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Home , Adam van Koeverden, Alexandre Boulerice, Alexa McDonough, Ali Ehsassi, Brad Redekopp, Dan Albas

Publications Mail Agreement #40068926 THIRTY-SECOND YEAR, NO.1803 T T and Addington, Ont.), who now sources. according toseniorConservative candidate inthe nextelection, to beallowed torunasaparty Derek Sloanon Thursday night peal ofbootedConservative MP next election its banner in to rununder Sloan’s appeal council rejects Party’s national Conservative News press freedom, say journalistsstill that thelaw isworking toprotect ’s anti-SLAPPlaw, asign have beendismissedunder News facing litigation says reporter chill speech, journalists, lawsuits target Rebel Media BY ABBAS RANA BY ABBAS BYSAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN lobbyists Mr. Sloan(Hastings-Lennox tional councilrejectedtheap- he Conservative Party’s na- el Mediaagainstmediaoutlets wo lawsuits launchedby Reb- Michael Michael Top 100 Harris Harris p.12 in 2021 LeMay Rose Rose Continued onpage37 Continued onpage 4 p.11

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pp. 15-27 ews political insiders. tant budgetofageneration,” say which willbethe “most impor p a p er Continued onpage 34 body-worn cameras behind plan to deploy RCMP, unionstand Andrew Meade photograph by Hill Times rollout. the vaccine disruption to of therecent polls because public opinion support in is losingits government The Liberal Parliament Hill. 16, 2021,on pictured Feb. , Prime Minister The - MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22,2021$5.00 E T to dominate news headlines. sluggish vaccine rollout continues lockdown restrictionsandCanada’s while someregions areeasing been detectedacross thecountry, variants oftheCOVID-19 virushave demic may beheadedourway as say experts of COVID-19, ‘third wave’ beatto the be a race months will Coming News ecutives have expressedconcern gas platforms. regulations foroffshoreoiland ing permanenthealthandsafety proposed togive itselfformak- News new oilrigregs deadline for year off feds’ Senate cutsa Get on with it: BY MIKE LAPOINTE BY PETER MAZEREEUW Senators andoilindustry ex- that a ‘third wave’ ofthepan- xperts aresoundingthealarm an extensionthegovernment he Senate haschoppedinhalf Continued onpage35 Continued onpage 6

p. 36 2 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | THE HILL TIMES

Journal, while Ms. Gray-Smith noted that B.C. Senator as a mother of two children, working as, Yuen Pau and relying on, “giggers” carries a certain Woo, pictured appeal with more flexible hours and work- in 2017, ing conditions. will offer his Heard on the Hill The two are currently recruiting for thoughts on graphic designers, social media experts, the - and copywriters, according to the outlet. China file by Palak Mangat While the two are currently working from this week. home, they’re “chomping at the bit” to The Hill Times one day meet people in person, said Ms. photograph by Douglas. Andrew Meade Ms. Gray-Smith is the daughter of the late , who was a Liberal MP for New biography of from 1962 to 2002 and was Canada’s first Jewish federal cabinet min- ister. He was also once the deputy prime minister. former NDP leader Ms. Douglas is chair of the board at “Instead of celebrating half a century of Bruyère Research Institute and a director bilateral ties, both countries have insisted with the Board of Trade. that the other is at fault for the deterio- rating relations,” it adds. “It is critical for Canada to revisit its policies and examine Alexa McDonough, Changes at Globe’s Ottawa, opportunities for pragmatic engagement.” offices Hosted by the Institute for Peace & Diploma- Veteran reporter Ian Bailey will be join- cy, those interested can register online to tune in ing ’s Ottawa bureau. via Zoom on Feb. 24, beginning at 7 p.m. who ‘walked the Mr. Bailey, who is coming from Vancou- ver and has covered political and general New political podcast boasts news, said the upcoming move is an excit- ing one. “I will miss #BC, including my experienced line up excellent colleagues in The Globe’s #BC Three veteran political observers and walk,’ now available players are teaming up to launch a new bureau, but am looking forward to joining The Globe’s outstanding #Ottawa team,” he podcast and radio show from SiriusXM. A book tweeted. detailing former NDP Hill reporter MP and party Bill Curry, leader Alexa pictured with McDonough, Reuters’ David pictured in Ljunggren 2018, and in 2019, is her rise in the deputy the political bureau chief ranks is now for The Globe available. The and Mail. The Hill Times file Hill Times photograph photograph by Abacus Data’s Bruce Anderson and veteran Andrew Meade columnist Chantal Hébert, pictured in 2014, make up two-thirds of a new political podcast that will launch this week. The Hill Times file photograph

Chantal Hébert, a political affairs Before joining The Globe, Mr. Bailey columnist at The Toronto Star and f you’re itching to read more about the succeeded by Mr. Layton who led the party reported from Toronto and St. John’s for L’Actualité; Peter Mansbridge, the former Ilife of former NDP leader Alexa Mc- from 2003 to 2011, the in- The Canadian Press, and spent some time longtime host of CBC’s The National; and Donough, you’re in luck. terim leader from 2011 to 2012, with The Province and The . Bruce Anderson, a longtime politico who Alexa! Changing the Face of Canadian from 2012 to 2017, and Mr. Singh since 2017. The addition of the U.K.-born, Toronto- heads up polling firm Abacus Data, will Politics, chronicling the rise of Ms. Mc- raised and educated reporter, who will join forces to launch Good Talk. Donough as she became one of the few Savvy duo launch new be the lead writer of the outlet’s politics “I’m really looking forward” to the launch, female federal politicians in Canada during newsletter, is just one of the changes at tweeted Mr. Anderson on Feb. 18, noting the the 1980s, can now be pre-ordered. consulting firm the paper. three will sometimes be joined by a guest to Running 286 pages and written by Two familiar Ottawa faces have teamed Bill Curry, a Hill Times alum, is now talk shop of the week’s national political news. University of King’s College journalism up to help businesses and national associa- deputy bureau chief under the head hon- “Ditto,” concurred Ms. Hébert. Mr. professor Stephen Kimber, the book sells tions get shit done—a mantra so prominent cho, Bob Fife. Mr. Curry, who joined the Mansbridge already hosts a podcast called for $32.95 and has been reviewed by the in their strategy, they’ve named their firm Parliamentary Press Gallery in 1999, says The Bridge, and all three are longtime likes of former Ontario premier Kathleen after it. he learned how to break exclusive stories fixtures of the federal political scene and Wynne, NDP Leader , and at The Hill Times. Mr. Curry also worked often appeared together on CBC News The former Progressive Conservative prime for the National Post and the Canwest National’s At Issue panel. minister . It will be officially News Service before he started at the [email protected] published by Goose Lane Edition on April Globe in 2005. The Hill Times 21. Chris Hannay, previously The Globe’s Mr. Kimber writes of “the changing at- assignment editor in Ottawa, who created CORRECTIONS: titudes towards women in politics” that Ms. the newsletter, is moving to the newspa- The Hill Times McDonough experienced, through her time per’s Toronto office after seven years of ed- Re: “Conservative Fund’s lack of over- as a lone female MLA in ’s leg- iting. “My focus is small businesses in the sight emerging as key issue in lead-up islature, to her critic post in the late former pandemic: the crisis and challenges, but to next month’s policy convention,” (The NDP leader ’s shadow cabinet. also (hopefully!) telling stories of recovery Hill Times, Feb. 15) mistakenly called “In the process, she transcended party and rebuilding,” said Mr. Hannay. affiliation and gender to become simply Robert Batherson, a member of the ‘Alexa’ to across the country,” Elizabeth Gray-Smith, right, and ex-iPolitics Conservative Party’s national council, reads a promo of the book. deputy publisher Sally Douglas, standing, are John Batherson. His name is Robert Ms. McDonough led the federal NDP in launching a new venture. iPolitics exec Heather Senator talks Canada-China file Batherson. The same story was also Independent B.C. Senator Yuen Pau 1995 and was elected as an MP in the Hali- Bakken is pictured left. Photograph courtesy of updated on Feb. 15 to clarify that Mr. fax, N.S., riding in 1997, before she stepped Sally Douglas’ Woo will take part in a panel this week on Batherson supported the amendment down in 2003. Before that, she served in the Canada-China relations. in 2018 calling for an oversight of the provincial legislature from 1981 to 1994. Communication experts Sally Douglas, Sen. Woo, who was previously the Conservative Fund, but is yet undecided She retired from politics in 2008 and was former deputy publisher at iPolitics, and president of the Asia Pacific Foundation of any specific amendment coming then named to the . Elizabeth Gray-Smith, a former iPolitics of Canada, will offer opening remarks on forward at the 2021 convention. a panel that includes UBC professor Paul Federal NDP aide Anthony Salloum columnist, launched GSD & Co. this month. Re: “Pharmacare, patient groups, and Evans, Centre for China and Globalization encouraged readers to buy a copy, calling (The acronym coincidentally aligns with the need for open discourse,” (The Hill President Henry Wang, and Canada-China Ms. McDonough his personal hero who their initials.) Times, Feb. 8). The op-ed in the health Business Council President Graham Shantz. “walked the walk.” She is “the most decent, The group aims to offer media training, policy issue stated that the U.S. has a A promo of the event notes relations dedicated, and determined public figure I team audits, and government and public sunshine law that requires pharmaceu- between the two countries “reached a low have known,” he added. In 1997, he served relations services to a clientele of national as- tical companies to disclose payments point in 2018” with the detention of Cana- as an aide to Ms. McDonough. sociations that have headquarters in the city. to patient advocacy groups. In fact, the dians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, Ms. McDonough succeeded Audrey “We know it takes a village to make shit Physician Payments Sunshine Act only following Canada’s arrest of Huawei’s CFO McLaughlin as party leader, who was at happen and that’s what we’re all about,” covers payments to physicians. the helm from 1989 to 1995 and was in turn Ms. Douglas told the Ottawa Business Meng Wanzhou. Hotel = S Food = SI 15,000 Health & PersonalChildcare Care == SSI 12,000 I 5,000 Gas & Parking = SI 4,000 TOTAL = S I 2,000 I 38,000

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cians who appeared on its platform, needs to stop platforming Ezra “Trudeau for treason!,” another which became the subject of criti- Levant.” The Observer has yet to superimposed the words “slave to Rebel Media cism early on for hosting extremist file an anti-SLAPP motion, but communist China” over a video views, like a now-removed 2016 has notified The Rebel of its inten- image of the face of Canada’s YouTube video discussion between tion. The Rebel has not taken any Chief Public Health Officer The- Rebel personality Gavin McInnes steps to move the matter forward, resa Tam, who has been subject and neo-Nazi Richard Spencer. said Ms. Solomon Wood, who to racist attacks since she started lawsuits target Amid public pressure, in said she’s also encouraged by the briefing Canadians about the pan- August 2017, former Conservative recent anti-SLAPP rulings. demic. Under Mr. Levant’s byline, leader (Regina- Mr. Ling said he’s confident in one Rebel story declared, “Trudeau Qu’Appelle, Sask.) said he would the case, and that his reporting is is illegally hiding his dealings with journalists, refuse interviews with the outlet. based in fact. billionaire ,” which, The move came amid a public “It’s based on my own exper- Mr. Ling noted, is one example of backlash after far-right media tise on this topic, and it’s based anti-Semitic conspiracy theories personality attended on my covering The Rebel and fol- being broadcast. Others critics the rally in lowing The Rebel for a long time, have pointed to Mr. McInnes’ chill speech, Charlottesville, Va., and ap- as well as covering instances of posting of a video, when he was a peared on a neo-Nazi podcast the domestic extremism,” he said. Rebel Media correspondent, called weekend of the The suit against Mr. Ling is “Ten Things I Hate About Jews,” as rally. The Rebel fired her, and that seeking $90,000 in damages, yet another example of dangerous says reporter same month, Mr. McInnes exited including $70,000 for defama- content. It was later deleted. his role at The Rebel, apparently tion, and $20,000 for punitive and “This stuff has consequences. on good terms. Mr. McInnes co- exemplary damages following an It is really dangerous,” Mr. Ling founded Vice News and is the August 2020 appearance on News said. founder of the , a Talk 980 CKNW. Parent company facing litigation neo-fascist organization that Ot- Corus Entertainment did not re- Anti-SLAPP laws ‘a tawa added to Canada’s terrorist spond to a request for comment. list earlier this month in the wake The “obvious inference” in powerful tool’ and anti-Semitic” content. The of the group’s involvement in the that radio interview is that Rebel Mark Bourrie, a one-time mem- Rebel Media has lawsuit called these statements Capitol Hill riots. He has since News “is encouraging or at least ber of the Parliamentary Press launched a number defamatory and said The Rebel is severed ties with both Vice and supporting such violent acts,” Gallery and an Ottawa-based law- a “responsible media outlet” whose the Proud Boys. according to Rebel’s lawsuit. The yer who specializes in defamation of lawsuits against broadcasts show a conservative law, said he offered to represent orientation that it says Mr. Ling Mr. Ling because the “important reporters and their takes issue with. and very intriguing case” presents “It should be a big warning interesting questions about the news outlets, two of sign for any litigant who is look- relatively new law. It also covers ing to try and punish journalists an interesting cast of characters: which were recently for their critical and necessary Mr. Ling, an independent and dismissed under anti- coverage,” said Mr. Ling, who said established journalist who has Rebel’s lawsuit against him is made strong comments against SLAPP laws. an attempt to silence journalists The Rebel, which has a history of covering the far right. Mr. Ling launching lawsuits. is being represented pro-bono by The legal landscape in Ontario Continued from page 1 Sandy Lockhart, an associate at changed considerably since the facing litigation from the far-right Toronto-based Polley Faith LLP. anti-SLAPP law was enacted in website. He is one of many, who, Mr. Ling 2015, said Mr. Bourrie. That law, Earlier this month, Ontario said, “generously” came forward he said, is “incredibly tough,” and the power for a judge to award Superior Court Justice James to either offer representation or Rebel Media founder , right, launched a lawsuit against freelance costs against a plaintiff repre- Diamond ruled in favour of The financial support. reporter Justin Ling, left, in January. The Hill Times file photograph, sents its “real teeth.” Narwhal, an online investigative Mr. Levant and others have photograph courtesy of Rebel Media screengrab news outlet, and Al Jazeera, after used the libel system “with great Now defendants can file a each publication filed a mo- chilling effect,” he said, filing ex- motion to dismiss a case against tion arguing that each of Rebel pensive and time-consuming suits Erin O’Toole (Durham, Ont.), claim takes issue with that infer- them early in the legal process if Media’s cases should be consid- targeting journalists. who took the party’s helm in Au- ence when a National Post article the matter is in the public inter- ered a strategic lawsuit against “We can’t have a legal system gust 2020, was also forced to take Mr. Ling wrote and was discuss- est, under Section 137.1 of the public participation (SLAPP). that ultimately chills speech, a stance on whether to engage ing on air didn’t make mention of Courts of Justice Act, whereby the Each lawsuit was dismissed, with and the irony should be lost on with The Rebel. After the leader’s . plaintiff then bears the burden of unspecified costs awarded to the nobody that The Rebel constantly office responded to emailed In August 2020, ahead of the proving both merit and harm. Brit- defendants. demands free speech protections questions from Mr. Levant, Mr. election, Mr. Ling reported in the ish Columbia has the same law on In the Al Jazeera case, in that I think it deserves and ought O’Toole backtracked and said do- Post that threats to Prime Min- its books, and is the only which Rebel had sought $600,000 to get, and in the next breath uses ing so had been a mistake. ister Justin Trudeau (Papineau, other jurisdiction to codify anti- in damages, though the judge the courts to silence [those] who Rebel News has long been Que.) and his cabinet had in- SLAPP legislation. But cases are found merit, he wrote, “the public cover it critically,” Mr. Ling said. denied membership to the Parlia- creased by 30 per cent compared still shaping these new laws. nevertheless maintains a strong Mr. Levant declined an inter- mentary Press Gallery, according to the year before. “We’re trying to figure out interest in the subject matter of view request with The Hill Times, to Mr. Levant. Though the gallery “There is an emerging culture what the edges of this law is, expressions concerning far-right saying the case involving Mr. doesn’t comment on specific in this country of accusing our what the boundaries are, and how political and social commentary Ling is before the courts. applications, The Rebel pub- federal politicians and officials of far does it go?” said Mr. Bourrie. websites, and the causes that lead “I will express my point of lished the most recent reasoning treason, and illegality and work- In September, the Supreme individuals to commit violent hate view through the court proceed- provided for its rejection, in 2019, ing at the behest of China and all Court ruled for the first time on crimes such as those referred to ings,” Mr. Levant said by email due to the fact it “does not adhere of this really dangerous stuff that Ontario’s anti-SLAPP law, offer- in the article and video.” Feb. 10. He did not respond to generally accepted journal- is inspiring folks in this country ing further clarity that the law is a The judge ruled in the case to questions following the Al istic principles and practices as to go to dangerous ends,” he said. “powerful tool” to protect the pub- involving Narwhal that Rebel Me- Jazeera judgment. understood and determined by “We’ve seen threats against cabi- lic interest, noted Hilary Young, a dia didn’t present any evidence of The Rebel’s statement of claim the board.” net and the prime minister sky- University of New Brunswick law harm, other than its founder Ezra called Mr. Ling’s comments “gross- rocket in the last couple of years.” professor. Levant’s “self-serving statement” ly inaccurate and defamatory.” A month before Mr. Ling’s “It creates a pretty heavy onus that he believed an article outlin- The claim noted Mr. Levant is “a Ling ‘confident’ in report, in July, Canadian Forces on plaintiffs at a very early stage ing The Rebel as extremist had proud Jew who has been involved reservist Corey Hurren rammed in proceedings to show not only damaged his reputation. in the Jewish community his entire lawsuit, while other through gates, with that their claim has some merit, The Al Jazeera ruling, released life,” and the “very suggestion” he action in ‘holding pattern’ loaded firearms and a plan to but that notwithstanding the on Feb. 16, is a clear indication would involve himself in making A lawsuit against Canada’s confront Mr. Trudeau at one of his threat to free speech that their that Ontario courts are aware of anti-Semitic statements “is deeply National Observer has been in a daily briefings, according to court claims should continue to be the danger to press freedom posed abhorrent and damaging.” “holding pattern” since it filed a reports. He pleaded guilty to eight heard.” by these lawsuits, said Justin Ling, A one-time Conservative Hill statement of defence in January charges connected to that inci- It’s now much harder for a former Parliamentary Press staffer and 2020, said Linda Solomon Wood, dent in court earlier this month. SLAPP suits to succeed, she said, Gallery member and freelance personality, Mr. Levant founded CEO and editor-in-chief. She On Twitter, in the wake of The and while there’s no doubt Mr. journalist who also covers extrem- the site in 2015. Mr. Ling, who added in an email that she agreed Rebel’s lawsuit, Mr. Ling pointed Ling’s comments relate to the pub- ist groups and domestic terror- once worked as a paid com- with Mr. Ling that those suits are to posts the outlet has published lic interest, the judge’s calculation ism among his regular beats. In mentator on Sun News, said he’s an attempt to silence journalists as examples of what he described will be in “balancing the public January, Rebel launched a lawsuit watched the tone of The Rebel’s covering the far right. as inflammatory and dangerous interest in free speech against not against Mr. Ling for comments he coverage “shift” over the years. The Rebel launched a legal rhetoric, and evidence his com- shutting down meritorious claims” made on a Vancouver radio sta- That evolution in content has claim the month before based on ments constitute what the law con- of defamation or libel. tion alleging the outlet publishes led some politicians to call out The a passage in a September 2019 siders “responsible communica- [email protected] “obscene, and sometimes racist, Rebel, and by extension, any politi- article titled, “Mainstream media tion.” One Rebel headline declared The Hill Times Canada’s economic recovery is green

Sponsored by ECO Canada that lie within the environmental labour market, and the management skills in young professionals that are no- gaps that need to be addressed - one of its key findings ticeably lacking as more senior team members retire and Canada can be a showed the environmental workforce is set to grow by take their knowledge with them. “The lack of 8 per cent by 2029, despite the pandemic. Over the next high-quality business development talent to help raise global leader in the 10 years, higher job growth rates are expected in sus- capital is one of the top barriers for success - training green space tainable transportation, cleantech, nature conservation, talent in business acumen at the academia level is key. water quality, green building, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. “We need a workforce that can establish sales and marketing teams, as well as mastering so-called soft To take hold of this opportunity, a specific set of skills skills like managing budgets, writing concise technical will be required. reports, giving presentations and managing projects - but we need the proper training in place to make this “The environmental labour market is still growing, kind of talent availability,” said Nilsen. Displaced though COVID-19 has taken its toll on economies and workers from declining industries also pose a significant industries. It’s now up to employers, policy makers, aca- opportunity for upskilling and transitioning to green Kevin Nilsen demia and our workforce to stay focused on furthering jobs, Nilsen noted. President & CEO, ECO Canada the environmental economy as our recovery takes hold,” said Nilsen. To do this, strategies for deepening the environmental s the world forges on with the workforce must be viewed as a shared responsibility battle against climate change About one in 30 workers in Canada (620,100) was in a among employers, educators, and all levels of Aand embarks on a new journey to green job in 2019, with environmental workers present government, to address the necessary skills required to post-pandemic recovery, contin- in every Canadian region, and practically every occupa- thrive in the green economy. ued advancement in the green tion. Workers come from all sectors including conser- economy is paramount. And vation officers, biologists, hydro managers, geologists, Educators must ensure they are staying abreast of Canada is in a unique position to equipment operators, engineers, and general labour competency requirements for environmental jobs, con- play a leading role in this, with its positions. sider incorporating environmental courses or electives vast natural resources and talented into their programs’ curriculum, and prepare students workforce ready to hold the torch While this level of job creation is encouraging, it has for the increasingly digitized workforce. for a greener future. also left many concerned with an impending skill short- age with close to 30 per cent of the current workforce Where the government can continue to foster Canada’s In 2020 ECO Canada published its poised to retire within the next decade. This retirement green economy and its workforce is through labour report, From Recession to high is predicted to see nearly 75 per cent of net envi- market partnership programs and other initiatives, Recovery: Environmental Needs, ronmental job openings to be in roles related to man- supporting environmental labour market research and Trends and Challenges in the agement, business, finance, and administration. career profiling, allocating funding for job creation, Decade Ahead, revealing that training, and growth, and maintaining commitments to environmental employment across As it now stands, candidates qualified to work in en- environmental goals. the country is expected to increase vironmental occupations are projected to be in short exponentially in the next decade. supply through to 2029, particularly in management When it comes to industry and employers, promoting While this is encouraging, occupations, or those requiring a university or post-sec- employee engagement and retention, ensuring adequate collaboration among key players ondary education. knowledge transfer processes, fostering employee in the environmental sector is training and development (including soft skills) and hir- needed to ensure this growing Nilsen said this means it’s more important than ever ing displaced workers from declining sectors or regions workforce is armed with the skills to develop training solutions and career resources to are all key to the workforce’s success. it needs to succeed. ensure qualified workers are available to support the sector’s growth and build the world’s leading green “At the end of the day, a shortage of green talent impacts Kevin Nilsen is President and workforce. Canada’s ability to meet its environmental goals which CEO of ECO Canada, the we are all invested in,” said Nilsen. organization working with indus- “Employers have been telling us that recent graduates try, government, and academia are missing some essential skills such as project manage- The road to recovery to build a strong environmental ment and financial acumen and therefore need addition- workforce in Canada. Here, he al skills training. We are working with them to develop plans and hands-on studies to broaden the skillsets of Although the pandemic has exacerbated concerns for discusses the opportunity governments and economies, the opportunity to make Canada has to be a global leader those in the environmental workforce,” Nilsen com- mented. a green shift towards environmental and renewable in the green space. mindsets is a net-positive as Canada begins its journey Need for business acumen to net-zero emissions. Nilsen concluded: “It’s now up to employers, policy makers, academia and our workforce A growing environmental Canada has tremendous capacity for continued innova- labour market to stay focused on furthering the environmental tions with a nation of creative thinkers, but key industry economy as our recovery takes hold.” players are identifying gaps in the softer business skills ECO Canada has been working required to progress said innovations and commercial- with industry, academia, and all ize them. To read ECO Canada’s latest labour market outlook report levels of government to help grow or access other workforce reports, contact us at and support the environmental The report found that it is business development and [email protected]. workforce for nearly 30 years. With a growing demand for green jobs, it works to provide sup- port cross-country to Canadians interested in developing careers and skills in the myriad of envi- ronmentally related fields, and to companies looking to not only fill roles, but grow their business in sustainable ways. Learn More The organization’s recent report eco.ca delved into the opportunities 6 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | THE HILL TIMES News

