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TWENTY-SEVENTH YEAR, NO. 1333 CANADA’S POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT NEWSWEEKLY MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 $5.00

NEWS BUDGET NEWS DUFFY TRIAL FEATURE JUSTICE Liberals’ fi scal House Justice direction Duff y cleared on 31 criminal Committee ‘sustainable,’ charges, reinstated as chair vows debt could be not to ‘impose’ gone, in 50 Senator, not guilty verdict personal views years: PBO on assisted- reverberates on Parliament dying law BY DEREK ABMA BY RACHEL AIELLO The Parliamentary Budget Offi ce has judged the Liberal Hill, Senate administration The chair of the House com- government’s fi scal direction as mittee tasked with studying and being sustainable with the predic- possibly amending the government’s tion that it’s on track to wipe out controversial assisted dying legisla- the federal debt, within 50 years. tion says it’s not something he would The PBO issued a new eco- ever seek or help someone do. nomic and fi scal outlook last “If you asked me person- week. It included the projection ally if I would ever want to have that the fi scal structure set up in physician-assisted suicide or want Prime Minister ’s to help or assist one of my fam- (Papineau, Que.) fi rst budget, ily members do that, the answer released March 22, puts the gov- would be no,” Liberal MP Anthony ernment on track to completely Housefather (Mount Royal, Que.) wipe out the federal debt by the told The Hill Times during an 2064-65 fi scal year. It said this interview in his main fl oor Justice Building offi ce last week. Continued on page 6

Continued on page 22

NEWS LOBBYING Energy, NEWS TRANSPARENCY tech sectors Feds still haven’t moved dominate on opening list lobbying up secretive PM Trudeau Commons

BY DEREK ABMA Board of

Organizations from the energy Internal and technology sectors account for more than one-third of the Economy lobbyists that have made contact Senator Mike Duffy, pictured April 21 on his way into court in Ottawa, was cleared by Justice Charles Vaillan- with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau court on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. The Hill Times photograph by Cynthia Münster BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT since he took power, according to the federal lobbyists registry. The Liberal government com- Communications reports mitted to opening up meetings on the registry, as of last week, BY ABBAS RANA the Senate’s vague administrative istration Committee should get of the powerful and secretive showed Mr. Trudeau (Papineau, rules that are subject to multiple in- these rules clarifi ed as soon House of Commons Board of Que.) has had contact with 28 The two-year legal ordeal for terpretations, says New Brunswick as possible because the stage Internal Economy during the 2015 different lobbying organizations Sen. Mike Duffy, which ended in Independent Sen. John Wallace. remains set for Senators to make campaign, but six months into its his exoneration on all 31 criminal He said the Senate’s Internal Continued on page 20 charges last week, is a symptom of Economy, Budgets and Admin- Continued on page 7 Continued on page 18 2 THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 FEATURE BUZZ

Justin Trudeau is ON featured prominently HEARD THE HILL in the latest editions BY DEREK ABMA of GQ, left, and Washington Life magazine. Photographs courtesy of GQ Hill skin cancer and by Gina Cosentino clinic saved Grit The legislation was tabled April 14. munications strategist who, in his past life However, a Globe and Mail article written by as a Conservative staffer, helped start this Laura Stone, published online on April 12, tournament with Shiv Raj, a former PMO revealed certain aspects of the bill, such as staffer from the Harper days. MP Casey’s life, it that it would not allow for advanced consent to medically assisted dying for those suffer- ing from psychological conditions such as Nice weather comes, dementia or those people younger than 18. time to run on Hill might save others The House verbally consented to a mo- tion from Conservative MP Andrew Scheer that the matter be referred to the House Efforts are underway to recruit partici- Affairs Committee. pants in the Running on the Hill program, Cindy which is slated to run every Monday between Lamoureux, “Whoever is responsible for this must understand that we are a parliamentary de- May 2 and June 20 during the noon hour. the daughter The program will continue to be man- of Kevin mocracy and that political decisions made by staff to try to frame the debate in the media aged by Theresa Kavanagh, a staffer in the Lamoureaux, offi ce of NDP Whip Marjolaine Boutin- was elected as a are not acceptable when that infringes upon our rights and dignities,” Mr. Scheer said. Sweet, as it has for the last eight years. Liberal MPs and House staffers of various intensity MLA last week. levels are sought. Ms. Kavanagh—a regular Photograph courtesy Trudeau: A face made participant in marathons and other competi- Liberal MP Bill Casey, left, said the death of Cindy Lamoureux tions—will lead the runners during these ses- , a former Conservative-turned campaign for magazines sions. Renée Taylor, from the offi ce of NDP MP Independent MP, inspired him to get tested for Sheila Malcolmson, will lead the walkers. skin cancer years ago, and it saved his life. The Ms. Lamoureux is just 24 years old. Her Prime Minister Justin Trudeau contin- Those that participate are asked to make Hill Times photographs by Jake Wright past working experience includes jobs in the ues to be an international media darling, $30 donations to the Workplace Charitable Senate, the Long Term & Continuing Care As- with his mug being featured prominently Campaign by April 29, the proceeds for which ext week, Liberal MP Bill Casey is sociation of Manitoba, and Blockbuster Video. in the latest issues of GQ and Washington go toward keeping children active. Those who Nhosting the kind of skin cancer clinic She was one of only three Liberals Life magazines. want to join are asked to email Ms. Kava- that saved his life a decade ago. elected in what ended up being a land- Mr. Trudeau has an electronic “lost” cover nagh at [email protected], and be He recalled how in 2006 he attended a slide victory for the Conservatives led by for the May issue of GQ, for which the main prepared to meet up for the fi rst session next skin cancer clinic organized on the Hill by , which won 40 of 57 seats. theme is “The Most Stylish Men Alive 2016.” Monday at 12:10 p.m. at the Centennial Flame. , a Conservative MP between The NDP, which had been in power for the The magazine explained that Mr. 2008 and 2011 and wife of the late Indepen- last 17 years, won 14 seats. Premier Greg Trudeau isn’t included in a physical cover dent MP Chuck Cadman who died of skin Selinger announced his resignation as of the magazine, as fellow Canadians Ryan Ontario Tory leader runs cancer in 2005. NDP leader on election night last Tuesday. Reynolds and Drake are also featured in “I just happened to go to it, almost by has been an MP for the this issue and have their own real covers. Boston Marathon accident,” Mr. Casey said. “A committee riding of North since 2010. He won It said “having a third Canuck cover would a byelection that year, which was called after have ma-a-a-aybe been overkill.” Patrick Brown, leader of the Ontario Pro- ended early, the only time it ever ended gressive Conservative Party, was among those early in 17 years. So, I had chance to go to the seat was vacated by former NDP MP Judy GQ states that Mr. Trudeau “has come Wasylycia-Leis. He has been re-elected in each a long way from being just a snowboard- who ran in the Boston Marathon last week. it, so I went to it.” The opposition leader for Ontario ran Mr. Casey said the physician manning of the two general elections since then. He’s ing John Mayer doppelgänger,” and that he currently the parliamentary secretary for Gov- “dresses better than any other world leader.” the marathon in four hours, 16 minutes, the clinic did a basic check of his head, and three seconds, placing him 19,869th out hands, face, and neck. Just as Mr. Casey ernment House Leader Dominic LeBlanc. Meanwhile, Mr. Trudeau along with wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, U.S. President of the 27,491 participants. was about the leave, the doctor, who wasn’t Mr. Brown, who has participated in more busy, offered to do a more thorough check. Barack Obama, and fi rst lady Michelle House Affairs Obama appear on the cover of the April than a dozen marathons, told Orillia Today that Sure enough, malignant melanoma was he was not in optimal shape for the Boston found in the middle of Mr. Casey’s back. edition of Washington Life, which uses a Committee to look into picture from the state dinner held in Wash- run, having entered at the last minute in re- He later had two operations that took care sponse to a request to participate in support of of it. Testing during that process also found ington, D.C., last month, with a headline the C-14 leaks reads, “the 2016 A-List.” The theme is about the Hospital for Sick Children in . he had prostate cancer, which he was also “I fi gured I had enough muscle memory able to have treated. those who are the most desirable to have as A story from guests if you’re throwing a party in D.C. from years past that I could do it without train- “I’m here today because of early diag- ing,” he was quoted as saying. “Runners are nosis, and only because of early diagnosis Globe and Mail reporter inherently competitive with themselves, and I at the clinic,” he said. “I’m grateful to Mrs. Liberals win charity think the lesson is training is important.” Cadman and, unfortunately, also to Chuck, Laura Stone broke details Mr. Brown, who was a Conservative MP because if he hadn’t have gone through basketball game between 2006 and 2015, was not about use those things, I would never have known.” of Bill C-14 before it was this as an excuse to be a couch potato for Mr. Casey will be assisted by House The federal Liberals are really on a role tabled in an extended period. Days later, he tweeted Speaker Geoff Regan in hosting the skin lately; fi rst the election and now a basket- the House. a picture of an early-morning hockey game cancer clinic next Monday, May 2, from 3 ball tournament. The Hill Times he was involved in. “Best way to get over a to 6 p.m. at 216-N at Centre Block. The team comprised of Liberal MPs and photograph by marathon is shinny!” his post said. staffers were victorious in the fi fth annual Jake Wright Parliamentary Charity Basketball Tourna- Liberal MP ment held Sunday, April 17, in Ottawa. Movie night pushed Lamoureux’s daughter The Liberals, captained by MP Raj Gre- wal, defeated the Conservatives, led by MP ahead ½ hour elected in last week’s David Sweet, in the fi nal. It was the Liber- The House of Commons last week als’ fi rst victory in this tournament, making Note, if you’re planning to go to Movie Manitoba election tasked its Procedure and House Affairs them the 2016 CLK Raj-Richardsen Cup Night on the Hill (which is actually at the Committee to look into how details of champions. The Conservatives have won Canadian Museum of History in ) Politics is becoming somewhat of a fam- assisted-dying legislation, Bill C-14, got three times and the NDP once. on Tuesday, May 3, it’s now slated to start ily business for the Lamoureux family. into the hands of reporters. The tournament also managed to raise at 7:30 p.m., not 7 p.m. as initially planned. Last week, Cindy Lamoureux, daughter House Speaker Geoff Regan said in the a record $20,000 for Christie Lake Kids, As we’ve already noted, the invite-only of federal Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux, House last Tuesday that the leaks marked which provides organized recreational op- event is being hosted by Heritage Minis- was elected to the Manitoba legislature. “a direct contravention of the House’s right portunities for disadvantaged kids. ter Mélanie Joly and features the award- “It’s surreal for me; it’s absolutely surreal,” to fi rst access.” He noted that “specifi c and “The tournament has grown gradu- winning Canadian-Irish production Room, she told reporters on election night last Tues- detailed information contained in Bill C-14 ally each year, and it’s very satisfying to featuring a performance from Canadian day. “I’ve been dreaming about being a politi- was reported in a newspaper article and see how much fun people can have across child actor Jacob Tremblay. cian since I was just a little girl. It was my fi rst elsewhere in the media before the bill had partisan lines to help kids in need,” said [email protected] run. I thought, you know, I got nothing to lose.” been introduced in the House.” Daniel Richardsen, a Finance Canada com- The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 3 FEATURE ATTAWAPISKAT Suicides, fl oods in First Nations, Angus tackles big problems in big Ontario riding More than a decade NDP MP Charlie previous facility that was contami- Angus, pictured nated by a toxic diesel fuel leak. after being elected, April 19, arriving Mr. Tonelli said Mr. Angus doesn’t in Attiwapiskat visit remote indigenous communities is with Attiwapiskat as much as he would like because Chief Bruce of the prohibitive air-travel costs, one of the most Shisheesh. although he’s been known to accom- vocal advocates of Photograph pany Gilles Bisson, NDP MPP for courtesy NDP MP the same area, and other provincial indigenous rights Charlie Angus’ members on their way there. Facebook Mr. Angus said he and his in the House of team rely on Facebook to inter- Commons. act with constituents in northern reserves. BY JEAN-LOUP DOUDARD “Everyday we do work on Face- book, we respond to constituents, we ARLIAMENT HILL—When sort housing applications,” he said. PNDP MP Charlie Angus was Mr. Tonelli said his staff regu- fi rst elected in the Ontario riding larly schedule all-day clinics in of -James Bay in 2004, he indigenous communities to process pledged to visit all of its indigenous things like municipality fi les and communities and First Nations. issues with utilities. He said Mr. Many of the communities Angus travels a lot during constitu- hadn’t seen their MP in years, said ency weeks, but due to the size of Dale Tonelli, who works in Mr. An- his riding, he often chooses to stay gus’ constituency offi ce in Timmins. lawmakers about the challenges Despite the new First Nations wan Cree First Nation made in and work the phones instead. More than a decade later, Mr. of living in remote northern funding, Mr. Angus has criticized the national headlines last month “The drive between Timmins and Angus is one of the most vocal reserves, something Mr. Angus lack of new funding specifi cally ear- when pictures of infants with is about two hours,” advocates of indigenous rights in actively pushed the week before. marked for mental-health services. virulent skin conditions went viral he said. “He can do 20 phone calls the House and the federal political “I don’t want it to be a photo The rash of attempted suicides on social media.Thirty children and help 20 people in that time face of the Attawapiskat suicide op,” Mr. Angus said of last week’s prompted Mr. Angus to call for an were examined by Health Canada instead of spending it on the road.” crisis that erupted two weeks ago. trip. “It’s an opportunity to show emergency debate on the ongoing medical staff and the vast major- Mr. Angus’ riding sprawls Mr. Angus, who is the NDP’s them that they matter.” suicide crisis two weeks ago. The ity were diagnosed with eczema. from the shores of the Hudson critic for indigenous and northern While he approves of the latest House of Commons convened for There were also a few cases of Bay to the Timiskaming district affairs, fl ew to Attawapiskat last government commitments, Mr. an emotionally charged discussion scabies, impetigo, and psoriasis. on the border with , an Monday with Indigenous and Angus said Prime Minister Justin on mental health services follow- The skin conditions are fully area roughly equivalent in land Northern Affairs Minister Caro- Trudeau (Papineau, Qué.), who’s ing a string of incidents in north- treatable and the children are size to Guinea. He holds two con- lyn Bennett (Toronto-St. Paul’s, also the minister of intergovern- ern reserves in recent months. receiving the treatment they re- stituency offi ces; one in Timmins Ont.) to meet with Attawapiskat mental affairs and youth, should un- The Attawapiskat suicide crisis quire, said Christina Lazarova, a and the other in Kirkland Lake. First Nation Chief Bruce Shish- lock more funds for mental health is the latest in a community that has Health Canada spokeswoman. Mr. Angus goes to his Kirkland eesh and aboriginal youth. services in First Nations reserves. been plagued by fl ooding and sev- Mr. Angus said Kashechewan, Lake offi ce two to four times a Eleven people attempted to “I think Canadians would eral housing crises in recent years. located where the Albany River month, said Felicia Scott, an Otta- take their lives in the James Bay not fault the prime minister if he Mr. Angus says he’s “lost count of meets James Bay, is still recovering wa-based staffer for Mr. Angus. Cree community of 2,000 on April changed the budget at this point,” the amount of states of emergency” from fl oods that forced the evacu- “He usually goes to the seniors’ 9, prompting the First Nation Mr. Angus said last Tuesday. “He that he’s seen in his riding. The First ation of the community last spring. home and brings his guitar and to declare a state of emergency. did it with Syria; he can do it here.” Nation has declared four states of He said he’s been involved “behind sings to residents,” she said. There has been more than 100 sui- Mr. Angus said he thinks the emergency since 2006 over housing the scenes” since the evacuations. Mr. Angus was once in a punk cide attempts on the reserve since Liberals can do more. crises and extended periods of boil- While he doesn’t conduct actual ne- rock band with former MP Andrew the month of September, many “I don’t buy the bullshit that water advisories. gotiations with the government, he Cash—before the two became including children. there’s a process,” said Mr. Angus “The previous housing crisis provides support to the band lead- politicians—called L’Étranger, and Mr. Angus said youth are the last Thursday. “All you need is we had was completely unneces- ers in dealing with house repairs. later in a more folk-oriented band key to the “large, structural change” political will.” sary,” Mr. Angus said to reporters Mr. Angus said his proudest called Grievous Angels that was that remote indigenous reserves Liberal MP Kamal Khera last week. “We had people living moment as an MP was the intro- nominated for two Junos. need to solve the suicide crisis. (Brampton West, Ont.), parliamen- in squalor, people living in tents.” duction of a motion in 2011 to im- Scott said Mr. Angus travels to “I believe in the power of young tary secretary for Health Minister Mr. Angus criticized the for- prove funding and quality of First communities such as Englehart, people, and it’s my work as an MP Jane Philpott (Markham-Stouffville, mer Harper government’s “very Nations education. The motion, Earlton, and Temagami. He also to nurture young leaders,” he said. Ont.), pointed to the Liberal gov- defensive” attitude when dealing which was unanimously adopted visits the Matachewan First Nation, After meeting with the At- ernment’s budget, which includes with the past crises, calling the in 2012, stemmed from a move- a Cree and Ojibway community 45 tawapiskat chief and council, and $8.4-billion to “improve the socio- Conservatives at the time “almost ment led by Shannen Koostachin, minutes west of Kirkland Lake. facing questions and comments economic conditions for indigenous paranoid on those issues.” an Attawapiskat youth who died “He makes sure to maintain a from youth, Ms. Bennett promised peoples and their communities” Attawapiskat is not the only in a car accident in 2010. very strong relationship with First a new youth centre and the for- when asked about providing new First Nation living in extremely In 2014, Mr. Angus inaugurated Nations,” said Mr. Tonelli. mation of a youth delegation that mental health funds by Mr. Angus poor conditions in the Timmins- a long-awaited elementary school [email protected] will travel to Ottawa to talk with in Question Period last Wednesday. James-Bay riding. The Kasheche- in Attawapiskat to replace the The Hill Times

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700-1 Rideau Street, Ottawa, ON K1N 8S7 Phone 613-294-2757 Email [email protected] wazuku.ca 4 THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 NEWS ACCESS TO INFORMATION CAJ urges MPs to reconsider ‘inherent’ secrecy in review of Access Act

Information ‘Secrecy is for those Commissioner people who cannot Suzanne Legault, pictured rightly explain right, has put the decisions and forward 85 recommendations actions they are to ‘modernize’ Canada’s access- taking to the public,’ to-information says Canadian system. The Hill Times Photograph by Association of Jake Wright Journalists vice- president Sean Holman.

BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

anada’s current access-to- Cinformation system presents a “fundamental challenge” to democracy, was drafted by a po- litical culture that favours secrecy, and MPs should question this “inherent” secrecy as they con- sider changes to the Access to Information Act, Sean Holman, vice-president of the Canadian Association of Journalists, told the House committee reviewing the act last week. “We have a cultural problem when it comes to secrecy, we have a structural problem when it comes to secrecy, and fi xing the Access to Information Act is only The new Liberal government recalled, but it was a “very secretive” board when it comes to exemp- soon after used by Canadians, and one part of addressing those prob- made a commitment to update the process and the resulting recom- tion and exclusions to freedom- also due to “the lack of power that lems,” Mr. Holman, a former inves- act as part of its 2015 campaign mendations and “regressive bill” of-information requests.” individuals MPs experience under tigative journalist and currently an platform, including: “eliminating (Bill 29) led to a weeklong fi libuster Mr. Holman said less exemp- our system of government.” assistant professor of journalism all fees,” except the initial $5 fi ling in the legislature by opposition par- tions would also help decrease the But the access-to-information at Mount Royal University, told fee, for access-to-information ties. After it was passed, the “relent- long wait times faced by those who system that was created back in members of the House Access to requests; giving the informa- less public outcry” that followed led fi le access requests—a point of 1980 “conformed to” the idea that Information, Privacy and Ethics tion commissioner more powers to another review in 2013, two years concern Mr. Wudrick raised—add- cabinet necessitated “a degree of Committee last Tuesday, as part of including the power to “issue earlier than scheduled, he said. ing he’s been out of journalism for built-in confi dentiality in govern- its review of the law. binding orders for disclosure”; That review resulted in 90 the last four years but still has an ment-decision making,” as argued “More important than any undertaking “a full legislative recommendations and a new bill, “outstanding request” in process at by the Privy Council, and that such of these recommendations is review” of the act every fi ve years; which came into force last year. the provincial level. confi dentiality was necessary to the need for government and and bringing the Prime Minister’s Newfoundland’s new access-to- “Information delayed is in- ensure frank, full, and non-partisan members of this committee to be Offi ce, cabinet offi ces, “as well information system has since formation denied, especially in a advice from the civil service, said willing to challenge the assump- as administrative institutions been lauded as “head and shoul- political, democratic environment,” Mr. Holman. The system, therefore, tion that secrecy is necessary for that support Parliament and the ders above” other jurisdictions in he said. “Today, even the most was shaped “by a political culture decision-making,” he said. courts” under the act. Canada, said Mr. Murray. routine requests for information and system that has always fa- Addressing cabinet confi den- Conservative MPs on the com- Mr. Holman told the committee usually have to be fi ltered through voured secrecy over openness.” tiality exemptions under the act, mittee last week repeatedly raised that exemptions allowed under the communications departments.” Just two months after the act he said “it seems passingly odd concern that the new government current federal Access to Informa- In exempting cabinet delibera- was passed in 1980, a writer for to me that the principal decision- has already specifi ed changes tion Act and practices such as cabi- tions, Mr. Holman questioned just The “quipped that the making body in government is to be made, which they said was net confi dentiality “create an unac- what is being protected. Access to Information Act loop- entirely secret.” predetermining the outcome of ceptable zone of secrecy around “Are we protecting cabinet holes were so wide that a Good- The committee has been con- the committee’s review and rec- government decision-making.” ministers from embarrassment? year Blimp could fl oat through ducting a statutory review of the ommendations. In the 2016 fed- He called for a reduction in Are we protecting a fi ction that them without touching on either Access to Information Act since eral budget it also notes a “central the 75 exemptions, or “loopholes,” more than a dozen people in a side,” recalled Mr. Holman. Feb. 25. It’s the fi rst statutory website” will be created to allow allowed under the act, including room will always agree with one Mr. Holman recalled that, three review of this act since 1986, six Canadians to submit information sections that permit the govern- another?” he said. years later, the father of the act, years after it was fi rst created. requests to government institu- ment to refuse to disclose some After a Conservative MP raised former Conservative MP Gerald In February, Information and tions, with $12.9-million allocated records for 20 years after they are a point about details of procure- Baldwin, said it would “be a very Privacy Commissioner Suzanne to the Treasury Board Secretariat created and on cabinet records ment deals or trade negotiations sorry day when those obliged to Lagault testifi ed before the com- over fi ve years to create it. (sections 21 and 69, respectively). being released, Mr. Holman said: make important decisions are so mittee and published a report On Tuesday, Mr. Holman testi- Mr. Holman also said: the infor- “Secrecy is for those people who fearful of having their motives and called ‘Striking the Right Bal- fi ed on behalf of the CAJ, along mation commissioner should be cannot rightly explain the decisions their assumptions challenged that ance for Transparency,’ which with Canadian Taxpayers’ Fed- given expanded powers, including and actions they are taking to the they will make such decisions on included 85 recommendations to eration’s federal director Aaron order-making power; public of- public. There should be no reason facts given orally.” “modernize” the act, including Wudrick, and Newfoundland and fi cials should be required to docu- for secrecy … if government is actu- Mr. Holman added “however calling for a “mandatory parlia- Labrador’s Information and Pri- ment decision-making, with penal- ally able to defend why it made the that sorry day is already upon us.” mentary review of the Act every vacy Commissioner Edward Ring, ties for not; that federal employees decision, if it made a good decision.” In January, Canada’s informa- fi ve years.” along with Sean Murray, director should be encouraged to freely He said measures to limit tion commissioners, from the The Access to Information of special projects in the informa- communicate with media without information “don’t just thwart federal and provincial govern- Committee, chaired by Conser- tion commissioner’s offi ce. political or media relations staff the public’s right to know, they ments, jointly called for “respec- vative MP Blaine Calkins (Red Newfoundland recently adopted involvement; and that information, threaten our democracy.” tive governments” to require Deer-Lacombe, Alta.), will focus a revamped access-to-information including cabinet briefi ng notes, Mr. Holman also gave MPs a public entities to document mat- on its review of the act for the system after years of “turbulence” should be proactively made public. bit of a history lesson on the fed- ters related to deliberations and rest of the current parliamentary and public outcry over the prov- “Neither the public nor the me- eral access to information act in decisions, expressing concern session—aside with dealing with ince’s original access to information dia should have to go on fi shing Canada, noting discussion ramped over a trend towards “no records,” the 2016-17 main estimates in regime created in 2008. The fi rst expeditions to fi nd out what their up in the 1960s, in part after the according to its news release. early May—and is slated to issue statutory review in Newfound- government is doing,” he said, U.S. created its freedom of infor- [email protected] a report in the fall. land took place in 2010, Mr. Ring later adding, “We have gone over- mation system in 1966 which was The Hill Times SEE TRACKS? THINK TRAIN!

