NEWS RELEASE

Canada’s Parliament to host ParlAmericas Conference on Legislative Openness

OTTAWA – On 16 and 17 October 2017, the Parliament of Canada will host a ParlAmericas’ Open Parliament Network conference promoting legislative openness.

Parliamentarians from countries throughout the American hemisphere will join Canadian senators and members of Parliament to discuss increasing citizen participation in decision-making, making information held by public institutions open by default, and modernizing governmental accountability.

The two-day event will include a series of discussion panels and feature presentations made by Ms. Mary Dawson, Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Mr. Jean-Dénis Fréchette, Parliamentary Budget Officer and Ms. Karen E. Shepherd, Commissioner of Lobbying.  The Hon. Robert D. Nault, P.C., M.P., Chair of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas, will provide both opening and closing remarks for the gathering.

“During past ParlAmericas’ gatherings, we have had the opportunity to discuss the open and transparent nature of Canada’s government, so it is a privilege to host the Open Parliament Network conference in Ottawa and provide a first-hand glimpse into how our government works. It’s an honour to participate in the conference, and I look forward to each of the discussion panels and our continued dialogue with partner countries”, stated Nault.

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.

To learn more, follow us on our new Twitter account:

Twitter: @ParlDiplomacy
Hashtag: #CPAM

-30-

For more information or to arrange an interview with the Hon. Robert D. 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