NEWS RELEASE

Hon. Bob Nault becomes new President of ParlAmericas at 15^th Plenary Assembly in Victoria, British Columbia

Elections for ParlAmericas’ board of directors and discussions focused on promoting inclusive societies for sustainable development

(VICTORIA) September 12, 2018 – A Canadian all-party parliamentary delegation representing the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas attended the 15th ParlAmericas’ Plenary Assembly in Victoria, British Columbia from September 10th to 12th, 2018. The Honourable Bob Nault, P.C., M.P., Chair of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas, became President of ParlAmericas at the meeting, having served as the institution’s Vice-President since 2016.

“It’s both an honour and a privilege to become ParlAmericas’ President,” stated Mr. Nault. “In my new role, I’ll do my very best for parliamentarians throughout the Americas and the Caribbean, and for ParlAmericas as an institution, as we continue our proud tradition of working together to pursue solutions to the issues that truly matter in the daily lives of people. I look forward to working with everyone, particularly the returning and newly elected members of ParlAmericas’ board of directors.”

“As parliamentarians, we play an integral role in protecting our democratic values, both now and into the future,” concluded Nault. “Democracy is key to maximizing our prosperity, to protecting our freedoms and to ensuring our collective security. While it is true that democracy contributes to progress in ParlAmericas’ current areas of activity, I’m really looking forward to exploring the ways in which it can help us ensure that our youth – our future – are engaged citizens who have opportunities to assume leadership, express their vision for their future, and contribute to sustainable development of societies throughout the western hemisphere.”

Mr. Nault delivered opening remarks at the meeting, which had the theme of “Promoting Inclusive Societies for Sustainable Development.” Sessions focused on accessible and equitable labour markets as an element of economic inclusion, advancing Indigenous women’s leadership to enhance political inclusion, and migration and integration in the context of social inclusion were held. In his closing remarks, Mr. Nault outlined some of his priorities for his time as President of ParlAmericas, with a focus on the institution’s three thematic networks: open parliaments; gender equality; and climate change.

The 15th Plenary Assembly was co-hosted by the Speaker of the Senate of Canada, the Honourable George J. Furey, Q.C., and the Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada, the Honourable Geoff Regan, P.C., M.P. In addition to Mr. Nault, the Canadian delegation included Senators Percy Downe, Rosa Galvez, Mobina Jaffer and Yuen Pau Woo, as well as the Honourable Wayne Easter, P.C., M.P., William Amos, M.P., Randy Boissonnault, M.P., Julie Dzerowicz, M.P., Robert Falcon-Ouelette, M.P., Stephanie Kusie, M.P., Sheila Malcolmson, M.P., Elizabeth May, M.P., Dan Ruimy, M.P. and Marc Serré, M.P.

Founded 17 years ago in Ottawa, ParlAmericas is the only inter-parliamentary institution with its International Secretariat headquartered in Canada.

The Canadian Section of ParlAmericas works closely with ParlAmericas’ International Secretariat to advance parliamentary diplomacy and political dialogue across the hemisphere

To learn more, follow us on our Twitter account:

Twitter: @ParlDiplomacy

Hashtag: #CPAM

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To arrange an interview with the Hon. Bob Nault, please contact:

Julian Morelli
(613) 222-6123
bob.nault.a1@parl.gc.ca

Melissa Dawe
(613) 996-1161
bob.nault.a2@parl.gc.ca