NEWS RELEASE

Canadian parliamentarians travel to Cuba for a bilateral visit and to Costa Rica for a conference on increasing citizen participation

(OTTAWA) Members of the Canadian section of ParlAmericas, led by the Hon. Robert D. Nault, PC, M.P., Chair of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas, will visit Havana, Cuba from 12 to 15 March 2017, and San Jose, Costa Rica from 15 to 18 March 2017.

Accompanying Mr. Nault are the Honourable Donald Plett, Senator, the Honourable Pierrette Ringuette, Senator, Mr. Randy Boissonnault, M.P., Mr. Françoi‎s Choquette, M.P. and Mr. Randy Hoback, M.P.

In Havana, the delegation will meet with Cuban parliamentarians, key partners and stakeholders, to discuss deepening ties and strengthening the relationship. The visit to Cuba will also include site visits to important investment projects outside of Havana, including a clean energy power production facility, a world food program project, a neuroscience research facility, and a major free trade zone and port.

Canada and Cuba are long-standing hemispheric partners with a relationship built on respectful engagement.  This year marks the 72^nd anniversary of uninterrupted diplomatic relations.

“It’s always a pleasure to exchange ideas and best practices with fellow Parliamentarians in other countries to continue partnerships and establish key priorities in order to further our working relationship,” stated Nault. “Our mission in Cuba will help to provide us with a fulsome overview of the country’s economic climate, medical pursuits, humanitarian programs, and, of course, their Parliament.”

Following the visit to Cuba, the delegation will attend a ParlAmericas Open Parliament Network conference in San Jose, Costa Rica.  The focus of the conference is advancing the adoption of processes and practices by parliaments that increase citizen participation in parliamentary decision-making.

“We will be having similar discussions in Costa Rica, during the Open Network Conference, as we discuss citizens’ role in policy making,” concluded Nault. “Opportunities for intra-parliamentary discussions are abundant during these conferences and each conversation provides a unique, fresh perspective which helps to further improve our relationships in this part of the world.”

Founded 15 years ago in Ottawa, ParlAmericas International is the only inter-parliamentary secretariat headquartered in Ottawa.  Since the beginning, the Canadian section of ParlAmericas has worked closely with the ParlAmericas International and plays a key role in furthering dialogue by bringing together parliamentarians and hemispheric observers from across the Americas and the Caribbean.

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To arrange an interview with the Hon. Robert 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