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, completed a recent visit to Havana, Cuba, and San Jose, Costa Rica.

Accompanying Mr. Nault were 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 visited a World Food Program project supported by Canadian development funds.  The project has helped farmers double their crop yields.  The food produced by the farmers is provided to local primary schools, senior homes and farmers markets. 

The delegation also met with Cuban parliamentarians, including the Vice-President of the National Assembly, and visited a neuroscience research centre that frequently collaborates with health researchers in Canada.

Following the visit to Cuba, the delegation attended a ParlAmericas Open Parliament Network conference in San Jose, Costa Rica.  The delegates discussed the value of open government, engaging citizens and access to information, with counterparts from 25 countries in the American hemisphere.

“Our visit to Cuba and Costa Rica, once again, illustrates the value of face-to-face meetings with fellow parliamentarians throughout the hemisphere,” stated Nault. “There is no doubt that we learn from one another while strengthening our relationships and gaining a better understanding of our respective interests.”  

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