Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CCOM)

Canada as a whole makes up one of the regions of the CPA, and its 14 branches correspond to the provincial and territorial legislative assemblies and the federal Parliament. Within the Canadian region, legislators can take part in a wide range of exchange programs, conferences and seminars. The Canadian region also has its own publication, Canadian Parliamentary Review. The Regional Council is the decision-making body for the Canadian region. Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, M.P., Chair of the Canadian Branch, is a member of the Regional Council.

From July 5 to 9, 2021, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) headquarters hosted a conference on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (industry 4.0) entitled CPA Virtual Conference:

The 4th Industrial Revolution. Each day covered a different theme and consisted of panel sessions covering different topics. Presenters included parliamentarians, academics and industry experts. The objective of the conference was to challenge participants to think about how the Commonwealth, parliaments and democracies will evolve in the next 10, 50 or even 100 years.

The conference was attended by the following members of the Canadian Branch of the CPA: The Honourable Terry M. Mercer, Senator, Mr. Terry Duguid, M.P., and Ms. Brenda Shanahan, M.P.

The themes of the conference were:

• What is the 4th Industrial Revolution?

• The 4th Industrial Revolution and Environmental Stewardship

• Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Algorithms

• Big Data and Blockchain

• Cybersecurity and the Internet of Things

During a panel session (Regulating at Speed and Scale), the Honourable Terry M. Mercer, Senator, discussed the findings of the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications’ study on automated vehicles, which were published in its 2018 report entitled Driving Change: Technology and the future of the automated vehicle.

From 14 to 28 June 2021, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) United Kingdom (U.K.) hosted a five-session workshop series on Trade Agreements, using the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as a case study. Each workshop followed a similar format with a portion of the time reserved for presentations and the remainder for a question-and-answer period. Presenters for the workshops included politicians, officials and other experts from Commonwealth countries that are already part of the CPTPP.

The fourth workshop, which took place on 28 June 2021, was divided in two parts: CPTPP and Agriculture and CPTPP and Creative Industries.

PART 1: CPTPP AND AGRICULTURE

The CPTPP and Agriculture topic was presented by Randy Hoback, MP, former Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade of the Parliament of Canada; Tori Morgan and Isabelle Rayner from the U.K.’s National Farmers’ Union; and Ken Ash, former Director of the Organisation for Co-operation and Economic Development’s Trade and Agriculture Directorate. The session examined the benefits and risks of joining CPTPP from an agricultural perspective as well as the process for negotiating specific exceptions for local farming industries to accommodate differences in national standards for food safety and animal welfare.

In addition to Mr. Hoback, the workshop was attended by the following parliamentarians from the Canadian Branch of the CPA: the Honourable Robert Black and Mr. Dan Mazier, MP.

PART 2: CPTPP AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

The second topic was presented by Garry Neil, author of Canadian Culture in a Globalized World: The impact of trade deals on Canada’s cultural life; and Reema Selhi, Legal and Policy Manager at the U.K.’s Design and Artists Copyright Society. The session focused on intellectual property provisions within the CPTPP particularly as they relate to creative industries such as music, radio, television, visual arts, photography, crafts and design.

On June 14, 21, and 28, 2021, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) United Kingdom (U.K.) hosted a series of virtual seminars for newly elected parliamentarians from the British Virgin Islands (BVI). The series, which was requested by the BVI House of Assembly, was held more than two years after the country’s last election. The objective of the series was to ensure elected representatives in BVI continue to be well-equipped to effectively carry out their parliamentary duties and to allow them to reflect on the challenges and opportunities they have experienced fulfilling their roles to date.

Over the three-day series, Members of Parliament from across the Commonwealth were invited to give presentations. Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, MP, Chair of the Canadian Branch of the CPA, gave a presentation on June 21, 2021. Her presentation focused the roles and responsibilities of standing committees in both chambers of the Parliaments of Canada. She also discussed the role of the Chair, the opposition and the staff that assist standing committees. Ms. Ratansi also drew parallels between Canada and BVI’s system of governance and answered questions from the audience.

