Mrs. Nina Grewal, M.P. (Fleetwood—Port Kells) represented the Canadian (Federal) Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Parliamentary Committees Workshop, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago from November 9th to November 11th, 2009.  Pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), on behalf of the Canadian delegation, I have the honour to present this report.

Report

It was a privilege to attend the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) – Parliamentary Committees Workshop– in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago from November 9th to November 11th, 2009.  The workshop focused on Commonwealth perspectives on the Committee system such as: recognizing the need for a strong committee system for proper executive oversight and scrutiny; effective committee membership and leadership; and best practices relating to parliamentary committee inquiries.

The workshop, which was chaired by Hon. Danny Montano, President of the Senate and Hon. Barendra Sinanan, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, was attended by Senators, Members and staff of the Parliament of Trinidad & Tobago as well as Members of the Tobago House of Assembly.

Mrs. Nina Grewal, M.P. (Fleetwood—Port Kells), Hon. Clive Mullings, M.P. – Jamaica and Mr. Robert Benoit, Deputy Principal Clerk, Committees Directorate, House of Commons of Canada were the resource persons for the Workshop.

The discussions and conclusions emerging from the Workshop were wide-ranging and included such recurring themes as: the role and leadership of a committee Chair; the best practices of a strong committee system in a small legislature; and the essential elements to identify and plan effective committee inquiries.

The Workshop’s success was due to superb arrangements by the Parliament of Trinidad & Tobago; active engagement by Parliamentarians and staff, and the high quality of presentations.  Such opportunities for dialogue and exchange should be fostered as building blocks to enhance the work of Parliamentarians across the Commonwealth.

It was an honour to represent the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, and our Parliament, at this Workshop.  The experience was enriching and I encourage my fellow parliamentarians to engage in future opportunities like this one in order to share and learn about other experiences.

Many thanks to my Jamaican colleague, the Hon. Clive Mullings, M.P.; to the C.P.A. Trinidad & Tobago Branch; to the CPA Canadian Branch; to the other members of the resource team including Robert Benoit, Deputy Principal Clerk, Committees Directorate of the House of Commons and Andre Barnes, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament, and to the people of Trinidad & Tobago for their warm hospitality.

Respectfully submitted,