Report

The Canadian delegation was composed of the following members:

From the Senate:  Hon. Joseph Day (Delegation Co-leader), Hon. Terry Stratton, Hon. Marilyn Trenholme Counsell.

From the House of Commons:  Hon. Bryon Wilfert (Delegation Co-leader), Mr. James Bezan, Hon. Charles Hubbard, Mr. John Maloney, Mr. Brian Masse, Mr. Christian Ouellet, Mr. Mike Wallace.

The delegation was assisted by Mr. Paul Cardegna, Executive Secretary of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group and the Canada-China Legislative Association.

            The Honourable Joseph Day, Senator and the Honourable Bryon Wilfert, P.C., M.P., led the Canadian parliamentary delegation which participated in the 16^th Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentarians Forum (APPF), held in Auckland, New Zealand, from January 21 to January 25, 2007.  Delegates from 27 member parliaments and several observer countries attended the 16^th Meeting.  The Forum, held on an annual basis, is one of the most significant and diverse gatherings of parliamentarians from the Asia-Pacific Region. Canadian delegates made various interventions throughout the forum and actively participated in the debate in the drafting committee and its subcommittees.

During the 16^th meeting the delegates exchanged views on a number of agenda items which were grouped in four broad categories: 1) Political and Security Issues; 2) Economic and Trade Issues; 3) Regional Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region; and 4) Future Work of APPF. The agenda of the conference is attached in Appendix A.

The Forum allowed for dynamic discussions between parliamentarians and led to the adoption of the Joint Communiqué and 23 resolutions on various subjects such as climate change, combating pandemics, international and regional trade, energy security and disaster preparedness amongst others. The text of the Joint Communiqué can be found in Appendix B.

While attending the conference, the Canadian delegation was also able to participate in seven bilateral meetings with the delegations from Chile, China, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Mongolia and Vietnam.

Meeting between the Canadian and Chilean delegations:

The Honourable Patricio Walker, President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of Chile, headed the Chilean delegation to the 16^th APPF meeting. During the conference President Walker and his delegates met with their Canadian counterparts. Both sides agreed that parliamentary ties should be strengthened and the discussion centered on which organization presented the best method to achieve the goal of stronger parliamentary relations between countries in the Americas: the Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas (FIPA) or the Parliamentary Confederation of the Americas (COPA). Both sides agreed that a strong organization is required and that the participation of the United States of America is essential to either organization’s success. It was suggested that the current situation of FIPA and COPA competing was inefficient and delegates explored various options ranging from merging the two associations to disbanding one or the other. Finally, the discussion of bilateral trade relations was raised in the context of the Canada-Chile Free Trade agreement, which delegates admitted has benefited both countries. 

Meeting between the Canadian and Chinese delegations:

The Canadian delegation had the opportunity to meet with members of the delegation from the National People's Congress of the Peoples’ Republic of China. Both delegations recalled the long history of cordial relations between Canada and China and reiterated their desire to maintain and strengthen these links through increased bilateral visits despite the presence of recent diplomatic irritants. The Canadian delegates raised, in light of the upcoming Beijing summer Olympics of 2008 and the Whistler winter Olympics of 2010, the issue of “preferred destination status” which Canada wishes to negotiate with China. Canada hopes to negotiate this so that both countries can benefit from a lucrative, growing tourism industry. The Chinese agreed that tourism was an industry that can benefit both countries and resolved to pursue the issue with government officials upon their return to Beijing. The Canadians also asked about current family planning policies in China. The Chinese responded that the current policies, which are estimated to have accounted for 400,000,000 fewer people being born in China in the past 3 decades, will continue to be enforced except, however, for certain national minorities to whom the policies have never been applied. Finally, on the subject of the recent U.S. economic downturn, the Chinese noted that while they are monitoring the U.S. and European economies closely, they still expect to sustain 8-10% economic growth in the coming year.