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He acknowledged this is not more optimistic than what private- an airtight prediction, given that sector economists have predicted this would be like someone in the and it expects more revenue from 1960s—when the internet and Crown corporations than what is smartphones were unheard of, and anticipated by the government. the Cold War had no end in sight— The PBO said its expectations trying to guess what government for defi cits over next fi ve years fi nances would look like today. is, on average, $4.5-billion a year “These are not forecasts; these less than what the government are scenarios,” Mr. Askari said. laid out in its March 22 budget. “These are what-if scenarios. … It also said the government Nobody is going to say this is likely had a small surplus of exactly what’s going to happen or $700-million for the 2015-16 fi scal this is a typical forecast. Certain- year ended this March, compared ly, there are issues. The economy to the government’s projection fl uctuates. There are shocks to of a defi cit of $5.4-billion. That the economy, always, and things would mean the government has move up and down. ran two straight years of sur- “But you do this kind of scenario pluses following its surplus of to give a framework to policy-mak- $1.9-billion in 2014-15. ers. … Now, within that framework, Finance Canada is scheduled you have to assess the risk, you have to release fi gures for last year’s to assess the year-to-year changes, fi scal balance by May 27, though and see where the economy is going, this is subject to adjustments in where the fi scal situation is going.” the government’s fall update. In this latest outlook, the PBO The PBO said the difference said that “the outlook for the between what it and the govern- global economy has deteriorated ment have projected for 2015-16 further,” since an outlook it issued “is not inconsistent with uncer- in November. It projected 1.8 per tainty surrounding end-of-year cent growth in real (factoring adjustments, different economic out infl ationary effects) GDP this and fi scal assumptions, and dif- year and 2.5 per cent in 2017. ferent fi nancial information.” “Despite this weaker external Mr. Askari said most of the dif- outlook, PBO anticipates that the ference between the government’s combination of fi scal measures in and the PBO’s fi scal forecasts Budget 2016 and accommodative comes down to the $40-billion monetary policy will help bolster adjustment the government has the Canadian economy,” said the made to private-sector forecasts, PBO report. which he called “excessive.” As for its reference to monetary “Looking at historical per- policy, the report said it expects the formances of private-sector Bank of Canada to keep its bench- forecasts, it does not justify the Assistant PBO Mostafa Askari, left, says the federal budget, as announced by Finance Minister Bill Morneau in March, mark interest rate at 0.5 per cent $40-billion adjustment,” he said. sets the stage for the elimination of the federal debt within 50 years. The Hill Times photographs by Jake Wright until the latter part of 2017. In a previous report this The PBO said in its report last month, the PBO said that, since week that its own projection of 1994, private-sector forecasts 1.8 per cent growth in GDP this attained by government have year is down from its estimate of typically underestimated GDP by Liberals’ fi scal direction two per cent made in November, $10-billion in the fi rst year of a yet improved from the 1.2 per multi-year forecast and by $4-bil- cent growth Statistics Canada lion in the second. has reported for 2015. The PBO’s Addressing the PBO’s latest ‘sustainable,’ debt could forecast of 2.5 per cent growth in fi scal outlook, Finance Minister Bill 2017 is ahead of its projection of Morneau (Toronto Centre, Ont.) 2.3 per cent made in November, told reporters last week: “I was and it attributes this to “federal pleased with their report. It con- be gone in 50 years: PBO fi scal measures [that will] boost fi rmed a number of things. For one, domestic demand while monetary they talked about the challenges in policy remains accommodative.” global growth, which we’ve seen. Carleton professor said the debt will hit $633.7-billion ture—and without that change, The federal budget forecast It of course confi rms that our net at the end of this fi scal year and would’ve remained sustainable,” less growth over the next two debt-to-GDP can decline over time, Ian Lee says this rise to $703-billion by 2020-21. Mr. Askari said. years; 1.4 per cent this year and which is important.” The budgetary watchdog noted Ian Lee, a professor at Carleton 2.2 per cent next year. He added: “Our perspective is prediction should be the government’s move in this University’s Sprott School of Busi- The PBO said its economic that we’ve chosen a path of growth year’s budget to cancel the previ- ness, said it’s hard to know how to projections are largely “in line” for the economy to plan for, to taken ‘with a giant ous Conservative government’s take a prediction about the federal with those of private-sector econ- budget from, that will allow us to barrel of salt.’ plan to raise age eligibility for Old debt being gone in 50 years, and omists, for which the government make investments that will grow Age Security from 65 to 67. It said he wondered whether it was done made a downward adjustment of the economy. And I was pleased Continued from page 1 if the Liberal government had not “tongue-in-cheek to kind of poke $40-billion in projected nominal that they acknowledged that the done this, the federal debt could fun at the government.” GDP for “planning purposes” for measures that we’ve put in our “indicates that the federal fi scal have been wiped out by 2057-58— Mr. Lee said he tells his stu- each of the next fi ve years. budget will in fact help to grow the structure underlying budget 2016 seven years earlier than what the dents that, “beyond three years, any The report goes on to predict economy for Canadians.” is sustainable over the long term.” PBO currently forecasts. It said forecast is a fairy tale. … This is not smaller defi cits in the com- As for the difference between Mostafa Askari, assistant the previous government’s plan to put down the PBO, but the future ing years than the government the government’s and the PBO’s parliamentary budget offi cer, told would have saved $11.2-billion in is fundamentally unknowable. … has planned for. In 2016-17, for view on whether there was a sur- The Hill Times in an interview: 2029-30, the fi rst year the higher We don’t know what oil prices will example, the PBO is predicting a plus or defi cit last year, Mr. Mor- “What is really important is not eligibility age for Old Age Security be in fi ve years, or 10 or 15. We defi cit of $20.5-billion compared neau said: “Economists will come the annual changes in the defi cit. was to be fully phased in. don’t know what the immigration to the government’s anticipated to different conclusions. We’ve What’s important is what the situ- Mr. Askari said it’s up to policy- rate is going to be. We don’t know $29.4-billion shortfall. taken a look at the challenges of ation is over the long term, what’s makers to decide whether it would what interest rates are going to be. The PBO said about $6-billion global growth. We’ve taken a look the situation in terms of the debt, be better for the government to In other words, there are hundreds of this difference comes from not at the volatility of markets around especially the debt-to-GDP ratio” eliminate the debt earlier or keep of thousands, probably millions, of factoring in the downward $40-bil- the world and made an estimate in The PBO report’s validated old age benefi ts available for variables that all feed into the mix.” lion adjustment the government terms of growth that we believe is the government’s assertion that it people as young as 65. But either He said the prediction of elimi- made to private-sector forecasts. In a prudent estimate of growth.” is on track to reduce the debt-to- way, he said the government is not nating the debt within 50 years addition, the PBO said it has eco- [email protected] GDP ratio over the long term. The creating a “major sustainability should be taken “with a giant bar- nomic growth expectations that are The Hill Times government said in the budget issue” by cancelling the phase-in of rel of salt; not a grain of salt, but that this ratio would move from a higher eligibility age. a whole barrel of salt.” 32.5 per cent at the end of the cur- He noted that when the previ- Mr. Askari said the projection BUDGET rent fi scal year to 30.9 per cent by ous Conservative government for a debt-free federal govern- 2020-21. That’s based on a federal announced its plans for Old Age ment in 50 years in based on the OUTLOOK FOR THE BUDGETARY BALANCE debt the rises from a $648.7-billion Security in 2012, based on the assumption that “nothing changes,” to $732.5-billion over that time. argument that it could “not afford” in the sense the program spend- The PBO’s forecast is that the the system as is, the PBO issued a ing and taxes, as they are set 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 debt-to-GDP ratio will go from 31 report saying that wasn’t true. today, change only in proportion PBO $700M -$20.5B -$24.2B -$18.9B -$14.8B -$12.4B per cent and the end of this fi scal “The system was sustainable to nominal (includes infl ationary Budget 2016 -$5.4B -$29.4B -$29.0B -$22.8B -$17.7B -$14.3B year to 29.4 per cent in 2020-21. It at the time—the fi scal struc- effects) gross domestic product. Difference $6.1B $8.9B $4.8B $3.9B $2.9B $1.9B THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 7 NEWS DUFFY TRIAL Duffy ordeal shows need to clarify Senate rules: Wallace

ing issue that led to 31 criminal ‘Get the rules charges of fraud, breach of straightened out. trust, and bribery against Prince Edward Island Sen. Duffy. Last Get them clarifi ed. week, Judge Charles Vaillancourt exonerated him of all criminal Do not leave charges related to his housing, Senators vulnerable travel, and offi ce expenses. After the court verdict, the Senate Law to multiple Clerk Michel Patrice in a press release announced the “reinstate- interpretations.’ ment of Sen. Duffy as a member of the Senate in full standing with Continued from page 1 full salary and offi ce resources.” Because of the Senate expense inadvertent mistakes in fi ling issue, three Conservative-turned- their expenses, resulting in “cata- Independent Senators, including strophic consequences.” Sen. Duffy, Pamela Wallin, and “That has to be ground zero on Patrick Brazeau were suspended all of this for Internal Economy from the Senate in 2013, and and Senate leadership,” Sen. John Mac Harb resigned from the Wallace said in an interview with Senate. Mr. Harb also paid back The Hill Times. “Get the rules about $232,000. The RCMP has straightened out. Get them clari- fi led criminal charges against fi ed. Do not leave Senators vulner- Sen. Brazeau and Mr. Harb, but able to multiple interpretations.” as of last week, no charges had Sen. Wallace said Senate rules been fi led against Sen. Wallin. should be simple enough for In June 2013, the Senate Senators to understand, but some invited Auditor General Michael are not. For example, he said it’s Ferguson to undertake a compre- still unclear to him what qualifi es hensive audit of all 116 Sena- as “Senate business” or “Parlia- tors’ expenses who served in the mentary functions” when it comes Senate between April 1, 2011, to eligible expenses. and March 2013. Mr. Ferguson Sen. Wallace said that the fi led his fi nal report in June of wording used in Senate adminis- last year, in which he red-fl agged trative rules could be interpreted the questionable expense claims in different ways. He said the of 30 Senators, totalling about Senate has provided Senators $1-million. Of these 30 Senators, with some examples to explain Mr. Ferguson referred the fi les of the rules, but it’s unclear what to nine Senators to the RCMP. As do if a Senator is dealing with an of deadline last week, the RCMP issue that is not covered in those had not announced if criminal examples. charges would be laid against any “In my view that’s not adequate,” of these nine Senators. said Sen. Wallace. “If you have a sit- For the Senators who disagreed uation that is covered by one of the with the audit fi ndings, the Sen- specifi c item on the appendix, that’s ate’s Internal Economy Committee fi ne; you can look at it. But that ap- offered an independent arbitration pendix is based on the description process led by former Supreme the words that describe or defi ne Court judge Ian Binnie to give one what Parliamentary functions are,” fi nal chance to Senators to justify said Sen. Wallace. their claims. Of the 30 Senators, 14 According to the Senate chose to challenge Mr. Ferguson’s administrative rules, “ ‘Parliamen- fi ndings and took their cases to tary functions’ means duties and Mr. Binnie. Mr. Ferguson fl agged activities related to the position $322,611 in alleged questionable Duffy cleared: Sen. Mike Duffy, pictured top, arriving at the courthouse in Ottawa on April 21; his lawyer Donald Bayne, of senator, wherever performed, claims for these 14 Senators. pictured in this fi le photo; and Nigel Wright, above, former chief of staff to former prime minister and includes public and offi cial After reviewing more informa- appeared as a witness in the case against Sen. Duffy. The Hill Times photographs by Jake Wright and Cynthia Münster business and partisan matters, but tion and speaking with these Sen- does not include activities related ators, Mr. Binnie upheld 55 per “The Senate has to create be reviewed for more clarifi cation, told The Hill Times in January, to a) the election of a member of cent of Mr. Ferguson’s fi ndings. clear rules, educate Senators on the committee will take another that based on the recommenda- the House of Commons during an So, the total amount of money what they can and can’t do in the look and ensure that all Sena- tion of Mr. Ferguson, his commit- election under the Canada Elec- these 14 Senators were required public interest,” Mr. Bayne told tors understand these rules. She tee will announce details in the tions Act; or b) the private business to pay back was $177,898.14. All reporters outside the courthouse said some of the spending rules “coming weeks” on establishing a interests of a Senator or a member 30 Senators were given a month after Sen. Duffy was cleared. that may not be specifi c enough new independent oversight plan of a Senator’s family or household.” to pay the outstanding money “I’m sure all of you, like me, are left that way to allow Senators to review and approve Sena- Sen. Wallace said that in this back or face legal action, and could make a good argument that to pursue a diverse array of issues tors’ expenses that will make the rule, “partisan matters” are not last Friday was the deadline. All some of the things that Senators that are important in their regions. Red Chamber “the model for all defi ned and could mean different current and former Senators who are allowed to travel across the “We try to leave it open so that legislatures in Canada in terms things to different Senators. He took their cases to Mr. Binnie country for at considerable ex- Senators are free to follow inter- of accountability, oversight, and acknowledged that since late 2012 had paid back the outstanding pense, business class, may or may ests of people within their regions disclosure.” when the Senate expenses issue amounts in time. Seven former not pass the value-for-money test.” or to follow specifi c interests that Sen. Cordy told The Hill became public, the Senate Inter- Senators who did not take their Nova Scotia Liberal Sen. Jane came about because of commit- Times last week that an Internal nal Economy has made progress case to Mr. Binnie had not paid Cordy, who is the deputy chair tees that they are sitting on. Cer- Economy Subcommittee is still to further explain the rules but back the $528,000 that they owe. of the Internal Economy Com- tainly, I will bring that forward,” working on fi nalizing this plan. more work needs to be done. Sen. Duffy’s lawyer during his mittee, said that the Senate rules said Sen. Cordy. She declined to say when will this The vagueness of the Senate criminal trial, Donald Bayne, also are clear to her. She said if Sen. Quebec Conservative Sen. oversight plan be announced. spending rules was one of the key said Senate spending rules are un- Wallace and other Senators are of Leo Housakos, chairman of the [email protected] root causes of the Senate spend- clear and should be clarifi ed. the view that these rules should Internal Economy Committee, The Hill times 8 THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016

Editor Kate Malloy Assistant Deputy Editor Abbas Rana Publishers Anne Marie Creskey, Deputy Editor Derek Abma Online Editor, Power & Influence Editor Ally Foster Jim Creskey, Ross Dickson Managing Editor Kristen Shane Assistant Managing Editor Marie-Danielle Smith General Manager, CFO Andrew Morrow

EDITORIAL CLEAN TECHNOLOGY Government should target real outcomes: Kazdan It’s time for action on e: “Liberals have in some spending is the risk of infl a- Rrespects ‘lost ground on tion, but since we have 1.4 fi scal transparency,’ says million people unemployed climate change, now former PBO Page,” (The and huge, unused produc- Hill Times, April 18, p. 1). tion capacity, that risk is Canada’s former parliamen- extremely low. The govern- anada’s clean technology industry, worth $12-billion on carbon, modernize regulation, update innovation tary budget offi cer Kevin ment should target real Cannually to the Canadian economy, is now stalled policies, enable take up of clean technology in infra- Page asks,”Is there a con- outcomes–full employment, for the fi rst time in six years, according to Analytica structure and facilitate fi nancing for scale-up of the solidation plan at the end of good schools, and hospitals, Advisors’ 2016 Canadian clean technology industry innovations they have encouraged.” these defi cits that will bring combating climate change, report released last week. The comprehensive report Declared Ms. Bak: “Canada should help clean budgetary balance back into and reducing income in- says Canada’s clean technology industry, which created technology advance to market scale. The absence of a balance?” His concern is cor- equality. As long as available an additional 5,000 jobs in 2014, up from 50,000 the year positive business environment domestically will leave rect within the assumptions resources can be mobilized before, needs much more support from all levels of gov- the industry vulnerable.” of his model, but that model to improve the lives of Cana- ernment and the private sector in order “to stimulate and Meanwhile, Analytica Advisors’ report shows the is based on the gold standard dians, government spending help fi nance the deployment of commercialized clean global market for clean technology has doubled from when governments could run is benefi cial and the federal technology innovation in order to succeed.” But the report $500-billion to $1.1-trillion over the same time period. out of gold and were limited budget balance is irrelevant. says the clean technology industry revenues have been The report also shows that Canada is the world’s sec- in their expenditures. Larry Kazdan declining year over year since 2014. This isn’t good. ond largest “loser” of market share in the clean technol- The practical limit to Vancouver, B.C. “Without the right support, the industry could lose an ogy sector since 2005. Only Japan fares worse. opportunity to play a key role in the global race to fi ght The new federal Liberal government has allocated climate change and help Canada meet its 2020 Paris com- $2-billion for a low-carbon economy fund to help pro- Learning the ropes of mitments. Canadian clean technology companies, many vincial and territorial governments to cut greenhouse of which have benefi tted from federal and provincial gas emissions. It has also set aside $50-million over two government innovation policies and funding, also risk years to invest in technology to reduce emissions and House committees becoming takeover targets of foreign-owned businesses $62.5-million to invest in electric vehicles and other e: “’It’s been quite a learn- role of minister responsible that could benefi t from that investment and the subse- alternative fuels. But it has to do more and quickly. ing curve,’ rookie Grit MPs for education. quent economic growth,” states the report. Ms. Bak is right. Governments should be putting a R want more House committee Former Reform Party The report also states that clean technology exports price on carbon. The federal government, now led by training, but veteran Liberal, leader , are down. Canada’s clean technology goods exports Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, should modernize regu- opposition MPs say time’s in numerous speeches, has had increased by $3-billion in the last 10 years, but lation. It should update innovation policies. It should up,” (The Hill Times, March 28, reminded us that one needs Canada’s clean technology exports dropped from 14th enable the take up of clean technology in infrastruc- p. 1). It was with signifi cant 30 hours of training to be a in 2005 to 19th in 2014, among top global exporters. ture. And it should facilitate fi nancing for the innova- interest that I read this article. barista at Starbucks, but that Analytica Advisors’ president Céline Bak stated that tions they have encouraged. The federal government I was an MLA in the Yukon one can become a lawmaker the trend could be reversed if “governments put a price needs to walk the walk. government from 2002 until in Parliament without one 2011 and was a cabinet minis- hour of training. As a former ter from 2005 until I retired, by member of a legislative as- choice, at the general election sembly, I know that there is of 2011. much more to the experience Since then, I have returned than simply following the to school and am complet- standing orders or Marleau ing a doctorate in education and Montpetit’s Parliamen- leadership at the University of tary Practice. I wish all of . Part of my disserta- the new parliamentarians tion, which is examining the the best of luck as they climb experience of being a minister up their very steep learning of education in a Canadian curve. jurisdiction, involves examin- Patrick Rouble ing how people learned the Whitehorse, Yukon Never Forgotten National Memorial was a dumb idea

e: “Feds kill idea to erect and the child of a soldier RNever Forgotten Na- who died in the service in tional Memorial, sloppily,” WWII. I have a right to (The Hill Times, March 28). speak up when appropriate So the ex-major general about matters concerning Lewis MacKenzie is all veterans alive and dead. And bent out of shape because I objected long and hard— Canadians rejected the and successfully—about stupid statue proposed for a this absurd plan to spend national park. a whopping great sum of You know, it’s a little money, and deface a national disturbing to hear this kind asset because a few people of rant from a former mili- thought a mammoth edifi ce tary leader. We expect more would look cute staring from those to whom we out over the ocean towards have entrusted our safety Europe. and security. G. Jones I am a veteran myself Ottawa, Ont.

EDITORIAL Cardozo, John Chenier, David Coletto, Sheila Copps, David DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Steve Macdonald DELIVERY INQUIRIES Please send letters to the editor to the SENIOR REPORTERS Peter Mazereeuw, Crane, Jim Creskey, Murray Dobbin, Gwynne Dyer, Michael CORPORATE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Craig Caldbick, [email protected] above street address or e-mail to news@ Tim Naumetz, and Laura Ryckewaert Geist, Greg Elmer, Alice Funke, J.L. Granatstein, Éric Grenier, Martin Reaume, Ulle Baum 613-688-8822 hilltimes.com. Deadline is Wednesday at REPORTER, POWER & INFLUENCE ASSISTANT Dennis Gruending, Cory Hann, Tim Harper, Chantal Hébert, noon, Ottawa time. Please include your full EDITOR Rachel Aiello Jenn Jefferys, David T. Jones, Joe Jordan, , PRODUCTION name, address and daytime phone number. NEWS REPORTER Chelsea Nash Camille Labchuk, Gillian McEachern, Arthur Milnes, Nancy PRODUCTION MANAGER Benoit Deneault The Hill Times reserves the right to edit PHOTOGRAPHERS Sam Garcia, Cynthia Münster, Peckford, Kate Purchase, Tim Powers, Michael Qaqish, SENIOR GRAPHIC, ONLINE DESIGNER Joey Sabourin letters. Letters do not reflect the views of and Jake Wright Jeremy Richler, Susan Riley, Ken Rubin, Sarah Schmidt, Rick JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Melanie Brown The Hill Times. Thank you. POWER & INFLUENCE ASSISTANT EDITOR Smith, Evan Sotiropoulos, Scott Taylor, Ian Wayne, Nelson WEB DESIGNER Kobra Amirsardari Wiseman, Les Whittington and Armine Yalnizyan Publications Mail Agreement No. 40068926 Christina Leadlay PUBLISHED EVERY MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN EDITORIAL CARTOONIST Michael De Adder ADMINISTRATION BY HILL TIMES PUBLISHING INC. ADDRESSES TO: CIRCULATION DEPT. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Denis Calnan, Simon ADVERTISING FINANCE/ADMINISTRATION Tracey Wale 69 Sparks Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5A5 69 Sparks Street, Ottawa, ON K1P 5A5 Doyle, Christopher Guly, Leslie MacKinnon, Carl VP OF ADVERTISING AND BUSINESS RECEPTION Alia Kellock Heward (613) 232-5952 Fax (613) 232-9055 Meyer and Cynthia Münster DEVELOPMENT Don Turner CIRCULATION SALES MANAGER Chris Peixoto Canadian Publications Mail Agreement No. 40068926 CMCA 2012 Better AUDITED Newspaper COLUMNISTS Keith Brooks, Karl Bélanger, Andrew ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Amanda Keenan • www.hilltimes.com Winner THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 9 COPPS’ CORNER SEXISM IN CANADA

This empirical evidence of The challenge sexism in the workplace will only with Rempel shines change with action. Government Conservative policies can mitigate or exacer- MP Michelle bate the problem. Rempel’s In the case of boardroom sex- analysis is light in dirty, dark ism, something can be done. Sen- that sexism ator Céline Hervieux-Payette has is not just an introduced a private member’s individualized bill to tackle the lack of diversity problem.t is corners of sexism in corporate Canada. Her Boards a collective, of Directors Modernization Act societal, would require the proportion of and global But there is a That is where individuals who board members of either sex to be problem, harbour sexist views feel most at least 40 per cent. writes Sheila conundrum in the comfortable in expressing them. Without legislative changes, Copps. The But individuals don’t stomp she predicts it will take 151 years Hill Times assumption that all out sexism. Societies do. That to reach parity at the current rate. photograph by sexism is individual. happens when laws on equality Governments can play a posi- Jake Wright are strong enough to change the tive or negative role in society’s Sexism thrives in an locker room mentality that some evolution. atmosphere of gender will never shake off. Rempel was a vociferous sup- While Rempel’s articulate porter of the policies of former inequality. There is a piece on Parliament was getting prime minister Stephen Harper. reason baudy, sexist lots of ink, another, more damag- Two of his fi rst acts in Parlia- ing report speaks to the depth of ment actually contributed to the jokes usually erupt at sexism outside the Hill. culture that promotes sexism. According to a boardroom First, he eliminated the gender men-only events. diversity study by Price, Water- lens from government analysis of house, Cooper published in The public policy. okay to infantilize them. It is okay the workplace. In Canada, such Globe and Mail, women account- Second, he imposed a ban on to fondle them and make inappro- a segregated work environment ed for less than three per cent of a woman’s right to control her priate comments and rude jokes would be against the law. incoming chief executive offi cers reproductive system by prohibit- at their expense. So laws matter. They also globally last year. In Canada ing international aid to projects Sexism is not always overt. It refl ect society’s interpretation and the United States, only one that involved such choice. can express itself in subtle ways. of what constitutes a bias-free woman CEO was hired, even One cannot visit the sins And that is why the decision to view workplace. SHEILA COPPS though the job turnover rate was of Stephen Harper on another public policy through a gender lens When Harper watered down the highest it had been since 2000. parliamentarian. His departure is crucial. Those who are seriously government policies on gender, In addition, PwC’s ’|The female opens a vacuum that Rempel is interested in stamping out sexism the country took a step back- TTAWA—Conservative Mem- millennial: A new era of talent” interested in fi lling, and she will need to legislate a healthy public and wards. Ober of Parliament Michelle study where nearly 10,000 female no doubt depart from the party private workplace for women and His Conservative Party was Rempel’s op-ed piece last week millennial across all industries were line in multiple areas. men. Solutions are not just individu- the only one to refuse a challenge garnered plenty of attention. surveyed, 43 per cent indicated an We have already seen the Con- al. They are societal. to set targets for the nomination And that is a good thing. ongoing employer bias favouring servative Party, in the few shorts Collective Canadian solutions of women election candidates. Any light shone in the dirty men when it comes to promotions month in opposition; abandon a may be quite different from those Hopefully, in her potential dark corners of sexism and ha- and 30 per cent identifi ed a bias number of ill-conceived dictums in other parts of the world. leadership run, Rempel will be rassment encourages change. favouring men around career devel- of their previous leader. That is as Four years ago, a Saudi Ara- crafting ways for her party to join But there is a conundrum in opment. The majority (71 per cent) it should be. bian business woman sought and the conversation. the assumption that all sexism is also agreed that while organizations But the challenge with Rempel’s received government approval Sheila Copps is a former Jean individual. talk about diversity, they do not feel analysis is that sexism is not just an to launch a 5,000-strong women- Chrétien-era Cabinet minister Sexism thrives in an atmo- opportunities are equal for all. individualized problem. It is a collec- only business environment in the and a former deputy prime min- sphere of gender inequality. There According to PwC, the situ- tive, societal, and global problem. city of Hofuf. ister. She is a registered lobbyist is a reason baudy, sexist jokes ation has deteriorated since the It is part of a culture that says, The project was lauded as a today. usually erupt at men-only events. last major survey fi ve years ago. it is okay to bully women. It is solution to integrate women into The Hill Times