From 14 to 28 June 2021, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) United Kingdom (U.K.) hosted a five-session workshop series on trade agreements, using the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as a case study. Each workshop followed a similar format with a portion of the time reserved for presentations and the remainder for a question-and-answer period. Presenters for the workshops included politicians, officials and other experts from Commonwealth countries that are already part of the CPTPP.

The third workshop, entitled Scrutinising Trade Agreements, took place on 21 June 2021. The topic was presented by Simon O’Connor, MP, and Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Trade Committee in the Parliament of New Zealand; Randy Hoback, MP, former Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade of the Parliament of Canada; and Emily Jones, Associate Professor of Public Policy at the University of Oxford. The session focused on the roles of parliamentarians in scrutinizing multilateral trade agreements once implementing legislation is tabled in parliament. Mr. O’Connor and Mr. Hoback shared their experience of scrutinizing the CPTPP within their respective jurisdictions. For her part, Ms. Jones focused on the procedural challenges U.K. parliamentarians face when scrutinizing trade agreements.

In addition to Mr. Hoback, the workshop was also attended by Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, MP, Chair of the Canadian Branch of the CPA.

The Canadian Region of the CWP is administered by a steering committee that represents the views and concerns of women parliamentarians throughout Canada and develops programs to support the objectives of the CWP in the region. This committee is composed of one representative from each province and territory and one from the federal Parliament. A chair oversees its activities and represents Canada on the CWP international steering committee. Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, M.P., Chair of the Canadian Branch, sits on the CWP steering committee of the Canadian Region.

From 14 June–28 June 2021, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) United Kingdom (U.K.) hosted a five-session workshop series on trade agreements, using the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as a case study. Each workshop followed a similar format with a portion of the time reserved for presentations and the remainder for a question-and-answer period. Presenters for the workshops included politicians, officials, and other experts from Commonwealth countries that are already part of the CPTPP.

The first workshop, entitled Multilateral Trade Agreements: Opportunities and Challenges, was held on 14 June 2021. The topic was presented by David Lawrence, Senior Political Adviser at the U.K. Trade Justice Movement, and Stephanie Honey, a trade expert and former New Zealand diplomat. The session generally focused on the history of multilateral trade agreements, their benefits and challenges. Mr. Lawrence explored whether the U.K. would benefit from the CPTPP economically, geopolitically and environmentally.

The workshop was attended by the following parliamentarians from the Canadian Branch of the CPA: The Honourable Robert Black, Senator, Mr. Randy Hoback, MP, and Mr. Daniel Blaikie, MP.

On June 3, 2021, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the International Parliamentary Network for Education cohosted a virtual round table discussion for members of parliament from across the Commonwealth. The objective of the event was to emphasize the importance of financing education both at home and abroad.

The round table was held as part of the lead up to the Global Education Summit: Financing GPE [Global Partnership for Education] 2021–2025, which will be cohosted by the governments of Kenya and the United Kingdom in July 2021. The Global Education Summit will seek to raise at least US $5 billion for the GPE.

The round table was attended by Canadian parliamentarians, including several members of the Canadian Branch of the CPA:

Yasmin Ratansi, M.P.

Honourable Brent Cotter, Senator

Ziad Aboultaif, M.P.

Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, M.P.

Robert Kitchen, M.P.

Mike Lake, M.P.

The roundtable discussion was initiated by the Honourable Julia Gillard, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Global Partnership for Education and former Prime Minister of Australia; the Right Honourable Gordon Brown, United Nations (UN) Special Envoy for Education and former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; the Honourable David Moinina Sengeh, Minister of Education of Sierra Leone; and Shradha Koirala, GPE Youth Leader from Nepal.

The speakers primarily focussed their remarks on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to education across the globe, the importance of education in meeting the UN development goals and the role parliamentarians have in supporting governments and growing both development assistance and national spending on education.

