace and security work.

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