Publications Mail Agreement #40068926 T the PBOinFebruary 2019, which the costofCSCwas doneby $61.82-billion. that estimated thecoststobe DND following a2017PBOreport before theirpricewas doubledby budgeted tocost$26-billion Hill Timestold The. changes,” aDNDspokesperson $60-billion. DND tocostbetween $56-and class frigates. Canada’s currentfleetofHalifax- February 2021. Surface Combatants (CSC)inlate for thepurchase of15Canadian release anupdated costprojection (PBO) Yves Giroux isexpectingto price tag. which couldaddbillionstothe as questionsloomover delays, Canadian Navy foryears tocome, will serve asthebackboneof ect inCanadianhistory, which largest defenceprocurement proj - been anincreaseincosttothe late February expected in PBO report unchanged; remains Combatants Surface budget for DND says News THIRTY-SECOND YEAR, NO.1783 BY NEIL MOSS p. 6 COVID-19 Diabetes and The mostrecentprojection of The shipswere originally “There have beennobudget The project isstillpeggedby The 15warships arereplacing Parliamentary BudgetOfficer Defence says therehasn’t he DepartmentofNational Continued onpage14 available for another two to four weeks. say the text of the new Canada-U.K. transitional dealmay not be There are 13 sitting days left before the House risesonDec.11.Liberals A News process remains murky trade pact as legislative of new Canada-U.K. for swift implementation Tick tock: Liberals call have littletimetopassthenew trade provisions, theLiberals BY NEIL MOSS for arollover ofCanada-U.K. fter completingnegotiations Ifill p. 7

C anada ’ s Bastarache P oliti spotlights ing theirrole. government ofonceagainignor Parliamentarians accusingthe end ofDecember, withopposition those provisions expireat the deal through Parliament before systemic c RCMP's s failures

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N West Wild to data order bring finally Feds Whittington p.6 ews Nov. 21beforetheHouseriseson time topassthedealreachedon tioned whether there’s enough Opposition MPshave ques- p a p er Continued onpage4 Andrew Meade photograph by and TheHillTimes Downing Street Fowles/No. 10 courtesy ofPippa Photograph be passed. bill hasto implementation but first,an Jan. 1,2021, into forceon is settocome The newdeal pact onNov. 21. transitional trade a Canada-U.K. negotiations for completion of announced the Boris Johnson Prime Minister right, andU.K. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER25,2020$5.00 T to “contrast thetwo parties” and convention offersanopportunity leader Jack Layton, saidthe director underthelate former president andnational campaign Singh’s leadershipperformance. feature amandatory review ofMr. Next year’s convention willalso lar crowd sizeonline, ifnotmore. says itanticipates drawing asimi- 2,000 delegates, andtheparty tawa in2018, attracted morethan were announced. “locked” forweeks beforethey went public, hadalready been month aftertheLiberal Party’s were announcedmorethana spokesperson, thedates, which ing April 9. According toanNDP place over two days, bothstart- days astheLiberals’, which takes virtual convention over thesame B.C.) partywillholditsthree-day governing party. build topeelvoters away from the to make thecasehe’ssoughtto leader Jagmeet Singhaplatform contrast policy priorities, lending serve asahelpfulvehicle to which partyexpertssay could Liberals’ own virtualgathering, coincidentally overlapping the News members Liberals’, say governing vision against to pit party’s offers chance convention NDP’s spring BY BEATRICE PAEZ Brian Topp, formerNDP Its lastconvention, heldinOt- Mr. Singh’s(Burnaby South, policy convention thisspring, he NDPisholdingitsnext Economic, concerns lobbying industry October Continued onpage12 top p. 11

2 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES

Independent Senator Murray Sincair has been Heard on the Hill a member of the Red Chamber by Neil Moss since 2016. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Veteran MP Kent Meade won’t seek re- election, becoming

mates for 2020-21, the exchange kicked off ing and worldview,” according to a press when Ms. Rempel Garner asked whether release. third CPC MP to or not the government has the legislative “Where do I come from? Where am I means to bring about better aggregation of going? Why am I here? Who am I?” COVID-19 data from the provinces. Sen. Sinclair has been a member of the Addressing her question to Les Lin- Red Chamber since he was nominated to bow out of next race klater, the federal lead for COVID-19 test- the post by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ing, contact tracing and data management in 2016. strategies within the government’s health “Our history has been about stealing Conservative portfolio, Ms. Hajdu interjected prior to Mr. our identity as Indigenous people. It’s time MP Peter Linklater’s answer, prompting an immedi- we changed that. This country has tried to Kent has ate response from the Conservative critic. change us into something we are not. So been a “No, you might not start, minister. You’re here is a story about who we are, about high-profile a witness, minister, so it’s my time,” said Ms. how my experiences have shaped who I member of Rempel Garner, calling for a point of order. am, and what I see is a path forward for us his party's In response, Mr. McKinnon said “it’s ap- all,” he said in the release. caucus propriate of us to treat the witnesses with Sen. Sinclair tweeted on Nov. 22 that since respect and courtesy, and I believe if the he is “so pleased to have this opportunity entering minister wishes to answer questions, and to share my experiences and what I’ve public life it’s put to her officials, I think she’s entitled learned.” in 2008. to do so.” He recently Ms. Rempel Garner responded by say- announced Conservative MP Barrett ing: “This is my time to question witnesses.” he won't “And quite frankly, to suggest that it welcomes son seek another is not respectful for me to be asking for Tory MP Michael Barrett‘s family grew term next information on how data is being used and by one after his wife, Amanda, gave birth election. The collected on interventions that are costing this week. Hill Times millions of jobs and thousands of lives is … “Our boy Nathan has arrived [and] he photograph frankly, as a woman, I find it kind of sex- and Amanda are healthy!” announced Mr. by Andrew ist,” said Ms. Rempel Garner. Barrett in a tweet on Nov. 22. Meade “These are tough questions, and I get to ask them to who I want to ask them to,” said Ms. Rempel Garner. “It is my job as a Parliamentarian, and I’m tired of this. I understand onservative MP Peter Kent has an- not seek re-election, joining Ontario CPC that the minister may not Cnounced he won’t seek re-election in MPs Diane Finley and Bruce Stanton, and like the question, but it’s a safe blue riding in the Greater Toronto now-former Liberal MPs Bill Morneau and me who gets the floor, am Area next time Canadians go to the polls. Michael Levitt. I clear?” The former journalist has represented Ultimately, Mr. Thornhill, Ont., since 2008. He was in the ‘Point of order’: Health Linklater answered cabinet of past-prime minister Stephen the query posed by Ms. Harper, where he served as environment Committee gets heated Rempel Garner, after Ms. minister from 2011 to 2014 and was as Exchanges between Liberal Health Hajdu said, “in the inter- minister of state for foreign affairs for the Committee chair Ron McKinnon, Health est of time, why don’t we Americas from 2008 to 2011. Minister Patty Hajdu, and the Conserva- just have Mr. Linklater Mr. Kent took a line from American tive Party’s health critic, Michelle Rempel answer the question.” singer Peter Seeger in explaining his deci- Garner, got heated during a recent Nov. 20 “Relief programming sion not to throw his hat back in the ring committee meeting. is beyond the ambit of next election. the department of health, “For everything there is a season,” he many departments, in- said in a Nov. 19 Facebook video, “and it’s cluding the department of time to prepare for the end of my active finance and others would Michael Barrett and his wife Amanda recently welcomed their fifth political season.” be intimately involved in child, Nathan. Photograph courtesy of Twitter/Michael Barrett The 77-year-old said he will continue to developing those types of serve as an MP until the next election. programs based on various data sets,” said Nathan is the couple’s fifth child, join- Two Conservatives have already an- Mr. Linklater. ing Luke, Ama, Michaela, and James. nounced their intention of running for the —by Mike Lapointe “Thanks to everyone at [Brockville party’s nomination: former Tory staffer General Hospital] for their care and Melissa Lantsman and Progressive Conser- service. Special thanks to RN Kate, Dr vative MPP Gila Martow. Independent Sen. Sinclair to Finkenzeller, & their colleagues. We are Ms. Lantsman has already received the release book in 2022 thankful for the blessing of Nathan and the backing of former Hill boss John Baird. The former chair of the Truth and Rec- pros who ensured his [and]Amanda’s good She served as Mr. Baird’s communications onciliation Commission and Manitoba’s health,” Mr. Barrett wrote. director while he was the foreign affairs first Indigenous judge, Independent Sena- He has represented Leeds-Grenville- minister. tor Murray Sinclair will release a book Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, Ont., Ms. Martow, who has represented Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner got detailing his past and outlining his vision since 2018 when he won a byelection. He Thornhill, Ont., provincially since 2015, is into a testy exchange with Health Committee for the future of Canada. was re-elected in 2019 with nearly 49 per currently also the parliamentary assistant chair Ron McKinnon on Nov. 20. The Hill Times Sen. Sinclair’s upcoming book, Who We cent of the vote. Mr. Barrett is currently his to Ontario Francophone Affairs Minister photograph by Andrew Meade Are, is set to be published by McClelland & party’s ethics critic and has played a vocal Caroline Mulroney. Stewart in October 2022. role amid the WE Charity scandal. Mr. Kent is the fifth MP and third During the meeting, convened to look The book will be centred around four [email protected] Conservative to announce that they will at the second set of supplementary esti- questions that define Sen. Sinclair’s “think- The Hill Times The COVID-19 pandemic in Canada is serious.

