Adopted March 10, 1977 from the former
Constitution and Rules which were adopted February 27, 1969 / Amended
on February 13, 1973, March 26, 1974,
July 6, 1982, February 3, 1993, December 6, 1995,
December 4, 1996, April 30, 1998, and February 9, 2005.
PART A
STATUTES(1) OF THE
INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION
Adopted in
1976, entirely revised in October 1983, amended in October 1987, September
1988, March 1989, April 1990, September 1992, September 1993, April
1995, April 1996, September 1998, April 1999, October 2000 and
April 2001, entirely revised in April 2003, and amended in April and
October 2004.
1. Nature, Purpose and Composition
ARTICLE 1
1. The
Inter-Parliamentary Union is the international organization of the Parliaments
of sovereign States.
2. As the
focal point for world-wide parliamentary dialogue since 1889, the
Inter-Parliamentary Union shall work for peace and cooperation among peoples
and for the firm establishment of representative institutions. To that end, it
shall:
a) Foster
contacts, coordination and the exchange of experience among Parliaments and
parliamentarians of all countries;
b) Consider
questions of international interest and express its views on such issues with
the aim of bringing about action by Parliaments and their members;
c) Contribute
to the defence and promotion of human rights, which are universal in scope and
respect for which is an essential factor of parliamentary democracy and
development;
d) Contribute
to better knowledge of the working of representative institutions and to the
strengthening and development of their means of action.
3. The
Union, which shares the objectives of the United Nations, supports its efforts
and works in close cooperation with it. It also cooperates with the regional
inter-parliamentary organizations, as well as with international,
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations which are motivated by the
same ideals.
ARTICLE 2
The
Headquarters of the Inter-Parliamentary Union shall be at Geneva.
ARTICLE 3
1. Every
Parliament constituted in conformity with the laws of a sovereign State whose
population it represents and on whose territory it functions may request
affiliation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union. A National Group representing any
such Parliament and which is already affiliated at the time of the approval of
this Article 2 may choose to remain a Member of the Union.
2. In a
federal State, only the federal Parliament may request to be a Member of the
Inter-Parliamentary Union.
3. Every
Member of the Union shall adhere to the principles of the Union and comply with
its Statutes.
4. International
parliamentary assemblies established under international law by States which
are represented in the Union may, upon their request and after consultation
with the relevant Members of the Union, be admitted by the Governing Council as
Associate Members.
ARTICLE 4
1. The
decision to admit or readmit a Parliament shall be taken by the Governing
Council, to which requests for affiliation or reaffiliation are communicated by
the Secretary General. The Governing Council takes its decision on prior advice
given by the Executive Committee, which shall consider whether the conditions
mentioned in Article 3 are fulfilled, and report thereon.
2. When a
Member of the Union has ceased to function as such or is three years in arrears
in the payment of its contributions to the Union, the Executive Committee shall
consider the situation and express an opinion to the Governing Council. The
Governing Council takes a decision on the suspension of the affiliation of that
Member to the Union.
ARTICLE 5
1. Each
Member and each Associate Member of the Union shall make an annual contribution
to the expenses of the Union in accordance with a scale approved by the
Governing Council (cf. Financial Regs., Rule 5).
2. A Member
of the Union which is in arrears in the payment of its financial contributions
to the organization shall have no votes in the statutory bodies of the
Inter-Parliamentary Union if the amount of its arrears equals or exceeds the
amount of the contributions due from it for the preceding two full years. The
Governing Council may, nevertheless, permit such a Member to vote if it is
satisfied that the failure to pay is due to conditions beyond the control of
the Member of the Union. Prior to examining this question, the Governing
Council may receive a written explanation from the Member concerned.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 10.2 of the Statutes, such a
Member shall not be represented by more than two delegates at meetings convened
by the Union.
ARTICLE 6
1. All
Members or Associate Members of the Union shall have their own Rules governing
their participation in the Union's work. They shall make all structural,
administrative and financial provisions required to ensure effectively their
representation in the Union, the implementation of the decisions taken and to
maintain a regular liaison with the Secretariat of the Union to which they
shall send, before the end of January of each year, a report of their
activities, including the names of their officers and the list or the total
number of their members.
2. It is
the sovereign right of each Member of the Union to decide on the manner in
which it organises its participation in the IPU.
