From August 31st
to September 7th 2011, nine Canadian parliamentarians were in France
for the 38th Annual Meeting of the Canada-France Interparliamentary
Association. Senator Claudette Tardif led the delegation, comprised of Senator
Gérald Comeau, Senator Jean-Claude Rivest, and Members of Parliament
Lois Brown, Jacques Gourde, Bernard Trottier, Yvon Godin, Robert Aubin,
and Mauril Bélanger. Accompanying the delegation were Executive Secretary
Serge Pelletier and Analyst Jean-Rodrigue Paré.
The French
delegation was led by National Assembly member Georges Colombier and comprised
of Senator Marcel-Pierre Cléach, Senator Joël Bourdin and National Assembly
members Marie‑Noëlle Battistel, Catherine Coutelle and Jacques
Desallangre. The French delegation was accompanied by Matthieu Meissonnier and
Alexandre Michel, secretaries of the Association for the Senate and the
National Assembly respectively.
The members of the
Association also wish to recognize the invaluable assistance provided by
Marc Berthiaume, Political and Parliamentary Relations Officer at the
Embassy of Canada in France.
This report is
divided in two parts. The first deals with briefings by the Embassy of Canada
in France and the Association’s meetings on the four selected themes: voting
methods and democratic issues; family policy: a social and economic issue; the
future of the nuclear industry post Fukushima; and issues related to the
Canada-European Union Free Trade Agreement. The second deals with the visits
and meetings the Canadian delegation was able to arrange while in France.
I.Themed Meetings
Themed meetings are
central to the Association’s work. They enable parliamentarians to discuss
subjects of common interest from differing points of view prompted by the
unique political dynamics of Canada and France. The outcomes of this dialogue
can then be relayed by members to their respective parliaments and governments.
A.Briefings by
Representatives of the Embassy of Canada in France
On the evening of August 31st, the Canadian
delegation attended a working dinner with representatives of the Embassy of
Canada at the invitation of the chargé d’affaires, Kim Butler. These briefings
gave the members an overview of political and economic issues in France that
are of particular interest to the Government of Canada.
Political issues
Marc Berthiaume presented the pre-election situation and
the Socialist Party leadership race, two topical subjects that are drawing a
great deal of attention. He spoke about the challenges facing President Sarkozy
with the presidential election less than a year away. Inversely, the primary
elections system put in place by the Socialist Party to choose a presidential
candidate has given new impetus to the Party and provided the candidates,
Martine Aubry and François Hollande in particular, with some early publicity.
Economic issues
Jean-Dominique Lerachi, Minister Counsellor, Trade and
Economic Affairs, explained that the global crisis has had serious
repercussions in France. The public treasury was known to be in a poor state
before the crisis, but the situation had never been challenging enough for
certain social benefits to be called into question, such as the retirement age,
the work week, vacations, pensions, etc. Uncertainty now hangs over these
elements, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to guarantee that they can
be preserved.
Diplomatic
issues
Louise Blais,
Minister Counsellor, Political Affairs, stated that the consequences of the
economic crisis are central to the bilateral discussions taking place alongside
the negotiation of a free trade agreement between Canada and the European
Union. Energy, in particular shale gas and oil sands exploitation, continues to
be a source of concern in France. Ms. Blais concluded by saying that she
hopes to secure parliamentarians’ support for Canada’s and France’s efforts to
have the Normandy Landing beaches recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The overall focus was on the European Union, but the fact remains that the
relationship between France and Canada remains a special one.
B.Voting Methods and
Democratic Issues
The Association’s
deliberations on this subject began the morning of September 1st.
Senator Comeau
spoke about the unique features of the Canadian electoral system, which limits
the influence of opinion polls on democratic discourse. Opinion polls provide a
relatively accurate picture of overall trends in voting intentions, but they do
not indicate what the specific breakdown of those intentions might be in a
given riding, so they cannot predict the outcome of an election with any
certainty. On the other hand, proportional voting in France means that a survey
with a relatively small sample can predict the outcome of an election fairly
accurately. There are therefore considerably more opinion polls in France, and
they have greater influence, especially during a presidential election.