references 100 The Senate’s domestic and amendment international to halve the Get on with it: safety stan- government’s dards, he said. extension Public ser- in Bill S-3 vants examined will ‘put this 15,000 pages of file on the Senate cuts a year domestic and top of the international pile of files regulations as that they part of their have,’ said work, said Independent Glenn Har- Senator off feds’ deadline grove, an as- Rosa Galvez. sistant deputy Photograph minister at Nat- courtesy of ural Resources the Senate Canada, during his testimony at for new oil rig regs the committee alongside Mr. O’Regan. ‘It’s only prudent Natural Resources The gov- if there is a will to get things done Minister Seamus ernment now has “a full draft quickly, it can be done quickly,” he that enough time is O'Regan defended regulation that we’re ready to said in testimony on Feb. 11. his department's share with our partners,” Timothy He said that CAPP had been given for everyone work on long- Gardiner, a senior director at the involved in the regulatory devel- overdue offshore department, told the committee. opment process since 2014. to get this right for safety regulations, The government needs two “There is a complexity to the telling a committee more years so it can gather feed- regulations, but throughout the our workers in the of Senators on Feb. back on its draft regulations and whole process, we have expressed offshore,’ says Natural 9 that policymakers adjust them accordingly; review concerns, as well, to governments in his department the regulations to ensure they about the length of delay. There Resources Minister needed enough are consistent with other regula- have been a variety of excuses, so time to get them tions, and the same in french and to speak, provided to us over the Seamus O’Regan. right. The Hill english; go through the Canada years. We can’t understand why Times photograph by Gazette regulatory publication they haven’t been done to date, either, and we are frustrated by Continued from page 1 Andrew Meade process; consult the public, and make final adjustments, said Mr. that process,” he said. about the government’s failure to O’Regan. Charlene Johnson, the chief meet its latest deadline to enact “It’s a lot of steps; it takes executive officer for the New- those regulations. Senators from time. Right now you have to do foundland and Labrador Oil and multiple groups in the Upper all that in a pandemic. It’s only Gas Industries Association, told Chamber urged the government prudent that enough time is given the committee the same day that to get on with the job, and the for everyone to get this right for the regulatory process had taken Senate amended Bill S-3 so it our workers in the offshore,” he “far too long.” only gives the government one told the committee. “For me, the focus now would year, not two, to finish its work. Independent Senator Rosa be on moving forward from here “For health and safety, espe- Galvez (Bedford, Que.) said she as expeditiously as possible. I cially given our history of tragedy, isn’t buying the government’s don’t have the answers as to the I thought a further extension 2014, and previously worked as Natural Resources Minister explanation. reason for the delay. I just want of two years is not putting the the deputy CEO of the Canada- Seamus O’Regan (St. John’s “They never gave us a good to work with the committee and government’s feet to the fire with Newfoundland and Labrador South-Mount Pearl, N.L.) is in reason to justify the delay,” said work with other associations so respect to the health and safety of Offshore Petroleum Board. charge of the file. He told Sena- Sen. Galvez, who sits on the we can move forward and get this offshore workers,” said Conserva- “It’s regulations that have tors at the Senate Energy Com- Energy Committee and worked as done, because it is about safety,” tive Senator David Wells (N.L.). been cobbled together over time, mittee on Feb. 9 that government an environmental engineer before she said. The Ocean Ranger oil platform but they’re not comprehensive, policymakers had been hard at joining the Senate. Mr. Gardiner, the senior was sunk by a storm off the coast they’re not complete, they don’t work on the regulations over the Sen. Galvez said it was “unac- director at Natural Resources of Newfoundland in 1982, killing tie together. And frankly…they’re past several years. ceptable” that the government had Canada, told the committee that all 84 people on board, including old. Processes have changed, That work included mak- not completed the regulations Sen. Well’s amendment to cut in 56 Newfoundlanders. In 2009, a technology has changed, equip- ing revisions to the transitional within the six years it has had half the extension would prob- helicopter carrying crew to oil ment has changed,” he said. regulations in 2017—“that fix set already. She said she was wor- ably force the government to skip rigs offshore from Newfoundland That includes medical technol- us back some time,” he said— ried the government wouldn’t act some of the remaining steps in crashed into the sea, killing 17 of ogy used to assess the fitness of consulting hundreds of stakehold- quickly to finish the regulations the regulatory process, and com- 18 people on board. commercial divers who work on ers in Newfoundland and Nova if it is given two more years to press the rest. The government has had since the rigs, said Kenneth LeDez, the do so. Carrying on without perma- 2014 to complete permanent vice-president of the Canadian Conservative “We give nent health and safety regula- health and safety regulations for Undersea and Hyperbaric Medi- Senator David them two, they tions while that work continues work on offshore oil rigs. The cal Association, in his testimony Wells said the will take two,” creates risk and uncertainty for previous Conservative govern- to the Senate Energy Committee government’s she said. businesses and investors in the oil ment passed the Offshore Health on Feb. 11. slow progress “What this and gas sector, said Sen. Galvez, and Safety Act that year, and with “While the technology, medi- on health amendment will creating a “grey zone” in the event it a patchwork of “transitional” cal and industry standards have and safety do is to put this that there is a worker accident. regulations that were set to expire changed, regulations have not, at regulations file on the top of “When the perception of risk after five years. The government least with respect to medical as- sends the the pile of files is high, nobody wants to get in- extended those transitional regu- pects,” he said. “The required medi- wrong that they have.” volved,” she said. lations for an extra year through cal forms, for example, are obsolete message Paul Barnes, It could also make it hard to the 2018 budget implementation and not used. There are no Category to offshore the Canadian As- attract workers, said Sen. Wells. act, and has now introduced Bill 1 to 3 diving medical certificates workers. sociation of Pe- “How do you promote a safety S-3 to give itself another exten- referred to in the regulations. The Photograph troleum Produc- culture when even the govern- sion, this time until the end of required medical equipment and courtesy of the ers’ director for ment doesn’t care?” he said. 2022. supplies are outdated and do not Senate Atlantic Canada With the bill now before the The Senate’s amendment meet current standards.” and the Arctic, House of Commons, MPs will moves up that deadline to the end Though the transitional told the com- have opportunities to debate of 2021. The bill still must pass regulations have expired, the mittee that he be- it at second and third reading, through the House of Commons, health and safety of offshore lieved finishing and review and possibly amend which could amend it again. workers is not immediately under the regulations it at committee. MPs will have Work on, and transport to and threat. Provincial regulators have should take less the ability to remove the Senate from offshore oil platforms was stepped in and made following Scotia, and adapting over the than two years, and the timeline for amendment if they so choose. previously governed by a mix of those expired rules a condition past year to the lockdown condi- doing so should be shortened. An amended bill would be sent federal and provincial rules and that the companies that own and tions imposed on public servants “It’s been my experience over back to the Senate for final ap- regulations, said Sen. Wells, who operate the offshore platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic. the years working with govern- proval. sponsored the Offshore Health must follow in order to keep their The result of that work is a 300- ments and regulatory agencies [email protected] and Safety Act in the Senate in licenses. page draft that incorporates or associated with our industry that The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 7 News NDP pharmacare bill gets its moment in the sun

pharmacare program with the provinces 2019 report that “the federal government The bill would do what a and territories, he wrote. enshrine the principles and national stan- Mr. Julian argued that those negotia- dards of pharmacare in federal legislation, Liberal-struck expert panel tions could be “chaotic” without a legal separate and distinct from the Canada framework to use as a starting point. Health Act, to demonstrate its ongoing recommended. The Liberals If it were passed, Mr. Julian’s Canada commitment to partnership on national don’t like it. Pharmacare Act would require that provin- pharmacare and provide for a dedicated cial pharmacare plans be run by a public funding arrangement.” entity; that they fully cover the costs of all The panel’s report recommended that BY PETER MAZEREEUW of the included drugs; that they be acces- the pharmacare legislation include the sible to everyone in the province; and that five criteria, or principles, that Mr. Julian he Liberal government has promised to they are “portable,” meaning the provinces included in his bill. It also recommended that Tdeliver universal pharmacare, and the couldn’t restrict coverage to only those the legislation outline how the federal and opposition New Democrats are giving them NDP MP , pictured at left with who have resided there for a long period party leader Jagmeet Singh, is sponsoring a provincial governments will share costs and a chance to write a pharmacare program of time, or cut off coverage to people who responsibilities for pharmacare, and the path into Canadian law. private member’s bill that would establish a temporarily leave the province. Canada Pharmacare Act. MPs will vote on the for provinces and territories to opt into the NDP MP Peter Julian (- Those are essentially the same criteria program; Mr. Julian’s bill does not do that , B.C.) has introduced a private bill for the first time on Feb. 24.The Hill Times laid out in the Canada Health Act, the basis photograph by Andrew Meade in any detail. He said he would leave those member’s bill into the House of Commons of Canada’s longstanding federal-provincial details for intergovernmental negotiations. that would create what he calls a legal frame- health transfers, and the same as the criteria ment on how to start a national pharma- “To respect their own process as a gov- work for a national pharmacare system. The recommended by the Advisory Council on care system. It was led by Eric Hoskins, a ernment, [Liberal MPs] should be voting bill has been debated twice in the Chamber, the Implementation of National Pharmacare. physician and former health minister in ‘yes’ on Feb. 24,” said Mr. Julian. most recently on Feb. 17, and will come up That council was struck by the Liberal Kathleen Wynne’s Ontario Liberal gov- [email protected] for a second reading vote on Feb. 24. government in 2018 to advise the govern- ernment. The panel recommended in its The Hill Times MPs who are not in cabinet introduce private members’ bills on all manner of subjects in every session of Parliament. Few are given time for debate in the House. Even fewer are voted through by MPs. Those that pass through the House are sometimes left to die in the Senate. Mr. Julian’s bill is unlike many other private members’ bills because it proposes to do almost precisely what an expert Canada’s panel struck by the Liberal government has recommended. That may not matter: Liberal MP (Dartmouth-Cole Harbour, N.S.), the parliamentary secretary Agriculture Day for health, and a spokesperson for Health Minister (Thunder Bay-Su- perior North, Ont.) have both suggested that the government is against the bill. The is February 23 health critics for the Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois have also criticized Mr. Celebrate on social using #CdnAgDay Julian’s bill in the House of Commons. Mr. Julian’s bill, C-213, would not es- tablish a single, federally-run pharmacare Join us for a Virtual Fireside Chat hosted by Ag More Than Ever. program. It would set criteria for universal provincial pharmacare programs, and For details and to register, visit AgDay.ca. stipulate that the federal government “may” transfer money to the provinces that meet Thank you to our event supporters those criteria each year. The bill does not address how much money would be transferred. Private mem- ber’s bills can’t require that the govern- ment spend money, and Mr. Julian said he is confident that his bill does not violate that rule. The amount of money to be trans- ferred, and which drugs would be covered, would be left to negotiations between the federal and provincial governments, he said in an interview with The Hill Times. The Parliamentary Budget Officer estimated in 2017 that running a national pharmacare program would cost roughly $20-billion per year. Right now, the prov- inces—which are responsible for health care under the constitution—pick up most of the tab for prescribed drugs through a patchwork of programs that cover many, but not all of their residents. Private insur- ers pay a large share of the cost as well, and the general public pays the remaining $3.6-billion per year out of pocket. Spokespeople for the Liberal government say all of the details of a pharmacare system, including the qualifying criteria, should be left to intergovernmental negotiations. Mr. Fisher said passing the bill would amount to “imposing federal legislation without consultation and without co-oper- ation of our partners at the provincial and territorial level,” and that he would oppose it, during a speech in the House on Feb. 17. In an emailed statement, Cole David- son, Ms. Hajdu’s spokesperson, wrote that,

“we’re committed to working collabora- TM tively with willing jurisdictions to develop MC a national, universal pharmacare program, but we won’t get there by imposing criteria on provinces and territories.” The gov- ernment will continue to work towards a 8 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | 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, Leslie Dickson, 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 MPs shouldn’t politicize Vance investigation, should look at bigger institutional issues in military culture CSC responds: health and safety anada’s former chief of defence staff, Gen. to members of the Canadian military. She CJonathan Vance, 57, will be the subject of said the allegations against Gen. Vance are of our employees, inmates, and a three-session study of the House Defence likely a symptom of a bigger problem. “When Committee into allegations of his sexual you lose sight of that … it’s really a disservice public is our top priority misconduct, after first reported to the people who have experienced sexual on Feb. 2 that he had engaged in an inappro- misconduct and who have suffered from the priate relationship with a female subordinate. toxic military culture,” she said. orrectional Service Canada (CSC) the number of tests per site and security The bombshell story came out two weeks after Reports after reports have highlighted Cwelcomes queries from The Hill level, recovered cases and active cases. Gen. Vance stepped down from the post and the need to change the military’s culture and Times and appreciates the opportunity to This should be available online shortly. was officially succeeded by Adm. Art McDon- provide external accountability—highlighted comment on any pieces that the newspa- CSC has received positive feedback for ald on Jan. 14. Another allegation involves a by former Supreme Court justice Marie per publishes. On Feb. 10, 2021, The Hill this practice as it helps keep the loved sexual suggestion he made to a younger fe- Deschamps in the 2015 external review into Times published a piece, “Correctional ones of inmates, the public, media and male subordinate in a 2012 email. Gen. Vance, sexual assault in the . authorities falling short on transparency stakeholders informed about active cases Canada’s longest serving chief of defence staff She found a hostile sexualized culture in in reporting COVID-19 data,” which raised at our institutions. who served from July 17, 2015, to Jan. 14, 2021, the Forces, targeting women and LGBTQ concerns about the transparency of CSC We have also been proactively report- denies that he acted inappropriately. members, that has been present for years and regarding the information that we make ing on COVID-19 outbreaks relevant to As the country’s top soldier and the it is the responsibility for the military to fix. available about the status of inmates who our sites, any deaths and public health re- person in charge of leading by example to Focusing on which political party is most at have been affected by COVID-19. strictions in place, including those affect- clean up Canada’s sexist military culture, fault in the Vance case won’t be productive. The health and safety of our employ- ing visits. CSC also continues to publish it goes without saying that Gen. Vance Adm. McDonald, according to an inter- ees, inmates and the public continues our plans and preparedness relative to shouldn’t have been involved with a nal memo obtained by Global News, mean- to be our top priority during this global each wave, our testing strategy, informa- female subordinate. Gen. Vance deserves while, is encouraging anyone who feels that health pandemic. We have implemented tion on vaccines and prevention infor- his due process, MPs, however, should they have been “wronged by misconduct” extensive infection prevention and con- mation. From the start of the pandemic, refrain from politicizing this issue. in the Canadian Armed Forces and the trol measures across all of our sites and as an added transparency measure, we Adm. McDonald says the military will Department of National Defence to come continue to play an active and ongoing began posting our weekly commissioner’s investigate the allegations. The House forward saying that they will be supported, role in communicating with a variety of messages to inmates and staff on our Web Defence Committee, meanwhile, wants to and that the CAF/DND team “needs to work audiences on multiple platforms. This has site. All news releases that were issued to find one party to blame, and that won’t ac- much harder at reshaping the culture of our been of critical importance to us during the media, as well a wide-range of COV- complish much. This already erodes trust workforce, our workplace and our work- the pandemic. Throughout this evolving ID-19 information and resources, are also in the military’s leadership, but finding spaces to ensure that we are taking care situation, we continue to listen to feed- available on CSC’s website. CSC has also one party to pinpoint won’t heal wounds. of one another. This culture change, about back and make enhancements to our ap- communicated about its infection preven- The Conservatives are pointing the finger which you’ll continue hearing a steady proach in order to meet the needs of the tion and control measures and partner- at the Liberals for not properly investigating drumbeat, will take a concentrated effort by communities we serve. ship initiatives such as our work with allegations against Gen. Vance that came to each and every one of us.” Shortly after the start of the pan- the Canadian Red Cross. We continue to their attention in 2018 and the NDP passed a In the end, Gen. Vance, who served as demic, CSC began publishing inmate share updates on all of our platforms and motion with the support of the Liberals and deputy commander of the Allied Joint COVID-19 testing results online. This continue to make available our subject Bloc to invite former defence minister and Force Command Naples, commander of was a proactive measure that we under- matter experts for interviews. current Premier to the Canadian Task Force in Afghanistan in took quickly to be able to keep families We are committed to continuing to appear before the House Defence Committee. 2009 and 2010, and commander of the Ca- and communities informed. As the piece keep everyone informed about how we Maya Eichler, associate professor of political nadian Joint Operations Command before published last week highlights, “CSC is are working to prevent the introduction studies and women’s studies at Mount Saint he took over the top military post in 2015, one of the first Canadian prison authori- and spread of this terrible virus from our Vincent University, told The Hill Times last is the person responsible here. And he’s ties to regularly divulge such figures.” We sites and protecting our employees and week that politicizing the study of the allega- the one who should have known better. are currently in the process of updating the individuals in our care. tions against Gen. Vance will do a “disservice” The Hill Times our testing data with more extensive Isabelle Robitaille data specific to sites at which there have Communications and Engagement been positive COVID-19 cases, includ- Correctional Service Canada | Govern- ing the start and end-dates of outbreaks, ment of Canada

New permanent transit fund will be immensely popular, writes Gideon Forman

e: “Politics This Morning: Feds vast majority do. Buses, light rail, and Rpledge $14.9-billion in new funds subways benefit people in many ways. to build public transit projects,” (The They’re a climate solution, of course, Hill Times online newsletter, Feb. 11). but they also create employment. In Not mentioned here is the fact that Canada, this sector provides the equiva- the new permanent transit fund will lent of more than 121,000 full-time jobs. be immensely popular. Ekos polling And with the wonderful announcement in November 2020 found 83 per cent of permanent funding, the job numbers of Canadians agree government has a will only increase. responsibility to ensure people can ac- Gideon Forman cess safe and affordable transit. Impor- Climate change and transportation tantly, this view is shared by 81 per cent policy analyst of folks who rely on cars. It’s not just The David Suzuki Foundation transit users who see transit’s value. The Toronto, Ont.

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together and vote en masse. And Joly treading on dangerous ground that capacity to vote collectively could change the outcome of the election. That is why Quebec-born Erin with white paper on official languages O’Toole was out early on his party’s position on Bill 101. He knows this could play very well In a speech in November, paper, because all opposition par- on sovereignty and the right to in certain parts of the province Quebecers will Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole ties are lining up to turn it into an separate. that he desperately needs to form accused the Liberals of refusing anti-French attack by the Lauren- Even with that carrot, the government. band together to “to protect French in Quebec be- tian Liberals on la belle province. party bled votes in Quebec, but The white paper may succeed promote French and cause they did not want to harm The moribund Bloc is dy- when it comes to language laws, in lowering the temperature, linguistic minorities in other parts ing for an opportunity to drive the Liberals will be alone in their which is what the Liberals need governments need to of the country.” a wedge into the relationship support for a federal language to kill a divisive language issue O’Toole went on to claim between francophones and anglo- policy that could apply across the on the eve of an election. have their back. But media pundits were acting in bad phones in the country. country. Joly has excellent communica- faith by comparing the anglo- A language war is the only Already the Quebec National tion skills in both official lan- not at the expense of phone minority in Quebec to way to convince nationalist Assembly has moved unani- guages, but as she discovered on francophones outside Quebec. He Quebecers that supporting the mously to support the position of the Netflix file, the devil is in the francophones in the claimed that was a “false equiva- sovereigntists in an election is not the government that all Quebec- details. rest of Canada. lency.” a lost cause. ers and all services, should be You can rest assured the Prime To that end, the Conservative The Tories are trying to re- governed by provincial language Minister’s Office will be combing party under his leadership is vow- establish themselves as the party laws only. through details of the document, ing to apply Quebec’s Bill 101 to of the and the The newly minted provincial looking for potential pitfalls. federally regulated businesses in old Progressive Conservatives, Liberal leader followed in the The Liberals have already that province. when federal election victories footsteps of her predecessors by taken a beating in Quebec on the On the face of it, that does not were always dependent on sup- falling in line on Bill 101 without decision to grandfather posses- seem like a big deal. port from Quebec nationalists. even bothering to suggest a single sion of military assault rifles and But by adopting a provincial As for the New Democratic amendment. defer to municipalities on the language law, the federal govern- Party, it has already thrown its lot That is not surprising as it is decision to ban handguns. ment would be throwing millions in with the separatists. The Sher- common knowledge in Quebec That won’t be too damaging of francophones outside Quebec brooke Declaration, which was political circles that most provin- because the other parties do not under the bus. a fairly calculated move by Tom cial Liberals are actually federal want a legislative gun battle. Sheila Copps If one province is successful in Mulcair and Jack Layton to at- Tories. That is why former Que- But language is a different Copps’ Corner ensuring that its language laws tract Quebecers, would basically bec premier moved story. can also override federal juris- give Canada away with a referen- with ease between the two parties Quebecers will band together diction, it won’t be long before dum vote of a simple majority. at the federal and provincial level. to promote French and govern- conomic Development and anti-French campaigns in other Jagmeet Singh has already But if the white paper content ments need to have their back. EOfficial Languages Minister parts of the country close down endorsed the declaration, and and rollout is not properly man- But not at the expense of franco- Melanie Joly’s white paper on schools and services that are cur- the last campaign solidified his aged, the Liberals could back phones in the rest of Canada. official languages has not even rently funded, in part, by federal attachment to separation, when themselves into a corner in strate- Sheila Copps is a former Jean been released and already the language policy and laws. his Quebec members moved away gically vote-rich Quebec. Chrétien-era cabinet minister and opposition parties are lining up Joly is treading on very dan- from their support for social If Quebecers feel attacked, a former deputy prime minster. against it. gerous ground with this white democracy and focussed instead they will immediately band The Hill Times

sive form of socialism in the hopes that this will somehow chip away Canada’s political parties are at Trudeau’s progressive base. Now let’s consider the Conser- vatives. Here’s a party, which unlike the Liberals and NDP, has a new stuck in a communications rut leader in Erin O’Toole, and it’s also a party which has lots of cash. in the same old style,” to which So, you might think the Con- Just like last election, an officer replies, “Well then, we’ll servatives would be ready to try a they don’t want to meet them in the same old style.” new strategic approach. I’m bringing this up because, Yet, for the life of me, I don’t scare voters, just like should the next federal election see any evidence this will actually occur this spring, (as many believe happen. last election they it will) I can certainly envision the As a matter of fact, so far, the strategists of Canada’s major po- Conservative style under O’Toole might end up boring litical parties saying more or less seems pretty much the same as the same thing to each other. it was under his predecessor An- them. That’s to say, I believe the Liber- drew Scheer. als, Conservatives, and New Demo- In other words, the party still crats are all going to battle each seems to be taking a cautious, other using their same old styles. “let’s not make any mistakes” The communication strategies approach, preferring timidity to they employed in the last federal boldness. election are the same communica- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, Bloc Leader Indeed, I believe this is why tion strategies they’ll employ in Yves-François Blanchet, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and Green Leader Conservative MP , the next. Annamie Paul. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade noted for his bulldoggish de- For some parties this will meanor, was recently removed make sense, for others it won’t. In the past, that meant pushing This brings us to the NDP from his high-profile Finance For instance, it would surely Trudeau as a cool, fun guy, rock- which I believe will also stick to critic role, he was likely seen as Gerry Nicholls make sense for the Liberals to star-style celebrity, but next time its same old style, not because it just too aggressive. Post Partisan Pundit keep their same old style, since I’m betting that, with COVID anx- works (it sure didn’t work in the That’s simply not an image the they used it to successfully win iety looming in the background, last election) but because they re- Conservatives want to promote. back-to-back federal elections they’ll focus on a different aspect ally have no other cards to play. Just like last election, they AKVILLE, ONT.—In the mov- (albeit, only a minority victory in of Trudeau’s personality—his The New Democrats, after all, don’t want to scare voters, just Oie, Waterloo, which tells the 2019) and as the saying goes, “if it compassion. are stuck with the same leader, like last election they might end story of Napoleon’s famous last aint broke, don’t fix it.” I think it’d work for them. Jagmeet Singh, whose politi- up boring them. battle, there’s a scene where, as And the Liberal Party style As American political consul- cal skills are limited and they’re So, get ready Canadians, the he eyes massed ranks of march- is clear and simple: it pins its tant Morton Blackwell once put hampered by a lack of financial parties will all march at you in ing French troops, the Duke of electoral hopes on Prime Minister it, “Politics is of the heart as well resources , both of which make it the same old style. Wellington (played by the late Justin Trudeau’s affable personal- as of the mind. Many people don’t difficult to plan a new strategy. Gerry Nicholls is a communi- Christopher Plummer), stoically ity; if voters like Trudeau, they’ll care how much you know until So expect the NDP to once cations consultant. proclaims “They’re coming at us vote for him. they know how much you care.” again push a bland and inoffen- The Hill Times 10 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | THE HILL TIMES Opinion