POST-PARTISAN PUNDIT ENVIRONMENT It’s not easy being a green Conservative

Or at least, this seems to be an As he once told a media My point is, by championing a It’s a losing battle. It’s a losing battle. emerging theory. interviewer, “‘Conservation’ and policy a lot of conservatives actively That’s not to say conserva- That’s not to say The argument goes something ‘conservative’ come from the detest Brown could alienate his own tives should ignore environmental like this: conservative politicians same root. You can’t demand supporters and it’s hard to win an concerns, but they should avoid conservatives seem reluctant to seriously fi ght more out of natural systems than election when your base isn’t happy. taking specifi c and controversial should ignore global warming and hence are you are prepared to put into Just ask (interim) NDP leader positions, such a carbon tax. perceived as being anti-green and sustaining them. And so I argue Thomas Mulcair. Instead, when it comes to environmental anti-green politicians will have a with conservatives, let’s extend Nor will Brown’s sudden proving their love of nature, concerns, but hard time getting elected in this the concept of living within our embrace of greenness satisfy his conservative politicians should increasingly eco-conscious world. means fi nancially to living within opponents on the left. opt for feel-good vagueness over they should avoid The trend, after all, is for our means ecologically.” In fact, shortly after Brown an- detailed substance. people to drive eco-friendly cars, And Manning has won some nounced his carbon tax idea, On- For instance Patrick Brown taking specifi c to live in eco-friendly homes and, converts. tario’s Liberal Environment and should tape a TV ad that shows and controversial one assumes, to vote for eco- Ontario Progressive Conserva- Climate Change Minister, Glenn him standing in a pristine forest friendly politicians. tive Party leader, Patrick Brown, Murray, took to Twitter to snarkily saying something like, “I love positions, such a It’s all about saving the planet, for instance, recently committed proclaim, “Climate change denier Ontario’s natural beauty and as carbon tax. right? his party to implementing a tax Patrick Brown discovers climate Premier I will do everything in This is certainly a theme former on carbon. change.” my power to keep it beautiful.” Reform Party leader and prominent Sounding an awful lot like In other words, Brown’s sup- And that’s it. That should be conservative, Preston Manning, has Green Party leader, Elizabeth port of a carbon tax will gener- his environmental policy. been driving home as of late. May, Brown declared, “climate ate resentment on the right and Sure that kind of ad won’t win Manning has argued that if change is a fact. It is a threat. It is mockery on the left. over David Suzuki, but it’s prob- conservative parties want to suc- man-made. We have to do some- This is clearly a political di- ably enough of a green-oriented ceed electorally in the future they thing about it, and that some- lemma which neither Brown nor message to soothe the concerns GERRY NICHOLLS must adopt tough pro-environ- thing includes putting a price on Manning fully appreciates. of your average voter. ment policies. carbon.” Luckily for them, I’m here to And when it comes to the envi- And yes, he says that must in- The problem with Brown turn- explain the proper way for con- ronment, that’s the best conserva- AKVILLE, ONT.—Global clude embracing a policy conserva- ing green, of course, is that many servative politicians to go green. tive politicians can hope for. Owarming is doing more than tives instinctively hate: a carbon tax. people in his own party would First off, it should be under- Gerry Nicholls is a communi- just eroding Arctic icecaps; it’s The way Manning sees it, probably see his carbon tax idea stood from the get go that con- cations consultant. also apparently melting support green activism is actually in keep- as tantamount to ideological servatives can never “out-green” www.gerrynicholls.com for conservative political parties. ing with conservative ideals. treason. left-wing politicians. The Hill Times 10 THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 THE WAR ROOM MEDIA & POLITICS Trudeau shouldn’t fl y too close to the camera lights In my view, there is Gleason’s Gym is located in the backbencher, representing the lower Bronx, and it’s been around third party in a remote perch in no politician alive for nearly 80 years. Jake (The Bronx the House of Commons—and it Bull) LaMotta, Mike Belloise, Phil made him into a prime minister. who is as adept Terranova and Jimmy Carter trained The 2015 general election was a at visuals. Words there. So did Carlos Ortiz, Roberto mere formality, after that. Duran, Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson, The night of the fi ght, I was equal information, and a guy named Cassius Clay, who at the now-departed Sun News. but pictures equal would become Muhammad Ali, I couldn’t watch it, because readying himself to take on Sonny Trudeau was still a friend, then, power, and Justin Liston. Movie stars go there, too, and I was scared shitless he was Trudeau, grinning getting in shape to play boxers in going to get beaten up, and his the movies: Robert DeNiro, Wesley political career would be over. I out at us on the Snipes, Hilary Swank. It’s a famous could see it on the faces of the Warren Kinsella says Justin Trudeau’s 2012 winning fundraiser boxing match cover of GQ, knows place, and big names train there. Sun News stars like Ezra Levant, against Sen. Patrick Brazeau, left, transformed him from a relatively inoffensive Justin Trudeau now, too. They’ll who were on hand to broadcast backbencher, representing the third party in a remote perch in the House of that better than put his framed picture up on the every minute of that fi ght. They Commons—and it made him into a prime minister. The 2015 general election walls along with the other notables wanted to see Trudeau, who they was a mere formality, after that. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright anyone. But. after he heads back home, no doubt. hated, humiliated. They wanted to If you’re a boxer, and if you’re see him ground into the canvas, a in New York, you’d want to train smear of blood and sweat. at visuals. Words equal informa- “Yes, he did,” I said. at Gleason’s Gym. It’s the St. Pe- But he won. He won. And, for tion, but pictures equal power, and “But the pictures, the…what do ter’s Basilca of the fi ghter’s game, the fi rst time, I saw alarm—and Justin Trudeau—grinning out at us you call them?” pretty much. Hopes and dreams something approaching fear—on the on the cover of GQ, this week — “The selfi es?” and fears, played out on 20 square faces of the Sun News folks. They knows that better than anyone. “Yes, the selfi es,” he said. “They WARREN KINSELLA feet of canvas. It’s a chess game, knew the Canadian politics changed, But. make him look too young. Not using fi sts. that night, and not in a way that But are you starting to feel, serious.” Anyway. Apologies. Writers favoured their side of the debate. like me, that this stuff is getting Not serious. ORONTO—The media adviso- get carried away with boxing, yes, So, yes. Boxing helped Justin pushed a bit too far? That there is The Gleason’s Gym press Try slipped silently into email because it’s such a perfect meta- Trudeau win. And Gleason’s Gym a danger, here, that he is dancing release hadn’t gone out, yet. But inboxes on Wednesday afternoon. phor for everything else, especially is where winners go to box. Got it. too close to the klieg lights, and is if it had, I might have quoted to Prime Minister Justin politics. But here was the highest offi ce about to fall into the orchestra pit? Bruno—who has barbered the Trudeau would be in New York Justin Trudeau is keenly aware in the land, issuing an offi cial- I was unsure, so I asked my bar- heads of many a hockey and from Wednesday to Friday to of that, of course. That’s why he looking media statement beneath ber, Bruno. I haven’t seen him for a basketball player, and not a few sign the Paris Agreement on called around for days, casting the Great Seal of Canada, no less, while, because he’s been in Italy. boxers, too—the following, from climate change. While there, he about for someone to fi ght with that “The prime minister will train Bruno has been cutting hair in the Italian-American writer, would be speaking to some NYU him back in March 2012. The match at Gleason’s Gym.” No questions, and around Union Station for a Brian D’Amrosio. Here’s what students, and answering their was supposed to be a fundraiser just be there to take his picture. half-century or so, you see. He’s as D’Ambrosio said: “Boxing begins questions. for a cause that—I wager—very Don’t be late. Liberal as it gets. He bleeds Liber- in illusion and ends in real blood Oh, and this: “The Prime Min- few folks can remember. But, Holy Some of us, sitting in the cheap al red. And there he was, trimming and tears. That’s what makes it so ister will train at Gleason’s Gym.” God, they remember that fi ght. seats outside the ring, have written away, his brow furrowed. “So, your beautiful.” “Media should arrive no later That fi ght is what transformed about Justin Trudeau’s sheer mas- friend,” he said, but I didn’t correct Justin Trudeau, Master of Illu- than 1 p.m. for accreditation,” it Justin Trudeau. It transformed tery of image. In my view, there is him. “Your friend did well in the sion, take note. said. “Photo opportunity only.” him from a relatively inoffensive no politician alive who is as adept election.” The Hill Times

OPINION INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS Chrétien’s right, sometimes you have to move lometres away and it was not worth to maybe consider moving “like immense territory, each with their that any inquiry will inevitably ‘Relocation’ it to build a road to connect the two anybody else,” voluntarily, and in own mostly independent organi- fi nish with another recommenda- is considered centres, so the road just stopped in order to solve a problem other- zation, but most of them living in tion for more money? the middle of nowhere. wise not solvable. worse than Third World conditions. If, after centuries, thousands of blasphemous when I asked if the people living in We have to be mindful of the What have the governments speeches, inquiries, billions spent, the outer communities were receiv- mistakes of the past by trying not done to solve the problem? A and agreements signed but not talking about our ing assistance and if they had hos- to make them again and, at the question impossible to an- respected, women still suffer, and indigenous peoples pitals or other support services. I same time, we can’t be prisoners of swer. Can we do better? Of course young people still kill themselves, was told they had the daily necessi- the mistakes of the past by ignor- we can. To start, we need a settle- isn’t it time to think about sustain- because it stokes ties and if there was an emergency, ing the problems of the present. ment to replace the pre-Confed- able and implementable proposals they’re airlifted to Iqaluit. The problems with some of our eration treaties signed but never to put an end to this tragedy? the tragic memories But on that day, I also under- indigenous communities are real respected, and a better account- After so many years, the fi rst of the ill-conceived stood the dramatic problems of and dramatic, but if we want to ability system. time I’ve heard something coura- our indigenous peoples would solve them, we need the courage to The question is, is there geous and intelligent was when residential schools never be solved because the ap- put all the facts on the table fi rst, anybody among our leaders who Chrétien, very delicately, sug- proach of our politicians would and be ready to accept whatever understands what’s going on? gested that moving was one of the of the past. lead to a “Road to Nowhere.” the outcome is going to be. We need They promote understanding, and possible solutions. In the new era I thought so until last week, politicians, possibly not only former I believe that Canadians are very of globalization, demographic os- when I read a statement from for- politicians, who stop listing the prob- good, tolerant, and fair people, who mosis and technological revolution, mer prime minister Jean Chrétien lems and who are willing to fi nd the are ready to accept any proposal moving from one place to another referring to the dramatic situation root causes to fi nd solutions. capable to solve the problem. to improve quality of life is not a in the Attawapiskat reserve in We all know the problems. The question is whether there sin. In fact, it is a good alternative ANGELO PERSICHILLI : “There is no eco- There are high suicide rates, high is anybody who has the power to a “Road to Nowhere.” nomic base there for having jobs unemployment, poor infrastruc- and the infl uence and who has a Angelo Persichilli is free- and so on,” Chrétien told report- ture, contaminated drinking valid proposal other than rhetoric lance journalist and a former ORONTO—A few years ago ers, stating that, “sometimes they water, and more. and demagogy. For example, to citizenship judge for the Greater Twhen I was in Iqaluit, Nunavut, have to move, like anybody else.” But we don’t have all the infor- those asking for more money, can Toronto Area. He was also a I was looking at a map of the area “Relocation” is considered mation. they tell us how much money we director of communications to when I noticed a strange street blasphemous when talking about For example, do we know how are already spending for indig- prime minister Stephen Harper name: Road to Nowhere. I thought our indigenous peoples because it many people we’re talking about? enous peoples in the reserves? Do and is the former political editor it was a joke but a resident ex- stokes the tragic memories of the It looks like that there are 1.4 mil- we know if all the money is re- of Canadese, Canada’s Italian- plained to me that the name meant ill-conceived residential schools lion aboriginal peoples in Canada. ally spent for the natives or does language newspaper in Toronto. exactly that, road to nowhere. She of the past. But Chrétien was not However, less than 700,000 live it take a “Road to Nowhere?” Can [email protected] said the closest town with a few talking about forced relocation, on reserves in dramatic condi- we stop asking for another inqui- The Hill Times hundred people was hundreds of ki- he was talking about the need tions. They are scattered over an ry to fi nd the problem knowing THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 11 CANADA & THE 21ST CENTURY FINANCE MINISTER

cent in 2017-18 and 0.8 per cent in 2017-18, with just an additional Nothing matters more to a fi nance 60,000 jobs by 2017-18. The economy will likely be a major issue in the next federal election, and there are signifi cant minister than credibility risks. World trade could be fl at so that Canada will get only mod- est lift from exports. Oil prices Bill Morneau has got This is why it is so hard to Harper government had estab- $6-billion annually from 2016-17 to could show little upside. While understand why Finance Minister lished the offi ce, it soon turned 2020-21. In other words, Morneau Morneau’s budget assumes oil off to a poorer start Bill Morneau, in his fi rst budget, on its creation when the PBO appeared to be building an artifi - prices will rise from $40 this year got off on the wrong foot. He started to do its job. It refused to cial cushion so that later he could to $63 in 2020, the PBO assumes than need be, whether withheld important fi scal infor- supply information requested by claim that his government’s stellar they will rise from $39 to just $49. mation that was a normal part of the PBO, even forcing the PBO to performance in economic manage- The PBO assumes the dollar will because of his own past federal budgets and played a go to court to obtain information, ment had delivered smaller defi cits. rise from 75.3 U.S. cents this year misjudgment or the bit fast and loose with economic and accused the PBO of engaging Alternatively, the government to 76 U.S. cents by 2020 while forecasts. It took the Parliamen- in “partisan” activities because it could increase spending without Morneau is assuming the dollar poor advice of others. tary Budget Offi cer’s interven- cast doubt on federal initiatives. adding to the defi cit, again because will go from 72.1 U.S. cents this tion to force Finance to produce Now we need assurances that the the cushion was there. year to 83.1 U.S. cents. The good news for missing data, and more pressure Liberals will proceed with their The PBO charged that Mor- We don’t know if either will be him is that it’s not to force Finance to withdraw promise to give more indepen- neau’s adjustment to the private right. Given the volatility of the its bizarre requirement that the dence to the PBO. sector consensus forecast was “ex- global economy, and uncertainty too late to establish missing data be kept confi dential. When became fi - cessive.” The difference is that the of political changes in the U.K. But the bigger concern is the nance minister, to give more cred- budget defi cit this year would be Brexit referendum, the U.S. presi- credibility. The impression left that the budget’s ibility to his budgets, he based his $29.4-billion this year, in Morneau’s dential and congressional races, question is, will he? forecasted defi cits are deliber- fi scal projections not on Finance budget forecast, but $20.5-billion ongoing unrest in the Middle ately exaggerated so that by the Canada’s economic forecasts in the PBO forecast. And next year East, the outlook for China’s time of the next election, the which could be politically ma- PBO forecasts a defi cit of $24.2-bil- economy and North Korea’s Trudeau government can claim nipulated to make a government’s lion compared to $29.0-billion in nuclear brinkmanship, anything that its policies worked so well fi scal numbers work, but on the Morneau’s budget. could happen. that the actual defi cits are much consensus economic forecast of The PBO and Finance also This why Morneau’s public lower than it originally forecast. private sector economists where disagree on the growth; prospects credibility is so important. Con- DAVID CRANE Fortunately, it is getting harder the government couldn’t easily for the economy and the contri- fi dence is an important factor in for governments to get away play with the numbers. As the butions to economic growth and the state of the economy. Canadi- with this kind of thing, and one PBO pointed out, this introduced job creation resulting from the ans need a fi nance minister who ORONTO—Nothing matters reason is the establishment of the an element of independence—or government’s fi scal stimulus—tax they can trust to be above politics Tmore to a fi nance minister Parliamentary Budget Offi ce. This credibility—in a government’s cuts, increased child benefi ts and on the big questions. Morneau than his or her credibility. The doesn’t mean that the PBO’s fore- fi scal forecasts. infrastructure spending. Finance has got off to a poorer start than public must have confi dence that casts are always right and that What Morneau did was to estimates that the stimulus will need be, whether because of his the fi nance minister is delivering Finance is always wrong. But it tamper with this process, playing increase GDP growth by 0.5 per own misjudgment or the poor reliable and trustworthy pro- does mean that a second opinion politics with the private sector cent in 2016-17 and 1.0 per cent advice of others. The good news nouncements on the economy and is available. forecast. He reduced the private in 2017-18, and that the impact for him is that it’s not too late to the state of the public fi nances in In the last election campaign, sector forecast of nominal GDP will translate into 100,000 jobs establish credibility. The question budgets and other public state- the Liberals in their platform by $40-billion a year from 2016 created or maintained by 2017-18. is, will he? ments. Once credibility is lost, it promised to strengthen the inde- to 2020. The effect was to artifi - For its part, the PBO estimates the David Crane can be reached at is diffi cult to win back. pendence of the PBO. While the cially raise the size of the defi cit by stimulus will raise GDP by 0.5 per [email protected]. The Hill Times

INSIDE POLITICS BILL C-14 Assisted-dying bill exploited by all sides

The church and its of rights, a government very early In Collins’s view, it would More often than not, it merely in a muscular majority mandate appear that the religious beliefs infl ames both sides of the debate health-care providers with political capital bulging from of the institution should trump and satisfi es no one. their pockets moved so tentatively the charter rights of patients That committee recommended may see a way out. on assisted dying. suffering intolerably with death that health-care practitioners’ But it puts institutions A government that went big “reasonably foreseen.” “freedom of conscience” should be on refugees, purports to go big Collins sees no confl ict. respected, but it would have com- ahead of the rights of on climate change with a prime No hospital, chronic-care pelled an objecting practitioner “at minister given to big, sweeping facility or hospice in this country a minimum” to provide an effective dying patients. The pronouncements instead went is compelled to provide every referral for a patient. It also recom- blame for that rests small in physician-assisted dying. medical procedure and service mended that Ottawa work with the Rabbi Reuven P. Bulka of Ottawa It created a void that is rapidly available in this country, he says. provinces and territories to ensure went further, when he suggested that with a government being fi lled by progressives who He also rejects the notion that all publicly funded health-care demanding doctors terminate life or that gives the church are understandably upset that the assisted dying now becomes a institutions provide medial assis- be complicit in that act would make rights of those suffering griev- charter right. It is a legal right, tance in dying. the physician ‘complicit in murder.’ the room to take ously from mental illness, mature Collins told me, but the “charter Physicians in faith-based The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright minors, or those who wish to pro- right” argument is a construct not care institutions maintain their that road. vide advance directives have not supported by evidence, a notion Charter Rights would be violated that are contrary to their roles as been respected in this legislation, put forward by a Commons-Sen- if they were forced to even refer a “havens of hope” in this country. providing two tiers of those who ate committee that veered “wildly” patient to a consenting physician. Rabbi Reuven P. Bulka of Ot- are eligible to die with dignity. in directions unpalatable to Cana- They put forward a proposal in tawa went further, when he sug- It also left enough holes in dians, at least in Collins’s view. which an independent assessment gested that demanding doctors the legislation for conservative There could have been no team would deal with a patient terminate life or be complicit in TIM HARPER opponents, in this case, many of assisted-dying legislation intro- who may be choosing assisted that act would make the physi- Canada’s churches, to exploit duced by any government of any death. If the patient wished to go cian “complicit in murder.’’ concerns from their perspective. political stripe that would have that route, the faith-based doctor The legislation, of course, TTAWA—When it comes to They arrived on Parliament been backed by the Catholic would pass over all fi les but make clearly spells out the opposite. Ophysician-assisted dying, Hill on the eve of debate on Bill Church in this country. no referral themselves. The church and its health-care should the beliefs of a health-care C-14, intent on exploiting a weak- That parliamentary committee It may satisfy health-care providers may see a way out. But institution trump a Charter right ness in the legislation that gives that so alarmed the Catholic Church practitioners but needlessly heaps it puts institutions ahead of the of a suffering patient? them much room to manoeuvre provided a bold, progressive view of more hurdles in front of those rights of dying patients. It shouldn’t, but we may ulti- on their fl ank. what could have been in this legisla- who are dying and wish to have The blame for that rests with a mately get to that point. Cardinal Thomas Collins, the tion—which likely guaranteed much their pain alleviated. government that gives the church That is only one result of the Catholic archbishop of Toronto, ar- of it would be ignored, replaced by Collins said faith-based institu- the room to take that road. curiously timid legislation on as- gues that taxpayer-funded Catholic that most milquetoast of pledges to tions receive public funding be- Tim Harper is a national sisted dying introduced last week health institutions should maintain deliver a law that provides “balance” cause they provide much-needed affairs writer for The Toronto by the Liberals. that public funding while refusing between competing views. services, but such nursing homes, Star. This column was released on It may forever be a mystery to follow the law of the land—as- One should cringe when they hospitals, hospices or other fa- April 20. why a government that so loudly sisting those who fi t the restrictive hear about a law that claims to cilities should never be forced by [email protected] trumpeted respect for the charter criteria for such death. “balance” concerns on both sides. government to provide services The Hill Times 12 THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 THE SPIN DOCTORS By Laura Ryckewaert

TUESDAY, MAY 17 NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE “The Liberal government has tabled Bill C-14 on doctor-assisted dying. What do you think of this legislation? Will it pass?”

choices and freedoms in a way that would TRAVERS protect the most vulnerable, and support the personal convictions of health care providers. KATE “From this, our government proposed the PURCHASE legislation that would give dying Canadians— DEBATES Liberal strategist who are suffering intolerably from a serious medical condition—the choice of a medically

2016 assisted death. Access would only be available “We recognize that, for all Canadians, to those who are mentally competent adults, medical assistance in dying is a diffi cult and have a serious and incurable illness, disease, deeply personal issue. or disability, and whose natural deaths have “Last year, the Supreme Court of Canada become reasonably foreseeable. unanimously decided that Canadians who “For some, medical-assistance in dying will Are your fun times running a larger suffer intolerably have the right to request be troubling. For others, this legislation will assistance to end their suffering. The Govern- not go far enough. We will continue to study ment of Canada respects that decision. the most controversial proposals, and look than expected deficit? “After extensive consultations, the minister forward to engaging all Parliamentarians, as of health and the minister of justice worked to we develop a compassionate response to the Bored with binging on Netflix? take an approach that would defend people’s Supreme Court’s ruling.” ensuring there are protections in place for Worried about your Panama account? those that need it most. It was our caucus that led the charge to ensure any legislation on CORY this includes safeguards to protect the most Help is at hand. Not only is Canada HANN vulnerable people in our society, and protect the conscience rights of physicians. Conservative strategist back – so are the Travers Debates! “We made recommendations that in- cluded stringent safeguards to protect those “While this is a profoundly sensitive issue, with mental health challenges, and made with deeply held personal beliefs on both it clear that excluding minors from the bill Join our fearless fun debate sides of the argument, I can say I’m proud was a must. Through this dissenting com- that our Conservative Members of Parlia- mittee report, we were successful in having teams as they tackle the ment will be free to vote their conscience on these recommendations included in the bill this issue. Primary amongst the concerns we saw introduced last week. And that’s question of House decorum. Conservatives have with assisted suicide is good news for our most vulnerable.”

