NEWS RELEASE

The Canadian Group congratulates the Inter-Parliamentary Union on 130 years of parliamentary diplomacy.

On June 30^th, the International Day of Parliamentarism, the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) would like to congratulate the IPU on the conclusion of its year-long celebration of its 130th anniversary. As the world’s oldest and largest inter-parliamentary assembly, the IPU has been an important venue for Canadian parliamentary diplomacy since the first Canadian parliamentarian attended an IPU Assembly in 1900.

To mark its 130^th anniversary, the IPU has initiated a series of events over the last year, culminating in an online event today to launch its anniversary book. The Canadian Group was proud to participate in this important document, providing a contribution that highlighted the many achievements of Canadian parliamentarians at the IPU over the decades.

Canadian Group President, the Honourable David McGuinty, P.C., M.P., participated in the online event today and spoke about the importance of parliamentary diplomacy and the IPU during the current pandemic, particularly the IPU’s support for global initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals. Following the event, Mr. McGuinty stated:

“The event today is a valuable opportunity to remind ourselves of the power of multilateralism, and the important contribution that the democratic voice of parliamentarians has made in advancing global causes. In the current crisis, we need more multilateralism, not less, and the IPU is well-positioned to act as a critical bridge in translating international initiatives into local action through its 179 member parliaments. I am proud to serve as President of the Canadian Group of the IPU, continuing the Parliament of Canada’s long history of effective action on the international stage.”

For more information on the history of Canadian participation at the IPU, please see IPU Celebrates 130 Years: Canada’s Engagement.

-30-

For more information, please contact:
Céline Ethier
Executive Secretary
Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
UIPU@parl.gc.ca
Tel: (613) 992-7412