Mr Brian FRANCIS

Speeches since 2019

08/04/2025 | 19:37:21 Thank you, Mister President. Honourable colleagues, the collective expulsion of non citizens and refoulement are prohibited under international law. I thank rapporteur Mr Pierre-Alain FRIDEZ for emphasising this crucial point. At a time when countries like Russia and Belarus are weaponising migration to destabilise democracies in Europe, when the new U.S. administration is ignoring fundamental rights, including due process, to carry out... 08/04/2025 | 11:30:28 Thank you, Madam Chair. Esteemed colleagues, It is an honour for me to address you today. Federal parliamentary elections will be held in Canada on 28 April 2025. As such, Canada is exercising a high level of vigilance in relation to attempts by foreign states to interfere in its electoral processes and democratic institutions. In a 2025 report, Canada’s intelligence community underscored that “it is almost certain that foreign actors target Canadian elections to influence how these... 31/01/2025 | 11:28:48 Honourable colleagues, As highlighted in the rapporteur's report, age-based discrimination against older persons is a reality. As a result, elderly people often find themselves discredited, even dehumanised in some cases, and thus excluded from society because of their age. At least, this is a phenomenon increasingly observed in Western societies. However, this reality is not shared by several nations and communities outside the Western world. And even some within it. In Canada, Indigenous... 30/01/2025 | 18:31:59 Honourable colleagues, Both in Canada and internationally, freedom of expression is a fundamental right. But, like all rights, it is not without limits. For instance, there are clear prohibitions against hate speech and discriminatory language, which undermine the rights and dignity of others. It is precisely this kind of harmful speech that has proliferated in recent years on social media platforms. Rapporteur GRIPPO's report emphasises the critical role social media companies play in... 26/06/2024 | 18:29:30 Dear colleagues, I’m very pleased that this Assembly is looking into reparation and reconciliation processes to overcome past conflicts, and to highlight the stories of victims. As an Indigenous parliamentarian, this topic is of great importance to me. To enrich today’s debate, I want to focus on the process of reconciliation in Canada. Due to a history of colonialism and genocide, indigenous people in Canada have endured many hardships. For example, for over 150 years, more than 150 000... 25/06/2024 | 13:10:53 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2)   Honourable colleagues, Thank you to the rapporteurs for these comprehensive and thorough reports. Today, I’m going to focus my remarks on the report on “Strengthening a youth perspective in the work of the Parliamentary Assembly.” In Reykjavík last year, Heads of State set out the Reykjavík Principles for Democracy, one was to give priority to initiatives “supporting the participation of young persons in democratic life and decision-making... 19/04/2024 | 11:53:13 Honourable colleagues, Mr Joseph O'REILLY’s report reminds us of the great opportunities the internet provides children to learn, communicate and create. But it also reminds us of the serious risks online to their safety and well-being. For Indigenous children in Canada, this is an issue of particular concern. That’s where I’ll focus my remarks today. In June 2019, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls presented its final report. The report showed how... 18/04/2024 | 11:38:33 Thank you, Mr President. Honourable colleagues, Just under a month ago we celebrated World Water Day. In less than a week we'll celebrate Earth Day. Those anniversaries remind us of the need to celebrate our planet and its resources. But they also remind us that our planet is suffering. Thank you, rapporteur, for highlighting the role this organisation has to play in strengthening the special link between human rights and the environment, including the seas and the oceans. For the Mi'kmaq in... 23/06/2023 | 12:17:37 Thank you, Madam Chair. Honourable colleagues, In Canada, June is National Indigenous History Month. Two days ago, on 21 June, we celebrated National Indigenous Peoples Day. These two events are opportunities to honour the distinct cultures, languages, traditions, and histories of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis People: the Indigenous Peoples of what is now Canada. While broadband internet access is critical for the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples, in Canada, many do not have access... 21/06/2023 | 20:33:33 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) Honourable colleagues, First, I would like to commend Ms. Nigar Arpadarai for drafting this resolution – part of the impetus for today’s important joint debate. The fact that the Parliamentary Assembly is holding a discussion on the social inclusion of migrants, refugees and other displaced populations is significant. But far more work is needed to improve their settlement and integration process. To that end, it is important to highlight...