Publications Mail Agreement #40068926 in photos disagree.’ may fundamentally with whom we banish people ... they ‘cannot simply Pamela Wallinsays groups, but Sen. multiple Senate has supportersin the RedChamber Sen. Lynn Beyak from The motion to expel THIRTY-SECOND YEAR, NO.1789 A W research by Carleton University on MP, Senate staffduringCOVID-19 New research highlights anxiety, stress News Sen. other Indigenous peoples,’ says Senate ‘an insult to myself and Lynn Beyak’s presence in News Senate website andmakingracially for publishingracist remarksonher BY LAURA RYCKWAERT BY PETER MAZEREEUW see 2020 offin rhyme Poets and they know it:MPs Beyak from theRedChamber motion toexpelSenator Lynn 2020 is never easy, andrecent ork asapoliticalstaffer p.14 the pandemic exacerbated the the pandemicexacerbated the parliamentary work slowing down, VID-19 foundthat, despite much the experienceofstaffduring CO- professor Paul Wilson exploring cautioned itwas “unprecedented.” called it “troubling,” while another unopposed, however. OneSenator ers inmultipleSenate groups. insensitive commentshassupport - Beyak, right,fromtheRedChamber. motion fromSenatorMaryJaneMcCallum,thirdleft,thatcallsfortheexpulsionofnon-affiliated Lynn Independent SenatorMarilouMcPhedran,left,andProgressiveSandraLovelaceNicholassupportapending courtesy ofSandraLovelaceNicholas The motionwon’t likely pass C anada

p. 15 ’ s P The HillTimes photographsbyAndrewMeade,andfilephotograph;photograph oliti with feelingsof isolation. constituents, allwhile struggling increased callsandrequestsfrom staff working longerhours, fielding usual stresses, withamajorityof worked foryears asa dentist an Indigenouswoman who has Mary Jane McCallum(), on Dec. 8by IndependentSenator notice that themotionwas coming Senators were formallygiven c s

and back in G Hill Climbers Hallé PMO halls overnment p.18

N ews very much, at leastHill offices, but maybe offices wouldn’t bedoing the sameasyou didbefore—that Ottawa, you’re notworking nearly it’s alotslower, mostMPsaren’tin Commons is, notshutdown, but this—where basically theHouseof for racism toexist,” Sen. McCallum communities inherprovince. providing servicetoFirst Nations “I wondered, in asituation like “A modernSenate isnoplace p a p er Andrew Caddell p. 11 Continued onpage 12 Continued onpage4 Powers Tim p.17 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER16,2020$5.00

A A recovery to beinperson but will have period, House maintenance during critical accommodated meetings canbe sittings, committee Emergency News gency” parliamentary sittings. won’t interruptany potential “emer administration maintainsthework broadcasting system, buttheHouse undergoing acriticalupdate toits News election ‘illegitimate’ after Maduro’s under question could come presidency Juan Guaidó’s recognition of Canada’s ela’s National Assembly, Nicolás to-be formerpresidentof Venezu- continue torecognizethesoon- air over whether Canadawill BY NEIL MOSS BY NEIL MOSS threaten skeptics Vaccine winter break, theHousewillbe s MPsheadhomeforthe tary election, muchisinthe fter adisputedparliamen- COVID Continued onpage 16 Continued onpage6 - 2 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES

“’But, Scrooge, Christmas is for Santa dependent MP Jody Wilson-Raybould also and cute elves Candy canes and budgets tweeted their support. that balance themselves.’ ‘No’, snapped Scrooge, ‘Santa is in debtors’ jail ’til you Former Grit cabinet minister pay. I’ll leave him there and ruin Christmas Heard on the Hill Day.’” Alfonso Gagliano dies at 78 Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole was Past Chrétien-era cabinet minister Al- billed as the Christmas-saving hero. fonso Gagliano, who played a major role in by Neil Moss “Out of a helicopter an air force vet the sponsorship scandal, died on Dec. 12. ran/A dashing and handsome, slightly He was 78.

Alfonso Gagliano Press Gallery drafts was the minister of Public ‘generally accepted Works and Government Services, labour journalistic principles minister, and chief government whip in the and practices’ white Chrétien government. The Hill paper, as it rejects Rebel Times file photograph

Media for membership balding man/‘Goodness,’ asked St. Nick, A four-term Grit MP, Mr. Gagliano was ‘who’s this man on a mission? My gosh, it’s condemned for overseeing a program the leader of the opposition.’” that doled out millions to Liberal-friendly A draft white Ms. May had her own version of the public relations and advertising firms as paper on classic. they were trying to curry favour in Quebec journalistic “’Twas just weeks before Christmas and after the 1995 referendum while minister practices and in this very room/Members are speaking, of Public Works and Government Services. principles debating by Zoom.” He also served as the labour minister and maintains that “We know we are best when we speak the chief government whip. accreditation from our heart/Next year must be better When he was chief government whip, to the —if we all do our part. So stay in your bub- Mr. Gagliano was usually accessible to the Parliamentary ble; keep your distance at school, and God media and often did sit-down interviews in Press Gallery is bless us all through Hanukkah and Yule.” his Hill office. He wasn’t afraid of answer- a 'privilege' and (See p. 15 for more on the holiday-themed ing the media’s questions. 'not a right.' rhymes, including one from Conservative He was later named Canada’s ambas- The white paper MP .) sador to Denmark, but was fired in 2004 by has been sent then prime minister amid the to press gallery Brian Mulroney recovering after mounting scandal. members for Mr. Gagliano maintained his innocence consultation. health scare in a 2006 memoir. The Hill Times Past prime minister Brian Mulroney photograph by is back at home after being rushed to the Andrew Meade hospital to have emergency surgery, ac- Former Hill staffer Julian Ovens cording to media reports. Mr. Mulroney was a Progressive Con- named to Canadian Commercial servative PM from 1984 to 1993, and in Corporation board he Parliamentary Press Gallery that the right-wing organization has been A former top staffer in the Foreign Affairs Tis seeking to highlight “generally “banned” by the gallery “for years.” and International Trade minister’s offices has accepted journalistic principles and The group, along with True North, were been named to the board of directors of the practices” to provide transparency in the granted credentials to cover the leaders’ Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC). decision-making process for accrediting debates in the last general election after a journalists. federal court overturned the decision of the Julian Ovens The release of the draft of the white Leaders’ Debates Commission to deny ac- was a chief paper came on the same day that the Press creditation for the two organizations. The of staff to Gallery revealed two individuals from commission initially denied access to cover Stéphane Rebel Media—Keean Bexte and David the debates because they were involved in Dion, Menzies—were denied membership. advocacy. In a post-debate scrum, members François- To gain accreditation with the gallery, of both organizations invoked a false con- Philippe news organizations must “adhere to gener- spiracy theory in their questions to Prime Champagne, ally accepted journalistic principles and Minister . and . practices,” according to its constitution. Brian Mulroney was Canada’s longest-serving The white paper outlines central Photograph Housefather, Poilievre, and May Progressive Conservative prime minister. The courtesy of journalism tenets from a number of news Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade organizations and associations. take-up Cuzner’s traditional LinkedIn/ “Membership in the Parliamentary Christmas roast more recent years has helped the gov- Julian Ovens Press Gallery allows access to the secure Without past Grit MP to ernment develop its Trump strategy as it physical buildings of the Parliamentary delight the Commons with his traditional po- renegotiated NAFTA. Precinct and the opportunity to directly litical-themed ‘Twas The Night Before Christ- Mila Mulroney, Mr. Mulroney’s wife, no- question individuals who drive and shape mas roast, Liberal MP Anthony Housefather, ticed something was off with her husband public policy,” the draft report reads. Conservative MP , and Green and called for an ambulance, according to International Trade Minister “Misuse of this access by any one mem- MP took up the mantle. reports. appointed Julian Ovens to the CCC on Dec. ber or member organization could erode “’Tis the last sitting week before Christ- Transportation Minister Caro- 11. The CCC works with Canadian export- the professional relationship that exists mas,” Mr. Housefather started. “For this line Mulroney, his daughter, tweeted that ers to sell goods and services to foreign between the institution of Parliament and virtual House/Instead of coming to Ottawa/ her father is resting at home. governments. the Parliamentary Press Gallery, leading MPs are home with their spouse.” “Thank you to everyone for their kind Mr. Ovens was chief of staff to then-for- to negative consequences for the ability of “Making speeches of brilliance/Winning messages. My family and I appreciate your eign affairs minister Stéphane Dion from members to perform their work.” each dispute/Only to realize/That we are on love and support,” she wrote. 2015 to 2017 and had the same position “As a result, accreditation is a privi- mute.” Canada’s UN ambassador and former with International Trade ministers Fran- lege—not a right.” “With a team Canada approach/There is interim Liberal leader Bob Rae tweeted his çois-Philippe Champagne and Jim Carr. The white paper was distributed to no ‘I’ or ‘me’/For parliamentarians/2020 has well wishes. He joined Crestview Strategies as a members of the Press Gallery on Dec. been all about WE.” “Anyone in public life with Brian senior adviser in May. Mr. Ovens has a 10 for consultations. It was prepared by Mr. Poilievre’s take set his sights on Mulroney knows of his personal kindness. background in the mining industry. He was Global News’ Amanda Connolly, Globe and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Whatever our political differences, he has appointed to the CCC for a four-year term. Mail‘s Bill Curry, and La Presse Cana- “’Twas the night before Christmas always reached out to [wife Arlene Perly Ms. Ng also appointed Manjit Sharma dienne’s Catherine Lévesque. and all through the house/Not a crea- Rae] and me with the greatest generosity to the board of Export Development It isn’t the first time that Rebel Me- ture was stirring, not even a mouse. Then at moments of both victory and defeat. We Canada. Ms. Sharma is a chief financial dia has tried to gain membership to the came Scrooge’s call through the PM’s wish him a speedy return to good health.” officer at WSP Canada Inc. gallery—in November 2019, Rebel Media headset/’You owe me repayment on the Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole, [email protected] founder Ezra Lavent told The Hill Times national debt.’” Liberal MP Anthony Housefather, and In- The Hill Times Wednesday, December 16, 2020

The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P. The Honourable , P.C., M.P. The Honourable , P.C., M.P. Minister of Health Minister of Employment, Workforce Offi ce of the Prime Minister Health Canada Development and Disability Inclusion 80 Wellington Street Address Locator 0900C2 140 Promenade du Portage Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2 Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9 Gatineau, QC K1A 0J9 [email protected] [email protected] carla.q [email protected]

Dear Prime Minister Trudeau, Minister Hajdu, and Minister Qualtrough, We at the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB), Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC), and the International Federation on Ageing (IFA) are writing you today on behalf of over 1.5 million who are blind, deaf-blind, and partially-sighted and who are experiencing special challenges due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe it is imperative that people living with vision loss be given a priority position, close behind our heroic fi rst responders and vulnerable seniors, with respect to being vaccinated against COVID-19. People living with vision loss are members of a vulnerable community, whose members were known to be living with economic, social, and emotional stress even before this pandemic that research has shown to be over and above that experienced by the sighted community. Earlier this year, in response to anecdotal reports of the stresses people with vision loss were experiencing as a result of the pandemic, the CCB conducted a survey in which those living with vision loss were asked to report the effect the pandemic was having on their daily lives. On April 30, we released the results in a report entitled The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Canadians Who Are Blind, Deaf-Blind, and Partially-Sighted. The results were astounding. Our survey’s 572 respondents revealed the existence of a high level of stress, anxiety, fear, and even depression within our vision loss community. The respondents told us that: • Their current stress levels were high – 40% of respondents said they were experiencing more than moderate stress, with 29% rating their stress level at 7 or higher (on a scale of 1 to 10). • They were very concerned about social distancing and felt unsafe leaving their homes. They were unable to judge their distance from others and were concerned that others, unaware of their vision loss, tended to come too close. • They were particularly concerned that the effect of the added stress from the pandemic on their mental health may cause them to become overwhelmed. • They were anxious about their ability to access a doctor or health care practitioner and were concerned that social distancing and patients-only medical appointments meant that they would be unable to have someone accompany them when keeping necessary appointments with doctors or at clinics or hospitals. This is of particular concern to people with vision loss who require a sighted guide to assist them with their out-of-home activities. • They were concerned that their inability to keep eye doctor appointments may cause them to incur additional vision loss. This is of particular concern for those having regular injections for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy. • They saw shopping as unsafe, often experiencing fear, stress, and anxiety due to their inability to determine distance from others. Additionally, they felt great frustration with being unable to adequately communicate with cashiers, who were usually behind plexiglass screens, making negotiating payment and conversing diffi cult. • They were particularly concerned about their ability to meet fi nancial obligations. This is of particular concern since people living with vision loss are economically vulnerable and are generally recognized as being on the lower end of the socioeconomic scale. • Many (about half) had a personal care worker entering their home, half of whom weren’t wearing masks or other proper personal protective equipment. • Many asked to work from home discovered they didn’t have the accessible devices or technology required to do their jobs, and that employers had refused to provide or fund necessary equipment. Since the major eye diseases causing vision loss are often associated with aging, we are seriously concerned that these individuals are particularly susceptible to the impact of COVID-19, both on account of their vision loss, as described above, and also due to advancing age. When asked to describe the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic was having on their lives, one of the respondents expressed the diffi culties he/she was experiencing as follows: “What is affecting my mental health is this prolonged and extreme isolation. As a blind person I already live a fairly limited life when referring to freedom of movement and independence and now even that small wedge of my active life has been completely eradicated.” This community as a whole is reaching out for your help in relieving the additional burdens and stress resulting from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their daily lives. As primary stakeholders to this vulnerable community, we are asking you, as decision-makers, to take the time to understand their situation and to ensure that people living with vision loss be given priority with respect to COVID-19 vaccination. We seek this opportunity to regain that “small wedge of active life” and to minimize the isolation and loneliness that those with vision loss are currently experiencing. In this time of the pandemic and with its consequential and dramatic impact on the vision loss community, your timely consideration of this most important request will be greatly appreciated. Yours sincerely,