There are rules in
Canada which govern the broadcasting of polling results and the publication of
methodological data, but they are rarely followed word for word. This was the
primary theme of the ensuing discussion. Mr. Desallangre expressed the
view that polls should be banned outright. Mr. Godin seconded that opinion. Mr. Colombier
added that the cost of polling could create inequality that would be unhealthy
for democracy. Senator Cléach stated that polls, instead of simply reflecting
public opinion, provide a way to mobilize groups of voters against a candidate.
According to Senator Rivest, the principle of freedom of expression limits what
can be imposed on polling firms. Ideally, choices would be made based on the
quality of public policy, but the reality is that politicians are fond of polls
and are focused on individuals. Ms. Coutelle described the media’s
quasi-obsession with polls the closer it gets to voting day. Finally, there
were signs of consensus following Mr. Bélanger’s statement that it would
be good to hold polling firms to a higher standard of rigour.
Mr. Godin then
expressed a critical view of the negative advertising strategies that have
emerged in Canada in recent years. In his opinion, these strategies validate
public cynicism about politics and subvert discussion of genuine problems. They
help reinforce rumours and fears that in some cases are unfounded, and instead
of focusing discussion on the quality of programs, they seek only to destroy
the opponent. He also criticized the decision by the Government of Canada to
eliminate a category of subsidies to political parties, as that could drive us
into an American-style situation where money outweighs people’s real needs. He
believes the approximately two dollars per voter given to parties annually
based on the number of votes they receive is a small price to pay for a healthy
democracy.
During the debate
that followed, Mr. Bélanger recounted the events that led to a reduction
in corporate donations and the introduction of government subsidies for
political parties as compensation for the parties that were penalized.
Mr. Trottier reminded the participants that despite its plan to phase out
direct subsidies based on the number of votes each party receives, the
government left untouched tax credits for personal donations to parties and
partial reimbursement for electoral expenses. Mr. Colombier said he agreed
with public funding of political parties. Senators Rivest and Cléach
underscored the public distrust towards individuals and businesses that
contribute to political parties.
Mr. Trottier
spoke about the consequences of using social media in election campaigns.
Although it is difficult to show a causal link between the use of social media
and voter support, social media undeniably help mobilize voters who are already
sympathetic. Technological developments also offer new opportunities, such as
“telephone town halls,” that make it possible to identify a large number of
supporters in a short time. On the other hand, social media present a risk for
politicians, whose words can be quickly picked up and disseminated. In that
sense, they amount to a sort of “electronic leash” that politicians can never
escape. They do have benefits, but these new media can also pose a significant
political risk.
During the
discussion, all of the participants acknowledged that social media are a useful
way of reaching many people at little cost and mobilizing young voters.
Mr. Aubin gave an account of how, with very few means, he managed to rally
a large number of young people through Facebook and YouTube. Ms. Coutelle
mentioned the risk of leaks from in camera meetings and the fact that it is
impossible to eradicate things written in cyberspace. Mr. Bélanger concluded by
saying that it is preferable for candidates to campaign in person in an electoral
campaign.
Ms. Coutelle
defended public funding for political parties, pointing to the scandals that
tainted a number of campaigns in the 1980s and 1990s. Legislation passed in
1998 introduced penalties for future offenders but granted amnesty to people
suspected of having engaged unlawfully in fundraising activities. Spending
limits were introduced in 2007, which favoured the political left. The cost of
public funding in France is similar to the cost in Canada, that is, parties
receive €1.6 per vote obtained in the previous election on an annual basis.
Parties are also required to field a certain number of female candidates or
face a fine. Ms. Coutelle said she hoped that the trend toward negative
advertising, which is common in presidential campaigns, would not be used
during the legislative elections. She also described the main features of the
new system of primary elections for the leadership of the Socialist Party. In
these primaries, the voters will have to sign an affirmation stating that they
support the objectives of the Socialist Party.
