Over 50 Commonwealth Parliamentarians and Parliamentary Clerks discussed the challenges facing Legislatures at the 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Canada Regional Conference, which took place in Victoria, British Columbia, from 4 to 10 July 2026. 

The theme of the Regional Conference was ‘Healthy and Strong Democratic Institutions: The Role of Parliamentarians in a Robust and Dynamic Democracy.’ Delegates were welcomed by Hon. Raj Chouhan, MLA, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia and Kate Ryan-Lloyd, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. 

The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hon. Raj Chouhan said:  

“The spirit of collaboration throughout this CPA Regional Conference was buoyed by a shared commitment to uphold and fortify the resilience, accessibility and accountability of our legislative bodies, particularly as we explored the contemporary challenges facing democratic institutions around the world.

There is no doubt that Canada’s federal and provincial Parliaments are strengthened by respectful dialogue, transparency and meaningful engagement with the people they serve - all are crucial to building and maintaining public trust, a cornerstone of healthy democratic societies.” 

The CPA Canada Regional Conference was attended by Members of the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Legislatures of the Region, as well as Jack Hardcastle, representing the CPA Secretariat. 

Speakers attended from the Legislatures of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Yukon, as did Deputy Speakers from New Brunswick, Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and the Federal Parliament of Canada.

The International Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) network, Hon. Catherine Fife, MPP (Ontario), was also in attendance. 

Delegates attended panel sessions on a wide range of topics, including using diplomacy to strengthen democratic norms, promoting public access through digital innovation, engaging the next generation in Canadian politics and countering political polarisation.  

The CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg, sent a message to delegates saying:  

“This CPA Regional Conference provides us with an opportunity to examine how we can leverage Parliamentary diplomacy to strengthen democratic norms. The CPA Secretariat is proud to spearhead this work, whether that’s through our Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures, our campaign to promote the adoption of Disability Acts by Commonwealth Parliaments or our networks for Parliamentarians with Disabilities, Women Parliamentarians or Legislators from small jurisdictions.” 

CWP Canada Regional Conference

Ahead of the 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) and Janet Routledge, MLA, CWP British Columbia Branch, opened the CWP Regional Conference. 

CWP delegates took part in Regional Steering Committee meetings and engaged in sessions focusing on the theme of ‘Healthy and Strong Democratic Institutions: The Role of Women Parliamentarians in a Robust and Dynamic Democracy.’ 

Sessions focused on key parliamentary issues, including getting women elected, supporting women in staying in parliamentary institutions and why women Parliamentarians are crucial in securing gender-sensitive reforms. 

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 (CPA) is an international community of 180 Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance. 

Founded in 1911, the CPA brings together Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and implement the enduring values of the Commonwealth. It offers a vast opportunity for Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff to collaborate on issues of mutual interest and to share good practice.