Be there on May 17th as Scott clear this might very well be the case. The best way to proceed would be for the Government to Feschuk and Ruth Ellen refer the legislation back to the Supreme Court RICCARDO in order to determine if it does indeed fall short, Brosseau trade trenchant bon and to clarify what changes would be needed. FILIPPONE “As we study the bill moving forward, we mots with Katie Simpson NDP strategist will have to determine if the legislation ad- equately protects the vulnerable and addresses and Rodger Cuzner in key issues that many have raised such as prac- “In considering this legislation we have titioners’ objections and advance directives. arguing the pros and cons of to keep in mind that this bill is in response to “It’s diffi cult to determine how the vote the resolution “Heckling is a a Supreme Court ruling which struck down will turn out now that all parties have con- the ban on assisted dying last year. So the fi rmed they will be proceeding with a free parliamentary privilege and fi rst question is: does this legislation prop- vote (Liberal cabinet aside), but on an issue as erly address the court’s decision? complex and deeply felt as this, Parliamentar- should be maintained.” “The Liberal’s restrictive approach in draft- ians must work together, beyond partisan- ing this legislation has many advocates arguing ship, to ensure that this important legislation that the bill falls short of the Carter decision. It’s respects the Supreme Court ruling.” As for our serious debate, you won’t want to miss it. behind vague legislation that will spark Find out more – buy a ticket, and pay to play! protests and be referred back to the courts. “The concept of ‘reasonably foreseeable It’s all in aid of raising funds for the R. James Travers natural death’ proposed in the bill is so vague MATHIEU R. that even the minister seems to be unclear as Foreign Corresponding Fellowship, created to honour ST-AMAND to what it means. Introducing such vague con- cepts is a means of ensuring that the matter is Bloc Québécois strategist the late Jim Travers. The last three Travers Debates have been referred back to the courts, so that the courts “We are anxiously awaiting the fed- are forced to make a determination after years sell-outs and tickets are selling quickly again for this year. eral government’s assisted dying bill. of argument. The minister seems to lack politi- Since the Supreme Court forced their cal courage in this matter. Don’t be disappointed — buy today! hand with the Carter decision, the Harper “The federal government would do and Trudeau governments have been well to follow Quebec’s approach in ad- dragging their feet and keeping us wait- dressing this matter. Through broad, trans- ing for far too long. Unfortunately, Bill partisan consultation, and rigorous and Tickets are $125 and available C-14 will not be the end of this story. The courageous legislative work, Quebec was Trudeau government seems to want to hide able to adopt clear legislation.” only at traversdebates.ca to getting it right, and the Greens are hopeful that the government will accept amendments. “Several things must change. For starters, PRESENTED BY CAMILLE patients who request an assisted death when Take a second LABCHUK they have the legal capacity to do so must not be required to reconfi rm this request after they Green strategist lose that capacity. It’s troubling that non-termi- spring break on nal medical conditions appear to be excluded “To be frank, the doctor-assisted dying legis- from the regime, meaning that patients suffer- May 17th for the lation is a rather tepid response to the Supreme ing intolerable yet not fatal pain will be left to Court’s ruling in Carter. The Court was clear languish. It’s also unfair that mature teenagers Travers Debates! that Canadians who suffer intolerably from an are excluded from protections. incurable medical condition have a constitution- “Governments must be wary of trying al right to a dignifi ed death, yet this bill appears to please interest groups and ‘strike a bal- to deny that right to far too many of us. The ance’ when the result is infringing peoples’ committee hearings on this bill will be essential Charter rights.” THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 13 OPINION SENATE REFORM

supplanted by First Ministers Meetings and the strength of leadership in the provinces Does the Trudeau version of and territories. However the vitally impor- tant role the Senate plays in relation to the review and improvement of legislation and in committee by the study of policy issues Senate reform deserve support? cannot and should not be diminished. In his fi rst speech in the Senate, Sena- tor Harder, as government representative posed the following question; “How can One may conclude that Prime we modernize, adapt and strengthen the Minister role of the Senate to meet the expecta- the reforms coming from Justin tions of Canadians in the 21st century?” A the Greene-Massicotte Trudeau, good part of the answer to that question pictured will come from continuing and enhancing meeting and those from in this fi le the legislative and public policy role of the photo at Senate. In doing this, Harder believes that the Senate Modernization a caucus the Senate should not compete with the Committee as well as the meeting House of Commons but complement it. with his In recent days two spaces on each Trudeau reforms should MPs. The Senate standing committee have now Hill Times been designated for Senators who identify be given a chance to be photograph by themselves as Independents. Sen. Harder’s considered, implemented Jake Wright request to the Senate Internal Economy Committee for additional funds to carry and evolve. The success of out his new role is still outstanding. How- ever, as was pointed out in an April 18 Hill Senate reform is squarely Times editorial, it is incumbent on him in the hands of Senators. to explain why the funds are needed and what they will be used for. Leaving that issue aside, and while it is early days for this version of Senate reform, one may conclude that the reforms coming tutions Maryam Monsef in early December should address the role of the Senate and from the Greene-Massicotte meeting and of last year. Appointees are to have a re- how that role and the administration of the those from the Senate Modernization Com- cord of achievement, integrity, and under- Senate can be improved. mittee as well as the Trudeau reforms should BRUCE CARSON stand the role of the Senate. The fourth one With the move towards modernization be given a chance to be considered, imple- is that they be non-partisan and I suppose and the appointment of Senators who do mented, and evolve. The success of Senate that is to help with being independent as not identify with a political party, it is to be reform is squarely in the hands of Senators. TTAWA—The subject of Senate reform Trudeau appointees are to be independent hoped that the important role the Senate Bruce Carson was senior advisor from Ohas been with us since shortly after of political party affi liation. However, as has played in the study by committees of 1995-2002 to the late Senator John Lynch- Confederation with the main focus being former Senator and government leader in public policy issues and the improvement Staunton, opposition leader in the Sen- the method of selection of Senators and, the Senate, Marjory LeBreton pointed out of legislation; sober second thought, will ate and senior adviser to prime minister in recent years, the focus has been on the in a Hill Times article dated April 11, “any- continue. At the time of Confederation, the Stephen Harper from 2006-09. He publishes length of terms. In all this time, the only one who has lived has partisan views, even Senate was to provide representation of the a daily commentary on political issues: The constitutional changes brought to the if they are not active political partisans.” provinces or regions of Canada in the cen- Morning Brief. [email protected] Senate have been ones that increased the Senator Irving Gerstei,n in his retire- tral Parliament. That role has been largely The Hill Times number of Senators as Canada expanded. ment speech in the Senate, also took In 1965, by virtue of the Constitution Act, issue with this criterion and advanced the the retirement age became 75 years and proposition that the advisory panel “be free the Constitution Act in 1982 provided a to recommend qualifi ed candidates regard- suspensive veto for the Senate over con- less of their party ties.” Both Gerstein and stitutional changes. Informal changes to LeBreton argue that partisanship in the the method of selection have been most Senate has not been its major problem. successful in as Albertans elect However, as time goes on we will see how Senators to a roster from which the prime closely the lack of partisanship is followed minister may select a Senator-in-waiting as a base for appointment. Perhaps one can and appoint her or him to the Senate. Pres- be an “independent partisan.” TALENT FOR ently, Alberta elected Senator Doug Black We are now in a situation where the who occupies an Alberta Senate seat. Trudeau theory of Senate reform has been During the time of the Harper govern- put into practice with the appointment ment, nine separate pieces of legislation of seven Senators who sit as Indepen- INNOVATION were advanced dealing with Senate reform dents and Senator Peter Harder as the with no success. These changes were government representative in the Senate. aimed at limiting the length of tenure and Throughout this mandate there will be changing the method of selection through more appointments and presumably more election. The decision by the Supreme Court Harnessing independent Senators. By the end of next of Canada in the Senate reference case ren- year, the independents will outnumber dered in April 2014 effectively ended all at- the Liberals and by the end of 2017 there tempts by the Harper government to change will be more independents than there are Canada’s research the Senate by means of federal legislation. Conservative Senators. There is a certain The court held that Ottawa cannot act alone inevitability to the march of the indepen- to set term limits or change the method of dents as during this parliament there will advantage appointment as such changes would require be at least 41 appointments made. at least seven provinces, representing at To date, whether one likes the process least 50 per cent of the population section of or not, those who regularly complain about Join Mitacs and leaders from business, the constitutional amending formula. Aboli- the quality of Senate appointments have government, and academia as we examine tion would require unanimity. been silenced. It remains to be seen how the This led to three different approaches next 41 are to be judged, but this is a work strategies to effectively engage and employ to the Senate being put before voters in the in progress. Certainly the seven appointed 2015 federal election. Prime minister Ste- by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau fi t in well our research innovators. phen Harper’s view was that he would not with what could be considered to be the best appoint any more Senators until the provinc- appointments of the last 30 or so years. es came to their senses in support of Senate The new Senators and those who follow reform. NDP Leader Tom Mulcair used the during Trudeau’s mandate enter a Senate Register at mitacs.ca/en/events impasse over reform and the Supreme Court where change is underway. This past sum- decision to anchor the traditional NDP view mer, Senators Stephen Greene and Paul of abolition. Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, Massicotte put together a questionnaire Tuesday, May 11, 2016 Forum: 1–4:30p.m. having expelled Liberal Senators from sent to all Senators seeking ideas regard- national caucus, came up with the proposal ing reform which would provide Senators National Arts Centre, Ottawa Reception: 4:30–6p.m. that potential Senate appointees would be with more input into the functioning of nominated by an independent body which the Senate. As a result of this initiative, a would be established by his government group of approximately 40 Senators met after the election. With the Trudeau victory together over three days in October to in October we are now seeing the Trudeau exchange views regarding improvements proposal in action. that could be brought to the Senate. There www.mitacs.ca The criteria for the appointments were is also a special committee of the Senate set out by the Minister of Democratic Insti- dealing with modernization whose work 14 THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 ACCOUNTABILITY WHISTLEBLOWERS Time to turn a new leaf with whistleblowers

While the Liberals promised to be open by default with information and continue to reinforce this message they have recently announced that reforms to the Access to Information Act will have to wait until 2018.

ALLAN CUTLER

TTAWA—We are now about six months Ointo the new Liberal government man- date. It’s a good time to stop and take stock. From a whistleblowing viewpoint, has any- thing changed under the new regime? There are some indicators of a positive change. In November 2015, scientists were reported to have been “unmuzzled.” We’ve also heard from public servants speaking off the record about a positive change in culture inside government; impartial ad- vice is again valued. The new government has also dropped several legal cases—for example, one in which the previous gov- ernment tried to silence Cindy Blackstock and her efforts to get fair funding for aboriginal education. On the other hand, there are also negative indicators. While the Liberals promised to be open by default with information—and continue to reinforce this message—they have recently announced that reforms to the Access to Information Act will have to wait until 2018. This is a major disappointment for advocates. They believe that good recom- mendations for change already exist and simply have to be enacted. So why the wait? After 10 years of Conservative government, none of the skeletons in the closet will be- long to the Liberals. There are still signifi cant delays in obtaining information from depart- Allan Cutler says the new government, headed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and its ministers should take another look at Sylvie Therrien’s case ments under the ATI. Some departments, and treat objections from senior executives with a certain amount of skepticism. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright such as Public Services and Procurement, have actually regressed since the change in government. It is diffi cult to reconcile the positive issue a marriage license to such a couple 10 years) suggest that it is a multi-million- With respect to whistleblowers, the pic- tone of this still-young government with if the law says so. The opposite is also dollar piece of window dressing. ture looks as bleak as ever. Several remain breaking its word with the reversal of its true. It is up to Parliament and the courts No senior bureaucrats have ever been locked in battle with the government, des- commitment and refusal to settle the mat- to strike down unjust laws and policies. implicated, even when the circumstances perately trying to get their jobs back. One ter. Possibly an answer lies in taking into A problem, however, emerges when the of the wrongdoing cases might reasonably is Sylvie Therrien, who blew the whistle on account the bureaucratic culture against policy or practice is secret or causes direct have invited questions about poor oversight a system of quotas for employment insur- which Therrien had to speak and the fact and immediate harm. When there is no or complicity. The scandal that led to the res- ance investigators. These quotas meant that that the public servants advising the new way for parliamentarians or the public to ignation of former commissioner Christiane investigators were being encouraged to government on the fi le probably had a know a problem exists there is also no way Ouimet also pointed at serious problems in reject EI claimants for the fl imsiest of rea- direct hand in both the policy she objected for them to fi x it. And in her case, Ther- the offi ce which have not been addressed. sons. Rejected claimants would then have to and the reprisals against her. Is the deci- rien did not refuse to reject EI claimants: Let’s hope the new government and its to navigate a long and complicated system sion based on advice from this quarter? she refused to reject legitimate claimants ministers will take another look at Therrien’s of appeals, a process that could take years. And perhaps this is the nub of the and informed the public of a secret, highly case and treat objections from senior execu- Therrien leaked information about the pol- matter: how can any government change unethical policy targeting vulnerable Cana- tives with a certain amount of skepticism. icy to the press, and was publicly called a the prevailing culture and practices of dians. This, surely, is the kind of thing the Across government, many offi cials who liar. When evidence emerged that she was an entrenched bureaucracy, particularly new government wants to stop. implemented some of the former govern- telling the truth, ministers claimed they when members are implicated in question- The other possible answer, and one we ment’s less savoury policies remain in place. were merely “targets.” Therrien was fi red, able practices? We can easily imagine a hope is not the truth, is that Liberals have Sometimes they were so enthusiastic that and, of course, her claims for EI rejected. scenario in which a senior executive tells chosen power over honour. Having the they became part of the problem, as in the While the public and opposition parties the new minister, who knows no better, power, they can do what they want, not case of the campaign against Cindy Black- weren’t fooled, the Conservatives were suc- that Therrien was a rogue employee who what they promised to do. stock. Rather than worrying about a fl ood of cessful in at least one respect: in her fi ght had it completely wrong, that reinstating As to the other avenues available to whistleblowers, it would be more construc- to get her job back, they have reframed the her or settling the case would set a bad Therrien, there were really none. Inter- tive to reform OPSIC and its mandate, and issue around her conduct, and not the fact precedent—and perhaps encourage others nal complaints such as this are typically other internal reporting mechanisms, so that she was essentially ordered to reject to copy her. There were, after all, alterna- investigated by someone considered safe, that internal whistleblowing becomes safe claimants who should have been accepted. tive avenues for Therrien to follow in the with an eye to making the matter go away. and effective (and, perhaps, make external Her case is in front of the Public Service case of real wrongdoing, and if she was This is precisely what appeared to happen whistleblowing unnecessary). As for ending Labour Relations Board, but she faces an disagreeing with a policy, well, it isn’t her in Therrien’s case. As for the Offi ce of the Therrien’s ordeal, it would simply send a uphill battle. role to object. Public Sector Integrity Commissioner (OP- message that things really have changed. With the change of government, Therrien On the latter point, there is some truth. SIC), it rejected her complaint on the basis Allan Cutler is past president of Cana- hoped for relief. Promises were made before Public servants should faithfully imple- that the law under which it operates bars dians for Accountability, a group formed to the election, after all. She had been called a ment legitimate policy no matter what their it from investigating. This excuse has worn help whistleblowers, fi ght corruption, and hero by the Liberals. In January, however, ethical stance. An offi cial who is person- thin, and the incredibly low rate of inves- an advocate for truth and transparency. she learned that this was not to be. ally against same-sex marriage must still tigations and fi ndings by the offi ce (11 in The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 15 OPINION TERRORISM Supremacist attitudes are a universal enemy permanently pin an expression of nations. There are no expecta- nationalism may disconnect us Law enforcement horror and an accompanying plea tions of press releases denounc- from others in the world, or even agencies have of solidarity on their social media ing Daesh attacks in Lebanon, within our own communities, accounts. Iraq, Turkey or a myriad of other and how it can be manipulated identifi ed right- Don’t misunderstand: the hor- places when the victims are or by agenda-driven interests and wing extremism ror, the pain, the solidarity—all of are perceived to be primarily metastasize into something more it is real and authentic. ‘brown’ or Muslim. And when the sinister as we witnessed in Brus- as a growing and But so is the frustration at the targets are brown but not Muslim, sels with the unwelcome appear- signifi cant threat expectation that when criminals the news seems signifi cantly ance of neo-Nazis at a recent commit despicable acts of terror- amplifi ed as with the horrifi c weekend memorial. to public safety in ism under the pretext of religion, Easter Sunday attack in Lahore, Consider what fuels those who Muslims everywhere should say Pakistan. We should all hurt when support such attitudes, including North America. something to assure everyone that even one human life is stolen, no what fuels them to support the This means we they don’t support those views. matter the victim’s identity. likes of Donald Trump. The head Muslims worldwide have What we seem to miss while of the U.S.-based National Policy must work even repeatedly and categorically seeking to understand these Institute and a white nationalist, harder than ever denounced all violent extrem- senseless acts of violence commit- Richard Spencer, told VICE News ism and, in particular, the terror ted in the name of any religion, last December that “[Trump’s] to challenge any group Daesh. What’s more, Is- or political ideology, is that this basically saying that if you are and all supremacist lamic scholars of all stripes have nihilistic hate is often based on a nation, then at some point you repudiated Daesh’s murderous supremacist attitudes. have to say, ‘There is an ‘Us,’ and attitudes which ideology and have shown how Instead of constant condemna- there is a ‘Them.’ Who are we? Are its horrifi c acts have no justifi ca- tions of those who say they are we a nation? In that sense, I think could potentially tion or place in Islam. And many fi ghting and killing in the name it’s really great.” Consider what fuels those who support lead to harm. Muslims will continue to do so of Islam, we must universally con- Supremacist attitudes are such attitudes, including what fuels because if they don’t, some people demn those who paint the world dangerous, not least because they them to support the likes of Donald will inevitably ask, “Why don’t in the false dichotomy of black also make it harder to engage Trump. Photograph courtesy of Michael Vadon they condemn what’s happening?” and white, good and evil, or right in meaningful discourse around Yet, as prominent American- and wrong. the drivers of violence. Our best Arab activist Linda Sarsour has Anyone who implicitly or ex- chance of fi ghting extremist ever to challenge any and all said, to expect Muslims to de- plicitly advocates the supremacy ideology is to fi nd our common supremacist attitudes which could nounce certain acts of terrorism of a particular group over another humanity and not simply rein- potentially lead to harm. “Hu- AMIRA ELGHAWABY every time they occur is itself big- should think twice about how this force false polarization within our manity should be our race. Love oted. Caucasian men aren’t called dehumanizes fellow human be- societies. The doubling of hate should be our religion” is an apt on to answer for what white lone ings around the world. crimes against Muslims over the quote in times like these. Maybe TTAWA—Is it time for a gunmen do in schools and movie We have to acknowledge that past three years here in Canada that’s what we should be posting Oblanket condemnation of all theatres, what some Christian nationalism can also be used to speaks clearly to this. to our websites, and pinning to future terrorist acts committed priests have done to children, or create and bolster a sense of righ- Furthermore, law enforcement our social media pages. in the name of Islam, occurring for what neo-Nazi groups preach. teousness and dominance in the agencies have identifi ed right- Amira Elghawaby is the anywhere in the world, to be fea- Furthermore, the condemna- minds of some. That isn’t to say wing extremism as a growing and communications director at the tured on the front page of every tions against Daesh and its ilk that being proud of one’s country, signifi cant threat to public safety National Council of Canadian Muslim organization’s website? are most often expected follow- or fellow citizens, is blameworthy. in North America. This means Muslims (NCCM). Or perhaps, every Muslim should ing terrorism infl icted on western But we should beware of how we must work even harder than The Hill Times

DIGITAL WORLD BROADBAND STRATEGY Who should lead Canada’s national broadband strategy?

If anything is self- weeks ago with a warning: even may have led to an unexpected applications including online video if an ideal speed target could be abrupt shift in tone and policy. and internet telephony (though evident, it is that identifi ed, there was no guaran- Days after the “needs” and “wants” the ability for multiple people in a federal government tee of regulatory action. Blais talk, Blais offered a second set of single household to use these ser- urged participants not to confuse remarks, this time describing the vices simultaneously is in doubt). leadership on “wants” with “needs,” a fram- vital importance of internet ac- Yet a national broadband ing that suggested the goal of cess as “self-evident” and charac- strategy must surely go beyond broadband funding the hearing was to identify the terizing the hearing as “a chance the bare minimum and the ap- and policies that bare minimum internet service to create together a coherent plications of today. Multiple users, required by Canadians. national broadband strategy.” video-based education programs, With one week still remaining in the encourage greater The remarks attracted immedi- The decision to change the focus tele-health, virtual community Canadian Radio-television and Tele- competition is a ate headlines that the commission of the hearing more than a year after meetings, interactive entertain- communications Commission hearing would not guarantee basic internet submissions began may be un- ment, 3D printing, and numer- focused on the state of internet need, not a want. speeds. The CRTC insists that only usual, but the CRTC is right. Canada ous internet-enabled devices are access in Canada, the process has comments on the public record desperately needs a national digital more than just wants. They are taken a surprising turn that ultimately count, but it is obvious that the strategy with universal, affordable the future of broadband for many cries out for leadership from Navdeep commissioners pay close attention broadband as its foundation. How- Canadians and the reason why Bains, the minister of Innovation, to media commentary and social ever, whether the Commission is the a country focused on innovation Science, and Economic Development. media postings. Within hours of the right body to lead such a strategy is cannot be content with painfully The Hill Times photograph Jake Wright fi rst media report, Blais jokingly an entirely different matter. slow, expensive Internet access. MICHAEL GEIST told one communications law pro- A strategy focused on univer- A realistic target also requires infrastructure investment in its 2016 fessor that his class might consider sal, affordable access raises two realistic funding. The CRTC has a budget, but allocated relatively little analyzing how his remarks were key questions. First, what are the relatively small pot of money avail- to the digital side of the ledger. If TTAWA—With one week still turned into those headlines. In fact, minimum targets for download and able and it may be limited to shifting anything is self-evident, it is that Oremaining in the Canadian the fi xation with press coverage upload speeds? Second, who will dollars from conventional telephone federal government leadership on Radio-television and Telecommuni- continued later in the week as Blais pay for the creation of universally contributions to the internet. That broadband funding and policies cations Commission hearing focused referenced “editorialists who never available networks that guarantee approach is unlikely to yield the that encourage greater competition on the state of internet access in show up at our hearings but appar- access at whatever target speed? necessary investment to create a true is a need, not a want. Canada, the process has taken a sur- ently have very strong views.” Some of the major telecom- 21st century digital infrastructure. Michael Geist holds the Cana- prising turn that ultimately cries out The press and public coverage munications companies have been There is a role to play for Cana- da Research Chair in internet and for leadership from Navdeep Bains, of the hearing—which unsurpris- urging the CRTC to adopt a “5 and da’s telecommunications regulator, e-commerce law at the University the Minister of Innovation, Science, ingly focused on the CRTC’s 1” approach representing 5 Mbps but it cannot replace a long-overdue of Ottawa, Faculty of Law. He can and Economic Development. seeming reluctance to adopt am- download and 1 Mbps upload. They internet infrastructure commitment be reached at [email protected] CRTC Chair Jean-Pierre bitious forward-looking targets claim those speeds are suffi cient to from the federal government. The or online at www.michaelgeist.ca. Blais opened the hearing two for universal internet access— allow for the use of many internet Liberal government emphasized The Hill Times 16 THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 U.S. HUMAN RIGHTS

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, pictured. In U.S. human rights report still contrast to practice by previous secretaries, Mr. Kerry devoted signifi cant time to addressing human an international benchmark rights abuses when releasing the human rights report. He avoided the traditional ‘naming and lication for decades; however, He avoided the traditional “nam- shaming’ of a laundry The report stands as in many respects, it has been ing and shaming” of a laundry list list of abusers. Although overtaken by events. Continuing of abusers. Although urging action a basic benchmark urging action to resolve the catastrophe in Syria/Iraq; North to resolve the ongoing confl ict in ongoing confl ict in Syria, he for global treatment Korean and Iranian nuclear pro- Syria, he specifi cally praised human specifi cally praised human grams; Ukraine; refugee swarms rights progress in Tunisia, Nigeria, of human rights. rights progress in Tunisia, throughout Europe; the “Panama Sri Lanka, Burma, Vietnam, and Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Burma, It covers almost Papers”; and even the reality- Azerbaijan. He concluded with an Vietnam, and Azerbaijan. 200 entities in show politics of U.S. presidential extended passage fl atly denounc- campaigning dominate the media. ing torture (“The United States is Photograph courtesy of the U.S. 2.3 million words Thus, while the human rights opposed to the use of torture in any Department of State report was ready for its Congres- form at any time by any govern- of analysis and sionally mandated February release ment or non-state actor.”) age of leaden “legacy language,” anti-Semitic incidents while si- assessment. A in February, the exact timing was Succeeding the secretary at the leavened by greater effort to avoid multaneously reporting a decline contingent on Kerry’s availability; podium, Assistant Secretary for the passive tense. Such circum- in hate crimes. There is no refer- number of countries its “rollout” date is the secretary’s Democracy, Human Rights, and stance refl ects that detailed instruc- ence to anti-Islamic crimes. employ it as decision. This year, the human Labor, Thomas Malinowski, praised tions emphasize close adherence to The once-prominent reporting rights report release drifted past the same states touted by Kerry. previous language—unless change of anglo-francophone language one element for NCAA “March madness,” bloom- He criticized China and Russia for is signifi cant. Drafters are not to restrictions in Quebec and outside determining refugee ing cherry blossoms, the beginning “striking out” against their citizens reinvent wheels. Still there are the province is no longer in- of spring, and the opening of the (“disturbing but not surprising”) “tweaks” refl ecting greater concern cluded. claims validity. baseball season. Some substantive and ended by denouncing corrup- over “corruption” (thus greater at- And Canada’s restrictions delay factors included the presiden- tion implicitly but not specifi cally a tention to such in the text) and the on freedom of speech are noted, tial visit to Cuba and the U.S. effort reference to the Panama Papers. addition of “intersex” to the previ- but not criticized (“The Supreme to engage Moscow in restarting As is so often the case with hu- ous listing of “lesbian, gay, bisexual, Court has ruled that the govern- Syrian peace talks. Unsurprisingly, man rights, now a less prominent and transsexual” groups potentially ment may limit free speech in the HRR strongly criticized Russia concern, the HRR’s release was a subject to abuse due to sexual ori- the name of goals such as ending and Cuba, perhaps not the most one-day, non-wonder. There was entation and gender identity. discrimination, ensuring social DAVID JONES conducive background for high- brief factual comment in AP, The Canadian aboriginal peoples and harmony, or promoting gender profi le U.S. bilateral initiatives. Washington Post, The Wall Street the status and circumstances of Ca- equality”). Nevertheless, the human rights Journal, and The Los Angeles nadian workers continue to receive The HRR no longer ranks ASHINGTON, D.C.—The report stands as a basic benchmark Times. But no mention of Canada. the most extensive human rights countries individually; however, WU.S. Department of State’s for global treatment of human Specifi cally, the HRR’s Canada record coverage. The legal efforts to Canadians can be confi dent that annual human rights report (HRR) rights. It covers almost 200 entities chapter shrank slightly to 9,341 address aboriginal territorial claims even casual reading places their offi cially labelled Country Reports in 2.3 million words of analysis and words versus 9,700 words in 2014, are numerically unchanged. Oddly, country in the fi rst tier of those on Human Rights Practices is one assessment. A number of countries refl ecting general instruction to the human rights record dropped the respecting human rights. of the few residues of the Jimmy employ it as one element for deter- diet the HRRs to the extent pos- status of Métis legal claim to recog- Recent polling reports Cana- Carter administration. U.S. Sec- mining refugee claims validity. sible. Such direction is challenging nition as “Indians”—an unfortunate dians’ high satisfaction with their retary of State John Kerry quietly In contrast to practice by previ- as impulses to add special inter- omission given the recent Supreme society; the Human Rights Report noted its 40th anniversary during ous secretaries, Kerry devoted est’s “bells and whistles” are almost Court decision affi rming such status endorses such satisfaction. release on April 13. signifi cant time (14 minutes) to ad- impossible to thwart. Consequent- for Métis. David Jones is former U.S. dip- The human rights report was dressing human rights abuses when ly, a section-by-section comparative Separately, the human rights lomat who lives in Arlington, Va. touted as State’s fl agship pub- releasing the human rights report. review will reveal a heavy percent- record notes a record number of The Hill Times