The discussion
focused on the rules governing the definition of an election expense and the
dates from which election advertising must be accounted for. Senator Bourdin
reiterated the rules that apply in the Senate, where there is no spending cap,
and subsequent comments clarified some of the details concerning the logistics
of the Senate’s electoral system. Mr. Bélanger, for one, expressed interest in
the issue of collaboration among municipalities as part of a partisan process
that is not overseen by the equivalent of the Chief Electoral Officer.
C.The Future of the
Nuclear Industry Post Fukushima
Mr. Aubin
situated his presentation in the context of the economic crisis that has made
the public more distrustful of their leaders, in particular with respect to the
quality of the information they were given about the Fukushima disaster. He
said the good thing to come out of the incident, however, is that it served as
a reminder of the importance of public involvement in political debate and the
need to guarantee a flow of reliable information in times of crisis. Because
only 15% of Canada’s electricity is generated by nuclear power (less than 3% in
Quebec and New Brunswick), Canada is in an ambiguous situation where distrust
of nuclear power benefits its oil producers but hurts its role as a uranium
exporter and the already precarious development of CANDU technology. In Quebec
and elsewhere, facilities are aging and pose the problem of long-term
management: they can be either shut down or renovated, but both options entail considerable
cost and risk. Mr. Aubin said he hoped to see Canadian regulations
tightened, which would allow a greater shift toward wind technology.
During the
discussion, Senator Tardif mentioned the Government of Canada’s announcement
that it was pulling out of the nuclear sector and said she feared the risk of
responsibilities being transferred to the private sector. Ms. Brown,
meanwhile, highlighted the progress that has been made in implementing measures
to increase nuclear safety. She gave as an example a company in the region
where she lives that manufactures parts used in some nuclear facilities; the
safety requirements far exceed anything that could be achieved in a normal context.
Mr. Colombier recalled the “Superphénix fiasco” in the 1980s and 1990s and
the very high cost of dismantling the reactor.
Mr. Colombier
read a summary of the progress report from the Office parlementaire
d’évaluation des choix scientifiques et technologiques (the Office). The
report described the priorities for action recommended by the Office:
strengthening research on nuclear safety; managing subcontractors; security
measures around facilities; government oversight of nuclear technology; crisis
management performance; transparency regarding the cost of nuclear power; and
the adoption of international mechanisms for monitoring nuclear safety.
During the discussion,
Mr. Desallangre mentioned the quality of the report from the Office and
the very warm reception it received in the National Assembly. Unlike Canada,
France has continued to call for common international rules and increased
government control of the nuclear industry. Senator Tardif then raised the
relevance of regulating not only the actual production process, but also the
extraction and sale of uranium. Finally, Ms. Coutelle stressed the fact
that all political parties in France are opposed to the privatization of
nuclear companies.
D.Family Policy: A
Social and Economic Issue
Senator Rivest’s
presentation was on government intervention in the process of changing models
of the family. In Canada, this issue must be dealt with within the context of
issues related to provincial and federal powers. Family policy is essentially
an area of provincial jurisdiction, and the federal government is limited to
supporting the provinces’ initiatives. The Senator presented the major federal
and provincial family policies. Topping the list of federal measures is the
Child Tax Benefit, which provides non-taxable support, primarily for families
whose income is less than the average. Next are the child care benefits of
$1,000 for each pre-school-age child, and tax credits for which the criteria
vary depending on the family’s specific circumstances. These federal programs
follow the federal government’s “spending power” in areas of provincial
jurisdiction recognized in the Constitution. It is the provinces, however, that
are more directly responsible for the programs. Senator Rivest pointed to the
international recognition of Quebec’s family support policies, particularly in
recent OECD reports on the subject. The three main measures in Quebec are the
following: tax measures that vary depending on the family’s circumstances;
low-cost subsidized child care; and an enhanced parental leave program that is
additional to the benefits available to other Canadians through the Employment
Insurance plan. In closing, Senator Rivest underscored the symbolic importance
of the relative increase in the birth rate of Quebeckers for the demographic
weight of Quebec within Canada.
