Publications Mail Agreement #40068926 institutions matter government matters andpublic One big lesson of the current crisis: THIRTY-FIRST YEAR, NO.1713 W a challengethat exceedsthenormalre- ration ofthecrisis, say political strategists. money directlytoallCanadiansforthedu- start abasicincomepilotprogram togive need tocutthebureaucratic redtapeand Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau’s Liberals a consequenceoftheCOVID-19 pandemic, deck moment inCanada’ ‘This isanall-hands-on- say political strategists stimulate economy, to cut red tape to shitless’: PMneeds ‘Everybody’s scared News BY ABBAS RANA BY ABBAS “Everybody’s scaredshitless. This is face the possibility of a depression as face thepossibilityofadepressionas hile economiesaround theworld Prime minister Continued onpage 24 “I and oilcrises navigating COVID-19 here’: MPs Alberta ‘It’s incredibly dire News ing a “day by day” approach to herjob, turned Conservative MPsays sheistak- panicking.” in preparation, butIdon’tbelieve in virus spreadsacross Canada. “I believe Calgary Midnaporeasthe COVID-19 after closingherconstituency offi ing over thephonefrom herhome, BY PETER MAZEREEUW Still, theformer Canadiandiplomat- Alberta MPStephanieKusie, speak- ’m notreallyonetopanic,” said Alberta C ANADA health care, diversity inCanada strengths intofocus: government, Global pandemiccrisisbrings ’ Continued onpage 27 S P OLITICS ce in

AND G OVERNMENT W the time ofCOVID-19 not doingpolitics in just got a lot narrower’: acceptable criticism ‘The boundary of News become apparent, oppositionleaders political pointsat thistime. the Canadianpublicforparties toscore government, withlittleappetiteamong remarkably supportive of theLiberal federal oppositionpartieshave been been seeninCanada100years, BY NEIL MOSS Since theseverity ofthe crisishas crisis thelikes ofwhich hasn’t ith thecountry miredina health Politics N EWSPAPER Continued onpage 26 biggest story in the world covering COVID-19 pandemic, the Hill bureau chiefs weigh inon A shift strategies to signifi forcing lobbyists COVID-19 is News during thecoronavirus. Ireallythink they need. or givingofficials thebreathing room sponding totheimmediacy ofthecrisis, of theirfocushaseitherpivoted tore- teetering economy, lobbyists say much coronavirus pandemicandstabilizethe BY BEATRICE PAEZ & PALAK MANGAT Marc Garneau,picturedMarch18,2020,on Health MinisterPattyHajdu,Treasury Board President Jean-Yves Duclos,DeputyPrime the Hilldeliveringtheirdailybriefi ng. Minister BillBlair, andTransport Minister “I justdon’tthinkthereislobbying Minister ChrystiaFreeland,PublicSafety its efforttocontrol thepaceof s thefederal government ramps up MONDAY, MARCH23,2020$5.00 Hill Times photographbyAndrewMeade Lobbying cantly Continued onpage 23 The 2 MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES

Those undergoing cancer treatment ‘Reckless and inappropriate’: often have weakened immune systems, and potentially are more vulnerable to the MPs urge CBC to reinstate COVID-19 virus. Heard on the Hill “During the COVID-19 emergency, we local TV news right now are all expected to practice ‘social dis- tancing,’ which is a very important public by Neil Moss MPs are calling health measure to contain the spread of on Canada’s public the virus, and I will be under an enhanced broadcaster to regime, working from home to avoid infec- reverse its decision tion and ensure continuity of the treatment to halt local televi- plan,” Mr. Harris said. Parliamentay Press sion news in light of the COVID-19 crisis. CBC made Former health minister Philpott Gallery Dinner the decision to scrap the major- returns to the front lines ity of its local TV news coverage Liberal MP Wayne Easter postponed until October for the time being wrote a letter to CBC in order to focus president Catherine Tait, its resources on pictured, urging the CBC its national news to reverse its decision take place on its originally scheduled date program, CBC to shut down local news of May 2. National News. coverage. The Hill Times “If all normal functions resume by our The broadcaster’s photograph by Andrew next scheduled date, we would be pleased fl agship political Meade Jane Philpott, left, is working at Markham to welcome a large crowd at the Sir John Power and show, Stouffville Hospital’s COVID-19 assessment centre. A. Macdonald building on Saturday, Octo- Politics , is also being put on hiatus. The Photograph courtesy of Twitter/Jane Philpott ber 24th, 2020,” the executive announced in only local TV newscast that will continue is an email to Press Gallery members. CBC North. Former federal health minister Jane The dinner in the past few years has Liberal MP Wayne Easter wrote a letter Philpott, who is also a medical doctor, has taken place at the Canadian Museum of to CBC president Catherine Tait saying donned a face mask and returned to a History, but it was decided earlier this year that local news should be used to inform familiar workspace. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, left, is pictured that it will be hosted on the Ottawa side of Canadians about the coronavirus crisis. “Like 100s of other Canadian health pro- dancing with now-Yahoo Finance reporter Shruti the National Capital Region at the Sir John “In the height of an international health fessionals, I’ve returned [to] the front lines, Shekar, CBC host Chris Hall, and David Akin of A. Macdonald building, just across the crisis that has compounding effects on the to help the amazing team at the [Markham Global News at the 2018 Parliamentary Press street from Parliament’s West Block. well-being of Canadians and the Cana- Stouffville Hospital] COVID assessment Gallery Dinner. The Hill Times photograph by Last year, the night of food, drink, and dian economy as a whole, it is reckless centre,” Dr. Philpott tweeted on March 19. Andrew Meade political roasts was hosted by Global News’ and inappropriate to remove local report- The former Liberal-turned-Independent Mike Le Couteur and Le Devoir‘s Marie ing,” wrote Mr. Easter, who represents MP was chief of the department of family ike many events around Parliament Vastel, who had some killer jokes at the Malpeque, P.E.I. medicine at the hospital from 2008 to 2014 LHill, the night some call the “Nerd expense of former NDP leader Tom Mul- “This lack of understanding and focus before joining public life. Prom” is being postponed until October. cair, among others. The dinner raised more as to the proper role of a public broadcast- During her single term as an MP, Dr. The Parliamentary Press Gallery execu- than $5,000 for the Canadian Association er is deeply concerning, and it brings into Philpott was also the minister of Indigenous tive board announced last week that the of Journalists’ CBC Indigenous Fellow- serious question the judgement of execu- Services and the Treasury Board president. event that brings together the press and ship and brought together more than 500 tives in times of crisis,” he wrote to Ms. Tait. Since being defeated in the 2019 elec- federal politicians and staffers will not scribes, politicians, staffers, and lobbyists. Fellow P.E.I. Liberal MP and Veterans tion, she has served as a special health Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay adviser for the Nishnawbe Aski Nation tweeted that he had spoken to Prime Min- and is soon to become the dean of Queen’s ister Justin Trudeau about the importance University’s faculty of health sciences. of local news for the province. P.E.I. Premier Dennis King also said in a statement that the decision was “incredibly dis- appointing,” and said he would raise the issue Globe and Mail leads the way with Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. He also raised the issue with Mr. Trudeau. with 19 National Newspaper Conservative MP Peter Kent, a former Award nominations journalist who anchored Global News, echoed the Islanders. The Globe and “Never has local news, reported by local Mail is up for the journalists, been more important. A ter- most National rible decision by CBC bureaucrats—gross Newspaper Awards, misunderstanding of public broadcasting including for its responsibility in a year of licence renewal,” coverage of the he tweeted. SNC-Lavalin affair. Robert Fife, Steven Chase, Sean Robert Fife is one of NDP MP Jack Harris Fine, and Daniel four Globe and Mail Leblanc of the journalists up for a best diagnosed with cancer Globe have been political reporting award nominated for the for their coverage of the NDP MP Jack John Wesley Dafoe SNC-Lavalin affair. The Harris announced Award for best po- Hill Times file photograph last week that he litical reporting. has been diagnosed A team from The Globe and Mail has with cancer after also been nominated for the same award for discovering a lump its reporting on private entities that capital- on his neck. ize on election spending law loopholes. “I am fortunate Andrew Duffy of The Ottawa Citizen that it was detected is up for best long feature for his report on and diagnosed the experience of passengers on board an early, and the prog- OC Transpo bus that killed three after it nosis is good,” he crashed into an awning. said in a statement. A team from The Citizen has also been Before he returned to Mr. Harris nominated for best breaking news report- Ottawa after winning defeated Liberal ing for its coverage of the crash. his seat in the 2019 MP Nick Whalen The Globe’s Geoffrey York and Melissa election, Jack Harris in 2019, retuning to Tait both have been nominated for three was an MP from 1987 Ottawa where he awards: Ms. Tait for her coverage of the man- to 1988 and from 2008 previously served hunt to capture two suspected killers who to 2015. The Hill Times as an MP from 1987 were on the run. Mr. York was nominated, as file photograph to 1988 and from well as Matthew McClearn and Stephanie 2008 to 2015. He Nolen, for coverage of Export Development represents St. John’s East, N.L. Canada’s lending policies, as well twice being He said he will have to avoid participat- nominated for best international reporting. ing in community events and making pub- [email protected] lic appearances for “the next few weeks.” The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 3 COVID-19 Covid-19: the exit problem

Unless this particular The United States, as a whole, is still in coronavirus fails to cause a ‘mitigation,’ because second wave of infections it takes a long time to turn a supertanker next winter—it isn’t like Donald Trump all the way around, but certain—we will probably New York and some other big American be stuck in lockdown most cities and states have of the time until an eff ective already moved on to suppression. Image vaccine becomes widely courtesy of Needpix.com available, probably no sooner than 18 months from now. August of 2021, let’s say.

Gwynne Dyer Global Aff airs

ONDON, U.K.—Most of the countries Lin Asia, Europe, and North America are now in lockdown to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This is the “suppression” strategy, and it should keep the death rate from going exponential for a while. The un- answered question is: what do we do next? There is no exit strategy. “This type of intensive intervention package [‘social distancing’ of the entire population, home isolation of COVID-19 cases, and house- hold quarantine of their family members] will need to be maintained until a vaccine becomes available (potentially 18 months or more)—given that we predict that trans- mission will quickly rebound if interven- tions are relaxed.” That’s from the executive summary of the key Imperial College London report that on March 16 forced the British govern- ment to abandon its insane policy of letting the infections grow and hoping the popula- tion (or what was left of it) would achieve “herd immunity.” So the team moved on to consider the the job—after a few weeks, death rates “relaxed temporarily in relatively short The 30-strong Imperial College team “mitigation” model. This concentrates on drop sharply—but the economy also goes time windows” for a month or two. But the estimated that an “unmitigated epidemic”— “fl attening the curve” of infections, which into decline: probably six per cent down or virus will still be at large in the population, no closure of schools, shops, restaurants would now peak in late June. Suspected worse by the end of the year. and we’ll probably have to re-impose the and bars, no household quarantines of cases of infection are confi ned to their This is now the policy in most devel- controls as the number of infections starts suspected coronavirus cases and their homes and their families are also quar- oped countries: mass death is no longer on to spike again. families, no “social distancing”—would antined, schools are closed, over-70s are the doorstep. The United States as a whole Economically, it will be as big a hit directly cause 510,000 deaths in the United required to self-isolate—but shops, bars, is still in “mitigation,” because it takes a as the Great Recession of 2008-9. Saving Kingdom in the fi rst wave of infections restaurants, etc. stay open, and the econo- long time to turn a supertanker like Donald everything from shuttered shops, theatres, (now to July or August). my staggers on more or less intact. Trump all the way around, but New York and restaurants to passenger-starved air- Infections would grow rapidly through The mitigation policy’s outcome is and some other big American cities and lines from bankruptcy will be a huge chal- March, and the demand for beds in inten- slightly better, but the peak case load states have already moved on to suppres- lenge. Keeping their laid-off employees out sive care units (ICUs) would exceed supply is still so high that it crashes the health sion. of poverty will be just as hard. There will by the second week of April. At the peak system. Total deaths in the fi rst wave are It has all happened very fast, and gov- have to be mortgage and rent holidays and of the fi rst wave of infections in mid-May, reduced only by half: i.e., a quarter-million ernments are just starting to realize that maybe ‘helicopter money’ (dropped from demand for ICU beds would be 30 times die in the United Kingdom, and a million in we will be in this mode for a long time. In above by central banks). greater than supply. the United States. So the Imperial College fact, unless this particular coronavirus fails But here’s a silver lining, if you want They did the same calculations for the team moved on to examine the third op- to cause a second wave of infections next one. In every country we have collectively United States, and concluded that 2.2 million tion: “suppression.” winter—it isn’t certain—we will probably decided, without even an argument, that Americans would die in the fi rst wave of infec- Suppression, or “lockdown” if you pre- be stuck in lockdown most of the time until we care more about the lives of our fellow- tions. (This number was instrumental in jolting fer, drastically reduces human contact in an effective vaccine becomes widely avail- citizens than we do about the damned the Trump administration out of its “deny, order to reverse the rate at which infec- able, probably no sooner than eighteen economy. distract and downplay” strategy last weekend.) tions are spreading. “Social distancing” months from now. August of 2021, let’s say. Gwynne Dyer’s new book is ‘Grow- Such huge case loads would inevitably crash applies to everyone, not just the over-70s, In the meantime, the best we can hope ing Pains: The Future of Democracy (and the health-care systems in both countries, and almost all public venues except food for is a few breaks when new infections Work)’. causing further “secondary” losses of life. shops and pharmacies are closed. It does have fallen so low that the controls can be The Hill Times 4 MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES COVID-19

Imagine a health system in which a national pharmacy program was built because the federal, provincial and territorial governments continued their collaboration and skills to work well together. Imagine a new Indigenous health system built across jurisdictions, even blatantly ignored jurisdictions, because this is what is needed to address the health needs for the population, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What the shutdown might mean for Indigenous policy

TTAWA—Anybody else wak- the breadth and depth of impact ling this through the social media needs for the population. And it COVID-19 is the Oing up each morning, and in any one sector, much less the care-mongering groups. One can occurs with Inuit, Métis, and First dreading picking up your phone? combined impact across sectors. hope that political parties join Nations combining strengths with defi ning challenge of What else has changed while we We are faced with the stark real- the collaboration and drop the provinces and territories based on tried to sleep? ization that everything is inter- partisanship, and perhaps put the full collaboration? our generation, and COVID-19 is the defi ning chal- connected. country ahead of the party? It’s Imagine what we could do we’re only beginning to lenge of our generation, and we’re In times of such widespread likely that instances of hyper- together. It’s all just a dream, only beginning to feel the effects. challenge, we have a choice. We partisanship during this crisis says the naysayers. It’s too much feel the eff ects. Here’s There will be health risks, eco- can work together, or we can will be remembered for long after to think about at this time, says nomic loss, stock unpredictability, compete for scarce resources. this year. the resistors. Yes, this is a crisis my question: if it’s the and the list goes on. As well, there Look to the few essential federal Here is the question. If it’s the unlike any we have endured in will be the impacts of social isola- government employees work- right thing to do now, why not recent generations. right thing to do now, tion. Social distancing, or distant ing together to see evidence of continue the collaboration after We will get through it by pro- why not continue the socializing, as some have termed what is possible. Or look to the we get through this crisis? tecting each other, by reimagining it, may be the impactful learning numerous Indigenous organiza- Imagine a Parliament known community to include all of us. collaboration after we for many as we realize just how tions combining forces to ensure for its cogent discussion and de- And we will be changed by it, we important the daily interaction is the most effective communica- bate of ideas, in which Parliamen- will learn from it. There are all get through this crisis? for our mental health. tions possible to combat CO- tarians modelled how to agree sorts of measures for contagion The shutdown of shops, VID-19, which is being done for and disagree with each other, and and the curve. Let’s also measure restaurants, and businesses is First Nations, Inuit, and Métis modelled respectful debate for how contagious is community necessary to protect our health communities, to see what is pos- our children? and collaboration. Be the carrier. system, elders and seniors. So we sible. Imagine a health system Rose LeMay is Tlingit from the work from home, or we cope at In this week, we will see the in which a national pharmacy West Coast and the CEO of the home, or a mix of both. So many sense of “community” fundamen- program was built because the Indigenous Reconciliation Group. people are working or coping tally change from “my commu- federal, provincial, and territorial She writes twice a month about from home that the miraculous nity” to include all of us. Barriers governments continued their col- Indigenous inclusion and recon- has occurred—the LRT is meeting drop when we are faced with a laboration and skills to work well ciliation. In Tlingit worldview, the demand! shared enemy. The perceived dif- together. stories are the knowledge system, But seriously, it’s a crisis that ferences between my community Imagine a new Indigenous sometimes told through myth Rose LeMay is almost beyond description, due and your community drop. People health system built across juris- and sometimes contradicting the to its breadth of impact across work together at times like these, dictions, even blatantly ignored myths told by others. But always Stories, Myths, and Truths so many aspects of policy and because it’s the right thing to do. jurisdictions, because this is what with at least some truth. daily life. We don’t even know Canadians are already model- is needed to address the health The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 5 COVID-19 Isolation is the new normal His government’s handling of the situ- Nor were we warned to self-isolate when public health system to respond in a coor- Prime Minister Justin ation to date has the potential to enhance we reached our fi nal destination. dinated fashion. Many Americans have no his political capital. It was a totally different story when health care, and they are obviously at risk Trudeau is getting an Daily press availability and the major we arrived in Canada. We were ques- when it comes to curbing the transmission national stimulus package could calm the tioned at the border about health symp- curve. early shot at the new form growing fears of worried Canadians. toms and travel history, and then given China is now in recovery mode but, of communication. Self- Trudeau’s new beard has been gray- an information sheet with all of the con- according to media reports, hospitals ing quickly, given the nature of the tact numbers for reporting any potential across the United States have been ask- isolation has not prevented stresses he must be feeling at his wife’s infection. ing health professionals to reuse single- side while she manages her infection. We were asked to undertake a voluntary use masks. him from getting his The graying has added a hint of gravitas 14-day self-isolation plan, and signed a Beaches in Florida are still packed with to what is obviously a very grave situa- form agreeing to do so. young people who appear to be generally message out. tion. The Canadian message is clear. In order ignoring the warning to stay home. And I was a late comer to the panic room. to stem the fl ow of the virus, we all need bars in New York are still operating, with But I could not responsibly ignore the to limit social contact as much as possible. state governor Andrew Cuomo stating appeal of Canada’s foreign minister to get But the same warnings do not seem to have publicly that he will not exercise his legal back home. made their way to some parts of the United options to keep people home. Last week, I was hoping to continue States. At home, the prime minister is consider- plans for a two-week anniversary cruise, An American friend just underwent a ing all options, including the implemen- but the request by the Canadian gov- mastectomy operation in Houston and she tation of a War Measures Act to ensure ernment to get back home could not be actually went out to celebrate the sur- compliance with social distancing requests. ignored. gery at an Irish bar with her family on St. The thought of spending months in My husband and I managed to get Patrick’s Day. She seemed oblivious to the isolation is not something anyone looks waitlisted on one of the last international notion that her own health could be at risk forward to. Sheila Copps fl ights still landing in Ottawa, and after by gathering in a bar. Netfl ix has been bending under the Copps’ Corner travelling for two days, arrived to a ghost Most Canadian bars and restaurants are weight of millions of downloaders. The town last Tuesday. closed but it seems to be business as usual strain on their system has been so great It is worth mentioning that Canadian in some parts of the United States. that they just eliminated high defi nition TTAWA—Social distancing to a politi- border offi cials appear a lot more prepared An aggressive Canadian lockdown may transmission in favour of preserving band- Ocian is akin to a hand sanitizer ban for to manage this crisis than our American limit the spread here, but the laissez-faire width. Being restricted in close quarters germaphobes. counterparts. approach of some American states could can also be a challenge for families. Politicians thrive on contact with people. En route to Canada, we transited have a negative rebound effect on our Puzzles and games have been fl ying off But in the new normal, public fi gures through two American airports, landing country. As of last Thursday, there were store shelves, purchased by harried parents may have to learn to campaign in a germ- fi rst in San Francisco and next in Washing- 736 confi rmed cases of the coronavirus looking to keep their children busy. free bubble. ton. in Canada, while in the United States, the Isolation is the new normal. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is getting In neither airport was there a single reported number of infections surpassed Sheila Copps is a former Jean Chrétien- an early shot at the new form of communi- reference, verbal or written, to the corona- 11,000. era cabinet minister and a former deputy cation. Self-isolation has not prevented him virus. We were not asked whether we had The difference in infection rate may be prime minister. from getting his message out. experienced a cough, or any symptoms. partially explained by the capacity of a The Hill Times

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2890.03 - Hill Times AD.indd 1 3/11/2020 2:32:15 PM 6 MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES COVID-19

itative health offi cial ever. Born in Canada's chief public Hong Kong and educated in the health officer Theresa U.K., she delivers the warnings in Tam, pictured at a way that is straightforward and the National Press non-threatening. Theatre in Ottawa Her deputy is Dr. Howard on March 16, 2020. Njoo, a veritable global citizen She has to be the born in Europe and raised in coolest, calmest, and Canada, of Chinese-Indonesian- most authoritative Southeast Asian origin. health official ever. Dr. Horacio Arruda is direc- Born in Hong Kong tor of public health of Quebec. and educated in the Dr. Wajid Ahmed is the medical U.K., she delivers offi cer of health for Windor-Essex the warnings in a way and Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang is Waterloo that is straightforward region’s medical offi cer of health and non-threatening, are among the top health authori- writes Andrew ties across Canada. Cardozo. The Hill The faces on TV are numer- Times photograph by ous. Dr. Peter Lin, whose calm- Andrew Meade ing dulcet tones grace CBC TV and radio, is called the CBC House Doctor. Dr. Samir Sinha is director of geriatrics at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto and Dr. Susy Hota is a University of Toronto academic. Dr. Sumon Chakrabarti is an infectious dis- eases specialist in Mississauga and Dr. Samir Gupta is a clini- cian-scientist at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Mi- chael’s Hospital, oh yes, there’s that other billionaire immigrant, Li Ka Shing. Dr. Nisha Thampi is A crisis brings strengths into focus: head of Infection Control at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa. Dr. Abdu Sharkawy, infectious disease government, health care, the online specialist with Toronto’s Univer- sity Health Network frequently appears on CTV. We would be woefully under- work world, and diversity in Canada staffed if it were not for the thou- sands of immigrants throughout several fronts. To the extent there the economy, employment, and Working remotely, and managing the system, all the Filipina and Government can be a is criticism, it is that the govern- income support, and we should be remote workers is suddenly the Caribbean nurses, for example. ment is not doing enough or fast trying to provide a “basic income” norm. Something for Quebec to watch huge force for good— enough. for Canadians. Isn’t it time we Oh and hand washing. My closely—they may want to extend Whether it’s health care, move our whole system to one of unscientifi c observations over the a more immigrant-friendly wel- in fact, it’s the only income support, business support, ensuring a basic income for all years is that one-third of men do come mat and suspend Bill 21 for central force for some immigration or national security Canadians permanently? not wash their hands after, you a while. and diplomacy; it’s government, Then there’s working from know. Yes, ladies, sorry to reveal Overall, we are also seeing a time to come. government, government. home. It’s the big new thing. the dirty truth. I hear on the large number of women in top As the female side of spots in public health across crisis started the ledger that the country. In addition to Dr. to unravel, we fi gure is close Tam and Dr. Wang noted above, were seeing to zero per these include Dr. Bonnie Henry, situations of cent. And those British Columbia’s high-profi le Americans not remaining provincial health offi cer; Dr. going for tests two-thirds— Patricia Daly, her counterpart for as it could only one-third Vancouver; Dr. Deena Hinshaw, cost several uses soap. My chief medical offi cer of health hundred dol- male friends for Alberta (who is leading from lars for each generally agree her home, in quarantine); and Dr. Andrew Cardozo person. Not that these Jessica Hopkins, Peel’s medical New Communications so in Canada. proportions are offi cer of health. Never. That’s accurate. And, of course, at the political why we have Now we level, we are seeing the COVID TTAWA—Some things are a universal men are 100 cabinet committee, led by Deputy Obecoming clear through the system and per cent wash- Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, COVID-19 crisis. First, govern- not a two-tier ing with soap, and the competent and always ment can be a huge force for system, which at least I hope. informative Health Minister Patty good—in fact, it’s the only central some people That is a huge Hajdu. force for some time to come. Sec- so desire. and sudden Lastly, the CBC. While the ond, we are very fortunate to have And even progress. private networks are doing a a strong health-care system, and if you re- But wash- great job, the CBC-Radio Canada it’s a good thing we don’t have a ally don’t care ing hands after is performing at its best. CBC confusing, two-tier system. Third, about your washroom News Network and ICI RDI are governments can effectively help less fortunate use is just providing stellar services, which Howard Njoo, Canada’s deputy chief public health officer, pictured on March with income. Fourth, we are be- fellow citizens, one element not only provide news about who 16, 2020, at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa, is ‘a veritable global citizen ing kicked and dragged into the the prospect of hygiene. is doing what, but provide a lot of born in Europe and raised in Canada, of Chinese-Indonesian-Southeast Asian online world really fast—virtu- of potential We are likely information to viewers to help us origin,’ writes Andrew Cardozo. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade ally and through remote work. carriers of to become understand what COVID-19 is all Fifth, we have become a lot more the virus a whole lot about and how we need to defend hygienic. Sixth, it is clear that a not being diagnosed meant that It’s no more a nice thing to do, more hygienic—although I hope ourselves. The demonstrations on good part of the success of our they would continue to carry it with all sorts of environmental not overly so, or we will lose any how to wash your hands could health-care system is our diver- and spread it around—to selfi sh and family benefi ts. It’s a neces- built-up immunities. not have been more valuable. sity—the women and men of vari- people included. sity. It has to happen, now, right The diversity of our top health In these troubled times, it ous origins who make the system Isn’t it time we move to away, and as across the board as offi cials is suddenly evident. It seems helps to see the silver linings and run so well come from a range universal pharmacare so people humanly possible. Who knew? A there is no other area of expertise the strong system we have in of origins. Lastly, a strong public who get the virus do not have transition that started perhaps a where so many women and men of place. broadcaster makes a difference. to worry about paying for the decade ago and was slowly mov- various origins have risen to the top. Andrew Cardozo is president Almost no one is criticizing drugs required? And the areas ing along, will literally become Dr. Theresa Tam has to be the of the Pearson Centre. government for taking action on of public policy should include mainstream in a matter of days. coolest, calmest, and most author- The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 7 COVID-19 Journal from isolation: what happens now?

