annual report of the trinidad and tobago branch of the

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

BRANCH OF THE

COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION

Fifth Session (2014/2015) Tenth Parliament

Annual Report of the Trinidad and Tobago Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

2014 to 2015

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2014 to 2015

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Table of Contents

1.0 Parliamentary Affiliations………………………………………………………. 03

2.0 Overview………………………………………………………………………... 04

3.0 Introduction…………………………………………………………………….. 04

4.0 Annual General Meeting…………………………………………………………05

5.0 The Executive Committee………………………………………………………..06

6.0 CPA Activities ………………………………………………………………….. 07

7.0 IPU Activities …………………………………………………………………... 14

8.0 PARLAMERICAS ………………….………………………………………….. 16

9.0 The African, Caribbean, Pacific (ACP)-European Union (EU)………………… 17

10.0 Conference of Speakers Presiding Officers Of The Commonwealth(CSPOC)… 18

11.0 Parliamentary Visits…………………………………………………………….. 18

12.0 Training for Staff Members……………………………………………………... 21

13.0 Locally Hosted Events…………………………………………………………... 22

14.0 Finance…………………………………………………………………………...23

15.0 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………. 27

16.0 Recommendations………………………………………………………………. 27


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1.0 PARLIAMENTARY AFFILIATIONS

1.1 The Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is affiliated to the following

Parliamentary Bodies, namely the:

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) (www.cpahq.org)

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic

Region) (www.cpa-caaregion.org)

Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) (www.ipu.org)

ParlAmericas (www.parlamericas.org)

African Caribbean Pacific – European Community (ACP-EU)

(www.europarl.europa.eu/intcoop/acp)

Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CPSPOC)

(www.cspoc.org)

Society of the Clerks-at-Table (SOCATT) (www.societyofclerks.org)

Association of Secretaries General (ASGP) (http://www.asgp.co)

1.2 Through such affiliations, Members of Parliament and Staff are able to interact with

their counterparts and share views and experiences on good governance, democracy

and on general social, economic and political issues affecting their respective

regions. In the area of training for Members, the Parliament utilised the services of

the International Centre for Parliamentary Studies for that purpose.

http://www.ipu.org/

http://www.parlamericas.org/

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/intcoop/acp

http://www.cspoc.org/

http://www.societyofclerks.org/

http://www.asgp.co/


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2.0 OVERVIEW

2.1 This Report provides a summary of the inter-parliamentary relations activities of

the Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago held during the Fifth Session

2014/2015 of the Tenth Parliament.

2.2 It also identifies the number of meetings held by the Executive Committee of the

Trinidad and Tobago Branch of the CPA subsequent to the 2014 Annual General

Meeting.

2.3 The Report reveals that Members and Staff were major beneficiaries of the many

training programmes, seminars and conferences offered by the various

organisations to which the Parliament is affiliated.

2.4 The Report is concluded with the expenditure relative to the stated parliamentary

activity. All Official Overseas Travel was taken under the approval of the then

Cabinet.

3.0 INTRODUCTION

3.1 Parliaments have traditionally been a feature of domestic politics, as a distinctive

branch of government. However, they have come to develop a different role linked

to international rather than domestic politics mainly through the activities of

regional and international organisations.

3.2 Consistent with this trend, the Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

regularly participates in regional and international inter-parliamentary structures

such as the: Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Inter-parliamentary

Union (IPU), ParlAmericas, African, Caribbean and Pacific-European Union,

Society of Clerks at the Table (SOCATT), Association of Secretaries General of

Parliaments (ASGP), the Parliamentarians for Global Action and Conference of

Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC).


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4.0 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

4.1 The Annual General Meeting of the Branch was held on Friday November 28, 2014

at 10:00 am in the J. Hamilton Maurice Room, Mezzanine Floor, Tower D, The

Port of Spain International Waterfront Centre, 1A Wrightson Road, Port of Spain.

4.2 Five members were elected to serve with the then Joint Presidents and Vice

Presidents on the Executive Committee;

Mr. Rodger Samuel, MP - Member

Mr. Collin Partap, MP - Member

Ms. Donna Cox, MP - Member

Mrs. Raziah Ahmed - Member

Mr. Anthony Vieira - Member

4.3 Mr. Chandresh Sharma, MP and Mr. Terrence Deyalsingh, MP were elected to serve

as the alternates to the then Prime Minister and the then Leader of the Opposition,

respectively.


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5.0 THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION (2014-2015)

Joint Presidents

Mr. Wade Mark, MP Mrs. Raziah Ahmed

Speaker of the House (Ex Officio) President of the Senate (Ex Officio)

Joint Vice Presidents

Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, MP Mr. Keith Rowley, MP

Prime Minister (Ex Officio) Leader of the Opposition

(Ex Officio)

Alternates

Mr. Chandresh Sharma, MP Mr. Terrence Deyalsingh, MP

represented represented

Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, MP Mr. Keith Rowley, MP


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Members of the Committee

Mr. Rodger Samuel, MP Mr. Anthony Vieira

Ms. Donna Cox, MP Mr. Collin Partap, MP

5.1 Subsequent to the Annual General Meeting held on Friday November 28, 2014, the

Executive Committee met on three (3) occasions on the following dates: Tuesday

December 16, 2014, Friday January 30, 2015 and Friday March 06, 2015.

