Tilson president of Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association

Dufferin - Caledon MP David Tilson has been elected President of the all-Party Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association.

He was elected March 11 at the association's AGM. He defeated the incumbent Liberal Senator Lorna Milne from Brampton. Senator Milne had been president since November 2004.

"I'm honoured to be able to represent Canada and our government abroad as president of this vital association," Tilson was quoted as saying. "The work of this association is of great significance to Canada and its interests abroad. It is an excellent forum for parliamentarians from Canada and across Europe to discuss issues of international importance and for Canada to influence policy before it is adopted by the member countries."

Tilson has been a member of the Executive Committee of the association since 2004.

"I look forward to continuing my work on the association and the new responsibilities of being president," Tilson remarked. "It is very exciting and I am eager to meet the challenges ahead."

"I'm also very thankful for the tremendous support from my caucus, as well as my constituents in Dufferin - Caledon who have supported my work on the association."

The Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association represents both the House of Commons and Senate on an international level. It promotes Canada's interests in Europe with individual countries and with the European Union, as well as fostering mutual cooperation and understanding between our nations.

Canada and Europe have strong historical and cultural links. They share many fundamental values and a similar commitment to multilateral institutions and the International Rule of Law. Both the European Union and Canada are modern, advanced economies characterized by a high degree of openness and a high degree of dependence on international trade. Canada and the E.U. are important trading partners. Perhaps for these reasons, both are active supporters of the W.T.O. and the multilateral trading system, where we work very closely together.