Header Image Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF)

Report

The parliamentary delegation that represented the Canadian Branch at the 29th Regional Assembly of the America Region of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) and the Conference of Branch Chairs (CBC) in Quebec City, Canada, on August 19 to 22, 2013, has the honour of presenting its report.

The delegation from the Canadian Branch of the APF was made up of the hon. Senator Andrée Champagne, PC, President of the APF; the hon. Senator Paul McIntyre, Acting Chair of the Canadian Branch; MP Robert Aubin, Vice‑Chair of the Branch; and MP Pierre Dionne Labelle. The delegation was accompanied by François Michaud, Branch Secretary.

In addition to the Canadian Branch, the Alberta, British Columbia, Haiti, Louisiana, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan branches also participated in the working sessions. Observers from New Hampshire were also present.

Conference of Branch Chairs

Minutes of the APF Bureau meeting

Pascal Terrasse (France), APF Parliamentary Secretary General, presented the highlights of the APF Bureau meeting held in Abidjan in July 2013.

Report from the Chargé de mission

Michel Samson, Chair of the Nova Scotia Branch and Chargé de mission for the America Region presented the Region’s report on activities since the April 2013 Conference of Branch Chairs.

Statement of revenues and expenses, America Region

Dominic Dumont presented the 2012–2013 statement of revenues and expenses for the APF America Region, and the 2013–2014 budget estimates.

Update on resolutions

Dominic Dumont, Regional Executive Secretary, presented a status report on the resolutions adopted in Regina in 2011, in Toronto in 2012 and in New Orléans in 2012.

France Gélinas (Ontario) reported on efforts to make the term “Conference of Branch Chairs” gender neutral. It was decided that, in French, the CBC would be renamed the Conférence des présidences de section de la Région Amérique de l’APF.

Status report on the Francophone youth parliament of the America

Denis Desgagné, President and CEO of the Centre de la Francophonie des Amériques, gave a presentation on the structure of the Francophone youth parliament of the America.

France Gélinas said that she was delighted to be welcoming the FYPA to Toronto, and to have an opportunity to show young people that it is possible to be Francophone and involved in politics.

Regional Assembly of the America

Opening of proceedings

Carole Poirier, Vice-Chair of the Quebec Branch, welcomed the delegates on behalf of Jacques Chagnon, President of the Quebec National Assembly.

Pascal Terrasse (France), APF Parliamentary Secretary General, outlined his proposals to make the APF a stronger assembly.

The hon. Andrée Champagne, PC, President of the APF, set out her priorities as International President.

Reports on the impact of immigration on the status of French in the America Region

François Charbonneau, Associate Professor, University of Ottawa, who specializes in minority identities, gave a presentation on this topic.

The hon. Paul McIntyre, Acting Chair of the Canadian Branch, Marc Dalton (British Columbia), Hector Goudreau (Alberta), France Gélinas (Ontario), Carole Poirier (Quebec), Yvon Bonenfant and Martine Coulombe (New Brunswick), and Michel Samson (Nova Scotia) presented reports on this topic.

A resolution on the Francophone youth parliament of the America was adopted.

By participating in the meeting of the Conference of Branch Chairs and the assembly of America Region, the Canadian Branch achieved its goals of meeting its regional obligations, presenting a report, representing the budgetary interests of the Canadian Branch, maintaining regional contacts, and representing its interests.

Respectfully submitted,

The Hon. Andrée Champagne, PC, Senator
President of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF)

 

 

 

 

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