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party’s international trade critic, Ms. Sgro said the biggest While the Trade Committee Tick tock: Liberals said it’s up to the government challenge will be finding time was studying the Canada-United to present a plan on how it will for meetings and to have the States-Mexico Agreement (CUS- implement the trade deal. necessary House services, such a MA), opposition MPs accused the “If it’s another two to four translation, available. Liberal government of not respect- call for swift weeks until there’s actually a The committee has been ing the role of Parliament in scru- document that could inform conducting a study of Canada- tinizing trade agreements—with enabling legislation, I think this U.K. trade since Nov. 16, includ- quick passage and the last minute is beyond whether Parliament ing meetings with officials and release of a long-awaited econom- implementation can pass it fast enough. We’re still stakeholders. ic impact assessment hours before wondering if the government can It’s uncertain whether the gov- a committee meeting. present anything fast enough,” he ernment will abide by a provision Opposition MPs say the frac- said. “It’s a real problem of the under the Policy on Tabling Trea- tious implementation of CUSMA of new Canada- government’s making in terms of ties in Parliament, which requires is top of mind as the Liberals try [the] timeline.” that the text of a new agreement to quickly pass the new Canada- He said the pressure is on the U.K. transitional deal. government to move forward. “There are things that the U.K. trade pact as “It’s really in the government’s government could have done, and court here,” he said. “They are the could be doing, in order to try and ones with all the information and bring people in on the process a they’re the ones with the deadline.” little bit more if they felt it was re- legislative process Until Parliamentarians see the ally important that Parliament be text of the bill, he said it’s hard an integral part of that process, to say what legislative process is and they are not doing those necessary. things,” said Mr. Blaikie. remains murky For now, Mr. Blaikie said he’s He said there were no confi- trying to ascertain what support dential briefings for opposition will be necessary for importers MPs regarding trade negotiations There are 13 sitting pens, an implementation bill has and exporters who do business with the U.K., and for him, “that to be passed by Parliament. with the U.K. in the case of a doesn’t show a lot of improve- days left before Asked if the Liberals would break in trade continuity, which ment in terms of the govern- recall Parliament after Dec. 11 if he thinks there’s a “high likeli- ment’s attitude towards Parlia- the House rises on needed to get the bill through, Ms. hood” of happening. ment in respect to trade deals.” Dec. 11. Liberals Bendayan said the government is Youmy Han, a spokesperson A spokesperson for International Trade Mr. Savard-Tremblay said the prepared to do “anything and every- for Ms. Ng, said “right now, it is Minister Mary Ng says the government government always tries to rush say the text of the thing possible” to move it forward. more important than ever to do is ‘still working on how to ensure we the work of the committee. “The question will remain: everything we can to keep people can ensure this new agreement can be “I think they hope that we new Canada-U.K. how, in a minority context, we employed and provide stability put in place as soon as possible.’ The won’t do our jobs so we do it too ensure that we have support for for businesses.” Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade quick,” he said. transitional deal may changing the current calendar if “The new Canada-U.K. Trade There are also questions need be. But the tools that we do Continuity Agreement is a win for be tabled in the House 21 sitting over how fast the bill can move not be available for have at our disposal will always Canadians. It will ensure continu- days before an implementation through the Senate, which rises another two to four be used, and we will continue ity and predictability for our busi- legislation is introduced. If fol- for the year on Dec. 18. to work collaboratively with all nesses, exporters, and workers lowed, it would mean that, without The Senate only had a pre- weeks. sides in order to see how we can across the country,” she said. a recall, an implementation bill study of CUSMA and wasn’t get this done in time,” she said, “We look forward to tabling wouldn’t move through the House given the opportunity to formally Continued from page 1 noting the government is work- legislation in the House of Com- until February. The policy applies study the implementation bill, as ing on other scenarios to mitigate mons as soon as possible. We urge to “comprehensive” trade deals. it was passed under extraordi- Dec. 11, with only 13 sitting days possible implementation delays. all Parliamentarians to work with “We are still working on how nary circumstances in March as remaining in this year’s legisla- us to pass this quickly to ensure to ensure we can ensure this new Parliament adjourned amid the tive calendar. The House doesn’t Canadians stay employed and agreement can be put in place as COVID-19 pandemic. return until Jan. 25, 2021. Before businesses have the stability they soon as possible,” Ms. Han said. Conservative Senator Leo Hou- it rises, it also has other impor- need at this challenging time.” Mr. Blaikie probed Global Affairs sakos (Wellington, Que.), a member tant business to address, such Ms. Han did not address ques- officials about the difference be- of the Senate Committee on as Bill C-7, which would amend tions on whether the government is tween a transitional and comprehen- Foreign Affairs and International Canada’s assisted dying law and open to recalling the House to do so. sive deal at committee on Nov. 21. Trade, told The Hill Times he’s gen- has to receive royal assent by the Bloc Québécois MP Simon- “What is the meaningful dif- erally worried about the approach Quebec Superior Court’s deadline Pierre Savard-Tremblay (Saint- ference between a comprehensive the government has taken with of Dec. 18. Hyacinthe-Bagot, Que.), his party’s trade agreement and a transitional trade deals when it comes to the Liberal MP Rachel Bendayan international trade critic, said the trade agreement that is a carbon role of Parliament, but he’s not “so (Outremont, Que.), parliamentary government is to blame for the copy of a comprehensive agree- worried” about the limited time for secretary to International Trade late finalization of negotiations. ment that never expires?” he asked. review in this case, given Canada’s Minister Mary Ng (Markham- “We won’t vote in favour or Trade negotiator Doug Forsyth strong relationship with the U.K. Thornhill, Ont.), told The Hill against a deal when we don’t said it isn’t a carbon copy as there “For sure we will put it Times the government wants to know its content,” he said. “It’s are differences. through, I would just to highlight “move as quickly as possible.” ridiculous.” Mr. Blaikie told The Hill Times we would like to have had the The fact the transitional deal “We are presently studying … it’s hard to say if the provisions opportunity to review it, which is a rollover of Canada’s exist- a deal while we don’t have the should be followed without seeing unfortunately we won’t because ing agreement with the EU, the text—we don’t know what’s in the agreement. this government hasn’t done the NDP MP Daniel Blaikie says it’s up to Comprehensive Economic and it. It’s a real piece of art, and it’s “I would be far more satisfied appropriate planning,” he said. the government to present a plan on Trade Agreement (CETA), should not a good piece of art,” said Mr. that there is a meaningful distinc- CSG Senator Douglas Black how it will implement the Canada- “provide comfort to a lot of Savard-Tremblay. tion between the idea of a transi- (Alberta), who also sits on the U.K. transitional trade pact. The Hill Parliamentarians with respect to He said Parliamentarians tional agreement and a compre- Senate’s Foreign Affairs Com- Times photograph by Andrew Meade moving forward quickly on this should “take the time that is hensive trade agreement if the mittee, said in an email that an transitional agreement,” she said. needed” to study the new deal. transitional agreement included implementation bill “must receive In a virtual announcement, Responding to witnesses con- “We don’t have problems to act some kind of deadline by which it urgent attention from Parlia- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cerned about the short timeline to fast, but not if fast means to not is no longer effective,” he said. mentarians” given the “urgency (Papineau, Que.), Ms. Ng, U.K. ratify a transitional trade deal, Ms. be serious in our job that we have The policy on tabling trade trea- of maintaining market access on Prime Minister Boris Johnson Bendayan told the House Interna- to do,” he said. ties was amended during the last both sides of the Atlantic.” and U.K. Secretary of State for tional Trade Committee on Nov. Liberal International Trade Com- Parliament to include a requirement “But this does not mean by- International Trade Liz Truss an- 16 that the committee was able to mittee chair Judy Sgro (Humber to table of a notice of intent in the passing parliamentary scrutiny— nounced on Nov. 21 that Canada “move quickly, holding meetings River-Black Creek, Ont.) told The House 90 days before those talks something that this government and the U.K. had reached a transi- night and day” to ensure the new Hill Times on Nov. 20 she hopes begin, table the objectives of those has gotten too comfortable doing tional trade deal. The deal has yet NAFTA was implemented. an implementation bill will move talks 30 days before they start, and during the pandemic,” he said. to be formally signed by the two On Nov. 23, she told the com- through Parliament expeditiously, table an economic impact assess- Independent Senator Tony countries. Canada-U.K. trade will mittee the text of the Canada-U.K. noting there’s pressure to get the ment when the resulting trade bill Dean (Ontario) said in an email no longer be covered by CETA agreement is not yet available. deal in force by the time the CETA is introduced in the House. That that the Senate will “determine its when the Brexit transition period “Lawyers both in the United coverage of Canada-U.K. trade ends. process wasn’t followed for the ne- own approach to reviewing any concludes at the end of the year. Kingdom and in Canada are “I suspect the committee will gotiations for this transitional trade implementing legislation.” Canada and the U.K. will begin working on this legal review as deal with it fairly quickly,” she agreement with the U.K. “The time needed and ap- negotiations on a more compre- we speak. I understand normally said, adding she is prepared Those changes were agreed proach to this might be dependent hensive trade pact in 2021. this type of review takes between to have the committee meet at upon in February in order to gain on the extent of any variation from If all goes to plan, the transi- two and four weeks,” she said. “whatever hour is necessary” for NDP support as the Liberals the CETA agreement,” he added. tional deal will come into force by NDP MP Daniel Blaikie the committee to feel it “had a full sought to swiftly pass the new [email protected] Jan. 1, 2021. But before that hap- (Elmwood-Transcona, Man.), his discussion on this agreement.” NAFTA through Parliament. The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020 5 Comment Hillier is the right choice to lead Ontario’s COVID-19 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2020 MITACS AWARD WINNERS vaccine distribution Celebrating Canadian research innovation