a flirtation with Ezra Levant— ported describing white national- and, following a script from Jeff ists as terrorist organizations, Ballingall, his digital campaign an obvious attempt to distance manager and founder of the right- his party from Trump. He has de- wing advocacy group, Ontario moted the hyper-partisan Pierre Who is Erin Proud—O’Toole won. Poilievre from finance critic to a In the normal world, this kind second-rung position as critic on of profound image remake would the economic recovery. The move be deeply suspect, if not unethi- was described as “lateral” and will cal. But, in politics it is known as not silence Poilievre, but shrill “whatever it takes.” partisans like him and Conserva- Since his win, O’Toole has tive health critic Michelle Rempel O’Toole? Too being languishing in the polls, but Garner hurt the party’s prospects the pandemic has been a chal- outside of Conservative circles. lenging time for opposition par- But, on his right flank, O’ Toole ties. The new leader hasn’t won also has to beware of noisy critics friends, either, with his constant like and the new, carping at Liberal miscues, over Western-based, right-wing Maver- rapid testing, vaccine roll-outs, ick Party, led by former Con- support programs for business servative MP . As well, early to say and everything else. There have social conservatives organized by been glitches, among the suc- Sloan and others are competing cesses, in pandemic measures, but for a significant presence at that sensible people know the blame upcoming policy conference and tice, groups opposed to assisted- Conservatives and vice-versa. is widely shared among federal they are no friends of O’Toole’s, Erin O’Toole dying—for eroding the “instinct As an MP and junior minister in and provincial governments, and, who some describe as Liberal-lite. currently has a foot for breadth” within mainstream ’s cabinet, he was past governments that neglected This may be why O’Toole chose political parties. He acknowl- seen as moderate, friendly, not pandemic preparedness over not to rebuke his deputy leader, in two camps—those edged the importance of these overly partisan. When he ran for years. Apart from all that, it is un- Candice Bergen, for a recent pho- groups in elevating issues and the party leadership in 2017, he seemly to be questioning tactics tograph in which she wore a broad who want a modern, pressing for change, but their presented himself as a positive, mid-battle. smile and a MAGA hat. Trump did growing importance, he said, has upbeat successor to the abrasive Behind the scenes, O’Toole is not have many fans in Canada, but centrist party that replaced “a sense of us” with a Harper, hewed to a centrist mes- trying to fashion a policy package those that do exist identify almost “real sense of us and them.” He sage, avoided incendiary asides with some elements even self-pro- entirely as Conservatives. takes climate change, quotes another former Conserva- and placed a disappointing third fessed Progressive Conservatives To return to Clark’s observa- social justice and the tive leader, , who behind Maxime Bernier and An- like might approve, tion, reconciling different views said years ago: “Political par- drew Scheer. for the party’s March national within broad tent parties is role of government ties reconcile interests; interest groups insist on them.” seriously, or, the Clark, who is socially liberal, On his right flank, may have been referring to the Conservative Party moral purists who social conservatives who have Leader Erin O’Toole, insist everyone been playing havoc within Con- pictured Feb. 18, 2021, servative ranks (and in Liberal also has to beware think and behave as backrooms, in years past) al- of noisy critics like though he wasn’t specific. What- Maxime Bernier and the they do and despise ever the cause—American-style new, Western-based, political advertising, social media, right-wing Maverick those who don’t. It single-issue pressure groups, a Party, led by former is a hard balance to more fractured society—Clark is Conservative MP Jay correct in describing the notice- Hill. As well, social maintain. Someday able polarization not only among conservatives organized political parties, but within them. by and soon, perhaps after There is one song sheet from others are competing for which all MPs are expected to a significant presence the policy convention, sing. Any breaches in that solidar- at that upcoming policy ity are ruthlessly policed by the conference and they are O’Toole is going media, with dissenters either cast no friends of O’Toole’s, to have to more as heroic and principled martyrs, who some describe as or radical outliers. Liberal-lite. The Hill explicitly pick a side. This imposed groupthink—not Times photograph by a new phenomenon—is partly Andrew Meade what makes politics so banal and so mean. There is no point in ask- ing any backbench MP what they think on any issue because they will simply parrot talking points handed down from on high. Op- When Scheer flamed out, convention. So, no national child important work if political parties position MPs will blame govern- O’Toole tried again in the 2020 care, no pharmacare, repeal of are to retain their central place in ment for every sparrow that falls, contest. In doing so, he converted Liberal gun control measures, no this country’s governance. Some while government MPs will lavish from an affable, middleclass carbon tax (although this could leaders, like Harper, achieved unctuous praise on the great Ontario dad with a photogenic morph into a Conservative car- unity through intimidation. Some, leader’s every utterance. family to hard-nosed partisan. bon price by another name), no like Mulroney, used charm and Susan Riley (In truth, most issues are com- While he did not disavow his to Huawei’s 5G network and, last flattery. For governing parties, Impolitic plicated. To pretend otherwise—as socially liberal views—pro-choice, week, the relocation of the 2022 the distribution of perks and we have seen on everything from pro-same-sex marriage; issues Winter Olympics out of China. privileges usually ensures caucus vaccine production, to relations that sunk Scheer—he adopted a This is a long-standing and discipline. HELSEA, QUE.—In a recent with China, to medically assisted harsher, almost Trumpian tone unsurprising list of Conservative O’Toole currently has a foot Cpodcast interview, former dying—is dishonest and an insult on everything else. His party positions and the last one—more in two camps—those who want a prime minister Joe Clark lament- to the voting public.) would “Take Back Canada”—from vigorous push-back against modern, centrist party that takes ed the fact that contemporary Clark’s observation is more whom was never clear—it would China’s belligerence—could have climate change, social justice and political parties are no longer “in- than an academic problem for defund English CBC television, broad public support. However, the role of government seriously, struments of reconciliation” aimed the current Conservative leader, wage war on “cancel culture” and the Liberal government hasn’t or, the moral purists who insist at welcoming all viewpoints and Erin O’Toole. How does he wel- “elites,” embrace the gun lobby, ruled out pushing for a change everyone think and behave as they arriving at compromise through come new voters into his party, bash China and restore True Blue in Olympic venue which would do and despise those who don’t. It vigorous internal debate. As the including disaffected Liberals, conservatism in the face of rival remove one arrow from O’Toole’s is a hard balance to maintain. 81-year-old political veteran told and make room for their ideas, Peter MacKay’s lean- quiver. Someday soon, perhaps after Kathleen Petty, host of West of without losing an increasingly vo- ings. And, of course, promote O’Toole has also tossed Derek the policy convention, O’Toole is Centre, in his time “people were cal, motivated and well-organized pipelines and overturn the West Sloan from caucus for a range of going to have to more explicitly fierce in their allegiances, but not base of social and policy hard- Coast tanker ban. offences, including accepting a pick a side. close-minded.” liners? With the help of social conser- donation (Sloan says unknowing- Susan Riley is veteran political Clark blamed interest O’Toole could be a plausible vative supporters of Derek Sloan ly) from a white supremacist and columnist who write regularly for groups—be they environmental, prime minister in a country that and , with endorse- questioning Dr. ’s loy- The Hill Times. veterans’ rights, Indigenous jus- invariably replaces Liberals with ments from Jason Kenney and alty to Canada. O’Toole has sup- The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 11 Opinion

Quebec Premier Academic freedom is infected by the François Legault, belief that science is the only god of knowl- pictured Sept. edge. Quick point: there are many knowl- 18, 2020, in edge systems, and Indigenous knowledge Ottawa after a systems are eons older than “science.” premiers’ meeting. When academic freedom is jealously Academia is guarded by white professors who only not about the know one knowledge system, Indigenous freedom to speak knowledge is dismissed. Have you heard any dumb idea of the university demanding academic or thought that freedom to protect Anishnaabe knowledge one might have. systems for future generations? Academia was Academic freedom is sometimes used intended to play as the weapon against those disruptive stu- the role of 'critic dents who dare question the teacher. Aca- and conscience demia is hierarchical, very Catholic actually, of society' and the priest/professor is the gatekeeper to the that’s a serious god of science. The thing is that societies responsibility, change and we do actually want to evolve, writes Rose do we not? Often it is the younger genera- LeMay. The Hill tions that champions change. Am I the dis- Times photograph ruptive one in class if I ask that we correct by Andrew Meade the history textbooks to include Indigenous experiences? Have we allowed universities and the mistaken fight of academic freedom to be the walls against change? In contrast, Indigenous knowledge holders operate in a circle of accountability to each other, never alone. There is no hi- erarchy. There is significant responsibility to each other, to the community and to the The fight about land. We are learning from each other and with each other. About the “social advocacy” and “woke- ness” that offends a few professors and white politicians. Get over yourselves. If professors can’t support difficult conversa- academic freedom in tions so students can learn in safety (adult education theory and practice), perhaps this isn’t the job for you. If politicians can’t empathize with the cry for change from BIPOC students and your voters, this is Canada is whitewashed definitely not the job for you. We want academic responsibility for professors to share knowledges in a good First off, there’s no good reason to use About this Legault fight against “woke- way, to gently critique society with the goal François Legault’s fight offensive words in the classroom. The only ness” and social advocacy—this isn’t about to help us do better, and to help us learn reason one might do this is for shock value, academic freedom. It’s about a small group more to avoid the mistakes of the past. against ‘wokeness’ and and that’s not real teaching. of white people refusing to change or hear The responsibility is to knowledge, student The basis of academic freedom is about about any other lived experience. Might as learning, and society. Without responsibil- social advocacy isn’t about reducing the risk of private funding or the well call it Karen University. ity, freedom is a weapon. academic freedom. It’s state itself interfering with the pursuit of Academia is not about the freedom to Rose LeMay is Tlingit from the West knowledge. We don’t want the government speak any dumb idea or thought that one Coast and the CEO of the Indigenous about a small group of or a corporation to pay for the results it might have. Academia was intended to Reconciliation Group. She writes twice a wants because that would be corruption. play the role of “critic and conscience of month about Indigenous inclusion and rec- white people refusing to So let’s enshrine in legislation that the society” and that’s a serious responsibility. onciliation. In Tlingit worldview, the stories state must keep an arm’s-length away from So where were the universities and col- are the knowledge system, sometimes told change or hear about any academia and then fund enough so that leges in the 2020 summer of protest against through myth and sometimes contradict- other lived experience. We universities don’t have to beg for corporate and fight for equal rights? Have ing the myths told by others. But always money. That’s how we protect knowledge universities and colleges lost their voice of with at least some truth. might as well call it Karen from corruption. Easy. conscience? The Hill Times University. Coming Soon... Wellington West Retirement Community Our luxury style Retirement Community awaits you! All right in the heart of the lively, and charming neighbourhood of Hintonburg! At Wellington West Retirement Community, life will be about enjoying the great things that surround you every day. Elegant Fine Dining Rose LeMay Exclusive CLUBfit Programs Stories, Myths, and Truths Heated Saltwater Pool Tranquil Beauty Salon and Spa Town Car with Your Very Own Chauffeur TTAWA—Quebec Premier François Amenity Spaces Inspired by Local Historic Sites OLegault used social media on And Much More... last week to share his belief that “a handful of radical activists who are trying to censor Join our luxurious, urban chic, full service Retirement Community today! certain words and works” are the problem, in reference to the recent use of the N-word Call Us to Book Your Virtual Tour by university professors in Ottawa and and those tyrannical students. It’s ironic when only six per cent of professors in Quebec universities are visible minorities, 613-716-6885 including only 0.3 per cent Indigenous (2019 Loi sur l’accès à l’égalité en emploi dans des organismes publics). But the average across 1166 Wellington Street West, Ottawa ON Canada is somewhere between one and 1.5 per cent Indigenous, so academia every- www.WellingtonWestRetirement.com where is quite white. 12 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | THE HILL TIMES Opinion

Conservative lose, by dropping a version of the Party Leader Harper agenda? That is a dubious Erin O'Toole proposition, given that O’Toole is is facing a not exactly Mr. Sincerity. challenge In the United States, the from social Republican Party is at the same conservatives political crossroads as the within his party, CPC—broken and needing a fix. while he tries to The GOP has lost control of the attract support House, the Senate, and the White from Canadians House following the tenure of the closer to the Loser-in-Chief, Donald Trump. Re- centre of member when Trump told Repub- the political licans that they would get tired of spectrum. winning under his stewardship? The Hill Times Now the question is, how tired photograph by are they of losing? Andrew Meade After the deadly attack on the Capitol, one would have thought that the betting would be on the forces of moderation to lead the work of rebuilding the party. People like Senator Mitt Romney, Representative Liz Cheney, and Minority Senate leader Mitch Mc- Connell. Although McConnell caved on his impeachment vote, he deliv- ered a blistering attack on Trump on the Senate floor. Others, like former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley also said that Trump had no future in a rebuild- ing GOP. But if you tell the truth in U.S. politics these days, you better keep your horse saddled. Instead of attacking Trump for his sedi- At home and down tious behaviour and mass lying, state GOP bodies have gone after the truth-tellers, sanctioning par- ty officials like Cheney for their vote of conscience to impeach the President. south, conservatism Even more remarkable, Republican leaders in Congress, people who were there when the MAGA hordes came through the windows with baseball bats, have been lining up to get the blessing from the very man who unleashed is in an identity crisis the mob. Trump destroyed their party. Paradoxically, they seem to believe he is the only one who feature of the Stephen Harper era as this spring. The basic prob- shown. That’s because a portion can take them back to power. One of conservatism’s as they were of Bush and Trump lem is that Erin O’Toole is not of O’Toole’s own base are anti- So the number one and two administrations. a social conservative. As one vaxxers, or believe that COVID-19 leadership members in the House bedrock values, Yet the Conservative Party of Conservative party source put it, is just the flu, or worse, a “plan- of Representatives, Kevin McCar- smaller government, Canada lost its mojo when it lost “Erin is the ultimate pragmatist. demic.” That puts the leader in a thy and Steve Scalise, have been the 2015 election, and Stephen He will be whatever he has to be tough spot, since Election 2021 supplicants at Mar-a-Lago. So is looking less and Harper as leader. The CPC failed to win.” will be the Pandemic Election. So has Lindsey Graham, the Senator to get out from under Harper’s That could certainly be applied far, the Liberals have a lock on who seems to have taken up resi- less attractive in the shadow, or his agenda, when it to O’Toole’s successful bid for the that issue. dence inside Donald Trump’s golf made Andrew Scheer leader. It CPC leadership. He knew that he O’Toole’s status as leader, and bag. Even Nikki Haley thought Age of COVID. chose a new talking head, but the needed social conservative sup- the direction of the party, will better of her denunciation of same message. port to defeat Peter MacKay and become more apparent at the Trump and requested an audience Scheer couldn’t make the sale, he set about getting it. He ran to Conservatives’ March convention. with Himself. She was refused. partly because he had a congeni- the right of the co-founder of the Sources say that social conser- In Canada and the United tal inability to answer questions. CPC, and even launched his cam- vatives have constructed two States party members of the CPC As one wag put it after repeated paign in Alberta. It worked. slates of delegates who will try to and GOP will decide who gets gaffs by the former Speaker of But after that, the political commandeer the party’s National the job of rebuilding conserva- the House of Commons, Scheer pragmatist faced a much bigger Council, and gain control of the tive parties that are losers at the stepped on every rake on the battlefield than the one he had Conservative Party Fund. box-office. Will it be more social lawn. It was strange. If the full confronted in the leadership race. If that happens, O’Toole can conservatism or less? Will it Harper had not worked with the One thing was obvious when forget moving the CPC to the be endless Trump or the end of electorate in 2015, why would O’Toole looked at the rest of Can- political centre, and maybe he Trump? Michael Harris Harper-lite work in 2019? ada: social conservatism would can even forget being leader for While that process unfolds, Harris It didn’t. never put him in 24 much longer. The recently de- one of conservatism’s bedrock Even with Justin Trudeau (if the place ever gets renovated.) moted Pierre Poilievre is polling values, smaller government, is being slagged for everything So the new leader began four times better with the CPC looking less and less attractive ALIFAX—Rush Limbaugh, from interfering in the SNC- the unmandated work of drag- base than O’Toole; or at least he in the Age of COVID. National Hradio icon of the Right, has Lavalin criminal corruption case, ging the CPC to the middle of is according to former Harper interventions from Big Govern- died at exactly the moment that blackface from bygone days, the political spectrum, just what staffer on a recent ment have been embraced by the conservatism in both Canada and and hobnobbing for free with a some delegates worried that Peter podcast. public, if not demanded. the United States is facing an billionaire on his private island MacKay planned to do. To some But if the social conservatives Now that families in Texas identity crisis. in the Caribbean, Scheer couldn’t of O’Toole’s leadership support- are rebuffed at the convention, are burning their kids’ cribs and It is a commonplace of Cana- bring home the political bacon. ers, that looked less like savvy O’Toole will be able to continue wooden blocks to keep warm, so- dian politics that conservatism The CPC lost its second straight strategy than heresy. the work of edging the party back cial conservatism, small govern- in this country leans heavily on federal election to Justin Trudeau, The people who had supported towards Progressive Conservative ment, tax cuts and politicians like the rhetoric and policies of the and quickly went to work ousting Steven Harper didn’t want to hear policies and values, the elusive “Flying Ted Cruz” may no longer Republican Party. Policies like Scheer. about getting to net zero by 2050, bigger tent. look like the answer to anybody’s small government, tax cuts, de- Now the party is well on the or promoting unions. Nor was The big question is this: can problems in our dread new world. regulation, media-hating, fossil way to losing its third straight there much traction inside the he win over enough suburban Michael Harris is an award- fuel worship, and climate change election expected some time CPC for the kind of laser-focus on and female voters to make up for winning author and journalist. denial. These were as much a later this year, perhaps as early COVID-19 that the Liberals have the social conservatives he will The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 13 Opinion Canada needs to invest in innovation, investment, and productivity, and it’s urgent

adoption of the latest technology, is much The staff economists Canada faces deep and lower in Canada than the U.S. and half our from the International manufacturers don’t even see the need for Monetary Fund are difficult challenges that advanced technology. quite clear on what Business spending on research and de- Finance Minister could take a decade to velopment, essential for innovation, in 2019 , was only 90 per cent of its 2007 level after overcome. The test for pictured Sept. 15, inflation, according to the OECD. In Korea 2020, should do in it was 133 per cent higher, in Germany Chrystia Freeland’s her first budget.The 44 per cent higher, in the U.S. 32 per cent Hill Times photograph upcoming budget is to higher, in Britain 31 per cent higher, and in by Andrew Meade Sweden 20 per cent higher. be honest about our The result of underinvestment in circumstances, and budget technology, R&D, and skills upgrading is our chronic current account deficit, which the priorities right, not is why we are consuming more than we produce or earn. To pay for this deficit deliver another exercise we are borrowing from non-residents. Last year, according to Statistics Canada, in self-congratulation and Canadian governments and corporations misguided optimism. sold $121.1-billion of bonds and $20.1-bil- lion in money market instruments to non- facturing capacity, as well as to ensure an ing to generate the majority of our net new residents. adequate quality and quantity of supply jobs. Between pre-pandemic January 2020 But this debt must be repaid. In the chain infrastructure.” and January 2001, almost 40 per cent of all meantime, part of our national income That’s not all. “In developing these strate- the job gains came from education, health each year must go as interest to non- gies and making these investments, the and social welfare and public adminis- resident bond holders rather than used in government’s focus should include: auto, tration, activities dependent on public Canada for our own purposes. rail, clean water, aerospace, shipbuilding, spending. Another 18 per cent came from Yet, despite the urgent need to address construction materials, pharmaceuticals and retail and wholesale trade, restaurants innovation and productivity, our MPs seem personal protection equipment , as well as and accommodation, and travel and other largely oblivious, regardless of party. The such service and creative sectors as telecom- forms of transportation, sectors linked to recent pre-budget report of the all-party munications and media.” Yet recommenda- consumer spending. It’s unlikely we can House Finance Committee, entitled Invest- count on these sectors to be the major David Crane tion 126 says the government should “elimi- ing for Tomorrow: Canadian Priorities for nate targeted corporate welfare programs.” source of future new jobs. Canada & the 21st Century Economic Growth and Recovery, certainty Make sense out of that if you can. At the same time we lost 538,800 manu- has no shortage of priorities. In fact it has To reassure us, some priorities were facturing jobs. Even more troubling, manu- 145 of them. more explicit—for example, recommenda- facturing output in durable goods—cars, ORONTO—The staff economists from But the report is little more than a tion 117 called for changes to the Income planes, machinery, steel, aluminum, chemi- Tthe International Monetary Fund are clerical exercise of listing recommenda- Tax Act so that income of private camp- cals, and other tradable goods—in pre- quite clear on what Finance Minister tions from all of the various groups that grounds with fewer than five full-time year- pandemic November 2019 was at roughly Chrystia Freeland should do in her first appeared before them. There is no discus- round employees could be considered “ac- the same level as November 2001. Overall, budget. sion or analysis of the economic challenges tive business income” in determining their much of our wealth-generating tradable In a concluding statement after the we face let alone set out any attempt to set eligibility for small business deductions. goods and services sector has flatlined. IMF’s most recent survey of the Canadian serious priorities to address the challenges. To be sure, Finance Canada is conduct- Canada faces deep and difficult chal- economy, it warns that “structural chal- Instead we get a long list of aspirational ing its own pre-budget consultations. These lenges that could take a decade to over- lenges that existed prior to the pandemic ambitions. Take recommendation 111, for include a polling exercise in which Canadi- come. The test for Freeland’s upcoming remain.” This means “Canada still needs to example. It is quite a mouthful but takes ans are asked to choose from different op- budget is to be honest about our circum- boost its productivity, support productivity- us nowhere. It calls on the government to tions. For example, asked to identify which stances, and budget the priorities right, not enhancing investments, and diversify “develop comprehensive industrial strate- policies could help increase innovation, we deliver another exercise in self-congratula- beyond traditional sectors, including oil.” gies and make investments designed both are told to choose three out of 13 listed op- tion and misguided optimism. This, as we know, needs to be Freeland’s to strengthen core infrastructure that tions. This is not serious consultation. David Crane can be reached at crane@ focus as we move into the post-pandemic supports business incubation activities and Over the past pre-pandemic 20 years we interlog.com. world. In fact, the pandemic has only made the expansion of critical domestic manu- have relied on public and consumer spend- The Hill Times dealing with our underlying weaknesses in innovation, investment, and productivity even more urgent—and also more difficult because uncertainty and weak confidence in the future have deepened. INSTITUTE FOR PEACE & DIPLOMACY PRESENTS: Any new spending, the IMF econo- mists say, should be evaluated against the fundamentally essential need to “increase the productive capacity of the economy.” New initiatives, or expanded spending in existing programs, need to align with the long-term challenge of improving long- term growth prospects. This is critical. It is pointless to talk about ambi- tious programs for pharmacare, major investments in long-term care, expanded OPENING REMARKS Paul Evans Henry Wang programs for affordable housing and early Professor, School President, childhood development, let alone some of Public Policy and Centre for China and form of basic income, unless we can gener- Global Affairs, UBC Globalization ate the wealth to pay for them. As I have written before, Canada is not on a growth path to pay for the things we need, let alone want. Our potential growth rate, which increasingly depends on innovation-led gains in productivity, is Senator Yuen Pau Woo too low to sustain our way of life. We have Graham Shantz Wenran Jiang underinvested in the future and are now Canadian Senator, President, Advisor, Asia paying the price. Former President of Canada-China Program, Institute for We have had the weakest growth in the Asia Pacific Business Council Peace & Diplomacy industrial output of any country in the G7 Foundation of Canada since 2005. We have a growing manufactur- ing productivity gap with our U.S. competi- tors. Our level of investment in machin- ery and equipment per worker, and the 14 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | THE HILL TIMES Global Dubai: the sheikh and his daughters

Sheikh Mohammed Now the UN is bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the getting involved: absolute ruler of Dubai, pictured the Office of the UN wth Ahmad Abdulla High Commissioner Alshaikh, has 25 children by his for Human Rights six wives, so he obviously loves has said it will soon children, but, unaccountably, his question the United daughters keep Arab Emirates about trying to escape. He recaptures Princess Latifa, and them and locks them up, of course, a spokesman said the but it’s starting to draw unwelcome UN Working Group on attention, writes Gwynne Dyer. Arbitrary Detention Photograph courtesy could launch an of Commons Wikimedia investigation once Princess Latifa’s videos have been analysed.

In the good old days, poten- made it to the coast of Oman with dows are barred shut. There’s five tates from the oil-rich parts of the the help of her Finnish fitness policemen outside and two police- Middle East could get away with instructor, thence out to a yacht women inside the house. And I anything. When Maktoum’s daugh- in international waters by dinghy can’t even go outside to get any ter Shamsa ran away from the fam- and jet-ski, and off to India, from fresh air.” Jauhiainen told the British ily’s compound in Surrey while on where she planned to fly to the authorities (because Shamsa had holiday in 2000, the Sheikh didn’t United States and seek asylum. been kidnapped on British soil) and contact the English police. He just (Good luck with that; Donald the United Nations, but she didn’t sent his own agents out to find her. Trump was still president.) go public for fear of compromising Latifa’s secret phone. Gwynne Dyer That phone went dead five Global Affairs months ago, so now the ‘family’ knows. Fortunately, there is now some support from the British, ONDON, U.K.—Dubai can be because Latifa’s stepmother, Lamusing, in a voyeuristic way, Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, for a week or two. Tallest building took her two children and fled to in the world and the mall with the London in 2019. shark tank, but it’s the people, Last year, the British High really. Court issued a ‘fact-finding judg- There are a quarter-million ex- ment’ confirming that both Sham- pats, mostly British or American, sa and Latifa had been kidnapped living much higher on the hog and were being illegally held. It than they ever could at home— denied Maktoum’s demand that but bored out of their , his children with Princess Haya like refugees from a Somerset be returned to his custody, and Maugham novel. Drunken buffet said that the Sheikh’s campaign of lunches on Fridays at one of the intimidation against her included big hotels are as good as it gets. having a pistol left on her pillow. Princess Latifa and her Finnish friend, Tiina Jauhiainen. Image courtesy NBC News Offstage, there are also a It has become That’s where it stands at the couple of million servants, me- “ moment, but now the UN is getting nials and labourers, mostly from They tracked her down a Unfortunately, eight days later a question of involved: the Office of the UN High the Indian subcontinent. They are month later in Cambridge, where and only 30 km off Goa, they Commissioner for Human Rights probably bored too, but nobody four Arab men grabbed her on were boarded by Emirati com- face for Sheikh has said it will soon question the bothers to ask. the street, bundled her into a car, mandos from an Indian Navy ship United Arab Emirates about Prin- And there are a quarter-million and injected her with a sedative. (Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mohammed. He cess Latifa, and a spokesman said native-born Arab citizens, most She was flown back to Dubai on a government still sucks up to rich the UN Working Group on Arbi- of them quite prosperous but also private jet, and has not been seen Arabs), and Latifa was ‘tranquil- knows what all trary Detention could launch an bored, though the richer ones in public since. (She would be in ized’ again and flown back to the other kings investigation once Princess Latifa’s console themselves with stables of her early 40s now, but the Dubai Dubai. videos have been analysed. race-horses and the like. The rich- government says she is “adored For the past two years, she has and sheikhs of the But that may not be enough, est of them all is Sheikh Moham- and cherished” by her family.) been held in solitary confinement because now it has become med bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Two years later, her younger in a seaside ‘villa’. (“Safe with her Gulf are saying a question of face for Sheikh absolute ruler of Dubai. half-sister, Latifa, made her first family,” as the Dubai government Mohammed. He knows what all The Sheikh has 25 children escape attempt at the age of 16. She put it.) But at some point a mobile about him. They’re the other kings and sheikhs of by his six wives, so he obviously was caught crossing the border into phone was smuggled in to her, the Gulf are saying about him. loves children, but unaccount- Oman and brought back to Dubai, and she began locking herself in saying, ‘Why They’re saying, “Why can’t Mo- ably his daughters keep trying where she was jailed for three the bathroom and sending out se- can’t Mohammed hammed control his women?” to escape. He recaptures them years. She says she was kept in soli- cret videos to her Finnish friend, Gwynne Dyer’s new book is and locks them up, of course, but tary confinement and tortured. Tiina Jauhiainen. control his ‘Growing Pains: The Future of it’s starting to draw unwelcome Princess Latifa didn’t try to “This villa has been converted Democracy (and Work)’. attention. escape again until 2018, when she into a jail,” she said. “All the win- women?’ The Hill Times TRANSPORTATIONenough employees? missing akey Canada 2030 strategic plan recover without aviation sector Can Canada’s Transport plank p. 20 p. 20

Reduced emissions long-lasting impact support aviation cities duringthe pandemic: from sector willhave Feds’ failureto temporary to in Canadian permanent p. 22 p. 25

future ofurban ingredients for transportation from home It’s anew working era for Three p. 26 p. 25

Zero-emission transportation transportation driving urban post-COVID Pandemic transition recovery key toa The Hill TimesHill The Feb. 22,2021 p. 26 p. 27

16 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | THE HILL TIMES Transportation Policy Briefing Experts, stakeholders worried about pandemic’s impact on aviation workforce

