Foreword

Welcome to the beautiful city of Québec, host of the 127^th Assembly and related meetings of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

For the first time in more than 25 years, and the fourth time in our history, Canada has been granted the privilege of hosting this world-class international assembly of parliamentarians.

This year, 2012, marks the centenary of the Canadian Group’s affiliation with the IPU. This commemorative book chronicles Canada’s long history with the Union and showcases key areas in which Canadian parliamentarians have taken an active role in IPU initiatives.

The IPU – as the world organization of parliaments – has a major role to play in raising awareness and ensuring action on issues of shared concern on the world stage. As the world’s oldest and largest parliamentary association, the Union brings together parliamentarians from more than 160 national parliaments. Its mandate includes, but is not limited to, working for peace and cooperation among peoples of the world.

The IPU also works in close cooperation with the United Nations and holds observer status at the UN. Through this partnership, IPU members undertake much-needed work to help establish democratic parliaments, prevent conflict, restore peace and advance reconciliation.

These activities, in my view, are the IPU’s greatest contribution to world peace and parliamentary democracy. For example, in collaboration with its partners, the IPU has helped to develop and deliver learning programs for parliaments in political transition or in post-conflict situations. The Union has also had an active role in strengthening the institutional capacities of parliaments in numerous contexts, most recently in Liberia, Sierra Leone and South Sudan.

Developing nations of the world regularly call upon the IPU and its experts for guidance to help restore the rule of law and establish a democratic parliamentary system that is representative, transparent, accountable, accessible and effective.

It is widely recognized that parliamentary associations provide venues for promoting dialogue, particularly when conflict is transnational. The IPU is uniquely qualified for this purpose because its members have been mandated to represent the people, and speak on their behalf.

This is part of the genius of the IPU. It provides conflicting parties with tangible opportunities for parliamentary dialogue and diplomacy in contexts that ensure that the voices of all affected peoples are heard.

As we come together in the city of Québec, I am confident that we will continue our work to promote democracy, human rights and good governance – three intrinsic principal interests of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

On behalf of my colleagues in the Parliament of Canada and my fellow Canadian citizens, I hope you will enjoy this book and will take full advantage of the 127^th IPU Assembly to exchange perspectives and experiences with your parliamentary colleagues from around the world.

Hon. Donald H. Oliver, Q.C. LL.D
Speaker pro tempore of the Senate of Canada
President of the Canadian Group of the IPU