A delegation of the
Federal Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) visited
London, United Kingdom from March 8 – 13, 2014. Canadian Branch was represented
by the following delegation:
·Mr. Joe Preston,
MP, Chair of the Canadian Branch, leader of the delegation;
·The Honourable
Raynell Andreychuk, Senator.
The delegation was assisted by Elizabeth Kingston, Executive
Secretary of the Canadian Branch of the CPA.
The objectives of the visit to
London, United Kingdom are based on the Caribbean Initiative, a project
launched by the CPA Federal Branch and endorsed by all provinces and
territories across Canada. The project aims to provide a framework that allows
the legislatures of the Canadian Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary
Association to establish working relationships with legislatures in the
Commonwealth Caribbean, along the lines of those undertaken between the
Australian and the Pacific regions of CPA. The purpose of the project would be
to increase cooperation between parliaments, including the sharing of ideas and
best practices. In particular, the visit to London was purposely inspired to
inform the British Foreign Office of the project initiated by the CPA and to
seek the endorsement of not only the Foreign office but also of British
Parliamentarians of the participation of the Overseas Territories in the
twinning initiative. Those Overseas Territories of the Caribbean concerned are
the following: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands,
Montserrat and Turks and Caicos.
As a background, the Caribbean
British Overseas Territories remain under the jurisdiction and sovereignty of
the United Kingdom. Most of these countries operate on a modified version of
the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy, each with slightly different
levels of autonomy from the United Kingdom. Queen Elizabeth ll acts as the Head
of State in each territory and appoints a Governor to exercise her power. Each
of the overseas territories has its own legal system independent of the United
Kingdom and no official representation in the Westminster Parliament. They are
overseen by the Foreign Office, which directly provides assistance in the areas
of training, equipment and staff in order to build police capacity as well as
handling the daily processing of visa applications.
A: Meeting with the British -
Canadian All Party Parliamentary Group – Westminster Parliament:
The delegation initially met with the
executive members of the Canada – United Kingdom All Party Parliamentary Group
which included Andrew Rosindell, Chair of All Party Group as well as Sir
Richard Ottoway, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.
All agreed that much support could be
lent to the Caribbean Initiative as introduced by the Canadian Branch of the
CPA. Such projects as post-election seminars, sharing of technical and
administrative resources, legislative drafting assistance were discussed as
being timely and well accepted. Moreover, it was stated that Canada and the
United Kingdom should be doing more on a bilateral level and such a project
would lend itself nicely to an even greater spirit of cooperation.
Following the meeting, the delegation
had the opportunity to attend the service at Westminster Abbey to commemorate
Commonwealth Day. Following the service, the delegation then travelled to
Malborough House to attend a reception in the presence of Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth ll, again to honour Commonwealth Day.
B. Meeting with Kathryn Seabrook –
Joint Head – Caribbean and Bermuda Section, Overseas Territories Directorate –
Foreign Office:
The delegation had the opportunity to
seek the direct permission of the Foreign Office to engage the British Overseas
Territories of the Caribbean during the course of this meeting. The Chair, Mr.
Preston presented the proposal and received a most positive response in looking
to further engage with Canada on this issue. Ms. Seabrook mentioned in
particular that the Governors would be most appreciative of an increased linkage
with Canada, particularly noting support they require in the areas of policing,
judicial training, legislative drafting, public accounts as well as
post-secondary education. As a result, it was firmly agreed at the conclusion
of the meeting that in promoting the Caribbean initiative, the Canadian Branch
of the CPA would be most welcome to engage the Overseas Territories in the
twinning efforts.
C. Meeting with the British –
Overseas Territories All Party Group chaired by Andrew Rosindell, M.P.:
The delegation then met with the
British – Overseas Territories All Party Group and explained the purpose and
intent of the Caribbean Initiative. Again, there was enthusiasm expressed for
the initiative and endorsement for the project. Members of the Group were pleased
to hear that the Foreign office had also given acceptance to having the
Canadian Branch of the CPA approach the Overseas Territories, inviting them to
partake in the Twinning Initiative.
D. Meeting with Vijay
Krishnarayan, Director Commonwealth Foundation and Shantal Munro-Knight ,
Executive Director of the Caribbean Policy Development Centre:
The Commonwealth Foundation is one of
the Commonwealth’s three intergovernmental agencies alongside the Commonwealth
Secretariat and the Commonwealth of Learning. Its principal mandate is to
develop the capacity of civil society and to strive for more effective,
responsive and accountable governance with civil society participation, thereby
contributing to improved development outcomes.
The Foundation is working with its
Caribbean partner, the Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC) to
establish a Caribbean Consultative Working Group (CCWG).
Currently there is no structured
mechanism for civil society engagement with regional Caribbean policy makers.
As a result of this partnership in
working to strengthen governance structures within the Caribbean and to
increase dialogue among the partner nations, the Caribbean Twinning Initiative
was welcomed, realizing that it could play a constructive role in furthering the
aims and objectives of the project.
E: Meeting with the CPA
Secretariat:
The delegation had the opportunity to
meet with officials of the CPA Secretariat, namely Joe Omorodion, Director of
Finance and Meenakshi Dhar, Director of Programs. They welcomed the Twinning
Initiative Program, commenting on the success of a similar program in Australia
and expressed support in providing any assistance that might assist in
furthering the work already undertaken.
In closing, the
delegation would like to thank those from the Canadian High Commission in
London whose contribution led to a most successful outcome and in particular,
High Commissioner Gordon Campbell., and Scott Proudfoot, Minister Counsellor
Political & Public Affairs.The delegation would also like to thank representatives from DFATD and
the Library of Parliament who assisted in the preparation of the necessary
briefing materials.
Respectfully
submitted,
Mr. Joe
Preston, M.P.
Chair
Federal
Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association