Publications Mail Agreement #40068926 Armenian envoy Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: on NATO-ally Turkey to calm Canada canincrease pressure News record, raisingoppositionire continues prolific speaking Liberal MP Lamoureux News THIRTY-SECOND YEAR, NO.1773 I A North, Man.), it’sadreamcome rise. est amongotherLiberal MPsto party’s backbench, oradisinter a relegation ofthegoverning late, who argueitreflectseither unnoticed by theoppositionof House—a factthat hasn’tgone pack formostinterventions inthe 2015, hasconsistentlyledthe government Houseleadersince parliamentary secretary tothe House Chamber. reux onhisfeetspeakinginthe seen Liberal MPKevin Lamou- decade, chancesarehighyou’ve being usedintheconflict. proves Canadianequipmentis light ofnew information shesays on already-suspended exportsin towards anindefinitearmsban Karabakh conflict andmove to steerclearoftheNagorno- step upthepressureon Turkey where afightbetween countries over theweekend intheregion a secondfailedceasefireattempt said inaninterview Oct. 20, after HarutyunyanAzerbaijan, Anahit the conflictbetween Armeniaand and hasa “special role” toplay in BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT BYSAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN Commons debate inthelast f you’ve tunedintoaHouseof Diplomatic Diplomatic pp. 13-23 policy briefing Infrastructure For Mr. Lamoureux(Winnipeg The four-term MP, who’s been Canada hasbeen “very vocal” tawa iscallingonCanadato rmenia’s ambassadorinOt- Circles p.5

- when theopportunityarises,” motivate metoprovide comment those thingscombinedinspireand thoughts andideas. All threeof Chamber, onjustmy own personal the flow ofthedebate insidethe the mindsofmy constituents, on reflecting on what itisthat’s on that’s what Ireallyenjoy. Ienjoy floor oftheHouseCommons, Manitoba legislature oronthe I love debate—whether it’s inthe last 10years. days” ofHousesittingsover the he’s only “missed acoupleof 2010 by-election), heestimates 2015 (hewas firstelectedina time inoppositionfrom 2011to House leaderduringtheparty’s true. Previously deputyLiberal Sept. 27escalation, which asof sides blametheotherfor the ceasefireagreement. Both remained intheircontrol since ethnically Armenian andithas Azerbaijan, butthemajorityare more.” because they arenotusefulany- steps done—notonlystatements, said, callingtohave “concrete involvement intheconflict,” she Turkey towithdraw itsdirect to putpressureonitsNATO ally Russian-backed ceasefirein1994. long-simmering conflictsincea ing thelargestoutburstin has raged fora month, mark- “I’m livingthedream, because The disputedterritory sitsin “We arecallingCanadajust

Continued onpage24 Continued onpage4 C anada ’ s P oliti registration of the promised 200-member Quick ReactionForce. Conservative Defence Committee vice-chair James Bezanof the non- ‘It’s a bald-faced lie if they actually said they didanddidn’t,’ says I J misled theHouseDefenceCommit- peacekeeping pledges in 2019 onstatus of Defence Committee Feds misled House News move the needle on human rightsat the UN ‘It’s anongoingbattle’: BobRae’s push to News Canada’s humanrightsconcerns. isn’t backingdown from raising at theUnitedNations, BobRae BY NEIL MOSS BY NEIL MOSS liament, Global Affairs seemingly n thefinalmonthsof42 ing asCanada’stopdiplomat ust monthsintohisnew post- c

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N ews The Hill Timestold The that aQuick tered withtheUnitedNations. peacekeeping capabilitywas regis- tee, tellingMPsthat akey Canadian Mr. Raesaidhumanrightswill blows” toglobalhumanrights, multi-faceted been “profound, sembly thismonththat therehas Rights, warned theGeneral As- High CommissionerforHuman The UNandGlobal Affairs As MichelleBachelet, theUN’s p a p er WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21,2020$5.00 was oneofthekey peacekeeping registered. Reaction Force capabilityisnot Committee onOct. 8, Mr. Rae the UNGeneral Assembly’s Third at theUN. remain a “key priority” forCanada The QuickReactionForce In animpassionedspeechat Continued onpage25 Continued onpage6 Beliwicz National Defence/Ken of theDepartment Photograph courtesy mission inMali. peacekeeping the UnitedNation's force supporting 13-month task as partofCanada's which weredeployed pictured, fiveof helicopters are Two Griffon

2 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES

Ms. Ardern’s Labour Party won a majority of seats in the House of Repre- sentatives in the country’s Oct. 17 general election—the first majority since New Zea- land’s switch to a mixed-member propor- Heard on the Hill tional voting system in 1996. Mr. Trudeau and Ms. Ardern have been close allies since she came to power in 2017. by Neil Moss When Mr. Trudeau was named to Time Magazine’s Top 100 list in 2018, it was Ms. Ardern who penned Mr. Trudeau’s write-up. During the call, the two spoke about the COVID-19 pandemic, which New Zealand Ailish Campbell named has handled far better than some of its closest allies. “They discussed the importance of Canada’s next EU working across partisan lines to combat polarization and focus on building a more equitable, prosperous, and sustainable future for everyone,” the PMO’s readout of ambassador, becoming the call noted. Zi-Ann Lum, right, is pictured with HuffPost’s The two also discussed cannabis le- Althia Raj, left, and, La Presse Canadienne’s galization and medically assisted dying, Catherine Levesque on June 4, 2019. The Hill as well as climate change. New Zealand Times photograph by Sam Garcia first woman in role voters cast a non-binding ballot on the legalization of cannabis and a binding continues as the secretary, as does The referendum on euthanasia. Canada’s own Logic’s Murad Hemmadi as the treasurer. medically assisted dying bill is currently at Global News’ Abigail Bimman was the Ailish Campbell has been second reading in the House of Commons. Canada's chief trade branch’s previous board representative. commissioner since 2017. Her “It fills me with so much joy when I see duties involved implementing Rachel Gilmore switching Hill so many excellent journalists take the time the federal government's trade newsrooms, joining Global News out of their busy schedules to volunteer for the CAJ in the spirit of giving back to the diversification strategy.The Hill Hill scribe Rachel Gilmore is leaving craft,” CAJ president Brent Jolly tweeted. Times photograph by Andrew Meade CTV to join Global News’ Elgin Street newsroom. Julie Payette receives ceremonial first poppy Governor General Julie Payette was presented with the “first poppy” of the Ca- nadian Legion’s annual poppy campaign.

anada’s chief trade commissioner is Vienna. She recently was Global Affairs’ Cbecoming its next ambassador in Brus- director of export controls. Ms. Kinnear sels. replaces Natasha Cayer. Foreign Affairs Minister François- Ms. Cayer will be moving to Paris, Philippe Champagne named Ailish where she will fill the post of Canada’s Campbell to the post on Oct. 17. She is suc- ambassador and permanent delegate to Rachel Gilmore, left, is pictured with CTV’s Rachel ceeding Daniel Costello who is back at the the United Nations Educational, Scientific, Swatek. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade Pearson Building. and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). She “Proud and honoured to be asked to has filled her post in Vienna since 2016. Ms. Gov. Gen. Julie Payette is pictured laying a wreath represent Canada as Ambassador desig- Cayer will replace Élaine Ayotte. “It breaks my heart to have to say good- at the National Remembrance Day Ceremony in nate to the EU,” Ms. Campbell tweeted. bye to my incredible colleagues at CTV 2019. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade Since 2017, Ms. Campbell has been News, who are some of the best in the biz. They’ve built me up, taken chances on me, Canada’s top bureaucratic trade promoter. To keep with the times, the poppy was and split my sides laughing. I’m forever She joined the then-Department of Foreign presented in a virtual ceremony on Oct. 16, grateful to them for every second of it,” she Affairs and International Trade in 2002 and not at the usual annual event at Rideau tweeted on Oct. 16. where she worked as a trade negotiator. Hall. “But it’s comforting (and slightly She has served as Privy Council policy “This year we mark the 75th anniversary intimidating!) to know that the team I’ll analyst and held senior posts at Industry of the end of the Second World War. It is a be joining is full of rockstar, whip-smart Canada until leaving the public service in celebration of what happens when Can- journalists,” she added. 2013. She then joined the Business Council ada joined together with strong allies to Ms. Gilmore has been a chase producer of Canada where she worked until 2015. achieve a single goal in the name of values, and web journalist at CTV since 2018. Pre- While running Canada’s trade commis- democracy, and liberty,” Gov. Gen. Payette viously she was a reporter at iPolitics. She sioner service, Ms. Campbell was respon- said during the pre-recorded ceremony. also had a short stint at CPAC for seven sible for implementing the government’s The national poppy campaign will kick months in 2016. trade diversification strategy and finding off on Oct. 30, during which more than Global’s Hill newsroom is led by bureau increased trade links for Canada away 20 million poppies are distributed across chief and West Block host Mercedes Ste- from the United States. Canada every year. phenson. The Brussels mission is also aided by “In this year of the pandemic, Remem- former foreign affairs minister Stéphane brance also reminds us that our nation has Dion, Canada’s current ambassador to been through even more challenging times Germany, who is Canada’s special envoy to HuffPost’s Zi-Ann Lum named than we’re experiencing now. Canadians the European Union and Europe. Prime Ministers Justin Trudeau and Jacinda new CAJ Ottawa branch prez persevered then and we will now,” said Mr. Champagne also announced Reid Ardern discussed cannabis legalization and The Ottawa branch of the Canadian Legion grand president Larry Murray. Sirrs is becoming Canada’s next ambassa- medically assisted dying in their Oct. 18 phone Association of Journalists (CAJ) unveiled Mr. Murray is a former vice admiral in the dor to Afghanistan, where he will replace call. Photograph courtesy of Twitter/Justin Trudeau its new executive team with HuffPost’s Zi- Canadian Navy and served as acting chief David Metcalfe. Mr. Sirrs has previ- Ann Lum as the newest president. of the defence staff in 1997. ously served as deputy head of mission in She will replace Hill Times’ managing The Legion is planning a scaled-down Canada’s Afghanistan embassy from 2014 Trudeau congratulates New editor Charelle Evelyn in the role. National Remembrance Day Ceremony to 2015. Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern on Ms. Lum has worked on the Hill since 2017. this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It Jenny Hill was named Canada’s next The Winnipeg Free Press’ Dylan Rob- will not have more than 100 people in at- representative in South Sudan, replacing landslide re-election ertson will serve as the branch’s vice- tendance at the downtown Ottawa ceno- Douglas Scott Proudfoot. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had a president. taph and spectators are being discouraged Jocelyn Kinnear will be Canada’s am- congratulatory call with New Zealand PM Wire Report editor Anja Karadeglija from attending. bassador to the Organization for Security Jacinda Ardern a day after she won a deci- will be the regional representative, Hill [email protected] and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in sive re-election. Times reporter Samantha Wright Allen The Hill Times

4 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES News Liberal MP Lamoureux continues prolific speaking record, raising opposition ire

and 32 (20.8 per cent) spoke backed the idea of creating a Conservatives have criticized and that he can speak on just ‘I’m living the dream,’ fewer than 200 words. Within the second Chamber for debate. Mr. Lamoureux’s record as well, about everything.” 121-member Conservative cau- “The Speakers would be aware including lobby co-ordinator “He is always saying to any of says Liberal MP cus, 43 MPs (35.5 per cent) have that if one of my colleagues were Sébastien Togneri on Twitter. us, if we want to speak on these Kevin Lamoureux of spoken fewer than 500 words, to stand up when I stand, the Conservative MP Brad Vis different things or if we want to and 23 (19 per cent) spoke fewer Speaker would recognize the (Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon, intervene to ask a question,” she his regular House of than 200. In all, of the 336 MPs other colleagues—I’ve requested B.C.) questioned Mr. Lamou- said. currently in the House, 285 spoke that of Speakers,” he said. reux being “up for every debate Liberal MP Mark Gerretsen Commons presence. in the Chamber between Sept. 23 Under the Conservatives, Mr. multiple times,” in a July 20 tweet: (Kingston and the Islands, Ont.) and Oct. 9. Lamoureux said the government “Not quite sure why Liberal back- said he’s learned a lot about With more than 550 Comparing interventions dur- “often” would “miss spots” to benchers don’t value speaking on speaking in the House from Mr. ing the last Conservative majority speak in response or ask ques- behalf of their constituents in the Lamoureux and has no frustra- House interventions government (from 2011 to 2015) tions of the opposition during de- House?” tions with the amount of time the so far this Parliament, to the last Liberal one (2015 to bate, something he considers “not Speaking with The Hill Times MP spends doing so. 2019), Mr. Lamoureux consis- on” and said “doesn’t happen now.” on Oct. 16, Mr. Vis said he first “I think that the opposition he’s second only to tently tops the list. Conservative “Often when I speak it’s noticed Mr. Lamoureux’s prolific are afraid of Kevin Lamoureux MP Tom Lukiwski (Moose Jaw- because if I don’t stand, no one record during his days as a staffer. and that’s why they try to raise the Speaker. Lake Centre-Lanigan, Sask.) was is going to stand. So to me, there “He’s a really good orator, but I’m this point. Anybody who knows parliamentary secretary to the is a loss of opportunity,” he said, like, ‘don’t other MPs want to speak Kevin Lamoureux knows that he government House leader from highlighting recent debate on Bill on the important bills?’” he said. is the most willing to give up time Continued from page 1 2011 to 2015, and during that time C-3, on sexual assault training “It doesn’t sit well for Canadi- to somebody else if they want to said Mr. Lamoureux in a recent logged 1,314 House interventions, for judges, as an example. That an politics if the Liberal Party re- speak,” he said. “He has been a interview with The Hill Times. Be- coming just under then-House bill has been resurrected from the duces their parliamentary roster mentor to Members on our bench fore being elected federally, from leader Peter Van Loan, who had last Parliament, during which it to one individual MP who speaks since Day 1 and he is a team 1988 to 1999 and 2003 to 2010 1,412. The Liberals changed made it to committee stage in the all the time.” player.” Mr. Lamoureux was a member of House leaders during the last Senate, meaning it’s already been Mr. Lamoureux said all parties When the Samara Centre Manitoba’s legislative assembly, Parliament. Instead, looking at debated in the House, but “the have a short list of go-to House for Democracy calculated the where he served as his party’s the current Parliament, House Conservative Party is so reluctant speakers, and stressed that im- number of words each MP Whip. Leader Pablo Rodriguez (Honoré- to pass anything, so they put up portant work also happens at the spoke in the House in 2012, Mr. So far this Parliament, Mercier, Que.) has made just 172 speaker after speaker.” committee level. He said he takes Lamoureux ranked second (with Mr. Lamoureux’s record of interventions, trailing his parlia- the opposition’s criticism as a 222,451 words) after current NDP interventions in the House— mentary secretary by 400. “compliment.” House Leader Peter Julian (New “interventions” referring to any In an emailed response, Mr. Opposition ire “They’re sensitive. I suspect Westminster-Burnaby, B.C.), who instance of an MP rising to speak Rodriguez’s office said Liberal When Liberal MP Anne that they get a little frustrated was then the official opposition’s on the Chamber floor, be it for MPs are “respected” community Koutrakis (Vimy, Que.) rose to because I’m very blunt with them caucus chair and logged 226,027 debate, Question Period, to table representatives who “routinely make a Members’ Statements— and their behaviour,” he said. “I’ll words. documents, you name it—is participate in debates and discus- referred to as an SO-31—in the go to the washroom and Conser- Samara research director second only to the Speaker of the sions” in the House, and called House on Oct. 1, she noted it was vatives will say, ‘OK, now’s our Mike Morden said the “variance House of Commons, with 572 in- Mr. Lamoureux a “valued” caucus her “first statement as a Member time, we’ve got to move a motion.’ between MPs,” wherein “the most terventions as of Oct. 16, accord- member, whose “participation in of Parliament” since being elected They’re very sensitive to when loquacious MP was speaking ing to openparliament.ca’s count. the House reflects the energetic in 2019. I’m there or when I’m not.” something like 200 times more After Prime Minister Justin approach he brings to his work as than the least,” surprised him. Trudeau (Papineau, Que.)—who MP and the unique responsibili- Liberal “I find it a little bit puzzling ranked third with 544 interven- ties he bears as parliamentary MP Kevin just how close a circle leaders tions, most occurring during secretary.” As for Mr. Rodriguez’s Lamoureux, seem to keep in terms of the Question Period—and the deputy participation, the office said he pictured people they trust to deliver the and assistant deputy speakers, “has exercised leadership on our on Feb. 28 message, and there seems to be the next highest MP is Conserva- parliamentary team and has been alongside not much interest in developing tive Garnett Genuis (Sherwood in the House on virtually every Liberal MP MPs as Parliamentarians and giv- Park-Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.) day” of this Parliament. Ginette Petitpas ing the opportunity so that they with 231 interventions. “For me, it’s about holding the Taylor, has been can kind of grow into the role,” he The Hill Times took a look at opposition accountable for a lot parliamentary said. word counts from the 11 days of of the things that they say. They secretary to the Mr. Morden suggested it’s a debate held so far this session, distort the truth in different ways government “piece of a broader picture.” In Sa- from Sept. 23 to Oct. 9, when the and I take it upon myself to point House leader mara’s exit interviews, outgoing House rose for a one-week break. out their flaws,” said Mr. Lamou- since 2015, MPs have expressed a feeling that The count reflects only com- reux. “As parliamentary secretary but his prolific the “debate part of parliamentary ments made in the Chamber (not to the government House leader, speaking life is an empty exercise that eats in committee), and captures the my job is to be in the House and record in the up a lot of time without being that original English or English-trans- respond to what opposition Mem- Lower Chamber useful,” due to the fact “a small lation from French, including the bers are saying, and quite frankly, precedes that. number of MPs participate, to the word “translation” inserted when I love it … I find this better than The Hill Times fact that sometimes other Mem- MPs switch languages. being a cabinet minister.” photograph by bers are basically just given some Over that time, Mr. Trudeau Along with debate on a range Andrew Meade pages to read for 20 minutes, the logged the most words at 16,458, of issues and procedural interven- fact that nobody’s watching, that though more than half (7,332) tions (like asking the Speaker that debates are so stage-managed came Sept. 24 during debate on all questions be allowed to stand), to prevent any kind of authentic the Throne Speech. Mr. Lamou- Mr. Lamoureux noted he often interactions—so there’s definitely reux ranked second, with 16,452 responds to opposition questions That comment didn’t go unno- Mr. Lamoureux is known for a broad dissatisfaction with de- words up to Oct. 9, followed of privilege in the House. ticed by the opposition, with NDP his ability to speak off the cuff bates.” by Mr. Genuis (at 11,900) and “If I can lighten the overall lobby officer Anthony Salloum and on little notice on seemingly “We’ve definitely spoken to Conservative MP Micheal Bar- load for a number of Members flagging it on Twitter. any issue that pops up, some- MPs who are chomping at the bit rett (Leeds-Grenville-Thousand of Parliament inside the House It was not, however, her first thing he credits to his 30 years of and frustrated by their inability to Islands and Rideau Lakes, Ont.) so that they’re able to do other time ever speaking in the House; experience on House leadership claim some speaking time, we’ve at 11,645. The next highest Lib- things, I see that as a strong posi- openparliament.ca lists 18 previ- teams and something Liberal also spoken to MPs who have eral—aside from House Speaker tive,” he said. ous interventions. In an emailed backbenchers reached by The Hill been surprisingly frank about the Anthony Rota (Nipissing-Timis- Mr. Lamoureux said he’s never response, her assistant confirmed Times last week said they see as fact that they didn’t feel comfort- kaming, Ont.)—was Parkdale- had a caucus colleague express her Oct. 1 statement was the first an asset. able intervening in a lot of stuff High Park, Ont.’s Arif Virani at frustration that they missed out time Ms. Koutrakis requested an Liberal MP Judy Sgro (Hum- and actually kind of resented it 7,974 words. Mr. Virani is parlia- on a chance to speak because of SO-31 slot, and said the MP is ber River-Black Creek, Ont.) when they were pulled in last mentary secretary to the justice him, and stressed he encourages “pleased with the amount of time said she’s never felt she’s lost an minute to take their party’s slot in minister. fellow MPs to take the opportuni- she has spoken in the House and opportunity to speak in the House the debate,” he said. Among the current 154-mem- ty to rise. He’s also argued for the opposed the viewpoint expressed because of Mr. Lamoureux, and —With files from Samantha ber Liberal caucus, 61 MPs (39.6 need to reform the House sitting by other Members that Liberal said “if anything, I think many of Wright Allen. per cent) have spoken fewer than calendar to extend Friday sittings MPs are disrespected by their us, including myself, are in awe of [email protected] 500 words so far this session, to include more debate, and has party.” how much he can actually speak The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020 5

