The Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians' Conference in Canada.

• Author: Driedger, Myrna

The CWP, as part of the larger Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, works for better representation for women in legislatures throughout Canada and the Commonwealth. In July the 2012 Conference of the CWP was held in Quebec City. This article looks at the agenda of the Conference and future projects for the CWP (Canada).

**********

The CWP-Canadian Region is governed by a steering committee that promotes the views and concerns of women parliamentarians throughout the region and is responsible for developing programs to further the aims of the CWP within the region. It is composed of one representative from each province and territory and one representative from the federal parliament. Each member serves a three-year term. Its operations are overseen by a Chair, who also represents Canada on the CWP Steering Committee--International.

The other members of the Steering Committee for CWP Canada are:

* Charlotte L'Ecuyer, Quebec, (Alternate Chair)

* Linda Reid, British Columbia

* Mary Anne Jablonski, Alberta

* Nadine Wilson, Saskatchewan

* Leanne Rowat, Manitoba

* Lisa MacLeod, Ontario

* Becky Kent, Nova Scotia

* Pam Lynch, New Brunswick

* Carolyn Bertram, Prince Edward Island

* Charlene Johnson, Newfoundland and Labrador

* Pat Davidson, Federal

* Wendy Bisaro, Northwest Territories

* Lois Moorcroft, Yukon

* Jeannie Ugyuk, Nunavut

Created in 2005, the CWP--Canada Region is composed of women parliamentarians of the provincial and territorial Canadian legislatures and the federal parliament. Its aims and objectives are to :

* Provide opportunities for strategic discussion and development for future and current parliamentarians

* Increase female representation in our parliaments

* Foster closer relationships among Canadian women parliamentarians

* Foster relations with other countries having close parliamentary ties with Canada ; and

* Discuss, strategize and act on gender related issues in Canada and internationally.

The CWP pursues these objectives by means of annual Commonwealth parliamentary conferences, outreach programs and participation in campaign schools across the country.

The 2012 Conference

This year's format was different than in past years, as we focused our attention on strategic planning over a two-day period. One objective of this year's conference was to further define who we are as an organization by defining our Vision, Mission and our Values. By creating these three statements and by committing to have those statements guide...