Newly-appointed Ms. Kusie said she’s worried Canadian commercial Transport about the signal a lack of support Minister Omar will send to those wanting to get airlines made just Alghabra was into the industry. $1.6-billion in the promoted to “How encouraged is a young cabinet in the person to acquire these skills to third quarter of 2020, midst of ongoing be a pilot if they’ve seen what discussions with this generation of pilots has down nearly 80 per the Canadian gone through, where their skills airline industry and their livelihood were tossed cent from the same over a potential aside? It’s not very encouraging financial relief for someone to pursue this,” she time in 2019, according package. The said. to Statistics Canada Hill Times file There was also a 13 per cent photograph shortage of air traffic controllers Quarterly Aviation before the pandemic hit, accord- ing to evidence heard by the Survey released on House Transport Committee. Doug Best, president and Feb. 19. Passenger CEO of the Canadian Air Traffic Control Association, told the com- volume is down even mittee that he’s personally seen more. The airlines flew examples of laid-off air traffic controllers looking to ply their 3.6 million people in trade in other countries. “I have already seen several the same period, down examples of them looking for em- abruptness of the impacts of the requirements or required training as well as safety when commer- ployment elsewhere around the nearly 86 per cent from COVID-19 pandemic on Canadian events for the few pilots that are cial travel restarts in earnest,” he world. We’re very highly skilled. airlines. In the third quarter, how- still employed, but unemployed said at the Jan. 28 meeting of the We’re in demand, and there’s a 2019. This resulted in ever—typically the best period for pilots don’t get access to those House Transport Committee. staff shortage around the world; a net operating loss the Canadian airline industry— mechanisms. Matt Wayland, director of gov- there has been for at least a de- there were improvements to key Short of a financial aid pack- ernments relations at the Interna- cade now, if not more. There will of $811-million, the operating metrics and financial age, Mr. Perry said he doesn’t tional Brotherhood of Electrical be brain drain with regard to us measures from the low point in know of any way for that “profes- Workers (IBEW), the union that losing the skills,” he said. StatsCan data shows. the second quarter of 2020,” ac- sional development” to happen. represents some NAV Canada Karl Moore, professor of busi- cording to StatsCan’s Daily. ness at McGill University and a Airline employment is also BY AIDAN CHAMANDY Unifor national former consultant to numerous down nearly 40 per cent in the president Jerry airline companies across the third quarter of 2020 compared to xperts and stakeholders Dias, pictured world, said he thinks the steep 2019, even though many airlines Esay they’re worried that the here on Oct. downturn will cause some pilots took advantage of the Canada COVID-19 pandemic will do last- 8, appeared who were close to retirement age Emergency Wage Subsidy. The ing damage to Canada’s aviation before the to take that route now, but that airlines paid out over $500-mil- industry, exacerbating a labour House Transport younger pilots will likely want to lion in salary and benefits, down shortage in the sector and pre- Committee ride out the hardship. over 50 per cent from the same venting pilots from keeping their and urged the “Some will retire because period in 2019. skills sharp. government to they’re at a point in their life where One of the things that will con- “We’re past the time of provide sectoral it would be reasonable,” he said. tribute to the rebuilding timeline, workers losing their jobs,” said support to the For younger pilots, however, Ms. Kusie said, is the fact that Conservative MP aviation industry. “you spend a lot of time and mon- pilots require regular training to ( Mindapore, Alta.), her The Hill Times ey to become a pilot. No one’s go- keep their skills sharp and ensure party’s critic for transportation, in photograph by ing to pay that kind of money to flights are safe, but pilots haven’t an interview with The Hill Times Andrew Meade do other jobs. You’re not a doctor, last week. “We will have an avia- been able to continue their regu- you’re not a dentist, you can’t step tion sector, but what will it look lar training regime during the up to a higher earning job. So like?” pandemic. some people will just retire, oth- “You don’t just turn the lights “This will contribute to the de- ers will leave the industry, other back on, it’ll take time to rebuild lay of the return of the sector,” she pilots may just hang around.” all of that,” she continued. said. “They will have to, in some A study by media com- workers, said before the House “Though, they’ve got to be The government’s deputy min- cases, have their licenses updated pany FlightGlobal that surveyed Transport Committee on Jan. 28 retrained at a certain point,” he ister for finance, Michael Sabia, or skills tested.” aviation professionals across the that a lack of government action added. is close to wrapping up negotia- “I certainly have enough faith world found that just 43 per cent on financial relief for the industry The FlightGlobal survey tions with Canada’s airlines over in the industry that when they do of pilots who responded were “will cost Canadians the training reported that of those pilots cur- a bailout package for the sector, return to to flying, that they will currently employed, with 30 per and expertise of these profession- rently unemployed, 66 per cent The Globe and Mail reported on be retrained. And I have no doubt cent unemployed, and 17 per cent als who have kept our skies safe were actively seeking a new pilot Feb. 15. Airlines have struggled as about my safety or the safety of furloughed. Of the 43 per cent and will only slow down the post- job, 15 per cent were waiting for the pandemic and related public the traveling public. But again, it’s currently employed, 82 per cent pandemic recovery for Canada’s the sector to recover before doing health measures have curtailed just another factor of time and ef- said they were very concerned air travel, cargo, and tourism so, nine per cent were seeking domestic and international travel. fort that will be required to bring about their job security, which industries.” non-pilot jobs, and seven per cent Canadian commercial airlines the sector back to anywhere near was 30 percentage points higher Prior to the pandemic, the Cana- were retiring. had just $1.6-billion in operat- where it was” she said. than in FlightGlobal’s previous dian aviation industry was facing a The International Air Trans- ing revenue in the third quarter Tim Perry, head of the Air Line survey. The most recent survey labour shortage, Mr. Perry said. He port Authority expects the sec- of 2020, down nearly 80 per cent Pilots Association’s Canada divi- was completed online over a four said he’s concerned that problem tor’s woes to continue in 2021, from the same time in 2019, ac- sion and a longtime pilot for West- week period in the fall of 2020. will only get worse in the future. with the volume of passengers cording to Statistics Canada Quar- Jet and Calm Air, said the safety Jerry Dias, national president “In the months and years lead- returning to normal in 2024 at the terly Aviation Survey released concerns are a “real consideration.” of Unifor, said aviation workers ing up to the pandemic, we were earliest. on Feb. 19. Passenger volume is Mr. Perry said the only method of all stripes, as well as pilots, are losing highly skilled employees Canada is one of the only G7 down even more. The airlines flew to ensure training is kept up to losing key training time. to other jurisdictions, and coming countries that hasn’t provided 3.6 million people in the same date “is to keep people connected “Pilots are losing flight time, out the other end of this, I think its airline sector with a specific period, down nearly 86 per cent to their employer.” and trainees in every job category there’s real reason to believe that financial package. The United from 2019. This resulted in a net “All the mechanisms that exist have been let go. Training to re- that situation will be more acute, States, Germany, France, and operating loss of $811-million, the are through one’s employment,” certify can take up to two years because we haven’t solved the Britain have doled out billions of StatsCan data shows. he said. and is incredibly expensive. All pilot shortage. We haven’t dealt dollars “The third quarter results con- Mr. Perry stressed that no of this has direct impacts on the with that structural issue here in [email protected] tinued to reflect the severity and airline is foregoing regulatory cost of training and re-certifying, Canada,” he said. The Hill Times It’s time to #REJECTRBT2

Deltaport Berth 4

Port of Vancouver Roberts Bank Terminal 2

The Port of Vancouver’s harmful Roberts Bank Terminal 2 expansion project must be stopped.

This multi-billion-dollar, taxpayer-funded project to build a massive, artificial island will create unneeded capacity, uncompetitive port rates and will cause damage that, according to Environment Canada, is “permanent, irreversible, and continuous.”

Fortunately, there is a way to #BuildBackBetter.

Learn more at BetterDeltaport.ca 18 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | THE HILL TIMES Transportation Policy Briefing New transit funding welcome, but experts wary of execution

Infrastructure tems across the country. This is On Feb. 10, the feds and something we’re hearing a lot Communities of concern from municipalities,” announced nearly Minister he said. “There’s a real risk of $15-billion in new Catherine a downward spiral that makes McKenna, transit recovery extremely dif- transport funding pictured Oct. ficult. We did see the Safe Restart 1, 2020 on Agreement money flowing to the over the next eight the Hill, said provinces and [that] has made during a Feb. some difference in terms of the years. The money is 10 funding operating costs. However, we announcement understand that those funds are to be doled out in two that the not going to last forever, and parts: a $5.9-billion government we’re going to need to look again was 'helping at federal support for transit dollar fund, starting to stimulate operations.” the economic He said this new money this year, for ‘shovel- recovery of should start a conversation on Canada's the federal government playing a ready’ projects, and communities.' larger role in funding operating The Hill Times costs in the future. a new $3-billion photograph by “Transit is going to play such transfer per year Andrew Meade a central role in our efforts to combat the climate crisis and in starting in 2026. The our efforts around affordabil- munities deliver projects to meet hit the ground until after the next lion in transfers per year isn’t ity. Municipalities simply don’t shovel-ready projects their mobility challenges,” he said. election.” that much, but said it could go a have the revenue tools that are “It’s nice to hear the federal “Why wait until 2026? We long way if the money is used to adequate to properly fund transit will be chosen on a government talking about con- know that the need is urgent,” Mr. leverage additional funds from operations. There’s a strong argu- project-by-project sistent transport funding. That is Bachrach said. provinces and municipalities. ment for the federal government something that we desperately Conservative MP Andrew Marri Siemiatycki, interim making a contribution in that re- basis. need. But I don’t think 2026-27 Scheer (Regina-Qu’Appelle, director of the School of Cities at gard and ensuring the stability of is very meaningful, given that Sask.), his party’s infrastructure the and the those systems, the expansion of there is at least one federal elec- critic, said in a statement that the Canada Research Chair in infra- those systems, and the long-term BY AIDAN CHAMANDY tion between now and then,” said announcement “distracts” from structure planning and finance, sustainability of those systems.” Shoshanna Saxe, a professor of the government’s failure to get said transit stakeholders have The Toronto Transit Commis- n the heels of the federal gov- civil engineering at the Univer- projects approved on an appropri- been asking for sustained funding sion’s 2021 budget showed a Oernment announcing billions sity of Toronto who specializes in ate timeline. for years, but the government’s projected $2.1-billion in operating of dollars for a new transporta- urban infrastructure. “While billions of dollars sit announcement didn’t address the costs and with just over $500-mil- tion transfer starting in 2026, and unspent in current programs he key issue of operating costs. lion in revenue. more money for “shovel-ready (Mr. Trudeau) announces a pro- “This is money that was an- “Of the total net funding projects” to be doled out immedi- gram that will start in 2026,” the nounced for capital, which is required, $796.4-million is to fund ately, transportation experts and statement said. important. But there’s been his- the continued financial impact the NDP’s transport critic say Prof. Saxe said in order for the toric concerns around operating of COVID-19, while the balance the money is welcome, but are funding to realize its potential the money, and municipalities shoul- of $789.8-million is necessary to questioning the timelines and are government needs to be careful dering heavy load for operating fund the ongoing operations of wary of the funds going to the about what it considers shovel- from budgets that are always the TTC,” it reads. wrong projects. ready. tight. And then especially during Marco D’Angelo, head of the On Feb. 10, Prime Minister “Shovel-ready can be risky the pandemic, where the fare box Canadian Urban Transit Associa- Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.), because the thing most likely to revenue has been decimated,” he tion, said in a statement that the Infrastructure Minister Catherine be shovel-ready are status quo said. sharp drop in revenue and the McKenna (Ottawa Centre, Ont.), projects we were going to build looming expiration of the Safe Environment Minister Jonathan anyway,” she said. “We need to be Restart Agreement means that Wilkinson (North Vancouver, Conservative MP and infrastructure careful that we’re not just dou- municipalities will need operating B.C.), and Infrastructure Bank critic Andrew Scheer, pictured here on bling down on the status quo. For cost support from the federal and head Tamara Vrooman announced Aug. 11 2020, said the infrastructure instance, if we spent all of that provincial governments to ensure nearly $15-billion in new trans- funding announcement is a distraction money building lots of highways, transit systems keep running. port funding over the next eight from the Liberal government’s ability or widening highways, that would Prof. Siemiatycki said allocat- years. to get projects funded and delivered have been a terrible use of money. ing the initial $5.9-billion on a The money is to be doled out on time. The Hill Times photograph by But there are other ways to rap- project-by-project basis is likely in two parts: a $5.9-billion dol- Andrew Meade idly spend money that are really a way to get around protracted lar fund, starting this year, for productive.” consultations with provinces and “shovel-ready” projects, and a NDP MP She said the government get money out the door quickly. new $3-billion transfer per year (Skeena-Bulkley Valley, B.C.), his should look to projects like dedi- “The original approach of the starting in 2026. The shovel-ready party’s critic for infrastructure cated bus lanes or cycling paths government was to negotiate projects will be chosen on a and transportation, echoed Prof. because they are much cheaper NDP MP Taylor Bachrach, his bilateral agreements,” he said. project-by-project basis. Saxe’s concern. than things like subway expan- party’s infrastructure and transport “That took a huge amount of time Mr. Trudeau said the fund- “The question I have is, why sions and can be done quickly. critic, said public transit operating and there’s been sniping back ing is intended “to help restart the government didn’t simply “One of the great advantages costs are a vital point left out of and forth between the provinces the economy and create strong choose to put in place a perma- of those is you can do them really this announcement. The Hill Times and the federal government about middle class jobs, all while fight- nent transit fund starting in the fast, and they’re relatively cheap. photograph by Andrew Meade who’s responsible for delays.” ing climate change,” at the Feb. 10 coming fiscal year? It would make Whereas $3-billion at the national “There’s been this political press conference. things a lot simpler, and it would level means very little if we’re Mr. Bachrach said he’s par- backdrop between the provinces “These investments will sup- give municipalities the certainty talking about trains or roads, it ticularly concerned about how and the federal government. In port major public transit projects that they need to plan invest- means a lot if we’re talking about municipalities will fund transit some ways that initial tranche of like subway extensions, help ments in their transit systems,” he dedicated bus lanes or cycling,” systems in the future without money is now being put forward electrify fleets with zero emission said. “The way that it was rolled she said. sustained funding for operating to say, ‘whoever comes to us with vehicles. They will also be used out does seem perhaps to be a Shauna Brail, a University of costs. good ideas, you’re getting the to meet the growing demand for little bit of electioneering on the Toronto professor who specializes “There’s a huge need for money’,” said Prof. Siemiatycki. walkways and paths for cycling part of the Liberals. Part of the in urban planning and economic investment in supporting the [email protected] and help rural and remote com- investment isn’t actually going to geography, agreed that $3-bil- operating cost of transit sys- The Hill Times

20 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | THE HILL TIMES Transportation Policy Briefing

today to support a stronger future for the sector. Can the aviation sector recover There is an opportunity to challenge the industry’s status quo and factors taken for granted before the pandemic. We must without enough employees? mobilize Canadian universities’ research capacity to directly sup- port the aviation sector, explicitly Today, airlines around the attention to the need for financial A longer-term challenge is analyzing social sustainability in For a true recovery world are struggling for survival. bailouts to ensure they have an associated with the attrition of the workforce. COVID-19 has been devastat- employer to go back to. aviation workers. Facing layoffs, This work has been underway to happen, Canadian ing for the sector. Last year’s What has received less atten- many senior crew members have at the , universities must international passenger demand tion is the distressing emotional chosen early retirement, mid- where more than 25 research- was down 75.6 per cent from impact on the workforce. career professionals pivoted into ers have united across academic meet the challenges 2019 levels, as reported by IATA. Despite aviation being a cycli- other fields, and youth have been disciplines, collaborating on It is predicted that 2021 will see cal industry marked by waves of discouraged from pursuing avia- research in direct service of the of a dwindling airline a recovery to about half of the profits and losses, nearly 70 per tion careers due to the industry’s aviation industry. Targeted re- travel demand of 2019, depending cent of current pilots have never perceived precarity. search is exploring the attraction, workforce head on. on the impact of travel restric- before faced unemployment, as Attrition is compounded by education, and retention of the tions associated with new virus before the pandemic, the sector a diminished training capacity, next generation of aviation pro- variants. had experienced a record ten resulting from pandemic-related fessionals. Research projects are The most significant chal- years of profits. It was typical for training backlogs. For example, focusing on equity, diversity, and lenges facing Canadian aviation trainees to be told that there was at the University of Waterloo we inclusion; machine learning and are economic. Our operators’ a looming shortage of profession- had to reduce our 1st-year intake artificial intelligence; optimizing survivability is the top priority, als, and they could look forward class size by half, from 120 to 60 how pilots learn and exploring requiring financial support to to unprecedented career progres- pilot-students, for 2021 and 2022. the integration of training tech- remain viable. However, there is sion. With the pandemic, the rug However, there is light over nologies such as augmented and another issue receiving less atten- has been abruptly pulled from the horizon. Boeing predicts virtual reality; competency-based tion—specifically, the pandemic’s below their feet. Some 82 per cent that between 2020 and 2039, the education; and how the electrifi- impact on the aviation workforce. of pilots are reporting concerns world will need 763,000 pilots, cation of flight training aircraft Suzanne Kearns With travel restrictions de- about job security, according to 739,000 maintenance techni- can reduce noise and carbon Opinion creasing demand for flights, most FlightGlobal, and 58 per cent of cians, and 903,000 cabin crew- emissions from the sector. aviation workers have been out of pilots under 24 years of age re- members. In the coming decade Through innovative cross-sec- work for months. port their mental health has been alone, CAE projects that the civil tor collaborations, we can drive efore the pandemic, the air According to FlightGlobal, affected by the pandemic. aviation industry will require meaningful change. Sustainable, Btransport sector was booming. only about 43 per cent of the For pilots who have been more than 260,000 new pilots— economical, and social solutions The International Civil Aviation world’s pilots are still flying pro- fortunate enough to be called with 27,000 new pilots needed to address pressing needs facing Organization (ICAO) had pro- fessionally. Most are unemployed, back to the flight deck, NASA’s by the end of 2021. This demand aviation and support post-pan- jected international aviation would furloughed (laid off, often without confidential safety reporting is likely to cause a reemergence demic recovery within the in- double annual flights between pay, waiting to be recalled), or system has received numerous of aviation personnel short- dustry—supporting a future that 2019 and 2026. The world was working in a role outside of their self-reports of pilots feeling ‘rusty’ ages as early as the end of this will, once again, allow aviation to facing a looming shortage of avia- field. in their flying skills after months year, as attrition diminishes our bring the world together. tion professionals (pilots, cabin In Canada, aviation workers away. Despite their professional- ranks. Suzanne Kearns is an associ- crew, and maintenance engineers, have taken to social media chan- ism and dedication to their work, Our workforce’s long-term ate professor of aviation at the among others) as training organi- nels with the request to #SaveCa- it can take time to readjust after sustainability is a critical consid- University of Waterloo. zations struggled to meet demand. nadianAviation, typically to draw furloughs. eration—one we must invest in The Hill Times

Transport Canada 2030 strategic plan missing a key plank

n 1936, prime minister William in Ontario would cost more than new supply chains for investment ships could deliver fresher fruits Electrically-powered ILyon Mackenzie King observed $1-billion. The large number of and employment. and vegetables from the Carib- “that if some countries have too ports required in the North is Climate change is demanding bean and South America. And, on cargo airships much history, we have too much similarly unaffordable. action on adaptation. Since 2000, the return trips deliver Canadian geography.” Transportation acces- Lack of reasonably-priced, the ice roads have lost half their agricultural exports to these meet the criteria sibility is a chronic problem for year-round cargo transport leads season and the risks of accidents tropical populations. for inclusion in Northern Canada. When Macken- to dire living conditions in the re- are increasing. Even existing “Safety” is the final theme. zie King made this statement, gi- mote northern communities. The roads and landing strips are Contrary to popular myth, air- Transport Canada’s ant airships were still flying across pandemic has shone a light on its under threat as permafrost zones ships are inherently safe. Yes, the Atlantic Ocean. Some 84 years consequences. Food insecurity, becomes more active. Impassible accidents occurred during the 2030 strategic plan. later, similar airships could play overcrowded housing and under- sections of sinking and buck- 1930s, but technology has come an important role in the national lying health problems (diabetes, ling infrastructure is disrupting a long way in the last 9 decades. The government strategy for transportation, as set mould aliments, tuberculosis) northern transport as the climate Airworthiness regulations guar- out in the five themes of the Trans- make this population extremely becomes warmer. antee that only safe aircraft are should include them port 2030 vision. vulnerable to COVID-19. Without “The Traveller” theme focus is on permitted to fly. as part of their vision Economically, Canada is like a change in transport, these ter- air passengers who want greater Airship technology can pro- two countries. About 30 per cent rible conditions will persist. choice, better service and lower vide the basis for a strategic plan for the future of of the landmass has low-cost Cargo airships could provide costs. Nowhere in Canada is better that offers a safe, green, innova- access by all modes of transport year-round service and cut freight air service more pressing than in tive and integrated transporta- transportation in and a highly developed economy. costs in half. This would enable the North. An air ticket to Churchill, tion system that serves the whole The other 70 per cent is an im- housing construction to continue Man., costs more than a flight to nation. Transport 2030 has five Canada. poverished frontier that depends throughout the year and make nutri- France. Combi-airships that could themes, and combi-cargo airships on seasonal ice roads for inland tious food affordable. The Govern- carry passengers with freight could check all the boxes. transport and annual sea lifts for ment of Canada spends more than provide this service at less than half As our Prime Minister Justin communities on the coast. Trans- $100-million each year to subsidize the cost of current airlines. Trudeau, observes “The way to port 2030 addresses this area the transport of food to the North, The “Trade Corridors to Global build a strong future is by both under the theme: “Waterways, and food prices are still sky-high. Markets” theme speaks to trans- protecting the environment and Coasts and the North.” “Green and Innovative Trans- port’s role in growing the economy. creating good jobs.” Electrically- Enhancing northern transpor- portation” is a second theme of Known mineral deposits that dot powered cargo airships meet this tation infrastructure is a stated Transport 2030. Electric airships the North could be opened up using criterion. They should be included goal of this theme. The challenges powered by hydrogen fuel cells airships to gain access. This would in the Transport 2030 policy vision are costs and climate change. can carry tractor-trailer loads bring prosperity to the North, and for the future of transportation in On average, construction costs with zero carbon emissions. Some mineral exports would contribute Canada. Barry Prentice $3-million per kilometre to build ground infrastructure is needed, directly to the balance of payments. Barry Prentice is a professor of Opinion gravel roads in the Canadian but the footprint in the North Ocean-crossing airships could supply chain management at the Shield and the Arctic. Just to would be minimal. Airships are a also establish new international University of . convert the ice roads to gravel green technology that will create trade corridors. For example, air- The Hill Times ACCOUNTABLE TO CANADA’S ECONOMY

TIME TO ADDRESS PORT GOVERNANCE

It’s Time to Fix Port Governance By Wade Sobkowich How it works Executive Director | WGEA Private companies lease land to operate a port terminal We are collectively facing what will undoubtedly be one of the most asset - where ships are loaded with commodities like grain trying periods of a generation. From the point of view of many in the - within a Port Authority’s territory. By their nature, each private sector, normalizing business “Post Covid” will be priority #1. of the Port Authorities are statutory monopolies. In other words, they are granted the sole power by the federal Governments around the world are scrambling to come up with an Economic Recovery agenda. Speaking to colleagues from a range of government to administer port services and oversee real sectors, the answer may be quite straight forward. The same issues, estate related issues. They are, essentially, elaborate hurdles and challenges that industry faced before the pandemic landlords for the tenants who conduct the business of the now loom larger than ever. For Canada’s grain sector, making sure country. Unlike in a competitive marketplace, we don’t our trade corridors are operating as eˆciently as possible is critical. have a choice but to locate our terminal investments in

Port terminal operations are our major gateways to large grain certain ports. The location of our large end use customers customers in Asia, the Middle East and South America. Canada (e.g., Asia Pacific region) and the location of railway track requires an accountable and demand-driven port oversight system and mountain passes are determining factors. to meet its trade opportunities and unlock further investment in our industry.