Diplomatic Circles

by Samantha Wright Allen Diplomacy disrupted: Swedish Ambassador Urban Ahlin, left, French Ambassador Kareen Rispal, Norwegian Ambassador Jon Elvedal Fredriksen, and New Zealand High Commissioner Martin Harvey reflect on how envoys adapt their work COVID-19 has forced their missions to adapt. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade, and courtesy of the French, Swedish, and New Zealand mission offices amid the COVID crisis Mr. Ahlin, who added his embassy wasn’t ment in helping them with greater amounts very prepared to do everything digitally, of intelligence, as well as addressing any so it took some time to get the necessary regulatory barriers, supply chain problems, “Nevertheless, it’s a little bit like driving materials. And even when that happened, or commercial challenges. ‘I think the way we are your head into this soft cushion, that you Canada’s internet services left something Diplomats have acted as ears on the have this feeling that you never really get to be desired, he said, noting the expensive ground, communicating crucial informa- doing it is quite difficult but under the skin of things,” said Mr. Fredrik- prices and unreliability. tion about the health situation in their we have no choice,’ says sen, who virtually presented his credentials The pandemic has highlighted the respective countries to give the sense of alongside five others on Oct. 13. “After all, importance of trade connections for New risk and also act as liaisons on health de- French Ambassador Kareen we are humans, and I think we need to feel Zealand, too, said its new High Commis- velopments, and even the rise of, what Mr. a little bit on atmosphere, hear people’s sioner Martin Harvey. Harvey called, “vaccine diplomacy.” Rispal, who thinks the voice in the room to fine tune our under- Developing trade under the Compre- “There’s still a strong wish to under- standing of things.” hensive and Progressive Agreement for stand anything that looks new, different, or pandemic has also created It’s become the normal order of busi- Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) was a innovative in terms of policies,” he said. a ‘revival’ in the importance ness and part of how Canada is adapting priority before COVID-19, and remains a Because no one is travelling to the same its approaches to protocol and diplomacy, central focus, extent, in some ways it’s strengthened the of missions. noted Stewart Wheeler, the country’s chief “We want to ensure that our exports role of diplomats; those in missions are of protocol. It still amounted to a “dignified, hold up in Canada and we can grow them the most able to give information from the but warm and friendly,” online ceremony, as much as we can. Of course the COVID ground and assess what’s happening in their he pandemic has disrupted how dip- Mr. Wheeler said in a Twitter post that environment means the way we do that, respective countries, agreed Ms. Rispal. Tlomats do their work, but they say it’s pictured the six new faces and noted it’s working with colleagues who work in trade “The importance of the embassies also made clear the importance of local meant the same for goodbyes as well, via a and investment in Canada, we have to around the world has been strengthened,” connections and information in response virtual farewell to Argentinian Ambassa- think of different ways of doing it,” said Mr. she said, especially with European Union to a crisis. dor Eugenio Curia. Harvey, who arrived in January, giving him ministers meeting so frequently in Brus- Gone are the days where diplomats It was the second crop to be welcomed about six weeks of runway for the normal sels, the perception became that diplomats mingle at large events hosted in their in this way after Vietnam’s new ambassa- introductory meetings to start a posting. were less important. “That was a revival of residences, the Château Laurier, parlia- dor, Pham Cao Phong, and South Korea’s Given the inability of business lead- our role.” mentary buildings, or on the sidelines of new ambassador, Chang Keung Ryong, on ers to meet directly as often, he said that [email protected] multilateral events. That’s where the best July 16 became the first heads of mission opens an increased role for the govern- The Hill Times ideas are formed, said French ambassador to give their letters of credence in a virtual to Canada Kareen Rispal, when people ceremony. have face-to-face interactions and you can Now flying into Ottawa isn’t always read a room. the mode of arrival, with both Mr. Pham “I’m really missing the ground,” she said. and Mr. Fredriksen saying they arrived in “It’s difficult to be as creative as I was.” Montreal and were driven to the capital. “The big picture is diplomacy has been Seeing the empty airport was a shock to CANADIAN disrupted,” added Ms. Rispal, who along- Mr. Fredriksen last month, when Norway side other diplomats described working seems to have more domestic travel. “day and night” after countries started Perhaps one positive development the locking down, where their work shifted to pandemic has prompted is a second look AVIATION NEEDS an almost entirely consular focus. That’s at the extensive travelling for multilateral typically a tiny part of a head of mission’s meetings across the world, he said. role, which Ms. Rispal said is one of “build- “I think there will be more green think- ing bridges.” ing, at least from Western governments,” Every year, she typically welcomes like Norway, he said, which, like Canada, SUPPORT TOO about 8,000 guests to the Sussex Drive has adopted a “build back better” motto residence, and now it’s mostly empty. It’s that prioritizes the environment. a shift she dislikes, and long term, she said Still, he said he believes with more she doesn’t think Zoom diplomacy can serious negotiations between counterparts replace human interaction in her world. or multilateral negotiations, it would be dif- “I think the way we are doing it is quite ficult to get results by Zoom. difficult, but we have no choice,” said Ms. “At the end of day you need people to Rispal, whose calendar is usually booked a be in the same room to agree on the big year in advance for conferences, speaking issues,” he said. engagements, and the like. Now, “it’s only week by week and it’s mostly by Zoom,” she Ease of connections an ‘eye said, and she’s still trying to find the bal- ance between such online gatherings and opener’ smaller, more intimate in-person meetings. Swedish ambassador Urban Ahlin, who Still, it’s true that the CEOs, ministers, came to Ottawa in February 2019, said and other politicians who would be harder the pandemic has brought home how big to book have become far more available Canada is for an ambassador to cover, and now that they’re sidelined from travelling, having Swedish companies on video calls she noted. from Manitoba to B.C., he’s realized how “I think it was productive only because much easier it is to connect using these I already knew these people, when you tools and reach out in a much broader way. already have a network, people know who “I’m surprised that we haven’t done this you are and the dialogue is easy. When it’s before,” he said, though with expensive a new person …. I think it’s a nightmare. airfares it also wouldn’t have been possible I’m thinking of all my new colleagues com- to have as many involved. ing here.” Aside from the immediate crush of While he didn’t quite describe it that consular demands, Mr. Ahlin said the way, the new Norwegian ambassador Jon pandemic has shifted the diplomatic focus Elvedal Fredriksen agreed the pandemic from one of recovery to one more geared makes entering into a new posting more towards economic connections. challenging, but he stressed it’s important “That has been an eye-opener for me, that ambassador positions be filled during how easy it is to get everyone on board and this time. He said Canadian officials have have meetings and discussion about what been helpful and forthcoming, with all do- is going on economically and what we can ing their best. do to support Swedish companies,” said 6 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES News Feds misled House Defence Committee in 2019 on status of peacekeeping pledges

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan says once Canada has confidence that ‘four to five nations’ are part of a peacekeeping rotation, then Canada will ‘consider getting into Conservative MP James Bezan, pictured speaking to reporters on Sept. a rotation.’ 22, says the Liberals lost interest in contributing to the UN after it lost the The Hill Times Security Council election. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade photograph by Andrew Meade has had many opportunities to ity by a month, but the UN had live up to the pledge, but it hasn’t asked for six weeks, according to taken the risks,” he said. a Canadian Press report. Mr. Sajjan and Foreign Af- Despite possibly being faced fairs Minister François-Philippe with pressure to extend a de- Champagne’s (Saint-Maurice- ployed mission, Prof. Dorn said Champlain, Que.) mandate letters a real commitment would mean outlined an expansion of Cana- that Canada is “ready, willing, and da’s commitments to UN peace- able” to deploy when the UN has keeping operations. the need. Prof. Dorn said there is a Canada currently deploys a “greater need” for peacekeeping CC-130J Hercules aircraft that is help currently because of the based in UN peacekeeping mis- COVID-19 pandemic as there sions in the Democratic Republic are fewer nations willing to put of Congo and South Sudan. The resources in peacekeeping. commitment was extended for Mr. Sajjan told the Defence an additional year in July. It had Committee in March that as part promised the UN the capability as entered into the UN capability is concrete evidence to prove that of the “smart pledge” concept, the part of the Vancouver peacekeep- ‘It’s a bald-faced lie if registry, but Canada has not yet there is no registry [of a] Quick objective is to get more nations to ing summit. received a request for its deploy- Reaction Force from Canada with sign up for peacekeeping. It also promised to provide the they actually said they ment.’” the United Nations, and nor am I “The goal is to get four to five UN with up to 600 peacekeep- In July 2019, the Canadian aware of a Quick Reaction Force nations to sign up, so we can get ers. According to Prof. Dorn’s did and didn’t,’ says Press reported that Canada “had being stood up within the Cana- into a rotation. Once we have the research, Canada is contributing Conservative Defence yet to register” the peacekeeping dian Armed Forces or being able confidence through the UN that 34 military members and police promise with the UN. to mobilize at this point in time we’ll have four to five nations as officers to UN peace operations Committee vice- A UN peacekeeping spokes- during the pandemic, it does raise a part of it, then we, as a govern- as of the end of September. The person said there is no Quick Re- a lot of questions around the mo- ment, can consider getting into a number doesn’t include the troops chair James Bezan of action Force capability registered tives of the government and what rotation,” he said. that Canada provides to the Mul- by Canada in the Peacekeeping steps that they are prepared to Prof. Dorn said that isn’t a sign tinational Force and Observers the non-registration Capability Response System. take for political purposes, rather of Canada showing leadership. (MFO)—a non-UN peacekeeping A Global Affairs spokesperson than what’s in the best interest “We’re waiting on the UN to force in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. of the promised confirmed the capability is “not for our Canadian Armed Forces find other nations, so if we deploy Mr. Bezan said after the gov- 200-member Quick currently registered in the UN’s and our national interest.” there will be someone to come ernment failed to win a seat on database.” Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan after us,” he said. “We’re not only the UN Security Council, it lost Reaction Force. The spokesperson didn’t ad- (Vancouver South, B.C.) was un- looking for one other nation, we interest in contributing with the dress the discrepancy behind the available for an interview. Liber- are looking for four or five, which UN. lack of a capability registered als MPs on the Defence Commit- puts an unreasonable burden on “The whole promise of Justin with the UN and the explanation tee who were on the committee the UN to do future planning.” Trudeau that Canada is back in Continued from page 1 that was given to the Defence at the time of the peacekeeping “It’s undue fear that Canada the business of peacekeeping pledges that the Canadian gov- Committee. study, did not respond to inter- could be caught in a mission [has] all fallen by the wayside. ernment made to the UN at the Asked for a copy of the docu- view requests. without a replacement,” he said, They have no interest in actu- Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial ment distributed to committee In a pre-recorded Sept. 25 adding that it would pressure ally doing anything at the UN in 2017 in Vancouver. The pledge members who do not hold secu- speech to the UN General As- Canada to extend its mission. anymore and that’s why we was for a 200-member force. rity clearances, Global Affairs re- sembly, Prime Minister Justin When the government de- see troop numbers at historical Amid the Defence Commit- ferred The Hill Times to its Access Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) reiter- ployed its first pledge from the lows. That’s why we don’t see a tee’s study on Canada’s contribu- to Information and Privacy office. ated Canada’s commitment to UN Vancouver peacekeeping sum- Quick Reaction Force or other tion to international peacekeep- Conservative MP James Bezan peacekeeping. mit—a 250-member aviation task initiatives that happened at the ing, Global Affairs distributed a (Selkirk-Interlake-Eastman, He said Canada has “a long force in Mali to provide medical Vancouver summit actually come document—entitled, “Status of Man.), his party’s defence critic, history in peacekeeping” and “will evacuations and transportation into effect.” Vancouver Peacekeeping Pledg- said the committee was seem- continue to step up.” for the UN mission—it was asked The Conservatives have long es”—to the committee in February ingly misled on the state of the Royal Military College profes- by the United Nations to extend been critical of the peacekeeping 2019. Citing that document, the peacekeeping pledges. sor Walter Dorn, an expert on its deployment to minimize the pledges, saying at the time that committee’s May 2019 report on “It’s a bald-faced lie if they peacekeeping, said Mr. Trudeau’s gap between Canada leaving and Mali was the wrong mission due the study noted: “According to actually said they did and didn’t,” comments are “hypocritical.” a Romanian task force deploying. to the instability of the region. Global Affairs Canada, the Quick said Mr. Bezan, a vice-chair of the “The Trudeau government has In the end, Canada extended [email protected] Reaction Force offer ‘has been Defence Committee. “So if there not lived up to its pledge and it its medical evacuation capabil- The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020 7 Opinion

up next to on Nov. 4 is that Donald Trump himself has settled the ques- The morning-after elephant: whom tion. A president of the United States who’s a threat to the health, peace of mind, security, and quality of life of his fellow citizens can’t be good for will Canada be sleeping (or not) his neighbours. Which is not to say there are no countries in the world that haven’t benefited from Trump’s presidency—they’re just not democ- next to for the next four years? racies that value American stability, sanity, and predictability. The reason to America is like sleeping with an So, whenever anyone asks Living next to Donald there’s no sane elephant, living next to Trumpian which president would kill the Key- Trump’s America debate to be America has been like sleeping stone pipeline or which president had about which with a non-metaphorical, trumpet- would build a wall between North hasn’t really been elephant Canada ing, bedpost-rutting, tusk-thrashing Dakota and Manitoba, which would be better elephant. You never know what’ll president would revive the inter- like sleeping with an off waking up happen next, so you have to main- minable softwood lumber dispute elephant at all because next to on Nov. tain a perpetual crash position, with or threaten our Arctic sovereignty, 4 is that Donald a constant, wary eye on the lunatic just picture the elephant you’ve nobody’s slept in four Trump himself pachyderm next to you. been sleeping beside. has settled the Democratic candidate and The full, original Trudeau quote years. That may be question, writes former vice-president Joe Biden, was, “Living next to you is in some about to change. Lisa Van Dusen. on the other hand, is more like, ways like sleeping with an elephant Flickr image by say, Babar—a civilized elephant … one is affected by every twitch DonkeyHotey leader capable of empathy who and grunt.” In the past four years, emphasizes peace, order and good the elephant hasn’t been twitch- government—only without the part ing and grunting; the elephant has it myself more than once—go ahead, juana was legalized and spoiled about marrying his cousin. Biden, made twitches and grunts seem Google it. But because it lends itself all the fun) and screwball claims possessing as he clearly does an like the behavioural remnants of a so well to Trumpification based on about trade, national security, and understanding of both America’s pre-pandemonium Utopia. a number of factors—the circus, 1814 White House torching. power and the power of the presi- During eight years as Barack the girth, the roguery, the rampag- As with other bilateral relation- dency, is the sort of elephant who Obama’s vice-president, there was ing, the Thomas Nast GOP symbol ships Trump has been compelled to would know that sleeping next to an Biden, finger-gunning away from … everything but the bed-sharing reduce to a reality-show trope—his elephant is a big ****ing deal, and his side of the bed border, say- Lisa Van Dusen themes you really want to give a “we fell in love” The Bachelor saga would therefore err on the side of ing coherent things in the correct What Fresh Hell wide berth—it’s impossible to resist. with cherubic North Korean neighbourly, courteous coexistence. order and doing his job. Also, because the analogy has despot Kim Jong-Il, his forelock- No tweet-trolling, no trade threats, The alternative is four more never been more apt than in the tugging Hell’s Kitchen deference to no unprovoked charging—just a re- years of circus. here is no cliché about Canada’s past four years of insults, G7-sabo- new world order superiors Vladimir turn to the nominally transactional, Lisa Van Dusen is associate editor Trelationship with the United taging, anti-Canada demonization Putin and Xi Jinping (pre-pre-elec- mutually respectful, bilateral office- of Policy Magazine and was a Wash- States more over-flogged than the (I know … it’s a phrase so filled tion)—his relationship with Canada spousery of the Obama years. ington and New York-based editor famous Pierre Trudeau quote about with exotic, oxymoronic wonder has been not so much a departure The reason there’s no sane de- at UPI, AP, and ABC. She writes a how living next to America is like that it could have kept you up for from longstanding norms as a de- bate to be had about which elephant weekly column for The Hill Times. sleeping with an elephant. I’ve used hours in the days before mari- parture from real life. If living next Canada would be better off waking The Hill Times

