Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (CAPF)

Joël Godin, MP, chairs the Bureau of the Parliamentary Affairs Committee (PAC). The Bureau is mandated to set the agenda and decide on other administrative matters for the main committee. The members attending via videoconference discussed the progress of the work already underway and the new studies to come for the next meeting of the commission. Among other studies, the Canadian Branch proposed a new study on the organization of parliaments during the pandemic. The Bureau also discussed the management of other pandemic-related studies, including the use of using geolocation, obstacles to legislative work, and cooperative activities. Lastly, the members discussed a draft agreement with the Réseau francophone d'éthique et de déontologie parlementaires and adopted a schedule of work for its next meeting.

Meeting of the APF Crisis Committee (COVID-19) – May 17 The APF Crisis Committee, a new temporary body, met on May 17, with Francis Drouin, MP, Chair of the Canadian Branch and First Vice-President of the APF, in attendance. At this meeting, participants agreed to a crisis plan and discussed both the evolution of the pandemic in francophone countries and the measures in place to address the health, economic, social and political consequences. The committee also discussed how the APF’s various governing bodies could contribute to fighting the pandemic. Another topic the committee addressed was African debt relief, and MP Francis Drouin suggested having one of the existing APF’s committees consider this matter. The Crisis committee expressed the view that debt relief, or debt forgiveness, should help reduce inequalities and give nations the means to invest more in their health care systems. The committee also encouraged solidarity between nations. The meeting ended by highlighting the importance of resisting fear, hatred and turning inward during the pandemic.

Room 325 - 180 Wellington

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 Parliamentary Network on HIV/AIDS was created by the APF, in partnership with UNAIDS, in Yaoundé on July 7, 2000, as a place to debate and discuss ideas and strategies to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The network also raises awareness of these diseases and promotes actions and activities to combat them. It also provides information to and exerts pressure on parliaments on these issues.

This seminar is part of the APF’s efforts to help the National Assembly of the Republic of Congo build capacity and inform parliamentarians about sound practices for parliamentary oversight and explain how public policy is evaluated in various APF member country parliaments.

This conference gives parliamentarians a greater role in planning action to address the humanitarian crisis, insecurity and ongoing violence in the Sahel region and to promote the region’s social and economic development. It is an opportunity for direct dialogue between parliamentarians, witnesses to local realities and UN and international stakeholders. This event will also be a forum on co-operation between the APF and the G5 Sahel interparliamentary committee.

The Canadian Branch of the APF attended the FNCSF’s 29th annual convention in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Branch attended this convention to meet and share ideas with francophone stakeholders across the country and to emphasize the importance for francophones to make their voices heard and claim their rights, particularly as regards education in French.