5.2 At the third meeting held on Friday March 06, 2015 the Chairman welcomed Sen.

the Hon. Raziah Ahmed as the newly appointed President of the Senate and Vice

Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Trinidad and Tobago Branch of the

CPA. Sen. Ahmed replaced Mr. Timothy Hamel-Smith as the President of the

Senate on Tuesday February 03, 2015.


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6.0 COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY

ASSOCIATION (CPA) ACTIVITIES

6.1. The CPA seeks to bring Parliamentarians and

parliamentary staff together to exchange ideas among

themselves and to identify benchmarks of good practices

and new policy options that can be adopted or adapted in

the governance of their communities.

Workshops, Seminars and Conferences

Steering Committee of the Commonwealth Parliamentary

Association of Public Accounts Committees, Houses of

Parliament, London, United Kingdom, January 19 to 20,

2015

6.2 Public Accounts Committees in national Parliaments

across the Commonwealth are committed to establishing

and supporting a developing Commonwealth Association

of Public Accounts Committees.

6.3 The Commonwealth Association of Public Accounts

Committees (CAPAC) will be so designed to support the

work of Public Accounts Committees in promoting good

governance. The establishment of the CAPAC is strongly

supported by the Commonwealth Heads of Government

who affirms that strong and independent parliamentary

oversight plays an integral role in preserving the trust of

citizens in the integrity of government.

6.4 CAPAC's priorities include to:

provide support to existing regional organisations

of PACs, and encourage and support the creation of

new regional bodies where none currently exist;

produce learning resources for dissemination to

Parliaments;

promote technical co-operation programmes

specifically aimed at PACs; and

facilitate regular contact between PAC Members

and Clerks.

CPA

The CPA collaborates with

Parliaments and other organisations,

including the intergovernmental

community, to achieve its Statement

of Purpose.

CPA activities focus on the

Commonwealth’s commitment to its

fundamental political values,

including: just and honest

government, the alleviation of

poverty, fundamental human rights,

international peach and order, global

economic development, the rule of

law, equal rights and representation of

all citizens of both genders, the

separation of powers among the three

branches of government and the right

to participate in free and democratic

political processes.

Adapted from:

http://www.cpahq.org

http://www.cpahq.org/


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6.5 Sen. Raziah Ahmed, then Minister of State in the Ministry of Gender, Youth and

Child Development participated at the Commonwealth Association of Public

Accounts Committees (CAPAC) Steering Committee Meeting held at the Houses

of Parliament, London on January 19 and 20, 2015.

International Parliamentary Conference, Human Rights in the Modern Day

Commonwealth “Magna Carta to Commonwealth Charter”, Houses of

Parliament, London, United Kingdom, February 14 to 19, 2015

6.6 The year 2015 marked the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta which set out the

fundamental legal rights and freedoms of all citizens in Britain and many

Constitutions of Commonwealth countries.

6.7 To this end, CPA UK hosted the International Parliamentary Conference for

Human Rights in the Modern Day Commonwealth “Magna Carta to

Commonwealth Charter” at the Houses of Parliament in London from February 4

to 6, 2015. The Hon. Rodger Samuel, MP, then Minister of National Diversity and

Multiculturalism and Mr. Fitzgerald Jeffery, MP, then Member for La Brea

represented the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

6.8 The Conference:

advocated the rights-based approaches to legislation and the role of

Parliamentarians as advocates;

considered those members of society still living without the rights afforded

by Governments who follow a constitution based on the fundamentals laid

down in Magna Carta; and

discussed the continued development of rights for the individual

Funeral Service of the late Pierre Claude Nolin, Speaker of the Senate, Canada,

April 30, 2015

6.9 The Parliaments of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Canada share

longstanding relationship. This relationship is marked by several bilateral official

visits and exchanges.

6.10 In April, 2015, a delegation to be led by then Speaker of the House, Hon. Wade

Mark was in the process of embarking on an Official Visit to Canada when the

Parliament was advised of the death of the Speaker of the Canadian Senate, Sen.

the Hon. Claude Nolin. Given the circumstances, that visit was postponed.


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6.11 Accordingly, in the spirit of deep friendship, our Parliament showed its solidarity

with the Members of Parliament and Staff of the Canadian Parliament through this

Parliament’s representation at the funeral.

6.12 The Hon. Wade Mark, MP, then Speaker of the House and Mr. Brian Caesar, the

Marshal of the Parliament attended the funeral service.

12th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Canadian Parliamentary

Seminar, Ottawa, Canada, May 24 to 30, 2015

6.13 On an annual basis, the CPA Secretariat in association with the Canadian Branch

of the CPA, hosts a parliamentary seminar for Parliamentarians from various

Commonwealth countries. The unbiased nature of the Seminar enables Legislators

of the Commonwealth to explore the challenges of governance at multinational,

national, provincial and local authority levels. The 12th Seminar was uniquely

designed to meet the needs of newly elected Members and/or backbench

Parliamentarians.

