Publications Mail Agreement #40068926 THIRTY-FIRST YEAR, NO.1756 F A racial justice action on government for still waiting Black Caucus News on May 25. by apoliceofficerinMinnesota African-American GeorgeFloyd the world following thekillingof against anti-Blackracism swept released inJune afterprotests call forracial justice reforms, the government willactontheir they arestillwaiting toseehow Black Parliamentary Caucussay York Centre Liberal ridingof the coveted safe expected in of candidates Crowded field News didates andpoliticalinsiders. of York Centre, say potential can- the safeandcoveted GTA riding seek theLiberal nomination in field ofcandidates isexpectedto Member ofParliament, acrowded BY BEATRICE PAEZ BY ABBAS RANA BY ABBAS Susan Riley p.7 Gwynne Gwynne politics nature of remorseless and the Morneau ignation ofMichaelLevitt asa ollowing theunexpectedres- proaches, membersofthe s theendofsummerap- Dyer p.11

Continued onpage 17 Continued onpage16

B alleged government leaksabout Morneau leakcampaign Liberals decry anti- to treat a minister’; some ‘This isabsolutely no way News BY ABBAS RANA BY ABBAS leaked…government can’t function like that,’ says a former senior Liberal. ‘Any cabinet minister will be scared to say somethingor elseit’s going to get the ministerofintergovernmentalaffairs. Prime MinisterChrystiaFreelandwasappointedasthenewfinanceminister. DominicLeBlanchasbeenappointedas minister followingaseriesofmedialeaksfromLiberalinsiderswhosaidhewasatoddswithMr. Trudeau. Deputy Prime MinisterJustinTrudeau shuffledhiscabinetlastweekafterBillMorneauresignedpositionasfinance fied exitfrom politics, and the ill Morneaudeserved adigni- C HOH anada p.2 ’ s

P oliti on thewillingness ofcabinet which willhave achillingeffect ing information tothemedia, have “normalized” leakingdamag- the outgoingfinanceminister The HillTimes photograph byAndrewMeade a glasscliff Freeland meets c s

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N ews in thefuture, say someLiberal opinion onpublicpolicy issues ministers tooffertheirfrank p a p er Continued onpage 15 Najibzadeh p. 6 Arezoo

MONDAY, AUGUST 24,2020$5.00 Ideas for C A cal centre, says oneLiberal MP, an “unusual” dynamic inthepoliti- pandemic recovery hascreated advising thegovernment onthe minister while Mark Carney is Freeland match with ‘complementary’ some say it’s a dynamic, but pose ‘unusual’ recovery could advisory role on Carney’s informal News News studies show environments, in urban problems app facesbig Contact tracing downloaded by sometwo million nearly onemonthandhasbeen by Canada’s federal government. posure notification apppromoted serious flaws intheCOVID-19 ex- BY BEATRICE PAEZ BY AIDANCHAMANDY Throne Throne Speech Andrew Cardozo p.10 COVID Alert hasbeenoutfor to theplumpostoffinance hrystia Freeland’s elevation June suggesttherecouldbe pair ofresearch studiesfrom a bold bold a Continued onpage 14 Continued onpage13 2 MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES

received the environmental award include former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, who was named the UN Special Envoy on Climate Action and Finance last December; New Brunswick Liberal Party Heard on the Hill Leader Kevin Vickers, a former RCMP officer and retired diplomat who was once the House of Commons Sergeant at Arms; by Palak Mangat and retired Ottawa Redblacks quarterback and Grey Cup champ Henry Burris.

Respected columnist That makes four: Fotheringham dies Satirical columnist Allan Fotheringham, the self-described “pissy-assed little kid from Vancouver” who arrived in Ottawa an unknown and worked his way up to a na- Conservative MP tional columnist, passed away last week at Sharan Kaur, pictured with former finance the age of 87. Remembered for weaving his minister Bill Morneau, says she didn’t ‘plan on cheeky wit into pieces that packed quite saying goodbye so soon.’ Photograph courtesy of the punch, Mr. Fotheringham began as a Sharan Kaur’s Twitter sports writer, which “was more free-wheel- Finley among MPs ing” than political writing, he told The Hill to doing something new & exciting.” She Times in 2011. ended off with some words of wisdom for her fellow colleagues: “politics isn’t every- ruling out possible thing in life. Be kind to each other & practice what you preach & most importantly treat each other with respect.”

Former GG gets conservation nod fall election run Former governor general David John- ston and his partner, Sharon Johnston, were recognized as honourary riverkeepers by the Ottawa Riverkeeper charity last month, at an outdoor ceremony near the banks of the Tenagadino Zibi, also known as the Gatineau River. “It’s an honour for us to stand for the stewardship, protection, and celebration of this most treasured resource,” said Mr. Johnston in a video shared to Twit- ter, after elbow bumping Geoff Green, the organization’s chair. The group works to promote, protect, and improve the ecologi- cal health of the Ottawa River, and such positions are mainly symbolic.

Beloved columnist Allan Fotheringham, pictured at right, with journalist Peter Newman, died last week at the age of 87. Photograph courtesy of Charles Pachter’s Twitter

Speaking after the release of his book, Boy From Nowhere: A Life in Ninety- One Countries, he said then that “I guess Conservative MP Diane Finley, pictured in May 2017 at an event honouring her late husband, that influenced me when I got into political former senator Doug Finley, will not be running in the next election. 'I want the riding association writing. I just thought these guys are just to have time to find a new candidate,' she says of her announcement. The Hill Times file photograph like my old athletic enemies or friends, so I described them the way I described my he rumblings of a possible fall election MP Michael Levitt announced his plans to athletic people, and that is maybe how I got Thave Parliamentarians taking stock leave his York Centre post. Both GTA rid- the humour into the situation.” of their long term future on the Hill these ings are considered historically safe Lib- The Saskatchewan-born, B.C.-educated, days, with Hillites learning in recent weeks eral seats. Conservative MP Bruce Stanton and nationally-revered writer graced the of three names that will not appear on the announced in June that he would not be back pages of Maclean’s magazine for ballot when Canadians next hit the polls. running for re-election in Simcoe North. 27 years, taking aim at, and often, get- Former governor general David Johnston Conservative MP Diane Finley, 62, an- ting under the skin of, the likes of Pierre and his partner Sharon Johnston earned a nounced in an Aug.18 Facebook post that Trudeau, Jean Chrétien, and Brian Mul- conservation award last month. Photograph she will not seek reelection. Morneau staffer bids adieu roney. Mr. Fotheringham’s wife, Anne, told “Every person, at some point, takes At least one of Mr. Morneau’s staffer courtesy of Michael McSweeney’s Twitter The Canadian Press that a cause of death stock and decides it’s time to hit the reset will be taking some time off before pursu- had not been officially determined, but he button,” said Ms. Finley, as noted by the ing a new endeavour. Sharan Kaur, who The pair was presented with a hand- was not generally in the best of health. His Simcoe Reformer. “There are sabres rat- served as director of operations for the crafted paddle from Echo Paddles in birthday was on Aug. 31, “but we knew he tling about a fall election. I want the riding outgoing MP and minister, posted a mid- Wakefield, Que. “Just as the river gives to wouldn’t make it. So I staged a birthday association to have time to find a new night thread on Twitter Aug.17, just hours us, so too must we give back. Living in party for him yesterday. We got balloons candidate.” after Mr. Morneau announced he would be harmony and in the splendour of nature, is and decorated the room and put up a big The 16-year veteran MP, who has served leaving his post and pursuing a position a duty we all must fulfill,” said Mr. John- sign,” she said. He “understood the power of under Stephen Harper, Rona Ambrose, and with the Organisation for Economic Co- ston. “I grew up on the St. Marys River, and the pen. But he was, in real life, the kindest Andrew Scheer, has held various cabi- operation and Development. when I was a child, it’s where we learned man. And caring.” net posts throughout her tenure. In 2006, “I never planned on saying goodbye so how to canoe and boat, but you didn’t go in Columnist Aaron Wherry, who has cov- she announced she has Graves’ disease, a soon but all great things must come to an the river because it was so polluted,” added ered Parliament since 2007 for Maclean’s, thyroid condition that makes one sensitive end,” wrote Ms. Kaur, describing her team’s Ms. Johnston. “However, when our chil- The Globe and Mail, and The National to light, and she was often seen around the work as “nothing less than herculean” dur- dren would go to St. Sault Marie, and they Post, tweeted that Mr. Fotheringham’s “col- Hill sporting black sunglasses and a cane ing the pandemic. were in the St. Marys River, they learned umn on the back page of Maclean’s was in hand. Ms. Finley has held the riding Among the notable accomplishments, she to waterski, so that’s what the riverkeeper my real introduction to political writing. since 2004. recalled helping put the first Black woman is all about, it’s cleaning up the rivers. We He was larger than life and an example of An election will be triggered if all of the on Canadian currency, Viola Desmond. The have a living example of that.” The couple, what could be done with the written word. opposition parties vote against the Throne government announced the choice in 2016 who are high school sweethearts and A true giant of the craft.” Canadian come- Speech that will come on Sept. 23, after and later unveiled the design of the $10 bank married in 1964, have five daughters and dian and actor Mark Critch, of This Hour Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision note in 2018. “In my 12 [years] in politics, I 14 grandchildren. Mr. Green was named Has 22 Minutes fame, also reacted to the last week to prorogue Parliament until that have never met a unicorn quite like Bill. He a member of the Order of Canada, the news: “I flipped to the last page first every date. The prorogation came in wake of the has the biggest & kindest heart in this busi- country’s highest civilian honour, in 2012 time. Thanks for making all those Doctor’s WE Charity controversy and the resigna- ness and he came into this role with one goal for his environmental education and advo- waiting rooms interesting,” he tweeted. tion of Bill Morneau as finance minister in mind—to help Canadians,” she added. “I cacy work. Mr. Johnston presented him the [email protected] and MP for Toronto Centre. Earlier, Liberal need a few weeks of sleep before I get back award. Other notable Canadians who have The Hill Times Be the first to know the day- to-day details of Canada’s wireless industry

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Contact Darryl Blackbird for a trial. Tel: 613-232-5952 ext. 263 • Email: [email protected] 4 MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Opinion

Conservative But the biggest reason the MP Pierre CPC may be looking at Trudeau’s Poilievre is tail-lights again in the next elec- his party’s tion is that they have once again finance critic, got the big shapes of Canada’s responsible for political reality wrong. scrutinizing These are the days of COVID-19 government politics, a time of fear, uncertainty, spending during and great public need. If there is the COVID-19 anything that Justin Trudeau has pandemic. done right, it is to realize that the Canadians are pandemic has changed everything. still broadly His government has gone into defi- supportive of cit spending more than 10 times big government beyond the projected shortfalls he spending announced before the virus struck. to keep the The latest example of answer- economy ing the bell on behalf of Canadi- afloat, writes ans in these unprecedented times Michael Harris is the $37-billion the government The Hill Times just spent on extending CERB as photograph by it transitions to a new EI pro- Andrew Meade gram, as well as other support measures. Unlike Donald Trump, who left millions of Americans stranded without financial help after their initial support package ran out, Trudeau kept his eye on the ball. The PM knows that the coun- try isn’t even through the first wave of COVID-19, let alone the whole pandemic. Trump is acting like the threat is over, although the worst may be yet to come. No Thanks to the botched Canada one will know for sure until this Student Service Grant program, fall. which the government awarded to The CPC has been more the WE Charity without a bidding Trumpian than Trudeau-esque in process, Trudeau is back under its reaction to the latest spend- Take note, investigation by the Ethics Com- ing by the government. It has missioner. At the invitation of complained that shifting Ca- the Conservatives, the RCMP are nadians from one government sniffing around the doomed con- program to another is a substitute tract to see if it justifies a formal for reopening the economy. But investigation. surely that is exactly why Trump The optics are dreadful. Mem- and the U.S. have the worst CO- Conservatives: bers of the Trudeau family were VID-19 numbers in the world, and paid significant speaking fees by Canada has fared so much better WE, running into the hundreds comparatively. Trump wants all of thousands of dollars. Trudeau’s the states to open their economies wife Sophie does an unpaid pod- and their schools immediately, cast for the group, and he himself is even though 1,000 Americans a closely associated with the charity. day have died from the virus for Canada is not Former finance minister the last 21 straight days. Trudeau Bill Morneau compromised the is in the containment fight against government by accepting spon- the virus for the long haul. The sored travel from WE in 2017 polls suggest that Canadians are to the tune of $41,000. Paying it with him. back three years later reassured So here is the skinny: there ready to move no one. Morneau’s head rolled, is only so far that a new leader and the Conservatives and Bloc can take the CPC in its quest Québécois hope that the political for a return to power. Leader- guillotine will claim even loftier ship politics may once have been victims. about the mastery of sound bites, But as good as things might photo ops, attractive spouses, look to the CPC at this moment, and comforting platitudes, but on from COVID their optimism is no more war- not anymore. Now it is about ranted now than it was back in being in touch with what touches 2019. people. For now, that means deal- be back in control in Ottawa. In- For one thing, the recently ing with the dreadful reality of It may be some time before any government stead, Trudeau held on to govern- released documents relating to COVID-19. can talk about balancing budgets and cutting ment, though he lost his majority. the WE Charity deal contain no The CPC continues to live in The disappointed Tories took damning evidence of the kind a world where old policies keep programs. out their frustration on hapless of corruption people like Pierre them from seeing the need for Andrew Scheer, living proof that Poilievre are ranting about. new ones. They still have their you can only go so far on a hope- Incompetent, sloppy, ill-advised, Harper blinders on. It may be The first time, in 2019, the ful grin. The party concluded that yes—like a lot of emergency some time before any government party was salivating at the pros- if Scheer couldn’t triumph under responses. can talk about balancing budgets pect of toppling Justin Trudeau the circumstances of the 2019 In fact, most of the docu- and cutting programs, a signature after just a single term. After all, election, he never could. ments bear out what Trudeau has promise of the Conservatives, the Shiny New Pony was covered It took awhile, but the CPC is already told the finance commit- though one that has been rarely in mud: Black-face blunders from sporting its Cheshire Cat smile tee—that it was the public service kept. yesteryear; no balanced budget; again. With its new leader—as of that selected WE as the only orga- If the next Conservative leader no electoral reform; ethics lapses; late last week, Peter MacKay ap- nization that could administer the thinks that Canadians will be and of course, the SNC-Lavalin peared to be the most likely can- student volunteer program, not excited by a promise to do things scandal that raised serious ques- didate to take the job—the party the government. like rebuild the military, the Michael Harris tions about his judgement and believes it will get another grab at A few intemperate emails from Conservatives will be looking at the brass ring when the next elec- Harris honesty, and badly damaged his civil servants who didn’t bring Justin Trudeau from the same side reputation as a feminist. Just ask tion rolls around, something that their A-game to their keyboards of the House as Andrew Scheer Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane could happen sooner than later. before hitting send do not a did, until his own party took him ALIFAX—For the second Philpott. On the surface, it looks like smoking gun make. That doesn’t down. Htime in just under a year, a With all that going against they’re on to something. Once mean there is no smoking gun, Michael Harris is an award- lot of Conservatives are wearing Trudeau, the Conservatives again, the PM has hit white water just that so far no one has pro- winning journalist and author. Cheshire Cat smiles. thought that they would soon and is in danger of capsizing. duced one. The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2020 5 Opinion Indigenous parliament could give stronger voice to Indigenous peoples

