39th EU - Canada Inter-Parliamentary Meeting

7-11 May 2018, Ottawa and British Columbia, Canada

REPORT

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 Summary:

The EP Delegation for relations with Canada travelled to Ottawa for the 39th EU-Canada Inter- Parliamentary Meeting (IPM). A very successful meeting confirmed the good relations between the two delegations, the liked-mindedness of the EU and Canada as well as the increasing maturity of the EU - Canada inter-parliamentary dialogue.

During the IPM, the good attendance from EU and Canada, including from government and opposition MPs, allowed for well-informed discussions. The EP Delegation witnessed the positive results from the intensification of exchanges, agreed during the previous IPM as a result of the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA). The exchanges were more open, addressing points of disagreement. The strong relationship between the co-chairs contributed to this success.

Continuing the good practice of the previous IPM, travelling to one of the provinces in addition to the meetings in Ottawa to get acquainted with this huge and very diverse country, this time Members visited British Columbia. It enabled Members to discuss a wide range of topics with experts from provincial government, universities, business and civil society. Thanks to good cooperation with the EEAS, a rich and varied programme was put together, which was highly appreciated by the Members, who actively participated throughout the programme.

 Highlights of the discussion

In the morning prior to the IPM, Members were briefed extensively by the EU ambassador, Mr Peteris Ustubs, who gave a comprehensive overview of developments in Canada, Canada-EU relations and the Canadian G7 Presidency. Members had exchanges with Canadian senior government officials on trade, natural resources/energy, environment/climate change and policies on the situation of indigenous people.

The Inter-Parliamentary Meeting

The IPM took place on Monday 7May 2018 and on Tuesday 8May in the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa. Opening the meeting, Mr Scott SIMMS, the Canadian co-chair, and his European

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counterpart, Mr Bernd KOLMEL, welcomed the increase in EU - Canada contacts through the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), SPA and the intensification of inter- parliamentary relations as a result of SPA in this increasingly uncertain world. Compared to previous IPMs, the agenda was more focused, allowing for 'recent political and economic developments in Canada and the EU' to be added to the three panel discussions (environment, migration and trade).

During the environment and climate change panel, Members discussed respect for the commitments in the Paris Agreement in the context of the different energy situations. Domestic energy interconnectivity is high on the agenda in both Canada and the EU, but it is not easy to achieve the desired goals due to political and constitutional complexities, in particular the division of competences between the federal and provincial levels. Members discussed the EU reliance on coal and fossil fuels imports from Russia, exports from oil sands by Canada and the need for the export of clean energy to the rest of the world.

During the trade panel of the IPM, Members expressed optimism on the impact of CETA on the EU and Canada. In the present climate of increasing protectionism, the WTO should be safeguarded as the basis of the global economy. Members agreed that openness through diversification and bilateral agreements, such as CETA and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) are the best answer to US protectionism. In the coming 12 months, Canada could well become the most interconnected economy. Canadian Members explained that after 24 years, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) needed to be renegotiated. The outcome of the renegotiation is however uncertain as it is unclear what the Trump administration in the US would consider a win.

During the panel on migration, Members acknowledged that the different geographic position and the numbers of migrants arriving in Canada and the EU have a strong impact on the

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respective migration policies. Members discussed the need for effective integration of migrants in society, which would not only enable migrants to contribute to society, but also allow political leaders to build a positive consensus around migration. In the debates, it became clear that the Trudeau government is facing opposition as its policies to increase regular migration further, in part as a result of an increase of irregular migrants leaving the US because of uncertainty there.

British Columbia

After the IPM, the delegation travelled to British Columbia (BC), the most westerly province of Canada. In Victoria, the provincial capital, Members met the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of BC as well as various provincial ministers (from the left leaning provincial government). Members discussed the need for migration in an ageing society, where a booming economy had brought with it increased housing costs. With the environment Minister, Members discussed the BC opposition to the trans-mountain pipeline, which would be used to transport oil sands from Alberta through BC to export markets, which opponents claimed could have an adverse impact on the environment in BC.

In the afternoon, Members were welcomed at the University of Victoria, which has a Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence and actively cooperates with EU universities, where they had discussions with representatives of the Oceans Network Canada. On Thursday morning Members went to the University of British Columbia where they considered, together with migration experts, whether the Canadian model could be applied in the EU. They found that the geographical realities, which mean that Canada gets only a small fraction of the number of migrants that the EU does, preclude any meaningful direct application or read across. Afterwards, Members discussed sustainable building and visited the tallest wooden building in the world, Brock Commons, recommended by one of the delegation Vice-Chairs.

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After a tour through the clean energy research centre and a presentation on natural resources politics and First Nation interests, Members had a meeting with the David Suzuki Foundation, a well-respected environmental NGO, which wants to put the eco back into economics, followed by a presentation from the Vancouver Board of Trade, which had just published its 2018 scorecard for Vancouver. Regarding CETA, it found that 20% of exporting companies wanted to target the EU but needed more information regarding EU business partners.

