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INTRODUCTION From 18–22 May 2015, five Canadian parliamentarians travelled to Paris and the department of Pas-de-Calais in France to participate in the 43rd annual meeting of the Canada–France Interparliamentary Association (CFIA). Senator Claudette Tardif led the Canadian delegation made up of Senators Michel Rivard and Serge Joyal and Members of Parliament Yvon Godin and Mauril Bélanger. The delegation was accompanied by Line Gravel, Executive Secretary; Raphaëlle Deraspe, Library of Parliament Analyst; and Marc Berthiaume, Political Advisor at the Embassy of Canada in France. The French delegation led by National Assembly Member Catherine Coutelle and Senator Claudine Lepage was made up of National Assembly Members Marie‑Noëlle Battistel, Michèle Bonneton, Joëlle Huillier and Patrice Martin-Lalande and Senators Hélène Conway-Mouret, Karine Claireaux, André Gattolin, Hervé Maurey and Charles Revet. The French delegation was accompanied by Gabrielle Guerrero and Delphine Bert, the CFIA’s executive secretaries for the National Assembly and the Senate. In preparation for their participation in the 43rd annual meeting of the CFIA, the members of the Canadian delegation met with experts from Canadian federal government departments on 6 May 2015, regarding the two themes of the annual meeting: security and the fight against terrorism, and climate change and the energy transition. The list of officials who participated in the meeting is provided in Appendix A. This report provides a summary of the Canadian delegation’s activities during its May 2015 visit: its participation in the second half of the symposium Canada and France in the Great War 1914-1918, the CFIA’s two working sessions and site visits related to the 100th anniversary of the First World War, and the two themes of the annual meeting. MONDAY, 18 MAY 2015: CANADA AND FRANCE IN THE GREAT WAR 1914–1918 Senator Serge Joyal hosted a symposium entitled Canada and France in the Great War 1914–1918. The symposium was divided into two parts: the first was held in Ottawa in November 2014 and the second in Paris in May 2015, which the delegation members were able to attend. The Chair of the French Group of the CFIA, Catherine Coutelle, read the official opening speech of the symposium, which was prepared by the President of the National Assembly, Claude Bartolone. Mr. Bartolone, who expressed his hope for a rewarding and successful symposium, was unfortunately unable to attend. Ms. Coutelle said, by way of welcome, that the long-held memories that Canadians and the French share have forged great friendships and that Canada made a major contribution on the battlefield. The Ambassador of Canada to France, His Excellency Lawrence Cannon, spoke next, saying it was with some emotion that he made his welcoming remarks, as Pierre Claude Nolin, the late Speaker of the Senate of Canada, was to have delivered the speech. He noted the 50th anniversary of parliamentary cooperation between Canada and France, which has been nourished by personal ties, while welcoming the chairs of the Canadian and French groups to the symposium. He went on to say that the nation of Canada was born in France and that, in 1914, 10% of Canadians signed up to respond to the plight of a battered Europe. He concluded by saying that, of all the Commonwealth countries, Canada has the most war graves in France. Lastly, Ambassador Alfred Siefer-Gaillardin, Chair of the Institut France-Canada, Cercle France-Amériques, who was France’s Ambassador to Canada from 1992 to 1997, discussed the Comité France-Amériques, which was founded before the First World War in 1909. He added that Canadians were the first from overseas to help the French during the Great War. In the morning session, which was chaired by Senator Tardif, Chair of the Canadian Group of the CFIA, professors Desmond Morton, Serge Bernier and Réal Bélanger, as well as Yves Tremblay, presented the results of their research on the First World War. Professor Desmond Morton discussed the impact of the Great War on Canada. He began his speech by pointing out that the First World War led to the birth of an independent nation, Canada, and that the events brought people together and defined the country. He added that, before the war, English Canadians considered themselves British first and foremost. He also talked about Canada’s indebtedness following the war and noted that Ontario's automotive industry acted as a genuine economic engine that drove the country’s economy forward following the Great War. Lastly, he spoke of the ultimate price that some men paid by losing their lives during the war, a painful memory for Canadians. Professor Marie-Madeleine Damien talked about how the Great War changed the French landscape. With the help of students and local residents, she has been working since 2009 to inventory the traces of the First World War at strategic sites such as Vimy. She believes that gathering evidence related to the Great War has helped identify various landscapes, whose main types are as follows: · The Battle of the Frontier, which lasted two days, from 19 August 1914 to 20 August 1914, and which decimated the French army; · The War of Movement, which was called the cult of death since it was said that the Germans and the French were enemies in life but comrades in death; · The War of Position, which made use of rich landscapes, whose seven small cemeteries were left untouched by the Germans; and · The War of Mines, in which soldiers were buried in craters. Professor Serge Bernier delivered a speech on Canada and Canadian soldiers as seen by French liaison officers between 1915 and 1918. He explained that his research focuses on archives made up of reports by liaison officers in the French army and that in January 1916 French Canadians began to be recognized. He added that French officers had difficulty understanding the Canadian socio-political landscape. Dr. Yves Tremblay, for his part, addressed Canadian historiography on the Great War. He said that, before 1970, there were few books in French on the First World War. Quebec historiography, on the Royal 22nd Regiment, appeared in 1970. He went on to say that Quebec historians prefer to work on the Second World War. According to him, it is difficult to undertake a military historiography in French because most studies were done in English, then translated into French. In addition, military biographies have long been discredited in French Canada. Professor Réal Bélanger spoke about Henri Bourassa, Canada’s participation in the Great War and conscription in 1914–1918. He began his speech by saying that Henri Bourassa, who founded the newspaper Le Devoir in 1910, was at the height of his influence in Quebec in 1914. According to Professor Bélanger, Mr. Bourassa hated British imperialism and objected to Canada’s participation in British wars. On 21 August 1914, Mr. Bourassa returned to Quebec after a stay in Europe and on 8 September 1914, took a stand on Canada’s participation in the Great War. According to Professor Bélanger, Mr. Bourassa disagreed with the Pope’s position that Canada had a duty to support France and England, even though he looked to the Pope for counsel. Mr. Bourassa felt that England should defend Canada, not the other way around. However, it was not until 12 January 1916, that he announced his opposition to Canada’s participation in the Great War. He was also against conscription and, according to Professor Bélanger, his opposition contributed to the small number of French Canadians who enlisted in the army at that time. The afternoon session saw Claude Beauregard, historian, and professors Françoise Bouron, Laure Quennouëlle-Corre, Yves Gingras and Jérôme Lamy present their research. The session was chaired by Claudine Lepage, Chair of the France-Canada Friendship Group in the Senate. Dr. Claude Beauregard began the afternoon session by addressing the subject of censorship and propaganda through images in Canada (1914–1919). According to him, the First World War was notable for its length, and it was during that time that culture became industrialized. For example, photography developed and the camera was marketed. Paintings of war disappeared, giving way to photographs. According to Mr. Beauregard, the control of information by Canadian authorities during the First World War was surprising, and censorship was mainly political. On 10 June 1915, Ernest Chambers became the Chief Press Censor of Canada and was responsible for enforcing censorship rules. Mr. Chambers wanted to eliminate all the gruesome war scenes in films so as not to discourage young people from enlisting. Between 1916 and 1919, Canada had three official photographers, and war photographs were taken at Vimy by soldiers during the Canadian troops’ victory. Professor Françoise Bouron followed with her presentation on censorship and propaganda through images in France (1914–1919). She said that drawings disappeared from French newspapers when war was declared and gave way to “blanks,” empty spaces where the drawings had previously been. Then, around October and November 1914, the drawings reappeared in newspapers, and satirical newspapers were first published. Some drawings even made headlines. On August , 1914, France passed censorship legislation that called for sanctions in cases of indiscretion by the press during times of war. According to Professor Bouron, under this legislation, press publications had to correspond to government publications, and newspapers supported the legislation. The newspapers agreed to self-censor since all believed that the war would be short. However, in 1915, people began to protest and a petition was launched to end the censorship. Finally, on 13 October 1919, France’s Prime Minister, Georges Clémenceau, lifted the censorship. 