Visit of the Honourable Peter Milliken, M.P., Speaker of the House of Commons, and a Parliamentary Delegation, Peru
From March 14 to 20, 2008, the Speaker of the House of Commons led a parliamentary delegation on an official visit to Peru. The delegation was composed of Mr. Ted Menzies, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance; Mr. James Rajotte, M.P.; Mr. Mario Silva, M.P.; and Mr. Jean-Yves Laforest, M.P. The delegation was accompanied by Mr. Patrick Kennedy, Chief of Staff of the Speaker, and Ms. Julie Lalande Prud'homme, Secretary to the delegation.
During their stay in Peru, the delegation met with:
- Mr. Luis Giampietri Rojas, First Vice-President;
- The Honourable Dr. Luis Gonzales Posada Eyzaguirre, President of the Peruvian Congress;
- Mr. Antero Flores Aráoz, Minister of Defence;
- Dr. Susana Pinilla, Minister of Women's Affairs and Social Development;
- Mrs. Rosario del Pilar Fernández, Minister of Justice;
- The Peru-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group;
- Mr. Gonzalo Gutierrez, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs;
- Experts in congressional issues and democracy; and
- Representatives of the Canadian business community in Peru.
The objectives of the visit were to:
- promote and develop parliamentary and diplomatic relations between Canada and Peru; and
- examine the various issues of mutual interest to Canada and Peru.
In addition to these meetings, the delegation was invited to attend a session of the Congress of the Republic where their presence was recognized officially. The delegation also had a guided tour of the Congress building and the Inquisition Museum. As well, the delegation went to Augustino to meet representatives from Encuentros, a CIDA-funded project, and heard testimonials from two young project participants. The delegation also met with the mayor and city councillors of Augustino.
To experience the history of Peru, the delegation went to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca empire of Peru, and to Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. During their visit to these historic sites, the delegates learned much about Peru's history, thereby gaining a better understanding of Peruvian culture.