INFRASTRUCTURE PRISONS

a review of the impacts, costs, and gaps arising from changes made to Build communities, not more prisons the penal system under the previous three Conservative administra- tions led by former prime minister may come in the form of new Prime Minister Justin Stephen Harper. She’s also tasked Prison expansion or refurbished jails and prisons. Trudeau has just mandated with exploring ways to decrease the diverts funds that Examples of provincial and territo- Justice Minister of Justice indigenous prison population and rial penal infrastructure projects Jody Wilson-Raybould developing reforms relating to bail could otherwise that are planned or currently being to oversee important and sentencing with her provincial- be used to address built include: new prisons slated to tasks including a review territorial counterparts. Given these open later this year in Amos, Sept- of the impacts, costs, commitments, it would only make inequality in our Îles, and Sorel-Tracy, Que.; a new and gaps arising from sense for the federal government to communities and facility that will house intermittent changes made to the penal not dedicate any of its infrastructure prisoners serving sentences on the system under the previous dollars towards human warehous- prevent social harm. weekend in London, Ont.; a new three Conservative ing going forward. replacement jail that will more administrations led by Prison expansion diverts funds than triple the capacity of the cur- former prime minister that could otherwise be used to rent Dauphin Correctional Centre Stephen Harper. The Hill address inequality in our com- in Manitoba; a new psychiatric Times photograph by Jake munities and prevent social harm. facility that will feature a unit Wright In short, by refusing to allocate dedicated to imprisoning those in federal infrastructure funds to- JUSTIN PICHÉ confl ict with the law diagnosed wards expanding the capacity of with mental health issues in North These ventures may just be the one person. Not to be overlooked the state to criminalize and pun- Battleford, Sask.; a new prison tip of the prison expansion iceberg is the fact that in 2014-2015, 57 per ish, we can build a Canada that’s TTAWA—Last month, the new near Oliver, B.C.; a new unit at the in Canada should other projects, cent of provincial-territorial prison- more equitable and safer for all. OLiberal government tabled North Slave Correctional Centre in including those put on hold due ers were awaiting judicial proceed- NOPE / National Opponents of its fi rst federal budget, promising Yellowknife; and a new prison for to budgetary constraints like the ings, not serving sentences. Prison Expansion is a Criminaliza- billions in infrastructure spending women to replace an older institu- shelved replacement facility for Beyond the expensive ware- tion and Punishment Education to stimulate the Canadian economy tion in Fort Smith, N.W.T. Her Majesty’s Penitentiary in St. housing of the legally innocent, Project initiative led by Tenei- and invest in our collective future. Other provincial-territorial John’s, N.L., be given an injection provincial-territorial prison ex- sha Green, Jasmine Hébert, Ana But what kind of Canada will we prison infrastructure projects of federal cash to proceed ahead. pansion is taking place at a time Kovacic, Maneesh Oberoi, Franky build going forward? include renovations at the Central While prison expansion is touted when awareness of the damage Yousry, and Justin Piché that advo- The answer to this question Nova Scotia Correctional Facility as necessary to public safety, re- of colonization increases, yet the cates for an end to the construction will largely depend on propos- in Dartmouth, the conversion of search indicates that imprisonment mass incarceration of indigenous of jails and prisons, and the reinvest- als put forward by municipalities Brampton, Ontario’s Roy McMur- is a failure, and a very costly one peoples in Canada persists. ment of justice resources towards for things like transit. Provinces try Youth Centre into an adult fa- at that. For instance, in 2014-2015 it Prime Minister Justin Trudeau community building. Justin Piché is and territories will also make the cility for women, as well as plans cost Canadian provinces and terri- has just mandated Justice Minister an assistant professor of criminology case for federal cash to fund their to renovate and expand the Baffi n tories an average of $198.50 per day of Justice Jody Wilson-Raybould to at the University of Ottawa. infrastructure plans, some of which Correctional Centre in Iqaluit. or $72,452.50 per year to imprison oversee important tasks including The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 17 EQUAL VOICE WOMEN IN POLITICS

set of care-giving arrangements, none of which are ideal. It’s up to this Parliament to chart Every Friday while Parliament is sitting, Moore makes the seven- plus hour drive back to her riding in northern Quebec, often alone a different course for women and sometimes in bad weather. It’s no small feat, especially when you have a restless baby in tow, NDP Christine NDP MP Christine have just worked a gruelling week Moore, pictured in and—as a nursing mother—have Moore is asking her Confederation likely not slept through the night Building offi ce for some time. that MPs who give with her baby Moore is asking that MPs who birth or become Daphnée. Every give birth or become the primary Friday while Par- care-giver to an infant be given the primary care- liament is sitting, the capacity to largely work giver to an infant be Ms. Moore makes out of the riding for the fi rst six the seven-plus months. The ability to work from given the capacity hour drive back the riding could also apply to MPs to her riding in confronting the death of a parent, to largely work out northern Quebec, spouse or terminally ill child. Par- of the riding for the often alone and liamentary activity would have sometimes in bad to be handled remotely through fi rst six months. weather with her video-conferencing and poten- baby. The Hill Times tially electronic voting, except photograph by Jean- perhaps for confi dence motions. Loup Doudard Both New Zealand Australia have introduced a form of proxy voting for these sorts of circum- stances. While it may be easy to dis- NANCY PECKFORD miss Moore’s challenges as unique to her, with a notable number of women (and men) under the age TTAWA—Conservative MP of 40 in this Parliament, it is likely OMichelle Rempel’s article about to come up again. The question everyday sexism on the Hill in last is—will Parliament be prepared? week’s is another dians have legitimately elected the Another good sign is the cur- ing the weekly commutes for MPs Without mechanisms to ensure sobering reminder of a male-dom- 88 women MPs in our national Par- rent study at the House Affairs given the size of the country, fully that women at all life stages are inated workplace in which women liament to represent their interests Committee which is examining the leveraging technology, ensuring welcome in this institution, the fear who occupy positions of power are in Ottawa. These MPs should not possibilities for more family friend- staff supports are suffi cient for the is that many will continue to take a met with varying degrees of hostil- face an uphill battle to carry out ly and inclusive measures. As one average MP—as well as making pass on standing for federal offi ce. ity and/or ignorance far too often. the mandate they’ve been given by of the less high-profi le committees accommodations for MPs who Canadians are eager to vote This is not unique to Parliament constituents because of antiquated on the Hill, it is leading the ambi- are needed for critical phases of for politicians with whom they can Hill. Gender-biased behaviour and notions of how women should tious task of dissecting 150 years care-giving at the beginning and make a connection—and who can cultural norms, which undermine look, speak or conduct themselves. of parliamentary tradition and end of life. These points were not relate to the day-to-day struggles or diminish women’s infl uence in Canadians expect far better com- fi nding new ways forward. There is lost on Liberal MP and committee we all confront. Nothing humanizes traditionally male fora, are com- portment by all MPs in the House. no doubt that it’s a daunting task chair Larry Bagnell, MP for the a person like parenting and other monplace and often quite resistant But there is hope. Beyond the for all involved. There is the risk Yukon who has a young family forms of caregiving. Most Canadians to change. And while it may be government’s appointment of a that the debate about options might and whose weekly commute can vote on the strength of a political tempting to characterize the par- gender-balanced cabinet, a radical become partisan, which would be be up to 28 hours. party’s vision for the future—and ticular brand of sexism we see on act—it seems—given that only fi ve unfortunate given that, regardless Nor were they for NDP MP future generations. To ignore the the Hill as unique, I am not sure it is. countries in the world have under- of party, women—and men—are Christine Moore who recently ap- particularities of those MPs who Fundamentally, though, it’s taken to do it, Equal Voice has been already paying a high price for a peared as a witness. Exceptional are confronted with intensive care- about respect. This is why, in 2014, encouraged by the appointment of gruelling schedule, long commutes already for giving birth during the giving responsibilities is not just an Equal Voice (EV) launched its Hill- a high proportion of female chiefs and the heightened demands of campaign and then going on to insult to them, but their children, focused campaign #RespectHer of staff to federal ministers. Rec- constituents to be visible, engaged secure her seat for the New Demo- families and thousands of constitu- inviting male and female MPs to ognizing the key role these senior and responsive in the riding. crats in Quebec (yes, Quebec), ents. It will be up to this Parliament commit to a more constructive staff play in the life of a govern- Expectations of MPs have Moore is now navigating an institu- to chart a different course. To suc- environment. Clearly, the fact that ment, the gender diversity among changed since the early decades of tion that is clearly not designed ceed, MPs need to show goodwill— women MPs and female staff- this cohort is a step forward. We Canada’s Parliament. In EV’s ap- for the mother of a young child. and respect for what their colleagues ers are not always accorded this are cautiously optimistic that, pearance earlier last week, we pro- Remarkably, the Parliament Hill are bringing to the job. respect—especially at this juncture along with more women in cabinet, posed some measures that would daycare doesn’t accept children be- Nancy Peckford is with Equal in Canada’s history—is disturbing it will contribute to a shift in the enable MPs to fully optimize their fore 18 months so Moore has been Voice. indeed. Tens of thousands of Cana- culture in the long term. performance. They include reduc- left to cobble together a piecemeal The Hill Times NUCLEAR POWER: THE CORE OF CANADA’S LOW CARBON FUTURE.

CNA HILL DAY 18 THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 NEWS BOARD OF INTERNAL ECONOMY Feds still haven’t moved on opening up secretive Commons Board of Internal Economy Meanwhile, the NDP’s mentary funds for offi ces outside Ottawa the Board of Internal Economy—the group requiring amendments to the Parliament of was called a “sham process” by the NDP, responsible for regulating spending by Canada Act, namely changes to strengthen court battle with the BOIE said Mr. Walsh, but with Board of Internal Members of Parliament.” the Parliamentary Budget Offi ce and legis- Economy (BOIE) meetings and delibera- “Except in rare cases requiring confi den- lative amendments related to the function- has resumed, with two tions entirely in camera, “How was one to tiality, meetings of this group will be open ing of the Senate, as part of one bill. know whether there’s any merit to that to the public,” reads the party platform. “Then we could pass effectively and days worth of hearings accusation or not?” The BOIE is the governing body of the effi ciently a piece of legislation that would slated to begin on Sept. 13. The NDP was ultimately ordered by House of Commons and is responsible for meet the objectives of both [Chambers],” the board to repay millions of dollars to deciding both fi nancial and administrative he said. Continued from page 1 Parliament, but MPs and leader Tom Mul- matters. It allocates and sets the budgets Mr. LeBlanc and Mr. Brown are the “ap- cair (Outremont, Que.) spoke out strongly for MPs and House offi cers, sets the rules pointed spokespeople” for the Board. Last mandate, there’s still no word on when or against the decision, repeatedly calling it (bylaws and policies) around proper use of week when The Hill Times called to request how this will happen. partisan and the BOIE a “kangaroo court.” parliamentary funds, and decides whether an interview with Mr. Brown, his offi ce at The latest minutes released from the That decision is now being challenged those rules have been broken. In this role, fi rst indicated he was not able to speak House management board are from a Dec. in court by the NDP, with two days of hear- MPs on the board oversee the House of about the board and did not seem aware 10, 2015 meeting. ings scheduled starting Sept. 13. A shorter Commons’ $463.6-million budget for 2016- he had been appointed a spokesperson. He Former House law clerk Rob Walsh hearing on whether an affi davit fi led as ev- 17, as indicated in the main estimates. ultimately did not respond to the interview said it’s an “old question,” though the cam- idence should be thrown out is scheduled The BOIE meets entirely in camera and is request. paign commitment has “raised expecta- for May 13. Previously, this challenge was made up of members from all political par- The BOIE cites Standing Order 37(2)— tions” that this will actually happen. suspended to try and fi nd an out-of-court ties in the House with least 12 sitting mem- which says simply that only designated “There’s a general expectation in the settlement, but that was lifted following a bers, and refl ects the balance of seats in the spokespeople can respond to oral ques- public that they’re entitled to know what request from the board’s lawyer last year Chamber. The board meets in Centre Block tions about the board’s work during Ques- their representatives are doing when they after talks failed. “approximately every second week when the tion Period. The BOIE’s parliamentary web- spend public dollars, so it’s a moral right, Mr. Walsh said opening up the BOIE House is sitting,” according to its website. But site notes these spokespeople respond to if you like, or political expectation that this doesn’t necessarily require legislation. meeting frequency depends on how much both QP questions “and to enquiries from will not be hidden from them,” Mr. Walsh “There’s nothing in the Parliament of business is before it, and so for this Parlia- media.” The media section of the website, told The Hill Times last week. Canada Act that requires the board to meet ment it has met three times. however, directs questions to the House He said the idea of opening up access behind closed doors,” he said. “The board House Speaker Geoff Regan (Halifax Speaker’s director of communications, who to this board “been around a long time. The itself could just decide they’re not going West, N.S.) now chairs the Board, which does not sit in on board meeting. Since last only difference now is you have a party to meet behind closed doors anymore. But includes Liberal Whip Andrew Leslie Parliament, the board has specifi ed that that made a commitment in its campaign, they would want to have consultations with (Orléans, Ont.), Public Services Minister only these spokespeople can discuss deci- and now it’s in government, so I think it’s the other parties, I think, and come to an Judy Foote (Bonavista-Burin-Trinity, N.L.), sions of the board. raised expectations amongst those who agreement as to how much will be done in Conservative Whip Gord Brown (Leeds- MPs often cite the board’s “oath of think the board should open up its meet- public.” Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau secrecy” in declining to even give opinions ings, and we’ll have to just wait and see.” He noted legislative changes would be Lakes, Ont.), Conservative MP Andrew about board decisions, and in many cases Past controversy over the NDP’s use of needed to make an open-door policy at the Scheer (Regina-Qu’Appelle, Sask.), and when asked to give opinions on whether Parliament-funded Householders (informa- board mandatory in future Parliaments. NDP MP Peter Julian (New Westminster- the BOIE should be opened up. tion pamphlets sent by MPs to constituents During the 2015 election, the Liberals Burnaby, B.C.). That oath of secrecy, which every board a few times a year) and its use of Parlia- committed to “end the secrecy surrounding The Senate expense scandal “contribut- member has to swear and is included in the ed to a broader public perception of want- Parliament of Canada Act, “only relates to ing more transparency in how public funds matters of security, employment, and staff ECONOMIC CLUB are spent, and it’s all part of that same relations, tenders and investigations in re- OF CANADA broad interest in greater transparency, that lations to a member of the House of Com- there’s a sense that the Board of Internal mons,” and to sharing documents related to Economy should conduct its meeting in Board business, as described in the act. Join the Economic open session,” said Mr. Walsh. The BOIE meeting minutes are now Club for an In 2013, during the last Parliament, the posted online (since last Parliament), but Procedure and House Affairs Committee they’re made public with months-long de- exclusive breakfast launched a study to review the BOIE and lays. For example, until March 11, the most panel discussion consider opening it up to the public follow- recent meeting minutes available were ing an NDP motion. The resulting commit- from June 2015. Now, minutes from the aimed at raising tee report did not recommend opening up Dec. 10, 2015 meeting are the most recently awareness meetings, but it was a Conservative-dom- available. Those minutes indicate the BOIE inated committee, and both the Liberals made a decision to grant the Government regarding the and the NDP fi led dissenting reports. House Leader a new, $100,000 annual bud- need for mental During the study, a number of differ- get, for example, among other things, but ent ways to open up BOIE meetings to the there’s no indication of the deliberations health support for public were discussed, including looking that led to this. Canadian Armed at the U.K.’s Independent Parliamentary “They’re much too slow at posting the Standards Authority or the possibility of minutes, and the minutes ought to be more Forces Personnel, creating new BOIE subcommittees to dis- informative too,” said Mr. Walsh. veterans and their cuss sensitive topics. The Senate Internal Economy, Budgets Government House Leader Dominic LeB- and Administration Committee, which has families. lanc (Beauséjour, N.B.) was not available come under the public spotlight in recent for an interview with The Hill Times last years due to its decision-making role in Featuring: week. In response to emailed questions the Senate expense scandal and resulting s4HE(ONOURABLEKent J. Hehr -INISTEROF6ETERANS!FFAIRSAND!SSOCIATE-INISTEROF.ATIONAL about the BOIE, his offi ce said the minister audits, has for years been more open to the $EFENCE 'OVERNMENTOF#ANADA is “still working with his department” and public than its House counterpart. While it sChris G. Anderson 0RESIDENT -EDACA(EALTH'ROUP will “make announcements in due course. As typically meets in camera, on occasion it with every measure being considered by the holds public meetings—like most recently sLouise Bradley 0RESIDENTAND#%/ -ENTAL(EALTH#OMMISSIONOF#ANADA House leader, he will discuss with caucus when it discussed the request from Senate sAndrew Garsch#APT2ETIRED 0%NG0-0 and opposition colleagues.” Government Representative Peter Harder’s sTrudi Walsh 0H$ #0SYCH #ALIAN#ONTRACTOR0SYCHOLOGIST !CTING0ROGRAM-ANAGER/433# “In the previous Parliament, the law clerk for an $800,000 budget. At times, it has also #&(3VCS#/ $EPARTMENTOF.ATIONAL$EFENCE'OVERNMENTOF#ANADA has given advice to members of the board published transcripts of meetings. that they would potentially be breaching the Mr. Julian told The Hill Times last week Moderated By: Parliament of Canada Act, contrary to [what] that he had no indication of the government’s plans on opening up the BOIE, but welcomed s$RKaren R. Cohen 0H$ #0SYCH #HIEF%XECUTIVE/FlCER #ANADIAN0SYCHOLOGICAL!SSOCIATION#0! others may have suggested,” read the email in response to a note highlighting the argu- action on the commitment. He said he’s “look- ment that there’s nothing in the act prevent- ing for more transparency” and said opening ing the BOIE from choosing itself to hold up the BOIE “means not only looking at cur- Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016 meetings in public. rent decisions but past decisions.” 7:30 am - 9:00 am, Shaw Centre, 55 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa In response to followup questions “The important issue is for transpar- ~ seeking more details and clarifi cation, Mr. ency: how does the BOIE function? How Individual member ticket price $89, Individual Non-Member ticket price $110. LeBlanc’s offi ce said “at this time” it had are decisions taken? Are decisions taken in Tables of 10 available. Breakfast will be served. Advance registration is “no additional comments.” an equitable way towards all Members of required – numbers are limited. For tickets call (613) 369-4363, visit On Feb. 24, Mr. LeBlanc appeared Parliament and all political parties? Those before the Senate Rules, Procedures and are the kinds of questions I think people www.economicclub.ca the Rights of Parliament Committee and often ask,” he said. indicated the government may seek to [email protected] amend the BOIE along with other changes The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 19 OPINION TERRORISM

are determined by intelligence, not by fear and reaction to what happens elsewhere. The Could Brussels happen in Canada? fact that the level remains unchanged should serve as a reminder that we are relatively safe in Canada. The Brussels attacks are a watershed We need to ensure that and represent an existential threat to Europe. This is perhaps the most egregious CSIS, the RCMP and overreaction and only serves as a propa- others have the resources ganda coup for Islamic State. Even with the apparent uptick in attacks, terrorism necessary to fulfi ll their remains a rare event and violent extrem- ism does not threaten our states in any mandates. We should meaningful way (unless we allow it to increase our efforts at the through our rash measures). That is espe- cially true here in Canada where we have early intervention and had only six plots in the post 9/11 era and counter radicalization two deaths in that timespan. So, could Brussels happen here? Abso- stages and determine what lutely. There is no way to ensure that no works at what doesn’t to nip attacks will happen. We have to accept that while our security and law enforcement extremism in the bud. agencies are doing a very good job, they cannot stop all eventualities. Most plots will be foiled: a few will succeed. Terrorism is the new normal. Brussels bombing suspects at the Brussels airport Najim Laachraoui, left, Ibrahim El Bakraoui, centre, We need to ensure that CSIS, the RCMP and Mohamed Abrini, right, pictured that day March 22 when 32 people and three suicide bombers and others have the resources necessary to were killed, including the two on the left, and 300 people injured. Photograph courtesy of CCTV fulfi ll their mandates. We should increase PHIL GURSKI our efforts at the early intervention and others in Western Europe is substantially be true, but there is no easy solution. States counter radicalization stages and deter- larger than it is here. Belgium, for instance, could increase security exponentially ev- mine what works at what doesn’t to nip TTAWA—In the wake of the horren- has the highest per capita foreign fi ghter erywhere, but at what cost, both in terms of extremism in the bud. Odous attacks in Brussels, there has contingent in the world. Not that all of these money and the kind of country we want to Most importantly, we as Canadians been a cascade of stories, op-ed pieces, and jihadists will return to commit acts back live in? You cannot secure every locale and cannot give in to fear and suspicion. We analyses of the event, ranging from why home, but historically ten percent of return- once you crack down in one place, extrem- have to reject the vitriol of Republican Belgian security services did not prevent it ees do so. If this continues, Western Euro- ists move on to the next. The situation is no candidates like Donald Trump with his call to whether more are on their way. Political pean security agencies are on the cusp of a different here in Canada. Are our citizens for torture and Ted Cruz with his plan to scientists, sociologists, and even a few for- very large problem. As CSIS and the RCMP willing to accept metal detectors at train patrol Muslim neighbourhoods. We have mer spies have weighed in, and the verdict have noted, our fi gures are much smaller stations? Perhaps. Would they be as willing built a great country here and cannot let is generally not kind to Belgium. Others and hence our problem is not as great. to do so at restaurants? infrequent terrorism undermine that. have referred to the terrorist attacks as a Areas like Mollenbeek in Brussels are Some said that Belgium should have Phil Gurski worked for over 30 years as watershed or a harbinger of worse to come. cauldrons of unrest, disenfranchisement, un- known something was in the planning stages an intelligence analyst in Canada, including Are these dire prognoses correct? employment and alienation. While it should and been more alert. The government threat 15 at CSIS. He is the author of The Threat We here in Canada are also asking be stressed that there is no proven causal level was already at high: how much higher from Within: Recognizing Al Qaeda-inspired ourselves whether what occurred at the relationship between these factors and radi- could it go? Some have criticized the Trudeau Radicalization and Terrorism in the West. airport and metro station could happen calization, the presence of large numbers of government for not raising it here. Levels The Hill Times here and whether the government should disengaged citizens does present challenges. raise the threat level or take other action. It Those who do not see themselves part of may be illustrative to examine what went Belgian society are less willing to cooperate wrong in Belgium and ask whether we are with law enforcement to help identify po- The on Mental Illness And Mental Health in a different situation here. tential terrorists. Belgium and other Western First and foremost, many have called European countries need to take further Invites You to Attend the attack a failure of intelligence. There action to address this chasm within their is no question that there are challenges societies. Again, the situation in Canada is in sharing information across the EU very different. All is not perfect, but our cities the 14th Annual and even within Belgium itself. Security do not have the marginalized ghettoes where intelligence and law enforcement agen- resentment may in some circumstances lead cies should do a better job of coordination, to violent radicalization. but this will be diffi cult in a union of 28 Belgium has not put much investment member states with wide ranging levels into early intervention and counter radical- of experience and competence in counter ization programming to stop this descent to terrorism. The story here in Canada is violence before it begins. The Canadian gov- markedly better. Information sharing at ernment is well ahead of the curve and the the federal level, especially between CSIS recent announcement of funding for counter and the RCMP is very good, and there are radicalization and community engagement mechanisms to talk among federal, pro- should be seen as a good start. In addition, vincial, territorial and municipal partners. cities like Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal May 3, 2016 Relationships can always improve, but we have initiated their own efforts to address are working from a solid base. radicalization before it becomes violent. Shaw Centre, Ottawa The number of foreign fi ghters who have Authorities in Brussels did not put left to fi ght with terrorist groups like Islamic enough security at major gathering places PRESENTED BY SPONSORED BY State from Belgium, France, the U.K., and like airports and metro stations. This may WANT TO LEARN FRENCH?