The Sami Would a Sami model work parliament in Karasjok, better in Canada? If the Norway, hosts representatives model had constitutional elected by the authority, then yes. Ottawa Sami people to deal with issues eats up advisory bodies like of common concern. beavertails and all that’s left Photograph courtesy of Rose is the crumbs of good intent Lemay messing up the floor.

Rose LeMay Stories, Myths, and Truths

TTAWA—COVID-19 has shined a Ospotlight on the cracks in Canada’s social nets, and the fact that they don’t serve Canadians with equity. We now have opportunity to review the structures and policies of Canada and fix some things that for Canada: the fragmentation at federal, aren’t working in the ways we expected. provincial, and territorial tables and lack Rip the box open, some might say. of transparency in federal decision-making Let’s continue the conversation on holds us back from our full potential and changing structures to ensure inclusion inflames a lack of trust. and to implement reconciliation for Indig- Would a Sami model work better in Cana- enous peoples, starting with the Norway da? If the model had constitutional authority, model. Sami make up about 80,000 people then yes. Ottawa eats up advisory bodies like across Norway, Sweden, Finland and Rus- beavertails and all that’s left is the crumbs of sia. Sami endured similar negative expe- good intent messing up the floor. riences of colonization based in racism, An adaptation on the Sami model would forced assimilation, sometimes residential be a one-third Indigenous Senate, but with schools. Norway, Sweden and Finland each a number of provisos. First, the Senate has have variations on a truth and reconcilia- to be apolitical because the longhouse of tion commission. There is some resistance sober second thought was not intended from Sami to the concept of a commission, to be a hall of political cronies. Second, partly because they reviewed Canada’s Indigenous Senators would be elected by experience and noted that our Truth and Indigenous peoples. A set number of seats Reconciliation Commission did not result would be for Indigenous Senators; and in structural change. let’s just do 10-year terms while we’re at it. This comes from Sami who have their This would increase the number of young own parliament in Norway. Located in people in Senate, and that seems like a Karasjok, Sami hold elections every four very good thing for diversity. years and their elected officials repre- The point is to increase the voice of sent Sami interests to the Norway federal Indigenous peoples and embed the prin- government. The parliament receives ciples of reconciliation and pluralism into requests from the federal government and Canada’s structures. The way to achieving can engage on any bill or committee that this is through legislation. The result would it chooses. It operates with research and strengthen Canada as a country. And the support staff much like any legislature in hallway and backroom discussions that still Canada, and it is fully transparent. hold tinges of racism might be forced to I had the opportunity to tour the Sami change if there were more Indigenous Sena- Parliament and meet elected officials in tors and more Indigenous MPs. Structural 2017. I was struck by the grandeur of the changes are reflected in daily behaviours. building and how its architectural design And finally: can we just get on with it reflected Sami traditional structures. There and name an Indigenous Governor General was a sense of ownership and pride. next? This would be a great step to over- There was also some quiet discussion coming societal inequity and build a more on how to strengthen its influence with the welcoming country, to quote a certain federal government, and some worried that prime minister. Sami voice was advisory only. In some ways Rose LeMay is Tlingit from the West the Sami have input in their country like Coast and the CEO of the Indigenous Canada’s Indigenous national organiza- Reconciliation Group. She writes twice a tions have input, except that the Sami have month about Indigenous inclusion and rec- cohesion and transparency on decisions onciliation. In Tlingit worldview, the stories made. The fragmentation between Canada’s are the knowledge system, sometimes told national Indigenous organizations and lack through myth and sometimes contradict- of transparency on how decisions are made ing the myths told by others. But always hold us back from our full political power with at least some truth. in Canada. However the same could be said The Hill Times 6 MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Opinion Freeland sitting atop a glass cliff

Chrystia Freeland held a press conference along with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Privy Council President Dominic LeBlanc after she was sworn in as Canada's newest finance minister on Aug. 18. Ms. Freeland is the first woman to hold that post in Canadian history. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

positions in politics, business, and organiza- And now amid a pandemic that has taken mess that needs “cleaning up.” This same Too often women are tions. Due to its popularity and common use its toll on the Canadian economy, especially narrative is echoed in Harris’ VP candida- in campaigns, most recently the Democratic on women, Chrystia Freeland, one of the cy, where she, as a Black and Asian Ameri- promoted to positions of Party presidential primaries, shattering the most decorated members of the Trudeau cab- can woman, is expected to balance Biden’s glass ceiling has become a source of empow- inet, has become the first woman to hold the track record of maintaining the status quo power when things are erment for many women in politics, to the position of minister of finance while keeping and allegations of sexual assault. going poorly, and the odds extent where the mere presence of women her previous role as deputy prime minister. Another example of the glass cliff can in positions of power has become an end to Add the previous finance minister’s entan- be seen in election races where women are are stacked against them. itself, and not a means to something else. glement with the governments’ WE Charity less likely to run in winnable ridings. The focus has shifted from creating inclu- scandal, and all facts point toward another But let’s not treat women as passive actors sive systems of power that encourage wom- common phenomenon experienced by wom- in this scheme; according to another study of en’s participation and removing systemic en in leadership: The glass cliff effect. the Fortune 500 companies, women generally barriers to simply filling positions of power The “glass cliff” is closely related to the feel a great sense of purpose and commitment with women and hoping for the best. “glass ceiling” and explains the experience of to the communities they’re involved in, which Take Prime Minister Trudeau’s 50-50 women elevated to positions of power when informs their ability to step onto the glass cliff. “gender-balanced” cabinet, for which he con- things are not going as planned, and thus Despite the glass cliff and a political culture tinues to receive widespread praise when in can’t be claimed as victories for men. When dedicated to maintaining the status quo, wom- reality, the state of women’s participation in women reach the upper ranks of power, en continue to take on leadership positions Canadian politics has faintly changed, espe- they’re put into precarious positions, such as and risks that work in their favour more often cially for the Black and Indigenous women the one Freeland may now find herself in, and than not, even it means rocking the boat and who were once prominent members of his therefore have a higher likelihood of failure, being thrown overboard, as was the case with Arezoo Najibzadeh government and fell out of favour once they meaning there’s a greater risk for them to fall. Jody Wilson-Raybould when she led with her Opinion began to demand better from the PM. According to a study of the Fortune cultural knowledge and community in mind. The failure of the obsession with rep- 500 companies, organizations often look Glass cliff or not, Freeland is now facing resentation, and not meaningful inclusion, for a change of pace or direction when an unprecedented climate whereby she’s ugust seems to be a month of shattering in politics has been echoed a number of things are going badly and often opt for expected to perform her duties while dealing A“glass ceilings” for women in politics. times during the past few years. We were all the candidate who is most likely to be able with the sexism and harassment that comes From Kamala Harris being named excited when Maryam Monsef became the to “take care” of the problem and also gives with being a woman in power. It’s on the rest as Joe Biden’s running mate to Chrystia first Afghan woman to hold a ministerial the impression of change. In most cases, of us to ensure that women, especially mar- Freeland becoming the first woman federal position in Canada, just to be disappointed that person ends up being a woman. ginalized women, are entrusted with power finance minister, the future seems to be by the fall she took over the failed electoral In the case of Trudeau’s government, it when they can wield it freely and effectively, bright for women in politics. But there reform portfolio; and then when Jody Wil- appears that women shatter glass ceilings and not just when the establishment is look- is much more to it than that. son-Raybould became the first Indigenous only to step on glass cliffs. This is partly ing for a solution to their problems. Women in politics are often thought to woman to hold the position of minister of due to the essentialist patriarchal no- Arezoo Najibzadeh is the co-founder have “made it” when they shatter the “glass justice and attorney general just to be caught tion that women are inherently more “coop- and managing director of Platform. Follow ceiling,” referring to the invisible barriers up in the SNC-Lavalin scandal and subse- erative” or “solution-focused,” which leads her on Twitter @ArezooJaan. that keep women from achieving the highest quently kicked out of the Liberal caucus. to promotions most often when there’s a The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2020 7 Opinion

