CPA activities: the Canadian scene.

• Position: Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

Thirty Fourth Canadian Regional Seminar

The 34th Seminar of the Canadian Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association was held in Edmonton from October 11-14, 2012. Twenty-nine legislators from most Canadian jurisdictions attended. Only Quebec, Yukon and the federal Parliament were unable to send delegates.

The Seminar was hosted by Alberta Speaker Gene Zwozdesky and Deputy Speaker George Rogers. Other Speakers in attendance were Bill Barisoff, British Columbia, Daryl Reid, Manitoba, Gordie Gosse, Nova Scotia, Carolyn Bertram, Prince Edward Island, Dale Graham New Brunswick, Jackie Jacobson, Northwest Territories and Hunter Tootoo, Nunavut.

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The first session featured a presentation on the courts and legislators with the former Chief Justice of Alberta, Allan H. Wachowich.

The second session was on redistribution and effective representation. The opening presentation was given by Christopher d'Entremont of Nova Scotia House of Assembly.

The third session was on new media and information technologies. The presentation was by Steven Patten of the Department of Political Science at the University of Alberta

The topic of the fourth session was government involvement in youth sport and the role governments should play. The presenter was Ron Schuler of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly.

The final session featured a presentation by Cheri DiNovo of the Ontario Legislative Assembly. She spoke on differences in being a legislator in a minority vs a majority government situation.

Every session provided an opportunity for a lively discussion among the members present.

Aside from the business sessions, delegates were treated to some outstanding Alberta hospitality. This included a lunch at the Glenmore Club with entertainment provided by Pro Coro Canada, a resident choral ensemble at the Francis Winspear Centre for music. There was also a dinner at Fort Edmonton with entertainment provided by folk singer Stewart MacDougall and Asani, an internationally renown aboriginal women's group from Edmonton. The closing banquet was held at Government House. Delegates thanked Speaker Zwozdesky, Deputy Speaker Rogers and staff for making the seminar a great success.

By coincidence the next CPA Regional Conference will also be held in Alberta in July 2013.

Myrna Driedger Elected Vice Chair of CPW

At the 16th meeting of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), held in Colombo, Sri Lanka at the time of the 58th Commonwealth...