From 3 to 7 May 2021 the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) hosted a virtual post-election seminar for newly elected and returning members of parliament to the National Assembly of Belize. Post-election seminars are the CPA’s oldest running program. They provide parliamentarians with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of their roles and responsibilities, including those relating to parliamentary practices, procedures, legislation, scrutiny, oversight and representation. They also help parliamentarians gain a better appreciation of the CPA and how to leverage its vast network and resources. Two members of the Canadian Branch of the CPA were invited to give remarks during the four-day seminar.

The Honourable Stan Kutcher, Senator, gave a presentation on parliamentary privileges and immunities. Senator Kutcher focussed on the boundaries of the concept – emphasizing that parliamentary privilege is a shield to protect, not a sword to attack. He also underscored that, within the Canadian context, parliamentary privilege is a multilayered concept that is not codified. He added that the courts have the jurisdiction to determine the existence and scope of a claim of privilege.

The Honourable Marilou McPhedran, Senator, participated in discussions during the session on the legislative process. Her remarks focussed on the Senate of Canada’s role within the Parliament of Canada’s legislative process and touched on various themes including oversight, Senate Public Bills and committee work.

The Executive Committee of the Canadian Branch of the CPA meets at least twice per year, among others to direct and manage the affairs and budget of the association. The committee is made up of a number of senators and MPs reflecting the proportionate share of the operating budget of the Branch as contributed by the Senate and the House of Commons, respectively. Committee members are elected at the CPA’s General Assembly. The Hon. Emilia Monjowa Lifaka, Chairperson of the CPA International Executive Committee, and Stephen Twigg, CPA Secretary General, attended this virtual meeting.

The CPA’s international executive committee (EXCO) meets twice a year, in the spring and just before the annual meeting. This year, the spring meeting will be held virtually. The CPA’s constitution authorizes it to control and manage the activities and business of the association. The international executive committee has about 35 members and is led by the chairperson of the CPA. The committee is made up of the officers of the CPA and three representatives from each region (except Africa, which has six representatives given its size).

The Canadian Branch was represented by Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, M.P., Chair of the Canadian Branch. The international executive committee also agreed to postpone the next Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, which will be held in Canada, until August 2022.

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 Canadian Region of the CWP is administered by a steering committee that represents the views and concerns of women parliamentarians throughout Canada and develops programs to support the objectives of the CWP in the region. This committee is composed of one representative from each province and territory and one from the federal Parliament. A chair oversees its activities and represents Canada on the CWP international steering committee. Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, M.P., Chair of the Canadian Branch, sits on the CWP steering committee of the Canadian Region.

Leading up to the 65th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, which is due to be held from 21–27 August 2021 in Halifax, Canada, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Headquarters Secretariat hosted virtual workshops.

This workshop centred on the importance of drafting disability-sensitive legislation and improving the accessibility of legislative institutions. Mr. Mike Lake, MP, discussed the importance of creating supportive environments for people with disabilities. He provided personal examples of his autistic son thriving in contexts where a supportive environment was fostered. This webinar was also attended by the Honourable Kim Pate, Senator and Mr. Robert Kitchen, MP.

Leading up to the 65th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, which is due to be held from 21–27 August 2021 in Halifax, Canada, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Headquarters Secretariat hosted virtual workshops.

During this workshop, panellists explored the various benefits and challenges of social media in different contexts, including governance and legislating. They also provided insights into the competing interests at play in the regulation of social media companies to protect user privacy. This meeting was attended by the Honourable Salma Ataullahjan, Senator, the Honourable Kim Pate, Senator, the Honourable Vernon White, Senator and Mr. Sameer Zuberi, MP.

Leading up to the 65th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, which is due to be held from 21–27 August 2021 in Halifax, Canada, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Headquarters Secretariat hosted virtual workshops.

The objective of this workshop was to gain a better understanding of the relevance of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) to legislatures and to parliamentarians. Participants were given a general introduction to IHL and its history. The Honourable Marilou McPhedran, Senator, gave a presentation on the roles and responsibilities of parliamentarians in implementing and upholding IHL at the domestic and international levels. She provided several examples from the Parliament of Canada’s perspective. The workshop was also attended by the Honourable Salma Ataullahjan, Senator, the Honourable Kim Pate, Senator, and Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, MP.