On Friday, the Vancouver Economic Commission explained some of the factors why Vancouver had been so successful and BC Tech showed its innovation centre and explained how it offers start-up companies the right support infrastructure to grow. The rich and diverse programme was closed off with a tour through to the newest reception facilities for newcomers at the immigration services society, which integrates all services needed by newcomers under one roof.

 Conclusions

The 39th IPM was a very successful meeting that confirmed the good relations between the two delegations, the liked-mindedness of the EU and Canada as well as the increasing maturity of the EU Canada inter-parliamentary dialogue. The rich and varied programme in British Columbia enabled the members to get to know an important province of Canada and to discuss a wide range of topics with experts from provincial government, universities, business and civil society.

 Follow-up

Consider possible options for intensification of inter-parliamentary relations, which does justice to the maturity of the relationship.

Explore a possible incoming IPM for January-February 2019, which was proposed by the Canadian co-chair at the end of the IPM

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 Next meeting

This was the third IPM of this mandate (after 2016 and 2017) and the second delegation visit to Canada since 2012. As the 39th IPM was a very successful meeting which confirmed the good relations that exist between the two delegations, the liked-mindedness of the EU and Canada, as well as the increasing maturity of the EU - Canada inter-parliamentary dialogue, Members of both sides undertook to explore the possibility to hold an IPM in Brussels in the beginning of 2019.

 Participating Members of Parliament

The delegation, which was led by the Chair, (Bernd KÖLMEL (ECR, Germany), comprised Godelieve QUISTHOUDT-ROWOHL (Vice-Chair) (EPP, Germany), Paul BRANNEN (2nd Vice-chair) (S&D, United Kingdom), Geoffroy DIDIER (EPP, France), Jerome LAVRILLEUX (EPP, France), Razvan POPA (S&D, Romania), Ricardo SERRAO SANTOS (S&D, Portugal), Davor SKRLEC (Greens, Croatia) and Kathleen VAN BREMPT (S&D, Belgium).

ANNEX

- Final programme

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Final Programme

Delegation for Relations with Canada

39th EU-Canada Inter-parliamentary meeting

Ottawa and British Columbia

7-11 May 2018

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PARTICIPANTS:

European Parliament Delegation responsible for relations with Canada

Members Mr. Bernd KÖLMEL, MEP, Chair (ECR, DE) Ms. Godelieve QUISTHOUDT-ROWOHL (1st Vice-Chair) (EPP, DE) Mr. Paul BRANNEN (2nd Vice-Chair) (S&D, UK)

Mr. Geoffroy DIDIER (EPP, FR) Mr. Jérôme LAVRILLEUX (EPP, FR)

Mr. Răzvan POPA (S&D, RO) Mr. Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS (S&D, PT) Ms. Kathleen VAN BREMPT (S&D, BE)

Mr. Davor ŠKRLEC (GREENS/EFA, HR)

Accompany staff:

3 from EP Secretariat 3 from Political Group 3 Interpreters

Delegation of the European Union to Canada

H.E. Peteris USTUBS, Ambassador

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Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association

Executive Committee Members

Mr. Scott SIMMS, M.P., President Hon. Percy DOWNE, Senator, Vice-Chair Hon. Doug BLACK, Senator Hon. David WELLS, Senator Hon. Pierrette RINGUETTE, Senator Mr. , M.P., Vice-President Hon. , M.P., OSCE PA, Director Mr. , M.P. Mr. , M.P. Mr. , M.P. Mr. , M.P. Mr. David TILSON, M.P. Mr. Nick WHALEN, M.P.

Secretariat – CEPA

3 staff 1 Protocol officer

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Ottawa - Monday, 7 May 2018

08.30 -10.00 Briefing by H.E. Peteris Ustubs, EU Ambassador to Canada

10.15 Meetings with senior Canadian government officials.

10h15-10h50 (35 min.): Canadian trade policy (presenter: André- François Giroux, Director of Trade Agreements

10h50-11h25 (35 min.): Indigenous affairs (presenter: Kate Ledgerwood, Director, Federal Coordination.)

11h25-11h45 (20 min.): Comfort break

11h45-12h20 (35 min.): Natural resources (energy) (presenter: Jean- Francois Gagne, Director of the International Energy Branch)

12h20-12h55 (35 min.): Environment and Climate Change (presenter: Lucie Desforges, Director General, Multilateral and Bilateral Affairs and North America)

13:00 Lunch – own arrangements

14:30 Delegation greeted by Guyanne Desforges, Association Secretary and / or Alena Blouin, Protocol Officer

15:00 Welcome and opening session of the 39st EU Canada Inter- Parliamentary Meeting by CAEU Scott Simms and Mr. Bernd Kölmel, Head of European Delegation

15.15 Working Session with all delegates: Recent political and economic developments in Canada and the EU

16:15 Panel no. 1: Environment/ Climate Change

Guest Speakers:

M.P. , Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

M.P. Deborah Schulte, Chair of the Standing Committee of Environment and Sustainable Development

Senator Kim Pate

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Other experts:

Ms. Lucie Desforges, Director General, Multilateral and Bilateral Affairs and North America, Environment and Climate Change Canada

Brief presentations by invited Parliamentarians followed by open discussion with all participants and Q&A

Room 306, Valour Building

17:30 Departure for Reception by bus

18:00 Official Europe Day Reception, hosted by EU Ambassador Ustubs

19:00 Dinner hosted by President of CAEU, Mr. Scott Simms, M.P.

