Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (CAPF)

The Political Committee of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) considers policy issues and the rule of law in francophone countries, relations with the institutions of La Francophonie, the APF’s overall priorities, and legal issues concerning its statutes and enforcement provisions. With Senator Dennis Dawson, rapporteur of the Canadian Branch, in attendance, the committee addressed a number of topics. Rapporteurs from the APF’s various committees and networks discussed study subjects and asked member branches to participate, notably through the completion of surveys on their practices in those areas. The committee’s meeting began with an overview of the political situation in each APF member country. The situations in Lebanon and Mali were monitored closely in association with the APF’s democratic vigilance mechanisms. The committee heard from Antoine Michon, Director of Political Affairs and Democratic Governance at the International Organisation internationale de La Francophonie. Senator Dennis Dawson then went on to present his report on the freedom of the press in francophone countries and suggested creating a new francophone organization dedicated to the freedom of the press. Lastly, participants reviewed a draft report on the relationship between the executive and legislative powers in times of crisis, were briefed on the evolution of the death sentence in francophone countries, and considered requests from new APF members. A draft agenda for the committee’s next meeting was adopted.

Meeting of the Network of Women Parliamentarians – October 6, 2020 In 2002, the Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) created the Network of Women Parliamentarians to encourage women to participate more in political, economic, social and cultural life, both at a national level and across all francophone countries. Member of Parliament Marie-France Lalonde attended the videoconference meeting of the Network of Women Parliamentarians of the APF, held October 6, 2020. Parliamentarians from more than 20 APF branches participated. Ms. Lalonde, rapporteur for the Canadian Branch of the APF, presented the report of the Canadian Branch of the APF on cyberviolence against women and children, as well as a proposal for a report by the Canadian Branch on the economic empowerment of francophone women. Rapporteurs from the APF’s various committees and networks discussed study subjects and asked member branches to participate, particularly through answering a survey on their practices in those areas. In addition to these two issues, the parliamentarians discussed a future policy on preventing and addressing harassment within the APF, women’s role in the extractive industries, and women’s contribution to the fight against COVID 19. To conclude, members discussed subjects on the agenda for the Network’s next meeting.

Conference of Presidencies of the Americas Region – October 5, 2020 MPs Francis Drouin and Chris d’Entremont both participated in the Conference of Presidencies of the Americas Region of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) on October 5, 2020. The chargé de mission for the Americas Region reported on the past year’s activities and financial situation. Parliamentarians discussed possible steps to implement the APF’s strategic framework, including the possibility of creating an institutional sustainability plan for the organization. The Nova Scotia branch gave an update on preparations for the 36th Session of the Americas Regional Assembly, scheduled to take place in Halifax in August 2021.

The Education, Communication and Cultural Affairs Committee considers issues relating to cultural expression in French, education, training, communication, information and communications technologies and audiovisual media. MP Richard Martel represented the Canadian Branch at the committee meeting. Members in attendance were briefed on the reports on activities for both the committee and the Parliamentary Network to fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The committee also heard from Prof. Abdel Rahamane Baba-Moussa, General Secretary of the Conference of the Ministers of Education of French speaking countries (CONFEMEN); Georges Malamoud, Strategic Advisor to the Rector of the Agence Universitaire Francophonie (AUF); and Arnaud Mercier, Professor of Communication and Information Science, Université Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas on the theme, “Disinformation in health: reflections during the COVID-19 pandemic.” Committee members also considered an interim report on teaching during a crisis, received an update on the implementation of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, and shared how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the sphere of culture. To conclude, members discussed subjects on the agenda for the Committee’s next meeting.

