Julie has been the Chair of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (CANA) since 2016. The Association strengthens parliamentarians’ awareness and understanding of key security issues and concerns of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization Parliamentary Association (NATO PA) is an interparliamentary organization of legislators that was founded in 1955. It is institutionally separate and independent from the official NATO structure but serves as a liaison for NATO and member parliaments. The NATO PA strengthens parliamentary awareness, understanding and oversight of key defence and security issues, and provides greater transparency of NATO policies.

The Assembly also plays a significant role in deepening the crucial transatlantic relationship that underpins the NATO Alliance. It has 269 parliamentary delegates from the 30 NATO member countries, and around 100 more delegates from associate or observer countries, as well as representatives from other parliamentary assemblies.

Each spring, the Assembly gathers to discuss draft reports and hear from experts about pertinent international security issues. During the fall session, the Assembly meets to vote on and adopt reports and resolutions of the NATO PA’s five thematic committees and sub-committees. The resolutions adopted during these meetings reflect a broad range of subjects and become policy recommendations that are widely distributed to governments and parliaments of NATO member and associate member nations.

For the latest on Julie’s work with NATO PA visit the Media page.