Scottish Parliament returns to Tartan Week and visits Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for first time

The delegation includes Evelyn Tweed MSP, member of the Economy and Fair Work Committee and the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, Maurice Golden MSP, member of the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee, and Michael Marra MSP, Deputy Convener of the Finance and Public Administration Committee.

The parliamentarians will join Scots from across the globe to take part in the flagship Tartan Day Parade on Saturday 6th April. Leading the parade this year is Grand Marshal Dougray Scott.

The parade celebrates the impact of Scottish Americans on the United States and sees pipers, bands and traditional dancers make their way down Manhattan’s 6th Avenue. Universities and colleges, trade bodies and cultural organisations are among those promoting and developing links between Scotland and North America.

As part of a packed series of engagements, the Presiding Officer will also meet with representatives from the Carnegie Corporation, a philanthropic fund setup by Andrew Carnegie to create education programmes across the world, and with NYC Civic Engagement Commission (CEC) for a discussion on citizen assembly models as part of citizen engagement initiatives.

The delegation will then undertake a two-day visit to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in Victoria – one of the legislatures studied when the structures and procedures of the Scottish Parliament were being designed. The delegation will observe Assembly business and have a series of meetings to discuss key issues and share best practice, meeting counterparts including the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly the Honourable Raj Chouhan, Members of the Legislative Assembly and Kate Ryan-Lloyd, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly.

While in Victoria, the Presiding Officer will meet the British Consul General, Thomas Codrington, and the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, the Hon Janet Austin OBC.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone MSP, said:

“The Tartan Day Parade and events throughout Tartan Week are a chance for millions of people to celebrate the contribution of Scottish Americans to North America and to build on the deep cultural and historical ties between the people of Scotland and those of the US, Canada and beyond.
 
“As the Scottish Parliament celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year, we are delighted to be able to visit the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for the first time. It is a privilege to be able to share experiences, exchange ideas and discuss common challenges with our counterparts in a legislature that influenced the design of the Scottish Parliament. 

“The strengthening of these relationships and learning gained are highly beneficial to the Scottish Parliament.”