REPORT

Five members of the Canada–Europe Parliamentary Association (CAEU) registered for the 2022 Extraordinary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), which took place on 14 and 15 March 2022. This Extraordinary Session was held in a hybrid format. 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 the Honourable David Wells, Senator; the Honourable Lucie Moncion, Senator; Francesco Sorbara, Member of Parliament (MP); Stéphane Bergeron, MP; and Salma Zahid, MP. The delegation was supported by the association secretary, Jessica Kulka, and its analysts, Madalina Chesoi and B. J. Siekierski.

Participation in the 2022 Extraordinary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

A. Overview of the Agenda of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

During the Extraordinary Session, the Assembly held a debate under urgent procedure on the “Consequences of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine.”

The Assembly also heard from the following speakers:

• Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine;

• Benedetto Della Vedova, Undersecretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of Italy; and

• Marija Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

B. Canadian Activities During the Session

Consistent with Canada’s official observer status with PACE, the delegation actively observed and participated in the Extraordinary Session on 14 and 15 March 2022.

1. Canadian Interventions in Assembly Debates

Senator David Wells and MP Stéphane Bergeron participated in the Assembly’s debate on the “Consequences of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine.” They each made one intervention. The links to the delegates’ speeches are on the PACE website.[1]

2. Canadian participation in THE WOMEN@pace meeting

On 15 March 2022, approximately 120 women represented in the Assembly met to set up an informal Women@PACE group. MP Salma Zahid attended the first meeting of Women@PACE. According to the press release, this group seeks to facilitate exchanges among the “women MPs of the Assembly [and it is] an opportunity to channel initiatives, launch debates, co-ordinate and discuss in an informal way.”[2]

Respectfully submitted,

Mr. Francesco Sorbara, M.P.

President

Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association