Interparliamentary Activities and Reports

On May 26, 2020, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s AdHoc Committee on Migration held a parliamentary web dialogue on the topic “Protecting refugees and migrants during the pandemic: Camps and closed centres under lockdown” as part of its efforts to promote inter-parliamentary dialogue on relevant security developments pertaining to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. This event focused on recent developments regarding the situation in camps and other migrant facilities on the Greek Islands and in the Western Balkans, but also touched upon migration issues across the OSCE region. As an appointed member of the Committee, Dr. Hedy Fry attended the meeting and represented the Canadian Delegation.

Joël Godin, MP, chairs the Bureau of the Parliamentary Affairs Committee (PAC). The Bureau is mandated to set the agenda and decide on other administrative matters for the main committee. The members attending via videoconference discussed the progress of the work already underway and the new studies to come for the next meeting of the commission. Among other studies, the Canadian Branch proposed a new study on the organization of parliaments during the pandemic. The Bureau also discussed the management of other pandemic-related studies, including the use of using geolocation, obstacles to legislative work, and cooperative activities. Lastly, the members discussed a draft agreement with the Réseau francophone d'éthique et de déontologie parlementaires and adopted a schedule of work for its next meeting.

Meeting of the APF Crisis Committee (COVID-19) – May 17 The APF Crisis Committee, a new temporary body, met on May 17, with Francis Drouin, MP, Chair of the Canadian Branch and First Vice-President of the APF, in attendance. At this meeting, participants agreed to a crisis plan and discussed both the evolution of the pandemic in francophone countries and the measures in place to address the health, economic, social and political consequences. The committee also discussed how the APF’s various governing bodies could contribute to fighting the pandemic. Another topic the committee addressed was African debt relief, and MP Francis Drouin suggested having one of the existing APF’s committees consider this matter. The Crisis committee expressed the view that debt relief, or debt forgiveness, should help reduce inequalities and give nations the means to invest more in their health care systems. The committee also encouraged solidarity between nations. The meeting ended by highlighting the importance of resisting fear, hatred and turning inward during the pandemic.

Mr. Luc Berthold, M.P., represented Canada at an OSCE PA Web Dialogue on political and security issues entitled “COVID’s Impact on Conflicts in the OSCE region”. The webinar heard from two guests speakers: Ambassador Tuula Yrjölä, Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, and Ambassador Yasar Halit Çevik, Head of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine. Following their presentations, the floor was opened to dialogue, questions and answers. Mr. Berthold stressed the importance of the continued dialogue with other countries and shared Canada’s actions taken domestically and internationally facing the pandemic. Mr. Berthold reminded his peers that the conflicts facing many countries have been accentuated with the pandemic and continue needing our attention despite the current international health crisis.