Publications Mail Agreement #40068926 pandemic push Federal lobbyinggets THIRTY-FIRST YEAR, NO.1723 A A Hill Times on April 23. Alta.) inaninterview withThe MP ShannonStubbs(Lakeland, the pandemic,” saidConservative petitors around the world before top oil-andgas-producing com- already incrisis, comparedtoour rity andbudgetary perspective. sector from both anational secu- for a “re-think” oftherole ofthe Conservative MPscalling the COVID-19 pandemic, withtwo industry afloat amidstandafter federal government tokeep the for greater measures from the energy-rich provinces arecalling by plummetingprices, MPsin security, budgetary role ‘re-think’ of industry’s energy sector support, now’: MPs call for greater ‘Absolute carnage right News opportunity, potential amidchallenging times New executive director sees News BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT BY MIKE LAPOINTE Heard on the Hill “Canada’s energysectorwas tor continuestobebattered s Canada’soilandgassec- to beannounced inthefall, long withanew partyleader pp. 2-3 Green Party Natural resources Continued onpage16 Awasthi settotake over onMay director at itshelm, withPrateek will soonhave anew executive the GreenParty ofCanada C anada

pp. 6-7 ’ s P oliti interesting place, where ithasall colour toholdthepost. 4, becoming thefirstpersonof “The GreenParty’s inan c s

and Lisa Van Dusen G .12 p. by AndrewMeade Times photograph growth. recovery and as itslong-term sector, aswell Alberta energy survival ofthe the short-term done forboth to whatcanbe government as the federal for detailsfrom are stilllooking her constituents says manyof resources critic, party's natural Stubbs, her MP Shannon Conservative overnment Much to learn from massacre Bad+Bitchy p.9,Les Whittington p.11, Andrew Caddellp.14 The Hill

N ews C News News violence, says LiberalMP discussion ondomestic Mass shootingshould prompt amid pandemic,says UNenvoy despite not actively campaigning Security Councilelection Canada ready for June UN W needs toprofessionalize, while into that nextlevel ofsuccess. It almost you have tosortofbreak the energyofamovement, and gan that way “sends offmy alert with anattack on hisgirlfriend. police say, startedtheslaughter where agunman killed22and, represents theNova Scotiariding , theLiberal MPwho port toaddresstheproblem, says against women andramp upsup- The Hill TimesBlanchard toldThe says heisready fortheJune vote. da’s envoy totheinternational body coronavirus pandemic, butCana- focusing itseffortsoncurbingthe tion, Canada’smissionat theUNis BYSAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN BY NEIL MOSS Finding outtherampage be- UN Ambassador Marc-André UN Ambassador conversation aboutviolence anada needstohave a p a Nations Security Councilelec- ith afast-approaching United p Security Councilbid Nova Scotia shooting er WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29,2020$5.00 an authentic, meaningfulway.” party andinvite thepeoplein distill what isthecoreDNA ofthe it’s areallyexcitingtimetosort of that thepartyisfacing, and Ithink Hill Timesview withThe. Mr. Awasthi, 35, inarecentinter- not losingitscoreessence,” said infamous murder of14women at Yonge Streetin , andthe ing avan intopedestriansalong by amanwho killed10by driv- in Canadaincludethe2018attack gender-based attacks onwomen hatred forwomen. High-profile history ofdomesticviolenceor been perpetrated by menwitha a numberofmasskillingshave system” saidMs. Zann, noting sembly,” saidMr. Blanchard when the presidentofGeneral As- live withthedecisionmadeby June. Council electiontogoaheadin is preparedfortheUNSecurity week that theCanadianmission in aphoneinterview earlierthis “I thinkthat’s thechallenge “We’re ready togo, andwe will Continued onpage 17 Continued onpage15 Continued onpage4 2 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020 3

statement. “Mr. Rajotte has deep and long- standing connections in the U.S. Congress Italian ambassador calls and a tremendous understanding of the critical issues Alberta is facing.” for to help Italy Margaret Trudeau taken Previous Albertan representatives to the battle COVID-19 Heard on the Hill U.S. have included former Canadian consul general in Chicago Gitane De Silva, past Conservative MP Robert Merrifield, and As the number of COVID-19 deaths in to the hospital for smoke by Neil Moss former Alberta MLA Gary Mar. Italy climbs past 26,000, the Italian ambas- Alberta is one of two provinces with sador in Canada is hoping Canadians a representative office in Canada’s D.C. will donate to the Red Cross to help Italy inhalation after fire embassy. The other is , which is led confront the pandemic. by Ian Todd, a former campaign aide to Former Hill journalist, The mother of Prime Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Minister Mr. Rajotte’s appointment to the post was taken to a received cross-partisan support in the hospital after a fire start- two-time Liberal candidate Alberta government’s press release, from ed outside her apartment past Harper government industry minis- building on the night of ter and current NAFTA council member April 27, according to James Moore to past Liberal deputy prime Allan Thompson to head media reports. minister Anne McLellan and former NDP Margaret Trudeau is MP Guy Caron. the mother of Canada’s Allan Thompson is pictured in 2003 with then-future prime minister Stephen Harper. Mr. Rajotte will be paid a monthly sal- Carleton j-school 23rd prime minister and the The Hill Times file photograph ary of nearly $20,000 in the role, according former wife of past prime to the release. He will begin the post on minister . Allan Thompson’s reporting career took These are challenging times in journalism, bureau, where he focused his reporting on suggest that at least 500,000 died over the May 1. “I spoke with my him from Parliament Hill to Rwanda, and but we’ve got brilliant, resilient students immigration, foreign affairs, and defence. four-month mass slaughter. mom, and thankfully now he is set to become the new lead for and wonderful faculty and staff. Can’t wait In 2007, Prof. Thompson wrote The Me- At Carleton, he established and man- she’s doing fine,” the Carleton University’s journalism school. to get started,” Prof. Thompson tweeted on dia and the Rwanda Genocide about how aged a five-year media project called the Canada Institute to host PM tweeted on April 28. “Thrilled to share the news I’ve been ap- April 23. the local media fuelled the Rwandan geno- Rwanda Initiative, that took more than “Thanks to everyone who pointed the next head of Carleton’s presti- From 1994 to 2003, he was a correspon- cide, and the international press ignored 150 Canadian journalists and journalism virtual panel on Allan Gotlieb reached out and sent us gious journalism program, effective July 1. dent in The Toronto Star’s parliamentary or misunderstood the genocide. Estimates students to the central African nation. Prof. Thompson has twice run for public The Wilson Center’s Canada Institute in well wishes.” “I’d also like to thank Sponsored by Canada Health Infoway office under the Liberal Party banner in the Washington, D.C., will host a panel on the 2015 and 2019 federal elections. Both times legacy of former Canadian ambassador to the first responders for he was defeated by Conservative MP Ben the U.S. Allan Gotlieb next week. their incredible work, Lobb in the riding of Huron—Bruce, Ont. The panel will be moderated by Canada and I’m keeping the He replaces Susan Harada who led the Institute director Christopher Sands and other families affected by will feature Canadian historian Robert this fire in my thoughts journalism program for six years. Claudio Taffuri has been Italy’s ambassador Prof. Thompson has been a professor at Bothwell and political scientist Janice today,” Mr. Trudeau Preparing Canada’s Virtual in Ottawa since 2017. The Hill Times added. Carleton University since 2003. Stein of the , as well as Johns Hopkins University international photograph by Sam Garcia Ms. Trudeau was relations professor Charles Doran. taken to the hospital to Former Tory MP James Mr. Gotlieb was a member of the “Our health-care system is under enor- treat smoke inhalation Health System for Scale-up Canada Institute’s advisory board. mous pressure; our doctors and nurses are and possible burns, CTV Rajotte named Alberta’s The former ambassador, who served in face-to-face with the impact of the pan- reported. point person in D.C. D.C. from 1981 to 1989, died on April 18 at demic every day, fighting the devastating A mental health By: Michael Green, President and CEO, the age of 92. effects of COVID-19,” Italian Ambassador advocate, Ms. Trudeau Canada Health Infoway Writing in The Hill Times, former Ca- Claudio Taffuri wrote in an email earlier debuted her one-woman A former Conservative MP will be tak- nadian diplomat Colin Robertson said Mr. this month. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Margaret Trudeau, pictured in play about her life last ing up office in Canada’s Pennsylvania 2017, is doing ‘fine.’Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons year in Chicago. here has been a surge in the use of Gotlieb “revolutionized Canadian diplo- “Many of them have been infected, over Avenue embassy in Washington, D.C., in 100 have lost their lives, but they are not virtual care in recent weeks in Canada macy with our primordial partner.” hopes to pave the way for a new North giving up—they continue to answer the and across the globe as health care “His eight-year tenure as ambassador T American energy strategy. between 1981 and 1989 was marked by two call of their country and its people with providers, health organizations, agencies main trademarks: an ambitious and activ- extraordinary dedication and generosity,” “Inspired by the love that you feel for Italy, “The Press Gallery has purchased and governments put measures in place ist public diplomacy and an activist strate- he added. by the solidarity we have for those on the a limited number of non-medical face to contain the spread of COVID-19 and gic outreach to Congress,” Mr. Robertson Mr. Taffuri wrote that to help curb the front lines of this battle, by the human bond masks for members who feel they need flatten the curve. This is a big change for wrote. “Both were vital to achieving the spread of COVID-19, the Italian Embassy, we share with those men and women who are one for work,” Parliamentary Press Gal- patients, but one that has the potential 1989 Free Trade Agreement and then, after together with the Canadian Red Cross, exposed to the disease and its fatal conse- lery president Jordan Press, a reporter to help us in the current battle against he left, the 1991 Acid Rain Accord. Carried has launched a fundraising campaign. The quences, for the part of them that is in each with The Canadian Press, said in an email COVID-19 as well as prepare us for the forward by his successors, this blueprint funds raised will go “directly” to the Italian of us, in support of all human lives, I would to members. future of health care in Canada. continues to deliver results for Canada.” Red Cross. deeply appreciate your support to this Cam- In exchange for the free masks, the press The ambassador, who has been posted paign through a contribution to the Canadian gallery is asking members to donate non- The rise of virtual health during this Mr. Gotlieb authored the Washington to Ottawa since 2017, told The Hill Times in Red Cross,” Mr. Taffuri wrote in the email. perishable goods to the Ottawa Food Bank. pandemic will likely shift the way health Diaries in 2007, documenting his time in the U.S. capital. March that the response to the pandemic Donations can be made on the Cana- The Press Gallery has been trying to services are delivered in Canada going All the panel guests for the memorial called for “enhanced collaboration.” dian Red Cross’ website. balance the questions for those at the press forward. Where some physicians and pa- tribute knew Mr. Gotlieb well, according to “As armies do in the battle, if we [are] conferences and the reporters calling in, tients were previously hesitant to connect an event description. The tribute will look at in the forefront—if you have a unit that is in order to adhere to physical distancing. virtually, the forced reality has shown that Mr. Gotlieb’s legacy to the Canada-U.S. rela- under attack—you have to help them,” he Press Gallery supplies The gallery has encouraged its members there are significant benefits to adopting tionship, as well as his life of public service. said. to keep the number of journalists at indoor virtual health in everyday care for at least It will take place on May 7 from 4 to Italy has had 26,977 COVID-19 deaths non-medical masks for press conferences to a minimum. a certain portion of clinical visits. The 5:30 p.m., and will be live-streamed on the and 199,414 total cases, according to a When the House sat on April 20 there question however is whether the Canadi- Canada Institute’s website. Johns Hopkins University tracker. reporters was no pool microphone set up for report- an health care system is appropriately set- ers to scrum MPs, instead more formal up for large-scale use of these services. Allan As the number of journalists attending near press conferences have been taking place Gotlieb was daily government briefings dwindle, the Parlia- in a West Block committee room. Electronic medical records (EMRs) store a with virtual care capabilities can allow We’ve already started to accelerate the Canada’s mentary Press Gallery is providing the report- [email protected] digital record of patient histories which are providers to monitor their patient’s health integration of virtual care with some of former ers that do go with non-medical face masks. The Hill Times critical for providing sound and safe pa- remotely, and videoconferencing enables Canada’s EMR providers including those ambassador tient care. Health care practitioners are al- real-time communication from any loca- partnered with PrescribeIT® through to the ready connected to key sources of patient tion. These technologies can streamline our EMR Virtual Care Investment The Globe and U.S., noted Mail’s Marieke data through jurisdiction drug information workflows and create efficiencies, reduce program. But as a national service, the for his Walsh is pictured systems and lab reporting systems that wait-times, increase connectedness be- potential to do more is limitless. For ex- contribution at the Canadian provide an additional measure to enhance tween patients and providers, and lower ample, what if we enabled PrescribeIT® to what government’s patient safety. Through Canada Health overall health care costs as well as out-of- to monitor drug availability, flag drug would COVID-19 press Infoway’s PrescribeIT®, we are well on our pocket expenses for patients. shortages or recalls, or even potentially become James Rajotte was a Conservative MP from briefing on April way to enabling electronic prescribing, a generate heat maps to quickly identify NAFTA. Integrated virtual solutions also have the 2000 to 2015. The Hill Times file photograph 23. The Hill Times outbreak hotspots? What if we had The Hill paperless and fax-less option to prescribe potential to increase access to services, photograph by fully integrated end-to-end solutions Times file medications. We are now ready to go to particularly in underserved communities. While serving in the Conservative cau- Andrew Meade with full collaboration capabilities to photograph the next step: the integration of technol- There is no question that rural commu- cus on Parliament Hill from 2000 to 2015, realize the amazing benefits of true ogies to augment a provider’s ability to nities and vulnerable populations such James Rajotte was the chair of the House patient-centric care? There are so many deliver services virtually and remotely. as the elderly would benefit greatly from Finance Committee for seven years and possibilities for the Canadian health When in-person appointments cannot virtual health services because it can a vice-chair of the Canada-United States system and as a nation we should start occur, virtual solutions are a great option increase access to specialty care that is Inter-Parliamentary Group. the groundwork now to prepare us for to maintain patient-provider relationships typically available in urban areas as well “The crisis in our energy industry not only the next pandemic, but the and the delivery of safe and effective as reduce the length and frequency of underscores the need for Alberta to have new age of health care. strong relations with policy makers and health care. EMRs that are integrated travel for those with complex needs. business leaders in the United States,” Alberta Premier said in a 4 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020 5 News Nova Scotia shooting Nova Scotia shooting News

In the wake of people don’t use Twitter, where the RCMP “It’s just difficult. There’s no words that the Nova Scotia had been sending its public updates. Mourning in the midst of a can provide the relief that folks need,” he said. shooting, Liberal But he, like Liberal MP pandemic Several pointed to Mr. Trudeau’s mes- MP Lenore said they’d like to see the RCMP investiga- The tragedy coming in the midst of a sage during his first press conference after Zann, left, and tion unfold before coming to a conclusion. pandemic has made the province’s efforts to the killing spree, telling Canadians: “We’re Independent “It’s too early to second guess,” said grieve more difficult and families unable to all Nova Scotians today.” Senator Wanda Mr. Samson, who recalled the fear he felt gather with more than five at funerals. Still, “I was shaking when I heard that,” said Thomas Bernard, waking up last week to learn there was a several Senators and MPs told stories of Mr. Samson. “That was a very important right, say society murderer on the loose and headed south neighbourhoods commemorating the dead, gesture for Nova Scotians—they felt it.” needs to raise the towards his riding, Sackville-Preston-Che- despite the enforced distance as the prov- The Nova Scotia Parliamentarians said issue of gender- zzetcook, N.S. ince grapples with the COVID-19 outbreak they and their constituents are still reeling based violence. “There’s no one that’s trained 100 per that has yet to peak nationally. There have from feelings of disbelief, that something Women and cent to face these challenges at any mo- been candles placed on sills in the evening, could happen in a province they describe Gender Equality ment. We’re human, we’re going to react in and Parliamentarians described vigils crop- as tight-knit, peaceful, and full of neigh- Minister Maryam the best way possible.” ping up throughout the province over the bourly “casserole people,” as one put it. Monsef, centre, But the grief is compounded by the lack last week, and homeowners responding to “It’s certainly rocked our identity,” said agrees that more of information about what Sen. Bernard the premier’s suggestion to hang flags or Independent Senator Mary Coyle (Antigon- needs to be called a massacre. She said she’s hearing tartans from their windows. On April 24, ish, N.S.). “That violent assault on those done. Photograph from many people living in the regions many wore red to remember RCMP Const. people was also a violent assault on our courtesy of Lenore directly impacted that their grief is further Heidi Stevenson and the all victims. sense of identity as a people.” Zann and The Hill compounded by anger. RCMP Const. Chad Morrison, who was Compassion is important in this moment, Times photographs “So many people are saying ‘it could shot by the gunman and survived, lives a rather than judgment and criticism, she said. by Andrew Meade have been me,’” she said. “It’s like a record couple hundred metres from Liberal MP “It’s an enormous tragedy,” she said. “The and Samantha that’s playing on repeat.” . When Const. Morrison came devastation is wide and deep and it’s com- Wright Allen And while there was a reluctance to home, the neighbours stood in their drive- plicated. The support to get those answers criticize the police dealing with an unprec- ways, safely apart, welcoming him home, that we all need is absolutely critical.” edented situation, there’s also a need to said Mr. Blais, whose Kings–Hants riding is [email protected] express that anger, she said. also home to a couple of the victims, The Hill Times