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

Editorial Letters to the Editor Moving at the speed of government Chinese envoy’s weather memory not good enough in lobster dispute needs jogging, letter writer says e: “Canada and China’s enduring co- It might seem surprising that with so n terms of how quickly government Instead of moving in that direction Roperation on climate change,” (The Hill many people working in his embassy, includ- Imoves, it was pretty swift between the with greater alacrity, the responsible min- Times, Oct. 5, online). On Oct. 5, your newspa- ing many intelligence agents, Mr. Cong tragic death of Joyce Echaquan at the end ister for Fisheries and Oceans, Bernadette per ran an op-ed by Chinese Ambassador to could not find someone to check his fond of September and a meeting held Oct. 16 Jordan, teamed up with her cabinet col- Canada Cong Peiwu that began nostalgically: recollections against readily available data. with health-care providers about systemic leagues to call for an emergency debate “When I worked in the Chinese Embassy in But, of course, his purpose was no more to racism in the health system. in the House on the ongoing conflict. Canada 20 years ago, I did not expect that 20 speak honestly about climate than about his But that meeting and this path towards “Since 2015, our government has been years later, the temperature in Ottawa could government’s policy toward Canada. change and action only came after some- taking concrete action to rebuild rela- exceed 30 degrees Celsius as early as late His letter is full of honeyed words about one died, in a very public way. Much as tions with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis May.” Which is odd, because it happened our shared values as part of a transparent we saw with the outcry after the deaths peoples,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regularly. effort to separate America from other demo- of George Floyd in the U.S. and other in- said during the Oct. 19 debate. “Unfor- In 1998, the temperature in Ottawa cratic nations. stances of police brutality in Canada that tunately, reconciliation does not happen exceeded 30 degrees Celsius on May 16. In Bosh. His government is building coal were captured on camera, racism against overnight, especially when the injustices 1999, it happened on May 30 and 31. In 2001, plants at breakneck speed, at home and Indigenous people in the health system have already gone on for far too long.” it did so as early as early May, specifically abroad, while trying to persuade Western has been a problem for countless years, No, reconciliation does not happen May 2 and 3. And in 2004, it hit that mark on democracies to hobble themselves economi- and only gets noticed or talked about overnight. But it can happen over the May 14. cally and geopolitically. China openly de- when it’s caught on video. span of 21 years. Major strides towards The ambassador must have lived in a clares its intent to achieve world domination Over the last week, the prime minister reconciliation can also happen over five permanent state of astonishment. But he also by the 100th anniversary of the founding of and various cabinet ministers have been years of government, four of which were speaks of how “climate change is exerting in- the Mao Zedong regime in 2049, an under- calling for an end to the violence in Nova in a majority Parliament. creasing impact on people’s lives.” So perhaps taking in which it is conspicuously aided by Scotia, perpetrated by commercial fishers The Liberals said they’ve been work- his memory failed him as to specifics, but goading other nations into embracing foolish attacking Mi’kmaq lobster fishers who ing steadily on the issue, but as Conserva- such temperatures in the last two decades do and crippling net-zero-by-2050 rules. Or, as are exercising their treaty-defined right tive Leader Erin O’Toole pointed out dur- represent a departure from earlier cooler and the ambassador delicately puts it, “With a to catch and earn a “moderate livelihood.” ing the debate, it hasn’t been enough. “We more verdant conditions in our city. keen sense of responsibility for the whole The country’s top politicians said they’re have asked questions more than seven Nope. In 1989, it happened on May 18 and mankind, China actively promotes the build- going to be looking into reports that po- times in the House and dozens of times 19. In 1986, on May 29. And what of 1977? ing of a community, with a shared future for lice are standing by while Mi’kmaq fish- in the media. We had to do that because Back then, major North American media mankind.” Yes. Under their red flag. ers are being assaulted and their facilities for months the government has preferred outlets were speculating about a new Ice Talleyrand said God gave diplomats and property set on fire. to sit back and wait, hoping the problem Age, Ambassador Cong’s nation was stag- tongues so they might conceal their thoughts. “The acts of violence we have seen in might go away by itself. Sadly, much as gering out of the bloody Cultural Revolu- But the ambassador must try harder, given the past days and weeks are disgusting, we are seeing now with the second wave tion inflicted by Mao Zedong, and Ottawa the glaring gap between his sweet words and unacceptable, and racist in nature. It is a of the pandemic, these things do not go experienced a heatwave with temperatures the facts, including his government’s harsh disgrace to see these threats and acts of away.” over 30 degrees on five of six days between policies of repression in Hong Kong, expan- intimidation and violence take place in Twenty-one years is a long time for the May 25 and 30. sionist military buildup, hostage diplomacy, this country,” Indigenous Services Minis- federal government to kick the can down Incidentally, Ottawa also hit 30 degrees on and choking smog in Chinese cities. ter Marc Miller said on Oct. 19. the road, and now that things have come May 8 in 1939, May 21 in 1941, and May 10 in John Robson Is someone going to have to die— to a violent head, it’s not enough to say 1953, and there are plenty of other examples. Executive Director, Climate Discussion again—before real action happens? It’s “we’re going to keep an eye on it”—not Readers have only to visit the Canadian gov- Nexus been 21 years since the Supreme Court for a government that has pledged to take ernment website and search for themselves. Ottawa, Ont. reaffirmed the treaty rights. But in those action on reconciliation and systemic rac- two-plus decades, the necessary federal ism and is struggling to find something to regulations have yet to be put in place. show for it. Industry not being realistic about oil and gas emissions: KAIROS e: “Majority of Canadians support our in the world is also questionable. When Rnatural gas and oil sector, says CAPP,” emissions from the entire gas supply chain (The Hill Times, Oct. 12, p. 22). are factored in, including drilling, frack- Pointing to a recent poll, the head of the ing, flaring, venting—and subsequent Canadian Association of Petroleum Pro- release of methane, a powerful GHG, ducers writes that Canadians believe that LNG’s carbon footprint approaches that of the natural gas and oil industry should be coal. Carbon capture and storage is touted encouraged to grow if it plans to fight climate as a solution, but the technology contin- change. Grow how? By doubling down on ues to struggle with cost and scalability fossil fuel development or transitioning into and it doesn’t touch the methane leakage renewable energy companies? problem. A recent study by the Canadian According to the Canadian govern- Centre for Policy Alternatives has found ment, between 1990 and 2018, Canada’s that even without LNG exports, emissions greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions increased from oil and gas production would exceed by 20.9 per cent, driven primarily by min- British Columbia’s 2050 emissions target ing and upstream oil and gas production by 54 per cent. and transport. Despite laudable efforts to Energy companies are indeed powerful improve energy efficiency, emissions grew players in investing in renewable energy. as a result of the sector’s growth. According Does the sector have a plan to transition to Natural Resources Canada, from 2000 to completely away from fossil fuels by 2050 for 2017, emissions from oil and gas production Canada to reach its net-zero goal? in Canada rose by 23 per cent due to a 46 Beth Lorimer per cent increase in production. Ecological justice co-ordinator, KAIROS Claims that Canadian liquefied natural Canada gas (LNG) produces the lowest emissions Toronto, Ont.

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mendable commitments to protect 25 per cent of land and ocean by 2025 and 30 per cent by 2030. We Canadians are ready for real recommend investing $4.8-billion over five years for establishing and managing terrestrial and marine protected areas, including support action on a green and just recovery for Indigenous-led land use plan- ning, the establishment of Indig- The commitments future for all. Over the summer, enous Protected and Conserved more than 150,000 Canadians Areas (IPCAs), and expanded in the Speech from wrote to their MPs in support of Indigenous Guardian programs. investing in a green recovery. Last Large-scale and well-managed the Throne are month’s Throne Speech picked up networks of protected areas are vi- on many of these themes, pledg- tal to support healthy ecosystems, encouraging, but we ing climate action and affirming sustain wildlife, sequester carbon, nature protection targets as the and deliver the clean air, water, now look to the federal focus of a green recovery. and food that we need for survival. government to follow The Green Budget Coalition, Indigenous-led conservation and comprising 25 of Canada’s leading stewardship is key to this agenda through with tangible environmental organizations, has and meaningful reconciliation. identified four areas as priority Together, these investments, action and investment investments. along with others detailed in the Firstly, eliminating carbon pol- Canada’s diverse ecosystems can be part of the climate solution, with Green Budget Coalition’s recom- in the fall fiscal update lution from homes and buildings by investments in nature-based climate solutions providing opportunities to mendations, could create major mid-century, essential to meeting create more jobs and support Canadians. Pexels photograph by Laura Penwell progress on the government’s and Budget 2021. Canada’s Paris target, opens impor- commitment to a green recovery, tant opportunities to save money for With a $2-billion investment Coalition recommends making fed- and expedite effective action on Canadians and strengthen commu- in a wave of building retrofits, the eral funding for transit permanent. the climate and biodiversity crises, nities through well-paying jobs. recently announced Canada Infra- Thirdly, Canada’s diverse eco- with benefits for all Canadians. We recommend that the federal structure Bank’s Growth Plan will systems can be part of the climate Though the commitments in the government invest $10-billion in re- help accelerate the urgently needed solution. Investments in nature- Speech from the Throne are encour- furbishing existing buildings, with energy renovation of our homes based climate solutions provide aging, we now look to the federal a focus on schools, hospitals, social and buildings. We look forward to opportunities to create more jobs government to follow through with housing, and residential buildings, seeing further investment rolled and support Canadians, rural and tangible action and investment in to get them off fossil fuels, improve out over the next few months. urban, while making progress on the fall fiscal update and Budget energy efficiency, make them more Secondly, transportation Canada’s mitigation, adaptation, 2021. We also hope to see all parties responsive to fluctuating demand remains one of the largest sources and biodiversity targets. in the House of Commons support David Browne, Doug Chiasson on the electrical grid via storage, of greenhouse gas pollution. Ad- Nature-based climate solutions these important investments in jobs, Comment on-site generation, and load shift- dressing transportation emissions are conservation, restoration, and conservation and the environment. ing, and make them more resilient offers a cost-effective opportunity improved land management actions David Browne is co-chair of the to climate impacts and health cri- to improve the livability of our that increase carbon storage or avoid Green Budget Coalition and director ast week, the Green Budget ses such as the current pandemic. cities, reduce expenditures on fuel, greenhouse gas emissions while ben- of conservation, Canadian Wildlife LCoalition published its annual The budget allocations for and clean the air, while creating efiting biodiversity. We recommend Federation. Doug Chiasson is co- recommendations for federal in- these programs should be com- jobs in the high-tech and manufac- investing $1-billion in such measures chair of the Green Budget Coalition vestments to achieve priority envi- mensurate with a major nation- turing sectors. as well as a further $1.6-billion in and senior specialist, sustainable ronmental outcomes. While we are building infrastructure investment. Strategic investments are needed related programs to increase the use marine development, WWF-Canada. still in the midst of a public health This includes investing in the sup- in every aspect of transportation in of natural infrastructure solutions, The Green Budget Coalition’s Rec- emergency, Canadians are ready ply chains and trained workforce Canada to rapidly accelerate the and restore forest, wetland, grassland, ommendations for Recovery and for real action on a green and just needed to allow building owners transition to zero-emission vehicles and meadowland habitat. Budget Actions in 2020-2021 are recovery from this pandemic that and managers to integrate these and maximize the jobs and econom- Fourthly, significant invest- available at https://greenbudget.ca/ both improves their lives now objectives into their capital plans ic benefits this transition can bring ments are required to fulfill the recommendations-2020-2021/ and builds a better, more resilient and meet future regulations. to Canadians. At the same time, the Canadian government’s com- The Hill Times Wolves in Canadian military personnel’s clothing about what happened. An investi- ing the harvesting of personal Face- The Canadian military has no business gation is now underway. book data for use by U.S. President targeting Canadian civilians with propaganda. It would be easy to laugh this Donald Trump’s election campaign. incident off by comparing it to a bad In response to the revelation That is what our political parties are for. plotline in a Scooby Doo cartoon, that DND was investing in be- but this has raised allegations about haviour modification training, the letter, which informed recipients the Canadian military attempting official line is that this will help the that wolves had recently been to manipulate Canadian citizens on military to plan strategic communi- re-introduced to the region by the Canadian soil. That’s no joke. cation campaigns. provincial government. It is also not an isolated incident, The question begs, when did it To make the letters more convinc- but rather part of a much broader become the military’s responsibil- ing, the military schemers forged strategy of the CAF “weaponizing” ity to monitor and manipulate the the letterhead of the Nova Scotia public affairs as well as signifi- Canadian public? Wildlife Division. Lest someone still cantly increasing its propaganda This past summer, at the height doubt the authenticity of these wolf warfare skills. of the pandemic, the military cre- warnings, the plotters included an The concept of weaponizing the ated a thing called the Precision Scott Taylor information phone number that con- military’s public affairs branch was Information Team (PIT). This five- To date, no one from the Canadian first proposed in 2015 by General person unit scoured social media Inside Defence nected to an Environment Canada Armed Forces has been able to offer employee who also appeared to be Jonathan Vance, shortly after he accounts of private citizens in any credible explanation about why linked to the Canadian military. was promoted to chief of the de- order to provide an in-depth report information warfare specialists with the TTAWA—Last week, there To really scare the bejeezus out fence staff. However, the real driv- to the Ontario government. Halifax Rifles drafted a letter to Nova Owas a bizarre little story in of everybody, the diabolical plot also ing force behind the “weaponiza- According to the PIT analysis, Scotia residents warning that wolves the Ottawa Citizen that, at first included the planned use of a loud tion” program is Brigadier-General the public were not very satis- had recently been re-introduced to the glance, appeared to be so ridicu- speaker to generate wolf sounds. Jay Janzen, the director general of fied with the Doug Ford govern- region by the provincial government. lous that it had to be satire. After receiving phone calls military strategic communications. ment’s care for the elderly during Pexels photograh by Patrice Schoefolt Reporter David Pugliese and emails from concerned resi- It was recently revealed that Jan- COVID-19. revealed that a letter from the dents, the Nova Scotia govern- zen authorized the expenditure of Does one think Premier Ford intended to scare would-be rioters Nova Scotia government sent out ment quickly responded on social more than $1-million on behaviour really needed an official military off the streets with wolf noises? to residents in Annapolis Valley to media that someone was sending modification training for several report to tell him that? The bottom line in all of this warn about a pack of wolves on the out fake news. Once the media dozen of his public affairs officers. There was also another plan for is that the Canadian military has loose in the province was forged began probing the issue, the Ca- The training provided was simi- the CAF to ward off any pandemic- no business targeting Canadian by Canadian military personnel as nadian military had no choice but lar to the behaviour modification driven civil disobedience with a civilians with propaganda. That is part of a propaganda training mis- to sheepishly confess their role in training that had been offered by propaganda campaign that called what our political parties are for. sion that went off the rails. this affair. the parent company of Cambridge for “shaping” and “exploiting” infor- Scott Taylor is the editor and pub- Information warfare specialists To date, no one from the Cana- Analytica. Keen-eyed readers may mation and using vehicle-mounted lisher of Esprit de Corps magazine. with the Halifax Rifles—a reserve dian Armed Forces has been able recall that Cambridge Analytica loudspeakers patrolling Canadian [email protected] unit—had craftily drafted the to offer any credible explanation was embroiled in a scandal involv- streets. One has to wonder if they The Hill Times 10 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Opinion

Republican Senator Ben Sasse was recently recorded complaining about President Donald Trump to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is currently facing a multi-pronged crisis, writes Les Whittington. his Nebraska constituents. Flickr photograph by Gage Skidmore No. 10 Downing Street photograph by Pippa Fowles

adjustment after 47 years in the Euro- pean free-trade bloc, which accounts for nearly half of Britain’s exports. London’s Tough days for the wide boys best hope of achieving a major new trade accommodation—with the U.S.—is very Nebraska constituents. Trump, he added, much up in the air. Regardless of polls, it’s difficult to write off Trump, has treated COVID like a public relations The U.K.’s rejection of the EU has also problem, “flirted with white supremacists” created long-term political unknowns. The whose surreal fun house of lies, demagoguery, and hate and “kisses dictators’ butts.” Conservatives’ standing in the polls is now keeps his deluded right-wing base coming back for more. Sen. Ted Cruz, a former candidate for no better than Labour after former human the Republican presidential nomination, rights lawyer Keir Starmer replaced un- said last week that, if Americans have popular Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader. TTAWA—After nearly four years of indeed given up hope during the epidemic, A majority of Britons now tell pollsters Ocraven sycophancy regarding Donald “I think it could be a terrible election.” The they would rather stay in the EU. And un- Trump’s daily demonstration of unfitness Republicans could “lose the White House less the situation changes, it seems only for office, a few Republicans are finally and both houses of Congress [in] a blood- a matter of time before restive Scotland, eyeing the lifeboats on the evidently sink- bath of Watergate proportions,” he went which voted Remain in the 2016 referen- ing vessel helmed by the president. on. But Cruz blamed the disadvantageous dum, separates and breaks up the U.K. It’s not much of a revolt, but given the situation on the Democrats. Brexit maneuvering with the EU has also total lack of scrutiny displayed by his Republican Sen. Mitt Romney managed increased the risk of a return of sectarian party since 2016, the few words of criti- to eke out a criticism of Trump’s refusal violence in Northern Ireland. cism got widespread notice. “He mocks during last week’s television town hall to It’s an odd situation for the high-flying Les Whittington evangelicals behind closed doors,” Repub- censure the rabid QAnon bunch, saying Johnson. Having never let principles Need to Know lican Sen. Ben Sasse complained to his “the president’s unwillingness to denounce bog down his personal advancement, he an absurd and dangerous conspiracy almost single-handedly juiced up the anti- theory last night continues an alarming EU movement in the U.K. in the 1990s. pattern …” Working as a sensation-hunting British Of course, regardless of polls giving the correspondent in Brussels, he depicted Democrats’ Joe Biden a consistent lead, it’s EU bureaucrats as absurdly overween- difficult to write off Trump, whose surreal ing nitpickers dictating condom sizes and fun house of lies, demagoguery, and hate the shape of bananas—most of which was keeps his deluded right-wing base coming nonsense. Four years ago, he cemented back for more. his national political stature as the head- Across the Atlantic, another wide boy liner in the Leave campaign, a foray built (a British term for hustlers and sleight-of- around a large helping of misinforma- hand types) has fallen on hard times 10 tion. And, having called an election soon months after winning a landslide majority after becoming prime minister last year, government for the Conservatives. Prime Johnson ran his “Get Brexit Done” elec- Minister Boris Johnson has seen his ap- tion campaign around a promise to follow proval ratings drop sharply as a result of through on what he claimed was a “fantas- his bumbling response to COVID-19, which tic” new Brexit agreement he had landed has left the United Kingdom reeling in a with Europe. second wave. Even without Johnson’s brush with Johnson faces a multi-pronged crisis. death as a COVID patient early this year, The United Kingdom’s economy, already these current crises all seem a bit much hurt by the pandemic, could be in for a for the fun-loving, unconventional populist shock of devastating proportions if Brit- occupying 10 Downing Street. ain separates from the European Union As with Trump, the pandemic has on Jan. 1 without a trading arrangement hijacked Johnson’s agenda and cramped of any kind. As time runs short, Johnson his ability to keep supporters entranced at is telling his country to get ready for a large public gatherings. “He was delivered “hard Brexit,” which he said is coming a crisis that was utterly and totally anath- unless EU negotiators make new conces- ema to everything he thinks about himself,” sions on key post-Brexit issues such as says Sonia Purnell, a British journalist who fishing rights and how much government wrote Just Boris: A Tale of Blond Ambition. support for business is considered anti- “He doesn’t like teamwork, he doesn’t like competitive. working very hard and he doesn’t like tell- Johnson might have been bluffing to ing the truth,” she said in an interview with gain advantage with Brussels. But as- the New York Times. suming the worst-case scenario can be Les Whittington is a regular columnist avoided in the cliff-edge dealings, the for The Hill Times. U.K. still faces a long period of economic The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020 11 Comment

disorder, watching a van burn and a lobster pound attacked while Cut the crap about conservation, when Mi’kmaq fishermen were trapped inside. Even Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller said in a it’s colonialism that rules the conversation press conference on Oct. 18 that the RCMP “in Nova Scotia have For the past few weeks, the • The Supreme Court ruling in Partnership was convicted of a failed to properly protect Indig- Make no mistake, this Mi’kmaq people have been as- 1999 of v. Marshall also ruled “gross violation” of regulations enous people embroiled in an serting their rights to trap lobster that fishing rights had not been last year “for storing 3,800 lobster ugly dispute over lobster fishing.” is not a conservation off-season, first negotiated in a extinguished and that their traps on the ocean bottom off the Besides stating the obvious, the series of Peace and Friendship descendants were “not subject Nova Scotia coast for upward of federal government has to take issue, it is an issue Treaties with the British, between to government regulations gov- two months in the fall of 2017,” responsibility for its inaction to of environmental 1726 and 1779. Here’s a quick erning hunting, fishing or land according to CBC News. Given incorporate the Marshall decision rundown. In the 1726 Treaty, “the use.” This was later modified that the Department of Fisheries into public policy. racism by the denial British promised not to interfere to give the federal government and Oceans warned the company Funny how the RCMP adjusts with Indigenous hunting, fishing, authority “if they were deemed more than once, eventually it felt its enforcement of the law ac- of Indigenous rights, and farming.” This is sometimes environmentally or socially the need to take further action by cording to which race’s bod- known as the Mascarene’s Treaty. necessary, did not pertain to carrying out “an at-sea boarding ies they feel are worthy of that underscored by the A 1752 Treaty said the Mi’kmaq mining, logging or the exploita- … that revealed ‘a significant ma- protection. In other words, law “shall have free liberty to bring tion of offshore gas deposits, rine resource loss directly linked and order is only to protect the violence necessary for Sale to Halifax or any other and were intended to allow for to the fishing practices.’” white settler colonialists and the to enforce white Settlement within this Province, community or individual sub- Seems like the fishermen’s rest of us are collateral damage Skins, feathers, fowl, fish or any sistence, not large-scale profit.” real enemy is Clearwater, but to that end. supremacy. other thing they shall have to sell.” This last part forms the crux of why worry about that when you And what is Bill Blair’s—a man The 1760-61 treaties guaranteed “moderate livelihood.” can violently flex on a group of not known for his enlightened the Mi’kmaq “peoples the right to And therein lies the sliver of people less powerful than you? racial views or historical examples hunt, fish, farm land and earn a argument that non-Indigenous And when I say violence, I of such—profound response? reasonable living without British (read: white) fishermen are using mean Mississippi Burning-level Send in more RCMP officers to interference.” to justify the wide-scale violence racist violence where the incon- also sit around and do nothing. Or This is what we call receipts— they have launched against the venience of white settler occupi- perhaps to mimic a Wet’suwet’en receipts that were used in later Mi’kmaq fishermen—namely ers supersedes the generational response, where further violence cases to uphold the Mi’kmaq’s that moderate livelihood fish- dispossession and denial of rights is perpetrated by the RCMP. If this right to fish whenever they damn ing stocks are environmentally of Indigenous people. is the response Blair is perpetrat- well pleased on their land (that’s threatening for conservation. “We are a country of laws,” ing as leadership, we’ll see no what unsurrendered and unceded That’s rich, considering the great the prime minister proclaimed resolution and more violence. in your bullshit land acknowl- disparity of lobster traps between after activists tore down the Sir Make no mistake, this is not a Erica Ifill edgements mean). Clearwater commercial fishery John A. Macdonald statue in conservation issue, it is an issue Bad+Bitchy • The Supreme Court case of and the Sipekne’katik fishery. Montreal in late August, yet it is of environmental racism by the Simon v. the Queen in 1985, Clearwater is a monopoly in law enforcement that is stand- denial of Indigenous rights, un- where Matthew Simon, a offshore lobster, in particular, and ing back while racist acts of mob derscored by the violence neces- ALGARY—Land acknowledge- Mi’kmaw man was charged North America’s largest shellfish violence continue to escalate. sary to enforce white supremacy. Cments are the kind of perfor- with violating the Crown producer with an allowable catch In fact, the RCMP tacitly sup- Welcome to Canada. mances Canadians love to engage in Lands and Forests Act. The equalling 720 tonnes (1.6 million ported the white mob by refus- Erica Ifill is a co-host of the that substitute platitudes for justice. Simon case was the first to pounds) per year. Furthermore, ing to enforce the law to protect Bad+Bitchy podcast. And now the feces have hit the fan. uphold the 1752 Treaty rights; Clearwater Seafoods Limited Indigenous people and promoted The Hill Times