Leading up to the 65th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, which is due to be held from 21–27 August 2021 in Halifax, Canada, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Headquarters Secretariat hosted virtual workshops.

This workshop focussed on the role of parliamentarians in advocating, introducing, and implementing climate change policy as well as on how they can help close important policy gaps between the global, national, and local levels of governance. During this workshop, Mr. Terry Duguid, MP, gave a presentation that focussed on Canada’s domestic response to climate change and the challenges of climate action in the Canadian federal system. Mr. Duguid also answered questions relating to the role of parliamentarians in elaborating and implementing climate change legislation. The workshop was also attended by the Honourable Kim Pate, Senator.

From February 22 to 24, 2021 and on March 1st 2021, the Secretariat of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) hosted a series of post-election seminars for returning and recently elected parliamentarians to the Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The main purpose of the event was to help develop knowledge and understanding of parliamentary practices and procedures. Members of the Canadian Branch of the CPA gave presentations during the following post-election seminars:

Giving Parliamentarians a Voice: Amendments, Debates, Parliamentary Questions, and Motions

This session provided an overview of the various tools parliamentarians can use to draw the attention of their respective chambers to issues of importance to them and to their constituents. The Honourable Yuen Pau Woo, Senator, was invited to share his knowledge and experiences as Facilitator of the Independent Senators Group in the Senate of Canada. His presentation drew parallels between the Parliament of Canada and the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament. Senator Woo touched on Private Members Bills, Question Period, and the selection of the Speaker.

Public Financial Management

This session focused on various aspects of public financial management in a parliamentary context. As a member of Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Mr. Greg Fergus, MP, gave a presentation on the unique roles and responsibilities of this committee in the Parliament of Canada. He discussed the work of the committee, the Auditor General’s reports to the committee, as well as the important contribution civil society can make in keeping members of the committee informed.

Ethics and Standards

This session looked at various ways Commonwealth parliaments are working to establish ethical parliaments. Ms. Brenda Shanahan, MP, presented some of the Parliament of Canada’s various mechanisms for holding parliamentarians responsible and accountable. She also stressed the importance of transparency as well as personal and institutional responsibility in building trust between parliamentarians and the public.

Canada as a whole makes up one of the regions of the CPA, and its 14 branches correspond to the provincial and territorial legislative assemblies and the federal Parliament. Within the Canadian region, legislators can take part in a wide range of exchange programs, conferences and seminars. The Canadian region also has its own publication, Canadian Parliamentary Review. The Regional Council is the decision-making body for the Canadian region. Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, M.P., Chair of the Canadian Branch, is a member of the Regional Council.

The Caribbean Workshop on Human Trafficking, Forced Labour and Contemporary Forms of Exploitation, organized by CPA UK, took place online from February 2 and 3, 2021. Parliamentarians and officials taking part in the workshop represented the UK, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, St Vincent & Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and Virgin Islands (UK). The programme explored topics such as child exploitation, debt bondage and the role of the hospitality sector. There was also opportunities for elected representatives to discuss their role in tackling these issues, through debates in parliament, strengthening legislation, providing scrutiny and educating constituents. With the other participants, Senator Julie Miville-Dechêne was invited to discuss the role parliamentarians and officials can play towards eradicating human trafficking, forced labour and other contemporary forms of exploitation. Senator Julie Miville-Dechêne talk about the bill she presented to the Senate in February 2020, Modern Slavery Act, currently numbered S-216.

The Canadian Branch of the CWP is administered by a steering committee that represents the views and concerns of women parliamentarians throughout Canada and develops programs to support the objectives of the CWP in the region. This committee is composed of one representative from each province and territory and one from the federal Parliament. A chair oversees its activities and represents Canada on the CWP international steering committee. Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, M.P., Chair of the Canadian Branch, sits on the CWP steering committee of the Canadian Region. This virtual meeting was attended by the CWP International Chairperson and the CPA Secretary General.