Port Authorities are statutory monopolies with sole decision making rent increases, unreasonable fees, challenges with infrastructure power over aspects of strategic importance to Canada’s marine spending, and overlapping regulations among other issues should not gateways and the economies that they serve. Monopolies can in happen in today’s system. some instances give rise to decisions that simply would not otherwise be made if a competitive marketplace existed. That is not to say every port authority is problematic; some are Governments normally adopt checks and balances to ensure that working in the best interests of their user tenants. However, for those these tendencies are avoided and that users of the port have port authorities currently levering monopoly power with little regard adequate recourse to appeal questionable decisions. for their tenants’ views, adequate recourse will not only give them pause, but ultimately allow a 3rd party regulator to scrutinize During the 2016-17 review of Canada’s transportation systems, the questionable decisions. review panel highlighted the fact that marine port governance needed a major overhaul. Proper checks and balances on marine “Complete the Ports Modernization Review with an port authority decisions simply do not exist today. This stands in aim to update governance structures that promote stark contrast to the rail and air service supply chains who have access to regulatory appeal tools through the Canadian investment in Canadian ports.” Transportation Agency. -November 2019, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Mandate Letter to Transport Minister

“[T]here’s inadequate governance when it comes The good news is that the Prime Minister gave prominence to this issue to making sure that there is a recourse to a in the Minister of Transportation’s November 2019 Mandate Letter. We regulator where there is abuse of monopoly power, couldn’t agree more and stand ready to help provide insight and […] frankly I wouldn’t give them any more access context to the new Minister as he considers a path forward on this to money until you clean that up.” important matter. - , Chair, Canada Transportation Act Review at a 2017 Senate Standing Committee on Transportation Hearing

With more than 80% of Canada’s grain or grain products being shipped to a foreign market, competitive grain port operations underpin our ability to succeed. We simply cannot a›ord to allow www.wgea.ca decisions that make us uncompetitive remain unchecked. Dramatic 22 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | THE HILL TIMES Transportation Policy Briefing

travel restrictions. Airlines and airports Feds’ failure to support aviation have been required to adhere to extreme measures at short notice with no added supports from government. Airports will now be testing all individuals arriving on sector will have long-lasting impact international flights and our Canadian air- lines were asked to stop flying passengers to and from Mexico and the Caribbean to The time to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 deter recreational travel. This is severely on the aviation sector has passed and we must hurting our aviation workers as we have start looking forward at how we can repair the seen extensive layoffs by our major damage that has been done to the industry, airlines directly in response to these new writes Conservative MP Stephanie Kusie. policies. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia Statistics Canada estimated that if travel restrictions lasted until December 2020, Canada would be looking at per- manent job losses of up 500,000 people and a decrease to our GDP by up to 1.7 per cent. With travel restrictions not only extending into 2021, but also signifi- cantly heightened, these losses will only continue to grow. It is due to the failures of the Liberal government that this sector is forced to implement these additional measures. Restrictions were originally put in place to buy governments time to get permanent solutions like vaccines, rapid testing, variant testing capacity, and therapeutics. These tools fortunately now exist, but the Liberal government hasn’t succeeded in bringing them to widespread use in Canada. We should have been using these tools to reduce quarantine times, like our allies around the world have been doing. These travel restrictions have also resulted in Canada being not nearly as interconnected as it once was prior to the pandemic. Many regional routes have been suspended and airlines are no longer servicing numerous areas. Right now, it is very difficult to travel within our own country, even for essential reasons. What once took a direct flight to get to a destina- tion, can now result in multiple layovers before a lengthy drive. These lost regional routes won’t be immediately restored once or almost a year now the government demand returns either. It may be several The federal government Fhas promised that it would provide the years before we see all the regional routes aviation sector with a plan to mitigate the that were suspended eventually reinstated, did not keep its promise impacts of COVID-19. The aviation sector if ever. has been one of those hardest hit by the Canadian carriers have been working to provide sector support pandemic due to the extensive travel re- for years to build regional networks in for our aviation sector and strictions and decreased demand. Despite Canada, to provide service and connect this, there has been minimal sector specific small communities to larger hubs. These the result is that we now supports provided by the government and links to international service act as a all very nominal in relation to supports proponent of tourism beyond major cities, are in desperate need for a Conservative MP Stephanie Kusie seen by our G20 counterparts. but carriers have suspended many of these Opinion The decimation of the aviation sector routes indefinitely. Our airlines are very recovery plan. continues with the newly implemented concerned about the loss of market share if they are unable to connect to smaller regions. They are already facing an uphill battle competing with foreign airlines, some of whom received extensive pandem- ic subsidies. Market share in the aviation sector is very difficult to regain, and any significant loss will result in many good DID YOU KNOW? jobs leaving Canada. Unfortunately, the time to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on the aviation sec- $63 million of industrial chemical products tor has passed and we must start looking forward to how we can repair the damage that has been done to the industry. The move on Canada’s rail network daily – impact COVID-19 is having on work- ers and the industry is immense, and that’s $23 billion annually. recovery will be difficult. We need a path forward to keep the tens of thousands of skilled people in the aviation sector who are out of work here in Canada. We Reliable rail transport is crucial to the economic viability need to prevent their jobs from moving of the chemistry sector. to countries with an established aviation industry. Through our U.N.-recognized sustainability initiative, The bottom line is that the federal ® government did not keep its promise to Responsible Care , CIAC is a strong voice for policies provide sector support for our aviation that support the safe transportation of the goods that sector and the result is that we now are in desperate need for a recovery plan. are vital to our modern way of life. Otherwise there may not be an aviation Learn more at canadianchemistry.ca sector to return to when the world starts to reopen. Conservative MP Stephanie Kusie, who represents , Alta., is her party’s transport critic. The Hill Times ADVERTISING Empowering Canada’s world-class, innovative ports to help spur a strong, sustainable economic recovery

There is great potential to leverage for funding and development of recovery Keeping goods moving the innovative work CPAs are doing to projects must also be streamlined to allow help drive Canada’s innovation agenda funds to flow quickly. essential to economic growth WENDY ZATYLNY, and grow into our potential as IT leaders Despite the unprecedented pressures PRESIDENT, ASSOCIATION globally. But federal government sup- of the current situation, Canada Port OF CANADIAN PORT port is needed. Sustainability, increased Authorities remain key partners in inter- AUTHORITIES trade go hand in hand modal chains across the country, not only to keep essential goods moving right Leveraging the resilience with Canada’s ports now but also to be ready to grow again If you started your day with a cof- of ports to rebuild the Canada’s port authorities know that eco- as Canada emerges from the pandemic crisis. As forward-looking and sustain- fee, turned on your computer to check Canadian economy nomic prosperity and robust environmen- your email before joining your first tal stewardship go hand in hand. Marine able generators of prosperity, ports are in Zoom meeting or made a call on your As managers of trade-enabling infra- shipping is the lowest emitter of GHGs per an ideal position to help ignite Canada’s mobile phone today, you can thank a structure, ports are significant generators tonne kilometre. We have long championed post-pandemic recovery, all while help- Canada Port Authority (CPA) for help- of jobs and economic growth, no matter Green Marine initiatives and related actions ing Canada meet its sustainability goals. ing to make your day a little easier. And what country they are in. One OECD study that have made our operations world-class With the support of the federal govern- lately, Canada’s Port Authorities have demonstrated that, for every one million examples of how technology is fueling envi- ment and the extensive work already ac- also played a vital role moving personal tonnes of new cargo moved through a ronmental protection and sustainability. The complished by our ports and their indus- protective equipment (PPE) and other port, 300 new jobs are created. To position need for government and the private sector try partners, we can achieve all this and supplies essential to fighting COVID-19. ports to lead Canada’s competitiveness to work together to ensure this sustainability more. After all, Canadians will need more The importance of this lifeline is not sur- through the recovery and beyond, infra- has never been clearer. coffee, computers, phones, and all of the prising, since 80 per cent of all goods structure will be a key source of stimulus And of course, ports continue to play a other essential items vital to a successful Canadians consume and use in their with immediate and long-term benefits. vital role in supporting Canada’s important recovery – one in which ports will be there daily lives get to them via the marine Port authorities have numerous proj- export economy. Our ports are doing glob- to facilitate bringing them to market. shipping industry. ects ready to go, but these have been al business across leading sectors and are Today, Canada’s ports are about so deferred to maintain liquidity in the face connected to every aspect of the supply much more than simply managing ships of declining revenues as a result of the chains and intermodal linkages that power and loading and unloading cargo. For pandemic. But to ensure ports can max- international trade. This too will be a vi- years, innovation has been at the heart imize their contribution to Canada’s eco- tal aspect of Canada’s post-pandemic re- of Canada’s port operations. From coast nomic recovery, the federal government covery. The government should empower to coast, our port authorities have been must - as part of its recovery strategy - ports – as part of their core mandate – to reinventing themselves into state-of- provide additional funding to the Nation- engage in trade-facilitation activities which the-art, world-class logistical hubs. So al Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF) to ensure may include logistics facilities, inland ports when the pandemic hit, Canada’s 17 it is adequately replenished. The process and supply-chain related uses. port authorities already had in place the operational procedures, technolo- gies, training, and infrastructure that allowed them to pivot quickly and meet the unprecedented challenges present- CANADA PORT ed by this crisis. AUTHORITIES: Embodying the future DOING OUR A key driver of local and economic PART TO KEEP regional development across the coun- try, CPAs directly and indirectly create THE ECONOMY higher-than-average paying jobs for over 213,000 people across the entire MOVING country. Canada’s port authorities are responsible for handling over $200 Throughout the pandemic, billion worth of goods a year – with a Canada Port Authorities have direct economic impact of $36 billion continued moving essential cargo, annually. employing people and supporting And while they are part of a sector that communities. And, we are ready dates back millennia, Canada’s port au- to do so much more. thorities recognize that future economic strength requires cutting-edge innovation CPAs are well positioned to and updated operations essential to stay- help drive a safe, sustainable ing competitive globally. Canada’s ports economic recovery. We look embody this future. Managers of data as forward to working with the federal much as they are movers of cargo, our ports are part of a global logistics chain government to enhance support for using new technologies such as block- innovative infrastructure projects. chain, artificial intelligence and the inter- net of things to move cargo and people in acpa-aapc.ca a greener, safer and much more efficient manner. For instance, using AI-enabled applications, ports can identify and track essential goods aboard containers, which has been particularly helpful during the CREDIT: Prince Rupert Port Authority pandemic to track PPE and other critical cargo quickly.

THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 25 Policy BriefingTransportation Reduced emissions in Canadian cities during the pandemic: from temporary to permanent

2020, there was a large and fairly ernment of Canada’s strategic plan Canada’s official target of 100 per The pandemic shows what air quality in sudden drop in traffic congestion. In for the future of transportation in cent EVs by 2040. Vancouver, peak rush-hour conges- Canada, Transportation 2030. An achievable and sustainable Canadian cities would look like if the country tion decreased 54 per cent at the The current improvement in “new normal” is required to meet start of COVID-19 restrictions com- urban air quality is mainly due to the challenges of urban transporta- switched to low-carbon transportation pared to the average weekday rush the reduction in travel related to tion emission as long as COVID-19 modes. These findings could be an important hour in March 2019. Meanwhile, lockdown and remote working, has not been defeated. Staggering traffic congestion level decreased 69 but this is not a long-term pana- commutes, alleviating public trans- cornerstone for implementing the Government per cent and 75 per cent in Toronto cea. The closed environments of portation congestion, and reducing and Montreal, respectively, com- public transportation vehicles and transmission risk in public trans- of Canada’s strategic plan for the future of pared with 2019. As of September stations have been identified as portation should all be considered 2020, traffic volume levels were high-risk locations for virus trans- as part of the “new normal” for transportation in Canada, Transportation 2030. seen to have rebounded fastest in mission, resulting in significant urban transportation planning. Montreal and Halifax once lock- reductions in passenger traffic in We need to improve the sys- impacts on the urban environ- down measures were eased in the Canada and elsewhere during the temic resilience of urban trans- ment. It is worth noting that these late spring and early summer. pandemic. Public transit ridership portation systems in terms of impacts were not the result of Being aware of changing emis- dropped 75 per cent compared to infrastructure networks, coopera- policy planning, but rather of strict sion levels from urban transporta- June 2019 across Canada. Remote tive transport systems and urban lockdown measures imposed by tion can be helpful for governments working will persist to a certain transportation governance. local governments. However, they to determine the future emissions extent even after the pandemic. Our research on emissions dur- suggest a clear path to a greener trajectories in carbon-intensive Future urban transportation pat- ing this pandemic provides new ur- future for Canada. pathways through the post-pandem- terns are likely to be bifurcated. gency to prioritize the work towards In the first quarter of 2020, there ic period. There was a significant Besides lower urban transit rider- the Green and Innovative Transpor- was a 57 per cent decrease in global drop in estimated CO2 emissions in ship, there will also likely be a tation theme of Transport Canada’s Chunjiang An & Xuelin Tian oil demand compared with the motor gasoline consumption, from recovery of personal travel modes Transportation 2030 strategic plan, Opinion same period in 2019, due largely to 7.3 billion kilograms in March to such as the private car. particularly through increasing global lockdown measures. In terms 4.7 billion kilograms in April 2020 Canada has the highest per cap- support for the Program to Advance of the transportation fuels (namely due to the lockdown in different ita CO2 emissions per km driven in Connectivity and Automation in the he global outbreak of CO- motor gasoline, diesel fuel and kero- provinces. An estimated 8.3 billion the world. If the ultimate objective Transportation System. TVID-19 had a significant sene-type jet fuel), there was a huge kilograms of CO2 were emitted is a decarbonized urban transpor- Chunjiang An is an assistant impact on transportation in urban decrease in Canada from February by gasoline consumption in April tation system, policy-makers must professor in the department of areas. The positive impacts of the to March 2020 and consumption 2019, which was almost twice that have a clear path and timeline if building, civil, and environmental pandemic on fuel consumption, remained at historically low levels measured in April 2020. they hope to achieve it. They must engineering at Concordia Universi- road congestion, vehicle emis- in May 2020. The consumption of The pandemic offers us a consider ways to improve the ef- ty, a Concordia University Research sions, and air quality have been diesel fuel oil was down around 30 glimpse of what air quality in ficiency of public transportation Chair, and licensed professional observed in many Canadian cities. per cent compared with 2019 while Canadian cities would look like if despite its deteriorating pan- engineer. Xuelin Tian is an MSc stu- The pandemic provided us with an consumption of gasoline fell nearly the country switched to low-carbon demic-related financial situation dent in the department of building, opportunity to conduct analyses of 50 per cent compared with 2019. transportation modes. These find- and adopt strategies to increase civil and environmental engineering various transportation scenarios, After lockdowns were imple- ings could be an important corner- consumer confidence in electric at Concordia University. as well as their corresponding mented beginning in late March stone for implementing the Gov- vehicles in order to ultimately meet The Hill Times

Paris built 50 km. The European a $300 bike a luxury. Cash grants, Cycling Federation reports 1,111 tax rebates, employers’ subsidies and Three ingredients for the km of cycle lanes built between expanded bike rental programs will April and December 2020. be needed to make sure anyone who To transform urban transporta- wants to ride can. Canada already future of urban transportation tion now, and for the next 10 years, subsidizes electric cars. This policy we need three key ingredients. should be extended to electric bikes tion that I was likely already too be building big rail projects both First, connectivity. Dedicated which expand who can ride and how Projects aimed old to ride high-speed rail in within and between our communi- bus and cycling space are most far they can go. In Lithuania, the Canada before retirement. Being ties. But what about the first 10 effective when cities reallocate government supports trading in an at providing too old for things you want is years, while those projects are in inefficient polluting automobile old car for a new ebike. Public fund- infrastructure for a rough when you’re 20. design and construction? Our prob- dominated use of road space ing can support and expand bicycle Big, ambitious transport infra- lems and our neighbours shouldn’t to the higher capacity, cleaner, libraries. In a growing number of post-COVID world structure like subways (and fast have to wait that long for better cheaper buses and bikes. Not cities, including Copenhagen, Edin- intercity rail) are important, but it transport. surprisingly drivers are rarely burgh, and Burlington, Vermont, you don’t necessarily need takes a long time to plan and build. Luckily there is a lot we can do. fans of getting less space and can borrow a cargo bike for those No, I am not complaining about Options that are cheap, fast, proven, many see bikers and bus riders as shopping days with heavier loads. to be expensive and red tape. Infrastructure is slow in low tech, and widely popular when other, meaning these investments And third, staff. Canadian cities time consuming. Just Canada because building big, with- they are built. I’m talking about dedi- often involve a fight and political and regions have historically spent out killing people, without shutting cated bus lanes and bike lanes (cycle gumption is required. Dedicated most of their transportation energy look at how easy it is down major roads for years, and tracks). Both can be rolled out in a bike and bus routes benefit from on managing automobile infra- while protecting access to local weekend with paint and pylons, or a go-big-or-go-home attitude; structure; rapid ramping up of bus to build a bike lane. businesses, just takes time. Even built in weeks out of concrete when small projects don’t get much use and bike space will need more staff if we prioritize the funding and more permanence and protection is as they don’t go anywhere. for roll out, monitoring, bus driving fast-track the planning, any big on order. They cost orders of mag- Second, vehicles. Dedicated bus and enforcement. Municipalities infrastructure project announced nitude less than new highways or routes move faster and carry more should be bold in expanding their now will only be operational in the subways and so we can build much people but need more buses to keep planning and operational active 2030s. In the meantime, we have more for much less. Global and Ca- up the level of service. While still and public transit teams. a growing population that needs nadian experience has shown that cheaper than mega infrastructure, Transport infrastructure ways to move around, particularly once they are built, more people use some funding is needed. Buying defines how we move, where we in underserved neighbourhoods them than even the most optimistic the new buses, at approximately live, our opportunities and our and communities. We cannot solve advocates predicted. 1 million a bus, is an expense that impact on the planet. We need this problem with cars, be they If it sounds like I’m offering many municipalities need support to make slow, expensive, ambi- autonomous, shared, or electric. “one cheap easy way to get sus- for. Upper levels of government can tious investments for the future, There isn’t enough space for both tainable and equitable transport help with direct funding and bulk and fast, cheap transformative Soshanna Saxe car-oriented transport and well, by beach season,” that’s because purchasing. Similarly, while bicycles changes right now. The 2020s in Opinion much of anything else. Plus, we I am. COVID has proven what are much cheaper than cars, outfit- Canada should be the decade of face the moral mandate to reduce is possible. Cities of all sizes ting an entire family is prohibitive the bike and bus. our greenhouse gas production in Canada, from Moncton, to for too many Canadians, especially Soshanna Saxe is a an assis- hen I was 20 my then boy- to protect the planet from climate Calgary, to Victoria, invested in while people still feel they need a tant professor in the department Wfriend found me in tears change, fundamentally incompat- cycling infrastructure in 2020. car given currently limited alterna- of civil and mineral engineering at over high-speed rail infrastruc- ible with continued automobile Toronto and Brussels built 40 tives. Meaning, ironically, that a the University of Toronto. ture. I had realized with despera- reliance. Of course, we should km of bike lanes in one summer. $10,000 car feels like a necessity and The Hill Times 26 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | THE HILL TIMES Transportation Policy Briefing

and suburban transformation of land uses is necessary as we head A new era for working from home into pandemic recovery stages. Retrofitting office buildings and/or transforming parking lots due to The benefits of ith COVID-19 lockdowns and telecommute post-pandemic patterns that will prevent the lesser demand will help us to tap Wrestricting our mobility, reality. Governments at different achievement of our environmen- into prime real estates-in-hiding working from home working from home (i.e., telecom- levels need to develop strate- tal goals. necessary to build vibrant, livable muting) has become a norm for gies in at least three focus areas: Furthermore, municipalities urban core for the next generation. cannot be realized many sectors. We’ve been trying mobility infrastructure, land use across Canada will need help from At the same time, we will need to to figure out this new normal, transformation, and digital infra- the federal government to restore adopt growth management strate- until and unless we and what it will look like going structure. the usage of and confidence in gies to avoid residential and com- forward. Redirecting our focus from mass transit services. As we take mercial sprawl as we allow more plan for transition to Telecommuting has had many supplying transportation in- advantage of the benefits of mobil- people to work from home. a blended commute positive outcomes, at least from frastructure to mobility plan- ity restrictions resulting from the Finally, the pandemic and the transportation point of view. ning actually began prior to the pandemic, we cannot afford to mass-scale telecommute highlight and telecommute This includes reduced traffic con- pandemic. Working from home limit our progress in transforming the need for investment in digital gestion and greenhouse gas emis- and associated TDM strategies is our mass transit services. The pan- infrastructure. Internet connectiv- post-pandemic sions. Transportation planners our leading policy tool to combat demic also poses threats to shared ity, reliability and speed are nec- have advocated for telecommut- congestion, health concerns and mobility and more futuristic essary for all communities across reality. Governments ing as a travel demand manage- climate crisis. With fewer com- mobility planning concepts such Canada. Digital divides between ment (TDM) strategy since 1980s. muting days or fewer numbers of as mobility-as-a-service (MaaS, urban and rural areas and socio- need to develop Although current level of working people commuting, we can reduce a subscription-based mobility economic groupings may prevent strategies in mobility from home will not be sustainable the peak demand of traffic for service idea in experimentation in us connecting people with the long-term for many industries, we which we build our highways, various European and U.S. cities). benefits of ICT and opportunities infrastructure, land use now have an enhanced under- roads and bridges—hence, lesser Therefore, the federal government, to achieve broader societal goals. standing of what information investments for road infrastruc- in coordination with the provin- Going forward, it will be impor- transformation, and and communication technology ture for vehicles. cial and municipal governments, tant to create a digital ecosystem (ICT) can offer to combat traffic Moving forward, we need bet- should adopt a National Mobil- for people to interact and perhaps digital infrastructure. problems. Moreover, the savings ter people-oriented infrastructure ity Strategy, which is resilient, to enable the smarter commu- of travel time from commuting which includes separated bike- carbon-neutral, innovative, and nities of the future. COVID-19 will give individuals more time ways and road spaces for pedes- beneficial for all Canadians. certainly showed us that cata- for discretionary activities and trians. Several U.S. studies shows The pandemic has also pro- strophic disruptions happen; let it work-life balance. Employers will higher use of active transporta- vided us with an opportunity to also show us that we can learn to also see benefits from different tion during the pandemic. We look at building communities that transform our habitat to live bet- angles, including lesser need for should, however, be cautious that are compact, walkable, bike- ter, longer and smarter. office spaces and operational the number of single-occupant able and liveable. The economic Dr. Ahsan Habib is a trans- expenditure as we move to the auto trips has also increased fallout from COVID-19 is evident portation professor in the School recovery stage. at the expense of public transit in several major studies in North of Planning and Department of While we predict a certain and shared auto-trips. Unless a America and Europe, but the Civil and Resource Engineering at Ahsan Habib level of continued working from coordinated effort to boost TDM impact on land use changes has . He is also the Opinion home, the benefits cannot be real- measures is in place, we would yet to be seen. Certainly, if the Director of the Dalhousie Transpor- ized until and unless we plan for risk our communities going back telecommute remains a viable mo- tation Collaboratory (DalTRAC). transition to a blended commute to auto-dependent commute bility policy goal, rethinking urban The Hill Times

the pandemic, as buyers seek a With good planning, Cana- private alternative to public tran- dian cities can emerge from the Pandemic driving urban sit and ridesharing. pandemic with transportation And the media is filled with systems that create good-quality stories about city residents leaving jobs, provide low carbon travel for more space in the car-oriented options, improve equity, and fos- transportation transition suburbs or the country life further ter healthy communities. But this afield. While the evidence of a great future is far from assured. outmigration from Canadian cities At the same time, equally major sidewalks, and cafés taking over remains anecdotal for the time plans to reconstruct and expand Decisions made today, in the fog of uncertainty on-street parking spaces, giving being, if borne out by data it would urban highways are on the draw- urbanites space to safely get out- only accelerate a pre-pandemic ing board, with developers lined caused by the pandemic, will shape the side while maintaining physical trend where the suburbs are the up to pave over farmland and distancing. fastest growing areas in Canada. wetlands with new car-oriented direction of Canadian cities for generations to Projects that were on the books What happens next is very suburbs. Funding for transit opera- come. Investing in sustainable transportation for decades and faced huge push- much up for grabs. The question tions remain precarious with no back as a ‘war on the car’ suddenly for Canadian cities is which his- long-term commitments yet from and connected transit-oriented communities, got accelerated and implemented, torical trends get accelerated. The senior levels of government. The with fairly little controversy. A answer has special urgency in the costs of locking in this car-oriented not highway expansion and sprawling national urban culture wedded to face of the climate emergency. future are staggering: more traf- the automobile appears to be sud- Cities and their provincial gov- fic, a loss of agricultural land and subdivisions, is the better path forward. denly giving way. ernments are gearing up for a mas- greenspace, greater pollution, con- But the geography of the pan- sive wave of investment in public tinued road safety challenges, and residents are implored to so- demic-initiated active transporta- transit, with many projects located a collapse of main street retailers. cially distance, transit ridership tion projects has been unequal. in the suburbs aimed at providing Decisions made today, in and fare box revenue have been The highest profile interventions, more equal access to underserved the fog of uncertainty caused decimated. Working from home is like bike lanes on the Danforth in communities. New cycling lanes by the pandemic, will shape the way up. And online shopping has Toronto and the partial closure of and spaces for pedestrians are direction of Canadian cities for boomed. Vancouver’s Beach Street have being approved. Plans are proceed- generations to come. Investing in The pandemic is a public been implemented in the urban ing for transit-oriented, mixed use sustainable transportation and health and an economic crisis, core. Meanwhile, bike lane and communities that enable residents connected transit-oriented com- revealing deep inequalities that sidewalk expansion projects that to meet their daily needs nearby munities, not highway expansion have existed for years. make active travel a safe and en- and emphasize affordability. and sprawling subdivisions, is the Matti Siemiatycki Even as overall transit rider- joyable option in the suburbs have In February, the federal govern- better path forward. been fewer and further between. ment announced plans to allocate Careful evidence-based plan- Opinion ship is way down, bus routes in underserved inner suburban Bus only lanes that provide $15-billion for public transit, along ning and coordination between areas remain crowded, provid- faster and more predictable tran- with cycling infrastructure and governments is now critical to he COVID-19 pandemic has ing a lifeline service to essential sit service on crowded routes in walking paths. This announcement ensure that scarce public money Tcompletely upended the way workers that are disproportion- the suburbs have also not rolled has been welcomed by municipal is well spent. that people move around Cana- ately racialized, newcomers, and out as quickly. officials and transit advocates who Matti Siemiatycki is interim dian cities. low income. Highways that were empty have long called for a permanent director of the School of Cities at The past 12 months have seen With much fanfare there has during the first wave of the national transit fund, though the University of Toronto and the the most sudden and deepest been a rapid rollout of active pandemic are filling back up political uncertainty remains as Canada Research Chair of Infra- shock to urban travel in a century. transportation projects like dedi- with traffic. Car sales have been the funding stretches out for years structure Planning and Finance. As cities have locked down and cated bike lanes, wider pedestrian stronger than anticipated through over multiple elections. The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 27 Policy BriefingTransportation Zero-emission transportation key to a post-COVID recovery