Travellers, Two parents, two kids, pictured at 4 health (and sanity) on the p.m. on March 14, 2020, at line. What could go wrong? the Ottawa International Airport arriving on Air Transat flight 2855 from Cancun to Ottawa, and several others line up to see an immigration officer. The Peter Mazereeuw Hill Times photograph Opinion by Peter Mazereeuw n hindsight, I chose a poor time to take a Ivacation. My wife and I fl ew to a resort in Can- cun, Mexico, on the morning of March 10, to get some much-needed R&R while my parents watched our children, aged four and (almost) two. isolate. My wife found out fi rst, from her so far, and I suspect it’s because there simply rus before boarding fl ights, and barred from As we packed our bags the evening workplace. I saw this repeated on social are no good answers they can offer. Parents travelling into the country if they show signs before we left, the trip still seemed like a media, but it took a while to confi rm it on can infect children, and vice versa (though of the virus—even Canadians. low-risk venture. There hadn’t been any Health Canada’s website. children seem to be tolerating the virus quite The government also banned all but confi rmed cases of COVID-19 in Ottawa, Two weeks working from home in my well). Young children nonetheless need pa- four Canadian airports from accepting in- where we live and work. There were no trav- pyjamas? Under normal circumstances, it’s rental contact and adult supervision. ternational fl ights: Toronto’s Pearson Inter- el advisories related to the virus for Mexico, tough for a reporter to work from home, Closing schools and daycares will limit national, Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau only for those returning from China, Hong but these were not normal circumstances: the spread of the virus, and also pull a huge International, Vancouver International, and Kong, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Parliament had shut down, and no one number of parents away from work—no Calgary International. northern Italy, and Iran, or those planning wanted to hold meetings or exchange doubt including health care professionals. The airport virus factories have now, on taking a cruise. I hadn’t seen any news face-to-face gossip with reporters. Maybe it Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced hopefully, been closed. stories about the virus spreading widely in wouldn’t be so bad? Monday that Canada was closing its borders Peter Mazereeuw is deputy editor of Mexico, and the government was not advis- Wrong again, when I refl ected a little to foreign nationals, excluding Americans The Hill Times. ing against travel there (except for all of the more deeply and concluded (correctly) that and some members of air crews. He said all [email protected] places under threat of gang violence). our daycare provider would be closing her air travellers will now be screened for the vi- The Hill Times By the second day of my vacation, Ot- doors to our little ones amid the crisis (as tawa had its fi rst case of COVID-19, and on she should have). the following day, its second and third— Working from home with young children who happened to be Sophie Grégoire for (at least) two weeks is going to be a chal- Trudeau. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau lenge, to put it mildly. But hold on—aren’t put himself into isolation that day, while I my wife and I supposed to be self-isolating? sipped on tequila in balmy weather. Health Canada’s website has plenty of That same day, unbeknownst to me, information about how to wall oneself off Global News published a story quoting from human contact to prevent the spread Mexican health offi cials who were skepti- of COVID-19. It’s not so clear on what
  cal of the low number of cases reported you should do if the other humans in your in Mexico at that time—12 as of March house rely on you for survival. Must we Premium Quality Home Care from Freiheit Care Inc. 12—warning that many more cases could isolate ourselves from our kids to prevent be circulating there undetected. Global also them from getting the virus? Should they, quoted a public health expert in Ontario, Dr. and my parents, in turn isolate themselves Jeff Kwong, who advised that “going to re- from others? How should I treat them, or sorts might not be the best idea right now.” myself, if we get sick with the virus? Does Too late for me. it matter that my daughter has a mild, I returned from my vacation as sched- chronic respiratory condition? uled on March 14, and ran into a wall of It’s harder to get answers to those ques- fellow travellers waiting to gain entry to tions. Public health telephone hotlines are Canada at Ottawa’s International Airport. drowning in calls, and for most people are They must be screening for the virus, I effectively inaccessible. Upon close inspec- thought to myself, and snapped a photo of tion, the Health Canada website does pro- the crowd to send to my father, who was vide answers to some of those questions, waiting to pick us up from the airport. though they aren’t always reassuring. Wrong. Can I potentially pass on the virus, even It turned out the airport just didn’t have if I don’t have any symptoms? The answer, enough border offi cers to deal with travellers it seems, is that experts don’t know. from several international fl ights that had ar- “We are currently investigating if the vi- rived in short succession. The closest thing to rus can be transmitted to others if someone screening for COVID-19 was an extra question is not showing symptoms. While experts on the electronic form we had to fi ll out while in believe that it is possible, it is considered to line: had we been to China, Iran, or Italy lately? be rare,” says the Health Canada website. Ironically, that airport immigration “There are no specifi c treatments for lineup was a tailor-made virus factory. illnesses caused by human coronaviruses. Hundreds of people waiting in close quar- Most people with common human corona- ters, shoulder-to-shoulder, breathing and virus illnesses will recover on their own,” coughing on one another. Electronic kiosks reads another section. that each traveller had to touch repeatedly If that’s true, is there any point in get- in order to gain entry (hand sanitizer was ting myself tested for COVID-19 if I—al- on offer for those so inclined.) No instruc- ready in isolation—do experience symp- tions, at that point, to self-isolate. toms of the virus? I haven’t found a clear So off we went, we merry several-hun- answer to that question yet. I imagine there Contact Freiheit Care Inc. today. dred travellers, to spread through the city is a trade-off between the value of keep- willy-nilly. ing public health agencies informed, and freiheit.ca | 613-518-8258 It was only the next morning that I the risk of unnecessarily exposing others discovered that the government’s advice along my path to the testing centre. Most insurance providers cover professional home care services. had changed, and travellers from ALL The question of childcare is not being suf- Services aussi disponibles en français. countries were now being advised to self- fi ciently addressed by public health offi cials 8 MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES

EDITOR Kate Malloy MANAGING EDITOR Charelle Evelyn PUBLISHED EVERY MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY BY PUBLISHERS Anne Marie Creskey, DEPUTY EDITORS Peter Mazereeuw, Laura Ryckewaert HILL TIMES PUBLISHING INC. Jim Creskey, Ross Dickson ASSISTANT DEPUTY EDITOR Abbas Rana 246 Queen Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5E4 GENERAL MANAGER, CFO Andrew Morrow DIGITAL EDITOR Beatrice Paez

Editorial Letters to the Editor Co-operation, but not ‘kumbaya’ will be what gets us through COVID-19: it may be here are times when Canadians can crats will provide the necessary votes to Tlook at the House of Commons as a pass these measures in Parliament.” a very long process fi ne example of how not to model behav- Some, including former Conservative iour. Question Period, in particular, can be MP and cabinet minister Tony Clement, he COVID-19 crisis will not be over have to fi rst become infected, with the a frustrating exercise in head shaking at have said now is the time for Mr. Trudeau Tsoon and it could be years before resulting big mortality numbers. how juvenile a room full of grown adults to open the doors of government to politi- it is. Here are perhaps four timelines: In the meantime, each and every one comport themselves. cal opponents. 1. Maybe it will last for a few months, of us will have to: follow the advice of the In his remarks in December as he accept- “At no time since the Second World if new treatment drugs are developed. medical authorities (cleanliness, social ed the vote of his colleagues to the position War have Canadians been asked for so There seems to be some close to, or actu- distancing); give our support to those on of Speaker of the House, Liberal Anthony much for the common welfare,” Mr. Clem- ally in, human testing. There will still be the front lines (health care and emergen- Rota had this to say: “I ask one favour of all ent tweeted on March 19. “Therefore, I issues of cost and availability. 2. Maybe it cy service workers, food and other retail Members: to just think every time they get call upon the opposition parties to bury will last for four or fi ve months, if it just workers); and give what help we can to up and to make sure that our friends, family, the hatchet and for Justin Trudeau to form runs its course. Cases may be “plateau- the more fragile seniors, the ill, the eco- children, and parents are all proud of us a national government with the opposi- ing” in China. In time, and with the help nomically vulnerable, and the parents of when we are in the House. That is all I ask.” tion. We’re all in this together!” of containment measures, in four or fi ve children who have no schools, community Mr. Rota has had to refer back to these It’s a nice sentiment, but that’s prob- months, it may just fi zzle out. 3. Maybe it programs, or libraries (and the children words numerous times since then, at- ably a step too far. The country can only will last for 18 months, if a new vaccine is themselves). It will not be easy, but acting tempting to appeal to the better angels of benefi t from an arms-length opposition available. There are some under develop- together, with diligence, caring, sharing, MPs’ nature, the same way a kindergarten that holds the government to account ments, but they take time and money to wisdom, personal sacrifi ce, patience and teacher’s pleas for their charges to not eat while at the same time, working together test for effectiveness and safety. 4. It last time, we can get through this. We have no paste fall on deaf ears. to improve the supports that are being for several years (maybe three to fi ve) if, other choice! But as the country grapples with a rolled out at an unprecedented pace. society builds group immunity. But that Ian C. MacLeod never-before-seen pandemic, we’ve en- To wit, Mr. Singh’s letter to the prime probably means the majority of us will Richmond, B.C. countered a level of rarely seen collabora- minister, while committing to supporting tion between politicians of all stripes that votes, it also made clear that the NDP is absolutely a model for others. was pushing for additional and alterna- For the most part, regardless of the co- tive measures. lours of their party’s fl ag, MPs, MPPs, MLAs, “Make no mistake, New Democrats We should all hope and pray mayors, and councillors across the country will continue to push for more help for have been willing set aside disagreement for Canadians as this crisis continues. We politics’ sake and fi nd common ground to believe that much more will need to be coronavirus does not emulate ensure that Canada and its citizens come out done to help Canadians in the coming on the other side of COVID-19. months. We will continue to advocate for On March 19, NDP Leader Jagmeet the many Canadians who will continue to polio outbreak of 1950s Singh sent a letter to Prime Minister Justin fall through the cracks,” Mr. Singh wrote. Trudeau promising that his party would “Millions of Canadians are counting he coronavirus virus brings to mind, all hope and pray this current virus does not stand in the way of the emergency fi - on us,” he concluded. Tfor those old enough to remember, not emulate that dreadful disease which nancial measures the Liberals announced Non-partisanship and working to- the polio outbreak of the early 1950s devastated so many families and commu- for individuals and businesses affected by gether is the correct move right now and which left an untold number of Cana- nities back then. the pandemic that require legislation. everyone has a role to play, especially the dians dead and others sick for life, with Emile Thérien Mr. Singh’s letter said that he was “com- opposition. Millions are counting on it. many confi ned to “iron lungs.” We should Ottawa, Ont. mitting to [Mr. Trudeau] that New Demo- The Hill Times Canadian Forces should bring Canadians home, says Palmer couple days ago, in regard to stranded radio, etc., to advise stranded Canadians ACanadians, I sent tweets out to CTV when and where these fl ights would and also a message to Prime Minister be going so stranded Canadians could Justin Trudeau saying they should perhaps make their way to a nearby designated initiate a Canadian Forces Airlift Opera- airport. tion to bring these Canadians home. As a logistics senior NCO in the mili- As the subject line indicates, I dubbed tary, I believe that this would be worth it “Operation Covid-19 Come From Away,” doing as soon as possible. not that it matters what it is called, just And as usual, on arrival back at do it. Let’s get our stranded Canadians Trenton, Ont., they would all have to be home. quarantined for 14 days or whatever Using our C-17 Globe-Masters, the other measures may at that time need to fl ight(s) could do designated circuits to be implemented. a number of cities overseas to land and Of note: the Canadian Forces should pick up stranded Canadians (with valid have the necessary biological clothing passports) and bring them home. and breathing apparatus to use if deemed A team of a doctor, nurse, medics necessary for such a mission. could be on hand to test and/or assist if Dave W. Palmer anyone has COVID-19. Nepean, Ont. We could publicly announce using all (The letter-writer is a 20-year veteran means of media, email, tweets, texts, TV, of the Canadian Armed Forces).

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Public Safety Everyone needs to be Minister Bill Blair, rowing in the same Transpsort Minister Marc direction. Well-paid Garneau, and well-insulated and Deputy Prime Minister critics, sniping from Chrystia Freeland, the sidelines, need pictured on March 16, to put their outrage 2020, at the in park. Spats over National Press Theatre in the carbon tax, Ottawa. The Hill Times immigration policy, photograph by and defi cits will all Andrew Meade re-emerge after the worst is over. They just don’t seem as important all of a sudden. is also part of a family “dealing cold that, fortunately, proved not to for continuing to allow irregular In the meantime, while with COVID-19 personally. Thank be corona virus. These women, and migrants to cross our borders, Trudeau’s action may quell the you for your leadership in trying their employees, labour in obscu- inferring they are carriers of the complaints of his right-wing times.” rity most of the time, but have risen dreaded virus. This is nothing critics, the government’s origi- That is class. It is also an to an unprecedented challenge less than race-baiting, given that nal plan—to test and quaran- acknowledgement that there is when called upon. many of those mostly African, or tine all irregular arrivals—may little public patience for opposi- So have the thousands of re- Central American, arrivals are have been more effective in tion carping— notwithstanding tired, or semi-retired, nurses who no more, or less, likely to carry containing the virus. Nor have occasional wobbles in the federal have answered calls in Quebec the virus than the fl ood of mostly we heard an emphatic declara- response—in the midst of a crisis and Ontario, to help their over- white snowbirds returning last tion from the prime minister that is personal for many. That burdened colleagues by staffi ng week from Florida. that viruses do not distinguish Susan Riley may be why the usually astrin- tele-health lines and, in some But it is an ugly trope and on the grounds of race, or that Impolitic gent Conservative Leader Andrew cases, relieve exhausted profes- Bernier’s emergence—after a po- the asylum seekers were no Scheer has been conspicuously sionals on the front lines. Their litical career as a libertarian—can more likely to infect others than silent for much of the past week. selfl essness is humbling. no longer be blamed on a posse the thousands of white snow- HELSEA, QUE.—After the He’s mostly of over-zealous birds returning to Canada from Cvirus is gone—and it will limited himself The present crisis supporters. More Florida last week. go—will life, particularly po- to tweeting has produced serious, is that That said, there are legitimate litical life, be any different? Will general support some astonishing the complaint questions for government as it ideology, of any stripe, look like for the $82-bil- reversals. Ontario has been echoed responds on the fl y. Shouldn’t the clumsy, rigid tool that it is, lion in federal Premier Doug by Peter MacKay, businesses eligible for the wholly inappropriate for dealing “measures to put Ford, pictured in leading contend- recently announced $55-billion with the mess of a real-life crisis? more money in this file photo, for er in the ongoing in relief be asked for something Will the shared sense of purpose, Canadian pock- example, praising Conservative in return—more investment in the empathy for those leading ets during this the federal party leadership green energy, a commitment to the response, hold—and for how diffi cult time.” government’s race. (Remember remain in Canada and not lay off long? Will politics return to the Good. But he initial response that?) In a tweet workers, or close down plants, in mean-spirited, vicious game that also wants “clean and offering any last week, MacK- the near future? In the past, both it has lately become as the weeks timelines” so help his province ay complained automakers and steel plants have drag on? Canadians will could provide, that, “instead of taken generous public bailouts We won’t know for a while— know when their writes Susan turning people only to move jobs elsewhere and, sadly, history is not encour- cash is coming. Riley. The Hill away, we are let- once the 2008-2009 recession aging in this regard. But, in the That is a Times photograph ting them in and eased. meantime, the present crisis has fair question, by Andrew Meade paying for their Wouldn’t direct cheques to produced some astonishing rever- and also, given health care. … workers who have lost shifts, or sals. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, the speed with This must stop.” jobs, be quicker than making any- for example, praising the federal which events are His chief rival, one apply through the cumber- government’s initial response and unfolding and the sheer bulk and The contrast with the United Erin O’Toole, echoed the call to some EI system? And, shouldn’t offering any help his province complexity of government—any States could not be more stark. “secure the border.” So did Bloc this moment prod government could provide. Alberta Premier government—it is hard to answer. U.S. President Donald Trump, a Québécois Leader Yves-François to look at the economic crisis Jason Kenney, thanking the fed- It is probably better to trust that man with no discernible inter- Blanchet, playing to an undercur- buried under the health hyste- eral government for its “very good an army of dedicated and experi- est in anything beyond his own rent of xenophobia in Quebec. ria: the crash of oil prices and fi rst measures” and, arch fi scal enced public servants, federal and image and investments, trots To everyone’s surprise, consequences for Alberta and the conservative that he is, calling provincial, are working day and out U.S. experts with the sole Trudeau agreed to close the entire economy? If there was ever for more, not less, government night to get the money into the aim of adding lustre to his own border to asylum seekers late a propitious time for transition to spending. right hands as soon as humanly performance. As in so many last week as a temporary and a green economy, this is it—cer- In fact, the sight of a pre- possible. areas, Trump is over his head, extraordinary measure. This is, tainly better rather than another mier engaged in a war with the In fact, one heartening element and, unlike Canada’s prime apparently, part of a reciprocal bailout for Big Oil. province’s doctors over wages, in a worrying time, is the defer- minister, premiers and cabinet agreement with the U.S. intended But for now, everyone needs suddenly putting forward his own ence being paid, by politicians of ministers, he lacks the empathy to severely limit all non-essential to be rowing in the same direc- relief package to fi ll gaps left by all stripes, to the capable, calm and and seriousness that the moment cross-border traffi c. tion. Well-paid and well-insulated Ottawa, and, like other premiers, apparently tireless public health demands. This move comes despite critics, sniping from the sidelines, expressing respect and gratitude offi cials who are providing daily, if Not that we should be smug. Canada’s international legal need to put their outrage in park. for Alberta’s public health de- not hourly, briefi ngs to an anxious As more people fall ill, as families obligation to accept those claim- Spats over the carbon tax, im- fenders, is a lot to take in. public. British Columbia’s chief miss paycheques, child care, and ing refugee status and adjudicate migration policy, defi cits will all Then there are ordinary MPs, public health offi cer, Dr. Bonnie normal life, social cohesion may their cases before sending them re-emerge after the worst is over. including Vancouver-area New Henry, has developed a national begin to fray. And there are always home. As well, the threat remains They just don’t seem as important Democrat, Don Davies, who profi le, as has her federal counter- malign elements ready to exploit that closing the Roxham Road all of a sudden. tweeted his good wishes to Justin part, Dr. Theresa Tam, along with anxiety for their own ends. entry in Quebec will only send Susan Riley is a veteran politi- Trudeau last week, noting that other provincial health ministers, We have already seen Max- asylum seekers to other cross- cal columnist who writes regu- the prime minister is “not only including Alberta’s Dr. Deena Hin- ime Bernier, for instance, de- ings along our long, undefended larly for The Hill Times. dealing with a national crisis,” but shaw, who isolated herself with a nounce the federal government border. The Hill Times 10 MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES COVID-19 There’s one incontrovertible fact about pandemic that’s both admirable and puzzling

ums are as empty as the caverns In fact, since that document was defi es the strictures of the fi fteen Somehow, a bigger tent has to be While the fi ght against of the moon. signed in 2015, 35 banks worldwide minute news cycle. There is talk created. Borders world-wide are clos- have lent more than $2-trillion to of dire consequences—if we don’t COVID-19 suggests a way. The a single, deadly virus ing like fl ower petals on a cold the fossil fuel industry, $975-billion reach a zero carbon position by world is transfi xed by the health night. of it to the 100 companies most ag- 2050. threat this virus represents. has united the world As for social gatherings, even gressively seeking out new hydro- The UN’s Intergovernmental Could the same case be made for on what can only be funerals have been cancelled in carbon resources. Panel on Climate Change warns climate change and global warm- Washington state, a hotbed of the That is strange. that there is only a decade or so ing? It most certainly can. described as a war coronavirus outbreak. People like former governor to get carbon emissions under According to the Centers for The Day the Earth Stood Still of the Bank of England, Mark control. Disease Control and Prevention, footing, the biggest is no longer a black and white Carney, have said that the vast In a world where families climate change has a direct effect sci/fi fl ick from yesteryear with majority of known reserves of struggle to survive day to day, on human health. It will intensify players on the planet Michael Rennie in a funny space fossil fuels are “unburnable.” something that might happen de- existing health threats depend- continue to snooze suit. It is the stuff of the evening At least they are if the world cades from now simply doesn’t top ing on a person’s age, economic news with earthlings in hazmat is to keep global warming at or their to-do list. That allows govern- resources, and location. on the monumental suits. The current stasis hasn’t below 2 degrees Celsius. So why ments to get by with token efforts These health affects include been caused by an alien who do we need more fossil fuels? If to sustain the environment while “increased respiratory and threat of global has landed in Manhattan, but a Carney is right, the banks are maintaining the status quo—Prime cardiovascular disease, injuries deadly virus for which there is no fi nancing nothing short of a Minister Justin Trudeau’s “having and premature deaths related to warming. vaccine and few defences—other planetary demise, in the name of it both ways” approach. extreme weather events, changes than washing your hands and blowing Earth’s carbon budget Then there is the nerdy side of in the prevalence and geographic sheltering in place. for profi t. making the case for climate ac- distribution of food and water

