Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (CAPF)

Summit on the Rapprochement of Canadian Francophonies—June 12 and 17, 2021 The parliamentary delegation of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) that took part in the summit on the rapprochement of Canadian francophonies, held by videoconference on June 12 and 17, 2021, consisted of Members of Parliament Francis Drouin, Marie-France Lalonde, Darrell Samson, Joël Godin and the Honourable Steven Blaney, and the Honourable Senators Jean-Guy Dagenais and Éric Forest. The delegates heard from stakeholders and discussed the relationship between Quebec and Canada’s francophones, including a historical overview of the milestones in relations between the country’s francophone communities. The discussions also touched on the need for networking among Canadian francophones. The stakeholders saw this as a useful way of sustaining the vitality of French in Canada. In addition, the presentations and discussions addressed the need for a new solidarity among francophones. The participants expressed their views on ways of improving mutual support among Canada’s francophones and identified opportunities for future cooperation. Another topic of conversation was living in French in Canada. The participants also described the challenges they face and tangible ways of bringing Quebec and Canada’s francophone communities closer together, including in the field of education. The stakeholders discussed the availability of French-language learning materials in some provinces and noted opportunities for cooperation in this area.

Meeting of the Parliamentary Affairs Committee (PAC) – May 31, 2021 The parliamentary delegation of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) that participated in the meeting of the Parliamentary Affairs Committee (the Committee) of the APF by videoconference on 31 May 2021 was composed of Chris d’Entremont, MP and Joël Godin, MP, Chair of the Commission. Three draft reports were reviewed during the meeting. Mr. d’Entremont presented the second version of the Canadian Branch of the APF’s report on parliaments in francophone nations and the pandemic. This version of the report included the addition of a section that reiterates the crucial role that parliaments play in emergencies and additional questionnaire responses from APF branches. Mr. d’Entremont and Mr. Godin both asked the branches that had not yet responded to the questionnaire to do so. The Committee also addressed various topics, including the issue of digital technology and fake news, and the impact of fake news on parliamentarians’ work. It also discussed the subjects of its next reports and the APF’s future Avis on the Summit of heads of state of the Francophonie. The Committee was also informed of the cooperation activities undertaken so far in 2021 and reviewed the APF’s draft conventions with outside institutions.

Conference on Digitalization May 5-6, 2021 On May 5-6, 2021, the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) held a conference on how francophone parliaments can regulate digitalization. Mr. Francis Drouin, M.P., Chair of the Canadian Branch and First Vice-Chair of the APF, who acted as moderator, Ms. Marie-France Lalonde, Mr. Joël Godin and Mr. Chris d’Entremont participated in the various discussions. The conference served as a lead up to the drafting of the APF’s Opinion at the Francophonie Summit in Djerba in November. During this two-day event, francophone parliamentarians as well as several experts discussed: • parliamentarians’ interest in digital governance; • democracy in the digital age: fundamental freedoms and public accountability; • francophone parliamentarians and digital giants; • the public and digitalization: access, protection and use; and • discoverability of francophone content. Following discussions, the francophone parliamentarians made proposals for priority areas of francophone actions, including: • equitable access to the Internet and the urgent need to reduce the digital divide through incentives to fund infrastructure; • democratic transparency through digital technology; • the need to harmonize legislation on digital issues throughout the Francophonie; • the systematic integration of digitalization into public policy; and • training in new digital practices, innovation, IT and creativity.

The Working Group of the Network of Women Parliamentarians of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) is mandated to develop a policy to prevent and manage harassment within the APF. The Working Group met by videoconference on 4 May 2021. Marie-France Lalonde, Member of Parliament, participated in this meeting on behalf of the Canadian Branch of the APF. At the meeting, the Working Group continued to study various provisions that are typically included in anti-harassment policies. The Working Group discussed the issue of incorporating cyber-harassment into proposed policy definitions, the importance of harassment prevention and awareness measures, as well as informal and formal resolution mechanisms.

Webinar of the Francophone Gender Equality Network May 4, 2021 On May 4th, the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) participated in the Francophone Gender Equality Network webinar, the theme of which was: “Intergenerational Political Dialogue: The Political Leadership of Young Francophone Women for the Next Generation and Including Youth in Decision-Making Processes.” Kristina Michaud, MP and rapporteur for the APF’s Network of Young Parliamentarians, represented the Canadian Branch at this event, which brought together 45 participants from various countries. Ms. Michaud discussed the role of young APF members in politics and their contributions. She also pointed out the following barriers to youth participation in politics: limited age, limited political representation, the need to start a family, lack of confidence, and social pressures and limitations. She proposed some solutions to these problems, including implementing a quota for young parliamentarians, which would promote the participation of women in politics; lowering the age of eligibility; creating more youth political groups; and an open-minded public that is willing to place greater trust in youth. We must continue to raise awareness among the public and the world’s political leaders in order to encourage them to give young people a stronger voice.

Meeting of the Working Group of the Network of Women Parliamentarians – March 19, 2021 The Working Group of the Network of Women Parliamentarians of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) is mandated to develop a policy to prevent and manage harassment within the APF. The Working Group met by videoconference on 19 March 2021. Marie France Lalonde, Member of Parliament, participated in that meeting on behalf of the Canadian Branch of the APF. During that meeting, Claudia Rousseau, Director of Living Together and Harassment Prevention at the National Assembly of Quebec, gave a presentation on the implementation of harassment prevention policies in parliaments and the various components that these policies generally include. The parliamentarians also discussed the definition of what constitutes harassment, the scope of a possible APF harassment prevention policy framework, the importance of prevention and awareness activities and the various existing mechanisms for resolving harassment complaints.

The Conference of Branch Chairs (CBC) of the America Region of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) ensures the implementation of decisions made by the Regional Assembly of the America Region. These decisions all seek to encourage the promotion of the French language and francophone culture among the member branches. The CBC met by videoconference on 15 March 2021. Francis Drouin, Member of Parliament, participated in this meeting as Chair of the Canadian Branch of the APF. At the meeting, the America Region Chargé de mission, Lena Metlege Diab (Member of the Legislative Assembly, Nova Scotia) reported on last year’s activities. Mr. Drouin shared with parliamentarians the technological innovations created to deal with COVID-19 pandemic-related challenges, particularly the advent of electronic voting through a digital application. Also discussed were issues such as the status of dues payments and the implementation of the 2019–2022 work plan for consolidating the America Region. Lastly, the CBC discussed the upcoming review of its by-laws, with the process expected to begin in summer 2021.