from the military he has been a chancellor Alejandro Adem Legacy This is a savvy move by of a university and served on numerous Award for Outstanding Mitacs Award for Outstanding corporate boards. He has also done much Innovation — Master’s Ontario Premier Doug Ford, philanthropic work. Hillier has an impres- Innovation — Indigenous who of late has been under sive global contact list, and having overseen Canada in a war thousands of miles away, is heavy criticism for his well-familiar with managing vital complex Taylor Jamieson-Datzkiw Nikkie To logistical matters to save lives. University of Ottawa OCAD University overall management of the While politicians do not always like what comes out of Hillier’s mouth, he is an excel- pandemic. lent communicator with embedded credibil- ity. With COVID fatigue and hope bundled in the eventual relief a distributed vaccine will provide, Hillier will be an important Mitacs Award for Outstanding Mitacs Award for Outstanding voice in motivating Ontarians and Cana- Innovation — PhD Innovation — Postdoctoral dians to get through the next phase of this pandemic odyssey. This son of Campbell- town, N.L., is blessed with storytelling skills that helped Canadians navigate some of the Audrey Taylor Mathieu Lapointe darkest days of the Afghanistan conflict. Simon Fraser University McGill University Political parties at home, and nation- ally, have tried to get the general to run Tim Powers for elected office. Perhaps because he saw Plain Speak the ugly machinations of politics up close, he stayed away. But he has always put his hand up to directly serve and help people, Mitacs Award for Outstanding Mitacs and NRC-IRAP Award TTAWA—Much like General Douglas whether leading the charge to help lift Innovation — International for Commercialization OMacArthur returning to the Philippines Memorial University in St. John’s, or being during the Second World War when the be- involved in the numerous veterans’ initia- leaguered nation needed rescue, Gen. Rick tives he holds dear to his heart. Hillier has returned to the national stage to Hillier is personable and relatable. His Ilaria Rubino Mahdiyeh Hasani oversee a key battle against COVID-19. greatest fault is he is a delusional Toronto University of Alberta University of Guelph Hillier has been asked by Ontario Pre- Maple Leafs fan. He is not alone in suffer- mier Doug Ford to run the task force that ing that affliction. One thing the general will manage the distribution of COVID-19 does exceptionally well is call BS as soon vaccines to Ontarians. This is a savvy move as he sees it. His clear eyes and honed by Ford, who of late has been under heavy experience will be vital in vaccine distri- criticism for his overall management of the bution in Canada’s most populous prov- Mitacs Award for Exceptional Mitacs Award for Exceptional pandemic. ince. He knows the right questions to ask, Leadership — Professor Leadership — Industry, I would lose challenges to sponsored by Ciena any Newfound- anticipate, and land credibility people to call I have left if I Pamela Wright in just about University of Northern did not state any circum- the obvious: stance. British Columbia if you want Years ago, something when Hillier done right, was the chief you call on a of defence Newfound- staff, I remem- lander to do it. ber a senior Gen. Hillier is player in well-loved in prime minister Newfoundland Harper’s orbit Platinum Partner and Labrador, describing the in many parts general as a of Canada, pain in the ass. and certainly Hillier would among legions take that as a of current With COVID fatigue and hope bundled in the eventual relief a compliment Event Supporter Media Partner and former distributed vaccine will provide, Gen. Rick Hillier, pictured in and a badge of members of 2016, will be an important voice in motivating Ontarians and honour. Right the Canadian Canadians to get through the next phase of this pandemic now, Ontarians Armed Forces. odyssey, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times file photograph and Canadians He is seen as are well served Gold Sponsor Silver Sponsor a straight-shooting, can-do guy who is not to have such a pain in the ass working to afraid to ruffle feathers to get things done. get us the medicine that has the potential Ford has clearly calculated he is comfort- to get our lives back to order. able with that style of approach and that Good on Premier Ford for bringing it is needed to get Ontarians inoculated Hillier to the table. Thank you to the gen- against the scourge of this lethal virus that eral for offering to serve again. At least one has upended all our lives. thing remains normal, the Leafs still suck! Hillier, of course, was the chief of de- Tim Powers is vice-chairman of Summa fence staff under Paul Martin and Stephen Strategies and managing director of Harper. He was also the military command- Abacus Data. He is a former adviser to er that oversaw Ontario’s recovery from Conservative political leaders. the ice storm in 1998. Since his retirement The Hill Times 6 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Opinion