).4%.3)6%s0!24 4)-% Master of Ceremonies 7/2+3(/03s3,%02%0!2!4)/. Kevin Newman, CTV Correspondent and W5 Co-Host /.,).%#/523%3 Reception 5:30 pm s Awards and Dinner 6:30 pm s Dessert Reception 9:00 pm SINCE 1905 with Brian Byrne of I Mother Earth Tickets can be purchased at camimh.ca REGISTER NOW: WWW.AF.CA /OTTAWA | 613-234-9470 Tables (8 seats) – $1,500 s Individual tickets – $195 20 THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 NEWS LOBBYING

cation about aboriginal athletes, the promotion of physical activity and Energy, tech reducing barriers to participation in sports by First Nations people, stable funding to support traditional aboriginal sports, elite development sectors dominate programs for First Nations athletes, and anti-racism training in sporting programs. A Quebec company called list lobbying Conteneurs Experts S.D. had separate communications reports for Nov. 8 and 13, and also—be- fore Mr. Trudeau was sworn in as Trudeau prime minister and just one day after winning the election—on Oct. 20. This company specializes ‘I would imagine he Entertainment, and the Entertain- in converting storage containers ment Software Association of for other uses, such as housing. gets 500 requests a Canada each fi ling one report for Yves Ranger, a consultant lob- contact with Mr. Trudeau. byist representing the company, week, maybe more There were also several entries said this contact was made in than that,’ says one from parties with connections relation to the government’s plans to the construction industry that for accepting Syrian refugees. Mr. lobbyist about the fi led reports for contact with Mr. Ranger said the communications prospect of meeting Trudeau. The International Union reports were to document emails of Operating Engineers, the Cana- sent to Mr. Trudeau, of which he with the PM. dian Construction Association, and said there were no replies. Canada’s Building Trades Unions As well, the Canadian Cham- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has had contact from 28 different lobbying each have one communications ber of Commerce and the Human Continued from page 1 groups since taking offi ce, according to communications reports fi led on the report for Prime Minister Trudeau. Rights Watch have each had two federal lobbyists registry. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright “I’m not surprised by it,” said communications with Mr. Trudeau since taking offi ce—a few of them the consultant lobbyist, regard- since he has become prime minis- on multiple occasions. ing the makeup of organizations ter, according to the registry. his group’s cause on the prime government was in power. This For example, oil-and-gas produc- that have communicated with the The unidentifi ed consultant minster’s radar. He said arrang- lobbyist said his approach at that er Suncor Energy had contact with prime minister. “Depending on lobbyist who talked to The Hill ing photo opportunities with the time was “little more by the book,” Mr. Trudeau on Jan. 11, Feb. 4, and how important any given issue is, Times said he has not yet sought prime minister around certain with letters and emails to the PMO March 10, according to the reports. the ultimate decider on any fi le— any meetings with Mr. Trudeau as themes, such as when a day, week, employed as a main means of Others in the petroleum sector whether it’s Canadian heritage to prime minister, though managed or month is dedicated to a particu- trying to secure a meeting. “It just are also listed. The lobbyists’ registry international trade—is going to be to get three with Stephen Harper lar cause, is one way to do this. didn’t work out,” he said. shows Imperial Oil, Shell Canada, the Prime Minister’s Offi ce. … In (Calgary Heritage, Alta.) when he He added that personal con- This lobbyist added that it was Cenovus Energy, Canadian Natural this case, it sounds like infrastruc- was prime minister. nections between one’s organiza- harder to get meetings with Mr. Resources, and the Petroleum Ser- ture is what would be on their He said getting a meeting with tion and the PMO also help make Harper, with the previous govern- vices Association of Canada all had minds more than anything else. the prime minister is an accom- a meeting with the prime minister ment being “more prickly” toward contact with Mr. Trudeau on Feb. 4, “The other part of this equation plishment in itself for anyone more likely. lobbyists than the current one. one of the three dates Suncor is also is the prime minster and his offi ce involved in government relations. “If your organization has an Data from the lobbyists regis- on the record as having contact with are going to be the ones accepting “I would imagine he gets 500 alignment with some of those try shows that Mr. Harper, before the prime minister. the meetings. So, for all the people requests a week, maybe more than people, I think that defi nitely losing offi ce, had contact with 11 The multiple points of contact whose names appear in the reg- that,” the lobbyist said. “I guess helps as well,” he said. different lobbying entities within Mr. Trudeau had with petroleum istry, think of all the people who he’s probably going to be pretty This organizational lobbyist the last year. Most involved just companies on Feb. 4 appear to tried to get a meeting who didn’t.” judicious in the ones that he picks.” also talked about the merits of one communications report. How- be in relation to a roundtable There are four entities other He added that “these are the “working the chain” before at- ever, the records show Mr. Harper discussion in Calgary that was than Suncor that have recorded types of meetings that are the tempting to meet with the prime had two communications each held with Alberta Premier Rachel more than one communication most important types of meetings. minister, alluding to meetings with Canadian Exporters & Manu- Notley and representatives from with Mr. Trudeau since he’s be- … I can’t imagine a meeting being with “relevant ministers” and facturers, the Canadian Federation the energy sector. come prime minister. more important, unless the Queen senior staff within the PMO. of Independent Business, and the Suncor’s meetings with Mr. One is a group called the “In- herself was here to give royal as- He talked about having not Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Trudeau are registered as dealing dian” Residential School Survivors, sent to a bill.” been able to secure a meeting with [email protected] with climate and economic devel- Products and Offspring. It’s shown The consultant lobbyist said Mr. Harper when the Conservative The Hill Times opment on Jan. 11, industry on to have been in contact with Mr. keeping in contact with cabinet Feb. 4, and energy on March 10. Trudeau four times—Feb. 5, 6, and ministers and other offi cials is cru- Asked for comment about its 18, and March 8. Jason Ansom, the cial for lobbyists hoping to advance LOBBYING ACTIVITY contact with the prime minister, Lake Cowichan, B.C.-based con- their agenda, and if a meeting with Suncor spokeswoman Nicole sultant registered to lobby for this the prime minster is accepted, it GROUPS THAT HAVE FILED COMMUNICATIONS Fisher said in an email: “With a group, said in an interview with can be indicative that some of the REPORTS FOR CONTACT WITH PM TRUDEAU: new government in place, many of The Hill Times that these entries other lobbying is paying off. our conversations are introductory refl ect letters that have been sent “If you’re getting a meeting in nature. However, Suncor regu- Mr. Trudeau, though he has not with the prime minister, there’s a “Indian” Residential School Survivors, Products and Offspring larly works with elected offi cials received any responses. reason you’re getting the meeting, Suncor Energy and members of governments at all “My understanding is I have like they want to talk about some Conteneurs Experts S.D. levels to provide information about to record every letter that I have,” kind of announce-able, they want Canadian Chamber of Commerce our business and participate in Mr. Ansom said. “I mean, I could to gauge your ability to help them International Union of Operating Engineers discussions about our industry. As be wrong; this is the fi rst time I’m achieve something,” he said. Canadian Construction Association you can see in our registry, climate- doing this.” This person said, in his last Human Rights Watch change regulations and policy are He said he’s only been a regis- meeting with Mr. Harper as prime Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs top of mind for the organization.” tered lobbyist since December. minister, the minsters of fi nance, A consultant lobbyist, who The lobbying commission’s industry, and agriculture were Microsoft Canada asked not to be named, told The website says it requires reports also present. He said that in every Hospital for Sick Children Hill Times it’s not unusual that, for “oral and arranged commu- meeting he’s had with the Mr. University of Waterloo despite the tight competition for nications with designated public Harper when the last government Scotiabank getting an audience with the prime offi cer holders.” Scott Thurlow, a was in power, other ministers, Business Council of Canada minister, Suncor would have three lawyer and lobbyist with Temple deputy ministers, or offi cials with Imperial Oil communications reports for con- Scott Associates, said this means “a very deep understanding of the Xerox Canada tact with the prime minister. in-person meetings, phone calls, issues in question” were present. Petroleum Services Association of Canada “In a world of $30 oil, a com- and teleconferences are report- This consultant lobbyist added Shell Canada pany like Suncor probably laid able, but not letters and emails. that whether a government-rela- Canadian Museums Association off between 2,000 and 4,000 em- Mr. Ansom’s group’s registra- tions person gets a meeting with Canada’s Building Trades Unions ployees in Alberta; that’s the kind tion says it’s looking to get amend- the prime minister “depends mas- Unifor of thing that the prime minister ments made to the Physical Activity sively” on how important that per- Canadian Alliance of Student Associations would listen to,” he said. “That and Sport Act, and federal policies son’s issue is to the prime minister. Google Canada doesn’t particularly surprise me.” toward sports for aboriginals and Another lobbyist who declined Entertainment Software Association of Canada Suncor spokeswoman Erin Rees people with disabilities. Mr. Ansom to be identifi ed—this one from Cenovus Energy said the company’s workforce was said his organization wants recom- the not-for-profi t sector—said he Canadian Natural Resources reduced by 1,700 people last year. mendations from the Truth and has not yet tried to get any meet- Regional Municipality of York The technology sector ac- Reconciliation Commission regard- ings with Mr. Trudeau as prime Ubisoft Entertainment counted for another fi ve reports, ing sport to be refl ected in Canada’s minister, but is hopeful for one with Google Canada, Microsoft offi cial sports policies. This would down the road. He said one way Conseil de la transformation alimentaire du Québec Canada, Xerox Canada, Ubisoft include more recognition and edu- to go about achieving this is to get Source: Lobbyists Registry THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 21 NEWS SENATE ADMINISTRATION Former Senate HR director still talking to RCMP about alleged fraud: lawyer

A letter from the RCMP “Mr. Singh intends to cooperate fully The offi ce of Sen. with the RCMP to the extent necessary for Leo Housakos has earlier this month said the their investigation,” said Mr. Champ. provided The Hill An RCMP spokeswoman in an emailed Times with an case had been closed due response declined to comment on the RCMP letter dated to a lack of evidence, but status of Mr. Singh’s complaint. She said April 5 that says that the RCMP never discusses ongoing the Mounties have Mr. Singh’s lawyer says the investigations. closed the case, “Generally, only in the event that an for now, in which process is back on track. investigation results in the laying of criminal Darshan Singh, charges would the RCMP confi rm its investi- former Senate HR BY ABBAS RANA gation, the nature of any charges laid, and the director, alleged identity of the individual(s) involved,” wrote ‘fraudulent activity’ he Senate’s former human resources di- RCMP spokeswoman Brigitte Mineault in an but never provided Trector Darshan Singh, who was fi red email to The Hill Times last week. any evidence for. Mr. “without cause” in early December and had “Should the investigation not generate Singh’s lawyer, Paul contacted the RCMP on March 15 alleging suffi cient evidence to support the laying Champ, said last “fraudulent activity” by senior manage- of criminal charges, the RCMP would con- week his client is ment within the Senate, is cooperating clude its fi le and, in most cases, advise the back in communica- with the Mounties and it will be up to them complainant privately of this result.” tion with the RCMP. to decide if they want to start an offi cial Mr. Singh served for about two-and-a-half The Hill Times photo- investigation, says his lawyer. years as the HR director before he was fi red graph by Jake Wright “I can let you know that there’s infor- on Dec. 2. About a week before Mr. Singh mation being shared with the RCMP and was fi red, he had fi led a discrimination com- they’ll review that material and handle plaint against Nicole Proulx, the Senate’s it as they deem fi t,” lawyer Paul Champ, chief corporate services offi cer and clerk of Since the start of this case, Sen. Hou- directly with the Senators because he was representing Mr. Singh, said in an inter- the Senate’s Internal Economy Committee. sakos and the three top Senate executives instructed not to, and with their chain of view with The Hill Times, while declining Ms. Proulx was Mr. Singh’s supervisor. have declined to comment on this case, command within the Senate, it would be ba- to share specifi c details. Mr. Champ told The Hill Times in arguing that this is an employment issue sically insubordination for him to go directly Jacqui Delaney, director of communi- January that there had been“friction” and and they cannot comment because of Mr. to the Senators,” Mr. Champ said in March. cations to Quebec Conservative Sen. Leo “disagreements” about some of the Sen- Singh’s right to privacy and confi dentiality. In February, Mr. Singh reached out to 10 Housakos, chair of the Senate Internal ate’s administrative decisions, which had Sen. Housakos, who has been chair of Conservative, Liberal, and Independent Sena- Economy, Budgets and Administration been going on for about a year, between the Internal Economy Committee since May, tors with a request to sit down with them and Committee that oversees the overall Senate Mr. Singh and the three top Senate execu- has questioned why Mr. Singh never brought share his concerns about the Senate adminis- administration, declined a comment for this tives—Ms. Proulx, Mr. Patrice, and Senate any allegation of inappropriate activity to his tration, but never received any response. article. However, she provided an April 5 Clerk Charles Robert. Mr. Singh’s termina- attention. Without identifying any names, Mr. Mr. Singh’s case is currently before the RCMP letter to The Hill Times stating that tion letter was signed by Mr. Robert. Champ has said that his client tried, but his Public Service Labour Relations Board. Mr. the RCMP has decided not to open up an After he was fi red, Mr. Singh’s lawyer superiors did not allow it. He also said that Champ said that the Labour Relations Board investigation “at this time” into allegations wrote a detailed letter to all members of Mr. Singh submitted his concerns in writ- had scheduled hearings for August, but the of “fraudulent activity” because Mr. Singh the Senate Internal Economy Committee ing to his superiors and requested that this Senate did not accept those dates and now contacted the RCMP on March 15 but did and requested that his client be allowed to information be shared with Senators. the board will offer new dates for hearings. not meet with them to back up his claim. make his case before the committee. His “The different issues that Darshan raised [email protected] “This letter is to advise you that we will request was denied. with Senate administration he did not raise The Hill Times not be conducting further review into this matter as the allegations you have made have not been substantiated, and you have not provided information of any form beyond your March 15, 2016 email,” Supt. Denis Desnoyers, from the RCMP’s nation- al division, said in a letter to Mr. Singh. “Should you come with substantive information and/or documents, this matter may be reconsidered. Please consider this matter concluded at this time.” In the letter sent out to Mr. Singh and, copied to Mr. Champ and Senate law clerk Michel Patrice, the RCMP wrote that after receiving Mr. Singh’s email, Sgt. Greg Hor- ton followed up with Mr. Singh for a meet- ing to discuss allegations. Sgt. Horton also left a message with Mr. Champ requesting a call from Mr. Singh or the lawyer but did not receive any response, the letter stated. But Mr. Champ said that since the RCMP’s April 5 letter, his client has been in communication with the federal police force. He explained that the reason why Mr. Singh delayed meeting with the RCMP was be- cause information about his complaint to police had been leaked to the media. “I was surprised and disappointed by it. We had communicated to the RCMP that we were concerned about the appar- ent leak of a complaint that Mr. Singh had made to the RCMP,” Mr. Champ said, referring to The Hill Times’ March 21 story that reported on Mr. Singh’s preliminary communication with the RCMP. “It had gotten into the hands of a media, it seemed, and we were concerned about that and therefore had delayed a meeting between the RCMP and Mr. Singh.” Mr. Champ declined to offer any specif- ics as to the extent of his client’s coopera- tion so far. However, he said Mr. Singh will “cooperate fully” with the RCMP in providing the information and evidence to support his claim. 22 THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 LEGISLATION BILL C-14

“Whether personally my views differ from VOX POPULI the Supreme Court on the Charter right, this is a Charter right,” he said. “Taking sides on the issue may not be CURRENT, FORMER the best way to shepherd this legislation through committee.” MPS ON PHYSICIAN- Mr. Housefather said getting on the justice committee was his top pick. ASSISTED SUICIDE He represents the riding once repre- sented by Pierre Elliott Trudeau and most recently by Irwin Cotler; Mount Royal, Que. He said it’s a riding of minority communities where Judaism is the predominant religion. Minister of Justice and At- “When you represent a riding as diverse torney General of Canada as that, you appreciate the Charter rights Jody Wilson-Raybould that set out universal values and universal (Vancouver Granville, rules that all Canadians have a right to B.C.) during press confer- expect that their government lives up to.” ence announcing Bill C-14 Before entering the House of Commons, on April 14: Mr. Housefather was a corporate lawyer “I have had experience, as with two law degrees and former mayor of we all have, in sitting by loved ones, my Côte-Saint-Luc, Que. He’s also an award- grandmother as she approached the end winning swimmer. of her life, my grandfather who suffered The legislation—Bill C-14, An Act to from Alzheimer’s for over 15 years before amend the Criminal Code and to make he passed away. related amendments to other Acts (medi- “This is my own personal experience cal assistance in dying)—if passed, would and formulates my view on issues like allow Canadians to access publicly-funded this, but having said that, those are my health care for assistance in dying if they views. And the views of every Canadian in are 18 years of age or older and considered this country are fundamentally important mentally competent. To qualify, the law and need to be heard and need to be able says these individuals must have an illness, to contribute towards this debate.” disease, or disability, which they are suf- fering from intolerably, and that a “natural Health Minister Jane Phil- death has become reasonably foreseeable.” pott (Markham Stouffville, The bill provides protections for doc- Ont.) during press confer- tors, nurses, pharmacists, and other inde- ence announcing Bill pendent aids to assist in administering a C-14 on April 14: noxious substance to patients who qualify. “It’s a profound experi- The new law as proposed does not provide ence to sit by the side of for patients to give advance directives and people who slip away from excludes those with psychiatric conditions, life and I’ve ... had the experience of lis- which the government promises to study tening to a heartbeat stop. That’s a pretty further, as it will on the issue of wheth- profound experience and ... underscores er mature minors should have access. for me the importance of making sure that Last week, the committee decided to be- we get this right. gin studying Bill C-14 on Monday, May 2, “Having said that as well, I think, on whether or not the bill had passed second the other hand, of my young niece who reading by then. After being introduced on suffers from a neuro-degenerative condi- April 14, the bill had its fi rst day of second tion who is nonverbal, a beautiful and reading debate in the House last Friday. bright young woman, but cannot commu- The committee is instructing wit- nicate to people. And many others like her nesses to limit their testimony to suggested are in a situation of vulnerability, and we Members of the House Justice and Human Rights Committee, pictured top to bottom, left and right: Liberal amendments to the text of the bill in order have to think of how we can protect the Anthony Housefather, Conservative Ted Falk, New Democrat Murray Rankin, Liberal Chris Bittle, Conserva- to avoid conversations about the broader most vulnerable among us, and societies tive Michael Cooper, Liberal Colin Fraser, Liberal Ahmed Hussen, Liberal Iqra Khalid, and Conservative Rob issue, as covered by the Special Joint Com- are judged in the protection that they pro- Nicholson. Photographs courtesy of House of Commons. Photographs courtesy of the House of Commons mittee on Physician-Assisted Dying Com- vide for the most vulnerable people.” mittee this winter. It is also asking submit- ted briefs not to exceed three pages. Liberal MP John McKay In addition to their regular Tuesday and (Scarborough-Guildwood, House Justice Thursday 8:45-10:45 a.m. meetings, the com- Ont.) in an interview mittee will be adding meetings for Monday, with The Hill Times on May 2, and Wednesday, May 4, from 4 p.m. April 14: to 8:30 p.m. in order to hear witness testi- “I’d like time to refl ect Committee chair mony. Members will then have until 5 p.m. on it, to be candid and I’d on Thursday, May 5, to submit any proposed like time to hear from oth- amendments to the committee clerk. ers. … We have crossed the Rubicon, the Then on Monday, May 9, and Wednes- Supreme Court has crossed the Rubicon, vows not to ‘impose’ day, May 11, meetings will be added to and they crossed it nine-to-nothing, so that complete clause-by-clause consideration of is the law of the land whether I like it or the bill. If all goes as planned, this means whether I don’t, whether it treats life the around 17 hours of testimony, and the way I would treat it as opposed to the way personal views on same for considering amendments, over its now being treated.” eight meetings. Mr. Housefather esti- mated the committee will hear from three Former Conservative MP witnesses or so per hour, meaning the and recently elected assisted-dying law committee could hear from around 50 wit- Manitoba MLA Steven nesses in the one week. Witness lists will Fletcher testifying before be fi nalized early next week. the Special Joint Commit- The committee agreed to a $39,600 tee on Physician-Assisted Liberal MP Anthony involved in doing this, and I would do my budget for the study of the bill, which will Dying, Jan. 28: utmost to convince anyone in my life to not cover meals for committee members and “I’m not in Parliament now, Housefather says, despite do that and to cling to life. But that doesn’t travel expenses for witnesses. but I’ve been in Parliament long enough to his personal views, his mean that my views and how I would be- Despite the bill coming to the commit- know that Ottawa could really screw this have in terms of my own life are ones that I tee after second reading, members don’t up by putting in too much red tape and by job is to ensure Charter want to impose on Canadians,” he said. feel it is going to impede their ability to making assumptions about what people This confl ict is something the rookie seek substantive amendments to the bill, feel about life and what quality of life is. rights are respected. Liberal MP will be thinking about as he and last week Government House Leader “You cannot have a cookie-cutter solu- sits at the head of the House Justice and Dominic LeBlanc (Beauséjour, N.B.) told tion when you are dealing with individuals. reporters the government will consider “The further you move away from the Continued from page 1 Human Rights Committee table, steward- ing the new government’s most conten- “thoughtful amendments,” though he rein- Carter decision, the more likely it is that tious bill to date, Bill C-14, legalizing forced the importance of getting a legisla- you’re going to step into provincial jurisdic- The space overlooks the front lawn and physician-assisted dying. tive framework in place in time. tion. When you make that step, I predict steps of the Supreme Court, which is a He said despite his personal views, “I believe the role of a committee is to you’ll go into constitutional darkness, never reminder of the job he’s got ahead of him. his job is to ensure Charter rights are consider amendments. The committee mem- to be found again. That is just the reality.” “I don’t think I would ever do this, respected and would never try to legally bers who are not members of the govern- [email protected] I don’t think I would ever want to be impose his moral compass on anyone else. ment … have an independent role to play to The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 23 LEGISLATION BILL C-14 ‘This has been the most diffi cult, personally demanding, emotionally draining excercise’ listen to the witnesses and consider amend- exercise. I take very seriously my role.” However, he said they need to put that servative Senator Bob Runciman chairs ments. … I want to allow the members of As the committee embarks on its study, aside and make sure the legal require- this committee and Lib- my committee do the job they were elected Mr. Rankin said conscience rights will be ments are met. Going in, Mr. Bittle said eral Senator Mobina Jaffer is vice-chair. to do,” said Mr. Housefather, adding that the on his mind, as will the proposition that he is supportive of the bill but wants to The day the bill was introduced, Con- committee will have the ability to present former Conservative MP Steven Fletcher, hear from constitutional experts to make servative Sen. Kelvin Kenneth Ogilvie, who receivable amendments and deliver back to who he said has “argued so passionately sure Bill C-14 will hold up. co-chaired the special Joint House and the House the best version of the bill. for such a right,” might not have access The other members of the committee Senate Committee on Physician-Assisted He said there could be both substantive under the law as its proposed. “I feel the are rookie Liberal MPs Colin Fraser (West Dying, told The Hill Times he was con- and technical amendments made to the bill. weight of responsibility, to be honest.” Nova, N.S.); Ahmed Hussen (York South- cerned about the possibility of Senators “What I want is clarity. My role as chair Liberal MP and member of the commit- Weston, Ont.); Iqra Khalid (Mississauga– who are unhappy with the current ver- is to ensure the law is clear. I think it gen- tee Chris Bittle (St. Catharines, Ont.) was a Erin Mills, Ont.); and veteran Conservative sion of the bill amending it in the Senate, erally is; there’s some tweaks that could be civil litigator and a former community health MP Rob Nicholson (Niagara Falls, Ont.), forcing it to be sent back to the House, and made,” Mr. Housefather said. centre chair before being elected for the fi rst his party’s justice critic. making it near impossible to pass before This condensed timeline is a result of the time this past election. He said it’s going to The Senate Legal and Constitutional Af- the deadline. impending deadline for the government to be fascinating to be part of Canadian history fairs Committee is conducting a pre-study If the House committee completes its have a new law on the books. The Supreme in this way, but he is feeling the pressure. on the bill to help speed things along when work on time, it could be back in the House Court gave the Liberals until June 6, which is “I, like all Canadians, have seen family it gets passed into the Senate. Bill C-14 was for third-reading debate sometime dur- when the existing law will expire. members go through serious illness,” he referred to the committee on April 20, but ing the week of May 16, giving the Senate Committee members The Hill Times told The Hill Times, adding that will be the committee has not yet held a public about two weeks to pass it. spoke with said meeting the Supreme something likely all committee members meeting for this study. It’s expected that [email protected] Court deadline is a top priority. come to the table with. will begin the week of May 2. Ontario Con- The Hill Times Conservative MP and member of the House Justice and Human Rights Commit- tee Michael Cooper (St. Albert-Edmonton, Alta.) called it “untenable” to think about not having any protections in place. He is the only rookie from his caucus on the committee, but was also a member of the special joint committee that studied physician- assisted dying earlier this session. Mr. Cooper is the Conservative deputy justice critic. Before being elected, he was a civil litigator. “It is a privilege to have an opportunity to contribute to help shape legislation on an issue that is probably one of the most impor- tant social issues that Canada has faced in SCHOOL’S OUT... some time and certainly is going to be one of the most important issues that this Parlia- ment has to address,” said Mr. Cooper. Mr. Cooper told The Hill Times he was COME AND SEE US pleased to have been placed on the justice committee and is coming prepared with amendments. He’d like to see conscience protections for health professionals and more protection for people with mental health challenges. This week, he’s holding a town hall in his riding to hear from constituents on the bill and he said he’ll be brining their feed- back back with him to the committee. The House committee taking fi rst look THE CANADA SCHOOL OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE at this legislation is comprised of nine men and one woman, ranging from early 30s to mid-60s in age. Eight of the 10 members is no longer offering retirement seminars are lawyers, the exceptions being vice-chair Conservative MP Ted Falk (Provencher, Man.), who before entering federal politics in 2013 owned a construction company, and new Liberal MP and committee member Ron McKinnon (Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam, B.C.), who was a business owner and political blogger. Both are married with children. Mr. Falk told The Hill Times last week he won’t be supporting the legislation in its cur- The Retirement Planning Institute rent form and would like to see Mr. Trudeau invoke a notwithstanding clause. Mr. Falk The largest provider of retirement seminars to the Public Service....established in 1986 considers himself pro-life and will be push- ing to have a full spectrum of witnesses sug- gest amendments to “strengthen” the bill. is now expanding its offering outside the National Capital Region. He said he’s had a lot of experience providing end-of-life care for both his par- ents and his wife Irene’s parents. “I think it’s important to emphasize that those are stages of life,” he said. For fellow vice-chair NDP MP Murray Rankin (Victoria, B.C.) the issue is personal, but for a different reason. His former law partner Joseph Arvay was Kay Carter’s lawyer who argued successfully and got the unani- mous Supreme Court decision that banning physician-assisted dying is unconstitutional. Mr. Rankin the NDP justice critic and was on the special joint committee with Mr. Cooper and was an expert in environmental and public law before becoming an MP in 2012. “I have to say that, since I was elected, www.rpi-ipr.com this has been the most diffi cult and per- sonally demanding, emotionally draining 24 THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 FEATURE