Bureau Meeting – July 6 The Bureau is delegated the authority to oversee the implementation of Plenary Assembly decisions. It ensures the implementation of the motions adopted, the resolutions made, and the advice and recommendations issued by the Plenary Assembly, and it can make any decisions it deems useful for that purpose. It considers, on the basis of a report from the General Secretariat, issues involving branch membership and changes to their status, and it adopts the APF’s budget. Francis Drouin, MP, Chair of the Canadian Branch and First Vice-Chair of the APF; Chris d’Entremont, Vice-Chair of the Canadian Branch; and Joël Godin, MP and Chair of the APF’s Parliamentary Affairs Committee, each participated in this meeting by videoconference. Parliamentarians in attendance discussed new requests for APF membership. Branches represented at the meeting gave status updates on the pandemic situation in their nations, with Mr. Drouin giving the update on the situation in Canada, and they also discussed the effects of the pandemic on the general operation of the APF’s International Secretariat. Several reports on activities were presented, and the report on activities for the Parliamentary Secretary General and the cooperation programs were considered. The Treasurer’s report on the 2019 accounts was also discussed. Lastly, the chairs of the committees and networks shared the results of their proceedings: Mr. Godin, the Chair of the Parliamentary Affairs Committee, gave an update on the work of his committee, including a Canadian initiative under the leadership of Mr. d’Entremont on how parliaments are operating during the pandemic. Lastly, an update was given on the status of the APF’s statute review and the APF’s regional activities.

Meeting of the Political Committee (PC) – June 29, 2020 The Political Committee of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) considers political issues, the rule of law in francophone countries, relations with francophone institutions, the APF’s overall priorities, and legal issues concerning its statutes and enforcement provisions. With the honourable Dennis Dawson, Senator and rapporteur of the Canadian Branch, in attendance, the committee addressed a number of topics. Rapporteurs from the Canadian Branch asked the other APF branches to answer a survey that would be sent to them about their practices in the areas being studied. The committee heard a summary of the health situation in each country represented at the meeting. Senator Dawson presented the situation in Canada to the other participants. He shared a statistical table with the number of reported COVID-19 cases and the number of deaths across Canada. He also spoke about the steps the Canadian government had taken to support the economy during the pandemic. Lastly, he described the measures in place so that the Parliament of Canada could continue meeting. The Committee also heard from Lauren Jimenez of the Political Affairs and Democratic Governance Directorate at the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF). She discussed issues involving governance and democracy during the pandemic in francophone nations and the OIF’s contributions in this area. In closing, members were given a status update on the work of the working group reviewing APF statutes. The draft agenda for its next meeting was adopted.

Meeting of the Parliamentary Affairs Committee (PAC) – June 26, 2020 Joël Godin, Member of Parliament, chairs the Parliamentary Affairs Committee, which considers parliamentary issues of common interest, the overall direction of interparliamentary cooperation, legal issues in the French-speaking world, and rights, freedoms and democratic development. At this meeting held by videoconference, Member of Parliament Chris d’Entremont presented a draft report on the organization of parliaments during the pandemic. The committee heard from senior officials of four APF member parliaments on how their parliaments are operating in these unique circumstances and the associated challenges. A draft report was also presented to members in attendance about open parliament and bringing institutions and populations closer together. Members also heard about other study topics, such as using geolocation in a pandemic context and barriers to legislative initiatives by parliamentarians. In addition, the committee chair reported on cooperation activities with some APF member countries. To close, the committee chair proposed a draft convention with the Réseau francophone d’éthique et de déontologie parlementaires and heard from the president of this network. To conclude, members discussed subjects on the agenda for the Committee’s next meeting.

Meeting of the Cooperation and Development Committee (COOP) – June 25, 2020 The Cooperation and Development Committee considers issues pertaining to human development (health, population and poverty), sustainable development (environment, energy and agriculture) and economic development, from the perspective of cooperation, democracy and solidarity. At the meeting, honourable Éric Forest, Senator and rapporteur of the Canadian Branch, presented his work on the draft report on the four areas of international cooperation for climate change. These four areas are financial support, technology transfer, sharing information and best practices, and technical support for developing countries. Rapporteurs of the Canadian Branch asked all APF branches to answer a survey that would be sent out on their practices in the areas being studied. Participants also discussed resolutions about food loss and food waste, as well as transportation and tourism and their economic impact as a source of development. They were also briefed on the status of WTO international trade negotiations; rural populations and vitality; the status of resolutions adopted at the Luxembourg (2017) and Quebec City (2018) assemblies; and the status of children without identity papers and the consequences for economic development in francophone countries. To conclude, members discussed subjects on the agenda for the Committee’s next meeting.