The newly elected members of the Bermuda House of Assembly participated in the post-election seminar, which is the oldest program run by the CPA. This was a virtual seminar and was attended by representatives from throughout the Commonwealth. The newly elected Members of the House of Assembly, chosen to represent Bermuda’s approx. 64,000 citizens, join the Parliament in a year that marks 400 years after it first sat at St Peter’s Church in St George in 1620. The CPA Post-Election Seminar programme offers elected Members of Parliament the opportunity to examine the core elements of democratic governance and to explore examples of best practice from across the Commonwealth. Hon. Yuen Pau Woo, Senator, Member of the Executive Committee, was invited to be a panellist. He presented an overview of a parliamentary committee system, including examples of best practice from the Senate of Canada.

CPA Webinar for Speakers and Presiding Officers: COVID-19 and Independent Parliaments The Honourable Anthony Rota, M.P., Speaker of the House of Commons and President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), was a panelist at the CPA webinar for Speakers and Presiding Officers along with participants from Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom and KwaZulu-Natal. They all emphasized the importance of independent parliaments and legislatures and the adaptations that have been made, especially during the COVID-19 global pandemic, during the second webinar on this topic organized by the CPA. The CPA webinar provided a timely and unique opportunity to examine the nature of parliaments as independent institutions in the context of COVID 19. Speaker Rota discussed the Canadian Parliament’s experience with virtual proceedings during the pandemic and the importance of a healthy and functioning parliament to democracy. The Parliament of Canada has implemented hybrid proceedings as a temporary measure in consultation with both parliamentarians and parliamentary staff and required the opposition’s support to pass emergency legislation. The CPA webinar was attended by Speakers and Presiding Officers from many Commonwealth parliaments including those in Uganda, Mauritius, South Africa, Zambia, Malta, Alberta, Bermuda, Sierra Leone, Ontario, Lesotho, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Yukon, Saint Lucia, Cayman Islands, Guyana, Malawi, Seychelles, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Falkland Islands, Jersey, the Western Cape and Gauteng.

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 Commonwealth Parliamentary Association held the second of its CPA High-Level Roundtables with Commonwealth High Commissioners based in London and representatives of Overseas Territories. The newly appointed CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg spoke on the topic of the ‘Working Towards a Common Future’ ahead of #CHOGM2021 and the roundtable also heard from guest panellists, Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, M.P., Chair of CPA Canadian Branch and Her Excellency Rethabile Mokaeane, High Commissioner of Lesotho to the UK.

The newly elected members of the Dominican House of Assembly participated in the post-election seminar, which is the oldest program run by the CPA. This was the second virtual seminar of its kind and was attended by representatives from throughout the Commonwealth. Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, M.P., Chair of the Canadian Branch, was invited to be a panelist. She presented approaches to conducting Public Outreach, Representation and Education, and discussed how to strengthen the voice of women in Parliament.

In partnership with the UK Modern Slavery & Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (Modern Slavery PEC), CPA UK hosted this two-day international virtual conference for parliamentarians, survivors of modern slavery, human trafficking and forced labour, NGOs, government officials, researchers and civil society organisations from around the Commonwealth and beyond on “Assisting and Protecting Survivors of Modern Slavery, Human Trafficking and Forced Labour”. By bringing these stakeholders together with survivors and organisations working with survivors, the conference aims to increase participants’ knowledge and understanding of the support and protection needed by survivors of modern slavery, human trafficking and forced labour. The following parliamentarians attended the conference: Hon. Julie Miville-Dechêne, Senator; Mr. Sameer Zuberi, M.P.; Ms. Iqra Khalid, M.P.; Mr. Arnold Viersen, M.P.

The CPA’s international executive committee (EXCO) meets twice a year, in the spring and just before the annual meeting. This year, however, the meeting was held in August and was held virtually for the first time. The CPA’s constitution authorizes it to control and manage the activities and business of the association. The international executive committee has about 35 members and is led by the chairperson of the CPA. The committee is made up of the officers of the CPA and three representatives from each region (except Africa, which has six representatives given its size). The Canadian Branch was represented by Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, M.P., Chair of the Canadian Branch. This was the first meeting for the new secretary general, Stephen Twigg. The international executive committee also agreed to postpone the next Commonwealth parliamentary conference, which will be held in Canada, until August 2021.