ing fund a school for girls in a than he ever received in special refugee camp in northern Kenya, “favours”. He and his staff were among other things, and, ironical- too chummy with the socially- ly, donating $100,000 to the WE ambitious Kielbergers, but the Bill Morneau and Charity that ended his political brothers were running an interna- career. tional charity, not an oil company He was no bolshevik, but he or some troubled subway car did embrace Trudeau’s drive to manufacturer. strengthen the Canada Pension If anything, Morneau’s ill-fated Plan, tax the rich a bit more venture into politics has likely and offer incremental supports cost him money, starting with a the remorseless to young, middle-class par- significant drop in income com- ents. In other words, he was a pared to his previous job as head typical Liberal centrist—hardly of a leading pension management a progressive, but, then, neither firm in Toronto, Morneau Shepell. are Justin Trudeau, or Chrystia In the wake of an earlier manu- Freeland. But he was far from factured scandal, promoted by nature of politics the wine-swilling, ascot-wearing, Andrew Scheer and Poilievre, he mustache-twirling cartoon capi- was forced to sell his remaining talist depicted by his Conserva- shares in the family firm and do- generously as Trudeau to see us McKenna, the obvious passion tive critics. nated $5-million of the proceeds He was wealthy, through the pandemic. This may for their portfolios of Marc Miller He was careless in his deal- to charity. (Not that he is broke.) all be true, but the leaks didn’t and Carolyn Bennett. He was a ings with the ethics commissioner In 2017, journalist Justin Ling politically naive, and come from Morneau, who has pale successor to Paul Martin, Jim and naive about how vulnerable undertook a forensic examination loyal to the point of been discreet, deferential and Flaherty, and, going way back, that made him politically. It was of Morneau’s alleged misdeeds in loyal to his boss throughout his John Turner and John Crosbie, his neglect at promptly repaying the Walrus magazine and con- tedium. It cost him his term in Ottawa. finance ministers who were $41,000 for two family trips to WE cluded that “several slivers of the accusations are true. Many are job. completely unproven. Several are outright false.” As the headline read: Bill Morneau may be rich, but that doesn’t make him corrupt.” The famous “villa” in France, for instance, which Morneau is accused of “hiding” from Canadi- ans: in fact, he declared it in his original deposition to the ethics commissioner. But, through what he called, plausibly, “an adminis- trative error”, he failed to declare Susan Riley the numbered company that owns Impolitic the holiday property and only that property. His real offence was owning a villa in France, HELSEA, QUE.—It no doubt rather than a cottage in Muskoka. Cviolates the Canadian Manual As to the infamous charge that for Journalistic Standards, but he introduced pension reforms in- it is hard not to feel sorry for tended to enrich his family firm— former finance minister Bill since the changes would gener- Morneau. ate more business for pension He came into politics five management companies, all of years ago in pursuit of meaning- them—that would be a terrifically ful work, and in a spirit of public inefficient scam. It would amount service, and he leaves with his to changing pension rules for all reputation for probity in question, Canadians for a small, unproven his daughters at the centre of a benefit to his former company national political “scandal,” and (over which he had ceded direct his future employment prospects control.) dim—at least in the short term. Many of these distinctions, and He isn’t facing eviction from his others, were lost in the clown- apartment, or a trip to the con- ish, paper-tossing, innuendo- signment shop to pawn his expen- spreading antics of his tormen- sive suits, so that will limit public tors on the right, led by Poilievre sympathy. But his story will not (a wealthy man himself, known help recruitment efforts—by any to take avid advantage of the free political party—aimed at talented Parliamentary “exchange” trips outsiders, nor does it ennoble the to other lands, especially Taiwan, profession. usually timed to coincide with Morneau departed last week be- spring break and the depressing hind the tiniest of fig leaves: he had days of November. ) always planned to leave politics af- Bill Morneau downplayed any conflict with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau even as he announced his resignation, following Fuelled by rancour and resent- ter two terms anyway, he said, and a campaign of leaks from Liberal insiders that undermined his career. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade ment, intent on tearing down the pending economic recovery rather than offering a better is the work of years. Besides, he way, small men like Poilievre, his was keen to campaign for a cushy, Indeed, he was loyal to the strong personalities, unambigu- projects in Kenya and Ecuador avid lieutenant Conservative MP but hardly consequential, job as point of tedium. He robotically re- ously committed to certain (yes, three years ago that was the final Michael Cooper, or the depart- Secretary General of the Paris- peated every talking point handed “orthodox”) ideas. nail in his political career and, ing Scheer, are political lifers, based Organization for Economic to him, sliding in the requisite But his abiding political sin is some believe, in his relationship intent on achieving power above Co-operation and Development—a praise for the prime minister, that he is rich: said to be the rich- with Trudeau. Even worse, he anything else, cramped in their job, by the way, he is by no means until no one really listened to est member of a federal cabinet repaid the amount within hours interests and experience. The guaranteed of winning. him. He was hard to listen to. since Paul Martin, who owned a of “discovering” it, a galling ad- ideas, the high-minded aspiration, As almost everyone has con- He was always pleasant, correct steamship company. Unimagin- mission for most Canadians who will supposedly come later. cluded, he was actually pushed and polite, but so scripted and ably rich for most Canadians. can’t imagine writing a cheque Sadly, they are the ones who out by a prime minister who emotionally-contained it was hard Apart from his own substantial that large in a heartbeat. stay, partly, one suspects, for the decided his “close friend” was a to discern what he really thought, holdings (worth an estimated But to suggest, as the Con- pay, the perks and the public little too “orthodox” for the times, who he really was—including at $30-million when he was first servatives continually have, that profile. Morneau, a decent man according to well-sourced leaks. his final press conference. elected in 2015), he is married to he tried to throw government miscast as a politician, reputedly Those leaks continue: appar- In the end, Morneau’s lack of Nancy McCain, the heiress from business to WE to enrich him- kind to his staff and respected ently Morneau pushed back at political presence may have con- the New Brunswick-based food self, snag jobs for his children, to by his colleagues, is one of those the purely political $2.5-billion tributed to his undoing. He had empire. enjoy, in Conservative MP Pierre who leave. Make of that what you pandemic aid package for seniors none of the refreshing straight- Morneau, however, was one Poilievre’s theatrical language will. and did not fully endorse the forwardness of a Patty Hajdu, of those rich guys who wanted to “wine, hotel rooms, luxurious Susan Riley is a veteran politi- prime minister’s environmental the confidence and authority of give back. Even before politics, travel” (to some of the world’s cal columnist who writes regu- ambitions. He was also rumoured a careful Chrystia Freeland, the he and his wife were devoted and poorest places) is ludicrous. He larly for the Hill Times. to be reluctant to spend as buoyant boosterism of Catherine long-time philanthropists, help- has probably donated more to WE The Hill Times 8 MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES

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Editorial Letters to the Editor Prorogation or not, Trudeau’s Bernstein’s ideas for the carbon tax pre- and post-election rebate are not just good, but necessary e: “The most important climate carbon must be stretched beyond 2022 Rchange policy that no one’s talking if we are to reach our emissions reduc- promises are still waiting about,” (The Hill Times, Aug. 12, p. 10). tions goals. If the public is not aware that I agree with Mr. Bernstein’s proposal to the proceeds of the tax are returned to make the carbon tax rebate more appar- them, they are unlikely to support such he Liberal government is preparing emissions economy, for one. Planting two ent by delivering it directly to Canadians increases. Therefore it is not only produc- to lay out a new agenda for the coun- billion trees, and protecting 25 per cent T rather than through a tax refund. The tive to make the rebate a direct deposit, try, one that reflects Canada’s greatest of Canada’s land and ocean territory as carbon tax and rebate is the most effec- but necessary. needs and best opportunities at a time well. tive policy tool we have to fight climate Patrick Salmers when the COVID-19 pandemic is—for Introducing a national pharmacare change, but increases to the price on Toronto now—largely under control, but the plan, creating 250,000 new childcare economy remains reliant on government spaces, and more gun control. Implement- support. ing the UN Declaration on the Rights of That new agenda will be laid out in a Indigenous Peoples. Taking action on so- Throne Speech next month, and perhaps cietal racism and police violence. Bring- Governments must act to stop again in greater detail in the next federal ing the provinces together to fix Canada’s budget, whenever it comes. It will include embarrassing long-term care system for another long-term care disaster major reforms to the social welfare sys- the elderly. tem and a more concerted effort to tackle Sound familiar? Those are but a selec- OVID-19 has revealed serious flaws in have all been sounding the alarm about climate change, according to Liberal tion of the promises Prime Minister Justin Cseniors’ long-term care in Canada. the condition of long-term care for years. insiders who spoke to Reuters last week. Trudeau’s government made before and What has happened in many long-term Many studies have shown that more must That’s all well and good; in a minor- since the last election—to say nothing of care homes across the country is a crisis that be done to improve long-term care. Some of ity Parliament, the opposition will have the unfulfilled promises from the elec- has been years in the making. Successive the answers are more funding directly tied opportunities to defeat the government tion before that. As of Aug. 19, there were provincial and federal governments have to providing care, increased staffing, proper if it mishandles those reforms, or the still 61 drinking water advisories in effect allowed this crisis to grow and become so protective equipment and clear protocols for economic recovery in general. The gov- across Canada’s First Nations. entrenched that the COVID-19 pandemic has isolating the sick. ernment and Canadian voters would do The Liberals were slow to take action had tragic consequences for many vulnerable Long-term care homes should be run as well to bear in mind that Canada’s federal on any of their stated priorities follow- seniors, their families and caregivers. This part of our publicly funded health care sys- debt-to-GDP ratio has increased dramati- ing last fall’s election, and the COVID-19 terrible situation demands national attention. tem. Corporations that are more concerned cally already during the course of the pandemic swallowed up all of the govern- More than 7,000 seniors died in long-term with making money for their shareholders pandemic. ment’s money and energy for the last six care homes from COVID-19, accounting for than they are with caring for the residents Introducing a new government agen- months. Those are reasons to delay mak- more than 80 per cent of all deaths from this of these homes should not operate them for da, however, does not give the Liberals ing good on old and not-so-old promises, disease in Canada. Seniors and other resi- profit. the right to toss the old one aside. but not to ignore them. dents in long-term care homes must be able In conclusion, Canada and the various Pandemic or not, recession or not, the If the Liberals want to unveil an ambi- to live safely and with dignity. provincial and territorial governments must Liberals are calling the shots now be- tious new plan for “rebuilding Canada,” Shamefully, Canada has more COVID seize this opportunity and build back better cause they won an election. They won that they had better make sure the old plan fatalities in long-term care homes, in propor- so that such a disaster does not hit vulnerable election by making a long list of promises is stapled into the middle. That’s what tion to its population, than any other devel- seniors again. to Canadians, and continued to make new they promised Canadians who returned oped country. People who live in these homes, Peter Schmolka promises in the months that followed. them to power, so that’s what Canadians their families, workers and seniors’ advocates Ottawa Setting real, legally binding targets should get. to put Canada on the path to a net-zero The Hill Times COVID-19 response could be hindered by political failures n January 25, 2020, COVID-19 arrived in Today, there have been more than 120,000 OCanada, carried by a man who traveled transmissions of COVID-19 and more than to Toronto from Wuhan, China. 9,000 deaths in Canada. In the second week of March, Parliament All of this progress may be at stake after was shut down after the World Health Or- the Liberal government tried to disperse ganization declared a pandemic. Businesses almost one billion dollars through the WE and schools began to shutdown across the Charity. The political situation in Canada is country, and would remain closed for more hard to understand, especially when the Lib- than five months. erals are making most of the hard decisions Personal protective equipment would only during COVID-19 pandemic. get introduced mid-way through the pandem- If our government is unable to work ic due to low supply and ports being closed. together with all opposition parties (the Con- Canada also called for a U.S.-Canada border servatives, NDP, the Bloc, and the Greens) closure, and it remains closed to this day. Canadians will possibly ask for a fall election In March Canada announced that it which will likely hinder all of this great would fund a COVID-19 vaccine develop- progress. ment. Canada’s Liberal government recently Millions of Canadians have lost their signed a deal with two companies which jobs, some are suffering negative health ef- are Pfizer and Moderna to supply vaccines fects, and most people are counting on their to Canadians once fully tested in the final government to support them now more than phases. ever. Around the world, about five billion Coro- Meladul Ahmadzai navirus vaccine doses have been pre-ordered. Ottawa

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Prime Minister that evening, in favour of another Bill Morneau was Justin Trudeau, financial stalwart, John Manley. left, former The markets barely moved, and never after Justin finance minister Martin’s Monday massacre was Trudeau’s job. From Bill Morneau, pre-emptively thwarted. and Governor The difference between last the beginning, General week’s scenario and previous Julie Payette warring Liberal prime and fi- Morneau seemed ill at pictured at nance ministers was that Mor- the swearing- neau was never after Trudeau’s ease with the thrust in ceremony job. He had no interest in run- and parry of political following a ning for prime minister and was 2019 cabinet sincerely interested in politics to life. shuffle. Mr. simply make a difference. Previ- Morneau ous battles between Prime Min- resigned as isters Pierre Trudeau and Jean finance minister Chretien, and their respective on Aug. 17. finance ministers, involved star- The Hill Times ing down adversaries who were photograph by trying to replace them. Morneau Andrew Meade had no intention of running for prime minister. As for public life, he certainly campaign vigorously on Mor- tries will be clamouring for their on television last week that his did not need the money, or the neau’s behalf, but he will have his turn at the wheel, so the chance boss found out about his firing on notoriety. Putting his business hands full managing the domestic of second Canadian pick is slim. the radio. on hold meant financial sacrifice Sheila Copps agenda. Trudeau and Morneau must On the face of it, that sounds for the whole Morneau family. But from the beginning, Mor- Copps’ Corner If prorogation results in a have known that when they tried horribly unfair. But Herle neglect- non-confidence motion defeat, the to explain to the nation that inter- ed to mention the events leading neau seemed ill at ease with the country will soon be plunged into national ambition was driving the to his boss’s radio shocker. Martin thrust and parry of political life. TTAWA—Bill Morneau is a a mid-pandemic election. Navi- departure of a finance minister in had been working for months to His earnest attempt to tighten up Oclass act. In what must have gating the challenges of either an the midst of a worldwide pan- force Chretien’s hand and secure tax loopholes backfired when he been an excruciatingly painful election or a continuing minor- demic. The OECD sideline was his retirement. He had a plan in referred to certain tax incentives press conference, he explained ity Parliament will preclude the an elegant, though implausible, place to announce his resignation as “dead money.” That description his departure without rancour or leader from international glad- way of positioning Morneau’s from finance at a major Interna- would not have lifted an eyebrow bitterness. handing. Given the experience departure. It gave the finance tional Monetary Fund conference on Bay Street, but it landed with a The lines may have sounded of the Security Council defeat, it minister a reason to leave in haste meeting on Monday. The previous thud on Main Street. a little rehearsed, as they rein- may not help. with his head held high and it Friday he had publicly suggested At the end of the day, Morneau forced a notion that nobody really International nominations gave Trudeau a reason to say how that he was reviewing his options. was a good man who had much to believed. But he came across as a are also guided by the mundane much he supported his finance The intention was to throw the contribute to public life. His Bay person at peace with his decision world of politics, factoring in minister. Both knew neither to be markets into turmoil and cause Street background distanced him and ready to move on to the next regional representation and di- true. the dollar to plummet, leaving from the norms that govern the phase of his public life. versity. Canada has already held Pundits were comparing the Chretien no choice but to step rest of us. That was ultimately his In the short term, the cam- the OECD top job, during a ten- Trudeau/Morneau split with the down. Shredders were already de- downfall. paign to become secretary- year stint by an affable ex-cabinet final years of acrimony between ployed at the finance department, As Morneau learned, Bay general of the Organization for minister in the former Trudeau Jean Chretien and Paul Martin. with Martin staffers working Street and Main Street are very Economic Co-operation and government, Donald Johnston. But nothing could be further from overtime to destroy his personal different parts of town. Development will be all-con- Since the creation of the organi- the truth. CBC pundit David Her- papers. When Chretien found out, Sheila Copps is a former Jean suming. However, his chances of zation in 1961, there have only le, who is still carrying the torch he called an emergency Sunday Chrétien-era cabinet minister and success are slim. Prime Minister been five secretaries-general. He for his former boss and mentor cabinet meeting, seeking support a former deputy prime minister. Justin Trudeau has promised to was the fourth. Many other coun- Martin, pronounced aggrievedly to pre-emptively remove Martin The Hill Times

