Report

DELEGATION MEMBERS AND STAFF

From October 1 to 5, 2018, the Honourable Robert Nault, P.C., MP, President of ParlAmericas and Chair of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas, led an all-party delegation to Panama City, Panama, for bilateral meetings and to participate in the 3^rd Gathering of the ParlAmericas Parliamentary Network on Climate Change.

The other members of the delegation were the Honourable Steven Blaney, P.C., MP, Mr. François Choquette, MP, Mr. Randy Hoback, MP and Mr. Marc Serré, MP The delegation was accompanied by David-Andrés Novoa, the Canadian Section’s Executive Secretary, and Nadia Faucher, Advisor to the Canadian Section.

ACTIVITIES DURING THE BILATERAL VISIT

BRIEFING WITH OFFICIALS FROM THE EMBASSY OF CANADA IN PANAMA

Officials from the Embassy of Canada in Panama briefed the Canadian delegation about such topics as the policy priorities of the Government of Panama, the Government of Canada’s priorities in Panama, and regional security issues in Central America. The delegation also received a briefing about security precautions to take, and areas to avoid, in Panama.

Delegates were informed that Panama is a multicultural and urban country, and that one half of its 4 million inhabitants live in the metropolitan area of Panama City. Close to 20% of Panamanians are of Asian origin, and 11% are Indigenous. Panama’s economy, which is 75% service-based, has experienced steady growth in recent years. The country has reduced poverty by 5% over the last five years, but still has an unequal distribution of income. The Government of Panama’s 2014–2019 strategic plan focuses on social inclusion, economic development, infrastructure, and institutional strengthening and governance. As well, Panama is positioning itself as a regional hub and as a gateway to the Americas. Several United Nations (UN) regional agencies are headquartered in Panama City.

The Embassy’s priorities are trade, security, human rights, gender equality and good governance. The delegates heard that the Embassy’s trade sector focuses its “promotion” efforts on such sectors as education, agriculture and clean technology. Embassy staff are also fostering trade in the defence and security, as well as mining, sectors.

Regarding security issues, the Embassy hosts the Regional Emergency Management Office (REMO) for Latin America and the Caribbean. REMO offers training and advice to the staff in Canada’s embassies in the region on disaster preparedness, civil unrest and other emergencies. Both the Canada Border Services Agency and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have regional officers stationed in Panama. They are collaborating with authorities from Panama and other countries in the region on border issues, illegal migration, drug smuggling and money laundering.

During the briefing, Mr. Nault, Mr. Hoback and Mr. Serré posed questions about corporate social responsibility in Panama, and noted that Canada can share best practices in this regard.

MEETING WITH THE ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS EXECUTIVES FROM PANAMA

The Canadian delegation met with staff and board members of the Asociación Panameña de Ejecutivos de Empresas (Association of Business Executives from Panama – APEDE), including Ms. Fanny De La Rosa, the board’s Secretary General. APEDE presented its Vision País 2025 (country vision 2025), which resulted from consultations with the private sector about ways in which to promote sustainable growth and inclusion in Panama. Vision País 2025 includes regional components to reflect the diverse realities, needs and perspectives in Panama. APEDE is delivering workshops with various stakeholders to facilitate implementation of Vision País 2025, and has started a consultation process for developing a “country vision 2050.”

Other topics discussed during the meeting included APEDE’s support designed to improve its members’ environmental standards, and ways in which to foster consultations between parliamentarians and the private sector. The delegation encouraged APEDE to contact parliamentarians regularly, including those who are members of opposition parties.

Mr. Nault asked about laws and institutions that contribute to economic development in Panama. APEDE noted that Panama’s economy has grown more quickly than have its laws and institutions. Therefore, according to APEDE, the country’s legal frameworks and institutions should be strengthened.

MEETING WITH PANAMANIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS

The Canadian delegation met with the following representatives of the National Assembly of Panama: Mr. Leandro Avila, the National Assembly’s Vice-President; Mr. Elias Castillo, President of Parlatino; Mr. Javier Ortega; and Ms. Mariela Vega.

