Canadian senator Hon Raynell Andreychuk from Ottawa Ontario and Robert Oliphant, member of parliament, Don Valley West yesterday met the Overseer of the Office of the Vice Presidency Madame Fatoumata Jallow Tambajang, as part of their working visit to The Gambia.
The two are also members of Canadian African Parliament and they are in the Gambia to help the country strengthen her democracy and move forward with reconciliation.
Speaking to journalists after their audience with the overseer of the Vice-presidency, Hon A Raynell Andreychuk expressed delight at their meeting with the VP overseer and said they were at State House to show solidarity to the Gambia.
“By working with each other, we learn from each other, strengthen parliaments as we believed that for democracy to function appropriately, parliament must be strong and must be able to speak up for the people. Parliament must be seen to be the voice of the people,” she said. She disclosed that they have met with civil society organisations among others.
Robert Oliphant, member of parliament, Don Valley West, Canada said the visit is a clear indication of the international community’s desire to assist the Gambia’s newly born democracy. He further said the Gambia and Canada share historic bilateral relations.
“It is a great privilege to be here and we are optimistic right now. We are hoping the Gambia will pick up its leadership from what had happened in the past,” he said.
