Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (CAEU)

The Honourable Scott Simms P.C., M.P., President, CAEU, participated 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), Mr. Javier Moreno Sánchez (Vice-Chair, Spain), Mr. Jan Olbrycht (Poland), Ms. Isabel Carvalhais (Portugal), Mr. Martin Schirdewan (Germany), Mr. Mislav Kolakušic (Croatia), and Mr. Javier Zarzalejos (Spain). The main topics of discussion were Canadian and European responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) – with a focus on its benefits for small and medium-sized enterprises – and fisheries in the context of the European Union’s ongoing negotiations with the United Kingdom over their future relationship. Discussions continued regarding the status of the annual interparliamentary meeting, which is scheduled to take place in Canada in November.

The Honourable Scott Simms P.C., M.P., President, CAEU, participated 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), Mr. Jan Olbrycht (Poland), and Mr. Ondrej Kovarík (Czechia). Mr. Adam Isaacs, the head of the European Parliament’s Transatlantic Relations and G8 Unit, Directorate-General for External Policies of the Union, also participated. The main topic of discussion was Canadian and European responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms. Yon-Courtin provided an update on the number of cases in Europe and explained that public health preparedness is a member state competency in the European Union (EU), which can complicate a coordinated response. She added that the EU’s four response priorities are limiting the spread of the virus, ensuring the provision of essential medical equipment, promoting research for treatments and vaccines, and supporting the economy. Mr. Simms explained how the Canadian government was responding to the crisis, as well as the Canadian Parliament’s approach to virtual meetings. A preliminary discussion also took place regarding the annual interparliamentary meeting, which is scheduled to take place in Canada in November.

Room 306, Valour Building

6:30 p.m.

To be eligible to vote at the AGM the deadline for membership for this association is 7 days before the meeting

The Parliament of Canada has observer status at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and regularly sends delegates to participate in debates. This forum is also an opportunity for the Canadian delegation to hold meetings with representatives from member and observer states of the Council of Europe to discuss bilateral and European Union-related issues.

A delegation went to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to participate in its debates. The delegation then proceeded to Italy for a bilateral mission held in conjunction with the Canada-Italy Interparliamentary Group. The objectives of this mission were to pursue meaningful discussions between Italian and Canadian parliamentarians, to promote a better understanding of the impacts and opportunities created by CETA (the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement). The following themes were discussed in the different meetings and discussions: trade and investment; bilateral relations; the Italian style of government; migration; and climate change.

The Standing Committee of the Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region met in Ottawa (SCPAR). Parliamentarians from six countries, and representatives from three Arctic groups, were present. Some of the themes discussed were: heavy fuel oil (HFO) in Arctic marine shipping; the extended continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean; an update from the Arctic Economic Council; the University of the Arctic; and the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme – AMAP.