Michael Harris Harris

ALIFAX—I am neither a sci- Hentist or a doctor, so I don’t really know if governments are saving us from COVID-19. If words were deeds, we would already be saved 10 times over. But there is one incontrovert- ible fact about the pandemic that is both admirable and puzzling. Let’s start with the admirable. The virus has focused the at- tention of the world on a single threat as rarely seen before—the Pearl Harbour of medical emer- gencies. It has also galvanized country after country into taking actions that can only be called Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, Transport Minister Marc Garneau, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Health Minister Patty Hajdu, Treasury Board draconian. President Jean-Yves Duclos, and moderator Toronto Star reporter Bruce Campion-Smith, pictured on March 16, 2020, at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa. Democratic governments The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade usually work slowly, prisoners of the very process that confers Fear, of course, is the great You would think that with the tion, a tough sell in the age of the borne illnesses and other infec- our freedoms. Suddenly, they motivator of this unprecedented small, blue planet running a fever simple answer. tious diseases, and threats to are racing ahead at super-luminal global effort. For most, there is no the way COVID-19 victims do, What does it matter if the mental illness.” speed on massive issues, scour- fear quite like the fear of dying. governments would unite to hit temperature in 2019 rose 0.98 There is a reason that the ing old emergency legislation Hence the motivational power their national emission targets; percent Celsius? So what if nine- American Medical Association for more executive powers, and of COVID-19. pull together on sustainable en- teen of the twenty warmest years and the Royal College of General assuring everyone they will be If there is one thing history ergy; and serve divorce papers on on record have occurred since Practitioners have both passed taken care of. The reassurances has taught, it is that viruses are our troubled marriage with fossil 2001? You say the ice-caps are resolutions calling for divestment are needed. extraordinarily effi cient killers. fuels. melting? That might excite the in fossil fuel companies. Italy is now a giant ghost town The Black Death, the “Spanish” Flu, Instead, countries like Canada people at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Five years ago, the World by government fi at. Ebola, SARS, and the Zika virus reliably miss those emission Laboratory and the California Health Organization predicted The entire state of California, collectively killed hundreds of mil- targets, while espousing all the Institute of Technology. But it’s that global warming would kill home to 40 million people, is un- lions of people. With some experts right political sentiments—and still cold in Ottawa and Winnipeg 250,000 people a year from 2030 der governor’s lockdown. predicting as many as two million green-lighting new oil and gas and Chicago when the snow fl ies, to 2050. A new report in The New The governor of New York deaths in the United States from development. right? England Journal of Medicine says state has ordered all “non-essen- the current pandemic (the jury is UN Secretary General Antonio David Suzuki recently told me that is a “conservative estimate.” tial” workers to stay home. thankfully out on that one), it is no Guterres has often remarked that that environmentalists can’t save After all, global warming isn’t Presidential primaries have wonder the world is acting as one. the fi ght against climate change the environment; their tent is too the only thing that is killing us. been cancelled and democracy Now for the puzzling part. has been “utterly inadequate” so far. small and divided. Some want to There is also the destruction put on hold in places like Ohio. While the fi ght against a Worse, he has said that there is a save the oceans, others the polar of freshwater resources, ocean Everything from the Taj Mahal single, deadly virus has united real possibility that global warming bears, others still the forests, and acidifi cation, air pollution, and to the Louvre is padlocked. the world on what can only be could pass the “point of no return.” on it goes. deforestation. You can’t get a Pernod in a described as a war footing, the It is not surprising that “climate Bottom line? As a market- So wash your hands, and Paris cafe. biggest players on the planet con- emergency” is the Oxford Diction- ing campaign, the fi ght against keep your distance to be sure. You can’t get a gondola ride in tinue to snooze on the monumen- aries’ Word of the Year for 2019. global warming has failed, partly But if COVID-19 gets your knees Venice. tal threat of global warming. The So why the offi cial compla- by preaching to the converted, knocking, what we’re doing to You can’t watch an NHL United States, whose “war-time” cency compared to the frenzied and partly by making the subject the planet should have your hair match in Canada. president is belatedly leading reaction to COVID-19? a boutique issue and the prop- standing on end. Hopping over to Michigan to the charge against COVID-19, is For one thing, the descent of a erty of one political party. That Michael Harris is an award- take in a Piston’s or Wing’s game not even a signatory to the Paris planet into unimaginable climate has allowed politicians to dither winning author and journalist. is out. The stadiums and auditori- Climate Accord. chaos is a slow motion event that where they should be decisive. The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 11 Global Politicians are no match for a virus

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on March 17, 2020, holding a press conference outside the Rideau Cottage on the grounds of Rideau Hall. The prime minister and his children are in self- isolation since his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau tested positive for the coronavirus on March 12. Ms. Grégoire Trudeau is in self-isolation. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently Okay, maybe I’m not scared they communicated to a worried tive, that they’re always one step beyond the capacity for rational public. behind the virus. announced that, in order to combat the spread thought, but I’m anxious enough Now I’m part of the worried I mean, when Prime Minister to have severe worries and not public. Justin Trudeau recently an- of COVID-19, he was going to shut down the just about my dwindling supply of So when I turn on the TV to nounced that, in order to combat toilet paper. watch politicians explain how the spread of COVID-19, he was border to non-citizens, my gut reaction was After all, like everybody they’re dealing with COVID-19, going to shut down the border to ‘Great idea, but probably too late; why didn’t else, I’m hearing the horrifi c I’m seeking reassurance that they non-citizens, my gut reaction was news about what’s happening will keep me and my loved ones “Great idea, but probably too late; you take such action four weeks ago when it in hotspots like China, Italy and safe; I want to know that they’re why didn’t you take such action Iran; I’m hearing about how the competent, that they’re on top of four weeks ago when it might might have really helped?’ I must confess I’m virus is spiking here in Canada, I this crisis, that they’re going to have really helped?” keep hearing reports that things stop the virus. So yeah, it’s easy to get frus- viewing this crisis much diff erently than I’ve will only get worse before they In short, I want to have confi - trated and angry with our leaders get better, and while all this dence in my leaders. for not doing more. viewed others in the past, when I could be bad news is happening, I’m also And so far, that confi dence is But maybe such an emotional analytical, detached, and dispassionate when watching the stock market get hard to come by, since our leaders response is just a symptom of a hammered. seem to be outmatched by this modern mindset, a mindset which judging politicians on the skill with which they On top of that, I also have COVID-19 bug. has conditioned us to believe more personal concerns, as I Consider how, in a relative government can protect us from communicated to a worried public. Now I’m know several people who face instant, they went from assuring everything. high risk levels should they con- us that the risk this virus posed to If so, this crisis is a wakeup part of the worried public. tract the virus; a brother who’s Canadians was “low,” to now issu- call, reminding us that our po- an asthmatic, a mother who’s ing orders that we basically shut litical leaders are not gods, that AKVILLE, ONT.—One of pushing 88 years old, friends and down the entire economy. when dealing with something as Othe best lines from the relatives who have low immune That’s not only a startling unprecedented as a new rampag- original Ghostbusters movie systems. shift in strategy and tone, but it ing virus, they’re probably going comes after the character Egon And heck, I’m no spring also lends credence to the idea to initially look unprepared Spengler (played by the late chicken, what if I get sick? that our political leaders actually Anyway, the good news is, it’s Harold Ramis) beholds the evil As a result of my various don’t have a handle on what’s not politicians who will end up god Gozer. anxieties, I must confess I’m happening, which, of course, is saving us from this terrible virus. Says Spengler: “I’m terrifi ed viewing this crisis much differ- hardly encouraging to worriers Our help will come from beyond the capacity for rational ently than I’ve viewed others like me. where it always comes from: hu- thought.” in the past, when I could be Plus, I can’t help but get the man ingenuity. Gerry Nicholls Well, that’s kind of how I’m analytical, detached, and dis- idea that in dealing with this Gerry Nicholls is a communi- Post-Partisan Pundit feeling right now in the midst of passionate when judging politi- crisis, government authorities are cations consultant. this Covid-19 crisis. cians on the skill with which being reactive rather than proac- The Hill Times 12 MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES COVID-19

need it, supporting sick leave, providing benefi ts for gig economy and other work- This is one of the big lessons of the ers who lose their jobs and lack benefi ts, backstopping businesses, especially small businesses, with loans and other supports, injecting fresh money into the healthcare current crisis: government matters system and medical research, and more, as well as lowering interest rates. So far, the Trudeau government has responded largely effectively, as have and public institutions matter provincial and municipal governments. The critical question is whether it will be enough and whether assistance to those who urgently need it can be delivered fast No one need be denied Bank of Canada Governor enough. testing or health care for Stephen Poloz, pictured in Yet there are also reasons to be cau- Ottawa on March 18, 2020, tiously optimistic. lack of money. We now have giving an update on the We have learned from the history of the financial measures to help Great Depression and the Great Recession. a better appreciation of the Canadians with the effects We have accumulated experience that can of COVID-19 pandemic. help guide us today. In the Great Depres- importance of government In many ways, the parallel sion of the 1930s, the crisis was prolonged and the regulatory state and is closer to 1929-30 and because of misguided policies. The Ca- the Great Depression than nadian Chamber of Commerce called for we are likely to see a comeback to 2008-09 and the Great balanced budgets as the cure, and coun- Recession. In fact, it is quite tries pursued protectionist policies that in support for eff ective possible our pandemic will were counterproductive. We now know that be worse than the Great these were exactly the wrong policies. government and a decline in Recession of a little more Today, we know that government must than a decade ago. Among use its fi scal muscle to the fullest extent support for small government. those most seriously affected possible and as soon as possible and that Collective action matters. will be young Canadians just social support systems matter. At the federal entering the job market, just level, we know that fi scal capacity is strong, as young Canadians were as the Parliamentary Budget Offi ce has severely impacted by the Great pointed out, so that at a time when many Recession of 2008-09, writes provinces are in a weak position, the federal David Crane. The Hill Times government is in a strong position to act. photograph by Andrew Meade This is one of the big lessons of the cur- rent crisis: government matters and public institutions matter. No one need be denied ORONTO—These are scary times, with Will COVID-19 largely disappear in testing or health care for lack of money. We Tno end in sight. While Canada has been a few months or will it extend well into now have a better appreciation of the im- more fortunate than many other countries, next year, before a vaccine can be publicly portance of government and the regulatory David Crane with relatively few cases of deaths from available? Are we approaching a peak in state and we are likely to see a comeback the virus, no one can say what the future reported cases or are we still far from it? in support for effective government and a Canada & the 21st Century may hold. Will we have to move to closed communi- decline in support for small government. ties where it ill be illegal to venture outside Collective action matters. except for food and medical supplies? A second advantage we have today is Could our health-care system handle a that the level of scientifi c knowledge and The Hill Times is pleased to announce the appointment of sharp surge in identifi ed cases? capability is much advanced, even from the Will the world face an economic depres- time of SARS in 2002-03. Even relatively sion far worse than the fi nancial crisis of simple advice, such as frequent washing 2007-08? Will countries work together to of hands, keeping a distance from others, seek global solutions or will we see a world avoiding crowds and self-isolation are of closed borders and beggar-thy-neigh- based on past experience, including our bour policies? experience with SARS, which killed 44 Layoffs are happening and many more people. Likewise, medical technologies, job losses will occur. Many Canadian fami- such as ventilators and testing systems are lies are living paycheque-to-paycheque much more advanced, one reason being and are already burdened, in many cases, advances in computer technology. with high debt. Gig economy workers have More important, the huge advances we no benefi ts and are torn between going to have made in genetics means we are much work while sick or losing the income to better equipped to decode viruses and pay rent and buy food. develop vaccines. In the case of COVID-19, Small businesses are shuttering and Chinese scientists were able provide many could go bankrupt as cash fl ow van- genetic information within days after Erveina Gosalci ishes. The major collapse of stock market COVID-19 being offi cially confi rmed and valuations and near-zero interest rates several dozen corporations and research Director of Business Development will severely affect retirees living off their institutions are busy now working, with savings. human trials, to develop effective vac- Loss of income and self-isolation will cines that could be available in 18 months, Erveina brings more than 16 years of work experience in education, mean less spending—and less spending though scaled-up production and distribu- by some means less income for since it is tion could take longer. NGOs, public diplomacy, human resources, and commercial law to The an economic reality that what one person But each crisis should also teach us Hill Times print and digital advertising department. She worked for the spends is income for another, putting the new lessons, just as the Great Depression British Council in Albania and as a consultant for the Youth Voice Group economy on a downward spiral. led to the New Deal and the Great Reces- We have no experience of a peacetime sion reminded us that regulation-light, or of the World Bank. Since 2009 she has been a member of the Youth economy where some sectors largely cease self-regulation in fi nancial markets, do not Communications Network at the World Health Organization. to function or shrink markedly—airlines, work and strict public oversight is needed. sports, and other public events, and tour- One of the most important lessons in She holds an LLM (Valedictorian) from the University of New York ism, and now automotive manufacturing, the current crisis is that we need much in Tirana, in International and Commercial Law. Her new role draws for example. And as we close borders, will better policies to provide living wages farmers be able to bring in the migrant and greater economic security for lower- on her expertise in policy messaging. The Hill Times is delighted works so essential for crop harvesting? income and vulnerable Canadians, includ- that she has joined its premier government relations and In many ways, the parallel is closer to ing those in the gig economy across all advocacy advertising department. 1929-30 and the Great Depression than to age groups, at a time when the nature of 2008-09 and the Great Recession. In fact, work is changing. Another is that we must it is quite possible our pandemic will be continue to invest in scientifi c research and worse than the Great Recession of a little preparedness for future pandemics. more than a decade ago. Among those These are testing times. We can be opti- most seriously affected will be young Ca- mistic over the longer term because human nadians just entering the job market, just ingenuity is our core strength. But it may also as young Canadians were severely impact- be that a new new-normal will follow as well. ed by the Great Recession of 2008-09. David Crane can be reached at crane@ www.hilltimes.com To be sure, governments are responding interlog.com. by providing essential cash for those who The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 13 Opinion A call for humility in national security ‘expertise’ I’d like to make a humble threats, but only if they are truly (the CSIS Act). Since CSIS and CSE rarely come knowledgeable. Hence, when out publicly to speak to us it often entreaty for humility. One thing I have tried to be approached to falls to others, formers and perhaps If you used to work for is consistent in since my retire- comment on academics, to fi ll the void. These ment from a 32-year career in these issues (by people have a valuable contribu- CSIS or an analogous national security in this country media, say) I tion to make, but only if it is truly is an honest assessment of what make it clear informed by actual knowledge or agency, be honest with I know and what I can contribute that I am not experience. Many have neither. your audience. Do not to the national dialogue. Some- the best person I’d like to make a humble what oddly, I have elected to to ask. I will entreaty for humility. If you used embellish or exaggerate remain active in commenting on sometimes to work for CSIS or an analogous your deeds or your these issues in the hopes that my agree to go on agency, be honest with your audi- perspectives are found useful to air, but am care- ence. Do not embellish or exagger- perspective. Do not speak some (hence this column in The RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki, pictured Sept. 17, ful not to sound ate your deeds or your perspective. to matters you really are Hill Times). There are not many of 2019, at RCMP Headquarters in Ottawa. The Hill Times authoritative. Do not speak to matters you really us in Canada. photograph by Andrew Meade Alas, some are not “expert” in. Do not lie. not ‘expert’ in. Do not lie. There are, of course, many of my former At the same time, there is things I cannot share even if I no I thus believe that I do indeed colleagues seem to have no prob- also an onus on the media in this longer have access to classifi ed have something of interest to say lem trying to come across on such regard. Just because you have suc- intelligence. Secret is secret, after on terrorism, particularly, when threats even though, and I know ceeded in getting a former spy to all: much of what I worked on has it comes to the threat here in this for a fact, they never worked have a conversation with you, do not been released more widely Canada and, more narrowly, with these tasks. They should know bet- not assume that person is a know- and I have a duty to protect sourc- respect to Islamist extremism (as ter but appear not to. Don’t worry, I it-all or has anything useful to add. es and methods. opposed to far-right terrorism). have no intention of naming them. Ask the person to elucidate what Nevertheless, I do acknowl- And yet I prefer not to be called an This is why I prefer not to be seen she or he did (there may be some edge that I did work in counter- ‘expert’ for reasons I will return to. as an ‘expert’. The term has been so hesitation, but there is no risk in terrorism for CSIS for 15 years CSIS has other investigative overused, especially in the post 9/11 admitting a focus on terrorism or and was part of a team that priorities aside from terrorism era, as to be meaningless. There are espionage). Try to ensure that your Phil Gurski carried out hundreds of inves- such as foreign espionage and so many pseudo experts out there ‘source’ is a reliable one. National Security tigations, some of which even- foreign interference: the latter now that we have entered a time That after all is how real intel- tually led to arrests (thanks to was the subject of a public release where it is hard to fi gure out what to ligence agencies operate. the RCMP, not CSIS), trials and by the NSICOP recently. I did not believe. I see this as dangerous. Phil Gurski is a former TTAWA—‘Experts’ can help convictions. I have been able to work on either of those tasks, both This is irresponsible at a mini- strategic terrorism analyst at OCanadians understand na- use that experience to write fi ve of which are part of the CSIS man- mum. Canadians deserve to have CSIS and cannot spell ‘cyber’. tional security and public safety books to date on terrorism. date as per Sec. 2 of its legislation the best advice available to them. The Hill Times

offi ce would only say that it does Part of the thrust of Bill C-58 a virus pervading every Canadian not track how many of its investi- was to put a damper on the rising government action. Upcoming access gations have moved towards inqui- number of requests, not to openly Bill C-58 required that the ries where orders can be issued. welcome and deal promptly with government deliver a report by Further, access to information them, while putting forward this June setting the tone of any records from Information Commis- sanitized government disclosures access-to-information changes. to information sioner Caroline Maynard’s offi ce outside access to information’s But with summer coming, reveal that only four requests from formal coverage. the Conservative leadership the government to bar access users The previously announced campaign underway, and press- for “frivolous and vexatious” infor- “second” phase of access changes ing public health, economic and changes? It’s a secret mation requests were received. The were designed to tinker with environment issues, will the statu- government suggested the number the exemptions and to consider tory review exercise, in the end, would be at least a few hundred, if adding a limited public interest amount to the bureaucrats getting The government review of the Access to Informa- not more, making it an important override clause to some exemp- to decide on further controlling tion Act is due in June, under feature of Bill C-58. tions claimed. what Canadians need to know? is staying mum the terms of the law passed by The four Prime Minister Bill C-58 in the last Parliament. agencies making Trudeau started Another COVID-19 causality: about a mandatory That’s getting close, but so far the those requests to his government’s access to information government is keeping its plans bar user access minority term in With the growing COVID-19 review of its about the access law to itself. were the Public the 43rd Parlia- crisis and federal employees be- The Trudeau government’s Sector Pension ment by say- ing told to work from home with previous changes changes to the Access to Infor- Investment Board, ing he wanted limited access to government to the Access to mation Act under Bill C-58 were the Canadian transparency, at fi les, the access-to-information given royal ascent last June, but Space Agency, the least in the case system is going into a temporary Information Act due are not producing much in the Canadian Dairy of what happened meltdown and shut down. way of transparency advances. Commission, and with Flight 752, Add this to already lengthy this summer. Bill C-58 allowed the govern- Canada Revenue suggesting that delays and backlogs. Expect re- ment to produce more sanitized Agency. the Iran govern- leases down the road to have more briefi ng notes “pro-actively”. In one case, Jean-Yves Duclos is president of ment take fuller exemptions, and reliance on only That’s a plus for controlling its the commis- the Treasury Board, and in charge responsibility for proactive government statements messaging but not that helpful for sioner agreed to of the government’s management shooting down and releases. revealing the workings of govern- bar access by a of the access to information the plane. The Here’s one sample of a gov- ment operations. person who had regime. The Hill Times Iranian govern- ernment access to information As well, Bill C-58 gave the fi led 893 requests photograph by Andrew Meade ment changed letter received: “In light of current information commissioner limited over the years, from denying events related to COVID-19, our order-making powers, but to date and a dozen more recently, that its missile downed the fl ight to capacity to process requests is that’s not made much of a differ- the commissioner found to be saying it was accidental, without limited, as well as the capacity of ence. The length of delays in re- repetitious. as yet providing full access to all parties involved in the retrieval Ken Rubin sponding to access requests keeps Maynard rejected two other re- information. Anger is still there of records and/or representations. Transparency increasing as does the number of quests to bar the individuals from among the families, friends, and This has an impact on our regular broad exemptions claimed. making access requests, given colleagues of Canadian victims, ATIP operations. With this in The commissioner has not insuffi cient evidence. One case and in Iran there are protests, and mind, we are placing your request TTAWA—A minority Parlia- issued any orders, though she involved an individual asking for information is being suppressed. on hold for the time being. …” Our Oment should want greater trans- was about to issue a deemed documents that had already been But to date in Canada, the apologies for the delay in com- parency, hold Prime Minister Justin refusal order against the RCMP. released, but covering a larger prime minister has not moved pleting your request. We thank Trudeau to account, and review his But at the last moment the RCMP time frame. The other case was a forward from his entrenched you in advance for your consider- false starts and fresh initiatives. agreed to produce some records. former employee requesting data secrecy positions, including on air ation and understanding.” That’s hard to do under current Expectations were that the in a way the institution judged to safety disclosures. No indication Ken Rubin follows transpar- access-to-information legislation. commissioner would already be be abusive. A fourth case has yet has been given that his govern- ency issues and is reachable at One chance to change that is issuing orders that count. When to be published on the commis- ment wants to repeal some of Bill kenrubin.ca fast approaching. A mandatory questioned, the commissioner’s sion website. C-58’s fl aws. Secrecy still acts like The Hill Times 14 MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Opinion Charging gray rhinos

Over the past three decades, Governments there have been many failed op- around the world portunities to take the necessary preventive steps to effectively are taking drastic handle these gray rhinos, but these opportunities were thwarted measures to respond by an ideology that downsized government, infl ated the power to COVID-19. Why and privilege of investors, and en- not climate change? forced a golden straitjacket to pro- tect business-as-usual while lifting all boats (some much more than others) which left us all in much more danger of extreme events that threaten societal collapse. Humankind’s greatest crisis coincides with the rise of an ide- Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson ology that makes it impossible to arrives for Question Period in Ottawa address. By the late 1980s, when on Feb. 27, 2020. The modest carbon it became clear that man-made tax implemented by Canada’s Liberal climate change endangered the government is an example of simply living planet and its people, tinkering around the margins of a global Bill Henderson the world was in the grip of an problem, writes Bill Henderson. The Hill Opinion extreme political doctrine whose Times photograph by Andrew Meade tenets forbid the kind of interven- tion required to arrest it. IBSONS, B.C.—The coronavi- “(W)e haven’t even started to so on. Anything more would risk not previously taken for short term the charge of the climate rhino. Grus is forcing us to learn valu- talk about white might be ‘pos- interfering with a society main- political or ideological reasons. We did not fl atten the curve. We able lessons. Sometimes govern- sible’ and are still mostly arguing tained for the wealthy in the name Look what is possible in an did not enforce the needed deep ments have to act, and quickly, in about what is ‘feasible without of market liberty and effi ciency. emergency if governments lead systemic change of reducing fos- protecting their citizens. compromising economic growth.’ It was our bad luck that this in initiating actions prescribed sil fuel use rapidly and there is Sometimes governments have These are of course extremely idea that markets solve all prob- by experts to fl atten the curve. no effective planning for change to force a closure of business-as- different things, and the latter lems and that government should We are past time trying to get happening at a global scale that usual, no matter what the cost, in will not get us anywhere near be left to wither away crested just GHG gases to peak globally—the could keep us safe in our very order to protect all of our futures. the 1/5 degrees C target,” Damon at the moment when it could do equivalent action now necessary fortunate evolutionary trajectory. Sometimes governments have to Matthews, a Concordia Univer- the most damage. Are we going to to fl atten the emissions curve NGOS such as OilChange Inter- have a plan to do things not previ- sity climate scientist, told Wired learn anything from COVID? Are and protect our kid’s future is a national have repeatedly warned ously allowed, a plan to transition magazine. we going to learn that sometimes regulated wind-down of all fossil governments such as Alberta and quickly in an emergency so that Under neoliberalism, climate we need to act fast, organized by fuel production globally, an ur- Canada that it will be far easier to a future business-as-usual will be change is extraordinarily diffi cult our governments to behave in a gent managed decline of what has take the needed climate mitigation possible. to deal with. manner that is against our short become a possibly fatal patho- steps before rising GHG emis- Both COVID-19 and climate The options that do not vio- term personal and business inter- gen, with Green New Deal-style sions and subsequent temperature change are “gray rhinos”—prob- late the neoliberal worldview are ests in order to protect everybody’s plans for stimulus to stabilize our rise create economic and societal lems that we knew about, not few, which explains why so many future? Are we going to learn how economies in the transition.. chaos. The present deep slowdown black swans, but problems that governments resort to little more to ignore ideology and enforce We will survive COVID—the in the global economy is one step we didn’t want to plan solutions than mild carbon pricing that stops a radical change from B-A-U in vast majority of us personally, closer to chaos, but it is also maybe for until forced by the imminent well short of what is needed, the order to fl atten the emissions curve and the economy eventually. We a last opportunity to make the pre- danger of their charge. As we are Trudeau government’s Pan-Canadi- and survive an emergency? will be able to go to work, to be ventive steps necessary for a much seeing now globally, but espe- an Framework on Climate Change We have a little self-isolation social again, to go out for dinner, swifter climate transition from cially in the U.S., a little prepara- being a stellar example of this. Even time to think about how we have to hockey and concerts again. threatening existential danger to a tion and planning, a functioning when facing the end of the world, been acting, mistakes made, and Every possible governmental brighter, safer future. We could and public health-care system, could neoliberal governments would at leadership not taken. Time to intervention to protect, and if should take the necessary steps to make all the difference in how a most tinker only marginally with think about our kids and people in necessary, to reboot the economy urgently lower the emission curve. country, how our society, is able already low levels of industry and greater danger because they are is being considered. Bill Henderson is a longtime cli- to quickly intervene and “fl atten trade regulation, taxation, public poor or marginalized. Time to think But right now it looks almost mate activist based in Gibsons, B.C. the curve.” Or not. investment, economic planning, and about possible intervention steps certain that we will not survive The Hill Times is The all new 2020 GLB at Star Motors.

