Canada and the Commonwealth: celebrating shared values.

• Author: Ratansi, Yasmin

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association--Canadian Branch is pleased to report on some of its recent activities and support of exciting initiatives. In this article, the author highlights CPA Canada's support of Equal Voice's Daughters of the Vote event and its own celebration with Commonwealth High Commissioners in honour of the 150th anniversary of Confederation.

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Canada's sesquicentennial is an important occasion for the country to reflect on its past with a view to strengthening its future. Canada has been a member of the Commonwealth family and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) for a large part of its history. It is undeniable that membership in these two organizations has contributed to Canada's prominent role on the world stage over the past 150 years.

With this in mind, the Canadian Branch of the CPA is participating in numerous activities this year around Parliament Hill, highlighting Canada's long-standing relationship with the CPA and underscoring its ongoing contribution to Canada's evolving landscape.

While the year has been especially busy and our members have participated in numerous activities, two functions stood out in particular: the Daughters of the Vote initiative, supported by CPA Canada and funded by an unprecedented investment from the Federal government exceeding one million dollars; and CPA Canada's reception on Parliament Hill for Canada's 150th anniversary of Confederation.

Daughters of the Vote

This year's International Women's Day coincided with the celebration of an important milestone for women's suffrage in Canadian history: Canada's centennial for women's right to vote. It was in 1917 that some women first won the right to vote in Canada --first in provincial elections and later in the federal elections.

To commemorate this important day, Parliament welcomed 338 young women between the ages of 18 to 23 to represent every riding in Canada. During their time on Parliament Hill, they were given the opportunity to represent their communities in the House of Commons, where they shared their vision for Canada in the seats of their respective Members of Parliament.

The goal of the initiative was to help young women "become familiar with Canada's political institutions and those women and men serving in them--so they are equipped and inspired to participate in the formal political sphere in the years and decades to come."

The event was a resounding success. These future leaders finished...