Visit to Canada of the Honourable Margaret Wilson,, Speaker of the House of Representatives of New Zealand, and a Parliamentary Delegation

From April 17 to 20, 2005, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of New Zealand led a parliamentary delegation to Toronto and Ottawa, at the invitation of the Honourable Peter Milliken, M.P., Speaker of the House of Commons. The delegation consisted of the Honourable David Carter, M.P., Chairman of Primary Production Select Committees, Ms. Nanaia Mahuta, M.P., Local Government and Environment and Health Select Committees; Chairperson of the Maori Affairs Select Committee, Mr. Ron Mark, M.P., New Zealand First List; Member, Law & Order Select Committee, Mr. Gerrard Eckhoff, M.P., Rural Affairs Spokesman, Mrs. Cheryl Ferguson, Secretary to the delegation, Mr. Sean Rota, Private Secretary to the Speaker, Mr. Max Simmons, Visit Manager, Visits and Ceremonial Office, Department of Internal Affairs of New Zealand.

During their visit to Canada, the delegates met with the following people:

• Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada;
• The Right Honourable Paul Martin, P.C., M.P., Prime Minister of Canada;
• The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, P.C., Chief Justice of Canada;
• The Honourable Dan Hays, Senator, Speaker of the Senate;
• The Honourable Peter Milliken, M.P., Speaker of the House of Commons;
• The Honourable Andy Scott, P.C., M.P., Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development;
• Members of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development;
• Members of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food;
• The Honourable Alvin Curling, M.P.P., Speaker of the Ontario Legislative Assembly;
• Ms. Ginette Bougie, Director, Compensation Policy and Operations, Privy Council Office; and
• Mr. Mario Calla, Executive Director, COSTI Immigrant Services.

This visit allowed Canada and New Zealand to pursue their long-standing friendship. Discussions were held on the political situation in New Zealand, agricultural trade, aboriginal issues, immigration matters and electoral reform. While in Ottawa, the delegates also had the opportunity to visit the Canadian Museum of Civilizations and the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health.

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From left to right: The Honourable Dan Hays, Senator, Speaker of the Senate of Canada, officially greets the Honourable Margaret Wilson, Speaker of the House of Representatives of New Zealand.

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From right to left: The Honourable Peter Milliken, M.P., Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada, officially greets the Honourable Margaret Wilson, Speaker of the House of Representatives of New Zealand.