Mrs. Nina
Grewal, M.P. (Fleetwood—Port Kells) represented the Canadian (Federal) Branch
of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) at the Commonwealth
Parliamentary Association Parliamentary Committees Workshop, Port of Spain,
Trinidad & Tobago from November 9th to November 11th, 2009. Pursuant to
Standing Order 34(1), on behalf of the Canadian delegation, I have the honour
to present this report.
It was a
privilege to attend the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) – Parliamentary
Committees Workshop– in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago from November
9th to November 11th, 2009. The workshop focused on Commonwealth perspectives
on the Committee system such as: recognizing the need for a strong committee
system for proper executive oversight and scrutiny; effective committee
membership and leadership; and best practices relating to parliamentary
committee inquiries.
The
workshop, which was chaired by Hon. Danny Montano, President of the Senate and
Hon. Barendra Sinanan, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, was
attended by Senators, Members and staff of the Parliament of Trinidad &
Tobago as well as Members of the Tobago House of Assembly.
Mrs. Nina Grewal, M.P.
(Fleetwood—Port Kells), Hon. Clive Mullings, M.P. – Jamaica
and Mr. Robert Benoit, Deputy Principal Clerk, Committees Directorate, House of
Commons of Canada were the resource persons for the Workshop.
The
discussions and conclusions emerging from the Workshop were wide-ranging and
included such recurring themes as: the role and leadership of a committee
Chair; the best practices of a strong committee system in a small legislature;
and the essential elements to identify and plan effective committee inquiries.
The Workshop’s success was
due to superb arrangements by the Parliament of Trinidad & Tobago; active
engagement by Parliamentarians and staff, and the high quality of
presentations. Such opportunities for dialogue and exchange should be fostered
as building blocks to enhance the work of Parliamentarians across the
Commonwealth.
It was an
honour to represent the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary
Association, and our Parliament, at this Workshop. The experience was
enriching and I encourage my fellow parliamentarians to engage in future
opportunities like this one in order to share and learn about other
experiences.
Many thanks
to my Jamaican colleague, the Hon. Clive Mullings, M.P.; to the C.P.A. Trinidad
& Tobago Branch; to the CPA Canadian Branch; to the other members of the
resource team including Robert Benoit, Deputy Principal Clerk, Committees
Directorate of the House of Commons and Andre Barnes, Parliamentary Information
and Research Service, Library of Parliament, and to the people of Trinidad
& Tobago for their warm hospitality.
Respectfully submitted,
Mr. Russ
Hiebert, M.P., Chair
Canadian Branch
of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)
for Ms. Nina Grewal, M.P.