Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (CAAF)

On October 26, 2023, a ceremony was held to mark the 20th anniversary of the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (CAAF) and to pay tribute to its co-founders, the Honourable Raynell Andreychuk, Senator from 1993 to 2019, and the late Honourable Mauril Bélanger, Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier from 1995 to 2016. CAAF’s co-chairs, the Honourable Amina Gerba, Senator, and Ms. Brenda Shanahan, M.P., delivered speeches and presented plaques to former Senator Andreychuk and Mr. Bélanger’s widow, Ms. Catherine Bélanger.
The new Speaker of the House of Commons, the Honourable Greg Fergus, was in attendance, along with several senators, Members of Parliament, and former staff. Former Senator Andreychuk and Ms. Bélanger highlighted how the Association has played an important role in the co-founders’ lives and has had a positive influence on Canadian and African parliamentarians. The Honourable René Cormier, Senator and vice-chair of the Association, and the Honourable Robert Oliphant, P.C., M.P., vice-chair and former co-chair of the Association, also made vibrant tributes to the two co-founders, as they reflected on the highlights of the past twenty years.

On May 18, 2023, the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association, in collaboration with Mosaïque Interculturelle, held a reception to mark its 20th anniversary and celebrate Africa Day. The event brought together parliamentarians, members of the African diplomatic corps, and distinguished guests, including members of the African diaspora in Canada. The reception began with opening remarks by the Association's Co-Chairs, The honourableAmina Gerba, Senator and Ms. Brenda Shanahan, M.P., who paid warm tribute to the Association's co-founders, former Senator Raynell Andreychuk and the late Mauril Bélanger, M.P., whose vision and passion for Africa led to the creation of an official association. They also underlined the growing consolidation of ties between Canada and Africa, while acknowledging the confidence and ingenuity shown by Africans in managing the continent's rapid changes. The event offered a unique cultural experience, enabling parliamentarians and guests to discover the many traditions and perspectives of the African continent through musical performances, pan-African cuisine showcasing the richness of African gastronomy, and art exhibitions.

On 15 February 2023, the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association organized a plenary conference around the theme of "Welcome to Africa – The Building Site of the Century." This event brought together heads of missions from 14 African countries in Canada, representatives of missions from nine other African countries, Association members, as well as other Members of Parliament and Senators. The conference began with opening remarks from the Honourable Amina Gerba, Senator, and Brenda Shanahan, MP— Co-chairs of the Association—along with Vice-Chair and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Rob Oliphant. The keynote speaker, Jean-Louis Roy, presented some of the challenges that Africa faces today, and will face in the future: significant population growth, the expansion of cities and the emergence of new ones, climate change, and the implementation of a free trade zone in Africa. He also indicated that the needs and solutions to these challenges must be determined by Africans, and that Canadians should only accompany them and share their expertise. This event was an opportunity for exciting exchanges as well as an enjoyable and enriching social gathering between the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association and the African diplomatic community in Canada.