QUARTERLY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017

THE CYBERSECURITY ISSUE Experts point to key gaps in knowledge

CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 2017 | CYBERSECURITY EDITION

Preventing the next billion-dollar cybersecurity breach 5

As Canada prepares for cyber reset, experts Liberals look point to key gaps in ready for small business tax knowledge 1 changes fight 8

If Scheer wants to Canada’s stay leader, he has looming to knock Trudeau cannabis down to a minority: supply Northern Strategists 10 crunch 12 homecoming 15 CONTENTS

What does it An insider’s mean to call look at Pierre Reaching yourself a Trudeau’s tough for the next conservative times with Canadarm 24 these days? 25 Alberta 28

War of words: O Canada lyrics 30 A job in bloom 32 AS CANADA PREPARES FOR CYBER RESET, EXPERTS POINT TO KEY GAPS IN KNOWLEDGE

AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill BY AMANDA CONNOLLY

“We believe the U.S. government and private sector The words may be aimed at condemnation of the American collectively have the tremendous cyber capabilities status quo, but they could just as easily reflect the challenges facing and resources needed to defend critical private Canada today. systems from aggressive cyber attacks—provided While experts have been sounding the alarm over the need for they are properly organized, harnessed, and stronger and more collaborative cyber infrastructure for years, focused. Today, we’re falling short.” the last 12 months have brought malicious attacks to the forefront of the public consciousness. ast month, the U.S. Where it stands out is in tone, in a president’s National willingness to condemn the status Wikileaks released the CIA’s Infrastructure Advisory quo of just studying cybersecurity treasure trove of hacking how-tos Council (NIAC) issued a and wave a red flag urging policy in March. Shadow Brokers released Lfirecracker report assessing what makers to actually do something to similar data on the NSA in April. can and should be done to prepare start fixing it — before it is too late. In May, hackers broke into the emails of now-French president for a cyberattack on the scale of “There is a narrow and fleeting the September 11, 2001, terrorist Emmanuel Macron two days window of opportunity before a before the election and dumped the attacks that killed more than 3,000 watershed, 9/11-level cyberattack people. contents online. That same month, to organize effectively and the WannaCry attack walloped the What it found was nothing new: take bold action. We call on the globe and crippled National Health many of the key challenges in administration to use this moment Service facilities in the United cyberspace are well-documented. of foresight to take bold, decisive Kingdom. Experts know, more often than they actions,” the council wrote. do not, where the holes are. They And that doesn’t even include “The time to act is now. As a the hacking cluster$&@ during even know what should be done nation, we need to move past to start filling them, though most the 2016 American presidential simply studying our cybersecurity campaign. acknowledge their ideas are by no challenges and begin taking means definitive. They are starting meaningful steps to improve our “We’re generally underprepared,” points in the race to close the gaps. cybersecurity to prevent a major said Stephanie Carvin, assistant The report lays out exactly that. debilitating cyberattack.” professor of international relations

IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 1 AS CANADA PREPARES FOR CYBER RESET, EXPERTS POINT TO KEY GAPS IN KNOWLEDGE at Carleton University and a network — to volunteer that will be affected in the sense that specialist in cybersecurity. “The information? if it goes down, gas stations will threat is actually becoming more Kabilan says the reluctance go down, trucks will not arrive at and more sophisticated. We saw often comes from a number of hospitals, the patient will not have that this year.” factors: fear of how stakeholders the medicines,” said Ali Ghorbani, In Canada, large-scale malicious might react, concern about a loss the Canada Research Chair in attacks have been relatively of confidence in their services Cybersecurity at the University rare. However, data indicates and a lack of trust about what of New Brunswick. “You see that that Canadian companies are will happen to the information cascade is enormous in terms of increasingly finding themselves and their brand if they do come effects deep down into the society.” targeted. forward. With the vast majority of Canadian According to the 2017 Cybersecurity “Part of it is who do you trust in this critical infrastructure held in private Readiness Study of Canadian space. What is going to happen to hands, the question facing the Organizations by security firm information?” he said. “It is very government as it works to craft a Scalar Decisions, the number of difficult to get people around to this new cybersecurity strategy is what organizations reporting a breach idea that it is in all of our benefit, role it can — or should — play in that resulted in the loss or exposure and that’s why it’s actually good fostering a stronger cyber landscape. of sensitive information has that we do have organizations like The former government’s Action increased 46 per cent since 2014. CCTX.” Plan for Critical Infrastructure Of the 658 IT and IT Canadian CCTX, or the Canadian Cyber Threat expires at the end of 2017. The last security professionals surveyed Exchange, is an independent, cybersecurity strategy came out in for the study, 79 per cent said their not-for-profit organization that 2010 with its associated action plan anti-virus or anti-intrusion systems launched in December 2016. It aims expiring in 2015. had failed to prevent the attack. to act as a sort of clearing house Public Safety Minister Ralph Only 34 per cent said they believe where companies can disclose Goodale launched cybersecurity their organizations are winning the details of attacks and trust the consultations last summer as part of war against hackers, down from 41 information will be anonymized a two-pronged outreach effort aimed per cent in 2014. before being analyzed and shared. at reshaping Canadian national Despite that, experts say one of the The goal is to begin filling in the security policy — the other being biggest challenges is getting those gaps and help paint a clearer consultations on national security who are hacked to share their picture of the threats facing more broadly. data with others — and that leaves Canadian cyberspace and critical While the results of the consultations critical infrastructure vulnerable. infrastructure right now. culminated in the announcement of “If we don’t know what someone Those tend to revolve around three Bill C-59, which will both overhaul else knows and how they chose to core areas of vulnerability: to and build from scratch many of protect themselves, we’re creating a attacks, to espionage and to crime. the core foundations of Canadian vulnerability where we don’t have national security, experts are As it stands, the systems most often still watching and waiting for the to have one,” said Satyamoorthy named as potentially catastrophic Kabilan, director of national government to announce a new targets are Canadian power grids strategy for tackling cybersecurity. security and strategic foresight at and health care systems, along with the Conference Board of Canada. the financial sector. Some have speculated it could be out by this spring, but the government Under Canadian law, companies There are tie-ins between those, are required to disclose breaches of is not confirming any timeline for its however, and any attack on release. their systems when an individual’s something like a power grid would personal information and privacy is have devastating consequences “Work on a renewed cyber strategy compromised. stretching to everything from is on-going,” said Scott Bardsley, That data then goes to the privacy how people can pay for goods and press secretary for Goodale. commissioner, but if there is no services with electronic payment Experts say they are watching indication that consumer privacy systems, whether emergency carefully and hoping that strategy has been breached, there is no duty service vehicles can refuel at gas will craft a plan that finds a balance to disclose in the first place. stations, to whether doctors can between what the private sector The question then becomes, how access the records of a patient in is best suited to do and what the do you get companies — especially need of urgent surgery. government can do to shape and those whose holdings make up part “When something goes wrong, encourage overall industry or of Canada’s critical infrastructure almost every other infrastructure market conditions.

2 IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 AS CANADA PREPARES FOR CYBER RESET, EXPERTS POINT TO KEY GAPS IN KNOWLEDGE

One of the challenges remains insurance as a way to encourage to encourage better cyber security. the rapid-fire evolution of cyber companies and individuals to But at the same time, the risks threats, and the difficulties that up their game and meet certain and the levels that are set are in a means for efforts to set clear minimum security standards. rather vague environment where standards for best behaviour. Carvin and Kabilan both agree the we don’t quite know the true “What’s interesting is that industry legislative crawl of government risks.” would love for the government to makes it ill-suited to actually set Carvin noted similar concerns, say yes, tell us what to do. And I those standards. And while cyber but said she is optimistic the think Public Safety Canada, which insurance might be a viable option government will take a sound is in charge of putting this out, it also brings with it a conundrum: approach to revamping Canadian is like well, that changes,” said how to you assess risk without cybersecurity — whenever the Carvin. “They don’t want to set a the full picture of the threat new strategy is unveiled. standard because that standard environment? “One of the things I would say is might be irrelevant in six months. “I think that certainly holds the government has been pretty It’s not like when you’re building a certain amount of promise slow to create security policies a building and you say, we need it but we’re also stuck with one but when it does, they’re pretty to be earthquake-proof up to this of the problems that goes back robust,” she said. amount. The systems that people to information sharing,” said She pointed to the focus on cyber use change so frequently and the Kabilan. “To be able to get a good threat changes fairly rapidly that to in both the Defence Policy Review pricing on insurance requires and C-59, which effectively seek to have certain cyber standards, that you to understand the risk. Right doesn’t seem to be the way to go.” weaponize the Communications now what we don’t understand Security Establishment for cyber Some have suggested that so well is the risks involved in warfare. rather than focusing on setting cybersecurity and this lack of regulations, government could have information. So yes, insurance and “I’m hopeful it will be more than a role to play in fostering conditions the way we set up cyber insurance just a hollow pamphlet.” for firms to begin offering cyber could potentially be used as a way

Concordia University Featuring

Presents Lisa Charleyboy Writer, editor and storyteller Huda Idrees Founder and CEO, Dot Health Stephen Faul President and CEO, Frontier College Mike Flanagan Executive vice president, Pivot Technology Solutions Julie S. Lalonde Women’s rights advocate Disruption Jennifer McGrath Professor of psychology, Concordia University Seven speakers for seven minutes each Terry O’Reilly CBC radio host and advertising expert on the rapidly-changing landscapes of Adam Radomsky healthcare, technology, industry, and more. Professor of psychology, Concordia University

Tuesday, October 24, 7 p.m. Buy tickets National Arts Centre Studio thewalrus.ca/events 1 Elgin St., Ottawa General: $20 | Students: $12

IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 3 PUBLISHER/FOUNDER James Baxter

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4 IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 PREVENTING THE NEXT BILLION-DOLLAR CYBERSECURITY BREACH

Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward BY LENA TRUDEAU

Canada risks missing out on an working code — every 30 days. In the U.S. government, the Federal Information Security enormous opportunity Management Act (FISMA) requires that certain criteria be met before hen I was moving design — happened quite late in the any bit of code can be released. the Presidential process. For the Fellows to move beyond Innovation Fellows development into real testing with The PIF program brings users — a critical principle of (PIF) program from entrepreneurs and innovators into Wthe White House to the U.S. General human-centred design — their code government for 12 months and had to be FISMA-certified. Services Administration back in pairs them with top civil servants to 2013, one of the big challenges tackle complex issues. Fellows work Complicating matters, our agency facing us was a checklist-style in agile sprint cycles, delivering had outsourced certification to an security assessment that — by results — most often in the form of IT vendor with a starting price-per-

IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 5 PREVENTING THE NEXT BILLION-DOLLAR CYBERSECURITY BREACH certification in the mid-five figure come back to that a bit later. concepts that everyone should range. With IT projects that follow a I’m not a cybersecurity expert. I’m know, so I’ll attempt to explain. sequential process of design-build- not a security expert of any kind. At its core, cybersecurity is about test-deploy-maintain that takes That’s very important to know, ensuring your networks, systems years to complete and produces or else the experts reading this and data maintain availability, systems and applications that are article will be very upset with me. integrity and confidentiality. In considered ‘done,’ you might think Or worse, non-experts will start to other words, all your information that would make sense. think this whole security thing isn’t and the hardware and software (Actually, it doesn’t. The data quite as complex as it’s made out to on which it is stored, processed show that the operations and be. That would be terrible. and transferred must be available when needed only to those with maintenance portion of IT budgets “The definition of genius,” Albert hide a surprising amount of legitimate access, and no one Einstein once said, “is taking the else. And the information must development funding, just to keep complex and making it simple.” legacy systems operating. But that’s remain complete, accurate and I don’t know that we’ll get all the uncorrupted. Make sense? the subject of another article.) way to ‘simple,’ especially on this In today’s world of rapid subject. But as a digital practitioner When you layer in all of the prototyping and continuous who has worked hand-in-hand with physical and virtual assets of a deployment, where code is released security professionals for years, I large organization, with their much more frequently in response do hope to demystify the subject associated supply chains and to user feedback, the model quickly a little. In doing so, I hope to offer external systems, it gets a little becomes not only cost-prohibitive a few thoughts on how we can be more complex. Then you have to but unworkable. If we needed a better prepared as a nation for the consider policy and regulatory third-party assessment for every threats and opportunities that lie compliance requirements that single iteration of our code, we’d ahead. must be met, logged and audited. fail before we even got started. I’ll And that’s all before you’ve thrown There are a few basic security human behaviour — benign and

This summer we gave Canadians their first Proudly building glimpse of the first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship, the future HMCS Harry DeWolf, when we moved the stern and centre mega- ships for Canada blocks to land level.

Our more than 1,700 shipbuilders are proud to Stay up to date on our progress building be part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy’s the Navy’s future fleet: renewal of the Royal Canadian Navy fleet. ShipsforCanada.ca @IrvingShipbuild 6 IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 PREVENTING THE NEXT BILLION-DOLLAR CYBERSECURITY BREACH otherwise — into the mix. disengage from their governments. do. Most allow flexibility in how you In an environment of rapidly The result is cynicism, mistrust get to the right outcomes. changing technology, let’s just agree of government and ultimately, Second lesson: Partner with your that it’s hard. And yet there are deterioration in civil society. chief information security officer. leading practices we can look to Threats to our national and If your CISO is anything like mine and adopt. international infrastructure are was, they’re trying very hard to keep But why (you might ask) is also escalating. A report by McAfee, the organization and its data safe cybersecurity so important? a cybersecurity company, puts the in a highly regulated environment, annual global impact of cybercrime with outdated tools and a pretty lean Security breaches are costly. By at US$375 billion to $575 billion. team. Bring a security team member the National Research Council’s into your project and involve them own estimates, the 2014 Chinese If that number seems exaggerated, this example should prove it isn’t: from the earliest design stages. If exploitation of the NRC network you’re the CISO, partner with your did damage totalling hundreds of More than 200,000 people in Kiev, program and service delivery teams. millions of dollars. Thankfully, few Ukraine were plunged into winter Collaboration is viral — you only incidents reach quite that level — cold and darkness when Russian need to get it started. but the data is still sobering. A 2017 hackers targeted the electrical study by the Ponemon Institute grid in retaliation for Ukraine’s Third lesson: Adopt agile methods. cited the average cost of a data defense of its own territory. Maybe Experiment. Test what works. Don’t breach in Canada at $5.78 million. you think this couldn’t happen in wait to fail — do it early, when it’s cheap and low-impact, and results Just as troubling are Ponemon’s Canada, but a Canadian Security Intelligence Service report came to in crucial learning that you can estimates of how long it takes integrate into your process. Do it organizations to determine they’ve the conclusion that most utilities operate similar systems and are late, and it’s expensive and hard to had a breach (an average of 191 salvage. days) and how long it takes to equally vulnerable. contain one (an average of 66 For what it’s worth, Canada also Fourth lesson: Invest in learning days). That gives bad actors a huge risks missing out on an enormous and training. New tools allow for window to exploit your systems opportunity. Earlier this year, new levels of situational awareness. and information, and to infiltrate the online technology firm Adopt them. Dynamic security the networks of your partners and Quid (supported by Bloomberg) models have emerged, like the suppliers. published a list of the top 50 most U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Continuous Diagnostics These events have an enormous promising startups. All 50 had been founded within the last six and Mitigation framework. 18F impact on the people whose data has produced templates and have been stolen. During my years. The top sector (measured by capital raised) was ‘Online security guidelines that support service in the U.S. government, agile development. Those are only I was the lucky recipient of Security & Fraud Detection’. It saw nearly double the amount two examples; a quick search will free credit monitoring services produce many more. — thanks to one of the largest of investment as the next sector breaches of government data in U.S. listed ($273.6 million, versus $145.8 One of the fellows — Dr. Robert Read history. The personal information million). With our skilled workforce — took the FISMA documentation of an estimated 21.5 million people and commitments to investing in home with him one weekend. He was stolen, including the personnel technology-driven startups, we returned on Monday ready to work files of every federal employee, should be doubling down. with our CISO and security team to security-related background check There are lessons to be learned devise a process that would build information and fingerprints. from how we chose to build security into our work at the front Anyone who has doubts about how cybersecurity into our delivery end. The goal was to create the seriously I treat security issues process from the U.S. government conditions that would make the can rest assured — I take this stuff — first with the PIF program, and checklist unnecessary — to make the personally. then with 18F and other digital systems and processes themselves services. FISMA compliant, so that they When citizens see their guaranteed compliant outcomes. governments failing to safeguard First lesson: Understand the specific their most sensitive personal data, requirements of the relevant laws, This turned out to be the first step they lose faith in the effectiveness regulations and policies. And also in implementing security by design, of their institutions and the people understand their intent. Many of which enabled the team to innovate who lead them. Customers can walk these documents were crafted years in a lower-cost, more secure away from a business that doesn’t ago and don’t reflect what modern environment. serve them well — but citizens can’t approaches and technologies can Who doesn’t want that?

IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 7 LIKE IN 2015 CAMPAIGN, LIBERALS LOOK READY FOR SMALL BUSINESS TAX CHANGES FIGHT BY BJ SIEKIERSKI

dissipated, even as the Liberals’ platform, released weeks later, fleshed out their plans. Few guessed there was a serious prospect of the Liberals forming a majority government, and there were already far shinier commitments to consider — marijuana legalization, electoral reform and billions of deficit spending on infrastructure. “We will ensure that Canadian Controlled Private Corporation (CCPC) status is not used to reduce personal income tax obligations for high-income earners rather than supporting small businesses,” the platform explained. “Michael Wolfson from the University of Ottawa estimates that CBC News screenshot. CBC News’ Peter Mansbridge in an interview with Justin Trudeau. approximately $500 million per year is lost, particularly as high- wo years ago, with the The umbrage that followed was income individuals use CCPC status federal election just over predictable. Conservative Leader as an income splitting tool.” five weeks away, Liberal Stephen Harper was incredulous Little more was heard on the Leader Justin Trudeau took that someone running to be prime subject until the 2017 federal Ta straightforward question from minister could think a large budget, which raised it in a section CBC News’ Peter Mansbridge about percentage of Canadian businesses on closing tax loopholes. the small business tax rate and were tax scams. made a surprising pivot. Then, on July 18, Finance Minister “As the largest small business Bill Morneau announced the Small businesses should be paying group in Canada, we see no government’s “next steps in less tax, he told the network’s chief evidence that the small business improving fairness in the tax correspondent — but only provided rate is being used by so-called system by closing loopholes and they actually are small businesses. wealthier Canadians to save on addressing tax planning strategies,” “A large percentage of small their taxes,” Dan Kelly, president launching a consultation and businesses are actually just ways of the Canadian Federation of releasing a 60-plus page discussion for wealthier Canadians to save Independent Business, chimed in. paper that anticipated three main on their taxes, and we want to In the din of a campaign now best changes. reward the people who are actually remembered for its nasty foray into One would address income creating jobs and contributing in identity politics, the anger over sprinkling, where high income concrete ways.” Trudeau’s small business language individuals divert income to

8 IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 LIKE IN 2015 CAMPAIGN, LIBERALS LOOK READY FOR SMALL BUSINESS TAX CHANGES FIGHT

to start using the hashtag: #unfairtaxchanges. When the House returns this month, it’s shaping up to be one of the more contentious policy debates. On the government’s side, many economists, including Wolfson and Kevin Milligan from the University of British Columbia, have called out what they feel are mischaracterizations of the proposed changes. Finance Minister Bill Morneau. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov “A key principle of good tax design family members with little or no available information.” is neutrality — the tax system taxable income, another would should not favour one form of On October 2, Morneau’s organizing economic activity tackle passive investment income consultation ends. Unlike during (an individual holding money in a over another. If the tax system the federal election campaign, corporation rather than investing is pushing people to incorporate however, the pushback hasn’t been it and thereby deferring taxation), when they otherwise wouldn’t perfunctory. while a third would deal with the that is inefficient,” Milligan wrote conversion of regular CCPC income Perrin Beatty, president and in Maclean’s shortly after the into lower-taxed capital gains. CEO of the Canadian Chamber of finance department published the Commerce, has called the proposal consultation paper in July. “the most radical tax changes in 50 But the Liberals know a fierce years” and Kelly has said in his 23 fight is coming. years of lobbying for small firms, he’s never seen as much anger At the end of August, Morneau toward any government policy. took to Twitter to mount his own defence of what’s looking like Granger Avery, president of the more of a fait accompli than a Canadian Medical Association, told consultation. The Globe and Mail the changes would disproportionately hurt “Our proposals are targeted female physicians with children. only at specific loopholes. Most #smallbiz won’t be affected. Look “For a government that professes for yourself,” he tweeted, adding to support equality and feminism, the link to the consultation paper. this is particularly disappointing,” he said. Just as Trudeau dug his heels in during the 2015 campaign, there’s Dan Kelly. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young Op-ed pages have been full of no indication at this point that the fury: doctors threatening to Liberals are going to back off. How much revenue the federal leave the country, tax lawyers government expected to gain from and accountants braying “We are committed to evidence- implementing all three changes about unfairness and “class based policies and I will make no wasn’t clear. The department of warfare.” Even farmers, an apologies for that,” Trudeau told finance estimated $250 million increasing number of which have reporters after the Mansbridge from the income sprinkling incorporated since the early 2000s, interview aired. changes, but said it was premature have raised concerns. “There are a number of studies to estimate the fiscal impact of Conservative MPs have entered the out there. Some have shown neutralizing “the tax-assisted fray by declaring they’ll do all they upwards of 50 per cent where it’s financial advantages of investing can to “fight the Liberal attack on high net worth individuals who passively.” small business.” incorporate, professionals for Nor could it determine the On August 29, Deputy example, who actually use it to fiscal impact of preventing the Conservative Leader Lisa Raitt avoid paying as high taxes as they conversion of surplus income into encouraged her Twitter followers otherwise would.” capital gains “based on currently

IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 9 IF SCHEER WANTS TO STAY LEADER, HE HAS TO KNOCK TRUDEAU DOWN TO A MINORITY: STRATEGISTS BY JANICE DICKSON

onservative Leader Andrew Scheer will have to knock Justin Trudeau’s government down to a minority in the 2019 federal election if he Cis to remain at the helm of the party, Conservative strategists say. According to Summa Strategies Vice- chairman Tim Powers, it’s up to Scheer — who was elected to lead the Conservatives in May, narrowly edging out libertarian candidate Maxime Bernier — to set the bar for his own success. So far he hasn’t done that, “which is smart.” “He hasn’t yet said ‘I’m for certain going to win the 2019 election’ or any of those things. In fact he’s played the expectations game pretty well,” said Powers. “He is continuing to focus on making it about Justin Trudeau losing, as opposed to Andrew Scheer winning – that Justin Trudeau is running against Justin Trudeau.” He believes Scheer will want to figure out how he defines his agenda so that if he does not win the next election — which Powers said is likely — he can maintain the confidence of his fellow Conservatives. “I suspect that to be in a position to stay on, he’s going to have to increase the Conservative seat total. A real win … an acceptable bar would be at least holding the Liberals to a minority and anything after that he’d be jumping over a bar,” Powers said. Susan Elliott, a strategist with Catalyst Management and Communications, agrees pushing Trudeau to a minority is enough for Scheer to hold on. “We – and not just Conservatives, also the Liberals – have had a disturbing trend in the last number of years of allowing leaders only one kick at the can and then, if not Andrew Scheer. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn successful, turfing them,” she said.

10 IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 IF SCHEER WANTS TO STAY LEADER, HE HAS TO KNOCK TRUDEAU DOWN TO A MINORITY: STRATEGISTS

Elliot pointed to 2004 when Stephen Opposition, agrees that reducing “After a long campaign, stars Harper lost the election but the Liberals to a minority would emerge or plummet, caucus managed to push the Liberals back be good news for Scheer. Anything members may rally around to a minority. less and the Conservatives will be someone else, and perhaps there “The party allowed Harper to looking at alternatives. is a clear alternative waiting in the continue on. I think Scheer would “Vote margin is a key metric to wings,” he said. “(But) often there also benefit from that grace, look at when determining the isn’t.” assuming he has shown himself to future of a political party leader, Powers said the flip side of all of be a capable leader – which we are but there are others, such as this is that if the Liberals have a assuming he has, if he can push coalition-building and alternative bigger seat count in 2019 than they Trudeau to a minority.” leadership, that factor in as well,” do now, Scheer will be in trouble. While Conservatives find Trudeau said Khatchadourian. For now, he thinks Scheer is doing to be “incapable” as a prime “Did Mr. Scheer successfully lead all the right things, characterizing minister, Elliott concedes they the growth of the conservative his leadership in early days as understand that he’s popular. coalition, while also engaging the “very responsible.” “Scheer will be expected to punch base? If not, are there obvious “He’s begun to build relationships holes in that image. Assuming he alternative candidates out there to with key leaders in the performs well, he’ll be given a take the reins?” Conservative party across the second chance.” Those are the questions and country. He’s tried to build a narrative for the broader public Saro Khatchadourian, a senior calculations Conservative party around who he is: a family guy, an consultant at Environics executives will make post-election Communications who recently as they chart the path forward. average guy, a middle class guy, left his position as a senior All that said, Khatchadourian you know, borrowing a little bit communications officer in the doesn’t have an alternative leader from Harper.” office of the leader of the Official in mind.

WE ARE CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS NOUS SOMMES AGENTS CORRECTIONNELS WE ARE FIRST RESPONDERS BEHIND NOUS SOMMES PREMIERS RÉPONDANTS THE WALLS DERRIÈRE LES MURS Follow our campaign for the recognition of the Suivez notre campagne pour la reconnaissance prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder among de la prévalence du trouble de stress post-traumatique Correctional Officersucco-sacc-csn.ca chez les agents correctionnelsIPOLITICS ucco-sacc-csn.ca MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 11 CANADA’S LOOMING CANNABIS SUPPLY CRUNCH

BY KYLE DUGGAN

lmost immediately after the He said it’s closer to $10/12 an licensed producers (LP) and allow state of Colorado legalized ounce now – down from the current producers to expand more marijuana in January 2014, $20/$30 an ounce price range in the quickly. Ait had a supply problem. early days. In July, an official from Aurora Long lines stretched outside and Some worry that something Cannabis said it’s going to be a around the buildings of pot shops. similar will happen in Canada once rush to build up as much capacity In the first day alone, the state legalization takes effect in July as possible before the adult reportedly sold some $1 million 2018. That group would include recreational market opens up. worth of product. Ontario Finance Minister Charles While some suppliers are publicly Andrew Freedman, Colorado’s first Sousa, who said a supply crunch confident there will be enough director of marijuana coordination was top of mind when finance supply, other experts and market – “pot czar” – said the state only had ministers met in June. watchers have predicted the a few licensees up and running on “Ultimately, the biggest problem dreaded shortage. day one. that appears after today’s Health Canada is currently “Our initial economic forecasts were discussion is one of supply,” he told crunching numbers on survey off,” he said in an interview with Bloomberg. results from the spring so it iPolitics. “We expected a very quick Demand is already high for medical can assess the current cannabis shift from the medical market to the marijuana, with about 170,000 market and draw up a market recreational market. In retrospect, patients. That’s growing at a rate estimate. Others already have. The it was going to be pretty obvious of about 10 per cent a month, Parliamentary Budget Officer’s that it was going to take a couple according to Health Canada. The (PBO) projections for 2018 suggest years for the recreational market to country has experienced shortages between 3.4 million and 6 million mature.” in that market despite there being Canadians will consume cannabis 56 marijuana companies licensed to by 2021, with that number possibly That recreational market ended up being as high as 7 million. taking over a half a year to mature. produce. In the interim, prices swung widely. For the government, a shortage In the first year of legalization, According to The Daily Mail, one of legal marijuana could lead to the PBO projects Canadians will shop was reportedly charging US$70 recreational consumers sticking consume between 378 and 1,017 for one-eighth of an ounce of high with their current illegal dealers, metric tonnes of cannabis, with a quality pot by the end of Colorado’s thereby undermining the Liberals’ mid-point estimate of 655 metric first day of legalization – the same goal of eliminating black market tonnes. A 2016 Deloitte study amount of medical marijuana cost profits. If the supply problem isn’t suggested supplying the low end US$25. addressed properly, it could be a estimate of recreational market bumpy ride for consumers in 2018 demand would require producing “The adult use market were tourists more than 600 metric tonnes a — curious people — who wanted — and possibly for the Liberals in the 2019 federal election campaign. year. In fiscal year 2015/2016, to buy … as an experience. But Canadian LPs produced just over 10 there was a premium price on the Well aware of a possible supply metric tonnes of dried marijuana adult use market. Over time, when shortage, however, medical (although quarterly production has more and more licensees came on, marijuana companies have been been since ramping up). the price dropped precipitously busy ramping up their production and became kind of in parity with capacity. Earlier this year, Health Andrew Balfour, an Ottawa-based medical marijuana,” Freedman Canada announced new measures cannabis lobbyist, suggested trying explained. to help boost the number of to calculate what the pot demand

12 IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick. will be is a difficult task, but an for it, but I think they’ll also be able quickly [the government] brings out initial shortage won’t become a to claim success,” Stewart said. licensed producers and how quickly political problem unless it persists. “As additional production facilities they expand their capacity.” “I think people in the early days continue to get bigger, new ones While he said there’s “absolutely will be forgiving,” he said. “But it’s come on stream and people are no way” that they’ll be fully ready something that’ll have to be fixed growing more, you’ll see the uptick on day one, it’s also not realistic immediately.” in production coming out the other to think that LPs can just charge end. If the roll out is bungled, there whatever they want. People will just could be an opportunity for the “As people move into the legal go to the current neighbourhood opposition. market, by definition that’s people dealers instead. moving from the black market – Poulos said the one concern he has “Moving into 2019, they [the even if there are supply shortages.” Liberals] don’t want that, so they with limited supply is that if the need to make sure they can do it As for government coffers, those current bill isn’t designed properly, seamlessly.” would immediately be seeing green a legal shortage could also affect from something that’s been outright medical patients. Another cannabis industry lobbyist banned, albeit not much initially. and well-known Tory insider, Will “If the government doesn’t put Stewart said it’s not clear to him Some are already arguing a looming medical way in front of adult use whether a shortage will become supply problem deserves a policy in terms of priority of delivery for a political problem, but there’s response. JB Hydroponics, a licensed producers, you could have “certainly, by all indications, going Netherlands-based manufacturer LPs choosing to serve the adult use to be a production shortage once which makes cannabis growing market and running out of product legalization hits.” equipment, submitted a brief to the for the medical folks. That would be House health committee warning a real tragedy.” “There will be a supply shortage that if all of Canada’s cannabis users The Liberals’ cannabis legalization at the beginning of the legal immediately tried to legally obtain recreational world. That will cause a Bill C-45 is currently at second marijuana, supply shortages would reading stage. By all indications, problem for people looking to move emerge in the first few weeks. For to the legal space.” Stewart said legalization looks to be that reason, it said the government on track for July 2018 – unless the “But as we saw with alcohol and should introduce new funding for Senate drags its heels on the bill. the end of prohibition, the illegal cannabis start-ups. When Canada does press the guys continued to operate until Brad Poulos, a Ryerson University such a point as customers chose big, green start button on pot business professor and cannabis legalization, Freedman said patience the legal one versus the illegal one. expert, said he doesn’t expect an As that starts to happen, hopefully should be key. He cautioned that it’s initial legal-market shortage to be “more important to adhere to public production keeps pace with that a serious problem because “right type of change.” health and public safety standards now, the consumer of cannabis is than to meet initial supply and If there’s a major or protracted relatively well-served” by the black demand.” supply crunch, that could come back market. on the Liberals, who would likely “I would set expectations right now “It’s not like they’re going to that it won’t be a fully supplied then turn to industry and say they underestimate demand and there need to keep pace with demand. market on day one. It will probably won’t be enough. This is going to be quite far from that.” “The Liberals may take some heat be a supply-limited industry for a couple of years ... depending on how

IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 13 14 IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 NORTHERN HOMECOMING A voyage by sea to the edge of the nation brings the past to life

BY HOLLY LAKE

North Arm, Saglek Fjord. Photo by Holly Lake. IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 15 NORTHERN HOMECOMING

hen you set out on a trip, you can plan and prepare all you want. Often, however, you really have no Widea where a journey will take you. The C3 expedition, which is travelling from coast to coast to coast over 150 days to mark Canada 150, was certainly no exception. As part of leg six, we set out from Nain in northern Labrador in late July, with a course charted to take us up the Labrador coast through Torngat Mountains National Park, arriving in Iqaluit a week later. The first ever concert held in Torngat Mountains National Park was in a natural stone I grew up in Churchill Falls, Labrador, but had amphitheatre by the shore in Ramah. C3 Photo by Jackie Dives. never been to the coast. I’d been trying to find a way to visit the Torngats for years ... no small feat for a park so remote it can’t be approached by land by most of us — only by water and air. As part of C3, I was excited to learn about the stories this part of the Big Land (as Labrador is often called) had to tell, and to share them. I had no doubt I was going to be left in awe by the land’s beauty. What I didn’t expect was to be awed by my own ignorance along the way — or that it would become clear in the most quiet and graceful of ways.

Gustav Semigak was born in Hebron in 1956 and forced out with everyone else in 1959. Since Sophie Keelan came aboard our ship as we 2003, he’s returned every summer to work on restoring the mission building. Photo by Holly Lake. anchored in Hebron in Nunatsiavut, a self- governing Inuit region. It was the second day of the expedition and, as we did every morning, we gathered in the former helicopter hanger on the top deck of the MV Polar Prince to talk about the day ahead. For Keelan, coming home was a deeply emotional experience. She was 11 when her family was forced from Hebron on “the big ship.” The Trepassey took her and her family away from everything and everyone they knew. She was born on Rose Island, now part of Torngat Mountains National Inuit elder Sophie Keelan in Hebron, Nunatsiavut. C3 Photo by Jackie Dives. Park. She pointed it out to me days later as we sailed by, chatting on the stern rail about her ancestors who had lived and hunted here for thousands of years. “They were connected to the land from generation to generation,” Keelan said. Like them, her family had lived on the land until Moravian missionaries told them — and others — that their children would have to start school when they were five. A Protestant religious sect in Germany, the Moravians were tasked by the British Crown in the 1700s with settling northern Labrador and providing missionary services to the Inuit. Torngats Base Camp. C3 Photo by Jackie Dives.

16 IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 NORTHERN HOMECOMING

Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, in Hebron, Nunatsiavut. MV Polar Prince in Saglek Fjord. C3 Photo by Jackie Dives. C3 Photo by Jackie Dives.

Shaun Majumder. C3 Photo by Peter Wall.

IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 17 NORTHERN HOMECOMING

One of several icebergs bobbing in Ramah Bay in late July. Photo by Holly Lake. Hebron from the top of the Mission building. Photo by Holly Lake.

They established Hebron in 1830. why they cornered the men in the River and Goose Bay — and families “We were living an Inuit, nomadic church. They knew they wouldn’t weren’t always kept together. lifestyle at the time,” Keelan talk back.” “We were split up,” Keelan said. said. “But we had to move to the It was an underhanded, hurtful “My aunts and uncles moved to community of Hebron. We started betrayal by the church that had Nain. We went to Makkovik. At the school in 1953. The threat was, as brought them to Hebron in the first time, if people had a motorboat, the missionaries told our parents, place. they had to move on their own, ‘If you don’t bring your children to That was April. Come August, all bring their hunting equipment. school, we will cut off your family 300 people and 58 families would They weren’t allowed to get on the allowance (from the government).’” have to be gone. By all accounts, the ship with their hunting equipment.” She only has fond memories of her locals weren’t even kept informed There wasn’t much in the way of time there — particularly Christmas on how it would happen. assistance for those being uprooted. and Easter. “People who were out camping Nor was there much waiting on the “That was special to us. We would on the coast of Labrador (in the other end. Residents would soon get Christmas toys from Canada,” summer), they didn’t know the come to learn they’d been pushed she said. “They would air-drop toys Inuit were being moved out from out of their homes by broken and candies at the time.” the community,” Keelan says, promises. In 1959, however, the missionaries noting some returned to Hebron “They promised us housing. When gathered people in the church only to find that people were mostly we arrived in Makkovik there to tell them they had to move gone. was nothing,” Keelan said of her again. The Mission, the Grenfell “I remember my father’s uncle, he family — parents, sister, brother Association and the provincial wrote a note to his son because he and uncle. “We had to live in a tent government had come to a decision: was out on the land. He said in the from August to December until It was too expensive to carry on letter that we are being moved out.” they finished. It started snowing in in Hebron. The Inuit who called it September and October. It was a Keelan was with her mother and hard time.” home were not consulted. sister they day they had to leave. No “It was a big shock. People were one wanted to go. Some people were told their houses forcefully relocated,” Keelan said. would be moved with them from “I remember being transported to Hebron, which also turned out to “Later on in the years I understood the ship. A lot of the women started that the missionaries met with be untrue. They went south without crying as we were motoring out the ability to get new jobs or the the Inuit men only. There were no from the bay of Hebron until they women or children.” skills to be successful in their new had their very last sight of their communities. Torn from their There was a community hall nearby community, when it was very, very traditional hunting grounds and where people could have gathered. small. They all cried,” she said. unfamiliar with their new land, Many feel that’s where the meeting “We cried too as kids because our many struggled to survive. Some should have been held. mothers were crying. We had no died. Many went hungry. More “Inuit had a fear of god and in the more choice.” were forever changed. church there was not to be any People were moved to Nain, “We were treated like dogs,” Keelan argument,” Keelan said. “That’s Hopedale, Makkovik, North West said.

18 IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 NORTHERN HOMECOMING

Dinner anchored at Base Camp. Photo by Holly Lake. North Arm, Saglek Fjord. C3 Photo by Peter Wall.

The experience undoubtably replaced with a sorrow for the fact become the first of the Inuit changed her as well. She was angry that it is gone,” he said when we regions in Canada to achieve self- at the government for a long time, went ashore in Hebron. government and created Torngat until an apology came that was Standing in the restored church of Mountains National Park, which decades in the making. the mission building, Obed, who is co-managed by Inuit and Parks But it would be hard to tell today. was also our shipmate, said the Canada. The warmest and gentlest of souls, decisions made here were made in “What you see here is incredible Keelan has a calm, steady presence part because Canada did not accept strength in the face of adversity,” about her. She doesn’t hold back Indigenous peoples as equals with Obed said. “We have persevered.” from telling those she meets that self-determination. Today, 35 per cent of this country she loves them — or from doling “We were in many ways wards of is co-managed by Inuit through out hugs. the state. Decisions were made for constitutionally-protected land “I’ve finished being angry,” she us. That’s why our lands weren’t claim agreements. That includes said quietly. “In the past the considered our lands.” 50 per cent of Canada’s coastline people treated us like we had no And yet, the hills all around Hebron — a fact of which a good many voice. What ever happens in your are filled with the footprints of his Canadians may not even be aware. lifetime, you can’t forget it. It’s not a ancestors. He says he’s “moved by “Unfortunately our socioeconomic treasure. those who’ve come before me.” status lags far behind Canadians,” “But I’ve done a lot of healing in the They were among those forced out Obed said. “Social equity should past and a lot of my emotions had of the community, including his be for all Canadians, not just some come out by talking about it. Part of father. His uncle gave speeches Canadians. Without social equality healing is talking.” as the first group of residents left; for Inuit then we haven’t built the Obed named his youngest son after country as we should. him. What happened in Hebron “One society does not have to is, of course, a symbol for a “I wanted that association and I dominate another for them both to much larger story — one that wanted that strength in him.” thrive.” came to involve the infamous By the 1970s, the Inuit started At the national level, his residential school system for working towards self-government. organization and others are trying many Indigenous Canadians. The In 1977, the Labrador Inuit to tell their story and engage with uprooted families of the region Association filed a statement of Canadians — to help them see that had never wanted to leave in claim with the federal government they’re a part of the solution too. It’s the first place and they’d always seeking rights to the “land and sea a conversation he’s excited to have. wanted to come back — a forlorn ice in Northern Labrador.” Efforts “It’s not that we don’t want to be hope that never materialized, says to settle the claim spanned three Canadian or forget our past,” Obed Natan Obed, president of Inuit decades, but it became a reality in told us at the church. “We just Tapiriit Kanatami, the national December of 2005, with the signing want to create a new path. Inuit organization that represents of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims are proud of where they come Canada’s 60,000 Inuit. Agreement. from and want to share it with the “Over time that hope has been That agreement saw Nunatsiavut world.”

IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 19 NORTHERN HOMECOMING

No one is prouder than Gustav moved together. They hunted Semigak said, as plenty of others Semigak. Born in Hebron in 1956 together. I think if we were still would love the chance to get back. and forced out with everyone else living here we’d still be doing that. They’ve removed every brick and in 1959, he grew up in Hopedale, There are more animals here than are scraping each one clean before Labrador. Since 2003, he’s been in the South. Anything you would putting them back in the Mission back to visit his birthplace every need is here.” building. There are thousands of year from June through to the He first returned in 1999 for them, as evidenced by the piles that fall, working on the Nunatsiavut a reunion 40 years after the dot the building’s perimeter. government’s project to restore relocation. Because Inuit had been the sprawling, two-storey Mission “Sometimes you almost dream dispersed throughout a number of about them,” he said with a grin. building, including the church communities, it was the first time where he and Keelan were many had seen each other since The first year was the hardest — baptized. The winters waiting are they’d left. At that time there were taking the rotten wood out the long, he said, as he itches to return 176 people from the relocation still church and rest of the building. every year. living. Today, he estimates only 40 When the new lumber arrived, “I’m home. It’s where I was born. per cent of those people may still be their group of seven spent two I’d like to die here, but that won’t alive. weeks lugging it from the beach to the church. They had a four- happen.” He said he’d settle for “So we’re going down. We have lost being buried here. wheeler, but it was tearing up the of history already and there is more grounds in the process. It’s been “All the people that are older coming. It’s sad.” hard work, but he enjoys it. than I am, they enjoyed life here,” But one brick at a time, he and Levi Semigak said as we made our way “It’s very important (to restore), Noah Nochasak, along with a small especially for my family, my through the segregated German number of workers, have been and Inuit graveyards. parents, my grandparents, my painstakingly bringing that history great-grandparents. If they were ”They worked together. They back to life. They’re the lucky ones, alive, they’d be really proud of me

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Discover the Ashbury Advantage Grades 4–12 | Coeducation | IB World School ashbury.ca 20 IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 NORTHERN HOMECOMING for what I’m doing. Levi’s father is Even for him, arriving in Hebron He’s a part of Hebron’s story and alive and is really proud of him,” was a powerful, emotional a critical part of writing its next Semigak said. “So I’m proud of experience. chapter. Once he’s done sharing myself that I’m doing something to “I started crying when we saw the stories from his elders, people leave a place where I was baptized and land. I couldn’t stop until we hit knowing more than they did when born. the land. I hugged my father,” he they arrived. I certainly did. “It’s in my heart. It’s in me. I have said. “It hurt me and felt good at the to do it. I want to do it. And I think same time. I love it. I don’t want to As for the Torngats, they are, of we’re doing a good job.” leave now. I’ve seen the spot where course, magnificent and majestic. He’s keen to finish what he’s he was baptized. We’re going to In the many photos I’ve seen of started, but said it could be another finish (renovating) the house where them over the years, they often 10 years before the work is done. he was born. Then it will feel more looked fake — like a special effect. There were four of them working like home to me.” It was no different in real life, but on the Mission building this As we made our way through the that didn’t stop me from snapping summer, but at times both money mission building’s many rooms and hundreds myself in an attempt to and labour are in short supply. long hallways, taking stock of the capture what lay before me. His wife was spending her second work that’s been done, Semigak I still don’t have the words to do summer in Hebron this year; his said he’s always grateful when justice to what we saw in the North son Johannes was working there people come visit, especially when Arm of Saglek Fjord, where we also, learning the ropes so his dad they have questions. Once the hiked to the clearest glacial lake, can one day hand things off and restoration is complete, tourists will still as glass and surrounded by retire. be able to come and stay. towering rock walls. Back on the “I’m very happy to follow in his “I love showing people around,” he beach where we’d landed, Keelan footsteps as a carpenter,” Johannes said proudly. “Anybody is welcome cooked us a feast of bannock and Arctic char. said. “I’ll be glad to take over.” here, any time.”

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22 IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 NORTHERN HOMECOMING

In Ramah we attended the first We hear a lot these days about and a dialogue, not just feeling concert in the park — in a natural reconciliation and how Indigenous overwhelmed that you, as a non- stone amphitheatre by the shore, people have been wronged. It’s one Indigenous person, owe a lot of surrounded by peaks nearly 3,000 thing to hear about it or read about people apologies. That’s a heavy feet high. We’d occasionally feel a it. It’s another to sit and talk to negative and no one wants to feel cool breeze coming off the three someone who has lived it. This isn’t that,” Majumder said. gigantic icebergs that glistened in history. This is happening now and “We have a past in Canada and the sun and bobbed in the turquoise here, and there is hurt to get past we can’t ignore it. But I am now water nearby. and healing to be done. I thought I armed. My head is filled up with knew and understood. I didn’t. World-renowned harmonica player a perspective. This has shifted Mike Stevens performed that I have come away from this journey my viewpoint, my world view. day alongside the Twin Flames, forever changed, my eyes opened. This is the beginning of my new Madeleine Allakariallak, Sylvia And it came about in the most appreciation and understanding of Cloutier and Rose Cousins. He said understated way. Someone asked the story.” it’s the only place he’s ever visited Obed why the experiences his where music seemed insignificant. people have suffered haven’t left Geoff Green, our expedition leader a legacy of simmering anger. He and founder of Students on Ice, said “The power of the land is playing he’s learned over the years that already.” told us Inuit have their own way of seeing the world and interacting ships can be the greatest classrooms Then there was our visit to the with one another; they were raised on earth. Not only can they take Ramah chert quarries, the only place to respect others and aren’t swift to people to remote locations, they can in the world where the distinctive rage. bring them together in a dynamic translucent stone is found. We and transformative environment. soared to the top of fjord ridges in “Most Canadians don’t know about what people here have experienced. “On reconciliation, I feel like we’re a helicopter to reach the national going to help get to that turning historic site. The sunsets, the skies, There’s no point in getting angry,” he said. point and turn the corner. It’s going the polar bears, the waterfalls, the to take all kinds of efforts, but this canyons, the night we went ashore at Once this ship sails through one I feel could be a real contributor base camp for a bonfire, when there Canada’s north, however, and to moving us on that voyage,” he was not a breath of wind on the bay finishes its 150-day voyage in said. “It’s going to connect a lot ... I don’t know if I’ve been to a more Victoria in October, I’m convinced of people and when you connect beautiful place in my life. more Canadians will know. In people, it leads to great things.” Even Keelan, who calls this spiritual addition to staff and scientists, there Majumder agreed. place home, said she can’t describe are 25 people from all walks of life how beautiful and amazing it is. — politicians, writers, journalists, “There are a lot of stories that students, artists, doctors — on each are going to come from this trip Early on in our journey, Gary Baikie, of the 15 legs of the trip, sharing my and there’s a lot of media. The superintendent of the park, told us experiences and adding their own. while the landscapes are spectacular, more who talk about it and keep they’re not the full story. Take, for example, the experience of the conversation going and bring one of our shipmates — comedian that different perspective that we “It’s part of the story. But not the and actor Shaun Majumder of developed from this journey, the story. The story is the Inuit story,” This Hour Has 22 Minutes. He said more impact it’s going to have,” he he said. “The park is committed to that even though he grew up in said. “This is a legacy trip and I’m having people tell their own stories. Newfoundland, he came on this honoured to have been a part of it.” It’s not about making people feel voyage knowing nothing of the Our time on what we ended up guilty. It’s about sharing.” land’s special history. calling the “ship of reconciliation” There’s power in that. I came away “The Labrador Inuit and the was just the beginning of our stunned not only by the beauty of Nunatsiavut story — I didn’t know journey as ambassadors. It’s this land, but by how little I knew anything about it.” incredible the difference a week about the experience of others in my can make. When I set out on the C3 own backyard. But he came away with a desire to understand more. That’s in no small expedition, I didn’t expect my time As a journalist, I know the impact part thanks to Obed, his roommate at sea would end up showing me stories can have. But crossing on board. An odd pair at the outset, my home in a whole new light. We paths with Keelan and her cousin they formed a great bond, with can’t unlearn what this experience John Jararuse, and hearing these Majumder coming to refer to him has taught us — and as we mark soft-spoken elders talk about their good-naturedly as the ‘Inuit Prince’. Canada 150, I think that’s certainly experience, has driven that point something worth celebrating. home. “The path to reconciliation has to be one of a conversation

IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 23 REACHING FOR THE NEXT CANADARM BY JAMES MUNSON

The Space Shuttle Endeavour’s Canadarm. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, NASA Photo

emember the Canadarm? Jean. “In cislunar, you’re maybe “This strategy will set a new It’s time to reach even two days away.” approach for space, setting clear further. To put a finer point on it, the ISS directions, promoting partnerships The Canadians Space orbits the Earth at around 408 km and defining a future role for R Canada in space,” said his Agency (CSA) is opening the above sea level, while the moon is gate wide open to new ideas for 384,400 km away. As well, a mission spokesman Karl Sasseville. Canadian contributions to missions in the vicinity of the moon wouldn’t Bains’ office is also examining near the moon, known as cislunar be in orbit; it would be floating in submissions made to a $950-million space, which will serve as a free space. supercluster program, which aims stepping stone for missions to Mars. The CSA says researchers in as to create hubs for research and The further you go from Earth, disparate fields as avionics, plant the commercialization of science. the more changes in gravity and health and nanotechnology should One proposal is for an aerospace radiation can threaten human try making suggestions. supercluster, which would match health, necessitating more scientific nicely with the CSA’s call for more The aim is to find technology space science firms to join the fray. research on risks and prevention, that could leapfrog Canada into said Pierre Jean, CSA’s director becoming a world leader in The Canadian space industry of space exploration strategy space science, much like the way generates around $3.33 billion planning. the Canadarm - with its iconic in revenues a year and employs That’s why the space agency’s Canadian logo emblazoned on its approximately 8,000 highly recent request for information, side - became a symbol for Canada’s skilled workers, according to 2012 published in late August, has few work in the space shuttle era. figures provided by the federal government. restrictions on who can come The political timing is right for a forward and propose ideas for surge in space research; the Liberal The global preparation for cislunar enabling - and doing research federals have done a lot in recent and Mars missions is still in its aboard - a cislunar mission. months to show they’re friends of early days, meaning efforts to use “There may be companies that the sector. it as a springboard for a bigger and haven’t worked in space but have better Canadian space sector is as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau well. expertise in the field of radiation or and Innovation Minister Navdeep muscular-skeletal fields,” said Jean. Bains revealed the identities of The world’s major space agencies “They might look at this and say, Canada’s two newest astronauts - haven’t yet made a concrete ‘Hey, we could take our technology Joshua Kutryk and Jennifer Sidey – decision to collaborate on a cislunar that we use on Earth and possibly during Canada Day celebrations on mission, Jean said. Last month’s apply it to a space environment.’” Parliament Hill this year. request for information is a very preliminary document and won’t The distance from Earth also Trudeau then named Julie Payette, increases risks, even compared affect the careers of the two new a former chief astronaut for the Canadian astronauts. to low Earth orbit where the CSA, as the next governor-general International Space Station can be in August. Jean said the hope is to have a found. cislunar mission off the ground in On the policy side, Bains is working “In low Earth orbit, if an astronaut the mid-2020s, but as with most on a space strategy, but there is no exploration though, that timeline is is in danger, they can be on the public timeline. ground in five or six hours,” said very flexible.

