Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIPU)

On 20 January 2021, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) organized a webinar entitled, “Reforming the Security Council: When?”, the third in a series of briefings for parliamentarians on United Nations processes. The event brought together approximately 120 participants from over 40 countries, including eight members of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIPU) : Senator Rob Black, Senator Patti LaBoucane-Benson, Senator Marilou McPhedran, Senator Kate Pate, Senator Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia, Senator Raymonde Saint-Germain, Ms. Iqra Khalid, MP, and Mr. Sameer Zuberi, MP. The briefing began with summaries of three proposals for UN Security Council reform as presented by a representative of each proposing group: Italy on behalf of the Uniting for Consensus group (to which Canada belongs); India of the G4 group comprising as well Brazil, Japan and Germany; and the Ezulwini Consensus on behalf of the African group. The session highlighted points of convergence, such as general agreement that the membership of the Security Council should be increased in order to improve representation of underrepresented regions. Participants also heard diverging views about expanding the categories of membership (e.g., longer-term seats), increasing the number of permanent members, as well as extending veto authority and limiting its application.

The Honourable David McGuinty, P.C., M.P., President of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIPU) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Executive Committee Vice-President for the Twelve Plus geopolitical group, participated in a session of the International Executive Committee by videoconference on 18 January 2021. The meeting was the first one chaired by the new IPU President, Duarte Pacheco (Portugal), who was elected at the 206th Extraordinary Virtual Session of the IPU’s Governing Council in November 2020. Members discussed several items related to the IPU’s calendar of events, including the 142nd Assembly. They also considered the future direction of the IPU, specifically the modalities for developing the organization’s Strategy 2022–2026 and for achieving universal membership. The International Executive Committee expects to hold additional meetings to continue the discussion on these and other matters.

Members of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIPU) were invited to participate in the Third Expert Roundtable on the Common Principles for Support to Parliaments co-organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Parliament of Uganda. The roundtable took place virtually on December 9, 2020 and featured presentations by several experts and parliamentarians from around the world who engage in parliamentary monitoring and evaluation. Participants raised several aspects of parliamentary monitoring and evaluation, notably its relationship with accountability, public trust, and the importance of buy-in on the part of all stakeholders.

On December 3, 2020, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the European Parliament co-hosted a discussion on international trade policies that could help to mitigate the global economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event brought together approximately 50 participants, including parliamentarians and representatives from various international organizations. The webinar featured presentations by Mr. Duarte Pacheco, president of the IPU; Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, executive director of the International Trade Centre; Ms. Kathleen Van Brempt, member of the European Parliament; and Mr. Juan Antonio Coloma, member of the Senate of Chile.

Speakers emphasized that international trade should remain a key focus of economic development policies in a post-COVID-19 global economy. In addition, they highlighted various aspects of international trade and economic policies that could be considered by countries and parliamentarians to ensure a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient global economic recovery. Participants discussed the importance of reinvigorating multilateral trade negotiations and strengthening the dispute-settlement mechanism of the World Trade Organization, as well as the need to ensure free and fair trade in health goods and access to COVID-19 vaccines. In addition, they discussed the role that trade policies can play in reducing poverty, fighting climate change, promoting labor rights, and facilitating the participation of developing countries in the global economy.

On 25 November 2020, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) co-hosted with the Kofi Annan Foundation a virtual session on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The event brought together over 60 participants, including parliamentarians as well as representatives from various international organizations and civil society groups. The Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIPU) was represented by Senator Marilou McPhedran, Senator Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia, MP, Mr. Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, MP, Ms. Iqra Khalid, MP, Ms. Lindsay Mathyssen, MP, and Mr. Sven Spengemann, MP. The session featured presentations by Mr. Martin Chungong, Secretary General of the IPU; Ms. Anita Bhatia, UN Women; Ms. Hilary Gbedemah, Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women Committee; and Ms. Carmen Alanis, Former Chief Justice of Mexico. The session highlighted various aspects of the issue of violence against women, including its growing prevalence as a “shadow pandemic” in the context of the COVID-19 crisis, the importance of including women and men in approaches to address the problem, and the role parliamentarians play in enacting key legislation to address the many barriers that persist. Many participants and panelists also stressed the need for reliable data on violence against women specifically and gender equality generally in order to better inform more effective public policies.

On November 18, 2020 the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Office of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth (OSGEY) co-organized a virtual meeting on Young Women’s Political Participation and Leadership.