The delegation and the Panamanian parliamentarians discussed such topics as strengthening Canada–Panama relations, and improving consultations between parliamentarians and business people. As well, they exchanged views about ways in which to reduce inequalities in Panama, the development of migration policies, and the sharing of best practices in working with Indigenous groups to plan economic development in their territories. The Panamanian parliamentarians characterized Canada’s education and health care systems as inspiring models for them.

Mr. Hoback posed questions about the consequences for Panama of the humanitarian situation in Venezuela. The Panamanian parliamentarians noted an increased presence of illegal migrants and refugees in Panama, and reduced opportunities for Panamanian companies to trade with Venezuela.

MEETING WITH THE HUMAN RIGHTS OMBUDSMAN AND TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL

The Canadian delegation met with Ms. Lina Vega, President of the Fundación para el Desarrollo de la Libertad Ciudadana (Foundation for the development of citizen’s liberty), which is Panama’s chapter of Transparency International, and Dr. Alfredo Castillero, Panama’s Human Rights Ombudsman.

Topics discussed during the meeting included transparency and corruption, the professionalization of civil servants and Panama’s upcoming legislative elections.

TOUR OF THE C5 TELECOMMUNICATION CENTRE

Panama’s Vice-Minister of Security, Mr. Jonattan Del Rosario, accompanied the Canadian delegation during a tour of the Panamanian police telecommunication facilities – to be known as the C5 Telecommunication Centre – that are currently being built on the site of Panama’s police headquarters. The delegation was informed that the C5 Telecommunication Centre will centralize and coordinate communications and databases related to surveillance in Panama City, and should improve the ability of Panama’s security forces to respond to emergencies faster and to prevent security threats.

In addition to building the C5 Telecommunication Centre, the Panamanian police force is installing about 500 new surveillance cameras ahead of World Youth Day, which will be held in January 2019. The delegation visited the temporary communication facilities that will be used during World Youth Day because the C5 Telecommunication Centre will not yet be operational.

MEETING WITH THE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION – REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE AMERICAS

During a meeting with the Canadian delegation, Mr. Raul Salazar, Chief of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – Regional Office for the Americas, explained that the mandate of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) is to advocate for the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. UNISDR supports countries in developing their framework for disaster risk reduction. Mr. Salazar noted that UNISDR’s work with parliamentarians is important because one of the Sendai Framework’s goals is to strengthen governance and ensure that appropriate legislation is in place.

Mr. Salazar mentioned trends in disaster impacts. According to him, while natural disasters kill fewer people than has historically been the case, they cause an increasing amount of damage and loss. Delegates noted that, in Canada, insurance claims are rising because of large-scale flooding and forest fires.

As well, Mr. Salazar commented that the costs and impacts of disasters are most likely underestimated because small-scale disasters are usually not registered on the UNISDR’s online platform. According to him, the economic losses due to disasters are starting to impede economic development and might lead to negative growth in some countries.

Delegates were concerned that a number of countries in the Americas and the Caribbean are likely unable to afford to rebuild their infrastructure every time there is a large-scale natural disaster. They asked Mr. Salazar about options for supporting these countries. He mentioned building resilient infrastructure, insuring assets (such as hospitals and schools), and negotiating insurance premiums regionally in an effort to lower costs.

MEETING WITH THE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE ON DRUGS AND CRIME

Mr. José Vila del Castillo, Regional Representative of the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC), spoke to the Canadian delegation about UNODC’s current priorities in the Americas and the Caribbean, and about the results obtained in programs funded by the Government of Canada’s anti-crime capacity-building program (ACCBP).

UNODC supports countries in the Americas and the Caribbean by providing technical expertise and by sharing, best practices designed to combat drug trafficking, human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants, firearms trafficking, and corruption and money laundering. UNODC tracks main trends, and helps countries to develop local policies and to co-operate regionally in each of these areas. Some of the emerging challenges in the Americas and the Caribbean include violence and forced displacement caused by gang criminality, the presence of Islamic extremism in the Caribbean and the potential for associated terrorist threats, a socio-political crisis linked to migration, and an increase in the production of coca in South America, which is leading to a rise in drug trafficking.

