Appendix B

38GA/2017/REP/DIA/CANADA

REPORT ON THE DIALOGUE WITH CANADA

1. Hon. Ferdinand L. Hernandez served as the Moderator of the Dialogue with Canada.

2. Hon. Tobias C. Enverga, Jr. from Canada attended the Dialogue held on 17 September 2017 at the Makati Room, Level 1, Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Manila, Philippines.

3. Parliamentarians from AIPA Member Countries attended the Dialogue:

Brunei Darussalam

1. Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Ramli bin Haji Lahit

Cambodia

1. Hon. Mr. Son Chhay

2. Mr. Chea Penguhor

Indonesia

1. Hon. Mr. Sartono

2. Hon. Mr. Lucky Hakim

Lao PDR

1. Hon. Siriphone Souphanthong

2. Hon. Souksavanh Vilayvong

Malaysia

1. Hon. Dr. Hongkham Souvannavong

Myanmar

1. Hon. Mr. Aung Kyi Nyunt

2. Hon. Mr. Myint Kyi

Singapore

1. Hon. Mr. Ang Hin Kee

2. Hon Mr. Patrick tay

Thailand

1. Hon. Mr. Thani Onlahiad

2. Hon. Ms. Orajit Singkalavanich

Vietnam

1. Hon. Ms. Nguyen Thanh Hai

Philippines

1. Hon. Deputy Speaker Ferdinand L. Hernandez (Chairperson)

2. Hon. Sol Aragones

3. Hon. Christopher “Toff” Vera Perez De Venecia

4. Hon. Lucy T. Gomez

5. Hon. Jesulito A. Manalo

6. Hon. Ron P. Salo

4.  The Dialogue partners committed to cooperate in the areas of disaster management, in combatting transnational crimes, and in other areas of concern.

Canada noted its excellent bilateral relations with ASEAN Member Countries. It also expressed Canada’s intentions to continue its engagement with ASEAN and to become a member of the East Asia Summit. Canada highlighted that it is home to numerous citizens of Asian descent who pursue education in the best universities and seek permanent residency there. It averred that this underscores Canada’s policy on inclusive governance and its respect of the rights of minority groups.

AIPA Member Countries cited the good bilateral and regional relationship with Canada, in particular the increasing trade between individual ASEAN Member Countries and Canada. They also recognized the need to accelerate the level of investments between Canada and individual ASEAN Member Countries and the region as a whole.

Canada noted that there is no perfect solution to address the problem of illegal drug proliferation. Rather, policies addressing this issue should be based on the individual context of particular countries and what is best for the people. Both Canada and AIPA Member Parliaments also recognized the need to further enhance capacity building in various areas of cooperation specifically in mining, disaster preparedness and management, and coastal security management, among others.

The Philippines expressed gratitude to Canada which was among those who swiftly provided assistance to the Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. To date, the government of Canada has provided a total of $90.5 million in disaster relief to the Philippines. Moreover, $85.5 million was generously donated by Canada to eligible organizations through the Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund which was established by the government of Canada to allow its citizens to support humanitarian, recovery, and reconstruction efforts.

The AIPA Member Countries vowed to solidify their cooperation and partnership with Canada which has been the region’s dialogue partner since 1977. They agreed to build on the gains of their relationship over the years, especially in the areas of cultural, social, and economic development.

FERDINAND L. HERNANDEZ
Moderator