Fifty-first CPA regional conference, Alberta.

• Position: CPA Activities: The Canadian Scene - Commonwealth Parliamentary Association - Conference news

Speaker Gene Zwozdesky welcomed approximately 80 legislators and observers for the 51st CPA Regional Conference held in Edmonton from July 14-20, 2013. Delegations came from every Canadian jurisdiction except British Columbia and Manitoba whose legislatures were still in session. Among the special guests were Martin Penn, MNA from the British Virgin Islands, Michael Poley, Speaker of the Tasmania Legislature and Charnit Singh Atwai, Speaker of the Punjab Legislature. Representing the Secretary General of the CPA was Meenaksi Dhar, Assistant Director of Programs with the CPA Secretariat in London.

The first business session, Chaired by Speaker David Laxton (Yukon) dealt with Trends and Developments in Private Members' Business. The presenters were Lisa MacLeod (Ontario) Mary-Anne Jablonski (Alberta) and Russ Hiebert MP.

Immediately following the first session William Mitchell, a Program Assistant with the Alberta Legislature gave delegates a special presentation on the history of Alberta entitled "Oil Battles, Prosperity Certificates and Disallowed Legislation.

Two business sessions dealt with Technology and the Impact of New Media. The first, Chaired by Speaker Carolyn Bertram (Prince Edward Island) featured presentations by Blair Armitage, Principal Clerk, Communications with the Senate of Canada and Jeannine Richard (Qu6bec) who filled in for the scheduled speaker Francois Ouimet (Quebec) who had to cancel due to family reasons. The other paper on social media was given by Professor Steve Patten of the University of Alberta. The Chair for this session was Speaker Dale Graham of New Brunswick.

Professor Brenda O'Neill of the University of Calgary spoke on the topic of Women's Representation in Provincial Legislatures. The session was chaired by Pearl Calahasen (Alberta).

...