Canadian Parliamentarians to visit next week

A senator and three Parliamentarians from Canada arrive in Guyana next week as part of engagements with Guyana through the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).

In a release, the Canadian High Commission announced that those visiting are:

• Alexandra Mendès, M.P., Assistant Deputy Speaker, Chair of the CPA Canadian Branch
• The Hon. Salma Ataullahjan, Senator, Canadian Branch Executive Committee Member
• Rhéal Éloi Fortin, M.P., Canadian Branch Member
• Robert Kitchen, M.P., Canadian Branch Executive Committee Member

The team will be in Guyana from November 13-18 and will meet with Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, and several parliamentarians.

“This visit will give Canadian delegates the opportunity to advance relations with the Parliament Office and members of parliament from Guyana and exchange views on common areas of interest, such as climate change, oil and gas opportunities, indigenous peoples and a paperless parliament,” the Canadian High Commission stated.

According to the Mission, the Canadian Branch of the CPA has been actively working with Commonwealth partners in the Caribbean and globally to encourage “twinning” (partnerships) with territorial legislatures.

“The objective of twinning is to provide mutual capacity-building support and technical assistance and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices between Canadian and Guyanese parliamentarians.”