Review of Organization of American States Privileges and Immunities in Canada Order - SOR/99-350

Title of the statutory instrument

Organization of American States Privileges and Immunities in Canada Order - SOR/99-350

Enabling Act

Foreign Missions and International Organizations Act (FMIOA)

Rationale

Determining whether the privileges and immunities granted for the Organization of American States (OAS) must be maintained.

Narrative

This Order grants privileges and immunities to foreign nationals in relation to the OAS.

This OAS is the primary multilateral forum for political discussion, policy analysis and decision-making in Western Hemisphere affairs. The organization’s headquarters are located in Washington, D.C., and there is currently no OAS office in Canada. However, OAS officials, such as the Secretary General, Assistant Secretary General, and other senior officials of the organization, do visit Canada regularly. Furthermore, Canada, as a member state, has hosted OAS meetings in Canada that have involved participation of OAS officials as well as officials from member states accredited to the organization. Therefore, the privileges and immunities are still required.

Given Canada’s status as an OAS member state, it is expected that the need for those privileges and immunities would remain unchanged. Accordingly, the targeted start of a review would be long-term.

Date of last review or amendment

Never been reviewed

Targeted start for review

Long term

Status

Planned

Result

To be determined

Departmental contact

Mandy Sheldrake
Deputy Director, Inter-American Relations
Global Affairs Canada
Email:mandy.sheldrake@international.gc.ca