6.14 Under the theme: “Strengthening Democracy and the Role of Parliamentarians:

Challenges and Solutions” delegates discussed:

Financing Elections

The parliamentary presence of political parties: The role of party caucuses

Parliamentary Committees: What works and what doesn’t

How an MP’s Office Works

Democracy, human rights and development

Engaging Citizens: Resources and Tools

Influencing Governments and regulating influence: Parliament and

Lobbyists

Connecting with constituents: Representing pluralistic constituencies

6.15 Both the Government and Opposition Benches were unable to participate in the

Seminar. Therefore, in accordance with the general practice, the Independent Bench

was invited to submit a nominee. Sen. Helen Drayton, then Independent Senator

represented the Trinidad and Tobago Branch.


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5th Westminster Workshop: Effective, Independent and Transparent Public

Accounts Committees, For Robust Public Financial Oversight, Malta, June 01 to

04, 2015.

6.16 The Rt. Hon. Sir Alan Haselhurst, MP, Chair of the Commonwealth Parliamentary

Association, (CPA) United Kingdom (UK) UK Executive Committee Branch

invited the Trinidad and Tobago Branch to participate in the 5th Westminster

Workshop: Effective, Independent and Transparent Public Accounts Committees for

Robust Public Financial Oversight, to be held in Malta, during the period June 01 to

04, 2015.

6.17 Sen. the Hon. Raziah Ahmed, then President of the Senate, Ms. Paula Gopee-Scoon,

MP, then Member for Point Fortin and Miss Keiba Jacob, Procedural Clerk Public

Accounts Committees were the nominees to that Workshop.

6.18 However, on the advice of the then Cabinet, Trinidad and Tobago’s participation

was subsequently withdrawn.

40th Regional Conference of the CAA-CPA, British Virgin Islands, July 26 to

August 01, 2015

6.19 A regional conference of Commonwealth Parliaments of the Caribbean, Americas

and Atlantic Region of the CPA is held annually in a different territory.

6.20 Under the theme “Promoting Democracy and Good Governance: A Unified

Approach” the 40th Conference of the Caribbean, the Americas and the Atlantic

(CAA) Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) was hosted

by the House of Assembly of the British Virgin Islands from July 25 to August 01,

2015.

6.21 The delegation to that Conference comprised:

The Hon. Wade Mark, MP- then Speaker of the House

Mrs. Lynette Joseph-Guevara- Inter parliamentary Relations

Coordinator

Mr. Kelvin Charles- Presiding Officer of the Tobago House of

Assembly

Mr. Andel Andrews- Youth Parliamentarian

Miss Katelun Brewster- Youth Parliamentarian

6.22 The Conference was a composite one with the following activities:

8th Conference of Women Parliamentarians

Meeting of the Regional Executive Committee

Plenary Sessions and Annual General Meeting

11th Regional Youth Parliament


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6.23 Delegates discussed the following:

Losing Confidence in the Motion of No Conference

Promoting Democracy and Realizing Good Governance; giving the Public

a Wider Say in the Policy-making Process

Challenges to Parliamentary Privilege. Where do we draw the line?

Strategies to increase Women’s Representation in Parliaments

Strengthening Democracy in Small States: Youth Leadership Training,

Citizen Investment and Parliamentary Reform

Parliamentarians and Role of Public Trust: Do Codes of Conduct help?

The realization of Good Governance and Democracy necessitates the Full

and Effective Integration of Persons with Disabilities into our Societies.

6.24 The Conference of Women Parliamentarians deliberated on topics relative to the

empowerment of women. While at the 11th Regional Youth Parliament, delegates

debated a motion that spoke to the significance of the participation of young people

in any representative democracy. The motion debated was:

WHEREAS the participation of young people in any representative

democracy is essential for the continued growth and strengthening of that

democracy;

AND WHEREAS the youth are an integral part of the future leadership of

a Country and must therefore be engaged from an early age to ensure succession

planning and continued development of that Country;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Assembly of

the Virgin Islands agrees to engage future generations in representative democracy.

6.25 During the Conference the Trinidad and Tobago Branch was re-elected to serve on

the Executive Committee of the Region for the period 2015 to 2016.

Commonwealth Serjeants-at-Arms Professional Development Conference 2015,

Houses of Parliament, London, July 27 to August 03, 2015

6.26 On the invitation of Mr. Lawrence Ward, the Serjeant-at-Arms of the House of

Commons and Lieutenant-General David Leakey CMG, CBE, Black Rod of the

House of Lords, Mr. Brian Caesar, Marshal of the Parliament of the Republic of

Trinidad and Tobago attended the Commonwealth Serjeants-at-Arms Professional

Development Conference 2015 which was held at the Houses of Parliament,

London from July 27 to 31, 2015.


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6.27 The Conference focused on:

Security of the Parliament

Access Management

Business Continuity Planning

Disaster Recovery Planning

Information Technology Security

Delivery of service to Parliamentarians

Links within the Commonwealth Regional Meetings

6.28 Additionally, the Conference provided an opportunity for the Marshal to share in

and learn from the experiences of his peers from the Commonwealth countries.


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7.0 IPU ACTIVITIES

Biannual Assemblies are just one medium used by the Inter-

parliamentary Union to build relations among parliamentarians and

offer training on specific parliamentary and world affairs.

132nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the

Association of Secretaries General of Parliament (ASGP), Hanoi,

Viet Nam, March 28 to April 01, 2015

7.1 The 132nd Assembly was held in Geneva, Switzerland during

the period March 28 to April 1, 2015. The theme for the Conference

was “The Sustainable Development Goals: Turning words into

action”.

