Interparliamentary Activities and Reports

MP Leona Alleslev, a rapporteur for this committee, participated in a virtual visit to Germany, together with the Honorable Vernon White, Senator and MP Cheryl Gallant. The meeting was divided into two panels: the first addressed biological weapons and biosecurity, and the second addressed outer space. An informal discussion followed on the committee’s upcoming activities, scheduled to take place in France and Japan, which will be subject to the public safety measures in place at those times.

Mr. Scott Simms, M.P., President, CAEU; the Hon. David Wells, Senator; the Hon. Percy Downe, Senator; the Hon. Larry Bagnell, M.P.; the Hon. James Maloney, M.P.; Mr. Stéphane Bergeron, M.P. and Mr. Don Davies, M.P. , participated, despite connectively issues , in a videoconference call with the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Canada (D-CA). D-CA participants included Ms. Stéphanie Yon-Courtin, (Chair, France), Mr. Javier Moreno Sánchez (Vice-Chair, Spain), Ms. Sandra Kalniete (Latvia) and Mr. Javier Zarzalejos (Spain). Professor Leah West from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, and Mr. Lutz Gueller, Head of Strategic Communications for the European External Action Service, were also present. The meeting began with an exchange of views on the cooperation between Canada and the European Union (EU) in addressing foreign interference and disinformation, and how social media can be regulated. Professor West outlined Canadian actions in these areas, while Mr. Gueller described European efforts. On behalf of the Special Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes in the European Union, including Disinformation, Mr. Zarzalejos (Vice-President) and Ms. Kalniete (Rapporteur) shared some of the early findings of the committee. Other topics of discussion included recent developments in Canada–EU political and economic relations, such as the export of COVID-19 vaccines, the COVAX initiative for global equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, and the need for transparent public procurement. Participants also discussed the recent work done by the Joint Committee of the Canada–European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement on March 25, 2021.

MP Karen McCrimmon, President of the Canadian NATO PA, together with MP Cheryl Gallant, Vice-President, participated in this meeting of the NATO PA Standing Committee. It was originally scheduled to take place in person in the Czech Republic, but it was held virtually due to public health restrictions. The Czech delegation hosted the virtual meeting. The discussion covered study topics for the months ahead, in preparation for the spring session to be hosted virtually by Sweden in May 2021. The NATO PA Secretary General presented a report on gender equality within the organization. Participants then considered the auditor’s report for the NATO PA and adopted a number of financial provisions. The meeting concluded with a discussion on subsequent meetings to prepare for the 67th annual session scheduled to be held in Lisbon, Portugal, in the fall of 2021.

The plenary session provided a space for parliamentarians of the Americas and the Caribbean to discuss legislative proposals and open parliament initiatives to address disinformation. Parliaments reported on the progress achieved to implement the commitments they presented at the previous Gathering of the Open Parliament Network. They also presented new commitments that they intend to implement over the next year. A final declaration was adopted and the elections for the Executive Committee took place.

For more information, see the report: Report of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas

The Honorable Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu, Senator, together with MPs Cheryl Gallant, Julie Dzerowicz, John McKay and Michel Boudrias participated in this meeting. It was Part 2 of the Forum; Part 1 took place on February 3, 2021. Discussion topics included concerns shared by NATO members involving major geopolitical issues, such as peace and security in Europe, North America and other regions of the world.

On March 24, 2021, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) hosted a virtual event titled “We Have Your Back” - Breaking the cycle from online harassment to threats to violence against women and girl leaders, as a side event to the United Nations’ 65th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. The Government of Canada was one of twelve event co-sponsors. During the discussion, panelists explained how social media platforms and digital spaces are being used to harass women and girl leaders, in some cases starting a cycle of behaviour that escalates to threats and acts of violence.

Presenters emphasized the gendered treatment of parliamentarians and other public figures online, noting that women face a higher degree of personal abuse and aggressive behaviour. As many presenters observed, beyond negatively impacting the lives of those who are targeted, online harassment undermines democracy and limits free speech by discouraging women and girls from being politically active.