ARTICLE 7
It is the duty of the Members of the
Union to submit the resolutions of the Union within their respective
Parliament, in the most appropriate form; to communicate them to the
Government; to stimulate their implementation and to inform the Secretariat of
the Union, as often and fully as possible, particularly in its annual reports,
as to the steps taken and the results obtained (cf. Assembly,
Rule 39.2).
PART B
Rules of the Canadian Group of the
Inter-Parliamentary Union
RULE 1
NAME AND PURPOSE:
This organization shall be known as the
Canadian Group and as such is Canada's National Group of the
Inter-Parliamentary Union established in conformity with Articles 1 and 3 of
the Statutes of the Inter-Parliamentary Union with headquarters at Geneva,
Switzerland.
As the focal point for worldwide
parliamentary dialogue since 1889, the Inter Parliamentary Union shall work for
peace and cooperation among peoples and for the firm establishment of
representative institutions.
RULE 2
HEADQUARTERS:
The Headquarters of the Canadian Group
shall be at the offices of the International and Interparliamentary Affairs
Directorate, Parliament of Canada, Ottawa.
RULE 3
MEMBERSHIP:
The following are entitled to become
members for the Canadian Group:
a) The Speakers of the Senate and of the House of Commons
who shall be Honorary Presidents of the Canadian Group;
b) Members of the Senate and the House of Commons, upon
application and payment of the annual fee as determined from time to time by
the Executive Committee.
RULE 4
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:
1. The
Annual General Meeting of the membership shall be held at least once in each
fiscal year when Parliament is in session.
An AGM must be held within 60
calendar days of the Opening of a new Parliament.
The Executive Committee or 10
members of the Group may call an Annual General Meeting.
2. Its
functions shall include:
a) Receiving
the President's Annual Report of the activities of the Group and approving and
ratifying the acts of the Executive Committee during the preceding year;
b) Receiving
and approving the expenditure report for the preceding fiscal year;
c) Electing
the Executive Committee;
d) Receiving
and approving any proposals for amendment of the Rules;
e) Transacting
any other necessary business which may be properly before the meeting;
f) Make
suggestions and adopt resolutions in accordance with the aims of the Group.
RULE 5
DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT:
In the event of a dissolution of
Parliament, the Executive Committee in office at that time shall carry on the
affairs of the Canadian Group, with due regard to policies and related
procedures set out in the Financial Management and Policy Guide for
Parliamentary Associations, until a General Meeting elects a new Executive
Committee in accordance with Rules 10 and 11.
RULE 6
SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING:
A Special General Meeting of the
membership may be held at any time while Parliament is in session at the call
of the executive committee or 10 members of the Group. It shall transact only
such business as was designated in the notice of the meeting.
RULE 7
QUORUM:
Twenty or one-third of the total
membership, whichever is the lesser amount, provided that the Senate and the
House of Commons are represented, shall constitute a quorum at an Annual
General Meeting or Special General Meeting.
RULE 8
NOTICES:
1. Notice
of the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting shall be given by
email, where possible, at least two weeks in advance of the proposed date to
the Parliamentary office of each member.
2. Such
notice shall contain a statement of the business proposed to be transacted at
such meeting, including any proposed changes in the Rules.
RULE 9
VOTING:
1. Voting
at a General meeting shall be by show of hands, unless a written ballot is
demanded by at least five members present.
2. Decisions
shall be taken by a simple majority vote, except in the case of amendments to
the Rules of the Group when a two-thirds vote of the members present at the
meeting shall be required
RULE 10
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
1. The
Executive Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting to be
composed of 14 members (4 from the Senate and 10 from the House of Commons):
a) Three
Officers: the President, who shall be a member of Government; the
Vice-President, who shall be a member of the Official Opposition in the other
Chamber; and the Past President. Should the Past President no longer be a
Parliamentarian, the position will be replaced by a Second Vice President, who
shall be a member of a another opposition party.
b) Eleven
other members at large; provided that such representation reflects the
financial contribution of the two Chambers and is in such proportion to the
equitable representation of the recognized parties in both Chambers as may be
determined by the Executive Committee.
Nothing precludes an
independent Senator or MP from being a member of the executive.
To the extent that it is
possible given the desirability that each political party should be represented
on the executive and the size of these parties, members should not be eligible
to serve on more than one association’s executive committee.