Sponsored by Health Partners

Independent Senator Mary Coyle says the COVID-19 packs a double whammy for murders have 'rocked' the province's identity. The Hill Times photograph by Samantha Wright Allen Canadians living with cancer, heart disease, Misogyny and violence against women has to be part of the conversation, and the diabetes and other chronic diseases country needs to work to prevent it, said Independent Senator Wanda Thomas Ber- nard (East Preston, N.S.). By Eileen Dooley “It’s really about how do we tackle the core issue here around misogynist violence When we think of vulnerable, we Nova Scotia Senators and MPs Mass shooting should against women? That has to be addressed. tend to think of Canadians who may That has to be a national issue,” said Sen. be elderly, or poor. We don’t often Bernard, who has served on the National reflect on aftermath of attack Coalition of Advisory Councils on the think of the 87% who may have an prompt discussion Status of Women. underlying medical condition or com- Independent Senator Colin Deacon An added element that she’s hearing promised immune system and their “People who live in small, peaceful villages where everyone knows one another, tend from racialized people is frustration that increased risk from COVID-19. Nor to feel really safe. Their initial response in virtually every situation is reflexively friendly, the perpetrator was able to purchase de- on domestic violence, commissioned RCMP cars years ago, keep do we realize the additional threat to giving, and trusting. The unimaginably tragic events of last weekend delivered the purest of evil directly into the lives of kind and trusting individuals, families and com- them parked at his place of business, and their health as the charities they rely munities, shattering them, our province and our nation. As we grieve, we all want to had been “working on them and bragging on for services, support and life-sav- give and receive a hug more than ever—but we can’t.” about them to his customers, basically to ing research have also been compro- says Liberal MP anyone who would listen.” “The fact that was not seen as a credible mised by COVID-19. threat, the fact that he was able to blend in Non-affiliated Senator Jane Cordy violence can actually lead to a public act of HealthPartners, a collaboration of 16 “It’s been heartbreaking… We know that in normal circumstances there would be a as an ordinary citizen and an upstanding ‘How do we tackle the violence.” citizen is really the epitome of white male of Canada’s most trusted national number of public services being held where people could grieve together. I can’t imag- The federal government can play “a ine the pain of it being a friend, or a colleague, or a relative, and yet you’re not able core issue here around privilege,” she said. health charities, highlights this dual large part” in leading that effort, said Ms. “I don’t know if people are willing to to get together to commiserate with one another as you do in normal circumstances Zann. She pointed to Prime Minister Justin threat in its latest report, The Impact when somebody dies. And so I think [this] will be a challenge that we’ll see farther misogynist violence against talk about it, but it needs to be part of the Trudeau’s (Papineau, Que.) assertions after investigation about what happened and of COVID-19 on Our Most Vulnerable down the road.” the attack of the Liberal government’s women?’ asks Senator why it happened,” she said, adding this will Canadians. are unable to get the respite and charities are seeing a ten-fold increase “serious commitments” on gun control and have very long-term impacts on police- Wanda Thomas Bernard. promise to be “moving forward” on strength- Almost 9 out of 10 Canadians are support they need. in requests for assistance, information Liberal MP community relations, especially in racial- ening such measures. That’s “timely,” she ized communities, where she said there’s a likely to be touched by one or more and support while having their reve- “I’ve had to take on many calls over the past week on this and … as leaders and MPs ‘That has to be a national said, and she’d like for there to be more sup- At a time when they are turning to we are taking these calls with our children in the household and for them to hear even history of profiling and street checks, when chronic diseases or major illnesses nues reduced by 50% ports for those in abusive relationships, and thinking about the double standard that health charities for information and the conversations, that’s something I wish would have done better. … I don’t have a issue.’ better education for both men and women. over the course of their lifetimes, support, the ability of Canada’s health We are doing our best to support our big house but my 10 year old had to ask questions later on to me that I wish he didn’t seems to apply. Ms. Zann raised the matter with Women and this risk is increased during the charities to engage in their usual charities, and they are doing their best have to know. I think that’s the part of COVID, is every one is in a household right now Continued from page 1 and Gender Equality Minister Maryam pandemic. For example, Canadians and indoors and that’s [one] thing I reflect on. I think about all of the people where life-saving research and operate their to support Canadians. But we need Monsef (Peterborough-Kawartha, Ont.), Questions raised about with underlying respiratory condi- families whose children aren’t at school, where they’re able to see what parents are Montreal’s École Polytechnique in 1989. sending an email over the weekend once regular on-the-ground programs and your help. For more information or to watching on TV and hear updates.” “This is not the first one, so I think the details of the attack had settled in, and emergency alerts tions are at risk because COVID-19 services is compounding the risk. make a donation to Help Our Helpers, it’s time for society and the public and said she was heartened by the response. Victims’ families, residents, and Parlia- attacks the respiratory system. mentarians, too, have all raised questions Why? Because donations are dropping please visit healthpartners.ca. governments on all levels to really take a Ms. Monsef said the Liberal govern- Canadians with diseases such as Non-affiliated Senator Terry Mercer ment, since it was elected, has been about why the province and RCMP didn’t at such an alarming rate that many look at, and start to accept, the fact that cancer and diabetes and hemophilia Eileen Dooley is CEO of HealthPart- “People have been very quiet. People have been reflective. We’ve always thought that these kinds of events do not necessar- responding to what experts and advocates send out an emergency alert to give the charities cannot afford to keep staff public a widespread warning about the ners Canada, a Canadian registered this couldn’t happen here and now it has and we have to reflect on that and ask our- ily come out of the blue,” said Ms. Zann are flagging, and have strengthened laws may not be able to get the clinical to provide support and assistance to selves what made this happen here? And hopefully it’s a one-off thing that will never danger. charity and collaboration of 16 of (Cumberland-Colchester, N.S.), noting that “empower and protect survivors” as support that they need to manage our most vulnerable – and at the most happen again. It’s very difficult.” there are often earlier flags that go along well as invested in programs to prevent Those questions even started coming Canada’s most trusted national health into Conservative MP Chris d’Entremont’s their conditions. And their caregivers with domestic abuse. and address gender-based violence. vulnerable moment in their lives. Our charities. Such connections have been raised in re- “There is more to be done, we get it, and West Nova, N.S., office, especially after one cent days by researchers and advocates, after we’re on it,” Ms. Monsef told The Hill Times of the victim’s husbands spoke publicly Conservative Senator Michael MacDonald RCMP confirmed at an April 24 news confer- by email. “We are building on a strong foun- about these frustrations. “It’s a very sad time for everybody. You hear this all the time: ‘It doesn’t happen here.’ ence that the gunman started his 100-kilo- dation, working closely with experts and our “Why the heck couldn’t they have used it But it did. I think everyone’s reflecting on the fragility of life. People are just crushed metre rampage after forcibly restraining his provincial and territorial counterparts. And early in the day, late at night or in the morn- by this and they’re just astonished that this could occur, very sobering thing to witness girlfriend, who escaped to the woods. so long as our partners in provincial and ter- ing or at some point prior, because a num- and have occur in your backyard. “We need to address [this] in society ritorial governments continue to address this ber of the killings happened after daylight. and try to prevent them at a much earlier issue with the same urgency we are, we will Had the connection been done correctly, time before they turn into a possible mur- reduce the rates of gender-based violence in maybe a few lives could have been saved,” derous rampage,” she said. “A private act of this country and prevent a lot of suffering.” he said, adding from a rural standpoint, 6 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020 7 News Lobbying Lobbying News

daily briefings that have proven Source: Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada Source: Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada a positive way to engage with the The most lobbied ministers Top 5 busiest groups in March ‘Pandemic bump’ pushes March private sector “acting as a listen- Natural Resources Minister ing vehicle for the government,” 35 said Mr. Hughes. Seamus O’Regan “It’s really become an open Finance Minister Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada 27 62 lobbying up 60 per cent over last year line of communication with the government, whereby companies Environment Minister 23 are able to put forward questions Amid March’s and concerns, and while perhaps Labour Minister ‘It’s been a season Cattlemen’s Association 35 spike in lobbying, not always getting answers imme- 19 the three most of virtual or e-lobby diately, at the very least it’s clear Innovation Minister mentioned in that the government is listening,” 17 days for every single cabinet were, he said, adding it’s important in Health Minister Canadian Association of 33 from left, Natural such uncertain times for busi- 16 sector, all at the same Petroleum Producers Resources Minister nesses to feel they’re being heard. Seamus O'Regan, Prime Minister time because the Next, Natural Resources Justin Trudeau 15 Finance Minister Canada, with 187 filings, followed Bill Morneau, Small Business Minister Ocean Wise Conservation Association 32 entire economy has by Finance Canada (153), the Prime 13 and Environment Minister’s Office (144), Employment been impacted,’ says Minister Jonathan Deputy Prime Minister and Social Development Canada 13 Wilkinson. The Hill (112), and Global Affairs Canada Yaroslav Baran. Times photographs (100), which co-ordinated the mas- Environment Minister Canadian Chamber of Commerce 29 11 by Andrew Meade sive repatriation effort of Canadians Agriculture Minister BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN stuck abroad after Prime Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau 11 Justin Trudeau issued the “come 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 he flood of influencers con- home” call in mid-March. 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Ttacting officials in March in- creased communication by almost The top-lobbied ministers in March 2020, according to the federal lobbyist registry, by the number The busiest groups in March 2020, according to the federal lobbying registry, by number of 60 per cent compared to the year Officials receptive to of communications registered. Graph created with Infogram communications registered. Graph created with Infogram before, part of what lobbyists requests, lobbyist say describe as a “pandemic bump” in The monthly lobbying re- activity they expect to be the new ports—representing oral and ar- per cent of the members, but when they did through conference and video calls like on “[Lobby days] may not be physically Neither Mr. Hughes nor the others who a similar digital advocacy campaign dur- normal as industry, associations, cash flow and marketplace liquid- a lot of uncertainty and those this moment as “an inflection ranged communication with des- Zoom. happening now, but in another sense it’s spoke to The Hill Times said they thought ing the election it took five to six weeks to and governments respond to the ity,” said Mr. Baran. “Organiza- are conditions that would drive point.” ignated officials—peel away only One small benefit of the new set up is been a season of virtual or e-lobby days the benefit of face-to-face meetings could encourage that kind of volume. impacts of COVID-19. tions and associations have been increased lobbying.” “There could be policies that one layer of a massive response fitting in more meetings in the day, added for every single sector all at the same time, be replaced, but some mused about what Lobbyists filed 2,329 com- bombarding policymakers with the government puts into place as effort, whereby interactions will “People are so engaged with this,” in Mr. Hughes. With no foot traffic to contend because the entire economy has been im- lobbying will look like when people no large part because they’re so concerned, with on Parliament Hill, there’s less of a pacted,” Mr. Baran said. longer need to keep socially distant. munication reports in the federal requests, cases for special consid- O’Regan, Morneau top- we recover from this pandemic be far higher, Mr. Jordan said, as registry last month, up from 1,462 eration, advice on how to design that could help set the envi- companies are consulted and offer which he compared to an election, though need for co-ordination, which can take up In March, the Heart and Stroke Foundation “Is this something that we need to get last year and higher than any of these programs. They’ve also been lobbied ministers ronmental agenda for the next support. Despite the work-from- instead of lobbying activity being all-but- time, Mr. Hughes said. of Canada nearly doubled communications used to? Are people going to be travelling the previous 10 years on record. going back after programs are Natural Resources Minister decade or two,” he noted. home reality, lobbyists report set- suspended during the writ period, here it’s Typically, lobby days on Parliament of the next group, with 62, followed by the across the country for a 25-minute meeting The previous two years had announced, requesting changes Seamus O’Regan (St. John’s “You’ve got an important deci- ting up more meetings than ever “ramped up.” Hill help organizations rack up the most Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (35), Cana- for Parliament?” asked Mr. Hughes. “Do we higher activity than 2019, but last to make sure more people qualify South–Mount Pearl, N.L.) was the sion in terms of direction for the as industries and organizations MPs and their staff represented the meetings, but groups are still reporting dian Association of Petroleum Producers (33), go back to what it was before … or a bit of month still beat them by more or to make the programs work most-lobbied minister in March, government to make. You’ve got scramble to get their needs met. bulk of all interactions, with 680 com- multiple same-day group meetings, and are Ocean Wise Conservation Association (32), the a hybrid?” than 25 per cent. February’s num- better or to close off unintended mentioned in 35 filings, accord- both sides of the issue fighting All advocacy has been related munications logged, and lobbyists report sometimes invited by a party’s regional or Canadian Chamber of Commerce (29), and the [email protected] bers were also higher than the consequences, so that means ing to a Hill Times analysis of the very hard,” and seeing opportu- to COVID-19, including securing their offices as being open to meetings issues-based caucus. University of (28). The Hill Times year before with 3,517 logged in multiple contacts for a great federal lobby registry on April 27. nities and challenges that they changes to existing programs, February 2020 compared to 2,707 many stakeholders in a very short That’s “totally expected,” said want to push with the minister said Kyle Larkin, manager of the year before. February had concentrated period of time.” Mr. Baran, with the energy sec- at the centre of that portfolio, public affairs at Impact Public Af- 14 sitting days, while March had Health and economic develop- tor rocked by the pandemic, last Mr. O’Regan, who is “willing to fairs. For example, some compa- six, with Parliament suspending ment topped the list of reported week prompting OPEC, alongside engage,” he noted. nies were left out of the Canada sittings as part of the response subjects, at 493 and 334 filings, other oil-producing nations, to Mr. O’Regan’s counterpart in Emergency Response Benefit, so to halt the spread of the novel respectively, as the twin pillars make an unprecedented agree- cabinet, Environment Minister they had to “escalate” advocacy coronavirus. of the government’s response to ment to cut production by nearly Jonathan Wilkinson (North Van- activities until the government There’s been “an absolute the novel coronavirus outbreak 10 million barrels per day. Cana- couver, B.C.), was the third most- added a 10-hours-per-month flood” of these communications that had claimed 2,707 lives in da is the fourth-largest producer lobbied with 23 mentions, behind work provision so those working Make mental health your priority over the last six-plus weeks as Canada, as of April 27. of oil in the world. Finance Minister Bill Morneau fewer hours—or making less than everybody tries to adapt and the The numbers show a “pan- Mr. O’Regan holds an impor- (Toronto Centre, Ont.) who has $500—could still apply. government scrambled to create demic bump” that comes down to tant file that will make him a been the point man on Canada’s It’s also led to unprecedented new policies, said Yaroslav Baran, a simple calculation, said Joe Jor- target of an industry reeling from massive financial aid response to engagement, said Mr. Larkin, who is a partner with the Earn- dan, senior associate at Bluesky “a double whammy” of the global the pandemic. pointing to one group they created scliffe Strategy Group. Strategy Group. pandemic and a price collapse, Innovation, Science, and a digital campaign for so members “Government has been acting “When the government’s in said Elliot Hughes, senior adviser Economic Development Canada could message MPs with the click very quickly, literally making up motion, the lobby sector responds at Summa Strategies. He’ll also (ISED), whose officials were the of a button. Over three days, about If you’re experiencing new challenges due to the spread policy on the fly to help stabilize with similar motion,” he said. get attention from the environ- most in-demand and mentioned 3,000 letters were submitted. He of COVID-19, it’s important that you can turn to accurate, individuals’ and organizations’ “There’s a lot going on, there’s mental lobby, as both sides see in 236 filings, has been holding estimated that worked out to 40 trustworthy and actionable information to take care of your mental health. March lobbying over the last decade Source: Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada Lobbying over the last six months Source: Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada Dr. Patrick McGrath OC, FRSC, FCAHS, a Clinical Psychologist, 2400 4000 and founder of 90Second Health has created a special, 2200 3500 COVID-19 health e-letter series, free for all Canadians. 2000