During the
discussion, Mr. Trottier stated that the issue of birth rate is closely
linked to the issue of integration of immigrants, because it has been shown
that it is they who contribute the most to a steady or rising birth rate.
Senator Muguette
Dini made a special appearance to present France’s point of view on this issue.
Following a visit to Quebec in 2010, she said she was pleased to see the scope
of the programs the province has put in place. She pointed out that programs in
France are very centralized. Nearly two thirds of the French budget for family
policies is taken up by the allowances paid for second and subsequent children.
The allowances paid to families with four or more children are very large.
Other policies are adjusted based on specific circumstances: family income,
single parent, disabled child, etc. There is no universal child care system, but
access to the network of daycare centres, which is controlled by
municipalities, is based on family income. Parental leave is a key component of
family policies, because in France, 80% of women are in the labour force, and
parental leave allows them to keep their job. There is some reluctance to
extend parental leave because a longer period of leave could be an impediment
to career advancement. Splitting leave between the parents therefore seems to
be the way to go.
Ms. Coutelle
noted that there is no demonstrable link between policies supporting a rising
birth rate and fluctuations in the birth rate. The OECD says that France is
doing well but could do better. The difficulty lies in ensuring that family
support measures do not impede women’s career advancement. The Senator
expressed the view that equitable sharing of household duties is for that
reason a public issue. She also recommended that paternal leave not
transferrable to the mother be introduced, particularly for disadvantaged
families, but there is a great deal of resistance from employers.
During the
discussion, the Senator pointed out that it is difficult to balance work and
family. Mr. Colombier stated that this is something he sees frequently
among parliamentarians who are also mothers. Ms. Coutelle gave a few
examples of job pressure that still exists when an employee has to leave early
for family reasons. Mr. Gourde stated, however, that one of the most
important criteria used now to attract qualified employees is flexibility in
terms of work schedules. This has perhaps not yet had sufficient impact on
low-paying jobs, but it is certainly an encouraging trend.
E.Issues related to the
Canada-European Union Free Trade Agreement and the Need to Retain Special
Treatment of Cultural Exchanges
Mr. Bélanger
spoke about the many issues being discussed in the preliminary negotiations on
a free trade agreement, with emphasis on six files that are getting special
attention: agricultural products; non-agricultural products; trade in services;
protection of investments; government procurement; and geographical
indications. One problem that has a bearing on all aspects of the negotiations
lies in determining equivalencies between levels of government. In Canada’s
view, the fact that France, for example, is considered to be a sub-entity in
relation to the European Union, on the same level as a Canadian province, is
unfair. This would mean that a French company could bid on a provincial
contract in Canada, but a Canadian company could not bid on a contract under the
authority of a canton in Switzerland, for example. Mr. Bélanger then
mentioned the Government of Canada’s refusal to include a clause that would
exempt culture. A cultural exemption of that sort was incorporated into NAFTA,
at Canada’s initiative. If there were no such exemption in an agreement with
the European Union, the United States could reopen NAFTA. In the late 1990s,
the United States went to the WTO to challenge policies designed to protect
Canadian periodicals.
During the
discussion, Mr. Godin reiterated his party’s fundamental position against
free trade. Senator Bourdin spoke about the need to involve the provinces,
because occupations are regulated by 440 different organizations, and most of
those organizations are under provincial jurisdiction. Ms. Brown added
that occupations are a problem even within Canada because provincial
regulations are sometimes incompatible with one another.
Senator Bourdin
spoke about the negotiations between the European Union and Canada in the
broader context of competition between the North American economy and the
European economy. He said that an agreement between Canada and the European
Union would enable American companies to operate in European markets through
their Canadian subsidiaries, and in return, European companies would want
access to the American market if they invested in Canada. Canada is therefore
regarded as a Trojan horse by both sides. He also illustrated some of the
stumbling blocks that arise in such negotiations, such as geographical indicators.
