The Honourable George J. Furey, Q.C., Speaker of the Senate, led a parliamentary delegation on an official visit to France and Latvia from September 10 to 15, 2017.

The delegation has the honour of tabling its

Report

The official delegation comprised the following members:

• The Honourable George J. Furey, Q.C., Speaker of the Senate;
• The Honourable Norman E. Doyle, Senator;
• The Honourable Patricia E. Bovey, Senator;
• Ms. Nicole Proulx, Interim Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments;
• Mr. Stuart Barnable, Chief of Staff to the Speaker; and
• Ms. Evelyne Côté, Secretary to the delegation.

Background – France

France is a presidential republic with over 65 million inhabitants. The president is elected by direct popular vote and may serve up to two consecutive five-year terms. The president appoints the prime minister, who then forms the Council of Ministers. Legislative power is vested in a bicameral parliament, which consists of the Senate (348 senators) and the National Assembly (577 deputies). The election of President Emmanuel Macron in May 2017 was followed by his party, La République en Marche, winning an absolute majority in the National Assembly the following month, allowing him to implement the reforms that he promised.

President Macron seems to want to pursue a similar foreign policy approach to his predecessors, and France’s engagement in searching for a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis will continue under its new president. The ongoing migration crisis and its perceived impact on national security have become a priority for European leaders and, prior to his election, Macron praised Chancellor Merkel’s policy on the issue of refugees and had developed a clear “sans-frontiérisme” approach.

France and Canada share a strong commitment to the duty to remember the Canadian casualties of the First and Second World Wars. In July 2016, both countries commemorated the Battles of the Somme and Beaumont-Hamel.

Objectives – France

The purpose of the visit was to highlight the significant contributions of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians during the First World War. To that end, Speaker Furey and the Canadian delegation had the immense privilege of visiting three memorial sites which are part of the Trail of the Caribou. These sites were built to commemorate the accomplishments, contributions and sacrifices of soldiers from Newfoundland and Labrador.

In Beaumont-Hamel, where Newfoundland and Labrador’s national war memorial in Europe can be found, the delegation had the opportunity to pay tribute to the Royal Newfoundland Regiment’s sacrifice and bravery as well as to all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who served during the First World War, particularly those with no known grave.

In Masnières, Speaker Furey had the pleasure of meeting the mayor, Mr. Francis Noblecourt, as well as some veterans. The delegation also had the honour of laying a wreath to pay tribute to the Regiment’s brave service during the Battle of Cambrai in November 1917.

In Monchy-le-Preux, the delegation had the solemn honour of laying a wreath at the site commemorating the Regiment’s participation in the Battle of Arras in April 1917.

Other activities

During their visit to France, the delegation had the opportunity to meet with some senior officials from the Canadian Embassy to France, who provided information on the current political and economic situation in France including the spring elections and the Brexit negotiations with the European Union (EU).

Background – Latvia

The Republic of Latvia is a parliamentary democracy with a population of approximately two million. The Republic was established in 1918 but annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940. The country’s independence was restored in 1991. In 2004, Latvia joined the EU, achieving one of its main foreign policy goals following the re-establishment of its independence.

The Saeima, the unicameral Latvian Parliament, consists of 100 members elected by proportional representation. In 2015, the former Defence Minister, Raimond Vējonis, was elected President. In 2016, the Parliament confirmed Māris Kučinskis as Prime Minister. Mr. Kučinskis leads a centre-right coalition which has been in power since 2014.

Canada and Latvia enjoy an excellent relationship, one that is founded on Canada’s staunch support for Latvian independence. The year 2016 marked the 25th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Canada is home to one of the biggest Latvian communities outside of Latvia. Latvia is a strong supporter of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and, in February 2017, was the first EU member to ratify the agreement. Canada and Latvia have been cooperating on defence issues mostly through NATO. Following the decision made at the 2016 Warsaw Summit to strengthen the Alliance’s posture by preserving peace and preventing conflict through defence and deterrence, Canada committed to lead the enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) NATO battlegroup in Latvia.