1800 3000 • Take control of your mental health with actionable steps 1600 • Gain access to easy-to-read, research-backed information 0250 1400 • Connect with other Canadians sharing their lived experience 1200 2000 • Receive 2 mental health letters each week by email or text 1000 800 1500 Sign up today at 90Second.com 600 400 1000 200 500

0 668 1248 1025 931 807 1282 1943 1869 1820 1462 2329 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 0 Oct. 2019 Nov. 2019 Dec. 2019 Jan. 2020 Feb. 2020 Mar. 2020 It was the busiest March in the past 10 years, with the number of communication reports increasing by almost 60 per cent over last year and by at least 25 per cent compared to the Lobbying activity over the last six months show February and March were busy months, according to the Contributors: Hannah Baillie, Editor in Chief, 90Second Caregiver I Patrick McGrath, OC, PhD, FRSC, Principal Scientist - 90Second Caregiver two years before. Graph created with Infogram number of communication reports filed.Graph created with Infogram 8 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES

EDITOR Kate Malloy MANAGING EDITOR Charelle Evelyn PUBLISHED EVERY MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY BY PUBLISHERS Anne Marie Creskey, DEPUTY EDITORS Peter Mazereeuw, Laura Ryckewaert HILL TIMES PUBLISHING INC. Jim Creskey, Ross Dickson ASSISTANT DEPUTY EDITOR Abbas Rana 246 Queen Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5E4 GENERAL MANAGER, CFO Andrew Morrow DIGITAL EDITOR Beatrice Paez

Editorial Letters to the Editor As Canadian a committee as Community organization, not embassy, spearheads possible, under the circumstances annual genocide commemoration, group corrects e: “Armenian Embassy moves commemo- started long before the Republic of Armenia s he began the proceedings for the their technological prowess; and there was, Rrations online to mark the 105 years was independent or maintained an embassy AHouse of Commons’ first special of course, the very Canadian problem of since genocide,” (The Hill Times, April 22, p. in Ottawa. COVID-19 committee meeting on April 28, trying to make simultaneous interpretation 27). While we thank you for highlighting this This event of paramount importance to House Speaker recalled the run smoothly for everyone at a distance. important event, we are deeply concerned the Armenian-Canadian community is an op- 1972 CBC contest to complete the phrase There were the usual technical chal- that the information highlighted in the article portunity for Canadian citizens to remember “As Canadian as …” The ultimate winner lenges one would expect in an videocon- is not entirely correct. The article explicitly the 1.5 million innocent victims who perished was a 17-year-old’s submission: “As Cana- ference with that many people of varying mentions in its subheading that it is the Em- at the hands of the Ottoman Turkish Empire dian as possible, under the circumstances.” technical savvy, internet connections, and bassy of the Republic of Armenia to Canada during the Armenian Genocide, showcase Mr. Rota said the forthcoming arrange- home-office set ups, from forgetting to that organizes this annual march to remem- their collective appreciation for Canada’s rec- ment, which saw nearly 300 people logged unmute themselves when talking, having ber on Armenian Genocide Memorial Day. ognition, and demand justice and reparations in for the inaugural occasion, based on the their phones go off while they’re speak- This is simply incorrect information, which from the perpetrator. numbers fluctuating at the top of screen, ing, or having their speaking notes set up misleads your readership and leaves a wrong We kindly ask for this mistake to be im- would likely fit that decades-old apho- so that they’re looking off into the middle impression. mediately fixed, setting the record straight in rism—and he wasn’t wrong. distance instead of at their cameras. Since the 1971 onset of this annual event order to prevent misleading your readership Members of Parliament agreed (by a Some MPs, like Conservative Kyle held in Ottawa on April 24, the Armenian and subscribers across Canada. 22-15 vote) on April 20 to hold these vir- Seeback, also had the very Canadian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) Also, due to the ongoing spread of the tual meetings of a new committee of which problem of not having a strong enough has been the sole organizer and host of the novel coronavirus, this year, the ANCC will all MPs are a member. The committee’s internet connection to participate, report- event, while representatives of the Armenian be commemorating the 105th anniversary via videoconference on April 28—mistakenly ing on Twitter that he was “removed three Embassy have been invited, where they are a virtual program, broadcasted live on our touted repeatedly as the first virtual sitting times for connectivity issues.” asked to relay their message of solidarity to social media outlets. of Parliament—and all of its subsequent There were some of the usual hackles- the Armenian-Canadian community. Fur- Hrag Tarakdjian and Shahen Mirakian in-person and virtual meetings do not fol- raised exchanges, questions rejected at their thermore, as you are already aware, embas- Armenian National Committee low the traditional House proceedings. premise, and non-answers given, but for the sies do not organize such events. This event of Canada co-presidents The committee follows a specific path: most part, the format allowed for some sub- it starts with an opening statement from stantive discussion and exchanges of infor- ministers and responses from a representa- mation to take place, eschewing the typical tive of each party, Members are then able House of Commons Question Period song- Post-pandemic recovery shouldn’t to present petitions from constituents, and and-social-media-clip-generating dance in finally, MPs can question cabinet ministers, favour of asking direct questions and mostly stop at tax increases, says reader including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. getting direct answers, or a commitment to Where the committee is lacking in follow up with pertinent information. e: “The post-COVID Canada faces many Mr. Caddell argues that oil and gas are the usual pomp and circumstance of the In the best of times, while wearing ex- Rchallenges,” (The Hill Times, April 22, p. 9). not disappearing anytime soon. Well, they traditional sittings (which are suspended, tremely rose-coloured glasses and blind- I agree with Andrew Caddell that raising have to—by 2050. Otherwise, the world will overall, until May 25, although the House ers, Canadians like to think of themselves taxes to recover from the mass financial bail- be at great risk of runaway climate warming. is recalled for a brief sitting on April 29), it as being the collaborative sort who can out must be one of the first orders of govern- And while the pandemic has taught us to makes up for in continuing to be as Cana- pull together in times of need. This is one ment business. Paying more taxes will be my appreciate expert warning and advice, it has dian as possible, under the circumstances. of those times, and for the most part, the civic duty. I fully expect wealthy Canadians also taught us that the only way to mitigate a During the question period, there were MPs and House staff who made the big and corporations to pay their fair share, too. crisis’ worst impacts is to boldly act as soon still backbench MPs lobbing back-patting video meeting possible deserve a round Closing tax havens is long overdue. as possible. softballs to the front bench; there were still of applause for ensuring that, at least Acting boldly post-pandemic should not So, while the government increases our Points of Order to quibble over procedure, in some capacity, democracy continues stop at tax increases, however. These un- taxes, it must also stop supporting the fossil which later devolved into “Points of Order” to function in a manner as Canadian as precedented times offer us opportunities to fuel sector’s growth, and extend the annually to heap gratitude on House IT staff for possible. challenge narratives and policies that have rising national carbon fee past 2022 to reach made our society and economy vulnerable at least $210 per tonne by 2030. These moves to the current crisis. That means prioritizing and others will help reduce greenhouse gas health, welfare, and human rights, closing emissions, all while supporting the clean tech the equity gap and transitioning to a clean sector, diversifying our economy, and creat- energy economy to avert that other emer- ing stable jobs in a post-pandemic Canada. gency that experts have warned us about for Cheryl McNamara decades. Toronto, Ont. Ontario government making wrong environmental call he decision to suspend Ontario’s health of our environment. TEnvironmental Bill of Rights has been Our natural ecosystems are the foun- poorly considered. In March of this year, dational providers of everything we need the online version of Scientific American to survive and it is in all our interests to reported that a number of researchers protect them. As such, it is fitting and ap- who study infectious diseases think that propriate that the public is consulted and “humanity’s destruction of biodiversity … participates in any decisions that affect the creates the conditions for new viruses and quality of our land, air, and water, and the diseases like COVID-19 … to arise—with plant and wildlife that are found there. profound health and economic impacts.” I urge the government of Ontario to re- If we continue to ravage ecosystems verse its decision to suspend the Environ- it will be at our own peril. The havoc that mental Bill of Rights and thereby protect COVID-19 is wreaking on people’s lives the future of the people of Ontario. and economic security shows us what we Cecile Wilson can continue to expect if we ignore the Ottawa, Ont.

EDITORIAL ADVERTISING CIRCULATION Please send letters to the editor to the above street address or e-mail to [email protected]. NEWS REPORTERS Aidan Chamandy, Mike Lapointe, VICE PRESIDENT MARKETING AND DIRECTOR OF READER ENGAGEMENT Chris Rivoire Neil Moss, Samantha Wright Allen, and Palak Mangat MULTIMEDIA SALES Steve MacDonald DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Leslie Dickson Deadline is Wednesday at noon, Ottawa time, for the Monday edition and Friday at noon for the PHOTOGRAPHERS Sam Garcia, Andrew Meade, and DIRECTORS OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SUBSCRIPTIONS AND LICENSING EXECUTIVE Cynthia Münster Craig Caldbick, Erveina Gosalci, Martin Reaume, Ulle Baum Darryl Blackbird, Lakshmi Krishnamurti Wednesday edition. Please include your full name, address and daytime phone number. The Hill EDITORIAL CARTOONIST Michael De Adder VICE PRESIDENT OF Published every Monday and Times reserves the right to edit letters. Letters do COLUMNISTS Cameron Ahmad, Andrew Caddell, Andrew CONTENT LICENSING SALES Sean Hansel PRODUCTION Wednesday by Hill Times not reflect the views of The Hill Times. Thank you. Cardozo, John Chenier, Sheila Copps, Éric Couture, David Crane, PRODUCTION MANAGER Benoit Deneault CIRCULATION MANAGER Dan Lahey Jim Creskey, Murray Dobbin, Gwynne Dyer, Michael Geist, SENIOR GRAPHIC, ONLINE DESIGNER Joey Sabourin Publishing Inc. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40068926 Dennis Gruending, Phil Gurski, Cory Hann, Michael Harris, Erica DESIGN MANAGER Serena Masonde ADMINISTRATION RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN Ifill, Joe Jordan, Amy Kishek, Rose LeMay, Alex Marland, Arthur ADDRESSES TO: CIRCULATION DEPT. WEB DESIGNER Jean-Francois Lavoie HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER Tracey Wale 246 Queen Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5E4 Milnes, Tim Powers, Mélanie Richer, Susan Riley, Ken Rubin, Evan ASSISTANT WEB DESIGNER Ian Peralta (613) 232-5952 246 Queen Street Suite 200, Ottawa, ON K1P 5E4 Sotiropoulos, Scott Taylor, Lisa Van Dusen, Nelson Wiseman, and DELIVERY INQUIRIES Fax (613) 232-9055 Les Whittington. 2012 Better [email protected] Canadian Publications Mail Agreement No. 40068926 Newspaper 613-288-1146 www.hilltimes.com Winner THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020 9 Opinion

right to choose. (It has since been tifying the intersection of white revived by the Liberals.) In other supremacy and misogyny, calling ‘Senseless’ violence is a #MeToo outcomes, the inquiry to the two ideologies “powerfully Missing and Murdered Indig- intertwined.” enous Women and Girls has been Many experts believe that “the dismissed by the public, politi- same patterns that lead to the crock of nonsense in a cians, and especially Canadian radicalization of white suprema- news media, and Patrick Brown cists and other terrorists can still got elected as mayor of apply to misogynists who turn to Brampton. Mr. Brown resigned mass violence.” In addition, the country built on patriarchy abruptly as Ontario PC leader in American gun control advocacy early 2018 when CTV reported group, Everytown for Gun Safety, accusations of sexual misconduct pointed out in their latest study, Canada has a white, and his first victim (though not believed that the best women made against him by two young that in “at least 54 per cent of killed) was his girlfriend. Seems were silent and meek), and to be women. The former PC leader mass shootings between 2009 and male, domestic like gender-based violence from used and discarded according to has strenuously denied any 2018, the perpetrator shot a cur- here, only this episode resulted male fantasies and whims. Were wrongdoing and has filed a libel rent or former intimate partner or terrorism problem in a femicide where at least that not the case, women would lawsuit against the TV network. family member during the mass 13 women were killed, out of be paid equally to men, sexual But, at least we don’t have to rampage.” that is now a national 22 people, as the killer contin- violence wouldn’t be the epidemic hear the smarmy machinations And this occurs in nor- security problem. ued his rampage for 13 hours. that it is, consent would be taught coming from Jian Ghomeshi and mal times. We are in a global Though not all victims were in schools, and there wouldn’t be a CBC that protected his reputa- lockdown under coronavirus Let’s hope they don’t women, they were all victims of a need for #MeToo. tion at the expense of women. threat and domestic violence a misogynistic culture, drunk on #MeToo is a great example This is our country. Don’t get has spiked. According to Angela turn this country into toxic masculinity, all underwrit- of how Canada views women. it twisted. MacDougall, executive director ten by the patriarchal social and In 2017, a Nova Scotia judge The violence is about power, at Battered Women’s Support the Republic of Gilead. political structure upon which had acquitted a taxi driver who the power to control women, and Services in , there this country was built. was charged with the sexual when that power is interrupted, has been about a 300 per cent This isn’t a senseless act; rath- assault of his drunk passenger, violent things happen to women. increase in calls to their sup- er it’s very on-brand for Canada. who was found half-naked and The prevailing wisdom blames port line. And while the Trudeau Canada is no stranger to unconscious in his car. “A drunk women for not leaving an abusive government gave some money to femicide: from the infamous 1989 can consent” was Judge Gregory man—that’s what patriarchy does, crisis centres, that money didn’t Montreal École Polytechnique Lenehan’s retort. After calls for it blames women for the violence trickle down much to Indig- massacre to 2018’s Toronto van his resignation, an all-white, committed on them. However, enous organizations that see six attack, politicians and media de- mostly male judicial council in that is the riskiest time for women times the rate of gender-based ployed the same use of “senseless” Nova Scotia cleared him of mis- in abusive relationships, accord- violence as non-Indigenous to describe what exactly makes conduct. The partial solution to ing to the National Coalition for women. And it all but ignored sense in patriarchy: violence to this was ’s bill to Domestic Violence. trans womxn, who are usually Erica Ifill control the movement and power require mandatory sexual assault I guess those “feminazis” were left out of the conversation and Bad+Bitchy of women. training for federally appointed right all along … again. And consideration, but for whom 54 Gabriel Wortman was not an judges, tabled after a judge again. And again. per cent of intimate relation- evil or mentally ill individual responded to a rape victim by The failure to connect the dots ships are violent. TTAWA—Not all men. How- (there is no evidence of this asking her why she couldn’t keep in the continuum of misogynistic Canada has a white, male, Oever, when it comes to mass at the time of writing), he was her knees together. Robin Camp violence would make anyone’s domestic terrorism problem that murder, it is indeed all men. the product of a society that was reinstated as a lawyer by eyes roll into the back of their is now a national security prob- The shootings in Nova Sco- rewards men’s use of violence another mostly male and white head like a NeNe Leakes gif. The lem. Let’s hope they don’t turn tia were shocking, until they and aggression to disempower Law Society of Alberta. And perpetrators of mass shootings this country into the Republic of weren’t. The shooter had a histo- and control women. In Canada, Ambrose’s bill was filibustered are mostly white and definitely Gilead. ry of domestic violence, which is women are the footstools of men, by her own party in the Sen- male. The Anti-Defamation Erica Ifill is a co-host of the something that the police made there for support and care in an ate, the same party that doesn’t League’s Center on Extremism Bad+Bitchy podcast. only perfunctory mention of, obsequious manner (the Puritans uniformly recognize a woman’s published a report in 2018 iden- The Hill Times

