Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (RUUK)

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

On 29 May 2023, the Executive Committee of the Canada–United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (RUUK) hosted a meeting with the Speaker of the United Kingdom House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, M.P.; Deputy Speaker of the United Kingdom House of Commons, Nigel Evans, M.P.; and British High Commissioner to Canada, Her Excellency Susannah Goshko. James Maloney, M.P., Chair of RUUK, provided opening remarks, to which Speaker Hoyle responded. What followed was a lively discussion about the two countries’ shared commitment to Ukraine’s defence, the use of trade to advance common international objectives, and strategies to protect parliamentarians and their staff.

From 15 to 17 May 2023, the Canada–United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (RUUK) hosted a delegation of four United Kingdom parliamentarians who were in Ottawa as part of a week-long mission to Canada. Led by Lord Purvis of Tweed, the cross-party delegation also included Mr. Andrew Percy, MP, Mr. Stephen Doughty, MP, and Ms. Anum Qaisar, MP. In support of the delegation’s objective to deepen trade ties between the two countries, RUUK organized a series of meetings and roundtable sessions with over 20 Canadian parliamentarians, experts, and civil society organizations. These included roundtables on trade; the economic empowerment of women and youth; shared foreign affairs priorities; and engagement with Indigenous peoples. The delegates also met with the Honourable Anthony Rota, the Speaker of the House of Commons, and Greg Peters, the Usher of the Black Rod. In addition, they attended Question Period and conducted a site visit to the Centre Block of Parliament, currently undergoing renovations as part of the Long-Term Vision and Plan for the Parliamentary Precinct. The delegation then continued to Toronto for the second leg of the visit.

On 17 April 2023, James Maloney, M. P., Chair of the Canada–United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (RUUK), hosted a luncheon in honour of Alison Johnstone, the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, and two of her fellow members of the Scottish Parliament, Collette Stevenson and Finlay Carson. The Scottish delegation and members of the RUUK executive engaged in a dynamic discussion about a variety of topics of shared interest. Among other matters, they compared the two countries’ parliamentary procedures in view of ensuring their openness and modernity; discussed strategies to offset carbon emissions while recognizing the need for sound land management, agri-food and just transition policies; and shared their views on demographic and labour challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit.

On 7 February 2023, the Canada–United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (RUUK) hosted a breakfast reception in honour of Her Excellency Susannah Goshko, British High Commissioner to Canada. Association members were delighted to welcome to the event His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for North America and United Kingdom Consul General in New York, Emma Wade-Smith. The Chair of the Association, James Maloney, M.P., opened the reception with welcome remarks, followed by speeches from Ms. Goshko and Ms. Wade-Smith. Their remarks reiterated the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening the Canada–United Kingdom bilateral relationship and highlighted the deep co-operation between the two countries on matters such as trade, energy, security, and research.

On 19 November 2022, Her Excellency Susannah Goshko, British High Commissioner to Canada, hosted a luncheon at her residence for the Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (RUUK) Executive Committee. The event was the first opportunity RUUK members had to meet with the High Commissioner following their successful mission to London, England and Belfast, Northern Ireland in October 2022. Participants shared their experiences and perceptions of their meetings in the United Kingdom and, in a discussion led by Ms. Goshko and RUUK Chair, Mr. James Maloney, M.P., shared ideas for areas of continued collaboration in 2023.

On 16 June 2022, the Executive Committee of the Canada–United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association met with the Hon. Leona Roberts and the Hon. Gavin Short, Members of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly. The Chair of the Association, Mr. James Maloney, M.P., provided welcoming remarks before opening the floor to all Association members and delegates for discussion. Members of the Executive Committee were pleased to have the opportunity to learn about the Falkland Islands’ unique history and culture. The conversation covered a wide range of topics, including the Falkland Islands’ political system, Brexit, fisheries and the environment.

On 5 May 2022, the Executive Committee of the Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (RUUK) hosted a luncheon for Her Excellency Ms. Susannah Goshko, British High Commissioner to Canada. Members of the Executive Committee had previously met with Ms. Goshko at the British High Commission in December 2021 and were pleased to resume the fruitful dialogue they had commenced on that occasion. The Chair of the Association, Mr. James Maloney, M.P., opened the event with welcome remarks and, following a reply from Ms. Goshko, the floor was opened to all participants. Topics addressed included Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, energy security and the importance of reaching a comprehensive Canada-U.K. Free Trade Agreement.

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To be eligible to vote at the AGM, the deadline for membership for this association is 7 days before the meeting.

Her Excellency Susannah Goshko, recently appointed British High Commissioner to Canada, invited the Canada–United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (RUUK) Executive Committee to attend an informal reception at her residence on 2 December 2021. Ms. Goshko opened the event by underscoring the important relationship between Canada and the United Kingdom (U.K.) and by sharing her priorities for her term as High Commissioner. In his reply, RUUK chair, the Honourable John McKay, P.C., MP, welcomed the High Commissioner to her new role and highlighted areas of mutual interest for Canada and the U.K. A wide-ranging discussion in which all delegates participated followed.

