The Canadian Scene.

• Position: CPA Activities

Hon. Steve Thomson

New British Columbia Speaker

On June 22, Kelowna-Mission MLA Steve Thomson was acclaimed as the new Speaker of British Columbia's Legislative Assembly, replacing Linda Reid.

A former executive director of the BC Agriculture Council, he also spent time as general manager of the BC Fruit Growers' Association and the BC Milk Producers Association, and was director of the Kelowna Museum, the Okanagan Innovation Fund and the BC Bioenergy Network.

Previously a member of Canada's National Rugby team, Premier Christy Clark said she couldn't think of a better choice to set the tone of debate "or a bigger man to enforce the rules."

A former forestry minister, Thomson presided over a brief session which saw the Liberal government defeated on a non-confidence motion. He resigned as Speaker on June 29. As of the time of writing, the position is vacant.

Hon. Perry Trimper

New Newfoundland and Labrador Speaker

Lake Melville MHA Perry Trimper was elected Speaker of Newfoundland and Labrador's House of Assembly on August 8, defeating Harbour GracePort de Grave MHA Pam Parsons in a secret ballot. Trimper replaces Tom Osborne who was appointed to cabinet on July 31. Deputy Speaker Lisa Dempster was appointed a minister during the same cabinet shuffle.

First elected in 2015, Trimper was born in Nova Scotia and moved to Labrador in 1987. A former Principal Scientist with Stantec, he worked on environmental assessment, research and land-use patterns associated with resource development projects in Labrador and other northern regions around the world.

Trimper was formerly Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, Climate Change, the Government Purchasing Agency, and WorkplaceNL.

A resident of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, he said he believed he is the first Speaker to represent the mainland portion of the province and was honoured to share this accomplishment with all of Labrador.

Trimper, who pledged to continue Osborne's efforts to bring more decorum to the House, immediately presided over an unscheduled Question Period requested by the Opposition.

55th CPA Canadian Regional Conference

From July 16-22, 2017, more than 60 parliamentarians and guests gathered in Winnipeg to participate in the 55th Annual CPA Canadian Regional Conference. The city that proudly calls itself the heart of the continent welcomed attendees with characteristic friendliness, and conference organizers presented a thoroughly engaging and interesting program.

Canadian Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Meetings

On July 16-17, 2017, Canadian Women Parliamentarians (CWP) met to discuss the year's recent events and plan a course for the new year. On July 16, Ontario MPP Lisa Thompson was acclaimed as the new vice-chair of the CWP steering committee. Thompson will use the three-year term to observe Saskatchewan MLA Laura Ross, the incoming CWP chair, before assuming the role.

Outgoing CWP chair Linda Reid explained that CWP's "challenge is to widen the path--to bring more women with us." Numerous initiatives, including twinning initiatives with Caribbean Commonwealth countries, dedicated funding from CPA International for Canada's CWP outreach projects, and the highly successful Daughters of the Vote (DOTV) event were heralded as some of the ways the organization was meeting that challenge. Ross called the DOTV program "invigorating. It gave us a lot of confidence in the upcoming generation. They are not afraid to ask the tough questions."

Ontario MP Yasmin Ratansi reported on the recent International CWP conference where theme was political violence against women. While attending the event Ratansi presented information on gender-based budgeting and was invited to hold a master class on the subject.

Reid stated that she was unsuccessful in her bid to be elected International CWP chair. However, she said that based on what she observed at the meeting and heard from voting members, she was ultimately pleased with the result. Reid explained that some international CWP members don't see Canada, Australia, and other similar Commonwealth countries as "needing" the CWP the way they do. Women politicians in other countries know their very lives can be in danger by standing for election. Reid said that these women truly need these types of positions and CWP Canada should be there to support these women.

During a second day of panel presentations, Guyana MP Amna Ally and Turks and Caicos Islands MP Karen E. Malcolm spoke about the percentage of women being elected or appointed in their...