Sixth Canadian Parliamentary Seminar.

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

The Sixth Parliamentary Seminar the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association was held in Ottawa from October 21-27, 2007. The theme of the seminar was Strengthening Democracy and the Role of Parliamentarians: Challenges and Solutions. It brought together some 20 legislators from 10 Commonwealth jurisdictions along with four members from provincial legislatures. The host of the seminar was Russ Hiebert MP, President of the Canadian Branch of CPA.

The following sessions were held for the visiting parliamentarians.

* Overview of the Role and Operation of the Canadian Parliament

Chair--Russ Hiebert, MP

Paul Belisle, Clerk of the Senate

Audrey O'Brien, Clerk of the House of Commons

* The Commonwealth and the Role of CPA

Russ Hiebert, MP, Chair, Canadian Branch, CPA

Shem Baldeosingh, CPA Headquarters, (London, UK).

* The Canadian Political Scene

Chair--Leanne Rowat, MLA, (Manitoba)

David Smith, Senator, (Canada)

John Reynolds, former MP, (Canada)

* Role of Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians

Chair--Vicki Dunne, MLA, (Australia)

Mafia Minna, MP, Canadian Branch

* Getting There: Political Recruiting and Women in the Political Process

Chair--Sumitra Majajan, MP,(India)

Judy Wasylycia-Leis, MP, (Canada)

Ann Wicks, Executive Director, Equal Voice Canada

* The Parliamentary Presence of Political Parties: The Role of Party Caucuses

Chair--Richard Mulcahy, MLA, (Australia)

Karen Redman, MP, Chief Opposition Whip, (Canada)

Rahim Jaffer, MP, Chair, National Caucus, CPC, (Canada)

* Parliament and Civil Society

Chair--Geoffrey Southern, Deputy, (Jersey)

Rob Anders, MP, (Canada)

* How an MP's Office Works

Chair--Sonny Gallant, MLA, (Prince Edward Island)

Nicole Demers, MP, (Canada)

Patricia Davidson, MP, (Canada)

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* Dealing with the Competition: Have the Media Taken Over the Representational Job of Parliamentarians?

Chair--Robert K. Lewis, MP, (Saint Lucia)

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