Plus Diversity in the Powers: public service Defence lawyers summer jobs p. 5 ‘cringe’ at anti-abortion C-51’s clause new sex- is a crock of assault Liberal nonsense case rules p. 7 p. 4 TWENTY-NINTH YEAR, NO. 1501 CANADA’S POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT NEWSPAPER WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018 $5.00 News Senate News Public service Lobbying spikes in ‘wild Oft-critiqued Liberal mandate tracker to card’ Senate as groups become ‘more useful,’ target new Independents says government The top eight most ‘deliverology’ chief lobbied Senators in 2017 are, Two years into its mandate, the Privy clockwise from top left: Liberal deputy Council Offi ce’s results and delivery leader Terry Mercer, unit has also addressed data gaps and government liaison Grant Mitchell, is continuing to focus on changing the Independent Lucie way departments create policy. Moncion, Liberal Dennis Dawson, BY EMILY HAWS Independent Diane Griffi n, Independent he government’s oft- Rosa Galvez, maligned online mandate Conservative Senator T letter tracking tool will be David Tkachuk, and more comprehensive in the Independent René next six months, according Cormier.The Hill to the Liberals’ “deliverology” Times photographs expert, allowing users to track by Andrew Meade, the government’s progress in fi le, and photographs more detail, more frequently. courtesy of the offi ces During a sit-down of Senators Rosa interview with The Hill Galvez, Terry Mercer, Times last week, Mat- Matthew Mendelsohn said the Lucie Moncion, thew Mendelsohn, deputy mandate letter tracker was Diane Griffi n. secretary to the cabinet for a way to open a discussion results and delivery, said the about how the government tracker that was launched in thinks it’s doing. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade Publications Mail Agreement #40068926 mid-November will next be Engagement in the BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN In 2017, lobbyists logged 1,443 updated in February. communications with the Senate, “I think over the next six Feb. 1. The information Hill Times Upper Chamber in 2017 Lobbyists meeting Senators at a analysis of lobbying months, as we add more pub- on the Canada.ca/Results tripled historic averages record rates say it’s due to the Upper records reveals, doubling 2016’s 687 lic reporting around results to website currently refl ects Chamber’s independence, openness communications, defi ned as any type that site, it will become more December information. due to the Senate’s to amendments, and numerous newly of interaction, though the vast major- useful and it will be a place Along with the tracker’s independence, openness appointed unknown Senators. This ity seem to refl ect meetings. where people can track water development, the Results explains an unprecedented spike in Lobbyists communicated directly advisories, or track broad- and Delivery Unit (RDU), to amendments, and communications in 2017, an uptick with Senators 1,284 times and a band connectivity,” he said. which is part of the Privy numerous newly appointed so high it triples historic averages further 159 times with their offi ces, The exact date of the Council Offi ce and reports and doubles last year’s already el- refresh is unknown, he said, unknown Senators. evated lobbying numbers. Continued on page 14 but it will be updated to Continued on page 6 2 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018 | THE HILL TIMES bec Liberal Senator Charlie Watt has appar- Parliament Hill off ers ently decided to step away from his Senator duties a little sooner than expected. new shuttle service His mandatory retirement date is June. 29, 2019, but NunatsiaqOnline.com Heard on the Hill to parking lot reported he had given his notice to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in December, To ensure pedestrian safety along the indicating that if he became president he by Shruti Shekar Ottawa River Pathway, Parliamentary Pre- would step down as Senator. cinct Operations is offering a shuttle bus The article noted that by stepping away service to those parked in parking lot 180. from the Senate, he would be able to fulfi l A Jan. 8 press release said that the his election promises. House of Commons transportation service Makivik is an economic development would be providing rides from Jan. 29 to corporation that is in charge of implement- All hands from March 2 at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 6:30 ing the 1975 James Bay and Northern Que- p.m. on days the House is sitting. bec Agreement. It is Canada’s fi rst modern It noted the shuttle will go to the Justice land claim agreement. and Confederation Buildings before head- Sen. Watt was recently selected as chair ing to the parking lot that’s located