The Parliament of Canada establishes and maintains relations with other parliaments, ranging from the simple exchange of information to formal visits conducted on a reciprocal basis. Parliamentary Exchanges has played and continues to play an important role in Canada's international parliamentary diplomacy by enhancing ties with other countries and facilitating the exchange of ideas, values, knowledge and experience.
Parliamentary Exchanges plans and coordinates visits abroad by the Speakers of the Senate and the House of Commons, as well as visits to Canada by their foreign counterparts. Parliamentary Exchanges also prepares symposiums on the Canadian parliamentary system for senior officials from other parliaments around the world.
More specifically, Parliamentary Exchanges is responsible for organizing:
- Official incoming visits: A visit to Canada by a Speaker-led foreign delegation officially invited by either or both the Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Commons.
- Official outgoing visits: At the official invitation of a Speaker from another parliament, a delegation of Canadian parliamentarians abroad led by the Speaker of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Commons.
- The Parliamentary Officers’ Study Program: An opportunity for senior parliamentary staff from other parliaments and legislatures and Canadian provincial and territorial legislatures to learn about the Parliament of Canada.
- Other visits: Visits of parliamentarians, such as Deputy Speakers, and senior parliamentary staff to the Parliament of Canada to learn about its parliamentary process and other specific areas of interest.