Visit of the Honourable George J. Furey, K.C., Speaker of the Senate, and a Parliamentary Delegation, Kingdom of Morocco and the Sovereign Order of Malta

 

From April 10 to 15, 2023, the Speaker of the Senate, the Honourable George J. Furey, K.C., led a parliamentary delegation to the Kingdom of Morocco and the Sovereign Order of Malta. The delegation consisted of the Honourable Fabian Manning, Senator, the Honourable Mary Coyle, Senator, and the Honourable Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia, Senator. Accompanying the delegation were Mr. Greg Peters, Usher of the Black Rod, Mr. Vincent MacNeil, Chief of Staff, Office of the Speaker, and Mr. Kevin Pittman, Secretary to the delegation.

In Rabat, Morocco, the delegation met with the following officials:

• His Excellency Enaam Mayara, Speaker of the House of Councillors of the Kingdom of Morocco;
• His Excellency Rachid Talbi El Alami, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Morocco;
• Mr. Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Living Abroad;
• Mr. Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Industry and Trade;
• Mr. Lahbib El Malki, President of the Higher Council for Education, Training and Scientific Research; and
• Mr. Ahmed Abbadi, Secretary General of the Mohammadia League of Scholars (Rabita Mohammadia) of the Ulema.

While in Morocco, the delegation also paid tribute and laid wreaths at the tombs of King Mohammed V and King Hassan II. The delegation visited the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and took part in cultural activities at the Andalusian Gardens and the Chellah.

At the Sovereign Order of Malta, in Italy, members of the delegation visited the Magistral Villa and Magistral Palace of the Sovereign Order of Malta and met with the following officials:

• His Excellency Fra’ John T. Dunlap, Lieutenant of the Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta;
• His Excellency Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo, Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Order of Malta;
• His Excellency Fabrizio Colonna, Receiver of the Common Treasure of the Sovereign Order of Malta;
• His Excellency Fra’ Mathieu Dupont, Member of the Sovereign Council of the Sovereign Order of Malta; and
• His Excellency Ambassador Stefano Ronca, Secretary General for Foreign Affairs.

The purpose of the visit to the Kingdom of Morocco was to strengthen bilateral relations, promote democratic values and Canadian interests, enhance trade and investment relations, and explore opportunities for further cooperation in the area of education through increased collaboration between educational institutions. The delegation also exchanged best practices with their parliamentary counterparts and explored the themes of religious tolerance and the prevention of religious extremism.

During its meetings with the Sovereign Order of Malta, the delegation discussed the charitable work being conducted by the Order in Canada through its Canadian Association as well as internationally.

The establishment of official relations between Canada and the Order, in 2008, were also discussed and the desire was expressed that these relations can be further advanced.

The report will be available once it has been tabled in the Senate.