Speaker's Report
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Senator Dan Hays Speaker’s Report The Speaker and Parliamentary Diplomacy Summer 2002 Inside this edition ... Page 1 Speaker Hays travels to Europe Page 2 Parliament and Diplomacy Page 3 Speaker Hays meets the Speaker of the French Senate, Mr. Christian Poncelet in the Lux- Speakers and Presiding Of- embourg Gardens, March 7th, 2002. ficers Conference in Bot- swana Senate Delegation Visits Europe Page 4 At the invitation of my counterparts, the Speakers of the French Senate Business and Italian senates, I had the pleasure of leading a delegation to Europe in early March. Among the highlights of the visit were meetings with Page 5 Pope John Paul II and Italian President Carlo Ciampi. Senate News In France, our host was the Speaker of the French Senate, Mr. Christian Poncelet while, in Italy, we were guests of Mr. Marcelo Pera, National Arts Centre Event Speaker of the Italian Senate. The objectives of the visits were to pursue Page 6 dialogue with our French and Italian counterparts and discuss issues of common concern such as bicameralism, parliamentary diplomacy, the Photo of Audience with the security of nations, European Union and the Middle-East crisis. The Pope program for the Vatican included meetings with Cardinals Sodano, Staf- ford, Van Thuân, and Archbishop Tauran. 250th Anniversary of the Halifax Gazette Unquestionably, however, the high point of the trip for all mem- Page 7 bers was the audience granted to us by His Holiness Pope John Paul II on Monday, March 11. In good spirits, His Holiness said he was very Alberta Roundup much looking forward to participating in World Youth Day next July in Toronto. Page 8 Sincerely, Dan Hays Notes Library Renovations Page 2 Speaker’s Report Summer 2002 The principal task of committing governments de- modern parliaments is to Parliament and finitively. guide the actions of govern- Diplomacy ment by expressing the In the second case, parliame n- questions, concerns and ex- tary assemblies and associa- pectations of their constitu- foreign policy has grown tions can try to influence the ents, analyze issues and blurred. Moreover, the involve- foreign policy of member problems carefully, and en- ment of parliamentarians in for- states. In Canada, this kind of courage strategic legislative eign policy is no longer limited work is carried out by 11 par- solutions. Parliamentary di- to ratifying treaties and approv- liamentary associations at the plomacy supports this pro c- ing funds for the operation of multilateral and bilateral lev- ess in the theater of foreign diplomatic missions. els. Though such groups can’t policy. guarantee that governments Countless issues now transcend will adopt their recommenda- As you will have noticed, this national borders and require an tions, the positions they out- issue of Speaker’s Report international perspective to be line and promote add an im- contains several articles pe r- understood properly. They in- portant element that is both taining to my role as a parlia- clude telecommunications, democratic and independent mentary and state diplomat. transportation, energy, technical Moreover, they often have a Though an effective and well- standards, the merger and take- strong influence on govern- established practice, parlia- over of companies, the enviro n- ments. mentary diplomacy seems to ment, etc. defy definition, perhaps be- Though we’re still a long way cause it challenges a role tra- Parliamentary diplomacy is one from having a world commu- ditionally occupied by others. of the better means of helping nity founded on a respect for representatives gather the info r- international law and common At one time the private do- mation they need to understand values, there are nonetheless main of the executive, diplo- certain dimensions of such is- shared policy positions and macy is now within the pur- sues and to build necessary powerful international opinion view of legislative assem- bridges with counterparts trends that can help parlia- blies. Accordingly, the guid- around the world. It can gene r- me ntary diplomacy have a ing hand of parliaments – the ally be defined as the process strong impact in defining for- voice and conscience of the through which parliaments, or eign policy. people – has taken on a cru- individual members, as well as cial role in the oversight of their assemblies and associa- As the interest of nations foreign policy. This might in- tions, are involved in foreign af- gradually yields to the greater dicate that the traditional de- fairs. Which means that parlia- interest of the world, parlia- mocratic deficit present at mentarians can play the role of mentary diplomacy will provide the international level is no diplomat, and that parliame n- the tools we need to create longer acceptable to the peo- tary assemblies can help define greater understanding and co- ple, who are now more aware foreign policy. operation between nations, as of world issues and want well as preserve and propagate their parliamentarians to In the first case, parliamentari- the freedoms we enjoy. have