Canada has a trademark system, and there is no tradition of associating food
products with particular regions. If Europe gets its way, it would be
impossible for a Canadian company to advertise its cheese as Alberta camembert,
for example. Also under dispute are the creation of an outside-customs zone for
the fishery in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon and the always sensitive issue of the
oil sands. Some would want to classify products that come from the oil sands as
separate products.
During the
discussion, Mr. Bélanger asked the French parliamentarians how the
cultural exemption might be a problem for France. Mr. Colombier and
Senator Bourdin replied that they did not see any specific problems in France,
but added that other members of the European Union might take the view that a
cultural exemption would create a risk of minority groups in their countries
seeking an exemption for themselves as part of their own nationalistic demands.
II.Meetings and Visits
The French
Nuclear Industry
Following the
discussion of the post-Fukushima situation, the delegation visited a nuclear
power station that is currently under construction and nuclear waste treatment
facilities.
The morning of
September 2nd, the delegation visited the EDF nuclear power station
in Flamanville. Company representatives Didier Lambert and David Newhouse gave
a presentation on the features of the power station and on the entire cycle
from extraction of the uranium to treatment of the radioactive waste. The
delegation was taken to visit the construction site of a new-generation EPR
(European Pressurized Reactor) and see the safety measures incorporated into
the design. During the discussion, Mr. Lambert explained that the safety
measures were based on projected disaster scenarios over a period of 1,000
years. Mr. Colombier asked for clarification on the status of negotiations
regarding the sale of that type of reactor. Ms. Coutelle added that the
main concerns are related to the fact that subcontractors working for the lead
construction company are not subject to the same safety controls.
In the afternoon,
the delegation visited the Areva La Hague reprocessing plant. Every aspect of
the facilities, which are impressively sophisticated and complex, highlights
the safety concerns that are inherent in the nuclear waste recycling process.
Highly professional guides took small groups of delegates through the treatment
process, from dry unloading, to storage of fuels in pools, to vitrification,
all under international control. Every step in the process is controlled at a
distance from futuristic control rooms. The delegation found that the advanced
level of technology renders it nearly impossible for non-experts to comprehend,
which means that the public has to have a great deal of trust in the national
and international authorities responsible for safety and the specialists on
whom political officials have to rely.
The Battle of
Normandy
Saturday September
3rd was a particularly emotional day, as the delegation visited the
sites where the tragic events of the Battle of Normandy unfolded. The battle
began with the landing on June 6th, 1944, and continued until
the end of August, claiming the lives of about 100,000 Allied soldiers,
including 5,000 Canadians.
The day began with
a memorial ceremony and the laying of a wreath at the Bény-sur-Mer/Reviers
Canadian War Cemetery by Senator Tardif on behalf of Canada and Mr. Colombier
on behalf of France. The mayors of the two municipalities, Hubert Delalande and
Daniel Guérin, welcomed the delegation.
The delegation then
travelled to Juno Beach, where 15,000 Canadian soldiers landed the morning
of June 6th, 1944. After a brief stop at the site where General
de Gaulle landed, the delegation was given a warm welcome at the Juno
Beach Centre in Courseulles-sur-Mer by the director of the centre, Nathalie
Worthington, and the first deputy mayor, Rémy Simon. The Centre is the only
museum dedicated to the Battle of Normandy and is unique in that it is
Canadian. After a ceremony at the war memorial where wreaths were laid by senator
Tardif and Mr. Colombier, the members of the delegation were given a
guided tour of the museum.
The delegation
continued on to Bernières-sur-Mer, across from the section of Juno Beach where
the Régiment de la Chaudière landed. After being greeted by the mayor,
Maryvonne Mottin, the members visited the Maison des Canadiens, which served as
a landmark during the landing, and viewed artifacts from the first day of
fighting.