the goals and aims of its fiscal policies. Liberal polling feud, explained Polling, for instance, can help tell government officials what neau decides, out of the blue, to Morneau was working hard ana- Why do I say that? Well, I’m language should be used when Government polling quit as Canada’s finance minis- lyzing economics during a crisis, no expert in fiscal policy, but communicating their policies; ter. Trudeau’s team was preoccupied one thing I do know is that if the which points need to be stressed; can serve a real Making things even more with making crass political calcu- public is anxious or fearful, if it’s what objections might need to interesting, according to media lations. losing confidence in our future, be overcome. Basically, polling purpose for the reports, prior to his resignation To put that another way: that can make an economic can help the government create electorate, not just Morneau was battling Prime Trudeau is made to look like he recovery all the more difficult. As a good communication strategy, Minister Justin Trudeau over fis- cares more about short-term Franklin Roosevelt put it during which is important. No matter the politicians at the cal policy. Now far be it for me popularity than he does about the the Depression, “the only thing we how much your Finance Depart- to take sides in this epic clash country’s long-term fiscal health. have to fear is fear itself.” ment experts analyze and prepare helm. of Liberal titans, but I’d like to And yes, that might be an So, with that in mind, a an economic plan, if the public comment on one particular issue accurate assessment; politicians government priority should be doesn’t buy into it, it might not that supposedly aggravated the often don’t see beyond the next to dampen fears and to instil con- work. alleged Trudeau-Morneau feud— election cycle. fidence in the public. But it can’t Anyway, I realize in the grand namely the government’s use of So, given that he’s battling do that pushing policies blindly, scheme of the overall Morneau polling. scandals and is burdened with a without any data on public atti- vs Trudeau soap opera, this little As a report in Bloomberg news minority government, it’s quite tudes. This is where polling comes spat over polling doesn’t amount recently put it, “officials close to possible Trudeau would want to into the picture. to too much. But it does illustrate, Morneau also complained that push policies that are popular By gauging public attitudes I think, a misconception many the prime minister’s office cares politically, even if they’re not so with polls, the government can people have about political poll- too much about polling instead of sound fiscally. Yet, there’s also identify any economic fears and ing. economic analysis.” Ouch. a less cynical explanation as to concerns that are floating around In other words, people often Gerry Nicholls It seems quite clear to me that why, during a time of economic the country and then use that assume politicians use polls to follow public opinion, when actu- Post-Partisan Pundit in making this sort of comment crisis, the Trudeau government information to tailor policies to the media, the “officials close would want to do lots of polling. that will help to restore public ally, more often than not, they use to Morneau” were seeking to In fact, you might even say a good confidence. What’s more, another it to understand public opinion. AKVILLE, ONT.—Just when put the ex-finance minister in a polling strategy is imperative for advantage to polling is it can help Gerry Nicholls is a communi- Oyou thought the year 2020 good light. After all, it certainly any government dealing with a the government figure out ways cations consultant. couldn’t get any crazier, Bill Mor- gives the impression that, while potential economic crisis. to ensure the public understands The Hill Times 10 MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Opinion

across the country, and while it is the only public health care such services are usually the system that does not cover the purview of the provinces, there is price of drugs. 2021 is the year to a serious need for a national lead- introduce pharmacare. ership, national standards and a sharing of good and bad prac- tices across the country. Time to Climate change and the consider bringing long-term care green economy under the Canada Health Act? While the Coronavirus crisis has gripped the world, the climate change crisis has not lessened. We Racism are still missing our targets. As While the killing of George we approach recovery we need to Floyd was an American tragedy, return to the dialogue of climate it had considerable effects on change just as we should pay Canada. It brought into sharp close attention to growing the focus that for certain Cana- green economy which can create dians, life is not a whole lot thousands of well-paying long- better. There is a crisis in police- term jobs in the future. minority relations, and there is a crisis of systemic racism, where New Finance Minister too many policies and practices Indigenous peoples Chrystia Freeland will are embedded in our systems The journey of reconciliation control the purse strings that end up disadvantaging or has begun but there is a long way as the Liberal government excluding certain groups. Chief left to go. This Liberal govern- aims to steer Canada out of among them are Indigenous ment has been more open to rec- the biggest financial crisis Peoples, Black people and People onciliation than any government in years. The Hill Times of Colour. before, and yet it has not met its photograph by Andrew Meade The solutions require involve- expectations by a long shot. A ment of relevant communities, the useful way to proceed would be to public and private sectors, media, publish an annual report on the police services, education and implementation of calls to action academics. While the solutions from three pivotal reports— the exist within all levels of govern- Royal Commission on Aboriginal ment, there is a need for national Peoples, the Truth and Reconcilia- leadership, information sharing tion Commission, and the Inquiry Re-imagining and coordination. The federal on Missing and Murdered Indig- budget for combating racism enous Women and Girls—and a needs to be a lot bigger and the more serious push to implement process of assessing applications those recommendations. a lot faster. There is much expec- Canadian economic progress Canada: ideas for a tation that this time Canada will including pipelines requires full take this issue seriously. Indigenous involvement.

The She-session/ the Poverty reduction and bold Throne Speech she-covery housing The economic crisis has The shortage of housing clearly affected women more than across the country has only be- continue as the pandemic appears workers are paid less than a men, as women are predominant come more critical and dangerous Pharmacare, climate to be subsiding and more impor- living wage and have little job in the health care field and in ser- during COVID. The relatively new tantly, identifying what new pro- security. That includes many Per- vice and front-line roles. Likewise National Housing Strategy should change, housing— grams we need for the rebuilding sonal Support Workers (PSWs) the recovery has not been stron- be expanded by all levels of gov- phase, for this “once in a lifetime and other staff at homes for the gest in these areas. Add to this the ernment. The new Canada Child there are plenty challenge,” as she put it. elderly, staff at grocery stores, shortage of childcare spaces, and Benefit has helped raise over of problems and Add to the mix a new Conser- and cleaning staff in many work- the fact that the burden of child 250,000 families out of poverty, vative leader and you have the places. Who are these anonymous rearing more often rests with proving government can help and solutions awaiting a start of the next general elec- people who are doing all the women. Gender-based analysis of can do more. tion. The future is here! deep cleaning? They have been government policy becomes more Liberal government Canada’s strengths are clear: referred to as “super heroes,” but critical to stop what could be a World affairs that has signalled it COVID notwithstanding, the we don’t give them super hero serious back-sliding in the role of Some days it just looks like the fundamentals of our economy are wages or job security. Too many women in the workforce. world is going nuts and Canada wants to think big strong. We have a strong and pro- of these workers live in the gig is this island of sanity. We have a fessional public service at all levels. economy, working part time in Childcare tradition of being leaders toward as it attempts to We have a reasonably strong various places, and sometimes in As we prepare for economic a better world order. It is time for public health care system. Com- different fields at the same time, recovery, the lack of adequate a renewed Pearsonian initiative, lead Canada back to pared to most political systems in just to make ends meet. childcare and early childhood to believe in our values and link the world, democratic or otherwise, The majority are women and education is a serious setback up with like-minded countries to prosperity. ours is one of the most stable, the majority are immigrants and for families with young children, restore faith in multilateralism where extreme elements remain newcomers, and we seem to have more so mothers with young and peaceful relations across the on the fringes. We have a stable just accepted this as normal. The children, since it is often women world. It’s time to reach into areas and cooperative population which new normal has to be better. who have prime responsibility of the world like Africa, Asia and has accepted strong measures by The Canada Emergency for child rearing and care. As South America where we can government rather cooperatively. Response Benefit (CERB) was such, many workplaces could create new partnerships. This is None of this is guaranteed forever the closest thing that Canada has face serious shortages of their urgent stuff as the international and none of it suggests we are im- had to a universal basic income, female workforce. While we scene spins out of control. mune to disaster. No time for hubris. a mechanism which combats pov- have been debating a national As Canada begins to think erty and allows working people childcare program for decades, Better politics about the recovery and rebuilding to be bold in their career choices, the COVID crisis and the plan- the question is, how do we build constantly develop their skills It is critically important that Andrew Cardozo ning for recovery are highlight- all parties look to reduce parti- back better? and aggressively contribute to ing the need in stark relief. This While many programs cost the economy. This is a good time sanship and political games. The Opinion is the time for such a national more the political class is mis- money, investment by govern- for us to be considering a basic program, recognizing that it is ment in the lives of Canadians income which can be delivered trusted or despised, the more they about meeting major social, eco- create the conditions for the rise TTAWA—So, the architect only builds a stronger society and through the tax system. nomic and educational goals. Oof the myriad bold but es- stronger economy. If people have of extreme parties which are tak- sential COVID-related programs money they can spend money and ing strong root in many countries. has resigned, and we have a new grow the economy. A good place to Seniors care Pharmacare Every time a party mis-steps finance minister. start is the problem areas that were Looking at care for Cana- The Liberal government has it hands the other parties a small Where the outgoing minister highlighted during the pandemic. dian seniors, we need to look at justifiably promised to initiate a win, and when all the parties Bill Morneau designed most of the three general phases of housing: national pharmacare policy, the currently in Parliament mis-step, seventy-five measures (with some seniors staying in their homes, last missing piece of health care they hand the extremes a small cajoling from the Prime Minister’s Income inequality and retirement residences with semi- in Canada. Again, COVID has win. Office we are told), his successor basic income independent living; and long term highlighted the need for a solid Andrew Cardozo is president Chrystia Freeland will have the We have seen in glaring detail care. With all three, a scandalous health care system, and while of the Pearson Centre. job of deciding which ones will that some of the most important insufficiency of services exists our system is better than most, The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2020 11 Opinion Belarus: another win for non-violence?

Belarus has been gripped by protests over allegations that President Alexander Lukashenko rigged the country’s Aug. 9 election. Photograph by Maxim Shikunets, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

in 1989 when long-ruling Roma- people to oversee the transfer of point is that the requirement to Russian leader Vladimir Putin Winning an election nian Communist dictator Nicolae power. win an election creates repeated certainly doesn’t want to see Ceausescu was shouted down by It could go quite smoothly if opportunities for non-violent Lukashenko overthrown by a is now the only way an enraged crowd. Like Ceauses- Lukashenko accepts that exile is protest to flourish, and often even non-violent democratic uprising of achieving political cu, Lukashenko faltered, amazed his best remaining option. Svet- to triumph. For all the abuses and in Belarus—the parallels with and bewildered—these people lana Tikhanovskaya, probably the disappointments, it has made the his own situation in Russia are legitimacy almost were supposed to be his “base”— real winner of the election two world a better place. alarmingly close—but he prob- and then fled the podium. weeks ago, says she would be- The second cheering thought ably doesn’t dare to send in Rus- anywhere in the Ceausescu was dead within come president only long enough is that state-sponsored violence sian troops even if Lukashenko four days of his last speech, to organise a new, free and fair is less effective than it used to asks for them. To do so could be world. executed by his own colleagues. election (which her imprisoned be: Lukashenko tried it for two the trigger for a similar popular That probably won’t happen husband would probably win). nights, and then backed away movement in Russia. to Lukashenko: the Belarusian But win, lose or draw, there from it. The problem is that vio- We are still a very long way uprising is non-violent. Lukash- are two encouraging conclusions lence is always ugly, and social from the Promised Land, but the enko is not a Communist either, to take away from the Belarusian media technology has made it balance of forces has changed, although his regime has been events. The first is that winning much more visible. This might perhaps permanently. It is the called “neo-Soviet”. But will he be an election is now the only way deter some people from activism, dictatorships, not the democratic gone in four days? Maybe so. of achieving political legitimacy but it seems to motivate more governments, that must worry And maybe not, of course. almost anywhere in the world. people to protest. constantly about being over- There could be a Russian military Apart from China, a few other The same consideration ap- thrown, and from Putin in Russia intervention to prevent power Communist countries, and a few plies to military force deployed to Sisi in Egypt to Mnangagwa from falling into the “wrong” Arab countries, all countries now across borders to decide political in Zimbabwe to Chan-ocha in Gwynne Dyer hands, although that seems require popular consent ex- outcomes elsewhere. This is some- Thailand they are very worried Global Affairs unlikely. Or Lukashenko might pressed in a public vote. thing the old Soviet Union used to indeed. manage to persuade his demor- Many of those votes are do with complete impunity—East So we should encourage them alised “security” forces to do rigged, of course: winning elec- Germany 1953, Hungary 1956, all to steal enough money that they ONDON, U.K.—On Monday enough killing to clear the streets tions is easy if you control the Czechoslovakia 1968—and as can go into exile with an easy mind LBelarusian strongman Alex- of the daily demos, though that media, the police and the courts. late as 1981 the mere threat of when their time finally comes. ander Lukashenko went to the also seems improbable. But the principle is now almost it forced the local Communist (They must know it may come one Minsk Tractor Works, the country’s Or the change of regime could universal: it’s now as important regime to impose martial law in day; why else would they bother biggest factory with almost 15,000 just take a bit longer: these things to win some sort of election, Poland. stealing so much?) And this is workers, and did his tough-guy don’t run on rails. After filling however flawed, as it was 300 On one occasion, the an- where the real problem with Lu- act: “Until you kill me, there will the streets with protesters for 10 years ago to prove you were the nexation of Crimea in 2014, the kashenko could arise: he may not be no other election.” The horny- days, however, the democratic true and legitimate heir to the current regime in Russia has have been corrupt enough. handed sons of toil simply replied opposition is confident enough throne. done the same thing, but that Gwynne Dyer’s new book is by chanting “Ukhodi!”—Get Out! of its popular support to form a Lukashenko won five such only worked because most of the ‘Growing Pains: The Future of It looked like a restaging of 35-person “coordination council” elections over 26 years before local population was Russian and Democracy (and Work)’. the famous scene in Bucharest of artists, writers and business coming a cropper this time: the wanted to be annexed. The Hill Times 12 MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Opinion Stronger social policies help all of us, not only the poor