LOUISE GILLIS DOUG EARLE DR. JANE BARRATT President President and CEO Secretary General Canadian Council of the Blind Fighting Blindness Canada International Federation on Ageing 20 James Street, Suite 100 890 Yonge Street, 12th Floor, 1 Bridgepoint Drive, Suite G.238 Ottawa, ON K2P 0T6 Toronto, ON M4V 3P4 Toronto, ON M4M 2B5 [email protected] dearle@fi ghtingblindness.ca [email protected]

C.c. The Honourable Provincial and Territorial Premiers and Ministers of Health 4 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES News

Sen. Beyak has been suspended The motion to expel Sen. Lynn Beyak’s presence in from the Senate twice over her Beyak would follow the rules for decision to post a series of letters debate and voting applied to oth- containing racist remarks about In- er Senate motions. If it comes to digenous people that had been sent a vote, a simple majority of votes Senate ‘an insult to myself and to her on her Senate website. Sen. will decide the outcome. There are Beyak refused to remove the letters currently 94 occupied seats in the from her website, arguing that they 105-seat Senate. other Indigenous peoples,’ says were “opinionated” but not racist. The motion did not come up The letters were later removed by for debate on Monday. Instead, the Senate administration. Senators spent much of their Sen. Beyak, who was appointed time in the Chamber debating Sen. Sandra Lovelace Nicholas in 2013 as a Conservative and now the government’s assisted dying sits as a non-affiliated Senator, has legislation, Bill C-7. The Senate time now, about how best to ensure Senator (Alberta), also drawn criticism in the past for is scheduled to adjourn for the The motion to expel that the Senate fulfills its responsi- who serves as interim leader of comments that “remarkable works winter break on Dec. 18. bility as a self-governing body, and the and good deeds” of those who The motion to expel Sen. Sen. Lynn Beyak from looks closely and seriously at all of (CSG), told The Hill Times that he worked in the residential school sys- Beyak “will not be buried when the information that’s available to had not yet decided what he would tem had been overshadowed by “ter- we come back, because we will the Red Chamber has us about choices that Sen. Beyak do if the motion came to a vote. rible mistakes,” and that Indigenous not allow it to be buried when supporters in multiple has made,” she said. Sen. Tannas was a member people should “trade [their] status we come back,” said Sen. McPhe- Sen. McPhedran declined to of the Senate Ethics Committee card for a Canadian citizenship, with dran. “There are enough of us Senate groups, but Sen. name the other Senators involved when it issued a report in June a fair and negotiated payout to each who share this concern, there are in those discussions. She said that recommended that Sen. Indigenous man, woman, and child enough of us who believe strongly says they they belonged to multiple Senate Beyak’s suspension be lifted after in Canada, to settle all the outstand- that it is our responsibility to look groups, but that none came from she met conditions laid out in an ing land claims and treaties, and fully, and fairly, and thoroughly ‘cannot simply banish the Senate Conservative caucus. earlier report by the committee. move forward together just like the at this situation. So it will come people ... with whom Senator Sandra Lovelace Nicho- “This is an unprecedented mo- leaders already do in Ottawa.” back, we will ensure that.” las (), an Indigenous tion—initiated by an individual Sen. Beyak was suspended The Hill Times reached out to we may fundamentally woman and Aboriginal rights activ- Senator against another without by the Senate before the 2019 the leaders and several members ist who is part of the Progressive the support or recommendation election, and again afterwards. of each group in the Senate for disagree.’ Senate Group, said she supports the of any relevant Senate committee. That second suspension was lifted comment prior to publication. motion to expel Sen. Beyak. This should give every Senator automatically when Parliament [email protected] Continued from page 1 “I agree that she should be pause for consideration,” Sen. Tan- was prorogued last summer. The Hill Times removed from a prestigious institu- nas wrote in a brief statement. Sen. Beyak eventually issued a wrote in a press release after she tion where they shouldn’t condone Fellow CSG Senator Pamela letter of apology for her actions, gave notice of her motion. racism. The fact that she is still Wallin () called the and participated in anti-racism “My motion will hopefully there sends a wrong message to motion to expel Sen. Beyak “a training organized by the Senate, Notice of motion from give Senators the opportunity to Canadians and [is] an insult to my- very troubling precedent” in her as requested by the Senate Ethics Senator Mary Jane exercise their right to discipline self and other Indigenous peoples,” own statement to The Hill Times. Committee. In June, that commit- one of our own for their miscon- Sen. Lovelace Nicholas told The “We cannot simply banish peo- tee issued its report recommend- McCallum, Dec. 8 duct, bringing with it a resolution Hill Times in an emailed statement. ple—inside or outside the Senate— ing that Sen. Beyak’s suspension “Honourable Senators, I give notice that, at to an on-going drama that has Sen. Beyak did not respond to with whom we may fundamentally be lifted. The August prorogation the next sitting of the Senate, I will move: been a black eye on our esteemed requests for comment made by disagree, or whose views may even of Parliament never allowed That, as the actions of Senator Lynn Beyak Chamber,” she wrote. The Hill Times. offend. This is an appointed parlia- Senators to debate that report, have brought the Senate into disrepute, and The motion would have Sen. In February, she issued an apol- mentary body and not just a club however. notwithstanding any provision of the Rules or Beyak expelled from the Senate for ogy in the Senate for her actions. of people we like, or people with The Senate as a whole should usual practice, she be expelled from the Senate actions that “have brought the Senate “After deep and careful reflec- shared experience,” she wrote. decide what to do with Sen. and that her seat be declared vacant; into disrepute.” It has not yet been tion, I have come to the view that No Senator has ever been per- Beyak, said Sen. McPhedran, who That, notwithstanding any provision of the formally introduced into the Senate. the posting of offensive and hurt- manently expelled from the Red also noted news reports that Sen. Senate Administrative Rules, and the Senators’ Sen. McCallum’s motion has ful letters to a Senate public web- Chamber. Senators came close to Beyak violated U.S. election law Office Management Policy, the Standing supporters in several Senate site was wrong and ill-considered voting on the expulsion of former by donating to the U.S. Republi- Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and groups, said fellow Independent and my insistence on leaving them senator Don Meredith in 2017 can Party during the fall election Administration be authorized to determine the Senator Marilou McPhedran up was also wrong,” she said. after his sexual relationship with campaign in the United States. resources, if any, to be made available to Senator Beyak as a departing senator; and (Manitoba) in an interview. The motion to expel Sen. a teenage girl made headlines. “As a self-governing body, we “A number of Senators have That a copy of this order be communicated Beyak may not have universal However, Mr. Meredith resigned have turned away at this point,” to Her Excellency the Governor General.” been having discussions, for some support among Senators. on the eve of the vote. she said.

Opinion COVID-19 document disclosure promise not kept ment on Dec. 16, the final ad- relevant and duplicate records. He wrote on Dec. 7 to the Health few records, made less discern- journment tabling day of the year. indicated hundreds of government Committee that the group is only ible by redactions. The Health Committee was employees were working on this getting the first, small batch of Access to information users, examining the emergency situa- for the Dec. 7 deadline. records untranslated. who include Members of Parlia- tion facing Canadians in light of The process meant that the In turn, Mr. Dufresne ex- ment, are used to delays with dead- the second wave of the COVID-19 documents would be first have to pressed concern to Mr. Shugart lines coming and going and finding pandemic. be handed over and further vetted on Dec. 9 that the government, as redactions once records come. There was a sense of urgency for personal information, security, is normally done, was not trans- This is a record-disclosure order back on Oct. 26, when the opposi- and third-party matters by the lating records to meet bilingual extraordinaire by Parliament being tion parties united to agree to a House of Commons law clerk and requirements. treated under regular restrictive Ken Rubin Conservative motion to get the counsel, Philippe Dufresne. Mr. Dufresne said his office redactions that now seems to be Opinion House of Commons to pass an or- However, a week later, Mr. could and did do additional vetting falling off a cliff. As a test of will der for government agencies and Shugart indicated in a Dec. 7 within a seven-day time frame, and disclosure, it likely comes with- minister’s offices to produce doc- letter to the Health Committee, but only can table those records out great expectation of producing illions of pages of fed- uments for the committee, related that only a first batch was ready, in both official languages. He indi- much in the way of further informa- Meral pandemic records the to the ’s which Mr. Dufresne confirmed in cated that “the majority of docu- tion accounting for government Trudeau government was or- response to the pandemic. Dec. 10 letter to the Health Com- ments provided by the government actions during the pandemic. dered to hand over by the end of The motion originally asked mittee as being “approximately are in one official language only.” Batch 1. Round 1. Getting fuller, November or by the latest, Dec. 7, for records for Nov. 15, but was 5,000 documents (totalling almost To table those documents in the timely disclosures is an issue this 2020, have not been produced. moved to a Nov. 30 deadline, with 27,000 pages).” House of Commons and at the government may or may not deal Instead, after the House of the possibility of a seven-day Mr. Shugart said handing the Health Committee, records have with, given this parliamentary Commons adjourned Dec. 11, extension to Dec. 7. rest over on deadline is “impos- to be in both French and English. intervention, but it should be one records obtained from the clerk Privy Council Clerk Ian Shugart sible,” without giving any time- Who translates the rest of the for debate and for the records. of the House Health Committee, said in a Nov. 27 letter to the Health table of when the vast majority of records is left unresolved. Ken Rubin is an investigative Jean-François Pagé, indicate that Committee that there were mil- outstanding records will be ready. It’s expected that this week, researcher and long-time open fewer than 27,000 pages prepared lions of pages being processed and Adding to this, Melissa the Health Committee, the media, government advocate reachable to date by the government, were redacted for cabinet confidences George, human resources adviser and the public get to see fewer at [email protected]. expected to be tabled in Parlia- and being sorted to take out non- in the Prime Minister’s Office, than 27,000 pages—that is very The Hill Times

6 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES News

The House broadcasting system is undergoing maintenance from Dec. 19 to Jan 17, 2021. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

allow the House to hold up to 60 someway found to ensure that … events a week. emergency-type situations [could Committees have been re- be accommodated] because that called over the winter break in is where my big concern was,” he the past to address national and said. While the House Chamber sits empty after the House adjourned for its winter break on Dec. 11, it could still be international crises. Due to the expiration of the recalled if an emergency sitting is needed. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade There have been commit- hybrid Parliament agreement, tee meetings in three of the last which allowed for virtual commit- four winter breaks, which have tee meetings and MPs to attend included meetings of the Cana- House proceedings from outside da-China Relations Committee of the Chamber, any committee Emergency sittings, in January 2020, two meetings of meeting or House recall would the Foreign Affairs Committee have to be done in person. The in January 2019, two meetings of agreement expired on Dec. 11 the Ethics Committee in January and Parliament rose for the year 2018, and two meetings of the the same day without extending committee meetings now-defunct Physician-Assisted it. The inability to reach an agree- Dying Committee in January ment to extend the arrangement 2016. But there hasn’t been a was due to an impasse over the recall of the House of Commons promised voting app, according to can be accommodated during the winter break since a CTV report. 1991 when the Chamber was re- The arrangement was adopted called to consider a government on Sept. 23 after MPs raised motion addressing the Persian concerns about the danger to during critical House Gulf Crisis. fellow Canadians in travelling Under the Standing Orders, across a country in the midst a committee chair can call a of a pandemic. There was also meeting or a meeting can be concerns that it was more difficult called at the request of four for some to travel to Ottawa, such maintenance period, but committee members. When the as those who lived in the Atlantic Foreign Affairs Committee met bubble or in remote communities for two meetings at the start of that were especially vulnerable to 2019, it was at the request of four COVID-19. Some MPs said it was will have to be in person members to address escalating incumbent on Parliamentarians to Canada-China tensions follow- lead by example and not to travel ing the arrest of Huawei execu- and gather in Ottawa. House chief tive Meng Wanzhou and China’s The House Committee on With the expiration of information detention of Michael Kovrig and International Trade was prepar- the hybrid Parliament officer Michael Spavor. ing to meet in person during the Stéphan Mr. Aubé said if there was a break to deal with Bill C-18 to arrangement on Dec. Aubé need for an emergency committee implement the Canada-U.K. Trade guaranteed meeting, the House would find a Continuity Agreement. But the 11, any House recall or MPs that if way to make it happen. agreement was not referred to there was a “What we’re planning to do committee before the House rose, committee meetings need for an is maintenance that we usually meaning the bill won’t need to be emergency do when the House is not sitting,” studied before the House returns in the winter break House he said, adding that given the in the new year. will have to be sittings, it unusualness of the year’s sittings, The committee clerk said there would be the House hasn’t had the chance were arrangements for a room conducted in person. possible to complete the required mainte- that is large enough for 12 MPs to despite nance to some core systems. be present. maintenance The maintenance to the broad- Conservative MP Marilyn Continued from page 1 updates. The cast systems is needed, Mr. Aubé Gladu (Sarnia-Lambton, Ont.), If needed, the House will “find Hill Times said, to prevent failures in the chair of House Committee on the a way” to accommodate an emer- photograph by winter. He added that to minimize Status of Women, said she doesn’t gency recall. Andrew Meade risk, the focus will be on the core anticipate her committee having “I can guarantee you that if systems between Dec. 28 and Jan. to meet during the break, but she there would be an emergency, the 5. Afterwards, the plan is to focus said committees could meet with House would be able to return,” House having the ability to return Under House procedural rules, on committee rooms, one at a time. adequate social distancing as they said Stéphan Aubé, the House’s during the break if needed. the Speaker has the author- “We are taking a staggered did in the early stages of the pan- chief information officer. “We “We certainly wouldn’t want to ity to recall the House of Com- approach in order to minimize demic if they had pressing issues pride ourselves on ensuring that shut down our Parliament com- mons during adjournment at the risk to the organization,” he said. that need to be dealt with. this House sits and we will guar- pletely for a month if that was request of the government if the “But it does have an impact on “In the summer, we had people antee that this happens if ever necessary,” Mr. Richards said. Speaker is “satisfied” that an ear- our ability to offer services to all physically come back to Parlia- there’s such an emergency.” A House administration lier sitting of the House serves the of the committees.” ment and they were able to do The response came during a spokesperson said a House recall “public interest.” Mr. Richards said he appre- that in a socially distanced, safe Dec. 3 Board of Internal Economy would be able to be supported The maintenance is scheduled ciated the assurances that the way,” she said. “So I’m certain that meeting in addressing Conserva- outside the sitting calendar even to last from Dec. 19, 2020, to Jan. House was able to give. the option still exists as well.” tive Whip (Banff- if the maintenance period was 17, 2021, but it could be com- “I really do appreciate the [email protected] Airdrie, Alta.) concerns over the underway. pleted sooner. The upgrades will assurances that there would be The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020 7 Comment