Objectives – Latvia

The main purpose of the visit to Latvia was to strengthen relations with Latvia, reaffirm Canada’s commitment to NATO, and emphasize the importance of the ratification of CETA. The delegation also discussed matters such as parliamentary co-operation and the current political and security situation in the Baltic States.

Meetings

During its visit to Riga, Latvia, the delegation met with the following officials:

• His Excellency Raimonds Vējonis, President of the Republic of Latvia;
• His Excellency Māris Kučinskis, Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia;
• Her Excellency Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia;
• His Excellency Edgars Rinkēvičs, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia;
• Mr. Raimonds Bergmanis, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Latvia; and
• Mr. Jānis Sārts, Director of the NATO Strategic Communications Centre for Excellence.

Meeting with His Excellency Raimonds Vējonis, President of the Republic of Latvia

President Vējonis welcomed Speaker Furey and thanked him for Canada’s decision to lead the NATO battlegroup based in Latvia. He added that his country, as one of the four host nations of a multinational battlegroup, was doing the best it could to ensure the infrastructures at the Ādaži Military Base were being built according to schedule. He mentioned that the Baltic region is a very stable one with an unpredictable neighbour and though the risk of invasion is very low, it is best to be ready following what happened in Ukraine in 2014. He added that Latvia is also grateful for Canada’s contribution to the Riga-based NATO Strategic Communications’ Centre of Excellence (CoE) and that the Canadian military presence plays a vital role which makes Canada a strategic partner in numerous fields.

Speaker Furey briefly spoke about the long-standing relationship between the two countries and added that Canada is host to one the biggest Latvian communities in the world.

The President and the Speaker then discussed CETA and how such an agreement will help deepen the already strong relationship between Canada and the EU. They agreed that it will increase co-operation as well as economic relations among all parties. Speaker Furey again reiterated that Canadians are very appreciative that Latvia was the first country to ratify CETA and shared his hope that his visit would intensify the already strong co-operation between the two countries.

Meeting with His Excellency Māris Kučinskis, Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia

Prime Minister Kučinskis extended a warm welcome to the Speaker and his delegation and expressed his gratitude for Canada’s role in NATO’s eFP in the Baltic Region, adding that it reinforced an already strong relationship between the two countries.

Speaker Furey informed the Prime Minister that Canada was thankful that Latvia was the first member of the EU to ratify CETA. He added that although the friendship between the two countries was already strong, Canada is always open to finding new ways to improve on current co-operation between both countries. The two went on to discuss the many positive economic effects of CETA and how both countries will benefit from them.

Lastly, members of the delegation and the Latvian Prime Minister discussed the possibility of deepening the cultural and educational ties between the two countries and the importance of educational exchanges.

Meeting with Her Excellency Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia

Speaker Mūrniece thanked Speaker Furey for her visit to the Canadian Parliament in April 2016. She added that her visit had been a great opportunity to discuss foreign affairs and international matters with Canadian parliamentarians. Speaker Furey thanked his host for the opportunity to address the Saeima the following day.

Speaker Furey and his counterpart then discussed the importance of NATO and the commitment of its members. Speaker Mūrniece mentioned that Latvia was thankful for Canada’s role within NATO and its presence in Latvia, adding that Canada was probably the most popular country among Latvians. Speaker Furey answered that Canada was proud to be one of the NATO framework nations. The Latvian Speaker mentioned that having not only a military presence in Latvia but also a parliamentary presence is very symbolic as it shows how much Canada values its relationship with her country.

Both Speakers then broached the subject of CETA and how such an agreement will bring both countries closer and lead to stronger economic ties. They then agreed that education is an area in which increased co-operation is possible and that this would likely increase awareness of Latvia in Canada.

Meeting with His Excellency Edgars Rinkēvičs, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia

Minister Rinkēvičs thanked Speaker Furey and his delegation for their visit and informed the Speaker that he had travelled to Canada in April 2017. Speaker Furey thanked his host and added that he was very happy to have the opportunity to visit Latvia to better understand the country’s challenges and current situation.