3. Professor Quennouëlle-Corre Professor Laure Quennouëlle-Corre addressed the role of English and French banks in financing the Great War. She pointed out that the First World War shook the global economy and that a financial crisis hit some 40 countries in 1914. At the time, almost all of the world’s 120 stock exchanges temporarily closed, and people began to convert their banknotes into gold to protect their assets. This massive conversion triggered a liquidity problem because banks lacked sufficient gold coins. In response to the crisis, emergency measures were implemented and were particularly severe in France. In 1914, the world’s monetary authorities suspended payments and the banks were condemned for their role in the crisis. On 5 August 1914, the French central bank stopped converting banknotes into gold and major campaigns were launched to encourage people to put their gold in banks. At the time, France desperately needed gold to import supplies, wheat, cotton and metals. Professor Quennouëlle-Corre said that Britain handled the situation more calmly and that the government was involved, yet did not say specifically how. According to her, the banks took advantage of the war and the low rate of economic activity. They also contributed to the war effort as they maintained relations with neutral countries and helped sustain occupied countries. For example, a consortium of French banks supplied occupied regions that the Germans had stopped supporting. She concluded by saying that it was not until 1928 that banks regained a volume of business comparable to that of 1913 and that, after the war, the banking system became fragmented. Professor Yves Gingras discussed science and the war in Canada over the period 1914–1918. He explained that science and technology play a role in wars and that major scientific revolutions have often contributed to the war effort. He said that the First World War had an impact on the development of scientific laboratories in several countries. For example, in Canada, pressure to create a research organization led to the establishment of the National Research Council Canada (NRCC) in 1916 to coordinate industrial and scientific research. According to Professor Gingras, the NRCC, which he considers the most valuable legacy of the First World War, initially focused on the war effort and worked on the metal used in the manufacture of British tanks. He went on to say that the war also had an impact on Canadian universities. More women pursued university studies as young men were fighting at the front. On the other hand, many university professors from France had to return to their home country because of the war, and some universities lost key resources. Professor Jérôme Lamy discussed science and the war in France during the Great War. According to him, new scientific institutions were established during this period to help soldiers, and scientists were asked to work together and consolidate their knowledge to contribute to the war effort. Then, as the war continued, they were asked to intensify their scientific research and produce immediate results. In 1914, the Commission supérieure des inventions was created. During the First World War, the field of medicine was also conscripted to repair damage to bodies that were virtually unprotected during fighting, including face reconstruction. According to Professor Lamy, soldiers were used for medical experimentation between 1914 and 1918, and many medical innovations were first tried on the battlefield. There was even a debate surrounding amputation: doctors at the front favoured amputation while others opposed it. Professor Lamy concluded by saying that French research at the time was modelled on German research. Professor Rémy Cazals gave the academic closing address for the two-part symposium, while Jean-Marc Todeschini, Minister of State for Veterans and Remembrance, attached to the Minister of Defence, gave the closing address for the symposium. Professor Cazals explained that, with the centenary of the First World War, French institutions and associations have come together. He called the Atlantic Ocean a key figure in the symposium, since soldiers had to cross it to participate in the Great War. He added that Canadian physicists had to track down submarines in the Atlantic. He returned briefly to the themes discussed during the two parts of the symposium, including propaganda and censorship, two themes he described as inseparable. He touched on Canada’s complexity by noting Henri Bourassa’s attitude, which he sees as an example of contradiction and the difference between the position of Quebec and that of the other Canadian provinces on the war. He also said that the effects of the Great War in Canada helped define it as a nation. Mr. Todeschini, for his part, highlighted the fact that commemorations related to the First World War have emphasized parliamentary institutions and diplomacy. According to him, France and Canada have a shared memory and the Atlantic Ocean is the bridge between the two countries. He also gave some statistics, saying that 620,000 Canadians fought and more than 66,000 of them died in the war, while approximately 40,000 Canadians still rest in France. Canada became a member of the League of Nations, which was created in 1920 to solve collective security issues. He finished by saying that the bond of friendship between France and Canada must not only be preserved but strengthened through regular meetings. Lastly, Catherine Coutelle, Chair of the CFIA French Group awarded a medal from the National Assembly to Senator Joyal in recognition of his outstanding participation and efforts for organizing the symposium. Tuesday, 19 May 2015: OPENING LUNCHEON AND VISIT TO THE VIMY MEMORIAL A. Opening Luncheon of the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Canada-France Interparliamentary Association The 43rd annual meeting of the CFIA began on 19 May with an opening luncheon. Ms. Coutelle took the floor to welcome the members of the Canadian and French delegations. She brought up the second part of the symposium on the First World War, mentioning the role women played, both in Canada and in France, which was unfortunately not addressed at the symposium. She said the annual meeting’s agenda would be very interesting, with a visit to Vimy, land that belongs in part to Canada, and the new branch of the Louvre Museum, which has been a great success in a region undergoing a major change. Lastly, she spoke of the two proposed themes: security and the fight against terrorism, and climate change and the energy transition. Senator Tardif then thanked the French delegation for its warm welcome. She spoke of the cruel attacks that have rocked the two countries since last fall while noting that, in these difficult times, France and Canada have reaffirmed their commitment to defending the rights and freedoms of their citizens. She said that the two countries share a common history, in part because of the two world wars, and that the agenda’s two themes are very important for France and Canada. Finally, she ended by saying that the annual meetings help strengthen the close ties between the two countries. B. Welcome from Jacqueline Maquet, Member for Arras The Canadian and French delegations travelled to Arras to visit the Vimy Memorial and the communes of Vimy and Arras. On their arrival at the Arras train station, the Member for Arras, Jacqueline Maquet, and the Mayor of Thélus and Vice-Chair of the Urban Community of Arras, Bernard Milleville, greeted them warmly. Ms. Maquet and Mr. Milleville accompanied the delegates on their visit to the Vimy Memorial. C. Guided Tour of Front-Line Trenches and Tunnels The delegates were welcomed by Canadian students working as guides at the Vimy Memorial as part of the Student Guide Program in France, administered by Veterans Affairs Canada. The guides gave the delegates a tour of the front-line trenches and tunnels, explaining how they were built and then restored and preserved. The delegates were able to see firsthand how close the front-line trenches were to the German lines as well as some of the tunnels built by the British Royal Engineers and Canadian soldiers during the First World War. They learned that the tunnels allowed Canadian soldiers to reach the front lines with their gear and equipment, sheltered from enemy fire and shells. Although at the time the Germans suspected an attack was at hand, they did not know the timing or the scale of it, because the soldiers and equipment were hidden in the tunnels. Delegates visited the Vimy Memorial. This monument marks the site of the great Canadian victory of the First World War and stands as a tribute to the soldiers who fought and risked or gave their lives during the war. The memorial was unveiled in July 1936 and designed by Walter Allward, a famous Canadian sculptor. The Vimy Memorial took 11 years to build and cost $1.5 million, including site preparation and the building of access roads.[1] The 91 hectares of land on which the memorial sits was donated by France to the people of Canada in 1922. In 2007, the memorial was reopened before dignitaries and Canadian visitors after several years of restoration. In total, more than 66,000 Canadians died in action or from their wounds after the First World War, and many have no known grave. The names of 11,285 Canadian soldiers posted missing and presumed dead in France during the Great War are inscribed on the ramparts of the Vimy Memorial.[2] The monument survived the Second World War, despite fears that German forces would destroy it after France’s surrender.[3] The Germans captured Vimy Ridge in October 1914. Because Vimy Ridge overlooked the Douai Plain and would provide protection for a rich mining region home to many productive industries, it was central to the German’s defence. Though the Battle of Vimy Ridge lasted only a few days in April 1917, 3,598 Canadians were killed.[4] E. Meeting with Jacques Larivière, Mayor of Vimy The delegates stopped at the Vimy town hall to meet and speak with Mayor Jacques Larivière. In the 2014 elections, Mr. Larivière succeeded Lionel Lancry, who had been Mayor of Vimy since 1995. Ms. Coutelle thanked the mayor for his time and expressed the delegation’s enthusiasm in visiting the Vimy Memorial. Senator Tardif also thanked the mayor and talked about some of the values that Canada and France share: democracy, human rights and the defence of freedom. She went on to say that, today, nearly a century later, it is very touching for Canadians to see the French people still recognize Canada. Senator Joyal told the mayor that it would be interesting to twin Vimy with a Canadian town, as is currently the case with other Canadian and French cities. The mayor said that the idea had been discussed in the past, but that he had not pursued it because of a lack of time. F. Visit to the Arras Town Hall and Meeting with a Municipal Councillor and a Historian In the absence of the Mayor of Arras, the delegates were welcomed to city hall by the Deputy Councillor for the Monitoring of Budgetary Implementation, Communication, Protocol and the 1914–1918 Centenary, Mr. Marc Desramaut, and a historian specializing in military history. The meeting began with a presentation by Mr. Desramaut on the history and development of Arras and ended with a discussion on Arras and its ties to Canada. Mr. Desramaut explained that Arras was very powerful in the 14th century and was where tapestries, like the one covering the walls of the room where the reception in honour of the CFIA delegates was held, were invented. Arras is also known for its giants, huge effigies made of wicker that can measure up to 9 metres high and weigh up to 350 kilograms, which were registered in 2008 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.