Canadian Parliament Speaker Visits Tunisia, Strengthening Bilateral Relations

On Monday morning, the President of the Assembly of the People's Representatives (ARP), Brahim Bouderbala, received the Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons, Francis Scarpaleggia. The latter was accompanied by a high-level parliamentary delegation representing the entire Canadian political spectrum, as well as the Canadian Ambassador to Tunisia.

A New Era of Parliamentary Diplomacy

In a press statement, Brahim Bouderbala emphasized the importance of this visit in supporting friendly and cooperative relations. He stressed the need to strengthen coordination between the two legislative institutions to facilitate the exchange of expertise and develop mechanisms for parliamentary control and diplomacy.

"This visit marks the first step towards strengthening bilateral relations in the cultural, academic, economic, and social spheres," Bouderbala said, highlighting the importance of exploring new partnership opportunities, particularly in high-value-added sectors such as green economy, renewable energy, and digital innovation.

Tunisia: A Strategic Bridge between North and Africa

Bouderbala also recalled that the presence of a significant Tunisian community in Canada reflects the solidity of ties between the two peoples. He highlighted Tunisia's strategic geographical position:

"We consider the relations between Tunisia and Canada to be of paramount importance, given Tunisia's position at the heart of the Arab world and at the northern tip of the African continent. This positioning enables Tunisia to play the role of a bridge between Northern countries and the African continent."

Democratic Evolution and Constitutional Framework

The ARP President presented the Canadian guests with an overview of the Council's prerogatives under the 2022 Constitution, reaffirming the independence and harmony of the executive, legislative, and judicial powers. He reminded them that Tunisia has since independence focused on human development and since the January 14, 2011 revolution has aspired to build a rational and stable democratic system.

For his part, Francis Scarpaleggia expressed his pride in visiting Tunisia, praising a relationship based on mutual respect. He emphasized Canada's willingness to take these relations to new heights, particularly in higher education, scientific research, and investment.

Other members of the delegation took the floor. Yves Perron praised the steps taken by Tunisia in consolidating democratic institutions. Larry Brock expressed his interest in a in-depth dialogue on parliamentary governance, transparency, and environmental challenges. Eric Saint-Pierre highlighted the essential role of parliamentary friendship groups and the dynamic contribution of the Tunisian diaspora in Canada.

Renewed Diplomatic Commitment

The Canadian Ambassador to Tunisia, Alexandre Béliveau, reiterated his country's firm commitment to dynamizing bilateral relations and encouraging exchange programs to promote joint investment in political, economic, and cultural dimensions.

The Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons, Francis Scarpaleggia, is on an official visit to Tunisia from May 10 to 13 at the invitation of his Tunisian counterpart.