The executive shall meet at
the call of the Chair or any four of its members.
2. Four
members shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of the Executive Committee,
provided that a representative from each house is present.
3. Its
functions shall include:
a) Directing
and managing the affairs and budget of the Group in accordance with the
decisions taken at its General Meetings and directives of the Joint
Interparliamentary Council.
b) Preparing
and submitting to the General Meeting the program of activities for the Group,
including its participation in meetings, conferences and symposia convened
under the auspices of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and determining the budget
for each program. The Executive Committee shall approve any activities,
including travel, that is added to the Group’s program of activities over the
course of the year.
c) Preparing
the budget to operate the Group's annual program and contributions to the
Inter-Parliamentary Union, and submit it to the Joint Interparliamentary
Council;
d) Appointing
replacements for unexpired terms when vacancies occur on the Executive
Committee;
e) Passing
resolutions respecting the routine conduct of the affairs of the Group, as may
be required;
f) Presenting
an annual report to the general membership, and submit reports to the
membership as required;
g) Ensuring
transmission to the Union's Secretariat before January 31 of each year, a
report of the Group's activities, including a list of its officers and members
in accordance with Article 6 of the Statutes of the Inter-Parliamentary
Union;
h) Taking
appropriate steps to conform with Article 7 of the Statutes of the
Inter-Parliamentary Union;
i) Selecting
and/or approving the nomination of a member of the Group to hold a post or to
act in an official capacity at a Committee or Sub-Committee of the
Inter-Parliamentary Union or at a special committee or symposium called under
its auspices, including the approving of the additional cost which might be
involved (the budget of the Group permitting) to allow for his or her so
acting;
j) Appointing
a delegate to a meeting which has been unexpectedly called or a replacement on
a delegation which has already been selected in accordance with Rule 15
and on which a vacancy occurs;
k) Determining
the ratio of representation of both Houses and all recognized political Parties
on the Executive Committee for the ensuing year;
l) Determining
the ratio of representation of both Houses and all recognized political parties
on delegations to meetings, conferences, or symposia held under the auspices of
the Inter-Parliamentary Union and determining the number of delegates and
alternates, in accordance with that formula;
m) Approving
the acts of the President or Leader of a delegation where he or she is obliged
to make decisions on behalf of the Group in emergency or unexpected situations;
n) Establishing
an annual fee for membership in the Group;
o) Approving
technical changes to the Rules;
p) Convene
the Annual General Meeting;
q) Ensure
that regular reports are submitted to the Senate and House of Commons, as
required in the rules and practices of both Houses.
RULE 11
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTION OF THE
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
The Group secretary shall distribute
nomination forms to all members of the Group.
Nominations should be received at least
3 working days in advance of the AGM. The Group secretary should prepare a
nominations report based on nominations received. Once the deadline has
passed, the nominations should be made public.
In order to be eligible to vote,
parliamentarians should be members of the Group at least seven days prior to
the AGM. Once the deadline has passed, the names of all members eligible to
vote shall be placed on a voters list.
Nominations will only be accepted from
the floor at the AGM for positions for which no candidate has been nominated.
The election shall be presided over by
a parliamentarian to be chosen from a list that has received the approval of
the Speakers of the Senate and the House of Commons who is not nominated for a
position on the executive of the Group. Elections shall be conducted by secret
ballot with the support of the Group secretary and additional necessary staff
from the International and Interparliamentary Affairs Directorate.
The ballot box shall be placed in full
view and each parliamentarian shall insert his or her own ballot into the box.
RULE 12
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY:
1. The Executive Secretary of the Canadian Group shall be
assigned from the staff of the Principal Clerk and Director General of
International and Interparliamentary Affairs for such term of office as may be
determined by the Principal Clerk and Director General.
2. His or her functions shall include:
a) Being accountable to members of the Canadian Group’s
executive committee, particularly to the President;
b) Being
responsible for providing the administrative management for activities of the
Canadian Group and for determining and coordinating any additional resources
required to support these activities;
c) Attending meetings of the Group and acting as clerk
thereof;
d) Giving notice of all meetings and being responsible for
keeping the records and papers of the Group.
RULE 13
ADVISOR:
1. The
Advisor to the Canadian Group shall be assigned from the staff of the Parliamentary
Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament for such term of
office as may be determined by the Parliamentary Librarian or his or her
designate.