[5] He then talked about the complete destruction of Arras on 21 October 1914. Only 600 civilians of the commune’s pre-war population of 22,000 survived the Great War. He said that official data show that 80% of Arras was razed, while 95% of homes were destroyed. Mr. Desramaut then discussed the chalk quarries, which were originally dug in the 10th century and have served many purposes over time, including as cellars and silos. The tunnel network underneath Arras and the surrounding area also served as shelters and meeting points for France’s allied troops in 1917.[6] He said that the British army called in tunnellers from New Zealand to dig the 22 kilometres of underground tunnels. The 20 chalk quarries were connected, and the tunnellers gave them the names of New Zealand cities to help people find where they were underground. The historian said that more than 24,000 men hid in these quarries while planning a surprise attack on the Germans, called the Battle of Arras, which took place on 9 April 1917, at 5:30 a.m. She said that April 1917 was a bloody month, with some 4,000 casualties a day, the largest daily toll of the Great War. Mr. Desramaut said that the nation of Canada was born in the trenches and the French consider Canadians a warm people. He said that Canadians have a home in Arras. Senator Tardif said that the Senate of Canada has a unique link with Arras, as a painting depicting its cathedral in ruins hangs on its chamber walls. This work, painted around 1919 by James Kerr Lawson and entitled Arras, ville morte, depicts the sacrifice and courage of soldiers and the bond of friendship between the two countries, as well as renewal, reconstruction and the spirit of survival and determination the two peoples demonstrated. She added that the members of the CFIA all found it unfortunate that the last visit to Canada and, specifically, to the Parliament of Canada by Frédéric Leturque, the Mayor of Arras, coincided with the tragic attack against this venerable institution and democracy. The members were saddened to learn that the mayor also experienced these anxious times. She said that more than 10% of the 650,000 Canadians who served during the First World War lost their lives. In closing, she thanked Mr. Desramaut for his generous hospitality and excellent explanations of the town’s history and emphasized that the war demonstrated the commitment of Canadians and the French to defending individual freedoms and democracy. Lastly, Ms. Coutelle also thanked Mr. Desramaut for his hospitality and said that it was important for the delegates to place a wreath at the foot of the Vimy Memorial to thank Canadian soldiers for their immense efforts and the sacrifices they made to help the French people. Some of the delegates then went to admire the rebuilt Arras cathedral. G. Meeting with Frédérique Masson, Deputy to the Member for Lens The Deputy to the Member for Lens, Frédérique Masson, greeted the delegates on their arrival in Lens and welcomed them to the region. She talked to them about the role of the deputy member, the Louvre-Lens Museum and the City of Lens. The City of Lens, which had 32,663 inhabitants in 2012,[7] developed in large part following the creation of the Compagnie des Mines de Lens in 1852, which specialized in coal mines. The city was therefore at the heart of a mining basin. Like other cities in Pas-de-Calais, Lens was largely destroyed and its population fell by 50% during the Great War. The city had to be rebuilt between the two wars, and several buildings were again destroyed during the Second World War. Lens adopted a restructuring policy following the end of coal mining in 1986. The policy sought to attract businesses by establishing seven industrial parks and two business centres, building a scientific hub and creating the Institut universitaire and an engineering school.[8] Ms. Masson explained that French members are elected in teams of two, one member and one deputy member. While the member concentrates much of his time on the business of the National Assembly, the deputy member works in the region and territory the member represents. Moreover, a seat that is vacated because of a death or because the member chooses to sit on the Constitutional Council is filled by the deputy member until the next election. She continued by saying that, since the opening of the Louvre-Lens Museum in December 2012, people from more than 150 different nations have visited the museum, which is very different from the one in Paris. In response to a delegate’s question, she said that the museum was not financed by the state but by the Nord-Pas de Calais regional council and cost €150 million. According to the deputy member, the museum created 150 indirect jobs and acted as an economic driver in the Nord-Pas de Calais region, as there are now more economic initiatives since its opening because of the tourist traffic. Lastly, she pointed out that visiting the Louvre-Lens Museum’s Galerie du Temps, which shows masterpieces from the Louvre in chronological order for five years, is entirely free. The initiative aims to democratize culture and allow everyone to see some of the museum’s works. The delegates thanked Ms. Masson for her hospitality and her time. H. Visit to the Louvre-Lens Museum The Louvre-Lens Museum has three areas: the first is the Galerie du Temps, a 120-metre-long gallery that shows works from the birth of writing around 3,500 BC to the mid-19th century; the second is the Pavillon de verre, which presents works from Nord-Pas de Calais to showcase the region; and the third is a temporary exhibition gallery, which presents two exhibitions a year. The delegates were given a guided tour of the Galerie du Temps and had the opportunity to talk to the museum’s director and curator, Mr. Xavier Dectot. The Galerie du Temps presents a total of 205 works or groups of works spread over three major periods: Antiquity (70 works), the Middle Ages (45 works) and modern times (90 works). Although the exhibition is on for five years, until 2017, works are rotated every year to give visitors something new to see. The delegates learned that the museum strives to promote the mining industry and its history since the region developed around this industry. For example, films on mining are shown in the reception hall. In addition, the museum was built on an old mining site, and some parts, such as the slag heaps and the remains of the old railway tracks, have been preserved. However, the building’s architecture was kept simple so as not to scare off visitors and to encourage them to enter the museum. The delegates thanked the museum guides as well as Mr. Dectot for their excellent explanations and the guided tour. Anne Corderez, the National Assembly’s Director of Administration and Security, and Laurent Saunier, the National Assembly’s Head of Visitor Services, Safety and Security, spoke with the delegates about parliamentary security. After introducing Ms. Corderez and Mr. Saunier and welcoming them, Ms. Coutelle said that, following the attacks on the Parliament of Canada, France increased its parliamentary security by adding two armed policemen at the Palais Bourbon entrance to provide around the clock building security. According to Ms. Corderez, the President of the French National Assembly, Claude Bartolone, wanted to strengthen security at the National Assembly, particularly in the Hemicycle.[9] His aim was to strengthen both human and technical resources. She said that cameras placed inside and outside the National Assembly monitor comings and goings and the flow of people. She added that the attacks demonstrated the difficulty in finding a balance between maintaining public access and increasing building security. Mr. Saunier explained that security at the National Assembly has three components: · external security, which is the responsibility of the Paris police service, which handles demonstrations and attacks; · a detachment of the mounted police within the Republican Guard, which is at the disposal of the President of the National Assembly and which works under the authority of a colonel who is the military commander of the Palais Bourbon. These officers have worked inside the National Assembly since January 2015; and · the Visitor Services, Safety and Security Branch, which reports to the National Assembly’s Director of Administration and Security, and which controls traffic within the building through portals and tunnels. He added that in a crisis the national gendarmerie intervention group (GIGN) supports the three components of the National Assembly’s security. According to Mr. Saunier, after the attacks in Ottawa, an increased threat was identified and security services had to adapt their strategy on that basis. He concluded by saying that, since 2006, there have been 14 attempts to breach the National Assembly, two of which were successful. The first was carried out by a group of firefighters in 2006 and the second by Greenpeace in 2009. Following the presentations, the delegates were able to discuss with the two speakers. The Canadian delegates mentioned that, at the time of the Ottawa attacks, the speakers of the Senate and the House of Commons were responsible for the security of their respective chamber. Thus, each chamber had its own security service. J. Working Session on the Theme of Security and the Fight Against Terrorism To begin the session, Member Yvon Godin presented the Canadian perspective on the theme of security and the fight against terrorism. Member Marie-Noëlle Battistel then