Interparliamentary Activities and Reports

The 2020 Westminster Seminar, which was the 69th edition organized by the United Kingdom Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, gathered parliamentarians and clerks from every region of the Commonwealth to exchange ideas and build knowledge around topics relevant to Westminster-style democracies. The theme of the 2020 Westminster Seminar, held virtually for the first time, was: “Preparing parliamentarians for a changing world.” The seminar ran a course of three half-day sessions. The following parliamentarians attended the seminar: Hon. Rob Black, Senator; Ms. Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, M.P., and Mr. Sameer Zuberi, M.P.

Parliamentary Network on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (CECAC): November 23–24, 2020 The Parliamentary Network on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) is a forum to share and debate ideas and strategies to fight the three diseases. The network is also a place to raise awareness and promote actions and activities in this fight, as well as a tool for French-speaking parliaments to share information and exert influence. Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, MP and Vice-Chair of the Canadian Branch of the APF, participated in the work of the network. During a round table discussion, he reported on the COVID 19 pandemic’s impact on Canada’s health care systems and presented the most recent developments regarding HIV/AIDS in Canada. The network also heard from several French-speaking experts on the fight against HIV/AIDS and malaria, the role of international governance in public health and the pandemic response, the deteriorating situation of the rights of sex workers in French-speaking African countries during the COVID-19 pandemic and the expansion of health care and vaccination efforts. Lastly, the network adopted a declaration to emphasize the importance of a universal and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. The network is calling on APF member parliamentarians to speak up in their legislative assemblies and interparliamentary associations and advocate for universal access to vaccines and products to prevent, detect and treat COVID-19. The network is also urging heads of state and governments to define COVID-19 vaccines as “universal public goods.” The attendees also discussed the planning of the next meeting.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly co-hosted a commemorative event with the French Delegation to the OSCE PA to mark the 30th anniversary of the Charter of Paris for a New Europe. Canadian participants included Senators Pierre Dalphond, Josée Forest-Niesing and Lucie Moncion, as well as Mr. Luc Berthold, M.P. and Ms. Andréanne Larouche, M.P.

On November 18, 2020 the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Office of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth (OSGEY) co-organized a virtual meeting on Young Women’s Political Participation and Leadership.

The main objectives of the event were to increase the interest in participation of young women in politics, to recognize and understand the challenges faced by young women who are engaging in political leadership, to allow participants to share experiences and build capacity, to identify strategic solutions, and to develop a call to action. Following the opening session, the meeting was divided into three working sessions: i. Building Capacity and Mobilizing Support, ii. Campaigning and Elections, and iii. Occupying Office and Creating Change from Within.

Senator Ataullahjan of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIPU), in her capacity as President of the Committee on Middle East Questions and Member of the IPU Bureau of Women Parliamentarians, was invited to share her insights and recommendations as a panellist for the third session, Occupying Office and Creating Change from Within. The Senator spoke of the need to create safe spaces for women, the importance of mentoring young women, and the role the press and political parties can play. She emphasized that the best thing women can do is to be champions for each other. During the Q&A Senator Ataullahjan also shared her experience in running for the presidency of the IPU.

On 18 November 2020, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) hosted a virtual session on “Reviewing United Nations peacebuilding,” the second in a series of briefings for its membership on United Nations (UN) processes. The event brought together over 60 participants and featured presentations by Ms. Jaqueline O’Neill, Canada’s Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security; Mr. Oscar Taranco, UN Assistant Secretary-General, Peacebuilding Support Office; and Ambassador Liberata Mulamula, representing the group of Independent Eminent Persons on peacebuilding. It was attended by Senator Marilou McPhedran, Senator Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia and Ms. Lindsay Mathyssen, MP from the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIPU). Among the topics discussed were the challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic to national and global efforts at sustaining peacebuilding and preventing conflict, continued commitments regarding solidarity and common approaches – particularly to avoid regression in collaborative achievements, and the various elements required for effective implementation frameworks. During the question and answer period, Senator McPhedran emphasized the importance of accountability and of ensuring that funding efforts are not distracting from those required to achieve and implement agreements.

On 17 November 2020, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) organized a webinar on “Universal health coverage [UHC] in times of COVID-19 ¬– Parliamentary best practices and challenges.” Members of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union UIPU) participated, two of whom, Rachel Blaney, MP and Sven Spengemann, MP were featured presenters together with Dr. Pechdau Tohmeena from Thailand’s House of Representatives and David Clarke from the World Health Organization. Senator Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia also attended.

In her remarks, Ms. Blaney highlighted the key role played by Tommy Douglas in introducing UHC to Canada over fifty years ago, noting that it has become one of Canada’s most valued institutions. While emphasizing that many Canadians have benefitted from UHC, she also observed that challenges continue to exist, in particular for seniors, women, and racialized communities. She stated that these challenges have been notably exacerbated in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. As well, she underscored the role that the Canadian parliament is playing in considering options to expand Canada’s health system to include a national pharmacare program and in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr. Spengemann acknowledged that, while Canada has a high global ranking regarding UHC, the system is not perfect. Among the challenges Canada faces as it strives to implement UHC more broadly is the country’s vast geography and the related difficulty of accessing remote communities. He highlighted the difficulties faced by Indigenous peoples as well as recommendations by national and international processes that call on their healthcare rights to be upheld. He also underscored the importance of national as well as global collaboration to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly where the development and distribution of vaccines are concerned. In this respect, he noted the contributions Canada has made to the global effort.

The webinar, which was attended by over 80 participants, was intended as an initial step in holding parliaments to account for the implementation of the IPU resolution, “Achieving universal health coverage by 2030: The role of parliaments in ensuring the right to health,” adopted at the 141st Assembly in October 2019.

Circular Economy – Sustainable approaches to build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic

The 17th Plenary Assembly of ParlAmericas provided an opportunity to share on the different measures that parliaments have taken or can take to implement sustainable and equitable production systems, considering the forthcoming economic packages for the reconstruction of our economies post COVID-19 pandemic, and to progressively meet the 2030 sustainable development agenda. The working sessions on November 16, 2020 (English and French) and November 20 (Spanish and Portuguese) facilitated an exchange of good parliamentary practices for the implementation of this agenda in the parliaments of the hemisphere. Each country delegation presented a statement related to the event theme at the plenary session of November 27, 2020. The plenary assembly concluded with the reading of the final declaration and the Board of Directors elections.