2. His
or her functions shall include:
a) Being
accountable to the members of the Canadian Group’s Executive Committee,
particularly to the President;
b) Being
responsible for the identification, management and provision of research and
advisory services for the activities of the Canadian Group;
3. Attending
meetings of the Group and acting as advisor thereof;
a) Writing
reports and related correspondence concerning the activities of the Canadian
Group.
RULE 14
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND
ADMINISTRATION:
1. The
operating year of the Canadian Group is the federal fiscal year commencing on
the first day of April and ending on the thirty-first day of March the
following year.
2. The
funding of the Canadian Group will derived from:
a) The
annual budget approved by the Joint Interparliamentary Council;
b) Membership
Fees.
3. The
authority to make financial commitments and incur expenditures shall rest with
the President in consultation with the Vice-President. Should one of these two
persons be absent or unable to fulfil his/her responsibilities, the other shall
exercise the authority delegated to him/her by this Rule in consultation with
another member of the Executive Committee, always in collaboration with the
Executive Secretary.
4. A
statement of expenditures will be presented to the Executive Committee by the
Executive Secretary of the Group at its regular meetings.
RULE 15
INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS, SYMPOSIA:
1. Members
shall be notified in writing and in advance of the opportunity to participate
in annual meetings of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, normally held twice a year
in the spring and fall, and invited to submit applications to attend as
delegates.
2. Notices
of meetings shall contain all relevant details, including the subjects studied
and the number and composition of the delegation to be selected.
3. Applicants
shall be advised that, as a condition of selection, they must undertake to
attend all briefing sessions prior to the meeting and to give the time required
to make a contribution and to attend the special and general sessions of
meetings of the Conference in accordance with decisions taken by the Leader or
the delegation as a whole.
RULE 16
DELEGATE
SELECTION:
1. The list of the names of candidates received by the deadline
indicated on the notice is forwarded to the Whips of all recognized parties in
both houses.
2. The
Whips determine their party representatives for the delegation, as well as
their substitutes, and informs the Executive Secretary of their names, as far
as possible in compliance with the following principles:
a) That
delegations be composed of men and women and that an effort be made to ensure
equal representation of both genders, in accordance with Article 10 of the
Statutes of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. This would also ensure that the
delegation complies with Rule 1 of the Rules of the Governing Council, which
requires the Council’s representation to include both men and women;
b) That
the President of the Group, who is normally the Leader of the delegation and a
member of the Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and the First
Vice-President, who is normally the second member of the Governing Council of
the Inter- Parliamentary Union, or their substitutes, shall automatically be
members of the delegation;
c) That
members of the Canadian Group who have been elected to international-level
positions within the Inter-Parliamentary Union shall be ex officio members
of Canadian delegations to the IPU annual assemblies for the duration of their
mandates. However, if the application of this rule prevents compliance with the
limits imposed by Article 10 of the IPU Statutes as to the maximum number
of national delegates authorized to attend annual assemblies and/or compliance
with the representation of the political parties in both Houses as defined by
the Executive Committee pursuant to Rule 10(3)(k), consideration shall be
given to sending those parliamentarians in excess of the maximum as advisers to
such delegations;
d) That
in the case of a member of the Canadian Group who is elected as a titular or
substitute member of the IPU’s Committee on the Human Rights of
Parliamentarians and called to serve on this Committee during an annual
assembly of the Union, that said member is automatically added as a
supernumerary member to the Canadian delegation for that assembly;
e) That
there be an optimal mix of parliamentarians who are familiar with the
Inter-Parliamentary Union, its standing committees as well as subjects under
consideration, and others that are not;
f) That
the delegation include parliamentarians with an international reputation or who
have recognized expertise in the fields on the meeting agenda;
g) That
the delegation includes parliamentarians who have distinguished themselves in
previous IPU activities, by, for instance, drafting reports and resolutions, or
in their work on drafting committees.
RULE 17
RULES OF
PROCEDURE:
Meetings
of the Group shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures and practices
of the Parliament of Canada.
RULE 18
DECLARATIONS:
The
President or any Officer of the Group, or any person nominated for the purpose
by the President or the Vice-Presidents, is authorized and empowered to appear
and make answer for the Group to all Writs, Orders, and Interrogatories upon
articulated facts issued out of any Court.