OTTAWA –  As Chair of Canada’s NATO Parliamentarian Association, Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament for Vegreville-Wainwright is honoured to host a visit by international parliamentarians from NATO countries in Alberta and British Columbia July 11-14, 2011. 

“It is going to be a fantastic opportunity to showcase Canada’s expertise and the incredible work the companies are doing environmentally as well,” states Benoit.

As Head of the Canadian Delegation and Chair of the Sub-Committee on Transatlantic Economic Relations (ESCTER), Benoit will host the delegates as they explore Canada’s unconventional oil and gas industry.  The visit will focus mainly on energy security and its implications for the Alliance.

This will provide a unique opportunity for parliamentarian members of the Assembly’s Sub-committees to visit the oil sands in Fort McMurray and a shale gas facility near Dawson Creek.  There will also be an opportunity in Edmonton to benefit from expert speakers related to the Committees’ studies.

The NATO Assembly brings together parliaments from throughout the Atlantic Alliance, to provide an essential link between NATO and the parliaments of the NATO nations, with the goal of building parliamentary and public consensus in support of Alliance policies. The Assembly's work deals with social, cultural, political and economic issues, as well as military matters, all of which are of vital concern to NATO member countries.