presented the French perspective. Mr. Godin said that, despite the efforts of the two countries in recent years to protect public safety and combat terrorism, the recent attacks in Canada and France demonstrate that the terrorist threat is still very real. He added that international terrorist groups and issue-based domestic extremists are also serious threats to Canada’s security. Citing recent Canadian government data, Mr. Godin said that, as of early 2014, there were more than 130 individuals with Canadian connections who were abroad and who were suspected of terrorism-related activities. He then discussed Canada’s counter-terrorism strategy, the Canadian legal framework to combat terrorism, research projects and Canada’s international commitments. He concluded by giving an example of bilateral cooperation between Canada and France. a. Canada’s Counter-Terrorism Strategy Mr. Godin said that Canada’s first counter-terrorism strategy, Building Resilience Against Terrorism, was released in 2012 with the overarching goal to counter domestic and international terrorism in order to protect Canada, Canadians and Canadian interests. The strategy is made up of four elements: · prevent individuals from engaging in terrorism; · detect the activities of individuals and organizations who may pose a terrorist threat, in collaboration with domestic and international partners; · deny terrorists the means and opportunity to carry out their activities; and · respond proportionately, rapidly and in an organized manner to terrorist activities and to mitigate their effects. Mr. Godin said that Canada’s legal framework consists of the Anti-terrorism Act, 2001, and the Anti-terrorism Act, 2013. On 23 April 2015, the Protection of Canada from Terrorists Act received Royal Assent. This legislation increases the ability of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service to investigate threats to the security of Canada abroad and amends the Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act to accelerate the citizenship revocation process. He added that the Canadian Parliament was currently studying Bill C-51, or the Anti-terrorism Act, 2015,[10] which contains five parts that aim to: · disclose relevant information relating to national security; · increase the powers of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service regarding threats to the security of Canada; · reduce the threat to transportation security; · prevent individuals suspected of wanting to participate in terrorist activities from boarding a flight; and · strengthen the Criminal Code to better protect Canadians from terrorist acts. Mr. Godin was keen to stress that his party had voted against this bill because, in his opinion, it went too far and faced opposition from many individuals and groups in Canada, including the Canadian Bar, four former prime ministers, five former justices of the Supreme Court and the Privacy Commissioner. However, he said that he agreed with the amendment to the bill made by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security, which removed the word “lawful” from line 37 in clause 2, which provides that advocacy, protest, dissent and artistic expression are excluded from an “activity that undermines the security of Canada.” Lastly, he said that in early May 2015 the federal government had introduced Bill C-59, the Economic Action Plan 2015 Act, No. 1. One provision in the bill would establish the Parliamentary Protective Service, which would be responsible for physical security throughout the Parliamentary Precinct and Parliament Hill.[11] The Canadian government is investing in research on terrorism and the fight against it, including the prevention of violent extremism. The research aims to inform the Canadian government of key initiatives in the fight against terrorism and increase public awareness. As an example, Mr. Godin noted the Kanishka project, a five-year, $10 million initiative introduced on 23 June 2011, to prevent and counter violent extremism. He then discussed the Canadian Safety and Security Program, which was introduced in 2012. Its mission is to strengthen Canada’s ability to respond to natural disasters, serious accidents, crime and terrorism through the convergence of science and technology with policy, operations, and intelligence. In terms of international commitments, Mr. Godin said that Canada is committed to addressing terrorism in all its forms and that, to achieve this, coherent, comprehensive and concerted international action is required. To this end, in September 2014 Canada committed $5 million to support regional efforts in the Middle East and North Africa to counter the influx of foreign fighters in Syria and Iraq, as well as $1.65 million to support the efforts of the Association of South East Asian Nations to identify and track the movements of foreign combatants. He went on to say that a country’s security is closely linked to that in other countries and that is why the Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program was established in 2005. Its goal is to support other states by providing them with training, funding, equipment and technical and legal assistance to enable them to prevent and respond to terrorist activity in a manner consistent with international counter-terrorism and human rights standards and obligations. Canada and France are among the founding members of the Global Counterterrorism Forum, which was set up in 2011 to strengthen and coordinate civilian counter-terrorism capacity. In conclusion, Mr. Godin cited an example of bilateral cooperation between Canada and France in the fight against prison radicalization. During the last visit of the French Minister of Justice, Ms. Christiane Taubira, in April 2015, Canada and France signed an agreement regarding the exchange of information and expertise on correctional services, called the Declaration on the Cooperation Program between the Department of Public Safety and the Ministry of Justice. This agreement stems from the Canada-France Enhanced Cooperation Agenda of 14 June 2013 and aims at improving security ties between the two countries, particularly in terms of correctional programs for inmates, the management of radicalized offenders and ways to address the growing complexities around inmates’ mental health needs. National Assembly Member Battistel began her speech by quoting the definition formulated in 1962 by the philosopher and sociologist Raymond Aron. According to him, a violent action is considered terrorism when its psychological effects are out of proportion to its purely physical results. She stressed that the essential element of a terrorist act is a shock to the collective psyche to achieve political destabilization through violence. She went on to say that the French penal code defines acts of terrorism as acts carried out by an individual or a group that aim to seriously disturb public order through intimidation or terror. She said that the fight against terrorism is among the main concerns of public authorities, and that this concern has increased over the years. According to her, the bombings in January in Paris and in February in Copenhagen revealed Europe’s vulnerability to attacks on its people. She also touched on the terrorist threat, the recruitment of European nationals, the French framework for fighting terrorism, and the need to strengthen European cooperation. Ms. Battistel explained that France has been the target of many terrorist attacks over the years and that the ideological motivations and the means have changed over time. According to her, in the 1970s, terrorism grew into a violent strategy against the state by radicalized groups. She continued by saying that the attacks of 11 September 2001 marked the start of a new form of terrorism by armed Islamist groups and underscored the threat’s global character. She said she believes that the terrorist threat is ambiguous since attacks can be carried out by organized cells or by isolated individuals with varying degrees of connection to jihadist networks. In addition, terrorists perpetrate attacks both on their own territory and abroad. French interests and nationals are often the target of attacks and abductions outside French territory. L. Recruitment of European Nationals Ms. Battistel said that armed groups such as Al-Qaida use various instruments, including the Internet and digital tools, to promote themselves and recruit fighters to go to Syria and Iraq. In late 2014, nearly 4,000 Europeans travelled to Syria and Iraq to fight, including some 1,200 French, 600 British and 600 Germans. These individuals are often young people radicalized by the propaganda of terrorist networks on the Internet. According to her, France is particularly exposed to the threat of individuals who have fought in Syria or Iraq who return to France, as they are likely to commit attacks on French territory. She added that, in recent months, the French police have arrested several individuals suspected of planning a trip to Syria or Iraq. As of late April 2015, the French Ministry of Justice reported a total of 125 ongoing Syria-related terrorism cases, which have led 166 persons to be questioned and 113 to be remanded in custody. To meet these challenges, the French government has implemented various measures, including enhanced monitoring of jihadist networks, radicalized individuals and the air travel of individuals suspected of criminal activity and an increase in the budget for intelligence services. In addition, the government has developed Internet platforms like the website “Stop-djihadisme” and a toll-free telephone number to give tools to families to prevent the violent radicalization of a friend or family member. Ms. Coutelle said that many calls have been received. Lastly, when there are reasonable grounds to believe that an individual will join a terrorist organization to fight, the individual may be banned from leaving the country. M. French Framework for Fighting Terrorism Ms. Battistel said that, after each wave of attacks, France has made improvements to its system of preventing and combatting terrorism, namely, the laws of 1986, 1996, 2006, 2012 and November 2014. She said that maximum sentences increase when a crime is recognized as an act of terrorism. In the same vein, the length a person suspected of committing a terrorist act may be kept in custody is also longer. She then