September’s Throne Activists marched to Parliament Hill Speech should outline in 2017 to protest the government’s how the government social housing program. The event will help create a was organized by the Front d’action better deal for low- populaire en income Canadians, réaménagement urbain (FRAPRU) in the short and long and supported by the Ontario Coalition term. Against Poverty (OCAP). The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

David Crane Canada & the 21st Century

ORONTO—The COVID-19 Tpandemic clearly shows how dependent our society is on frontline workers. Caregivers in nursing homes, grocery clerks, and warehouse and delivery workers are just some examples of the people we have depended on to keep our society functioning in the worst public health crisis in many decades. But what we have also learned is that these “heroes” are among the lowest-paid members of our society, and are too often treated as “serfs” when it comes to job security, access to housing, stable Centre for the Study of Living A more inclusive society is and who experience the anxieties provides a wage subsidy of up to hours of work and some basic Standards, Holes in the Social also a healthier society, as the of not being able to afford staples, $1,355 a year for individuals. labour rights. Safety Net: Poverty, Inequality rich evidence on the social deter- disfigures rich societies.” But as Hillel points out, the ex- Why do we treat them so and Social Assistance in Canada, minants of health shows. This im- When people are excluded or isting level of support is “too low poorly, and will they be better researcher Inez Hillel argues that proves the potential of people and unable to participate, or lack trust to bring many low-income work- treated as a result of the pandem- the social safety net was “already affects healthcare costs. A society in institutions, populist politi- ers above the poverty line.” She ic? The September Throne Speech inadequate” before COVID-19 hit, where more people are equipped cians are the winners and social proposes raising the benefit to a will be one indicator. As Statistics and warns that once the crisis has to contribute is a more productive disintegration the result. That is maximum of $18-per-hour, which Canada has shown, the biggest passed “a return to the same poli- and wealthier society; everyone why we need active social policies would raise the maximum benefit challenge is to address the needs cies and approaches will leave mil- is better off because the economy that aim to bring people into the to $5,460 year. It would bring of individuals in the 18-64 per lions, especially adults of working is larger and fiscal resources are economy and society, rather than more vulnerable Canadians into cent age group, since they have age without children, in need.” greater. There are wide spillovers passive policies that simply pro- the workforce and their incomes the highest poverty rate—10.3 per This is why we need a new from effective social policy. vide a low or minimal standard of above the poverty line. cent in 2018—in the country. social contract, one that meets the A society that is seen as fair, living but nothing else. There are other things an Much of the focus will neces- challenges of an aging society; and where trust levels are high, is Governments have many tools economic recovery package could sarily be on growing our way out high levels of inequality; the gig also a society that is more resil- to help create a fairer society, do that would both boost eco- of the pandemic-induced reces- economy; the growing power of ient and better able to deal with with greater opportunity. In addi- nomic growth and address social sion. Without economic recovery employers over employees on change. The provision of a social tion to the tax system and social needs. One is to accelerate the the most vulnerable will also be wages and benefits; the lack of safety net is important for much payments, regulations such as the construction of affordable housing, worse off. But the promised eco- labour standards to deal with a of society – it provides assurance minimum wage and labour stan- especially in places where the need nomic recovery agenda must also changing workplace; the trans- that when emergencies or other dards, the provision of services is most urgent, and another is to raise the well-being of the most formative and disruptive threats disruptive changes strike, support such as healthcare, education, pursue ways to make daycare more vulnerable, and deliver effective from an acceleration of auto- will be there. housing, affordable daycare and affordable for low-income families. ways to help more of our under- mation; the lack of affordable Moreover, as the British public transit, and support for These are steps we can take class become successful partici- housing and affordable daycare; economist Diane Coyle argues, if unions and collective bargaining right away. But we need an inde- pants in the economy and society. and the failure of training pro- people lack access to a minimum are examples. pendent task force to examine the In fact, smart social policies are grammes to give more workers a living standard they cannot play While we clearly need more need for a new social contract for also smart economic policies: step-up into new careers. a part in society. This goes to the time to consider far-reaching the much different world we face. they can help make our overall There are important reasons heart of our democracy. As Coyle polices such as a universal basic The Throne Speech in September economy stronger. for addressing the vulnerabili- argues, “in democracies we want income, we can do things in the should address both. All of us The working poor are not the ties and hardships of Canadians everybody to have the potential meantime, as Hillel argues, by would benefit from living in a bet- only members of our underclass. living below or barely above the for civic participation. Extensive building on existing programmes. ter country. Others include those who are on poverty line beyond the obvious relative poverty in the sense of One obvious example is to raise David Crane can be reached at social assistance. In a detailed moral argument for supporting large numbers of people who can- the Canada Worker Benefit. It [email protected]. study for the highly-respected the most vulnerable. not participate in everyday life, is a refundable tax credit that The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2020 13 News Carney’s informal advisory role on recovery could pose ‘unusual’ dynamic, but some say it’s a ‘complementary’ match with Freeland

One political expert, Independent Senator Tony Lof- Finance Minister freda (Shawinegan, Que.) agreed, who studies gender Chrystia Freeland, saying it’s a “wise choice” to have pictured Aug. them weighing in on the recovery. and politics, says the 18 following her “I always would ask for 10 appointment to opinions, and then sometimes the optics of bringing Mr. the job, is poised tenth would be, ‘Aha, that’s the one Carney onboard as a to shape the that nobody mentioned or nobody government's 'green' thought of,’ ” said Sen. Loffreda, new finance minister recovery, with help a former vice-chairman at RBC, from former Bank who spent 35 years in the financial takes charge ‘raises of Canada governor sector. “I think it’s important to Mark Carney, who keep our eyes and ears open to the questions about is serving as an markets, to business executives, to the extent to which informal adviser to people like Mark Carney, who’s an the government. The economist, a banker.” she’s got the whole Hill Times photograph Mr. Carney brings envi- by Andrew Meade ronmental chops to the task portfolio.’ through his UN role, said Sheila Block, senior economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Continued from page 1 Alternatives, who served as but he joined others in saying the an adviser under then-Ontario former Bank of Canada governor premier Bob Rae’s government. would complement Ms. Freeland’s He likely doesn’t have a great strengths. deal of experience when it comes Ms. Freeland (University-Rose- to care-giving sectors of the dale, Ont.) became the country’s benchers. Their backbench hears person like that,” he said. post, and later resigned follow- economy, she said, which could first female finance minister less more than anyone about small Melanee Thomas, an associate ing a conflict with Mr. Trudeau open the way for more advisers than 24 hours after her predeces- business, large business concerns. professor of political science at over the SNC-Lavalin scandal. for Ms. Freeland. sor, Bill Morneau, quit politics There’s a lot of expertise in the the University of Calgary, said Mr. Otherwise, she said, they risk Ms. Block served as an eco- following the WE Charity ethics caucus they need.” Carney may have been brought becoming token appointments nomic adviser to then-Ontario controversy. The week before, Now that Zoom calls have on to “insulate against partisan whose position of authority has economic development minister as Mr. Morneau’s fate appeared become de rigueur due to the critique.” His previous roles have been blunted. Frances Lankin, who is now an to be uncertain, news surfaced pandemic, he said, it’s been much positioned him to be an indepen- “It raises questions about the Independent Senator. from BNN Bloomberg that harder for caucus members to dent, non-partisan expert, and any extent to which she’s got the Even without monetary policy Prime Minister Justin Trudeau voice their concerns. “A virtual talk of him eventually running whole portfolio, or just been given experience or Bay Street creden- (Papineau,Que.) was informally caucus meeting or teleconference under the Liberal banner may just a fraction of it,” she added. tials—an asset that Mr. Morneau leaning on Mr. Carney for input is just not the same as a live one, be “aspirational speculation.” had, which has been used by on the “green” recovery. in which you stand Carney, critics to question Ms. Freeland’s up and state your suitability for the role—Prof. Mr. Carney, whose name often Former concerns and express Thomas, Prof. Bashevkin, MPs, crops up as a would-be heavy- Bank of Freeland ‘cut them vividly,” he and political strategists have said weight for the Liberals—whether Canada from the same added. Ms. Freeland has proven, time a true reflection of his ambitions chief Mark He suggested the cloth’ and time again, that she’s adept or not—was also floated as a po- Carney is government hold But Elliot Hughes, at handling the thorniest of issues tential successor to Mr. Morneau. informally smaller videoconfer- a former senior aide thrown at her. He is also serving as a special advising the ences for input. to Mr. Morneau and “There’s this view that you UN envoy on climate action and government Caucus hadn’t now consultant at come from the business com- finance. on its push been informed in ad- Summa Strategies, munity that you know how to When asked about the dy- for a ‘green’ vance of the decision brushed off sugges- manage [the country’s economy], namic of having Mr. Carney and recovery. to prorogue Parlia- tions that it’s unusual but it’s entirely two different Ms. Freeland, both of whom were The Hill ment. Mr. Easter said to have someone of things,” said Prof. Bashevkin, add- seen as replacements for Mr. Mor- Times file “it would be wiser to Mr. Carney’s stature ing there’s a steep learning curve neau, shape the recovery, Liberal photograph MP Wayne Easter (Malpeque, consult with caucus” brought on. He said for anyone entering into the role. P.E.I.) said it could be a bit “un- on prorogation. both share remark- “What she has to her advantage usual.” But, he said, it’s largely Ms. Freeland has ably similar biogra- that basically no one else in a “positive” that Mr. Trudeau been accessible to phies, with their de- cabinet does is the relationships is drawing on the expertise of caucus, which will grees from Harvard she’s managed with the premiers others for a recovery out of an serve her well in the finance role, Sheila Bashevkin, a political and Oxford, British spouses, and across the country.” economic crisis. said Liberal MP John McKay science professor at the Univer- international experiences. Dealing with Canada’s pre- In announcing Ms. Freeland’s (Scarborough Guildwood, Ont.). sity of Toronto, said the optics of “They both believe strongly in miers and the mercurial Trump latest appointment on Aug. 18, “She’s probably the most the timing of bringing Mr. Carney a green recovery; they both be- administration as foreign affairs Mr. Trudeau said the govern- respected minister in caucus,” onboard, as a new finance minis- lieve the government must move minister has shown that Ms. Free- ment intends to build a “greener he said. “She’s worked hard at ter is taking charge, are “tricky.” towards a more inclusive, equi- land is no pushover, even as she and more competitive” Canada. involving caucus, and in keeping “If you have the first woman table society,” he said. “They’re refrains from taking an offensive Through proroguing Parliament caucus up to speed in various ini- to hold the portfolio, and you’ve both cut from the same cloth.” stance, said Prof. Bashevkin. the same day, Mr. Trudeau said tiatives, most obviously with the kind of given out this message Though, he said, it would be “She tends to find a route the government would seek a NAFTA negotiations. I’d like to that you’re not sure you can trust “simplistic” to suggest that one towards the goals she seeks on new mandate of sorts by holding think that she incorporates both her with an entire portfolio, the has experience that the other behalf of Canadians that doesn’t a confidence vote on the Throne caucus as an entity and individual party has to be very concerned,” lacks, the advice they’ll provide involve going for the jugular, Speech. members in her thinking.” said Prof. Bashevkin. the prime minister will likely be going for the lowest common “The prime minister and the Of the potential dynamic She said the government complementary. denominator,” she said. “She takes minister of finance need to draw between Mr. Carney and Ms. should tread carefully to avoid “As successful as Mr. Car- the Michelle Obama strategy of advice from the best people they Freeland, he said, it isn’t unusual appearing as though it’s “second- ney has been, as valuable as his going high, speaking to the better can in the field during these kinds if you set aside “all the specula- guessing” female ministers who insights would be on monetary values that people bring to public of times,” said Mr. Easter, who tion about Mark’s future,” which are elevated, pointing to its treat- policy, broader economic fis- life and trying to find constructive chaired the House Finance Com- could amount to little more than ment of then-justice minister Jody cal policies, politics is a bit of a ways to bring people together.” mittee before the prorogation. that. “If you just looked at the re- Wilson-Raybould (Vancouver different beast,” he said. “She has —With files from Palak Mangat “They also need to really have a sume, you’d say, ‘Of course he [Mr. Granville, B.C.), who was the first shown she’s quite adept at the [email protected] good relationship with their back- Trudeau] should be consulting a Indigenous woman to hold the political game.” The Hill Times 14 MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES News Contact tracing app faces big problems in urban environments, studies show

