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It was a privilege to attend the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) – Workshop on the Parliamentary Committee System – in Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago from March 20th – March 24th, 2006. The workshop focused on Commonwealth perspectives on the Committee system; being an effective member on a Committee, the art of committee leadership and effective committee support. The workshop, which was chaired by Dr. Linda Baboolal, President of the Senate and Mr. Barendra Sinanan, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, was attended by Senators, Members and staff of the Parliament of Trinidad & Tobago as well as Members of the Tobago House of Assembly. The conclusions and recommendations emerging from the Workshop were wide-ranging. The Role of Parliamentarians in the committee process is crucial in ensuring transparency and accountability as it relates to the Executive Branch of government. This was in fact the first time since the Trinidad & Tobago election for Members to exchange views and reflect on the importance of strengthening parliamentary committees in that country. The principles and recommendations of the workshop are included as Appendix A and were agreed to by all Members on the second day. The Action Plan included in Appendix B is equally important as it charts the immediate course for the Trinidad & Tobago Parliament. The Workshop’s success was due to superb arrangements by the Parliament of Trinidad & Tobago; active engagement by Parliamentarians and staff, and the high quality of presentations. It is hoped that the CPA can build on the success of this event in its ongoing efforts to enhance the work of Parliamentarians across the Commonwealth. It was an honour for the Canadian participants to represent our Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, and our Parliament, at this Workshop. The achievement and maintenance of transparency and accountability through the Parliamentary Committee process is an important one. We are encouraged that more parliamentarians are accepting this challenge. Many thanks to my Canadian colleague Dr. Maurice Vellacott, M.P.; to our government’s Department of Foreign Affairs; to the CPA Secretariat particularly Anthony Staddon; to the C.P.A. Trinidad & Tobago Branch; to the CPA Canadian Branch; to the other members of the resource team including Janice Hilchie, Table Officer at our House of Commons and Callum Thomson, Clerk to the Justice 1 Committee from the Scottish Parliament; for all their support and assistance, and to the people of Trinidad & Tobago for their warm hospitality.
Respectfully submitted,
Derek Lee, M.P. Canadian (Federal) Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)
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