added that promoting terrorism on the Internet is punishable by seven years of imprisonment and a fine of €100,000. Furthermore, foreign nationals who do not usually reside in France can be denied entry into the country if they pose a threat to public order, and French people who have committed terrorist acts abroad may be prosecuted by the French judiciary. Ms. Battistel then addressed the elements of the French framework for fighting terrorism that have been strengthened since the bombings in Paris in January 2015. She said that the Vigipirate plan, which is the French government’s key tool in the fight against terrorism and a permanent alert, prevention and protection system used in France and abroad, was raised to its maximum level, or “attack alert.” The French Prime Minister also announced a capacity-building plan that includes the creation of 2,680 positions dedicated to the fight against terrorism over the next three years, with 1,400 in the Ministry of the Interior, 950 in the Ministry of Justice, 250 in the Ministry of Defence and 80 in the Ministry of Finance. In all, €425 million are earmarked for the plan’s investment, equipment and operational requirements. In March 2015 the French finance minister unveiled a three-part plan to combat terrorism financing: reducing anonymity in the economy to better trace suspicious transactions, engaging financial stakeholders in the fight against terrorism and strengthening the ability to freeze assets held by terrorists. In addition, in April 2015 the French government introduced a law relating to intelligence (No. 2669).[12] N. More European Cooperation Necessary Ms. Battistel concluded her presentation by mentioning that European cooperation must be strengthened to combat the global threat of terrorism, although in recent years major efforts have been made across Europe to fight terrorism. She explained that three European Union (EU) working groups have been formed to monitor the fight against terrorism in the EU. The first group deals with terrorism issues outside the EU through bilateral dialogue and assistance to third countries, the second studies issues related to the internal security of the EU, and the third looks at the application of specific measures to combat terrorism. Since 2004 a European counter-terrorism coordinator has been charged with coordinating the exchange of information between member states and facilitating links between EU authorities. The Schengen information system was modernized in 2006 to include wanted individuals and notify Schengen[13] countries of individuals subject to an administrative prohibition on leaving a national territory due to terrorist activities. Lastly, many EU member states, including France, have adopted the Passenger Name Record (PNR) system. This system collects the personal data of passengers provided by air carriers and makes it possible to track terrorists moving through Europe by facilitating authorities’ access to high-risk passengers and to detect unusual behaviour. In June 2014 the EU and Canada signed a PNR agreement, but this agreement has not yet been adopted by the European Parliament. Ms. Battistel concluded by saying that the Court of Justice of the EU must determine if the agreement complies with treaties, without however specifying which ones, and with the Charter of Fundamental Rights and that the delegates are following this file closely since it concerns the CFIA. O. Meeting with French Member Jean-Jacques Urvoas, Chair of the Legislation Committee, on the Fight Against Terrorism and Intelligence The Chair of the Legislation Committee, Jean-Jacques Urvoas, met with the delegates to discuss the intelligence bill (No. 2669). He began by stating that, unlike in Canada, France’s intelligence services do not operate under a legal framework. In his view, Canada is a source of inspiration for France, as the oversight of the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service seems to be appropriate. Mr. Urvoas went on to say that the Legislation Committee, which he has chaired since 2012, produced a report in May 2013 after completing a fact-finding mission to assess the legal framework for intelligence services. One of the parliamentary report’s findings was that the intelligence services were operating with no legal basis and no oversight beyond their own internal hierarchies.[14] France’s specialized intelligence services comprise: · the General Directorate for External Security (DGSE); · the Directorate for Defence Protection and Security (DPSD); · the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DRM); · the Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI); · the national service known as the National Directorate of Intelligence and Customs Investigations (DNRED); and · the national service known as the Processing of Intelligence and Action Against Illicit Financial Channels (TRACFIN).[15] According to Mr. Urvoas, overarching legislation is needed to define the objectives of the intelligence services by establishing specific rules for the collection of data and information. Under France’s Loi n° 2007-1443 du 9 octobre 2007 portant création d'une délégation parlementaire au renseignement, a French parliamentary commission on intelligence consisting of four senators and four deputies was established in 2007. To prepare for the creation of an appropriate legal framework for France’s intelligence services, a number of countries were consulted, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Belgium. In July 2014, the French Parliament prepared a bill to govern the country’s intelligence services, and it was introduced by the parliamentary commission on intelligence. The bill was subsequently announced in December 2014. However, its goal is not to combat terrorism but rather to provide a framework for the intelligence services in order to balance security and privacy. The intelligence bill would create a national intelligence techniques oversight committee, a new, independent authority tasked with assessing the proportionality of the methods used by the intelligence services. The new committee would replace the current national security intercepts oversight committee. In response to a delegate’s question, Mr. Urvoas clarified that parliamentarians would sit on the new committee, although their attendance would not be mandatory. Following an exchange between the delegates and Mr. Urvoas on the operations of the intelligence services and national security, the delegates thanked Mr. Urvoas for the meeting and his explanations. P. Dinner Hosted by His Excellency Lawrence Cannon, Ambassador of Canada to France The delegates were received by His Excellency Lawrence Cannon, Ambassador of Canada to France, at his official residence for dinner. Mr. Cannon welcomed the members of the CFIA, noting that they play a key role in the relationship between the two countries and that the CFIA’s activities have contributed to the strength of that relationship. He highlighted the 50th anniversary of the CFIA, remarking that its 50-year history featured good relationships and productive discussions between Canadian and French parliamentarians. Mr. Cannon added that the agenda for the 43rd annual meeting of the CFIA demonstrates that relations between Canada and France will continue to mature. He said that the two countries suffered a blow from the recent attacks against them, which have led to a renewal of intelligence activities and increased cooperation between them. He mentioned the second theme of the annual meeting, climate change and the energy transition, which relates to the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to be held in Paris in December 2015.[16] Mr. Cannon also spoke about Canada’s contribution to the Great War, which was discussed in the symposium entitled Canada and France in the Great War 1914–1918. Finally, he concluded by saying that the CFIA’s efforts to bring politicians together are unique and wished the CFIA continued success. Senator Tardif spoke next, beginning by thanking the Ambassador for his hospitality and noting that the delegates were delighted to share this meal with him. She said that the members of the CFIA greatly appreciate the Ambassador’s support for their activities and friendly meetings. Senator Tardif said that she believes the CFIA’s 50th anniversary is a unique opportunity to make the dynamic relationship between France and Canada even closer. She went on to say that it has been an honour to chair the Canadian Group of the CFIA since 2009 and that her work in the CFIA has enabled her to forge strong relationships and develop great affection for her French colleagues. Senator Tardif also spoke about the two countries’ common values, which include democracy and individual freedoms. She noted the tragic attacks that shook the two nations and said that, in their wake, the Canadian and French people had reaffirmed their solidarity and cooperation. She continued by expressing her pride in the Canadian Embassy in France and emphasized the remarkable work it does. Some 8,000 people passed through the Embassy last year and were welcomed with respect and dignity, providing a unique outreach platform for Canada. Senator Tardif concluded by thanking the Ambassador for facilitating the CFIA’s meetings, and she wished the CFIA a long future. Lastly, Ms. Coutelle thanked the Ambassador and said it was a great pleasure for the delegates to attend such outstanding meetings. She said that the visit the day before to the Canadian battleground in Vimy was very touching for the entire delegation. They laid wreaths at the foot of the Memorial to honour the sacrifice of the Canadian soldiers who died in the First World War. She said the Vimy Memorial is an extraordinary monument that dominates the area’s mining landscape. Ms. Coutelle said that the visit to the Pas-de-Calais region combined history and culture, as the delegates took the opportunity to visit the Louvre-Lens Museum, which is located in a mining basin that is in the process of being converted. She noted the remarkable exhibit they saw on the history of humanity. She said she was glad to have the opportunity to be part of the CFIA’s 50th anniversary, while pointing out how special the organization is. Ms. Coutelle also said that the CFIA should be preserved and expressed her hope that it will one day celebrate its bicentennial. Finally, she expressed the hope that the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change would be a success, for a failure would, in her view, be a disaster for humanity. Thursday, 21 maY 2015: meetings and Discussions on climate CHANGE and the energy transition, and security and the fight against terrorism Q. Meeting with Senator Hervé Maurey, Chair of the Sustainable Development Committee, and Senator Jérôme Bignon, Member of the Sustainable Development Committee Senator Hervé Maurey, Chair of the Sustainable Development Committee and member of the CFIA, and Senator Jérôme Bignon, Member of the Sustainable Development Committee, met with the delegates to discuss climate change and the energy transition. Senator Maurey began by stating that climate change affects the food supply and therefore global security. In his opinion, some people unfortunately still do not understand the problem. He believes that the future of humanity is at stake and that some environmentalists have hurt the cause. On this point, however, Mr. Godin expressed his thanks to environmentalists, as in his view, they have woken the people and the big corporations up to the negative environmental impacts of certain human activities. Senator Maurey spoke about the bill on the energy transition for green growth (DEVX1413992L), which was introduced in 2014 and was studied by the French Parliament.