Municipalities are committed to reaching net- zero emissions in their transportation infrastructure, but their public transportation systems remain underfunded, underdeveloped, and unaffordable, writes Green Leader Annamie Paul. Photograph courtesy of Pexels/Andre Furtado

vice to the Maritimes indefinitely affordable and more readily ensure that municipalities receive Canadians deserve a nationwide and has reduced service in other available, now is the time to the support they need to expand transportation system that meets both their regional corridors. transition away from vehicles their public transit with energy- Neither the public nor the that run on fossil fuels. The efficient and electrified systems needs and the planet’s. A green recovery private sector have yet proven to government should incentivize from the earliest stages of devel- be able to meet the needs of rural Canadians to make the transition opment. It would also help ensure offers the chance of a lifetime for the and Indigenous communities, to electric and zero-emission ve- that fares for public transit are leaving them dependent upon hicles through federal sales tax subsidized to truly make it acces- government to lay the foundations for green, dangerous alternatives like hitch- exemptions and by expanding sible to all—public transit works safe, and affordable transportation systems hiking. Cutting vital transporta- the network of charging stations better if it is widely used. tion routes is particularly danger- across the country. Even as elec- When discussing our transpor- and infrastructure ous for Indigenous women—the tric cars become an increasingly tation systems, we often over- National Inquiry into Missing and important part of the transition look national and international Murdered Indigenous Women and to green transportation, they trade. The shipping of goods into communities, our underfunded Girls underscored that bus and remain inaccessible to many and and within Canada produces a public transit systems, and the rail routes in remote areas are es- contribute to the congestion of tremendous amount of carbon unsustainable levels of green- sential to the protection of these our roads. Public transportation emissions. A green freight trans- house gas emissions from private communities. is ultimately the best solution, port program would address the vehicles and supply chains. Regional routes must be as investing in transit shortens pollution caused by the freight Since the beginning of the safeguarded to ensure equality of commutes, creates jobs, reduces industry, shipping companies, and pandemic, rail and bus routes service for people in Canada. The emissions and supports econom- delivery businesses. Canada can have experienced significant federal government has a key role ic growth. also lead an international effort to cutbacks, leaving many commu- to play in their survival—without Improved public transit would bring shipping and aviation into nities with severely diminished responsible bailouts, large seg- help to make communities safer the Paris framework. Green Party Leader Annamie Paul travel options, particularly in ments of our transportation sec- and reduce carbon and green- All Canadians deserve a Opinion rural areas. VIA Rail suspensions; tor are at risk of collapsing. While house gas emissions. Municipali- nationwide transportation system the disappearance of intercity bus bailouts will likely be necessary, ties are committed to reaching that meets both their needs and routes; and cuts to flight routes any bailout to carbon-intensive net-zero emissions in their trans- the planet’s. The COVID-19 pan- ccess to safe, reliable, af- are leaving Canadians stranded, industries—like the airline in- portation infrastructure, but their demic has exposed and deepened Afordable, zero-emission and in some cases without access dustry— should be conditioned public transportation systems the inequities we face in Canada, transportation will be critical to to essential goods. Air Canada upon these industries agreeing to remain underfunded, underdevel- particularly when it comes to a green recovery and a sustain- has cut routes to communities in a detailed implementation plan oped, and unaffordable. In urban access to transportation. A green able economy. Unfortunately, the Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and to meet the targets of cutting areas, public transit ridership has recovery offers the chance of a pandemic has seen our public Labrador, , New climate-changing emissions by 60 declined by more than 60 per cent lifetime for the government to lay transit infrastructure weakened, Brunswick and the Northwest per cent from 2005 levels by 2030, since the start of the COVID-19 the foundations for green, safe, and with parts of it abandoned Territories. Greyhound Canada reaching net-zero by 2050. pandemic, leading to lost revenue, and affordable transportation sys- all together. As we plan for a completely suspended all routes As a primary contributor to and putting additional pressure tems and infrastructure. post-pandemic green recovery, we in May 2020, leaving many Cana- climate change, carbon-emitting on municipal budgets that are Annamie Paul is the leader need bold ideas to tackle issues dians in remote communities with vehicles must also be phased already strained by the pan- of the federal Green Party of such as the limited transportation few transportation alternatives. In out as quickly as possible. With demic. Institutionalizing federal Canada. options for rural and Indigenous October, Via Rail suspended ser- electric vehicles becoming more transfers to municipalities would The Hill Times 28 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | THE HILL TIMES Opinion

could shoot them. They know full Assault weapons: was our 30-year battle well that a future Erin O’Toole-led Conservative government will repeal the ban—as he has already pledged to do. And when this hap- for gun control really all for naught? pens, we will be back at square one. ONTREAL—Many of the that values gun ownership. Both and in Australia, will not be man- These killing machines, as If the Liberals break Mfamilies of the victims of shootings of a 15-year-old girl datory in Canada. well as handguns, will continue to the Dec. 6, 1989, Polytéchnique in Montreal on Feb. 7 and of a As long as they remain in cir- proliferate and the NRA ideol- the promise that tragedy in Montreal, have been 14-year-old girl in Toronto on Feb. culation, these killing machines ogy will continue to seep into the working for 30 years to elimi- 12 testify to that. represent a major public safety bowels of our country. contributed to their nate assault weapons from our In the last election, the Lib- risk. And it will be the end of our 2019 victory, then communities and our streets. eral Party of Canada promised For example, Corey Hurren, battle that began more than 30 This has never been achieved, to ban military-style assault the 46-year-old Manitoba reserv- years ago. we will have been not even during the brief de- weapons. They promised to ist, avowed QAnon follower, My sister Annie St-Arneault cade that the long-gun regis- implement a buy-back program licensed gun owner and avid gun was assassinated in a classroom manipulated in order try was in effect, which was for “all” assault weapons. In control opponent, had in posses- with a military-style assault abolished by Stephen Harper’s May 2020, Prime Minister Justin sion at least one of these weap- weapon. With the federal bill, this to win them votes. Conservative government in Trudeau announced a series of ons, a newly prohibited Norinco kind of tragedy can and will hap- This is nothing less 2012. Since then, many inno- orders in council that made it no M14 rifle, as well as a Lakefield pen again. If the Liberals to break cent people have been injured longer legal “to buy, sell, trans- Mossberg shotgun, a Dominion the promise that we loudly and than a betrayal. or killed by assault weapons port, import, or use military- Arms shotgun and a high-capaci- publicly applauded and that con- legally acquired under Cana- grade assault weapons in this ty magazine when he rammed his tributed to their 2019 victory, then dian law, like the victims of the country.” truck through the gates of Rideau we will have been manipulated in Dawson College school shoot- Yet despite polls invariably Hall on July 2, 2020. He wanted to order to win them votes. This is ing. Logically, these weapons showing 80 per cent of Canadians “arrest” Prime Minister Trudeau nothing less than a betrayal. should be strictly limited to support a ban on assault weap- because of COVID-19 restrictions Gun victims and their fami- military personnel. ons as well as one conducted by and the recent assault weapon lies, past, present and future, will For sure, we are so far not Environics Research (on behalf ban, leaving behind a letter in remember this sinister political even close to what is happening of PolySeSouvient) showing that which he wrote, “he hopes his calculation. in the United States, where gun despite the pandemic, a clear children would understand his Serge St-Arneault is the violence is out of control. Nearly majority still want the Liberal actions.” directeur du Centre Afrika de 40,000 Americans were killed by government to buy back all exist- We are not so naïve as to Montréal. His sister, Annie St- Serge St-Arneault guns in 2017. That’s one murder ing ones, we were dismayed to imagine that owners of grandfa- Arneault, was killed in the Dec. 6, 1989, mass shooting at the Opinion every 15 minutes. Unfortunately, learn that the bill will go in the thered assault weapon will hence- for Canadians, we are increas- opposite direction: the buyback, forth consider them as “souvenirs” Polytechnic in Montreal. ingly mimicking the U.S. culture while mandatory in New Zealand from the good old days when they The Hill Times

EDI effort that began in the U.K., it is becoming a model amongst other programs found in post-secondary Research excellence requires institutions internationally. Since the late 1980s, NSERC has also been putting in place initia- tives that seek to actively advance equity, diversity, and inclusion women in science. The creation of the NSERC Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering was at the articles, and peer review processes cies, across institutions and in the forefront of these efforts. This is an amazing opportunity for change- that examine the quality of the research ecosystem as a whole. Coming back to data for a makers to ensure that our doors are as wide contributions and recognize that For example, one component of moment, a critical component of researchers do not necessarily fol- this plan involves integrating the such initiatives is measurement. open as possible. The benefits of this outlook low a career path void of interrup- gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) We need to be tracking progress tions and variations. We’re also ac- analytical process across tri-agen- using surveys and disaggregated accrue to society as a whole and will be reflected tively examining our assessments cy programming and processes. data that reveal where we are to develop more improvements. GBA+ is used to assess how diverse and are not making progress. As in the scholarship that we all seek to pursue. Following a crisis year when groups of women, men and gender accountants like to say: you can’t science and systemic racism were diverse people experience policies, manage what you don’t measure. Scientists are increasingly aware such top-of-mind concerns, it hardly programs and initiatives. I am also bringing some of my of another story about data and seems necessary to reiterate the Another facet of the action plan own history to the work we’re doing exclusion. One of the most common critical importance of creating a involves paying attention to what at NSERC. Mathematics is a disci- metrics used to assess academic im- broadly based, inclusive society. Yet is happening upstream, as well as pline that suffers from a lack of diver- pact are citation statistics. But in re- those of us working in the research downstream. If we want broader sity. As a Latino graduate student at cent years, it’s become apparent that world must continue to reflect on representation among Canada’s Princeton in the 1980s, I experienced these figures, developed originally as how our own institutions and prac- leading academics and scientists, first-hand some of the challenges an information management tool for tices can be part of the solution. we need to ensure that the young faced by young researchers with non- librarians, can over-value publication One of the basic guidelines of people entering and moving through traditional backgrounds. Now, as an and devalue other forms of expertise 21st century scholarship is that a research-oriented institutions, into established research mathematician, Alejandro Adem and experience, thus marginalizing diversity of insights, experiences, scholarly careers, or working closely I have sought ways to promote diver- Opinion some scholars, especially women, disciplines and perspectives with innovation industries reflect sity in my community, participating Indigenous peoples (First Nations, enrich the quality of research, the diversity present in our society. in activities to increase the number of Inuit and Métis), persons with dis- and this principle applies at the To that end, NSERC, through a pilot Latinx mathematical scientists, and to TTAWA—As a mathematician, abilities, members of visible minor- institutional level, within re- funding opportunity, is providing enhance the mathematical training of OI am drawn to numbers, and ity/racialized groups and members search teams and across differ- capacity building grants to smaller Indigenous students in Canada. Such one particular set caught my eye of LGBTQ2+ communities. ent sciences. It is incumbent on post-secondary institutions that want collective grassroots efforts can bring not long ago. According to data A few years ago, several lead- organizations like NSERC to be to improve their EDI track record. valuable granular knowledge of the compiled in 2019 by the Diversity ing academic and research insti- highly intentional about creating In 2019, NSERC launched disciplines and the communities. Gap Canada, a project by Univer- tutions established the San Fran- the conditions in which research Dimensions, another pilot project This is an amazing opportunity sity of Calgary political science cisco Declaration on Research excellence, equity, diversity and with 17 post-secondary institutions for change-makers to ensure that professor Dr. Malinda Smith, the Assessment (DORA), which aims inclusion work hand in hand. that aims to identify and remove our doors are as wide open as pos- deans of Canada’s top 15 uni- to tackle this issue. In 2019, the To that end, with NSERC’s barriers, support equitable access sible. The benefits of this outlook versities are mostly white and Natural Sciences and Engineer- leadership, and in collaboration to funding opportunities, increase accrue to society as a whole and male, and only 2.9 per cent are ing Research Council of Canada with the Canadian Institutes of equitable and inclusive par- will be reflected in the scholarship racialized women. Another recent (NSERC), together with four Health Research (CIHR) and the ticipation, and embed EDI-related that we all seek to pursue. assessment from Universities Can- other Canadian federal research Social Sciences and Humani- considerations in research design Alejandro Adem is president ada found that just 8.3 per cent funders, signed the declaration. ties Research Council of Canada and practices. It also provides guid- of the Natural Sciences and of senior university leaders come Several aspects of NSERC’s (SSHRC), we have developed ance to participating institutions to Engineering Research Coun- from a group, and approach to research assessment and adopted a Tri-Agency Equity, engage in honest reflection about cil of Canada and professor of of that, only 0.8 per cent are Black. reflect the DORA principles, such Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Ac- the state of EDI, and implement mathematics at the University For a country that lauds diversity, as application processes that tion Plan that seeks to recognize an action plan to make lasting, of British Columbia. Twitter: @ immigration and equity, these are encourage the inclusion of outputs and reduce systemic barriers and tangible change. Inspired in part by alejandroadem troubling statistics. broader than published journal mitigate biases within the agen- Athena SWAN, a STEM-oriented The Hill Times The Hill Times | Feb. 22, 2021 Top 100 Lobbyists in 2021 30 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | THE HILL TIMES Feature

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Dec. 7, 2020, and his government have taken an outsized role in the lives of Canadians, thanks to an unprecedented level of spending in response to the pandemic. The record level of spending has also been accompanied by a rise in lobbying activity. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Top 100 Lobbyists: Pandemic ushers in explosion of lobbying activity

Adaptability and BEATRICE PAEZ AND in-house representatives and con- tures from past iterations—such as big chunks of the economy, and if SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN sultants, on background for input lobbyists representing unionized you weren’t engaged, you needed a large Rolodex on developing this year’s list. workers, small businesses, and the to get engaged,” said Jason Kerr, he pandemic may have indefi- There are some 6,383 active tech giants nearly impossible for president of the Government Rela- made the difference Tnitely suspended most in-person registrations in the federal lobbyists’ the government to ignore. There tions Institute of Canada. “Trying lobbying campaigns and social en- registry, with consultants making are also several new additions, to play catch-up in a crisis is really for those seeking gagements, but lobbyists say they’re up a smaller proportion at 1,097, including Pfizer Canada and the no small feat.” access and influence busier than they’ve ever been. while in-house organization lobby- Hotel Association of Canada, Last year, lobbyists logged While COVID-19 hasn’t changed ists account for 3,138 and 2,148 for which are tied to the pandemic. 28,293 communications, compared as conversations the “fundamentals” of the business, in-house corporate lobbyists. Since The demand for interactions to 23,565 in 2018, the last normal for those at the top of their game, the onset of the pandemic, there’s has been a two-way street—espe- year tracked by the federal lobby- migrated online over it’s driven home the need to be been a slight increase of 4.2 per cent cially in the early stages of the pan- ists’ registry. Consultants reported more attuned to the pressures fac- in overall registrations. Consultant demic—with policymakers needing the largest jump in activity, at 32 per Zoom, say lobbyists. ing the government, and has shown registrations saw the most growth, information quickly from industry, cent, disclosing 8,566 communica- that connections with officials have with a 9.1 per cent uptick during and businesses anxious to know tions, compared to 6,477 in 2018. to be built over time, rather than in that timeframe, compared to a 3.6 whether, or how, the government The 14,063 files logged by organiza- the midst of a crisis. per cent and 2.6 per cent increase would address their issues. tions made up half of all interac- “When you’re in crisis mode, for in-house organization and cor- So far, the government has tions, and represented a 20 per cent you have to be very cognizant of porate lobbyists, respectively. spent upwards of $240-billion in increase from 2018’s 11,715 files. the pressures on the government,” Between December 2020 and response to the pandemic, accord- A planned stimulus package said Greg MacEachern, senior January 2021 alone, the number ing to the CBC. The largest portion that’s expected to be worth up vice-president of government of new registrations grew by 45 is tied to the nearly $50-billion to $100-billion will likely set off relations at Proof Strategies. “You per cent, from 149 to 216 new en- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, another record flurry of activity. have to be reasonable in terms of tries. Updated registrations were a temporary program that aims to Looking at those numbers, Mr. your expectations around people’s also up by 21.1 per cent, as were help employers keep workers on Kerr, who is also senior director availability and time. It’s especial- reactivated registrations by 90 per the payroll. of government relations at the ly true when you have ministers cent, and monthly communica- With the federal government Canadian Automobile Association, with multiple portfolios.” tions reports rose by 8.1 per cent. taking on a greater role, there’s said it’s clear to him that lobby- “There’s also been a realization Deactivated registrations were been an accompanying explosion ists were able to adapt quickly for that government relations should also up at 21.8 per cent. of lobbying activity, not seen since their clients and organizations. not be treated as something only While visibility within the it first started tracking commu- Though the pandemic has dom- for emergencies,” he added. so-called Ottawa bubble, partisan nication between lobbyists and inated nearly every facet of life, of This year’s Top 100 Lobbyists list affiliation, and the number of com- public office holders. Total activity the 4,665 active registrations, only is a reflection of the many issues the munication reports filed federally, amounted to an 80 per cent increase 584 filings referred to “COVID-19” government is wrestling with and can serve as measures of a lobby- over 2019 (an election year when as a key topic for discussion with the key players haggling over the ist’s reach, the list also features interactions are always lower), and officials in their disclosure filings, details of its policy responses. The those who work quietly behind the a 20 per cent increase over 2018. according to a search of the lobby- Hill Times reached out to more than scenes offering strategic advice “With COVID-19, almost over- ists’ registry on Feb. 18. two dozen lobbyists, including both on how to press a client or group’s night, the government was making case forward. It includes many fix- decisions that were impacting Continued on page 31 THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 31 Feature

was mentioned in 225 reports. Environment Minister (North Vancouver, B.C.) ‘You can’t just hold an event at 201, Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan (St. John’s South- Mount Pearl, N.L.) at 197, Econom- ic Development Minister Mélanie and expect people to show up’ Joly (Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Que.) at 164, and Heritage Minister (Laurier-Ste-Marie, There were also 71 filings that “You can’t just hold an event Continued from page 30 Que.), rounded out the top five had jotted down “COVID” and 252 Existing rapport and expect people to show up most-lobbied cabinet members. that cited “pandemic.” because there are no events,” he Of those filings, some 403 with officials matters Similarly, communications Overall, according to the lob- said, adding that existing person- belonged to consultants, 105 were Adaptability and a large Rolo- reports tied to departments some- byists’ registry, some of the biggest al rapport with officials matters. tied to in-house organization lob- dex made the difference for those what mirrored the trends at the topics of discussions over the past “You have to be able to reach out byists, 76 for those lobbying on seeking access and influence amid cabinet level. Officials at Mr. Bains’ year centred on economic develop- to people, have them pick up your behalf of their corporate employer, a shift to online engagements that former department, Industry Can- ment, industry, health, environment, calls, be able to direct your clients 11 on the board of directors, and instantaneously removed the regu- ada, were consistently among the infrastructure, the budget, and in the right directions and set up two as consultant members of an lar in-person and chance interac- most sought after last year, with employment. The last two months those contacts.” organization. “Health” was cited by tions on the Hill, said Kevin Bosch, nearly 3,000 reports tied to them, of the year, for example, economic The cabinet minister most in 315 as a subject matter, followed vice-president of public affairs at as were those at Finance (1,643), development topped the list of com- demand last year was Navdeep by 283 for “economic develop- Hill and Knowlton Strategies. The Natural Resources (1,632), Global munication reports logged, with 626 Bains (Mississauga-Malton, Ont.), ment,” 266 for“industry,” 235 for former Liberal staffer joined the Affairs (1,379), and Environment filed in November and 329 in De- who resigned from cabinet on “taxation and finance,” 209 for Liberal research bureau in 1998 and Climate Change (1,228). “employment and training,” 198 for cember. (Communications typically and left for government relations Jan. 12 after overseeing the in- “environment.” slow down over the holidays.) in 2017. novation file since 2015. His name Continued on page 33

Top 100 Lobbyists

Lobbyist Title Lobbyist Title Alayne Crawford government relations and regulatory affairs executive, IBM Canada Jim Irving CEO of Irving Shipbuilding Andre Albinati principal, Earnscliffe Strategy Joe Jordan senior associate, Bluesky Strategy Group Andrew Balfour managing partner, Rubicon Strategy Joelle Walker vice-president, public affairs, Canadian Pharmacists Association Andy Gibbons director, government relations & regulatory affairs, WestJet Airlines John Delacourt vice-president, public affairs, Hill and Knowlton Strategies Anthony Polci vice-president, government relations, Canadian Bankers Association Kate Harrison vice-chair, Summa Strategies Bharat Masrani president and CEO, TD Bank Kevin Bosch vice-president of public affairs, Hill and Knowlton Strategies Brad Lavigne partner and vice-president, , Counsel Public Affairs Kevin Chan public policy director, Facebook Canada Brian Kingston president and CEO, Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association Lauren van den Berg executive vice-president, government relations, Restaurants Canada Brian Sauvé president, National Police Federation Leslie Swartman director, public affairs, MDA Systems Ltd. Bruce Hartley senior partner, Prospectus Associates Lori Kennedy director of regulatory affairs, Canadian Pacific Railway Carla Ventin senior vice-president, government relations, Food, Health, and Consumer Ppoducts Canada Louis-Alexandre Lanthier senior director, government affairs, CN Railway Carole Saab CEO, Federation of Canadian Municipalities Margaret Eaton CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association Catherine Cobden president, Canadian Steel Producers Association Margaret McGuffin executive director, Canadian Music Publishers Association Chad Rogers partner, Crestview Strategy Marlene Floyd national director of corporate affairs, Microsoft Canada Chima Nkemdirim vice-president of government relations, Shaw Communications Martin-Pierre Pelletier senior partner, Prospectus Associates Chris Aylward national executive vice-president, Public Services Alliance Canada Matt Triemstra general manager, Ensight Canada Colin McKay head of public policy and government relations, Google Canada president and CEO, World Wildlife Fund Conrad Sauvé president and CEO, Canadian Red Cross Michael Bernstein executive director, Canadians for Clean Prosperity Dan Kelly president, CEO, and chair, Canadian Federation of Independent Business Michael Rousseau chief financial officer, incoming CEO, Air Canada Daniel-Robert Gooch president, Canadian Airports Council Michael Villeneuve CEO, Canadian Nurses Association Dave Carey vice-president, government and industry relations, Canadian Canola Growers Association Michel Liboiron associate vice-president, public policy and government relations, CIBC David Coates manager, government affairs, Janssen Inc. Michele Austin head of government, public policy, philanthropy, Twitter Canada David Cooper vice-president, government relations, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs Mirko Bibic president and CEO, BCE David Paterson Vice President, Corporate and Environmental Affairs, General Motors of Canada Monica Masciantonio vice-president, government affairs, Scotiabank principal, David Pratt and Associates Naresh Raghubeer vice-president, federal government relations, Davie Canada Yard Inc. Dennis Darby president and CEO, Alliance of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Nicole Foster head of public policy, Amazon Web Services Inc. Derek Nighbor CEO, Forest Products Association of Canada Pamela Fralick president of Innovative Medicines Canada Diane Brisebois president and CEO, Retail Council of Canada president and CEO, Canadian Chamber of Commerce Don Moors president, Temple Scott Associates Peter Stoicheff president and vice-Chancellor, University of Donald Walker CEO, Magna International Inc. Philip Cartwright senior vice-president, Global Public Affairs Elise Maheu director, government affairs, 3M Canada Pierre Gratton president and CEO, Mining Association of Canada Eric Lamoureux managing director, Public Affairs Advisors Pierre Pyun vice-president of government affairs and public affairs, Bombardier George Christidis director, national and international government affairs, Canadian Nuclear Association Richard Mahoney managing director, McMillan Vantage Policy Group George Wamala director, regulatory and government affairs, Royal Bank of Canada Robert Ghiz president and CEO, Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association Goldy Hyder president and CEO, Business Council of Canada Robin MacLachlan president, Summa Strategies Gordon Quaiattini partner, Maple Leaf Strategies Sean Casey vice-president, cultural industries, Global Public Affairs Greg MacEachern senior vice-president, government relations, Proof Strategies Sheamus Murphy partner, Counsel Public Affairs Hassan Yussuff president, Stéphane Cardin director, public policy (Canada), Netflix Heidi Bonnell vice-president, federal government affairs at Rogers Communications Steven Hogue manager, federal relations, Pfizer Canada ULC Huw Williams president, Impact Public Affairs Susan Smith principal, Bluesky Strategy Group Ian Edwards president and CEO, SNC-Lavalin Susie Grynol president and CEO, Hotel Association of Canada Jackie Choquette interim practice lead, Crestview Strategy Tabatha Bull president and CEO, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business Jacob Glick vice-president, public policy, Telus Corp. Tim Gitzel president and CEO, Cameco Corp. Jacques Lefebvre CEO, Dairy Farmers Canada Tim Gray executive director, Environmental Defence Jacquie LaRocque principal, Compass Rose Group Tim Lambert CEO, Egg Farmers of Canada James Kusie director of government relations, Imperial Oil Tim McMillan president and CEO, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers Jane Chung president, AstraZeneca Canada Inc. Tobias Lütke CEO, Shopify Jason Kerr senior director, government relations, Canadian Automobile Association Velma McColl principal, Earnscliffe Strategy Group Jennifer Babcock director, public affairs, Canola Council of Canada Wendy Noss president, Motion Picture Association Jennifer Brown interim CEO, Society of Composers, Authors, and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) Jerry Dias national president, Unifor - List in alphabetical order Clean fleet vehicles. Made by great partnerships.