Canada's Chief focus on “the actual technology Studies out of Trinity Public Health and whether or not it works.” Officer Theresa “These apps are going to be College Dublin in Tam speaks with useful in situations where people reporters at a are interacting with people they Ireland suggest ‘there media availability don’t know. The value is going to is essentially no in West Block be in situations like a person rid- to update ing on transit. That’s a really good correlation between Canadians about example of where you would the most recent want something like this and you received signal modelling for would want it to work well. The the ongoing fact that it’s not is problematic,” strength and distance’ COVID-19 she said. of two phones. pandemic Prof. Tuite said it’s difficult to on Aug. 14, determine the correct threshold 2020. PHAC, when that decision is conditioned Continued from page 1 which Dr. Tam both by health guidance and tech- Canadians, according to a spokes- heads, is able nological capacity. person for the Canadian Digital to amend parts “The reality is that close con- Service. The app, which is based of the exposure tact is required to transmit. But is on an application programming notification app there something specific about 15 interface (API) co-developed by without Google minutes, that makes it the right Google and Apple, uses Bluetooth and Apple. number? The reality is there’s not technology to log exposures—de- The Hill Times going to be the perfect number. fined as when two phones have photograph by It’s basically a trade off between been in close proximity for a set Andrew Meade sensitivity and specificity. You period of time. want to be able to identify as In Canada, two phones have to many people as possible, but you be within two metres for 15 min- were so very low for 15 minutes,” last week when asked whether now-abandoned ABTraceTo- don’t want to over alert people,” utes to log an exposure. That’s the Prof. Leith said. the problems raised in the public gether, were plagued with battery she said. same threshold for most coun- In the 108-participant light-rail transit studies were being ad- drain-related issues. For Douglas Stebila, professor tries that have adopted the app. study, the pair found that “there dressed. “So that means that in a space of cryptography at the University The German app, Corona-Warn- is essentially no correlation of 10 minutes, it may scan twice, of Waterloo, it’s simply a matter App, logs an exposure when two between received signal strength Apps rely on ‘tiny and in 15 minutes it may scan of time before the government phones have been within two and distance,” Prof. Leith said. three times. You’re trying to make amends the app. metres for 10 minutes. “In the tram (light-rail) study, the amount of information’ an estimate based on that tiny “I think it’s inevitable that Studies by two researchers in performance of these apps was to save battery amount of information,” Prof. Canada will have to tune the Ireland suggest that the Bluetooth essentially the same as picking Though there are inherent Leith said. threshold. I don’t know that this technology that the apps depend people at random,” limitations to Bluetooth technolo- A public health authority is not paper is enough to give action- on is heavily influenced by the “Similar ranges of signal gy, certain features of the app can able to change the scan rate. Google able advice on what those revised external environment, such as strength are observed both be amended by Google and Apple and Apple would have to change thresholds should be. I think it’s metal or another person, and the between handsets which are or a public health authority. These the API to change the scan rate. something that will just come current two metre, 15-minute less than two metres apart and include the threshold at which at Changing the two-metre, 15-minute more over time, as many jurisdic- threshold produces both false handsets which are greater than exposure is logged, and the rate threshold, however, can be done by tions figure out [which] thresh- positives and false negatives. two metres apart (including when at which the app scans for nearby a public health authority. olds gives useful positive informa- The research points to this be- handsets are up to five metres Bluetooth signals. A spokesperson for Google tion and few false positives,” Prof ing a particularly acute problem apart),” the told The Hill Stebila said. in mass transit because it is “most study reads. Prime Minister Times in Ian Stedman, professor of difficult” to “identify people travel- The likely Justin Trudeau an Aug. 20 Canadian public law and gover- ling on public transport with cause of these announcing email that the nance at York University, said that whom an infected person has results is the national “thresholds when an app is less effective on been in contact, since the identi- environmen- contact for triggering public transit, it will likely dispro- ties of these people are usually tal interfer- tracing app an exposure portionately affect individuals of not known to the infected person ence from on June notification a lower socioeconomic status in and are generally not otherwise metal, people, 18, 2020. are deter- urban settings. recorded,” reads a study by com- other radio Mr. Trudeau mined by the “I drive my car, but other puter scientists Douglas Leith and waves and has focused public health people don’t have that choice. If Stephen Farrell at Trinity College less obvious more on authority.” A they don’t have that choice, we’re Dublin in Ireland. factors like promoting the spokesperson trying to give them the comfort of Professor Leith and Mr. Farrell the phone’s app’s privacy for the Cana- saying, ‘Don’t worry, if you’re ex- have written several papers based orientation or features dian Digi- posed, you have an app for that,’” on their investigations and real- model-type. than on its tal Service Prof Stedman said. The findings world experiments on the app Each of these efficacy, says (CDS), the don’t give “that much reassurance and underlying technology. The factors can epidemiologist federal agen- for those people to download this pair conducted two experiments have a dra- Ashleigh cy responsible app.” on a bus and a light-rail car that matic effect on Tuite. The for the app, Prof. Stedman said transpar- found “a few big things,” Prof. the strength at Hill Times confirmed the ency would go a long way to reas- Leith told The Hill Times in an which a phone photograph by federal gov- suring Canadians. Aug. 19 interview from Dublin. receives a Andrew Meade ernment can “The important thing to The bus study, which had 60 Bluetooth sig- amend the me is to be transparent about participants, found that “no ex- nal, Prof. Leith app and that the limitations. Not because I posure notifications would have said, which is they, along think the public shouldn’t use been triggered despite the fact “the key” thing with Health the app, but because I think it’s that all pairs of handsets were to worry about Canada, are important to explain what the within two metres of one another in exposure “working” to app does, what it doesn’t, and for at least 15 minutes.” notification apps because that is The Google/Apple API set the “ensure the threshold is set to the what it can’t do,” he said. “Also They then shortened the expo- how proximity is determined. app so that a phone scans for best time and distance param- to continue to emphasize that sure time and adjusted the Blue- The various ways the environ- Bluetooth signals once every 250 eters based on current health it’s really incumbent upon us in tooth signal strength to test when a ment affects Bluetooth signal milliseconds, or for roughly four recommendations.” society, to do our best to main- notification would be triggered. The strength “are kind of intrinsic to seconds out of every four minutes. Ashleigh Tuite, an epide- tain social distance and to wash detection rate improved to just five the physics of Bluetooth. They’re “That’s to save battery. Scan- miologist at the University of our hands and to keep a limited per cent for the 15 minute exposure not anything to do with the apps, ning for Bluetooth is very battery Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of contact with people whom we time, and just eight per cent for the you know, so they’re hard to work intensive,” Prof. Leith said. Public Health, said the initial don’t know. Because the technol- 10 minute exposure time. around,” Prof. Leith said. Exposure notification apps intense focus on the app’s privacy ogy isn’t a cure all.” “The reason we look at 10 min- The Treasury Board Secre- that launched prior to the API’s protections, which she said was a [email protected] utes was because the numbers tariat did not respond by deadline development, including Alberta’s worthy goal, has diminished the The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2020 15 News

the leaks, the PMO released if Mr. Trudeau believed he had ‘This is absolutely no a statement expressing full grounds to shuffle Mr. Morneau confidence in Mr. Morneau. out, he should have gone ahead Citing anonymous sources, and done it, and no one would still more stories came out in have objected. The sources said Bloomberg and Reuters, suggest- it was a mistake for government way to treat a minister’; ing disagreements between Mr. officials to put out negative infor- Morneau and Mr. Trudeau and mation about Mr. Morneau. that the finance minister could “It’s very odd, they have the be shuffled. So, on Aug. 17, Mr. power to remove him, you don’t some Liberals decry anti- Morneau resigned and held a need to leak stuff about him,” the press conference in the evening source said. “Any cabinet minister to make his resignation public. will be scared to say something In media interviews last week, or else it’s going to get leaked… some political insiders suggested government can’t function like Morneau leak campaign that Mr. Morneau was not very that. …If you start normalizing popular with the caucus, and that leaks, the PMO has the most to the stewardship of Mr. Morneau, award of a roughly $500-million was why no Liberal MP publicly lose in the long run. So, I don’t ‘Any cabinet minister one of the most important figures contract to WE Charity. defended the outgoing finance understand how you could think in the cabinet. The media reports quoting minister when anonymous gov- this is a good long term strategy, will be scared to say “Since the day he was first unnamed government insiders ernment officials spoke to the because there’s multiple things something or else it’s elected and became Canada’s suggested that Mr. Morneau was media. that can come to you every week finance minister nearly five years concerned about the high cost of MPs and senior Liberals that make PMO or the govern- going to get leaked… ago, Bill has worked relentlessly aid measures for Canadians dur- interviewed by The Hill Times last ment look bad. So why do you to support all Canadians and ing the pandemic, and a lack of week said Mr. Morneau did not want this all in public?” government can’t create a resilient, fair economy proper analysis before the PMO take the time to develop relation- Another former senior Liberal that benefits everyone,” said Mr. announced the programs. The ships with MPs, but pointed out said that the leaks about Mor- function like that,’ Trudeau on Aug. 17. “Under his stories indicated that Mr. Trudeau that most cabinet ministers in the neau have caused “cracks” in the leadership, Canada developed a was consulting former Bank of Trudeau cabinet don’t take the government team’s discipline, says a former senior strong economy with one of the Canada and the Bank of England time to cultivate relationships which could widen in the coming Liberal. best balance sheets in the G7, governor Mark Carney on the with caucus members. They all weeks or months depending on created over one million jobs, post COVID-19 economic recov- said that Mr. Morneau was always what transpires going forward. achieved the lowest unemploy- ery plan, and that Mr. Morneau very professional in his dealings From purely a strategic point of ment rate in recorded history, was unaware of this. with caucus colleagues. view, the source said, it’s a good Continued from page 1 thing for the Trudeau government MPs, staffers and former senior Prime Minister that Mr. Morneau has left politics, Liberals. Justin Trudeau as otherwise the back and forth “My heart goes out to the guy, addresses between the two sides would have this is no way to treat a minis- the Liberal continued, which would have ter, absolutely no way to treat a caucus during been damaging for Mr. Trudeau minister,” said one Liberal MP a meeting in and the government. who spoke to The Hill Times on January. Some “The fact that he’s resigned condition of anonymity to offer Liberal MPs from cabinet and as an MP elimi- his frank opinion. “So, I have huge and senior nates part of the problem,” said misgivings about it.” Liberals said the source. “Otherwise, you would This MP and others inter- they were have had a potential [for] other viewed for this article said they disappointed offices and other allies turning to were not friends with Mr. Mor- that outgoing squawk a little bit also. So in the neau but were disappointed with finance minister short term, him actually leaving the circumstances surrounding Bill Morneau politics completely actually helps the former finance minister’s did not get a the government in my mind, be- exit from politics. Some said dignified exit cause all of a sudden, there is no they consider the incident to be from politics. such thing as his people.” unacceptable, and “the worst”case The Hill Times This incident, the source said, of a Liberal MP or minister be- photograph by however, has created a percep- ing treated unfairly that they Andrew Meade tion of “lack of loyalty” from Mr. had seen since Justin Trudeau’s Trudeau’s side, and now all min- (Papineau, Que.) Liberals formed isters will be worried about their government in 2015. lifted over one million people out “Carney’s sudden involvement “On any given day, someone futures in case they don’t toe the “I’m very disappointed on a of poverty, and created a coherent caught Morneau by surprise, one can send three emails on really PMO’s line in its letter and spirit. number of different [levels] and plan to protect the environment insider said. It was an embarrass- important issues to three different “Once the cracks start, they again, I want to make it abun- while growing the economy. Bill ing development, given the finance ministers,” the MP said. “You’re get wider,” the source said. “I’m dantly clear, I was never close to played a central role in trans- minister has struggled at times to never going to hear back from just saying in the short term [him] minister Morneau,” the MP said. formational projects like the get Trudeau on the phone him- them.” leaving eliminates some of that, but “It’s just that I’m really, really enhancement of the Canada Pen- self,” Bloomberg News reported MPs and other senior Liberals the precedent has been set moving upset about this.” sion Plan and the creation of the last week. An anonymous source said that Mr. Morneau’s exit from forward. I mean, it shows a lack Mr. Morneau held a press Canada Child Benefit, which are close to Mr. Trudeau described Mr. the cabinet would have a chilling of loyalty. It’s like Trump world. It conference in Ottawa on Aug. 17 improving the lives of millions of Morneau as “too orthodox” and affect on the ability of cabinet doesn’t matter how hard working to announce he had tendered his Canadian families.” considered the former finance ministers to share their disagree- you are and how loyal you are, resignation as finance minister After Mr. Morneau’s resig- minister an obstacle in the govern- ments on policy issues with the [politically speaking] you can get and MP to pursue the position nation, Mr. Trudeau appointed ment’s ambitious transformational PMO and Mr. Trudeau, for fears your head chopped off at any time. of the secretary General of the Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia social and economic agenda. that if things went south, this Now, Trudeau is not Trump world, Organization for Economic Freeland (University-Rosedale, The Globe and Mail reported information would be leaked. but what it does show is, ultimately, Co-operation and Development Ont.) as the new finance minister. on Aug. 11 that in the next cabi- “Nothing in life is a one-way everyone pays a price except for (OECD). The Toronto MP served In the weeks prior to Mr. Mor- net shuffle, Mr. Morneau could be street,” said the MP. the prime minister.” as finance minister from 2015 to neau’s departure, media reports moved out of the cabinet. After “If you want your ministers to In response to questions from 2020. Mr. Morneau said that he had suggested that Mr. Trudeau the story came out, the Globe re- be frank and open and disagree The Hill Times, a PMO spokes- never intended to run in more was unhappy over Mr. Morneau’s ported Aug. 20 that Mr. Morneau as they should, because obviously man emailed back Mr. Trudeau than two elections and now was management of COVID-19, and called Mr. Trudeau to complain people have different perspec- and Ms. Freeland’s quotes about “the right time” for a new finance the WE Charity controversy. Ac- about the leaks and “described tives—that’s the reason why we the working relationship of cabi- minister to take over and oversee cording to these stories, Senior the situation as unacceptable have a cabinet, that’s the reason net ministers with Mr. Trudeau the long and uncertain recovery PMO officials were caught off and urged Mr. Trudeau to ensure why we have a Parliament—then and the PMO. phase from the unprecedented guard when Mr. Morneau told his staff are not leaking private it’s sacrosanct that a government “My motto has been to have COVID-19 pandemic. He denied the House Finance Committee matters.” The story was based on not behave like this. …We’re not open, candid conversations with suggestions he was forced out or last month that he had paid back an interview with an unnamed in show business, we’re supposed the prime minister in private, but asked to resign. Mr. Morneau also about $41,000 to WE Charity for senior government official close to be responsible and I’m really, also to have a united front when rejected the speculation that there travel expenses that the orga- to Mr. Morneau. really disappointed on a very we come out in public, and I’d was rift between him and Mr. nization covered for the former Cameron Ahmad, director of fundamental level, actually.” like to thank the prime minister, Trudeau, and that it was the key finance minister and his family’s communications to Mr. Trudeau, A former senior Liberal who who has treated me that way too,” reason for his exit. trips to Kenya and Ecuador in described the anonymous govern- also spoke to The Hill Times on Ms. Freeland said. “That’s a re- Mr. Trudeau issued a statement 2017 to see the charity’s work. ment official’s version of events a not-for-attribution basis said ally, really important part of any the same day thanking the outgo- The ethics commissioner as “all wrong” but did not provide that the PMO has the most to lose working relationship, particularly ing finance minister for his public is currently investigating Mr. specific details on how. from this strategy of leaking in- in government.” service and praising the achieve- Morneau and Mr. Trudeau for any After Mr. Morneau’s call to formation to media about cabinet [email protected] ments of the government under ethical breaches related to the Mr. Trudeau complaining about ministers. The source said that The Hill Times 16 MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES News