tions individuals living off-reserve, Judicial decision or no judicial decision, it’s more than 500,000 Métis not affili- ated with MNC, and 17,690 Inuit outside of funded ITK regions. This lopsided disbursement same old crap for off-reserve Indigenous may make political sense in the back rooms. But it doesn’t make sponsibility for Indigenous people government made that clear with is looks like reprisal for CAP tak- common sense. Four years after the living off reserve. its one-sided pandemic aid. ing Ottawa to court on behalf of The AFN, MNC, and ITK But the federal government Particularly neglected was the off-reserve people. are the Big Three of Indigenous Daniels decision, we made extra sure the overwhelm- Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, There is no way $250,000 will Canada because they are deemed ing majority of Indigenous people which represents non-status and meet even the most basic needs to fit Ottawa’s “distinctions based” are still the forgotten have nothing to celebrate by off-reserve First Nations, Métis, and for off-reserve and non-status approach to policy. people. The federal virtually leaving them out of pan- southern Inuit of Northern Quebec. Indigenous communities. Traditionally, “distinctions demic relief. CAP received just $250,000 to help This isn’t the first time Ottawa based” is Orwellian language for government made that Back on April 14, 2016, in a some of society’s most vulnerable used disease and neglect to get federal prerogative to override rare unanimous decision, the top people survive COVID-19. rid of inconvenient Indians, But self-defined aggregates of peoples clear with its one- court ruled that non-status and CAP advocates for 80 per cent it’s the first time it has done that from pre-contact and modern Métis Indigenous peoples are of Indigenous Canadians. while talking non-stop about Indigenous nations. sided pandemic aid. “Indians” under the Constitution Other organizations helping reconciliation. Now it seems to mean the Indi- of Canada. Known as the Daniels off-reserve or urban Indigenous Let’s look at disbursement of ans who fit your agenda. decision, the ruling ended a 17- people such as the National As- Indigenous pandemic aid from a You will find the phrase year legal fight in which Ottawa sociation of Friendship Centres common sense point of view. “distinctions based” a lot in the insisted off-reserve Indigenous didn’t do much better. The $215-million for the AFN mandate letters to ministers that people were under provincial By contrast, $290-million is will be available to the 334,385 followed the Oct. 21 election. jurisdiction, not federal, as on- being split among the Assembly First Nations individuals living I don’t begrudge the Big Three reserve First Nations were. of First Nations (AFN), represent- on-reserve. Some $45-million for the money they are receiving. But The court noted that off- ing on-reserve First Nations, the Inuit will be available to 47,330 I do want all Indigenous people to reserve Indigenous were treated Métis National Council (MNC), living in four Inuit homeland be treated equally. as a forgotten people between and Inuit Tapirit Kanatami (ITK). regions affiliated with ITK. And Mr. Trudeau: reconciliation for the two levels of government and A total of $15-million was $30-million allocated for MNC the minority is reconciliation for Robert Bertrand it was time for Ottawa to step set aside for proposals made by communities will be available to no one. Robert Bertrand has been Opinion up. The Congress of Aboriginal off-reserve and urban Indigenous 42,000 members of in Ontario, Peoples (CAP) and the late Harry organizations. Manitoba, , Al- National Chief of the Congress of Daniels, our founding chief, were Frankly, this is an atrocity. And berta, and British Colombia. Aboriginal Peoples since Septem- pril marked four years since among the plaintiffs in this case. it is proof the Trudeau govern- And here are those who will ber 2016 and was a Liberal MP Athe Four years later, we are still ment is determined not to follow benefit from the $250,000 ear- from 1993 to 2004. ruled that Ottawa must take re- the forgotten people. The federal the Supreme Court’s direction. It marked for CAP: 642,850 First Na- The Hill Times 10 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Opinion

it, for me, they are starting to morph from feeling authentic to From MP Sloan’s comments to PM overly contrived. No one can challenge the fact that the PM has been front-and- briefings, tiresome patterns amid COVID-19 centre during this crisis. He has. But now it seems like his constant presence is becoming a case of this time of COVID-19 containment. Prime Minister Justin oversaturation, because we are in Tiresome is not the Many of us are tired of our house- Trudeau, pictured during a place with this pandemic where bound routine and desire some his daily COVID-19 some types of predictable are an- exclusive preserve return to what we had seven weeks briefing outside of noying. As those of us constantly of Conservative MP ago before the new normal set in. Rideau Cottage on April cooped up at home understand, Most of us get that there is still a 14. These daily sessions seeing and hearing the same , it is way to go, and diligence is required. are now starting to thing day after day loses its ap- Apparently, tiresome is feel like a little bit of peal, its potency. also time for the something foreign to Conserva- overkill and a vehicle Somewhere in the prime minis- tive leadership candidate Derek to brandish the prime ter’s orbit, I imagine they are shift- government to shake Sloan. Sloan last week maligned minister’s image, writes ing a plan to change gears on how, things up, specifically, Canada’s Chief Public Health Tim Powers. The Hill and how often, they present him. Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, in an Times photograph by They know when the PM looks can we bring an end irksome, bottom-feeding way. Andrew Meade like he is over-acting or dramatiz- He questioned her commitment ing even his own supporters can to the daily prime and loyalty to Canada, suggest- That Scheer and Conservative Tiresome is not the exclusive find it irksome. It is also when he ing none too gently that she leadership candidates held back preserve of Sloan, it is also time most often gets himself in trouble. ministerial sessions was beholden to some foreign critique was entirely predictable as for the government to shake There is no modern playbook power—China. Initially, neither well, as recent leadership contests things up, specifically, can we written on leadership commu- st on COVID 19? , the Conservative in the party seem to encourage bring an end to the daily prime nication during a 21 century leader, nor the other Conservative candidates to skirt an orthodoxy ministerial sessions on COVID-19? pandemic. They are doing it in real Party leadership contestants con- of selective intolerance mixed with Initially, they were extremely time. But one thing that does stand demned Sloan’s remarks. Scheer a douse of conspiracy. That is tire- helpful and valuable. As polls the test of time is overexposure. has since indicated Sloan should some too. Many advisers to these suggest, the government has been An overexposed figure can apologize. candidates have been schooled in given good grades for the way lose appeal quickly. The prime It is tiresome on many levels the politics of discord and divi- they have handled things thus minister and his team learned that Sloan felt he could troll for sion. They have had some political far. The prime minister has his this in the latter days of their first support among Conservative success, and those they advise personal approval ratings back up term, and it almost cost them voters by slagging Tam in the way often accept these practices as a to 2017 levels. re-election. It is tiresome to fall he did and playing the Chinese necessary part of what they need to However, these daily sessions back into unhelpful patterns. They conspiracy card. While there is incorporate if they want to win. are now starting to feel like a ought to be careful. Tim Powers no doubt Tam’s decisions deserve Let me join the list of those little bit of overkill and a vehicle Tim Powers is vice-chairman of Summa Strategies and manag- Plain Speak scrutiny, coming at them from who lament these practices. But to brandish the prime minister’s the slimy angle Sloan did is not they will continue if there are image. While I am sure there are ing director of Abacus Data. He is acceptable. Thankfully, some subscribers to that school of those who would welcome the PM a former adviser to Conservative TTAWA—Tiresome is a senti- Conservative MPs called him out practice. Sadly, they are not going appearing day after day, offering political leaders. Oment that has more potency in on that. anywhere soon. another cheque to whoever needs The Hill Times

COVID-19 struck, but it has inten- Domestic food supply is critical: sified. Should Canada not have its own, solid, dairy sector, it would be increasingly problematic to source it from the U.S. supply management guarantees delivery The dislocation evident in that sector, and the forecast reduction in the number of American dairy farms Bruce Muirhead following a return to normalcy is As this pandemic has asks: What intensely destabilizing. And this is clearly demonstrated, might have happening despite the fact that U.S. happened were dairy has been labelled as “critical security of food we reliant on infrastructure” by the Department of U.S. egg and Homeland Security. supply and supply dairy imports Canada’s dairy industry re- the same way mains very stable with consumers chains is absolutely we have to benefiting from competitive pricing rely on outside and co-operation among farmers critical and it’s sources for and guaranteeing a stable, domes- imperative that personal tic source of high-quality supply. protective Their farms are not in widespread Canadian producers equipment? jeopardy and the match between Photograph domestic supply and domestic continue to supply courtesy of demand protects Canadians from a Pixabay reliance on imports. those food products Canada’s system of sup- ply management has proved its to Canadian worth time and again, and never consumers. more so than in today’s parlous has been brought out very vividly As this pandemic has clearly this country could afford. Whole- environment. While it is a dismal by the pandemic that is ravaging demonstrated, security of food sale egg prices in the United States thought, some experts believe the world presently. The Canadian supply and supply chains is abso- more than tripled over the period that this sort of pandemic might government response has been lutely critical and it’s imperative from mid-January to mid-April. become the new normal. practical and pragmatic and has that Canadian producers continue This directly relates to a shortage of Our organizational model for made a potentially horrendous to supply those food products to supply. Should Canada not already these sectors provides a stable, situation less so. Canadian consumers. As we are have its own stable and reliable reliable, and domestic source of The fact that Canadians have discovering with, say, sourcing sector selling eggs to consumers at those products it covers, offered not experienced persistent short- N95 masks or ventilators, a do- competitive prices, we, too, would at a competitive price. It would be ages of eggs or dairy, or prices mestic supply is not only neces- have followed the American trend. folly to rely on imports for such spiralling out of control because sary, it is an imperative. As for dairy, segments of that basic and necessary foodstuffs. of shortages, also speaks to long- So it is with those commodities industry in the U.S. are calling Dr. Bruce Muirhead is the as- Bruce Muirhead lasting agricultural policy that is covered by supply management. for immediate government as- sociate vice-president of research Opinion pragmatic and practical. I write, What might have happened were we sistance in the billions of dollars, oversight and analysis and pro- of course, of supply manage- reliant on U.S. egg and dairy imports? given massive oversupply and a fessor of history at the University ment and its role in guaranteeing The cost of eggs would certainly collapse in demand. Otherwise, of Waterloo and Egg Farmers of deology has never been a good stability in pricing and supply for have increased dramatically, far they face imminent bankruptcy. Canada Chair in Public Policy. Isubstitute for data, a fact that both consumers and producers. beyond what most consumers in This had been happening before The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020 11 Opinion Nova Scotia massacre again drives home urgent need for action on gun control, gender violence

sacre had an argument with his civilized, advanced country like nique in 1989. Femicide also flared redouble its response to gender- The Liberals, for all girlfriend, removed the tires from Canada, this should be a reason- in Canada in 2015, when a man based violence. There were plenty her car so she couldn’t leave, and ably straightforward matter. And twice convicted for domestic vio- of red flags in Wortman’s control- their good intentions, then locked her out of their house, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has lence murdered three Ottawa valley ling behaviour towards his girl- a long-time neighbour recalled. promised action on gun controls. women. In 2018, a Toronto man friend and the resulting violence are burdened with an Trying to help the girlfriend, But not much is likely to happen killed eight women and two men will amplify demands for govern- all-consuming struggle John Hudson went to the house until Canadians join together to in a van attack inspired, he said, ment to take more effective action and talked to Gabriel Wortman forcefully demand tougher fire- by a California man who killed to to deal with the persistent, but over COVID-19. to see if Hudson could bring arms restrictions to break through avenge his status as an incel (the la- generally unrecognized, motiva- out some of her belongings, the the influence of the gun lobby and bel for an online-based cult of angry tion behind many of these mass And tightening gun neighbour recounted last week Conservatives’ opposition. This must losers who blame women for their shootings. in a Canadian Press report: “So, I also include tighter border scrutiny status as “involuntary celibates”). “We are saddened but in no ownership rules went to get (her clothes) and what and efforts to halt resale of weapons This is one element in the grow- way shocked … that violence remains a worrisome (Wortman) said to me was: ‘I don’t by licenced Canadian gun owners. ing global movement of violent, hate- against women lay at the heart want anyone in my house. If you The situation in Canada is, of mongering extremists energized by of this heinous crime,” the Transi- wedge issue for a come in my house, I’m just telling course, not nearly as appalling as in the internet and right-wing dema- tional House Association of Nova you, I’ve got guns in here.’” the United States, where gun stores gogues. Canada is not at all immune, Scotia (THANS), which works to minority government. In the wake of the April 18-19 were decreed essential services as evidenced among other things in protect women from violent abuse, rampage, it has become clear that it during COVID-19 and gun sales the situation last year when a torrent said in a statement last week. started with a violent domestic as- went through the roof. Nonetheless, of threats against then-environment “We must not dilute this prob- sault in which Wortman beat up his action on guns in Canada is badly minister Catherine McKenna forced lem by speaking of a single act girlfriend and tied her up before needed. Firearm-related violent the government to provide her with of rage, but rather recognize that she escaped. Police say this was crimes have been on the rise and a security detail. male violence is part of a bigger likely a catalyst for Wortman, who guns are a huge factor in domestic On gun control, the Liberals, social problem of entitlement and began shooting his neighbours. Of violence. A U.S. study found victims for all their good intentions, are toxic masculinity,” THANS said. the 22 victims he claimed over the of domestic violence are five times burdened with an all-consuming The Trudeau government has next 12 hours, 13 were women. more likely to be killed if there is a struggle over COVID-19. And tight- flagged this problem but it will The Nova Scotia killings have firearm in the house. And an Ontar- ening gun ownership rules remains clearly take a major, long-term reinforced in the most horrendous io report found that in 2017, nearly a worrisome wedge issue for a initiative—including better legal Les Whittington way the very urgent need for Cana- 40 per cent of such homicides were minority government. For example, protections, clamping down on Need to Know dians to take a much more serious carried out with guns. the regulations to implement hate speech, more support for look at the causes behind these The Nova Scotia shootings are broader background checks and women’s shelters, and other mea- kinds of atrocities and the inten- part of an increasing pattern of other measures in C-71, passed last sures—to make a difference. TTAWA—At a raucous party sive, society-wide efforts required misogynist violence going back June, have yet to be put in place. Les Whittington is a regular Oin Portapique, N.S., some years on all sides to begin to stop them. to the anti-feminist murders by a Beyond gun controls, the columnist for The Hill Times. ago, the shooter in the recent mas- One would think that, in a Quebec man at the École Polytech- government needs to quickly The Hill Times