Mr. Vila del Castillo informed the delegation about the results obtained in programs funded by the ACCBP. For instance, regarding the Cybercrime program, the national police in Guatemala investigated 150% more cybercrimes, and the country’s Office of the Attorney General prosecuted 120% more of these crimes, than would otherwise be the case. As well, through the Trafficking in Persons program, 500 civil servants from Central America and the Dominican Republic received training. Finally, in relation to the Anti-corruption program, such countries as Grenada and Barbados received legal assistance to amend or revise legislation designed to prevent corruption.

MEETING WITH THE VICE-PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF PANAMA

In her meeting with the Canadian delegation, the Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama – Ms. Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado – underscored the values shared by Canada and Panama, and the close relationship between the two countries. She also indicated that Panama is interested in increasing Canadian foreign investment in her country, improving air connectivity, and streamlining the visa processes for Panamanians wishing to travel to Canada.

Delegates noted that Canada and Panama could encourage trade between them, and explored the reasons for the low level of bilateral trade, despite the Canada–Panama Free Trade Agreement that came into force in April 2013. Ms. de Saint Malo de Alvarado mentioned investment opportunities available to Canadian companies in such sectors as logistics, infrastructure, energy and resource extraction. Delegates also commented that there are very few direct flights between Panama and Western Canada.

MEETING WITH THE PANAMA-CANADA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Canadian delegation met with members of the Panama-Canada Chamber of Commerce (PANCANADA), which represents Canadian companies that have investments in Panama, Canadian business executives, consultants and Panamanian companies interested in doing business in Canada. PANCANADA’s members participating in the meeting represented such sectors as mining, financial services, infrastructure, energy and consumer goods. These members informed the delegation about their activities to promote Canadian investment and tourism in Panama, such as an upcoming trade delegation from PANCANADA to Toronto, Ontario. As well, the delegation heard about both services offered by PANCANADA to Canadian companies interested in doing business in Panama and some of the challenges related to investing in Panama. All meeting participants expressed an interest in strengthening Canada–Panama trade relations.

MEETING WITH THE REGIONAL OFFICE FOR LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN OF THE UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM

Mr. Leo Heileman, Director and Regional Representative, Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), met with the Canadian delegation to discuss measures to mitigate the effects of – and adapt to – climate change.

Mr. Heileman explained that the role of UNEP is to support countries as they integrate climate change measures into their national policies and programs. He noted that an increasing number of countries are asking UNEP for its support, and that UNEP is using innovative measures to respond to requests for support from governments. For example, in Argentina, UNEP placed a staff member with the Ministry of the Environment to help develop projects on climate change. UNEP also opened a three­person office in Colombia to support that country in its efforts to address environmental issues.

As well, UNEP is offering technical support to countries with the goal of improved collection of environmental data to assist in tracking indicators related to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. According to Mr. Heileman, several countries lack the statistical capacity to collect those data, and encouraging countries to improve their ability to collect data will be helpful in measuring progress. UNEP is also working to improve its own capacity concerning data analytics.

The delegation mentioned the role of the Experimental Lakes Area facility in Kenora, Ontario in collecting environmental data on fresh water lakes. This research facility, which has been collecting data since 1965, is a good example of best practices in tracking longitudinal information on the environment.

TOUR OF THE HUMANITARIAN HUB

Accompanied by representatives from the Canadian Red Cross, the International Red Cross and the World Food Programme, the Canadian delegation toured the newly built warehouse facilities for Panama’s humanitarian hub. Financed and implemented by the Government of Panama, the humanitarian hub leverages Panama’s existing status as a hub for several UN organizations and international non-governmental organizations, including the World Food Programme and the International Red Cross, which already store their non-food items in the country to facilitate deployment in cases of a natural disaster or a humanitarian crisis in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In particular, the delegation learned about the new and upgraded warehouse facilities, as well as about the improved logistical and transport capacity of the new humanitarian hub. In particular, the hub has rapid access to the Panama-Pacific International Airport to enable fast deployment of emergency relief supplies to affected areas in Latin America and the Caribbean.

