On May 29, 1996, legislation establishing the Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians was adopted. Concurrently, thirty-four bronze plaques, representing the thirty-four parliaments to that time, and containing the names of all persons who had served in the Senate and House of Commons to that time, were unveiled in the Visitors Centre of the House of Commons. The association was created in response to a 1985 recommendation of a Special Committee on Reform of the House of Commons, chaired by
James McGrath. Among its other activities, the association has established an Educational Foundation with, among other objectives, to "generally support the strengthening of democracy and good governance in Canada and abroad." The association is also a participant in the
International Election Monitors Institute, providing "former legislators as election observers to operate worldwide in collaboration with other democracy-building organizations." == Awards ==