such a change might result in “ac- Taxing Canadian expats not the silver cidental Canadians?” Clearly, better data on the num- ber of expatriates, permanent and temporary, and the degree to which bullet for generating post-COVID revenue they return as retirees and take ad- vantage of Canadian medicare and other benefits would be useful. But convenience” arguments as those per cent of emigrants move to the taxation approach as the model like so many citizenship and immi- used by the previous Conservative USA. There is no data regard- to emulate, without asking the gration issues, any change aimed government under then-immigra- ing their citizenship status or necessary questions regarding why at a subset of the population, has to tion minister Jason Kenney. He is the length of time they spent in the U.S. is the outlier, compared to be weighed against the impact on part of a Liberal government that Canada prior to emigrating. other Organisation for Economic the wider population. extended voting rights to virtually The number of adult Canadian Co-operation and Development Similarly, a fundamental shift all expatriates, most of whom pay passport holders abroad was (OECD) countries. Citizenship- from residency-based to citizenship- little or no Canadian taxes. about 725,000 in 2015. The num- based taxation is less appropriate based taxation should take place in But we have to start with ber of Canadians registered with for a world of increased mobility the context of a broader review of a better understanding of the Global Affairs Canada for con- and dual citizenship. Moreover, resi- taxation policies, rather than a fun- Andrew Griffith numbers of Canadian expatriates, sular services is about 346,200, as dency-based taxation is intrinsically damental, but piecemeal, proposal. Opinion whether foreign or Canadian- of April 26, the department said. easier to administer, including with Any such review should aim at en- born. He, like too many, uses the In 2017, the number of Canadian respect to double taxation issues. suring that taxation reflects current Asia Pacific Foundation estimate expatriates who file Canadian non- The introduction of the Foreign and anticipated societal needs. handra Arya, the Liberal MP of three million, which includes resident taxes was about 92,000. Account Tax Compliance Act (FAT- A shift to citizenship-based taxa- Cfor Nepean, Ont., recently ar- all ages and permanent residents. And we also know that some CA) and its assorted implementa- tion would have major impact and gued for changing the current resi- A more accurate, albeit imperfect immigrants return to their country tion difficulties and inconsistencies costs. The flawed U.S. example and dency-based taxation approach to estimate, is closer to two million of origin upon retirement, and that highlights even more the complexi- anecdotal evidence fail to justify the U.S. citizenship-based taxation adult Canadian citizens. about 181,000 persons received ties of CBT, leading a small, but not such a change or even a study, given (CBT) approach, understating the But how many of these CPP, according to December 2019 insignificant, number of Americans that there are more important taxa- complexity involved in making maintain strong connections to numbers, but there’s no data re- to renounce their U.S. citizenship. tion and related policy questions. such a change and overstating the Canada or are likely to return garding their citizenship status. This should serve as a major Andrew Griffith is the author potential benefits. to Canada to take advantage of So Arya’s arguments are based caution to advocating for a major of “Because it’s 2015…” Imple- (Similarly, Andrew Caddell Canada’s generally strong social on “[a]necdotal evidence [that] change to our taxation system, menting Diversity and Inclusion, argued in his April 22 Hill Times safety net? The answer is we do suggests citizens are returning to one that is out of step with all Multiculturalism in Canada: column that “the three million not know and there is limited Canada to enjoy these benefits OECD countries, save the U.S. Evidence and Anecdote and Canadians abroad should con- data available. after spending their productive Would the alleged benefits of in- Policy Arrogance or Innocent Bias: tribute, through a 10 per cent tax However, we have some proxy lives elsewhere,” and his assertion creased tax revenues materialize? If Resetting Citizenship and Mul- on income; that could bring in at measures that give an order of “for a small but growing number, so, would they exceed the expected ticulturalism and is a regular least $30-billion per year.”) magnitude to those keeping their the objective is to acquire citizen- massive costs of completely revamp- media commentator and blogger Some of the arguments are, close Canadian ties. ship and leave again.” ing our tax system? How effective (Multiculturalism Meanderings). on the surface, convincing. Why The average annual number Like all anecdotal evidence, would expatriate tax compliance He is the former director general should Canadian expatriates, of immigrants who left Canada there is some truth, but the extent be, and what would be the costs of for Citizenship and Multicultural- after not paying Canadian taxes between 1996 and 2011 is about of that truth, and whether it enforcement? And just as the U.S. ism and has worked for a variety for their years working abroad, 100,000, according to a Statistics would warrant such a major and approach resulted in modest income of government departments in return to Canada to benefit from Canada study, with between 25 disruptive change in Canadian from “accidental Americans” (citizens Canada and abroad and is a fellow medicare and other benefits on and 40 per cent being temporary taxation, is questionable. of another country unaware of their of the Canadian Global Affairs their return as retirees? Ironically, emigrants, depending on the The other major flaw lies with U.S. citizenship) being caught by Institute and Environics Institute. Arya uses similar “Canadians of census period. For 2006-11, 35.6 citing the U.S. citizenship-based FATCA, how could we be sure that The Hill Times 12 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Comment

Protesters participate After an unfortunate series of events, in a rally dictated largely between the lines involving Israel/ incremental power shifts away from peace against the coronavirus achieved through a two-state solution and lockdown toward security achieved through the instal- in St. Paul, lation of walls, checkpoints, and blanket Palestine surveillance, the label of a peace process Minn., on April that effectively no longer exists in a Middle 17. Flickr East with more than a single ongoing con- photograph flict has been replaced by “Israel-Palestinian and the conflict” to describe what is less a conflict courtesy of Lorie Shaull than a permanent limbo. In the days of reasonable expectations of a two-state solution, the Palestinians Pottery were referred to in political terms as the Palestinian Authority (PA), because Pales- tine didn’t exist (or re-exist) as a political entity as opposed to as an area or region, The U.S. COVID Barn hence the conflict. Nobody—due to a degradation of authority based on the PA’s own corruption and Israel’s technological superiority within a global power realign- response is a strong rule of ment of winners and losers from Hong Kong to Kashmir being anointed by tech- nology and democracy obliteration—uses lesson in what not to do that term with a straight face anymore. The toponymy West Bank and Gaza were long referred This stands in strong contrast to the to in geographical terms as the Palestinian Put side-by-side, Canada’s crap show that we have seen unfolding Territories, pending the creation of a state just south of our now-restricted border. that has now effectively been pre-empted response to the coronavirus The U.S. is now truly No. 1 in all categories Since Benjamin Netanyahu by a cyberpurgatory. of the COVID-19 statistics: it has tested Which brings us to the Pottery Barn rule crisis stands up well in the most citizens, it has recorded the most is extremely busy staying of toponymy, a variation of Colin Powell’s relation to the crap show positive cases, suffered the most deaths, out of jail, here’s a quick “you break it, you bought it” Pottery Barn and has the most unemployed workforce rule for invasions. Israel, thanks to the gob- unfolding south of the border. on the planet. solution to the problem he smacking longevity of a certain prime min- Despite these statistics there are a large ister, has effectively killed the possibility of number of Americans who still think this thinks has been solved but a two-state solution by doubling down on whole pandemic is some sort of hoax, fake asymmetrical power as a response to con- news, or a conspiracy. hasn’t. cerns about demography, democracy, and Last week, some U.S. “patriots” bran- human rights, making the stateless area of dished their assault rifles to exercise their Palestine part of its own political and Second Amendment freedom to bear arms geographical identity by default. Having while demanding that the authorities end broken the putative state of Palestine, Israel the lockdown. When frontline healthcare has bought the binomial nomenclature of workers counter-protested the would-be “Israel/Palestine” as the only truly accurate patriots denounced the nurses as “traitors.” and appropriate name for the conjoined Scott Taylor The medical face of the U.S. COVID-19 entity that reflects that outcome. crisis is that of National Health Officer Dr. Yes, quite a few Israelis, including the Inside Defence Anthony Fauci. Even as his projections of prime minister who has sentenced his the virus spread and death tolls are being Lisa Van Dusen country to a perpetual state of suspended election animation, will balk. And, sure, TTAWA—As COVID-19 has now af- proven correct, the conspiracy theorists de- What Fresh Hell Ofected the entire globe, it is interesting mand he be silenced. Things are so serious many Palestinians will be outraged, espe- to observe just how it has impacted differ- that this mostly publicly unknown medical cially at getting second billing. But, as with ent cultures, aside from actual mortality official now requires a round-the-clock s the infinity-loop melodrama of all change, it will normalize over time, like rates or those measures governments have security detail for his personal protection. AIsrael’s political corruption capture ca- a transplanted organ, a global economy taken to contain the spread of the virus. Then we have U.S. President Donald reens on amid an amplifying pandemic under microbial siege or a weaponized, In Italy, for instance, one of those Trump, whose combative and divisive crisis, it might be a good time to consider lunatic president. It’s a creative compro- countries that has been exceptionally hard rhetoric has only been amplified through- creative solutions to the region’s notori- mise between a two-state solution and a hit by COVID-19, locked down residents out this crisis. ously intractable problem. one-state solution: A binary yet contiguous of apartment buildings and has organized When the COVID-19 virus was initially As an editor trained on U.S. wire ser- statement of eternal inseparability. collective concerts. In Spain, another Euro- a regional outbreak in China and South- vice desks handling foreign copy, a colum- As a hybrid toponym, it has every- pean hot spot, policemen have entertained east Asia, Trump publicly downplayed the nist writing about international affairs and, thing—Israel, Palestine, that impish in the empty streets to the amusement of threat of the disease. Even when the first for a time, the PR for a Middle East peace forward slash in-between standing in for the citizens they are forcibly containing in COVID-19 cases appeared in the U.S., building program, I’ve spent a lot of time the wall that has become such an integral their homes. Trump and his regime were warning that in the past two feature of the In Canada, we have thus far met the the cure of a lockdown would be worse decades im- place. Most of challenge of social distancing and a than the spread of the virus because it mersed in the all, it finally locked-down economy with a quiet resolve. would kill the American economy. language of the conveys the The new normal is something akin to the Last week, Trump blamed the World Israeli-Palestin- truth of a co- “walk of the penguins,” with everyone shuf- Health Organization (WHO) for fail- ian conflict—a existence that fling forward in store line-ups at evenly ing to sound the alarm early enough to description has so bedev- spaced, two-metre intervals. allow America to prepare. As a result of which itself iled scores of We have taken our cues from national the WHO being allegedly “China centric,” serves as an ex- negotiators, and provincial leaders whose press brief- Trump has ceased funding this interna- ample of how Area A, B, and ings have become part of our daily routine. tional agency. the language C surveyors, When historians of the future review the For the record, the first announcement of the story has and coach video footage of this crisis, they will be able of “pneumonia cases” was reported in evolved. tour operators to witness the time-lapse transformation Wuhan, China, on Dec. 31, 2019. On Jan. There was for more than of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s finely 5, 2020, the WHO published a first Disease a time when half a century. quaffed hair morphing into a caveman mop Outbreak News on the new virus. I would have It possesses top. Aside from xenophobic allegations Several other warnings were issued called it the all the beauty from MP and Conservative Party leadership by the WHO, and on March 11, due to the Middle East of an elegant Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, pictured in candidate Derek Sloan accusing federal severity and levels of spread—“and by the Peace Process proof. It is, in Ottawa in 2012, is likely one of many who would balk, Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam alarming levels of international inaction”— (in the days fact, what it is. but the binomial nomenclature of ‘Israel/Palestine’ is of, at best, not having Canada’s interests the WHO officially declared a pandemic. when Peace You’re wel- the only truly accurate and appropriate name for the at heart and, at worst, being an agent of Now Trump has stopped funding the Process was come. Shalom/ conjoined entity that he now presides over, writes Lisa China, this has not been a particularly divi- agency, which sounded the alarm that he capitalized, Salaam. Van Dusen. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia sive crisis in terms of Canadian politics. and others ignored. per AP style, Lisa Van All in all, it appears that the measures That does not seem like a smart move because it was Dusen is as- put in place in Canada have effectively for dealing with any future global pan- an official entity defined by the political sociate editor of Policy Magazine and was flattened the curve and our mortality rate demic. patronage of a “quartet” of geopolitical a Washington and New York-based editor has been mercifully low in relation to those Scott Taylor is the editor and publisher actors—the United States, the European at UPI, AP, and ABC. She writes a weekly individuals who have tested positive for of Esprit de Corps magazine. Union, the United Nations, and Russia. column for The Hill Times. the virus. The Hill Times Seriously!). The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020 13 Opinion Early warning and COVID19—bridging the gap between analysis and response

Health Minister Critics argue that Patty Hajdu speaks at a press failures in early conference with Theresa Tam, warning are linked the chief public to failed early action health officer, on Jan. 26. Early on COVID-19. This response should be taken out of conclusion is both the politicians’ hands and misleading and embedded institutionally obstructive. Early in experts, warning isn’t the domestically and internationally, problem. Early with a proper mandate and full response is. resources, writes David Carment. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

David Carment Opinion

ver the course of four months Oin 1994, 850,000 people were systematically butchered during the Rwanda genocide. A large body of open-source evidence revealed, well in advance, the kill- political campaign could auto- policy response from early warn- in the upcoming election, even if as effective as the most fragile of ings were carefully orchestrated matically emerge from the hazy ing when the precedent for doing that meant, in his own words, the states. They are the primary vectors by groups with malevolent politi- and early signals of a localized so does not exist. Politicians deaths of hundreds of thousands whose collapse we can ill afford. cal agendas. epidemic in China is both unhelp- typically make decisions through of his fellow citizens. Third, the suggestion that All the indicators were there ful and naive. Politicians are typi- analogy. Their reference point is So, if early warning isn’t the early warning and early response to derive a robust response, but cally risk averse. When confront- a past event thought to be similar. problem, are doing nothing or are the sole purview of states is intervention never material- ed with situational ambiguity, For example, the SARS outbreak acting late to protect the econo- misleading. It is time to ditch the ized. The failure to prevent the they will pass the buck, waffle, or of 2004 was the template for gen- my the best options? There are secret satellite images of body Rwanda genocide wasn’t a failure stall. There is no glory in taking erating a response to COVID-19. other choices. The first is to make counts and troop movements of early warning. It was a failure early action, especially when the Yet most of the most impor- prevention pay. It is a time-worn and build on the networks of of early response. Despite hav- potential for making the wrong tant decisions taken in 2020, such cliché that it is more cost-effec- expert medical analysis, whose ing the resources and the man- decision is high and the perceived as reducing air traffic, shutting tive to act preventively than to forecasting and projections date, representatives at the UN political gains low. down borders, and enforcing pick up the pieces afterward. But galvanize both public opinion Security Council refused to stop The idea that evidence-based containment measures, were risk-averse leaders have little and indecisive leaders. Their the killing. America’s leaders at policy making is top of mind for unprecedented. Three months incentive for prevention, espe- research, which lays out all pos- the time could see no benefit in any politician must be tempered ago, these responses might have cially if they think the costs will sible scenarios—not just the best getting tangled up in a country with political realities. Deriving been considered acts of war. encumber future generations. If case—is the single greatest source with little economic or political meaningful policy action from a Indeed, pundits, think tanks, and politicians, by nature, are unwill- for developing coherent policies. significance. The media largely highly complex medical, economic, policy makers could not com- ing to take early action, then who In developing effective responses, ignored the crisis. Only after the and social problem involving mul- prehend the possibility that such might be? states need to learn from each conflict had subsided did the tiple points of transmission is dif- extreme measures were appropri- First, early response should other and from practitioners with international community move in ficult at best. Uncertainty regard- ate to resilient Western political be taken out of the politicians’ real, on-the-ground experience. to pick up the pieces. The failure ing policy choices is further offset systems that placed individual hands and embedded institution- Finally, the media’s chal- to prevent the genocide resulted by the inability to separate signals freedom above all else. They had ally in experts, domestically and lenge function needs to be more in a number of commissions and from noise. Much of that noise is a health sector ranked among internationally, with a proper focused. If indeed early warning reports on improving early warn- generated from social media with the very best in the world. They mandate and full resources. A signals were ignored, questions ing and response. its hearsay, conspiracy theories, could manage it without resorting rapid reaction team of experts need to be asked as events unfold, Fast forward 26 years. Today’s and politicized messaging. to costly options, like contain- to be deployed at a moment’s not after the fact. enemy is an unseen virus with no Only when all the facts are in ment and quarantine. Or so they notice will be needed. Prioritizing Sadly, this is not the first time hidden agenda, but genocidal in- front of them, and the people for believed. global co-operation in response recommendations like these have tent, nevertheless. We should have whom they are responsible are Third, wilful blindness masked to a shared threat would require a been made. Our missed opportu- seen it coming, some argue, and directly affected, are politicians as political opportunism blocks shift of resources from discretion- nities in Rwanda and elsewhere we should have been better pre- moved to action. Unfortunately, effective response. At the early ary and highly politicized files, have produced a number of policy pared. Failures in early warning the inadequacies of reacting at a stages, extreme measures taken such as defence and security to recommendations on bridging the are linked to failed early action late stage are revealed when mea- by China to contain the spread of health infrastructure and im- gap between early warning and on COVID-19, they argue. This sures are overtaken by events. the virus were roundly criticized. proved global monitoring. early response. They are essential conclusion is both misleading and For example, the decision to stop The media used the opportunity Second, instead of chastising reading for those who want to obstructive. Early warning isn’t flights from China failed to rec- to draw a favourable comparison and defunding the World Health prepare for the next “big one.” the problem. Early response is. ognize that many other countries, between “our” political system Organization, this is the time to David Carment is a professor There are several reasons for that. including the U.S., had already and “theirs.” Politicians, includ- strengthen it. Not because we at Carleton University and fellow First, the gap between early become vectors for the transmis- ing U.S. President Donald Trump, benefit from doing so, but because at the Canadian Global Affairs warning and early response is sion of COVID-19. chose the moment to “slow walk” the weakest links in the chain Institute, who publishes on risk very large. The idea that somehow Second, it is very difficult to the crisis in an effort to protect desperately do. After all, prevent- analysis and fragile states. a cogent, focused, and targeted develop an effective and coherent the economy and secure votes ing the spread of a virus is only The Hill Times 14 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Opinion