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Agricultural Coronavirus, priorities newest before and challenge facing after Bibeau, adds COVID- 19 impetus to risk PAGE 16 management reform Five key PAGE 17 issues facing How free trade Canada’s agreements agri-food can boost the industry presence of PAGE 18 Canadian agri- food products in Farmers need a the global market champion, the PAGE 20 Liberals haven’t answered the bell Food insecurity PAGE 21 demands attention in a hungry, unstable world PAGE 22 16 MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Agriculture Policy Briefi ng

President Donald farming in the 21st century. I was J. Trump is joined pleased that the committee unani- by former-Mexican mously agreed to this study as our President Enrique fi rst order of business. Pena Nieto and Committee witnesses have Prime Minister repeatedly stated that the Justin Trudeau AgriStability program is in at the USMCA serious need of an overhaul. signing ceremony Participation enrollment in this Friday, Nov. 30, program has dropped from the 2018, in Buenos high 70s percentile to less than Aires, Argentina. 20 per cent currently in Ontario, Parliament ratified just in the space of 10 to 15 years. the deal less than As one Ontario grain farmer told two weeks ago, on me: it’s not because farmers have March 13. Official extreme wealth or no risk that White House they’re not accessing this pro- Photo by Shealah gram; it’s because the program is Craighead so onerous to navigate that many farmers are fi nding it too cum- bersome. In addition to raising the reference margin to 85 per cent (the measurement used to Aug. 1), SMP and MPC exports activate the program), we must were 55,091 and 70,818 metric tons, ensure that a program designed respectively—already above the to help farmers in times of loss is Agricultural priorities “year one” threshold mind-bog- easy to understand and access. glingly agreed to by the Canadian I look forward to continu- negotiators in the agreement, and ing to work with the agriculture well surpassing the limits that will minister and members of the be imposed in the second year. House Agriculture and Agri-food before and after COVID- 19 The coming-into-force section Committee to fi nd solutions to of Bill C-4 provides for it to be these issues in the weeks and fi xed by an order of the governor months ahead when Parlia- arliament is now suspended the scope of the three member- in council, meaning the prime ment resumes. There are many Puntil at least April 20 in the countries who are party to the minister and cabinet can ensure agricultural challenges on the CUSMA passage wake of the recent COVID-19 trade deal, impacting Canada’s nearly an entire dairy year is not horizon, not the least of which is pandemic sweeping the globe, as trading relationship with countries lost before the “year two” export the COVID-19 virus. Canadians is another hit parliamentarians do their part in other than the United States and thresholds take effect. I have working in the agriculture and social distancing. With the support Mexico. In “year 1” of the agree- already raised these concerns agri-food sector can rest assured to the dairy of all parties, a motion was moved ment, the export threshold limit is directly with Agriculture Minister that MPs are continuing to work in the House on Friday, March 13, set at 55,000 metric tons (MT); the Marie-Claude Bibeau and will be from our respective ridings and which moved certain legislative penalty for breaching the thresh- watching closely to see how the that the threat this public health sector, writes measures ahead with great rapid- old would be applied at $0.54/kg. Government of Canada responds emergency poses to our supply ity. Among them was the passage In “year two” of the agreement, to the dairy sector’s concerns. chains and farm operations is NDP MP Alistair at third reading of Bill C-4, An Act that export threshold limit drops When I met with Bibeau back top of mind, especially to those to Implement the Canada-United to just 35,000 MT without penalty in December to discuss legislative of us with agriculture-dependent MacGregor. States-Mexico Trade Agreement for those two classifi cations of and policy priorities for agricul- ridings and critic areas. We are (CUSMA). The bill moved to the products. Infant formula is also ture, one of the issues on which we practicing our social distancing Senate, where it was immedi- exposed to threshold limits, and found common ground was with at this challenging time, but all ately passed at all stages without the breach penalty is $4.25/kg if respect to the suite of business risk of us look forward to returning amendment and received royal as- we export more than 13,333 MT management programs offered by to Parliament once the spread of sent by the Governor General later and 40,000 MT in year one and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada this global pandemic is brought that day. With the bill’s passage, a year two, respectively. to aid farmers and producers in under control. few key things are now enshrined Given the dairy sector has times of need. When the House Ag- Until then, my best wishes to into law. already suffered great losses to our riculture and Agri-Food Committee all are that you remain safe and Chapter 3-A-8 of the CUSMA domestic market share through the started up in the 43rd Parliament, I healthy. Take care of one another. trade deal imposes export thresh- whittling away of access through proposed a motion for a study to NDP MP Alistair MacGregor, old limits on certain dairy prod- CETA, CPTPP, and now CUSMA, hear from agricultural stakeholder who represents Cowichan-Mala- NDP MP Alistair MacGregor ucts: skim milk powder (SMP) and this additional hit to the diary sector groups and farmers to examine hat-Langford, B.C., is his party’s Opinion milk protein concentrates (MPC). will be challenging. In the 2016-17 whether these programs are, in critic for agriculture and agri-food. These threshold limits go beyond and 2017-18 dairy years (beginning fact, meeting the challenges of The Hill Times

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make sure our issues remain on B.C.) separately met with Ms. the table.” Bibeau in December after the Agriculture Last week, Mr. Lewis told The mandate letter was released to Minister Hill Times that Ms. Bibeau has discuss their priorities. Both said Marie-Claude faced a “perfect storm” of challeng- they welcomed revamping the Bibeau, es and “has certainly done a good risk management regime and pictured in job in trying to keep up with the look forward to working towards this file photo. changes,” and that “the doors have a solution. Despite the been open for discussions with The mandate letter told her multitude of both the Minister and her staff.” and department to “undertake challenges, Mary Robinson, president a review of risk management she’s gone of the Canadian Federation of programs, with a special focus from an Agriculture, said Ms. Bibeau has on AgriStability. Help producers ‘unknown’ in been “exceptional in terms of how manage environmental and busi- the industry much she’s learned about agricul- ness risks by providing faster to a well- ture,” and that “she wants to help and better adapted support. respected Canadian agriculture,” but that Draw lessons from recent trade minister at “we need more buy in around the disputes and evidence-based the helm of cabinet table. She can only be so research.” The House Agricul- an important effective working in isolation.” ture Committee unanimously department. Before the novel coronavirus adopted a motion put forward The Hill Times swept across the globe, the Ca- by Mr. MacGregor to study risk photograph by nadian agriculture and agri-food management as its fi rst order of Sam Garcia industry was facing lower yields, business. The committee has met lower margins, and lower profi ts. twice on the topic, fi rst on Feb. To dull the impact of a bad harvest, 27, then again on March 10. trade disputes, and rail disruptions, AgriStability is jointly ad- many in the industry were looking ministered by the federal and to government support though the provincial governments, and business risk management regime. cost is split 60-40. Currently, in Stakeholders and MPs say the slate order for a farmer to tap in to of programs haven’t been serving AgriStability they must see their farmers’ needs and, as the corona- margin decline to 70 per cent of virus fallout continues, is becoming the previous year’s margin. If that more important by the day. threshold is met, AgriStability AAFC has three main risk will provide money based on a management programs. AgriStabil- fi ve-step calculation. The previous ity provides support when farm- Conservative government brought ers face a large margin decline. in changes to AgriStability in AgriInvest provides cash to help 2012 as part of Going Forward 2, manage income declines. AgriIn- a $3-billion fi ve-year framework surance provides insurance against that ended in 2018. The margin natural hazards to lessen the was reduced to 70 per cent, where fi nancial burden on farmers. Ms. it currently sits, from 85 per cent. Bibeau’s mandate letter specifi cally Agriculture stakeholders were Coronavirus, newest mentioned a revamp of AgriStabil- upset at the time, and many still ity. The Liberal election platform say the cut made the program also said if elected, they would unusable. Ms. Robinson and Ms. “move forward with a collabora- Gowriluk both said they would tive review of Canada’s business like to see the 85 per cent thresh- challenge facing Bibeau, risk management programs, with a old be reinstated. special focus on Agri-Stability, and Chris van den Heuvel, second are prepared to increase federal vice-president at the Canadian support to farmers to help them Federation of Agriculture, said manage risks beyond their control.” one of the reasons AgriStabil- adds impetus to risk Risk management reform has ity enrolment has been steadily long been a priority for the industry. dropping is that the 70 per cent It was mentioned in Mr. MacAuly’s margin is too low, and farmers mandate letter when he was fi rst can’t rely on it. Margins could management reform appointed agriculture minister in drop enough to seriously hurt the 2015. Ms. Bibeau got started on risk farm, but not enough to meet the management reform early in her 70 per cent threshold. tenure, during a meeting between “We’ve been seeing over the federal and provincial agriculture last number of years a decline in chance to breathe since she was tour atop AAFC, CN Rail workers offi cials held on Dec. 17, 2019 in Ot- enrolment because the programs The virus-induced ushered into the post on March 1, went on an eight-day strike. tawa. Ms. Gowriluk said the meet- simply aren’t robust, fl exible, or 2019, in the midst of the SNC- Since being reappointed to ing was focused on “what they could timely enough to be able to help,” economic slowdown Lavalin scandal. head AAFC in December, Ms. Bi- to do the [AgriStability] program he said. comes at a tough Just fi ve days later, on March beau faced another rail disruption to ensure our members can receive Adding to the frustration over 6, 2019, China barred Richardson with the Wet’suwet’en solidarity some type of meaningful support AgriStability in such an uncer- time for the agri-food International, a major Canadian blockades. Then, the novel coro- from the government,” but no agree- tain time are the administrative canola exporter, from selling to navirus shut down most of the ment was struck. hurdles in applying, and a lengthy industry, which was China in response to Canada Canadian economy. Conservative agriculture critic delay in benefi t delivery. Ms. arresting Huawei CFO Meng Despite the multitude of John Barlow (Foothills, Alta.) Gowriluk said these two factors already struggling Wanzhou. Canada exported more challenges, she’s gone from an said there isn’t a big partisan also contribute to declining enrol- with international than $2-billion worth of canola “unknown” in the industry to a divide on the issue on the House ment rates. to China in 2018, almost half of well-respected minister at the agriculture committee, but noted “A farmer will wait some time trade restrictions, overall Canadian canola exports. helm of an important department. how diffi cult it is to revamp the before they’ll know whether or The 2019 harvest season Ms. Bibeau hails from a rural- AgriStability program because not they will be eligible to receive the aff ects of poor provided no respite. Dubbed “The Quebec riding with lots of dairy of the need for provincial by-in. a payment through that program,” Harvest From Hell” by the Grain farmers. She was minister of Ms. Gowriluk, Mr. Barlow, and she said. “Even when they fi nd out harvests, and fallout Growers of Canada, extreme international development and La Mr. MacGregor said they were that they have met the require- weather like freezing, drought Francophonie prior to replacing disappointed with the results of ments and they will be receiving from recent rail and fl ooding left million of acres Lawrence MacAulay (Cardigan, the meeting. Another meeting is a payment, they’ll wait up to 18 disruptions. of crops unusable. P.E.I.) atop AAFC. Mr. MacAuly scheduled for June in Guelph. months to receive that payment. “I think the reason why this was shuffl ed to Veterans Affairs, AAFC has not yet made a deci- The program is not bankable year’s harvest was so devastating is where he remains. sion on whether to cancel or and the program is certainly not BY AIDEN CHAMANDY that it was weather-related and con- When she was appointed, Todd postpone the meeting. timely.” sistent across the country. No region Lewis, president of the Agricul- “There seems to be a con- With the House suspended un- of the country was immune,” said tural Producers Association of tinued commitment to analysis. til at least April further committee anada’s federal Agriculture Erin Gowriluk, executive director of Saskatchewan, told Regina-based There’s been very little action on work on the problem will be put CMinister Marie-Claude Bibeau the Grain Growers of Canada. radio station 980 CJME: “She’s this fi le,” Ms. Gowriluk said. on pause, much like the rest of has been at the head of Agricul- A few weeks before Ms. Bibeau going to have a steep learning Mr. Barlow and NDP agricul- the country. ture and Agri-Food Canada for (Compton-Stanstead, Que.) received curve and I sure hope we’re going ture critic Alistair MacGregor [email protected] just over a year. She hardly had a her mandate letter for her second to do our best to contribute and (Cowichan-Malahat-Langford, The Hill Times 18 MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Agriculture Policy Briefi ng

Canada, we face our own challenges with rural backgrounds. We have instituted a food security in our northern, indigenous new “mini-internship” program so that and low-income communities. COVID-19 is these bright students can spend time with showing us that interruptions in global food top-tier crop and livestock producers, food Five key issues supply chains have the potential to affect processors, and bio-industrial companies our families and friends. to provide experience that they didn’t get growing up. We need to use everything in New players our power to draw talented people at every Our industries are ideally suited to career stage into the exciting opportunities facing Canada’s participate in the artifi cial intelligence and presented by agriculture and food. machine learning revolution. We are an industry which is data rich in everything Research & innovation are investments from soil fertility levels to consumer be- The trend in Canada is to reduce public haviour. At a meeting in Seattle on new op- spending in developing the new people and portunities in digital agriculture, the “usual new ideas that our sector will need. Our agri-food industry suspects” of corporate agriculture and food competitors are doing exactly the opposite. were joined by Amazon, Airbus, Microsoft, In February the U.S. Secretary of Agri- with domestic sales well over $100-billion? Google Ventures, IBM and an interesting culture Sonny Perdue announced the new Everything that you think you know set of global venture capital fi rms. These “Agriculture Innovation Agenda” which about agriculture is changing. I grew up on a groups will bring amazing new technology, will align the entire USDA “to position dairy farm in Alberta. I have worked in lead- experience and investment into agriculture American agriculture increase production ership teams in agri-food research institu- and food. According to the fi nancial moni- by 40 per cent while cutting the environ- tions in Canada and Africa. I served as CEO toring fi rm AgFunder venture capitalists, mental footprint of U.S. agriculture in half of an Alberta group that placed investments hedge funds and others invested $16.9-bil- by 2050.” Canada and its provinces need to in the agriculture, food and bio-economy sec- lion into agri-food tech startups in 2018. respond to this (and similar initiatives in tors. And now I have the privilege of serving other competing countries) or our industry as dean of one of Canada’s leading agricul- Daunting challenges will be left behind. Stanford Blade ture and food faculties. We are constantly facing wicked problems If Canada is going to increase its agri- Opinion Agriculture has been my life and yet I which are beyond our control. These include food exports from $65-billion to $85-billion feel like I am struggling to keep up. Some transportation interruptions, increased energy (and domestic sales to $140-billion) by things are still true. Canada has remark- costs and trade disputes in addition to our 2025 we will have to think about what we griculture is a legacy industry.” ably abundant and productive land, water perennial issues of invasive pests and volatile need to do differently. Recent events have “A “We need to feed nine billion availability that is the envy of most coun- weather. One Academy Awards speech can shown that there is no entitlement to the people by 2050.” tries and amazingly talented people. Here capture the interest and attention of millions continued prosperity of our agri-food value “Food security isn’t a production issue, are a few observations from my experi- of citizens while we keep telling ourselves chain. Perhaps the headwinds we face will it is a distribution problem.” ences in the last few months. that if Canadians only knew more about who provide the impetus and courage to think “We need to invest in the industries of we are and what we do everything would be differently about what our future agri-food the future, not the past.” Food security fi ne. We need to fi nd trusted partners and sector needs to do to be (in the words of “Amazing industry, but I hope my kid I was invited to Brunei to discuss the advocates outside of our industry who want to the 2017 Barton Report) “the trusted 21st doesn’t choose that as a career option.” possibility of having students enroll in agri- amplify our messages because our hard work century global leader in the supply of safe, What is your favourite cliché regard- culture and food programs at the University aligns with their aspirations. nutritious and sustainable food.” ing the agriculture and food sectors? Do of Alberta. With the downturn in petroleum Stanford Blade is the dean of the fac- you think they describe reality? What do prices, the Sultan of Brunei issued a royal Recruiting great people ulty of agricultural, life and environmental you really believe about an industry which decree that the country needed to be more In our faculty, we now have more urban sciences at the University of Alberta. exported $65-billion in products last year focused on self-reliance for food security. In undergraduate students than those from The Hill Times

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Moving_Canadas_Grain_ad.indd 1 2020/03/20 10:02:26 20 MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Agriculture Policy Briefi ng How free trade agreements can boost the presence of Canadian agri- food products in the global market Then foreign affairs the project disaggregates trade into intensive minister Chrystia margins (trade in previously traded goods) Freeland speaks and extensive margins (trade in newly traded with reporters in goods). FTAs are designed to reduce trade costs Montreal on Jan, and offer preferential access. Reduced variable 29, 2018, after trade costs tend to benefi t the intensive margin round six of talks (tariffs and tariff rate quotas) while reduction in to renegotiate the fi xed trade costs (regulatory measures, sanitary North American and phyto-sanitary (SPS) measures and label- Free Trade ling requirements) tend to benefi t the extensive Agreement. The margin. Exporting fi rms must comply with new NAFTA, which these costs regardless of how many units are received royal shipped, making them fi xed. assent on March Currently, Canada has fourteen FTAs 13, 2020, has in force and these FTAs widely differ in boosted trade how they affect the intensive and extensive in new product margins. Based on our analysis, FTAs with categories more so Jordan, Honduras, U.S., and Mexico (NAFTA) than other FTAs. have signifi cantly increased trade along the The Hill Times intensive margin. This is driven by preferential photograph by tariff rates for Canadian agri-food exports into Andrew Meade these markets. Negative intensive margin ef- fects are seen in agreements with Israel, Chile, Peru, South Korea and the EFTA (European Free Trade Agreement – Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Iceland). In these agree- ments, there was not suffi cient reduction in variable costs (such as tariffs) giving no prefer- ence to Canadian agri-food products. Although Canada may have increased its exports into Sylvanus Kawku Afesorgbor and these markets, it has not increased them as Brendan McDougall present a much as other nations, despite the presence of an FTA. For example, Canada’s tariff rates for novel way to look at the benefi ts of Bovine Carcasses (HS code 02011000) experi- ence the same tariffs entering Israel, Peru and free trade deals to the Canadian Norway as all other WTO member nations. agri-food sector by separating Canada has no competitive tariff advantage compared to the other 164 member nations in products into ‘extensive’ and the WTO. South Korea has given Canada pref- ‘intensive’ margins. erential rates against other WTO nations but not against other large agri-food exporters. For example, in 2017 the same Bovine carcasses discussed above faced a 29.3 per cent tariff when exported from Canada compared to a 26.6% tariff when exported from Australia and a 21.3 per cent tariff from the USA. Contrast this with the extensive margin side. Our analysis indicates that Canada’s FTAs with Chile, Peru, Honduras, South Korea and Mexico (NAFTA) have positive impacts on extensive margins. This means that growth in the number Brendan McDougal & Sylvanus Kawku Afesorgbor of product varieties exported to these partners Opinion has increased as a result of the FTAs. These FTAs have directed their focus on how to lower regulatory burdens and harmonize anadian agriculture is increasingly standards. This action lowers the fi xed costs Cdependent on foreign markets to drive for exporting fi rms looking to break into a new demand growth. Agriculture continues to market, making it easier for them to export new be a highly protected sector in internation- varieties and expand the extensive margin. al trade. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) aim Signing a FTA does not automatically Canada’s egg farmers are leading the way to a to reduce these barriers through bilateral mean preferential access to foreign markets and multilateral negotiations giving Cana- for Canadian agri-food products. Canada’s dian agri-food exporters preferential trade FTAs have heterogenous effects. Some of sustainable future access. These FTAs, however, do have a the FTAs expand trade of previously traded differential impact in promoting agri-food. goods, while other agreements promote trade Some FTAs foster innovation, business With innovation and new efficiencies, we’re helping in new product categories. Preferential mar- development and trade in new products. ket access can be expanded either through pave the path to a sustainable future for the fresh, Other FTAs are more benefi cial to existing lowering of variable trade costs like tariffs to exporters, helping them lower their trade high-quality eggs that Canadians love. a level that is competitive with other coun- costs, extract more profi t and ship more tries, or by lowering fi xed trade costs through volume. These differences in preferential regulatory reform and harmonization of stan- trade access have important ramifi cations dards. Doing both is the best way to increase for diversifi cation and future trade devel- trade, however from a political perspective, opment of Canadian agri-food exports. Read our Sustainability Story at eggfarmers.ca to learn more. this is sometimes easier said than done. The University of Guelph’s Department of Sylvanus Kawku Afesorgbor is as assis- Food, Agriculture and Resource Economics tant professor, and Brendan McDougall is has an ongoing project estimating the effective- a master’s student, in the food, agricultural ness of Canada’s FTAs in stimulating agri-food and resources economics department at trade. Instead of looking at aggregate trade, the University of Guelph. THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 21 Policy Briefi ng Agriculture