Ottawa - Tuesday, 8 May 2018

9:00 Panel no. 2: Discussion and Update on CETA - Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) and NAFTA

Guest Speakers: M.P. Andrew Leslie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Canada-U.S. Relations)

M.P. , Co-Chair of Canada-US Parliamentary Association

Senator Michael McDonald, Co-Chairs of Canada-US Parliamentary Association.

Other experts:

Mr. André-François Giroux, Director, Trade Agreements, Global Affairs Canada

Gary Pringle, Deputy Director (EU Relations), Global Affairs Canada

Brief presentations by invited Parliamentarians followed by open discussion with all participants and Q&A

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11:00 Panel no. 3: Migration and Refugees

Guest Speakers:

M.P. , Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration Refugees and Citizenship

M.P. Michelle Rempel, Opposition Parliamentary Critic for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Senator Mobina Jaffer, Deputy Chair of the Standing Committee on National Security and Defence

Senator Ratna Omidvar, Member of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology

Other experts:

Brief presentations by invited Parliamentarians followed by open discussion with all participants and Q&A

Room 306, Valour Building

12:00 Group Photo

12:30 Lunch hosted by CAEU President, Mr. Scott Simms, M.P.

Venue: Parliamentary Restaurant

14h15 Speaker’s Gallery for QP

Vancouver/Victoria - Wednesday, 9 May 2018

09.00 Departure of Flight #207 to Victoria

09.35 Arrival at Victoria’s Inner Harbour and transfer to Provincial government / Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in Victoria

10.00 Arrival at the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia and group photo in front of BC and EU flag flown especially on Europe Day

10.15 – 10:45 Meeting with the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, followed by photo op

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10:45 – 11:00 Comfort Break

11:00 - 11.45: Meeting with Mr Rob Flemming, Minister of Education of British Columbia

11:45 – 13:00 Lunch meeting with Mr. Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology of British Columbia

13:00 - 13:15: Comfort Break

13:15 Group accompanied to Members' Gallery by Ms. Frances Gorman

13:30 14:00: Formal Introduction to the Legislative Assembly

14:00 -14:30: Question Period

14:30 – 15:00 Meeting with Mr George Heyman, Minister of the Environment of British Columbia

15:30 Arrival at Michael Williams Lobby Boardroom 220 University of Victoria

15:40 Welcome by Lisa Kalynchuk. Associate Vice-President Research at University of Victoria

15:45 Remarks by President Cassels, President of the University of Victoria

16:00 Depart for Ocean Networks Canada Building

16:05 Ocean Networks Canada staff provide tours of equipment and instruments and overview of program initiatives

16:40 Depart Ocean Networks Canada Venue: Room 155 2300 McKenzie, Gabriola Rd, Victoria

18.00 Departure of Flight #224 to Vancouver

19:00-21:00 European Chamber of Commerce in Canada West/Italian Chamber of Commerce "The Authentic Italian Taste" reception

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Vancouver - Thursday, 10 May 2018

9:00 Arrival at Institute for European Studies University of British Columbia Dr. Murali Chandrashekaran Vice Provost, International Dr. Antje Ellerman, Director of the IES

9.15 Meeting with members of the UBC Migration Cluster: Learning from Canada?

11.00 Presentation James Tamsey, Director Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability at UBC

Venue: 2260 West Mall, Vancouver

11.35 Presentation on Brock Commons

12.00 Bus to Brock Commons

12.30 Visit to the Clean Energy Research Centre of the University of British Columbia (CERC) Venue: tbc

13.30 Lunch talk by Dr. Hoberg, Liu Institute for Global Issues: ‘Natural Resource Politics and First Nations Interests’

14.30 Meeting at the David Suzuki Foundation

16:00 Meeting with the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade

Vancouver - Friday, 11 May 2018

08:30 Meeting with the Vancouver Economic Commission

10:00 Meeting with Jill Tipping, CEO, BC Tech

11:00 Transfer by EP bus

11:30 Meeting and lunch at Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC)

11:30-11:45 Welcome and brief introduction on ISSofBC from leadership team

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11:45-12:30 Tour and interaction with staff

12:30-13:30 Lunch and discussion with staff and management

15:00 Debrief and evaluation

17:00 End of programme and individual departures

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