EngageParlDiplo
EngageParlDiplo was established in 2011 to provide welcome orientation to newly elected MPs and diplomats and to provide policy panels to both communities. Formerly the Carleton Initiative for Parliamentary and Diplomatic Engagement, this initiative is led by the Parliamentary Centre in partnership with Carleton University
EngageParlDiplo is made possible thanks to our sponsors
A very special thanks to our sponsors for making this event possible. They are: Air Canada, CN, CWTA, the Insurance Bureau of Canada, Manulife, Nutrien, Suncor, Telus, TD and Toyota.
We also thank Earnscliffe Strategy Group for the design of our logo and promotional material.
UPCOMING EVENTS
CONGRUITY OVER CRISIS
Why urgent action is needed to protect a competitive free press that underpins our Democratic rights and freedoms
Tuesday, March 7th, from 8:30 – 11:00 a.m. ET
Rideau Committee Rooms, 1 Wellington St. (between the Chateau Laurier and Rideau Canal)
Sessions will include:
Invested in News; what data tell us about ownership & consumption in Canada
- Heidi Legg, Canadian Harvard Research Fellow, The Future of Media Project and The Fight Against Disinformation in the US: A Landscape Analysis
Social Media Signals
- Erin Kelly, CEO of Ottawa based Advanced Symbolics, which is an AI-driven market research firm. The company created a proprietary Canadian software called ‘Poly’ that monitors social media and can narrowly define the demographics of engagement globally. Outcomes can identify the seeds of so-called conspiracy theories.
News, Technology and Lessons Learned
- 1. Allan Thompson, Head of Carleton’s Journalism Program
- 2. Heidi Legg
PAST EVENTS
’12th Annual Day for Diplomats’ – November 3, 2022
On November 3, 2022, the first in-person orientation for newly arrived diplomats since the pandemic was held under the EngageParlDiplo initiative in partnership with Carleton University. Approximately 120 heads of mission, spouses and members of their diplomatic teams attended.
Some of the highlights included the Honourable Mona Fortier sharing her mandate at the Treasury Board with the audience, many of whom are also her constituents in Ottawa–Vanier. Anita Vandenbeld, MP (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development) and Garnett Genuis, MP (Vice Chair, Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development), discussed how multiculturalism shapes foreign policy, ways to counter declining trust in democracy and why Parliament is most effective when the parties work together. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson welcomed diplomats with information about the capital city’s cultural and economic diversity, size and relevance.
House of Commons Speaker, the Hon. Anthony Rota, discussed his role and how diplomats can engage with and follow the work of parliament. President and CEO of Abacus Data, David Coletto, provided a snapshot of his latest public opinion survey and shifting political trends. Maureen Boyd, Chair of the board of the Parliamentary Centre, the Hon. Perrin Beatty, President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and Colin Robertson, Vice President and Fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, discussed the effects of heightened global tensions on inflation and international trade.
Heather Bakken, President of World Press Freedom Canada, led a discussion with Senior Parliamentary Reporters Bob Fife (CTV) and Catherine Cullen (CBC) and explored the challenges of reporting on parliament and government in an era of increasing disinformation and polarization.
Stewart Wheeler, Chief of Protocol from Global Affairs Canada, shared information about recent and upcoming events designed to enable embassies to identify and explore diplomatic and trade opportunities.
The President of Carleton University, Benoit-Antoine Bacon, and Dean of the Faculty of Public Affairs, Brenda O’Neill, welcomed diplomats to Carleton and highlighted the importance of the university as a world-class center of educational excellence and foreign policy studies.
The resource fair that followed the event enabled diplomats to learn more about cultural and informational opportunities that can strengthen their work.
The diplomats and their families tell us they found immense value in the presentations and discussions and look forward to future events.
’12th Annual Day for Diplomats’ | Orientation for Newly Arrived Diplomats and Resource Fair
Links to presentations from the event can be found here:
Parliamentary Centre: Supporting Inclusive Democracy in Canada and Worldwide
“110 Days of War in Ukraine: Prospects for peace amid mass devastation and Russian war crimes” – June 13, 2022
A dialogue for Canadian MPs, Senators and diplomats to Canada with two Ukrainian MPs on the latest in the war in Ukraine – from devastation of entire cities to human rights abuses and hopes for a credible peace process. We welcome:
Mr. Rustem Umerov, MP
Member of the Ukrainian delegation responsible for negotiations with Russia, Delegate of the Qurultay of the Crimean Tatar People and adviser to the Leader of the Crimean Tatar People, Mustafa Dzhemilev
Ms. Yevheniia Kravchuk, MP
Deputy Head of President Zelensky’s Servant of the People political party, and Deputy Chair of the Ukrainian Parliament’s Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy
This EngageParlDiplo event is a partnership with the Parliamentary Centre’s Parliamentary Accountability for the Security Sector in Ukraine (PASS Ukraine) program and in cooperations with the Agency for Legislative Initiatives (ALI). PASS is supported by Global Affairs Canada.
