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

Report – Meeting with representatives of the Fédération de la jeunesse canadienne-française
On November 21, 2023, members of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) met with representatives of the Fédération de la jeunesse canadienne-française (FJCF) as part of the Journée jeunesse sur la Colline event. Members of Parliament Francis Drouin, Darrell Samson and Marie-France Lalonde met with:
- Simon Thériault, President of the FJCF;
- Raymonde Lonla, Nunavut youth representative;
- Mila Benoît, member organization representative, Northwest Territories; and
- Josée Vaillancourt, Executive Director of the FJCF.
During the meeting, Canadian parliamentarians and FJCF representatives discussed strengthening the youth network in Canada, particularly in terms of funding and support for organizations in remote areas; the role of youth and the Canadian youth network in the Government of Canada’s Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028; and initiatives to promote youth employability. Participants also discussed possible opportunities for collaboration between the Canadian Branch of the APF and the FJCF.

The Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) Regional Assembly of the Americas and the Conference of Branch Chairs were held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, from September 4–7, 2023. The Canadian delegation was composed of seven parliamentarians: five Members and two Senators.

Representatives from nine branches, the Americas secretariat and the APF secretariat were also in attendance.

The theme of the Regional Assembly of the Americas was the role of French at school, at work and in politics. Three panels were held around this theme. The work led to the adoption of three declarations:
• declaration to promote the French and Creole languages;
• declaration of solidarity with the Africa Region; and
• declaration of commitment by the Americas Region.

The declaration of solidarity with the Africa Region was tabled by the Canadian Branch.

The Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) held its Bureau meeting and 48th Annual Session in Tbilisi, Georgia, from July 4–8, 2023. The Canadian delegation was composed of five parliamentarians: one Senator and four Members.

Over 200 participants from 40 APF branches took part in the proceedings. Representatives from several organizations related to the Francophonie were also in attendance.

The theme of the 48th Annual Session was citizen mobility in the Francophonie, put forward by the Georgia Branch. The APF also adopted a declaration on this theme.

Among the resolutions the APF adopted, three resulted directly from the Canadian Branch’s work:
- impacts of climate change on island, coastal and riparian territories;
- promotion and use of French in francophone nations; and
- period poverty in francophone nations.

The Parliamentary Network on HIV/AIDS was created by the APF, in partnership with UNAIDS, in Yaoundé on July 7, 2000, as a place to debate and discuss ideas and strategies to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The network also raises awareness of these diseases and promotes actions and activities to combat them. It also provides information to and exerts pressure on parliaments on these issues.

This seminar is part of the APF’s efforts to help the National Assembly of the Republic of Congo build capacity and inform parliamentarians about sound practices for parliamentary oversight and explain how public policy is evaluated in various APF member country parliaments.

This conference gives parliamentarians a greater role in planning action to address the humanitarian crisis, insecurity and ongoing violence in the Sahel region and to promote the region’s social and economic development. It is an opportunity for direct dialogue between parliamentarians, witnesses to local realities and UN and international stakeholders. This event will also be a forum on co-operation between the APF and the G5 Sahel interparliamentary committee.

The Assembly is the APF’s main decision-making body. It holds an annual plenary session. It sets the agenda based on the priorities announced at the Francophonie Summit and the activities of other Francophonie groups. The plenary assembly is attended by delegations from the member branches and associate branches. The Assembly also deliberates on all issues of common interest, adopts motions, votes on resolutions, and issues opinions and recommendations consistent with its objectives. It debates subjects raised by the institutions of the Francophonie and its authorities and serves in an advisory capacity by issuing advice and recommendations. It hears from and questions the Secretary General of the Francophonie and adopts and amends the APF’s by-laws. It elects the members of the Executive, and on a motion of that Executive, it also subsequently elects the president, first vice president, vice chairs and treasurer before the end of the session. On a motion of the Executive, the Assembly also makes decisions regarding the admission of branches, changes to their status or the revocation of their membership, as well as on the granting of permanent observer status. The Assembly also ratifies the APF’s financial statements.

The Cooperation and Development Committee examines 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.

The Political Committee examines political issues and the rule of law in francophone countries, relations with francophone institutions, the Assembly’s overall priorities and any legal issues related to the organization’s by-laws and enforcement provisions.

The Education, Communication and Cultural Affairs Committee examines issues relating to cultural expression in French, education, training, communication, information and communication technologies and audiovisual media. In 2002, the APF set up a Network of Women Parliamentarians to promote greater participation of women in political, economic, social and cultural life in their own countries and in the Francophonie as a whole.

The Bureau oversees the execution of decisions of the plenary Assembly for which it has delegated authority. In particular, the Executive ensures the implementation of the plenary Assembly’s motions, resolutions, advice and recommendations and makes any decisions it deems necessary in that regard. On the basis of a report of the General Secretariat, it examines issues related to the admission of branches or changes to their status, and it adopts the Assembly’s budget.