Over 100 Commonwealth Parliamentarians and Parliamentary Clerks have examined parliamentary democracy and strengthening Legislatures at the 61st Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Canada Regional Conference, which has taken place in Québec City, Québec from 20 to 24 July 2025.

Delegates were welcomed to the CPA Canada Regional Conference by Hon. Nathalie Roy, President of the National Assembly of Québec/Assemblée nationale du Québec and CPA Québec Branch President.

The CPA Canada Regional Conference was attended by Members of the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Legislatures of the Region.

Delegates attended workshop sessions on a wide range of topics including:

• Parliamentarians’ role in protecting human rights;
• Elected representatives’ responsibilities in the digital age: meeting the challenges of the Internet and social media;
• Disabilities and parliamentary life: removing obstacles, strengthening inclusion;
• Modernization of Parliaments;
• Parliamentary procedure in practice - Casting votes: A Speaker's Perspective.

Delegates also attended a special session on ‘Canada-US Relations: Provincial and Territorial Cooperation and Leadership’.

The President of the Assemblée nationale du Québec and CPA Québec Branch President, Hon. Nathalie Roy, MNA said:

“The CPA Canadian Regional Conference is held each year as a forum for dialogue, exchange and mutual inspiration. It provides a unique meeting space to strengthen our connections, which are especially important in these troubled times. I am delighted to see the strong engagement of our CPA Branches this year. We are welcoming about a hundred delegates gathered in Québec City, representing every corner of the country from coast to coast. This is a powerful testament to Parliamentarians’ commitment to the work of our region.

Moreover, I would like to highlight that we are witnessing a historic moment - a first in the country - as we now have four women serving as Speakers of Legislative Assemblies. These four Speakers, from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario and myself from Québec, are gathered here in Québec City for our Conference.

As usual, our CPA Canada Regional Conference is preceded by the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Conference of the Canadian Region. This year’s chosen theme, ‘Parliament: A Place for Women’, aligns directly with my priorities.

As the second woman to serve as Speaker of the Assemblée nationale du Québec in more than 230 years of parliamentary history, I have, since the beginning of my term, paid close attention to the role of women within our institutions. And I remind us all that it is only with the help of our male colleagues - those men of good will - that we will succeed in creating more egalitarian Parliaments, which will better reflect the aspirations of our free and democratic societies.”

The CPA Deputy Secretary-General, Jarvis Matiya attended the Regional Conference to brief Members on the CPA’s activities as well as updating delegates ahead of the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) due to be held in Barbados from 5 to 12 October 2025.

“The CPA Canada Region came together to address the challenges for Legislatures and to share best practice at their Regional Conference. It was interesting to hear the different perspectives from Commonwealth Parliamentarians in Canada as well as the opportunity for Members and parliamentary staff to learn from each other.”

Delegates also toured the construction site at the Chamber of the National Assembly of Québec (salle de l'Assemblée nationale) which is undertaking a major reconstruction project.

Delegates represented CPA Branches from: Canada Federal (Senate of Canada and House of Commons); Alberta; British Columbia; Prince Edward Island; Manitoba; New Brunswick; Nova Scotia; Nunavut; Ontario; Québec; Saskatchewan; Northwest Territories; Yukon.

In addition, representatives from the CPA Scotland and CPA Wales Branches attended as observers.

Ahead of the 61st CPA Canada Regional Conference, the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Canada Regional Conference also took place.

The CWP Canada Regional Chair, Hon. Susan Leblanc, MLA (Nova Scotia) chaired the meetings which focused on inspiring leadership for women in political life under the theme of ‘Parliament: A place for women’.

Delegates heard from Hon. Nathalie Roy, President of the Assemblée nationale du Québec and Hon. Lucie Lecours, Québec Branch Representative on CWP Canada Steering Committee and held sessions on:

• Women Speakers of Parliaments;
• Work-family balance; and
• Combatting harassment in Parliament.

Members had the opportunity to hear about CWP Canada activities and to emphasise the importance of promoting the CWP to Parliamentarians across the Region.

The importance of exchange between women Parliamentarians was emphasised as well as the fact that four Provincial Legislatures and the Senate of Canada have women Presiding Officers or Speakers.

For more images of the 61st CPA Canada Regional Conference please click here.

The Canadian Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association comprises of the provinces, territories and the federal Parliament of Canada.

The Region is governed by a Regional Council which is made up of representatives from each of the Legislatures of Canada.

Find out more about the CPA Canada Region.

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The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association connects, develops, promotes and supports Parliamentarians and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and the implementation of the enduring values of the Commonwealth. The CPA is an international community of around 180 Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance.

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