7.2 Sen. the Hon. Kwasi Mutema, then Minister of State in the

Ministry of Works and Infrastructure represented the Republic of

Trinidad and Tobago.

7.3 Discussion were held on the following topics:

Cyber Warfare – A serious threat to peace and global

security (Standing Committee on Peace and International

Security)

Shaping a New System (Standing Committee on Sustainable

Development, Finance and Trade)

International law as it relates to national sovereignty, non-

intervention in the internal affairs of States and human rights

(Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights)

Fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, United

Nations Headquarters, New York, August 29 to September 02, 2015

7.4 The World Conference of Speakers is an exclusive forum

organised by the IPU, where pioneers of legislative assemblies

network with colleagues from varying geographical locations. It

offers World Speakers an unrivalled opportunity to share

experiences in legislative development and promote guidelines for

democratic Parliaments.

The Inter-parliamentary Union is the

international organization of

Parliaments (Article 1 of the Statutes

of the Inter-Parliamentary Union). It

was established in 1889.

The Union is the focal point for world-

wide parliamentary dialogue and

works for peace and co-operation

among peoples and for the firm

establishment of representative

democracy.

The IPU:

Fosters contacts, co-ordination, and

the exchange of experience among

parliaments and parliamentarians of

all countries;

Considers questions of international

interest and concern and expresses

its views on such issues in order to

bring about action by parliaments

and parliamentarians;

Contributes to the defence and

promotion of human rights - an

essential factor of parliamentary

democracy and development;

Contributes to better knowledge of

the working of representative

institutions and to the strengthening

and development of their means of

action.

The IPU supports the efforts of and

works in close co-operation with

the United Nations, whose objectives

it shares. The Union also co-operates

with regional inter-parliamentary

organizations, as well as with

international intergovernmental and

non-governmental organizations

which are motivated by the same

ideals.

In October 2011, the IPU adopted

its Strategy for 2012-2017 under the

overall title "Better parliaments,

stronger democracy".

The IPU is financed primarily by its

members out of public funds. The site

of the Union's Headquarters is Geneva

(Switzerland).

Adapted from:

http://www.ipu.org/english/whatipu.h

tm

http://www.ipu.org/strct-e/statutes-new.htm#1

http://www.ipu.org/strct-e/statutes-new.htm#1

http://www.ipu.org/english/perdcls.htm#strategy

http://www.ipu.org/finance-e/budget.htm

http://www.ipu.org/finance-e/headquarters.htm

http://www.ipu.org/english/whatipu.htm

http://www.ipu.org/english/whatipu.htm


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7.5 Hon. Wade Mark, MP, then Speaker of the House, accompanied by Miss Candice

Skerrette, Procedural Clerk Assistant represented the Parliament of the Republic of

Trinidad and Tobago at the conference, which was held at the United Nations

Headquarters in New York.

7.6 The overall theme of the Conference focused on peace, democracy, and

development seen through the parliamentary lens. The agenda comprised of the

following:

i) Presentation of Conference Reports:

Implementation of major recommendations of previous Speakers’

Conferences and the growing parliamentary dimension to

international cooperation

Parliamentary involvement in the shaping and implementation of the

new Sustainable Development Goals

Challenges facing parliaments today

Mainstreaming gender equality into the work of parliaments

ii) General Debate: Placing Democracy at the Service of Peace and Sustainable

Development, Building the World the People Want.

The Hon. Wade Mark, MP, then Speaker, making

his contribution at the Fourth World Conference

of Speakers of Parliament


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8.0 PARLAMERICAS

The Inter-Parliamentary Meeting on Transparency,

Summit of the Americas 2015, and 36th Meeting of the

Board of Directors of ParlAmericas held in Panama

City, Panama from April 9 to 10, and the Board Meeting

held on April 11, 2015.

8.1 The delegation to that meeting comprised:

Hon. Wade Mark, MP, then Speaker of the House

and Leader of the delegation;

Sen. James Lambert, then Vice-President of the

Senate;

Sen. Camille Robinson-Regis, then Leader of

Opposition Business in the Senate; and

Ms. Kimberly Mitchell, Graduate Research

Assistant, Secretariat.

8.2 At that Meeting the Hon. Wade Mark, then Speaker of the

House, informed the gathering that in 1988 the House of

Representatives of Trinidad and Tobago adopted two (2)

sets of codes of ethics pertaining to Ministers and

Parliamentary Secretaries as well as for all

Parliamentarians. The codes made provisions for the

disclosure and declaration of interests, guidelines

regarding the receipt of gifts, rules regarding foreign

travel, disclosure of potential conflicts of interest, and the

recording of interests.

8.3 The Assembly adopted the declaration at Appendix A.

Above left to right: Sen. Camille Robinson-Regis, then Opposition Senator,

Sen. James Lambert, then Vice President of the Senate, and the Hon. Wade

Mark, MP, then Speaker of the House at the Meetings held in Panama City,

Panama, during the period April 9 to 11, 2015.