the well-represented interests of compliance recommended by the Feds make long-overdue businesses that the government is privacy commissioner will func- depending on to propel a viable tion effectively or turn out to be a modern economy. As such, the bottleneck. And, as is often the case balance of interests in Bill C-11 in Canada, there are concerns about start on levelling the playing remain to be worked out through the emergence of a patchwork of regulation, practice, litigation, and federal rules versus those in Que- government determination in the bec, British Columbia, Alberta, and, coming years. soon, Ontario. Under the CPPA, field on data protection Among concerns germane to the these provinces would be exempted bill are questions about how long from federal data protection rules it will take to get it passed, develop with regard to data used in that with tech giants got underway or misuse by the companies or regulations, and begin enforcement. province, but not for interprovincial A provision allowing last week with the introduction foreign governments that collect The European Union’s world-leading or international data transfers—a of federal legislation meant to it.” In the first year that Canadian General Data Protection Regulation distinction not likely to make life organizations to tighten up privacy laws. companies were compelled to (GDPR), while considered an overall easy for business. Bill C-11, which will bring in report information breaches, the success, has been plagued by slow As for consumers, only time disclose de-identified the Consumer Privacy Protection privacy commissioner received adoption of enforcement mecha- will tell how much difficulty and data to governments Act (CPPA), is meant to bring some six times as many reports as in nisms against dominant multination- confusion they will encounter in order to the Wild West of the current the previous year—in all, 680 data als. For instance, Ireland, which as trying to deal personally with online for ‘socially digital and data-driven economy. breach reports over 12 months up host of the regional headquarters of platforms on issues of consent, It reflects an effort by lawmakers to Nov. 1, 2019, affecting 28-mil- Facebook, Apple, Google, and Twit- data transfers, or requests to delete beneficial’ purposes around the world to come to grips lion Canadians. ter, plays a key regulatory role under personal information. Ditto for the with the ever-increasing marketplace Bill C-11 is a wide-ranging leg- the GDPR, did not issue a major de- proposed new right of consumers to is one of two likely power of digital businesses. islative package that will, if passed, cision against any of the tech giants launch suits for privacy violations controversial aspects Canadians have for years been improve consumers’ rights as they in the first two years of the EU’s data against companies judged to be in demanding the federal privacy com- use digital platforms and services. protection regime. non-compliance. of Bill C-11. missioner be given some teeth to The CPPA would, among other There is also the matter of fund- But the most controversial stop information breaches and the things, give the privacy commis- ing Ottawa’s proposed new admin- aspects of the CPPA are likely improper use of personal data by sioner the power for the first time istrative capacities. Federal officials to be two provisions: One which organizations profiting from online to force organizations to comply said last week Ottawa would find allows organizations to disclose interactions. And the urgency has with privacy laws and recommend the money, but the ongoing costs de-identified data to governments gained momentum from Canada’s that a new administrative tribunal could be substantial. While the EU for “socially beneficial” purposes, sudden conversion to a digital nation levy fines on non-compliant com- population is much greater than while the other allows businesses as a result of the pandemic. panies. Any businesses collecting Canada’s, it’s worth noting that to collect and use consumers’ In its latest report, the Canadi- individuals’ data would be subject citizens and privacy groups filed personal information without an Center for Cyber Security said to new requirements for obtaining 144,000 GDPR complaints in its first consent for certain “business Canadians lost at least $43-mil- individuals’ consent, allowing con- year of operation. With regard to activities.” Expect an uproar over lion to cybercrime fraud in 2019 sumers to demand an organization personnel, data protection agencies these provisions, whose scope is and warned the risk of misuse delete their personal information handling GDPR across the 27-coun- seen by some privacy advocates Les Whittington of personal data is accelerat- and explain how a platform used try bloc increased staff over several as way too wide, not unlike the Need to Know ing, along with increased online AI to make a recommendation. years by 42 per cent and budgets controversy around Sidewalk living patterns: “As Canadians This momentous legislation by 49 per cent, with more needed in Labs’ now-scrapped high-tech generate, store, and share more seeks to get a handle on some of some countries. plans on Toronto’s waterfront. TTAWA—A long struggle to personal information online, the impacts on consumers of the Also unknown is whether the Les Whittington is a regular Ogive Canadian consumers an this data becomes vulnerable to ongoing tech revolution while new administrative tribunal tasked columnist for The Hill Times. assist in their unequal dealings cyber threat actors via breaches simultaneously incorporating with approving fines for non- The Hill Times

