Official Visit to Canada of His Excellency Foued Mebazaâ, President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Republic of Tunisia

From June 5 to 10, 2006, His Excellency Foued Mebazaâ, President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Republic of Tunisia led a delegation of Members of the Chamber of Deputies composed of Mr. Charfeddine Guellouz, Chair of the Infrastructure and General Services Commission and Chair of the Tunisia-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group, Mr. Chedly Borji, Member of the Finance, Planning and Regional Development Commission and Member of the Tunisia-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group, Ms. Emna Ben Arab, Member of the Tunisia-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group, as well as Mr. Ahmed Labidi, Director General of Foreign Relations of the Chamber of Deputies on an official visit to Ottawa, Québec, Toronto, and Kingston at the invitation of the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Honourable Peter Milliken.

In Ottawa, the delegation met with the following people:

• The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker of the Senate;
• The Honourable Peter Milliken, Speaker of the House of Commons;
• The Honourable David Emerson, P.C., Minister of International Trade;
• Mr. Jason Kenney, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister;
• Mr. Ted Menzies, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for International Cooperation;
• Mr. Peter Van Loan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs;
• Dr. Bernard Patry, International Chair of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie;
• The Honourable Denis Coderre, P.C., President of the Canada-Tunisia Friendship Group;
• Mr. Leon Benoit, Chair of the Standing Committee on International Trade; and
• Members of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development of the House of Commons.

In Québec, the delegation held meetings with:

• Mr. Michel Bissonnet, President of the National Assembly;
• Ms. Lise Thériault, Minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities;
• Mr. Philippe Couillard, Minister of Health and Social Services; and
• Ms. Louise Harel, Leader of the Official Opposition.

In Toronto, the delegation met with:

• The Honourable Michael A. Brown, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

The purpose of the visit was to strengthen relations between Canada and Tunisia and the parliaments of both countries. Tunisia is celebrating its 50th year of independence and its 50th year of diplomatic relations with Canada. To continue to promote the longstanding friendship between the two countries, the Canada-Tunisia Interparliamentary Group will be revived by Mr. Denis Coderre. The delegation encouraged Canadian investment and trade given Tunisia’s stability and the trade relations it enjoys with Europe, the Mediterranean and the Arab world. The delegation welcomed Canada to view Tunisia as an economic platform for the region. Increasing imports and exports as well as investment that flow between the two countries is a priority. Discussions surrounded the longstanding relations between the countries and the advancements Tunisia has made in terms of social programs, free and mandatory education, human rights, gender equality as well as the challenges it faces in terms of unemployment. The large Tunisian community in Québec was highlighted as well as the importance of promoting immigration and integration within Canada. The delegation wishes to expand its relations with provinces beyond the borders of its historical partner, Québec. Both countries expressed optimism that more exchanges with citizens, investment, students, tourists and investors will take place. A direct air link between Tunis and Montreal is being examined. International security and the shared vigilance in the fight against terrorism are issues of mutual concern. Tunisia has fought poverty, illiteracy and political marginalization which are viewed by the government as the roots of extremism. During the meetings with Canadian parliamentarians, many invitations to visit Tunisia were extended and talks focused on the positive relations between Canada and Tunisia that will continue to be enhanced in the future.