With the surge in reliance on digital infrastructure during the Covid19 pandemic comes the risk of increased cyberattacks that puts individuals, the private and public sector at risk to malicious adversaries. Parliamentarians, as legislators, have a central role in ensuring that robust cybersecurity laws are enacted. CPA UK organized three webinars on the following subject: The Rise of Cybercrime amid Covid-19. The three themes were the following: Cybersecurity and Covid19: Addressing Key Trends and Issues Pre and Post-Covid19; Cybersecurity and Covid19: The Changing Nature of Threats to Parliament; and Cybersecurity and Covid19: The Role of Parliamentarians. Mr. Ziad Aboultaif, M.P., attended the webinar on Addressing Key Trends and Issues Pre and Post-Covid19.

The Canadian Branch of the CWP is administered by a steering committee that represents the views and concerns of women parliamentarians throughout Canada and develops programs to support the objectives of the CWP in the region. This committee is composed of one representative from each province and territory and one from the federal Parliament. A chair oversees its activities and represents Canada on the CWP international steering committee. Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, M.P., Chair of the Canadian Branch, sits on the CWP steering committee of the Canadian Region. A virtual meeting was held given that the regional conference has been postponed.

Attended by newly elected Members of the Anguilla House of Assembly, the Post-Election Seminar featured panelists presenting from across the Commonwealth. This seminar, which is the CPA’s longest running program, was delivered for the first time fully virtually due to travel restrictions in place during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, M.P., Chair of the Canadian Branch, was invited to appear on the panel. During a round table discussion, she addressed the role of committees in the Westminster parliamentary system. At another point in the seminar, she also discussed how to strengthen the voice of women in Parliament.

Canada as a whole makes up one of the regions of the CPA, and its 14 branches correspond to the provincial and territorial legislative assemblies and the federal Parliament. Within the Canadian region, legislators can take part in a wide range of exchange programs, conferences and seminars. The Canadian region also has its own publication, Canadian Parliamentary Review. The Regional Council is the decision-making body for the Canadian region. Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, M.P., Chair of the Canadian Branch, is a member of the Regional Council. A virtual meeting was held given that the regional conference has been postponed.

Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, M.P., Chair of the Canadian Branch, participated as a panelist in this webinar organized by the CPA UK Branch, sharing her thoughts on how MPs can continue to engage their constituents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On May 1st 2020, Ms. Yasmin Ratansi – Chair of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) – participated in a meeting on the topic of “Virtual parliamentary sessions during the COVID-19 pandemic.” The virtual meeting was co-hosted by CPA and ParlAmericas; it was chaired by Bahamian Senator Ranard Henfield, Vice-President (Caribbean) of ParlAmericas’ Open Parliament Network. Presiding officers, parliamentarians and clerks from 17 English-speaking legislatures in the Americas and the Caribbean participated in the meeting. Participants heard presentations by: the Honourable Juan Watterson, Speaker of the Isle of Man’s House of Keys; Luiz Fernando Bandeira de Mello, Secretary-General of the Board of Brazil’s Senate; and Matthew Hamlyn, Strategic Director of the Chamber Business Team of the United Kingdom’s House of Commons. They discussed the technical and political challenges associated with implementing virtual sittings and committee meetings in their legislatures. Jarvis Matiya, the CPA’s Acting Secretary-General, updated participants about the CPA’s responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the launch of the CPA Toolkit for Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures on the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic and delivering parliamentary democracy. The Honourable Bridgid Annisette-George – Speaker of Trinidad and Tobago’s House of Representatives, a member of CPA’s International Executive Committee and ParlAmericas Board Member – delivered closing remarks.

Room 325, Wellington Building

6:00 p.m.

To be eligible to vote at the AGM the deadline for membership for this association is 7 days before the meeting.

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.