MEETING WITH THE PANAMA CANAL AUTHORITY AND TOUR OF THE MIRAFLORES LOCKS

The Canadian delegation met with Ms. Ilya de Marotta, Executive Vice-President for Engineering, Panama Canal Authority. Ms. de Marotta highlighted the 2016 extension of the Panama Canal, the revenue generated annually – and returned to the Government of Panama – by the Panama Canal Authority, and some of the current challenges faced by the Panama Canal Authority. Ms. De Marotta accompanied the delegation on a tour of the Miraflores locks, including the control room.

ACTIVITIES DURING THE 3^RD GATHERING OF THE PARLAMERICAS PARLIAMENTARY NETWORK ON CLIMATE CHANGE

INAUGURATION

During the inaugural session of the 3^rd Gathering of the ParlAmericas Parliamentary Network on Climate Change, three speakers made introductory remarks. Mr. Rolando González Patricio, who is a member of the National Assembly of Cuba and Secretary of Commissions of Parlatino, offered welcoming remarks on behalf of Mr. Elias Castillo, who is a member of the National Assembly of Panama and President of Parlatino. He noted the strong partnership between Parlatino and ParlAmericas, and provided comments about the impacts of climate change in Cuba. According to him, Cuba will lose a large portion of its land due to rising sea levels, and is also dealing with the salification of inland fresh water sources, which has consequences for irrigating agricultural land and for food production.

On behalf of ParlAmericas, Mr. Nault welcomed participants to Panama. He encouraged parliamentarians to promote concrete actions on climate change, and underscored that parliaments and governments must take firm and immediate actions on climate change. He noted that climate change has affected Canada in recent years, including through large-scale forest fires and flooding. He concluded his opening remarks by thanking Parlatino and ParlAmericas for their successful organization of the meeting.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Javier Ortega, who is a member of the National Assembly of Panama and President of the ParlAmericas Parliamentary Network on Climate Change, acknowledged that the number of participants attending a Gathering of ParlAmericas Parliamentary Network for Climate Change for the first time signals renewed parliamentary commitment to addressing climate change. According to Mr. Ortega, climate change is a reality and every effort to promote action contributes to the international climate change agenda. He noted that the role of parliamentarians is to establish national objectives for addressing climate change. Finally, he listed a number of partnerships between ParlAmericas and international bodies that are spearheading global initiatives on climate change, and commented that these partnerships reflect the role played by parliamentarians to promote climate change action at the national level.

SESSION 1 – INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE ACTION AND THE ROLE OF NATIONAL PARLIAMENTS

Two speakers made presentations during the 3^rd Gathering of the ParlAmericas Parliamentary Network on Climate Change’s first session, which was focused on the role of parliaments in promoting climate action. Mr. Carlos Ruiz-Garvia, Regional Coordinator, Regional Centre of Collaboration, Latin America and the Caribbean, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), provided information about the UNFCCC’s mission and the Convention of the Parties’ (COP’s) annual meetings. According to Mr. Ruiz-Garvia, if the world continues on the same course, the global temperature will have increased by 2.8 ^oC by the year 2100, which will significantly raise the costs of adaptation measures. Consequently, he urged parliamentarians to support strategies designed to limit the extent to which the global temperature will rise.

Mr. Ruiz-Garvia explained that the COP 24 meeting in Poland in December 2018 will be an important event in the international climate agenda. The year 2020 will also be significant because all countries will have submitted their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in the context of the Paris Agreement, with the NDCs reviewed every five years thereafter. NDCs are the main tool that will be used to determine if the international commitments will help to limit the rise in the global temperature. In addition, he stressed that countries must increase their actions related to climate change mitigation and adaptation. Mr. Ruiz-Garvia concluded his remarks by noting that several countries have legislative gaps concerning climate change; parliamentarians can focus on addressing such gaps.