That is why I have introduced a private member’s bill, Bill C-237, to create a national frame- work for diabetes. This bill would Diabetes and COVID-19 promote diabetes education, research, training, and improve Canadians have conditions, including health and In 2019, before the pandemic, 90 per cent of cases of diabetes knowledge sharing on best prac- kidney disease, high blood pres- Diabetes Canada estimated that are type-2 diabetes, which usually tices to address the health inequi- always led the world sure, and diabetes are at a much treating diabetes would cost our begins as prediabetes. This means ties that arise from this disease. higher risk of serious complica- public health-care system $40-bil- that with proper education, As Canadians, we have worked in combating diabetes. tions if they contract the corona- lion per year by 2028. To put that knowledge-sharing, and preven- together to contain the threat virus. in perspective, that is more than tion strategies, it can be caught of COVID-19. We closed down We gave insulin to the In July, The Globe and Mail re- six times what Canada spent on early on and prevented. schools and businesses, took time world, so why can’t we ported that long-term care homes off work or worked from home, accounted for approximately 81 and limited our “social bubble” to be a global leader in per cent of all coronavirus deaths. protect both ourselves and each Reports from the Canadian other over the past nine months. diabetes treatment as military stated that many of these But as we continue to fight this deaths could have been pre- pandemic, it is incumbent on us to well? vented. That is why I have worked remember that COVID-19 is not the with my fellow MPs to advo- only public health threat we face. Un- cate for national standards for like COVID-19, which we are hopeful long-term care homes. We need we will find a vaccine for soon, there a similar national response to is no diabetes vaccine on the horizon. protect the more than 11 million We have seen throughout this Canadians who live with diabetes pandemic that a national strategy or prediabetes and are especially can help Canadians come to- vulnerable to COVID-19. gether to fight the greatest threats The month of November to our health and well-being. With marks the beginning of National Bill C-237 would promote diabetes education, research, training, and improve both COVID-19 and diabetes, a Diabetes Awareness Month. As knowledge sharing on best practices to address the health inequities that arise national framework is a neces- Liberal MP Sonia Sidhu we enter the second wave of CO- from this disease, writes Liberal MP Sonia Sidhu of her private member's bill. sary step in the right direction. Opinion VID-19, it is important to reflect Photograph courtesy of Pexels/PhotoMIX Company As we approach the 100th on what this pandemic has meant anniversary of the discovery of for diabetic Canadians. gloves, face shields, N-95 respira- In recent months, we have insulin by Dr. Frederick Banting t was almost ten months ago One in three Canadians are tors, and other personal protec- learned about the importance of at the University of Toronto in Ithat Canada had its very first affected by diabetes or prediabe- tive equipment over the course of social distancing, regular hand- 1921, we should remember that case of COVID-19 on Jan. 25, tes. Those with diabetes are twice the pandemic. washing, mask-wearing, and Canadians have always led the 2020. Since then, the pandemic as likely to have a severe case of Diabetes is an important pub- limiting contact with others to world in combating diabetes. We has changed many aspects of our COVID-19 and nearly three times lic health issue. And with more prevent the spread of COVID-19. gave insulin to the world, so why daily lives. as likely to die from the disease. awareness of the risk factors for If Canadians are equally vigilant can’t we be a global leader in But for some Canadians, the Additionally, people with diabetes diabetes, we can help Canadians about healthy eating, exercise, and diabetes treatment as well? effects of the pandemic have hit are at a significantly higher risk prevent the worst effects of diabe- identifying if they are at risk of Sonia Sidhu is the Liberal MP harder than others. Our seniors of experiencing a stroke, heart tes. The Public Health Agency of prediabetes, we can also help limit for Brampton South, Ont. and those with chronic medical attack, or liver failure. Canada estimates that more than the public health crisis of diabetes. The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020 7 Comment After Bastarache report, dismantling the RCMP sounds like a public service

