Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CCOM)

In November 2021, the United Kingdom (UK) will be hosting the 26th United Nations Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP26). As such, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK, in partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), hosted the first virtual Commonwealth Parliamentary Forum on Climate Change from March 22–24, 2021. The Forum engaged parliamentarians across the Commonwealth in discussions relating to climate change, such as holding governments to account, setting ambitious climate commitments and complying with international agreements. Delegates were also given the opportunity to network with peers and exchange ideas with experts. A working group was elected during the Forum to take forward the action points discussed by delegates.

The 2020 Westminster Seminar, which was the 69th edition organized by the United Kingdom Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, gathered parliamentarians and clerks from every region of the Commonwealth to exchange ideas and build knowledge around topics relevant to Westminster-style democracies. The theme of the 2020 Westminster Seminar, held virtually for the first time, was: “Preparing parliamentarians for a changing world.” The seminar ran a course of three half-day sessions. The following parliamentarians attended the seminar: Hon. Rob Black, Senator; Ms. Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, M.P., and Mr. Sameer Zuberi, M.P.

The purpose of the bilateral visits to Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados is to strengthen bonds with Commonwealth partners, in line with the Canadian Branch’s mandate to facilitate twinning between Canadian provincial-territorial legislatures and Caribbean legislatures. The delegation will discuss people-to-people ties, trade and investment, good governance and democracy, and climate change.