… but to survive, newspapers need to convince people to pay online Carleton marks 75th J-School for reputable journalism.” Today, aspiring journalists also have to be more engaged with societal issues. This year, a group of Carleton BIPOC students and fac- anniversary in a time of crisis ulty issued a “Call for Action,” stat- ing “the Journalism School’s often non-existent approaches to tackling their social media presence, and Allan Thompson, systemic issues within the institu- Like everyone else, declining advertising revenues in director of tion—particularly whiteness, colo- the midst of a struggling pandem- Carleton School of nialism, and racism—create a body learning how to ic economy have forced cutbacks Journalism, says of graduates that is ill-prepared to in print and electronic media. things have come serve the Canadian public.” navigate and lead the Throw in the accusations a long way for the Thompson said systemic rac- university’s journalism mainstream media are “fake program, now run ism in journalism and academia news” and the belief in sources out of Richcraft Hall, are part of the “next reckoning: program was ‘not part that are flagrantly misleading, right. Photograph how to include more diversity and and the battle has been joined on courtesy of Allan equity, how to do things better” to of [the] game plan’ for the media landscape. Thompson, Wikimedia determine who has been left out. Into this turmoil ride aspiring Commons photograph Recently, as part of that effort, new director Allan journalists, like the 120 new students Carleton announced the creation Thompson. at the Carleton School of Journal- all women, came to study at forces them to grasp the new of the Carty Chair in Journalism, ism, marking its 75th anniversary this temporary premises rented by the technology. “While in the past, Diversity, and Inclusion Studies. month. The school’s new director, then-Carleton College. Since then, we may have been guilty of turn- It has been two decades since Allan Thompson, described it as “a 5,000 students have graduated, and ing out reporters for newsrooms, I attended the School of Journal- time of reckoning and reflection.” the school shares a modern build- now we offer graduates who ism. It was a privilege to learn The sombre theme for the online ing by the Rideau River, with the can compete in a wide range of from experienced journalists and anniversary event this week is “Jour- larger Faculty of Public Affairs. fields, including freelancers and to study alongside some of the nalism in the Time of Crisis.” The physical environment stringers.” country’s best and brightest. For Thompson, a veteran reporter is not all that’s changed, said Over its history, the journal- the school, the 75th anniversary is with the Toronto Star, has taught Thompson. Right now, journalists ism school had a reputation for an opportunity to see how far it at the school since 2003. He was are asking “what will be the effect offering a guarantee of employ- has come, but also, as a society, named director in the spring, of the pandemic?” On that score, ment. My friends who graduated how much farther we have to go. when the pandemic hit. He noted there is good news and bad news: from journalism in the 1970s were Andrew Caddell is retired from Andrew Caddell dryly he was dropped into a “while there are closures and scooped up by TV, radio, dailies, Global Affairs Canada, where he With All Due Respect crisis, which “was not part of my layoffs in the industry, people are magazines, and the growing field was a senior policy adviser. He game plan.” As a result, adjust- consuming more news than ever.” of government communications. previously worked as an adviser ments had to be made, not the Thompson said teach- But Thompson remembers his first to Liberal governments. He is a AMOURASKA, QUE.—These least of which was organizing all ing online is a double-edged classes in 1982, “when we discussed fellow with the Canadian Global Kare not easy times for journalists. classes to be online. sword: while personal contact how newspapers were dying.” Affairs Institute and a principal of Newspaper readership is It is a far cry from the experi- is important in journalism, the He cautioned that much like the QIT Canada. He can be reached down, most print media have not ence of the first students in post- internet opens up new ways of character in Monty Python and the at [email protected]. yet figured out how to monetize war Ottawa. Those three students, learning for the students and Holy Grail, “they’re not dead—yet The Hill Times 12 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Opinion Political accountability New audit committee needs to be bigger than will bolster politician posturing Senate

to sense this and has offered to change accountability, While I agree the its name. The government previously was resisting such a committee because of its The Audit and Oversight Committee is a strong opposition is right to apparent gimmicky intentions. They should transparency step forward to provide long-needed oversight now look to work with the opposition to of the Senate’s full budget, which is in excess push for accountability find a tool or series of tools that work. of $100-million, writes Sen. David Wells. The of the government, their Frankly, both sides would look credible if The aim of this committee Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade they did establish some sort of sensible form messengers can sometimes where federal pandemic spending could be is to provide effective are in place, that the systems in place for evaluated. That would be a good outcome, all Senate expenditures are compliant drift with their rhetoric and but group parliamentary shenanigans are not oversight of the Senate’s with the rules, and that there are regular likely to be avoided. Parties came together system and compliance audits of Senators’ imaginings. to reasonably improve expenditures and expenditures and it will do office, living, and travel expenses—which, institute some checks and balances. Together again, are a very small percentage of the they should find a way to scrutinize them. An this in a way that respects total Senate expenditure. The committee’s election on this issue because the government the taxpayer and meets the reports to the Senate will be public. believes it can bully the opposition into not There have been calls for the Senate to having one is not the preferable outcome. expectations of Canadians adopt a model similar to that of the United And then there is America and incum- Kingdom’s Independent Parliamentary bent President Donald Trump, who has for a modern institution. Standards Authority, which arose out of taken his poisonous invective up a notch their parliamentary expense scandal of with less than two weeks to go before 2009. The Independent Parliamentary Stan- Americans vote. We have all become dards Authority monitors the expenses for too accustomed and nonplussed by the the Members of the House of Commons. Tim Powers constant use of his insidious disturbing The Senate of Canada already publishes Plain Speak language, knowing the impact it has on this information as proactive disclosure in people and his country’s reputation. detail on the Senate’s website as a mat- While polls suggest Trump is in decline ter of course—and has done so for several TTAWA—At a time when serious and is on track to lose, he is more con- years. The calls to establish an expensive, Odiscourse is required, partisanship and tented than ever to scorch the earth while redundant system do not warrant further populism pollute our environment. The damaging the fabric of American society. rational discussion. Unlike the Senate’s only polluter pay system that works in an From his constant denial of the impact newly established AOC, the U.K. model election. In one case, a broader public vote of COVID-19 and visceral criticism of a Conservative Senator David Wells does not review the systems or total ex- is not needed as compromise should be science-based approach to his personal Opinion penditures of the U.K. House of Commons. found. In the other setting, an election will maligning of Dr. Anthony Fauci, it is just Calls to adopt the U.K. model for Canada’s happen, but its results may be challenged gross. It is as if Trump has no understand- Senate are not informed ones. Adopting leading to further civil strife. ing that the role of the president of the arlier this month, Senators unanimous- the U.K. model would be two steps in the In Ottawa, a raging debate is brewing United States needs to be bigger than his Ely agreed to create a new committee on wrong direction to safeguarding taxpayers’ about parliamentary accountability related posturing. audit and oversight that will be responsible money. to the federal government’s pandemic In the twilight of this U.S. vote, we are for reviewing and publicly reporting on the The committee will be the first par- spending. The primary political focus has left with the embarrassing and distress- Upper Chamber’s spending. liamentary committee of its kind, with been on the controversy or scandal—pick ing spectacle of Trump looking to inflict The Senate’s Audit and Oversight Com- membership comprising of Senators and your word—surrounding the Trudeau gov- more harm than good. While politicians of mittee (AOC) was created in response to independent external members. The estab- ernment’s all stripes the auditor general (AG) report of 2015. It lishment of this committee demonstrates almost have played is a strong step forward that provides long- the Senate’s commitment to rigorous billion-dollar aggres- needed oversight of the Senate’s full bud- oversight while building the trust of the investment sive wedge get which is in excess of $100-million. The Canadian public. That the committee was in the WE politics committee will also establish and oversee unanimously adopted without further Charity, before, no an internal auditor position—something debate, objection, or amendment speaks given the one seems that the Senate lacked. volumes about the Senate’s readiness to prime minis- to enjoy it as The committee will be unique in three boldly move forward. ter’s family’s much as this significant ways. First, it will include non- While only Senators will be able to extensive president Senators in its membership. Second, it will vote, all members will be able to include connec- nor care less permit dissenting opinions of any commit- dissenting opinions in the reports—an im- tions to the about its tee member in its reports to the Senate—a portant element to transparency and a first organiza- lasting con- first for the Senate. Third, and perhaps the of its kind for the Senate. All reports of the tions. The sequences. most important point, is that the committee committee will be tabled in the Senate and opposition Trump only will have audit powers and oversight of the therefore will be public. has seen WE knows how entire Senate budget. Committee audits will be especially as a chance to sucker Many will recall that the former AG, the focused on risk areas; which was not the to bruise punch and late Michael Ferguson, was tasked by the case for the AG’s audit, which was forensic the Liber- has no con- Senate to review its expenditures. While and limited, not in scope but in execution. als for their cept of how this request was all-encompassing, he Transparency and accountability have greatest Government House Leader Pablo Rodriguez and Prime to heal. chose only to review a small percentage of been at the centre of every decision thus vulnerabil- Minister Justin Trudeau are pictured at an Ottawa press When the Senate expenditures comprising of travel far and will be at the centre of every deci- ity—blatant conference on Oct. 16. In Ottawa, a raging debate is brewing world needs (roughly two per cent), living expenses sion moving forward. self-interest about parliamentary accountability related to the federal leadership (roughly two per cent) and office expenses Until the creation of the AOC, the Sen- at the government’s pandemic spending, writes Tim Powers. The Hill from south (roughly eight per cent)—with commentary ate did not have an internal auditor—only expense of Times photograph by Andrew Meade of the border in his report only on the first two. From an external auditor. Both will now advise the Canadian taxpayer. The Liberals have and some- this two-year audit that cost Canadian the committee and it will be guided by best prorogued Parliament, launched a reset, one who emanates a sense of purpose to taxpayers more than $25-million, less than practices, efficient systems, and the integ- filibustered, resisted providing documents, address the pronounced long-lasting im- one per cent ($177,898) was required to be rity that being in full public view brings. and are now threatening a confidence vote pacts of this real pandemic, we have a des- reimbursed to the Senate. No evaluation The aim of this committee is to provide all in order not to talk about WE. perate Trump. One, who if he loses, driven whatsoever was done by the AG on the effective oversight of the Senate’s expendi- While I agree the opposition is right to by his avarice, is unlikely to go quietly. other 88 per cent of Senate expenditures tures. It will do this in a way that respects push for accountability of the government, We are in serious times which are not covering the 12 directorates including the taxpayer and meets the expectations their messengers can sometimes drift with being fully met with serious approaches. Finance and Procurement, Information of Canadians for a modern institution. This their rhetoric and imaginings. For example, May that change soon. Services, or Human Resources. There was is an important and positive step forward looking to establish an “anti-corruption” Tim Powers is vice-chairman of Summa no evaluation of efficiencies or procedures, towards greater trust, accountability, and parliamentary committee sounds all Eliot Strategies and managing director of nor regarding how money was spent. transparency of the Senate of Canada. Ness and great for a TV movie of the week, Abacus Data. He is a former adviser to The committee will conduct perfor- Conservative Senator David Wells rep- but not believable as real substantive Conservative political leaders. mance audits of Senate administration resents Newfoundland and Labrador. vehicle of oversight. Erin O’Toole seemed The Hill Times directorates to ensure that best practices The Hill Times Policy Briefing October 21, 2020 | The Hill Times INFRASTRUCTURE

Infrastructure bank’s The Liberal legacy on It’s time to step up $10-billion growth plan infrastructure is one that investments to achieve a raises hope of green bond leaves Canadians wanting net-zero economy push in Canada p. 18 p. 21 p. 14

Creating opportunity in the pandemic Harnessing the power of technology to recovery through digital infrastructure manage the public infrastructure gap p. 22 p. 23 14 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Infrastructure Policy Briefing Infrastructure bank’s $10-billion growth plan raises hope of green bond push in Canada

$10-billion dollar, three-year “growth plan.” should provide an opening for environ- Green bonds are fixed- The infrastructure bank said it plans to mental, social, and corporate governance invest $2.5-billion in clean power genera- (ESG) financing. I’m in discussions with income financial tion, transportation, and storage, $2-billion green bond providers and they are looking instruments usually used in rural and remote broadband, another for the kind of projects that we are getting $2-billion in energy-efficient retrofits, into.” to secure funding for $1.5-billion in agricultural irrigation, and The basic premise here, according to $1.5-billion for electric bus adoption and Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives sustainable infrastructure electric vehicle charging stations. senior researcher Hadrian Mertins-Kirk- Olaf Weber, professor at the University wood, is that the Canada Infrastructure projects, and can serve of Waterloo and the university’s research Bank would de-risk a green bond issued as a tool for de-risking chairperson in sustainable finance, said by an institution partnering with the CIB the types of projects outlined in the Oct. 1 on developing sustainable infrastructure, infrastructure investments. announcement will probably require more rather than issuing the bond itself. This money than the infrastructure bank has would help make the market for that par- earmarked, which could be “an opportunity ticular bond stronger, thereby potentially BY AIDAN CHAMANDY to issue bonds on different infrastructure Chair of the Board of the Canada Infrastructure attracting more non-taxpayer funding projects, and these might be green bonds.” Bank Michael Sabia pictured during an for green infrastructure development in he Canada Infrastructure Bank’s new Green bonds are fixed-income finan- announcement about the infrastructure bank at Canada. Tgrowth plan, a $10-billion dollar strat- cial instruments usually used to secure Sir John A. Macdonald building in Ottawa on When asked by The Hill Times if the egy announced on Oct. 1 to invest in five funding for capital-intensive sustainable Oct. 1. The growth plan outlined at the press Canada Infrastructure Bank was looking priority areas related to greening Canada’s infrastructure projects. They are generally conference will guide the infrastructure bank at issuing green bonds itself, a spokesper- infrastructure, could be a step towards asset-linked and backed by the bond issuer’s through the next two to three years. The Hill son did not directly answer the question, boosting the green bond market in Canada, entire balance sheet, according to a 2019 Times photograph by Andrew Meade instead saying: “At this point, we’re fully experts say. report by DBRS Morningstar. In order to focused on implementing our $10-billion “There’s a great opportunity for us qualify as a green bond, it must meet certain Three of the five priority areas an- growth plan in the next 24-36 months to here,” said Karen Clarke-Whistler, prin- criteria, such as the money raised going en- nounced by the infrastructure bank would create growth, jobs and sustainable busi- cipal at ESG Global Advisors and former tirely toward financing an environmentally meet the criteria for green bonds, as de- ness opportunities.” chief environment officer at TD Bank from beneficial project, according to the Climate fined by the Climate Bond Initiative. These Prof. Weber said the bigger the project, 2008 to 2018. “Green bonds are not a new Bond Initiative. Certain types of projects, include renewable energy generation, the more likely a green bond would be thing in Canada, but what would be notice- like greening a fossil fuel extraction opera- storage, and transmission; energy-efficient issued because of the regulatory burden as- able and what would be seen, in my view, tion, do not qualify. Green bonds also require retrofits; and electric vehicle infrastructure. sociated with deeming a bond “green.” as a very positive step which aligns with more transparency and reporting to ensure The 2015 Liberal platform explicitly “It must be big enough to make sense,” the Liberal commitments… would be to try the project meets sustainability goals. promised that the then yet-to-be-created he said. to link the activities of the Infrastructure Subnational governments in Canada, Canada Infrastructure Bank would issue Milla Craig, president of Millani, an Bank to a green bond.” including the provinces of Ontario and green bonds “to support both large- and ESG consulting firm and former head of On Oct. 1, Prime Minister Justin Quebec, and cities of Ottawa and Toronto, community-scale renewable energy proj- sustainability for Deloitte’s Quebec prac- Trudeau (Papineau, Que.), Infrastructure have already issued green bonds to fund ects.” tice, agreed with Prof. Olaf. Minister Catherine McKenna (Ottawa Cen- sustainable infrastructure projects in their On Oct. 15, John Casola, chief invest- “Issuing green bonds are more expen- tre, Ont.) and Canada Infrastructure Bank respective jurisdictions, according to the ment officer at the CIB, told Bloomberg sive for the issuer, because you need that (CIB) chair Michael Sabia announced a DBRS Morningstar report. News that “our involvement in these deals second party opinion, and then you need the auditing,” she said. If a potential infrastructure bank partner were to issue a green bond to help finance a project in question, the Canadian CANADA PORT market would likely be receptive to it, Ms. Craig said, because Canadian green bonds AUTHORITIES: have traded at a premium. A February report from the Investment DOING OUR Industry Association of Canada said Ca- nadian green bonds “have often traded at a PART TO KEEP premium to standard bonds in secondary trading, likely due to their scare nature.” Canada ranked ninth in terms of green THE ECONOMY bond issuance per country in 2019, accord- ing to the IIAC report. MOVING While green bonds might be an attrac- tive way to help fund sustainable infra- Throughout the pandemic, structure in Canada, Ms. Craig suggested Canada Port Authorities have transition bonds, a similar type of finan- continued moving essential cargo, cial instrument, could play a bigger role in Canada’s transition to a low-carbon employing people and supporting economy. communities. And, we are ready “In Canada, a large part of our economy to do so much more. is driven by resources. And so we as Cana- dians need to find a way to help transition our economy. And the way to do that is we CPAs are well positioned to need to have financing made available to help drive a safe, sustainable the entities in Canada to be able to make economic recovery. We look those changes,” she said. forward to working with the federal On March 4, Cadent Gas, a U.K.-based company, issued a CAD$776-million transi- government to enhance support for tion bond to decarbonize its operations innovative infrastructure projects. in line with the 2030 targets in the Paris Agreement. The Canadian Standards Association acpa-ports.net Group is currently working with stake- holders to develop a set of criteria for the different types of climate-related bonds, following recommendations from the 2019 Expert Panel on Sustainable Finance chaired by Tiff Macklem, now head of the CREDIT: Prince Rupert Port Authority Bank of Canada. [email protected] The Hill Times PDQ Laurentia_WEEKLY PAPER__10,375x13,5-EN-6_HR.pdf 1 2020-10-01 12:13