Public Safety and residents were warned about a tor- Emergency Preparedness nado after it had passed through The tragedy in Nova Minister , pictured and inflicted damage. April 20 addressing When discussing emergency media about the shooting management systems in Canada, in Portapique, N.S. the frequent response is “we don’t Scotia should teach Canada needs to update need this right now,” or “we can’t its emergency response afford it.” The cost is equivalent capacity. It is at least 20 to buying two police cars a year— us all key lessons years out of date, and is not too high a price to save lives. incapable of managing an It is time we brought ourselves emergency or informing into the year 2020, instead of rely- Any inquiry should the behavioural sciences unit the public effectively, ing on outdated systems. set up by the FBI in the 1970s to writes Andrew Caddell. The In the early 1980s, I worked recommend better profile serial killers. The unit’s Hill Times photograph by closely with the RCMP as a purpose was to stop serial mur- Andrew Meade ministerial adviser. I was always training, better ders by identifying the personal- impressed by their thoroughness ity traits of suspects. In the inevitable inquiry, there tions can be managed while keep- and professionalism and I am sad- profiling, and In order to do so, the unit will more than likely be recom- ing the public informed in real time. dened by the blow to the force’s modern emergency interviewed notorious murderers mendations police develop an In an emergency there, incident reputation from this tragedy, and like Richard Speck and David inventory of people with these management systems are up- the killings of Mounties in Monc- systems technology Berkowitz. The psychological profiles. It is hard to believe, dated in seconds, hundreds of first ton, N.B., and Mayerthorpe, Alta. profile they developed had many 40 years after the FBI’s break- responders and municipal officials But, as anyone in security knows, everywhere in this points in common: loners with an through work, we are not doing receive text messages, and the pub- you are only as good as the training obsession for police work, who something similar. Knowing lic can be informed immediately on you receive and the technology you country. were violent with women, meticu- where the psychopaths are is just a website with thorough informa- have at your disposal. The Nova Sco- lous, and took pleasure in killing. as valuable as knowing where the tion and an electronic map. In an tia killer could have murdered many The unit was successful in several guns are. The public has to get on- emergency last year in Queensland, more people; his rampage ended cases, by identifying killers be- side as well, in identifying people this public “Dashboard” received 4.5 only because of incredible luck. fore they sought out more victims. who may be dangerous. million “hits” from the public over a We have to do more to ensure That profile is eerily similar Second, we have to stop period of three days. And because the public, and our police, are safe. to the killer in the Nova Scotia kidding ourselves about our the operations system is integrated Any inquiry should recommend murders last week. We know Gar- emergency response capacity in with the Dashboard, information better training, better profiling, and briel Wortman had an arsenal of Canada. It is at least 20 years out can flow in real time when a fire or modern emergency systems tech- weapons, a replica police car, and of date, and is incapable of man- flood is threatening, or a killer is on nology everywhere in this country. a police uniform. However, in the aging an emergency or informing the loose. If we don’t learn from this tragedy, it news media, the killer is described the public effectively. Canada’s current warning will more than likely happen again. Andrew Caddell as a “nice guy who snapped.” This Full disclosure, I am a partner in systems are, frankly, of marginal Andrew Caddell is retired from is absurd: he planned this ram- With All Due Respect a company that provides emergency value. For example, in September Global Affairs Canada, where he was page, had a violent temper, was es- management software for munici- 2018, the emergency warning that a senior policy adviser. He previously tranged from his parents, and was palities. I am reluctant to comment “a tornado would hit Ottawa in the worked as an adviser to Liberal gov- TTAWA—In the midst of the a misogynist. His friends knew of on this subject for that reason, but next 30 minutes” was not specific, ernments. He is a fellow with the Ca- OCOVID-19 pandemic, I joined his illegal guns, his replica police frankly, the state of Canada’s sys- did not reach everyone, and did nadian Global Affairs Institute and a the crowd watching Netflix. One car, and illegal uniform. These tems is pitiful. In , where not say where in the city’s 2,400 principal of QIT Canada. He can be series I found compelling was were red flags that should have led my parent company is based, police, square kilometres a 30-metre-wide reached at [email protected]. Mindhunter, a true story about police to investigate him. fire, roadworks, and other opera- tornado might strike. A year later, The Hill Times

protocol (VOIP) via dedicated In today’s circumstances, the bandwidth. demand has become increasingly Don’t sacrifice official There is another issue. widespread. Like all of us, interpreters have The a mother tongue. They usually accredits interpreters. Its accredi- languages during times of crisis work from their second language tation is recognized the world into their mother tongue. For over as a guarantee of quality Professional interpreters have that if the audio of the MP’s voice example, an English-speaking MP interpretation. The Translation At its most basic, already worked hard to translate is of poor quality. will be interpreted into French by Bureau hires or contracts only the spoken words of MPs in the The platform chosen to host a francophone interpreter. federally accredited interpreters. the challenge for few parliamentary committees the special session of MPs was Interpreters are also capable Departments and agencies should that have met in recent weeks, so not designed for interpretation. It of interpreting into their sec- be required to hire only accred- interpreters is to we have some experience in inter- has been modified to connect it to ond language. This is known as ited people. be able to hear MPs preting virtual meetings—albeit interpreters’ consoles in a way that “bi-directional” interpreting, but At a time when public health on a small scale. would make MacGyver proud. most interpreters who work into officials are urging people to stay clearly enough to listen When 338 MPs join together But it is not just the platform. their second language offer a at home, a small but dedicated on an online platform, the com- To make this work, MPs must be service of lesser quality because team of Translation Bureau staff to their words and plexity of making this work could equipped with the proper equip- of accent, syntax, vocabulary, for interpreters have gone into work end up undermining the quality ment so they can be heard. Ear example, so this is not recom- every day now for many weeks convey them. Imagine of official language interpretation buds and cell phones just won’t mended for the exacting demands to deliver essential services and trying to do that if the of the proceeding. cut it. Even with the right equip- at Parliament. stand at the ready to make a vir- We want to make a virtual Par- ment, a weak or unstable WiFi Yet, because of COVID-19 iso- tual Parliament viable. audio of the MP’s voice liament work. And, professional connection will undermine quality lation (working alone in a booth Yet, this brave group is flag- interpreters will do everything when it comes to interpretation. and not as part of a team), inter- ging due to auditory injury and is of poor quality. possible to make it a success. In 2019, after rigorous testing, preters may be compelled to work fatigue. Reports of injury are But, it’s important to remem- the Translation Bureau stopped of- bi-directionally, and the quality of now an everyday occurrence. The ber that Canada’s Constitution fering interpretation services over their work would suffer. situation has become so dire, that has not been suspended in the the phone because of conclusive the Translation Bureau is calling face of COVID-19, nor should proof that the quality of sound Quality of interpretation on freelancers this week to help it be. Ottawa continues to have provided never comes close to the reinforce their troops. a legal responsibility to pro- quality of sound needed for qual- throughout the federal Holding the government to vide access of equal quality to ity remote simultaneous interpre- government is being account is a fundamental pillar of its proceedings in both official tation. This move was also made our democracy. An equally impor- languages. For Canadians, this is to protect the health and safety of eroded by another force tant cornerstone of our society is especially important during this interpreters who can sustain seri- Government departments our wonderful bilingual character. crisis. ous auditory injury when they are and agencies can and do hire One should not be sacrificed in At its most basic, the chal- forced to turn up the volume in an interpreters from private com- favour of the other, even during Nicole Gagnon lenge for interpreters is to be attempt to hear MPs. panies who use non-accredited this crisis. interpreters because the Transla- Opinion able to hear MPs clearly enough Since that decision, the Trans- Nicole Gagnon is the advocacy to both listen carefully to their lation Bureau has been working tion Bureau does not offer over lead for the Canada region of the words, their meaning, and even hard to find viable videoconfer- the phone interpretation ser- International Association of Con- he first virtual session of the their emotions while simultane- encing solutions. The systems that vices. Even though this practice ference Interpreters, whose mem- TSpecial Committee on CO- ously voicing the MP’s message provide quality sound conducive undermines quality, government bers include Translation Bureau VID-19, to which all MPs belong, faithfully into the other official to remote simultaneous inter- bodies, even those serving cabinet staff and freelance interpreters. started up this week. language. Imagine trying to do pretation use voice over internet ministers, are guilty of doing this. The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020 15 Security Council bid News

of the most popular countries in the world, who really have a track record,” said Mr. Canada ready for June UN Kinsman, a former high commissioner to the United Kingdom and ambassador to Russia and the European Union, among others. Mr. Kinsman pointed to Norway’s Security Council election despite generous international aid record and Ire- land’s tradition of neutrality and commit- ment to peacekeeping. “We’re engaged in fighting among not actively campaigning amid friends for a seat on a council, which on this life-and-death pandemic didn’t even have a meeting last month,” he said. The Security Council’s first meeting on pandemic, says UN envoy the pandemic came via videoconference on April 9 after infighting over who was to blame for COVID-19 and whether the virus A Small Power on a Large Stage, said he “So, the Irish were not in a very good was a threat to international security. Canada’s Ambassador thinks all campaigns would have been place when the pandemic hit,” Prof. Chap- “I think we should agree that the coun- “temporarily affected” by the pandemic. nick said. “The interesting thing is that cil’s got to be enlivened and given new to the UN, Marc-André “How you resume now is more compli- the Irish prime minister [Taoiseach Leo energy and creativity, and we shouldn’t be cated,” Prof. Chapnick said. “The one thing Varadkar] has performed very well during arguing among ourselves,” Mr. Kinsman Blanchard, wouldn’t say to remember here is that in a campaign this pandemic and now the suggestion is said, adding that Canada should support whether he thinks Canada like this, everything is a bilateral deal. he may have more influence in the next Ireland and Norway and seek their support These are all one-on-one vote swaps that government.” to continue their work on a later term. has the necessary votes you’re trying to achieve.” Prof. Chapnick said when campaigning Jocelyn Coulon, a former policy adviser to “Some of that can continue, it’s just a for the Security Council a “yes” vote isn’t a past foreign affairs minister Stéphane Dion to win a place on the challenge as you lose a little bit of a person- “yes” vote until between two or three and and author of Canada is Not Back: How al touch. At the same time, your opposition seven “yeses” take place. Justin Trudeau is in Over His Head on Foreign Security Council. loses that personal touch as well,” he said. “There will be countries where the head Policy, said Mr. Trudeau’s participation in the Mr. Blanchard reiterated that the cur- of government … will agree to vote for a UN Security Council campaign was too late rent moment is “not a time for campaign- certain country, but then the rep in New with his February trip to Africa and, ultimately Continued from page 1 ing” due to the pandemic, which he told York will go rogue and vote for somebody cancelled visit to the Caribbean due to the rail asked if he would like to see the election reporters nearly a month ago. else,” said Prof. Chapnick, adding that blockades. delayed. “As of the end of February, I shifted some countries will change their vote after Mr. Coulon added that when Canada is Canada’s return to the UN Security from the normal work that we were do- committing to support a certain country. in a competition with European countries, Council has been a key campaign pledge there has been solidarity among European among Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Canada's voting members and European bids for the (Papineau, Que.) foreign policy commit- Ambassador Security Council. ments. Canada last sat on the council in to the UN, “If we lose on June 17 … it would have 2000. The Harper government failed in its Marc-André been for the poor diplomacy of Canada, but bid for a seat in 2010. Blanchard, perhaps also for the structural problem in that The commitment is outlined on Foreign was we are not in a good regional group,” he said. Affairs Minister François-Philippe Cham- appointed to pagne’s (Saint-Maurice-Champlain, Que.) the New York Pandemic has ‘reinforced’ mandate letter, and was also included in City post in Canada’s Security Council the throne speech last December. 2016. United “We are happy if the vote is held in Nations objectives: Blanchard June and we will live with the situation if photograph by Canada has campaigned for the UN the vote is delayed for a few weeks,” said JC McIlwaine Security Council seat around five objectives, Mr. Blanchard, adding that the vote will involving peace, climate change, economic depend on the situation in , security, gender equality, and multilateralism. which has become the global epicentre for Mr. Blanchard said the pandemic hasn’t the COVID-19 pandemic. changed what Canada wants to accomplish He said the “only indication” that has with the seat, but it has “reinforced” those been given so far is that the vote will take objectives, stressing the importance of place as scheduled on June 17. economic security to preventing conflict, According to an Irish Times report, the ing—including some of the campaign “These things are terribly unpredict- which he said has “resonated” with small decision on whether to go ahead with the work—to actually focusing on COVID-19, able,” he said. “If you have secured 130 island nations and African countries. June 17 vote will be made by the end of the the issue of the health care crisis, but also votes, you assume that somewhere be- He said that “everyone recognizes” that week. the issue of [the] supply chain crisis, food tween 25 and 40 of those people might not Canada has been a “very positive voice for Mr. Blanchard wouldn’t comment on security crisis, financing crisis, and now vote for you on the day of,” he said. multilateralism at a time where there are less whether he thinks Canada has the votes to the global recovery issue that we all need “We all bring something [different],” positive voices in the world on multilateralism.” win a seat on the Security Council, saying to work on,” Mr. Blanchard said. Mr. Blanchard said. “Canada brings a very Prof. Chapnick said the goals that a that the election is a “very competitive race” Asked if the campaign has become different proposition to the member states country sets for its time on the Security with “three great countries … competing less of a priority for the Canadian govern- of the UN. We are the only North American Council can end up being eclipsed by the together.” ment amid the pandemic, Mr. Blanchard candidate of that group. We’re the only evolving geopolitical reality of the day. “We’ll only know the day of the vote af- responded that the “best campaign for country that belongs to both La Fran- “Pandemic or no pandemic, the interna- ter the vote has been made and the results Canada is [to] let Canada be Canada, and cophonie and the Commonwealth.” tional environment is always changing and have been announced,” he said. that’s what we’ve been doing in recent He noted that Canada also differentiates when you hit the Security Council things Canada is one of three countries up for weeks.” itself as an Atlantic and Pacific country, as are different than the way they were when two non-permanent seats for the 2021 and Prof. Chapnick suggested that, since well as a member of the G7 and G20. you began your campaign,” he said. 2022 term in the Western Europe and Oth- there is now no campaigning being done “We believe that Canada has been a Mr. Blanchard noted that each UN ers bloc—along with Ireland and Norway. by Canada, it plays into Norway’s favour. forceful force in the multilateral world,” Mr. member state has a different reason to The Trudeau government’s Security “Norway had been campaigning very Blanchard said. place its support behind one of the hopeful Council campaign kicked off in 2016, years successfully thus far,” he said, adding the Multilateralism has been increasingly Security Council bids. after Ireland and Norway launched their Irish situation is more complicated due to under threat in recent years, in part due to “They take into account the position we campaigns in 2005 and 2007, respectively. the recent Irish election and the defeat of the Trump administration’s America First have at the UN on multilateral issues, but Former prime minister was the government. policies, as well as the simmering rivalry they also take into account the bilateral re- named Canada’s special envoy to the cam- “The story with UN Security Council between the United States and China. lationship. And they also take into account paign in February. campaigns is that you don’t make a vote Former Canadian diplomat Jeremy the geopolitics. They also take into account Royal Military College defence studies trade with a lame-duck government be- Kinsman questioned why Canada is per- the history. It’s all sorts of reasons,” he said. professor Adam Chapnick, author of Cana- cause you don’t know if that country will sisting with its Security Council campaign. [email protected] da on the United Nations Security Council: keep its word when it is replaced,” he said. “We find ourselves going up against two The Hill Times

Now offering Laser Therapy - Kanata TCM Acupuncture - All locations Neurological & Vestibular Rehab Our expert team can help. 613.714.9495 Now serving 4 locations: Carling Ave - Hazeldean Rd - Greenbank Rd - Innovation Dr - Free Parking physiocarephysiotherapy.com 16 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES News Natural resources