Between 2010 and 2015, the average annual growth of Canada’s agriculture and agri-food exports to the world increased by 7.73 per cent. Since 2015, there has been a stark contrast as the average annual growth of our agriculture and agri-food exports to the world increased by just 1.82 per cent, writes Conservative MP John Barlow. Photograph courtesy of Pexels

understand the importance of our 45 per cent in 2018, the largest failed to support our farmers and global relations with some of our reduction in 12 years. In addi- producers and failed to resolve most important partners. Time and tion, Canada’s farmers are now this critical market access issue. Farmers need a time again, those paying for the burdened with record debt load of China is not the only signifi - geopolitical mistakes made by the about $106-billion. cant market lost under Liberal Liberal government is Canadian Liberal political blunders have leadership. agriculture. Those suffering the cost Canadian farmers vital trade Saudi Arabia announced it consequences are our farmers and markets. would suspend new trade and champion, the ranchers who work extremely hard Over a year ago, China began investment with Canada. The every single day to ensure they implementing several non-tariff Italian government called on have the highest-quality products trade barriers on Canadian agri- pasta makers to include country- not only on our tables but for cus- cultural products. This began with of-origin on labels, which hurt Liberals haven’t tomers around the world. canola seed which the Chinese Canadian durum exports. Italy Between 2010 and 2015, the claim was tainted with pests. also threatened to refuse to sign average annual growth of Can- Soybean exports have also dried the trade agreement between the ada’s agriculture and agri-food up, and we even saw a temporary European Union and Canada over exports to the world increased suspension on pork and beef the durum dispute. answered the bell by 7.73 per cent. Since 2015 there exports. Under this Liberal government has been a stark contrast as the Canada has been dealing with we lost our fumigation agreement The Canadian agriculture average annual growth of our China from a position of weakness. with India and now face high Missteps by the Liberal and agri-food sectors account agriculture and agri-food exports It has now been more than a tariffs on our peas, lentils and government have hurt for more than $100-billion in to the world increased by just 1.82 year since the Chinese govern- chickpeas and pulse exports to economic activity every year and per cent. Put another way, in the ment banned imports of Canada’s India have plummeted from an all Canadian farmers. Farmers employ more than two million last three years of government world class canola. It impacts time high of $1.5-billion in 2015 to Canadians. However, few coun- Conservatives grew agriculture 45,000 producers and 250,000 just $158-million in 2019. need a champion, not tries are as reliant on global trade exports by $13.9-billion, under jobs across the country. This has As a result of lost trade handouts, to help with as Canada as more than 50 per the Liberals they’ve only grown cost canola producers more than markets Canadian producers cent of the agri-food products exports by only $4.6-billion. $1-billion and soybean producers have lost more than $5-billion market access, non-tariff we grow is exported to markets The impact has been profound have lost nearly $590-million. in revenue since 2017, thanks to around the world. as according to Statistics Canada Liberals repeatedly failed to the geopolitical mistakes of the trade barriers, and more, Seeing the potential in modern net farm income dropped by stand up for our canola sector, Liberals. writes Conservative MP Canadian agriculture, the previous Canadian farmers and ranch- Conservative government under ers aren’t looking for fi nancial John Barlow. prime minister Stephen Harper, handouts. They’re looking to successfully negotiated free trade grow and maintain their exports. agreements with more than 40 However, lost market access, non- countries included the TransPacifi c tariff trade barriers, relentless red Partnership and the Comprehen- tape and tax hikes, such as the sive and Economic Trade Agree- carbon tax, make Canadian farm- ment (CETA) with the European ers uncompetitive. Union. These agreements mean Farmers are looking for a unprecedented new markets for champion. Someone who will Canadian agricultural products defend Canada’s reputation of and unparalleled new growth for high quality, safe products on the farmers, ranchers and processors. international stage and secure Conservative MP John Barlow However, this means not only vital market access for Canada’s Opinion are open markets important to billion-dollar agriculture exports. Canada’s farmers and producers, Clearly, the Liberals are not pre- but also predictable and depend- Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau, and Jim Carr, pared to be that trade champion. anadian agriculture is a criti- able transportation for agricul- former-minister of international trade diversification, pictured in the West Conservative MP John Barlow, Ccal pillar of our economy, but tural products is essential to their Block on May 1, 2019, giving an update on the government’s response to the who represents Foothills, Alta., is it can only reach its full potential success. canola trade dispute with China. Conservative MP John Barlow writes that the Conservative Party’s critic for with reliable, strong trade agree- Unfortunately, the current geopolitical missteps by the Liberal government have cost farmers billions of agriculture. ments. Liberal government does not dollars. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade The Hill Times 22 MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Agriculture Policy Briefi ng

and slowdowns generally mean vironmental degradation, eco- build up the soil and absorb car- that people must spend a higher nomic inequality, and confl ict all bon rather than releasing it. This percentage of their salary on food interact. can turn agriculture into part of Food insecurity and when they do that, food in- The Syrian Civil War, for the solution to the climate crisis security rises. Income inequality instance, seems to have found rather than a source of the prob- also drives hunger as countries at least some of its origins in a lem. And we can invest in strate- divided between the haves and devastating drought that brought gies—such as helping low-income demands attention have-nots are less able to adapt to people out of the countryside and families all over the world—gain economic problems. into cities where they grew upset access to the basic supports they In many parts of the world, en- over political corruption. There is need and thus buffer communities vironmental problems also cause some evidence that the pathways from problems in the global food in a hungry, economic disruption. The num- taken by the Rwandan genocide system. ber of extreme climate-related are related to soil degradation For decades, activists and disasters is trending upward, and and farmland scarcity. The Arab scientists have tried to make this not only undermines agricul- Spring began as protests over policymakers aware that they unstable world ture’s ability to produce food but food prices that were themselves need to pay more attention to also the incomes of some of the triggered by droughts in Russia food systems and climate change. he latest data from the United world’s poorest people, many of and China that sent world food To a large extent, these efforts As food insecurity TNations are staggering. In whom are farmers and depend on prices skyrocketing. And, the have fallen on deaf ears. But the becomes more common 2019, 821 million people around agriculture for incomes. For small French Revolution began when evidence is now impossible to ig- the world were chronically under farmers in Asia, Latin America or El Niño induced droughts caused nore. Food insecurity and confl ict in the face of climate nourished, up 10 million from Africa, droughts and fl oods both crop failures and this helped are inextricably intertwined and the year before. This means that directly and indirectly hurt food expose the excesses of the French both will increase over the next change, Canada can play a an astounding 11 per cent of security by reducing the amount aristocrat. generation unless we develop leading role in solving one the world’s population does not of food and people’s purchasing Luckily, there are things we systems that are resilient, sustain- get enough food to eat. Equally power. can do. And Canada can play a able, equitable and robust. of the biggest problems concerning is that around two Finally, there is an almost global leadership position. When history books of the billion of us experience what the perfect correlation between con- Through institutions such as 21st-century are written, will the facing the world, writes UN calls “moderate or severe food fl ict and food insecurity in many the International Development chapter on food security and pop- Evan Fraser. insecurity.” parts of the world. South Sudan, Research Council and Global ulation growth be a good news Taken together, these stats Somalia, Yemen, and parts of Affairs Canada, we can posi- story, where we battled back the mean hunger is back up to where Nigeria are all affected by confl ict tion ourselves as technological spectre of famine and confl ict? it was 10 years ago and foreshad- and are all at risk of major food leaders and fund the research The answer to this question can ows a dangerous world ahead. insecurity. that will allow us to breed plants be yes. And through proactive This is because the primary driv- These factors all interact to and animals that are resistant to policy, careful investment in key ers of rising hunger are economic create vicious cycles that threaten extreme weather and capable of technologies, and empowering downturns, the climate crisis, and to send waves of instability remaining productive even under small-scale farmers, Canada can violent confl ict. Regrettably, none crashing across the world. What’s climate change. From the per- be one of the key global players of these challenges are expected especially frustrating is that there spective of farm management, we that helped solve one of the cen- to lessen anytime soon. is nothing new about any of this. can double down on our record of tury’s biggest challenges. Hunger and food insecurity Ten thousand years of agricul- international development assis- Evan Fraser is the director of Evan Fraser have mostly risen in countries ture history show a distressing tance to empower farmers—and the Arrell Food Institute at the where the economy has been in number of situations where the particularly female farmers—to University of Guelph Opinion poor shape. Economic shocks unraveling of food systems, en- adopt management practices that The Hill Times

CANOLA FARMERS NEED ACTION

Canola is a Canadian success story – a leader in sustainable production, grown by more than 40,000 farmers and supporting 250,000 jobs across the country. The industry is facing significant disruption and urgently needs action to restore stability, grow and prosper.

TRADE BIOFUELS RISK MANAGEMENT Regain access to Update Canada’s Clean Fuel Restore AgriStability coverage China and diversify Standard to require all diesel immediately to 85% of historical global export markets. fuel to contain a minimum reference margins with no 5% renewable content. Reference Margin Limits.

Growing a Sustainable Future with Canola www.ccga.ca | @ccga_ca THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 23 COVID-19

Hillites gather at an industry event, hosted by the Canadian Media Producers Association in January, for a screening of Cardinal in Ottawa. Lobby days, receptions, and conferences have been effectively cancelled as public health officials work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

governments with specifi c asks not related to the outbreak, said Yaroslav Baran, prin- cipal at Earnscliffe Strategy. COVID-19 is forcing lobbyists “When government is dealing with a crisis, it really doesn’t make sense to start knocking on their door with the ‘business as usual, mundane kind of communication,’ to signifi cantly shift strategies ” he said. “What the circumstances have forced, is a need to do two things: fi rst of all to triage the urgency of dialogue with Since Ottawa’s focus “has fundamen- health care, non-profi t. Other industries government, and secondly, to be a little bit ‘You can work with a client tally shifted” since the pandemic, he said, are all feeling the effects of this [pandemic] more creative about how we do it.” consultants need to change their focus in terms of the economy.” At the same time, Mr. Chesney said, to fi gure out if there is a way to planning logistics and perfecting their Jacquie LaRocque, principal at Com- lobby groups can be useful conduits to the pitches with clients, whether or not such pass Rose Group, said her fi rm has been government in terms of relaying what’s in which the client can be asks are relevant in the short term. “working with clients over the past week to happening on the ground in their indus- helpful, genuinely helpful, “You can work with a client to fi gure shape the ideas and input they bring to the tries. He added that engagement, so far, out if there is a way in which the client government” to delineate how the pan- has been a two-way street. and not superfi cially can be helpful, genuinely helpful, and not demic is impacting them and the supports For some parts of the health sector, he superfi cially helpful,” Mr. Jordan said. “Be- they need. noted, there are business opportunities in helpful,’ says Joe Jordan cause, again, you’re looking at what is this She said clients are cognizant of the terms of meeting the government’s needs relationship going to look like in one year, fact that their asks heading into the bud- around sanitation and infection prevention. of Bluesky Strategy Group two years, three years, or 10 years.” get—which has effectively been delayed— Garry Keller, vice-president at Strategy on lobbying amidst the Kyle Larkin, manager of public affairs have to “adapt to the current reality.” (The Corp and former chief of staff to then-in- at Impact Public Affairs, agreed there’s federal budget was initially to be tabled on terim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose, coronavirus pandemic. a “thin line” between engaging and not March 30.) said he expects the workload to get heavier interfering with the government’s work. “We’ve seen a few cancellations of high- once the government shifts from holding Continued from page 1 “I’ve noticed that MPs, and rightly so, have profi le outreach days … but we actually near-daily announcements into “the actual been focused on their own constituencies, feel good about how creative we’ve been administrative rolling out of funds and the focus has to be on getting through focused on communicating information able to be, in terms of adapting the format,” programs.” this,” said Joe Jordan, senior associate at from the House of Commons to their con- she said. “We can do some outreach by “We’re not quite sure exactly how gov- Bluesky Strategy Group. stituents,” he said. “That’s become their No. telephone.” ernments of all levels are going to be able As a former MP, Mr. Jordan said he may 1 priority.” Mr. Larkin, who works with associa- to deliver stimulus funding. We have some not react too kindly to being approached by tions, said clients are bracing for social- high-level indications of how that might be, a lobbyist during this type of crisis, in which distancing to be the new normal at least but we don’t actually have a lot of details,” thousands of people are being effectively laid ‘We’re all improvising right now’ “well into May,” or perhaps even longer. he said. off and the health-care system is under strain. The House and Senate’s temporary “If this COVID-19 situation goes for a long Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Free- “MPs have two parts to their job: they’re suspension has also meant diminished amount of time … advocacy efforts will land (University-Rosedale, Ont.) acknowl- legislators, and they represent a constitu- opportunities for face-to-face interactions, have to shift towards digital advocacy, edged last week that, given its rapidly ency,” Mr. Jordan said. “What this thing has whether through lobby days, receptions, email campaigns, social media campaigns.” shifting response to the outbreak, the gov- done is focus 100 per cent of their time conferences, and other routine gatherings John Delacourt, vice-president and ernment will, at times, announce steps and on constituents. If you don’t understand for at least the next few months, as public group leader at Hill and Knowlton Strate- measures without full details. Ottawa, for that, and you’re trying to engage at this health authorities have advised against gies, agreed that there will be an uptick example, announced March 18 its inten- particular point in time, you’re not going to holding in-person events to prevent the of digital advocacy and even “formally tion to close the Canada-U.S. border to all be very successful, and, in fact, you could spread of COVID-19. established coalitions,” with groups band- non-essential travel, but was unable to say cause your client great damage.” Mr. Trudeau on March 19 said Cana- ing together to address the questions that when it will take effect, until a day later. Parliament has been suspended until dians should brace for social-distancing remain “about how the fi scal stimulus will Mr. Keller said access to “front-line min- at least April 20, though between 20 and measures to be in place for possibly the be effective in the months ahead.” isters” throughout the crisis will be limited, 30 MPs are expected to convene on the next few weeks or months. “We’re all improvising right now, by unless it is relevant to the outbreak, as MPs Hill sometime in the week of March 23 to “It [COVID-19] defi nitely has an impact. way of fi guring out the best way to serve juggle cabinet meetings, their constituency, debate and pass the Liberal government’s Traditionally, government relations is a people. …We’re all anticipating that this and other responsibilities as legislators. “I $82-billion relief package targeted at pre- very face-to-face business, and when you is not going to last six to eight weeks,” he do think there’s an opportunity to engage, carious workers and businesses struggling eliminate that from the equation, it makes said. “There will be ramifi cations [on the especially at the public service level, with to make their monthly payments. Much it harder,” said Ian Chesney, consultant at economy].” people who are working from home,” he of last week saw Prime Minister Justin Santis Health. “But I wouldn’t say that it He added that one upside to this crisis said, predicting that could come this week Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) and his cabinet completely disrupts day-to-day business.” has been that it’s forcing everyone to focus when further direction is given to public rolling out a series of measures to bolster Much of the engagement has shifted on- on their strategies for engagement. “This servants. the feds’ response to the pandemic that line, he said, over teleconference or email, government has never, in my experience, “It may shift into, ‘Okay, now we’ve has encroached nearly every corner of and over the phone, with many groups and been interested in sitting down for what made all these fi nancial announcements. the world, with more than 170 countries businesses changing their strategies. “What could be accomplished by visiting a web- We actually have to get money out the and counting hit by the coronavirus. Mr. it really means for government relations is site, exchange of business cards,” he said. door,’ so it’ll be focused on the delivery Trudeau will likely not be in the House, more so a shift in tactic, strategy. [We’re] The pandemic has also forced lobby- side,” he said. given that he has to be self-isolation until tying everything back to COVID-19,” he ists and their clients to “pause and refl ect” [email protected] March 26 following his wife’s positive CO- said. “A lot of GR consultants are going to whether they run the risk of “being a [email protected] VID-19 diagnosis on March 12. be doing that anyway, whether you’re in nuisance” at a time of crisis by approaching The Hill Times 24 MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES COVID-19

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has been in self-isolation since his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau tested positive for the coronavirus on March 12, 2020, announced $82-billion in financial aid last week for Canadians and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The prime minister has continued to hold daily morning briefings from Rideau Cottage where he lives with his family on the grounds of Rideau Hall. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Everybody’s scared shitless’: Trudeau needs to cut red tape, give money directly to Canadians to stimulate the economy, say political strategists

Mr. Carter suggested the gov- for sick leave or employment is wreaking havoc worldwide, you later.We’re going to head The COVID-19 ernment pilot a basic-income pro- insurance; a six-month reprieve Mr. Carter said, the government into the biggest recession we’ve gram, giving $1,500 every month from payments on student loans; should work to move as quickly ever seen, and possibly another pandemic makes 9/11 directly to Canadians to stabilize an extension for the tax-fi ling as possible and seek to minimize depression if we don’t have some the economy. deadline to June 1; deferral of tax the processing time for getting sort of plan to get us out of this. look like a ‘hiccup’ Doing so would cost the payments until Aug. 31; and fund- these supports to Canadians. He This is scary as hell. … People are says EKOS president government hundreds of billions ing for Indigenous communities. said that the application process laid off. People are being told just of dollars per year. Canada’s Government offi cials have also might take a month before people to go home and stay home with Frank Graves. government typically operates hinted that more fi nancial help is receive the money, which will be very little in the way of economic with an annual budget of roughly on the way for industries particu- too late, as many Canadians are support.” $300-billion per year. larly hit hard by the virus, such as facing a cash crunch now. On top of a universal monthly Continued from page 1 On March 18, Mr. Trudeau, the tourism, airline, and energy Mr. Carter said there are many payment for all Canadians, Mr. alities of life,” said Stephen Carter, who went into self-isolation after sectors, and others who have vulnerable people who need Carter also suggested that the an Alberta political strategist and his wife tested positive for COV- started to lay off their employees. fi nancial resources to pay their government should fi nd ways to president of Decide Campaigns, ID-19 on March 12, announced an During the announcement, rent, mortgage, groceries, and further stimulate the economy who worked on the campaigns of $82-billion fi scal-stimulus pack- Mr. Trudeau said that he and U.S. other essentials. He added the and to head off the possibility Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi age, which includes $27-billion President Donald Trump agreed government should not be wor- of a depression, such as waiving and former Alberta premier Ali- in direct support. It also includes to close the border to non-es- ried about borrowing money, as property taxes and setting up a son Redford. $55-billion to help business with sential traffi c, while allowing for the interest rate is close to zero. massive infrastructure program. “This isn’t a thing that can be their liquidity needs through tax goods and essential workers to When the economy recovers, he Mr. Carter said he is self- solved by EI applications. This is a deferrals. The package, which fl ow in and out. The U.S. is Cana- said, the government can tax that employed and still has all the much bigger problem, and think- includes a temporary boost to the da’s most important trading part- money back. contracts that he was working ing that we can solve this through Canada Child Benefi t, is about ner, as goods and services worth “I don’t want people falling on before the Coronavirus made normal processes is naive to three per cent of the country’s about $3-billion and thousands of through the cracks. This process its way into Canada. He said he the extreme. Any program that GDP. people from both countries cross just made bigger cracks,” said Mr. knows several others who have requires an application is fool- The announced measures the border each day. Carter. “If I send you $1,000 and lost their clients or jobs because hardy,” Mr. Carter said in a phone include an “emergency care ben- Given that these are exception- you don’t need it, right, you spend interview with The Hill Times. efi t” for those who don’t qualify al times, and that the pandemic it, right. We can tax it back from Continued on page 25 THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 25 COVID-19

Health Minister Timeline Patty Hajdu, Jan. 25, 2020 pictured on Parliament Hill • Canada records fi rst “presumptive positive” case in Ontario, a man in his 50s who fell ill after returning from the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the outbreak started. on March 18, Jan. 28, 2020 2020, speaking at a government • B.C. records its fi rst case of the virus, and within a week, several more are confi rmed, but all who had been connected to people who had travelled to or visited from the affected update on the region in China. government’s Feb. 6, 2020 measures to • Ottawa begins repatriating what will eventually be hundreds of residents, chartering two help Canadians planes to China and airlifting others from Japan on board the Diamond Princess cruise with the effects ship. The Diamond Princess had been quarantined off the coast of Japan since Feb. 3 of COVID-19 with about 3,700 passengers on board. It wasn’t until early March when Canada’s public pandemic. ‘This health offi cer started warning Canadians to “think twice” about cruise travel. is an all-hands- March 4, 2020 on-deck moment • Bank of Canada cuts interest rates by 50 basis points to 1.25 per cent amid Coronavirus in Canada,’ she concerns, following in the U.S. Federal Reserve’s footsteps, in an effort to soften the said on March economic impact. 19 in an appeal • Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland is named chair of a new cabinet committee tasked with managing the federal response to the outbreak, convened to “complement” to governments, the work of the Incident Response Group that typically meets during a crisis. private sectors, March 8, 2020 and people across • First COVID-19 death recorded when a B.C. resident in a nursing home died. Offi cials said the country. the man was in his 80s and had other underlying health issues. The Hill Times March 11, 2020 photograph by • World Health Organization declares COVID-19 a pandemic. Andrew Meade • The federal government announced a $1-billion fund aimed at mitigating the spread of the Coronavirus, including $500-million in support to provinces and territories, an additional $275-million in funding for research, and waiving the one-week waiting period benefi ts get to targeted people. We are “By and large the steps that the gov- for employees who need to claim Employment Insurance sickness benefi ts on account of Continued from page 24 being quarantined or having to self-isolate. not in normal times. Pay out universal ernment has taken are appropriate,” he March 12, 2020 benefi ts and tax them back next year.” said. “People may question the timing, of the fi nancial crunch. Mr. Carter cited • The prime minister’s wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, who returned from a trip to the the example of the Calgary Stampede, According to media reports last about whether these decisions could United Kingdom, was tested after having fl u-like symptoms, and by evening, the PMO which recently announced it was lay- week, the Trump administration had have been made sooner, but they’re reported she had tested positive. ing off 900 people due to COVID-19 proposed two rounds of direct pay- very diffi cult decisions.” • Justin Trudeau started 14-day self-isolation, but with no symptoms. Offi cials said that concerns. He said it’s expected the un- ments to Americans with each payment Prof. Bratt said the Coronavirus meant he would not be tested. The in-person First Ministers’ Meeting, planned for the employment numbers are expected to based on the family size and income. story is changing fast and overshadow- same day, was cancelled, with Mr. Trudeau instead speaking with premiers over the go signifi cantly this month alone, with Prof. Duane Bratt, chair of Mount ing everything else, to the point that it phone. businesses closing down and employ- Royal University’s department of eco- has overshadowed news of the Canada- • The impact of the outbreak, combined with diving oil prices, helped push the Canadian stock market to its worst one-day plunge in eight decades. ees being told to stay home as part of nomics and policy studies, said the gov- U.S. border closure. March 13, 2020 the “social distancing” strategy to limit ernment has been cautious in its plans Pollster Darrell Bricker of Ipsos to help out Canadians. Instead of trying told The Hill Times that Canadians • Parliament agrees to suspend for fi ve weeks until at least April 20 after unanimous agree- the spread of the virus. ment among all parties. right now are in a wait-and-see mode. • Senate is recalled to sit on Friday (after it adjourned the day before) to fi nish business, Canada’s They’re looking at how the government most notably to pass the new NAFTA. Chief Medical is handling both economic and health • Canada upgrades advice that international travellers should self-quarantine, but over the Officer of aspects of this crisis. This unprec- weekend, some passengers coming from abroad said they weren’t properly screened, Health Theresa edented situation is an opportunity for prompting some provinces—like Quebec, Alberta, and Nova Scotia—and Montreal city Tam, pictured the prime minister to show leadership offi cials to send their own personnel to make sure the federal job was being done. on March and provide direction to the country, • Treasury Board Secretariat issues directive to federal public servants permitting them to work from home during the Coronavirus pandemic, per their managers’ discretion. 18, 2020, he said. March 15, 2020 delivering her “They focus on the economic daily update aspects,” said Mr. Bricker, president of • Emergency cabinet meeting held in Ottawa where ministers said new measures were coming, but rebuffed reporters’ questions about why the government was waiting, and briefing on Ipsos. “An increasing number of people why there was insuffi cient screening at several airports. Parliament Hill are worried about their jobs, and an in- • Canada’s public health offi cer Dr. Theresa Tam warns the window to fl atten the curve is along with her creasing number of people are worried closing. deputy medical about their retirement income, their March 16, 2020 officer and key day-to-day expenses, being able to stay • Mr. Trudeau announces major new measures, including banning entry to most foreign federal cabinet up above the water, as all this is going nationals, except for U.S. citizens. Anyone with symptoms, regardless of citizenship, will ministers. on. I think that’s what it’s all about. also be denied boarding of fl ights to Canada. The Hill Times Partisan politics, not really so much • Canadian death toll rises to four, and all are connected to the B.C. nursing home where photograph by part of the mix right now.” the fi rst Canadian victim died. Andrew Meade He said now is not the time to pass • Conservative Party says leadership race and rules will go forward, but it would give any judgment on how the government leadership candidates online tools to support efforts to canvas members from a safe social distance, including making easier to gather online signatures, but declined calls is handling this unfolding crisis. Mr. from some to push off the March 25 deadline. Bricker said that anybody who pre- March 17, 2020 tends to know what will happen or • Mr. Trudeau announced Parliament will be recalled for an emergency session to pass what this crisis means for the Trudeau legislation and that the government would announce a major economic aid package on government, which is in a minority March 18 to help workers. situation, is merely guessing. • A fi fth Canadian person, a 77-year-old man, dies with COVID-19 detected post-mortem, “We’re in the middle of it right now, the fi rst in Ontario. and anybody who says they know how March 18, 2020 Mr. Carter said people on all new ideas suggested by likes of Mr. this is going to look, the effect is going • The new border measures come into effect, with only four airports in Toronto, Montreal, sides of the political spectrum are Carter and Mr. Boesseknool, he said, to be—or what’s going to come out of Vancouver, and Calgary accepting international fl ights. • Canada and the U.S. announce that non-essential travel between the two countries will demanding quick payouts to Canadians the government is trying to deliver this—they’re just guessing,” said Mr. resources using existing programs. He Bricker. be barred, not including trade and commerce. to get through this tricky economic • Mr. Trudeau announces $82-billion support package, which includes two packages nearly situation. said we don’t know for a fact if there Pollster Frank Graves said that the totalling $15-billion of employment insurance support for Canadians facing unemploy- Ken Boessenkool, a former senior will be any delays in the application Coronavirus crisis is making the Sept. ment who are not eligible for EI, as well as $300-million to address “immediate needs” adviser to then-prime minister Stephen process and money reaching Cana- 11 attacks look like a “hiccup.” So far, in Indigenous communities, and a six-month moratorium on student loans, among other Harper, echoed Mr. Carter’s views on dians. He hoped that the $82-billion he said, the Trudeau government has measures. Twitter, last week. fi nancial package would be the fi rst been handling the crisis “reasonably • Deadline for Canadians to fi le taxes is extended from April 30 to June 1. “Immediate cheques of $2,000 for step and that more help is on the way. well.” But, he said, it’s too early to make • COVID-19 deaths in Canada increase to nine with seven dead in British Columbia, one in Ontario, and one in Quebec—the province’s fi rst. anyone who fi led an income tax form The provincial governments would an assessment. March 19, 2020 last year,” Mr. Boessenkool tweeted put out fi nancial packages matching “Obviously, there’s always things Wednesday, March 18. “Claw back in the federal government to help their you could have done better, in hind- • Mr. Trudeau announces that closure of the Canada-U.S. border to discretionary travel will likely take effect Friday night. next year’s tax form as required. Tar- residents, he noted. sight,” said Mr. Graves, president of March 20, 2020 geted programs will create large cracks “We simply don’t know at this point, EKOS Research. “That’s the problem if there will be delays,” said Prof. Bratt. here that we don’t have a cookbook or • Mr. Trudeau says Ottawa will also be temporarily turning back irregular migrants who try for people to fall through. Immediate to cross the Canada-U.S. border, beginning midnight Friday, in what it called a “recipro- cheques won’t.” “There’s always a difference in the de- a recipe for dealing with a crisis of this cal” agreement with the U.S. That means the Safe Third Country Agreement, which He also tweeted that the application sign of a policy, in the implementation nature.” governs the movement of refugee claimants, will be extended to unoffi cial ports of entry. process would delay the payments to of the policy. The good news is, obvi- As of deadline last week, more • He also announces that the government has signed signed letters of intent with three Canadians who need money to pay for ously, this is priority one.” than 700 Canadians across the country companies that will work to retool their production lines to help produce necessary their expenses as soon as possible. Prof. Bratt said this is a time of “great had been diagnosed with COVID-19, materials such as ventilators, face masks, and hand sanitizers, which countries around the “I fear application-based programs uncertainty” with the Coronavirus hav- resulting in nine deaths, while 10 had world are clamouring for. will get delayed and tied up in bureau- ing serious public health and economic recovered. —Compiled by Samantha Wright Allen, with fi les from Neil Moss cratic red tape,” he tweeted. “In nor- effects, and he’s satisfi ed with the per- [email protected] mal times, that is a feature to ensure formance of the government. The Hill Times 26 MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES COVID-19

