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The parliamentary delegation of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) that participated in the bilateral meeting in Paris, France, and the APF Bureau meeting held in Clermont-Ferrand, France, from January 21 to 27, 2015, is honoured to present its report. The delegation consisted of the Honourable Senator Paul E. McIntyre, Q.C., Chair of the Canadian Branch and President of the APF, as well as MP Robert Aubin, Chair of the Parliamentary Affairs Committee. The delegation was accompanied by François Michaud, Association Secretary, Canadian Branch. In addition to the Canadian branch, the following branches also participated in the activities: Belgium/Wallonia-Brussels Federation, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, France, Jura, Laos, Luxembourg, Morocco, Niger, Ontario, Quebec, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Switzerland, Chad and Vietnam. Bureau business The Speaker of the French National Assembly, Claude Bartolone, welcomed all of the participants and gave the keynote address. The Honourable Paul E. McIntyre, chairing his first Bureau meeting as International President, opened the session. The agenda and minutes of the July 2014 meeting in Ottawa were adopted. Address by the OIF Administrator President McIntyre welcomed Clément Duhaime, Administrator of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), and thanked him for agreeing to come and speak to Bureau members about OIF funding mechanisms, the draft strategic framework and its new four-year programming cycle. Mr. Duhaime commented that everything had changed in the French-speaking world in the last ten years and emphasized that a strategic framework would lead to a culture of results. As OIF Administrator, he wanted indicators and assessments. He emphasized the power of dialogue between the OIF and the APF and the excellent cooperation between the two organizations, praising the role of democratic watchdog played by the APF, la Francophonie’s consultative assembly. Presentation of reports Parliamentary Secretary General and MP Pascal Terrasse (France) presented his activity report, which was adopted. MP Alex Bodry (Luxembourg) presented the financial report on behalf of the treasurer, MP Michel Wolter (Luxembourg); the report was adopted. This budget provides for a program of cooperation that includes: · funding to implement the Multilateral Francophone Parliamentary Development Program for Madagascar, which will allow for such activities as training for administrators in the Malagasy National Assembly in partnership with Senghor University in Alexandria; · funding to implement the Multilateral Francophone Parliamentary Development Program for Mali, which will feature such activities as a seminar for Malian parliamentarians on the role and duties of a Member of Parliament. Robert Aubin, MP (Canada) and Chair of the APF’s Parliamentary Affairs Committee, presented the Committee’s report. Senator Michèle André (France), Chair of the Political Committee, presented the Committee’s activity report. Didier Berberat, State Councillor (Switzerland) and Chair of the Education, Communication and Cultural Affairs Committee, presented the Committee’s activity report. Lastly, MP Garba Salibou (Chad) presented the Cooperation and Development Committee’s report. MP Françoise Bertiaux, (Belgium/Wallonia-Brussels Federation), Chair of the Women’s Parliamentary Network, presented the Network’s activity report. MP Jagmeet Singh (Ontario) presented the activity report for the Americas Region on behalf of MP Michel Samson (Nova Scotia). MP Christophe Lutundula Apala Pen’Apala (Democratic Republic of the Congo) presented the report for the Africa Region and MP Boungnong Boupha (Laos) presented the report for the Asia-Pacific Region, both as chargés de mission. MP Jean-Paul Wahl, (Belgium/Wallonia-Brussels Federation) and chargé de mission, presented the report for the Europe Region. APF strategic framework The Parliamentary Secretary General presented his report concerning the implementation of the APF’s strategic framework. Political situations The Bureau expressed its position on the political situations in francophone regions that are raising concern in the parliamentary world. These statements involved the following countries: Burkina Faso, Central African Republic and Syria. The statements may be found at (in French only): Varia The members of the Bureau also focused on questions related to interparliamentary cooperation programs and the distinctions awarded by the APF. The proposals of the Ordre de la Pléiade Branch were adopted. MP Fathi Derder (Switzerland), Chair of the Switzerland Branch, informed the Bureau of progress on preparations for the 41st Session in Berne, Switzerland. The Bureau selected education and training as the theme for the general discussion at the session. Marie-Joséphine Diallo, Secretary General of the National Assembly of Senegal, presented the report of the Association of Secretaries General of la Francophonie. The Bureau authorized the signing of a new framework agreement with the ASGPF. Further information on this Bureau meeting can be found at (in French only): http://www.apf.francophonie.org/-Reunion-du-Bureau-Clermont-Ferrand-262-.html. Bilateral meeting The Honourable Paul E. McIntyre spoke with the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Secretary General of la Francophonie, at a bilateral meeting at OIF headquarters in Paris. Françoise Bertiaux, Chair of the Women’s Parliamentary Network, also participated in this meeting. Discussions included such topics as the themes of the Dakar Summit and the meeting of the Status of Women Committee in New York, and cooperation between the OIF and APF. Through its participation in this Bureau meeting and the bilateral meeting, the Canadian Branch achieved its objectives, namely to fulfil its international obligations, defend its budgetary interests, maintain international ties and defend its interests, in addition to establishing strong ties with the Secretary General of la Francophonie.
Respectfully submitted,
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