Kusie. “I don’t think Albertans see a province whose credit rating it as a relief package, they see it has slipped as a result of lost ‘Absolute carnage right as a thinly disguised environmen- revenues. Brent crude closed at tal package.” $25.57 a barrel on April 20, fall- Noting that the federal govern- ing further to $21.44 a barrel by ment has been “spending like the end of the week on April 24, now’: MPs call for greater banshees,” Ms. Kusie also said the before dropping to $19.99 a barrel government will need every form on Monday, April 27. of revenue possible to rebuild the But according to Mr. Simms, national treasury—and that fossil a secondary issue has to do with energy sector support, fuels have to be included in that skilled trades, one of the prov- process. ince’s biggest exports. “This is not anything new, “Since the spike in oil prices this is just different degrees of back in the early 2000s, [there] was ‘re-think’ of industry’s terrible, and I really believe what a lot of money to be made, so a lot that looks like coming out of of people [would] go away to the oil it will be based upon what the field for two weeks and come home federal government decides the for two weeks,” said Mr. Simms. security, budgetary role healthy way out of this is,” said Start-up projects from 2004 Ms. Kusie. “I don’t think we can through 2016 in Alberta have since afford to have an anti-energy ide- slowed down, and there have been ology guide us out of this. I think few new projects to take their Ms. Stubbs added that many of With the resumption of normal we need to really re-think the role place, a process which “has been Conservative MP her constituents are still looking life, Ms. Stubbs emphasized that of the energy sector based upon hard for us locally, because these says for details from the federal gov- Canada should be the destination national security and, as well, the people are now losing their jobs, ernment as to what can be done of choice for energy investment, national treasury.” and they still have fairly young the government will for both the short-term survival of should be positioned to provide Saskatchewan Conservative families,” said Mr. Simms. the sector as well as its long-term global energy requirements in MP (Souris- The Liberal MP said the need every form of recovery and growth. both oil and gas, and that “we Moose Mountain) told The Hill $75-million allocated by the fed- On April 17, the federal gov- have to treat energy as both an Times that there’s “big despair” in eral government to help cap emis- revenue possible to ernment announced $1.72-billion economic and national security his riding, in the heart of the oil sions for Newfoundland offshore for use by provincial govern- strategic asset.” industry in the province. oil was “great,” but also noted that, rebuild the national ments to clean up orphan and “There’s a lot of concerns— to his understanding, companies treasury—and that inactive oil and gas wells, as this has been going on since 2014 involved in offshore projects, well as $750-million to create an Feds will need ‘every [and] unfortunately, with the such as in the Orphan Basin area, fossil fuels have to emissions reduction fund with a form of revenue possible’: crisis with Saudi Arabia and Rus- have been halted recently. focus on methane—$75-million of sia, last week was a very tough “But we still stand a high po- be included in that which will be used by the off- Conservative MP Kusie week,” said Mr. Kitchen. “There tential of getting into production shore sector. Conservative MP Stephanie were a lot of very disheartened or extraction at a later date,” said process. The government also an- Kusie ( Midnapore, Alta.) and despondent people when Mr. Simms. “It’s a sweet crude, it nounced expanded liquidity for told The Hill Times that there they saw the WTI was in negative still has a fairly high demand to it. the sector through increased seem to be “unending levels of a numbers.” There are positives in our direction Continued from page 1 access to the Business Credit new rock bottom” in Alberta’s oil From the northwest of the rid- and that will be the type of oil that “For Canadian energy opera- Availability Program for “me- and gas sector. ing to the southeast, businesses we extract from under the seabed.” tors and Canadian energy work- dium-sized are closing their Newfoundland and Labrador ers, it’s absolute carnage right businesses with Oil and Gas Industries Associa- Conservative doors, according now,” said Ms. Stubbs. “They are larger financing tion (Noia) CEO Charlene John- MP to Mr. Kitchen. being destroyed in real time.” needs,” according son told The Hill Times that the Stephanie “Fast Truck- For Canada’s three largest to the announce- last couple of weeks has been the Kusie says ing, which has oil- and gas-producing provinc- ment from the “death by 1,000 cuts of announce- ‘we need been around for es—Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Prime Minister’s ments of delays and deferred to really decades, has Newfoundland and Labrador—it’s Office. projects and cancellations, so it’s re-think laid off employ- already been a tough slog in the According to had a really devastating impact the role of ees and they’ve industry since a hefty drop in oil Ian Cameron, on our member companies.” the energy shut their trucks prices in 2014. press secretary “We will rise again, we have a sector down,” he said. More recently, with Russia to Natural Re- very skilled workforce here, we based upon “There’s a lot and Saudi Arabia sparring over sources Minister have a skilled supply chain [and national of big compa- oil prices in March, an already Seamus O’Regan from] a geological perspective, our security and nies like that, fragile and oversupplied global (St. John’s prospectivity is some of the best in as well, the and they basi- market was flooded with cheap South—Mount the world,” said Ms. Johnson. “But national cally laid off 250 oil, causing further drops in Pearl, N.L.), the people.” we’re definitely going to need the treasury.’ prices, eventually prompting an oil sector, its Mr. Kitchen help of the federal government to The Hill April 14 OPEC deal calling for oil workers, and said he’s looking get through the perfect storm,” she Times production cuts. suppliers have for the federal said, calling for a “massive stimulus photograph But with the COVID-19 pan- been deeply government to program” to incentivize exploration. by Andrew demic in full swing, oil price affected by the come up with the “Without it, you do not find Meade futures plummeted dramatically fallout from CO- liquidity needed discoveries and you do not get to on Monday, April 20, with the West VID-19 and the for these compa- the development phase with all of Texas Intermediate (WTI) bench- actions of other nies to deal with the capital construction,” said Ms. mark closing in negative territory at oil-producing the situation—a Johnson. -$37.63 a barrel. The WTI, the main nations to inten- “big challenge NDP MP Jack Harris (St. oil benchmark for North America, tionally cause a surge in global “The devastation is almost that the government has got to John’s East, N.L.) also raised con- rebounded by Friday, April 24, fin- supply. lost on us at this point because do.” cerns about the employment situ- ishing at $16.94 a barrel—but then “Jobs have been lost and busi- it’s been so terrible for so long,” ation given how many workers in dropped again to $12.78 a barrel nesses have been closing, so our said Ms. Kusie. “Even prior to the the province work in the West on on Monday, April 27 after another government has taken several onset of COVID-19, we had the Skilled labour one of a rotational basis. brutal day for U.S. oil prices. steps in recent weeks that will Saudi-Russia situation and now Newfoundland and “But the big problem here of Service and supply companies meaningfully support workers with global demand just coming course, is the revenue side for the have been particularly hard hit and communities in Canada who to a standstill—I don’t think my Labrador’s ‘biggest provincial government,” said Mr. in the last four weeks according depend on this industry,” said Mr. family’s bought gas once in six exports,’ says Liberal MP Harris in an interview with The Hill to Ms. Stubbs, her party’s natural Cameron in an emailed statement weeks, maybe once—it’s a reality, Times. “With budgets of provincial resources critic. to The Hill Times. “Since Day 1, but I do believe we will come out Simms governments, like in Saskatchewan “These are small companies our government has been stead- of this.” Liberal MP and Alberta as well, depending on that are actually Canadian, fast in our support for the hard Ms. Kusie said although she (Coast of Bays-Central-Notre oil revenues for a significant part homegrown-founded and based working men and women in the largely blames Alberta’s recent Dame, N.L.) told The Hill Times of the budget, the oil price has companies, not the big multina- oil and gas sector.” decline on world oil prices, she that the “one bright spot” in this impacted that significantly.” tionals,” said Ms. Stubbs. “They Ms. Stubbs said she was happy also lays the blame on both the situation is the availability of Mr. Harris also said that under are being obliterated. When the to see the marginal details come previous NDP government in cheap gas in a rural riding, but the current equalization regime, big multinationals are cutting out of the announcement, “but at Alberta under former premier that “it ends right there.” Newfoundland and Labrador back their big capital expendi- this moment, there is still actu- Rachel Notley, as well as on the “Our provincial government is considered a “have province,” tures, those guys lose all their ally nothing concrete or anything current federal government “that has based its revenue royalties on which “clearly doesn’t fit the reali- contracts [and] you’ve got the clear about the No. 1 priority is completely against the natural mid-$60 a barrel,” said Mr. Simms. ties of the fiscal situation of the opposite happening as well where right now for short-term survival, resources sector.” “Now we’re down to about $20, province and I think that has to companies right now are unable which is getting liquidity and “To me, the package that was because we use Brent crude as be re-visited in a significant way.” to pay their accounts receivable capital into these operators so announced [on April 17] just the benchmark,” a situation which [email protected] back and forth.” that they can survive.” echoed that once again,” said Ms. is “not great,” deficit-wise, for The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020 17 Green Party News New Green Party executive director sees opportunity, potential amid challenging times

still a valuable place to put your ‘It’s a really exciting donations,” he said. “Hopefully, time to sort of distill when people are able to see the work of the caucus [including on what is the core DNA COVID-19 response measures] … this is a crass way of putting it, of the party and invite but you get great value for your money on Green MP.” the people in, in an The Green Party has an- nounced some changes to its authentic, meaningful leadership race as a result of the way,’ says Prateek pandemic, and whether or not the physical convention takes place Awasthi, who’ll mark as planned at the beginning of October in Charlottetown—an his first day on the open question that’s currently under consideration—Ms. Roberts job on May 4. confirmed that a new party leader will be announced Oct. 3. Continued from page 1 After previously reducing the non-refundable fee for candi- There’s a lot that’s new about dates, due July 31, from $40,000 Mr. Awasthi. to $30,000, on April 26, the party He’s a newcomer to Canada. decided to cut down that fee even Mr. Awasthi and his wife, who’s further to $20,000—leaving a total Canadian, moved to Toronto in Green Party supporters are pictured on Oct. 7, 2019, outside the Museum of Canadian History ahead of the English- race fee of $30,000, compared to 2016, and the pair now have two language federal leaders' debate. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade the original $50,000. So far, there young children. Before then, he’d are three official contestants— spent roughly nine years working never seen before,” he said. increased from two to three in ment, Mr. Awasthi said it struck Amita Kutner, , for the United Nations Popula- Suddenly, leaders across the 2019—“still a great result,” said him as an “exciting challenge.” and David Merner—with more tion Fund (UNFPA) in New York world were turning to the UN for Mr. Awasthi, noting the party The momentum is there, he expected in the coming days. The City, moving there from Pune, advice on what to do about their also saw “record donations” and said, and the 2019 campaign deadline for candidate applica- India, right out of university. Mr. youth, said Mr. Awasthi: “All of its vote-share rise. (The Greens showed that more and more Ca- tions is June 3. Awasthi is currently a permanent a sudden my little team of three garnered almost 6.6 per cent of nadians care about the climate. Leadership aside, Mr. Awasthi resident, but said he becomes people was having conference the popular vote in 2019, up from “The Green Party is the party is taking on the job in an uncer- eligible for citizenship this year. calls with prime ministers and about 3.5 per cent in 2015). that people trust to put climate tain time. He’s new to the Green Party presidents across the world, and The party currently has rough- as their top priority, and how we The COVID-19 pandemic and the world of active partisan all of them saying, ‘hey, what do ly 23,500 members, a “record can convert that momentum into has prompted plenty of societal politics, having become a party we do with the youth problem.’ level,” according to party press real policy change felt like a huge reconsideration across the board, member only just this month. Mr. And we’d say, ‘hey, this is your secretary Rosie Emery, and it sim- challenge,” he said. including renewed public policy Awasthi has spent the last two greatest asset, and here’s how ilarly marked record fundraising The party is currently in the discussions on issues like the im- and half years as director policy you can channel the energy of levels last year, reaching a high of midst of electing a new national portance of social safety nets. and advocacy for Engineers young people and involve them almost $2.6-million in donations council. Once it, and Mr. Awasthi, But where others may see dark Without Borders Canada, a non- in a meaningful way in public in the third quarter of 2019—in are officially in place, he said con- clouds, Mr. Awasthi sees oppor- partisan organization. decision-making.’” the quarter prior, it managed to versations will begin about how tunity. And soon, hopefully, he’ll be “One of the things that best to move the party Many of these issues currently new to Ottawa. Mr. Awasthi and became really clear was: forward and grow, includ- dominating headlines and conver- family are set to move to the add youth, change politics. ing a post-mortem on the sations—from guaranteed livable capital for his new job, the timing There’s something really 2019 election. incomes to universal health care of which has become an open unique about bringing But already, he said and pharmacare to increased question, given the COVID-19 young people in,” he said. he’s had some early affordable housing—are policies pandemic. In the meantime, his Harnessing the power discussions through his the Greens have campaigned on, first day working for the party of youth, and people in interview process, includ- including in 2019. will be from home. general, is crucial for any ing with interim execu- “It’s a weird time, but I’m But what isn’t new to Mr. political party. tive director Jonathan looking forward for all of us to Awasthi is the work of identifying “Building consensus, Dickie, Ms. Roberts, and emerge through this crisis having and mobilizing people power. involving stakeholders, parliamentary leader and paused, having reflected, hav- It’s something he said he’s and then building sort of Green MP ing thought about what’s really done since his days studying law collaborative, effective (Saanich-Gulf Islands, important,” said Mr. Awasthi. at the University of Pune in his campaigns is something B.C.). “Right now, the focus is, ‘let’s hometown (Mr. Awasthi was born I’ve done all my life, so “One of my goals will get through this crisis, let’s hold in Mumbai, but grew up in Pune). hopefully I’m able to obviously be to encourage everyone together, let’s make sure In the early 2000s, he became bring some of those skills,” as much member partici- that nobody falls through the part of a student-run campaign touted Mr. Awasthi, noting pation and engagement cracks,’ and then when we get on pushing for HIV drugs to be he organized the EWB’s during the leadership the other side, I think it will be a made cheaply available—a “big” last two lobbying “days convention … there’s also whole new world.” issue at the time—which led to an of action” on Parliament a lot of interest to make Mr. Awasthi’s predecessor as invitation to join the World AIDS Hill, which last year saw sure that we bring in a lot executive director, Emily McMil- Campaign’s youth advisory panel. its members meet with 77 of people,” he said. lan, had been the Greens’ execu- What started out as a vol- MPs in one day. Another top priority tive director since 2012, and Mr. unteer post led to an offer of “But I’m also looking is fundraising, said Mr. Awasthi is the first person of employment, and in 2008, Mr. Aw- forward to learning a lot, Awasthi, and one that he colour to take on the role. asthi was hired as an adolescent you know, every party, Prateek Awasthi officially becomes executive director expects to be a “big chal- “Having grown up on the other and youth program consultant every sort of movement of of the on May 4. Photograph lenge” for the party going side of the world, there’s life with the UNFPA. Three years later people has their strengths courtesy of the Green Party forward, with the CO- experiences that I bring that are came the Arab Spring, which Mr. and their traditions.” VID-19 pandemic, and the bound to be different,” he said. Awasthi, by then an analyst lead- Like “a lot of people,” job losses that have come “It says something really good ing a small team, said pushed his Mr. Awasthi said he had expected surpass the NDP’s fundraising by with it, making it “really tough for about Canada that a federal po- work to the forefront. a better outcome for the Greens roughly $3,000. While still leagues people to shell out money.” litical party would appoint a sort “When I started, youth was last election, having followed behind the Liberals and Con- “It’s a really complicated of newcomer to a position like somewhat a marginal issue. And the party’s “inspiring” campaign servatives, the Greens emerged time because a lot of people are this. That speaks volumes about then the Arab Spring happened closely, in particular that of from 2019 debt-free, according to hurting, and at the same time, it’s sort of the warmth, kindness, and and all of a sudden Tunisia and now-Green MP in interim leader Jo-Ann Roberts. really important to keep fighting welcoming fabric of Canadian Egypt, countries across the world, , N.B. When he heard of the party’s for them,” he said. society.” started seeing their young popu- Ultimately, with Ms. Atwin’s search for a new executive direc- “Our challenge will be to make [email protected] lations mobilize in a way they’d election, the federal Green caucus tor through its website advertise- the case to people that this is The Hill Times 18 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES CLASSIFIEDS Information and advertisement placement: 613-232-5952 • [email protected]

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE HOUSES FOR RENT FINANCIAL SERVICES RARE FIND, RETREAT BEAUTIFUL HOUSE - VARS Have a