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Building a cost-effective system powerful enough to drive big electric vehicles is a challenge for engineers. A team of McGill researchers led by Benoit Boulet has developed technology that can power electric buses and trucks more efficiently and affordably than ever. Now the researchers are working with industry partners to electrify the heaviest transport trucks on the road. Benoit Boulet, Professor, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering & Director, Intelligent Automation Lab THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 33 Feature

for-profit and government. You’re Harrison, vice-chair at Summa trying to help them understand Strategies and former Conserva- what the government is proposing, tive strategist. “[The pandemic] ‘Best outcomes’ don’t how policy changes should be made has set a new bar in terms of how in a way that produces positive out- often we’re regularly communi- comes. No one has a monopoly on cating. It will be difficult to come good ideas.” he said. “[It’s also about] back from that, but it’s not an ‘come from a pitched battle’ being able to see all sides of an unreasonable expectation.” issue, and not about bringing a set Post-pandemic, stakeholders perspective, an ideological position. are also likely to expect the gov- introduced by the pandemic, and looking to advance those issues. You’re helping clients think through ernment to be more responsive to Continued from page 31 acknowledge that virtual meetings There were pressing challenges all of the different perspectives. The relatively less urgent issues. With the Trudeau government over Zoom will outlast COVID-19, that needed to be addressed,” said best outcomes do not come from a “As we’ve seen with the pandem- framing the pandemic as an op- many are wistful for the day when Mr. Murphy, also formerly with pitched battle from both sides.” ic, the flow of work has increased, portunity to ramp up the transition life in the “bubble” can take on a the Liberal Research Bureau. The pandemic has arguably and the urgency with which files to a greener economy, the num- semblance of normalcy. “Now, we’re in a phase where the raised the stakes all around. The are moving have also increased,” bers suggested that lobbyists have John Delacourt, vice-president government is trying to deal with unprecedented speed at which said Ms. Choquette. “… All govern- taken those cues and are vying to of public affairs, said that conversa- those backlogs.” the government has been able to ments during the pandemic have help shape that recovery effort by tions over Zoom and on the phone, For Mr. Murphy, there are three build massive programs, such as responded at a rapid pace. They’ve targeting the key departments and which tend to be agenda-driven, key pieces—being an effective the Canada Emergency Response designed programs in timeframes officials involved in that transition. are a “poor substitute” for the more communicator, having credibility, Benefit for workers affected by the that, five years ago, we would’ve The cocktail circuit was once informal interactions that broaden and knowing to leave one’s ideo- pandemic, largely from scratch thought impossible. That is also key for influencers to build and one’s perspective of issues. logical baggage at the door—that has led to heightened expectations raising the bar, and I think moving broaden their network with “You just miss that ability to make a lobbyist influential, regard- from stakeholders. forward, there are stakeholders sought-after officials on a con- have those more wide-ranging less of whether there’s a pandemic. “Clients value the immediacy who are going to have increased tinual basis. Now, relationships conversations. A lot of us love “You’re really an interpreter of information because everything expectations.” matter even more than before, policy; we love to hear about stuff between the private sector or not- is happening so, so fast,” said Kate The Hill Times said Susan Smith, a former Lib- we’re not working on that also eral strategist and co-founder of sparks ideas.” Bluesky Strategy Group. “When you needed an answer In its early stages, to a question, it made things a pandemic blotted whole lot more efficient if you could get straight through to the out all other priorities Most lobbied non-cabinet MPs, person who could give you an an- Lobbying in the pandemic has swer,” she said. “Your experience been marked by three distinct Non-cabinet MP Affiliation, role Communication reports and networks came into play. phases, and organizations, or Liberal, chair of the Finance Committee 190 It might have been a bit more consultants, positioned their needs Conservative, vice-chair of the Agriculture Committee 157 challenging for someone who is accordingly, said Ms. Smith. Liberal, vice-chair of the Government Operations Committee 147 brand new to the GR [government The first phase was marked by James Cumming Conservative, vice-chair of the Industry Committee 131 relations] field.” widespread panic, with organi- Jackie Choquette, interim zations trying to figure out how John Barlow Conservative 123 practice lead at Crestview Strat- to manage under the lockdown Conservative, vice-chair of the International Trade 117 egy, agreed. “When we talk to restrictions and to keep their Liberal, parliamentary secretary to the finance minister 111 clients, we talk about the value of doors open, while the second Liberal, parliamentary secretary to the revenue minister 109 building long-term relationships,” “I can help” phase was all about Conservative, vice-chair of the Health Committee 99 connecting companies with the she said. “These are circumstanc- Conservative, vice-chair of the Environment Committee 97 es when they’re valuable. It’s government to support its pan- easier to pick up the phone and demic response. The third, ongo- Conservative 91 be able to move things quicker. ing, phase has stakeholders vying * Liberal, special representative to the Prairies 90 It’s a little tougher to build rela- to shape the recovery effort. Erin O’Toole Conservative leader 88 tionships from scratch.” “There was a new wave of Jagmeet Singh NDP leader 88 In the absence of spontane- clients, I think, that came forward, Liberal, parliamentary secretary to the environment minister 87 ous encounters and networking who wouldn’t typically have en- Heather McPherson NDP, deputy House leader 81 opportunities, Ms. Choquette said, gaged in lobbying, but needed to Conservative, chair of the Government Operations Committee 83 she finds that she needs to schedule because of the pandemic or wanted more conversations than before— because of the pandemic,” she said. Liberal, parliamentary secretary to the heritage minister 80 and there are only so many “16 half- “And that’s in addition to all of the NDP, deputy leader 80 hour slots” that can be fit in over the usual lobbying that didn’t stop.” Liberal 80 course of a regular work day. Sheamus Murphy, a partner at Conservative 79 “It’s harder to get a group of Counsel Public Affairs who over- William Amos Liberal, parliamentary secretary to the innovation minister 76 people together because you don’t sees federal advocacy, said the pe- Stephanie Kusie Conservative, vice-chair of the Transport Committee 75 have the networking piece. At riod of intensity, and the blotting out least in my personal experience, I of all other non-pandemic priorities, Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay Bloc Québécois, vice-chair of the International Trade Committee 74 need to have more conversations which marked the first few months Liberal, parliamentary secretary to the agriculture minister 72 than I needed to before,” she said. of the pandemic, has passed. Liberal, parliamentary secretary to the economic development and environment ministers 71 And though lobbyists have “Businesses of all sizes were Liberal, parliamentary secetary to the innovation minister 71 learned to adapt to the constraints coping with COVID. We weren’t Liberal, parliamentary secretary to the natural resources minister 70 Conservative 69 Liberal, parliamentary secretary to the fisheries minister 68 Conservative 68 Conservative 66 Most lobbied cabinet Liberal 66 Alistair MacGregor NDP 65 Conservative 65 ministers, 2020 Green parliamentary leader 65 Ron McKinnon Liberal 65 Cabinet minister Communication reports NDP, health critic 63 Innovation Minister * 225 Liberal 64 Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson 201 Nathaniel Erskine-Smith Liberal 64 Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan 197 Chris d’Entremont Conservative 63 Economic Development Minister Mélanie Joly 164 Andrew Scheer former Conservative leader 62 Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault 148 Conservative 58 Finance Minister, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland 134 Liberal, parliamentary secretary to the diversity inclusion and youth minister 57 Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau 123 Liberal, vice-chair of the Public Accounts Committee 56 Trade Minister 122 Greg McLean Conservative, vice-chair of the Natural Resources Committee 55 Labour Minister 99 Conservative 54 Finance Minister * 98 Bloc Québécois 54 Conservative 54 — according to a search of the lobbyists’ registry on Feb. 17, 2021 Marie-France Lalonde Liberal 53 * no longer a cabinet minister * now a cabinet member Source: Federal lobbyists’ registry Source: Federal lobbyists’ registry 34 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | THE HILL TIMES News

Pollster government should be very care- Nik Nanos ful with this issue, as it touches Liberals need of Nanos on the health and economic well Research being of all Canadians. says that the “If they can put a couple of upcoming items together—sort of 1,2,3, to ramp up budget will here are three proof points that be ‘the most the Liberals talk the talk, but important they don’t walk the walk—then budget of a it becomes a question of overall generation’ competence,” said Mr. Lyle. vaccinations, which will “They’re creating an opportu- affect all nity for the opposition to do some Canadians. long-term damage to the brand. The Hill Now, the good news for the detail recovery Times file government is that the opposition photograph parties in the past have not been all that effective at using momen- tary issues that create long-term plans in ‘most brand damage…this is a leader that survived SNC-Lavalin and the blackface [controversy]. There’s some real consequences important budget here, unlike in the past.” Mr. Lyle said that if the Liber- als are able to deliver the vac- cine according to the schedule of a generation’ they outlined, they have a very per cent of decided voters, the they address this issue to the satis- good shot at rebounding in the Conservatives 29 per cent, the faction of Canadians, he said. polls. Considering the fact that NDP 20 per cent and the Green So far, Mr. Graves said the the vaccine rollout is in its early to regain lost Party seven per cent. The poll government is getting the benefit phase and that a third wave of the also suggested that 69 per cent of the doubt, as Canadians think pandemic may hit Canada in the of Canadians blamed the federal the disruption in the rollout is coming weeks, it will be prema- government for failing to secure temporary and will be fixed soon. ture to talk about the economic or political capital, enough doses of vaccine from “It’s something that, if it’s not fiscal recovery until the pandemic the international market. Fifty- tended to, will be a problem for is reasonably under control, he one per cent of Canadians said them [Liberals],” said Mr. Graves, said. If the budget is tabled when that they were not confident the founder and president of Ekos the COVID-19 is still spreading, say politicos government would be able to Research. people will not pay too much at- achieve its goal of vaccinating all “If they don’t, they’ll be pun- tention to it, he said. willing Canadians by September. ished extremely, and Conserva- “The recovery phase, sure, Liberals should United States, the United King- Half of Canadians said Canada tives right now in our polling are that will start to matter, but not dom, and more. Canada is set to should accelerate the approval of very close.” until we deal with the spread of bring the pandemic receive millions of doses of the other vaccines already approved Mr. Graves said that the next COVID and the vaccinations,” vaccines in the coming weeks and in other countries to help speed budget is important, but more said Mr. Lyle. “So, the number one under control as soon months. A timeline released by up the process here. The poll of than that, Canadians want to get issue on that budget is not what the Public Health Agency of Can- 1,535 Canadians was conducted inoculated and they want a spe- do we do after COVID, but what as possible, or the ada last week said that Canada between Feb. 12-Feb. 14. cific schedule from the govern- do we do to get there. So, what would receive enough doses of In order to regain the lost ment for when will it happen. is the federal government doing opposition parties vaccine to inoculate 14.5 million political ground, Mr. Nanos and will have an opening people by the end of June. That other pollsters interviewed said Pollster Frank number could rise as high as 24.5 that the Liberals need to ensure Graves of to raise serious million if more new COVID-19 that the vaccination rollout pro- Ekos Research vaccines are approved by Health cess gets in top gear as soon as says the questions about Canada. possible. He said the key mes- Liberals need Until a few weeks ago, all sage that Canadians want to hear to reassure the government’s national public opinion polls were from the government is that they Canadians competence, says showing the Trudeau (Papineau, are singularly focused on the with a specific Que.) Liberals in majority terri- vaccine rollout process with a schedule for pollster Greg Lyle of tory, with a comfortable double- specific plan, and will execute it the vaccine digit lead over the opposition as outlined. rollout and Innovative Research. Conservatives. Since the delay The Liberals also need to put then deliver to the vaccine rollout started out the roadmap back to eco- on it. The earlier this month because of the nomic recovery in their upcoming Hill Times file Continued from page 1 disruption in supply from Pfizer budget, said Mr. Nanos. He said photograph “Canadians have been fixated and Moderna, the Liberal Party’s that the next budget is critical on vaccinations: when we’ll get numbers have taken a nosedive, as the measures announced in them, how we will get them, if with some polls showing both the it will affect every Canadian. He we’ll get them,” said Nik Nanos, Liberals and the Conservatives in described the upcoming budget as founder and chief data scien- a statistical dead heat. akin to a “war budget” as Canada tist for Nanos Research, in an According to an Ekos poll, last battles the pandemic. interview with The Hill Times. week, the Liberals and the Con- “This may very well be the “Canadians haven’t scored either servatives were essentially tied most important budget of a gen- the federal government or the with 32.9 per cent support and eration,” said Mr. Nanos. provincial governments very well 31.4 per cent support, respective- “Most budgets don’t affect on the vaccine rollout. So this is ly. The NDP was at 14.9 per cent everyone. This particular budget, a particular time before the vac- and the Green Party at 8.6 per every single Canadian, without cines are significantly rolled out cent. The poll of 1,623 Canadians exception, will have an interest in where the government at least was conducted from Jan. 29 to this budget and what it means to Pollster Greg Lyle of Innova- in the budget, not just to secure looks vulnerable, because people Feb. 16, and had a margin of error them personally.” tive Research said that it’s critical vaccines, but the rollout of the are very anxious.” of plus or minus 2.43 percentage Canadians will want to see the the Liberals deliver on their vaccines today? That’s going to be As of Feb. 18, there had been a points, 19 times out of 20. details of the government’s plan outlined timeline for the vac- a big issue.” total of 837,497 confirmed cases A Nanos poll released on Feb. to repair the economic damage by cine rollout. Otherwise, he said, Mr. Lyle said that the ballot of COVID-19 in Canada that had 12 suggested that the Liberals the pandemic as well, he said. the government runs the risk of question for the next election de- resulted in the deaths of 21,498 had the support to 34.2 per cent For the foreseeable future, Mr. opposition parties painting them pends on the timing. If it’s called Canadians. By Feb. 18, 1,354,289 of Canadians, followed closely Nanos said that the ballot ques- as a government that is good at when the vaccination process is doses of the vaccine had been ad- by the Conservatives with 30.3 tion in any upcoming election promising big things but fails to still ongoing, the focus will still ministered, meaning 2.6 per cent per cent support. The NDP was at would be how the government deliver them. be on pandemic management. But of the population had received at 17 per cent and the Greens at 6.7 handled the pandemic and result- In addition to any fumble of if it’s called after enough people lease one dose of the vaccine. per cent. The rolling poll of 1,000 ing economic and health crisis. the vaccine rollout, opposition have been inoculated, then Cana- Canada’s current population is Canadians had a margin of error Pollster Frank Graves of Ekos parties could reference other dians will want to hear from the approximately 39 million. of plus or minus 3.1 percentage Research said that the delay to the promises that the Liberals have government what their plan is for Many other countries have points, 19 times out of 20. rollout of the vaccines has dam- failed to deliver on to raise seri- the economic recovery. vaccinated a higher share of their A Leger poll found that the aged the Liberals’ political fortunes. ous questions about their com- [email protected] residents, including Israel, the Liberals had the Support of 36 The government must ensure that petence. Mr. Lyle said that the The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 35 News

“With still elevated daily case generally been slow, they’ve been counts, the risk remains that weak, and they’ve been opaque, trends could reverse quickly, par- and even confused at times,” said Coming months will ticularly in areas of the country Mr. Davies. where more contagious virus Now that we’re entering the variants are spreading or where second year of this pandemic, Mr. increased, unchanged or only Davies said there is now an op- modest declines in COVID-19 portunity to extract some lessons be a race to beat disease activity are being re- about how to move forward. ported,” according to the release. “What I’m learning is that “Likewise, outbreaks in high-risk countries that have had the stron- populations and communities, gest, sharpest, firmest responses the ‘third wave’ of including hospitals and long-term have done better,” said Mr. Davies. care homes, correctional facili- “We’re in the second wave, and ties, congregate living settings, whether we’re sleepwalking into Indigenous communities, and a third wave or starting to feel more remote areas of the country the optimism of feeling the end COVID-19, say experts remain a concern.” of the second wave, we have to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau guard against that because I think (Papineau, Que.) held his 27th call there’s a misplaced sense of opti- with provincial premiers on Feb. mism that can occur.” Our late arrival to 18 regarding the country’s re- sponse to the pandemic, and was the procurement of joined by Minister of Intergovern- vaccines, combined mental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc (Beauséjour, N.B.) as well as with the emergence Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam. of COVID-19 According to a press release, Mr. Trudeau provided an update variants, ‘was not on the vaccine rollout, high- lighting that Canada will soon just foreseeable, significantly increase its delivery but perspicaciously of vaccines. “He reiterated that Canada foreseen months will receive two million doses of the Moderna vaccine and 4-mil- ago, and it only lion doses of the Pfizer vaccine by the end of March,” according goes to show the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Chief Public Health Officer Dr. to the release. “He emphasized Theresa Tam. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, it is 'crucial once again that by September, all NDP MP Don Davies, his party’s dangerous scientific that strong measures are kept in place in order to maintain a steady downward Canadians who want to receive health critic, pictured in February illiteracy of Canadian trend' in COVID-19 cases. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade a vaccine will be able to. Minis- 2019 in the West Block prior to ter LeBlanc provided an update . Mr. Davies says governments province’s chief medical officer of everything else outside of that to on the work federal, provincial, ‘the consequences of error by that health. But Ontario’s York Region reduce community transmission and territorial governments are misplaced sense of optimism are that they now act will transition out of the shut- risks so that we can open schools undertaking to build up Canada’s far worse than taking the extra pain down, according to an Ontario safely—that would make sense. domestic biomanufacturing now.’ The Hill Times photograph by surprised,’ says government press release. But instead we’re trying to do capacity.” Andrew Meade Health restrictions in Alberta too many things at once,” said Dr. Variants of the COVID-19 were eased on Feb. 8, with 415 Hota. virus were also discussed, with “The consequences of error by professor Amir new cases of COVID-19 reported “At a point where we’re just Dr. Tam updating premiers on the that misplaced sense of optimism on Feb. 18, according to CBC. [around] 1,000 new cases per day latest modelling data. are far worse than taking the ex- Attaran. Quebec Premier François Legault in Ontario is a far cry from where “Building off this presentation, tra pain now,” said Mr. Davies. announced that although nightly we were in the summer when we the prime minister spoke about Conservative MP Michelle curfews would remain in place, were starting to reopen, and we the critical importance that public Rempel Garner (Calgary Nose Continued from page 1 movie theatres, swimming pools still met the inevitable wave two.” health measures will play in the Hill, Alta.), her party’s health Over the next few months the and indoor rinks would open coming weeks to prevent a third critic, did not return repeated re- new variants of the virus will race starting Feb. 26. ‘Crucial that strong wave of the virus.” quests for comment. Bloc Québé- to gain a foothold while health Saskatchewan has extended “He stressed the importance of cois MP Luc Thériault (Montcalm, authorities try to stop them with a a public health order banning measures are kept in place’ wide-scale rapid testing, contact Que.), his party’s health critic, vaccination campaign, said Amir households from hosting social Although PHAC is reporting a tracing, quickly identifying and also did not return requests for Attaran, a professor at the faculty visits until late in March, with steady decline in COVID-19 activ- isolating new variant cases, and comment. of law and school of epidemiol- Manitoba’s partial lockdown in ity across the country, “it is crucial ensuring an effective rollout of Cole Davidson, a spokesper- ogy and public health at the place until early March. On Feb. that strong measures are kept vaccines. He also spoke about son for Health Minister Patty University of Ottawa. 5, B.C. announced that public the need to work with the private Hajdu, told The Hill Times that “This is simply a question of health restrictions would stay in sector and third parties like phar- is closely monitor- the timing of vaccine administra- place indefinitely. macies to roll out rapid testing,” ing the emergence of COVID-19 tion, versus the normal epide- In Atlantic Canada, which has according to the release. variants and the risk they pose to miological course of infection; had the lowest infection rates of According to a recent poll, 69 Canada, and that they are taking it is expressible in differential the country throughout the pan- per cent of Canadians blame the a multi-layered approach to keep equations and there is no magical demic, Nova Scotia reported two federal government for the slow Canadians safe. prophecy to it whatsoever,” wrote new cases of COVID-19 on Feb. delivery of vaccines. “Our top priority has always Prof. Attaran in an email to The 19, with New Brunswick report- been protecting the health and Hill Times. “The fact that Canada ing six new cases. Newfoundland safety of Canadians,” wrote Mr. is very late and slow on obtaining and Labrador reported 60 new Time to implement the Davidson. “As part of that work, vaccines through at least the end cases and nine presumptive cases. ‘precautionary principle,’ we’ve invested $53-million to cre- of March, while the variants are Prince Edward Island has mea- ate a Variants of Concern Strate- thought to be doubling approxi- sures in place until further notice, says NDP health critic gy, which will increase our moni- mately every week, suggests we which confirmed one new case of NDP MP Don Davies, his toring and surveillance of new will have an extremely unfavour- the virus on Feb. 18. party’s health critic, told The Hill COVID-19 variants. Partnering able outcome to the race.” Dr. Susy Hota, who is the Dr. Susy Hota, medical director of Times that he believes it’s time with provinces, territories, and “All of this was not just medical director of infection pre- infection prevention and control at to implement the “precautionary experts in research and public foreseeable, but perspicaciously vention and control at Toronto’s Toronto’s University Health Network. principle.” health, this strategy will increase foreseen months ago, and it only University Health Network, said Dr. Hota says with the emergence “I think our policies should be our ability to detect, track, and goes to show the dangerous she believes we’re doing “too of more transmissible variants based on a worst-case scenario, address outbreaks of COVID-19 scientific illiteracy of Canadian many things at once.” of the COVID-19 virus, ‘it’s even and preparing for that,” said Mr. variants across Canada. We will governments that they now act “Schools are environments more concerning’ that a number of Davies. “If we’re right, we’re more continue to work closely and sup- surprised,” he wrote. where people are mixing and in jurisdictions are opening up following prepared, but if we’re wrong, port provinces and territories in On Feb. 19, the Ontario gov- contact with each other much prolonged lockdown restrictions. we’ve taken perhaps sharper protecting Canadians and deliver- ernment extended its “stay at more frequently. But if we as a Photograph courtesy of Twitter and more firm measures than we ing on their healthcare respon- home” order for an additional two society say we value our chil- needed to, but we saved lives in sibilities as they make decisions weeks for both the Toronto and dren’s health and education in place in order to maintain a the meantime.” about the public health measures Peel public health regions, as well to the point where we know steady downward trend,” accord- “I believe that the govern- appropriate to their regions.” as the North Bay-Parry Sound that this might introduce more ing to the agency’s Feb. 18 press ment’s approach has been incre- [email protected] District, after consulting with the transmission risk—but we will do release. mental, which means that they’ve The Hill Times 36 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | THE HILL TIMES News

available to police forces. She said that the trend towards the adoption RCMP, union stand behind plan of body cameras speaks to soci- ety’s “acceptance of this state-con- trolled world that we’re in today.” “Because we live in such a public to deploy body-worn cameras for and social media world, it almost seems like we’re willing to give up some of those sensibilities, thoughts and rights, so that’s where my con- front-line officers, but critics warn cern lies,” said Prof. Peters. drawbacks may outweigh benefits

RCMP worldwide, of egregious police Although the commissioner misconduct.” Brenda Lucki, “Sometimes that misconduct is procurement process pictured caught on film, sometimes police is still in its early speaking with are caught not telling the truth, reporters at and one of the solutions to identi- stages, the RCMP is West Block fy and hold police accountable for on April bad acts or for Charter violations looking to equip its 20, 2020. is to have them recorded at all Adrienne Peters, a sociology professor The federal times, so their interactions with at Memorial University who specializes front-line officers government the public can be scrutinized and in criminology. This most recent with 10,000 body- allocated body camera videos can be used push to equp front-life officers with $238-million as evidence to hold the police to body-worn cameras perhaps ‘speaks worn cameras to the to equip account,” he added. to our kind of acceptance of this state officers with Mr. Spratt said he was once controlled surveillance world that we’re tune of $238-million. body-worn supportive of police-worn body in today.’ Photograph courtesy of Twitter cameras on cameras—until he spoke with But critics warn this Dec. 2, 2020. people who have been stopped by She said that much more The Hill Times officers or have been over-policed research needs to be done to may be an example of photograph by in the past. show support for their use, with a ‘Band-Aid’ solution Andrew Meade “It’s obscene that we would an eye to modifying the strategy say the police are engaged in if it doesn’t pan out as intended to larger, more misconduct, we can’t trust them, or anticipated. Prof. Peters noted there’s no enough accountability, there’s a concern that body cam- complex societal so let’s give them more money,” he eras are being used as a Band-Aid RCMP officers across the country ing with industry partners, the said, noting body cameras come solution to more complex societal problems. with body-worn cameras, with an RCMP will ensure that the cameras at a steep price. “The solution problems. additional $50-million a year in and supporting digital evidence shouldn’t be to throw more mon- “…We really need to be BY MIKE LAPOINTE funding to maintain the system for management solution meets our ey at the problem; the solution investing more so in community collecting footage once it’s in place. requirements, and demonstrates should be that we need to have a relationship building—maybe he federal government, the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau good value for tax payer’s dollars.” more responsible police force.” not in lieu of these more sophisti- TRCMP’s top brass, and the po- (Papineau, Que.) announced last There are also privacy con- cated types of technologies—but lice force’s union are all squarely June that he would be pushing for ‘Putting the cart before cerns that need to be weighed. at least in complement with them, behind a recent push to see more the use of body cameras across “There aren’t robust rules. and doing more research on how than 10,000 body-worn cameras the country, including raising it the horse’ We’re putting the cart before the that fits the needs of the specific deployed nationwide to help “pull during his discussions with pre- Others are less convinced that horse because there is no agree- area in which they are being the police services into the 21st miers. His pledge came days after supplying RCMP officers with ment about who can access that implemented,” she said. century,” says the force’s union he attended an anti-Black racism body cameras is worth spending data, how it can be used, where These discussions are impor- head, while others have ques- rally in Ottawa, where he kneeled hundreds of millions of dollars it’s going to be stored, how long tant for the RCMP, as a national tioned its perceived benefits. in solidarity with protesters. It and will have the intended effect it’s going to be stored, when the agency, because the force is Brian Sauvé, president of the was one of many mass demon- of improving public trust and ad- camera is going to be on, when going to have to look at how the National Police Federation, said strations decrying police brutality dressing police misconduct. it’s going to be off, and what sort body-camera program is working police have been videotaping wit- that erupted following the death of repercussions there will be for in different spaces and places, ac- ness statements for presentation of George Floyd, an African- police officers who don’t follow cording to Prof. Peters. She added in front of courts for a long time American man from Minnesota, these policies,” said Mr. Spratt. that the implications for certain now, as well as using cameras in at the hands of police. According to John Sewell, To- groups who are already being police cars in varying formats for The procurement process ronto’s mayor from 1978 to 1980, over-policed and over-criminal- the last 20 years. He said body is still in the early stages, said and now a member of the Toronto ized should be some of the central cameras are an extension of that Robin Percival, spokesperson for Police Accountability Coalition, questions that should be looked at longstanding practice. the RCMP. the program’s price tag should this program unfurls. “It’s [about] pulling police “Until solutions are identi- give people pause. “That’s why we have to go services into the 21st century to fied through this process, we are “We should be stopping and back to community organizations be able to provide the police and not comfortable in providing an saying, ‘Is there a better way to and diversifying the policing the courts with the best evidence estimated timeline for roll-out,” spend a quarter of a billion dol- portfolio, and inviting members available,” said Mr. Sauvé, who wrote Ms. Percival in an emailed lars?,’ ” he said. “What we need of these groups and communities represents around 20,000 mem- statement to The Hill Times. National Police Federation president are major changes in the way [the into these discussions as well as bers and reservists of the RCMP. “What makes this initiative com- Brian Sauvé says equipping officers RCMP] is organized, recruited into the planning and strategizing “Ultimately, that will lead to a plex is the management of all of with body cameras is a move to pull and managed.” for implementing new tolls and full accounting of a member’s the associated video feeds being police services into the 21st century, He noted that he has yet to see strategies—without simply say- interactions with a member of recorded every shift, often in very and will help provide the police and any data on the effectiveness of ing, ‘We’re going to put cameras the public, and I think you’ll remote communities with limited the courts ‘with the best evidence body-worn cameras in the field. on people and this is going to see something similar to when technical infrastructure.” available.’ Photograph courtesy of Twitter “They had body-worn cameras solve all these problems.’ ” cameras rolled out in cars, which Public Services and Pro- in Minneapolis when George In October, the RCMP an- will be a reduction in the number curement Canada, on behalf of Criminal lawyer Michael Floyd was killed—the police nounced a pilot project to supply of complaints by members of the the RCMP, issues a request for Spratt, of Ottawa-based firm Ab- filmed it all—and what your deal- body cameras to a number of public from those interactions— information seeking input from ergel Goldstein and Partners, said ing with at the end of the day is officers in Iqaluit, Nunavut, which and an increase in transparency industry providers on potential body cameras carry with them “a police culture, which hardly mat- will be used to “help inform the with respect to police interactions options and available technology ton of drawbacks,” including cost ters if you have the cameras,” said broader rollout of this technology with the public.” that would meet the police force’s and privacy issues, that have to be Mr. Sewell. across the RCMP,” according to Mr. Sauvé said that cellphones requirements for the cameras and “balanced against the one benefit Ms. Percival. equipped with cameras are al- for the digital evidence manage- of capturing evidence.” ‘We really need to be “The goal of this pilot project ready ubiquitous and have been ment system. As of Feb. 17, an Mr. Spratt noted the push is to evaluate processes and best used by civilians to document the RFI had yet to be issued. to outfit RCMP officers with investing in community practices with existing technol- police’s interactions with the pub- “Once the RCMP and PSPC cameras is not about how the relationship building’ ogy in remote regions, and to lic, noting those videos “may show have gathered all relevant informa- “police need to protect themselves Adrienne Peters, a sociology engage the community on percep- a complete or partial version of tion from the RFI process, the next against allegations or some sort professor at Memorial University tions and satisfaction with the an event.” significant procurement milestone of best evidence rule, but it’s who specializes in criminology, technology,” she said. In December, the government will be a request for proposal later because there have been multiple said body-worn cameras should [email protected] allocated $238-million to equip this year,” said Ms. Percival. “Work- instances across Canada, and be thought of as just another tool The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 37 News

