Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CCOM)

From 14 June–28 June 2021, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) United Kingdom (U.K.) hosted a five-session workshop series on trade agreements, using the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as a case study. Each workshop followed a similar format with a portion of the time reserved for presentations and the remainder for a question-and-answer period. Presenters for the workshops included politicians, officials, and other experts from Commonwealth countries that are already part of the CPTPP.

The first workshop, entitled Multilateral Trade Agreements: Opportunities and Challenges, was held on 14 June 2021. The topic was presented by David Lawrence, Senior Political Adviser at the U.K. Trade Justice Movement, and Stephanie Honey, a trade expert and former New Zealand diplomat. The session generally focused on the history of multilateral trade agreements, their benefits and challenges. Mr. Lawrence explored whether the U.K. would benefit from the CPTPP economically, geopolitically and environmentally.

The workshop was attended by the following parliamentarians from the Canadian Branch of the CPA: The Honourable Robert Black, Senator, Mr. Randy Hoback, MP, and Mr. Daniel Blaikie, MP.

On June 3, 2021, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the International Parliamentary Network for Education cohosted a virtual round table discussion for members of parliament from across the Commonwealth. The objective of the event was to emphasize the importance of financing education both at home and abroad.

The round table was held as part of the lead up to the Global Education Summit: Financing GPE [Global Partnership for Education] 2021–2025, which will be cohosted by the governments of Kenya and the United Kingdom in July 2021. The Global Education Summit will seek to raise at least US $5 billion for the GPE.

The round table was attended by Canadian parliamentarians, including several members of the Canadian Branch of the CPA:

Yasmin Ratansi, M.P.

Honourable Brent Cotter, Senator

Ziad Aboultaif, M.P.

Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, M.P.

Robert Kitchen, M.P.

Mike Lake, M.P.

The roundtable discussion was initiated by the Honourable Julia Gillard, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Global Partnership for Education and former Prime Minister of Australia; the Right Honourable Gordon Brown, United Nations (UN) Special Envoy for Education and former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; the Honourable David Moinina Sengeh, Minister of Education of Sierra Leone; and Shradha Koirala, GPE Youth Leader from Nepal.

The speakers primarily focussed their remarks on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to education across the globe, the importance of education in meeting the UN development goals and the role parliamentarians have in supporting governments and growing both development assistance and national spending on education.

From 3 to 7 May 2021 the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) hosted a virtual post-election seminar for newly elected and returning members of parliament to the National Assembly of Belize. Post-election seminars are the CPA’s oldest running program. They provide parliamentarians with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of their roles and responsibilities, including those relating to parliamentary practices, procedures, legislation, scrutiny, oversight and representation. They also help parliamentarians gain a better appreciation of the CPA and how to leverage its vast network and resources. Two members of the Canadian Branch of the CPA were invited to give remarks during the four-day seminar.

The Honourable Stan Kutcher, Senator, gave a presentation on parliamentary privileges and immunities. Senator Kutcher focussed on the boundaries of the concept – emphasizing that parliamentary privilege is a shield to protect, not a sword to attack. He also underscored that, within the Canadian context, parliamentary privilege is a multilayered concept that is not codified. He added that the courts have the jurisdiction to determine the existence and scope of a claim of privilege.

The Honourable Marilou McPhedran, Senator, participated in discussions during the session on the legislative process. Her remarks focussed on the Senate of Canada’s role within the Parliament of Canada’s legislative process and touched on various themes including oversight, Senate Public Bills and committee work.

The Executive Committee of the Canadian Branch of the CPA meets at least twice per year, among others to direct and manage the affairs and budget of the association. The committee is made up of a number of senators and MPs reflecting the proportionate share of the operating budget of the Branch as contributed by the Senate and the House of Commons, respectively. Committee members are elected at the CPA’s General Assembly. The Hon. Emilia Monjowa Lifaka, Chairperson of the CPA International Executive Committee, and Stephen Twigg, CPA Secretary General, attended this virtual meeting.

The CPA’s international executive committee (EXCO) meets twice a year, in the spring and just before the annual meeting. This year, the spring meeting will be held virtually. The CPA’s constitution authorizes it to control and manage the activities and business of the association. The international executive committee has about 35 members and is led by the chairperson of the CPA. The committee is made up of the officers of the CPA and three representatives from each region (except Africa, which has six representatives given its size).

The Canadian Branch was represented by Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, M.P., Chair of the Canadian Branch. The international executive committee also agreed to postpone the next Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, which will be held in Canada, until August 2022.

In November 2021, the United Kingdom (UK) will be hosting the 26th United Nations Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP26). As such, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK, in partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), hosted the first virtual Commonwealth Parliamentary Forum on Climate Change from March 22–24, 2021. The Forum engaged parliamentarians across the Commonwealth in discussions relating to climate change, such as holding governments to account, setting ambitious climate commitments and complying with international agreements. Delegates were also given the opportunity to network with peers and exchange ideas with experts. A working group was elected during the Forum to take forward the action points discussed by delegates.

The Canadian Region of the CWP is administered by a steering committee that represents the views and concerns of women parliamentarians throughout Canada and develops programs to support the objectives of the CWP in the region. This committee is composed of one representative from each province and territory and one from the federal Parliament. A chair oversees its activities and represents Canada on the CWP international steering committee. Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, M.P., Chair of the Canadian Branch, sits on the CWP steering committee of the Canadian Region.

Leading up to the 65th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, which is due to be held from 21–27 August 2021 in Halifax, Canada, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Headquarters Secretariat hosted virtual workshops.

This workshop centred on the importance of drafting disability-sensitive legislation and improving the accessibility of legislative institutions. Mr. Mike Lake, MP, discussed the importance of creating supportive environments for people with disabilities. He provided personal examples of his autistic son thriving in contexts where a supportive environment was fostered. This webinar was also attended by the Honourable Kim Pate, Senator and Mr. Robert Kitchen, MP.