Reached for comment, the Prime Min- Mr. Sharpe is also the lead organizer ister’s Office referred The Hill Times to the with the UNDPAD Push Coalition, which Black Caucus government’s statement on its work plan, worked with the Centre for Policy Alterna- adding, “these are plans to work on across tives to outline measures the government the summer months, and we’ll have more should consider adopting as part of its to say at that time.” recovery effort. One of those recommenda- Proroguing Parliament may give the tions is to tweak the Canada Emergency still waiting for government the runway it needs to engage Business Account, a COVID-19 relief pro- with communities, and return with an gram that provides loans of up to $40,000 agenda that puts a focus on systemic rac- to small businesses and nonprofits, to ism, said Independent Senator Mobina improve uptake among Black-owned busi- government action Jaffer (British Columbia). nesses. Sen. Jaffer said she’s “not all concerned” “The rules keep changing to try to ex- that momentum has faded. She said she’s pand it to more people and more organiza- “optimistic” the government has devoted tions, but there’s still work to be done to its attention to the issue, particularly in ensure that Black businesses can capitalize on racial justice the months since the caucus released its on that programming,” he said. declaration. He said the government can tailor “It may look like the momentum is lost, aspects of the program to help Black ment. He said it could have attached but what we’re doing is going back to our businesses to qualify more easily during Prorogued or not, funding for efforts at collecting race- communities,” she said. “I would be abso- the pandemic; the government has taken based data and made changes to govern- lutely shocked if the Throne Speech didn’t a similar approach for Indigenous com- Independent Senator ment procurement programs to level the contain measures to deal with systemic munities in some programs already. For Rosemary Moodie says playing field. racism.” example, he said, some businesses are The unexpected prorogation of Parlia- Sen. Jaffer said she’d like to see the unable to draw loans because they don’t the government has ‘had ment also didn’t sit well with Liberal MP government move towards adopting a race- have salaried employees, but rather rely on John McKay (Scarborough-Guildwood, based lens to programs, similar to the gen- contract workers. months to respond in a Ont.), who said he was “personally disap- dered analysis that it applies to economic Alfred Burgesson, a member of the pointed,” because it pulled the plug on the measures. Prime Minister’s Youth Council, said he substantive way and any work of the House Public Safety Commit- Sen. Moodie said she would like to see isn’t ready to write off the government’s tee, which had been in the midst of a study the government’s Throne Speech include a response to the Black Caucus statement continued delay should on systemic racism in policing. Had it been pledge to prioritize the collection of race- yet, though he said it hasn’t responded not be wholly blamed on allowed to con- with the urgency tinue meeting, required to ad- prorogation.’ the committee dress longstanding could have put inequities. forward recom- He attributed mendations to Continued from page 1 the government’s the government. lack of urgency to No one in the government has spoken “We were the fact that train- to the caucus about the issue in the time in the middle ing or education since it released its call for a suite of ac- of those hear- on anti-racism tions aimed at reducing structural racial ings, and now, practices isn’t a inequities in Canada in, they said. the whole thing prerequisite for “Had they come forward, I would have was for naught,” holding elected of- been the first to support them,” said NDP said Mr. McKay, fice or working in MP Matthew Green (Hamilton Centre, who chaired the government, say- Ont.). “But I’m not interested in the aesthet- committee. “The ing that it reflects ics of Liberal marketing—when the prime successor com- a lack of deep minister can take a knee and try to capture mittee will have NDP MP Matthew Green, Liberal MP Greg Fergus, chair of the Black Parliamentary Caucus, Senator understanding of that moment.” to pass a resolu- Mobina Jaffer, and Senator Rosemary Moodie issued a declaration in early June, calling on the the lived experi- Mr. Green is part of the Black Parlia- tion to re-engage government to address anti-Black racism. The government has yet to offer an update on its progress ences of racialized mentary Caucus, a body that includes in the study and in responding to those calls. The Hill Times, Senate of Canada photographs communities. Man- Senators and MPs from several parties. The to incorporate datory training on caucus’ call for action in June was signed evidence that anti-racism is one by nearly all cabinet ministers, as well as was presented. … People were very much based data, including indicators of health of the actions he’s called for as the founder Senators and dozens of MPs from the NDP engaged; it was a meaningful response to a and social well-being. Statistics Canada of collectiveaction.ca, a campaign to press and Liberals. meaningful moment.” took a step in that direction in July, with political representatives across all levels of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s (Pap- By the time Parliament returns the Con- the release of its first Labour Force Survey government to address racism. ineau, Que.) headline-grabbing response servatives will likely have shuffled some that showed racialized Canadians suf- “You might not be racist, but this educa- to the moment was to don a mask and join of their parliamentary critics into new fered job losses at a higher rate than white tion and training is still useful. It allows throngs of protesters on a sweltering day roles, following the leadership election that Canadians. you make equitable policy decisions in the in June, and to take a knee in solidarity. wrapped last week. future,” he added. That appearance was later followed by a Prorogation or not, Independent Sena- ‘Comprehensive strategy’ The youth council was due to meet with pledge in early July to commit his cabinet tor Rosemary Moodie (Ontario) said in Youth Minister Bardish Chagger (Waterloo, to develop a “work plan” on a range of an email response the government has long called for Ont.) last week. Mr. Burgesson said anti- policies, from justice reforms to improving “had months to respond in a substantive Richard Sharpe, co-founder of the racism was not on the agenda, but would access to capital for racialized communi- way, and any continued delay should not Federal Black Employee Caucus, said likely be brought up by the members ties. be wholly blamed on prorogation.” She his group has long been appealing to the themselves. Mr. Green said the government’s deci- wrote the government has “not offered any government for a “comprehensive strategy” “It’s definitely provided an opportunity sion to prorogue Parliament until Sept. updates or indications related to the fall to implement policies and programs that for youth’s perspectives, experiences to 23 shows it isn’t in a hurry to address the [agenda] or the budget.” are results driven, durable, and “not just as- be heard, but how much of these perspec- Black Caucus’ declaration. Ms. Moodie noted that prorogation has pirational.” He said that “does require time, tives are leading to action and change, as “They’re choosing, at this critical point delayed Parliament’s return by just two days. effort, and engagement,” on the part of the it pertains to anti-racism efforts—I’m not in time, to run away from their responsibil- “In the meantime, we have seen other government. sure we’re seeing as much success there. I ities to deliver for people during one of the communities respond to the advocacy of The public service is developing an ac- think this government has been very open. most serious economic, health disruptions,” Black Canadians and that shows that prog- tion plan, he said, but has yet to engage his I think they speak the right language,” he he said. “This is only going to result in ress is being made,” she said. group. Mr. Sharpe said his caucus met with said of his involvement with the Youth more delays. At this point in time, we still Liberal MP Greg Fergus (Hull-Aylmer, Privy Council Clerk Ian Shugart earlier this Council. “ If our leadership is going to be don’t have disaggregated data on race.” Que.), chair of the Black caucus, was month. Mr. Shugart assured him that the vocal about it as a priority, we need tan- Mr. Green said the government unavailable for an interview, but his office Employee Caucus would be consulted as the gible actions.” “missed multiple opportunities” to seize suggested there could be an update in a government develops a plan that’s expected [email protected] the political momentum behind the state- few weeks’ time. to be rolled out early in the fall. The Hill Times