The delegation’s
next stop was Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, where they were greeted by a fanfare and a
number of local dignitaries, French veterans and their families. “La
Marseillaise” and “O Canada” were played, and a moving ceremony took place in
front of the site named La Brèche des Acadiens in honour of the soldiers from
New Brunswick’s North Shore Regiment who liberated the village the evening of
June 6th, 1944. Acadian senator Gérald Comeau and Acadian MP
Yvon Godin laid wreaths. During the presentations, the honorary mayor of
Saint-Aubin, Pierre Letellier, gave an account of the events that have left an
indelible mark on the community. Senator Tardif stated that the shared
experience of the tragedy affirmed yet again the depth of the friendship that
exists between France and Canada.
In the afternoon,
the delegation was greeted by Michel le Baron, Mayor of Cintheaux, and took
part in a memorial ceremony and wreath laying by Senator Tardif and Mr.
Colombier at the Cintheaux Canadian War Cemetery.
The delegation was
then received at the majestic Mémorial de Caen by Director Stéphane Grimaldi. The
members gathered in the Canadian Garden of Remembrance and were then given a
brief tour of the museum.
The day ended with
a reception at the General Council of Calvados hosted by Senator Jean-Léonce
Dupont.
Mont-Saint-Michel
On September 4th,
the delegation travelled to this historic site, where they were greeted by the
administrator, Jean-Marc Bouré. Following a reception at the town hall, the
members were given a tour of the site and the Abbey by an eloquent and
well-informed guide.
At the end of the
day, the members had a peaceful moment at a meeting with two representatives of
the Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem. The religious community recently
settled on Mont-Saint-Michel to perpetuate the spiritual foundations that make
the site what it is.
The Sarthe
region
The delegation
spent two days – September 5th and 6th – visiting sites
and groups in the municipality of Sarthe, where they were introduced to land
reform projects in France.
The delegation
began the day on September 5th with a visit to the 24 Heures du
Man race track at Le Mans and the Musée de l’automobile. Hervé Guyomard, a
passionate and knowledgeable member of the Automoblie Club de l’Ouest, gave the
members a guided tour.
In the afternoon,
the members of the delegation met representatives of the 2ème
Régiment d’infanterie de marine, who talked about their experience in
Afghanistan. The soldiers gave the parliamentarians a warm welcome, and there
was a very frank discussion of the consequences of withdrawing from
Afghanistan.
On September 6th,
the delegation was welcomed at Sablé in the St-Laurent industrial zone, the
site of the Loué poultry plant. This star of the French food industry raises
grain-fed free-range chickens. The company maintains a relatively high price
point and tries to avoid overproduction and dumping of its products, which
requires careful planning. The plant shares a portion of its profits with its
employees, and an active corporate committee manages labour relations in a way
that makes the company part of the community.
At the end of the
day, the delegation met Christine Marchand, President of the Sarthe Communes
Community, a political and administrative entity created as part of
decentralization in France. The Community is unique in that it pools the
resources of rural and urban municipalities under its authority, some more
economically developed than others, so that the level of wealth is the same in
all municipalities. The organization has carried out many successful land and
infrastructure development projects, such as recreations centres, that serve
the entire community.
Conclusion
During the farewell dinner,
hosted by Senator Cléach at his home and attended by a number of guests and
senior staff from the Embassy of Canada in France, the French and Canadian parliamentarians
indicated their complete satisfaction with the way the meeting was organized,
the themes that were chosen and discussed, the visits to the regions, and
especially the visits to Memorials honouring the Canadian soldiers who died in
the Battle of Normandy in 1944. In conclusion, the objectives of the 38th
Annual Meeting were met with great appreciation by all. The parliamentarians
also noted the great friendship they formed and agreed to meet in Canada in
2012. National Assembly member Georges Colombier announced that he would be
leaving the Association soon because he has decided not to run in the French
legislative election in June 2012. Senator Cléach indicated that he is actively
looking for a successor to head the France-Canada friendship group in the
Senate. The two parliamentarians received heartfelt thanks for their
contribution to the development of the Association. Warm thanks were also
extended to the staff of the French and Canadian parliaments and staff at the
Embassy of Canada in France for their support of the Association’s activities.
Respectfully submitted,
The
Honourable Claudette Tardif, Senator
President, Canada-France Interparliamentary Association