problems, with increased taxes on the very Politics without policy, or how to wealthy, more financial support for families, and a range of programs meant to build a stronger, future-oriented economy. attract voters whose interests you disdain For his part, Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole has taken note of the rightward shift By the early 1980s, this mutually benefi- The policies obviously needed to address of working-class voters in the U.S. and hopes The abiding lack of cial economic approach was giving way to wealth inequality and create good jobs— to accelerate it here. While he has praised the pro-business austerity program fronted such as increased government support for unions, this tactic so far seems not so much accountability between by then-Republican president Ronald education, training, and a higher minimum a matter of promoting policies that would Reagan that prompted decades of rising wage coupled with better tax redistribution actually reverse the Conservatives’ previous overtures and action is what inequality. And in those years, the Repub- and tougher competition laws—have been anti-union stance or address the lack of posi- gives right-wing populism licans contributed relentlessly to policies non-starters for Republicans for years and tive economic options for workers. Rather, chipping away at average Americans’ today are condemned as communistic. it seems more about fuelling a culture war its power for demagogues economic security, including undermining Nonetheless, the Republicans under Trump against the so-called elitists in Ottawa, along unions, weakening income redistribution (a born-wealthy member of New York’s busi- with heaping blame on China. like Trump. and freezing the federal minimum wage ness elite) have pulled off the remarkable feat There are good reasons why worried at $7.25 an hour while promoting tax and of winning the support of large segments of (non-rich) voters might look for alterna- regulation regimes favouring the wealthy. less-well-off people whose interests they have tives to the establishment that in years past Over those decades, the hugely suc- consigned to the trash bin. has been slow to respond to their needs cessful anti-government austerity cru- In Canada, though the existing social at a time of upheaval. But whether a lot sade exerted important sway across the safety net has provided some security of these folks in Canada can be steered board, politically, throughout the West. in this period of intense socio-economic toward the right by Trump-like appeals But the U.S., where conservatives have change, unrest, and anxiety over living to their anger and resentment of change been abandoning anything resembling a standards and future economic opportunity remains to be seen. centrist approach for the far reaches of have become an urgent, growing issue. Les Whittington is a regular columnist right-wing authoritarianism,The Delegation is a special of thePrime European Minister Justin Union Trudeau’s to Canada government is pleasedfor The Hill to Times present. case among rich industrialized nations. has put a lot of work into addressing these The Hill Times Les Whittington The Delegation of the European Union to Canada is pleased to present Need to Know the 13th annual European Union

TTAWA—In one of the more conse- the 13th annual European Union Oquential political shifts in recent years, Republicans in the U.S. under Donald Trump have putatively capped a major realignment making theirs the party of the working class. The extent of that change may be debat- able, but there’s no doubt that a fairly large number of “blue-collar” Americans favour the Republicans under Trump. Many of The Delegation of the European Union to Canada and the them are the so-called forgotten Ameri- cans whose economic prospects have been Diplomatic Missions of the Member States of the European Union upended by globalization, technological C C change, and the switch to a more service- hristmas oncert based economy. Christmaspresent C a oncert Populists like Trump have appealed to their sense of grievance and encouraged them to blame outsiders and the so-called elite (by which they mean urban-dwelling liberals) for their woes. A lot of the success of this strategy in the U.S. must be attrib- a special television programme of European Christmas carols uted, of course, to Trump’s conman act and a special television programme of European Christmas carols his ability to inflame his audiences’ sense of victimization and hatred (see racism) featuring Europeanto air Christmas on Rogers TVcarols and songs of the evil forces supposedly undermining Christmas Concert to air on Rogers TV the U.S.’s mythological postwar greatness. on Rogers TV Ottawa, Cable 22 Because, beyond that, the basis for this widespread working-class adoration of the Trump/Republican party is exceedingly Sunday, December 20, 5 p.m. slim. Dates Take, for instance, the current struggle Tuesday, DecemberDates 22, 7 p.m. in the U.S. Congress over a second big COVID-19 relief package. With the virus Wednesday, December 23, 4 p.m. raging out of control, millions of Ameri- cans are about to lose unemployment ben- Happyand Holidays! efits and face eviction as federal support Happy Holidays! programs expire. But Republican Senate on OMNI Television Website leader Mitch McConnell has been fighting for months to block direct new financial support for workers—or at least ensure it is much less than Democrats propose. In Happy Holidays! the same vein, Trump, for all his promises, has done very little to help rank-and-file Americans over four years. His one major accomplishment, a tax-cut package, was actually a huge tax windfall for the rich and corporations. And the Trump adminis- tration tried everything possible to under- cut Obamacare, the country’s version of health care backstop. This abiding lack of accountability between overtures and action is what gives right-wing populism its power for dema- gogues like Trump. And the myth of the deterioration of the American dream works perfectly in this way. When one looks back over the actual history, the golden age of abundant jobs for average workers—the 30-year period after 1945 that ignited a hal- lowed rise of middle-class prosperity in the U.S.—was mainly a result of a convergence of interests between big business and la- bour unions after the Second World War. 8 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES

EDITOR Kate Malloy MANAGING EDITOR Charelle Evelyn PUBLISHED EVERY MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY BY PUBLISHERS Anne Marie Creskey, DEPUTY EDITORS Peter Mazereeuw, Laura Ryckewaert HILL TIMES PUBLISHING INC. Jim Creskey, 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 Let 2021 be a year for action on Taylor not the right man to critique CAF role in vaccine rollout: letter writer everything set aside in 2020 wice in the past couple of weeks, Scott recommendations from their public health TTaylor has written negative opinion officials, will make those determinations. Mr. t’s been a year that was unprecedented in federal government’s so-far missing com- pieces about the appointment of CAF Taylor clearly looks through the lens of his Ithe use of the word “unprecedented.” When mitment to establish a National Council generals who are tasked with carrying own skill sets and experience, which are as 2020 began, it seemed as though tragedy for Reconciliation to assess and promote out COVID-19 vaccine distribution, in the an infantry corporal (an automatic promo- after calamity befell Canada and Canadians, reconciliation efforts across Canada. “All case of Major-General Dany Fortin at the tion from private that occurs at the four-year starting with the downing of Ukraine Flight governments need to do more to ensure federal level and in the case of retired mark) who spent half of his six-year career 752 over Iran in early January. that survivors can see real and meaningful General Rick Hillier in Ontario. either in basic training (basic training and ba- By the time the COVID-19 pandemic progress in their lifetimes.” I find it astonishing that you would sic infantry training) or working at the base was declared and the virus swept across A bill to implement the UN Declaration utilize someone with such limited mili- newspaper at CFB Baden in West Germany. the country, Canadians, and the newly on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was tary experience, no military leadership There are hundreds, if not thousands, of re-elected Liberal government, were introduced just under the wire, but several training, no operational experience, and retired officers and senior NCOs who have exhausted—and that was just the tip of other promised pieces of legislation have someone who has never in their six-year moved into emergency management and the iceberg. not yet been introduced, including changes career attended an orders group higher private security positions that have both There was a great deal on the national to Canada’s guns laws, a new authority for than the platoon level or participated in the military and private-sector experience plate, and the federal government moved to police themselves, a ban the development of orders at any level that could properly analyze the role that quickly to create new programs and on single-use plastics, tougher penalties to assess the ability of two generals who the CAF will play and that retired generals supports for people affected by the pan- for elder abuse, and more. have done everything he has not. and other veterans will play in the coming demic, spending billions of dollars in the The longer certain areas are left to In the Maj.-Gen. Fortin piece, he can’t months during the vaccination program process. Parliament shifted so that it was flounder, the less time there is for some even get his duties correct, as he is criticiz- in Canada that I’m sure you could find to only looking at pandemic-related legisla- people to make it through another year, ing the selection of a combat arms officer properly assess the roles of Gen. Hillier and tion for months, which meant many other, whether it’s because of systemic racism to prioritize who gets the vaccine when it’s Maj.-Gen. Fortin—Mr. Taylor is not that guy. very important areas got overlooked. or lack of funding for critical programs. been repeatedly made clear this is a provin- T. Lee Humphrey Dec. 15 marked five years since the As Hill Times reporter Peter Ma- cial responsibility and elected officials, with Calgary, Alta. release of the Truth and Reconciliation zereeuw highlighted earlier this week, Commission’s final report and its 94 Calls military personnel, veterans, and first to Action, developed after years of exam- responders dealing with post-traumatic ining the painful history of the Canada’s stress disorder through Project Trauma Too much is at stake when talking residential school system. Support are worried about a lack of fund- In those five years, the commissioners ing that could put participants at risk. said this week, there hasn’t been enough “I would honestly say that the conse- about nuclear oversight: AECL head done—and that can’t be blamed on the quences of Project Trauma Support shut- e: “Canada re-enters nuclear weapons Most importantly, the Canadian Nucle- pandemic. ting down would be more suicides among business with small modular reac- ar Safety Commission (CNSC) regulates “When we issued our Final Report first responders and veterans,” said one R tors,” (The Hill Times, Dec. 3, 2020, online). all nuclear activities in Canada, including with its 94 Calls to Action, we knew that graduate from the program. The notion that Small Modular Reactors AECL’s sites, and implements Canada’s the road to reconciliation would be long,” As the year winds down with vaccines (SMRs) are a Trojan horse orchestrated by Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty commit- Commissioner Marie Wilson said in a Dec. being delivered to the provinces and Cana- foreign interests to dupe Canada unwill- ments. The CNSC, as well as inspectors 15 statement. “None of us expected that dians (and their morale) receiving the neces- ingly into a weapons program is untrue. from the International Atomic Energy we would sit down five years later and say sary shots in the arm, it’s time to look ahead I wish to make it very clear: Canada is Agency, routinely inspect and monitor all that all 94 had been implemented. Howev- to 2021, and hope that after a year of broken not in the nuclear weapons business nor of Canada’s nuclear sites to uphold these er, five years later we did expect to see real promises and dreams deferred, there’s a is it embarking on that path. Interest in commitments to the highest standards. progress for laying the foundations for chance for a fresh start in the new year. SMRs is driven by Canada’s commitment Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) national reconciliation,” specifically on the The Hill Times to clean energy. is the private-sector company that manages In 1965, Canada was the first Tier 1 AECL’s sites. The more than 3,000 Canadi- nuclear nation to reject nuclear weapons, ans that work for CNL are dedicated to the and we remain a leader in advancing the pursuit of scientific knowledge for peaceful peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Today, purposes. This includes: developing new that includes looking at how SMRs can forms of nuclear medicine that can fight contribute to Canada’s goal of net-zero cancer; improving technologies to detect by 2050, while contributing to economic nuclear materials at Canada’s border to growth through highly-skilled jobs, intel- improve counter-terrorism efforts; and lectual property and innovation. propelling Canada to the forefront of SMR Atomic Energy of Canada Limited research to fight climate change. AECL (AECL) is a federal Crown corporation strongly supports these efforts. and agent of the Government of Canada. With respect to CNL’s president and AECL’s role is to advance nuclear re- CEO, Joe McBrearty, AECL sees significant search in energy, health, safety, security, value in his vast and varied nuclear experi- and the environment. AECL applies ro- ence, and recognizes his important past bust oversight of work at its sites so that military service with the United States Navy, these aims are effectively pursued. which has also served to protect us through In 1970, Canada signed the United Na- the close allyship between our nations. tions Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and We welcome intelligent debate and since then, AECL has worked to uphold differences of opinion, but let’s rise above and advance Canada’s commitment to non- the fear mongering and misinformation. proliferation. AECL has chosen to support Too much is at stake. SMR research because they have the poten- We invite members of the public and tial to offer clean energy options to a broad Indigenous groups to learn more about our range of needs in Canada, from provinces activities at www.aecl.ca and at www.cnl.ca. looking to shut down coal-fired plants, to Richard Sexton mining companies and small communities President and CEO, Atomic Energy looking for an alternative to diesel. of Canada Limited