24 IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO CALL YOURSELF A CONSERVATIVE THESE DAYS? BY BRENT RATHGEBER

ithout a doubt, 2015 was a bad year for Canadian Conservatives Wgenerally. But for Prairie Tories, the year was especially disappointing. Alberta’s 44-year Progressive Conservative political dynasty — which featured such Tory superstars as Peter Lougheed and Ralph Klein, but also lesser lights like Ed Stelmach and Alison Redford — was displaced by Rachel Notley and the New Democrats. Then in October, the Toronto-born (but Alberta-raised) Stephen Harper lost his majority government to a Liberal party led by someone named Trudeau. The name had long been associated in the region with the hated National Energy Program and a severe mid-1980s western recession, so it was Former Alberta Premier Ralph Klein. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh. assumed that the Trudeau name and brand would be forever poison politics. For the first time since would be retiring from politics as in Western Canada. Although the 2001, British Columbia will be soon as the party could choose a Harper Conservatives still won the governed by New Democrats; replacement. But with nether a majority vote and most of the seats for the first time ever, the NDP protégé nor an obvious successor, in Alberta, the Trudeau Liberals runs Canada’s two most western many fear a leadership vacuum in increased their vote significantly provinces. the Saskatchewan Party. The party and won four seats in the two The only remaining centre-right won three majority governments, major cities. They also reclaimed powerhouse on the Prairies was largely on the coattails of its most of the lower mainland of Saskatchewan Premier Brad charismatic leader. Many equate British Columbia. Wall. Many wanted the popular the Saskatchewan Party with Wall; some cannot imagine a party The year is only two-thirds Saskatchewan Party leader to run for the leadership of the CPC without him. In many ways, it’s the complete, but it’s already proving Wall Party. to be an equally disappointing following Harper’s departure. year for Western Conservatives. His lack of French and affinity So how did it all go sideways? In May, British Columbia’s Liberal for his home province (mine Each province is different. But premier, Christy Clark — claimed too) convinced him to stay home there are some consistent trends. and wage war against Ottawa’s by Conservatives as one of their Although modern conservatism own — barely won the most seats equalization formula and its proposed tax on carbon. is nebulous and evolving, it’s in a provincial election but lost dictionary definition is “a a subsequent confidence vote; However, on August 10, following disposition to preserve or restore she resigned and has recently an unpopular budget and sinking what is established and traditional announced her retirement from poll numbers, Wall announced he and to limit change.” Conservatives

IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 25 PRAIRIE CONSERVATIVES instinctively prefer the status quo morality on others. And progressive who increasingly are leaning and need compelling reasons to conservatism —a hybrid that urban, progressive, racially diverse change how things are done. promotes a big role for the state in and tolerant. Canadian Toryism is a direct both economic and social policies In Alberta, the story is similar. import from the British tradition — costs money and is therefore Although Ralph Klein’s government — monarchical rule, a hierarchical incompatible with the views of was able to slay first the deficit society and a belief in God. fiscal hawks. and eventually the provincial Conservative political philosophy Problem number two is that debt, that debt had been incurred has been influenced by many great modern conservative parties by a previous “conservative” thinkers, including Edmund Burke. have been none of these things. government. Moreover, the debt But the status quo remains, oddly Short-term electoral expediency was paid back in large part due enough, a moving target. While always takes precedence over to a windfall in natural resource John A. MacDonald favoured strong commitments to philosophy or royalties, most notably natural ties to Britain and a economy ideology. Polls, focus groups and gas, as opposed to any dogmatic protected by tariffs, eventually micro-targeting — these are the adherence to fiscal conservative mercantilism gave way to open tools that win elections. principles. capitalism, driven by the engine of Although Stephen Harper is Moreover, by the end of the the industrial revolution. generally revered by conservatives, Klein era, the government was Twentieth century conservatives his legacy of commitment to outspending revenue again — a favoured a market economy, with conservative principles doesn’t trend continued by the successor PC limited government intervention get the same respect. A balanced premiers. and low taxation. They resisted budget in 2015 has to be measured In fact, it was this alleged parts of the welfare state but now against the seven deficit budgets reckless spending that led to the seem to support it as a (limited) that preceded it and the $150 creation of the Alberta Alliance, element of the political status quo. billion his government added to which eventually morphed into In the 21st century, conservatives the national debt. Free market the Wildrose party as a more are still trying to preserve the status conservatives chafe at Harper’s conservative option to the free- quo — but the causes have changed industrial polices and corporate spending PCs. because the status quo is not static. subsidies, including a $9 billion auto industry bailout. Wildrose has always been tarred Fiscal conservatives still balk at as intolerant and too socially a deficit financing. Democratic His economic record is mixed. conservative and has thus been reformers want to turn the clock His democratic reform record rejected by Albertans, especially back to a time when Parliament is less ambiguous. Harper lost those in the two large cities. was functional and MPs a confidence vote in 2011 after having been found in contempt The PCs under Redford became represented their constituents, not known for waste, disrespect just their parties. Libertarians want of Parliament — after refusing to disclose program costs, of all for taxpayers and a bloated to restore what was once a limited sense of entitlement. That, plus state that promoted the primacy things. He prorogued Parliament in 2008 to avoid a confidence an unpopular budget — which of the individual and maximum included both spending cuts and personal freedom. And social vote and ran a secretive, almost paranoid government, which tax increases — an early election conservatives also want to preserve (breaking a vague fixed election a status quo that did not include demanded strict and inflexible party discipline, with power and date law) and vote-splitting with abortion on demand (or at all), the Wildrose caused Albertans to same sex marriage, legalization of influence centralized entirely in the Prime Minister’s Office. abandon the PC ship under Jim marijuana, physician assisted dying Prentice’s leadership — and elect and immigration policies that open Even social conservatives were on their first-ever NDP government. up borders. the outside looking in. Members The Wildrose and PCs recently Problem number one for were barred from tabling bills and even making member’s statements merged into the United conservatives is that you cannot Conservative Party. It leads in be all things to all people. You on social causes important to them. The government did attempt an public opinion polls, despite the cannot even be all things to all fact that it has neither a leader conservatives. Libertarianism ill-conceived war on the niqab in the 2015 campaign. Appreciated by nor a single policy platform. — which promotes individual This likely has more to do with autonomy — is entirely inconsistent the so-cons, the policy was soundly rejected by the electorate. Social the unpopularity of the current with social conservatism, which government than anything the UCP attempts to impose one person’s conservatism is generally rejected by mainstream Canadian voters, has said or done. But one should

26 IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 PRAIRIE CONSERVATIVES

Climate change and ballooning healthcare costs, however, are issues made for conservatives; they should be promoting market-based options to deal with them, rather than hiding from them. Ironically, CPC leadership candidate Michael Chong’s promotion of reducing income taxes while taxing carbon is just the kind of policy that,

Brian Jean, Jason Kenney. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson although it was largely rejected by CPC members, might very well never underestimate the value of do to rebuild support for the have reconnected the party with the the conservative brand in Alberta. Saskatchewan Party and win a mainstream. But the lesson is not that if you’re fourth mandate? If they want to connect with a conservative and you depart Simultaneously campaigning voters, conservatives must from conservative principles, you against an NDP premier and a distinguish themselves and resist are electorally finished. It’s much Liberal prime minister is a good the temptation to chase short-term more complicated than that. In fact, short-term strategy. But a sustained electoral success. Premier Wall suffered the voters’ connection with the voters is I am a conservative; these days, disapproval in part for offering a going to require something more however, I’m a member of no conservative budget that included substantive. party, federal or provincial. For spending cuts to pull Saskatchewan Dogma and ideology are not the a Conservative to win back a out of debt. answer. Philosophical adherence conservative, the former must The two main aspirants to lead the cannot be conveyed in 140 stand for something besides getting UCP in Alberta — Jason Kenney characters or a seven-second and wielding power. For decades, and Brian Jean — are both former soundbite. conservatives have criticized those in the political middle as members of Harper Ottawa crew But at the same time, for unprincipled, as politicians who and are campaigning from the conservative leaders to be stand for nothing substantive right — which makes sense, as it’s successful, they must distinguish and offer a potpourri of electoral UCP members who will choose the themselves from the many policies to win over gullible voters leader. They’re rallying opposition alternatives serving up a range with their own money. But you to federal and provincial carbon tax of inconsistent polices, chosen by can never out-pragmatize the plans, ballooning deficits and any the electorate off a menu like they pragmatists. environmental hurdles that impede were customers in a restaurant. If pipeline construction. conservatives are too pragmatic, Our country faces serious Rookie CPC Leader Andrew Scheer too consumed with polls and challenges requiring thoughtful sings from a similar song sheet. focus groups, they will be unable and practical leadership: national The federal Conservative party to distinguish themselves from security, climate change, public debt even tries to throw a bone to social the alternatives. If conservative- and inefficient service delivery, to conservatives from time to time, inclined voters cannot distinguish name a few. promising free tabling of motions or between conservatives and Conservatives — with their faith in even free votes on causes important everyone else, they’ll simply vote markets, knowledge of history and to them. for the party whose electoral goody belief in tradition — have much to Conservative leaders tend to bag they find most desirable. contribute. Modern conservatives campaign from the right but govern There are some policies that cry may be suspicious of change but closer to the center. This is natural out for conservative leadership. they’re not opposed to it when a and probably necessary, as party Social conservatism is a non- compelling reason for change exists. members and the electorate at large starter with millennial voters. Both Thoughtful and prudent analysis tend to want different things. Saskatchewan and Alberta are is what conservatives bring to the But what it is it going to take for increasingly urban; both Calgary table: Measure twice, cut once. and Edmonton elected progressive Kenney or Jean to reconnect with The table has been set; hopefully mayors and likely will do so again the tens of thousands of voters the dinner guests are serious, this fall. Similarly, rolling back the who abandoned both of their thoughtful, prudent and ready size and cost of government sounds conservative parties in 2015? to make a serous contribution to great, but is impractical when the What must Brad Wall’s successor serious issues. public demands more of everything.

IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 27 AN INSIDER’S LOOK AT PIERRE TRUDEAU’S TOUGH TIMES WITH ALBERTA BY JAMES MUNSON

n a brief span of four years, The Social Credit Party, steeped in Pierre Elliott Trudeau and the evangelical traditions and fringe province of Alberta went from economic theories, had the mantle best buds to spurned friends. of power heading into the vote, I given its 36 years in provincial The charismatic prime minister, who gave the federal Liberals a government. fighting chance in Alberta during At the time, the provincial the 1968 election, rapidly ran Liberals remained a tiny player in into the tough political reality of Edmonton, but the Liberals who oil and gas, as well as farming won federally in 1968 and had ties and tax reform in Canada’s most to the Trudeau machine were flush conservative province at the outset with cash and optimism. of his first term. Raymaker, who ran as a Liberal The result of that early dip four times and later served on the in fortunes would be serious national executive of the Liberal blowback from the Prairies – Party of Canada, details the efforts and Alberta in particular – in to have the federal party help out the 1972 election. But before the its weaker, provincial branch. curtain drew on Trudeau’s brief Instead, however, Raymaker recalls honeymoon in the region -- the next how the top Liberals plotted to have era in Edmonton-Ottawa relations the provincial party merge or work would only grow more acrimonious in alliance with the Socreds. -- Liberal insider Darryl Raymaker Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau (right) and Premier witnessed his party flail and waste There wouldn’t have been a Peter Lougheed. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dave Buston. a chance to secure a stronger legacy stranger marriage in Canadian in the province. politics had the ploy worked. But it wasn’t total fancy. Many Liberals “The first half of the strategy That’s the most interesting had previously been Social Credit. promoted by the Alberta federal takeaway from Raymaker’s new In a move that miffed many Alberta Liberal establishment – to sideline memoir of the era, Trudeau’s Grits, Trudeau even named former the provincial Liberal Party and Tango: Alberta Meets Pierre Elliott Social Credit Premier Ernest thrust its supporters into the Trudeau, 1968-1972, published by Manning – the father of Reform waiting arms of Social Credit – had the University of Alberta Press. Party leader Preston Manning not worked,” writes Raymaker. Few who aren’t already – to the Senate, where the elder A year later, the second half would familiar with this heady time in Manning would be a thorn in of the strategy would fail as the intergovernmental relations will Trudeau’s side for years to come. federal Liberals lost the four seats know the unique depths a select In the end, the wasted time and hurt they’d won in the province in 1968. group of Liberal Albertan insiders feelings over the Socred merger To this day, with an NDP went to in order to secure their plot left the Liberals scrambling. government in power in Edmonton, own tails in the cut-throat world of The insiders didn’t foresee how a the Liberals remain a bit player in partisan politics. rising star leading the Progressive Alberta. When Trudeau’s initial popularity Conservatives – former football That’s not the only folly Raymaker waned, Alberta Liberals faced a player Peter Lougheed – would describes in his book, which, choice in the run-up to the 1971 outflank the Liberals and NDP on thanks to exhaustive attention provincial election. the left and win in 1971.

28 IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 AN INSIDER’S LOOK AT PIERRE TRUDEAU’S TOUGH TIMES WITH ALBERTA to election counts and margins For anyone wondering how such October Crisis or another event of victory, is an easy-to-read and a small party has managed to that played up his courage, and interesting chronicle of this time in stay alive over so many decades, then see it falter after making the province’s politics. views like Mahoney’s provides an a quip that made him seem Alberta Liberals could always hope answer. arrogant. for patronage positions in Ottawa in Also of interest is Raymaker’s Raymaker chronicles a time where the likely chance the party formed description of the network of a new kind of western alienation government nationally. Raymaker fundraisers, the rich quarters they rose in Alberta, backed by a describes the debate within the went to find their money and the newfound clout of the oil and gas party to try and rid its top members ground-floor politics of preparing industry, whose desire for greater of that mentality so that the party a hockey arena or community hall freedom clashed with the rising could truly be one that represented for a visiting heavy-weight like power of economic nationalists. its voters. Trudeau. Winning these rooms, It shaped the battles between “Nothing made these nabobs happier which didn’t always happen for Trudeau and Lougheed in the than a Liberal government in Ottawa the prime minister, would go 1970s. And given how much as long as this could be achieved on to influence the perception energy dominated the agendas without the embarrassment of of Albertans toward the Liberal of Stephen Harper’s government MPs elected from the province,” leader for elections to come, he and now Justin Trudeau’s time in Raymaker quotes then Alberta notes. office, it’s a time that’s still shaping Liberal MP Pat Mahoney. “In this But Raymaker also records Canada today. condition of good fortune the Trudeau’s roller coaster Anyone studying the critical role nabobs enjoyed the prestige of being relationship with many voters, Alberta plays in Canadian politics the federal presence in Alberta especially in Alberta. The prime would find Raymaker’s both useful while avoiding the burden of minister would see his popularity and fascinating. accountability to the voter.” soar with his handling of the

IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 29 WAR OF WORDS The fraught debate over amending O Canada’s lyrics

BY BEATRICE BRITNEFF

O Canada! sailing through the House, the bill’s Adding to the obstacles facing Our home and native land! future now hangs by a thread in the Bélanger’s bill, however, is that Senate, where it has sat for more it came during a year in North True patriot love in all thy than a year. Repeated and successful American politics that saw a sons command. attempts by Conservative senators renewed campaign against political to introduce amendments and to correctness. ver the course of her delay a vote on it killed all hopes of (Political correctness has been professional career, having a gender-neutral anthem in commonly referred to as the practice Canadian Paralympic rower time for July 1, 2017 – Canada’s 150th of avoiding terms and actions and medallist Kristen Kit birthday. that might offend or discriminate Ohas stood several times on a medal It’s been more than a year of against certain groups of people, podium, singing those very words. fraught debate on issues of heritage, especially groups that have been, or For some athletes, the act of singing inclusivity and political correctness – are perceived to be, marginalized their country’s national anthem and it’s not over yet. or disadvantaged – although some after an outstanding performance argue the term has been hijacked.) in their sport is a special and often The anthem’s English lyrics emotional moment. But for Kit, have been changed several times In Canada, months after the there’s one thing missing: As a since their first iteration in 1908, anthem bill was introduced, the woman, she doesn’t feel included in but have remained untouched since federal justice minister tabled Bill her own anthem. 1980 – the year O Canada officially C-16, which sought to enshrine became the country’s national transgender people’s rights in the “I do have an opportunity to use the anthem. There have been 15 Canadian Human Rights Act and anthem in a bit of a different kind subsequent attempts to amend hate crime laws by adding ‘gender of venue than some Canadians and I it in some way – 10 of which, not identity’ and ‘gender expression’ feel very proud and really fortunate counting Bélanger’s bill, specifically to the list of prohibited grounds of to represent Canada internationally,” tried to switch the reference to “thy discrimination. Outraged by the bill, Kit said in an interview with sons” for gender-inclusive wording. a University of Toronto professor iPolitics in late August. “I also feel Many didn’t make it past first who refuses to use gender-neutral that I’m not totally represented in reading and all of them failed. (The pronouns kickstarted a passionate my national anthem and I want to be French lyrics remain unaltered.) discussion about the state of represented in my national anthem.” Bélanger’s bill proposes tweaking the political correctness in Canada and Kit, who competed in the London lyrics to something not far off from what he perceives as the negative and Rio Paralympic Games, is talking Weir’s original 1908 wording, which implications of political correctness about the reference to “thy sons” in read: “... thou dost in us command.” on free speech. (The bill became law the second line of O Canada. She’s Weir replaced that line with the in June 2017.) looking to Canadian senators to reference to “thy sons” as a nod to A Liberal motion to condemn pass what has become a contentious the Canadian lads going off to war, Islamophobia and “all forms of private member’s bill that seeks to which has lead champions of the systemic racism and religious strip the anthem of that reference bill – notably former Conservative discrimination” presented in late and replace it with gender-neutral senator Nancy Ruth – to frame the 2016 also provoked accusations that language. If passed, the bill in bill as “a restoration,” not a change. the Liberal government is taking question, known as Bill C-210, would Despite this, outraged critics have political correctness too far. Like modify the lyrics, penned by Robert the transgender rights bill, critics Stanley Weir, by swapping “in all managed to present a variety of arguments for leaving the national painted the motion, known as thy sons command” for “in all of M-103, as an attack on free speech. us command” – an amendment anthem alone. Some have said the bill did not receive proper scrutiny Conservative leadership candidates supporters see as making the capitalized on that opposition, anthem inclusive of all Canadians. in the House and “was passed ... compassionately and out of sadness including Tory MP Kellie Leitch, who The late Mauril Bélanger, a long- for a dying colleague.” Others have said Canadians need to “fight back time Liberal member of Parliament argued that editing a major piece against all of this politically correct who passed away from Lou Gehrig’s of Canadian heritage would be an nonsense.” (The non-binding motion disease a year ago, introduced affront to tradition and history and passed in March 2017.) the bill in Parliament earlier that would initiate “a slippery slope South of the border, then year. He lived to see it pass a vote which can inspire other demands for Republican-presidential candidate in the House of Commons. Despite change.” and now U.S. President Donald