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perts, based on engagement with public and private sector partners across Canada. With oversight from our independent The Canada Infrastructure board of directors, we will be disciplined and rigorous in making smart investments to ensure that every dollar of public invest- ment has maximum impact. Bank’s growth plan: taking action A critical part of our mandate is to take high-impact projects that would not happen—because they cannot be readily financed—and to make them happen. to invest in new infrastructure One of the defining characteristics of the CIB is to invest in projects in a manner that Investing in infrastructure is will invest to enable Can- attracts private and institutional capital now ada’s farmers to produce and in the future. In delivering the growth one of the most productive ways more food for consump- plan, the CIB will work in close co-operation tion here at home and to with provinces, territories, municipalities, and to strengthen growth today export to the world by Indigenous communities. Our team of experts irrigating approximately is on the ground and actively engaged with and to expand our potential for 700,000 more acres of project sponsors across the country on how sustainable growth tomorrow. land, particularly in we can creatively and responsibly bring their Western Canada. infrastructure priorities to life. Action is already Longer-term, the growth plan is part of happening now to de- the bigger commitment to invest $35-bil- liver the growth plan. lion in priority sectors, including public The CIB just announced a contribution of more than $400-million The CIB just an- transit, green infrastructure, clean power, to the largest agricultural irrigation project in Alberta’s history—a nounced a contribution broadband, and trade and transportation project expected to grow Alberta’s economy because the value of of more than $400-mil- infrastructure. Projects in these sectors will sales from irrigated land is seven times greater than from dry land, lion to the largest agri- remain a priority as part of the continuing writes John Casola. Photograph courtesy of Pixabay cultural irrigation project core mandate of the CIB, and include those in Alberta’s history. The projects that have already been announced Over the next 36 months, the CIB partnership amongst the CIB, the Govern- like the Lulu Island District Energy Project will invest in projects that will generate ment of Alberta, and the Irrigation Districts in Richmond, B.C., and the Port of Montreal John Casola 60,000 jobs. We will create real benefits by means the $815-million project to modernize Expansion Project in Contrecoeur, Que. enabling hundreds of thousands Canadian The CIB’s advisory work is also ongoing on Opinion and expand irrigation infrastructure across households and small businesses to have southern Alberta will add more than 200,000 projects such as the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre line better broadband connections. new acres of irrigated land without using any and the Taltson Hydroelectricity project. ore than ever, Canada needs growth The CIB will help Canada to meet its long- more of the province’s precious water supply. Investing in infrastructure is one of the Mto create jobs, generate economic term climate change goals. Our investments will Almost 8,000 jobs, 6,800 of them permanent, most productive ways to strengthen growth opportunities, and ensure a sustainable support the transition to a low-carbon economy are expected to be created. This project will today and to expand our potential for sus- transition to a low-carbon, digital economy. through an estimated 4,000 zero-emission grow Alberta’s economy because the value tainable growth tomorrow. That is what the The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) buses, building retrofits and electricity genera- of sales from irrigated land is seven times CIB’s growth plan will do. recently announced its $10-billion growth tion, storage, and transmission infrastructure. greater than from dry land. John Casola is the chief investment of- plan to invest in major infrastructure initia- One of the driving forces of our economy The CIB’s growth plan was developed ficer at the Canada Infrastructure Bank. tives to help achieve these goals. remains agriculture and agri-food. The CIB bottom-up by its infrastructure investment ex- The Hill Times

18 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Infrastructure Policy Briefing

Rural Canadians deserve equitable internet access Rural residents deserve so they can go to school, work, and connect with loved ones no matter where a better approach to they live in Canada, writes the NDP’s Taylor Bachrach. Pixabay broadband infrastructure photograph by We need to shift away from relying so heavily businesses move online to stay afloat Jan Vasek and employees are forced to work on the private sector to build infrastructure and from home. Changes are needed if we are to reach the government’s communities, so all levels of govern- providers through programs like provide service in sparsely populated rural areas. stated goal of delivering high-speed ment came up with creative solutions Connecting Canadians or the Uni- internet to every person in Canada. to serve their residents. In Manitoba, versal Broadband Fund allows the Keiran is a veteran who lives We need to shift away from Saskatchewan, and Alberta, Crown companies to pick which areas get near Terrace, B.C. He has struggled relying so heavily on the private corporations were created that took served first, and this usually leaves with the application process for the sector to build infrastructure and over the lines from the phone compa- the most sparsely populated areas federal support programs he needs provide service in sparsely popu- nies and expanded service into rural at the end of the line. to pay his bills because the applica- lated rural areas. They argue there areas. One of those Crown corps, COVID-19 has dramatically ac- tions are all online and he doesn’t isn’t a profitable business case for SaskTel, still exists today. celerated the digital transformation have access to the internet. serving rural communities. But that There are other approaches, of of our economy, education, service On Haida Gwaii, dozens of rural doesn’t mean that rural Canadians course. In the heyday of inter-city delivery, and social interaction. The residents in the community of Tlell don’t deserve equitable internet ac- bus travel, companies like Grey- Liberals’ stated goal for universal are about to lose their internet ac- cess so they can go to school, work, hound were given access to lucra- broadband access is laudable. NDP MP Taylor Bachrach cess in December, because the satel- and connect with loved ones no tive, high-traffic routes in exchange However, without a viable plan, Opinion lite it relies on is nearing end of life matter where they live in Canada. for also serving remote communities the chance of success is minimal. and the company that provides the In 2020, reliable internet isn’t with dramatically fewer passengers. Residents of rural Canada deserve service is cutting off the internet. something people can go without— This social contract allowed the com- a better approach. utumn is a college student There is no alternative available. it’s an essential service. The federal pany to turn a profit while also en- The federal government must Awhose family lives in a rural These stories from the vast, rural government has a responsibility to suring rural residents received basic take a more strategic, proactive role area in Northwest B.C. COVID-19 riding I’m proud to represent are not step in an ensure internet access is service. The government could have in rolling out broadband infrastruc- means she is now taking her classes uncommon in Canada. They high- available for everyone in Canada. taken a similar approach with recent ture. This project can no longer be from home, using a slow, unreli- light the urgency of improving rural We’ve been down this road before. wireless spectrum auctions, but after left to the whims and profit margins able internet connection. Midway connectivity, and the failure of the When the telephone emerged and selling that valuable spectrum to the of the private sector alone. through one of her online exams, her federal government to make signifi- became ubiquitous in the last century, highest bidder very little of it is being Taylor Bachrach is the NDP MP internet died altogether. She couldn’t cant progress in this area over the similar scenarios played out. The used to serve rural Canada. for Skeena–Bulkley Valley, B.C., and finish the exam and was barely past decade. The COVID-19 pandem- phone companies didn’t see profit The current plan of provid- his party’s infrastructure critic. given a passing grade for her course. ic has exacerbated this problem as in bringing the lines to more remote ing grants to internet service The Hill Times The Liberal legacy on infrastructure is one that leaves Canadians wanting communities and transport goods. member the most important lesson the Liberals unveiled their own this Liberal government using the A new Conservative While the Liberals currently struggle in economics. You must factor in infrastructure plan in 2016, only 10.6 pandemic to reshape Canadian to get even the most basic of projects what is unseen, not just what you per cent was allocated to trade and society, spending massive amounts government will started, we delivered on historic in- can see. A new bridge may cost transportation projects. The rest was of printed money not to respond build back stronger, vestments during our time in office. government $100-million to build. spent on “social infrastructure.” to the real needs of Canadians, but Not only did we help municipalities It is easy to calculate the amount What little they are devoting to instead to impose their own vision. by investing in with their local projects, we also of economic activity a construc- these kinds of projects, the Liberals There is never a time for a top- funded large nation-building proj- tion crew generates. There are have been unable to actually get the down approach, where philosopher infrastructure that ects like our Asia-Pacific Gateway materials to be bought and wages job done. The Parliamentary Budget kings tell us what is best for us, but benefits all regions fund that helped so many towns and to be paid. You can also estimate Officer has said that the govern- this is especially true during an cities all over Canada benefit from the value of whatever improve- ment’s plan “does not exist.” Provin- economic calamity. and sectors of tapping into new markets. ments to shipping or transporta- cial premiers have also complained My colleagues and I in the “For every dollar you spend tion will generate. That is where about the time it takes for federal Conservative Party are currently Canada’s economy on infrastructure, you get a the multiplier effect comes in. signoff. For example, in my home working on an infrastructure plan rather than simply multiplier effect of at least $2.” What about what is unseen? province of Saskatchewan, only three for our election platform. This plan That is a sentence you will often That money comes from some- projects have been approved since will focus on projects that have lining the pockets of read or hear when the matter of where. In fact, it comes straight out March 1 and an additional 123 are proven economic benefit, that infrastructure is discussed. It is of the economy that governments waiting on simple federal approvals. unlock the potential resources in Liberal insiders. no surprise that, as the economy are trying to stimulate, right out of The Liberals’ signature initia- remote and rural locations, allow freefalls from government shut- the pockets of taxpayers and busi- tive was the Canada Infrastructure for regional flexibility, abandon the downs and mandated restrictions, nesses. There is also the opportunity Bank (CIB). Unlike the Conserva- Ottawa-knows-best approach, and many are urging the government cost. By spending the $100-million tive P3 model, which linked risk recognize that municipalities need to spend more and faster to pump on the bridge, that money is un- and reward together for private good infrastructure programs that air into a deflating economy. available for, say, a road expansion, sector companies, the CIB does the are easy to access, provide predict- Of course, there can be positive or a rail-switching yard. There are opposite. Large multi-national infra- able funding, and do not leave small economic benefits from govern- also administration costs, which are structure companies are allowed to and rural communities behind. ment infrastructure projects. A new always higher when government bid on projects, and their profits are Under the leadership of Erin bridge that shortens commutes and gets involved. All of this must be secured. However, the Bank, and O’Toole, a new Conservative govern- transportation times or an expansion calculated when deciding on what therefore the taxpayer, assumes the ment will build back stronger, by in- to a port that allows for increased to spend taxpayers’ money. risk—meaning that cost overruns vesting in infrastructure that benefits Conservative MP Andrew Scheer shipping capacity can be a net ben- The point here is that spending and delays are covered by the tax- all regions and sectors of Canada’s Opinion efit to an economy. Sometimes, the money on infrastructure only works payer, not the companies making economy rather than simply lining economic benefit is not the primary if proper due diligence is done to en- the profit. Also, unlike the Conser- the pockets of Liberal insiders and objective, rather it’s responding to a sure that we are spending money on vative model, the CIB has delivered buying votes in Liberal ridings. onservatives have an excellent public need that you just cannot put the right things. Unfortunately, the precisely zero projects. Three years, Andrew Scheer is the MP for Ctrack record when it comes to a price tag on. Upgrading a water current government is only spend- $35-billion and zero projects. That is Regina–Qu’Appelle, Sask., and building infrastructure projects. The treatment plant to ensure safe drink- ing a small percentage on projects the Liberal legacy on infrastructure. the infrastructure critic for the roads, bridges, ports, and public ing water for example. that one could assume will have a The elites in Canada are already Conservative Party of Canada. transit that help us move about our However, it is essential to re- positive net economic benefit. When licking their lips at the prospect of The Hill Times

20 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Infrastructure Policy Briefing Digital infrastructure is the new frontier We need today’s sporadic initiatives to be more critical to the future success of our and commanders instantly access country as our physical infrastructure real-time information showing how interoperable, cohesive, and national. This can such roads, rails, waterways, airports, many people are likely to be in the municipal infrastructure, and others. building and where they are concen- start with the federal government, in collaboration Now is the time to invest in the trated. Using data from connected with the provinces and private partners. new frontier: digital infrastructure vehicles and traffic sensors, software that can optimize the utilization directs emergency-response vehicles ficial intelligence are already chang- and performance of our existing in- along the least congested routes, sav- ing our lives by driving decisions in frastructure and prepare for future ing time, reducing property damage the private and public sectors. opportunities and demands. and possibly saving lives. Sensors in our cars tell insurers How we plan, design, use, and A municipal traffic engineer uses what kind of drivers we are, so we maintain our digital infrastructure the “digital twin” of a community and can earn a break on our rates— impacts many critical aspects of uses the data-rich computer model or not. Our cars themselves are life in Canada, including the envi- to test variables such as signal tim- changing, with increasing automa- ronment, accessibility and indepen- Information from cameras, satellites, ing, speed limits and roadway con- tion and connectivity with other ve- dence, economic prosperity, safety, and digital sensors and the power figurations to measure how different hicles and infrastructure. Intersec- and resilience to unforeseeable of artificial intelligence are already innovative solutions and scenarios Saiedeh Razavi tions are getting smarter and more events such as pandemics. changing our lives by driving will play out before implementing decisions in the private and public Opinion adaptive to the real-time traffic As it exists, Canada’s long-term them, allowing the city to make the information. Drivers use apps to infrastructure plan supports building sectors, writes Saiedeh Razavi. streets safer and more efficient, predict how long their trip will take modern, resilient, and green commu- Photograph courtesy of Pexels based on reliable evidence. enerations ago, Canada was and to navigate their commutes nities for Canadians with five priority Such scenarios are increasing- Gbuilt through major invest- around obstacles on their way. areas: public transit, green infrastruc- laboration with the provinces and ly being made possible by digital ments in critical infrastructure that On a commercial scale, a net- ture, social infrastructure, infrastruc- private partners. This represents a frameworks that inform the use, improved the quality of life and work of regional supply-chain visi- ture for rural and northern communi- challenge to the way governments maintenance and improvement of created opportunities to grow. The bility platforms has been established ties, and trade and transport. approach infrastructure priorities, our infrastructure to move people Canadian Pacific Railway, Canadian across Canada’s major port cities to For these to work well, the criti- to harvest and analyze insightful and goods and provide services National Railway, Trans-Canada enhance collaboration in planning, cal importance of Canada’s digital and useful knowledge from data across our huge country. These Highway, TransCanada Pipeline, and optimizing, and making the best use infrastructure needs to be recog- and to facilitate an exchange of investments not only make our St. Lawrence Seaway are examples of their infrastructure and assets. The nized. This requires governments, information among citizens, govern- infrastructure ready for the future of historic, impactful infrastructure effort includes a new partnership research institutes, and the private ments and stakeholders. Canadians but also represent the opportunity investments that were designed with between the McMaster Institute for sector to work together to gener- stand to benefit from making sure for our country to lead the next Canada’s future in mind. More re- Transportation and Logistics (MITL), ate strategic plans and policies—to decisions about our infrastructure industrial revolution. cently, governments have used infra- the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority develop Canada’s digital infrastruc- are based on the best-available Saiedeh Razavi is an associate structure investment to stimulate the (HOPA) and Transport Canada. The ture to be as efficient, fair, transpar- evidence, and from being able to see professor of civil engineering at Mc- economy and to spur employment in HOPA-McMaster hub will be the ent, and useful as possible. what these largely invisible invest- Master University, where she holds times of economic recession. first in Canada to partner with an We need today’s sporadic initia- ments mean for them. the chair in heavy construction and But this time it’s different. Infor- academic institution. tives to be more interoperable, co- Imagine: an emergency call directs the McMaster Institute for mation from cameras, satellites, and Canada’s digital infrastructure hesive, and national. This can start comes in reporting a major fire. Transportation and Logistics. digital sensors and the power of arti- is powerful and growing, and is as with the federal government, in col- To guide the response, dispatchers The Hill Times

trict-scale carbon-neutral plans of to mutually reinforce the often-dis- course have limits in scope, but we parate notions of the collaborative, Create eco-district need to start action now and good smart, and energy-efficient city. examples will hopefully spread to Not surprisingly, the summary of other sectors of society. the commission starts with recom- The vision of the Ville de Montréal mendations related to the health pilots now to show how contains many of the elements we of the population and of nature: believe are essential for an integrated extended green spaces and a reduc- carbon neutral district: active trans- tion of pollution and noise level portation, efficient and healthy build- through an active and public mobil- to live, work, and play ings, clean energy sources, greening ity concept. Covering the highways to reduce heat islands and improve with green spaces would directly air quality, recycling and water reduce local noise and pollution lev- re-use, high levels of citizen engage- els, and bring life on many levels to ment, and co-learning among resi- this area of the city. The commission in next-generation cities dents and business owners for this strongly recommends close col- transformative new neighbourhood laboration with researchers to make Carbon neutral eco- reen infrastructure invest- community-oriented living. A re- to be sustained in the long-term. Namur-Hippodrome an innovation Gments are on everybody’s cent inner-city project in Stuttgart, In addition, mixed-use, social, zone or “living lab.” districts are not built agenda and are well in line with Germany, the so-called Olga-Areal, family, and affordable housing and There remain important chal- the carbon reduction targets that is now home to many carbon-neu- a connection to the site’s heritage lenges to resolve, such as new long- today because high Canada committed to under the tral buildings, several constructed form part of the city’s vision. To cre- term financing concepts to compen- Paris agreement. With only a few by citizen-run building groups. ate these types of housing above the sate the higher initial investments. quality buildings with decades to go to become complete- Key to all concepts is ownership municipal target levels is especially Ambitious carbon-neutral goals ly carbon neutral, it is surprising of the ground by the municipality, important to community groups. should not interfere with affordabil- integrated renewables that we still do not see pilot eco- which can set rules and vary sales For active mobility, a radical shift ity and mixed use. A consequent ac- require higher initial districts that demonstrate how zero prices depending on the ecological from today’s car dominance is need- counting of costs and performance carbon can be achieved in practise. concepts and type of stakeholders ed, with the aim of at least 65 per over the entire eco-district lifecycle investments that pay Carbon neutral eco-districts are in each building project on a site. cent active or public transportation will help to show that such eco- not built today because high quality A Canadian example with high and a removal of the typical parking investments will always pay back. off, of course, but only buildings with integrated renew- potential is the Montreal eco-district space quota. A comprehensive car- Further benefits can be expected ables require higher initial invest- development Namur-Hippodrome, sharing offer on site and innovative through better citizen health due to after 10 or more years. ments that pay off, of course, but which was transferred to municipal concepts for logistics of last-mile more green space, more biodiver- only after 10 or more years. At that ownership in 2012. The Montreal of- distribution can make this possible sity, and improved building design point, private developers that drive fice of public consultation (OCPM) without loss of convenience. to fight pandemics. The design the real estate market have long left recently published its report with Rainwater and grey water quality is of crucial importance to the project and do not profit from recommendations for a carbon-neu- re-use, a waste recovery above 85 ensure the district is a success. the owners’ or tenants’ energy cost tral development. Press reactions per cent, green spaces that con- To summarize, we need to encour- savings. This means that we need immediately pointed to difficulties nect to surrounding biodiversity age these ambitious, well-planned, other players in the development of of achieving carbon-neutrality corridors and urban agriculture and citizen-supported lighthouse eco-districts, to incentivize higher goals, as the site is surrounded by are amongst the many recom- projects to show how to sustainably ecological standards by allowing heavily congested and polluting mendations that emerged during live, work, and play in future. developers to build higher density highways and commercial activities. the consultation process. Dr. Ursula Eicker is Concor- or tighten the regulations. Alongside Concordia Uni- During the public consultation, dia’s Canada Excellence Research Ursula Eicker Such other players could be versity’s next-generation cities Concordia’s next-generation cities Chair for Smart, Sustainable and so-called “building groups” that researchers, I believe such a project researchers presented nine prin- Resilient Cities and Communities Opinion stand for a long tradition of shared should be highly valued in spite of ciples to achieve a net-zero carbon at Concordia University. responsibility of building and problems in its neighborhood. Dis- district. The principles are intended The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020 21 Policy BriefingInfrastructure