Conservative Party Geoff Norquay said the role of the Leader Andrew opposition is “never more useful Scheer, left, and necessary” than it is during a Bloc Québécois crisis like this. Leader Yves- “The basic role of the opposi- François Blanchet, tion in maintaining the account- NDP Leader ability and transparency of the Jagmeet Singh, government remains essentially and Green Party the same,” he added, “that said, I parliamentary think the tone and approach of leader Elizabeth the opposition parties should be May have stayed more thoughtful. The questions relatively muted and criticisms of the government in their criticism need to be a little bit more muted.” of the Canadian “The opposition needs to government’s recognize that the government is action plan to doing the best job it is capable of combat the doing under the circumstance, but Coronavirus crisis. that does not take away the need The Hill Times for specifi c probing and questions photographs by and the presentation of alterna- Andrew Meade tives,” Mr. Norquay said. Mr. Van Loan said the opposi- tion cannot just offer opinions. “They have to actually know the fi les, get to know the stuff in detail, work very, very diligently Mr. Van Loan said the leader- if you are going to perform that ship race offers “a real problem.” function well,” he said. ‘The boundary of “Who is speaking for the Without the House sitting Conservative Party? Is it Andrew regularly the opposition will have Scheer? Is it the public safety to do most of its public position- or health shadow minister? Is it ing through the press and social leading candidates? And they all media. acceptable criticism have a bit of a claim,” he said. Conservative MP Scott Reid Leadership candidates are not (Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston, playing to the general Canadian Ont.) is calling for an emergency audience, Mr. Van Loan said, but committee to oversee the govern- just got a lot narrower’: to the partisan audience that is ment’s response to the COVID-19 the party’s base that will vote in crisis. the leadership election. “Oversight is needed—and if, “[An audience] which prob- as [Government House Leader ably tempts them into more criti- Pablo] Rodriguez tells us, it not doing politics in cal and more partisan positions, cannot be given by the House of which may seem satisfying, but I Commons in advance—then it suspect are ultimately unhelpful,” needs to be given by a committee he said. of the House of Commons, after the time of COVID-19 Mr. Cullen said he didn’t think the fact (and starting immediate- it is wise of the Conservative ly),” Mr. Reid wrote in a blog post Party to continue its leadership on his website. campaign during the crisis. He said opposition leaders Noting that it is the job of the without being seen as using the “[A delay of the race] would … should not provide unanimous ‘The public tolerance opposition to provide oversight crisis for partisan gain. lower the temperature for some consent to the government’s of the government, Mr. Scheer “If you … look at how Ford candidates who are desperate to emergency measures package for outright said his party will be asking has interacted with the federal get attention and willing to say when the House of Commons partisanship or questions about any Canadians government, he’s shown a lot of things that they probably know resumes this week unless an over- that the government’s $82-billion support. He’s been a team player. are infl ammatory if not outright sight committee is established. point-scoring will be aid package doesn’t “adequately He’s keeping an eye focused on dangerous to attract [support],” “To do otherwise would be a reach.” the ball. But I look, for example, he said. gross abdication of responsibility,” extremely low right NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh to how he kind of pushed them Former NDP national director he added. (Burnaby South, B.C.) sent a letter gently in a positive [way] on clos- Robin Sears said it’s a diffi cult With a reshaped opposition now,’ former NDP MP to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ing the border, he didn’t criticize line to walk for the opposition to role, politicos say there needs to be (Papineau, Que.) on March 19 them for not closing the border. be critical, but not obstructionist. increased cross-party consultation. Nathan Cullen says. outlining his party’s support for He didn’t open up a confl ict,” said “In calmer times,” he said, “it “One thing I would offer to the the government’s emergency Mr. Van Loan, who was Public might be acceptable” to block government ... is recognizing the measures, but added that he was Safety minister from 2008 and Continued from page 1 legislation if some funding was value of cross-partisan support. “alarmed” by the timeline for the 2010, and was then in charge of missing, which may no longer be The more they can include oppo- have made only a handful of programs to be available to the leading pandemic planning. the case. sition leaders and thoughtful MPs public appearances, and typical public. Before the decision was made “I think what I would propose into the process, the better,” Mr. partisan attacks on government Green Party parliamentary by Canada and the U.S. to close as a political staffer for any of the Cullen said. policies have been largely muted. leader Elizabeth May (Saanich- their shared border, Mr. Ford said people that have to make judge- “First, there may be an insight “The opposition has to remain Gulf Islands, B.C.) said that she he would be “open” to closing ments about the public posture of that a minister or a deputy min- free to criticize decisions that are was “encouraged by the cross-par- the border, with the exception of leaders is that the boundaries of ister doesn’t have. And secondly, made, but with the intention being ty collaboration,” in a March 18 trade and commerce. acceptable criticism just got a lot I fi nd solutions are much more to make things better, not simply statement announcing her party’s “So it was an interesting narrower, and be careful that you strongly owned by all of Parlia- to score points,” former NDP MP support for the government’s way—from a different partisan don’t cross them,” he said. ment if there’s a sincere effort to Nathan Cullen told The Hill Times emergency measures. side, a different perspective…on Mr. Sears said another include rather than exclude other in a phone interview last week. There has been some mild trying to push the envelope and change to the opposition’s role voices,” he added. “The public tolerance for out- criticism of the government’s ac- infl uence policy and show lead- is that a lot of discussions will If the government’s emergency right partisanship or point-scor- tions. Conservative MP Dan Albas ership, at the same time as not now take place away from the measures are proving to be inef- ing will be extremely low right (Central Okanagan-Similkameen- being critical and not opening up public eye. fective over time, the tone of the now, would be my guess. Anyone Nicola, B.C.) told reporters on a partisan divide or gap,” Mr. Van “When governments negotiate opposition could change to be doing it would be likely making March 18 that the government’s Loan said. with each other, as Trudeau and more critical, said Mr. Van Loan. a mistake,” said Mr. Cullen, who response to the crisis has been Some of the most critical voic- Trump did on the border clos- “If this goes on for many served as the NDP’s House leader “inconsistent and often sometime es towards the government have ing, again that’s not something weeks and months as has been from 2012 to 2014. confusing.” He also criticized the come from Conservative Party that can be done in public,” he suggested might be the case, Speaking to CBC last week, government’s slow reaction on leadership candidates, including said. “And it’s not, I don’t think, a there’s not always going to be Conservative Leader Andrew “several fronts,” including the Peter MacKay and Erin O’Toole reasonable thing for opposition that same sense of urgency and Scheer (Regina-Qu’Appelle, decision to close the Canada-U.S. (Durham, Ont.), who criticized the parties to criticize. It’s just the there’s going to be a greater op- Sask.) noted his support for the border. government for not closing infor- way those negotiations have to portunity to examine whether government’s emergency mea- Former Conservative House mal entry ways into Canada, like take place.” the decisions being made are the sures and said his party will leader Peter Van Loan said the Roxham Road in Quebec, before Although the opposition may right ones, whether they should “continue to be cooperative” in opposition should look to Ontario the government announced that need to operate less in political be tweaked,” he said. order to recall Parliament to get Premier Doug Ford for a way irregular border crossers would theatrics during the crisis, long- [email protected] assistance to Canadians. to infl uence government action be turned back. time Conservative strategist The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 27 COVID-19 ‘It’s incredibly dire here’: Alberta MPs navigating COVID-19 and oil crises

eral residents of a trailer park in While the new her riding. She said she kept her distance during the meeting. Coronavirus spreads “I’m a hugger. I love to hug people and there are these people across Canada, a who are seriously hurting, and supply war between you’re not even allowed to shake their hand.” Russia and Saudi Ms. Rempel Garner said her staff was already doing a lot of Arabia has led to a their work through digital media before the crisis, and “social plunge in the price distancing” hadn’t interrupted of oil produced in their ability to do their job. She declined to say whether she was Alberta. working out of the offi ce, her home, or elsewhere, but said she was carrying on with her work. Continued from page 1 “We’ve had a signifi cant uptick with her province under siege by in casework obviously. This has a “triple whammy” of a struggling just been devastating for our com- resource sector, a sudden plum- These are extraordiany times: Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner, left, NDP MP Heather McPherson, and munity.” met in oil prices, and nationwide Conservative MP Stephanie Kusie are trying to help their constituents in Alberta work through the COVID-19 crisis and a Calgary is the heart of measures to mitigate the damage sudden crash to the price of oil that underpins the province’s economy. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade Canada’s oil industry, which was from COVID-19. already struggling before the “It’s incredibly dire here, there She said she has been relying She also said a government Ms. McPherson said she had price war between the Russians is no doubt about it,” she said. only on information from public minister with whom she has also been working from home. and Saudis caused prices to dive Prime Minister Justin Trudeau health and government offi cials, a personal relationship—she She has kept her offi ce open, but on March 7. (Papineau, Que.) has closed Can- and trying to gather details about declined to say who—reached out is not accepting walk-in appoint- “A lot of my community who ada’s borders to all but Canadian how and when some of the gov- to her to ask for information. Ms. ments, and is helping staff to had been out of work, they had residents, and is encouraging ernment’s measures in response Kusie said she contacted local work from home as well if and run out of EI a long time ago,” Canadians to isolate themselves to the COVID-19 crisis will apply. and provincial politicians to try to when necessary. said Ms. Rempel Garner. from each other as much as they “The problem, right now, fi nd information to pass back to “My constituents care about Both Ms. Rempel Garner and can as confi rmed cases of the for my constituents, is trying to the minister. how we’re helping small busi- Ms. McPherson said it was dif- virus grow daily. He also pledged aggregate essentially balkan- The government has been nesses and these families that fi cult to separate the economic an $82-billion economic bailout ized pieces of information [from] holding daily briefi ngs for all have to stay at home because they harms caused by the latest plunge package for individuals and busi- across government,” she said. MPs and Senators via teleconfer- have small children,” she said. in oil prices and the troubles the nesses, many of which have been oil sector has faced throughout forced to close amid the crisis. the last few years. Ms. McPherson Meanwhile, a dispute over said Alberta hasn’t done enough oil production between Russia to diversify its economy. Both and Saudi Arabia led to a price she and Ms. Rempel Garner said war, with world oil prices drop- federal policies had damaged the ping, and the already-low price province’s economy and made it for Alberta-produced Western more vulnerable before the latest Canadian Select oil plunging into crisis. single digits last week, before Some of those who had al- recovering to more than US$12 ready been laid off from jobs in per barrel on March 19. the oil sector had turned to work “When we come out of this, in retail, said Ms. Rempel Garner. we will still be at a net defi cit in Many retail businesses are now terms of jobs, and I would even struggling as well, as people are say revenue, within the province,” being urged to stay indoors and said Ms. Kusie, who was fi rst away from public spaces to avoid elected in a 2017 byelection. the spread of the virus. “That will be the time again The Liberal government’s that we look to addressing the bailout plan includes a promise more mid-term and long-term of cash for “workers who are not economies here,” she said. eligible for EI and who are facing “For now it’s about implement- unemployment,” capped at a total ing these measures as announced of $5-billion, according to a press by the federal government to ease release. the pain as much as possible.” Ms. Rempel Garner said that Alberta has 34 MPs, and part of her job now is to give her not one is from the governing constituents confi dence that the Liberal Party. All but one, NDP economy will recover. MP Heather McPherson (Edmon- “We have to instil a sense of ton Strathcona), are Conserva- confi dence in the community that tive. The Hill Times spoke with different levels of government are Ms. Kusie, Ms. McPherson, and working together,” she said. fellow Alberta Conservative “I think a lot of people are Michelle Rempel Garner (Calgary looking at Italy and saying ‘we Nose Hill) about the challenges don’t want that.’” facing their province, and how Like most MPs, Alberta MPs Stephanie Kusie, Heather McPherson, and Michelle Rempel Garner have been using social More people have now died they were managing their duties media to try to keep their constituents informed about the rapidly-changing COVID-19 crisis. Photographs courtesy of Twitter from COVID-19 in Italy—more as MPs during the crisis. than 3,400 as of March 19—than Like most MPs, all three have in China, where the disease fi rst been using social media and their There has been more com- ence. The Parliamentarians are Ms. McPherson said she was began to spread, or any other MP websites to post information munication than usual between briefed by ministers and public calling as many constituents as country in the world. to constituents about the COV- the government and opposition health offi cials, and have oppor- she could, a form of “virtual door- Nine Canadians had died of ID-19 crisis, and the government’s during the early days of the crisis, tunities to ask questions. knocking” to keep them informed. the virus as of March 19, and response. Ms. Rempel Garner said Ms. Kusie. She said she had “So far we’re much more She said she did travel to meet in nearly 800 cases had been con- has redesigned a section of her been trying to keep government well behaved [on the call] than person with someone concerned fi rmed across the country. website into a streamlined FAQ offi cials informed about the needs in question period,” said Ms. about eviction notices that had [email protected] on the subject. of her constituency. McPherson. recently been handed out to sev- The Hill Times 28 MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES COVID-19 ‘The instinct is to throw yourself journos, bureau chiefs weigh in

also a reporter, work and fi le from home. daily judgment call to determine if it is of recently approached those staffers to ask ‘You need to look at what “This is a story that affects everyone. value to attend in person. His newsroom them to encourage their ministers to pro- Schools are shut down, day cares are shut managers have told him to be careful, work vide more succinct answers. He added that the facts are in front of you down, families are scrambling, people are from home when he can, and use common those staffers were receptive and said they trying to make ends meet. That is not some- sense if he goes out to report. would look into the situation. and make decisions quickly,’ thing that my family has had to deal with The changes, such as the teleconference Reporters out in the fi eld noted their says PPG president Jordan because we have the fl exibility to work option, made by the Parliamentary Press own personal habits have changed. To from home,” she told The Hill Times in a Gallery during this time are appreciated by avoid an infection and possibly bringing Press. ‘Nothing like I’ve ever phone interview on March 18. Ms. Kirkup, who said the executive team it home to his two young children, Mr. Co- She credits her news organization and has been proactive in listening to members’ chrane said he has been washing his hands seen,’ says CBC reporter Ottawa bureau chief Robert Fife for decid- feedback about the situation. so hard that his knuckles have bled. ing that Globe and Mail staff should work Todd Lamirande, a host and producer Mike Le Couteur, a correspondent for David Cochrane. from home. Mr. Fife confi rmed that every- at APTN, said he approves of the press Global National, told The Hill Times on one in their offi ce is working on coverage gallery’s decision to move the ministers’ March 17 in West Block that he has been BY MIKE LAPOINTE & TESSIE SANCI of the COVID-19 health crisis and eco- press briefi ng to Room 225 in West Block keeping the new ways to interact in mind. nomic fallout, and that they are all working from the National Press Theatre (NPT). “I would have instinctively put out my s the fallout from the global COVID-19 from and relying on phones to get in touch The West Block room is ordinarily used for hand to shake your hand when saying hi, Apandemic continues to derail business with ministers, offi cials, business and other Liberal caucus meetings, but the NPT was but instead we didn’t do anything and I plans, investment portfolios and family interest groups. too tight. almost went for the elbow,” Mr. Le Couteur planning across the country, Parliamentary “We said, referring Press Gallery reporters and Ottawa bureau cover Parliament to public health chiefs are grappling with the challenge— news con- Hill media, advice that and obligation—of keeping Canadians ferences pictured on individuals avoid informed of lighting-speed developments, via con- March 17, skin-to-skin con- while at the same time ensuring they ference 2020, outside tact and tap their and those around them remain safe and calls and Rideau elbows together healthy. watching Cottage as a way of say- Journalists and Ottawa bureau chiefs TV,” said where Prime ing hello. say coverage of this event is like no other Mr. Fife, in Minister With daily in recent memory, and requires reporters a message Justin press briefi ngs to rise to a challenge previously unseen in to The Hill Trudeau has from Prime Canadian politics. Times. been holding Minister Justin “The challenge here is that reporters, “The staff his daily press Trudeau (Papine- journalists of all kinds, do what they do out in the briefings au, Que.), federal of a sense of mission, and when there’s a press gal- since he’s cabinet ministers, big story, the instinct is to throw yourself lery have been in self- provincial and at it with everything you’ve got until the been par- isolation since territorial pre- story is over, however long that takes,” said ticularly March 12. miers, and public David Reevely, Ottawa bureau chief with helpful.” The Hill Times health offi cials The Canadian Press. “And I think everyone With photograph by from across the is going to have to pace themselves be- many Andrew Meade country, the story cause these are events of an intensity that journalists of COVID-19 has nobody has ever experienced before on the across the become its own time scale that we’re expecting, and that’s city and 24/7 news cycle. going to be a challenge.” the coun- “It is an end- “Television journalism, in particular, is try turning less torrent of a team sport, so you’ve got to look after their information just yourself, you have to look after everyone homes coming at you around you [in the newsroom], and you into mini- and we have to have to look after everybody who cares newsrooms, the Parliamentary Press Gal- The theatre is “a small space and could try and turn it all into a narrative form in about you and is waiting for you to come lery executive implemented new measures be quite crowded if the topic you’re report- real time to help people understand it. So, home at the end of the day,” said David to increase reporters’ access to the daily ing on was a big one,” he told The Hill on the professional side of things, that is Cochrane, a senior reporter in CBC’s par- briefi ngs being provided by Prime Minister Times in a phone interview on March 18. just really daunting, mentally and narra- liamentary bureau, in a phone interview Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) in front “You’re shoulder to shoulder with your tively,” Mr. Cochrane said. with The Hill Times on March 18. “It’s like of Rideau Cottage where he is in self-iso- colleagues.” Mr. Cochrane has been on-air frequent- nothing I’ve ever seen.” lation, and a group of ministers speaking Room 225 has seats that are joined, but ly within the last week on CBC News Net- Across the country, governments are from West Block. a wooden panel between each one ensures work’s live coverage of the daily briefi ngs. telling people to work from home and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia that individuals are not touching each He said CBC’s live coverage has lasted avoid social gatherings in order to slow the Freeland (University-Rosedale, Ont.) and other when seated. The table at the front of between two and fi ve hours daily and he spread of the illness. Health Minister Patty Hajdu (Thunder Bay- the room where the ministers speak is also has been working longer hours though he The CBC studio has been working with Superior North, Ont.), in addition to Chief longer than what is available at the NPT noted that his experience is “nothing com- a “skeleton crew,” Mr. Cochrane said. Public Health Offi cer Dr. Theresa Tam, are allowing ministers to spread out. Press pared to what a health worker or a border Broadcast journalists working from consistently present at those press confer- Gallery and House of Commons staff were worker is dealing with right now.” home are using Skype and their smart- ences. seen sanitizing microphones and desktops Mr. Cochrane recalled being a local phones to produce live broadcast hits and A teleconference line is available at prior to the briefi ngs last week. reporter in St. John’s, N.L., and covering online stories are also being fi led from both briefi ngs, and questions are taken Mr. Lamirande said he attends briefi ngs serious tragedies but noted the experience journalists’ homes. The network’s parlia- from reporters physically present at the in part because he is a broadcast journalist didn’t affect him in the same way as this mentary bureau has fewer than 20 people briefi ng and those who have called in. and requires visuals. He said he is unsure story. Although those events were terrible, working in the CBC building which is “I can’t recall ever being able to phone of whether he would use the teleconference he said, there was still the option of going signifi cantly lower than usual, according to in to ask a prime minister a question. It’s option and that it would depend on how home and turning off your phone. the senior reporter. like you have to show up, you have to have the press conference is moderated, noting “You could go to the bar or the restau- The plan is to switch the reporters a pass, you have to stand in the cold with it can be hard for a reporter to have a ques- rant, you could socialize with friends and working from home and those within the everyone else,” said Dylan Robertson, par- tion answered. tune out. You can’t tune out from this one. offi ce so in-studio journalists can minimize liamentary bureau chief for the Winnipeg The move to West Block has also pre- That’s the real challenge,” he said. their risk of infection and those fi ling from Free Press, to The Hill Times by phone on sented another challenge as a board mem- Ms. Kirkup has been thinking about home can benefi t from some social interac- March 19. “To me, [the teleconference op- ber from the Press Gallery is not always the loss of social activity, and how it has tion. tion] is quite extraordinary.” present, which has resulted in ministers’ changed life for reporters who often get Kristy Kirkup, a national affairs re- Mr. Robertson is choosing for now to staff moderating press conferences. together after work to discuss the day. She porter for The Globe and Mail, has been continue to attend press briefi ngs, describ- This has led to ministers giving “sprawl- has been actively communicating with her working from home and considers herself ing it as a way to speak with government ing” responses and using press conference colleagues through phone calls and Face- one of the lucky ones. Her mother has been staffers in person. time to repeat what other ministers have Time chats as opposed to texts and emails. watching her two-year-old daughter during But he also said that he could “self- already said, according to Mr. Robertson, the day while Ms. Kirkup and her husband, isolate any day now” and that he makes a who said he and four other reporters Continued on page 29 THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 29 COVID-19 at it with everything you’ve got’: on covering COVID-19 pandemic

Continued from page 28 “We’ve been able to make a lot of those fairly quickly in terms of shock and the “We were told to go home starting at the decisions quickly.” damage and then we’ll begin to rebuild.” beginning of this week,” said Ms. Scoffi eld. “Even for myself, I need the social contact,” Like all Canadians, journalists are “With this, I don’t think anybody can re- “Nobody has to go to any press conferenc- she said. continuing to do their jobs under incred- ally say how long we’re going to be at this, es because the press gallery has managed The way the complex story has blended ibly stressful conditions, and they should we’re going to be in this different world of to set it up all remotely and we can call in.” into Mr. Le Couteur’s personal life has him be applauded for fi nding ways to do it and trying to decide and make decisions about Ms. Scoffi eld also said that if reporters playing the role of unbiased interpreter of for keeping Canadians informed, said Mr. personal health and where we go and “absolutely have to go somewhere,” they this information for his social circle. Press. how we cover this story for maybe weeks are sending masks and that reporters are “In our social groups, people will often “That’s what blows my mind as I see the or months or maybe longer than that, and keeping their distance from others gravitate towards us [as journalists] for coverage day, is just the ability for people that’s such a big difference compared to “We’ve been able to avoid it for the either confi rmation or denial of rumours to digest huge, vast amounts of informa- anything I’ve covered,” said Mr. Van Dusen. most part,” said Ms. Scoffi eld. “We’re lucky they’re hearing,” he said, pointing to people’s tion in short periods of time, under really For the anchor, the biggest issue is because we’re writers and we don’t actu- use of online chat groups as a source of stressful conditions, personally and profes- uncertainty. ally have to point a camera at people, and information. “It’s sometimes diffi cult to deal sionally, and pump it all out, and keep Ca- “The idea of not knowing if this is going we have no photographers on staff here in with all of that. You feel you have to possibly nadians informed,” said Mr. Press. “That’s to get a whole lot worse, and I think every- Ottawa.” dispel the myth or debunk it. And it’s a lot.” amazing to me.” body believes it’s going to get worse before Althia Raj, Ottawa bureau chief for CP chief lauds reporters ‘trying to CPAC’s Peter Van Dusen, who’s had it gets better,” said Mr. Van Dusen. “But will HuffPost Canada, told The Hill Times their more than four decades of experience as it get so bad to the point that [where] we work guidelines at the moment are for bring it at work every single day’ both a reporter and anchor, is the net- have a seriously hobbled public service everybody to work from home and that David Reevely, Ottawa bureau chief for work’s executive producer and told The journalism core for the country.” they’ll reassess next week. The Canadian Press, told The Hill Times Hill Times their “number one obligation” “Just because it’s changing so quickly, it’s “There’s so many of us [in the gallery] that the bureau had made a number of and “responsibility and service to viewers,” so unpredictable and changing from one day and we all have questions and different changes in the week ending Friday, March is to make sure they’re getting as much to the next, and I guess that’s my biggest con- angles, and they added a phone line for 13, including having “virtually all” people information fi rst-hand as they can. cern, is that there may come a point where we the prime minister’s press conferences, work from home—and that a directive “So that means taking all of the news are unable to operate, and the consequences so that’s great. I think everybody is doing from Toronto was issued that people are conferences from provincial and federal of that if that’s a widespread media reality their best,” said Ms. Raj in an interview simply not to work in offi ce unless it’s political and health leaders across the across the country,” said Mr. Van Dusen. with The Hill Times Wednesday evening. absolutely necessary. country and making sure that as many Ca- Heather Scoffi eld, Ottawa bureau chief Tessie Sanci is the health editor of Hill “We are kind of lucky, as probably a lot nadians as possible see them, we’re playing for The Toronto Star, told The Hill Times Times Research, which is owned by Hill of Hill reporters and bureaus are, in that them all in primetime,” said Mr. Van Dusen. the bureau has been working from home Times Publishing. we are used to working remotely, people “All that to say, that requires a certain core and had very clear instructions from their [email protected] working on laptops on the Hill, people fol- number of producers and technicians to be head offi ce in Toronto and were “well sup- [email protected] lowing campaigns on the road, people trav- able to make that happen.” ported by them and our IT people.” The Hill Times eling with the prime minister, so we have “We are being very cautious and ex- some experience with it,” said Mr. Reevely. ercising our responsibility,” said Mr. Van “Having everybody do it at the same time is Dusen. a little bit new, but it wasn’t that huge a dif- Mr. Van Dusen said they are sanitizing ference on the work-front from what we’re the offi ce constantly, self-distancing, and ȶȉȦȟ3SZIP(SVSREZMVYW (4:.)Ȧȟ accustomed to.” have fewer people in the offi ce. They have Mr. Reevely lauded reporters “who are also re-confi gured their television control trying to bring it at work every, single day.” rooms so people are further apart. What you need to know “Every reporter has someone in his or When asked if there were any compari- her life who is immunocompromised, who sons to previous events that could have is older, who they need to worry about and prepared him—or any journalists covering to help you and your who they are accustomed to helping or COVID-19—for this scenario, Mr. Reevely getting help from, so everyone’s carrying said the obvious comparison is 9/11. around an enormous amount of personal “I was a very junior reporter then, I was family stay healthy. worry,” said Mr. Reevely. “That’s going to be a weekend reporter at the Ottawa Citizen diffi cult to sustain.” then, but the intensity of that and the sense Jordan Press, a Canadian Press reporter that the world was suddenly very different on the Hill who’s been the president of the and might not ever go back to quite the • Only visit an assessment centre if you have Parliamentary Press Gallery President for way it was, we had to rise to the chal- been referred by a health care professional. only a few weeks, said there’s nothing that lenge of that because our work was very, can prepare someone in the role for having very important in that moment,” said Mr. • Avoid non-essential travel. to fi nd a way to manage access while keep- Reevely. “The combination of the emotional ing a close eye on people’s health and mak- intensity of it and the absolute necessity to ing sure they feel safe and they feel healthy do the work, that’s the only comparison I • Monitor for symptoms after travel. in doing their jobs. can think of.” “There’s very little experience that I But Mr. Reevely also said that the dif- • Avoid large gatherings. think many people have doing that, unless ference is that 9/11 was that the sense that you have very specifi c training, it’s some- the event “was happening directly to us • Be prepared, but avoid panic stocking. thing you have to learn on the job,” said personally passed fairly quickly. It was an Mr. Press. “But the thing that you do learn intense day and there was a lot of fear, ter- • Caring for those who are ill? Take precautions. is how to evaluate things and make those ror about what might come after that, like decisions as required.” might there be other attacks, will there be • Clean high-touch surfaces regularly. Mr. Press said that in this case, there’s a round two.” not a lot of time to think things through, “We were kind of waking up to a world and “you need to look at what the facts are that was different from the one we were • Order your prescription medication. in front of you and make decisions quickly.” used to, but that subsided, I think, when “That’s something journalists do every there was a little bit of quiet afterwards, • Practice cough and sneeze etiquette in transit. day and they do very well,” said Mr. Press. and we don’t know how long [this pandem- “So, if anything, that’s a huge help for me ic] is going to last. It’s happening to us, it’s right about now.” happening to our families, it’s happening If you have symptoms, Mr. Press also noted that the execu- to our co-workers,” said Mr. Reevely. take the self-assessment tive board he works with has been able to Mr. Van Dusen also said that “as journal- at ontario.ca/coronavirus. Or call Telehealth quickly fi nd consensus around things that ists, we’ve covered natural disasters, nasty are immediately needed. political campaigns, we’ve covered stories Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007) “What are we going to do, is to make that have been bad but have also presented or your public health unit. sure that we balance the number of ques- a personal threat and presented a threat to tions in the room to questions on the those around you, but I think the difference phone, because normally you would give is, even with 9/11, this was really bad, but preference to people in the room and then once you understood what it was, you know Paid for by the Government of Ontario move to the phone lines,” said Mr. Press. that it was terrorist attacks and it will pass 30 MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES COVID-19

Initially, some event organizers decided to make alternate arrangements to avoid No more Hill parties as cancelling entirely. The Manning Centre told The Hill Times on March 10 it would be taking precautions to avoid spreading the virus at its annual conference, sched- uled for March 25-27 at the Westin Hotel in coronavirus grips country downtown Ottawa. These measures includ- ed replacing buffets with serving stations and making hand sanitizer more readily available. As the situation deteriorated and the reality of a long-term, whole-of-society ‘Politics and the Pen is approach to combatting the virus became the norm, on March 12 the Manning Centre probably the exact opposite decided to take the next step and cancel. of social distancing. We “Health and safety concerns combined with low participation make any event at cram so many people into this time impossible if not irresponsible,” read a statement from Manning Centre the ballroom that you can president Troy Lanigan. When the House is sitting, lobby day barely keep one to two organizers salivate. Hundreds of legisla- tors, department offi cials, diplomats and inches away,’ says Jim other poilticos in the same city at the same Armour. time helps in fi nding a sympathetic ear for a given initiative. Open bars also help. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture BY AIDAN CHAMANDY was set to host their annual lobby day and post-budget reception on March 31. On s COVID-19 cases continue to expo- March 11, they put out a statement saying Anentially grow in Canada and around the lobbying blitz will move to October. Last the world, possibly the only thing spread- year, the organization met with several min- ing faster is cabin fever. isters, such as Finance Minister Bill Morneau Ottawans are shut in because every- (Toronto Centre, Ont.) and then-environment thing has shut down. Seemingly half the minister Catherine McKenna (Ottawa Cen- Social gatherings on hold: Guests, pictured on the terrace of the Château Laurier Hotel in 2018 at city has taken up running in an effort to tre, Ont.), and members of the opposition, the Politics & the Pen swishy fundraiser gala for the Writers’ Trust of Canada. This year’s Politics & stave off insanity. Thanks to these keen including then-deputy Conservative Leader the Pen, usually one of the hottest tickets of the year, has been postponed along with every other folk, Sparks Street has actually become Lisa Raitt and then-Green Party Leader social gathering in political Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade busier. Elizabeth May (Saanich-Gulf Islands, B.C.). The province banned gatherings over 50 Women on the Hill, an annual event cel- people: if the NHL season wasn’t cancelled, Sens games, everything planned for the announced it will suspend all committee ebrating, you guessed it, women in politics, the Ottawa Senators would still be able to near future has been cancelled. MPs unani- travel, parliamentary functions, visitor was also cancelled. It was on for early May, host games. mously agreed to suspended the sitting cal- access to the House of Commons precinct, but didn’t have a set date. Seeing as parties in and around the endar until at least April 20. On March 13, and all events in the precinct. On March The Governor General’s Performing Hill are generally more well-attended than the Commons Board of Internal Economy 12, Conservative leadership candidates Arts Awards was scheduled for April 25 announced they would suspend all public at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. campaign events. Nine awards were set to be handed out, Cory Hann, director of communications including to Ryan Reynolds and Catherine for the Conservative Party, addressed the O’Hara. The GGPAA’s are considered one leadership race in an email on March 12, of the most, if not the most, prestigious “with our leadership event not scheduled awards event in Canadian arts. for another three months, we have no The organizing committee announced changes to announce but continue to dis- on March 17 that the awards show would cuss options on how to mitigate concerns be postponed until Spring 2021. A spe- over a gathering such as that.” The conven- cifi c date hasn’t been set. Still looking to tion is still set for June 27 and six candi- provide some entertainment during a time dates have yet to meet the $300,000 and of social-distancing, the GGPAA said in a 3,000 signature requirement. They have statement that “we encourage you to binge until March 25 to do so. watch the touching and memorable short The party has two leadership debates tribute fi lms on past laureates created by scheduled in April and both will be held the National Film Board.” without attendees. Two of the biggest events of the year “As Canada’s offi cial opposition party, were also set for the not too distant future, we have an important role in our democ- and have both been postponed. racy, and we owe it to Canadians to have The Parliamentary Press Gallery Dinner the new leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Op- was postponed from May 2 to Oct. 24, as- position in place under the timelines we’ve suming everything is back to normal. The announced,” the party stated. Press Gallery’s board of executives voted The Senate took a rare step and expe- unanimously in favour of the proposal, dited the passage of the new NAFTA legis- Press Gallery president Jordan Press said. lation on Friday, March 13, while it was un- Politics and the Pen was scheduled for dergoing a pre-study. Some parties snuck May 13. The annual black-tie event held in their celebration right before everything at the Chateau Laurier and put on by stopped, when tapping elbows instead of the Writers Trust of Canada presents the shaking hands was the joke (and legitimate Shaughnessey Cohen Award for political precaution) de jour. Oh to be young again! writing to the best non-fi ction book of the The Canadian Cattlemens’ Association year. It also comes with a $25,000 prize. held their annual party on March 11 in the Rachel Giese, author of Boys: What it Sir John A. Macdonald building. It was a Means to Become a Man, won in 2019. packed and served as a fun sendoff, if only Organizers Catherine Clark and Jim Ar- in retrospect. mour, vice-president at Summa Strategies, In an alternative, non-COVID-19 uni- said plans are in the works to reschedule verse, this would’ve been a fairly busy time for the fall. The event raises an average of for the Parliament Hill social scene. After $375,000 for the Writers’ Trust, according an extended post-election and Christmas to Ms. Clark. Ms. Clark said the sponsors holiday hiatus, the House was fi nally gear- have “been incredibly supportive” and ing back up to a regular schedule. Lobby “almost entirely signalled that they will be days were planned, travel for important with us in the fall.” conferences was booked, and award “Politics and the Pen is probably the ex- shows were polishing their trophies: not act opposite of social distancing. We cram to mention the budget parties, pre-parties, so many people into the ballroom that you after-parties, and after-after-parties. The can barely keep one to two inches away,” federal budget was originally scheduled to said Mr. Armour. be released March 30 but has since been [email protected] postponed indefi nitely. The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 31 COVID-19

can do. So far, it appears from the messaging that they are not Unprecedented virtual campaigning changing their plan.” After the Sunday, March 15, LEOC meeting, the party offered some online tools to help leader- for Conservative leadership will ship candidates to campaign. One of the tools they offered was virtual town hall meetings, a way for candidates to set up their own mean end of candidacy for some events online that the party would advertise to its members. The party has also set up a portal ac- paid $300,000—a $200,000 said Mr. Peterson. “And that’s been to extend the March 25 deadline, cessible to party members and if ‘The party is faced registration fee, and a $100,000 taken away.” the party is being “tone deaf” they like a candidate, where they compliance fee—and obtained After cancelling public events, to the impact the Coronavirus can download a form to endorse a with a situation where 3,000 signatures from 30 or more a number of leadership candi- pandemic is having on Canadians candidate of their choosing. they can decide to ridings from seven provinces and dates reached out to the Conser- and its effects on the leadership Mr. Peterson said these two territories nationally. As verifi ed vative Party’s Leadership Election race. She said she had to cancel 26 tools wouldn’t be of much help, as be fl exible, or they candidates, all four are guaran- Organization Committee (LEOC) events where she was supposed to they won’t replace the in-person teed to be on the ballot. to request that they consider meet with party members to speak campaigning experience. He said can be infl exible,’ According to the party web- extending the March 25 deadline to them and to seek their support that each candidate already has site, there were four candidates in for candidates to send in their and try to raise money. the portal on their respective says leadership the “approved applicant” cat- remaining money and signa- Mr. Peterson had told The websites that the party has now egory, including Conservative MP tures, or consider suspending the Hill Times three weeks ago that has set up on its website. candidate Rick Marilyn Gladu (Sarnia-Lambton, leadership election contest until raising money was becoming “Individual members are ex- Peterson, who asked Ont.), former senior OLO staffer September. But the 18-member more challenging amid the eco- tremely interested in hearing and Rudy Husny, lawyer Jim Kara- LEOC co-chaired by former cabi- nomic uncertainty, as people are seeing and meeting the candi- the party to extend halios, and Mr. Peterson, until he net minister Lisa Raitt and senior concerned about their jobs and date,” said Mr. Peterson. dropped out. So far, they each Conservative Dan Nowlan, in a economic well being. Last week, “This afternoon, I informed the the candidates’ March have deposited the initial $25,000 meeting on March 15, declined he said he was suspending all Conservative Party’s Leadership and submitted 1,000 signatures the request and said the leader- fundraising. Mr. Peterson issued Election Organizing Commit- 25 deadline to April by the Feb. 27 deadline. These ship election schedule will stay a press release Monday, March 16 tee (LEOC) that I will no longer candidates can raise money and unrevised. saying the economic uncertainty be a leadership contestant,” Mr. 17 because of the set up their makes it dif- Peterson stated. “This is a diffi cult COVID-19 outbreak. leadership Outgoing fi cult to raise decision, but one I had to make campaigns. Conservative Leader funds, and that after LEOC informed me earlier Donors Andrew Scheer, he would not today that, with the full support of BY ABBAS RANA to these pictured in this file be appealing national council, it will maintain candidates photograph on the to individuals existing deadlines for member- ome candidates for the Con- will also be Hill. Wednesday, for donations. ship nomination signatures and Sservative Party leadership will eligible to March 25, is Instead, he fees due to the party despite the be knocked out of the contest by receive tax the deadline for said, he would obvious diffi culties the COVID-19 the COVID-19 pandemic, unable deductible all Conservative rely on loans pandemic poses for all leadership to get the required 3,000 signa- receipts. Party leadership from fi nancial candidates and for all Canadians.” tures and $300,000 by the March With the candidates to get institutions Former Conservative MP Alex 25 deadline after being forced coronavirus 3,000 signatures and to meet the Nuttall, who is now the campaign to campaign solely in virtual becoming to raise $300,000 required condi- manager for Mr. McKay, told The settings, said some of the contes- the No. to officially become tions to enter Hill Times that it was a tough tants. 1 public candidates to the leadership experience for his campaign to “We’ll see what happens on health issue succeed Mr. Scheer. contest. cancel all public events because March 25, but we are in a situa- wreaking The Hill Times “We will be all campaign events organized tion right now where every single havoc on photograph by Andrew seeking alter- by their campaign were well Canadian out there, and I would economies Meade native fi nanc- attended. He said the campaign say 99 per cent of [party] mem- around ing sources for was now relying on social media bers, this leadership race is not the world, our campaign,” platforms to campaign. at all relevant to their lives,” said including Canada’s, Conserva- As a consequence, Mr. Husny said Mr. Peterson in his state- “It’s a unique experience,” Edmonton businessman Rick tive leadership candidates have stopped in-person and virtual ment, pointing out that Elections said Mr. Nuttall. “You grow and Peterson, who dropped out of the been forced to cancel all public campaigning March 19 because Canada rules permit campaigns you learn every day. It was a very Conservative leadership race on events and campaign only online he says he doesn’t feel it right to to seek unsecured loans from a diffi cult decision to make, not to Friday, March 20. for about the last three weeks. In- ask people for support and money fi nancial institution as designated have Peter going in front of people, “It’s not relevant to what’s im- person meetings are the life blood when they’re worried about their by the Bank Act. because obviously that’s a big portant to them right now. It’s out of politics, said Mr. Peterson, es- health and economic security. “In the meantime, our cam- opportunity for us. But it was the of sight, out of mind. Right? Those pecially in leadership campaigns “During this national health paign team will continue working right one…to protect the public and of us who are in it are focused on when the party faithful want to crisis, I don’t have the heart to with Canadians, as we announced Peter had to make that tough deci- it, but if you were to ask the aver- hear and see the candidate and call our members to ask them to on the weekend, to see how sion, but he made the right deci- age Canadian, the average Con- then make up their mind about support my nomination and to Canada’s banks can help them by sion. And so we stopped campaign- servative Party member where whether they want to support donate money,” Mr. Husny told extending loans, eliminating fees, ing immediately. From that point the leadership race ranks in terms them. The Hill Times on March 19, and pushing back repayment sched- we’ve moved into two new forms of the priorities of your day today, Online campaigning is an im- reiterated the same in a state- ules. We’ll do what we can to help of campaigning and I think you’re I think you fi nd it pretty low portant component of a modern- ment. “I wouldn’t be true to myself Conservative Party members seeing that unfold on daily basis.” down,” Mr. Peterson told The Hill day campaign, but cannot replace if I did continue this campaign.” and all Canadians during these Mr. Sloan was not available Times in an intervew last week campaign rallies or one-on-one This means he wouldn’t be a unprecedented times.” for an interview last week, but before he dropped out. meetings, said Mr. Peterson. candidate for the leadership. He On March 19, he told The Hill his campaign sent a statement to In order to be approved As of deadline last week, there has asked the party in a state- Times that it’s now up to the The Hill Times saying it is forg- as offi cial candidates for the were 846 diagnosed cases of ment to donate his $25,000 depos- Leadership Election Organization ing ahead by campaigning using Conservative leadership contest, COVID-19 across the country, re- it with the party to the Canadian Committee to decide if they want online resources. all candidates have to secure sulting in 11 deaths, while 10 had Red Cross. to stick to the deadlines or extend “With the technology available endorsements from 3,000 party recovered, according to Global “The priority of Canadians the March 25 deadline to April 17 today, it is possible to campaign members, and have to raise News. across the country is primarily to give more time to all candi- without in-person meetings. $300,000 by March 25. Before COVID-19 dominated their health—the health of their dates to adjust to the new reality There are ways to communicate By Friday morning, according the national and international loved ones and their fi nancial se- of this unprecedented situation. with voters that do not involve to the party website, four candi- agenda, leadership candidates curity,” he said. “As I said, politics “These are unprecedented in-person meetings, such as email dates—former Stephen Harper-era were travelling across the country can wait, health cannot. If the times for the party and for the and electronic methods of com- cabinet minister Peter MacKay; to attend Conservative Party Conservative Party of Canada candidates. Nobody expected this, munication,” Mr. Sloan wrote in Conservative MP and former events at the riding level, to give wants to disqualify me on March right?” said Mr. Peterson. his email sent through a staffer to Harper cabinet minister Erin speeches to secure support and to 25th for being true to my values “The party is faced with a situ- The Hill Times. O’Toole (Durham, Ont.); Conserva- raise funds. and refusing to campaign during ation where they can decide to be “People who work in retail tive MP Derek Sloan (Hastings— “I can’t speak for others, but this public health emergency, fl exible, or they can be infl exible. sales, restaurants, cafes, or public Lennox and Addington, Ont.) and in my experience and in our I will leave this race with no That’s the only two alternatives events will be severely affected by lawyer Leslyn Lewis— had been campaign, we rely 80 per cent in regrets, as I believe it is the right they have: either they try to COVID-19. Political campaigns, “verifi ed,” or offi cially approved as terms of the number of people who thing to do and what real leader- provide fl exibility given the situ- however, can now be run “virtu- candidates, by the party. become supporters, it’s in face to ship is all about.” ation or they continue to follow ally.” This means all four are now face contact, it’s in meetings, it’s in On March 16, Ms. Gladu told the letter of the Constitution and [email protected] offi cial contestants, who have AGMs [annual general meetings],” The Hill Times that by refusing the rules, which of course they The Hill Times 32 MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES CLASSIFIEDS

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The Hill Times will dig into what’s going with If you washed your hands preferential trade access to foreign markets in and your hand bled this agriculture policy You would think briefi ng; we’ll also look at the ongoing discussions “THIS IS SERIOUS STUFF” on supply management and deregulation; and Why are bleeding gums when we’ll take a close look at you floss any different?? Canada’s federal minister of agriculture and her top legislative priorities in this Parliament. Be a part of this policy briefi ng.

