In the News March 18

In the Parliament

Influence of Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association

NATO has been well-established within the Canadian Parliament since 1955 through an organization called the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (CANA), which is part of the NATO Parliamentary Association (NATO PA). NATO PA is an inter-parliamentary organization of legislators from the national parliaments of the 30 member countries of NATO, as well as associate member countries. The NATO PA is made up of 360 delegates from these countries.

At an Assembly each spring delegates are briefed on the latest developments in “international security issues” from the NATO perspective. Delegates then report the content of these briefings to their home governments. In the fall session, the Assembly votes on and adopts reports and resolutions of the NATO PA’s five thematic committees and sub-committees. The resolutions adopted during these meetings become policy recommendations that are widely distributed to governments and parliaments of NATO members and associates.

More than 80 Senators and MPs are members of CANA. The association’s constitution states that membership is open to all Members of the Senate and the House of Commons of Canada on application and payment of an annual membership fee. It also states that each House and each recognized political party in the Canadian Parliament shall be represented on the Executive Committee. Each political party has members in the Association.

(The full list of Senators and MPs who are CANA members can be found on the CANA website).

(TML Daily, posted March 18, 2022)