tion, and now I have 30 people The national that want to go, what am I going council of the to do?’ ” Conservative “But it’s not up to local MPs to Party has rejected choose delegates, it’s up to mem- Ontario MP Derek bers to choose which delegates Sloan’s appeal to they want to represent them,” he allow him to carry added. the party's banner The Hill Times reached out to in the next federal the party’s communications team in election. The Hill response to Mr. Sloan’s claim that Times photographs his former caucus colleagues were by Andrew Meade upset over his fundraising and mo- bilization efforts. In response, Cory Hann, the party’s director of com- munications, offered a statement that echoed Mr. O’Toole’s following Mr. Sloan’s expulsion. “Our MPs did not vote to remove Derek Sloan from our caucus because he is a social conservative. We have Members of Parliament of deep compas- sion and unmatched character, who like many Canadians, draw strength from their faith,” said Mr. Hann. “We want all Canadians to feel welcome in the Conservative Party of Canada. The Conserva- tive Party is a big tent that is reflective of all Canadians. People of all backgrounds have a place in our Party. We must hold ourselves to the highest standards. Canadi- ans deserve nothing less.” Political insiders are expecting a higher turnout than ever before tion, and blamed the party for ac- for the upcoming convention cepting the donation, processing because it will be held virtually Conservative Party’s for the first time, and the cost for it, and adding Mr. Fromm to the membership roster. attending is much lower. Tickets “My sort of position on this is have been priced at $199, and well known with respect to the delegates won’t have to set aside national council rejects funds for travel and accommoda- initial accusations of accepting a donation from a white national- tions. Depending on the location ist,” said Mr. Sloan. “I made it very of the convention, in the past, clear that, in fact, it was the party individual delegates have had to Sloan’s appeal to run under pay $2,000 or more to attend. that processed the donation and then sent it to me.” Across the country, the party’s Since first getting elected to riding associations completed the House in 2019, Mr. Sloan, a the online voting process to elect its banner in next election their delegates on Monday. By social conservative, has run into a number of controversies, includ- deadline, the party had not an- Ontario MP Derek on Thursday night by the 20-mem- The process to expel Mr. Sloan ing accusations of racism and nounced the names of successful ber national council, the party’s was triggered on Jan. 18 in the criticism for controversial views delegates. Prior to the vote, Cam- Sloan previously said highest elected governing party. wake of a report from left-leaning on LGBTQ rights and for his paign Life Coalition, a politically The national council also has outlet Press Progress that said stance against abortion. active anti-abortion group, and a decision to bar him revoked his party membership. Mr. Sloan had accepted a political In the vote to expel him, Mr. Mr. Sloan emailed their recom- By deadline, Mr. Sloan was not donation of $131 from white su- Sloan said, caucus members mended slate of candidates to from running could available for comment on the de- premacist Frederick Paul Fromm were made to choose between their supporters, across ridings. lead his base to stay nial of his appeal. In an interview during the leadership election. him and Mr. O’Toole. He added They are also expected to recom- with The Hill Times on Feb. 3, Mr. His ouster was preceded by a Jan. that he was targeted by the mend specific candidates for the home on election Sloan said that he had the sup- 17 statement from Mr. O’Toole Conservative leadership, because national council election. port of roughly 100,000 Conser- saying that Conservatives have he was encouraging his support- The convention will be the day or to turn to rival vative Party members, including zero tolerance for far-right ex- ers from the social-conservative first for Mr. O’Toole as the party’s those who he enlisted to sign up tremism or racism in the party. In wing to attend the policy conven- recently elected leader. conservative parties in last year’s leadership race and his defence, Mr. Sloan said that tion in March. Pollster Nik Nanos of Nanos those who follow him on social he had no knowledge of the dona- At the same time, Mr. Sloan Research said that this conven- like the People’s Party media. He said a decision to bar tion, and upon learning about it, said, since he was elected he tion is going to be a test of Mr. of Canada or the him from running could lead his he asked the party headquarters could tell some caucus members O’Toole’s influence and his abil- base to stay home on election day to return the money. were unhappy with him for ideo- ity to manage the Conservative . or to turn to rival conservative A majority of his former cau- logical reasons, but said they are coalition of voters that identify parties like the People’s Party of cus members had voted in favour “in a minority.” He said it seems as fiscal conservatives, social Canada and the Maverick Party. of his expulsion. to him that some MPs were upset conservatives, and progressive “If that were to happen, I “The Conservative caucus Continued from page 1 because he has been able to mobi- conservatives. Mr. Nanos said believe a large portion of the voted to remove Derek Sloan not lize and raise funds from support- that the new leader has to ensure sits as an Independent and ran Conservative Party faithful would because of one specific event, but ers spread out across the country, that the party stays united under unsuccessfully for the Conser- be disillusioned enough to stay because of a pattern of destruc- including in their own ridings. his leadership, or risk dashing vative leadership last year, was home, or depending on what area tive behaviour involving multiple He added that may have rankled the party’s hopes once again of expelled from the party’s caucus of the country they’re in, they incidents and disrespect towards some MPs because it raised the returning to power. on Jan. 20 because of a “pattern of might vote for another option,” he the Conservative team for over a prospect that supporters from the “We’re gonna get a really good destructive behaviour” that leader said. year,” said Mr. O’Toole, in a state- social-conservative wing could feel for his, what I’ll say, ‘internal Erin O’Toole (Durham, Ont.) said At the time, Mr. Sloan said ment, adding that the acceptance get elected as delegates against political management skills’ with- had become a distraction for he was not planning on joining of the donation was the “last the wishes of local MPs. in the Conservative tribe, come Conservatives. another party or running as an straw.” “Some people were upset that this convention, because you can Mr. Sloan has dismissed the Independent. In the last elec- “These actions have been a I was fundraising ‘in their rid- bet your bottom dollar that the charge that he had engaged in a tion, his first run for a seat in consistent distraction from our ef- ing,’” he said. “I was just emailing Liberals and the New Democrats, “pattern of destructive behaviour,” the House, Mr. Sloan won his forts to grow the party and focus people that had elected to hear the other federal political par- saying it was “fabricated.” riding by a thin margin of 4.3 on the work we need to do.” from me; I wasn’t just emailing ties, will be closely looking at the Following his expulsion, the percentage points. He defeated Mr. Sloan denied that he had anybody. Some people were upset resolutions on the floor in order National Candidate Selection then-incumbent Liberal MP Mike become a distraction for the party that I was interfering with their to try to cast a negative light on Committee of the Conservative Bossio. In the leadership election, and described charges against own process to encourage people the Conservatives under Erin Party barred him running as a Mr. Sloan placed fourth, but won him as “untrue.” He said the pro- to come to the convention. So O’Toole,” said Mr. Nanos. future candidate. His appeal to 16 per cent of the votes on the cess to oust him from the caucus some MPs said, ‘Listen, I already [email protected] overturn that decision was denied first ballot. started with the political dona- chose 10 people to go to conven- The Hill Times 38 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | THE HILL TIMES

affairs, a role he exited last November. Sherbrooke, A former broadcast journalist with the and was last CBC and Radio-Canada, before first com- working as a ing to the Hill to work for Mr. Champagne, lawyer with Mr. Hamann was a director in the Quebec Profession- hill climbers Government Office in Washington, D.C., nels en règle- and he’s also previously been a director in ment des its offices in New York City; Paris, France; différends by Laura Ryckewaert and Sao Paulo, Brazil. in Montreal. Mr. Hamann was also a spokesperson She’s also a and senior adviser to Michaëlle Jean during former as- her turn as secretary general of La Fran- sociate with cophonie, a former spokesperson and public Madwa-Nika Cadet recently Dentons in Innovation Minister information officer for the World Food Pro- joined the innovation the city, a gramme in Haiti and Senegal, and a former minister’s office.Photograph former legal press secretary to then-Quebec internation- courtesy of LinkedIn analyst with al relations minister Pierre Arcand. the World Michael Power, a former director of par- Bank Group in Washington, D.C., and a Champagne firms liamentary affairs and issues management former policy fellow in the executive office of to then-innovation minister Navdeep Bains Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. Ms. who took on the title of communications di- Cadet was an articling student with Lapointe rector late last year, will continue to support Rosenstein Marchand Melançon in Mon- up his new team the minister for the next few weeks, but is treal, and along with other past internships, expected to exit the office in March. spent four months in 2011 as a law clerk A former deputy director of issues man- to Quebec Court Justice Louis Grégoire, a agement in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s judge with the court’s youth division. Brook Simpson has followed office, Mr. Power had been working in the Ms. Cadet also has a master’s degree in innovation minister’s office since early 2020. public policy from Georgetown University. the minister to his new John Power (no relation) continues as Amanda Woodley has been promoted portfolio as director of a senior adviser for communications and to policy adviser after spending roughly media relations in the office, a role he’s the last year as a special assistant for parliamentary affairs, as has filled since last June. policy and assistant to the minister’s par- A former committee analyst in the Gov- liamentary secretary for science, Liberal François Massicotte, who’s ernment Whip’s office for the first year and MP . She first began working a half of the Trudeau Liberal government, in the office in 2018 as a special assistant been promoted to director Mr. Power has since been a press secretary for policy and executive assistant to Mr. and issues manager to National Revenue Bains’ chief of of operations. Minister , a senior com- staff. munications adviser and issues manager to Sean Mat- nnovation, Science, and Industry Minister Innovation, Science, and Industry Minister then-intergovernmental and northern affairs thew O’Neill IFrançois-Philippe Champagne has now minister Dominic LeBlanc, and an issues continues as firmed up much of his ministerial office François-Philippe Champagne, pictured during a National Press Theatre press conference on Feb. adviser in the PMO. Before returning to po- assistant to since being shuffled from foreign affairs litical work last summer, he spent about half the innovation on Jan. 12, including bringing a handful of 6, 2020, has settled much of his new ministerial team since taking over the portfolio in mid- a year as a principal with Tactix Government minister’s other staffers from his old office to his new one. Relations and Public Affairs in Ottawa. parliamen- Brook Simpson is among those who January, but is still in need of a director of policy. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade Mollie Anderson continues as a commu- tary secretary, have followed Mr. Champagne to his new nications adviser in the office, a role she’s Liberal MP post, continuing as director of parliamen- filled since early 2020. Working alongside Ali Ehsassi, tary affairs to the minister. been brought over from foreign affairs to in- her is Justine Leblanc, who was hired on who cover the Mr. Simpson first began working for Mr. novation. Last month, just before the shuffle, as a communications adviser to the innova- innovation and Champagne in 2017, as press secretary and he was promoted to director of operations, tion minister last October. industry files. Amanda Woodley now wears issues manager in his office as minister of having spent the year prior working as a Mr. Champagne is still in need of a new He first joined the title of policy adviser. infrastructure and communities. He was special assistant for the Quebec and Atlantic director of policy, having recently pro- the office last Photograph courtesy of LinkedIn promoted to director of parliamentary affairs regional affairs, La Francophonie, and par- moted Mr. Bains’ former policy head (and spring. and issues management about a year later. liamentary affairs to Mr. Champagne. deputy chief of staff), Sarah Hussaini, to In another promotion, Theresa “Tess” Mr. Champagne was moved into the Before joining his ministerial team, chief of staff, as previously reported. McManus has been elevated to the title of foreign affairs post in November 2019, Mr. Massicotte spent roughly four years Moreover, director of strategic planning and appoint- after that year’s election, and Mr. Simpson running Mr. deputy direc- ments. She’s been working in the innovation shortly followed, Champagne’s con- tor of policy minister’s office for the last four years, start- continuing stituency office Parvinder ing as executive assistant to the director of as director of in Saint-Maurice- Sachdeva is policy. She later became Mr. Bains’ executive parliamentary Champlain, Que. set to leave assistant and most recently was working affairs. Louis Hamann the innova- under the title of operations adviser. Mr. Simpson is back on the tion minister’s Bianca Hossain has also added “senior” is also a former Hill as director of office next to her title, and is now a senior special as- press secretary communications month. sistant for policy and operations in the of- to Ottawa Mayor to Mr. Cham- A former fice under Mr. Champagne. Before joining Jim Watson pagne. assistant to Mr. Bains’ team early last year, Ms. Hossain and a former He previously Mr. Bains as spent about a year and a half as executive assistant to spent 10 months Parvinder Sachdeva is set the MP for assistant to the then-finance minister Bill François Massicotte is now former Ontario in 2020 as commu- Louis Hamann is once to exit his post as deputy Mississauga- Morneau’s director of policy. director of operations to Liberal MP Glen nications director again in charge of director of policy to the Malton, Ont., Mohammad Hussain, who joined the the innovation minister. Pearson. to Mr. Champagne communications for Mr. innovation minister next he first joined innovation minister’s office late last year, Photograph courtesy of François Mas- when he was the Champagne. Photograph month. Photograph courtesy of Mr. Bains’ of- continues as a special assistant for parlia- LinkedIn sicotte has also minister of foreign courtesy of LinkedIn Facebook/Winston Chow fice as innova- mentary affairs, and Tim Logan continues tion minister as a special assistant for B.C. regional as a policy adviser in the fall of 2016. In 2018, affairs. he was promoted to senior policy adviser, Amid the post-shuffle turnover, Liana and was promoted again to his most recent Iannantuono, who was executive assistant title at the end of 2019. Through his time to Mr. Bains’ chief of staff, Ryan Dunn, has in the office, he helped to draft the Digital left the office, as has Atlantic regional af- Charter announced by Mr. Bains in 2019, fairs adviser Victoria Dempster and special and that year’s telecom policy directive to assistant Magas Yusuf. the Canadian Radio-television and Telecom- Ms. Dempster’s LinkedIn profile munications Commission, aimed at fostering indicates she’s now working as a special competition and affordability in the industry. assistant for regional affairs in the min- Celine Caira and Marco Chan continue isters’ regional office in Fredericton, New to tackle policy in the office, but both have Brunswick—one of sixteen regional offices been promoted to senior policy adviser across Canada that support all of cabinet. status. Ms. Caira has been tackling policy Including his ministerial driver, Alain for the innovation minister since 2018, while Boisvert, (but excluding Mr. Power and Mr. Mr. Chan joined Mr. Bains’ team last spring. Sachdeva, who are soon to exit) Mr. Cham- Madwa-Nika Cadet is a new addition to pagne currently has 18 ministerial staffers. the policy team, having been hired on as a Under Mr. Bains, between April 1, 2019, and Fine dining in offering Canadian cuisine. policy adviser shortly before the mid-January March 31, 2020 (the most recent public ac- shuffle that saw Mr. Champagne replace Mr. counts available), the innovation minister’s À LA CARTE MENU - CHEF'S TASTING EXPERIENCE - WINE & COCKTAILS Bains as innovation minister. office spent a total of $1,636,478 on personnel. 50 O’Connor Street, Ottawa, ON | 613.680.8100 | aiana.ca She brings with her a background in [email protected] law, which she studied at the University of The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 39 Parliamentary Calendar

Allen, Joint Delegation of Canada to NATO; chief executive and VP L3Harris Technolo- Anna Geis, Helmut-Schmidt University; gies Canada; Dr. Kash Khorasani, Concordia Toms Rostoks, National Defence Academy of University; Dr. Whitney Lackenbauer, professor Caesar-Chavannes to Latvia; Martin Hurt, International Centre for Trent University; Dr. Andrea Charron, director Defence and Security; Margarita Seselgyte, Centre for Defence & Security Studies, Univer- Vilnius University; Piotr Szymanksi, Centre sity of Manitoba; and Mercedes Stephenson, for Eastern Studies; Col. Nikolaus Carstens, Ottawa bureau chief, Global News. https:// German Army; Robert Clark, Henry Jackson cdainstitute.ca/ottawa-conference-2021/ talk on Feb. 22 about her Society; Alexander Lanoszka, University of Waterloo; Alexander Moens, Simon Fraser THURSDAY, MARCH 18 University. Register here. If you need any as- Conservative Party Con- sistance registering, please contact: events@ vention—The Conservative Party National book, Can You Hear Me macdonaldlaurier.ca Policy Convention will now take place from MONDAY, MARCH 1 March 18 to 20, 2021, exclusively online and the Conservative Party’s National Coun- The Pandemic of Racism—A Facebook cil decided the next convention in 2023 live series exploring the sociological impacts will take place in Québec City. For more Now? How I Found My of racism. Join Senator Wanda Thomas information, call 1-866-808-8407. Bernard (East Preston, N.S.) and Senator Stanley Kutcher (Nova Scotia) on March 1 FRIDAY, APRIL 9 at 1 p.m. ET/2 p.m. AT who will talk about Liberal Party National Convention—The white privilege and white fragility. announced on Voice and Learned to Live FRIDAY, MARCH 5 Sept. 25 it was postponing its 2020 Liberal National Convention from Nov. 12-14. The Parliamentary Press Gallery’s Annual Gener- new dates are April 9-10, 2021. al Meeting—The Parliamentary Press Gallery’s National Conven- annual general meeting will be held by Zoom tion—The NDP rescheduled its 2020 policy With Passion and Purpose at 9 a.m. on Friday, March 5. Members will convention to instead take place virtually electing a president, vice-president, treasurer, April 9-11, 2021. Riding associations have secretary in advance of the meeting and will until Feb. 8, 2021, to submit resolutions A Conversation elect directors at the AGM. To find out more, for consideration. with Celina Caesar- email [email protected] SATURDAY, AUG. 21 Chavannes—Carleton WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10 65th Commonwealth Parliamentary Confer- University hosts a Canadian Defence Association Ottawa ence—One of the largest annual gatherings of conversation with Conference on Security and Defence—The Commonwealth Parliamentarians will take place former Liberal MP 89th annual conference will focus on in Aug. 21-27, 2021, at the 65th Common- Celina Caesar- securing democracy and sovereignty against wealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) hosted Chavannes on her a thousand cuts and will be held virtually by the CPA Canada Region in Halifax. The new book Can You from March 10-March 12. The confirmed annual flagship event will bring together over Hear Me Now? How I speakers: Canada’s federal Defence Minister 500 Parliamentarians, parliamentary staff, and ; former prime minister Stephen decision makers from across the Common- Found My Voice and Harper; Canada’s Chief of Defence Staff Adm. wealth for this unique conference and network- Learned to Live With Art McDonald; DND deputy minister Jody ing opportunity. The conference will be hosted Passion and Purpose. Thomas; Global Affairs deputy minister Marta by the CPA President (2019-2021), Anthony She will respond to Morgan; NATO’s deputy Secretary General Rota, MP, Speaker of the House of Commons. questions from a panel Mircea Geoana; U.K. Secretary of State for All eligible CPA Branches will be contacted with of students from the Defence Ben Wallace; John Hyten, U.S. further information and invitations. Faculty of Public vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; NORAD Commander Gen. Glen Vanherck; MONDAY, NOV. 1–FRIDAY, NOV. 12 Affairs. Monday, Feb. former Quebec premier Jean Charest; Gordon UN Climate Conference UNFCCC COP 22, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Venner, former associate deputy minister DND; 26—The 26th session of the Conference Register via events. Lt.-Gen. Christine Whitecross, former com- of the Parties (COP 26) to the UNFCCC carleton.ca. The Hill mander of Military Personnel Command; Dr. will take place from Monday, Nov. 1-Fri- Times file photograph by Chen-Wei Lin, chief executive officer Institute day, Nov. 12, in Glasgow, U.K. contact: Shruti Shekar for National Defence and Security Research, UNFCCC Secretariat; e-mail: secretariat@ Taiwan; Dr. Cynthia Miller-Idriss, director unfccc.int; www: https://unfccc.int/calendar polarization and extremism research and The Parliamentary Calendar is a free innovation lab American University; Gen. John events listing. Send in your political, Allen, president Brookings Institute; Dr. Sarah cultural, diplomatic, or governmental event Kreps, Brookings Institution; Susan Hennessy, in a paragraph with all the relevant details senior fellow, Brookings Institution; Dr. Chris under the subject line ‘Parliamentary Cal- Meserole, Brookings Institution; Dr. Sheena endar’ to [email protected] by Wednes- Chestnut Grietens; Shilo Fetzek, senior fellow day at noon before the Monday paper or by Center for Climate and Security; Madeleine Friday at noon for the Wednesday paper. We Redfern, former mayor of Iqaluit and co-CEO can’t guarantee inclusion of every event, Canarctic Inuit Networks; Dr. Barbara Perry, but we will definitely do our best. Events director Centre on Hate, BIA and Extrem- can be updated daily online, too. ism, Ontario Tech University; Richard Foster, The Hill Times

MONDAY, FEB. 22 and December. It will sit Sept. 20-Oct. 8; Proof Strategies; Vanessa Easton, executive CLASSIFIEDS Oct. 18-Nov. 5; and Nov. 15-Dec. 17. vice-president, Proof Strategies; Brittany Black History Month—February is The Pandemic of Racism—A Facebook Andrew-Amofah, senior policy and research Information and advertisement placement: 613-232-5952 Black History Month in Canada and there live series exploring the sociological impacts analyst, the Broadbent Institute; Lance are virtual festivities and events honouring of racism. Join Senator Wanda Thomas Chung, editor-in-chief, Bay Street Bull. HOUSE FOR SALE CONDOS FOR RENT the legacy of Black Canadians and their Bernard (East Preston, N.S.) and Senator Tuesday, Feb. 23, 12 p.m. ET. Eventbrite.ca Do you have a communities across Canada. This year’s Stanley Kutcher (Nova Scotia) on Feb. 22 A Conversation with Governor Tiff theme is: “The Future is Now.” at 1 p.m. ET/2 p.m. AT who will talk about Macklem—Bank of Canada Governor Tiff house to rent or House Sitting—The House is sitting in white privilege and white fragility. Macklem will take part in a webinar hosted a hybrid format during the pandemic, with A Conversation with Celina Caesar- by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. sell? Items or most MPs connecting remotely. It’s currently Chavannes—Carleton University hosts a He will discuss the ongoing COVID-19 sitting every weekday until Friday, Feb. conversation with former Liberal MP Celina pandemic, its impact on Canada’s labour products to sell? 26. It will take a one-week break, March Caesar-Chavannes on her new book Can You market, and the implications for various 1-March 5, and will return again for one Hear Me Now? How I Found My Voice and sectors and regions. Tuesday, Feb. 23, Advertise them week, March 8-12, before taking another Learned to Live With Passion and Purpose. 10:30-11:30 a.m. MST. Register via cal- ACRE ESTATE, HOME SOHO LISGAR – HEART OF in The Hill Times' 4300SF 4 BDRS, 5 MINS DOWNTOWN OTTAWA’S break, March 15-19. It’s scheduled to sit She will respond to questions from a panel garychamber.com/events. classfieds section. March 22-26, will take a two-week break, of students from the Faculty of Public TO CHAMPLAIN BRIDGE FINANCIAL DISTRICT March 29-April 9. It’s then scheduled to sit Affairs. Monday, Feb. 22, 2:30-3:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 24 969000$ MLS® : 23366388 Luxury 1 bdrm condo + balcony w/ every weekday for the next five weeks, April Register via events.carleton.ca. Standing Guard—MLI Webinar Standing Rare. Champlain Park (), south-facing from the 14th floor. Walk FOR INFORMATION 12-May 14. It will take one-week break after TUESDAY, FEB. 23 Guard: what have we learned from enhanced sumptuous home on one acre. to Parliament & Parliament Station, CALL OR EMAIL: that, from May 17-May 24. It will sit May Forwards Presence on NATO’s Frontier? Close to services Roch Brunette, L’Esplanade Laurier, World Exchange. [email protected] 25 every weekday until Wednesday, June The Walrus Leadership Forum on Trust—A Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 11 a.m. (ET) MLI Realtor Residential, Commercial, Concierge services, pool, gym, + 23, and will then break for three months, free presentation of findings for the 2021 will host an expert panel to discuss Canada’s FOCUS Real Estate 819-962-7624 many other amenities. $2,250/month 613-232-5952 until Monday Sept. 20. In the fall and CanTrust Index, followed by a moderated role in the enhanced Forward Presence includes underground parking, storage winter, the House is scheduled to sit for 11 panel discussion and audience Q&A. Featur- (eFP) on NATO’s Frontier. Speakers include: locker & hydro. 613-868-9866 http:// weeks over September, October, November, ing Bruce MacLellan, president and CEO of Christian Leuprecht, MLI; Lt.-Gen. Frances mastercraftstarwood.com/soho-lisgar

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