[17] The bill, which would help France fight climate change and strengthen its energy independence, includes the following six main objectives: · reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% over 1990 levels by 2030; · reducing fossil fuel consumption by 30% over 2012 levels by 2030; · increasing the share of final energy consumption from renewable sources to 32% and electricity generation from renewables to 40% by 2030; · reducing final energy consumption by 50% over 2012 levels by 2050; · reducing landfill waste by 50% by 2025; and · diversifying electricity generation and reducing the share of nuclear energy to 50% by 2025.[18] The delegates learned that the French Senate is taking part in the upcoming Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or COP21. In response to a delegate’s question, Senator Maurey said that the Sustainable Development Committee is steering all of the work for COP21 and raising parliamentarians’ awareness about issues that relate to both the environment and the economy. Senator Bignon explained that humans have had a decisive influence on the increase in greenhouse gases and that, over the past few years, millions of birds have disappeared from France because of climate change. He continued by stating that only a few countries made environmental commitments under the Kyoto Protocol and that the last Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Lima, Peru, in 2014 led to a debate between developed countries and developing nations. In his view, COP21 is one step in the fight against climate change, not the end point. In answer to a question from a delegate, Senator Bignon clarified that the French government believes that cities have a role to play in fighting climate change. Ms. Coutelle added that the Mayor of Paris has taken a number of measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including prohibiting the use of diesel cars. However, she said the problem is complicated, as this measure affects among others, disadvantaged people. R. Meeting with Jérome Teillard, Advisor, and Marianne De Brunhoff, International Relations Representative, to the French Minister of National Education, Higher Education and Research The delegates met with Jérome Teillard, Advisor, and Marianne De Brunhoff, International Relations Representative, to the French Minister of National Education, Higher Education and Research, to discuss the actions taken at the French Ministry of National Education, Higher Education and Research following the attacks of January 2015. Mr. Teillard described developments in the education system since the first attacks on Charlie Hebdo on 7 January 2015. First, he said that a letter was sent to all French teachers on 8 January 2015 to reassure them, as there was strong media pressure and emotions were running high. On 11 January 2015, the French people demonstrated in large numbers across the country to support the victims of the attacks. The delegates learned that the French Minister of National Education, Higher Education and Research held a series of consultations with the entire education and university community, representatives of secondary school unions, parents’ federations, labour organizations, former ministers of education, associations that combat racism and anti-Semitism, local elected officials’ associations and pro-secular and pro-free-speech activists from 12 to 21 January 2015. Following these meetings, the Minister introduced 11 measures for a major education movement to support the values of the French Republic on 22 January 2015. These 11 measures, which revolve around four themes, are as follows: · Put secularism and the transmission of republican values at the heart of the education movement § Measure 1: Strengthen the transmission of the Republic’s values § Measure 2: Restore the authority of teachers and republican rites § Measure 3: Create a new educational subject from elementary school to graduation: the citizens’ curriculum · Develop citizenship and a culture of engagement with all educational partners § Measure 4: Integrate parents into the education system and improve opportunities for engagement with them § Measure 5: Mobilize all local and regional resources · Fight inequality and promote social interaction to strengthen feelings of belonging to the Republic § Measure 6: Make mastering French a priority § Measure 7: Speed up implementation of the plan to reduce the number of drop-outs § Measure 8: Strengthen efforts to fight social and regional determinism § Measure 9: Take action to help the most vulnerable · Engage Higher Education and Research § Measure 10: Engage Higher Education and Research to educate society as a whole about social fault lines and the factors that contribute to radicalization § Measure 11: Improve the social responsibility of Higher Education institutions[19] According to Mr. Teillard, the education system will have to play a role in preventing the radicalization of youth, and teachers need resources and support, including a secular message, to help their students. He added that, prior to 7 January 2015, the reaffirmation of French values was one of the concerns of the teaching community. In response to a delegate’s question, Mr. Teillard said that France has some 800,000 teachers, 12.5 million students, 55,000 primary schools and 11,000 middle and secondary schools. To close the meeting, the delegates offered warm thanks to Mr. Teillard and Ms. De Brunhoff for their time and explanations. S. Working Session on Theme of Climate Change and the Energy Transition Senator André Gattolin opened the working session by presenting the French point of view on the theme of climate change and the energy transition. Then MP Mauril Bélanger followed with the Canadian perspective. Senator Gattolin discussed subjects such as the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Canada’s commitments and the importance of domestic action. He also mentioned the French Senate’s European Affairs Committee report no. 684 on the Arctic and Europe’s concerns about this global issue. a. Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Senator Gattolin started by discussing the Copenhagen Accord, reached at the end of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Copenhagen in December 2009 (COP15). This agreement, which contains emissions reduction targets for developed countries and nationally appropriate mitigation actions for developing countries, recognizes that limiting the increase in global temperatures to two degrees Celsius requires greenhouse gas emission reductions. The Accord also created the Green Climate Fund, which is making US$100 billion per year in public and private investments until 2020 to meet the adaptation and mitigation needs of developing countries. However, Senator Gattolin called the Accord a failure and said that France has drawn lessons from it. Senator Gattolin continued by asserting that a global agreement in which each country makes clear commitments is needed and that the impasse that emerged after the Kyoto Protocol, where only some countries committed to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions, must be overcome. The Senator argued that the latest Conference of the Parties in Lima in December 2014 was a step in the right direction and that the next conference, COP21, must succeed. He pointed out that global temperatures have increased by 1.5 degrees Celsius since the industrial revolution and, without concrete actions, this trend will continue and have serious consequences for humanity and the environment. To put things in perspective, Senator Gattolin pointed out that €179 million will be spent on COP21 compared with €69 million for COP15. b. Canada’s Commitments Senator Gattolin stated that Canada was historically engaged in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, he applauded the Canadian contribution announced by the Minister of the Environment on 15 May 2015 to reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions by 30% below 2005 levels by 2030 and noted that it is identical to the commitment made by the United States. According to Senator Gattolin, domestic actions are very important to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, he said that developing countries need financial assistance to implement emissions reduction plans. The delegates learned that Mexico was the first developing country to submit such a plan, although it is not known when its plan was submitted, and that other developing countries, including Gabon, have since submitted plans. d. Report No. 684 of the French Senate’s European Affairs Committee In closing, Senator Gattolin discussed the main conclusions of report no. 684 of the French Senate’s European Affairs Committee, which he wrote. The report states that the Arctic is warming at least twice as fast as the rest of the planet. The report indicates that this warming is dramatically changing the region and the life found there, as this life is profoundly affected by the melting of summer pack