Meeting between the Canadian and Indonesian delegations:

During their bilateral meeting the Indonesian delegation explained that Indonesia, due to a booming economy, has expanded faster than its current electrical power supply.  While the Indonesian government wants to increase electrical output, it is wary of using oil and coal power-generating systems due to their impact on the environment. Instead, as Indonesia has over 200 active volcanoes, interest is growing in developing geothermal power stations. The Canadian delegates were asked if Canada would be able to assist in this endeavour by providing investment capital and technological expertise. The Canadians, while expressing interest in this idea, however, noted that some Canadian investors in Indonesia have recently reported difficulties which have made other foreign investors wary. The Indonesians noted that certain anticipated constitutional changes will make it easier for foreign investors to operate in Indonesia. Both sides agreed that their governments should pursue this subject vigorously.

Meeting between the Canadian and Japanese delegations:

The Canadian delegation had the opportunity to meet with members of the Japanese delegation to the 16^th APPF conference. Both delegations confirmed their interest in strengthening the already robust bilateral relationship existing between the two countries, noting that Canada and Japan have mutually complimentary economies. The Canadian delegates indicated their desire to negotiate a free trade agreement between Japan and Canada. The Japanese delegates, while interested in increasing bilateral trade and economic links, stated that Japan has to protect its agricultural industry from foreign competition in order to promote agricultural self-sufficiency. The Canadians also noted that as 2008 is the 80^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Canada and Japan, the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (CJIG) of the Parliament of Canada plans to organize a symposium entitled “Japan on the Hill” in Ottawa to celebrate this important milestone. This activity would gather academics, politicians, business leaders and others together in order to discuss Japan-Canada bilateral relations. The rest of the meeting was spent discussing conservation, renewable energy technology, the Japanese presence in the automobile industry in Canada and Japanese duties which continue to be imposed on imported Canadian beef.

Meeting between the Canadian and Mexican delegations:

The Canadian delegation had the opportunity to meet with Senator Carlos Jimenez Macias, Head of Delegation and the Mexican delegates to the 16^th APPF conference. Both delegations noted how important it is to increase bilateral relations through increased economic, political and cultural exchanges. In this context the discussion touched on the Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas (FIPA) and the Parliamentary Confederation of the Americas (COPA). The Mexican delegation was also concerned about the treatment of migrant workers in the U.S.A. and Canada. The Canadian delegates responded that they are aware of and very concerned about the exploitation of migrant workers from Mexico. In Canada, several initiatives have been taken to improve their situation.

Meeting between the Canadian and Mongolian delegations:

Mr. Idevkhten Doloonjin, Vice-Chairman of the Parliament of Mongolia met with the Canadian delegation during the 16^th APPF meeting. The Canadian delegates noted that the Canadian mining industry is interested in increasing investment in Mongolia, either directly or through partnership agreements. Canadian mining companies have recently begun discussions to start operations in Mongolia, but have been frustrated by Mongolian Government regulations. Mr. Doloonjin responded that the Mongolian government has been sending delegations to other countries to learn about possible improvements to Mongolians regulations which would protect foreign investment. He was hopeful that new regulations would promote more direct investment in Mongolia. In addition to underlining the importance of stability in Mongolian investment laws and regulations, the Canadians also warned of the possible environmental effect of mining operations and suggested that the Mongolian government be mindful of this aspect of the industry. Both sides finished the meeting hoping to be able to increase economic, diplomatic and parliamentary exchanges between Mongolia and Canada.

Meeting between the Canadian and Vietnamese delegations:

During this meeting, the Canadians noted that the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has recently been active in Vietnam assisting jurists to apply international law. Vietnamese delegates explained that this initiative has helped reinvigorate the judiciary and looked forward, as well, to receiving assistance from Canada in the field of economic management. The Vietnamese invited more Canadian parliamentarians to visit their country, suggesting that round table discussions could be established to discuss subjects of mutual interest such as lawmaking, the integration of Vietnam into the international community, human rights, democracy and trade. Canadian delegates agreed that this initiative would be equally beneficial for all participants.

Conclusion

The Canadian Parliament is a founding member of the Asia Pacific Parliamentarians Forum.  The Forum has allowed Canadian parliamentarians to engage in dialogue with their international counterparts in a Region of the world which is of increasing strategic importance to Canada. The Canadian section of APPF looks forward to participating in the 17^th Annual Meeting in Vientiane, Laos in January 2009.

A summary of the expenditures incurred for this activity is attached.

Respectfully submitted,