Q&A ANNE MCCLELLAN ‘Public policy doesn’t stop at the Rideau Canal’

The Donner Prize is the most wide-ranging and innovative policy Anne McClellan, head Anne McClellan prestigious prize in Canadian prescriptions for these crises, of the Donner Prize jury, talks about this public policy and is now known from enlisting the private sector says ‘One of the reasons as “the Giller for public-policy to prioritizing water thrift. This is the Donner Prize matters year’s Donner wonks.” Why is the Donner Prize an accessible guide to a complex is because it celebrates, Prize shortlist and important? topic, that has global reach and and brings to broader “The Donner Prize is impor- implications.” public attention, a this week’s event tant because public policy is range of books that look in Toronto, also important. Public policy, good Les Grandes Universités de at diverse and timely or bad, impacts all Canadians. Recherche: Institutions auto- topics. That timeliness known as the ‘Giller Since 1998, we have shortlisted nomes dans un envrionmenent means that these books 94 books and will soon recognize concurrentiel (Les Presses de are exploring issues that for public-policy an 18th winner. The public-policy l’Université de Montreal)/ Lead- keep politicians and wonks.’ issues that these authors spend ing Research Universities in a policymakers up at night.’ months, if not years, researching Competitive World, by Robert The Hill Times photograph by and analyzing, are issues with Lacroix and Louis Maheu, trans- Jake Wright BY KATE MALLOY signifi cant implications for this lated by Paul Klassen (McGill- country, and often for the world. Queen’s University Press)? TTAWA—The Donner Prize, The authors are Canadians who “This book, written by two Onow also known as “the Giller have identifi ed real public-policy seasoned Université de Mon- for public policy wonks,” is con- challenges and who offer innova- tréal professors, looks at what providing 94 recommendations books. I’m proud to work along- sidered the most prestigious book tive, thought-provoking, and, at is needed to build and sustain on how Canada can begin the side some experienced and prize in Canadian public policy. times, controversial solutions. world-class research universities. reconciliation process with indig- thoughtful public-policy experts. Just ask Anne McLellan, chair By celebrating the best books in Robert Lacroix and Louis Maheu enous Canadians. With this timely We begin evaluating the books of the Donner Prize jury, who’s public policy, the Donner Prize examine the various factors that book, Poelzer and Coates provide in December of each year. My pretty pumped about the best brings attention to issues of criti- affect and shape outstanding important context for understand- colleagues selfl essly spend many books this year. cal importance to Canadians and research universities, comparing ing the history, policies, cul- hours from then until March, “The Donner Prize shortlist public-policy makers.” these institutions in a number of tural assumptions, and divergent reading dozens of public policy confi rms that public policy doesn’t countries, including Canada. They opinions that underpin Canada’s books on a wide range of topics stop at the Rideau Canal. These Why are this year’s fi ve nominees argue that research universities complicated history as a ‘treaty and writing reviews. We discuss, are books that should be read by the best of the best? need to fi nd equilibrium between nation.’ Advocating for ‘equality of and defend, the various books all policy-makers. These are books “This year, we received 86 state regulation and academic opportunity’ for Indigenous Cana- that stood out to us individu- that should matter to all Canadi- books to adjudicate, and these autonomy, which is itself located dians, the authors share innova- ally. Eventually, we start to align ans,” said Ms. McLellan, a former fi ve nominees represent the best at the intersection between bold tive, albeit controversial, ideas for around a number of books. It is cabinet minister in Jean Chrétien’s of public-policy writing. Each university leadership, imaginative how Canada and Canadians—in- a challenging process, because government, who heads the jury deals with a timely public-policy government policies, and sup- digenous and non-indigenous— there are many good public- that includes McGill University’s concern or issue and all offer port from the private sector. The can work together toward greater policy books produced in this Jean-Marie Dufour, economist insightful recommendations for authors conclude that if Canada social, political, and economic country every year and we want Peter George, Senate Government future action.” wants to remain competitive glob- equality, eventually culminating to do them justice. As to how that Representative Peter Harder, and ally, it must foster competitive in sustainable reconciliation.” process ends, you’ll have to wait the International Journal’s Jen- How tough is it to pick the fi nal research universities, which in until Wednesday to fi nd out!” nifer A. Jeffs. The jury selected fi ve winning book? turn produce the PhDs required What is Government Good At?: A fi nalists from 86 entries. The award, “It is hard. As a jury, we spend to drive an innovative and cre- Canadian Answer, by Donald J. Do these books infl uence federal in its 18th year, rewards excellence many hours and meetings, indi- ative society.” Savoie (McGill-Queen’s Univer- public policy? and innovation in public-policy vidually and together, deliberat- sity Press)? “We hope so! One of the writing in Canada. ing over the book submissions. Middle Power, Middle Kingdom: “Donald Savoie’s newest reasons the Donner Prize mat- The $50,000 prize goes to the We come up with a shortlist and What Canadians Need to Know book begins with a simple, but ters is because it celebrates, and winning author of the best public- then have vigorous debate over about China in the 21st Century, fundamental question: what is brings to broader public atten- policy book of the year. This who the winner should be. While by David Mulroney (Allen Lane/ it that the public sector can do tion, a range of books that look year’s fi nalists are: Marq de Vil- we, as the jury, must choose a Penguin Canada)? better than others? In answering at diverse and timely topics. That liers’ Back to the Well: Rethinking winner, these are fi ve books that “With Middle Power, Middle it, Savoie acknowledges that the timeliness means that these books the Future of Water (Goose Lane Canadians should read.” Kingdom, author David Mulroney public sector is grappling with are exploring issues that keep Editions); Robert Lacroix and looks at the impact of China’s serious challenges today, but in politicians and policy-makers up Louis Maheu’s Les Grandes Uni- Can you talk a little bit about relentless rise on our economic order to adequately address those at night. These are the books that versités de Recherche (Les Press- each nominee, just to give read- prosperity, health and well-being challenges, he contends that we we, as a jury, think policy-makers es de l’Université de Montréal)/ ers a taste of what each book is and security. Making the case for require a more vigorous analysis and other engaged Canadians Leading Research Universities in about, starting with Back to the more ‘China competence’ amongst as to what government is actually should be reading right now. I a Competitive World, translated Well: Rethinking the Future of Canadians, this former Canadian good at. Answering that question would also mention that it isn’t by Paul Klassen (McGill-Queen’s Water, by Marq de Villiers (Goose ambassador to China argues that requires him to consider what just federal public policy with University Press); David Mul- Lane Editions)? we must neither demonize China government is not good at; not which these books deal. In this roney’s Middle Power, Middle “Marq de Villiers’ book provides nor assume that it is like us. He surprisingly, it is a long list. In his country, we have four orders of Kingdom: What Canadians Need a solid introduction to understand- calls for a more sophisticated conclusion, Savoie concedes that government—federal, provincial, to Know about China in the 21st ing our relationship with water. foreign policy approach to China, the machinery of government is municipal, and indigenous—and Century (Allen Lane/Penguin Most Canadians already know that while painting a picture of an not optimally designed for today’s they have different responsibili- Canada); Greg Poezler and Ken Canada has one-fi fth of the world’s often demoralized and uncertain complex policy environment and ties, constituencies and priorities. S. Coates’ From Treaty Peoples to freshwater, but they don’t know foreign service.” demanding transparency require- Every year, the Donner Prize Treaty Nation: A Road Map for what that means. Back to the Well ments.” shortlist confi rms that public All Canadians (UBC Press); and begins by stripping away long- From Treaty Peoples to Treaty Na- policy doesn’t stop at the Rideau Donald J. Savoie What Is Gov- held assumptions about the global tion: A Road Map for All Canadi- How many total books does the Canal. These are books that ernment Good At?: A Canadian water crisis, starting with the as- ans, by Greg Poelzer and Ken S. Donner Foundation receive and should be read by all policy-mak- Answer (McGill-Queen’s Univer- sertion that there is no such thing Coates (UBC Press)? how do you come up with fi ve ers. These are books that should sity Press). The winner will be as a global water crisis, but rather “Less than six months ago, the best books in the end? How does matter to all Canadians.” announced on April 27 in Toronto thousands of overlapping regional Truth and Reconciliation Com- that process work? [email protected] at The Carlu. crises. De Villiers then provides 13 mission released its fi nal report, “This year, we received 86 The Hill Times

Back to the Well: Middle Power, Middle From Treaty Peoples Leading Research What Is Rethinking the Kingdom: What to Treaty Nation: A Universities in a Government Good Future of Water, Canadians Need to Road Map for All Competitive World, At?: A Canadian by Marq de Know about China Canadians, by Greg by Robert Lacroix Answer, by Donald Villers, Goose in the 21st Century, Poelzer & Ken S. & Louis Maheu, J. Savoie, McGill- Lane Editions, by David Mulroney, Coates, UBC Press, McGill-Queen’s Queen’s University 378 pp., $32.95. Allen Lane/Penguin 366 pp., $32.95. University Press, Press, 388 pp., Canada, $32. 308 pp., $49.95. $34.95. THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 25 HILL CLIMBERS POLITICAL STAFFERS HILL CLIMBERS BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT New PMO staffers, including youth adviser,

Amreet Kaur is now doing Tahiya Bakht is a Tasha Ismail is helping Former Conservative digital creative lead media relations work special assistant for out with public campaign spokesperson in the Prime Minister’s Ontario affairs in the appointments in the Kory Tenecyke is now Offi ce. Photograph courtesy LRB. Photograph courtesy PMO. Photograph courtesy working as a consultant Long-Term Care Minister Eric Hoskins, of LinkedIn of LinkedIn of LinkedIn with his own fi rm, Former Conservative and spent two months last summer as an Coriolis Public Affairs. campaign spokesperson intern to Ontario Labour Minister Kevin The Hill Times photograph Flynn. She’s also previously interned in by Jake Wright Kory Teneycke is a now a the Ontario Liberal caucus service bureau consultant and recently at Queen’s Park (but left just before Ms. ously worked as an intern on now Liberal That said, he’s set up to lobby the gov- Kaur started, based on LinkedIn). MP Adam Vaughan’s 2014 by-election race, ernment—including the Prime Minister’s a registered lobbyist for During the 2015 election, she was a which saw him elected as an MP for the Offi ce and departments like Agriculture Grain Growers of Canada. campaign volunteer in York Centre, Ont., fi rst time in Trinity-Spadina, Ont. and Agri-Food Canada, Environment and Davenport, Ont., both in Toronto, He was elected co-president of the Canada, Global Affairs Canada, and Health and volunteered on nomination day for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill Young Canada (which includes the respective now-Liberal MP Bill Blair in Scarborough Liberals in September 2014, at which time minister’s offi ces)—on agriculture, the bud- number of new staff recently joined Centre, Ont. She’s been involved with the he also joined the executive of the Young get, economic development, and research APrime Minister Justin Trudeau’s offi ce Ontario Young Liberals, volunteered on Liberals of Canada’s University of Water- and development, including specifi cally on in the Langevin Block, including Hilary Mr. Trudeau’s 2013 leadership campaign loo branch, where he studied a bachelor in advocating for the ratifi cation of the Trans- Leftick as an adviser to Mr. Trudeau’s role as a campus and youth organizer, and arts (political science) and business, with Pacifi c Partnership and the Grain Transpor- as youth minister and Dave Sommer as the was president of the Queen’s University a specialization in global governance. He tation Act, among other things. offi ce’s digital creative lead, among others. Liberal Association during her time as the also became vice president of communi- He is also registered to lobby on behalf Ms. Leftick is a former executive pro- school, where she studied an undergrad in cations at the Waterloo Political Science of PGW Defense Technologies. ducer of POP Montréal, an international political science. Student Association that month—a busy Mr. Teneycke did not respond to a call music festival in the city, and was director Samantha Khalil is executive assistant one, according to his LinkedIn profi le. from Hill Climbers at the number listed for of volunteer mobilization for the Liberal to both Ms. Telford and Mr. Butts. his public affairs fi rm. Party’s 2015 campaign. She’s been lauded Finally, Tasha Ismail is now a special Teneycke now for revamping the way the party reached assistant for appointments in the PMO. Yet Former Grain Growers out to, engaged with, and trained volun- another former Queen’s Park staffer, Ms. a consultant, teers by campaign co-chair and now PMO Ismail was most recently a policy adviser executive director joins chief of staff Katie Telford and principal to Ontario Aboriginal Affairs Minister registered lobbyist secretary Gerald Butts, as reported by David Zimmer. Conservative OLO Huffi ngton Post Canada last fall. There are many former Queen’s Park Since late last year, many politicos have Mr. Sommer was director of cre- staffers now working for the new Liberal been wondering what former Conserva- Grain Growers of Canada’s former ative and content for the Liberal Party government, in ministerial offi ces and in tive Party campaign spokesperson Kory executive director, Brian Rogers, is now before and during the 2015 campaign, the PMO, meaning much experience and Teneycke has been up to post-election, and working in the offi ce of interim offi cial starting back in March 2014, according to expertise has been poached from the of- Hill Climbers fi nally has an answer: he’s opposition leader Rona Ambrose, the Con- his LinkedIn profi le. He helped conceive, fi ces of the Ontario Liberal government of working as a consultant at his own public servative MP for Sturgeon River-Parkland, write, and fi eld-produce “digital video late. affairs fi rm, Coriolis Public Affairs Inc., Alta., and is overseeing Question Period advertisements,” among other tasks. He’s From October 2014 until July 2015, Ms. and was recently hired to serve for a time preparations as QP director in the OLO. In also a former senior producer with the Ismail was MPP liaison and operations as a registered lobbyist for Grain Growers this role, he works closely with QP adviser in Toronto, starting in aide to the Ontario Labour Minister, mean- of Canada. Mike MacDonell. December 2011 (a few months after the ing she may be familiar with Ms. Pineau A former communications director to Located at 131 Queen St. in downtown network launched) until February 2014. from her time as an intern in that offi ce. then prime-minister Stephen Harper, Mr. Ottawa, the Conservative OLO is run by Before that, Mr. Sommer worked for Before that, she was executive assistant Teneycke left the Hill in 2009 and later chief of staff Gary Keller, aided by deputy CTV, starting in 2003 as a writer, and to Nova Scotia’s Liberal Justice Minister helped launch the Sun News Network chief of staff David McArthur. The offi ce producer for CTV News and later for CTV Diana Whalen (who is also the province’s in 2011. The network came to an end in has been allocated a $4,4-million budget by Creative Agency. He’s also worked for 940 deputy premier) for a year, starting in February 2015. Mr. Teneycke served as a Parliament for the 2016-17 year. News Radio, and for fi ve months in 2000, November 2013. campaign spokesperson for the Conser- In other staffi ng news, Bradley Davey, interned at The Tonight Show with Jay Ms. Ismail is a former senior manager vative Party’s 2015 campaign. He’s also who was a senior caucus liaison in the Leno at NBC Studios. of political operations and outreach in previously been executive director of the Conservative parliamentary research bu- Amreet Kaur is now helping with Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe region for Canadian Renewable Fuels Association, reau (dubbed the Conservative Resources media relations in the PMO. She was most the , and has also and back in 2007 was hired as director of Group, or the CRG) last Parliament, has recently working as a community relations previously briefl y served as an EA to a fed- the Conservative Party’s parliamentary stayed on the Hill to work for the Conser- adviser in the Ontario Liberal caucus’ re- eral Liberal MP, according to her LinkedIn research bureau, dubbed the Conservative vative offi cial opposition in the same role. search bureau at Queen’s Park, and before profi le. Now in the PMO, she works under Resource Group (CRG). Also working in the CRG is Grant Ding- that was MPP liaison and public appoint- director of appointments Mary Ng. Based on Industry Canada corporation wall as an opposition researcher. He also ments aide to Ontario Finance Minister Meanwhile, over in the Liberal Research fi lings, Mr. Teneycke fi rst registered Corio- previously worked in the offi ce last Parlia- Charles Sousa. Bureau (the LRB)—which is overseen by lis Public Affairs as a Canadian corpora- ment, most recently as a researcher for According to her LinkedIn profi le, she managing director Brett Thalmann—Tahiya tion on April 21, 2015, a few months after special projects in the CRG, and as a video started at Queen’s Park in September 2010 as Bakht is a special assistant for Ontario the Sun News Network closed, with an specialist in the offi ce before that. He’s also a policy and research intern to the minister affairs. She also previously worked on Ottawa address and himself listed as the previously spent roughly a year working as of labour, and has also been an offi ce man- Queen’s Park, most recently as an offi ce company’s sole principal and consultant. a special assistant to former Ontario Pro- ager and scheduler to Ontario Citizenship manager to the Ontario Energy Minister, In recent weeks, offi cially starting April gressive Conservative MPP Rob Milligan. and Immigration Minister Michael Chan. but before that in the Ontario Liberal cau- 14, Mr. Tenecyke became the registered lob- A Carleton University grad, he served for a She attended the University of Toronto’s cus’ research offi ce as a special assistant, byist for Grain Growers of Canada, while time as president of the Campus Conserva- Mississauga campus as part of Erindale after starting off in the summer of 2014 as the company is in the process of hiring a tives group. College, studying an undergrad in political an intern (meaning she’s likely familiar new executive director (who typically is Mr. Dingwall started working in the science, during which time she was direc- with Ms. Kaur in the PMO). She graduated the registered government lobbyist for this Conservative research bureau while still a tor of the university’s women’s centre. from McMaster University in 2014. group). While a new executive director had student as an operations offi cer and later James MacMillan is now a writer in the Before that, during the summer of 2013, not yet been hired as of fi ling deadline last junior video specialist. Back in 2013, he PMO, and Jeevan Singh has also recently she interned in the operations division of week, it was expected a new one would was one of the Conservative Party interns joined the offi ce as a correspondence Ontario Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne’s be announced shortly—at that point, Mr. identifi ed as staging a “protest” behind writer. Mr. Singh was recently working offi ce. In the summer of 2012 she interned Teneycke would no longer by a lobbyist for Mr. Trudeau while he held a news confer- as a real estate agent for Keller Williams for then Ontario Training, Colleges and Grain Growers of Canada. ence by the Centennial Flame on Parlia- Realty Inc. in Ottawa. Universities Minister Glen Murray. Until then, and since April 14, Mr. Tene- ment Hill. One other intern identifi ed as a Olivia Pineau has joined the PMO as Also now working in the LRB is Kazim cyke is the organization’s lobbyist. fake “protestor,” Stav Nitka, also still works an assistant to both Ms. Telford and Mr. Habib, a special assistant for operations “He has been great at helping us out,” on the Hill as a committees coordinator in Butts. Until recently, she was also work- and outreach. He was a youth organizer said Gary Stanford, president of Grain the Conservative Whip’s Offi ce. ing on Queen’s Park as a special assistant for the Liberal Party in Ontario ahead of Growers of Canada, in an email response [email protected] for operations to Ontario’s Health and and during the 2015 election, and previ- to Hill Climbers. The Hill Times 26 THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 HILL LIFE PARTIES PARTY CENTRAL BY RACHEL AIELLO

The 16th Annual Politics and the Pen gala went down in Ottawa on April 20. Harper book wins, Canada 2020’s Don Newman and Politics and the Pen co-chair wine fl ows at Elizabeth Gray-Smith. Politics and the Pen

The Globe and Mail’s Campbell Clark and John ast Wednesday in a packed ballroom his work of diplomacy would include giving Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr Ibbiston, Maclean’s mag’s John Geddes, and Lin downtown Ottawa, Stephen Harper Republican front-runner Donald Trump the was the subject of thunderous applause for Shawinigan handshake. and NDP MP Charlie Angus. award fi nalist author Greg Donaghy. the fi rst time in many months as The Globe Then it was time for dinner, which Party and Mail journalist John Ibbitson was Central thought was a hit: a salmon niçosie announced as the winner of the $25,000 to start, followed by a spinach and quail Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political ballotine and duck confi t barley risotto, Writing for his book Stephen Harper. and a delicious raspberry macaroon to cap The 16th annual Politics and the Pen Gala it off. Like the Canadian books packed into returned to the Château Laurier to support the the gift bags, it’s nice to try something new Writers’ Trust, Canadian authors, and Canadi- and each plate was something I’d never an politics, and it was a glamorous, good time. seen served at the Château before, which, Conservative MP Andrew Winner of the $25,000 prize ’s Lawrence The evening began with a cocktail recep- as a social columnist, is refreshing. Scheer and his wife Jill. John Ibbitson. Martin and his daughter Kristina. tion where parliamentarians mingled with Once plates were cleared, it was time to Canadian authors, Hill journalists, strate- announce the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize gists, lobbyists, bureaucrats and staffers. winner. But fi rst, the crowd took a moment of Servers circled the room offering canapés silence for author, broadcaster and politician including tuna and tomatillo type salsa on Jean Lapierre, who died in a plane crash last toast, a cone of bison tartare, cucumber roll month. Then, each author got a video tribute sushi, and falafel and trays of sparkling and it was time to open the envelope an- champagne, and white and red wine. nouncing Mr. Ibbitson’s big win, prompting For many, the evening was a reunion. a lobbyist and former Tory staffer at Party For others, it was a place to chat arms- Central’s table to exclaim that it felt good “to down about anything and everything. cheer for the boss again,” to which a Conser- One lobbyist cynically remarked to Party vative MP replied it “might be the last time.” Central that a bomb could go off in the room Then the crowd fi ltered out and down CTV’s Glen McGregor and and the world would the hall to Zoé’s Maple Leaf Strategies’ Phil be a better place. lounge for one of von Finckenstein. Hosts of the evening, Catherine Clark But CBC’s Peter a few after-parties. and Ben Mulroney. Mansbridge was And, as it always The Hill Times photographs in the room, which does, the party left Party Central went on well into by Jake Wright with the philosophi- the night. and Matthew Usherwood cal question of: if The guest list was a major incident stacked for this hot happened involving ticket. And to save some of Canada’s reciting the names highest-profi le peo- Politics and the Pen co-chair Patrick Kennedy and of half the phone- ple and he wasn’t House Speaker Geoff Regan having a bit of fun. book north of the there to report on it, Queensway, Party did it really happen? Central will just say Once the lights about half the cabi- Writers’ Trust publicist Becky Toyne. fl ickered, House Speaker Geoff Regan took net and at least 40 MPs from all sides were in to the stage to usher attendees into the attendance, with similar numbers from the main ballroom for the meat and potatoes Parliamentary Press Gallery, 50 or so authors, Award fi nalist author Andrew of the evening. Guests slowly made their and a good chunk of The Hill Times’ list of the Nikiforuk and his wife, and Green way to their tables and made introductions Top 100 Lobbyists. Party Leader Elizabeth May. to their seatmates before MCs Catherine Among some of the notable and Clark and Ben Mulroney took to the somewhat rare attendees at these kinds stage. The two had perfectly quaffed hair of events was a chunk of Prime Minister and took command of the room, looking Justin Trudeau’s PMO, including director downright prime ministerial. Or at least of communications Kate Purchase, director that’s the joke they made, each announcing of issues management Zita Astravas, and they’d be running for party leadership posi- deputy chief of staff Jeremy Broadhurst. The Hill Times’ Ally Foster, Rachel Aiello, and tions—Ms. Clark for the Conservatives and Top public servants in the room included Kate Malloy, with consultant Stephen Hendrie. Mr. Mulroney for the NDP. The joke went deputy minister of Health Simon Kennedy on, as they announced some of their poli- and Privy Council Clerk Michael Wernick. Liberal MPs Rodger Cuzner cies, throwing jokes out about pipelines, From the Ontario political scene was former and Judy Foote. balanced budgets, and the Leap Manifes- Liberal premier Dalton McGuinty and current to—or as Mr. Mulroney called it, the NDP’s special adviser to government Peter Donolo. version of assisted dying. Ottawa city councillor and author Jody There was a humorous video starring Mitic; AFN National Chief Perry Bel- again Liberal MP Rodger Cuzner and Global legarde; and Bank of Canada Governor News’ Tom Clark. They were in search of a Stephen Poloz were there also. good ambassador for Atlantic Canada and After getting the taste of being dressed to had auditions for the gig that included Liberal the nines and bumping shoulders with fellow MP Gudie Hutchings singing with her caucus Hillites, by the end of the evening, Party Cen- mate Sean Fraser on the bagpipes, and NDP tral was overhearing a lot of anticipation for Vicki Heyman, Conservative Rogers’ Heidi Bonnell th MP Daniel Blaikie doing a jig, with the help the June 4, 150 anniversary Parliamentary MP Lisa Raitt, and U.S. and the NAC’s Rosemary AFN National Chief Perry of a stunt-double. Then a ringer was brought Press Gallery Dinner. Get your dates! Ambassador Bruce Heyman Thompson. Bellegarde. in to audition: Jean Chrétien, who promised The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 27 HILL LIFE PARTIES Politics and the Pen hosts stacked guestlist

Bank of Canada Governor i2 Ideas & Issues Advertising’s Jane Kennedy and Former NDP MP Megan Leslie. Award fi nalist author Sheila Watt-Cloutier. Stephen Poloz. the PM’s deputy chief of staff Jeremy Broadhurst.