behind of a new Senate Special Committee on the all parties on deck the Supreme Court of Canada. Arctic, which plans to study issues that af- fect Canada’s North. The committee had its Tom Mulcair to take on fi rst meeting on Dec. 13. Alberta Liberal Senator Claudette Tar- for democracy the Earth in new gig dif will be retiring much sooner than expected. Liberal MP Randy Boissonnault tweeted Looks like the former leader of the New Jan. 22: “Today Senator Claudette Tardif, a Democratic Party, Tom Mulcair, has already dear friend, announced her imminent retire- found a new gig before leaving politics. ment. Senator Tardif served Edmonton & caucus debut Canada with distinction and a passion for Former NDP improving the country. An ardent champion leader Tom for offi cial languages, I wish her all my best Mulcair is the wishes for her future adventures.” he all-party democracy caucus will Director of the initiative Maureen chairman of Sen. Tardif was expected to retire on July have a chance to make its big debut T Boyd said if there aren’t any House du- the board of 27, 2022, but in an email to The Hill Times during a Feb. 6 panel discussion. ties, up to 35 MPs of all parties will be directors of she said her retirement is effective Feb. 2. The event, examining the role of Cana- attending the event. Earth Day. The “After 13 years, I have decided it is time dian legislators in democracy abroad, is or- Hill Times fi le to spend more time with my family and ganized by Carleton University’s Initiative photograph loved ones,” Sen. Tardif said. for Parliamentary and Diplomatic Engage- Rockcliff e Park burglary ment. Registration starts at 4:30 p.m. at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building and the under scrutiny Former lobbying discussion will be followed by an evening cocktail reception. Ottawa Police are looking for leads after watchdog Karen Shepherd an early January break-in occurred in Con- servative Party leader Andrew Scheer’s On Jan. 11 he became the chairman watching Health Ottawa neighbourhood. of the board of directors of Earth Day, a The investigation into a break-and-enter charitable organization that helps people The former commissioner for lobbying, in the area of Acacia Avenue and Mariposa and organizations to reduce their carbon Karen Shepherd, has quickly moved on and Avenue—home to the opposition leader’s footprint. The news was announced in gotten herself a new job with Health Canada. offi cial residence, Stornoway, and the French on Earth Day’s website. Ms. Shepherd is now the executive residendces of several high commissioners Mr. Mulcair said in mid-December that adviser to Simon Kennedy, the deputy and ambassadors—is ongoing after three he was going to resign from his House of minister of health, his offi ce said. suspects, described as Caucasian males, Commons seat in the spring after holding entered a home shortly before 6:30 p.m. on it for about 10 years. Former lobbying Jan. 4 and stole various pieces of jewelry Sarah Andrews, spokesperson for the commissioner and a winter jacket, according to police in NDP, said in December that the next parlia- Karen Shepherd a Jan. 13 press release. mentary session would be his last and he has been hired Det. Mitch Houle of the Ottawa Police would begin working in academia. She was as the executive Service told The Hill Times that “there was not able to specify details at that time. adviser to nothing more to add [to the case]” since the Mr. Mulcair was fi rst elected in 2007 for Simon Kennedy, Liberal MP Anita Vandenbeld, the chair of the release was issued. the riding of Outremont, Que., which is in deputy minister democracy caucus, says an event hosted by “The media release was done basically Montreal. of health. The Carleton University on Feb. 6 will be a good with the hope that we would get some He became the leader of the party in Hill Times fi le platform for more people to learn about the new information, which would assist further in 2012, taking over from the late Jack Layton. photograph all-party caucus. The Hill Times fi le photograph the investigation, but there is nothing at In October, Jagmeet Singh took reins of this point,” he said. the party from Mr. Mulcair, also becoming the fi rst person of colour to lead a major Liberal MP Anita Vandenbeld, the chair He said that there have been no new re- The office noted she began her new federal party in the country. of the democracy caucus, said the group’s ports of a breaking and entering in the area. role on Jan. 15. mandate is to promote healthy democracy “There are sporadic [cases] here and As part of her duties, she will provide in Canada and around the world. Mem- there, but nothing that would be cause for Former Senator Normand advice on issues regarding stakeholder en- bers will be present Feb.