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Liberal MP Former chief Michael Levitt, centre, fundraiser of the pictured with Conservative Ontario Liberal Fund MP Pierre Paul- Bobby Walman and Hus, left, and Conservative Toronto fundraising MP Michael Barrett, right, executive Gary is stepping down as an Gladstone are MP on Sept. 1. A number seriously considering of prominent seeking the Liberal GTA Liberals are considering nomination in York a run for the Liberal Centre. nomination in the riding. The Hill Times Continued from page 1 photograph by Only 10 months into his sec- Andrew Meade ond term as an MP, Mr. Levitt an- nounced on social media on Aug. 4 that he’s stepping down to serve as the president and CEO of Canadian Friends of Simon Wi- other election, Liberals have won South-Hespeler, Ont.) announced and chief fundraiser of the Ontario of Liberals have approached him esenthal Center, a Jewish Human in York Centre. that he’d be sitting as an Indepen- Liberal Fund, and Gary Gladstone, to express interest in running Rights organization. His resigna- In 2011, Conservative Mark dent, after he was arrested and a former Liberal candidate in 2019 for the Liberal nomination in the tion will be effective September 1. Adler won the riding, but lost to later charged with assault, break in the riding of Thornhill, Ont. riding, but he did not share any of “I have informed the Speaker Mr. Levitt in 2015. The 2011 elec- and enter and committing an “I’m calling other people and their names. that September 1, 2020 will be my tion yielded the worst electoral indictable offence, and criminal I am actively considering and “The York Centre EDA will be last day as a Member of Parlia- result for the Liberals in their harassment. weighing the opportunity, and working with the Liberal Party of ment,” Mr. Levitt, chair of the party’s history, and they were Last week, Finance Minister Bill I’m very excited and honoured to Canada (Ontario) and the Liberal Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote reduced to third party status. Morneau (Toronto Centre, Ont.) be considered as somebody who Party of Canada on next steps on Facebook, citing family rea- In the 2015 election, Mr. Levitt also announced he was leaving the community thinks would be following Michael’s planned sons as the key for his decision to unseated Mr. Adler by a razor federal politics to pursue the posi- a strong candidate to represent departure in September,” said Mr. leave politics. thin margin of 2.9 per cent of the tion of the secretary general of the York Centre,” said Mr. Walman Goldberg, in an email to The Hill “For those of us serving in vote. Mr. Levitt won 46.8 per cent Organization of Economic Coop- told The Hill Times. He previously Times. “I know that our EDA and elected office, political life can of the vote while Mr. Adler got eration and Development (OECD). served as a Queen’s Park staffer the party are already being ap- be incredibly intense and it often 43.9 per cent. The third place NDP in the David Peterson govern- proached by a number of dedi- becomes all-encompassing. candidate Hal Berman garnered ment, and executive assistant to cated community leaders about Canadians rightly count on us 7.3 per cent, and the fourth place Toronto mayor Mel Lastman. potentially seeking the Liberal to be their voice, and whether in Green candidate Constantine “It’s going to be a very contest- nomination, and whenever a by- Ottawa or back in York Centre, I Kritsonis received 1.8 per cent of ed race. And I would think that, election is called, our focus will have always committed myself to the vote. from what I’m hearing, there’s be on supporting the Liberal plan being available day and night for But, in 2019, Mr. Levitt was some very qualified and commit- to keep Canada moving forward my constituents. re-elected by a margin of 13.5 per ted people who have important and to build a better future for “Especially through these cent of the vote. He won 50.2 per things to say about what they families here in York Centre.” unprecedented last five months, cent of the vote, Mr. Adler won think about York Centre.” Benjamin Sharma, the Conser- I’ve also gained a clearer sense 36.7 per cent, NDP candidate Mr. Walman however declined vative riding association presi- of the impact this has had on my Andrea Vasquez Jimenez won 9.8 to share the names of anyone dent, told The Hill Times that the family over the past five years. It per cent, and Green candidate else he’s expecting to contest the party has not yet decided when hasn’t been without consequence Rebecca Wood won 3.2 per cent. nomination, or how many people to hold the nomination contest. to those I love most, and while it As of last week, no party had he expects will do so. He said that the party will hold is an incredible privilege to serve fixed a nomination date for the Mr. Gladstone, who ran unsuc- an open nomination in the riding, the people of York Centre, I know riding. The next MP for York cessfully in Thornhill, Ont., in and added that he expects “a lot of deep down that now is the time Centre will essentially have to 2019 and unsuccessfully sought people” to seek the party’s nomi- for me to put family first and win three elections in the span of the Liberal nomination in King- nation in this riding. He declined come back home, both physically possibly as little as a few months; Vaughan in 2015, confirmed to The to say for confidentiality reasons and mentally.” a nomination contest, a byelec- Hill Times that he’s considering a who or how many potential can- In commenting on this an- tion, and the next general federal run in York Centre now. He said didates have showed an interest nouncement on Facebook, Prime election. that his phone has been ringing in running in this riding. Minister Justin Trudeau (Pap- The date of the next federal “off the hook” from people living Mr. Sharma did not know ineau, Que.) thanked Mr. Levitt election is not yet known, but the in the riding who want him to seek if Mr. Adler would run for the for serving as an MP representing average life of a minority gov- Liberal nomination in the riding. nomination again. He described the riding of York Centre. ernment in Canada is relatively Toronto fundraising executive Gary “I’m getting lots of calls from this riding as winnable for the “Thank you for everything short—just 18 months. It has now Gladstone is considering a run for the people living in York Centre, Conservatives, as provincially you’ve done for Canadians been 10 months since the last fed- Liberal nomination in York Centre. encouraging me to run to con- PC MPP Roman Barber repre- and the people in York Centre, eral election, and there is already Photograph courtesy of Gary Gladstone tinue to do incredible work that sents this riding, and federal and Michael. It’s been my honour to speculation about a possible fall Michael Levitt did for the com- provincial electoral boundaries in work with you, and I wish you election. munity,” said Mr. Gladstone, a fun- Ontario are the same. all the best in your new role with In the last federal election, After Messrs. Levitt and draising consultant for charities “One can expect a lot of people the Canadian Friends of Simon the Trudeau Liberals won 157 Morneau’s departure, the Liberal and non-profit organizations. will be interested in in York Cen- Wiesenthal Centre,” Mr. Trudeau seats, the Conservatives 121, the caucus will be reduced to 154 “And the calls have not stopped. tre because it is a very winnable wrote the same day. Bloc Québécois 32, the NDP 24, members, and the byelections in So I’m very honoured, it’s all riding for a Conservative,” said The riding will officially open the Green Party one, and one York Centre and Toronto Centre wonderful. So right now, I’m in Mr. Sharma. up after Mr. Levitt’s resignation Independent MP was elected. To will be the first since the 2019 the stage where I just need some By deadline last week, The becomes effective next month. form a majority government, the federal election. time to finish speaking with my Hill Times was not able to reach York Centre is considered a winning party needed 170 seats. As of last week, two Liberals friends, my business associates NDP riding association president safe Liberal riding. It was created The Liberals have already lost told The Hill Times that they are and my employers.” and the 2019 candidate Andrea in 1903; the Conservatives won another two Ontario MPs since seriously considering a run for the Michael Goldberg, the Liberal Vásquez Jiménez. the riding three times before 1962, the last election. In June, Liberal party’s nomination in York Centre: riding association president in [email protected] and once after, in 2011. In every MP Marwan Tabbara (Kitchener Bobby Walman, former president York Centre, said that a number The Hill Times 18 MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Opinion

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For example, France’s excise rates are at least 22 times lower than “THIS IS SERIOUS STUFF” Canada’s, while other major wine producing countries like Italy and Germany pay zero growers excise tax. Further, Canadian import tariffs Why are bleeding gums when on wine are amongst the lowest of any major wine importing country, with 92 per cent of you floss any different?? imports entering Canada tariff free. Over the next two years When we talk about a level playing field, it is important to recognize that more than 700 Canadian Australia and the United States, which wineries will have a together represent 28 per cent of Canadian wine imports by volume, both rebate excise longstanding excise benefit equivalent taxes to their wine produc- ers. Further, the European Union, which repealed in response to represents an additional 48 per cent of Canadian wine imports, supports their an Australian World Trade wine sector with an average $1.9-billion in annual wine support programs. Organization challenge. Moreover, on August 5, France an- Call to consult • 613 234 5758 nounced it will raise its support plan to wine growers to C$394-million. These [email protected] • [email protected] funds have been set aside to support French wine businesses after COVID lockdowns closed restaurants and bars and U.S. tariffs curbed exports. These are but a few examples why a younger, smaller wine industry like Canada’s with record high import competi- tion has struggled to grow amidst the high Have a house to rent or sell? levels of public support and infrastructure Dan Paszkowski (including brands and reputation) in estab- Opinion lished wine regions. The fate of the Canadian wine indus- Items or products to sell? try now lies in the hands of the federal n a year plagued by COVID-19, Ca- government. The time has come to level the Inadian grape growers, wineries, and playing field by taking a page out of our Advertise them in The Hill Times businesses in the hospitality, tourism foreign wine competitors’ handbook, and and retail sectors, like their counterparts implementing growth programs, which around the world, have been working with also foster investment and job creation, governments to address the overwhelming and allow Canadian winery businesses to impacts of the pandemic. compete and grow in our home market. For information contact Kelly: This is not surprising considering the Dan Paszkowski is the president and value-added economic linkages of the CEO of Wine Growers Canada. [email protected] • 613-232-5952 Canadian wine and grape industry, which The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2020 19 Parliamentary Calendar

MONDAY, AUG. 24 Capital Pride Week—Ottawa’s pride fes- tival is scheduled to run Aug. 23-30. The festival will be held virtually this year, with Navdeep Bains talks economic a series of events streamed on capitalpride. ca. Innovation and Manufacturing in the Time of COVID—The Pearson Centre will host this talk with Innovation Minister Navdeep recovery at the Pearson Centre Bains on Monday, Aug. 24 from 1:30 to 2 p.m. to discuss his government’s plans to assist the private sector in the rebuilding and recovery of the Canadian economy. He will be discussing this issue with Rhonda The Pearson Centre will Barnet, president & COO at AVIT Manu- host a talk with Innovation facturing, and past chair of the Canadian Minister Navdeep Bains Manufacturers and Exporters. Mr. Bains on Monday, Aug. 24 from is expected to talk about how he believes 1:30 to 2 p.m. about his the Canadian industry can return to its government's plans to strong footing in the global economy in the coming years. Go to the Pearson Centre’s assist the private sector in website to register. the rebuilding and recovery of the Canadian economy. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 2 The Hill Times photograph 43rd FIPP World Media Congress—Susan by Andrew Meade Goldberg, editor-in-chief of National Geo- graphic and editorial director of National Geographic Partners, is the latest speaker to be confirmed for the 43rd FIPP World Media Congress, which will take place online from Sept. 2-30. To find out more, www.fippcongress.com. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23 Return of Parliament and Speech from the Throne—The House of Commons will return from the first mid-mandate prorogation called by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The government will lay out its priorities in a Speech from the Throne. Politics and the Pen 2020: Digital Edition—Politics and the Pen will hold a virtual event on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Poli- tics and the Pen is a highlight of political Ottawa’s social calendar and an important annual fundraising event benefiting the Writers’ Trust. The in-person event regularly attracts 500 guests from Canada’s political and literary circles. The 2020 digital event will feature a special presentation of the 20th Shaughnessy Cohen Prize as well as memorable moments from past galas. To date, Politics and the Pen has raised more than $4.5-million to support the programs of the Writers’ Trust. This year’s finalists are: Canada on the United Nations Security Council: A Small Power on a Large Scale, by Adam Chapnick; Peace and Good Order: The Case for Indigenous Justice in Canada, by Harold R. Johnson; Claws of the Panda: Beijing’s Campaign of Influence and Intimi- dation in Canada, by Jonathan Manthorpe; Truth Be Told: My Journey Through Life and the Law, by Beverley McLachlin; and Cana- dian Justice, Indigenous Injustice, by Kent Roach. For information and sponsorship, contact Julia Yu, events manager, at jyu@ writerstrust.com SUNDAY, SEPT. 26 Green Party Leadership Online Voting Begins—Online voting to choose the next leader of the federal Green Party begins today and will continue until Oct. 3. SATURDAY, OCT. 3 The Green Party is holding a leadership contest to replace longtime leader Liberal MP Ginette Petitpas Taylor and Conservative MP Gérard Deltell paused Elizabeth May, who stepped down from the job in November, but has continued Green Party Leader Announcement—The to lead the party in Parliament. Nine people are in the running to serve as the Green Party of Canada is set to announce for a chat at the 2018 Politics and the Pen gala in Ottawa’s Chateau Laurier. its new leader in a virtual event at 8 p.m. This year’s gala will be held virtually. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade party’s next leader. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade EST. THURSDAY, OCT. 15 SATURDAY, OCT. 24 information on tables and sponsorship 2020 Liberal National Convention will be emerging trends and lessons learned from PPF Testimonial Dinner and Awards—Join opportunities, contact Josh Gurfinkel at hosted in Ottawa, from Nov. 12-15. For the COVID-19 pandemic through biweekly Parliamentary Press Gallery Dinner—The the Public Policy Forum at the 33rd annual [email protected] or 416-955-0394. more information, please contact: media@ webinars. For more information or to regis- Parliamentary Press Gallery Dinner happens on event to network and celebrate as the liberal.ca, 613-627-2384. ter, visit www.victoriaforum.ca. Saturday, Oct. 24, in the Sir John A. Macdon- TUESDAY, NOV. 3 Public Policy Forum honours Canadians The Parliamentary Calendar is a free ald Building on Wellington Street in Ottawa. FRIDAY, NOV. 13 who have made their mark on policy and U.S. Presidential Election—The U.S. presi- events listing. Send in your political, leadership. Anne McLellan and Senator FRIDAY, OCT. 30 dential election is scheduled for Tuesday, Bridging Divides in Wake of a Global cultural, diplomatic, or governmental event Peter Harder will take their place among a Nov. 3, 2020. U.S. President Donald Trump Pandemic—The University of Victoria (UVic) in a paragraph with all the relevant details cohort of other stellar Canadians who we’ve CJF Awards Celebrating 30 Years of is the Republican candidate and former and the Senate of Canada are bringing under the subject line ‘Parliamentary Cal- honoured over the last 33 years, people Excellence in Journalism—The Canadian vice-president Joe Biden is the presumptive together change-makers at the Victoria endar’ to [email protected] by Wednes- who have dedicated themselves to mak- Journalism Foundation Awards will be held Democratic candidate. The winner is sched- Forum to help generate solutions to some day at noon before the Monday paper or by ing Canada a better place through policy on Oct. 30, 2020, at the Ritz-Carlton, uled to be inaugurated on Jan. 20, 2021. of the world’s most divisive problems. The Friday at noon for the Wednesday paper. We Toronto, hosted by Rick Mercer, former host leadership and public service. The gala THURSDAY, NOV. 12 two-day virtual forum will be held Nov. can’t guarantee inclusion of every event, event will be held on Thursday, Oct. 15, at of The Rick Mercer Report. The CBC’s Anna 13-14 to examine issues that fall under the but we will definitely do our best. Events the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Maria Tremonti will be honoured. Tables Liberal Party National Convention—The theme of “Bridging divides in the wake of a can be updated daily online, too. Front St. W., Toronto. are $7,500 and tickets are $750. For more Liberal Party of Canada announced the global pandemic.” The forum will draw on The Hill Times

More at hilltimes.com/calendar Easy Parliamentary Tracking With the sheer magnitude of information coming out of Parliament Hill every day, it can be hard to sift through it all to find what you need. Parliament Now is the service that will help you sort out your government affairs.

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Legislation: Committees: Press Releases: • Follow bills through • Follow both Senate and • Trimmed-down versions of Parliament House committees press releases, featuring only • Receive email alerts when • Get email alerts for upcoming the pertinent information on your bill changes status committee meetings and past federal issues meeting minutes

Event Calendar: Forecast: Regulations: • A curated list of • A daily look ahead of what’s • The nitty-gritty of regulations government-related going on in of laws enacted after events from a wide variety of Canadian federal politics for legislation sources the next day • Updated daily

Directory: QP Report: In Parliament: • A frequently updated list of • Summary of what • A quick glance at all MPs and Senators with all happened in Question what legislation of their contact details Period the day before (when may be debated the House is sitting) (when the House is • A bulleted list of sitting) what was discussed and who/what was mentioned

Contact Lakshmi Krishnamurti for a trial. Lakshmi Krishnamurthi, Subscriptions and Licensing Executive 613-263-3013 • [email protected]