Committee hearing, where she “offered ‘The culture of the RCMP an inaccurate description of the issue,” and according to this paper, “had admit- is toxic and tolerates ted that she struggled to define systemic racism before acknowledging that it exists misogynistic and in the institution she serves.” But no need homophobic attitudes to worry, she’s been listening and learning and now Lucki has a plan. amongst its leaders and “They include the development of a system to collect data on police encounters members,’ reads the with racialized and Indigenous people, mandatory anti-racism and cultural aware- Bastarache report. Wish I ness training for all employees, and the were surprised. creation of a new office dedicated to Indig- enous collaboration and accountability,” reported The Toronto Star. Seems similar to the action plan put forward by former commissioner Paulson in 2013; it must’ve been dusted off the shelf and presented as change. The RCMP is a paramilitary organiza- tion that, in my opinion, works to imple- ment and support white supremacy by any means possible. And where white suprema- cy is stationed, misogyny is its bunkmate, so Erica Ifill it’s no surprise that the organization hasn’t Bad+Bitchy changed with the merry-go-round of com- missioners with new faces but old tactics. Additionally, the arrogance and temerity TTAWA—Last week, the Final Report to believe that Lucki, who just learned to Oon the Implementation of the Merlo Da- Google “systemic racism” two minutes ago, vidson Settlement Agreement was released could build a plan to rid a racist organiza- by former Supreme Court justice Michel ​ It is impossible to believe that RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki, pictured on Sept. 17, 2019, tion of its 147-year history of racism and Bastarache, and its contents were appalling. had no clue this was the culture of the RCMP, especially given Canadian taxpayers have already misogyny is a joke in and of itself. “One of the key findings of this Report forked out $100-million each on two sexual harassment class action lawsuits in the last four years, It doesn’t matter how many faces are is that the culture of the RCMP is toxic and writes Erica Ifill.The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade different, the whole point of racism being tolerates misogynistic and homophobic at- systemic is that it doesn’t matter who is titudes amongst its leaders and members,” commissioner of the beleaguered police promised the same institutional change in the system, or whether they are anti- it reads. Wish I were surprised. force, as a sign that the glass ceiling had that Commissioner Lucki promised in her racist, the system will produce dispari- The Merlo Davidson Settlement Agree- been smashed. Lucki was the first woman response to the most recent report. ties based on race. This is why neither ment is based on the lawsuits by Janet to be a permanent commissioner and was “This behaviour was in violation of our diversity/cultural awareness training, nor Merlo in British Columbia in 2012 and in given the job to institute change to the code of conduct and not what we are as an anti-bias training works. In fact, according Ontario by Linda Gillis Davidson in 2015, RCMP which, according to The Globe and organization,” said Lucki of the findings to the Harvard Business Review, “anti-bias who alleged the “RCMP failed to exercise Mail, “has struggled for years to deal with of the Bastarache report. Apparently, it training can actually activate biases” and its responsibilities to ensure employees sexual harassment and is under fire for is. Or it had been documented as so since so organizations have to make practical could work in an environment free of dis- its treatment of Indigenous people.” Prime 1974, according to the Merlo-Davidson systemic changes. That is, if they even crimination, intimidation and harassment.” Minister Justin Trudeau was more targeted settlement. It is impossible to believe that know what systemic means, which ac- Upon learning about her organiza- in the description of Lucki’s role: “She will Commissioner Lucki had no clue this was cording to Bastarache’s report, “the RCMP tion’s grotesque behaviour that includes also play a vital role in advancing recon- the culture of the RCMP, especially given leadership or membership either does not everything from sexual assault, to retalia- ciliation with Indigenous peoples, promot- Canadian taxpayers have already forked understand what systemic racism is, or if tion for making a complaint, to a “friends ing gender equality and equity, supporting out $100-million each on two sexual ha- they do, they do not believe that it exists and family” promotional structure, RCMP mental wellness across the RCMP, address- rassment class action lawsuits in the last within their organization, or they are will- Commissioner Brenda Lucki spoke about ing workplace harassment and protecting four years. (This must be all that value-for- fully blind.” the embarrassment and sorrow she felt the civil liberties of all Canadians.” In every money I keep hearing about with regards Defunding and dismantling this institu- for those women who had experienced aspect of this statement, Lucki has failed. to taxpayers’ money.) If this comes as a tion sounds like a public service that would gender-based violence from an organiza- This is not only a systemic failure, but shock to her, then her suitability for her job live up to the feminism and anti-racism tion whose mandate it is to *checks notes* also a leadership failure. Lucki has lost the is again in question, no matter how much this Liberal government loves to use as “enforce the law and support victims/survi- plot. Lucki, she is not. Bill Blair defends her. marketing. vors.” What a farce. And she is not the first. In 2013, then- And defend her he did, when her igno- Erica Ifill is a co-host of the Bad+Bitchy Lucki was promoted by this Liberal commissioner Bob Paulson released an ac- rance over systemic racism was revealed podcast. “feminist” government in April of 2018 to tion plan called, “Gender and Respect,” that in the summer during a Public Safety The Hill Times 1-3 December/décembre Canadian VIRTUAL / VIRTUELLE Immunization Conference REGISTER / INSCRIVEZ-VOUS Conférence cic-cci.ca canadienne sur

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Editorial Letters to the Editor Feds’ climate bill is a plan to oversee Without legislated automatic remedies to a plan, but Parliament can improve it underperformance, what good are targets? e: “When does ‘bold’ start?” (The Hill Annoyingly, the average gas-plant in nvironment Minister Jonathan Wilkin- Canada is currently projected to miss RTimes, Nov. 10), Susan Riley asked, Ontario is actually paid to pollute. (The Eson tabled the federal government’s this goal, which falls short of the 45 per “Wasn’t climate change supposed to be standard is so lenient, average gas plants much-awaited climate legislation on Nov. 19. cent reduction below 2010 levels by 2030 a crisis, too?” That should be “is,” and not won’t pay anything and get valuable The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions called for in the UN IPCC’s 2018 report in “supposed to be.” emission credits instead). Let’s be serious. Accountability Act, or Bill C-12, sets out order for global warming to crucially stay Legislated five-year targets are good, A curve should be drawn between the legal requirements for the government to at or below 1.5 C. but there has to be a force pushing out five-year targets going to zero in 2050. If set national greenhouse gas (GHG) emis- That said, the government isn’t even free emission of greenhouse gases and emissions in the previous year are above sions targets for each “milestone year”— bound under the bill to use the Paris com- pulling in clean alternatives. It’s called the curve, the carbon price should be defined in the bill as 2030, 2035, 2040, and mitment as its 2030 target. And the bill carbon pricing. But the price has to be increased even more. Without legislated 2045—backed by an emissions reduction also lacks any sort of penalty for missed high enough, there must be a firm com- automatic remedies to underperformance, plan (which must be developed at least targets. If Canada fails to achieve its mitment to increase by a predictable what good are targets? five years ahead of the relevant milestone target for a given “milestone year or for minimum each year and big polluters John Stephenson year) detailing how the government will 2050” the minister, in consultation with must also pay. Etobicoke, Ont. reach its targets, with an ultimate target cabinet, just has to include reasons for its of reaching net-zero carbon emissions failure and an action-plan to address it in nationally by 2050. an assessment report. The bill would, among other things, So while it would bind future govern- also require the minister to prepare at ments to set targets and table reports Medical assistance in dying law least one progress report on every “mile- down the shorter-than-it-may-seem road stone year” up to 2050 at least two years to 2050, success is still dependent on the is not ableist, argues reader in advance, and set a national GHG emis- political will of the day. sion reduction target for the first mile- Given Canada’s track record to date of e: “Parliament should hit brakes on quick MAID accordingly. It does not discriminate. stone year, 2030, within six months of the consistently missing every climate target Rpassage of new assisted-dying law,” Physically disabled persons should have the act coming into force (with the possibility it has set, this is cold comfort. (The Hill Times, Nov. 18). In response to the same rights as any other Canadian. to request a 90-day extension). Still, it will be interesting to see what article by Lemmens and Krakowitz on MAID I agree with the rest of the article about Given longstanding calls to impose a difference the legal requirements in this (medical assistance in dying), their leading failures of society to meet the needs of legal requirement on the federal govern- bill do make—that is, if it passes, some- challenge that “the Bill expresses an ableist disabled persons. But that has nothing to do ment to create and release climate action thing that seems likely but isn’t guaran- presumption that lives with a disability or with MAID. MAID is a law permitting as- plans, this bill is undeniably some mea- teed in a minority Parliament, particu- chronic illness are intolerable or less worthy. sisted dying. MAID was created for purposes sure of progress. larly one operating amid a pandemic. It also ignores the context in which people of medical care. The authors delineate soci- But it itself is not an emissions reduc- A minority Parliament does offer bet- with disabilities have to make health care etal failures to support the disabled, the aged, tion plan—it’s a plan to oversee future ter ground for the opposition to push for decisions,” is entirely wrong. people with dementia, etc. Societal failures, plans. amendments to improve the bill, some- “Ableism” is not the issue: in fact, it’s the as delineated, belong in another political “The government is suggesting such a thing experts have already called for, as opposite. Bill C-7 presumes that disabled file—like welfare. There are problems with plan [for 2030] could be just weeks away,” reported by The Hill Times. persons should have the same rights as any MAID, but such problems exist because the the CBC’s Aaron Wherry wrote on Nov. 20. Much of Parliament’s work this fall Canadian, i.e., the right to choose assisted dy- original creators confused welfare with medi- Let’s hope so. has been overshadowed by partisan ing when life is not tolerable and there is no cal needs. The government should already have ploys and inter-caucus discord in both chance of other relief in the future. Let’s focus upon medical care and leave been working on an emissions reduction Chambers. Parliamentarians should put According to the dictionary, “Ableism is the obvious problems of welfare (sufficient plan to meet the 2030 target it committed to their partisan hats well aside and make discrimination against disabled people.” The counselling, supportive services, housing) to through the UN Paris Agreement back in a genuine, considered effort to study and authors are ableists—not MAID. other legislation. It’s possible that if people 2016, specifically, a 30 per cent reduction in improve Bill C-12. MAID offers no discrimination. It treats have sufficient support and counsel, they GHG emissions below 2005 levels by 2030. The Hill Times disabled persons as any other person. A may be able to live longer. But, until such person with cancer, ALS, or some other support is actualized, MAID offers medical incurable disease or condition resulting in care—enabling people suffering unendurable unendurable pain and agony may choose pain—right now to choose a peaceful and MAID (in accordance with direction from the dignified death. Supreme Court of Canada in Carter v. Can- Dr. Ron Posno, B.A., M.Ed., Ed.D. ada in 2015). Bill C-7 is an attempt to amend London, Ont. Feds should add 2025 target to climate accountability bill: reader ’m a mother of two recent post-sec- the most dangerous impacts of climate Iondary graduates and am living with breakdown. a chronic illness. I believe in climate Canada must act quickly, especially change. I fear for the future of all of our over the next five years, to reduce its children if no immediate action is taken. emissions and meet its commitments. The I want to thank the government for bill should add a 2025 target to ensure introducing climate accountability legisla- that this legislation aligns with what in- tion, which bodes well for Canada’s ability ternational science tells us is needed. to meet its targets. Legal accountability, as This legislation promises to provide put forward in this bill, is a fundamental a path to reduce climate risk and bring part of effective and democratic policy. jobs and more secure long-term health as According to the best available sci- we continue to prioritize our pandemic ence, the next decade will determine response. whether or not the world will be on track Brigitte Pesant to keep warming below 1.5 C to avoid Rockland, Ont.