Ms. Ana Belén Martin, who is a member of the National Assembly of Ecuador and Alternate Vice­President–South America of the ParlAmericas Parliamentary Network on Climate Change, spoke about national parliaments’ influence on their countries’ climate change “plan of action.” She encouraged parliamentarians to maintain pressure on their respective governments to implement immediate and concrete actions to address climate change. Ms. Belén Martin also mentioned Ecuador’s vulnerabilities, and the ways in which natural disasters and climate change disproportionately affect the poorest people, Indigenous groups, women and marginalized communities. She mentioned Ecuador’s legislation, which requires private-sector companies to seek training and information on the integration of climate change measures into their business model.

SESSION 2 – SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF LIMITING GLOBAL TEMPERATURE INCREASE TO 1.5 DEGREES

During the 3^rd Gathering of the ParlAmericas Parliamentary Network on Climate Change’s second session, which addressed the socio-economic challenges and opportunities related to limiting the rise in the global temperature to 1.5 ^oC, two presentations were made. Mr. Gian Carlo Delgado, who is an expert on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change–Cities (IPCC–Cities), presented the main points of the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report and provided a preview of the IPCC’s Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 ^oC, which was released several days later. He indicated that, in the Special Report, experts note that the world is already experiencing the consequences of a 1.0 ^oC increase in the global temperature. According to him, the report also highlights a number of climate change impacts that could be avoided by limiting the rise in the global temperature to 1.5 ^oC.

Mr. Delgado also mentioned that, in the case of the Americas and the Caribbean, the main challenge is urban development; 80% of the population lives in cities. In his view, governments are faced with challenges in planning city development in a way that does not raise greenhouse gas emissions. He encouraged south-south co-operation to develop relevant climate change strategies, and a better balance between adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Ms. Nidya Pesantez, Programme Specialist, UN Women Ecuador, commented on inequalities between men and women, and underscored that these inequalities lead women to be more vulnerable to climate change when compared to men. She explained that reducing gender inequalities can help to achieve the Paris Agreement’s goals and contribute to a more equal society. As well, she noted that parliamentarians should use a gender lens when updating their national legal framework on climate change.

SESSION 3 – LOSS AND DAMAGE IN THE AMERICAS AND CARIBBEAN: BEYOND ADAPTATION

Mr. François Choquette, MP moderated the 3^rd Gathering of the ParlAmericas Parliamentary Network on Climate Change’s third session, which was focused on economic and social loss and damages resulting from natural disasters and climate change. The session had one presenter: Mr. Raul Salazar, Chief of the UNISDR Secretariat for the Americas.

Mr. Salazar presented the four priorities of the Sendai Framework and highlighted trends in disaster impacts in the Americas. As well, he spoke about the importance of developing and implementing national disaster risk reduction plans, which should include risk scenarios and annual expected losses from natural disasters and climate change. He explained, for instance, that – by 2050 – climate change will lead the cost of wind damage in the Caribbean to be US$1.5 billion higher than would otherwise be the case. According to him, losses from natural disasters can lead to setbacks in levels of development in some countries. He provided the example of Guatemala, where Hurricane Agathe contributed to a 14% increase in the rate of extreme poverty.

Moreover, Mr. Salazar suggested that government actions regarding disaster risk reduction should focus on: increasing knowledge of disaster risk; strengthening the governance of disaster risk management; investing in disaster risk reduction; enhancing disaster preparedness; and making investments in “resilient infrastructure.” Because about 60% of planned urban territories remain to be built in the Americas and the Caribbean, he also mentioned the opportunity to build “resilient infrastructure” and undertake smart planning in urban settings.

Finally, Mr. Salazar urged countries to monitor and register losses from disasters with the UNISDR, including small-scale disasters and those in such sectors as agriculture and health, which often are underreported. He said that countries can register their losses on the UNISDR’s online platform, and suggested that improved monitoring and reporting of losses will allow governments to ensure that national budgets reflect annual expected losses. In his view, governments will also be in a better position to develop and implement disaster risk reduction strategies, encourage relevant sectors to pursue innovative risk financing approaches, and enhance insurance coverage, if needed.

