Visit of the Honourable Andrew Scheer, M.P., Speaker of the House of Commons, and a Parliamentary Delegation, France

From September 9 to 11, 2013, the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Honourable Andrew Scheer, M.P., led a parliamentary delegation to France. The delegation was composed of the Honourable Judy Sgro, M.P.; Mr. Jacques Gourde, M.P.; and Ms. Anne-Marie Day, M.P. Accompanying the delegation were Mrs. Jill Scheer; Ms. Kenzie Potter, Chief of Staff to the Speaker; and Mr. Simon Larouche, Secretary to the delegation.

In Paris, France, the delegation met with:

• Mr. Jean-Pierre Bel, President of the Senate;
• Mr. Claude Bartolone, President of the National Assembly;
• Ms. Nicole Bricq, Minister of Foreign Trade;
• Mr. Alain Vidaliès, Deputy Minister for Parliamentary Relations; and
• Mr. Guillaume Garot, Deputy Minister of Agrifood.

The delegation met with Canadian and French business representatives at the official residence of the Canadian Ambassador, Mr. Lawrence Cannon. The delegates also met with members of the France–Canada Interparliamentary Association at the National Assembly. The delegation visited Sarthe, a department with a strong agricultural base.

The purpose of the visit was to foster friendly relations with the President of the National Assembly, Mr. Claude Bartolone; establish a parliamentary dialogue between France and Canada; and learn about French perspectives on the economy, bilateral and multilateral trade, as well as agriculture.