The main objectives of the event were to increase the interest in participation of young women in politics, to recognize and understand the challenges faced by young women who are engaging in political leadership, to allow participants to share experiences and build capacity, to identify strategic solutions, and to develop a call to action. Following the opening session, the meeting was divided into three working sessions: i. Building Capacity and Mobilizing Support, ii. Campaigning and Elections, and iii. Occupying Office and Creating Change from Within.

Senator Ataullahjan of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIPU), in her capacity as President of the Committee on Middle East Questions and Member of the IPU Bureau of Women Parliamentarians, was invited to share her insights and recommendations as a panellist for the third session, Occupying Office and Creating Change from Within. The Senator spoke of the need to create safe spaces for women, the importance of mentoring young women, and the role the press and political parties can play. She emphasized that the best thing women can do is to be champions for each other. During the Q&A Senator Ataullahjan also shared her experience in running for the presidency of the IPU.

On 18 November 2020, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) hosted a virtual session on “Reviewing United Nations peacebuilding,” the second in a series of briefings for its membership on United Nations (UN) processes. The event brought together over 60 participants and featured presentations by Ms. Jaqueline O’Neill, Canada’s Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security; Mr. Oscar Taranco, UN Assistant Secretary-General, Peacebuilding Support Office; and Ambassador Liberata Mulamula, representing the group of Independent Eminent Persons on peacebuilding. It was attended by Senator Marilou McPhedran, Senator Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia and Ms. Lindsay Mathyssen, MP from the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIPU). Among the topics discussed were the challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic to national and global efforts at sustaining peacebuilding and preventing conflict, continued commitments regarding solidarity and common approaches – particularly to avoid regression in collaborative achievements, and the various elements required for effective implementation frameworks. During the question and answer period, Senator McPhedran emphasized the importance of accountability and of ensuring that funding efforts are not distracting from those required to achieve and implement agreements.

On 17 November 2020, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) organized a webinar on “Universal health coverage [UHC] in times of COVID-19 ¬– Parliamentary best practices and challenges.” Members of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union UIPU) participated, two of whom, Rachel Blaney, MP and Sven Spengemann, MP were featured presenters together with Dr. Pechdau Tohmeena from Thailand’s House of Representatives and David Clarke from the World Health Organization. Senator Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia also attended.

In her remarks, Ms. Blaney highlighted the key role played by Tommy Douglas in introducing UHC to Canada over fifty years ago, noting that it has become one of Canada’s most valued institutions. While emphasizing that many Canadians have benefitted from UHC, she also observed that challenges continue to exist, in particular for seniors, women, and racialized communities. She stated that these challenges have been notably exacerbated in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. As well, she underscored the role that the Canadian parliament is playing in considering options to expand Canada’s health system to include a national pharmacare program and in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr. Spengemann acknowledged that, while Canada has a high global ranking regarding UHC, the system is not perfect. Among the challenges Canada faces as it strives to implement UHC more broadly is the country’s vast geography and the related difficulty of accessing remote communities. He highlighted the difficulties faced by Indigenous peoples as well as recommendations by national and international processes that call on their healthcare rights to be upheld. He also underscored the importance of national as well as global collaboration to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly where the development and distribution of vaccines are concerned. In this respect, he noted the contributions Canada has made to the global effort.

The webinar, which was attended by over 80 participants, was intended as an initial step in holding parliaments to account for the implementation of the IPU resolution, “Achieving universal health coverage by 2030: The role of parliaments in ensuring the right to health,” adopted at the 141st Assembly in October 2019.

On 10 November 2020, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) hosted a virtual session of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2020 Parliamentary Roundtable, Building trust in a time of COVID-19 response and post-COVID-19 recovery. Mr. Liu Zhenmin, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs and Mr. Martin Chungong, IPU Secretary General, provided opening remarks. Participants included parliamentarians from various IPU member parliaments, including the Parliament of Canada, as well as other stakeholders. They emphasized the opportunities presented by the Internet, as well as the challenges surrounding the spreading misinformation. In this context, the discussion highlighted the importance of inter-parliamentary dialogue and parliamentary leadership in sharing best practices, especially with regard to security and working with industry. Participants agreed that parliaments need to work proactively to rebuild the trust that has been eroded by misinformation. Many discussed the establishment of Internet access as a basic human right in their country, as well as the importance of bridging the digital divide between the technology “haves” and the “have-nots,” including improved digital literacy. The session also took note of the need to reform current Internet governance models and the role of global agreements on data, e-commerce among others in this respect, as well as the importance of increased participation by young parliamentarians in these matters.