ParlAmericas – the network of the

national legislatures of member states

of the Organization of American States

(OAS) – serves as an independent

forum for parliamentarians of the

Americas committed to cooperative

political dialogue and participation in

the inter-American system. Since 2001,

ParlAmericas has created a supportive

professional community for

parliamentarians through regional

forums, training opportunities, year-

round discussions, and follow-up

actions. ParlAmericas is a space to

share experiences and best practices on

issues of hemispheric concern and to

strengthen the ties between the

countries of the hemisphere through

parliamentary diplomacy.

ParlAmericas is managed by

parliamentarians for parliamentarians,

with a current board of directors

comprising 18 parliamentarians

representing 16 member legislatures

from North, South, and Central

America and the Caribbean.

ParlAmericas Objectives:

To contribute to the development

of inter-parliamentary dialogue

in dealing with issues on the

hemispheric agenda

To increase the sharing of

experiences, dialogue, and inter-

parliamentary cooperation on

issues of common interest to

member states

To help strengthen the role of the

legislative branch in democracy,

and in the promotion and defence

of democracy and human rights

To promote the harmonization of

legislation, and development of

legislation among member states

To contribute to the process of

integration as one of the most

appropriate instruments for

sustainable and harmonious

development in the hemisphere

Adapted from:

http://www.parlamericas.org/en/about

.aspx

http://www.parlamericas.org/en/about.aspx

http://www.parlamericas.org/en/about.aspx


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9.0 THE AFRICAN, CARIBBEAN, PACIFIC (ACP)-

EUROPEAN UNION (EU)

9.1 It is a requirement of the ACP-EU that delegations to its

meetings are to be led by a Parliamentarian who is not a

Minister. Under established policy of the Parliament of the

Republic of Trinidad, the office holder of Deputy Speaker

represents Trinidad and Tobago at those meetings.

9.2 To this end, Mrs. Nela Khan, then Deputy Speaker led

delegations to several meetings of the ACP-EU. Those

delegations included officials from the Ministry of Foreign

Affairs.

Above: Mrs. Nela Khan, MP, Deputy Speaker at the 37th Session of the African,

Caribbean and Pacific (ACP)- European Union (EU) Joint Parliament Assembly

(JPA)

Photo courtesy: www.acp.int

The ACP Group

The African, Caribbean and Pacific

Group of States (ACP) is an

organisation created by the

Georgetown Agreement in 1975. It is

composed of 79 African, Caribbean

and Pacific states, with all of them,

save Cuba, signatories to the Cotonou

Agreement, also known as the "ACP-

EC Partnership Agreement" which

binds them to the European Union.

There are 48 countries from Sub-

Saharan Africa, 16 from the Caribbean

and 15 from the Pacific

Objectives

The ACP Group´s main objectives are:

sustainable development of its

Member-States and their

gradual integration into the

global economy, which entails

making poverty reduction a

matter of priority and

establishing a new, fairer, and

more equitable world order ;

coordination of the activities of

the ACP Group in the

framework of the

implementation of ACP-EC

Partnership Agreements;

consolidation of unity and

solidarity among ACP States, as

well as understanding among

their peoples ;

establishment and consolidation

of peace and stability in a free

and democratic society.

Adapted from:

http://www.acp.int/content/secretariat-

acp

http://www.acp.int/content/secretariat-acp

http://www.acp.int/content/secretariat-acp


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10.0 CONFERENCE OF SPEAKERS AND PRESIDING

OFFICERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH

(CSPOC)

Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Conference of

Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth,

St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands, January 15 to 18,

2015

10.1 The Hon. Wade Mark, MP, then Speaker of the House and

Miss Candice Skerrette, Procedural Clerk Assistant

attended the meeting on behalf of the Parliament of the

Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

10.2 The Meeting:

(i) reviewed the 22nd Conference held in New

Zealand;

(ii) considered proposed topics for discussion at

the 23rd Conference;

(iii) adopted the Draft Agenda for the 23rd

Conference to be held in Malaysia, 2016;

(iv) reported on arrangements relating to the 2016

Conference; and

(v) proposed a venue for the 2018 Conference

11.0 Parliamentary Visits

Official Visit to the National Assembly of the People’s

Power of Cuba, February 10 to 16, 2015

11.1 Parliamentary Visits allow Members to observe the

procedures and operations of the host Parliament, as well

as foster cooperation between Legislatures in a number of

key areas.

11.2 The Republics of Cuba and Trinidad and Tobago have for

a number of years, enjoyed mutual friendship and

interests. The scale of interaction and involvement over

the years spanned trade relations, education

opportunities, health exchanges, agriculture and cultural

exchanges.

The Conference brings together the

Speakers and Presiding Officers of the

national parliaments of the independent

sovereign states of the Commonwealth.

It was created in 1969 as an initiative of

then Speaker of the House of

Commons of Canada, the Honourable

Lucien Lamoureux. Since its inception,

Canada has provided CSPOC with a

secretariat to support its activities.

The Conference is an independent

group and has no formal affiliation

with the Commonwealth Parliamentary

Association, the Commonwealth

Secretariat or the Commonwealth

Heads of Government.

CSPOC operates on a two-year cycle,

holding a conference of the full

membership every two years, usually

early in January, and a meeting of the

Standing Committee at the same time

the intervening year.