a stronger voice. ans can act on behalf of their Strengthening democracy national government, or in close where it exists and encourag- The world has changed a cooperation with them. For ex- ing its development where it great deal since the collapse ample, parliamentarians can does not are among parlia- of the Berlin Wall, and with take part in diplomatic or quasi- me ntary diplomacy’s most globalization, the difference diplomatic missions to help test val uable contributions. between domestic and the ground in difficult and com- plicated situations, without Page 3 Speaker’s Report Summer 2002 Speaker Hays Travels To England and Botswana In January of 2002 Speaker Hays and Speaker Milliken of the House of Commons, traveled to Kasane, Botswana to attend the 16th Annual Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers Conference. En route to southern Africa, Speaker Hays paid a diplo- matic working visit to London, England. He met with Lord Williams of Mostyn, Leader of the House of Lords Lord Garreth Williams and Senator Hays in the Speaker’s Chambers and Sir Michael Davies, Clerk of the Lords and of the Par- April 23, 2002 liaments. Lord Williams is a senior minister in Prime Minister Tony Blair’s government. The visit was produc- Diplomatic Meetings tive and informative. Discussions covered topics such as the administration of Upper Houses and the United King- Since the last issue, Senator Hays had the honour of dom’s ambitious reforms of the House of Lords. Their meeting with the following dignitaries while fulfilling his conversation continued in April when Lord Williams vis- diplomatic role as Speaker of the Senate: ited Ottawa. Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Nor- Botswana is widely seen as an African success story. way. With an economy flourishing on sustainable tourism and His Excellency Marco Colombo value-added diamond production, Botswana has man- (Ambassador of the Italian Republic) aged to attain a relatively high level of income and His Excellency Philippe Guelluy health for its citizens. It is a parliamentary democracy (Ambassador of France) and supports an active and free press. His Excellency Wendelin Ettmayer (Ambassador of the Republic of Austria) The conference offered a valuable opportunity for speak- His Excellency Gaslan Batsukh ers to meet with their colleagues from 36 Commo n- (Ambassador of Mongolia) wealth countries and five observer regions. His Excel- His Excellency Vladimir Kotzy lency Festus Mogae, President of Botswana opened the (Ambassador of the Czech Republic) conference on January 9, 2002. A number of topics were His Excellency Ingvard Havnen debated and discussed by the delegates including: (Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway) Mr. Tian Jiyun · The development of information technology as (Senior Vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Na- an important tool in parliamentary information tional People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China) sharing Mr. Wolfgang Thierse · The relationship between Parliament and the judi- (President of the German Bundestag) ciary His Excellency J.G.S.T.M. van Hellenberg Hubar · Parliament’s responsibility and role in raising the (Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) political awareness of youth The Right Honourable Peter Ala Adjetey · The role of the Speaker in the administration of (Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana) His Excellency Gabriel Gafita the chamber (Ambassador of Omani) · The impartiality of the Speaker His Excellency Francis Loko · Special challenges faced by speakers in the years (Ambassador of Benin) 2001-2002 His Excellency Anthony John Hely · Challenges to the independence and relevance of (High Commissioner of Australia) parliaments His Excellency Shahid Malik (High Commissioner of Pakistan) In addition to formal meetings and discussions, the con- Her Excellency Danielle Smadja ference provided delegates with the special opportunity (Ambassador of the European Union Delegation) to experience southern Africa. This is of particular sig- His Excellency Alvaro Auniga Benavides ( Ambassador of nificance given the upcoming G8 summit in Canada and Chile) the Prime Minister’s commitment to Africa. Page 4 Speaker’s Report Summer 2002 S-20, An Act to provide for increased transparency and Senate Business objectivity in the selection of suitable individuals to be named to certain high public positions . The Honourable This section is a list of some of the private legislation cur- Senator Terry Stratton (PC). rently before the chamber. A complete list of legislative business can be accessed through the parliamentary web- S-26, An Act concerning personal watercraft in navigable site: www.parl.gc.ca waters . The Honourable Senator Mira Spivak (PC). Private Public Bills S-29, An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act (review of de- cisions). The Honourable Senator Jean-Robert Gauthier Royal Assent (Lib). This act would allow the CRTC to review, rescind or vary its decisions and would allow it to re-hear a matter S-14, An Act respecting Sir John A.