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REPORT
Four members of the Canada–Europe Parliamentary Association (CAEU) participated in the third part of the 2021 Ordinary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), which took place from 21–24 June 2021. This third part was held in a hybrid format. Some delegations were on site in Strasbourg, France, and others participated virtually. As a result of the Joint Interparliamentary Council’s moratorium on international travel, the Canadian delegation participated by videoconference. The Canadian delegation was composed of Scott Simms, M.P., President, CAEU; the Honourable Lucie Moncion, Senator; Stéphane Bergeron, M.P.; and Luc Berthold, M.P. The delegation was supported by the association secretary, Matthieu Boulianne, and its analysts, Madalina Chesoi and Billy Joe Siekierski.
PARTICIPATION IN THE THIRD PART OF THE 2021 ORDINARY SESSION OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE
Consistent with Canada’s official observer status with the PACE, the delegation participated in the third part of the ordinary session on 21–24 June 2021.
A. Overview of the agenda of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
During the third part, the Assembly, its committees and political groups held debates on various topics. The Assembly debated the following:
| • | observation of the parliamentary elections in Bulgaria (4 April 2021); |
| • | observation of the parliamentary elections in Albania (25 April 2021); |
| • | should politicians be prosecuted for statements made in the exercise of their mandate; |
| • | media freedom, public trust and the people’s right to know; |
| • | COVID passes or certificates: protection of fundamental rights and legal implications; |
| • | overcoming the socio-economic crisis sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic; |
| • | impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s rights; |
| • | current affairs debate – the situation in Belarus: a threat to the whole of Europe; |
| • | Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention): 10 years on; |
| • | enhancing participation of women from under-represented groups in political and public decision-making; |
| • | the situation of Crimean Tatars; |
| • | for a European policy on diasporas; |
| • | current affairs debate – the need for an effective solidarity mechanism between European countries to relieve migratory pressure on front line countries; |
| • | combating Afrophobia, or anti-Black racism, in Europe; and |
| • | transparency and regulation of donations to political parties and electoral campaigns from foreign donors. |
The Assembly also heard from the following speakers:
| • | Péter Szijjártó, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe; |
| • | Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe; |
| • | António Vitorino, Director General, International Organization for Migration; |
| • | Notis Mitarachi, Minister of Migration and Asylum of Greece; and |
| • | E. Tendayi Achiume, United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. |
B. Canadian activities during the session
The members of the delegation actively participated in the plenary session proceedings of PACE.
1. Canadian interventions in Assembly debates
Senator Lucie Moncion and Members of Parliament Scott Simms, Stéphane Bergeron and Luc Berthold participated in the Assembly’s debates. They made two interventions during the debates and tabled three speeches addressing a range of topics. The links to the delegates’ speeches are on the PACE website.[1]
Monday, June 21, 2021M.P. Stéphane Bergeron and M.P. Luc Berthold were unable to speak during debate entitled “Should politicians be prosecuted for statements made in the exercise of their mandate?.” M.P. Stéphane Bergeron tabled his speech.
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Senator Lucie Moncion spoke during the debate entitled “COVID passes or certificates: protection of fundamental rights and legal implications.”
M.P. Scott Simms, M.P. Stéphane Bergeron and M.P. Luc Berthold were unable to speak during the debate entitled “Overcoming the socio-economic crisis sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic”. M.P. Bergeron and M.P. Berthold both tabled their speeches.
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
M.P. Stéphane Bergeron spoke during the debate entitled “The situation of Crimean Tatars.”
Respectfully submitted,
Hon. Percy E. Downe, Senator Vice-President Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association | Mr. James Maloney, M.P. Vice-President Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association |