“Advancing Democracy and the Arts” – June 8, 2022
In partnership with the National Gallery of Canada, EngageParlDiplo welcomed Members of Parliament and diplomats to a special event at the National Gallery. Remarks offered by Sasha Suda, Director and CEO of the National Gallery and Tom Cormier, President and CEO of the Parliamentary Centre. Guests also had an opportunity to discover the Gallery’s exhibitions: Canada and Impressionism: New Horizons and General Idea. By invitation only.
’11th Annual Day for Diplomats’ – April 7, 2022
Over 5 dozen diplomats are anticipated for EngageParlDiplo’s 11th annual Day for Diplomats, including Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and chargés d’affaires and many other members of the diplomatic community. This unique seminar has brought together leaders of the diplomatic community with Canadian parliamentarians, thought, and business leaders for over a decade. It is designed to help the diplomatic community in Ottawa strengthen its engagement with the Parliament of Canada, government, business and civil society. Organized by EngageParlDiplo, this year’s events include panel discussions on Canadian public opinion trends, Canadian business trends, and engaging with Canadian business, and accessing information on expatriate communities, government policy and trade opportunities. Additionally, there will be a panel with current voices of Parliament along with a robust discussion on Parliament during times of crisis with journalists.
David Coletto Slide Deck – A Pandemic, Inflation, and The War in Ukraine
Jacques Fauteux – Good Data for Good Decision-Making
‘Your House, Your Time: Making it Count’ – January 18 & 19, 2022
Orientation for New MPs
(Registered Guests Only)
During our two day orientation, over two dozen of Canada’s newest MPs and Senators considered how to leverage their role in Parliament, how to serve as an ‘ambassador’ for Canada and how to support their constituents during tailored expert events. Attendees met with the Governor General, the Interim Clerk of the Privy Council, the Chief Justice of Canada, the Chief Statistician and many more.
This orientation complements the House of Commons procedural and administrative orientation and is supported by the House of Commons leadership and political parties.
‘Election Primer for Diplomats, Politicos and Interested Observers’ – September 8, 2021
Thanks to the over 200+ participants who tuned it to catch our Election Primer for Diplomats, Politicos and Interested Observers! This inaugural event marks the beginning of EngageParlDiplo, an exciting new partnership with Carleton University’s Faculty of Public Affairs.
Missed the discussion? You can still watch it here: https://lnkd.in/epGdv6vi
Sincere thanks to our distinguished panel: David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, Susan Delacourt from the Toronto Star, Joel-Denis Bellavance from LaPresse, and Christopher Waddell, Professor Emeritus, School of Journalism and Communications at Carleton University, for their keen insights and reflections.
With questions from our moderator Maureen Boyd, Chair, Parliamentary Centre and others from the audience, our guests engaged in a thoughtful and wide-ranging discussion on the latest polling data, prospects for the shape of the post-election parliament, the impact of Covid-19 on the campaign, a heightening of political tension and polarization, and much more.
Click here to read about our launch
Credit – Supreme Court of Canada Selection
Exciting Initiatives
A Unique Engagement Opportunity
EngageParlDiplo supports consequential conversations that will shape Canada’s evolving role in an increasingly complex world. It will expand your knowledge of critical domestic and foreign policy issues that are essential for Canadian leadership. It amplifies efforts to build more inclusive institutions and benefit our national political and diplomatic communities. Through carefully designed events and activities, EngageParlDiplo strengthens democratic institutions in Canada and elsewhere.
EngageParlDiplo also supports research partnerships with universities, think tanks and students to create and sustain important policy discussions that can help us develop more impactful programming in developing democracies.
Global Dialogues
EngageParlDiplo will also feature Global Dialogues to foster meaningful conversations with Canadian and international legislators, diplomats and senior government officials on issues such as:
