Cybersecurity staff Diplomatic Circles to cast strike-vote p.5 ballots after bargaining Need a new GG? Monsef, Hajdu standstill Pick one with military ties make staffing moves Civil Circles p. 4 Scott Taylor p.12 Hill Climbers p. 7 Andrew Caddell p.9 THIRTY-SECOND YEAR, NO. 1796 CANADA’S POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT NEWSPAPER WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2021 $5.00 News News Trans Mountain Don’t expect Biden’s tough, work stoppage continues, as CPC’s McLean bipartisan approach to China says project ‘even more important’ to be met with Canadian post-U.S. axing of Keystone XL imitation, say analysts BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT eeks after work was set to Wresume, construction of the BY NEIL MOSS Then-U.S. Trans Mountain pipeline expan- Vice- sion remains halted, though the s the Biden administration President company hasn’t amended its Asignals it will be taking a Joe Biden is December 2022 estimated readi- tough approach to China, experts pictured at a ness, and after U.S. President say an American bipartisan ap- 2015 state Joe Biden’s decision to axe the proach in its dealings with Beijing luncheon Keystone XL pipeline, Conserva- won’t necessarily lead to the with Chinese tive MP Greg McLean says the same alignment from Canada. President At his Senate hearing on Jan. Xi Jinping. Continued on page 14 19, U.S. President Joe Biden’s pick Experts say for the secretary of state, Antony now that Blinken, said he believes it was Mr. Biden is fitting the former president took a president, tougher approach with Beijing, but his approach News disagreed with his methods. Mr. to China Blinken said there’s a framework isn’t one for a bipartisan policy on China, that should No replacing need and also called for increased en- necessarily gagement with Taiwan. lead to for in-person That approach could put extra alignment pressure on the Trudeau Liberal from Canada. diplomacy, say government to be in lockstep with U.S. State its closest ally. Department chairs, as work of Jeffrey Reeves, vice-president photograph of research at the Asia-Pacific interparliamentary Continued on page 15 groups goes on BY NEIL MOSS Publications Mail Agreement #40068926 s the 13 interparliamentary News Agroups hold virtual meetings while under a travel ban, chairs of the groups say nothing can NDP to focus on pandemic measures, amplifying message in winter sitting replace the need for in-person meetings, despite the work being BY ALICE CHEN sues coming back into the House, fourth-party status, say caucus critic for transport, and MP done to allow the associations aimed at helping Canadians get members. Heather McPherson (Edmonton to continue their work through he NDP has rearranged its through the “eye of the storm” of The six updated roles include Strathcona, Alta.) as deputy critic Zoom. Tcritics for 2021 and is poised the pandemic, while working to MP Taylor Bachrach (Skeena- to tackle a wide portfolio of is- make more noise despite their Bulkley Valley, B.C.) as the party’s Continued on page 17 Continued on page 18 2 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2021 | THE HILL TIMES Heard on the Hill by Alice Chen Senator Simons explores what it means to be a real Albertan in second season of podcast Alberta Unbound ith her six years of experi- Sen. Paula Simons, centre, is pictured at her Senate swearing-in on Oct. 16, 2018, with then-senator Wence as a radio producer André Pratte, left, and Sen. Peter Harder, right. She recently released a new season of her podcast Alberta for the CBC, Independent Unbound, exploring the culture and identity of Albertans. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade Alberta Senator Paula Simons, found podcasting a natural fit. “Podcasts are the medium of dealing with issues of bilateral importance the moment,” she told The Hill Panel discusses Joe Biden’s like resolving the pandemic as quickly Times. inauguration as the new as possible, and border and defence co- Her show, Alberta Unbound, operation. is returning for its second sea- president of the U.S. son. The first was an episodic release of a live forum she held MPs make cross-party call discussing the topic of what for unity while subtle slights are makes someone an Albertan. That focus on identity and made against another culture continues with the sec- Liberal MP Anthony Housefather and ond season, this one featuring NDP MP Charlie Angus, centre, performs at the annual Conservative MP Scott Aitchison say Par- interviews with nine differ- Charlie Angus Hootenanny at the Horseshoe Tavern. His liament has to avoid the polarization and ent speakers who call Alberta newest album, exploring themes of the times, came out Jan. animosity between parties that has marked their home. 6. Paul Rincon photograph courtesy of Charlie Angus U.S. politics. Sen. Simons says some of In a joint Jan. 14 op-ed in the National the issues she tackled in- Post, released in light of the insurrection cluded discussions of multiculturalism leased Jan. 6 to reception that he described in Washington, D.C., Mr. Housefather, with Yasmeen Abu-Laban, a political as “great.” who serves Mount Royal, Que., and Mr. science professor whose father was a Included in its discography are songs Aitchison, whose riding is Parry Sound- refugee, and Black representation with like All Night Depanneur, which is set What does new U.S. President Joe Biden mean Muskoka Ont., emphasized that they have editor of Afros in Tha City, Tomi Ajele. in Quebec in a snowstorm and explores for Canada? The Parliamentary Internship similar stances and opinions on a wide These conversations were informed by trauma, memory, and PTSD. Other tracks Programme (PIP), in partnership with U.S. range of topics even though their party larger trends like the Black Lives Matter focused on events like the 2014 Parliament Embassy Ottawa, and the Canadian Political allegiances differ. protests and the COVID-19 pandemic. Hill shooting. Science Association held a virtual panel the Together, they described the U.S. as “The people you will hear on this pod- The inspiration for his work, Mr. Angus day of his inauguration to discuss. Screenshot a poisonous environment in which false cast come from a very diverse range of said, comes from the stories he hears. courtesy of YouTube/Biden Inaugural Committee claims and disinformation had left a backgrounds,” Sen. Simons said. “They’re “In my work, in my life, I listen to a country deeply divided. They also said all engaging with the monochrome defi- lot of people. I listen to their stories. And New U.S. President Joe Biden’s call that the same could happen in Canada nition of Albertans and deconstructing I think it’s being someone who listens to for unity was striking and came at a time with new technology that has “allowed it. … I chose people not just to fulfill a other people’s stories that has made me when the geopolitical environment had extremist groups to instantly reach political agenda, but because they were probably an effective politician, but cer- changed dramatically, said panellists at millions.” really interesting people doing interest- tainly an effective songwriter.” a Jan. 20 event examining repercussions Most of all, they emphasized that too ing things.” He also said that there are differences of the new American administration for much of political discourse is “drenched She said further that the people fea- between music and his work when it comes Canada. in rage,” attacking politicians and making tured were meant to disrupt the dominant to communicating. The Parliamentary Internship Pro- out opponents to be awful enemies to the narrative of who a real Albertan is, beyond “We’ve become much more distrustful of gramme (PIP), in partnership with U.S. country, rather than just debating ideas “Joe with a pickup truck.” the spin on the message, or the pithy political Embassy Ottawa, and the Canadian Politi- and proposals. “The idea is to introduce you to people tweet,” Mr. Angus said. “A song gives you a cal Science Association, held a moderated These comments also came just after who are probably not who you think of way of bringing people back into a conversa- panel that discussed what Mr. Biden’s new federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra when you close your eyes and imagine Al- tion because people can feel themselves in a role meant for Canada on the day of his was singled out by the Bloc Québécois in berta, and yet each and every one of them song. They can see it for themselves.” inauguration. a manner which the minister described as is as Albertan as Albertans can be.” Several political experts were featured using dangerous rhetoric. A Jan. 13 state- Twitter suggests new candidates in the conversation, including Althia Raj, ment from Bloc Leader Yves-François Huffington Post Canada’s senior editorial Blanchet said that he believes “questions Charlie Angus’ band Grievous for governor general manager and Ottawa bureau chief; Andrew arise over the proximity of the new trans- Angels releases new album After Julie Payette’s Jan. 21 resignation Leslie, a former Ontario Liberal MP and port minister with the Islamic political NDP MP Charlie Angus has loved mu- from her post as governor general, follow- Canadian Forces lieutenant-general; and movement of which he was a leader for sic all his life. ing a reportedly scathing internal report Brian Naranjo, acting deputy chief for the several years.” This referred to Minister Al- “I originally quit school when I was that described a toxic workplace culture at U.S. Embassy in Ottawa. ghabra’s role as president of the Canadian 17 to go on the road with a band, which Rideau Hall, Twitter was there to offer sug- The panel—held under Chatham House Arab Federation before he was elected as morphed into Grievous Angels, so some 30 gestions for her replacement.