ice. This melting will raise sea levels and could lead to the disappearance of some islands and Pacific countries. A number of countries have developed strategies or policies for action in the Arctic. On 12 March 2014, the European Parliament passed a resolution on the EU’s Arctic strategy, and on 12 May 2014, the Council of the EU adopted conclusions for developing a EU Arctic policy. In France, researchers have launched the French Arctic Initiative, a scientific monitoring network for the Arctic, whose mandate is to reflect on working methods and find answers to the critical global issues relating to the Arctic. France is also working on a national Arctic roadmap to guide its actions respecting the Arctic in the coming years. Mr. Bélanger began his presentation by stating that, as in France, average temperatures in every region of Canada, particularly in the North, have increased over the past few decades. The Canadian government has recognized the serious problems caused by climate change and believes it is one of the most important environmental issues of our time. The Canadian government therefore wants to reach a new international agreement on this issue. Mr. Bélanger also discussed energy trends, the Canadian government’s environmental commitments and the Canadian legislative framework. Mr. Bélanger said that, except for hydroelectricity, use of renewable energy sources is increasing in Canada, but these sources still represent a very small portion of Canada’s total energy supply. Since the 1990s, fossil fuels have accounted for about three quarters of Canada’s primary energy supply. Mr. Bélanger went on to note that, using 2013 data, Canada has the highest energy intensity of 17 peer countries. In his view, this is not surprising, as Canada is a vast northern country with a small population and a resource-based economy. Still, Canada has made progress, as shown in a recent International Energy Agency report that ranks it second among 15 countries in energy efficiency for the period 1990–2010. In addition, from 2005 to 2012 Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions declined by 5.1% even as the economy grew by 10.6%. Finally, 79% of the electricity generated in Canada produces no greenhouse gases. Mr. Bélanger said that Canada has committed to contributing $300 million to the Green Climate Fund to support developing countries in the fight against climate change. The regulation of greenhouse gas emissions is a joint responsibility of the federal and provincial/territorial governments. That is why Canada first observed provincial and territorial actions before determining its contribution. Then, on 15 May 2015, the Minister of the Environment announced that Canada is committing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% below 2005 levels by 2030. Lastly, Mr. Bélanger discussed Canada’s legislative framework governing climate and energy issues. He explained that over the past few years the Canadian government has regulated greenhouse gas emissions in a number of sectors, including passenger vehicles and light trucks, renewable fuels, heavy-duty vehicles and electricity generation. He continued by noting that, under the Energy Efficiency Act, the Canadian government has the power to make and enforce regulations that set standards and labelling requirements for energy-using products, which can help drive less efficient products out of the market. In conclusion, Mr. Bélanger said he hopes a new international climate change agreement will be reached at COP21, because the planet, its ecosystems and humanity will benefit from a healthy and sustainable environment. He believes that climate change is a bigger threat than terrorism since it threatens the entire human species. If nothing is done, global temperatures will rise by six degrees Celsius by 2100, with major consequences for the planet. W. Tour of the Luxembourg Palace Chapel The delegates toured the chapel of Luxembourg Palace with Damien Déchelette, Chief Architect of the Architecture, Heritage and Gardens Directorate. During their tour, the delegates learned that the Chambre des Pairs decided to build a new, bigger chapel around 1840.[20] The palace’s architect at the time, Alphonse de Gisors, proposed putting the new chapel on the ground floor of the great hall, which senators previously used as a cloakroom. The Minister of the Interior engaged artist François Bouchot to paint the chapel’s murals in 1842. However, he died before completing the job. The work was then assigned to artists Jean Gigoux, Abel de Pujol and Théophile Vauchelet. Ornamental painter Hippolyte Adam was responsible for the decorative painting in the chapel. On 27 December 1844, the new chapel was blessed for the first time. It was used as such until 1870, when it was repurposed for the ambulance service. After 1870, it was closed for the arrival of the Seine prefecture’s services to Luxembourg Palace and turned into a storeroom for papers and archives. In 1905, the public waiting room in the chapel’s former vestibule was enlarged to accommodate the people using the Senate on sitting days by incorporating the former sacristy. In addition, the disused chapel was restored for interparliamentary meetings. In 1907, the new room was renamed the De Brosse room as a tribute to the palace’s original architect. By 1910, the room was being used as a restaurant seating area for up to 72 people. After the Second World War, the De Brosse room again served as a conference and meeting room. The High Court of Justice even held proceedings there. Mr. Déchelette explained that the chapel was subsequently converted into offices and is now being renovated as a multimedia conference room that can accommodate prestigious Senate meetings. The delegates thanked Mr. Déchelette for the tour of the chapel and his presentation. The delegates toured the Senate Library with Jacques Bricquet-Milin, Officer of the Senate Library. Mr. Bricquet-Milin said that the library consists of 380,000 volumes, including those held in its reserve collection. He then discussed the decoration of the dome at the library entrance, which measures 7 m in diameter and 3.5 m in height, and the oven-shaped vault over the central window. In 1840, this decorative work was assigned to Romantic painter Eugène Delacroix and was one of the most prestigious assignments of the time, along with the ceiling of the Chamber of Deputies library. Delacroix worked on the project for six years, finishing in 1846. For the library’s dome, Delacroix chose to illustrate Canto IV of Inferno, a passage from Dante’s Divine Comedy, which he believed represented a kind of Elysium, where the great men who never received the grace of baptism and therefore could not ascend to Heaven were brought together.[21] The dome is divided into four scenes. The main one, above the entrance door, shows the meeting of Dante and Homer, surrounded by Ovid, Statius and Horace. The second shows Greeks, including Alexander the Great leaning on his master, Aristotle, and is located in the oven-shaped vault over the window. The third depicts poets such as Orpheus, Herodas, a muse and Sappho and emphasizes the value of poetry. The fourth scene shows Romans, including Caesar, Cicero, Marcus Aurelius and Cincinnatus. The delegates learned that the dome collapsed because of water infiltration in 1868 and the paintings fell to the ground. A student of Delacroix, Pierre Andrieu, was tasked with restoring them, a process that took 14 months. The delegates thanked Mr. Bricquet-Milin for his time and explanations. Friday, 22 maY 2015: MEETING on theme of climate CHANGE and the energy transition and closing lunchEON Y. Tour of Luxembourg Garden Greenhouses Frédéric Sauvêtre, Assistant to the Chief of Greenhouses, led the delegates on a tour of the greenhouses and some of the species of orchids in the Luxembourg Garden’s collection. The delegates learned that the orchid collection is one of the oldest in Europe, having been established in 1838 from plants sent by the Emperor of Brazil’s doctor to the botanical garden of the faculty of medicine in Paris. Over the years, the collection was enriched through exchanges with horticulturalists and collectors and reached a high of 1,200 species. In 1860, the botanical garden was removed and the French Senate agreed to accept the collection, which at that time contained mainly tropical orchids. After receiving the collection, the Senate built a greenhouse for it. Today, the collection consists of over 13,000 plants from 1,300 different species or hybrids. The main collection consists of Southeast Asian Venus slippers – Paphiopedilum – and is recognized as a national collection by the French conservatory of specialized plant collections. Mr. Sauvêtre explained that orchids represent about 10% of the plant kingdom and comprise some 30,000 species. Moreover, new species are discovered every year. The delegates thanked Mr. Sauvêtre for the tour and explanations. Z. Meeting with Mr. Stéphane Crouzat, Diplomatic Advisor to the French Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy, and Ms. Blandine Barreau, Member of the French Climate Change Mitigation Team The delegates met with Stéphane Crouzat, Diplomatic Advisor to the French Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy, and Blandine Barreau, Member of the French Climate Change Mitigation Team, to discuss COP21. Both the 196 state parties to the Convention and non-state actors will take part in the conference. The non-state actors include governmental and non-governmental international organizations, regional and local authorities, unions, businesses and scientists. Some 40,000 people are expected to attend the conference, presenting transportation, safety and security challenges. Mr. Crouzat and Ms. Barreau discussed the pillars, organization and site of COP21. They also discussed the important meetings that will occur before COP21. Mr. Crouzat explained that the alliance formed for COP21 has four pillars. The first is the Paris agreement pillar, which refers to efforts to reach a formal agreement. Mr. Crouzat believes this will be a challenge, given the number of different countries taking part in the conference. While he thinks it is unlikely the goal of limiting global warming to below two degrees Celsius will be achieved, an agreement will still make progress in that direction. In addition, the agreement will have