CSPOC aims to:

Maintain, foster, and

encourage impartiality and

fairness on the part of

Speakers and Presiding

Officers of Parliaments;

Promote knowledge and

understanding of

parliamentary democracy in

its various forms; and

Develop parliamentary

institutions.

Adapted from:




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11.3 The February, 2015 Visit examined:

i. the importance of the Legislature in scrutinizing the operations of the

Executive;

ii. the use of modern technology in promoting the efficiency and

effectiveness of the Parliament;

iii. the role of the Legislature in modern-day Cuba.

11.4 The delegation comprised:

Hon. Wade Mark, then Speaker of the House as Leader of the Delegation

Hon. Rodger Samuel, MP – the Minister of National Diversity and Social

Integration

Sen. the Hon. Raziah Ahmed – then Minister of State in the Ministry of

Gender, Youth and Child Development

Sen. Dr. Lester Henry – then Opposition Senator

Mr. Brian Caesar - Marshal of the Parliament

11.5 The Visit provided useful insights into the various operations of the host Assembly,

as well as built relations between the Legislatures.

Official Visit of a Trinidad and Tobago Parliamentary Delegation to the

Parliament of Australia, February 19 to 20, 2015.

11.6 That Official Visit:

strengthened relations between both Parliaments

encouraged the exchange of dialogue on various initiatives, including

parliamentary administration and development of the committee system

re-affirmed good standing between the Legislatures

11.7 The delegation which comprised of the under-mentioned persons engaged in

meetings with several key parliamentary personnel including the Presiding

Officers, the Parliamentary Friendship Group, and Members of Parliamentary

Committees:

o Hon. Wade Mark, MP - then Speaker of the House and Leader of the

Delegation

o Hon. Vernella Alleyne-Toppin, MP - then Minister in the Ministry of the

People and Social Development

o Hon. Dr. Delmon Baker, MP- then Minister of Tobago Development

o Sen. Dr. Lester Henry – then Opposition Member

o Mr. Brian Caesar - Marshal of the Parliament


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Enhance Arms Trade Treaty and the United Nations Programme of Action

Implementation by South-South Parliamentary Exchange and Cooperation

Kingston, Jamaica, June 25 and 26, 2015

11.8 The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) is a multilateral, legally-binding agreement that

establishes common standards for the international trade of conventional weapons

and seeks to decrease the illicit arms trade. The treaty aims to reduce human

suffering caused by illegal and irresponsible arms transfers, improve regional

security and stability, as well as promote accountability and transparency by state

parties concerning transfers of conventional arms. The recently adopted ATT

sought to address the uncontrolled proliferation of arms especially small arms and

light weapons which continue to be a threat to human development, good

governance and democratic consolidation on all levels.

11.9 With regard to the implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty, Small Island States

are identified as a priority as those nations face different challenges. As discussed

in a prior Conference in Lomé, the territorial waters of Africa, Latin America and

the Caribbean states are used for illicit shipments and thus unwillingly became

violators of the Treaty.

11.10 The Hon. Wade Mark, MP - Speaker of the House attended the Inter-

parliamentary Seminar entitled Enhance Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and United

Nations Programme of Action (UNPoA) Implementation by South-South

Parliamentary Exchange and Cooperation held in Kingston, Jamaica on June 25

and 26, 2015.

11.11 Delegates explored key topics such as:

the Arms Trade Treaty: Why an Arms Trade Treaty? Its history, current

status and future: A focus in Small States

parliamentary Dialogue: Parliamentary dialogue as a tool for responsible

arms transfers

national and regional ratification and implementation: How to achieve

results on the ground

the UN Programme of Action: Examining the UN Programme of Action on

Illicit SALW and how it relates to other regional instruments for arms

control and the Arms Trade Treaty

interactive group session: Arms Transfer Practical Exercise - Taking the

role of an export control authority in arms transfer scenarios\

11.12 In light of this country’s interest regarding the establishment of the United

Nations Arms Trade Treaty, the then Speaker participated and highlighted

Trinidad and Tobago’s continued support to the ATT and UNPoA. He also spoke

from a parliamentary perspective on the topic of the Arms Trade Treaty.


2014 to 2015

22

12.0 TRAINING FOR STAFF MEMBERS

The Clerk of the House emphasises training of staff as key the delivery of an

effective service to Members of Parliament and the public in general. In this regard,

several staff training programmes were undertaken:

Programme Participants

Caribbean Leadership Project (CLP),

The Cave Hill School of Business,

UWI, Barbados, March 16 to 20, 2015

Training in Leadership

Mr. Esther Inniss, Director of Human

Resource Services

Art an Practice of Leadership

Development, Harvard Kennedy

School Executive Education, United

States of America, May 08 to 15, 2015

Mr. Esther Inniss, Director of Human

Resource Services

CBU-ICRT Training Workshop,

Centro de Etudios de la Radio y la

Television, Cuba, May 25 to 29, 2015

Training in Parliamentary

Broadcasting

Mr. Wayne Frederick, Broadcast

Technician

Mr. Reshaud Alexander- Broadcast

Technician

International Conference on

Strengthening Legislative Oversight to

Foster Accountability, Transparency

and Sustainable Development,

Pegasus Hotel Kingston, Jamaica,

June 02 to 05, 2015

Oversight Training

Mr. Brian Caesar, Marshal of the

Parliament

Mr. Julien Ogilvie, Procedural Clerk

Ms. Chantal La Roche, Legal Officer

Caribbean Association of Law

Libraries (CARALL), 30th Annual

Conference, Accra Beach Resorts,

Christ Church, Barbados, June 29 to

July 02, 2015

Mrs. Goomatie Lakharam, Parliament

Librarian III

Ms. Lisa Lum Kum, Parliament

Librarian II

46th Annual General Assembly of the

Caribbean Broadcasting Union,

Grenada, August 17 to 20, 2015

Ms. Colleen Holder, Director of

Communication and Production

11th Triennial Conference of the

Commonwealth Hansard Editors

Association & 42nd Annual

Conference of the Hansard Association

of Canada, Halifax, Nova Scotia,

Canada, August 23 to 28, 2015

Mrs. Lila Rodriguez-Roberts, Acting

Editor of the Official Report

Ms. Koreen Villafana, CAT Reporter

II


2014 to 2015

23

13.0 LOCALLY HOSTED EVENTS

Information & Communication Technology (ICTs) and Parliamentarians,

Caribbean, Americas & the Atlantic Region, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Port of

Spain, December 01 to 04, 2014

13.1 ICTs have become an essential part of lives and livelihoods in every corner of our

world today. They have been used by governments to improve efficiency,

effectiveness and transparency. Yet Parliamentarians who are mandated to set up

the legislative frameworks within which ICTs are utilised have only limited

opportunities to improve their knowledge or to engage with the stakeholders.

13.2 The ICT Workshop was geared towards improving Parliamentarians’

understanding of the nature of ICTs, its potentials and the way it could be used to

improve their activities.

13.3 The two-day workshop addressed the following:

Legislating for ICTs- parliamentarians need to understand practical

applications of their work when legislating in the field of ICTs such as

operator licensing frequency management, content management etc.

The use of ICTs by parliamentarians –ICTs provide an effective,

economical and efficient channel for parliamentarians to link with their

constituency. Though some attention is paid to social media, there are

other forms of ICTs (personal blogs, etc.) that could help parliamentarians

in opening new and broader channels of engagement.

13.4 The Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago was represented by the

Hon. Rodger Samuel, MP, then Minster of National Diversity and Social

Integration, Mr. Collin Partap, MP, then Member for Cumuto/Manzanilla, Mr.

Terrence Deyalsingh, MP, Member for St. Joseph and Sen. Anthony Vieira, then

Independent Senator.

Visit to the Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

13.5 The Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago continued to promote the

building of parliamentary friendships and cooperation, therefore, active

involvement in liaison with Members of Parliament and Staff of other parliaments

from other countries was encouraged.

13.6 To this end, during the period under review, the Parliament welcomed

Parliamentarians Bermuda, Canada, United Kingdom. Montserrat and also the

Secretary-General of the Inter-parliamentary Union, Mr. Martin Chungong.


2014 to 2015

24

14.0 FINANCE

14.1 Payment of annual membership subscriptions was made by the Parliament of the

Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to the following International Parliamentary

Organisations.

14.2 Details of those subscriptions:

Vote Organisation Total Subscription

in TT Dollars

01 Contributions to CPA International

343,741.39

02 Grants to Society of the Clerks at the Table

4,800.00

03 Contribution to the Caribbean, Americas and

Atlantic Region of the CPA

3205.29

04 Contributions to Commonwealth Hansard

Editors

516.19

05 Contribution to ParlAmericas (Formerly

FIPA)

25,549.20

06 Contribution to the Inter-parliamentary

Union

128,000.60


2014 to 2015

25

TABLE 1

NAME OF CONFERENCE/

WORKSHOP/SEMINAR/ TRAINING

FUNDS PROVIDED

CPA Activities

WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES

Steering Committee of the Commonwealth

Parliamentary Association of Public

Accounts Committees, Houses of

Parliament, London, United Kingdom,

January 19 to 20, 2015

$51, 967.60

International Parliamentary Conference,

Human Rights in the Modern Day

Commonwealth “Magna Carta to

Commonwealth Charter”, Houses of

Parliament, London, February 14 to 19,

2015

$110,207.20

Funeral Service of the late Pierre Claude

Nolin, Speaker of the Senate, Canada

$38,690.00 (Prime Ministerial Minute)

12th Commonwealth Parliamentary

Association, Canadian Parliamentary

Seminary, Ottawa, Canada, May 24 to 30,

2015

$30,448.50

5th Westminster Workshop: Effective,

Independent and Transparent Public

Accounts Committees for Robust Public

Financial Oversight, Malta, June 01 to 04,

2015.

$162,345.00

(Charged late cancellation fee)

Non-attendance

40th Regional Conference of the CAA-CPA,

British Virgin Islands, July 26 to August 01,

2015

$151,780.75

Commonwealth Serjeants-at-Arms

Professional Development Conference

2015, Houses of Parliament, London, July

27 to August 03, 2015

$54,846.00


2014 to 2015

26

Non-CPA Activities

Meeting of the Standing Committee of the

Conference of Speakers and Presiding

Officers of the Commonwealth, St. Helier,

Jersey, Channel Islands, January 15 to 18,

2015

$119,110.20

132nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary

Union and the Association of Secretaries

General of Parliament (ASGP) &

Convocation of the 21st Meeting of Women

Parliamentarians

$145,862.50

Caribbean Leadership Project (CLP), The

Cave Hill Scholl of Business, UWI,

Barbados, March 16 to 20, 2015

$20,382.75

Inter-Parliamentary Meeting on

Transparency Summit of the Americas 2015

and the 36th Meeting of the Board of

Directors, Panama City, Panama, April 09 to

11, 2015.

