Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (CANA)

MP Cheryl Gallant attended this meeting of the Political Committee. Two reports were studied in depth at the meeting: the general report entitled “The Rise of China: Implications for Global and Euro-Atlantic Security” and the special report entitled “COVID-19 and Transatlantic Security.”

At this meeting, MP Cheryl Gallant received an update about the situation in Ukraine. A Ukrainian parliamentarian gave an overview of the political and security context in his country. The information session was followed by a question and answer period. The Head of the NATO Representation to Ukraine then discussed the advantages for Ukraine under its new status as a NATO “Enhanced Opportunities Partner.” A presentation was also given on reforms in the defence and security sectors during another question and answer period. Lastly, the Director of the NATO Information and Documentation Centre (NIDC) in Ukraine gave participants an overview of misinformation about COVID-19 in Ukraine and public perception of NATO.

At this meeting, MP Cheryl Gallant joined other members of the Committee in attendance to consider two draft reports. The first was a special report entitled “COVID-19, International Security, and the Importance of NATO’s Science and Technology Network,” and the second was a report of the Sub-Committee on Technology Trends and Security entitled “Urban Warfare.”

MP Cheryl Gallant attended this meeting, where two draft reports were discussed: one being a general initiative entitled China’s Belt and Road Initiative: A Strategic and Economic Assessment and the other a special initiative entitled The Economic Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Senator Cordy attended this meeting, where members talked about studying a draft report for advancing the “Women, Peace and Security” agenda. The committee also studied another draft report entitled The Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis on the Civil Dimension of Security.

Senators Jane Cordy and Mohamed Iqbal Ravalia and MPs Cheryl Gallant, Darren Fisher and Jack Harris attended the third webinar organized by the NATO PA since the start of the pandemic. This event was held just days after the OECD released its economic data. At the meeting, Alvaro Santos Pereira, Director of the Country Studies Branch of the OECD’s Economics Department, went over some of these important data and provided members with an assessment of the global economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as forecasts for the coming year. His presentation was followed by a question and answer period, which allowed delegates to participate in the conversation and receive additional information about some of these issues.

Members of Parliament Karen McCrimmon, Darren Fisher, Cheryl Gallant and John McKay participated in this event. This was the second webinar held as part of the NATO PA’s response and adaptation to the COVID 19 crisis. Lieutenant General Fernando López del Pozo, Commander of the Operations Command for Spain and officer in charge of Operation Balmis (the Spanish armed forces’ mission to manage the coronavirus crisis), addressed nearly 90 Assembly members and parliamentary staff. The virtual meeting gave rise to dynamic discussions. The participants learned more about the pandemic response in Spain and, more generally, around the world. They also drew lessons that may be useful in Canada.

Karen McCrimmon, MP and President of the Canadian Section, participated in this virtual meeting, during which the Assembly’s response to the COVID 19 pandemic and its impact on the NATO PA’s activities for 2020 were discussed. A review of the Constitution also made it possible to address the Bureau’s appointment and approval of the President and Vice Presidents. Furthermore, during the meeting, a financial update was provided to enable planning for future virtual sessions during the health crisis.

MPs Karen McCrimmon and John McKay, along with Senator Pierre Dalphond, participated in this webinar at the beginning of the pandemic. This initiative was in response to the new reality of being unable to meet in person or travel to hold committee meetings and other activities normally scheduled throughout the year. The main objective of this webinar was to pool the main lessons learned at the beginning of the pandemic by NATO members in order to share best practices and innovative ideas. In addition, the NATO PA wanted to learn more about the pandemic’s impact on member countries’ defence budgets and the effects that would have on their defence and security activities in the months ahead.