Better Together: Working Together in Challenging Times Conference of Speakers of the European Union Parliaments Palma

April 22, 2024, Spain

Fellow speakers of parliament,

Esteemed colleagues,

Distinguidos invitados,

Chers amis:

It is my privilege to represent Canada at this conference in Palma. Thank you for your generous and kind invitation.

To our Spanish hosts, muchas gracias, for your warm welcome and for putting together a thoughtful and dynamic agenda.

As indicated by the theme of this session, we are living in challenging times.

Liberal democracies the world over face threats which require our attention and collective response.

These threats include democratic backsliding and a curtailing of political and civil liberties worldwide.

Conflict is also on the rise.

According to the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, the number of local and regional conflicts in 2023 was the highest in three decades. 

These conflicts are causing massive destruction and immense human suffering worldwide.

As always, it is civilians who bear the greatest burden.

We see this in Ukraine where Russia’s illegal and barbaric war has displaced millions, destroyed livelihoods, and resulted in tens of thousands of civilian casualties.

This war is one of the most serious threats to the rules-based international order in decades.

Russia’s aggression is a threat not only to Ukraine but to democracies everywhere.  

To aggravate matters, democratic erosion and conflict are taking place against the backdrop of other global challenges which transcend national borders.

States are increasingly using cyber weapons or Internet-based technology to spread disinformation and false narratives that exacerbate tensions and polarization.

And, of course, the challenge of climate change is ever present.

Climate change intensifies global challenges, including food insecurity, economic inequality, population displacement, and the risk of conflict.

In our highly interconnected international environment, no country alone can ensure its national security and prosperity.

It is critical that, together, like-minded countries defend and reinforce the rules and institutions that govern and guide the international order.

We, as parliamentarians, are fundamental to this effort.  

As our people’s representatives, we play a leadership role in advocating for policy and enacting legislation that strengthen democratic norms and institutions.

We also have a critical role to play in building bridges between allies and bringing countries and peoples together in pursuit of shared goals.

Conferences such as this one do just that.

Thank you once again to our hosts and I look forward to our discussions to come.

Thank you. Muchas gracias. Merci!