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The Canadian delegation was composed of the following members: From the Senate: Hon. Joseph Day, Senator (Delegation Co-leader); Hon. Donald Oliver, Senator; Hon. Dennis Dawson, Senator. From the House of Commons: Hon. Bryon Wilfert, P.C. M.P. (Delegation Co-leader); Joyce Murray, M.P.; Jean Dorion, M.P. The delegation was assisted by Ms. Elizabeth Kingston, 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 17th Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF), held in Vientiane, Laos, from January 11 to January 15, 2009. Delegates from 22 member parliaments and one observer country attended the 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 17th 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 a Joint Communiqué and 16 resolutions on a wide range of subjects including overcoming the global financial crisis, cluster munitions, the Middle-East peace process, energy and food security, climate change and the environment, as well as gender issues in Parliaments across the Asia-Pacific region. The text of the Joint Communiqué can be found in Appendix B, a listing of these resolutions can be found in Appendix C, followed by the list of participants in Appendix D. The resolution submitted by the Canadian delegation can be found in Appendix E. Meeting between the Canadian and Lao PDR delegations: The Honourable Dr. Xaysomphone Phomvihane, Vice-President of the National Assembly of Lao PDR, headed the Laotian delegation to the 17th APPF meeting and met with members of the Canadian delegation. Dr. Phomvihane began by expressing appreciation to Canada for its ongoing support in capacity building especially as related to parliamentary matters and human resources development. Lao PDR also appreciates its relationship with Canada within the context of its membership with the l’Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, dedicated to the goals of promoting peace, cooperation and sustainable development within the international French-speaking community. Also of note is the working dialogue established between the Canadian Bar Association and its Laotian counterpart on issues related to the strengthening of the Laotian legal system. In addition, foreign investment is crucial to the economic stability of Lao PDR and the country is doing its utmost to instill greater investor confidence. In this regard, it has undertaken a comprehensive review of investment laws governing their neighbouring country Vietnam, to seek the establishment of the necessary mechanisms to attract more foreign investment within their own country. It was pointed out that Lao PDR offers great opportunity, especially in the areas of mining and hydro-electricity. The application for ascendency of Lao PDR to the World Trade Organization (WTO) was also discussed including the great advantage this would mean for the country. Also of note is the fact that since Lao PDR relies heavily on agriculture, it is initiating a practice amongst its citizens to reduce slash and burn cultivation, while raising awareness of environmental protection practices. The issue of unexploded ordinance was raised and while Lao PDR is presently not a party to the Ottawa Convention on the prohibition of the use, stockpiling, production, transfer and destruction of anti-personnel mines, the delegation encouraged Lao PDR to accede to this convention, especially given the fact that it is one of the countries in the world most severely affected by unexploded ordinance, a legacy of the Vietnam War. Meeting between the Canadian and Chinese delegations: The Canadian delegation had the opportunity to meet with the Honourable Zha Peixin, Vice-Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of 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 expressed appreciation for the work of the Canada-China Legislative Association (CCLA) in fostering this relationship. The current economic crisis was discussed and both parties agreed that the economies of China and Canada are complementary to each other and expanded trade and investment could be of great benefit not only to both countries, but also to the development of the Asia-Pacific region as a whole. Moreover, the Canadian delegates expressed appreciation for the presence of a vibrant Chinese community in Canada in contributing greatly to the culture and economy of Canada. The issue of Tibet was also raised and the Chinese delegation remarked that the region has experienced sound economic growth since March 28, 1959. Moreover they remarked that human rights have improved greatly since that time. As an example, they stated that education is now compulsory unlike the time prior to Tibet’s liberation when only the sons and daughters of rulers were granted an education. The Chinese delegation encouraged the Canadian delegates to visit Tibet to see firsthand the progress made both from a human rights perspective and an economic standpoint. In conclusion, the Canadian delegates congratulated the Chinese delegation on hosting a most successful Olympic Games. Meeting between the Canadian and Vietnamese delegations: The Canadian delegates met with H.E. Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong. During their bilateral meeting delegates on both sides expressed appreciation for the most positive relationship that exists between the two countries. Particular areas for further cooperation may exist in matters of culture, education and science and technology. The Vietnamese delegates expressed their commitment to the further industrialization and modernization of their country’s systems, including political, judicial and economic reform to further promote its integration into the world’s economy. Vietnam is very pleased to be included in the 25 priority countries outlined in the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) policy and the Vietnamese delegation highlighted projects related to the judiciary and education as being particularly beneficial. It was noted that an increasing number of Canadian companies are investing in Vietnam, due in large measure to the sizeable Vietnamese community in Canada. Of particular note is the interest of Canadian companies in developing the oil reserves off the coast of Vietnam. Both delegations also expressed an interest in furthering parliamentary cooperation between the respective Parliaments, relating most particularly to the committee system and the legislative process. Meeting between the Canadian and the Republic of Korea Delegations: The Canadian delegation met with the Korean delegation, led by the Honourable Mr. Lee Jae Sun. Both delegations agreed on the importance of their relationship, made all the stronger due to their economic and trade partnership. In this respect, hope was expressed that negotiations leading to a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Canada and Korea may reach an early conclusion. It was agreed that it was important to continue to promote the issue in both countries, given the benefits already derived from trade and investment opportunities. Such an agreement would further enhance the benefits for Canadians most notably in the agriculture, fish and forestry sectors and establish a greater strategic presence in the Northeast Asian market. The Canadian delegation did state that Hyundai should establish a presence in Canada, remarking that Canadians, while recognizing the excellence of the Hyundai product, may not be so willing to buy from a company that has not invested in Canada. Finally the Korean delegation expressed its gratefulness to Canada for its continued concerted pressure to work towards the denuclearization of North Korea. Meeting with Mr. Anders Johnsson, Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union: The Canadian delegation expressed appreciation for the strengthening of the relationship between the IPU and the APPF, acknowledging that such Parliamentary organizations have dramatically increased in number and importance since the 1980’s. The efforts of the IPU in strengthening its relationship with the Asia-Pacific region are very much in keeping with its goals of promoting contacts, co-ordination, and the exchange of experience among parliaments and parliamentarians of all countries. The issue of encouraging Members of the United States Congress to become involved in IPU activities was also raised, with the thought that with the new administration, there may be a willingness for members from the United States to participate in IPU activities.
Conclusion: The Canadian Parliament attaches great importance to the work of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) and is proud to be one of its founding members. The Forum has allowed Canadian parliamentarians to engage in dialogue with their international counterparts throughout the Asia Pacific region. Given the global economic crisis and the need to guard against protectionist tendencies, this region is of increasing strategic importance to Canada. The Canadian section of APPF looks forward to participating in the 18th Annual APPF Meeting in Singapore in January 2010.
A summary of the expenditures incurred for this activity is attached.
Respectfully submitted,
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