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Milnes, Tim Powers, Mélanie Richer, Susan Riley, Ken Rubin, Evan ASSISTANT WEB DESIGNER Ian Peralta (613) 232-5952 246 Queen Street Suite 200, Ottawa, ON K1P 5E4 Sotiropoulos, Scott Taylor, Lisa Van Dusen, Nelson Wiseman, and Fax (613) 232-9055 DELIVERY INQUIRIES 2012 Better Les Whittington. [email protected] Canadian Publications Mail Agreement No. 40068926 CMCA AUDITED Newspaper 613-288-1146 www.hilltimes.com Winner THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020 9 Letters to the Editor Comment Senators have a hard task, Anti-disinformation choice about Bill C-7 campaign hard to am very pleased that Bill C-7, An Act tion); and secondly, it would allow those Ito amend the Criminal Code (medical whose death is foreseeable and who have assistance in dying), finally passed third been assessed and approved for MAID, swallow when the reading in the House of Commons. It has to waive final consent on the day of the now gone to the Senate where they are procedure (named Audrey’s Amendment being asked to deal with it by a court-im- for the Halifax woman with terminal posed deadline of Dec. 18, 2020, (the gov- cancer who scheduled her MAID death in problem is homegrown ernment has now asked for an extension 2018 earlier than she wished because she until Feb. 26, 2021) given that the bill is in was concerned she would lose capacity to response to a Quebec Superior Court rul- consent on the later date). It soon went viral on social media, with ing that a provision in the existing medi- Having watched many of the hearings While I have no doubt that most comments from the military communi- cal assistance in dying (MAID) legislation held by the Senate Committee, and noted ty dismissing Kenderesi as an imposter and is unconstitutional. Every indication is Senators’ comments in various media arti- Kenderesi’s ramblings will the whole speech to be a “fake news” hoax. that the bill cles, it would Unfortunately for the CAF, a brief will not pass Justice appear garner not a single serving internal investigation resulted in the the Sen- Minister David that some service member to heed his Department of National Defence having ate in this Lametti has Senators to confirm to reporters that Kenderesi is limited time, requested recognize advice, damage to the public indeed a serving member. even though an extension the need to “We were made aware on the evening of the Senate from the move quick- trust will be more difficult Dec. 5 that a member of the Cadet Instruc- Legal and courts until ly on the bill tors Cadre—which is a subcomponent of Constitu- late February and that any to repair. the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve— tional Affairs for the concerns can participated in a public demonstration in Committee government be met when Toronto in his CAF uniform,” stated DND has already to deal with a parliamen- spokesman Dan Le Bouthillier. “The indi- completed a changes to tary review vidual made comments regarding the CAF pre-study of the medical of the MAID participation in Operation Vector. These the proposed assistance in legislation comments are not reflective of views of legislation. dying laws. takes place the Government of Canada nor Canadian Also, the The Hill Times in the new Armed Forces policy.” Senate may photograph by year. Other In attempting to convince fellow serving report the Andrew Meade Senators feel members of the CAF to disobey orders, bill back to strongly that Kenderesi is, at the very least, guilty of the House the mental Scott Taylor attempted sedition. While I have no doubt before the holiday break, but with amend- health exclusion in the bill is unconsti- Inside Defence that Kenderesi’s ramblings will garner not ments. Since the House is on break as of tutional so should either be removed or a single serving service member to heed Dec. 11, this means the bill will languish made subject to a sunset provision. And his advice, damage to the public trust will until Parliament resumes sittings at the there are a small number of Senators who TTAWA—Canadian military officials be more difficult to repair. end of January. do not support any form of MAID, or any Oare constantly warning civilians to Members of my own extended family The bill is not without its flaws. That expansion of the existing MAID legisla- be on their guard against the ongoing mistakenly thought the man in the com- said, it would be an important step for- tion, regardless of court decisions sup- disinformation campaign being waged by bat gear raging against this vaccine was ward in expanding Canadians’ constitu- porting MAID and the fact that more than meddlesome foreign state actors. There is retired General Rick Hillier. tional right to choose a medically assisted 80 per cent of Canadians are in favour. no specific objective sought by these sow- One can easily understand their angst death on two important fronts: first, it I do not envy the Senators their task. ers of “fake news,” we are told, but rather at seeing what they thought to be the would allow MAID for eligible Canadians They do have a choice, however, just as I am their intent is to cause Canadians to lose military officer tasked with distributing whose natural death is not reasonably advocating for all eligible Canadians endur- their trust in official organizations—such the vaccine throughout Ontario, calling on foreseeable (to be eligible they would still ing intolerable suffering. If the Senators pass as the Canadian military. soldiers not to deliver it. need to meet a number of other require- the Bill without amendments before Dec. 18, Which Person- ments, including that they are enduring they will give those people a choice. brings us to a ally, I do not intolerable suffering because of a griev- Sherry Moran rather bizarre see much of a ous and irremediable medical condi- Ottawa, Ont. incident, which physical resem- occurred at an blance between anti-lockdown Hillier and rally in Toronto Kenderesi and I on Dec. 5. was somewhat Time to create space for Black The orga- amused to nizers intro- learn that my duced speaker relatives would public servants to shine, says reader Leslie Kend- think a retired eresi as a serv- general still s a former federal public servant who On a related manner, we now, some- ing member of wears a combat Awas part of the establishment of the what surprisingly, witness a historic the Canadian uniform com- first federal Visible Minority Committee shift in race relations in the United Armed Forces. plete with a at the headquarters of the Department of States, with the distinct selection of To drive home knife strapped Canadian Heritage, I am very conscious Kamala Harris (East Indian and Jamai- this associa- Leslie Kenderesi, who spoke against the military’s role in to his chest. of the Black civil servants who particu- can) to be vice-president of the United tion with the distributing the COVID-19 vaccine at a Dec. 5 anti-lockdown But I digress. larly feel systematically excluded from Sates. The American defence leadership CAF, Kenderesi rally in Toronto, was confirmed to be a serving member of the At time of advancement and subjected to discrimi- will be in the hands of a Black military wore his com- Canadian Armed Forces. Screenshot via YouTube writing, the nation within the government. I’ve been leader. bat uniform, DND was retired for more than two decades, and it When I arrived in Canada for graduate complete with continuing to still does not surprise me that Black civil studies at McGill University in the early webbing. He wore a beret as he spoke, but investigate the incident. servants have now proposed a class- ’60s, my American friends advised me carried a combat helmet in his hand and While no one discussed criminal action lawsuit against the federal govern- that people of mixed race, like me, were he had affixed a hunting knife to his web charges, such as attempted sedition, the ment to help resolve this serious issue. illegal in the States. It was only in 1967 strap. DND did advise the media that punitive In the present context of the deadly that the law changed to allow mixed-race Why Kenderesi was dressed for im- actions, including Kenderesi’s release from coronavirus, it is encouraging that much marriages. With similar commitment minent combat while speaking at a rally the CAF, are an option. of the key leadership is in in the hands and leadership, and with the example of in Toronto defies logic, but even more The anti-lockdown rally organizers of responsible Canadians of Chinese and Canada addressing the virus with visible illogical was the statement made by this described Kenderesi as “the original Ca- East Indian origins. There is the minis- minorities in key positions, there is no would-be Rambo. nadian patriot.” I would disagree with that ter responsible for procurement, Anita reason to exclude our Black citizens who “I’m asking military, right now serving, assessment and consider him instead to be Anand; Chief Public Health Officer Dr. can also contribute in public service, with truck drivers, medical, engineers, what- a dangerous disinformer. Theresa Tam, who monitors and keeps us equality and with no racial discrimina- ever you are, do not take this unlawful He is not, however, a complete idiot as up to date; and Dr. Supriya Sharma, chief tion. With the same voice, we must also order [for] the distribution of this vaccine,” he publicly acknowledged that his actions medical adviser overseeing the team for put more focus on having Indigenous Kenderesi said to an appreciative crowd. “I might land him in a “lot of shit.” vaccine approval. It is most encouraging peoples well represented in our public might get in a lot of shit for doing this, but Let’s hope that DND makes that proph- that we, in Canada, can diversify our fed- service. Then, we are on the full Canadian I don’t care anymore.” ecy a reality. eral public service with visible minorities, way to publicly serve. No mainstream media broadcast Ken- Scott Taylor is the editor and publisher but more qualified Black people should Roman Mukerjee deresi’s speech, but organizers of the rally of Esprit de Corps magazine. be included. Ottawa, Ont. posted it on YouTube. The Hill Times 10 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Comment Conservatives rushing for the back of the truth line featured on the Conservative.ca What is clear is that website. Here’s where I fail to under- the replacement of stand the argument: the Conser- vatives are upset that Canada is has at the back of the line (which we ushered in a new never were) but are upset that there is a vaccine and have cho- crew of Conservatives sen to back anti-vaxxers in reject- ing that vaccine? Did logic exit with ostensibly fewer the building while I was sleeping in a home I haven’t left in three scruples than one weeks? would hope from a What is clear is that the replacement of Andrew Scheer group vying to be in has ushered in a new crew of Conservatives with ostensibly charge of the country. fewer scruples than one would hope from a group vying to be in charge of the country. Jeff Ball- ingall, creator of Canada Proud There is something sinister about the and The Post Millennial executive, political head games, roundabouts, headed O’Toole’s digital strategy and gaslighting that the first 100 for his leadership campaign. Just days of Conservative Leader Erin recently, Canada Proud promoted O’Toole’s reign has unleashed and this false Facebook post, “The platformed, writes Erica Ifill.The Hill government has banned Canadi- Times photograph by Andrew Meade ans from going near the National War Memorial on Remembrance Erica Ifill Day. But Justin Trudeau is fine Bad+Bitchy media companies have let corro- own disinformation campaign of dian news media taking up his with attending mass protests.” sive manipulators out for dollars, non-existent fraudulent votes that mantle uncritically—that rolled Last year, the Twitter account votes, and clicks vie for attention, won the race for president-elect out this week. In fact, O’Toole misrepresented an interaction ALGARY—As we round out no matter the damage.” Joe Biden. routinely claimed that Canada between Trudeau and Brazilian Cthe end of this traumatic year Indeed, and now the official On Dec. 2, Conservative Ontar- was at the back of the line for President Jair Bolsonaro. and look forward to a depressing opposition has decided to get in io MP sponsored a a COVID-19 vaccine even after While the Liberals aren’t Christmas and New Year’s, we are on the short-term political largess petition by Gisele Baribeau, who the chariman of Moderna, one saints, or particularly believable reminded that the appearance of that comes in the form of white, also happens to be director of the of the vaccine-makers, told CBC in their aspirational messaging, a COVID-19 vaccine has brought male rage that froths at the mouth anti-vaxxer group Vaccine Choice that “Canada is near the front there is something sinister about with it one of the most insidious at the very thought of small- and Canada, on the House of Com- of the line to receive 20 million the political head games, round- villains of our time: disinforma- big-L liberals. It’s a cynical calcu- mons website that, as described doses of the COVID-19 vac- abouts, and gaslighting that the tion. lation, but one that has the poten- by The National Post, “suggests cine it preordered.” That didn’t first 100 days of O’Toole’s reign the way the vaccine is being ap- By not proved amounts to ‘human experi- sanctioning mentation’ and the fact it is being Conservative backed by a Conservative has led MP Derek the Liberals to suggest the party Sloan for doesn’t believe in science.” That’s sponsoring an a fair assessment by the Liberals, anti-COVID- no matter how much the PMO vaccine mucked up the communications petition in the on Erin O’Toole’s acceptance of House, the this disinformation campaign. Conservative O’Toole’s response, when asked Party about whether he thinks this leader has petition would give anti-vaxxers emboldened legitimacy, responded to the this insidious Global News question with: “I do branch of the not agree that by asking relevant, Conservative timely questions about various Party, writes COVID-19 vaccine candidates Erica Ifill. that a person is therefore some- The Hill Times how fuelling ‘anti-vaccine senti- photograph by ment,’ as you have characterized Andrew Meade it.” Granted, he later refined his position to affirm his belief in the vaccine, but then turned around Despite pronouncement to the contrary by vaccine makers, the Conservatives and blamed the actions of an anti- continued to parrot and fundraise off of the claim that Canada was at the ‘back of the vaxxer and conspirator, Sloan, line’ to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, writes Erica Ifill.Screenshot via Conservative.ca on Liberal secrecy on the exact tial to add legitimacy to Canada’s logistics of the vaccine rollout. stop O’Toole from continuing to Jane Lytvynenko of Buzzfeed own cult of anti-vaxxers, anti-CO- In not sanctioning Sloan, he has parrot that line, giving Chrystia has unleashed and platformed. News, whose reporting on mis- VID restrictions/anti-lockdown emboldened this insidious branch Freeland an opportunity to call If this continues, anti-vaxxers information, disinformation, and protestors, QAnon believers, and of the Conservative Party. And he him out on it during Question spreading lies about the COVID fake news has been nothing less all-round protesters of “political probably didn’t do so because he, Period, calling his misconstruc- vaccine may be the least of our than stalwart (makes me wonder correctness,” which seemed to himself, has been playing fast and tions of her words a “bad habit”. worries for 2021, we’ll have to where establishment Canadian be the canary in the coal mine loose with his own set of “alterna- But that doesn’t stop O’Toole worry about the opposition’s media has been for the past six that morphed these groups into tive facts”. and the Conservatives from con- grasp on the truth. years on this issue), called 2020 something resembling Jabba the In early December, O’Toole tinuing to parrot that message Erica Ifill is a co-host of the the “year of the infodemic. Month Hut. Or that dude who lost the spent days criticizing the alleged as a fundraising strategy, espe- Bad+Bitchy podcast. after month, self-serving social U.S. election and is now on his timing of a vaccine—with Cana- cially since “Back of the Line” is The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020 11 Opinion Anti-vaxxers are Antitrust concern the biggest threat in about big business fighting COVID-19 underestimates As the old saying goes, “a lie can travel While not as radical as the halfway around world while the truth is anti-vaxxers, those who are putting on its shoes.” So it has been with the anti-vaccine movement. Whipped up customers’ power, by celebrities like Jenny McCarthy, Robert hesitant once presented de Niro, and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., in 2019 a danger only to their the Centers for Disease Control reported 1,282 cases of measles in 31 states. It said children; now, in COVID this was the greatest number of cases re- and benefits ported in the U.S. since 1992, and that “the times, they are a threat to majority of cases were among people who as smart contact lenses that monitor their were not vaccinated.” Going after the web giants wearer’s glucose level. Amazon went from all of us. This negative influence has reached online bookstore to universal distributor, Canada: a survey early this year indicated just because of their cloud computing provider, and now satellite half of Canadians are hesitant about internet service provider. We have benefitted vaccines. While not as radical as the bigness or to carry out tremendously from their sizable success. anti-vaxxers, those who are hesitant once some political agenda is presented a danger only to their children; Big business is more vulnerable now, in COVID times, they are a threat to misguided, as it would all of us. than ever As the first vaccines for COVID are be- disincentivize incumbents Still, big companies have never been so ing rolled out, a recent poll revealed nearly vulnerable to customer dissatisfaction, and half of Canadians would line up right away, to keep improving, and therefore so mindful of it. Manufacturers while another third would “eventually” spend millions recalling defective products to Andrew Caddell be injected. But 14 per cent would refuse discourage potential rivals. avoid losing the trust of the public. Internet gi- With All Due Respect outright: that’s a staggering five million ants are no exception. Facebook has been los- people. ing younger users at a very fast pace, and has Provincial COVID-19 vaccine strategies received backlash for overwhelming visitors ONTREAL—In July of 1997, I was in vary, but most focus on health-care work- with ads. Apple dealt with complaints from MGeneva, Switzerland, working for the ers and the most vulnerable in the first otherwise loyal customers who did not want to UN’s Children’s Vaccine Initiative (CVI), tranche. The intent is to immunize as many upgrade phones every two years, and also has led by the World Health Organization and people as possible and, gradually adding to contend with very powerful suppliers. Ama- UNICEF. It later morphed into the Global to those who have survived it, a “herd im- zon has some serious competition at home and Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization munity” should develop. abroad. These are no hegemons, disregarding (GAVI), funded by Bill and Melinda Gates But that would require at least 70 per their customers’ wishes with impunity. to the tune of more than $1-billion. cent of the population to be immunized. Let us not forget that every successful I was asked Without suf- Gaël Campan company, the GAFA included, started small. to craft a com- ficient immuni- Opinion Current industry leaders were yesterday’s munications zation, Cana- disruptors, and will become tomorrow’s and advocacy dians will get disrupted. The pace of replacement is even strategy for the the virus and he size of a business is generally a reflec- accelerating, according to studies monitor- CVI. We identi- lockdowns will Ttion of its success at satisfying a lot of ing the evolution of tenures at the top of the fied four “criti- continue. There customers in a very productive way. Size, capitalization charts. Given a good reason, cal areas” of was a disturb- however, does not make businesses less vul- consumers are swift to unseat commercial activity to better ing harbinger nerable. Industry leaders such as the GAFA giants they once revered. protect children in on companies (Google, Apple, Facebook, and Finally, consumers are savvy when it from infectious Dec. 14 at the Amazon) were only recently the disruptors comes to enticing producers to adopt what diseases, includ- CHSLD Mai- of the markets they entered. Soon enough, they consider proper ethical practices. ing promoting monides where they will experience the same exact fate they Social responsibility is already the norm the introduction the Pfizer vac- inflicted upon their predecessors because for most corporations—not only because of new vaccines, cine was rolled customers’ loyalty is never permanent. Given of laws, but because some consumers and fostering a out—up to 60 the opportunity, patrons will abandon com- required companies to be mindful of their culture of pre- per cent of staff mercial giants they once revered and replace impact on the environment. Labels and vention through refused to take them with more innovative newcomers. certifications have made their way to “advocacy” for it, according Antitrust probes triggered solely by size are product specifications without being forced vaccines. to a report on misguided because they underestimate (and upon other customers who did not want One key Without sufficient immunization, Canadians will get Radio-Canada. undermine) our power as customers, and or did not care for them. The plurality of message was: the virus and lockdowns will continue, writes Andrew No less an ultimately threaten our well-being. consumer views and opinions is already “Immuniza- Caddell. Pexels photograph by Gustavo Fring authority than The bashing of big business has become reflected on store shelves. tion must be Dr. Anthony so commonplace that most critics would Antitrust concerns are unsolicited for defended from Fauci, who was need to make a conscious effort to remem- the most part. Consumers are generally misinformed attacks.” The reason for this one of the leaders of the CVI, admitted to ber and acknowledge that they actually unconcerned about the size of big businesses was an incipient movement against the CBC Radio he’s concerned about this re- participated rather eagerly in their ascent. because they don’t experience the kind vaccines. At the time, five million children luctance. “Hopefully, the degrees of efficacy Global leaders in a given industry get big of restricted production or degradation of were dying annually because they had will be an incentive for people who might because of their continuous commercial service that some antitrust advocates warn not been vaccinated with the “basic six” have been on the fence about getting vac- success, their relentless ability to give cus- about. Moreover, when they do, they are fully vaccines—measles/mumps/rubella and cinated to actually get vaccinated.” tomers more value for their money. Through capable of disciplining companies. Industry diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus, or MMR and It has to. The anti-science attitudes of growth, these companies are also trying to leaders know it well, especially given the DPT. And there were also issues of pov- the hesitant and anti-vaxxers in this time reach the optimal size that will maximize speed at which bad publicity can circulate erty—it was as difficult for children to be of COVID, are a genuine threat to all of economies of scale and overall productivity. online. Whenever antitrust regulators step in inoculated in the ghettos of the U.S. as in us. We have to ensure the message gets Specialization is the name of the game to “protect” customers, they actually under- the developing world. through that vaccines are safe, or the pan- in open economies. Constant innovation mine consumers’ power to choose who they Then, in 1998 came an article in The Lan- demic will continue and more Canadians and improvements are key to overtaking want to support. Specifically, going after the cet by Dr. Andrew Wakefield, a British doc- will die. the competition and remaining on top. Each GAFA just because of their bigness or to car- tor who claimed there was a link between Andrew Caddell is retired from Global of the GAFA companies changed our lives ry out some political agenda is misguided, as autism and the MMR vaccine. More than Affairs Canada, where he was a senior for the better. None of the core services it would disincentivize incumbents to keep a decade later, The Lancet repudiated the policy adviser. He previously worked as an they provide that became so ubiquitous was improving, and discourage potential rivals. findings, implying a conflict of interest and adviser to Liberal governments. He is a fel- available before. Also, they kept reinventing There’s no need to legislate what consumers unethical behaviour by Wakefield, that “sev- low with the Canadian Global Affairs Insti- themselves, reinvesting their profits into new already obtain faster and better voluntarily. eral elements” of the paper were incorrect. tute and a principal of QIT Canada. He can ventures, disrupting new markets. Alphabet Gaël Campan is senior economist at the But by that time, the damage had been be reached at [email protected]. (Google’s parent company) invested its search Montreal Economic Institute. done; the article was cited extensively. The Hill Times engine profits to create health products, such The Hill Times 12 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES News New research highlights anxiety, stress on MP, Senate staff during COVID-19