INTERACTIVE SESSION – PARLIAMENTARIANS’ CONTRIBUTION TO THE CLIMATE CHANGE

During an interactive session, parliamentarians formed small groups and engaged in discussions with climate change experts about four themes: disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation; closing the gap between national and local climate actions; gender and climate change; and carbon pricing. In particular, parliamentarians asked questions and became better informed about available resources, while the experts learned more about the role and experiences of parliamentarians regarding the climate change agenda. At the end of the session, one parliamentarian from each group reported on the main topics discussed.

SESSION 4 – CARBON PRICING IN THE AMERICAS AND THE CARIBBEAN

During the 3^rd Gathering of the ParlAmericas Parliamentary Network on Climate Change’s fourth session, which addressed the topic of carbon pricing in the Americas and the Caribbean, two presentations were made. Ms. Jennifer Simons, Speaker of the National Assembly of Suriname, focused on the ways in which parliaments throughout the Americas and the Caribbean can be involved in framing national approaches to carbon pricing. She noted that, given the marked differences among countries in the region, a one-size-fits-all approach is neither expected nor suitable. In her view, parliaments are instrumental in assessing the carbon pricing mechanism that will be the most appropriate for their specific social, environmental and economic realities.

Noting a lack of expertise concerning carbon pricing and difficulties in negotiating with international corporations and stakeholders, Ms. Simons raised concerns about the manner in which small Caribbean countries could adhere to carbon pricing mechanisms. She also mentioned that carbon pricing is a low priority for some Caribbean countries, which have weak economies and limited potential to mitigate the effects of climate change; however, developing a regional approach and offering training are two solutions that are being pursued at this time. Ms. Simons also suggested that carbon trading and carbon sequestering mechanisms for small countries are complementary to carbon pricing, and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. She stressed that all mechanisms should be monitored closely to ensure that they are effective in helping countries to reduce their emissions.

Mr. Alexis Leroy, founder and chief executive officer of ALLCOTT Group, explained the functioning of emissions trading systems, and provided an overview of international carbon pricing initiatives and of the Paris Agreement. He used the example of the European Union’s Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) – a “cap-and-trade” market-based system – to illustrate some of the benefits of such a system. He noted that the EU ETS allows economy-wide targets to be set both to reduce greenhouse gas emissions without negative economic impacts, and to raise funds for domestic and international climate actions. For instance, for the 1990–2016 period, the EU’s emissions were reduced by 23%, while the EU’s collective economy grew by 53%. Between 2013 and 2015, the EU ETS raised close to 12 billion euros; these funds were allocated to domestic and international climate actions. Mr. Leroy also spoke about some of the priority areas for carbon pricing in the Americas and the Caribbean, and shared his perspectives about desired outcomes for the COP 24 meeting.

TALANOA DIALOGUE: A POLITICAL MESSAGE FOR THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES

During the final session of the 3^rd Gathering of the ParlAmericas Parliamentary Network on Climate Change, more than 30 parliamentarians recorded a short video and photo statement to provide their political perspective on the three questions raised as part of the Talanoa Dialogue: where are we, where we want to go, and how we get there. The recording will be part of ParlAmericas’ submission to the Talanoa Dialogue.

CLOSING

At the end of the sessions, the Declaration of the 3^rd Gathering of the ParlAmericas Parliamentary Network on Climate Change was read, and an amended version was adopted. Mr. Nault and Mr. Castillo then delivered concluding remarks.

Mr. Nault urged parliamentarians to be diligent, and to maintain climate action as a priority on their national agenda. As well, he encouraged them to use their parliamentary platforms and networks to promote ambitious goals regarding climate action.

Mr. Castillo underscored that participation at the 3^rd Gathering of the ParlAmericas Parliamentary Network on Climate Change provided an excellent opportunity for uniting efforts and avoiding duplication. He stressed that collaboration and the exchange of ideas regarding climate change action are valued by numerous parliamentarians from small countries in the Americas and the Caribbean.

Respectfully submitted,

Hon. Robert Nault, P.C., MP
Chair
Canadian Section of ParlAmericas