30 IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 WAR OF WORDS: O CANADA’S LYRICS

the proposed change constitutes with the red and white maple leaf ‘political correctness gone wild,’ she design that adorns the Canadian flag said she interprets opinions about today. the bill – whether for or against “Nothing is static,” she said. “We it – as coming from a very personal changed our currency. We even place. got rid of the penny. Was that not a “It’s interesting ... because there’s strong tradition?” no science associated with this bill The future of Bélanger’s bill is shaky. … it’s just people’s feelings and Obviously, when put to a vote, there’s what people believe,” Kit said. “I a risk it might not pass. But any can understand how (for) people single amendment threatens its fate who don’t believe the bill should be as well. In the spring, Independent passed, their convictions are very Sen. Frances Lankin, who took over strong and deeply rooted. But I Mauril Belanger. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld as sponsor of the bill when Ruth know what I think (and) I think that retired, said that if the Senate sends Canada is always evolving ... change Trump told Americans they “cannot an amended version of Bélanger’s is always good and moving forward bill back to the House, MPs would afford to be so politically correct is always good and I think our anymore.” have to unanimously agree on a national anthem should reflect that.” replacement for Bélanger as its While few played the political Ruth, the bill’s original sponsor sponsor. This is something Lankin correctness card during debate in the upper chamber before she insists is “unlikely to happen,” given over the anthem bill in the House of retired this past January, doesn’t see the majority of Conservative MPs Commons, the argument certainly amending the anthem’s lyrics as an voted against the proposed wording. gained currency among certain issue of political correctness at all -- Even if it fails, Ruth has “no doubt” Conservative senators in 2017. and doesn’t mince words about it. Newfoundland and Labrador Sen. in her mind a similar bill will be re- David Wells, one of the most vocal “That’s the weakest argument I’ve introduced in the future. opponents of the bill in the Senate, ever heard,” she told iPolitics. “To “At some point, it will pass,” she said. called the proposed legislation exclude 51 or 52 per cent of the “Canadians want it to pass.” “political correctness run amok” and nation is pandering to political asserted that amending the anthem correctness? It’s just rubbish. They’re Kit has been following the bill’s lyrics would be “tossing away an making up excuses to legitimize journey and said watching it succeed important piece of our history and dysfunctional behaviour.” would be “really special.” tradition, all in the name of political National Post columnist John Robson “At this point, I’m committed to correctness.” – a conservative commentator who Tokyo 2020 and I’m really lucky to be “Political correctness is flavour of writes frequently about political in a sport where we do have medal the day,” Wells said two days later correctness – sits somewhere in chances,” she said. “I think it would in an interview on CBC’s Power and the middle of this heated debate. be really special for us, if it does pass Politics. “Ensuring that we have He does believe Canadians are in the fall or winter, to be included the right colours or we have the living in an era of extreme political in the national anthem that I sing in right elements to make everyone correctness, but told iPolitics he isn’t front of the world.” happy or to represent everyone ... opposed to seeing “sons” exchanged That said, she’s also prepared for the our national anthem represents for “us.” Like Ruth, he sees it as a possibility the bill will be defeated. everyone. I don’t think people sit restoration of the original wording – but that’s where he draws the line. “I’m disappointed that we can’t there or stand there and go: ‘Wow, I be more forward-thinking, that really don’t feel included in this.’” “It’s clearly important that heritage the Senate can’t be more forward- Wells’ comments, however, directly matters in order to be a nation,” thinking … especially on the 150th contradict what Kit told senators Robson said. “You need to have some anniversary of Canada,” she said. when she was invited to testify feeling that something important “The athletes I’ve talked to about before the Senate committee unites you. And so if you do too it think it’s so amazing and that it studying the bill last December. much tampering with your sense should’ve happened yesterday – both of the past and our symbols, you men and women.” “I want to feel I’m a part of Canada’s will disintegrate as a people. You cultural identity,” she said last can’t put that in a matrix … but that Even if the bill dies in the Senate, December. “To me, ‘sons’ doesn’t doesn’t make it less true.” however, Kit has no plans to walk encompass me.” away from the nearly 40-year fight to However, Ruth said there’s no make the anthem gender-inclusive. Kit certainly wasn’t the only one shortage of instances where to have expressed that feeling Canadian traditions have been “I just hate missed opportunities,” throughout the study. modified to reflect changing times. she said. “I definitely feel some responsibility not to let this die out.” Asked what crosses her mind when She points to 1965, when the federal she hears critics of the bill claim government replaced the Union Jack

IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 31 A JOB IN BLOOM BY KELSEY JOHNSON

She got into flower design when she A floral designer for the official went to her cousin’s wedding after the company she was working for residences, Nancy Cadieux keeps as an architectural technician was restructured. things coming up roses “Kind of after that, I decided to explore the floral aspects – so I took a class,” she said. n the left wing of Rideau Hall’s For the past 17 years, the assistant historic greenhouses, there’s a floral designer has been arranging She’d been working as a private small room that overlooks the flowers for all seven official floral designer with a local floral back laneway. residences managed by the National arranger for several years when she I Capital Commission -- Rideau Hall, found out about the job at Rideau Its floor is covered with bunches Hall through one of her professors. of snipped flower stems and bright Stornoway, 7 Rideau Gate, the Farm, She started in 2000 and has been green leaves, haphazardly swept into Harrington Lake, Rideau Cottage and there ever since. one corner. A corn husk broom leans 24 Sussex Drive -- and their many precariously by the window where official events. For more than a decade, Cadieux tall glass floral vases stand empty. Cadieux’s love of flowers and has hand selected, handcrafted and Two big buckets of sweet smelling plants started at young age and was personally delivered hundreds of long-stem roses (one white, one inherited from her mother, who she bouquets, centrepieces and floral pink) sit by the door. describes as “a wonderful gardener.” arrangements for a wide range of events. Rows of stones and marbles of all Despite this childhood spark, her colours are sorted neatly in plastic path to working with floral and “We like to be vanguardist, you containers that line the shelves leafy folks full-time was a little know. We get inspiration from above and behind a long countertop untraditional. everywhere,” she said when asked about her – and therefore Canada’s that’s covered in more than a dozen “I’ve always been into everything – official floral style. “It’s using blue square vases filled with three artistic,” she recalls. ”I was a dancer flowers in an innovative way … precisely cut green mums, their slim, when I was younger, until my 30s. more sculptural, more artistic.” spiky petals soft to the touch. Then I studied interior design and This is Nancy Cadieux’s office. also architecture.” She’s arranged flowers for countless

32 IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 A JOB IN BLOOM state dinners as well annual affairs snipping in the public areas. like the Michener Awards, Rideau “We have to be careful,” Cadieux Hall’s annual Savour Fall festival laughs. “We know where we can cut and the many Christmas events. and how much we can cut.” The National Capital Commission estimates greenhouse staff supply “Obviously there can be slight flowers and potted plants for more conflicts about what can be cut than 2,000 events annually. in the garden and what can’t be,” Burleton jokes. “Some gardeners get “Every month there’s a lot,” she says quite protective, including me.” with a laugh as we wander through the greenhouse. Burleton studied horticulture at the University of Edinburgh and 2017 has been a particularly worked for several years as the head busy year because of Canada 150 gardener at the Imperial College celebrations and Governor General of London before moving him and David Johnston’s retirement. his family to Montreal in 1997. He’s Many of the flowers used in managed the grounds at Rideau Hall Cadieux’s arrangements today are and the official residences since grown at Rideau Hall, where flowers 2002. have been a focal point for more While he describes himself as than century. The residence’s six “more of a tree guy” (one of his historic greenhouses date back to the first projects at Rideau Hall was 1867, although records show there to document all the historic trees were greenhouses original to the planted on the grounds), Burleton is grounds even before they became responsible for helping decide which property of the federal government. flowers, plants and gardens will be Historically, all the flowers required planted each year. He works closely were grown at Rideau Hall, with with Cadieux and her colleagues entire greenhouses dedicated to to ensure they get the flowers they blooms like carnations. need. Today, the vegetable greenhouses “If [the gardeners] are pruning have special beds designated for something back hard, like dogwood, cut flowers like zinnias, dahlias, they’ll bring it over,” Burleton says. sunflowers and various grasses. “They know we like to use Other flowers and greenery are everything,” Cadieux says. gathered from the gardens and Despite its many acres, gardens and colour-splashed flower beds that dot flower beds, Rideau Hall simply the residence’s 79 acres depending can’t keep up with today’s floral on what’s in bloom. Peonies, pholox, demand. With more and more daisies, black-eyed Susan’s and events being added to the calendar hydrangea of all shades and colours each year, hundreds of flowers are are only some of the flowers at her now purchased each year from local disposal. Rideau Hall’s traditional suppliers. forced bulb program (a quicker way of producing flowers from “With all the residences, we could bulbs) provides hundreds of tulips, never, ever grow enough,” Cadieux daffodils and irises annually. explains. “In the summer, I’ll go for a walk and During slow weeks, her supplier may I’ll go in the gardens and pick what I only come once – with pre-ordered need,” Cadieux says. “Whatever is in requests coming in throughout the season is what we use.” course of the week. In busy periods, flowers can be delivered to Cadieux Few beds are generally off limits, two or three times a week. with the exception of the ground’s famous rose garden. That said, Whether it’s busy or not, Cadieux Cadieux has used rose buds and hips says the goal of floral arranging is to from there on occasion. She and her make each arrangement distinctive colleagues typically check with Head while finding new ways to use various materials. Nancy Cadieux, Mark Burleton. Gardener Mark Burleton before Photos by Matt Usherwood/iPOLITICS.

IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 33 A JOB IN BLOOM

“What we try to do is make them all reoccur year after year, she can plan decompose very fast.” different. It’s not just placing stuff for ahead of time and sketch out Flowers from past events are in a vase. All the tables are different ideas. However, it’s not unusual to recycled and reused in the ... and at each event it won’t be the be told of an event only days before. residences or deconstructed, with same. We can be very creative.” Tight timelines like that can see help the flowers re-arranged into new Past arrangements have included recruited from other parts of the creations. When the flowers are no everything from braided flowers to greenhouse. longer fresh, they’re composted. weaving different kinds of grasses “Sometimes there’s a lot of events at Of course not every flower is and plants together. the same time, it’s not just here – so everyone’s cup of tea, so there’s a Some have even included it can get hectic,” Cadieux says. “We plan to ensure arrangements suit the handcrafted pieces of jewellery do it all ourselves, but there’s been tastes and likes of those living in the made by Cadieux herself -- stones a few times where our technicians official residents. and gems in a variety of colours, gave us a hand in arranging flowers.” When new residents move in, with intricate wire designs weaved Cadieux will meet with them to suss around them. She keeps a Ziploc A skilled-hand herself, she says it out their preferences, including their freezer bag of them in her office for typically takes her about 15 minutes favourite flowers. when inspiration strikes. to complete a small arrangement to be used as a centre piece for a table. “We go by their tastes, the style they She’s also not one for themes. like, the flowers they like, the colours “When somebody from another And like the greenery she’s working they like. We do each residence with country comes, we don’t try to do with, the arrangements are also the flowers they like,” she says. “We their colours or their flowers. We environmentally friendly. Cadieux have to know what they like. If we figure they must get that everywhere says she rarely uses floral foam to keep putting something they hate, so we try to do something different hold her designs in place. they won’t like us very much.” for them.” “What we do is we use marbles. “And it’s their home.” Some events, particularly those that They’re washable, reusable and very green because Oasis (foam) doesn’t

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34 IPOLITICS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017 Register Inscrivez-vous Today dès aujourd’hui Issues of Substance is Canada’s only national Questions de substance est le seul congrès national du conference that brings together addiction workers, Canada à rassembler des travailleurs en dépendance, des healthcare professionals, researchers, policy makers, professionnels de la santé, des chercheurs, des décideurs, knowledge brokers and individuals with lived experience des courtiers du savoir et des personnes ayant une expérience from across the country. Learn more and register at vécue de partout au pays. Pour en savoir plus et vous inscrire, www.issuesofsubstance.ca visitez le www.questionsdesubstance.ca

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November 13–15 Du 13 au 15 novembre Calgary, Alberta Calgary (Alberta)

PROGRAM AT A GLANCE now available! PROGRAMME EN BREF maintenant disponible!