and municipally, at the same time ‘Staffers experienced as government agencies shifted their work online. In all, 62 per an increase in their cent of respondents said they hours and anxiety were contacted “somewhat more” or “much more” than before. as they struggled “More than a few staffers had harsh words for govern- to respond to the ment agencies, Service Canada in particular,” noted Prof. Wilson. increased requests All Service Canada offices across Canada closed on March 26, with for information and support only available by phone assistance from or online (before the second wave, offices had begun re-opening in constituents,’ writes July). Prof. Wilson found many Carleton’s Paul Wilson staff were frustrated by a lack of information about the various in his recent paper. government programs and sup- ports being announced. On top of that, many staff felt the stress and Continued from page 1 anxieties of constituents come they were significantly busy,” said across in their interactions. Prof. Wilson, a former political “Normally, if you announced staffer and now professor with a program, that afternoon stuff Carleton’s political management Reporters and staff are pictured, physically distanced, at a Sept. 29 press conference on COVID-19 with Deputy went on the internet, you know, master’s program. Chief Public Health Officer Howard Njoo, Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister program eligibility and that sort The House of Commons and Dominic LeBlanc, and Health Minister Patty Hajdu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade of thing. Well, in this context, Senate both suspended regular sit- what people were saying was just tings in mid-March, after COVID-19 (Ajax, Ont.), as reported in The exposure to COVID but felt “that them aware of some best prac- you’d immediately get a deluge of was declared a pandemic. The House Hill Times on March 25, suggest- health precautions are usually tices” would be a good idea, as calls [from constituents], so even proper sat for 14 days between mid- ing that, at that point, the “vast adequate,” while 25 per cent said would having caucuses monitor if something was posted a couple March and Sept. 23, when regular majority” of staff were working they were “completely comfort- “HR a little bit more closely.” of hours later, it was late,” he said. (albeit, hybrid virtual) sittings re- from home as a result of the pan- able working in the office” and For some staff, going into sumed, and the House Special Com- demic “unless there’s an absolute saw “no risk.” the office was necessitated by a mittee on the COVID-19 Pandemic necessity.” But, as Prof. Wilson The “significant discrepancy” lack of access to the technology ‘The burnout looks met 25 times in a hybrid format. wrote, “each MP judges necessity of experiences between offices needed to work from home— different’ Thirteen of the House’s 27 for themselves,” and as he said in didn’t surprise Prof. Wilson. House-provided laptops and Doris Mah, a constituency standing committees met more an interview with The Hill Times “Everyone who has ever other devices—which, though the assistant to NDP MP than once during this period (nine last week, based on his findings, worked on the Hill knows that administration scrambled to ship (New Westminster-Burnaby, B.C.), didn’t meet at all, five only once), “that probably turned out to be there are some MPs who are out, in some cases took until “well said staff “health and safety” was and, in turn,“the burden” of the untrue.” noted for paying really poorly or into May” to arrive, he notes in clearly prioritized, with that mes- challenge posed by committees “Some [MPs] required their for having really high turnover the paper. sage made loud and clear not just meeting virtually was “not evenly staff to continue working from because of the way that they treat “I think there’s probably a by her boss, but by her union as distributed” among staff, notes the office; others permitted their staff,” he said. “I’ve been lesson in that” for the House of well—something she said helped Prof. Wilson. For those with MPs employees latitude to make their around since the 1990s and it was Commons, said Prof. Wilson. her to hear. (Being unionized, she still busy with committee work, own decisions,” he wrote. that way then, it’s that way now, Nevertheless, he found 86 per said, also meant she worked the staffing them became “challeng- House rules leave it almost en- so that hasn’t changed … it just cent agreed somewhat or strongly same number of hours). ing without face-to-face contact.” tirely up to individual Parliamen- gets intensified in a situation like that they got the support needed As soon as the pandemic was But with much parliamentary tarians to decide how to run their this.” from the House and Senate ad- declared, Ms. Mah said her office work on pause, many Hill staffers offices—aside from NDP staff, ministrations to work from home. of three “packed up everything” turned their focus to supporting who are unionized and subject to For those working from home, and went home, only returning their constituency colleagues, a collective agreement that dic- 68 per cent agreed “somewhat” or once a week to check the mail- who were swamped by calls from tates certain conditions, including “strongly” that they felt “isolated box. At that time, the office only Canadians looking for help get- working hours—and in turn, the and out of touch with colleagues.” had one House-supplied laptop, ting home, or understanding and experience of staff varied. Prof. Wilson also noted concerns and so Ms. Mah said she used navigating the various govern- Through his survey, Prof. Wil- over “work-life balance” for staff her own laptop, while using her ment supports being announced. son found 41 per cent of respon- working from home: “Numerous House-provided smartphone to To understand the experience dents said they “usually” worked people mentioned the challenge access her secure email. Since of staff during COVID, Prof. Wil- from home since March, with 25 of maintaining proper boundar- then, two more House laptops son conducted an online survey per cent “always” working from ies.” have been shipped to the office. in July, getting 175 responses, 73 home, but 23 per cent said they A majority, or 70 per cent, of Pre-pandemic, only one of from MP Hill staff, 55 from MP “usually” (12 per cent) or “always” staff said their job changed with the three staff was focused on constituency staff, and 47 from (11 per cent) worked from the the pandemic, including nine per constituent casework, with Ms. Senate staff. The survey did not office. Constituency office staff cent who said it was “totally dif- Mah, for example, focused on include those who staff a cabinet were more likely to go into the ferent,” and 58 per cent said they riding outreach. But with the minister’s office or the Prime office always or usually (51 per were working more hours, either pandemic, it became “all hands on Minister’s Office. He supple- cent combined), than Hill staff (13 somewhat more (30 per cent) or deck doing casework.” She noted mented those findings with 10 per cent combined). Senate staff a lot more (28 per cent). MP staff, her riding has a large seniors staff interviews, and his resulting (88 per cent) were most likely both Hill (32 per cent) and con- population, and calls coming in paper, “The Impact of the CO- to always or usually work from Carleton University professor Paul stituency staff (39 per cent), were were on everything from worries VID-19 Pandemic on Canadian home. Wilson, whose past roles include more likely to say they worked over the rising cost of toilet paper Parliamentary Political Staffers,” Among those who went into serving as policy director to then-PM “a lot more” than Senate staff (13 to people trying to navigate new was published by The Parliamen- the office, 31 per cent said they . Photograph courtesy per cent). emergency supports. tary Review in November. were required to do so, with con- of Leo Solano Casework typically dominates “A lot of constituents, they “Overall, staffers experienced stituency staff “significantly more the work of MP constituency of- can’t distinguish the difference an increase in their hours and likely” to say so. While he doesn’t “think there’s fices, with constituents turning to between municipal, provincial, anxiety as they struggled to Prof. Wilson said that finding an easy answer” to address this— them for help navigating federal and federal. If they have a worry, respond to the increased requests surprised him: “There were some saying he doesn’t think unioniza- programs and processes—like EI they’re just trying to think about, for information and assistance who were required to go in and tion is the route, as MPs need claims, or visa and passport ap- ‘who do I know the best?’ And be- from constituents, although this who said they were not comfort- a higher degree of latitude to plications. That work skyrocketed cause Peter has been around for was more true for those employ- able doing so and, yeah, that decide how to run their offices to with the pandemic, as constitu- 16 years, people know him right ees in the offices of MPs than concerns me a little bit.” support their individual needs— ents scrambled to understand the away,” she said. Senators,” he writes. Of staff who went into the Prof. Wilson said he thinks “better different public health advisories Prof. Wilson cites a quote office, 52 per cent said they training for MPs on some of these and emergency programs being Continued on page 13 from Liberal Whip were “somewhat anxious” about management aspects, making announced federally, provincially, THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020 13 News

