Canadian Section of ParlAmericas (CPAM)

Parliamentarians from 21 legislative assemblies of the Americas and the Caribbean met for the 16th Plenary Assembly of ParlAmericas in Asunción, Paraguay. The theme of this annual meeting was “Accelerating Progress on Agenda 2030: Good Practices for Parliamentary Action.” The parliamentarians had an opportunity to share their respective regional experiences and discuss the challenges and progress made in implementing Agenda 2030 and achieving its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

ParlAmericas supports parliamentary climate action through innovative programs, dialogues, and partnerships designed for parliamentarians of the Americas and the Caribbean to promote the highest political commitments for advancing legislative work on climate change mitigation and adaptation in the hemisphere.

The ParlAmericas parliamentary Network for Gender Equality is examining the theme, “Achieving balance in the world of work” through a series of panel sessions and workshops on reducing barriers to women’s economic empowerment.

The Canadian Section of ParlAmericas was in Brazil for a three-day bilateral visit. It started in Brasilia where the delegation established parliamentary ties with the newly elected congress and promoted ParlAmericas as a forum for hemispheric dialogue. Then, it went to São Paulo where it explored trade and investment opportunities for Canada.

The 4th Annual Gathering of the ParlAmericas Open Parliament Network aimed at analyzing the key features of corruption in the region, explore strategies and mechanisms to strengthen parliamentary oversight of legislative frameworks, and focus on developing concrete actions that can be taken by parliaments to foster a more open State.

The Canadian Section of ParlAmericas visited Mexico City to develop ties with the newly elected Government and Congress.

The Canadian Section of ParlAmericas participated in the meeting on Transformational Leadership for Gender Equality in the Caribbean to learn more about the current initiatives in the region to advance women’s leadership and gender equality, and to develop strategies to mainstream this focus in national sustainable development efforts. Through a series of exchanges, the delegates forged strengthened partnerships, coordinated agendas, and contributed to these efforts at the regional level by providing input on a Draft CARICOM Regional Gender Equality Strategy.

The Canadian Section of ParlAmericas participated in the 10th Annual Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the International Criminal Court and the Rule of Law and 40th Annual Forum for Parliamentarians for Global Action in Kiev, Ukraine. This meeting offered an occasion to discuss challenges faced by parliamentarians in attaining a universal system of justice at a domestic, regional and international levels centred on the Rome Statute, while understanding the independent mandate fulfilled by the International Criminal Court’s judicial organs.

A delegation representing the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas met with Panamanian parliamentarians and local stakeholders to enhance their knowledge about trade, climate change issues, security and other public policy issues. Additionally, delegates attended the 3rd Gathering of the Parliamentary Network on Climate Change. The role of national parliaments in international climate efforts, the challenges of transitioning to low-carbon economies and models for pricing carbon were discussed.