Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (CANA)

Senators Jane Cordy and Mohamed Iqbal Ravalia and MPs Cheryl Gallant, Darren Fisher and Jack Harris attended the third webinar organized by the NATO PA since the start of the pandemic. This event was held just days after the OECD released its economic data. At the meeting, Alvaro Santos Pereira, Director of the Country Studies Branch of the OECD’s Economics Department, went over some of these important data and provided members with an assessment of the global economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as forecasts for the coming year. His presentation was followed by a question and answer period, which allowed delegates to participate in the conversation and receive additional information about some of these issues.

Members of Parliament Karen McCrimmon, Darren Fisher, Cheryl Gallant and John McKay participated in this event. This was the second webinar held as part of the NATO PA’s response and adaptation to the COVID 19 crisis. Lieutenant General Fernando López del Pozo, Commander of the Operations Command for Spain and officer in charge of Operation Balmis (the Spanish armed forces’ mission to manage the coronavirus crisis), addressed nearly 90 Assembly members and parliamentary staff. The virtual meeting gave rise to dynamic discussions. The participants learned more about the pandemic response in Spain and, more generally, around the world. They also drew lessons that may be useful in Canada.

Karen McCrimmon, MP and President of the Canadian Section, participated in this virtual meeting, during which the Assembly’s response to the COVID 19 pandemic and its impact on the NATO PA’s activities for 2020 were discussed. A review of the Constitution also made it possible to address the Bureau’s appointment and approval of the President and Vice Presidents. Furthermore, during the meeting, a financial update was provided to enable planning for future virtual sessions during the health crisis.

MPs Karen McCrimmon and John McKay, along with Senator Pierre Dalphond, participated in this webinar at the beginning of the pandemic. This initiative was in response to the new reality of being unable to meet in person or travel to hold committee meetings and other activities normally scheduled throughout the year. The main objective of this webinar was to pool the main lessons learned at the beginning of the pandemic by NATO members in order to share best practices and innovative ideas. In addition, the NATO PA wanted to learn more about the pandemic’s impact on member countries’ defence budgets and the effects that would have on their defence and security activities in the months ahead.

Room 200, Sir John A. Macdonald Building

6:30 p.m.

To be eligible to vote at the AGM the deadline for membership for this association is 30 days before the meeting. Room 200, Sir John A. Macdonald Building

6:30 p.m.

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

In 2001, growing concern about the apparent drift in transatlantic attitudes, perceptions and policies, prompted the Assembly's Standing Committee to instigate a "Parliamentary Transatlantic Forum" to help identify the precise nature of the divergence in transatlantic thinking and to explore ways in which these differences could be redressed. The programme includes discussions with senior US administration figures and academic experts.

During the Annual Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, parliamentarians from NATO member countries and partner nations meet to study draft reports and hear from government representatives, NATO officials, and experts on a wide range of issues concerning the Alliance.

The Ukraine-NATO Interparliamentary Council is composed of two members and two alternates nominated by each of the Assembly’s five Committees plus up to ten members of the Ukrainian Parliament. In general, the Council meets twice each year – once at NATO HQ in Brussels and once in Ukraine and considers matters of common interest to NATO and Ukraine. It provides a parliamentary counterpart to the NATO-Ukraine Commission. The UNIC elections take place in the Committees during Annual Sessions.