Prime Minister “Many people are not actually from Ot- Justin Trudeau tawa, and so some of the burnout that I’m for a time held seeing is not just specifically related to daily media their work, it’s that they had to miss out on briefings family events or they’ve not been able to outside Rideau go home and see their families.” Cottage, as [email protected] pictured on The Hill Times Nov. 24, often announcing new federal A closer look at the numbers programs or • 70 per cent said their job changed with the pandemic: 61 supports in per cent said “many things” about it changed, and nine per response, which cent said it was “totally different.” staff then • 58 per cent said they’re working more: 30 per cent some- scrambled to what more, and 28 per cent a lot more. understand. • 66 per cent said they “usually” (41) or “always” (25) work The Hill Times from home since March. photograph by • 23 per cent said they “usually” (12) or “always” (11) work Andrew Meade from the office since March. • 69 per cent of staff who went into the office said they chose to do so. • 31 per cent of staff who went into the office said they were required to. • 52 per cent who went into the office said they were “somewhat anxious” about exposure to COVID but “feel that health precautions are usually adequate.” • 25 per cent said they felt “completely comfortable working in the office and see no risk.” • 59 per cent agreed somewhat (32) or strongly (27) that they worked just as effectively from home. into the office, an arrangement she’s “com- Continued from page 12 everybody on at the same time,” explained • 42 per cent disagreed somewhat (28) or strongly (14) that fortable” with and “could somewhat choose, Ms. Cotton. they worked just as effectively at home. Ms. Mah said since March, her office for the most part.” In terms of support to staff, Ms. Cotton • 86 per cent agreed somewhat (45) or strongly (41) that has “helped double the amount of people The LRB was already in the business of noted five days of training for Liberal staff they got the support needed from the House or Senate that we normally help in a year.” organizing all-caucus ministerial briefings, are underway this week and last—includ- administrations to work from home. Melissa Cotton, managing director of but those increased to daily frequency with ing on mental health and fitness—and • 78 per cent agreed somewhat (34) or strongly (44) that they the Liberal research bureau (LRB), noted the pandemic, as noted in Prof. Wilson’s other “small shifts” have been made, like had the tools needed to properly work from home. she talked to Prof. Wilson for his piece— piece. including “employee assistance program in- • 68 per cent agreed somewhat (47) or strongly (21) that they which she called a “great step forward” “Health at the time was doing—the formation in all of our email signatures.” felt isolated and out of touch with colleagues while working in understanding and “demystifying” the ministry itself—was doing all-Parliamen- Ms. Cotton said she’s had conversations from home. • 62 per cent said the public contacted them either “much world of political staff—and said, for her, tarian calls, and those were immensely with staff “across offices” who felt over- “none” of his findings came as a surprise. more than before” (48) or “somewhat more” (14). helpful, but we wanted to just get our whelmed and stressed by working condi- • 79 per cent of MP staff helped constituents stuck in other Ms. Cotton said she’s “mostly” been own people together and let them ask the tions during the pandemic. countries frequently (44) or very frequently (35). working from home during the pandemic, questions … it’s much more efficient when “The burnout looks different, to be —Source: The Parliamentary Review, “The Impact of the CO- though “from time to time” she has to go things are coming in so rapid fire to get honest, it’s not all work related,” she said. VID-19 Pandemic on Canadian Parliamentary Political Staffers“ POLICY BRIEFINGS CALENDAR Media Kit 2021

POLICYPOLICY BRIEFINGS BRIEFINGS CALENDARLobbying CALENDAR and Ethics 100 Most Influential Back to ParliamentMediaMedia Kit Kit20212021 Wednesday, January 20 Monday, January 25 Monday, January 25 LobbyingLobbying and Ethicsand Ethics 100 Most100 MostInfluential Influential Back Backto Parliament to Parliament Wednesday,Wednesday, January January 20 20 Monday,Monday, January January 25 25 Monday,Monday, January January 25 25 Health Innovation Transportation 100 Top Lobbyists Monday, February 8 Wednesday, February 17 Monday, February 22 Monday, February 22 HealthHealth InnovationInnovation TransportationTransportation 100 Top100 Lobbyists Top Lobbyists Monday,Monday, February February 8 8 Wednesday,Wednesday, February February 17 17 Monday,Monday, February February 22 22 Monday,Monday, February February 22 22 Energy Agriculture 50 Top Foreign AI & 5G Wednesday, March 10 Monday, March 15 Policy Influencers Wednesday, March 24 EnergyEnergy AgricultureAgriculture 50 Top50 Foreign Wednesday,Top Foreign March 17 AI & 5GAI & 5G Wednesday,Wednesday, March March 10 10 Monday,Monday, March March 15 15 PolicyPolicy Influencers Influencers Wednesday,Wednesday, March March 24 24 Wednesday,Wednesday, March March 17 17 Aviation Infrastructure Health Monday, April 5 Wednesday, April 14 Monday, April 19 AviationAviation InfrastructureInfrastructure HealthHealth Monday,Monday, April 5April 5 Wednesday,Wednesday, April 14April 14 Monday,Monday, April 19April 19 Digital Privacy & Security Research and Innovation Defence Guide to Political Staff DigitalWednesday,Digital Privacy Privacy &May Security 5 & SecurityResearchResearchMonday, and May Innovationand 10 InnovationDefenceDefenceMonday, May 24 GuideGuide to Political& Terrificto Political Staff 25 Staffers Staff Wednesday,Wednesday, May 5 May 5 Monday,Monday, May 10 May 10 Monday,Monday, May 24 May 24 & Terrific& Terrific Wednesday,25 Staffers 25 Staffers May 26 Wednesday,Wednesday, May 26 May 26 Environment Natural Resources Annual Politically EnvironmentMonday,Environment June 7 NaturalNaturalWednesday, Resources Resources June 16 AnnualAnnual SavvyPolitically Politically Survey Monday,Monday, June 7June 7 Wednesday,Wednesday, June 16June 16 SavvySavvy SurveyWednesday, Survey June 23 Wednesday,Wednesday, June 23June 23 Biotech Universities and Back to Parliament BiotechMonday,Biotech September 13 UniversitiesUniversitiesColleges and Research and Back Backto Monday,Parliament to Parliament September 20 Monday,Monday, September September 13 13 CollegesCollegesWednesday, Research Research September 15 Monday,Monday, September September 20 20 Wednesday,Wednesday, September September 15 15

Mental Health Infrastructure Innovation Cyber Security MentalMonday,Mental Health OctoberHealth 4 InfrastructureInfrastructureWednesday, October 20 InnovationInnovationMonday, October Cyber25 Cyber SecurityWednesday, Security October 27 Monday,Monday, October October 4 4 Wednesday,Wednesday, October October 20 20 Monday,Monday, October October 25 25 Wednesday,Wednesday, October October 27 27

TransportationTransportationTransportation DefenceDefenceDefence AerospaceAerospaceAerospace Monday,Monday,Monday, November NovemberNovember 1 1 Wednesday,Wednesday,Wednesday, November November November 17 17 17 Monday,Monday, Monday,November November November 22 22 22

EnvironmentEnvironmentEnvironment The NorthTheThe North North AnnualAnnual AnnualAll Politics All AllPolitics PollPolitics Poll Poll100 Best100 BooksBest100 BestBooks Books Monday,Monday,Monday, December DecemberDecember 6 6 Wednesday,Wednesday,Wednesday, December December December 8 8 8 Monday,Monday, Monday,December December December 20 20 20 of theof Year theof Yearthe Year Monday,Monday, DecemberMonday, December 20December 20 20

WeWe willWe will helpwill help help you you youcraft craft craft a a uniqueunique a unique message message forfor forour our our Canadian Canadian Canadian government government government readership. readership. readership. Please Please email emailemail [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] or callor or call 613-688-8841 call 613-688-8841 613-688-8841 14 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Feature The year in photo review The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Then-Conservative Party deputy leader , pictured Jan. 20, 2020, ahead of the first meeting of the Special Solidarity protests in support of some Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs, like this one pictured in Ottawa on Feb. 24, 2020, Committee on Canada-China Relations. The committee was first struck in December 2019, with the Conservatives, the sprung up across Canada, including rail blockades that led to the shutdown and disruption of train and freight services Bloc, NDP, and the Greens voting in favour, while the Liberals opposed the motion. for several weeks.

A new setup: Parliament Hill reporters and camera crew, pictured May 29, 2020, prepare for one of many daily briefings West Block emptied out soon after the coronavirus was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March delivered by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau outside Rideau Cottage during the height of the pandemic. The prime minister 11. A skeletal contingent of MPs were recalled numerous times, including on March 24, to pass relief measures. saw his poll numbers soar during the early months of the pandemic.

Then-finance minister , pictured Aug. 17, 2020, heading into a committee meeting room at West Block, where he announced his abrupt resignation and exit from politics. Mr. Morneau had been pilloried by opposition parties for weeks over his personal ties to WE Charity and its affiliate organizations, which was awarded a multimillion- dollar contract to administer a student-grant program.

The new normal wrought by COVID-19 meant getting used to seeing only the top half of everyone’s face as masks Conservative finance critic Pierre Poilievre tossed became a necessity, and a new form of expression. Bloc A racial reckoning: Thousands gathered on Parliament Hill on June 5, 2020, in a protest sparked by the death of George blacked-out pages in the air during an Aug. 19, 2020 Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet is pictured at Floyd, an African-American man who died while in police custody after an officer pinned him down on his neck for press conference criticizing the redaction of documents a media availability in the West Block wearing a Quebec eight minutes and 46 seconds. His death also touched a nerve in Canada, where Black and Indigenous people have tied to the WE scandal. Nordiques mask on Oct 22, 2020. disproportionately experienced police violence. THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020 15 Feature MP holiday poems mark end of 2020 House sitting ’Twas the week before the Christmas break, and all through the House, MPs 2020 has been all about WE. were stirring to stand and pronounce their final, year-end message, which We have worked together on they set in rhyme, some partisan, some less-so, greetings for the holiday time. programs That have made all the news Millions of Canadians Have used CERB, CECRA, and CEWS. In this crazy environment Division is something we can- not afford Politicians must come together “’Tis the last sitting week Like Freeland and Ford. before Christmas St. Nick will check his list, For this virtual House And I know he will check it Instead of coming to Ottawa twice MPs are home with their To see which party in the spouse. House Using a new cloud platform Was not naughty but nice. Never leaving the room Was it green, blue, red, House meetings or commit- Orange or light blue? tees I think that this honour It all happens on Zoom. Goes to our pages so true. Making speeches of brilliance We will remember 2020 Winning each dispute For this virus we abhor Only to realize And for the opposition That we are on mute. Always demanding more. Working for constituents Let’s all tell the elves Fighting for grants The one thing on which we are Wearing shirt, tie, and jacket keen With no need for pants. Is for them to be quick If it’s loonies we need, they’re For MPs, tackling a virus And bring us a good vaccine. in the NDP. Has become the most impor- If we can ask Santa for some- We’ll host Liberal fundraisers, tant of tasks thing social distanced no doubt We have beseeched all Cana- It is clear what that would be That’s easy enough; Liberals dians A return in 2021 are always spaced out. To wash their hands and wear To real normalcy.” Meanwhile at the North Pole masks. Fiscal anchors and was a plan under way With a team Canada approach — Liberal MP Anthony House- guard rails weigh “’Twas the night before Christ- To set Santa free and save There is no ‘I’ or ‘me’ father (Mount Royal, Que.), down Santa’s sled, mas and all through the house Christmas Day. For Parliamentarians Dec. 9, 2020 But this too shall Not a creature was stirring, Out of a helicopter an air force pass, sunny days are not even a mouse. vet ran ahead. Then came Scrooge’s call A dashing and handsome, Had just hunkered down for the 2020’s been a bad through the PM’s headset slightly balding man. winter-long task, Of reading each book from “’Twas just weeks be- year, no one can ‘You owe me repayment on the ‘Goodness,’ asked St. Nick, Homer to Seneca fore Christmas and deny, national debt.’ ‘who’s this man on a mission? While awaiting a booster from in this very room, We want to say ‘But, Scrooge, Christmas is for My gosh, it’s the leader of the AstraZeneca. Members are speak- Merry Christmas, at Santa and cute elves opposition.’ But we can’t let the wait crush ing, debating by least we can try! Candy canes and budgets that The leader cut the bars and set our spirits by inches Zoom. We know we are balance themselves.’ Santa away Or transform us into a nation of The Speaker keeps best when we speak ‘No,’ snapped Scrooge, ‘Santa Who wasted no time and ran Grinches, order, reducing from our heart, is in debtors’ jail ’til you pay. straight for his sleigh. Let’s reach out to each other, the dispute, Next year must be I’ll leave him there and ruin But as he jumped on, a rein- tall and the small With up-to-date rul- better—if we all do Christmas Day.’ deer did buck Like the Grinch, let our hearts ings ‘Minister, I think our part. ‘I need cash in a flash,’ cried Santa stubbed his big toe and “’Twas the Christmas of COVID grow three sizes—that’s all. you’re on MUTE!’ So, stay in your out JT yelled, ‘Oh, shucks.’ And interest was keen, Christmas came to the Whos We Zoom into kitch- bubble; keep your Perhaps speaking fees from Then off and away his chariot In our nation receiving without ribbons and tags ens, seeing babies distance at school, friends at WE. soared Its promised vaccine. It came, just the same without and props, And God bless us all The central bank will make Our children’s dreams re- The stockings were spaced by the boxes and bags, Our newest grand- through Hanukkah our dollars double newed and restored. chimney with care By reindeer or by Zoom, it can dad in Prince George and Yule. Reducing by half my money Proving again, Christmas Though half of the family come to us too is the tops! Joyeux Noel. Merry troubles. dreams can come true couldn’t be there, Merry Christmas to all, merry Our stockings are Christmas.” Doubling the number of each As Santa and all change their The children were snuggled (but Christmas to you.” hung by the chimney coin will make us more colours to blue.” sad) in their beds with care, — Green MP Eliza- Turning loonies to toonies and Cancelled trips to see Santa —Conservative MP Scott Reid In the hope that beth May (Saanich– toonies to fours. —Conservative MP Pierre Claus still in their heads. (Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston, vaccines soon will be Gulf Islands, B.C.), Each party will chip in some Poilievere (Carleton, Ont.), Mama in her ‘kerchief and I in my Ont.), Dec. 11, 2020 there. Dec. 9, 2020 coins for free Dec. 9, 2020 mask

