EngageParlDiplo: Innovative programming for Canada’s policymakers and diplomats on crucial policy issues

The Parliamentary Centre, in partnership with Carleton University, has established EngageParlDiplo, a unique program where decision-makers and diplomats dialogue about crucial issues affecting Canada’s governance and global influence.

EngageParlDiplo builds on the tremendous success of the Carleton Initiative for Parliamentary and Diplomatic Engagement which, since its founding in 2011, delivered orientation sessions for newly elected Members of Parliament after the last three federal elections and ten annual orientations for newly arrived diplomats to Canada. The initiative has also supported dialogues about vital public policy issues. Since its founding, hundreds of parliamentarians, staffers and diplomats attended panels on issues including cybersecurity and artificial intelligence; Canada’s military, trade and diplomatic relationships; emergency preparedness; energy; food, housing and water. To date, over 250 Members of Parliament and diplomats representing more than 100 countries, including more than 80 Ambassadors and High Commissioners, have engaged in the highly regarded programming.

Building on this foundation, EngageParlDiplo is excited to introduce Global Dialogues, bringing sharper focus to critical questions regarding global democracy, peace and stability. The dialogues will explore important contemporary foreign policy issues by inviting important actors in Canada and abroad to the table. These will include leading domestic and international academics, legislators, business and industry leaders, and organizations in foreign policy, democracy support, development, and security sectors.

Click here for the Press Release

Supreme Court of Canada Selection

Credit – Supreme Court of Canada Selection

Our Events

Please click on the events below for a full description and photos:

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

11th Annual Day for Diplomats

Over 5 dozen diplomats are anticipated for EngageParlDiplo’s 11th annual Day for Diplomats, including Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and chargés d’affaires and many other members of the diplomatic community. This unique seminar has brought together leaders of the diplomatic community with Canadian parliamentarians, thought, and business... More

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Your House, Your Time: Making it Count

During our two day orientation, over two dozen of Canada’s newest MPs and Senators considered how to leverage their role in Parliament, how to serve as an ‘ambassador’ for Canada and how to support their constituents during tailored expert events. Attendees met with the Governor General, the Interim Clerk of the Privy Council, the... More

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Election Primer for Diplomats, Politicos and Interested Observers

Thanks to the over 200+ participants who tuned it to catch our Election Primer for Diplomats, Politicos and Interested Observers! This inaugural event marks the beginning of EngageParlDiplo, an exciting new partnership with Carleton University’s Faculty of Public Affairs. Missed the discussion? You can still watch it... More

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Oct 27: 10th Annual Day for Diplomats

More than 200 guests registered for a special virtual 10th anniversary of the Carleton Initiative for Parliamentary and Diplomatic Engagement’s orientations for diplomats. The registration list included 65 Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and chargés d’affaires and another 110 members of the diplomatic community. Given Covid-19 protocols and... More

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Diplomats Meet Canada’s Political Leaders

Her Excellency Ambassador Kareen Rispal hosted a networking reception at the French Embassy for key parliamentarians and more than 60 Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to Canada. The Speaker of the House of Commons, the Honourable Anthony Rota, thanked both the Carleton Initiative for Parliamentary and Diplomatic Engagement and the... More

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Your House, Your Time: Orientation for the 2019 Newly Elected Members of Parliament

On January 21 and 22, 2020 new parliamentarians attended a charged orientation organized by the Carleton Initiative for Parliamentary and Diplomatic Engagement. On January 21, the orientation began at the Bank of Canada with tours of the Bank of Canada museum. Mayor Jim Watson provided an introduction to Ottawa and the CEO of the... More

Friday, November 8, 2019

9th Annual Orientation for Newly Arrived Diplomats

More than 170 newly arrived Ambassadors, High Commissioners, deputy heads of mission, military attaches and other members of the diplomatic community representing 60 countries registered for the 9th Annual Orientation for Newly Arrived Diplomats at Carleton University’s Richcraft Hall on Friday, November 8, 2019. The orientation consisted of... More

Monday, October 7, 2019

Election Primer for Diplomats

More than 100 Ambassadors, High Commissioners and other members of the diplomatic community joined Carleton faculty and students as a panel of experts helped them interpret the 43rd Canadian federal election. At the event organized by the Carleton Initiative for Parliamentary and Diplomatic Engagement, David Coletto, CEO Abacus Data, presented... More

Monday, February 25, 2019

Artificial Intelligence, Democracy and Your Election

The Minister of Democratic Institutions, the Honourable Karina Gould, defended the government’s plans to protect election integrity while Facebook’s Head of Public Policy Canada, Kevin Chan, defended its response to curbing interference on the social media platform at a policy panel organized by the Carleton Institute for Parliamentary and... More

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

The North American Economic Relationship: Preparing for the Future

In order to continue growing its economy, Canada will have to compete smarter and more boldly against what will be a younger and stronger Mexico and the United States. That was a key take-away from a panel examining the future of the North American relationship at an event organized by the Carleton Initiative for... More

Thursday, October 4, 2018

Carleton Initiative Delivers 8th Annual Orientation for Newly Arrived Diplomats

A record 175 newly arrived Ambassadors, High Commissioners, deputy heads of mission, military attaches and other members of the diplomatic community representing 60 countries registered for the 8th Annual Orientation for Newly Arrived Diplomats at Carleton University’s Richcraft Hall on Monday, September 24, 2018. The orientation consisted of... More

Monday, May 7, 2018

Women in International trade: Driving Economic Empowerment and Growth

Panelists from Carleton, government and business debated the best ways to encourage more women-owned businesses to export their goods and services in an event organized by the Carleton Initiative for Parliamentary and Diplomatic Engagement at the residence of the German Ambassador to Canada, Her Excellency Sabine Sparwasser. Ambassador Sparwasser... More

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Promoting Democracy Abroad: The Role of Canadian Legislators

Canada should take advantage of its renewed credibility and visibility on issues related to democracy and gender and do more to promote democracy abroad.  That was the message delivered by participants at a panel held Tuesday February 6, 2018 at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building. More than 140 Members of Parliament; Ambassadors, High... More

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Celebrating Women in Diplomacy

To recognize the first ever appointments of a female Ambassador from four of Canada’s six G-7 partners, the Carleton Initiative and the French Embassy to Canada co-hosted a panel and reception to celebrate women in diplomacy. More than 135 Members of Parliament and Senators; Ambassadors, High Commissioners and other members of the diplomatic... More

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Carleton Initiative Delivers 7th Annual Orientation For Newly Arrived Diplomats

Representing 60 countries, more than 100 newly arrived Ambassadors, High Commissioners, deputy heads of mission, military attaches and other members of the diplomatic community registered for the 7th Annual Orientation for Newly Arrived Diplomats at Carleton University’s Richcraft Hall on Thursday October 5, 2017. The orientation consisted of... More

Monday, May 15, 2017

Canada’s Time – Building a Global Tech Hub North of 49

The theme was innovation – from defining it to debating government policy on how best to encourage it - at a special policy panel held May 15, 2017 at the Elgin Street headquarters of Shopify. Harley Finkelstein, Chief Operating Officer, Shopify, traced the development of the Canadian e-commerce company that develops computer software for... More

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Disaster Proofing Canada: Preparedness for Parliamentarians

Canada needs to do more to prepare for emergencies, according to Canadian and world experts gathered at a conference hosted by Carleton University February 2, 2017 at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building in downtown Ottawa. Members of Parliament, Senators, political staffers, Ambassadors and High Commissioners, senior government officials,... More

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

The U.S. Election: A Wild Ride Ahead for Canada?

Two former Ambassadors warned that Canada would face U.S. trade action on softwood lumber and pressure to increase defence spending no matter who is elected President on November 8th.  However, Gary Doer, former Canadian Ambassador to the United States, and Gordon Giffin, former American Ambassador to Canada, stressed that common Canadian and... More

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Carleton Initiative Delivers 6th Annual Orientation For Newly Arrived Diplomats

Representing 60 countries, more than 135 newly arrived Ambassadors, High Commissioners, deputy heads of mission, military attaches and other members of the diplomatic community registered for the 6th Annual Orientation for Newly Arrived Diplomats at Carleton University’s River Building on Thursday September 22, 2016. The orientation consisted of... More

Friday, April 1, 2016

Diplomats Meet Canada’s Political Leaders

March 8, 2016 The French Embassy provided the spectacular venue and hosted a meeting of key parliamentarians and more than 40 Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to Canada.  Ambassador Nicolas Chapuis welcomed guests who included the Speaker of the Senate, the Honourable George Furey, and the Speaker of the House of Commons, the... More

Friday, February 5, 2016

Your House, Your Time: Orientation for Newly Elected Members of Parliament

January 19-20, 2016 “Exceeded expectations. Perfect balance of networking, process, policy and advice.  Amazing quality of panelists and speakers.  I am inspired”  “This was an amazing experience for me. Thank you for your investment in me as a new MP” Photo Gallery - January 19,  2016: Photo Gallery - January 20, 2016: Those were... More

Monday, November 23, 2015

Carleton Initiative Delivers 5th Annual Orientation For Newly Arrived Diplomats

Photo Gallery: The 5th Annual Orientation for Newly Arrived Diplomats held November 12, 2015 focused on the transition to the 42nd Parliament and what changes the results of the federal election would mean. Mauril Bélanger, M.P. for Ottawa-Vanier and a Director of the Parliamentary Centre, offered a welcome to the more than 100 diplomats... More

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Election Primer For Diplomats

Photo Gallery: More than 100 diplomats, Carleton faculty, students and guests attended the Election Primer For Diplomats held Monday, September 28, 2015 at Carleton University’s River Building. Tom Clark, Global’s Chief Chief Political Correspondent for Global News and host of The West Block with Tom Clark, moderated the panel on the 42nd... More

Thursday, May 14, 2015

What $50 a Barrel Oil Means for Canada

Photo Gallery: The drop in oil prices means the Canadian oil and gas industry is seeing a $40 billion hit in 2015 and a 25-30% cut in growth, according to Glen Hodgson, Chief Economist of the Conference Board of Canada. Hodgson was one of the panelists at a special panel and reception held Monday,... More

Friday, March 27, 2015

Cybersecurity: What Parliamentarians Need to Know and Do

Photo Gallery How do we make systems we trust from systems we can’t? How do we ensure the integrity of information and identities on an open Internet? And what will the role of government be? These were some of the questions that panelists discussed at a special panel and reception held Monday, March 9, 2015... More

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Obama and Canada – The Final Two Years

Photo Gallery: What does Canada want during the last two years of the Obama administration and what we can reasonably expect to achieve? Jean Charest, Partner, McCarthy Tétrault and a former premier of Quebec joined Scotty Greenwood, Senior Advisor, Canadian American Business Council; and John Manley, President and CEO, Canadian Council of Chief... More

Friday, October 3, 2014

Carleton Initiative Delivers 4th Annual Orientation For Newly Arrived Diplomats

Photo Gallery: More than 140 diplomats and spouses registered for the 4th Annual Welcome to Ottawa Orientation at Carleton University that provided information to facilitate professional and social integration of newly arrived diplomats and their families. The orientation consisted of sessions on Canada’s parliamentary system; Canadian business... More

Monday, March 31, 2014

Water Stress: Protecting our Communities, our Nation, our World

“Water is a precious and finite resource and we need to protect its quantity and quality,” said Carleton University’s Dr. Banu Örmeci, Canada Research Chair in Wastewater Treatment Engineering and Associate Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering. That water is limited and valuable was the recurring message delivered by panelists... More

Monday, February 3, 2014

Affordable Housing: A Federal Role

Photo Gallery: "High home prices, record levels of household debt, stagnant investment in rental housing, low vacancy rates and the pending loss of $500 million annually in federal housing dollars are leaving fewer and fewer housing options for Canadians,” according to Brock Carlton, CEO of the Canadian Federation of Municipalities. Carlton... More

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Carleton Initiative Hosts Panel on Need for National Food Policy

Photo Gallery: Carleton University’s Initiative for Parliamentary and Diplomatic Engagement hosted more than 85 parliamentarians, diplomats, political staffers and senior officials from government and non-government organizations for a special panel discussion -  Does Canada Need a National Food Policy? Panelists discussed that... More

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Carleton Initiative Delivers 3rd Annual Orientation For Newly Arrived Diplomats

Photo Gallery: More than 100 diplomats registered for the 3rd Annual Welcome to Ottawa Orientation at Carleton University that provided information to facilitate professional and social integration of newly arrived diplomats and their families.  The orientation consisted of sessions on Canada’s parliamentary system; Canadian business and the... More

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Canada’s Role in the Middle East

Photo Gallery: In association with the Arab Ambassadors, the Carleton Initiative for Parliamentary and Diplomatic Engagement organized a panel on Canada’s Role in the Middle East. His Excellency Khaled Baha, Ambassador of Yemen and Vice Dean of the Arab Group, offered welcoming remarks. Canada’s Role in the Middle East – Event Summary... More

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Challenges For Canada’s Arctic Council Leadership

Photo Gallery: In association with the Ambassadors of Sweden and Norway, the Carleton Initiative for Parliamentary and Diplomatic Engagement organized a panel and networking reception on the challenges facing Canada as it assumes the chair of the Arctic Council. Panelists included Terry Audla, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK); Mona... More

Monday, November 5, 2012

Policy: From Theory to Practice

Policy: From Theory to Practice Photo Gallery: More than 60 young government professionals, Carleton students and others turned out to Hooley’s Pub to hear a panel of recent Carleton graduates discuss how they put the public policy that they studied into daily practice. BJ ’95 Carleton grad – Alan Neal – host of CBC’s... More

Monday, October 29, 2012

Canada’s Future as an Energy Supplier

Canada’s Future as an Energy Supplier With the support of James Rajotte, M.P., chair of the Standing Committee on Finance; Peter Julian, M.P., Official Opposition critic for Energy and Natural Resources; and David McGuinty, M.P., Liberal critic for Energy and Natural Resources, the Carleton Initiative for Parliamentary and Diplomatic Engagement... More

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