On 28 June 2021, the Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (RUUK) and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK (CPA UK) held their third bilateral meeting of 2021. As well as allowing participants to continue exploring topics of mutual interest, this meeting provided members with the opportunity to enter into conversation with two guest speakers, the Honourable Ralph Goodale (High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Permanent Representative of Canada to the International Maritime Organization) and Her Excellency Susan le Jeune d’Allegeershecque (then British High Commissioner to Canada). The theme of the meeting was trade and three subtopics featured on the agenda: the nature of a future Canada-U.K. Trade Agreement; cybersecurity and trade agreements; and internal trade with Northern Ireland. Following opening remarks from RUUK chair, the Honourable John McKay, P.C. (MP, CAN), and CPA UK chair, Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP, the guest speakers took the floor. In their presentations, the High Commissioners covered topics including trade, foreign policy, cybersecurity and climate change, among others. To further enrich the dialogue, participants then heard from parliamentarians from both countries on each of the three agenda items. Lord Purvis of Tweed (U.K.) and Ms. Marie-France Lalonde (MP, CAN) addressed a future Canada-U.K. Trade Agreement, while Mr. McKay (in collaboration with High Commissioner Goodale) and Mr. Darren Jones (MP, U.K.) led the discussion on trade and cybersecurity. This section of the meeting concluded with an update on Northern Ireland from Ms. Theresa Villiers (MP, U.K.) and Lord Jay of Ewelme (U.K.), followed by a response from Senator Tony Dean (CAN). The frank commentary provided on these three important subjects stimulated extensive discussion among the participants and their guests.

On 18 May 2021, Members of the Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (RUUK) met with members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK (CPA UK) for the second in a series of bilateral meetings on topics of mutual interest. The overarching theme of this meeting was defence and security. The meeting was co-chaired by RUUK chair, the Honourable John McKay, P.C., M.P. and CPA UK chair, Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP. The meeting began with an overview of the U.K. government’s recently released policy paper, Global Britain in a Competitive Age: the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy, followed by a discussion of Canadian priorities in these fields. Among other topics, delegates discussed defence spending, multilateral partnerships and opportunities for collaboration between Canada and the U.K. Particular attention was paid to Arctic issues, with discussion ranging from Arctic shipping routes to the Arctic Council to Canada’s Arctic sovereignty. The remainder of the meeting focused on cybersecurity. Delegates discussed the growing sophistication of cyber threats, vulnerabilities in critical national infrastructure and the emerging role of quantum technologies. Of note, delegates emphasized that Canadian and U.K. researchers were increasingly working collaboratively in a variety of fields, including quantum technologies.

On 16 March 2021, members of the Executive Committee of the Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (RUUK) participated in a bilateral meeting with members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK (CPA UK). The meeting provided a forum for participants to share their thoughts on a wide range of issues of mutual interest with a view to identifying key topics for further exploration at future meetings. The meeting was co-chaired by RUUK chair, the Honourable John McKay, P.C., M.P. and CPA UK chair, Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP. The co-chairs welcomed delegates with opening remarks focusing on the historic bonds and enduring friendship between the countries before formally opening the meeting. Three broad themes were listed on the meeting agenda: the impact of the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, trade, and the UK’s renewed approach to foreign policy. Discussion was frank and informative, and both delegations agreed that the future held many opportunities for deepening the relationship between the two countries. A second meeting has been scheduled for 18 May 2021.

On January 21, 2021, the Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (RUUK) met virtually with Her Excellency Susan Jane Le Jeune D’Allegeershecque, High Commissioner of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Canada. The High Commissioner and RUUK members spoke about a wide-range of issues of national and international importance to both countries. Among other issues, association members raised questions about the Canada-U.K. free trade agreement, the U.K.’s Presidency of the G7 group of nations, and the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26), scheduled to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, in November 2021. Association members also highlighted areas such as vaccine collaboration and scientific research where further cooperation between Canada and the U.K. could be explored.

On October 26, 2020, Hon. John McKay, M.P., Chair; the Hon. Leo Housakos, Senator; Mr. Greg Fergus, M.P.; Mr. Matt Jeneroux, M.P.; Ms. Marie-France Lalonde, M.P.; Mr. James Maloney, M.P.; Ms. Christine Normandin, M.P.; and Mr. Francesco Sorbara, M.P. met virtually with Mrs. Janice Charrette, High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. High Commissioner Charrette provided RUUK members with a detailed overview of current issues of importance to the United Kingdom (U.K.) including Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic and the relationships between Westminster and the devolved administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Attention was then turned to Canada-U.K. trade and areas of Canada-U.K. cooperation, including international assistance and scientific research. The session concluded with a question and answer period where members further explored these and other issues.

Room 420, Wellington Building

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To be eligible to vote at the AGM the deadline for membership for this association is 7 days before the meeting.

415, Wellington Building

12:30 p.m.

To be eligible to vote at the AGM the deadline for membership for this association is 7 days before the meeting.

#RUUK was in London and Brussels for a parliamentary mission to discuss the implications of Brexit

Parliamentary Mission to London and Brussels

Canadian parliamentarians met with their parliamentary counterparts, trade and migration experts, NATO officials, ambassadors and Brexit negotiators, to discuss political dynamics in the UK and in the EU, to learn about the Brexit process and its potential impacts, and to strengthen and modernize bilateral ties between Canada and the UK.