Speaker Furey and Minister Rinkēvičs discussed at great length ZAPAD 17, the biggest Russian military exercise since the Cold War, which took place in Russia and Belarus. More than 10,000 troops participated and tested Russia’s combat capability in Europe. The Minister informed the delegation that he did not expect any military threat from this exercise. The Minister then spoke about the importance of the Canadian-led NATO battlegroup in Latvia and how it helped to achieve a new level of co-operation and friendship between the two countries. Speaker Furey informed his host that Canada is committed to NATO and its mission.

The Minister proceeded to talk about the different relationships between his country and Canada, such as educational, cultural, economic, military, and diplomatic relations and how they are all very important to Latvia. He indicated that both the Latvian Embassy in Ottawa and the Canadian Embassy in Riga were expanding, adding that these developments were proof that the relationship was becoming increasingly important to both countries.

They then briefly discussed CETA, the European Union, and Brexit. The Minister mentioned that with the United Kingdom (UK) leaving the EU, it is important, now more than ever, to push for CETA. Both parties agreed that the UK leaving the EU will change the way policies on finance, trade, and the economy are developed within the EU and questioned the military role the UK will play in NATO. The Minister added that it is of the utmost importance that the EU stays strong and unified throughout the negotiations with the UK since there will be some interference by Russia in an effort to destabilize the EU.

Meeting with Mr. Raimonds Bergmanis, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Latvia

The Minister of Defence started the meeting by thanking Canada for its commitment to Latvia and NATO and added that he is very pleased by how far his country has come since the 2016 NATO Summit. He added that they are very much looking forward to having the Ādaži Military Base reach its full capacity. Speaker Furey mentioned that the Canadian delegation was moved by the compassion and warmth of the Latvian people. He added that there was a wonderful sense of co-operation between the countries, something he had noted since his arrival in Riga.

Speaker Furey informed the Minister that the delegation had had the immense pleasure of visiting the Ādaži Military Base the previous day and that they were inspired by the shared values of all troops. The Minister agreed with the Speaker, adding that both Latvia and Canada shared the same values, openness, and outlook.

Meeting with Mr. Jānis Sārts, Director of the NATO Strategic Communications Centre for Excellence (CoE)

Mr. Sārts welcomed Speaker Furey and the delegation and mentioned how beneficial it had been for the CoE that Canada had decided to have one staff member seconded at the Centre. Mr. Sārts briefly explained the important role that the CoE plays in improving strategic communications capabilities within NATO and its allied nations.

Mr. Sārts then briefly described some of the Centre’s main fields of work, such as the challenges in the information environment regarding robot trolling; how NATO members can counter hostile influence; the study of the emerging threat of violent extremism; and the development of defence strategic communication and support training.

Other activities

In the Latvian capital, Speaker Furey had the immense privilege of addressing the Saeima. During his speech, he mentioned the important partnership between the two countries with the goal of enhancing stability, security and peace in the Baltic Region, the importance of Latvia’s friendship to Canada, and the benefit of working together in areas such as climate change and economic growth. In addition, the delegation had the opportunity to visit the Ādaži Military Base where Canada is leading an eFP NATO battlegroup. During the visit, the delegation was able to meet with troops from Canada, Latvia, Albania, Italy, Poland, Slovenia, and Spain. To increase its awareness of Latvia’s culture and history, the delegation visited the Museum of Occupation and the Latvian National Museum of Art.

Acknowledgements

The members of the Canadian delegation would like to express their gratitude to Her Excellency Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia for her warm welcome and generous hospitality, with further thanks to the Saeima protocol team for their hard work throughout the visit. They would also like to extend their thanks to Mr. Alain Hausser, Canada’s Ambassador to Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania, and all the Embassy staff for providing them with assistance before and during the visit and meetings.

The members of the delegation would like to express their thanks to the staff of the Embassy of Canada to France for providing them with assistance before the visit to France and to the staff of Veterans Affairs Canada for their help during the visit of the Caribou Trail Memorials. Lastly, they would like to thank Global Affairs Canada and the Library of Parliament for the documents they provided in preparation for this visit.

Respectfully submitted,

The Honourable George J. Furey, Q.C.
Speaker of the Senate