Call to consult • 613 234 5758 For more information or to reserve your government relations [email protected] • [email protected] and public affairs advertising space, contact The Hill Times display advertising department at 613-688-8841. THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 33 Events Feature

Parliament Hill is Parliamentary deserted these days. Calendar The Commons foyer in the West Block, pictured on March 16, 2020. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade On Parliament Hill, it’s been eerily quiet during coronavirus pandemic crisis

MONDAY, MARCH 23 research Neighbourhood Pharmacies; Terri Drover, senior Cinema in Concordia University. Panel discussions among a handful of surviving Stonewall activists whose House Not Sitting—The House has been suspended vice-president, Stakeholder Engagement, Canadian As- will cover such topics as disinformation, online hate, contributions have had a significant impact on our until Monday, April 20, due to the COVID-19 virus, but sociation of Pharmacy Distribution Management; James ethics, AI governance, the United Nations and global communities. Join us as he shares his stories of upris- it’s expected to return this week for a short time to pass Scongack, executive vice-president, corporate affairs co-operation. Speakers include representatives from ing and rebellion, what motivated him that night. emergency measures in financial aid for Canadians and operational services, Bruce Power; Joelle Walker, WITNESS, Amnesty International, Stanford, Access WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 and businesses to get through the COVID-19 crisis. As vice-president, public affairs, Canadian Pharmacists Now, and the Office of the UN High Commission on of April 20, it is then scheduled to sit for four straight Association; and Durhane Wong-Rieger, president and Human Rights. For tickets, please visit https://www. CJF Awards Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence in weeks until May 15. It will take a one-week break and CEO, Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders. Tuesday, eventbrite.ca/e/artificial-intelligence-and-human-rights- Journalism—The Canadian Journalism Foundation will resume sitting again on May 25 and will sit straight March 31, 8 a.m. to noon, Shaw Centre, 55 Colonel By forum-tickets-88682486705 Awards will be held on June 10, 2020, at the Ritz- through for the next four consecutive weeks, until it’s Dr., Ottawa. Free event. For full agenda, speakers and FRIDAY, APRIL 17 Carlton, Toronto, Ont., hosted by Rick Mercer, former scheduled to adjourn on June 23. The House adjourns tickets, visit globeandmailevents.com/DrugShortages. host of The Rick Mercer Report. The CBC’s Anna Maria again for three months and will return in the fall on Mon- MONDAY, APRIL 6 Conservative Party English-Language Debate—The Tremonti will be honoured. Tables are $7,500 and day, Sept. 21, for three straight weeks. It will adjourn for Conservative Party will host two official leadership de- tickets are $750. For more information on tables and one week and will sit again from Oct. 19 until Nov. 6. It The Herblock Prize Award Ceremony & Lecture— bates—one English debate in Toronto, and one French sponsorship opportunities, contact Josh Gurfinkel at will break again for one week and will sit again from Nov. Canadian editorial cartoonist Michael de Adder, who debate in Montreal. The Toronto debate will take place [email protected] or 416-955-0394. 16 to Dec. 11. And that will be it for 2020. draws for The Hill Times and The Chronicle-Herald, will on April 17 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, SATURDAY, JUNE 27 Senate Not Sitting—The Senate has also been be presented with this prestigious award. José Andrés while the Montreal debate will take place on April 23 at suspended due to the COVID-19 virus. The possible sit- will be the lecturer at The Herb Block Foundation’s the l’Amphithéâtre du Gesù. Both debates will be open Conservative Party Leadership Election—The 2020 ting days are April 20, 24, 27, and May 1. The Senate event on Monday, April 6, 7-10 p.m., Coolidge Audito- for Conservative Party members to attend, and further Conservative Party of Canada leadership election will is scheduled to sit April 21-23 and April 28-30. The rium, Thomas Jefferson Building, Library of Congress, details around ticketing, the format of the debates, be held on June 27, in Toronto to choose a successor to possible Senate sittings are May 4, 8, 11, 15, 25, and 10 First St., SE, Washington, D.C. Invitation only. and moderators will be announced later. Both debates Andrew Scheer. 29. The Senate is scheduled to sit May 5-7 and May TUESDAY, APRIL 7 will also be streamed live online. Canadians who wish 12-May 14. The Senate will break May 18-22. It is to vote in the Conservative Party leadership election The Parliamentary Calendar is a free events listing. scheduled to sit May 26-28. The June possible sitting Policy Options Policy Circle: How Does Tax System have until April 17 to purchase a membership to be Send in your political, cultural, diplomatic, or govern- days are June 1, 5, 8, 12, 15 and 19. The Senate is Complexity Impact Different Segments of Canadian eligible to vote in the Conservative leadership election. mental event in a paragraph with all the relevant de- scheduled to sit June 2-4; June 9-11; June 16-18; and Society?—Moderated by Policy Options‘ editor-in-chief For more information, contact the Conservative Party at tails under the subject line ‘Parliamentary Calendar’ to June 22, 23, it breaks June 24 for St. Jean Baptiste Jennifer Ditchburn, it will be an in-depth, intimate 1-866-808-8407. [email protected] by Wednesday at noon before the Day; and it’s scheduled to sit June 25 and June 26. discussion, and will feature experts who have a deep SATURDAY, APRIL 25 Monday paper or by Friday at noon for the Wednesday The Senate breaks from June 29 until Sept. 22. The knowledge of the issue, including Prosper Canada’s CO paper. We can’t guarantee inclusion of every event, but Senate’s possible September sitting days are Sept. 21, Liz Mulholland; Helen Bobiwash, principal accountant; Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Gala— we will defi nitely do our best. Events can be updated 25, 28. It’s scheduled to sit Sept. 22-24 and Sept. Brendan Pooran, founding lawyer Pooran Law; and Jay Mark your calendar for the star-studded event of the daily online, too. 29-Oct. 1, with a possible sitting day on Friday, Oct. Goodis, CEO, Tax Templates. The event will take place year in Ottawa. The Governor General’s Performing Arts The Hill Times 2. The possible Senate sitting days are Oct. 5, 9, 19, on Tuesday, April 7, 9-11 a.m., Rideau Club, 99 Bank Awards gala will take place at the National Arts Centre 23, 26, and 30. It’s scheduled to sit Oct. 6-8; it takes St., Lounge Room, 15th floor, Ottawa. Refreshments on Saturday, April 25, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets include a break from Oct. 12-16; it will sit Oct. 20-22; and will be served. No cost, but registration is required. a cocktail reception, the red carpet, a tribute gala, Extra! Extra! Oct. 27-29. The November possible Senate days are: Can Canada Lead in Sustainable Agriculture?—There and an after party with live band. The seven deserving Nov. 2, 6, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30. It’s scheduled to sit will be 10 billion people to feed by 2050. Will we be laureates include actors Catherine O’Hara, Ryan Reyn- Nov. 3-5; it will take a break from Nov. 9-13; it will sit able to nourish them and at the same time address olds, and Tantoo Cardinal and composer Alexina Louie. ReReadad tthehe ffullull Nov. 17-19; and Nov. 24-26. The possible December agriculture’s climate change impacts? Join Nutrien’s Tickets are available at nac-cna.ca. ParliamentaParliamentaryry Senate sitting days are: Dec. 4, 7, and 11. The Senate Chuck Magro, in conversation with The Toronto Star’s MONDAY, MAY 4 is scheduled to sit Dec. 1-3; Dec. 8-10 and it will sit Heather Scoffield who will discuss the high-tech future Dec. 14-18. of agriculture and Canada’s leadership role. April 7, International Day of Pink—In celebration of the 50th CCalendaralendar TUESDAY, MARCH 31 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Adam Room, Chateau Laurier anniversary of the Stonewall Riots/Pride; and the 30th Hotel, 1 Rideau St., Ottawa. anniversary of the International Day Against Homopho- online The Globe and Mail‘s Summit on Drug Shortages— WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 bia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, we are proud to invite Globe and Mail columnist André Picard will be the host you to Stonewall 50 across Canada, in Vancouver, and moderator; Dr. Jacalyn Duffin, professor emerita, AI and Human Rights Forum—The Montreal Institute Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Hannah Chair of the History of Medicine, Queen’s of Genocide and Human Rights Studies, Element and Cape Breton, from May 4-21, featuring Stonewall University, will be the keynote speaker; and the panel AI, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, riot activist Martin Boyce. Stonewall 50 across Canada discussions will include Jennifer Gerdts, executive Mitacs, and the Canadian Commission for UNESCO is a free speakers’ series in cities across the country director Food Allergy Canada; Jeff Mehltretter, director of will be holding the Forum on April 15 at the De Seve featuring Stonewall Riot activist Martin Boyce. Boyce is

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farmer-led seed breeding and seed banking, to help vulnerable communities buffer their food supply against crisis and shock. Farmers fi ghting climate Now, the organization uses those same tools to help farmers cope with climate change. For example, the wheat, potatoes, oat and maize trials conducted by change, at home and abroad farmers like Linda and Ian Gros- sart through SeedChange pro- hopes to fi nd they fared better ture is rising, and erratic weather grams are creating varieties that Farmers than the rest of her crop. For the is the new normal. Water dries up perform just as well without con- everywhere are on Brandon, Manitoba farmer, the in some places, fl oods increase in ventional fertilizers and are adapt- land where she and her husband others. Unseasonal thaws cause ed to each farm’s specifi c condi- the frontlines of conduct this breeding trial repre- germination problems, and entire tions. In Honduras, Isidora Garcia sents the frontline of their fi ght crops are lost to early snows. and her community built on their climate change. Our for their farm’s future. Every- It’s a fi ght that is taking place where, this global food supply all around the globe. Isidora translates in Garcia, in the mountainous Yoro farmers liv- Jane Rabinowicz depends on their region of Honduras, is dealing with ing increas- success. The rest Opinion increasingly intense hurricane sea- ingly on the sons wiping out her corn crop just edge. of us can no longer before harvest. Salif Gonde, from Between hen Linda Grossart checks the Sahel region in Burkina Faso, is 2005 and aff ord to sit on the Wthe new organic wheat battling to prevent the desert from 2015, the varieties she’s breeding after each creeping across his once fertile Insurance sidelines. instance of “weird weather”, she farmland. The planet’s tempera- Bureau of Canada’s se- vere weather insurance payments more than tripled over The Hill Times is the previous decade, from an average Between 2005 and 2015, the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s of $373-mil- severe weather insurance payments more than tripled over lion to over the previous decade, from an average of $373-million to over offering free access $1.2-billion in annual costs. The U.S. National Bureau of $1.2-billion in annual costs. Economic Research estimates that Canada could lose 13 per The U.S. Na- cent of its GDP by 2100 without significant global action. If tional Bureau we’re going to have any hope of avoiding this fate, we need to all our coverage of Economic to make agriculture more sustainable and more resilient, Research writes Jane Rabinowicz. Photograph courtesy of Pixabay estimates that Canada could lose 13 per cent of Indigenous maize to release new during the COVID-19 its GDP by 2100 without signifi - varieties that have higher yields cant global action. and shorter, sturdier stalks—a trait If we’re going to have any that helps them withstand harsher hope of avoiding this fate, we hurricane seasons. need to make agriculture more Organizations like SeedChange pandemic crisis. sustainable and more resilient. are only one part of what must be a First, agriculture-related emis- broader scale effort. Canada has an For the next few weeks, The Hill Times is offering free access to all our news and analysis during sions have to come down signifi - important role to play in this fi ght. the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. We are also expanding The Hill Times’ print edition in PDF cantly. Food systems at large are Climate change mitigation and format to all elected provincial officials, provincial cabinet ministers, and their respective staff usually estimated to generate 30 adaptation must be at the heart across Canada. The Hill Times is taking extra steps to ensure the print edition in PDF format is per cent of global emissions. The of the next Canadian Agricultural delivered to all senior decision-makers, in isolation or not. most recent data from the Gov- Partnership, set to be rolled out in ernment of Canada indicates that 2023. That starts with supporting All readers of The Hill Times, including cabinet ministers, MPs, Senators, political staff, senior crop and livestock production producers in adopting low-input, bureaucrats, and officials in the PMO and PCO will continue to receive their Hill Times’ digital alone generates 60 megatonnes low emissions practices and edition (PDF) twice a week, along with our daily coverage on HillTimes.com, along with our seven- of C02 a year, 8.4 per cent of the recognizing soil’s critical role as a days-a-week special email briefings. Print subscriptions will continue to be delivered twice a week. country’s greenhouse emissions. A carbon sink. large portion of emissions comes We also can’t afford to ignore from fossil fuel intensive nitrogen the leadership role we must play We offer trustworthy political and policy coverage. We’re keeping on top of key policy fertilizers—fertilizers that have in building sustainable agricul- developments in order to help keep our readers well-informed and we’ll keep shining a light become increasingly necessary to ture around the globe. on Canada’s federal government and Parliament during this critical time. sustain yields for crops that are ill- It is an encouraging fi rst step to adapted for our changing climate. see this acknowledged in the man- Linda, Isidora, and Salif are date letter given to the Minister of The Hill Times’ newsrooms take pride in delivering using a different approach to International Development Karina guard against falling yields: Gould, which calls for additional working the seeds. They’re part programming to better support the dependable and in-depth news and analysis of a global movement of farmers women’s rights and climate ad- who are building on traditional aptation through sustainable and that decision-makers rely on. breeding techniques to help crops equitable agricultural production. adapt to changing conditions and What we need now is for the hilltimes.com/subscribe produce better harvests without federal government to commit carbon intensive inputs. It’s adap- resources to mitigation and adap- tation and mitigation all at once. tation in agriculture, at home and They are supported by an orga- globally. We need to see a call for nization called SeedChange, which collaboration and ideas on how Energy policypoliiccy Which federal departments briefifi ng saw works with farmers in Canada and to best support global farmers pp.pp. 15-26 results? Deborah Carloss RRiRichardich Philippe around the world to support and as they work to combat climate Harford A. MurilloMuuririlllloo CCaCanningsann Le Billon pp. 6-7 We’re adding to spread sustainable agriculture. change and preserve our capacity Transportation crisis in relationship policy briefi ng: with Indigenous THIRTY-FIRST YEAR,YEAR, NO. 1710 CANADA’S POLITICSA AND GOVERNMENT NEWSPAPER WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2020 $5.00 SeedChange, formerly the to grow enough food.

Hill News Conservative leadershileadershipp race News House committees Todd Doherty, Ashley Morton, Philip Cross, Climbers peoples: Pedro Antunes, Roger Francis, No committee Unitarian Service Committee of pp. 17-25 p.38 Rose Lemay Farmers everywhere are on the Sara Kirk, & Alec Soucy Party p. 4 DeadlineDeadline lloomsooms fforo low-profi le or caucus roles, Central longtime p.37 CCPCPC candidates, wwho say party Tory MP Canada, is one of the country’s frontlines of climate change. Our Scott Reid still HOH needsneeds more fresh faces,f ideas sidelined after p.2 breaking rank TheThe ‘traditional‘traditional playbooksplaybooks of smallersmaller ggovernment,overnment, lowerlower taxes, ttough on crime,’ won’t work to widen the blue oldest charitable organizations. global food supply depends on ttent,ent, sayssays one candidate. ‘We need to break the ceilinceilingg and win tthe support of more Canadians.’ BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

RTY-FIRST YEAR, NO. 1705 CANADA’S POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT NEWSPAPER MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020 $5.00 fter being stripped of his Acritic duties during the last Parliament for voting against the party line, longtime Conservative s Wet’suwet’enNews Prime Minister News NAFTA 2.0 MP Scott Reid has been entirely Under the leadership of Dr. Lotta left off of House committee mem- their success. The rest of us can no bership lists this time around. Downe calls Up until this Parliament, Mr. NDRIP Reid had spent 15 years as a Trudeau’s handling of for Parliament member of the Procedure and ovides ‘guide’ House Affairs Committee (PROC). to have power “I did not request to be free resolving Wet’suwet’en blockades critical from a committee assignment,” Hitschmanova, it dealt with many longer afford to sit on the sidelines. Mr. Reid (Lanark-Frontenac- to amend new Kingston, Ont.) said in an email nsions among response to questions from The NAFTA, Liberals Hill Times. digenous to his political credibility, Mr. Reid declined an interview by phone during the break week mmunities pledge to share last week on the subject, and did of the 20th century’s greatest not respond when asked whether Jane Rabinowicz is executive reconciliation, say former objectives of There are fi ve lesser-knowns running to be Conservative Party leader, including, from left, Jim Karahalios, Derek Sloan, Rick Peterson, Rudy Husny, and Leslyn he believed his lack of committee er questions 6 Lewis. PPhotographshotographs courtesy ooff JimJim KarahalKarahalios,ios, RickRick Peterson, Rudy Husny, Twitter,Twitter, and FacebookFac assignments this Parliament was down to continued punishment futureTo trade subscribe, call 613-288-1146 or emailBY SAMANTHASAMANTHA WRIGHTWRIGHT ALLENALLEN to [email protected] ofof thethe llesser-knownesser-known lleader-eader- BeyondBeyon Mr. MacKay, Mr. have struggled to get much air for his having previously voted authority, cabinet minister, pollsters against the party line and for ship candidates who saysay the front- O’Toole (Durham,(D Ont.), and two- time in a race that was ramping talks with House he Conservative Party needs runners, fformerormer cacabbinnetet ministers term ConservatCon ive MP Marilyn up even before the federal elec- speaking out about it. y experts Ta new fface,ace, ffreshresh iddeas,eas, and to Peter MacKayMacKay andand Erin O’TooToole,le, are GladuGladu (Sarn(Sa ia—Lambton, Ont.), “Unfortunately, responding famines. With time, the organiza-

Agreement #4006892 to these questions would involve director of SeedChange. BY NEIL MOSS l stopstop rehashrehashing ooldld ffeuds,euds, accoraccordding operatingng by tthehe ooldld pplaybooklaybook. fi ve other declared candidates Continued on page 12 EATRICE PAEZ a breach of the conventional he power of American lawmak- practice of caucus confi dentiality,” ers to modify trade agreements he wrote. gislation that would imple- T ications Mai ment the UN’s declaration has inspired their Canadian counter- bl News PhPhoenixoenix papayy ssystemystem As caucus whip, Conservative Publications Mail Agreement #40068926 Pu ndigenous rights provides a parts to look for more of their own MP Mark Strahl (Chilliwack– Hope, B.C.) oversees the commit- de forward” in reconciling infl uence over the trade negotiation tee assignment process. Asked tion developed an expertise in ensions at play between the process,To say some parliamentar iansadvertise,. call 613-688-8841 or email [email protected] The Hill Times about Mr. Reid’s lack of assign- CSG Senator Percy Downe ‘Everything‘Everything we ddidn’tidn’t ddoo with Phoenix’:Pho feds tap SAP for Continued on page 28 ments, and whether it was part (Charlottetown, P.E.I.) said the work of continued punishment, in an workwork on lonlong-ag-awaitedwaited Phoenix replacement pilot project emailMrStrahl said“Mr Reid is THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 35

Canadian Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault, pictured hill climbers speaking to media outside by Laura Ryckewaert the House of Commons Chamber in the West Block building on Feb. 3, 2020. The Hill Times A dive into federal photograph by Heritage Minister Andrew Meade

sociation. As heritage minister, Mr. Guilbeault MacKay is Mr. Guilbeault’s Ontario regional Guilbeault’s oversees appointments for a number of bod- affairs adviser. He’s a former operations and ies, like the boards of the National Art Gallery Ontario regional affairs assistant to Ms. Dun- of Canada or the Canada Media Fund, along can as the minister for science and sport dur- with various advisory panels. ing the last Parliament, and also previously Noémie Dansereau-Lavoie continues worked as an assistant to Toronto Liberal MP 24-person team as a senior adviser to the heritage minister. Julie Dzerowicz and to then-Ontario Liberal She fi rst joined the offi ce under Ms. Joly in MPP Ann Hoggarth. As heritage minister, May 2019 and has previously spent around Mr. Guilbeault is also responsible for the then, he was a fi nancial services analyst with eight years working for the CBC/Radio- sport portfolio. Senior staff to the minister Accenture in London, U.K. He’s also previ- Canada, last as Viki Ozell-Landry remains in the heritage ously been an analyst with venture capital fund head of strategic minister’s offi ce, now as the Quebec regional include Rebecca Caldwell White Star Capital planning for affairs adviser. She was previously a com- as director of policy, in Montreal, and French services. munications adviser under then-minister a junior strategy Michael Pablo Rodriguez and is also a former as- Michael Brewster as consultant with Brewster is Mr. sistant to National Revenue Minister Diane Pivot Strategy in Guilbeault’s direc- Lebouthillier in director of parliamentary the city. tor of parliamen- her capacity as Ms. Cheung tary affairs. He the Liberal MP aff airs, and Linda Campbell fi rst joined the spent the last four for Gaspésie-Les heritage minister’s years working for Îles-de-la-Made- as director of operations. team as a commu- then-families min- leine, Que. nications adviser ister Jean-Yves Michael Brewster oversees Justine Les- N APARTMENT NEAR PARLIAMENT to then-minister Duclos, starting parliamentary affairs for age is director of AHILL—Canadian Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly in Irene Cheung is a policy as an issues man- Mr. Guilbeault. Photograph communications Steven Guilbeault, a fi rst-time Member of April 2018. Prior to adviser to Mr. Guilbeault. ager and ending courtesy of LinkedIn to Mr. Guilbeault. Parliament who represents Laurier-Sainte- that, Ms. Cheung Photograph courtesy of as senior policy She spent the last Marie, Que., has a 24-member ministerial spent a little more LinkedIn adviser, and was part of Mr. Guilbeault’s 2019 year, roughly, as team supporting him in his new role, led than two years campaign team. press secretary Justin Lesage is director by former PMO senior adviser Mathieu as a communications adviser in the Liberal Kathleen Legault-Meek has been hired to Agriculture of communications for Bouchard. research bureau (LRB), overseeing parliamen- on as a legislative assistant. She’s a former Minister Marie- Mr. Guilbeault. Photograph Running Mr. Guilbeault’s policy shop is tary mail-outs coming from the caucus. She’s legislative and research assistant to Que- Claude Bibeau, courtesy of LinkedIn director Rebecca Caldwell. also a former secondary school teacher with bec Senator Dennis Dawson, and a former having been Ms. Aside from a long list of experience in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, assistant to Liberal MP Steven MacKinnon Bibeau’s press aide as international develop- politics, Ms. Caldwell brings a background in having spent around eight and a half years and then-Liberal MP Michel Picard. ment minister before that. During the 2019 media and journalism to the job, as a former teaching before coming to work on the Hill. Linda Campbell is director of opera- election, she was a communications co- reporter and later editor of The Globe and Ms. Korajian-Rankin is another holdover tions in the offi ce. Ms. Campbell is a former ordinator for the party in Quebec. She’s also a Mail’s review section, a former senior editor from the team during the last Parliament, hav- policy and Western and Northern regional former communications and public relations with Chatelaine magazine, and a former in- ing fi rst joined the heritage minister’s offi ce affairs adviser to the small business min- co-ordinator for Oxfam-Québec. terview producer in November 2018 as a policy and Western ister, starting under then-minister Bardish Lynda Haddoud has joined the offi ce as for the CBC’s and Norther regional affairs adviser. She’s Chagger—who’s now Minister of Diversity, a communications and issues management George Stroum- also a former special assistant for operations Youth, and Inclusion—and ending under adviser. She’s a former special assistant boulopoulos and Western and Northern regional affairs Mary Ng. She’s also a former assistant to to then-PMO director (and now executive Tonight. in the LRB, and a former assistant to Van- Vancouver Liberal MP Joyce Murray. director) of administration and special proj- She spent the couver Liberal Covering the Northern and Western ects Brett Thalmann, and a former assistant last four years MP Hedy Fry, regional affairs desk for Mr. Guilbeault is to Quebec Liberal MP Peter Schiefke. working for who’s successful Joshua Lindner, who previously did the Philippe “Phil” Desforges is a social Justin Trudeau’s 2019 re-election same for then-employment minister Patty media adviser for the offi ce. He’s produced Liberal govern- campaign she Hajdu. He’s also a former special assistant a podcast, Just share it, focused on mental ment, starting as recently ran. for outreach and Western regional affairs health and self-improvement since February director of pol- Originally to then-science minister Kirsty Duncan. 2019 and was also part of Mr. Guilbeault’s Rebecca Caldwell is policy icy to Maryam from the island Former PMO correspondence writer successful 2019 election campaign, tackling director to the heritage Monsef who was of La Gônave Maria Browne is the Atlantic regional affairs social media and creative content. minister. Photograph courtesy the then-named in Haiti, Mr. La- adviser in the offi ce, as previously reported. Sarah Leclair wears two hats in the of- of LinkedIn minister of grandeur came to While she initially wore two hats in Mr. Guil- fi ce, as both a communications adviser and status of women Canada to study beault’s offi ce, as a regional adviser and assis- as assistant to Mr. Guilbeault’s parliamen- (now women and gender equality), and later Fred Lagrandeur is part a master’s degree tant to the minister’s parliamentary secretary, tary secretary for sport, former Olympian become her chief of staff. For the last year, of Mr. Guilbeault’s policy in international Liberal MP Julie Dabrusin, she’s now focused turned Liberal MP Adam van Koeverden. she was busy as a senior adviser to Finance team. Photograph courtesy law at the Uni- on just the one. In turn, Brendan Parsley Ms. Leclair is a former assistant to then- Minister Bill Morneau. Ms. Caldwell is also of LinkedIn versity of Mon- has joined the heritage minister’s offi ce as Liberal MP Martha Hall Findlay and more a former policy adviser to then-Ontario treal. He went on Mr. Dabrusin’s new assistant. A former tree recently to Liberal MP Bob Bratina, and is minister Tracy MacCharles, focused on to become head of events organization for the planter, he previ- also a former departmental assistant for supporting her work related to the Ontario Laurier-Sainte-Marie federal Liberal riding ously worked as parliamentary and caucus affairs for Em- Women’s Directorate, and is a former press association, and in turn, was part of Mr. Guil- an assistant to ployment and Social Development Canada. secretary to then-Ontario premier Kathleen beault’s 2019 election campaign. Ultimately, Deputy Prime Elena Mitchell has been hired on as execu- Wynne. Mr. Guilbeault was elected to represent the Minister Chrystia tive assistant to Mr. Guilbeault, while Vinciane Working under Ms. Caldwell is a seven- riding with about 41.8 per cent of the vote. Freeland in her Museru, a former scheduling assistant to Mr. member team, including: senior policy Mr. Yacobi-Harris is a former assistant capacity as the Rodriguez as heritage minister, is now execu- adviser Maxence Bernier; policy advisers to Toronto Liberal MP Arif Virani. Liberal MP for tive assistant to his chief of staff, Mr. Bouchard. Irene Cheung, Sara Korajian-Rankin, Fred Ms. Bourbonnière was last tackling public University-Rose- Mr. Bouchard’s move from the PMO to Lagrandeur, and Raphael Yacobi-Harris; and relations for Element AI, an artifi cial intel- dale, Ont., and Mr. Guilbeault’s offi ce has already been policy adviser and head of appointments ligence company based in Montreal. She’s is also a former reported by Hill Climbers, so too has the Caroline Bourbonnière. also a former senior account executive with social media hiring of press secretary Camille Gagné- Mr. Bernier is a former senior manager with Edelman, has tackled research and program Brian MacKay is a new manager for the Raynauld, who previously worked as a Tide, a fi nancial technology company based in development for the Clinton Global Initiative, addition to the heritage federal Liberal public and media relations offi cer at the the U.K., having spent the last three plus years and is a former co-ordinator for advocacy and minister’s office. Photograph Party. environmental non-profi t co-founded by working for the company in London. Before public affairs for the Canadian Medical As- courtesy of LinkedIn Brian Mr. Guilbeault, Équiterre. Gmail blocks over 100 million phishing attempts, every day.

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