drought, and extreme weather Indigenous infrastructure It’s time to step up investments events. Restoring our natural en- Chronic overcrowding, lack vironment can help mitigate some of access to clean drinking water, of the damage that will result from and severely underfunded health natural disasters. It is essential that to achieve a net-zero economy services have put many Indigenous we invest in adapting our public communities at higher risk during infrastructure and natural land- electrical energy grid, and digital, rural communities. Access to rail, the pandemic. Indigenous leader- Soon, we will have the scapes so that they can withstand Indigenous, and climate adapta- bus, and ferry services provide ship has called for new infrastruc- and protect people in Canada from chance of a lifetime to tion infrastructure. rural Canadians with a cleaner ture to deliver power, high-speed natural and climate change-induced and safer alternative to driving. broadband, clean drinking water, transition towards a disasters. These goals are also oppor- National electrical energy grid By expanding the use of existing emergency services, and safe waste- tunities for job creation that moves climate-neutral green As we seek to jumpstart the Canada Post infrastructure to in- water operations, as well as de- us away from fossil-fuel sectors. economy, we have the opportunity clude banking, high-speed internet pendable transportation networks economy based on green The Canada Infrastructure for governments to invest in a na- hubs, and electric vehicle charg- such as roads, bridges, and ferry Bank should invest in climate- infrastructure—one that tional non-emitting electricity grid, ing stations, rural communities service. The Green Party of Canada proofing essential infrastructure, that ensures 100 per cent of Cana- get access to high-quality public has long called for investing and permits us to tackle the prioritizing upgrades to drinking dian electricity is from renewable services. Building up broadband upgrading critical infrastructure water and wastewater systems to climate emergency and sources. A national electrical grid infrastructure in rural areas will to ensure safe water access in every protect against flooding, droughts, strategy would see the creation of help revitalize rural economies. community to end drinking water ensure a just society. and contamination. We should interprovincial power lines to opti- and boil water advisories and priori- also launch a national program to mize our electricity system, and is Digital infrastructure tize high quality, safe and affordable restore natural buffer zones along an infrastructure investment that The green economy is a digital housing. Above all, we must seek waterways, and carbon sinks would boost short- and long-term economy, and the pandemic has the creation of First Nations-led through ecologically sound tree economic growth, and increase made access to digital infrastruc- policies and solutions. planting and soil rebuilding. resilience, particularly in response ture essential. To participate fully, to risks from climate change. individuals and communities across Responsible climate adapta- tion requires the government to Chance of a lifetime: Federal, provincial, and territo- the country need access to reliable, building the infrastructure rial governments should commit affordable, high-speed internet. The develop non-commercial aspects to working together to help build Green Party supports increasing of forest management, such as of the green economy new and enhanced transmission high-speed internet access by enact- massive tree planting, creating The world’s resources are not lines between and within prov- ing a universal broadband strategy firebreaks and fire suppression. infinite. Soon, we will have the Green Party Leader Annamie Paul inces and territories. to give Canadians access to reliable It also requires renewing the chance of a lifetime to transition National Forest Strategy, in part- towards a climate-neutral green Opinion internet, and continuing to push Rural infrastructure for affordable, consistent rates for nership with Indigenous Peoples, economy based on green infra- Rural municipalities cannot internet access. It is time to amend with a focus on restoring ecologi- structure—one that permits us n the months to come, various run deficits, yet are responsible CRTC regulations to increase com- cally sound and climate resilient to tackle the climate emergency, Ilevels of government will be for core infrastructure assets. As petition in the provision of cellular forests and restoring forests as live within the finite resources of seeking to stimulate Canada’s we seek to move rural and remote and internet services to consumers carbon sinks; planting billions our planet, create the jobs of the economic recovery and create communities away from extrac- and decouple payments for cell of fire-resistant trees in urban future, and ensure a just society. jobs. Whenever Canada is ready tive industries, new infrastructure phones from cell services. spaces and on steep hillsides after Annamie Paul is the leader of to begin investing in recovery, needs to be in place to support fires to secure hillsides and pro- the Green Party of Canada and those investments need to create that transition. Climate adaptation tect water quality; and protecting the Green Party candidate for the green infrastructure we need We must make investments infrastructure old growth forests for biodiver- the Oct. 26 byelection in Toronto to accelerateCACAdvocacyAd-Infrastructure-bleeds.pdf Canada’s transition 1 to 9/8/2020 renew 8:11:26 rural AM infrastructure in Global warming is already sity, ecosystem functioning, and Centre, Ont. to a net-zero economy: a national a manner that will create jobs in producing severe flooding, fires, carbon sequestration. The Hill Times

C M MAYDAY. MAYDAY. MAYDAY. Y

CM Canada’s airports are in distress.

MY

CY Our airports connect Canadians to the world, and the world to Canada. CMY Today, more than ever, travellers expect and deserve a safe, healthy, and K respectful journey. While Canada’s airports are working hard for travellers and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is time for the government to help.

One way to support Canada’s airports is to expand national transportation infrastructure programs and support border modernization efforts to help Canada’s airports meet safety and security requirements and adapt to the new realities of COVID-19.

Find out more about the ways to help Canada’s airports as they work for travellers and communities at www.canadasairports.ca/mayday. 22 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Infrastructure Policy Briefing The future belongs Creating opportunity to collaborative in the pandemic infrastructure recovery through building digital infrastructure What’s needed is a new vibrant place that attracts people of all Canada needs to make access ages. This is a form of public-public-pub- approach to infrastructure lic partnership between different govern- to digital infrastructure a ment departments. The boundaries can national priority and explore that thinks of every be pushed even further by incorporating investment as contributing housing into community hub develop- novel ways to finance digital ments, offsetting some of the cost of infrastructure development to a healthier, more building the public facilities. Indigenous Hubs are also opening in and ongoing upgrades. prosperous, equitable, cities across the country, showcasing the promise and possibility of co-locating and greener future. complementary Indigenous-led services. For example, in North Bay, Ont., the North Bay Indigenous Hub brings together Indigenous approaches to primary health care, daycare, education, and training, and includes spaces for ceremonies and a traditional medicine garden. These Indig- enous Hubs provide critical culturally safe programs for Indigenous people, led by Indigenous people and organizations. Harry Sharma In health care, a groundbreaking Opinion Matti Siemiatycki project is being proposed by the Univer- Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains is seen via video conference at a June 2 media availability in Ottawa. A Opinion sity Health Network in Toronto to build affordable housing on what is cur- he COVID-19 pandemic has brought about majority of leaders surveyed confirmed the pandemic has rently a hospital-owned parking lot and Tmajor change for a vast majority of knowl- pushed them to adopt new technologies faster than their n recent months, Canada’s infrastruc- adjacent land. This model, which brings edge workers. COVID has accelerated the under- original plans, including video conferencing, writes Harry Iture has strained under the intense together the hospital, city government, lying technological transformations shaping how Sharma. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade pressure caused by the COVID-19 pan- and the United Way, recognizes that Canadians work, and emphasized the inequalities demic. Crises in long-term elderly care at the root of crowding in many emer- across regions in our ability to access digital infra- know that economic espionage and disruption homes, unaffordable housing, home- gency rooms is a lack of stable housing structure. Increased reliance on digital connec- are leading motives from adversarial state and lessness, poorly ventilated school build- for people living in poverty. The project tions has also increased the risk to cyber attacks. non-state actors. It includes theft of intellectual ings, and gaps in public transit have all breaks down arbitrary silos and sees Successfully addressing this nexus of change, property, industrial designs, and proprietary been revealed and accelerated. health care and safe housing as part of equality, and risk has the potential to create new customer data. In response to the pandemic, infra- an integrated system of social medicine. opportunities for Canadian organizations. To successfully address cybersecurity issues, structure development has become a key Finally, major transit projects are be- We surveyed more than 650 industry and we recommend a national program to a) help focus of the recovery efforts. ing conceived as more than just invest- information technology (IT) leaders about the Canadian SMEs adopt tools to protect their IT What’s needed is a new approach to ments in subways or light rail lines. changes they have already implemented and systems, b) offer cybersecurity education for infrastructure that thinks of every invest- Transit projects are catalysts for building new digital transformations planned in the short- staff and management, and c) develop a nation- ment as contributing to a healthier, more vibrant mixed-use, mixed income com- to-medium term. A majority of leaders surveyed al cyber rating system for Canadian businesses. prosperous, equitable, and greener future. munities where residents are within a confirmed what we have all assumed: the pan- We can implement the first two recommenda- This requires a switch from a siloed close walk to workplaces, shops, public demic has pushed them to adopt new technolo- tions based on previous technology adoption approach to infrastructure planning, services, and greenspaces. Community gies faster than their original plans. And the top program models and existing programming at where each piece of infrastructure is benefit agreements are increasingly be- three technologies adopted since March 2020 are community colleges and universities. considered on its own. Instead, infra- ing used to ensure that transit-oriented video conferencing, digital signatures, and cloud The third recommendation ensures that structure projects must be developed development occurs without spurring applications in general. Canadian businesses are better informed about through collaboration and seen as the gentrification, and to leverage big proj- These technologies have one common ele- the cybersecurity-related issues when partner- cornerstone of healthy communities. ects to provide meaningful employment ment: the need for an accessible and reliable ing with external stakeholders. With complex One increasingly common approach opportunities for local workers, women, digital infrastructure. It’s akin to having highways supply chains and global partnerships, Cana- is the co-location of major public, private, and BIPOC communities. and bridges for the transportation ecosystem to dian companies need a trusted source for cyber- and non-profit pieces of social infrastruc- One observation from these examples exist and function properly. Unfortunately, there security assessments, and a national cybersecu- ture in the same building. Across Canada, is that working in partnership towards are still many communities in Canada without ad- rity rating system will do just that. it is becoming more common for schools, a collaborative approach to infrastruc- equate access to broadband connections, limiting The development of an effective cybersecuri- libraries, daycares, fire stations, theatres, ture delivery was not the first choice of their ability to fully participate in the economy. ty rating system will require a national approach long-term care homes, and recreation many of the parties involved. Innovative We are encouraged to see the Canada Infra- and collaboration among businesses, provinces, centres to be integrated into buildings collaborations between governments, structure Bank’s recent announcement of dedicat- territories, and the federal government. Above with social services, affordable housing, businesses, and non-profits take time ed investments in rural broadband. However, as all, for a national cybersecurity rating system apartments, offices, and shops. and increase the level of unpredictability we have previously noted, Canada needs to make to have broad adoption, it must maintain and In fact, without much public fanfare, for each stakeholder involved. access to digital infrastructure a national priority demonstrate the highest level of independence, Canada has become a global leader in But collaborating and co-locating in- and explore novel ways to finance digital infra- objectivity, and built-in privacy protections. this type of integrated, creative mixed-use frastructure helps resolve challenges that structure development and ongoing upgrades. Canada will also need to find a way to work model of infrastructure development. each stakeholder faces to realizing their Given that the workforce is increasingly con- with international partners so that their com- For instance, in Vancouver and other own goals. It allows partners to share nected remotely through technology, we must also panies can obtain a Canadian cybersecurity west coast Canadian cities, it is becoming common development costs and find syn- consider cybersecurity issues. Our survey revealed rating if they wish to conduct business with a increasingly common practice for new ergies in the programs being provided. that 30 per cent of respondents had observed Canadian entity. fire stations to be built on the first two In the face of the COVID-19 pandem- an increased level of cyberattacks. The top three The post-pandemic knowledge work realities floors of buildings with non-profit orga- ic, building strong community infra- attacks include phishing, remote access attempts, represent an opportunity for Canada to play a nizations operating affordable housing or structure is more important than ever. and data leaks using company accounts. But yet, a global leadership role in enabling technology assisted living units directly up above. Meaningful collaboration, co-location, majority of respondents confirmed that they had adoption for small- and medium-sized enterpris- School sites are another key place for and partnership is key to getting the not increased their risk tolerance to cyberattacks. es (SMEs). However, to lead and gain a competi- innovation. Schools have the potential most out of every infrastructure invest- We find that small- and medium-sized busi- tive advantage as a global exporter of advanced to be more than just places of education ment, and fostering a pandemic recovery nesses are most at risk when it comes to cyber- remote-work collaboration tools, we must first but rather community hubs that are at that is sustainable, equitable, and just. security. While it is true that they don’t have as invest and build a robust, equitable, and secure the heart of complete communities. Matti Siemiatycki is interim director much data to lose as their larger counterparts, national digital infrastructure at home. In Brampton, Ont., the Mount Pleas- of the School of Cities, and professor of it is important to remember that their intellec- Harry Sharma leads the Innovation and ant village community hub includes a Geography and Planning at the Univer- tual property and customer data are existential Technology knowledge area at the conference co-located school, library, recreation sity of Toronto. matters for SMEs. From recent public report- Board of Canada. centre, and town square, creating a The Hill Times ing by Canada’s federal security agencies, we The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020 23 Policy BriefingInfrastructure Climate change is here to stay: let’s build forward better and safely sail the storm There is much This is a welcomed focus on a and ferocity of extreme weather Employer Emergency Financing on transparency and conditionality. very low-hanging fruit of climate events must be an urgent prior- Facility program, which included For example, Democratic presiden- uncertainty as to the mitigation and adaptation that ity. On the positive side, investing climate disclosure conditions, tial nominee Joe Biden, is propos- is overripe for the picking. The in climate-resilient infrastructure excluded corporations who have ing setting a goal that challenged unequal impacts the buildings sector lies at the heart of brings in a 4:1 benefits to costs ratio. been convicted of tax evasion from communities receive 40 per cent of the climate challenge; it produces Ensuring these green-sounding eligibility, and placed limitations on overall benefits of clean stimulus pandemic will have, 17 per cent of Canada’s national investments will have truly positive dividends and executive bonuses. spending. Ensuring this money greenhouse gas emissions and is social, environmental, and climate The CIB’s purpose is to raise is effectively funneled towards but greater outcomes vulnerable to extreme events and outcomes requires putting in place funds among private and institu- climatically and socially transfor- are likely to arise if changing weather patterns, which guarantees and conditions. The tional investors for public infra- mative projects, is key, especially are increasing in frequency and CIB was hastily created through an structure projects. The CIB’s cre- given the propensity of pension we grapple with the severity as the impacts of climate omnibus bill, which received limited ation was criticized for its closeness funds, including Canada’s largest change unfold. The buildings sec- parliamentary attention and has no with powerful financial actors and pension fund the—CPPIB—to still hard questions. tor represents the largest poten- legislated transparency, governance, the CIB still has little to show for, be overly invested in risky fossil tial source of future emissions or set criteria to align investments having walked back any forecast fuels infrastructure when there are reductions in Canada, according according to Canada’s climate com- about its private finance leveraging no clear guidelines. to the federal government, and mitments and good environmental capacity. However, generating inter- Rosa Galvez is an environ- could generate the highest number and social governance principles. esting returns from public infra- mental engineer, professor, and of new jobs per sector in a low- The CIB and other federal ve- structure requires user fees, which Independent Senator representing carbon recovery from COVID-19, hicles financing the recovery must can be a delicate balancing act with Bedford, Que., since 2016. In the according to Corporate Knights. adopt a rigorous and practical cli- universal access and social justice. previous session, she sat on the Rethinking how we build in a mate test which minimally includes As the country is grappling Senate Standing Committee on Na- climate-affected world could not be the requirement to have a plan to with tough realizations around tional Finance, and was chair of the more urgent as we are witnessing reach net-zero emissions by latest systemic racism against Black, Standing Senate Committee on En- extreme climate events worldwide. 2050 as the current government Indigenous, and people of colour, ergy, the Environment and Natural Independent Senator Rosa Galvez Canada is warming at twice the rate has committed to. Similarly, as I it is important that these invest- Resources from 2017 to 2019. She Opinion of the rest of the world and the Arc- demonstrated in a white paper pub- ments in clean jobs focus on those recently organized a webinar series tic three times faster. Long forest lished last year, our building codes who need it most. There is much on a clean and fair recovery with fire seasons ravaged British Colum- should be strengthened, notably by uncertainty as to the unequal six experts including Nobel prize- arlier this month, it was an- bia and Alberta. One-hundred-year bringing forward the publication of impacts the pandemic will have, winner Joseph Stiglitz and will soon Enounced that $10-billion of flood events devastated Quebec and net-zero energy ready standards, as but greater outcomes are likely to be releasing a white paper on the the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s Ontario, to name but a few climate B.C. has done, which could become arise if we grapple with the hard topic. She published a white paper, (CIB) $35-billion budget would be related disasters. Catastrophic in- a foundation of conditionality. questions: will the CIB deliver Canada’s Building Code in the Con- assigned to create jobs and grow sured losses have quadrupled over As I will further develop in an low-carbon, energy-efficient, af- text of Climate Change, Adapta- the economy. The six featured the last decade and infrastructure upcoming white paper on a Clean fordable social housing for the tion, and Sustainability highlighting measures include $2-billion set failures linked to climate change and Just Recovery, policy condi- structurally oppressed who need it the importance of developing and aside to invest in large-scale could cost Canada $300-billion over tionality must also address multi- most? Or will it line the pockets of implementing Canada’s building building retrofits to increase the next 10 years. ple factors beyond climate impacts. rich commercial landlords? codes and presenting topics for energy efficiency and help make Adapting our infrastructure to A concrete example to build from To be effective, the CIB invest- further development in June 2019. communities more sustainable. survive the ever-increasing number is the COVID-19 emergency Large ments will need credible guardrails The Hill Times