$122,183.00

Art an Practice of Leadership Development,

Harvard Kennedy School Executive

Education, United States of America, May

08 to 15, 2015

$75,436.00

CBU-ICRT Training Workshop, Centro de

Etudios de la Radio y la Television, Cuba,

May 25 to 29, 2015

$38,542.00

Enhance Arms Trade Treaty and the United

Nations Programme of Action

Implementation by South-South

Parliamentary Exchange and Cooperation

Kingston, Jamaica, June 25 and 26, 2015

$25,319.50

Caribbean Association of Law Libraries

(CARALL), 30th Annual Conference, Accra

Beach Resorts, Christ Church, Barbados,

June 29 to July 02, 2015

$33,574.50


2014 to 2015

27

46th Annual General Assembly of the

Caribbean Broadcasting Union, Grenada,

August 17 to 20, 2015

$16,980.25

International Conference on Strengthening

Legislative Oversight to Foster

Accountability, Transparency and

Sustainable Development, Pegasus Hotel

Kingston, Jamaica, June 02 to 05, 2015

$44,299.50

11th Triennial Conference of the

Commonwealth Hansard Editors

Association & 42nd Annual Conference of

the Hansard Association of Canada

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

August 23 to 28, 2015

$58,039.50

Fourth World Conference of Speakers of

Parliament, UN Headquarters, New York,

August 31 to September 02, 2015

$134,178.75

OFFICIAL VISITS TO OTHER COUNTRIES

Official Visit to the National Assembly of

the People’s Power of Cuba, February 10 to

16, 2015

$120,647.95

Official Visit of a Trinidad and Tobago

Parliamentary Delegation to the Parliament

of Australia, February 19 to 25, 2015

$549,040.80

LOCALLY HOSTED EVENTS

Visit by a delegation from the Bermuda

Parliament

$218,024.00

Visit by a delegation from the United

Kingdom Parliament

$250,000.00

Visit by the Secretary General of the IPU $30,000.00

Visit by a delegation from Canada $200,000.00

Visit by the Speaker of Montserrat $35,000.00


2014 to 2015

28

15.0 CONCLUSION

15.1 Over the course of the past twelve (12) months, the Branch sought to enable

Members and staff to develop and build links with Parliamentarians and staff from across

the Commonwealth and continued to foster relations with non-Commonwealth countries

with an interest in the parliamentary system in Trinidad and Tobago.

15.2 This was facilitated through the Branch’s participation in a range of regional and

international conferences, seminars and workshops.

15.3 The Report presented a review of those inter-parliamentary activities which would

have benefitted both Members of Parliament and staff.

16.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

16.1 The IPU has recommended that in order to close the democracy gap in international

relations there needs to be the involvement of Parliaments in global and regional affairs in

a more effective way.

16.2 It is also recommended that at the global level, Parliaments should work with inter-

governmental organisations or negotiating fora in reaching agreements that must be

implemented in each Member State.


2014 to 2015

29

PHOTOS 2014-2015

Left: The Hon. Wade Mark, MP, then Speaker of the House

greets the Hon. Shirley Osbourne, MLA, Speaker of the

Legislative Assembly- Montserrat

Above: Members of the Executive Committee met with the Bermuda Delegation.

From left: Mr. N.H. Cole Simons, JP, MP, Ms. Donna Cox, MP, the Hon. Rodger Samuel, MP, Sen. the Hon. Timothy

Hamel-Smith, Mr. C. Walton Brown, JP, MP, Hon. K.H. Randolph Horton, JP, MP (Speaker and Leader of the

Delegation), Mrs. Shernette Wolffe, Ms. Lovitta F. Foggo, JP, MP, Mr. Chandresh Sharma, MP, Ms. Susan E. Jackson,

JP, MP, Sen. the Hon. Raziah Ahmed, Sen. Anthony Vieira.


2014 to 2015

30

Left (from left): Mr. Martin Chungong,

Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary

Union (IPU), Sen. the Hon. Raziah Ahmed, then

President of the Senate, Mr. Oscar Piquinela De

Campo, Secretary of the Uruguayan IPU Group

and the Hon. Wade Mark, MP, then Speaker of

the House

Above: Delegates from the United Kingdom paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Dr. Keith Rowley, MP, then

Opposition Leader.

(From left): H.E. Charles Moore, Ambassador for the United Kingdom, Ms. Diane Abbott, MP, , Mr. Andrew

Rosindell, MP, Baroness Howells, the Hon. Dr. Keith Rowley, MP, Baroness Scott, Mr. Mark Simmonds,

MP,( Leader of the Delegation), Baroness Stern and Mr. Matthew Salik.


2014 to 2015

31

APPENDIX A


2014 to 2015

32

annual report of the trinidad and tobago branch of the

Documents