Members' Handbook
INTERPARLIAMENTARY RELATIONS
146. COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is an association of Commonwealth Parliamentarians who, irrespective of race, religion, or culture, are united by community of interest, respect for the law and the rights and freedoms of individual citizens, and by pursuit of the positive ideals of parliamentary democracy.
In providing the sole means of regular consultation between Commonwealth Parliamentarians, the Association seeks to promote understanding and cooperation among them and also to promote the study of, and respect for, parliamentary institutions throughout the Commonwealth.
Within the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association organizational framework, Canada is one region, which is made up of fourteen Branches: the federal Branch, ten provincial Branches and three territorial Branches.
146.1 CPA CONFERENCES
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association hosts annual conferences and seminars including:
-
CPA General Conference and Small Countries Conference: An annual meeting of representatives of all branches to debate matters of parliamentary significance and topics of immediate concern in the Commonwealth and the world - Speaker or designate and one member are authorized to attend;
-
Canadian Region Annual Conference: Annual meeting of all fourteen Canadian Branches - Speaker or designate and two members are authorized to attend;
-
Canadian Region Seminar: Members may attend the fall seminar to study and compare parliamentary procedures and operations with other provinces and territories - Speaker or designate and one member are authorized to attend; and
-
Presiding Officers’ Conference: Annual professional development seminar for Presiding Officers of all Canadian jurisdictions - Speaker or designate and one other presiding officer are authorized to attend; and
-
Canadian Women’s Parliament - two members are authorized to attend.
146.2 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES BRANCH
The NWT Branch is an autonomous member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and is composed of all Members of the Legislative Assembly.
146.3 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
There is an Executive Committee of the NWT Branch comprised of five Members of the Legislative Assembly. The Speaker is the President of the Branch and the Chairman of the Executive Committee. The Premier is the Vice-President of the Branch, and the remaining four members of the Board of Management constitute the Executive Committee.
The Clerk of the Legislative Assembly is the Secretary to the Executive Committee.
146.4 BUDGET
Through the annual estimates of the Office of the Legislative Assembly, the Assembly votes a sum of money sufficient to provide for membership fees to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in London and Ottawa, the operation of the NWT Branch and Members’ attendance at CPA events.
146.5 TRAVEL
Members are selected by the Executive Committee of the NWT Branch of the CPA to travel to CPA meetings and seminars. In the absence of a decision by the Executive Committee, Members may be assigned to attend a meeting or seminar by the Speaker. Registration fees for Members and staff will be paid by the NWT Branch of CPA.
Approved travel expenses incurred on behalf of Members will be arranged and paid for by the Legislative Assembly. All travel must be undertaken in the most cost effective and economical manner. Members will also receive the daily meal and incidental expense allowance, when these are not included in the cost of registration or provided by the hosts, at the rate set by the Federal Treasury Board.
For non-international CPA functions, spouses’ or designates’ registration, travel, accommodation and other costs are the personal responsibility of the Member. If the Member’s spouse or designate are invited to attend an international CPA function the cost of a Business Class ticket can be converted to two economy/coach class tickets to cover the cost of the person accompanying the Member. All other costs such as registration, additional travel cost(s) etc. are the sole responsibility of the Member.
Members should refer to Section 82 of this Handbook regarding situations involving continuous air travel in excess of eleven hours. A Member will be entitled to a Business Class ticket for attendance at an International CPA function.
146.6 PUBLICATIONS
Every member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association is entitled to receive copies of the journals The Parliamentarian and Canadian Parliamentary Review, both published four times a year. These journals inform Members about the Activities of the various CPA branches throughout Canada and the Commonwealth.