The honourable Dr. Hedy Fry, PC, MP participated in a panel of parliamentarians sharing their experiences of, and opinions on, online harassment. In her remarks, Dr. Fry highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the growing trend of gender-based harassment and violence and spoke about the actions Canada is taking to address the issue domestically and internationally. The honourable Donna Dasko, Senator, attended the event on behalf of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIPU).

The CPA’s international executive committee (EXCO) meets twice a year, in the spring and just before the annual meeting. This year, the spring meeting will be held virtually. The CPA’s constitution authorizes it to control and manage the activities and business of the association. The international executive committee has about 35 members and is led by the chairperson of the CPA. The committee is made up of the officers of the CPA and three representatives from each region (except Africa, which has six representatives given its size).

The Canadian Branch was represented by Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, M.P., Chair of the Canadian Branch. The international executive committee also agreed to postpone the next Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, which will be held in Canada, until August 2022.

The Annual Parliamentary Meeting at the 65th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW65) took place virtually on March 23, 2021. Co-organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and UN Women, it brought together legislators from around the globe, along with representatives of relevant UN organizations and civil society groups, to discuss the theme, “What will it take to reach gender parity in political participation in a post-COVID-19 world?” The Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIPU) was represented by Senator Donna Dasko, Senator Rosa Galvez, Senator Marilou McPhedran, Ms. Iqra Khalid, MP, Ms. Heather McPherson, MP, and Ms. Julie Vignola, MP.

Ms. McPherson was a featured panellist. In her remarks, she noted that Canada has made progress in increasing women’s political participation, particularly in terms of nearly achieving a critical mass of women parliamentarians in the House of Commons (29.5%) and gender parity in the Senate (49.5%). She also highlighted the growing number of women assuming leadership roles in public life, noting the appointment of the first female Minister of Finance as well as the prominent role played by women Chief Public Health Officers in guiding Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She underscored the importance of improving the diversity of women’s representation by increasing the political opportunities and experiences offered to racialized, Indigenous and young women, as well as women with disabilities, especially at the level of political parties. She also emphasized the need for legislation and public policy measures related to financial support, access to child care, and the prevention of online harassment of women in politics to overcome barriers that otherwise discourage women from considering a political career. Ms. McPherson highlighted Canada’s role in supporting women globally through its Feminist International Assistance Policy, but also pointed out that Canadian contributions to development assistance has been in decline.

Senator McPhedran sought out best practices from the event’s participants regarding regulations or legislation in place or under development to address online harassment of women in politics, particularly in light of the impact of these experiences on their families and career choices. Ms. Vignola emphasized the role that education plays in building young girls’ and boys’ skills and self-belief to promote their confidence and interest in political careers.

Interventions from women parliamentarians from the African, Asia-Pacific, Arab, European and Latin American regions highlighted other aspects of the theme. Among other issues, participants reflected on how COVID-19 has undermined progress in women’s political participation and gender equality, as well as how it is driving change by exposing the importance of including women in decision-making positions and pandemic responses measures. Many participants also underscored the importance of data in tracking progress in women’s political participation and referenced the IPU’s annual report, Women in Parliament 2020: The year in review, as well as the map, Women in Politics: 2021, jointly produced by the IPU and UN Women, to document the rankings of countries around the world in this aspect.

The discussions at the Annual Parliamentary Meeting contribute to the deliberations of the CSW65 as well as the decisions of the 142nd Assembly of the IPU (May 2021), which will focus on overcoming the pandemic and ensuring post-COVID recovery. The IPU and UN Women will continue their deliberations in a series of co-organized Strategic Inter-parliamentary Dialogues scheduled to take place virtually on several dates in April on the theme, “Gender-responsive recovery post COVID-19.”

The meeting allowed parliamentary staff of the Americas and the Caribbean to exchange experiences and good practices related to parliamentary openness.

For more information, see the report: Report of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas