By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu Feb. 11: Speaker of the Senate of Canada George J. Furey on Monday assured that his country would actively participate in the first edition of the Sagarmatha Sambad, a permanent forum for global dialogue, scheduled for April this year.
While addressing an interaction with Nepali parliamentarians, Senator Furey said that since climate change had adversely affected Nepal and Canada, the Sambad, focusing on impacts of climate change, would be fruitful.
The Sagarmatha Sambad will be hosted in Kathmandu from April 2-4 on the theme, “Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity.
Extending his best wishes for the success of Visit Nepal 2020, Furey pledged to disseminate positive message to promote the national tourism campaign.
Recalling the 65 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations, he further promised to extend support in tourism, trade and investment.
He also expressed his contentment to share the experiences of development and achievements of Canada with Nepal and shared that the Canadian government was keen to welcome Nepali delegates to Canada.
“Though the outbreak of novel coronavirus has affected Nepal’s neighbouring country, China, I will return with a message that Nepal is safe for tourists. And I believe that this will help the Tourism Year 2020,” he vowed.
Taking part in the interaction, Khaga Raj Adhikari, member of the House of Representatives (HoR) from Nepal Communist Party (NCP) said Nepali delegation would visit Canada at a suitable time.
Another Nepali Congress parliamentarian Parbata DC Chaudhary praised the Canadian government’s support in the sector of women and children and also welcomed the Furey’s commitment to support Nepal in tourism, trade and investment.
During the interaction, Kamala Kumari Oli, member of National Assembly, informed Senator Furey that there was a remarkable participation of women in the federal parliament while formulating laws and policies.
Observation of National Assembly
On Monday, Senator Furey observed the National Assembly (NA). His
delegation comprises the members of Senate of Canada.
Dina Nath Sharma, Parliamentarian Party leader of NCP at NA, said the political specialties of Nepal and Canada match to some extent. “Both the countries have bicameral federal legislature and multi-party political system.”
Canada had a constitutional monarchy, Sharma said.
“Nepal has promulgated its Constitution by meeting all the democratic values

and international standards,” said Sharma.
It has been 65 years since Nepal and Canada established diplomatic relation, said Sharma adding that the democratic values and norms were the foundation of their friendly relations.
Highlighting that equality and inclusiveness were hallmarks of the Canadian political system, Sharma said the Constitution of Nepal had also made such provisions.
He further informed Furey that the members of Nepal’s Lower House were elected through a mixed voting system while the Upper House was based on single transferable electoral system. “The upper house has inclusive participation of women, Dalit and disabled from all seven provinces.”
Speaking at the Special Time of NA, Surendra Raj Pandey, Parliamentary Party leader of Nepali Congress, said that the constitution of Nepal was a document of political consensus among all political parties.
“The Constitution has guaranteed the rights of inclusiveness, human rights, complete press freedom and separation of power and also ensured the rights of education, health, employment and housing,” he added.
The government has proposed many bills which were against the spirit of the Constitution, Pandey said, asking the government to amend the bill.
He expressed his view that the government should accept the grant being provided by the American Government under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). The issue shouldn’t be politicised, he urged.
Ramesh Prasad Yadav, parliamentarian of Rastriya Janata Party (RJP-Nepal), drew the government’s attention to issues left out by the constitution.
Meanwhile, NA Chairman Ganesh Prasad Timilsina met the visiting delegation led by Furey, which is on a 2-day visit of Nepal at his invitation.
They discussed diplomatic relations, friendship, understanding and parliamentary co-work. Chairman Timilisina said the high level visit by the delegation would strengthen the bilateral relations.