Interparliamentary Activities and Reports

The committee held a regular meeting on 4 June 2020 via videoconference. Members reported on the health and socio-economic effects of COVID-19 pandemic in the Arctic, the responses and common challenges of Arctic nations. Common challenges experienced across Arctic nations included: the downturn in tourism upon which a number of Arctic communities depend; COVID-19 border closures affecting the movement of Indigenous peoples living across national borders; measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 among seasonal workers arriving in the Arctic to work in fish processing and oil and gas sectors; and the anticipated increased frequency of forest fires in the Arctic over the summer of 2020. Members raised some of the themes related to the drafting of the Conference Statement to be adopted at the next biennial Conference. The Conference, which was originally to be held in Norway in September 2020, is currently postponed to Spring 2021.

The Honourable Scott Simms P.C., M.P., President, CAEU, participated in a videoconference call with the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Canada (D-CA). D-CA participants included Ms. Stéphanie Yon-Courtin (Chair), Mr. Javier Moreno Sánchez (Vice-Chair, Spain), Mr. Jan Olbrycht (Poland), Ms. Isabel Carvalhais (Portugal), Mr. Martin Schirdewan (Germany), Mr. Mislav Kolakušic (Croatia), and Mr. Javier Zarzalejos (Spain). The main topics of discussion were Canadian and European responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) – with a focus on its benefits for small and medium-sized enterprises – and fisheries in the context of the European Union’s ongoing negotiations with the United Kingdom over their future relationship. Discussions continued regarding the status of the annual interparliamentary meeting, which is scheduled to take place in Canada in November.

Meeting of the Bureau of the Network of Women Parliamentarians – June 2, 2020 The Bureau is the organizing committee of the APF’s Network of Women Parliamentarians. It sets the agenda and decides on other administrative matters for the main committee. At the Bureau’s videoconference meeting, Member of Parliament Marie-France Lalonde, rapporteur of the Canadian Branch of the AP,F was among the members present to discuss the ongoing and upcoming studies of the main Commission, namely its report on cyberviolence against women and children and another proposal on the economic empowerment of francophone women. The parliamentarians decided to hold a meeting to discuss a future policy on preventing and addressing harassment; women’s role in the extractive industries, and women’s contribution to the fight against COVID 19. In closing, the agenda for the next meeting of the Political Committee, was adopted.

Members of Parliament Karen McCrimmon, Darren Fisher, Cheryl Gallant and John McKay participated in this event. This was the second webinar held as part of the NATO PA’s response and adaptation to the COVID 19 crisis. Lieutenant General Fernando López del Pozo, Commander of the Operations Command for Spain and officer in charge of Operation Balmis (the Spanish armed forces’ mission to manage the coronavirus crisis), addressed nearly 90 Assembly members and parliamentary staff. The virtual meeting gave rise to dynamic discussions. The participants learned more about the pandemic response in Spain and, more generally, around the world. They also drew lessons that may be useful in Canada.