possible for us to reliably manage assets, say through rehabilitation Harnessing the power of technology to or other intervention strategies. Exacerbating the problem, most of our current inspection practices are manual, subjective, unreliable, and manage the public infrastructure gap dated, often involving inspectors visually observing and reporting qualitative signs of degradation in Canada has a world- lic health crisis will widen this gap. then be processed using the latest systems which can collect data from assets such as bridge components. Routinely, we are reminded of this algorithms in the field of computer hard-to-access buried and distribut- Even this is not possible for vast class innovation gap; a burst water main flooding vision and machine learning to in- ed infrastructure and informatics to inventories of buried infrastruc- the basement, or a bridge collapse, fer useful and actionable informa- relate surrogate measures of degra- ture, which continue to degrade ecosystem, which can or simply driving over a pothole. tion, which otherwise can be quite dation to knowledge regarding the until failure. Federal stimulus funding can difficult to interpret. state of the asset—which can then While significant technological be activated through close this gap significantly, through Powerful statistical models can be used to infer their remaining challenges still remain to be solved, major reinvestments in roads, bridg- be constructed using this data—and useful life to develop prioritization the investment needed to solve targeted infrastructure es, water infrastructure, etc. How- updated periodically—to understand schedules. The current technologi- these challenges is only a fraction funding to focus on ever, until such sizeable funding is a the evolution of the state of the asset cal landscape is very fragmented, of what would be required to fill the reality, infrastructure agencies need over time and to predict the remain- with numerous bespoke systems to infrastructure gap. Canada has a solving clear technical to manage this gap carefully through ing useful life. Similarly, sensors monitor and manage assets, most world-class innovation ecosystem, repair, reprioritization of spending, installed on fire hydrants can listen produced and delivered to end users consisting of research institutes, challenges in the and by reducing costs in order to for signs of degradation and leaks by specialist consultants. The lack universities and businesses, which prolong the remaining useful service and proactively inform intervention of standardization and automation can be activated through targeted short term. life of infrastructure assets. strategies. Many what-if scenarios across the process pipeline, coupled infrastructure funding to focus on In the short and medium terms, can be run based on such models with limited open source commu- solving clear technical challenges in investments in technology such as to inform decision support for life nity, limits opportunities for a rich the short term. It is clear that getting sensors and predictive analytics, extension to better manage existing intellectual and business ecosystem ahead of the curve in terms of filling which can provide insight into the critical public infrastructure. to develop around addressing com- the investment gap will remain elu- health of assets, can be valuable Much of this technology, e.g., plex infrastructure issues, which are sive in the near and medium terms; tools for infrastructure agencies to sensors which can measure move- urgently needed to overcome the recovery from the current pandemic manage this gap, with the potential ment of structures and various technology barriers. will most definitely force the repri- for significant return on invest- other relevant health indicators on On the predictive analytics side, oritization of investments to other ment. Such technology can provide assets, cameras on drones to inspect quantifying how large-scale dis- sectors of the economy. Hence, it us with a hope of better managing hard to access surfaces, high- tributed assets such as roads, pipes, is crucial that we take a surgical this gap, through quantitative and performance computers to perform and bridges deteriorate over time approach to alleviate the immediate Sriram Narasimhan less subjective inspections leading calculations, are all available today. and accounting for all the hazards technical challenges that impede us Opinion to more reliable outcomes. Instead However, several technological contributing to their degradation from fully harnessing the power of of inspectors visually looking for barriers, regulatory hurdles, lack of is extremely complex. A dearth of technology to manage this gap. signs of distress in bridge com- standardization, and cultural imped- lifetime data for typical infrastruc- Sriram Narasimhan is a professor anada’s infrastructure gap is in ponents, permanently installed iments stop us from being able to ture assets prevents us from apply- of engineering at the University of Cthe hundreds of billions of dol- sensors or drones can access data fully harness their power. Focusing ing standard statistical methods Waterloo and the Canada Research lars and the reprioritization likely from otherwise difficult to access on the technology side here, we still to predict their remaining useful Chair in Smart Infrastructure. to occur following the current pub- areas of a bridge. This data can need new sensing and monitoring life. Without this estimate, it is not The Hill Times 24 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES News

New territorial status Canada can increase pressure on quo could come from eventual negotiations The flare-up stems from in- NATO-ally Turkey to calm Nagorno- creasing aggressiveness as Turkey explores its geopolitical position, said Andrew Rasiulis, a former analyst at the Department of Karabakh conflict: Armenian envoy National Defence and a Canadian Global Affairs Institute fellow. Though both Armenians and Anahit Harutyunyan Foreign Affairs Azerbaijanis point to the other Minister Francois- in blame for ending the 1994 says new information Philippe Champagne and subsequent ceasefires, he publicly urged said it appears Turkish support proves Canadian Turkey to ‘stay out’ emboldened Azerbaijan to “press of the Nagorno- the issue, which has never been drones are being Karabakh conflict, but resolved” with the unrecognized, used by Turkish- Armenia’s ambassador semi-autonomous republic. to Canada says the “It was a target of opportu- backed Azerbaijani country can do more nity for the Turks to push their to urge ‘concrete Azerbaijani allies to actually try fighters, justifying an steps’ because and change the status quo, that’s statements on their what’s happening,” he explained, ‘indefinite’ arms ban own are not useful because it’s clear the former on Turkey. anymore. The Hill Soviet state wouldn’t have made Times photograph by a move without their explicit sup- Andrew Meade port. Though Russia has a defence Continued from page 1 pact with Armenia, it has good Oct. 19 had killed 729 Nagorno- relations with Azerbaijan and has Karabakh troops and 36 civil- “no reason” to push them, along- ians, according to their officials, side the added context of selling while Azerbaijan hasn’t disclosed anti aircraft systems to Turkey. military losses but says 60 civil- Echoing Canadian politicians, ians have died, according to The he said a negotiated settlement Associated Press. is the only path forward, and he “Time is really a luxury now has been public about receiving the call with Mr. Erdogan, asking aggression. “I think she is correct expects a deal will lead to “limited [that] we can’t allow because a lot military goods from its ally. Turkey to use its influence to that Turkey needs to speak differ- gains” for the Azerbaijanis. That of people are dying,” said Ms. Ha- “I just want also to put it in bring the parties to the table for a ently if they’re going to be at that would likely mean getting some rutyunyan, who added the most perspective: we’re talking about peaceful resolution, according to table, [but] without them, that of the less-populated territory, important thing is to see Turkey a few cameras,” Mr. Champagne the readout. historic divide is not going to be while the central urban centres out of the conflict. said on the call, adding it was the healed.” will remain under ethnic Ar- This month, Canada suspend- “right thing” to mount an investi- Canada at the ‘front of the As for Canada putting more menian control so they aren’t ed the export of Canadian drone gation and suspend permits out of pressure on Turkey, he said, “we displaced. technology to Turkey and Global “an abundance” of caution. line’ on the issue: May are absolutely putting pressure “They can’t just go back to Affairs Canada launched an “I will not hesitate to suspend The chair of the Canada-Ar- on our allies,” and pointed to Mr. 1994. There’s going to be a new investigation after the equipment any permit or cancel any per- menia Parliamentary Friendship Champagne as the “architect” status quo that emerges, it’s not was alleged to have been used by mit where there’s allegations or Group, Liberal MP Brian May, of the joint statement with the going to go backwards,” said Azerbaijani forces in the region. evidence that the subject equip- also said he respectfully disagrees United Kingdom the day after Mr. Rasiulis, and it’s likely to be Turkey has said Canada is violat- ment would be used contrary to with the envoy, and Turkey needs fighting started on Sept. 27. viewed by Turkey as an “incre- ing the North Atlantic Treaty Canadian law.” to be involved. “Canada was not just sign- mental gain.” Organization (NATO) military Reached on Oct. 20, Mr. Cham- ing their name on the bottom of Of the three flare-ups in alliance, of which both are a part. pagne’s press secretary Syrine that document, but the architect the region that Mr. Cham- Such permits should be per- Khoury declined to comment on of those statements,” he said. “I pagne addressed last week—in manently ended, she said, in the Ms. Stepanyan’s tweet and said know that Armenia is going to Ukraine, Belarus, and Nagorno- wake of new information showing existing statements on the matter continue to push, as they should, Karabakh— he said in Ottawa Canadian equipment is contribut- stand. Global Affairs Canada said to get support, but I think Canada this likely plays third fiddle in ing to violence on the ground. On by email Canadian officials are is absolutely at the front of that importance, though Canada could Oct. 20, Shushan Stepanyan, press investigating allegations made line in terms of support for the still play a role, albeit “extremely secretary to Armenia’s defence min- regarding the use of Canadian Armenian people and they have limited” when the main “inside ister, tweeted images of what she technology in the conflict and will been for a very long time.” brokers” here are Germany, said was a Turkish remote control continue to assess the situation. Meanwhile, Conservative France, and the United States. camera model hit by air defence, The meetings have not ended MP Jamie Schmale (Halibur- The latter two co-chair the Minsk showing a June 2020 manufacturing following his European tour; on ton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock, Group alongside Russia. date by a Canadian company. Oct. 18 Mr. Champagne spoke Ont.), who heads the Canada- The question for the Cana- “We have, of course, welcomed with Armenian Foreign Affairs Azerbaijan Friendship Group, dian government on this file is: Canada’s decision on suspending Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, said he’s been in touch with the are you doing more than beat- the arms deal with Turkey due to days after Prime Minister Justin Azeri community in Toronto and ing your chest? Though Canada the ongoing investigation,” said Trudeau’s (Papineau, Que.) Oct. Armenian ambassador Anahit Calgary, and the country’s chargé doesn’t have diplomats posted Ms. Harutyunyan, but now tak- 16 calls with counterparts from Harutyunyan says Canada can put d’affaires in Ottawa. The resound- in either Armenia or Azerbaijan, ing into account “the recent hard both countries, Turkish Presi- more pressure on NATO ally Turkey ing feedback is all want fighting he said the minister could direct proof,” her country is encouraging dent Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and to stay out of the conflict.Photograph to end, and for the negotiations to Canadian officials at the OSCE Canadian authorities “to care- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol courtesy of the Armenian Embassy quickly resume using the Minsk delegation in Vienna, or the Kiev fully analyze all the concerns Pashinyan. Group framework. embassy to get into the corridors and proofs, which will hopefully Mr. Champagne again called Since the fighting started on “No one’s going to win in a and negotiations. (Mr. Cham- lead to an indefinite arms ban to on “external parties” to stay out of Sept. 27, Mr. May (Cambridge, military conflict, it’s only going pagne’s office did not respond.) Turkey.” the conflict and said Canada sup- Ont.) said the group has been to get worse,” said Mr. Schmale. “We have the people in the During his European tour last ports the creation of a verification working closely with Global Af- “Obviously, in a perfect world, place, we have the tools, we just week, Foreign Affairs Minister mechanism by the Organization fairs Canada and the Armenian they would want the land back need to energize ourselves and François-Philippe Champagne for Security and Co-operation’s National Committee of Canada, that was agreed upon by the get out there and see what we can (Saint Maurice-Champlain, Que.) (OSCE) Minsk Group, which was and the main goal is trying to United Nations, including Cana- do,” said Mr. Rasiulis, and it would issued strong words, telling Tur- launched in 1992 to resolve the calm down the rhetoric in the da, but they want the fighting to be worth making such overtures key to “stay out” of the conflict— dispute. region, particularly with “bombas- stop so that meaningful talks can to both the Turks and the Rus- words Ms. Harutyunyan said Armenia has long called for tic” Turkey. start.” sians to show Canada is being Armenia welcomed. such a monitoring system along “There’s no path forward that Mr. Schmale also said the neutral. During a call with reporters the border to make it clear which involves an armed conflict. We government can do more to “call Canada is the only G7 nation on Oct. 16, Mr. Champagne ad- side violates any ceasefires, said need to get back to the table,” out” Turkey and remind them of that doesn’t have an ambassador dressed the drones, but for the Ms. Harutyunyan, who welcomed said Mr. May in an interview their obligations as a NATO part- in Armenia, noted Ms. Harutyu- first time downplayed their sig- Canada’s support. last week, stressing the friend- ner. And, with Canadian military nyan, who said having Canadian nificance, reported The Globe and Though Ms. Harutyunyan said ship group found it important to equipment in the conflict area, he diplomats in the country would be Mail. The report noted that while she sees no reason for Turkey to release a statement right away, said it’s important to tell Turkey helpful and it’s on her agenda. Turkey hasn’t confirmed it’s sup- be at the table for peace talks, Mr. identifying Turkey as an “unhelp- to “back off” and let the process [email protected] plying the technology, Azerbaijan Trudeau urged the opposite on ful agent” and calling out the take place. The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020 25 News

In the early months of ‘It’s an ongoing his new UN posting, Ambassador Bob Rae battle’: Bob Rae’s gave an impassioned speech defending the push to move the universality of human rights and Canada's ability to needle on human speak on issues despite its own human rights rights at the UN concerns. The Hill Times photograph by rights that affect people’s human Andrew Meade ‘You don’t stop rights and affects their ability to know that they aren’t going to trying to find ways of be picked up in the middle of the night. I don’t see how Canada resolving differences can sit back and say nothing in opinion, but I do when there’s growing evidence of what’s going on.” think in this day and He said some countries are hesitant for human rights to be be persistent, you have to be said Mr. Rae will be limited in his In his role at the UN, Prof. age you need a whole discussed at the UN. prepared to continue to press on,” ability to raise the global human Chapnick said, Mr. Rae has “There are countries that still he said. rights situation by policies cre- more freedom compared to a range of ways of are very much attached to the “You don’t stop engaging with ated in Ottawa. traditional diplomat, given that expressing concern principles of nationalism. There countries [that you] disagree with,” “There is no escaping that they he is a political appointee, not- are countries whose governments he said. “ You don’t stop trying to are the ultimate arbitrator of what ing he can make his decisions and trying to move are authoritarian. … Countries find ways of resolving differences anyone says in New York,” he said, on how aggressively to operate with those kinds of governments in opinion, but I do think, in this noting that the Trudeau govern- at the UN. opinion,’ says Bob Rae. have never been enthusiastic day and age, you need a whole ment is “very compromised” in “He can be comfortable that he about the United Nations put- range of ways of expressing con- terms of human rights by selling has the ear of the prime minister ting a strong emphasis on global cern and trying to move opinion.” light armoured vehicles to Saudi when he needs it,” he said. “In that Continued on page 25 human rights or on human rights He noted that raising human Arabia, as well as selling equip- context, if you are eloquent—as defended Canada raising human that are universal,” he said. rights isn’t done just to make ment to Turkey that is allegedly he is—it’s a lot easier to be effec- rights at the body in spite of its being used in the Azerbaijan- tive.” own human rights abuses. Armenia conflict, and Canada’s As a result of not needing to Former UN Responding to the Chinese and inability to deal with Indigenous head a Security Council cam- ambassador Syrian UN ambassadors who ques- rights in Canada, among other paign like his predecessor Marc- Stephen tioned the universality of human issues. André Blanchard was charged Lewis says rights and the ability of countries He said countries don’t have to with doing, he has more freedom the UN that themselves have examples of be perfect world citizens to stand to focus on other priorities, Prof. missions human rights abuses to comment on up for human rights, but he said Chapnick said. are limited human rights, he said both premises Canada is in “trouble” due to the Former career diplomat Bar- in their are false. amount of human rights “deficien- bara Martin, a Queen’s University effectiveness “The first premise is false cies” it has accumulated. policy studies professor, said that by the because this organization, this But Mr. Lewis said Mr. Rae can “Canada definitely has a con- constraints chamber, has reaffirmed the make “quite an impact” through tinuing role to play in advancing placed on universality of human rights and his command of both policy is- international standards on human them by in everything that it is doing has sues and oration. rights and in holding countries to Ottawa. The reaffirmed the significance of our “The greatest thing he has to account, including itself.” Hill Times file establishing systems of account- contend with is the inadequacy of “No country is perfect in its re- photograph ability for breaches of human Foreign Affairs in Ottawa.” spect for human rights standards, rights whenever and where ever Royal Military College defence but that does not mean that coun- they occur,” said Mr. Rae, a former studies professor Adam Chap- tries—including Canada—should federal Liberal interim leader and nick, author of Canada on the not draw attention to and demand a past NDP premier of Ontario. United Nations Security Council: an end to egregious abuses in “In the case of Canada—both A Small Power on a Large Stage, other countries. Nor should it the representative of Syria and said Canada isn’t necessarily mean that countries should stop the representative of China playing a greater role in cham- trying to push a deeper articula- commented on this—they said, pioning human rights at the UN, tion of the rights that underpin a ‘Look, you have significant prob- but is working with likeminded free, fair and just world for all,” lems with Indigenous people in nations to speak out against hu- she said. Canada, there have been great man rights abuses together. University of Ottawa interna- injustices towards Indigenous “The Canadian government tional law professor Errol Mendes people, therefore you have no of late has been more cognizant said Canada may be in a stronger right to talk about Xinjiang or Ti- of the need to align its comments position to speak about its values bet or Hong Kong or the tragedy and the intensity of its comments now that it isn’t seeking a Secu- of 100,000 dead in Syria or the with allies who have shared inter- rity Council seat. tragedy of millions of refugees “But the fact is that is what we’ve yourself feel better. ests,” he said, adding that any de- He said Canada should be in Syria,’” he said. “I respectfully all signed up for. The countries that “You say things because you’re gree of escalation is determined thinking about how middle pow- disagree … we’ve established are members of the United Nations trying to actually affect a result,” “prudently and consistently” with ers can form coalitions to send commissions of accountability. have also signed up to UN declara- Mr. Rae said. the same level of escalation as signals to China that its current We’ve established commissions tions, they’ve signed up to a number He said the human rights out- Canada’s allies. trajectory will become problemat- of truth and reconciliation. Where of commitments that set a standard look needs to be global and not Prof. Chapnick said for ic in the medium- and long-term. are the commissions of truth and and that standard isn’t going to just what is happening in China. Canada, moving public opinion “I am hoping that we have a reconciliation in China? Where disappear. It’s still there and it’s still “I think what’s happening in without drawing attention is the much more sophisticated ap- are the commissions of truth and very strong,” he said. China has its parallels in many, right approach. proach to issues we take on at the reconciliation in Syria?” “It’s an ongoing battle. … It’s many other places,” Mr. Rae said. “We aren’t on our own ever UN,” Prof. Mendes said. Mr. Rae told The Hill Times not something that is going to “I think it’s important not to fall going to change Chinese policy,” “We are reacting all the time,” on Oct. 19 that the human rights end overnight. It’s a struggle that into the trap of thinking [it is] a he said. “But we do know that the he said, noting there is a need for debate is ongoing. we’re all engaged in.” problem with a single govern- Chinese are sensitive when they more strategic planning for the “The main thing you’re trying Mr. Rae said he has received a ment. The problem goes much feel that an overwhelming num- longer term. to do is have an impact and move “great deal” of support from other deeper than that. It’s more wide- ber of countries around the world “We are reacting too much to opinion,” he said. “All the time it UN member countries on human spread and it’s very troublesome.” are frowning upon their action. the immediate and not enough to has to be based on facts.” rights. Former diplomat Stephen They need some sort of interna- the medium and long term.” “The fact is that there are “To be effective you have to Lewis, who was Canada’s UN tional legitimacy to what they are [email protected] some serious breaches of human be consistent and you have to ambassador from 1984 to 1988, doing.” The Hill Times 26 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES

public policy from the University of Toronto. She’s spent the last year as a communi- Neil McKenna recently joined the cations and press relations officer with the PMO, stepping in as executive assistant Institut du Nouveau Monde in Montreal, and to the executive director of operations, before then was a communications co-ordi- Matt Stickney. He replaces Elaine Nixon, nator for then-Quebec economy, science, and hill climbers who recently left to return to Liberal Party innovation minister Dominique Anglade. headquarters as senior manager of the na- by Laura Ryckewaert tional field, as reported by Hill Climbers. Yentl Béliard- He arrived straight from Public Services Joseph and Procurement Minister Anita Anand’s recently office, where he’d been at work as a policy joined the and Atlantic regional affairs adviser since public December 2019. Mr. McKenna first joined services Hall exits PMO for the PSPC minister’s office in April 2018 minister’s as a special assistant for Atlantic regional team. affairs under then-minister Carla Qual- Photograph trough. Before then, he was an assistant to courtesy of director role with LinkedIn then-Ontario Liberal MP Mike Bossio (who is now a ministerial staffer himself, as a senior adviser for rural affairs to Women Labour Minister Tassi and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development Minister Maryam Monsef). Before coming to Ottawa to work for In Ms. Tassi’s office, he fills a role Shaun Mr. Bossio in 2016, Mr. McKenna was a li- Plus, Public Services and Govender vacated in August, when he left brary assistant with Halifax Public Librar- to become chief of staff to Digital Govern- ies in Nova Scotia. James Fitz-Morris remains director of Procurement Minister Anita ment Minister Joyce Murray. Over in Ms. Anand’s office, the minister communications to Ms. Anand, with Cecely In the PMO, Dunerci Caceres has Anand has a new chief of recently made a change in chiefs of staff. Roy serving as press secretary. already been tapped to replace Mr. Hall Leslie Church has left the office after Government House Leader and Quebec as deputy director of scheduling and co- staff in her office. almost a year on the job. Before taking over as Lieutenant Pablo Rodriguez also has a new ordination, while continuing to serve as Ms. Anand’s chief of staff in December 2019, face in his office, with Caroline Morchat manager of the executive office, a role that rime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office Ms. Church was chief of staff to Ms. Monsef having been hired as executive assistant to sees her support Sophie Grégoire Trudeau. has seen a few staff departures and Geneviève Hinse, Mr. Rodriguez’s chief of P Ms. Caceres has been working in the promotions of late, including that of deputy staff as Quebec lieutenant. PMO since 2017, starting out as an execu- director of scheduling and co-ordination Ms. Morchat marked her first day on tive assistant to the office’s team of senior Geoff Hall, who has taken over as director the job on Sept. 14, and spent the last advisers. She later became executive assis- of operations to Labour Minister Filomena Parliament as a constituency assistant to tant to PMO chief of staff Katie Telford and Tassi. then-Quebec Liberal MP Frank Baylis. In was promoted to her most recent title after Mr. Hall has spent the last almost five 2016, she spent roughly eight months as an the last election. years working in the Prime Minister’s intern in Mr. Trudeau’s constituency office Jennifer Swan has left the PMO. She’d Office (PMO), starting in January 2016 as the Liberal MP for Papineau, Que. been busy as executive assistant to PMO as a scheduler to Mr. Trudeau. In 2018, he was bumped up to senior manager of executive director of policy and cabinet affairs Marci Surkes since the 2019 elec- Catching up with former staff tour and scheduling and took on his latest Mike McNair, who left the PMO for a sec- tion and before then had spent almost four title in November 2019, after working as a ond time in September, was recently named years as a scheduling assistant in then- campaign advertising co-ordinator for the to FiscalNote’s board of advisers. The global public safety minister Ralph Goodale’s Liberal Party during the election. software, data, and media company has its office. headquarters in Washington, D.C. Already, Harry Orbach-Miller has been Geoff Hall “Michael brings a wealth of experience promoted to replace her. Mr. Orbach-Miller Public Services Minister Anita Anand, who is now serving in the office of the Prime Minister has been working in the PMO since February, recently got a new chief of staff, is pictured at a director of of Canada,” said FiscalNote CEO and co- previously as a special assistant under the government announcement in Kanata on Oct. 8. operations founder Tim Hwang in an Oct. 13 news re- PMO’s executive office, overseen by execu- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is pictured behind to the lease. “His deep knowledge of global policy tive director of planning, administration, her. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade labour and the workings of government will drive and people Brett Thalmann. He previously minister. a more comprehensive understanding of interned in the office over the summer of 2019 Photograph for about a year. A former head of communica- how our technology can be leveraged as after graduating with a master’s degree in courtesy of tions and public affairs for Google Canada, we continue our global expansion.” LinkedIn she’s been working on the Hill since December Mr. McNair noted his then-upcoming Harry 2015, starting as chief of staff to then-heritage appointment to FiscalNote’s board in a Orbach- minister Mélanie Joly’s office before that. Sept. 25 tweet announcing his departure Miller is Hill Climbers is still working to confirm from the PMO. He’s also now a distin- PMO policy where she’s landed, so stay tuned for more guished fellow with INSEAD. Last a spe- head Marci details on that. cial adviser on the government’s economic Surkes’ Already, Stevie O’Brien has been response to COVID-19, Mr. McNair was new brought in to replace her. previously Mr. Trudeau’s head of policy executive from 2013 (when Liberals were in opposi- He first began working on the Hill for assistant. Stevie tion) until last January. an MP back in 2007, and from 2009 to 2010 Photograph O’Brien has Speaking of former PMO staff, former he was a special assistant and scheduler courtesy of taken over legal adviser and director of issues man- to then-Liberal official opposition leader LinkedIn as chief agement and parliamentary affairs Max- Michael Ignatieff. Mr. Hall is also a former of staff to ime Dea has a new job as senior regulatory planning adviser to Ottawa city councillor Ms. Anand. counsel and head of public policy with Katherine Hobbs, among other past jobs. Photograph Rogers Communications in Montreal. courtesy of He left the PMO in June after roughly LinkedIn half a year, before which he’d been chief of staff to then-heritage minister Pablo Rodri- guez. During his time on the Hill between December 2015 and last June, Mr. Dea also CAREERS briefly served as chief of staff to then- democratic institutions minister Maryam Monsef, spent time as director of policy to then-agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay, and was a policy adviser in the Senior Policy Advisors – Justice; Health and Social PMO for about a year and a half. Ms. O’Brien previously served as chief Plus, Ryan Adam, who worked on the Development; Environment, Oceans and Wildlife; of staff to then-border security minister Hill from January 2016 to October 2019, Bill Blair from August 2018 up until the last was hired as a senior adviser at The Toron- Education; Economic Development election. She’s also a former director of to Star in August, not long after its mother Reporting to a Manager within the Department of Policy Advancement, Department: parliamentary affairs and issues manage- company, Torstar Corp., was purchased by the Senior Policy Advisors will work towards promoting and improving Policy Advancement ment to then-health minister Ginette Petit- NordStar Capital. the place of Canada’s Inuit in a number of policy areas. These positions Location: pas Taylor, and a former director of policy Since leaving his post as a Western re- provide recommendations to improve policy and associated outcomes Ottawa, Ontario to then-public services minister Judy Foote. gional adviser in the PMO ahead of the last for Inuit and act as a liaison between government departments, Inuit Status: Before coming to work on the Hill in ear- election, Mr. Adam had until recently been organizations and non-government organizations. Full Time, Permanent ly 2016, Ms. O’Brien was working at Queen’s director of business development with Sky- Starting Date: Park, last as chief of staff to then-natural Hive. While on the Hill, he also served for *Applicants who are a Beneficiary under an Inuit Land Claims Agreement October 2020 resources and forestry minister Bill Mauro. a time as director of issues management to will be given priority hiring. We encourage applicants to self-identify. Where to apply: Also in Ms. Anand’s office, Yentl then-natural resources minister Jim Carr. We would like to thank all applicants in advance for their interest in ITK, https://myitk.bamboohr.com/jobs/ Béliard-Joseph was recently hired as a [email protected] however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. view.php?id=93 special assistant for communications. The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020 27 Parliamentary Calendar

at 5 p.m. EDT. Register at empireclubof- WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21 canada.com. House Sitting—The House of Commons THURSDAY, OCT. 29 is sitting in a hybrid format right now dur- Elizabeth May, Bruce Heyman dive ing the pandemic, with most MPs connect- Access Denied: The Art of Fighting Back ing remotely. The House is scheduled to sit Foreign Electoral Interference—The Confer- Oct. 19-Nov. 6. It will another one-week ence of Defence Associations Institute and break, Nov. 9-13, and is then scheduled to into U.S. election repercussions in the EU Delegation to Canada co-host a we- sit every weekday from Nov. 16-Dec. 11, binar, “Access Denied: The Art of Fighting and that’s it for 2020. Back Foreign Electoral Interference,” fea- Women, Business, and COVID-19—The Oct. 21 Pearson Centre event turing Richard Fadden, former director of CN-Paul M. Tellier Chair on Business and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service; Public Policy at the University of Ottawa Sean Roche, former director and deputy hosts a webinar on “Women, Business, director for Digital Innovation, Central and COVID-19: Impacts and Policy Solu- Intelligence Agency; Dr. Johann Schmid, tions,” to discuss the particular ways that director, COI on Strategy and Defence, women in business have been affected by European Center of Excellence for Counter- the COVID-19 pandemic, how businesses ing Hybrid Threats; and Heli Tiirmaa-Klaar, and governments have responded to those ambassador-at-large for Cyber Diplomacy, particular impacts, and what policies could Estonia. The event is free, but we encour- governments and businesses adopt to help age all participants to “pay-what-you-can” women as the pandemic evolves and we to sustain our programming so we can offer prepare for other health, environmental you more of these down the line. Thursday, and/or economic crises in the future. With Oct. 29 at 9 a.m. EDT. Register at https:// Déborah Cherenfant (regional director, cdainstitute.ca/product/elections-denied/. Women entrepreneurs, Quebec, TD Bank Bacon and Eggheads—Join Dr. Gary Group; chair, Junior Chamber of Commerce Kobinger, a professor at Université Laval, of Montreal); Tiffany Gooch (principal, Au- director of the Centre de recherche en rora Strategy; Toronto Star columnist); Leah infectiologie, and Canada Research Chair Nord (senior director, Workforce Strategy in Novel Vaccines and Immunotherapies, & Inclusive Growth, Canadian Chamber of for a discussion on “Developing Vaccines Commerce); Gladys Okine (executive lead, for Pandemics–Contrasting the Ebola and Canadian Council for Youth Prosperity); COVID-19 Experience.” The 2014-2016 and Barbara Orser (Deloitte professor in Ebola virus crisis in West Africa prompted the management of growth enterprises, the fastest vaccine development efforts Telfer School of Management, University ever seen. Yet the first Ebola vaccine initial- of Ottawa; acting head of the W20 Canada ly developed in Winnipeg from 2001-2014 delegation). This event, which takes place was finally licensed for use in humans only Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 12-1:30 p.m., in late 2019 in Europe and early 2020 in is part of the CN-Tellier Series on Women, Bruce Heyman, former U.S. ambassador to Canada, and Green Parliamentary Leader Elizabeth May will participate in the United States. This presentation will Business and Public Policy. Register via a panel discussion, ‘Biden-Trump Uncovered: What Will the U.S. Election Results Mean to Canada and the World?’ on highlight opportunities and challenges in Eventbrite. Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 7-8 p.m. EDT. The Hill Times file photograph and photograph by Andrew Meade therapeutic and vaccine research in Canada The Globe and Mail’s Solving Workplace in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Challenges 2020—Expert advice on navigat- Thursday, Oct. 29, from 12:15-1:15 p.m. ing 2020 and beyond. Wednesday, Oct. 21, IBM Think Summit Canada—On James Moore; former P.E.I. premier Robert WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28 To register for this free online presentation, 1:30-4:40 p.m. EDT. Join Globe and Mail Thursday, Oct. 22, join the business and Ghiz; former senior adviser to the foreign contact Emma Brown, PAGSE Manager at health reporter André Picard and industry technology conference that will focus on affairs minister Jocelyn Coulon; former Munk Dialogues—On Wednesday, Oct. [email protected] or 613-363-7705. experts for an afternoon of practical ideas, the unforeseen challenges of our new editor-in-chief of The Walrus Jonathan 28, at 8 pm EDT, the Munk Dialogues The Quebec Referendum, 25 Years Later: insights and strategies to help HR teams economic reality, and how technology can Kay; and singer/songwriter Susan Aglukark. series will feature dialogue with James Car- Memories and Analysis—McGill University and leaders support their employees and help Canada emerge stronger and smarter The conference runs Friday, Oct. 23 and ville, U.S. Democratic Party stalwart, politi- hosts a webinar on “The Quebec Referen- adapt to shifted business realities. Register out of the COVID-19 crisis. Claude Guay, Saturday, Oct. 24. Tickets available via cal strategist, and bestselling author, on the dum, 25 years later: memories and analy- via Eventbrite. IBM Canada president, and keynote by Eventbrite. likely outcomes of the Nov. 3 U.S. election, sis,” a public discussion featuring four ac- Biden-Trump Uncovered—The Pearson Hillery Hunter, global VP and CTO of IBM one week out from this high-stakes global tors from the 1995 referendum campaign, Centre partners with Canadian Club Toronto Cloud. Panel discussion: Corporations SATURDAY, OCT. 24 event. The Munk Dialogues will be available two from the “yes” camp and two from the to host a panel discussion on “Biden-Trump standing up for social justice; City of B.C. Election—B.C. voters will elect live and on-demand on the free CBC Gem “no” camp. Graham Fraser will moderate Uncovered: What Will the U.S. Election Markham and IBM, collaborating in times their next provincial government in a snap streaming service (gem.cbc.ca) and on the the event featuring former Parti Québécois Results Mean to Canada and the World?” of COVID with Frank Scarpitti, mayor of election to be decided on Oct. 24. Munk Debates website (www.munkdebates. MNA Louise Beaudoin, former president Former CBC Washington correspondent Markham; disease surveillance panel: Pub- com/dialogues). of the PQ’s youth wing Éric Bédard, former Alison Smith will moderate the discussion lic Health and the Return to the New (Ab) MONDAY, OCT. 26 Ottawa What Is Democracy? Premiere— senior adviser to prime minister Jean Chré- featuring Green Party Parliamentary Leader Normal—featuring Provinces of Ontario Building Canada’s Post-Pandemic This event will feature a screening of the tien, Eddie Goldenberg, and former chief of Elizabeth May; former U.S. ambassador and Nova Scotia; Global Affairs Canada Foreign Policy—The University of Ottawa film What Is Democracy? by Astra Taylor, staff to two Quebec Liberal premiers, John to Canada Bruce Heyman; Jamal Watkins, and the value of Blockchain—with Global hosts a discussion on “Building Canada’s and will then be followed by a panel discus- Parisella. Thursday, Oct. 29, 1:45 p.m. national outreach director, National Associa- Affairs Canada; Intuition to lead in uncer- Post-Pandemic Foreign Policy,” featuring sion of the film, and its central question. EDT. Register online. tion for the Advancement of Coloured People tain times, a female leader’s perspective, Michael Petrou, editor-in-chief of Open- The panel discussion features Celina Cae- MONDAY, NOV. 2 (NAACP); and Mark Feigenbaum, chair of with Innovapost and the Department of Canada, and Roland Paris, international sar-Chavannes, Marie-Eve Desrosiers, Larisa Republicans Abroad in Canada. This online National Defence; and accelerated path affairs policy analyst and former adviser Kurtovic, and Joshua Nichols. Anoush F. Trade Minister speaks to Montreal Audi- event takes place Wednesday, Oct. 21, from to digital government. More information to the prime minister. Monday, Oct. 26, Terjanian is moderating the event. For more ence—Minister of Small Business, Export 7-8 p.m. EDT. Register online. here: https://www.ibm.com/events/ca-en/ from noon to 1 p.m. EDT. Register via information and panellists’ bios, visit the Promotion and International Trade Mary Munk Dialogues—On Wednesday, Oct. think-summit/ Eventbrite. CIPS website.Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 5:30 Ng (Markham-Thornhill, Ont.) will deliver 21, at 8 p.m. EDT, the Munk Dialogues se- The Need for a Greener Economic Re- Toronto Global Forum—The International p.m. for the Ottawa film premiere and a remarks at a virtual event hosted by the ries will feature a talk with Newt Gingrich, covery—The Montreal Council on Foreign Economic Forum of the Americas hosts a panel discussion at 7:30 p.m. EDT. Regis- Montreal Council on Foreign Relations. former Speaker of U.S. House of Represen- Relations hosts a webinar on “Build- virtual edition of the Toronto Global Forum ter now at Eventbrite. Monday, Nov. 2, from 12-12:30 p.m. Reg- tatives and bestselling author, on the legacy ing Forward: The Need for a Greener from Oct. 26-28. Themes of some pre- 2020 U.S. Presidential Election Panel— ister online by Oct. 30 at 5 p.m. The Empire Club of Canada hosts a panel of U.S. President Donald Trump’s first Economic Recovery,” featuring Patricia sentations include “Trailblazing Women in The Parliamentary Calendar is a free discussion on the 2020 U.S. presidential term as president, and the future of U.S. Espinosa, executive secretary, Secretariat 2020: Shaping the Future of Corporations, events listing. Send in your political, cultur- election, focusing on the impacts that politics, two weeks out from November’s of the United Nations Framework Conven- Startups and Government,” “The Digital al, diplomatic, or governmental event in a it will have on the economies of Ontario vote. The Munk Dialogues will be available tion on Climate Change. Thursday, Oct. Health Revolution,” and “Innovation in a paragraph with all the relevant details under and Canada. BNN Bloomberg reporter live and on-demand on the free CBC Gem 22, from noon to 12:30 p.m. Register Growing Agriculture and Agri-Food Sector.” the subject line ‘Parliamentary Calendar’ Anita Sharma will moderate the discus- streaming service (gem.cbc.ca) and on the online at corim.qc.ca. For more information, visit forum-americas. to [email protected] by Wednesday at sion featuring Bruce Heyman, former U.S. Munk Debates website (www.munkdebates. org/toronto/home. noon before the Monday paper or by Friday FRIDAY, OCT. 23 ambassador to Canada; Frances Donald, com/dialogues). Voting Day for Toronto Byelections— at noon for the Wednesday paper. We can’t managing director, chief economist, and Canada-China Trade in a Shifting Global Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced guarantee inclusion of every event, but we THURSDAY, OCT. 22 head of Macro Strategy, Manulife; and Environment—The Canadian International on Sept. 18 that byelections to fill two will definitely do our best. Events can be Chris Jackson, senior vice-president, Ipsos Journalism In the Time of Crisis—Car- Council–Prince George hosts a webinar previously Liberal-held ridings—Toronto updated daily online, too. Reid Public Affairs. Wednesday, Oct. 28 leton University’s School of Journalism and on “Canada-China Trade in a Shifting Centre, Ont., and York Centre, Ont., won by The Hill Times Communication hosts a virtual symposium Global Environment,” featuring Philip Bill Morneau and Michael Levitt, respec- from Oct. 22-23 on “Journalism In the Calvert, former Canadian ambassador to tively, in 2019—will be held today. Time of Crisis,” examining the nexus Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. Friday, Saskatchewan Election—Saskatchewan CONDOS FOR RENT between journalism and the COVID-19 Oct. 23, from 3-4:30 p.m. EDT. Register voters will elect their next provincial gov- pandemic to find lessons for journalism via Eventbrite. ernment on Oct. 26. 2 BED/ 2 BATH UPSCALE CONDO GREAT practice and study in the future. Panel- After the Pandemic: The State And Future lists include Chief Public Health Officer of of Canada—The Institute for 21st Century TUESDAY, OCT. 27 CENTRAL LOCATION Canada Dr. Teresa Tam, Globe and Mail’s Questions and Global Brief magazine host a Mayor’s Breakfast with Minister Catherine 2 BED/2BATH, 1200 sf luxurious condo, centrally located, André Picard, The Hill Times’ Charelle Eve- two-day conference, “After the Pandemic: McKenna—Infrastructure and Communi- open concept living, many amenities, underground parking lyn, CBC Ottawa’s Adrian Harewood, CNN’s The State And Future of Canada,” featuring ties Minister Catherine McKenna will take 2850$ mth, Nov 2020, [email protected]. Daniel Dale, and CBC’s The National’s a series of discussions on topic including part in the Mayor’s Breakfast, hosted by Adrienne Arsenault. The free online event the economy, public health, Indigenous the Ottawa Board of Trade. Tuesday, Oct. runs from 8:45 a.m. to 8 p.m. Register via relations, and national unity. Speakers in- 27, 7-9 a.m. Register online at business. Eventbrite. clude former Conservative cabinet minister ottawabot.ca.

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