LOWER YOUR MONTHLY PAYMENTS AND house to rent CONSOLIDATE YOUR DEBT NOW!!! 1st, 2nd, 3rd MORTGAGES Debt Consolidation or sell? Refinancing, Renovations Tax Arrears, No CMHC Fees 10 mins from Ottawa, $279,000. 25 minutes from Ottawa in $50K YOU PAY: $208.33 / Idyllic Chelsea Village, 2 bedroom, Vars, 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 bath- MONTH (OAC). No Income, Advertise them den. Close to supermarket, walk/ rooms, storage space, pool, ten- Bad Credit. Power of bike trail, world-class spa, restau- nis court, pond, hottub, 3-car Sale Stopped!!! BETTER rants, ski resort, schools. 29 mins garage, finished basement, 14 OPTION MORTGAGE. FOR in The Hill Times to airport. 819-827-0781 acres, perfect for families. gloud- MORE INFORMATION, CALL [email protected]. TODAY TOLL-FREE: 1-800- IS SELF ISOLATION MAKING 282-1169 www.mort- YOU CRAVE OPEN SPACES? FOR INFORMATION: APARTMENTS FOR RENT gageontario.com (Licence # 10969) [email protected] • 613-232-5952 2-BED 2-BATH UNIT AVAILABLE IN CENTRETOWN. BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FINANCIAL SERVICES $$ CONSOLIDATE YOUR DEBT NOW $$ Publication date: May 6, 2020 | Advertising deadline: May 1, 2020 ATTN: ONTARIO HOME OWNER LOANS FOR INVENTORS!! ANY PURPOSE!! Pay down 3,500+ sq feet, 4 bedroom, 2 Need Inventing Help? Call other high interest debt! Bank fireplaces , unique open concept Davison!! Ideas Wanted! turn downs, Tax or Mortgage overlooking the Gatineau R, CALL DAVISON TODAY: arrears, Self-Employed, Bad with access, cul-de-sac, heated 1-800-256-0429 OR VISIT Credit, Bankruptcy - We Can PRIVACY AND SECURITY pool on an acre of land. 12 min- 1000+sqft. Built in 2019. US AT: Inventing.Davison. Help! Even in extreme situa- utes from downtown Ottawa. En-suite. Laundry. Dedicated com/Ontario FREE Inventor's tions of bad credit. Borrow: $799k for quick sale. Email: entrance. Separate heating. Guide!! $50,000 Pay Monthly: $268 [email protected] Furnished optional. $2400/ • Borrow: $100,000 Pay mo contact carlos@becauseh- Monthly: $537. LARGER IN THE DIGITAL AGE ecan.ca FINANCIAL SERVICES CONDOS FOR RENT AMOUNTS AVAILABLE!! FREE Decrease monthly payments. ARTICLES FOR SALE/WANTED CONSULTATION up to 75%!! Based on 1 BEDROOM IN 5% APR. OAC FOR MORE THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE $$ MONEY $$ • 1ST, WANTED: OLD TUBE 2ND & 3RD MORTGAGES INFORMATION OR TO APPLY AUDIO EQUIPMENT. FOR ANY PURPOSE • NOW BY PHONE OR ONLINE: 50 years or older. Amplifiers, DEBT CONSOLIDATION 1-888-307-7799. www.ontar- Is there truly privacy and security in the digital age, or has the development Stereo, Recording and • BAD CREDIT • TAX OR io-widefinancial.com ONTARIO- Theatre Sound Equipment. MORTGAGE ARREARS • WIDE FINANCIAL 1801347inc, of technology meant that we now allow the government further intrusion Hammond Organs, any DECREASE PAYMENTS UP FSCO Licence #12456, !! WE condition. CALL Toll-Free TO 75% • SELF-EMPLOYED ARE HERE TO HELP !! into our daily lives? 1-800-947-0393 / 519-853- • NO PROOF OF INCOME. 2157. We Can Help! Even in EMPLOYMENT extreme situations of FIREARMS WANTED FOR bad credit. FOR MORE DAVISON INVENTORS During a time of crisis, like COVID-19, do we allow the degradation of our JUNE 13TH, 2020 LIVE & 1 bedroom condo in the Golden INFORMATION OR TO WANTED! Triangle at 71 Somerset, unit ONLINE AUCTION: APPLY NOW BY PHONE OR Do you have a new prod- privacy for the perceived greater good? 1606. Steps away from the canal Rifles, Shotguns, Handguns, ONLINE: 1-888-307-7799. uct idea, but you’re not and dowtown with large balcony Militaria. Auction or www.ontario-widefinan- sure where to start? CALL and amazing views. Immediate Purchase: Collections, Estates, cial.com. ONTARIO-WIDE DAVISON TODAY: 1-800- occupancy. $1950/month includes Individual Items. Contact FINANCIAL. 1801347inc. 256-0429 OR VISIT US AT: When it comes to corporations, should they be utilities, appliances, 1 under- Paul, Switzer's Auction: Toll- FSCO Licence #12456. !! Inventing.Davison.com/ ground parking, and storage. Free 1-800-694-2609, sales@ WE ARE HERE TO HELP !! Ontario and get your FREE working harder to protect customer Contact Erin at 613 617 3746 or switzersauction.com or www. Inventor's Guide!! [email protected] switzersauction.com. information? And should the government increase the role of watchdogs to keep them on that path?

SNORING IS FUNNY This briefing will explore whether ... BUT NOT REALLY better encryption the answer to privacy and security issues. It will also look at what the SNORING MEANS YOU ARE government can to do HEALING LESS AT NIGHT curtail the use of intrusive data-collection strategies by app developers. SNORING MEANS YOUR BRAIN Be a part of this relevant AND HEART ARE HURTING and important briefing.

AND NOT GETTING GOOD OXYGEN TO HEAL AND FUNCTION

Call to consult • 613 234 5758 For more information or to reserve your government relations [email protected] • [email protected] and public affairs advertising space, contact The Hill Times display advertising department at 613-688-8841. THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020 19

Mr. Milech had been working as a Mr. Blair; and Hilary Hendricks, executive parliamentary assistant in the public safety assistant to Ms. Astravas. minister’s office under former-minister Justice Minister Lametti hires through the entire 42nd Parliament. Post-election, he was promoted new communications assistants hill climbers to senior policy adviser to Mr. Blair. He’s Justice Minister and Attorney General also a former assistant to Liberal MP Irwin has recently welcomed by Laura Ryckewaert Cotler. two new communications assistants to his Now in the PMO, he is working once team. again under his old boss, Marci Surkes, Lauriane Songuissa-Moulangou has who was previously chief of staff to Mr. been hired as a junior communications Goodale as public safety minister and is assistant and special assistant to Mr. now executive director of policy and cabi- Lametti’s chief of staff, Rachel Doran. net affairs to Mr. Trudeau. She’s a former assistant to Liberal MP Mr. Garoonanedhi joins Mr. Blair’s , who represents Gatineau, Two in, one out office from Diversity, Youth, and Inclu- Que. sion Minister ’s team, Elizabeth where he’d been working as a senior policy Norman- adviser since the beginning of the year, as deau-Ber- previously reported by Hill Climbers. trand also of Public Safety Before joining Ms. Chagger’s office, Mr. joined Mr. Garoonanedhi had been a policy adviser in Lametti’s the heritage minister’s office, during which team in time he was the team’s lead on drafting the February as Liberal government’s anti-racism strategy. a part-time He had first joined that team as a legisla- special assis- Minister Blair’s tive assistant and assistant to the parlia- tant for com- mentary secretary in March 2017 under munications. then-minister Mélanie Joly, and before She was previously then was an assistant to then-Liberal MP Elizabeth Normandeau- working for Arnold Chan. During the 2019 race, he was Bertrand is now working part- Ensemble a digital and outreach co-ordinator for the time in Mr. Lametti’s office. policy team Liberal campaign. Montreal, Photograph courtesy of LinkedIn For her part, Ms. Menouar was last the munici- working as a policy adviser in the Treasury pal political Dasko’s Board president’s office. She first began party founded and currently led by Denis Meanwhile, Justice Minister office as her working in that office in the fall of 2018, Coderre, a former Liberal MP who was executive as- having been hired on full-time as a special mayor of Montreal from 2013 until 2017. David Lametti has a couple sistant. assistant for communications and policy Since graduating from the University of new communications Ms. Ho- after spending the summer as an intern in of Montreal in 2016, Ms. Normandeau- ronowitsch the office under then-minister Jean-Yves Bertrand has also worked as communica- assistants in his ministerial joined Sen. Duclos. Ms. Menour was promoted to tions co-ordinator for the Retail Council Dasko’s team policy adviser last year. She has a bach- of Canada’s Quebec division. office. in September elor’s degree in political science and law Émilie Simard is director of communi- 2018 and from Concordia University and a master’s cations to the justice minister, supported by N APARTMENT NEAR PARLIAMENT before then degree in international law from the Uni- press secretary Rachel Rappaport. AHILL—A new regional adviser for had spent versity of Montreal. Also currently at work in Mr. Lametti’s Quebec and two new senior policy advisers roughly a Dan Lindenas is director of policy to office are: Jesse McCormick, director of are among the recent additions to Pub- year work- Mr. Blair, and, along with Ms. Menouar and rights implementation; Nicholas Daube, lic Safety and Emergency Preparedness Manel Menouar is now a senior ing in Prime Mr. Garoonanedhi, also currently oversees director of policy; Jim Kapches, director of Minister Bill policy adviser to Mr. Blair. Minister Jus- senior policy adviser Sacha Atherly. litigation; Alexander Steinhouse, director Blair’s team. Photograph courtesy of LinkedIn tin Trudeau’s Zita Astravas is chief of staff to the of parliamentary affairs; Olivier Jarda, pol- Emily office as a public safety minister. Mr. Blair’s office icy adviser; Nicola Langille, policy adviser; Horonowitsch special assistant. She’s also a former as- also currently includes: Jordan Crosby, Ana Fujarczuk, issues and parliamentary joined Mr. sistant to Liberal MP , director of parliamentary affairs; Radey affairs adviser; Alicia Castelli, regional Blair’s office who represents Lac-Saint-Louis, Que. Barrack, director of operations; Brittany affairs adviser; Léo Newman, regional as- as Quebec Mehalan Garoonanedhi and Manel Perreault, director of communications; sistant; Nadia Kadri, special assistant for regional af- Menouar have recently been hired as new Mary-Liz Power, press secretary; Craig policy; Morgan MacDougall-Milne, special fairs adviser in senior policy advisers to Mr. Blair, help- MacBride, senior communications adviser; assistant for parliamentary affairs; Seth early March. ing make up for the recent departure of Ellen Kuschnik, issues management and Pickard-Tattrie, special assistant for op- She was last senior policy adviser Michael Milech, who parliamentary affairs adviser; Loïc Paré, erations; François Giroux, judicial affairs Mehalan Garoonanedhi is working in recently left to join the policy team in the issues management and parliamentary adviser; and Joanne Surette, executive now a senior policy adviser Ontario Inde- Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), where he’s affairs assistant; Annie Cullinan, Atlantic assistant. to the public safety minister. pendent Sena- now covering the justice and public safety regional affairs adviser; Danielle Boyle, [email protected] Photograph courtesy of LinkedIn tor Donna files. officer manager and executive assistant to The Hill Times

meeting will be in person, while the Tuesday and Thursday health pandemic, sharing his experience on the recent featuring Stonewall riot activist Martin Boyce. Stonewall 50 sessions will be held virtually. As per the original sitting cal- repatriation of Canadian travellers abroad, as well as his across Canada is a free speakers’ series in cities across the endar, if the House resumes on May 25, it will sit for four views on Canada’s role as a convening power in a time of country featuring Stonewall Riot activist Martin Boyce. Boyce Parliamentary weeks, until its scheduled adjournment on June 23, but global crisis and transformation. These videoconference is among a handful of surviving Stonewall activists whose none of this has been confirmed yet. The House was also events will be held at the Centre d’études et de recher- contributions have had a significant impact on our communi- scheduled to adjourn again for three months and to return ches internationales, Université de Montréal, on Wednes- ties. Join us as he shares his stories of uprising and rebellion, Calendar in the fall on Monday, Sept. 21, for three straight weeks. day, April 29, and at the University of Ottawa’s Centre for what motivated him that night. It was scheduled to adjourn for one week and to sit again International Policy Studies on Thursday, April 30. The Parliamentary Calendar is a free events listing. from Oct. 19 until Nov. 6. It was scheduled to break again Send in your political, cultural, diplomatic, or govern- for one week and to sit again from Nov. 16 to Dec. 11. And FRIDAY, MAY 1 mental event in a paragraph with all the relevant details that would be it for 2020. We’ll update you once the House Canada’s National Security After COVID-19—The Confer- under the subject line ‘Parliamentary Calendar’ to calendar has been confirmed. ence of Defence Association Institutes hosts a webinar [email protected] by Wednesday at noon before the Senate Not Sitting—The Senate has extended its suspen- of two panel discussions on “Canada’s National Security Monday paper or by Friday at noon for the Wednesday sion due to the COVID-19 virus until June 2. The June After COVID-19.” Former vice-chief of defence staff paper. We can’t guarantee inclusion of every event, but possible sitting days were June 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, and 19. The Lt.-Gen. Guy Thibault (retired) will moderate the panels we will definitely do our best. Events can be updated Senate was scheduled to sit June 2-4; June 9-11; June 16- featuring March Barbeau and Shawn Neylan of Stikeman daily online, too. 18; and June 22, 23, it was scheduled to break on June 24 Elliott, LLP; Adam MacDonald, deputy director, Centre for The Hill Times First in-person House for St. Jean Baptiste Day; and it was scheduled to sit June the Study of Security and Development, Dalhouise Uni- 25 and June 26. The Senate was scheduled to break from versity; and Carter Vance, former junior research associate special coronavirus June 29 until Sept. 22. The Senate’s possible September with the NATO Association of Canada. This free event will sitting days are Sept. 21, 25, 28. It’s scheduled to sit Sept. take place online from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Extra! Extra! 22-24 and Sept. 29-Oct. 1, with a possible sitting day on committee meeting Friday, Oct. 2. The possible Senate sitting days are Oct. 5, 9, MONDAY, MAY 4 Read the full 19, 23, 26, and 30. It’s scheduled to sit Oct. 6-8; it takes Economic and Fiscal Implications of the COVID-19 Pan- on April 29 a break from Oct. 12-16; it will sit Oct. 20-22; and Oct. demic and Oil Price Shocks—The Canadian Association Parliamentary 27-29. The November possible Senate days are: Nov. 2, 6, for Business Economics hosts a webinar on “Economic 16, 20, 23, 27, 30. It’s scheduled to sit Nov. 3-5; it will and Fiscal Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Calendar take a break from Nov. 9-13; it will sit Nov. 17-19; and Nov. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29 Oil Price Shocks” featuring Parliamentary Budget Officer 24-26. The possible December Senate sitting days are: Dec. Yves Giroux. This event will take place online on Monday, online House Not Sitting—The House has been suspended 4, 7, and 11. The Senate is scheduled to sit Dec. 1-3; Dec. May 4 at 1 p.m. Registration required. until Monday, May 25, and the spring schedule is still not 8-10 and it will sit Dec. 14-18. We’ll also update you once International Day of Pink—In celebration of the 50th anni- confirmed due to the global pandemic. However, during the Senate calendar has been confirmed. versary of the Stonewall Riots/Pride; and the 30th anniversary this adjournment time, a Special COVID-19 Pandemic In Conversation with Canada’s Foreign Minister—Foreign of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, Committee has been established, composed of all members Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne will partici- and Biphobia, we are proud to invite you to Stonewall 50 of the House, to meet beginning on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, pate in a virtual university tour to engage with students across Canada, in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa, and as of May 7, on Thursdays as well. The Wednesday and academics on Canada’s role during the current global Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, and Cape Breton, from May 4-21, Stay connected to decision-makers Inside Ottawa & Inside Canada Inside Now in stock Ottawa Directory Save time, have all political phone numbers and email addresses at your fingertips. Inside Ottawa includes: • Federal riding profiles • MP contact details, both Hill and constituency • House committee clerks and membership • Senators’ contact details and committee membership • Current photos in colour • Prime Minister’s Office and Privy Council Office staff contacts • Ministers’ offices staff contacts • Speaker’s office contacts • Committee charts with current photos • List of shadow cabinet and opposition critics • Key political, government and media contacts • Sitting calendar 2020 • Renumeration • Session tip sheet

Inside Canada includes: Contacts for every Province and Territorial Government: • Legislature key contacts 2020 • Members of the Legislative Assembly with photos • Cabinet ministers’ executive departments • Party and Government Posts (ministers and critics) • Opposition contacts • Agencies of Parliament • Media contacts • Remuneration • Committees members and clerks • Sitting calendars for 2020 • Seat breakdown by province • Next election forecast

Order Now www.hilltimes.com/the-hill-times-store-package [email protected] • 613-688-8821