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electoral legitimacy,” Prof. Cam- eron said, but he added that it is Canada’s recognition of Juan important for the international community to signal that it will support him and his allies against any Maduro government harass- Guaidó’s presidency could ment and human rights abuse. The consultation vote, he said, is a praiseworthy initiative that serves as a measure to show the discontent of the Maduro regime come under question after and support for Mr. Guaidó. “But is it an election? No. … And does it confer on Guaidó the presidency? No, it is entirely extra-constitutional in a context Maduro’s ‘illegitimate’ election of which the government is not adhering to its own constitution,” he said, adding that no one can Canada first claim electoral legitimacy at this ‘An illegitimate election recognized Juan point. Guaidó, left, Carleton University professor [on] Dec. 6 cannot pictured meeting Jean Daudelin, an international result in a legitimate with Prime Minister affairs professor who special- Justin Trudeau in izes in Latin America, said the new assembly,’ Ottawa on Jan. original legal rationale for the 27, 2020, as the Lima Group to recognize Mr. says Venezuelan interim president Guaidó was already “fragile,” as of Venezuela in he declared himself president by Ambassador Orlando 2019. But recent asserting that Mr. Maduro’s elec- statements by tion was illegitimate and thus that Viera-Blanco. Canada and the the presidency was vacant, which Lima Group about means under the Venezuelan con- their refusal to Continued from page 1 stitution the National Assembly recognize recent president assumes the role. Maduro, as interim president, as Venezuelan “It was more of a political experts say the Lima Group has parliamentary declaration, and some kind of had mixed results. elections don’t legal fig leaf. Now the fig leaf is Opposition leader Juan Guaidó mention Mr. Guaidó gone,” he said. “But I still think and his supporters boycotted the by name. The Hill that Canada and the Lima Group Dec. 6 election, which less than Times photograph by will support … Guaidó, because one-third of the country took part Andrew Meade doing otherwise will be a very in. Canada did not recognize the strong blow for the caretaker results of the election and has government.” recognized Mr. Guaidó as the Rosedale, Ont.) said in a state- should be playing a role to help, sity of British Columbia said it’s “There’s simply too much at interim president since 2019. Ac- ment at the time. not to decide the path forward for going to be important for Canada stake politically for the Lima cording to Venezuelan authorities, Mr. Viera-Blanco said the “last Venezuela,” Mr. Harris said. to acknowledge that Mr. Guaidó’s Group to withdraw.” Mr. Maduro’s United Socialist vestige of democracy” in Venezu- Fellow NDP MP status in the National Assembly is Prof. Daudelin said the Dec. Party of Venezuela and its allies ela is in the National Assembly (Churchill-Keewatinook Aski. now over. 6 election hasn’t resulted in a won more than two-thirds of the that was elected in 2015. Mna.) said Canada’s Dec. 6 “I am not sure that referring decline in Mr. Guaidó’s stature, vote. A Dec. 6 statement by Foreign statement about the election was to him as the president is appro- citing the low turnout. He added “An illegitimate election [on] Affairs Minister François-Philippe “embarrassing.” priate,” he said. “Canada should that if any leadership has been Dec. 6 cannot result in a legiti- Champagne (Saint-Maurice- not, or any weakened after the election, it is Canada mate new assembly,” said Ambas- Champlain, Que.) criticizing the of the Lima that of Mr. Maduro. recognized sador Orlando Viera-Blanco, a election as not meeting the “mini- Group coun- He said the results of the Lima Juan Guaidó’s representative of Mr. Guaidó to mum conditions for a free and tries or the Group have been “extremely representative, Canada. “An illegitimate regime fair exercise of democracy” makes international disappointing,” as the options for Orlando Viera- cannot result in the recognition no mention of Mr. Guaidó. Nor community the international community are Blanco, as [from] any serious democracy.” was there mention of the recog- in general, limited as sanctions have to be ambassador Mr. Viera-Blanco said the nized interim Venezuelan presi- should not “extremely targeted” given the to Canada in struggle for democracy must dent in a Dec. 7 declaration from personalize humanitarian crisis unfolding in November continue, and added that all avail- the Lima Group that asserted this or act as if Venezuela. 2019. The able international instruments the election lacked “legality and the opposition “There was a big bet that Hill Times need to be used to end President legitimacy.” The Lima Group— is necessarily under pressure Maduro would photograph by Maduro’s government. composed of Argentina, Brazil, represented break, but he did not. If he’s Andrew Meade Following the Dec. 6 parlia- Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa by any one able to keep the support of the mentary election, Mr. Guaidó Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Para- particular military, he could be in power for organized a consultation vote, guay, Peru, and Venezuela—was individual.” a very long time, and there is very which surveyed voters on founded in 2017 to address the Prof. Cam- little the international community whether Mr. Maduro’s presidency Venezuelan crisis. eron added can do to stop that,” he said. should be ended and new legisla- Mr. Viera-Blanco said the work that there Prof. Daudelin said there is tive elections should be held. Mr. of the Lima Group has been “very isn’t a lot the a question of the Lima Group’s Viera-Blanco said there has been successful” and it remains “very international democratic legitimacy, especially “excellent” participation of Ven- active” in working towards a solu- community with the importance of Brazil to ezuelan society. tion in Venezuela. can do as long the coalition. But there has been speculation NDP MP Jack Harris (St. the Maduro But Prof. Cameron said he that Mr. Guaidó is losing support. John’s East, N.L.), his party’s government doesn’t think the Lima Group His U.K. representative Vanessa foreign affairs critic, said Canada plans to keep has failed, and said it’s taken a Neumann quit in November, say- has to allow Venezuelan people to “Time for Canada to have an itself in power by what ever principled position in defence of ing that Mr. Guaidó’s leadership decide its own path forward. independent foreign policy. Time means it can. democracy, and is not a power- of the opposition is “unclear.” And “We see in Venezuela a divided for us to say no to imperialism He said a wise course of action politics game of the international without a seat in the National society clearly, but it is not for in Latin America and elsewhere. would be to not recognize any community. Assembly, his claim to be the other countries, like Canada, to Time to respect the will of the single leader as the president of “There’s nothing in inter- legitimate president of Venezu- decide who should be the leader people,” she tweeted on Dec. 7. Venezuela. national law … that says that ela may be tested. It was on that of that country,” he said, adding Conservative MP Michael “I think you can recognize that democratic nations must recog- basis that Canada recognized that the only “real solution” is a Chong (Wellington-Halton Hills, for the time being that Guaidó nize the democratic legitimacy of him as interim president in 2019. homegrown Venezuelan solution. Ont.), his party’s foreign affairs crit- appears to be the spokesperson an illegitimate non-democratic “Canada recognizes Juan Guaidó, “The Lima Group has no ic, tweeted that the Conservatives for the opposition [and] that government, and that’s what we President of the National Assem- business deciding the future of do not recognize the results of the most of the opposition is behind did when we denied the legitima- bly, as the interim President of Venezuela—it’s for the people “illegitimate” election and said the [him]—that doesn’t make him a cy of Maduro’s claim to power— Venezuela. We support his com- of Venezuela. Outside countries, party continues to support Venezu- president. He does not now at this that denial persists and that is a mitment to lead Venezuela to free other countries ought not to de- elans and their “fight for democracy point occupy any institutional reality that Venezuela has to live and fair presidential elections,” cide who the leader should be in and free and fair elections.” office from which he can defend with,” he said. then-foreign affairs minister Venezuela, that should be decided Political science professor the constitution or which confers [email protected] (University- by the people themselves … We Maxwell Cameron of the Univer- on him any kind of meaningful The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020 17 Comment There are lessons to be learned from this annus horribilis From politics, to policy, to people, there is no area of life that hasn’t been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic—but everything we’ve been through in 2020 will shape us in 2021.

Tim Powers Plain Speak

Giants who fell in 2020 included political heavyweight John Crosbie, left, Summa Strategies’ Tracey Hubley, and former prime minister John Turner. TTAWA—It is not an understatement The Hill Times file photographs and courtesy of Summa Strategies Oto say 2020 has been a year like no other for almost all of us. Since March, we have all been in the clutches of the thinkers and doers who made a real dif- found. Credit to this media organization There has been light and joy in 2020. COVID-19 pandemic. Many just want it to ference for Canada. and others for creating spaces to share sto- For me, and again, I suspect others, it was be 2021, but we still should not wish time We have all been personally impacted ries and offer assistance so those suffering time we got with family that didn’t exist away, particularly as this annus horribilis by the pandemic, from the way we live to have some outlet for aid. before in our busy lives. I end this year for- ends, as hope is here with a vaccine for the the way we work. For many us, the abil- In 2020, I lost my long-time friend and ever grateful for the many, many additional virus. ity to see family in other provinces hasn’t business partner Tracey Hubley. Tracey’s special moments I got with my son, Patrick. As this is a paper dedicated to politics, existed, but if anything, the silver lining is death was a gut punch. But, channeling He has been my hope and health elixir. policy, and people, let me start with the that it has forced us to reflect more about Tracey’s spirit, we all pulled ourselves up Yes, bring on 2021, but never forget first two. Federal politics has been domi- what is important, realize how special time and work through it today. We honour her what shaped us in 2020. nated—as every other kind of politics has— is—what pain exists when moments are memory now with a scholarship that will Tim Powers is vice-chairman of Summa by the virus, from delaying the election of taken away from you. Many have greater help a future generation of Traceys who Strategies and managing director of the federal opposition leader, to the fact we struggles with mental wellness during this come through the University of Prince Abacus Data. He is a former adviser to have not had a federal budget in two years, period. You are not alone, and help can be Edward Island. Conservative political leaders. that we have a nearly $400-billion deficit, and all of that is less important than doing what it takes to get Canadians vaccinated. With the limited ability of opposition par- ties to shape the public debate because of the global health and economic crisis, the prime minister has dominated the land- scape. He has been rewarded with positive public opinion polls that set him up nicely for a spring election, even though in Erin O’Toole, the new Conservative leader, he has a much more able opponent than for- mer Conservative leader Andrew Scheer. If anything, 2020 has seen more co- operation at the federal-provincial level than I can recall. According to the federal government, there have been more than 20 first ministers’ meetings since the crisis be- gan. For the vast majority of the last eight- plus months, all the governments have been rowing together to help their citizens. Canadians have apparently welcomed this approach knowing their lives, the lives of loved ones, and the overall well-being of their communities have been at stake. Kudos to all our first ministers for recog- nizing that. Yes, at times there have been flare-ups, but mostly common purpose has championed the day. This won’t last forever because of the nature of our politics, but it has been a welcome development in chal- lenging times. Giants fell in 2020. Legendary Cana- dian political heavyweights John Turner, John Crosbie, and Don Mazankowski all passed away. All three were significant political players for decades in Canadian life. They came from an era when capable politicians weren’t mere parts of a politi- cal marketing machine. They were major 18 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES

paternity leave and now wears the title of A former partner senior global affairs adviser, reporting to with Cooper Jørgen- Mr. Clow. He previously covered global son in Toronto, she’s affairs for the policy team, led by execu- spent the last year tive director Marci Surkes; senior policy (minus a month) as hill climbers adviser Kathleen Davis, who reports to Ms. a partner with Ruby Surkes, now covers that file, among others. Shiller Enenajor by Laura Ryckewaert Gabriel Felcarek has also recently DiGiuseppe Barris- joined Mr. Trudeau’s office, in his case as a ters, practicing crimi- correspondence writer. nal and and constitu- Mr. Felcarek is tional litigation. Lisa Jørgensen has a member of the With a law degree joined the justice board of directors from the University minister’s office. for the Notre- of British Colum- Photograph courtesy of Andrée-Lyne Dame-de-Grâce- bia, Ms. Jørgenson LinkedIn Westmount, Que., has also been a law Liberal riding clerk with the Ontario Court of Appeal, an association, and associate with McCarthy Tétrault, and an vice-chair for associate with Lockyer Campbell Posner, Hallé returns to Quebec for the where she dealt with criminal appeals to Young Liberals of the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Su- Canada, as noted Gabriel Felcarek is a new preme Court of Canada. Plus, among other on his LinkedIn. PMO correspondence past experience, she previously interned A former fellow writer. Photograph with Lawyers for Human Rights in Johan- Prime Minister with the Canadian courtesy of LinkedIn nesburg, South Africa, for six months in Jewish Political 2012. Affairs Committee, he spent the summer as Nicholas Daube is director of policy to an aide to Quebec Liberal MP Patricia Lat- Mr. Lametti, and also currently oversees tanzio. He’s also a former vice-president policy and litigation adviser Bennett Jen- Trudeau’s office of business affairs for GFN Productions, sen, and policy advisers Olivier Jarda and a Montreal-based production company Nadia Kadria. François Giroux is judicial started by his childhood friends that pro- affairs adviser, while Caroline Tanyan is a A PMO staffer since November 2016, duces film concert series with the FILM- special assistant for judicial affairs. Plus, Justice Minister Mr. Belliveau was promoted to deputy di- harmonique orchestra and, when needed, rector this past spring, and before then was the Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal choir. Minister Bennett down a press will have a legislative assistant in the office. He’s Past film concerts put on by the company also a former special assistant to now-In- include Fantasia, Titanic, movies from the secretary a new chief of staff in his tergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic Star Wars franchise, and the first two films Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister office later this month, LeBlanc during his turn as government from The Lord of the Rings trilogy. is in want of a new press House leader, and briefly served as com- In other news, videographer Mathieu secretary following Emily Williams’ recent with Alexander Steinhouse munications director to Mr. LeBlanc when Sly has left the PMO after two-and-a-half exit to become a senior communications he first took over the fisheries and oceans years and recently joined the National Gal- adviser in Economic Development and currently transitioning into portfolio in May 2016 before joining the lery of Canada as a social media officer. Official Languages Minister Mélanie Joly’s PMO. Mr. Sly was videographer for the office. the role. Back in September, Samantha Khalil Liberal Party during the 2019 campaign, Ms. Williams had was promoted to deputy director of parlia- travelling with the prime minister through- been working for Ms. rime Minister Justin Trudeau recently mentary affairs and issues management. out to film and edit videos for social media Bennett since March, Pwelcomed Andrée-Lyne Hallé back to Ms. Khalil has been working in the Trudeau and election ads. Before joining the PMO, before which she’d his team, this time as director of parlia- PMO since November 2015, first as execu- he did freelance videography, photography, spent about a year mentary affairs and issues management. tive assistant to chief of staff Katie Telford and digital media work. and a half working Ms. Hallé marked her first day back and then-principal secretary . as a consultant for in the PMO on Dec. 7, and before then, Before her latest promotion, she was a Lametti soon to have new chief Hill and Knowlton since January, had been busy as director senior manager of issues management and Strategies, starting of operations and deputy chief of staff to parliamentary affairs. of staff in the fall of 2018. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Alexander Jagric has been hired as a Justice Minister David Lametti will Emily Williams is now She’d previously who’s also been minister of finance since legislative assistant in the PMO; he started soon have a new chief of staff at the helm working for Economic been a Liberal staffer mid-August. on the job during the first week of De- in his office, with Rachel Doran set to exit Development Minister at Queen’s Park, last cember, arriving straight from Innovation, the role later this month. Mélanie Joly. Photograph as manager of issues Andrée- Science, and Industry Minister Navdeep She’s been chief of staff to Mr. Lametti courtesy of LinkedIn management and Lyne Hallé, Bains’ office where he’s spent the last year since he became justice minister in Janu- legislative affairs to pictured as an issues and parliamentary affairs ary 2019, and before then spent most of then-Ontario labour minister Kevin Flynn. with PMO adviser. 2018 as chief of staff to then-Indigenous She’s also a former research associate with media Mr. Jagric was services minister Seamus O’Regan. Ms. Ward Health in Oakville. advance campaign manager Doran is also a former PMO policy adviser, Hill Climbers understands that a new lead Terry to Transport Minis- where her files included sport, status of press secretary has yet to be named in Guillon, in ter women, persons with disabilities, Indig- Ms. Bennett’s office, but stay tuned for an Centre Block in Notre-Dame-de- enous and northern affairs, and justice. update on that. Gillian Hanson remains in 2017. Grâce-Westmount, Already, Alex- director of communications. The Hill Que., during the ander Steinhouse Sarah Welch is Ms. Bennett’s chief of Times file 2015 election, has been tapped to staff. photograph which saw Mr. replace her; he’s cur- In Ms. Joly’s office, Ms. Williams will be Garneau re-elected rently transitioning working under director of communications Ms. Hallé previously spent a little more with roughly 57.7 into the role. Maéva Proteau and alongside press secre- than four years working in the PMO, start- per cent support. He’s been work- tary Catherine Mounier-Desrochers. ing in November 2015 as a press secretary. Alex Jagric has joined After the elec- ing in the justice min- Over in Mr. Wilkinson’s office, the She was promoted to deputy director of the PMO. Photograph tion, in January ister’s office since the environment minister has a new commu- communications in 2017 and at the begin- courtesy of LinkedIn 2016, Mr. Jagric fall of 2016, start- nications adviser, and senior writer, of his ning of 2018 became director of outreach was hired as a Alexander Steinhouse ing as a policy and own, with Kevin Evans recently joining his in Mr. Trudeau’s office. special assistant for issues management in will soon officially take parliamentary affairs team. Ms. Hallé was a provincial Liberal Mr. Garneau’s office as transport minister, over as chief of staff to adviser to then-min- Mr. Evans is a former broadcast jour- staffer at Quebec’s national assembly where he worked until December 2019, Mr. Lametti. Photograph ister Jody Wilson- nalist with the CBC in British Columbia, between 2009 and 2012, including serving ending as a senior special assistant for courtesy of LinkedIn Raybould. Mr. including co-anchoring the CBC’s evening as press secretary to Pierre Moreau as gov- issues management and communications. Steinhouse was newscast for Vancouver from 1989 to 1996. ernment whip, intergovernmental affairs, He’s also a former aide to then-Quebec promoted to his most recent role of direc- After leaving the CBC in 1998, he became and transport minister. She’s also a former Liberal MNA Marguerite Blais. tor of parliamentary affairs in the summer Western vice-president of the Retail Coun- communications manager for the federal PMO media advance Annabelle St- of 2018. This past summer, he spent a few cil of Canada, and in 2007 became chief Liberal Party. Pierre Archambault is currently filling in months on secondment to the PMO to fill executive officer of the Industry Training Maxime Dea was the last to hold the as an issues adviser in the top office, cover- in as an issues management and parlia- Authority, a provincial Crown corporation. title of director of parliamentary affairs ing for Sabrina Kim, who is currently on mentary affairs adviser. He’s also been CEO of the Physiotherapy and issues management in the PMO; he left loan as acting director of communications Mr. Steinhouse studied law at McGill Association of B.C. the Hill in June and is now head of public to Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkin- University and went on to work as a law As noted, Ms. Kim is currently acting as policy and a senior regulatory counsel for son, as previously reported. clerk to Federal Court Justice Jocelyne director of communications to Mr. Wilkin- Rogers Communications in Montreal, as Brian Clow is overall head of the PMO’s Gagné. Before coming to work on the Hill, son, with Moira Kelly in place as press previously reported. parliamentary affairs and issues teams he was an associate with Davies Ward Phil- secretary, and Jocelyn Lubczuk as a senior Sébastien Belliveau will soon be bid- as executive director, and also continues lips & Vineberg LLP in Montreal. communications adviser. ding the PMO farewell, and is expected to to lead the PMO’s Canada-U.S. relations Mr. Lametti has also recently welcomed Marlo Raynolds is chief of staff to Mr. exit his role as deputy director of issues team. a new member to his policy team, with Wilkinson. management and parliamentary affairs in Speaking of which, policy adviser Lisa Jørgenson hired earlier this month to [email protected] the new year. Patrick Travers recently returned from tackle criminal law. The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020 19 Parliamentary Calendar Former governor general Clarkson opens her archives in Signature series talk on Dec. 17

Donald Savoie Talks Democracy in ence of Montreal hosted by the International Former governor general , pictured with former prime WEDNESDAY, DEC. 16 Canada—The Canadian Study of Parlia- Economic Forum of the Americas, at 12:50 minister Paul Martin, will sit down for an interview with Leslie Weir, Librarian Moyra Davey: The Faithful—National Gallery ment Group hosts a virtual conversation p.m. The conference runs Dec. 14-17, live and Archivist of Canada, as part of LAC's Signature Interviews series on of Canada hosts this new exhibition, Moyra with Donald Savoie, Canada’s pre-eminent and online. Visit forum-americas.org/mon- Thursday, Dec. 17. The Hill Times file photograph Davey: The Faithful, featuring the work of one expert on Canadian institutions and public treal/home for more information. of Canada’s most innovative conceptual artists, administration. His newest book, Democracy The Asia-Pacific Regional Comprehensive 16 and sit every weekday until Friday, Feb. National Conven- on now until Jan. 3, 2021. National Gallery of in Canada: The Disintegration of Our Institu- Partnership—ISG Senator 26. It will take a one-week break, March tion—The NDP rescheduled its 2020 policy Canada, 380 Sussex Dr., Ottawa. This new ex- tions, is a deep analysis about the health will take part in a panel discussion on 1-March 5, and will return again for one convention to instead take place virtually hibition features 54 photographs and six films of Canada’s democracy. Savoie will talk “The Asia-Pacific Regional Comprehensive week, March 8-12, before taking another April 9-11, 2021. Riding associations have by Davey, along with more than a dozen works this book, his career, and his prognosis for Partnership: Challenges and Opportunities break, March 15-19. It’s scheduled to sit until Feb. 8, 2021 to submit resolutions for from the Gallery collection. Developed by the Canada’s institutions as we move forward in for Canada.” He will be joined by Gregory March 22-26, will take a two-week break, consideration. artist and curator Andrea Kunard, the exhibi- an uncertain world. Wednesday, Dec. 16, at T. Chin, associate professor of political March 29-April 9. It’s then scheduled to tion explores the artist’s trajectory from early noon. Tickets available via Eventbrite. science at York University. Wednesday, Dec. sit every weekday for the next five weeks, SATURDAY, AUG. 21, 2021 Minister Ng Address Conference of Mon- 16, from 5-6 p.m. Register at thecic.org. images of family and friends, through portraits April 12-May 14. It will take one-week 65th Commonwealth Parliamentary Confer- treal—Minister of Small Business, Export Erin O’Toole Meet and Greet—Conserva- of the detritus of everyday life, her mailed break after that, from May 17-May 24. ence—One of the largest annual gatherings Promotion, and International Trade Mary Ng tive Leader Erin O’Toole will take part in photographs, and films examining the work of It will sit May 25 every weekday until of Commonwealth Parliamentarians will will deliver a keynote address on “How Can a virtual meet and greet event hosted by authors, philosophers and artists. https://www. Wednesday, June 23, and will then break take place in Aug. 21-27, 2021 at the 65th We Play Our Cards Right in this New Global- Peter White and Céline Lalancette. Hear gallery.ca/whats-on/exhibitions-and-galleries/ for three months, until Monday Sept. 20. Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference ization of Economies?” part of the Confer- first-hand from O’Toole about his plans for moyra-davey-the-faithful In the fall and winter, the House is sched- (CPC) hosted by the CPA Canada Region Canada and ask questions about important uled to sit for 11 weeks over September, in Halifax. The annual flagship event will issues. Wednesday, Dec. 16, 7 p.m. EST. October, November and December. It will bring together over 500 Parliamentarians, THURSDAY, DEC. 17 sit Sept. 20-Oct. 8; Oct. 18-Nov. 5; Nov. parliamentary staff, and decision makers Peace prize celebrated 15-Dec. 17. from across the Commonwealth for this Book Launch—The University of Ottawa THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021 unique conference and networking opportu- The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia hosts the launch of Christopher A. Cooper’s nity. The conference will be hosted by the new book, At the Pleasure of the Crown: Conservative Party National Policy Con- CPA President (2019-2021), , The Politics of Bureaucratic Appoint- The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the World Food Programme in October vention—The Conservative Party National MP, Speaker of the House of Commons. All ments. Jenn Wallner, associate professor 2020, recognizing the initiative "for its efforts to combat hunger, for its contribu- Policy Convention will now take place from eligible CPA Branches will be contacted and Jean-Luc Pepin Chair, University of tion to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas and for acting as March 18 to 20, 2021, exclusively online with further information and invitations. Ottawa, will deliver remarks, followed by an a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and con- and the Conservative Party’s National Coun- The Parliamentary Calendar is a free informal conversation on the book featuring flict." In addition to being recognized at a virtual ceremony in Oslo, Norway, and cil decided the next convention in 2023 events listing. Send in your political, cultural, Dan Perrins, former deputy minister to the Rome, on Dec. 10 an event was held on Parliament Hill, where Norwegian Ambas- will take place in Québec City. For more diplomatic, or governmental event in a para- premier of Saskatchewan, and Tracy Sletto, sador Jon Elvedal Fredriksen, International Development Minister , information, call 1-866-808-8407. graph with all the relevant details under the executive vice-president, Canada Energy and CEO and president of Co-operation Canada Nicolas Moyer also extended subject line ‘Parliamentary Calendar’ to news@ Regulator. Thursday, Dec. 17, 11:30 a.m. FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 congratulations to Elly Vandenberg, director of the WFP’s Canadian Global Office. hilltimes.com by Wednesday at noon before to 1 p.m. Register via Eventbrite. Liberal Party National Convention—The the Monday paper or by Friday at noon for the The World: Responding to the Challenges announced on Wednesday paper. We can’t guarantee inclusion of Our Time—The Montreal Council on For- Sept. 25 it was postponing its 2020 Liberal of every event, but we will definitely do our best. eign Relations hosts a webinar with Richard National Convention from Nov. 12-14. The Events can be updated daily online, too. Haass, president of the Council on Foreign new dates are April 9-10, 2021. The Hill Times Relations, New York, who will speak about his new book in a webinar titled “The World: Responding to the Challenges of Our Time.” Covered topics will include: the Biden administration: what to expect for the U.S. CLASSIFIEDS and the rest of the world; U.S-China: can we avoid conflict and the implications for Information and advertisement placement: 613-232-5952 the world; climate change and the sanitary crisis: top priorities; how to improve the ef- CONDOS FOR RENT CONDOS FOR RENT PROFESSIONAL fectiveness of global governance structures; SERVICES and what role for Canada in this world in transition. Thursday, Dec. 17 at noon. Regis- ter online at corim.qc.ca. 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It will take a one- Contact: [email protected] 613-232-5952 week break and return on Tuesday, Feb. More at hilltimes.com/calendar Easy Parliamentary Tracking With the sheer magnitude of information coming out of Parliament Hill every day, it can be hard to sift through it all to find what you need. Parliament Now is the service that will help you sort out your government affairs.

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Legislation: Committees: Press Releases: • Follow bills through • Follow both Senate and • Trimmed-down versions of Parliament House committees press releases, featuring only • Receive email alerts when • Get email alerts for upcoming the pertinent information on your bill changes status committee meetings and past federal issues meeting minutes

Event Calendar: Forecast: Regulations: • A curated list of • A daily look ahead of what’s • The nitty-gritty of regulations government-related going on in of laws enacted after events from a wide variety of Canadian federal politics for legislation sources the next day • Updated daily

Directory: QP Report: In Parliament: • A frequently updated list of • Summary of what • A quick glance at all MPs and Senators with all happened in Question what legislation of their contact details Period the day before (when may be debated the House is sitting) (when the House is • A bulleted list of sitting) what was discussed and who/what was mentioned

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