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

The APF’s 35th Regional Assembly of the Americas brings together all the branches in the Americas region. The Assembly provides branches with the opportunity to meet and share ideas on themes specific to La Francophonie. This year, the theme was the 50th anniversary of Canada’s Official Languages Act.

The Assembly is the APF’s main decision-making body. It holds an annual plenary session. It sets the agenda based on the priorities announced at the Francophonie Summit and the activities of other Francophonie groups. The plenary assembly is attended by delegations from the member branches and associate branches. The Assembly also deliberates on all issues of common interest, adopts motions, votes on resolutions, and issues opinions and recommendations consistent with its objectives. It debates subjects raised by the institutions of the Francophonie and its authorities and serves in an advisory capacity by issuing advice and recommendations. It hears from and questions the Secretary General of the Francophonie and adopts and amends the APF’s by-laws. It elects the members of the Executive, and on a motion of that Executive, it also subsequently elects the president, first vice president, vice chairs and treasurer before the end of the session. On a motion of the Executive, the Assembly also makes decisions regarding the admission of branches, changes to their status or the revocation of their membership, as well as on the granting of permanent observer status. The Assembly also ratifies the APF’s financial statements.

The Cooperation and Development Committee examines issues pertaining to human development (health, population and poverty), sustainable development (environment, energy and agriculture) and economic development from the perspective of cooperation, democracy and solidarity.

The purpose of the Parliamentary Affairs Committee is to study parliamentary matters of common interest, the general direction of interparliamentary cooperation, legal issues in the francophone world, rights and freedoms, and democracy building.

The Political Committee examines political issues and the rule of law in francophone countries, relations with francophone institutions, the Assembly’s overall priorities and any legal issues related to the organization’s by-laws and enforcement provisions.

In 2002, the APF set up a Network of Women Parliamentarians to promote greater participation of women in political, economic, social and cultural life in their own countries and in the Francophonie as a whole. For more information, see report: https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/IIA/visit-report/10349411