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I recently bought a car here, Anglo Quebecers are not a threat to and negotiated all the transac- tions in French. As a courtesy, some documents were easier to grasp in my mother tongue. It is French, we shouldn’t be treated as such moments like these that make me feel respected and appreciated. I am not a threat to ONTREAL, QUE.—Some- not speak French until I was 18, working to promote assimilation of The bottom line is: I am not Mtimes things in life don’t but thanks to hard work and a francophones through some sort of alone in my love for Quebec, most the French language, happen as quickly as they should. desire to communicate with my shadowy conspiracy. Anglos feel that way. I want to An article in La Presse in Septem- neighbours, I am now fluent. And yet, there are times live here for the rest of my life nor are my fellow ber 2017 focused on my plans to What I do know is I am not a Premier Legault treats us as if we and will one day join my ances- move back to Quebec in 2018. Two threat to the French language. I are. In the midst of the pandemic, tors in the Mount Hermon cem- Anglo citizens. And years later, I have taken the step, support the overall objectives of he spent $5-million to hire new etery in Quebec City. moving to my ancestral home in Bill 101; to ensure Quebec is a inspectors for the Quebec Office When I was a broadcast journal- to make us feel Kamouraska and taking a pied à strong, French-speaking soci- of the French Language (OQLF) ist in the 1970s, I asked then-pre- terre in Montreal. ety. But encouraging the use of to check signs and menus in res- mier René Lévesque to define who unwelcome in the There is an irony in my timing: French does not mean suppress- taurants and stores. And instead is a Quebecer. His response? “Some- guise of promoting the old disputes over language ing English. While nationalists of questioning the methodology one who pays taxes in Quebec. And have sprung up again. I have been point to a diminution in French in of a Journal de Montréal “investi- who wants to be a Quebecer.” the French language away 25 years, mostly in Swit- Quebec and Canada, they ignore gation” of a handful of boutiques So I fit the bill. I am not a zerland and Ottawa, and have the fact 97 per cent of Quebecers in downtown Montreal where threat to the French language, nor is the worst kind of returned because there are few can speak French, far more than francophone clients were greeted are my fellow Anglo citizens. And better places to live than Quebec. in the 1960s, thanks to anglo- in English, he expressed grave to make us feel unwelcome in the discrimination. After working in six cities in four phone bilingualism. concern. This is the same premier guise of promoting the French provinces and in four other coun- The so-called “historic anglo- whose CAQ party denounced the language is the worst kind of tries, I know I belong here. phone” community is composed of bilingual “Bonjour-Hi” greeting— discrimination. It has to stop. My family connections to Que- people from eastern Europe, the an innocuous and polite way to In Quebec they say, Vous êtes bec are recent and ancient: my Caribbean, Britain, Ireland, the greet tourists from elsewhere. la bienvenue ici. Time to show father was born in Canada, but United States, and Asia, who use All this “dog-whistling” is some proof. moved to Scotland as a boy and English as their common language, considered more effective than Andrew Caddell is retired from returned many years later. My but speak French, too. While politi- encouraging better French among Global Affairs Canada, where he mother’s family traces their roots cians fret about “creeping angli- students, expanding French class- was a senior policy adviser. He back to 1620 in Quebec City. Her cization” in Montreal, they fail to es for newcomers, or recognizing previously worked as an adviser great grandfather, a bilingual an- recognize Montreal, as a port city, the anglophone community as an to Liberal governments. He is a glophone, was mayor of Quebec; has always welcomed people from ally in promoting French. Instead, fellow with the Canadian Global Andrew Caddell his wife was French Canadian. everywhere. As we all know, those the Quebec government is spend- Affairs Institute and a principal of With All Due Respect So am I what Quebec Premier who could not adapt to the new ing money to measure the size QIT Canada. He can be reached François Legault calls a “historic Quebec left many years ago. Those of letters and attack the use of at [email protected]. anglophone”? I am not sure: I did who stayed are not a “Fifth column” words like “espresso.” The Hill Times

