Indonesia-Canada Parliamentary Diplomacy Revived
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, OTTAWA – The Canada-Indonesia Parliamentary Friendship Group (CIPFG) has been reactivated through an Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Monday (4/5/2026) at the West Block, Parliament Hill, Ottawa. The event was attended by several Canadian Members of Parliament and Senators from across parties who officially joined the CIPFG.
The meeting successfully elected two Co-Chairs, namely Senator Clement Gignac and MP Sameer Zuberi, who will lead the Canada-Indonesia Parliamentary Friendship Group for the next two years. To complement the group’s structure, two Deputy Co-Chairs and four Executive Members were also elected.
The reactivation of the CIPFG is inseparable from the proactive role and approach of the Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa towards Canadian Members of Parliament and Senators on various occasions. The CIPFG is expected to further support the concrete implementation of the bilateral cooperation pillars underscored by the President of Indonesia and the Canadian Prime Minister in September 2025, covering economic partnerships, defence and political cooperation, and closeness between the two societies.
The Indonesian Ambassador to Canada, Muhsin Syihab, conveyed congratulations on the reactivation of the CIPFG. He welcomed the Canadian Parliament’s decision to reactivate the CIPFG and emphasised the important role of the parliaments of both countries in advancing bilateral cooperation. “The parliamentary friendship group is important for cooperation between the two countries, and the formation of partnerships that are not only strong but also future-oriented,” said Ambassador Muhsin.
Meanwhile, the elected Co-Chairs affirmed that one of the main drivers of enthusiasm for forming the CIPFG is that Indonesia is an important country and a key player in the Indo-Pacific region. It was further emphasised that the Canadian Parliament is committed to contributing to strengthening bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Canada, including through the CIPFG.
One of the main issues that emerged was related to the Indonesia-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (ICA CEPA), where the ratification process in Canada has reached its final stage and is expected to be fully completed in May 2026. In line with that, the Canadian Parliament and Senate hope that the ratification process in Indonesia can be completed soon.
The reactivation of the CIPFG marks a new chapter in parliamentary diplomacy between Indonesia and Canada, given that the group, formed in 2009, has been dormant since 2022 and was no longer listed on the Canadian Parliament’s website.
The reactivation of the CIPFG also serves as a strategic step ahead of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of Indonesia-Canada diplomatic relations in 2027, a momentum to expand more impactful collaborations for the national interests of both countries. Going forward, the Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa will continue to collaborate with the CIPFG to promote increased strategic policy dialogues, parliamentary exchange visits, and strengthening of cross-sector cooperation between Indonesia and Canada.
After the discussion session, the atmosphere became even warmer as all CIPFG members enjoyed typical Nusantara culinary dishes, namely soto mie, mi goreng, gado-gado, tahu isi, and lapis legit. Inevitably, praise for the deliciousness of the Busantara dishes was expressed by the CIPFG members, some of whom were tasting Indonesian food for the first time.
The CIPFG is a cross-party forum in the Canadian Parliament aimed at strengthening relations with Indonesia through parliamentary diplomacy and inter-legislative cooperation. In Indonesia, the House of Representatives (DPR RI) also has a similar mechanism in the form of the Indonesia-Canada Bilateral Cooperation Working Group (GKSB), which remains structured and ongoing to this day, making the reactivation of the CIPFG in Canada important for maintaining balance and continuity in parliamentary interactions between the two countries.