to be revisited on a predetermined cycle. Mr. Crouzat also noted that the legal aspect of the agreement will need to be resolved. This pillar includes legal experts and public policy experts in the areas of greenhouse gas emissions reduction and climate change adaptation. The second pillar – bilateral and multilateral relations – consists of the domestic energy and climate-related policies and initiatives that the various countries will set out in their national contributions. Mr. Crouzat indicated that the content of these national contributions, which set emissions-reduction and adaptation-capacity targets, will be very important. However, they will be difficult to compare. The third pillar is finance and concerns the public and private financial resources that must be mobilized to fight climate change. Mr. Crouzat explained that this pillar has two main elements: the Green Climate Fund and annual funding to combat climate change. In response to a delegate’s question, he said that the Green Climate Fund supports greenhouse gas reduction and climate change adaptation projects. The Green Climate Fund is administered by its board, which was established in Cancun in 2010 and has 24 members from both developing and developed countries. The fourth pillar is the solutions agenda, which focuses on international partnership initiatives that aim to implement a transition toward climate-resilient, low-carbon economies. This agenda also supports coalitions of local communities or businesses and projects involving the development of new technologies that are less damaging to the environment. Mr. Crouzat reported that France wants to have shared solutions rather than a shared burden and that this solutions agenda would lead to a more positive discussion in the lead-up to COP21. He added that climate change solutions are no longer a matter for just the government, as they concern the entire population. The President of France, François Hollande, assigned an inter-ministerial team to organize COP21. The French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, Laurent Fabius, was assigned to chair the conference. The French climate negotiation team, or steering committee, consists of the following individuals: · Ségolène Royal, Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy; · Michel Sapin, Minister of Finance and Public Accounts; · Stéphane Le Foll, Minister of Agriculture, Agrifood and Forestry, and Government Spokesman; · Annick Girardin, Minister of State for Development and Francophonie; and · Marie-Hélène Aubert, Élysée Diplomatic Unit and Advisor for International Climate and Environmental Negotiations, Civil Society Contact Person. The delegates learned that a number of ministries are working on COP21. Among them, Mr. Crouzat highlighted the roles of the two main ones, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development, which is responsible for bilateral negotiations, and the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy, which will be engaging civil society and the European community. Mr. Crouzat said that COP21 will be held at Paris-Le Bourget because it has sufficient capacity and accessibility for the official delegations, civil society and the media. To ensure civil society can participate, it will have a dedicated space that will be accessible without accreditation. However, the conference centre for COP21 will be overseen by the United Nations (UN) and known as the “blue zone.” This means that it will be restricted to individuals accredited by the Framework Convention Secretariat. UN security services will handle security in the blue zone, while French law enforcement will be responsible for security outside this area. A further 10,000 m2 will be devoted to the Solutions Gallery, which will showcase innovative and alternative low-carbon solutions to the UN delegates, state officials, economic and political decision-makers, researchers and experts at COP21. Mr. Crouzat also noted that, unlike at COP15 in Copenhagen, the meeting of the heads of state will take place at the start of the conference rather than at the end. 13. Important Meetings Before COP21 The delegates learned that two important meetings would take place before COP21. The first was the Third International Conference on Financing for Development, held in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia in mid-July 2015, during which senior officials and experts in the development field agreed on a funding framework to support the objectives that will be set out in the new development program entitled the Sustainable Development Goals. The second is the Sustainable Development Summit in New York in September 2015, where these Sustainable Development Goals for the next 15 years are expected to be adopted. At the end of the meeting, the delegates thanked Mr. Crouzat and Ms. Barreau for their time. The 43rd annual meeting of the CFIA concluded with a closing luncheon during which the delegates celebrated the organization’s 50th anniversary and reflected on their week’s work. Senator Tardif thanked the French delegates for their warm welcome and a very well-organized 43rd annual meeting. She said the Canadian delegates had a wonderful stay in Paris and in the department of Pas-de-Calais. Senator Tardif described the work and discussions as very productive and noted that the meeting provided a better understanding of the challenges facing the two countries in the areas of security, the fight against terrorism, climate change and the energy transition. Senator Tardif also thanked her retiring colleagues, Senator Rivard and Mr. Godin, for their contributions and commitment to the CFIA. She said it has been a privilege to work with them. Next, Ms. Coutelle said she was pleased to have hosted the Canadian delegation and to have worked with them over the past week. Mr. Godin, MP, explained the importance of maintaining the CFIA and relations between the two countries in protecting the French language in Canada, especially in francophone communities outside Quebec. He also said that being a member of the CFIA has been a privilege for him. Finally, Senator Rivard described his links with and attachment to France. He also said that he has greatly appreciated working in the CFIA and taking part in its activities. The CFIA’s 43rd annual meeting was a genuine success. The delegates had the opportunity to exchange views and learn more about the Canadian and French perspectives on the issues studied while meeting with subject matter experts and touring sites. They feel that a good deal of work remains in the areas of security, the fight against terrorism, climate change and the energy transition They believe however that the two countries benefit from their strong relationship and that their cooperation helps them share knowledge, exchange best practices and make progress on common issues. After completing their work, delegates from both countries issued a news release to mark the 50th anniversary of the CFIA, discuss the work done at the 43rd annual meeting and express their hope for a successful COP21, whose goal is a greenhouse gas emissions reduction agreement for all nations. Finally, the delegates expressed their warm thanks to the officials at the Canadian and French parliaments for their work and their support of the CFIA’s activities. Respectfully submitted,
[1] Veterans Affairs Canada, Design and Construction of the Vimy Monument. [2] Veterans Affairs Canada, Remembering the Fallen: Canadian National Vimy Memorial. [3] Canadian War Museum, Vimy Memorial. [4] Veterans Affairs Canada, The Capture of Vimy Ridge. [5] United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Processional giants and dragons in Belgium and France. [6] Ville d’Arras, Les Boves. [Available in French only]. [7] Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques, Commune de Lens. [in French only] [8] Ville de Lens, Discover Lens. [9] The Hemicycle is the chamber in the Palais Bourbon where the National Assembly sits. [10] The Anti-terrorism Act, 2015, received Royal Assent on 18 June 2015. [11] The Economic Action Plan 2015, No. 1, received Royal Assent on 23 June 2015. [12] France adopted in July 2015 the Loi nº 2015-915 du 24 juillet 2015 relative au renseignement. [13] The Schengen area is composed of 26 European countries, 22 of which are members of the European Union: Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. For more information, see: European Commission, Europe Without Borders: The Schengen Area. [14] Vie publique, Projet de loi relatif au renseignement [Available in French only]. [15] Government of the Republic of France, Légifrance, Décret n° 2014-474 du 12 mai 2014 pris pour l'application de l'article 6 nonies de l'ordonnance n° 58-1100 du 17 novembre 1958 relative au fonctionnement des assemblées parlementaires et portant désignation des services spécialisés de renseignement. [Available in French only]. [16] The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was adopted at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. It entered force on 21 March 1994. A total of 196 parties, or states, ratified the Framework Convention, which recognizes the existence of human-caused climate change and puts the onus on the industrialized countries to fight this phenomenon. Each year, the parties meet at the Conference of the Parties and make decisions about how to meet their objectives to fight climate change. For more information, see Ministère de l’Écologie, du Développement durable et de l’Énergie, Questions réponses COP climat : Qu’est-ce qu’une COP? [Available in French only]. [17] France adopted in August 2015 the Loi nº2015-992 du 17 août relative à la transition énergétique pour la croissance verte. [18] Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy. La révolution de la croissance verte s’accélère portée par la loi de transition énergétique et les actions qui l’accompagnent, p. 2 [Available in French only]. [19] Government of the French Republic, Ministry of National Education, Higher Education and Research, Onze mesures pour une grande mobilisation de l’École pour les valeurs de la République [Available in French only]. [20] The Chambre des Pairs was the French Parliament’s upper house. It was created in 1814 and abolished in 1848. [21] French Republic, Senate, La bibliothèque [Available in French only]. |
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