PMO staffer Brittney Kerr and former Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty. PMJT’s Director of Communications Kate Earnscliffe’s Velma McColl Douglas Knight, chair of Purchase and her husband Perry Tsergas. and CTV’s Don Martin. the Writers’ Trust. The Globe and Mail’s Bob Fife and government representative in the Senate Peter Harder.

The Globe and Mail’s Robyn Doolittle and former CBC’s The National host PBO Kevin Page. Peter Mansbridge. House Speaker Geoff Regan and Politics & Clerk of the PCO Michael Wernick the Pen co-chair Maureen Boyd. and PMJT’s director of issues management Zita Astravas.

Politics & the Pen co-chairs Patrick Last year’s winner Joseph Heath with Kennedy and Dan Madar. author Denise Chong. The Château Laurier was packed with politicos and top authors on April 20.

Design consultant Kelly Mounce and Jane Kennedy.

The Hill Times photographs by Jake Policy Director to Finance Wright and iPolitics’ reporter and author Envrionment Minister Minister Bill Morneau, Robert CBC’s Joanne Chianello and Janice Dickson. Catherine McKenna. Asselin. Robyn Bresnahan. Matthew Usherwood

Heymans host Shaughnessy Cohen nominees night before in Rockcliff e

The crowd at the American Vicki Heyman and columnist and professor Liberal MP Randy Boissonnault ambassador’s residence April 19. Andrew Cohen. and Jane Kennedy.

The fi nalists for the Shaughnessy Cohen prize for the best political book of the year: Greg Donaghy, Andrew Nikiforuk, The Hill Times’ editor Kate Malloy and U.S. Chair of the Writers’ Trust Writers’ Trust’s Katrina Afonso, Bluesky’s Elizabeth Sheila Watt-Cloutier, John Ibbitson, and Norman Hillmer. Ambassador Bruce Heyman. Douglas Knight. Gray-Smith, and Writers’ Trust’s Becky Toyne. 28 THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 HILL TIMES CLASSIFIED INFORMATION AND ADVERTISEMENT PLACEMENT: TEL. 613-232-5952, FAX 613-232-9055

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This is not intended to solicit properties already listed for sale EVENTS WOMEN IN FINANCE MAY 10 PRESENTED BY: 7:30-9:00 AM OTTAWA MARRIOTT HOTEL

On May 10 join Hill Times Events as we explore what it will take to encourage greater participation of women in fi nance. Opening remarks will be delivered by the Minister of Small Business and Tourism Ms. Bardish Chagger, MP (Waterloo, Ont.).

This session will explore why there has been a decline in women-owned small to medium sized enterprises, the percentage of women serving on corporate boards and the importance for teaching fi nancial literacy to women and girls.

There is no charge to attend for Hill Times subscribers and $20.00 for non-subscribers. Advance registration is required.

PRESENTED BY:

hilltimes.com/events/WIF.html 30 THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 FEATURE EVENTS

Reclaiming the Blue Helmet: Canada’s Role in WEDNESDAY, MAY 4 May 10, from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. All Senators, Members of Peacekeeping and UN Accountability—The Human Parliament and staff are invited to attend and better fa- Parliamentary Rights Research and Education Centre presents a dis- Liberal Caucus Meeting—The Liberals will meet in miliarize themselves with our nation’s communications tinguished panel (Stephen Lewis, Peggy Mason, Mario Room 237-C Centre Block on Parliament Hill. For more service providers. For more information or to RSVP, Calendar Joseph & Beatrice Lindstrom) discussing account- information, please call Liberal Party media relations at please contact Cynthia Waldmeier at 613-233-8906 or ability and other challenges facing UN Peacekeeping [email protected] or 613-627-2384. [email protected]. and how a re-engaged Canada can show leadership Conservative Caucus Meeting—The Conservatives Canada at the World Humanitarian Summit: Op- in addressing them. Opening remarks by Allan Rock. will meet for their national caucus meeting. For more portunities for Leadership & Legacy—The Canadian More info: http://cdp-hrc.uottawa.ca/ Fauteux Hall, information, contact Cory Hann, director of commu- Council for International Co-operation (CCIC), the FTX147 (University of Ottawa, 57 Louis Pasteur). May nications, Conservative Party of Canada at coryhann@ Canadian Association of International Development Pro- 2, 5-7pm. Free. conservative.ca fessionals (CAIDP), and the School of International De- Electoral Reform in 2016—NDP MP Nathan Cullen NDP Caucus Meeting—The NDP caucus will meet velopment and Global Studies (SIDGS) are co-hosting a and Conservative MP Scott Reid will talk about electoral from 9:15 a.m.-11 a.m. in Room 112-N Centre Block, public event at the Library & Archives (395 Wellington reform in 2016. Hear what the NDP and Conservative on Wednesday. Please call the NDP Media Centre at St.), May 10, 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. The event includes a critics have to say about keeping the Liberal government 613-222-2351 or [email protected] humanitarian expert panel, a political response panel, accountable as their voting reform initiative goes forward. The Canadian International Council (CIC) National networking reception, and a humanitarian fair. The Let’s build a politically legitimate reform that works for all Capital Branch: An Evening with Lord David Owen on event is free and open to the public –register on Event- parties and all Canadians. Fair Vote Canada local chapter Why the UK Should Leave the European Union—David brite. For more information please contact Sara Thaw AGM; open to public; free admission. Tom Brown Arena, Owen is one of the UK’s most distinguished political ([email protected]). It’s movie 141 Bayview Road. Doors open 6:30 pm, AGM business fi gures and public intellectuals. He is a former U.K. The Canadian Dental Association’s (CDA) Days on the 7 p.m.-8 p.m.; speakers 8 p.m. foreign secretary and EU peace negotiator in the former Hill—May 10 and 11. CDA’s Days on the Hill connects Yugoslavia. It is a signifi cant development in the cur- leaders from Canada’s 21,000 dentists with parliamentar- night on the TUESDAY, MAY 3 rent U.K. referendum campaign that he has decided ians to discuss important issues pertaining to oral health. Cabinet Meeting—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau his country should leave the EU. June 23 is the date The CDA is the national voice for dentistry in Canada and Hill, May 3, is expected to hold a Cabinet meeting today in Ottawa. of the referendum, and Lord Owen has dramatically is dedicated to the promotion of optimal oral health for For more information, call the PMO Press Offi ce at entered the debate with a new book Europe Restruc- Canadians. For further information, please contact Bonnie 613-957-5555. tured, Vote to Leave. May 4, 5 p.m. (registration and Kirkwood at [email protected] showing Room Auditor General to Table Spring Reports—Audi- cash bar); 6 p.m. (presentation begins), Rideau Room, An Evening with the Canadian Dental Associa- tor General Michael Ferguson will release the spring Sheraton Hotel, 150 Albert Street, Ottawa, ottawa@ tion—The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) invites reports on May 3. The reports will cover: venture capital thecic.org or 613-903-4011 you to its annual Parliamentary reception for friends action plan; detecting and preventing fraud in the citi- TUESDAY, MAY 10 of the dental profession, parliamentarians, and staff zenship program; the governor in council appointments on Tuesday May 10th at 5:30 p.m. at the Métropoli- MONDAY, APRIL 25 process in administration tribunals; drug benefi ts and CCSA Hosting Communications Services Recep- tain restaurant. Refreshments will be provided. To Veterans Affairs Canada; Canadian Army Reserve- tion—The Canadian Cable Systems Alliance (CCSA), RSVP, please contact Bonnie Kirkwood at bkirk- House Sitting—The House is on a break this week, National Defence; and a special examinations of PPP which represents 120 independent and entrepreneurial [email protected] but it returns May 2 for three weeks and will every Canada Inc. and Via Rail Canada Inc. There will be a cable, telephone and internet companies, is hosting a weekday until May 20, it breaks for one week, and returns reception in the Commonwealth Room in Centre Block, media lockup 6 a.m.-9:45 a.m., Offi ce of the Auditor Continued on page 31 again on May 30. It’s scheduled to sit for four weeks until General of Canada, 240 Sparks St., followed by a news Thursday, June 23, when it breaks for the summer. conference at 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at the National TUESDAY, APRIL 26 Press Theatre, 150 Wellington St., Ottawa. 18th Annual World Press Freedom Day Awards Cabinet Meeting—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Luncheon—At the Chateau Laurier Ballroom at 11:30 is expected to hold a Cabinet meeting today in Ottawa. a.m. Keynote speaker will be Suzanne Legault, Canada’s For more information, call the PMO Press Offi ce at information commissioner. The CCWPF Press Freedom 613-957-5555. Award will go to a Canadian journalist who has made an Carleton University to Host Seminar to Celebrate outstanding contribution to press freedom or freedom th Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s 125 Birth Anniversary—Hosted of expression, or suffered in their name in the past year. by Carleton University president Roseann O’Reilly Celebrate the work of cartoonists from around the world in Runte and India High Commissioner to Canada Vishnu the 16th Annual Editorial Cartoon Contest. Tickets are $65 Prakash. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., second fl oor atrium, River or $120 for two, $480 for a table of eight. Building, Carleton University, Ottawa. RSVP to india@ Nestlé Canada Parliamentary Reception—All parlia- carleton.ca mentarians are invited to join Nestlé Canada’s business WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27 leaders from across the country to celebrate 150 years of Nestlé ‘Good Food, Good Life’. May 3, 5:30 p.m.-8 Donner Canadian Foundation Award Ceremony—The p.m., Daly’s Restaurant, The Westin Ottawa Hotel. 18th anniversary of the Donner Prize to reward excellence RSVP to Laura Seguin [email protected] or call 613- and innovation in public policy writing by Canadians for 235-1400. 2015-2016, will be held on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Pub- at 6 p.m. at The Carlu, 444 Younge St. Invitation only. lishers of Canada (SOCAN)—Invites all parliamentar- THURSDAY, APRIL 28 ians and staff to come celebrate Canadian music talent at a reception and special live performances by Karim Conservative MP Tom Kmiec Fundraiser: Trudeau Ouellet and Sam Roberts on May 3 in the Aboriginal 2.0: How Conservatives Must Respond—Cocktail and Peoples Committee Room 160-S in Centre Block from private dinner with Conservative MP Tom Kmiec, April 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The event will showcase music 28, cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 performances from English and French top-chart art- p.m. The Polish Canadian Cultural Centre, 3015 15 ists. RSVP by April 29 to [email protected] Street NE, Calgary, Alta. Special guest speaker: Conser- Movie Night on the Hill—Heritage Minister Mélanie vative MP Jason Kenney, $100. Tickets online at http:// Joly will host along with Telefi lm Canada, her fi rst Move tomkmiec.ca/april28 Night on the Hill on May 3, the Canadian Screen and MONDAY, MAY 2 Oscar Award winner, Room. 7 p.m., Canadian Museum of History, 100 Laurier St., Gatineau, Que. House Sitting—The House returns May 2 for three CPAWS Talks: Nature Needs Half—An exciting weeks and will every weekday until May 20, it breaks evening that blends science and art, featuring keynote for one week, and returns again on May 30. It’s sched- speaker international award-winning conservationist uled to sit for four weeks until Thursday, June 23, when and visionary Harvey Locke and nature rap artist Baba it breaks for the summer. Brinkman, as we explore the importance of large- Melanoma Monday Skin Cancer Screening Clinic landscape conservation and why Nature Needs Half. and Reception—House Speaker Geoff Regan, Liberal Monday, May 2, 7 p.m.– 9:30 p.m. at the Library and MP Bill Casey, and the Canadian Dermatology Associa- Archives Canada Auditorium. The evening will also tion will be hosting a skin cancer screening clinic and include local Ottawa/Gatineau artists, door prizes, and reception on Monday, May 2, 2016 from 3 p.m. to 6 a silent auction! Come bid on an evening at Cirque du p.m. in 216-N, Centre Block. For more information Soleil, outdoor gear from MEC, a night at the Wakefi eld visit dermatology.ca or email [email protected]. Mill and so much more! Tickets: www.cpaws.org THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 31 FEATURE EVENTS

Room 237-C Centre Block on Parliament Hill. For more Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada. NAC director of information, please call Liberal Party media relations at communications Rosemary Thompson will emcee. The Parliamentary [email protected] or 613-627-2384. event is sold out. Conservative Caucus Meeting—The Conservatives will TUESDAY, MAY 17 Calendar meet for their national caucus meeting. For more informa- tion, contact Cory Hann, director of communications, Travers Debates—Maclean’s iconoclastic humourist Conservative Party of Canada at [email protected] Scott Feschuk, journalist Katie Simpson, and Liberal NDP Caucus Meeting—The NDP caucus will meet MP Rodger Cuzner and NDP MP Ruth Ellen Brosseau from 9:15 a.m.-11 a.m. in Room 112-N Centre Block, are all going to be on the same stage May 17, at the on Wednesday. Please call the NDP Media Centre at NAC. Register at www.traversdebates.ca 613-222-2351 or [email protected] Merit Canada Reception—Métropolitain Brasserie Canadian Rail Summit 2016—Canadian Rail Summit & Restaurant, 700 Sussex Dr., May 17, 5 p.m.-8 p.m. 2016, Canada’s leading rail event. Explore cutting-edge RSVP to [email protected] products and services from 50 tradeshow exhibitors, and The Forest Sector: Contributing to Climate Change choose from a wide variety of technical and conference Solutions—The Forest Products Association of Canada sessions on key industry issues such as competitiveness, and FPInnovations will be holding a reception on safety and emerging technologies. Register at www.rail- Wednesday, May 18 to showcase how the forest prod- can.ca/crs2016 and for more information, contact Janet ucts industry is using clean tech and innovation to pave Greene at 613-564-8109 [email protected] or Lynn the way to a low-carbon economy. The event, which will Travers Raby at 613-237-3888 or [email protected] include leaders from industry and government, will be Fit for purpose? CSO Transformation for Agenda 2030— held at the Rideau Club, 99 Bank St., Ottawa, between The Canadian Council for International Co-operation (CCIC) 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. For more information, please Debates is hosting its annual conference on May 11 and May 12 at contact [email protected] the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health. The 2016 CCIC annual conference seeks to raise the profi le of the Canadian THURSDAY, MAY 26 happens May international development and humanitarian assistance Liberal Biennial Convention—The federal Liberals Movie Night on the Hill—Heritage Minister sector and its important work. This landmark event brings will hold their convention in Winnipeg, Man., Thursday, Mélanie Joly, pictured with comedian Rick together stakeholders from international development and hu- May 26, to Sunday, May 29, 2016. Mercer, will host her fi rst Movie Night on Hill manitarian civil society organizations (CSOs), key government Conservative Convention—The federal Conserva- along with Telefi lm Canada, the Canadian 17 in Ottawa offi cials, relevant policy makers and academics from Canada tives will hold their convention in Vancouver, B.C., May Screen and Oscar Award winner, Room. May and abroad. ‘Fit for purpose: CSO transformation for Agenda 26 to May 29, 2016. 2030’ will examine the challenges and opportunities facing 3, 7 p.m., Canadian Museum of History, CSOs in this new era of global development cooperation. For SATURDAY, JUNE 4 100 Laurier St., Gatineau, Que. The Hill Times Continued from page 30 more info see: www.ccic.ca. Follow #intlcoopdays on Twitter. Parliamentary Press Gallery Dinner—It’s the photograph by Jake Wright Talent for Innovation: Harnessing Canada’s Re- 150th Anniversary of the Press Gallery at its Annual TUESDAY, MAY 10 search Advantage—Join Mitacs and leaders from busi- Gallery Dinner, Saturday, June 4, 5:30 p.m., Canadian MAY 2017 ness, government, and academia to examine strategies Museum of History, River View Salon. The dinner will Launch of the Rio Tinto Award for Indigenous Stu- to effectively engage and employ research innovators. be held in the Grand Hall at 7 p.m. Dress: cocktail Conservative Party Leadership Convention—The Con- dents—A reception co-hosted by Rio Tinto, Canada’s largest Tuesday, May 11, National Arts Centre, Ottawa. Forum: elegant (black tie optional). For press gallery members servatives will elect their next leader on May 27, 2017, mining and metals business, and Indspire, an indigenous-led 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m., and reception 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m. and guests only. Dan Nowlan, chair of the party’s leadership election charity that invests in the education of indigenous people, THURSDAY, MAY 12 TUESDAY, JUNE 7 organizing committee announced last week. The party is celebrating the launch of the Rio Tinto Award for Indigenous urging Conservative Party members to buy memberships Students. The reception is a chance for parliamentarians and Polytechnics Canada Annual Policy Conference— Registration Now Open CIPMM’s 27th Annual or renew them in order to vote. For more information, con- industry stakeholders to meet and mingle with indigenous This year’s conference theme is “Learning that Works: National Workshop—June 7-8, 2016. The workshop tact Cory Hann, director of communications, Conservative fi nancial award recipients in order to learn their experiences Polytechnic Education.” Speakers include disruptive fee is $875 plus HST and includes access to all key- Party of Canada, at 613-697-5614. and celebrate indigenous education in Canada. Alfredo innovation expert Michael Horn, best-selling higher ed- note and breakout sessions. More than 400 delegates The Parliamentary Calendar is a free listing. Send Barrios, chief executive of Rio Tinto Aluminum; Roberta ucation author Jeff Selingo and ESDC deputy minister from PWGSC, ESD, DND, HC, RCMP, CSEC, DFATD, in your political, cultural, or governmental event in a Jamieson, president and CEO of Indspire; Indspire fi nancial Ian Shugart. The conference will be held on May 12th DFO, TBS, NRCan, IC, AAND, CIC, and LAC. Senior paragraph with all the relevant details under the sub- award recipients; MPs and Senators; industry stakeholders, and 13th, 2016 at Humber College in Toronto, Ont. For government offi cials from the lead departments and ject line ‘Parliamentary Calendar’ to news@hilltimes. May 10, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Drawing Room, Fairmont more information visit polytechnicscanada.ca. agencies will be at the networking reception. There com by Wednesday at noon before the Monday paper. Chateau Laurier Hotel, 1 Rideau St. Ottawa. Ottawa Branch Monarchist League of Canada will be exhibitors, subject matter experts represent- Or fax it to 613-232-9055. We can’t guarantee inclu- WEDNESDAY, MAY 11 Celebrates Queen’s 90th Birthday—Senator Serge Joyal ing both the public and private sectors. Please sion of every event, but we will defi nitely do our best. will deliver an address ‘Canada’s Constitutional Mon- contact CIPMM Secretariat at admin@cipmm-icagm. [email protected] Liberal Caucus Meeting—The Liberals will meet in archy: Honougin a Lifetime of Service by Her Majesty, ca or at 613-725-0980. The Hill Times

CELEBRATING CANADA’S HIGHEST HONOUR IN THE PERFORMING ARTS

CONGRATULATIONS, MICHAEL BUBLÉ, 2016 GOVERNOR GENERAL’S PERFORMING ARTS AWARD LAUREATE “For me, music was always of massive importance. It just seemed to be woven into the fabric of my life.”

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PRESENTED BY PRODUCED BY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WITH THE SUPPORT OF MAJOR SPONSOR ASSOCIATE SPONSORS MEDIA PARTNER EVENTS GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY & Climate Change

EVENT SUMMARY On April 21, Hill Times Events hosted a sold-out panel discussion on Global Food Security and Climate Change. Gillian Barth, president and CEO of CARE Canada, presented a new report from the Food Security Policy Group. Following, the distinguished panel commented on how Canada can contribute to global food security.

OPENING REMARKS Gillian Barth, president and CEO, CARE Canada They may only work small plots of land, but smallholder farmers hold the answer to developing sustainable food solutions to feed a KXQJU\SODQHW3ULPDULO\ZRPHQWKH\SURGXFHWKHPDMRULW\RIWKHZRUOG·VIRRGDQG\HWDUHPRVWDWULVNRIPDOQXWULWLRQÁXFWXDWLQJIRRG prices and climate change. Empowering these farmers is critical if Canada wants to be at the forefront of helping feed a hungry planet. Canada’s food security strategy and renewed approach to international assistance can build on momentum already found in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the Sustainable Development Goals and Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Canada today faces a unique opportunity to show that it is back, to play its part in combatting climate change and to help the most vulnerable people. Investing in the world’s smallholder farmers is the best way to start.

PANEL REMARKS Paul Josianne Gauthier, Renaud de Plaen, Dennis Prouse, vice- Hagerman, director, in-Canada program leader, president, government director, programmes, Agriculture and affairs, CropLife Canada public policy, Development and Peace Food Security It is important to know Canadian Support to small family Program, IDRC what success looks like, Foodgrains Bank farmers and their agro- Canada’s International and to celebrate it wherever Small-scale farmers feed ecological practices represents one of Development Research Centre we can. We have made tremendous most of the world, yet are the most viable solutions to addressing addresses food security in progress in food security and the battle among the most hungry. the current climate crisis and feeding developing countries by funding against starvation and malnutrition over And they are feeling the the world. It is inconceivable that applied research in agriculture the last number of years. The world worst impacts of climate small family farmers feed 70% of the and nutrition. The thematic population has almost doubled, yet we change. For the poorest population, yet most live in poverty and SULRULWLHVLGHQWLÀHGLQWKH have cut hunger by more than half in farmers, help must come suffer from hunger, which is made all “Agenda for Food Security and the process. The green revolution is from public investment in the worse by climate change. Women Resilience”, in particular the what did that – modern agriculture. For agricultural research, in are particularly marginalized despite focus on smallholders, women all the progress that we have made, the infrastructure like irrigation, WKHLUVLJQLÀFDQWFRQWULEXWLRQ,QYHVWLQJ and youth, resilience of local world population is going to 9 billion by roads and markets, in in closing the gender gap alone, production systems and nutrition, 2050. We are going to need a massive farm organizations, and in could lift 100-150 million people out resonate with IDRC’s own efforts increase in global agriculture product tools to reduce risks, from of hunger. By investing in small family to tackle the multiple dimensions yet again in order to feed the world. weather and from uncertain farmers, especially women, Canada of food security: Food availability Both the public and private sectors are land tenure. Canada said can act and respond responsibly both - by increasing productivity of looking ahead to deliver solutions for that it’s back. That it wants to climate change and food security in underutilized species, more drought resistance, saline tolerance, to be a global leader in the world. Funding should be directed nutritious and resistant crops, new pest pressures, improved input addressing climate change towards: Sustainable agro-ecological reducing postharvest losses. usage, increased vitamin content in and refocus development practices: supporting movements that Food accessibility – by increasing food and elimination of key allergens. assistance on the poorest defend land rights; ensuring access to market access, adopting value Addressing food security, like any and most vulnerable. We seeds; promoting organic practices; chain approaches, improving successful effort, is going to be a can do that. We can be a etc. Reinforcing and developing income for small holder farmers. multipronged team venture. It is going world leader in reducing the local market: respecting local Nutrition - by promoting food to require governments, NGOs and poverty and hunger. But production; fair trade policies, support IRUWLÀFDWLRQIRRGGLYHUVLW\DQG the private sector, all working together. we need to put money for infrastructure that eases access more balanced diets. Research It’s going to require infrastructure, behind our rhetoric. It’s to local markets; etc. Empowering is essential to develop, test, and ÀQDQFLQJWRROVRIPRGHUQDJULFXOWXUH time for Canada to reinvest women farmers: giving access to scale-up innovations, inform science based regulation, and rules in agriculture and food equal training and farming implements; policy and improve the livelihoods based trade. It won’t be easy, but it IS security. right to land titles; etc. of the most vulnerable. possible. hilltimes.com/events