Visit of the Honourable George J. Furey, Q.C., Speaker of the Senate, Scotland and England, United Kingdom
From October 12 to 16, 2016, the Speaker of the Senate, the Honourable George J. Furey, Q.C., conducted an official visit to Scotland and England, United Kingdom. Accompanying the Speaker were Mrs. Karen Furey, Mr. Charles Robert, Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments, Mr. Michel Patrice, Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel and Chief Parliamentary Precinct Services Officer, and Ms. Evelyne Côté, Secretary to the delegation.
While in Scotland, the delegation met with:
- Mr. Ken Macintosh MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament;
- Mr. Lewis Macdonald MSP, Deputy Conveyer of the Culture, Tourism, European and External Relations Committee;
- Sir Paul Grice, Chief Executive of the Scottish Parliament;
- Ms. Becky Thomson, Head of Security of the Scottish Parliament;
- Ms. Lisbeth Craig, Financial Controller of the Scottish Parliament;
- Ms. Mairi Pearson, Head of Allowances of the Scottish Parliament;
- Mr. Simon Wakefield, Head of Research and Knowledge of the Scottish Parliament and senior officials of the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.
The purpose of the visit to Scotland was to strengthen relations between the Parliament of Canada and the National Assembly of Scotland. The delegation had the opportunity to discuss a range of issues relating to parliamentary governance including security and the financial framework for the Assembly. The delegation also had an opportunity to deliberate on other issues, specifically in relation to education with Scottish Parliament’s senior researchers Ms. Suzi Macpherson, Ms. Camilla Kidner and Dr. Wendy Kenyon as well as Ms. Sarah Skerratt, Professor at Scotland Rural College.
While in England, Speaker Furey had the great honour of being granted an audience with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The delegation also met with:
- The Right Honourable the Lord Fowler; Lord Speaker of the House of Lords;
- Mr. David Beamish, Clerk of the Parliaments;
- Mr. Simon Burton, Reading Clerk and Clerk of the Overseas Office.
In addition to the above meetings, the delegation also met with Ms. Janice Charette, High Commissioner of Canada to the United Kingdom and was briefed on such key issues as geopolitical developments in Europe, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, and the troubling ramifications of Brexit.
Another major objective of the visit to England was to benefit from a personal audience with Her Majesty. Speaker Furey attended the blessing and dedication of the newly restored Black Rod of the Senate of Canada. The restoration, a sesquicentennial project approved by the Queen, took place over the summer of 2016 and was conducted by the artisans and conservation experts at Windsor Castle. While in London, the delegation had the opportunity to review matters relating to security of the parliamentary precinct and parliamentary reform. Furthermore, the delegation had the opportunity to reinforce ties between the Parliament of Canada and the House of Lords.