President Trump and the damage still being done

now refuses to concede the elec- recalled that we still have person- Trump will still be tion. nel assigned to the Iraq mission, However, I am dismayed to which has parliamentary authori- president for another see just how deeply divided the zation until 2022. However, it is un- U.S. electorate has become and clear how these latest Trump troop two months, which the depth of loyalty expressed by reductions will impact Canadian means he still has Trump’s supporters. Far beyond a operations in that country. rationale conservative-versus-liber- The NATO training mission access to those levers al political discourse, Trump’s hold which Canada commands has over his followers is almost cult like. been largely suspended due to of power, which Here in Canada, both Pierre concerns about security, as well as Trudeau and subsequently, Justin because of the COVID-19 pandem- could shift global Trudeau enjoyed a brief prime ic. Canada’s special forces contin- political fault lines for ministerial honeymoon of public gent assigned to the Iraq mission adulation which was dubbed operates in such secrecy that little generations to come. “Trudeaumania.” is known about what those per- However, it would be difficult sonnel are doing or whether they to envision any Canadian politi- are meeting actual objectives. cian generating the almost mania- As for Afghanistan, the U.S. cal fervour, which Trump has been withdrawal is more sentimental. able to create among his base. U.S. President Donald Trump, pictured during a press conference on Nov. It symbolizes the fact that after Worse yet is the fact that in 5. Canada still has personnel assigned to the Iraq mission, which has 19 years and more than US$1- order to challenge the results of parliamentary authorization until 2022. It's unclear how these latest Trump trillion spent, the world’s greatest the election, the Trump adminis- troop reductions will impact Canadian operations in that country, writes Scott military superpower is conceding tration has chosen to denounce Taylor. Official White House photograph by Shealah Craighead it was defeated by the Taliban. America’s democratic process. Canada cut its losses in that Without proof, Trump has claimed failed war back in 2014, but not that the Democrats employed agency could dream possible. acting Defense Secretary Christo- before expending a national Scott Taylor widespread voter fraud in order Undisputedly, Trump will still pher Miller to talk Trump out of this treasure of blood and gold: 158 Inside Defence to steal the election. be president for another two course of action for now. dead, 2,000 wounded or injured, Millions of Trump’s loyal fol- months, which means he still has What Trump did instead was plus countless thousands suffer- lowers will go to their graves still access to those levers of power, order a reduction of U.S. troops in ing from the invisible wounds of TTAWA—These days it is holding that belief. Unfortunately, which could shift global political both Iraq and Afghanistan. There PTSD, with a dollar figure cost of Oalmost impossible for Cana- this will also lead to a great many fault lines for generations to come. are presently 4,500 American sol- $22-billion once you factor in long- dians to ignore the political circus Americans simply losing faith in It was reported last week in The diers in Afghanistan and roughly term care costs of the veterans. that is being played out south of their own democracy. New York Times that Trump asked 3,000, mostly special forces, still Trump’s pullout removes any our border. Were the potential While some will argue that Pentagon officials at an intelligence in Iraq. These contingents will last glimmer of hope that somehow consequences not so dire, the such a chaotic scenario will benefit briefing for options on bombing both be reduced to just 2,500 each Canada’s sacrifice was not in vain. desperate deeds of U.S. President China, Russia, and Iran, it would Iran’s Natanz nuclear reactor. by Jan. 15, 2021. Now, we wait to see what the Donald Trump and his loyal base be one hell of a stretch to try and According to White House insid- Essentially, these troop levels Trump administration will do would be outright comical. blame this on outside interference. ers, it took the combined persuasive will enable the U.S. to protect next. Whatever moves they make Given Trump’s ubiquitous The Twitter account of Donald J. force of Vice-President Mike Pence, their own bases, the embassy, and will be sure to affect all of us. presence in the media throughout Trump has spread more disinfor- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, diplomatic personnel. Scott Taylor is the editor and pub- his presidency, I don’t think that mation on the American public Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. For those Canadians who keep lisher of Esprit de Corps magazine. anyone is truly surprised that he than any foreign intelligence Mark Milley, and recently appointed a keen eye on our military, it will be The Hill Times 10 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Opinion

Justice Minister David Lametti, pictured in Modernizing the Canada the House of Commons Chamber on July 20. If the government’s Canadian Environmental doesn’t need proposed amendments to the medical assistance in dying law are passed, no longer Protection Act should be a shortcut will MAID be limited to persons who are dying, write Michael Bach, a public health priority to medically Neil Belanger, and Catherine Frazee. The Hill Times photograph by Environment Minister assisted Andrew Meade Making good on this Throne Jonathan Wilkinson, be limited to persons who are dying. One pictured in the West Charter-protected group, adults with dis- Speech promise is a key Block on Feb. 24. As abling medical conditions, will be able to component of a green and our federal government dying for access MAID at any stage in life, provided continues to battle the that they find the conditions of their life just recovery from COVID-19. coronavirus pandemic, intolerable. Yet, as critics have noted, it must also place people with people with disabilities are already turning CEPA reform on top to MAID—not because of their disability of its political agenda itself, but because of suffering from uncon- because of its role in scionable social and economic deprivation keeping Canadians disabling as a result of their disability. safe, write Robin These are factors that all levels of Edger, Ian Bruce, government can and should address with Elaine MacDonald, conditions almost immediate positive outcomes. and Tim Gray. The Hill Many other Canadians also suffer greatly Times photograph by from the grievous conditions of their lives. Andrew Meade It’s time for the government The hugely disproportionate suicide rates Robin Edger, Ian Bruce, Elaine Macdonald, of Indigenous persons, of members of the & Tim Gray A recent report by Laval University sounded to hit pause on Bill C-7 and 2SLGBTQ+ community, of people who are Opinion alarm bells about the disproportionate impact homeless, tell painful stories of enduring and of PFAS on Indigenous populations in Canada’s heed the cautions. intolerable suffering. Woven into them, all ollowing the 2019 federal election, the Arctic. The report found that the concentration too commonly, are colonial legacies, racism, Fgovernment made two distinct commit- of fluorinated compounds in the blood of preg- genocide, discrimination, pervasive queer- ments on environmental legislation. First, it nant Nunavik women was two times higher phobia, gender- and minority-based violence, committed to introducing legislation to achieve than among the general Canadian population. and failed, or absent, income security and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The health impacts of PFAS can be social support policies. Second, it promised to strengthen the Cana- devastating—from increased risk of high These stories shame us all. But we work dian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) to blood pressure in pregnant women, to together as a country, step by step, policy by adequately protect Canadians from 21st-centu- neurotoxicity and kidney damage. These policy, to try to right the wrongs. We need to ry toxic pollution and harmful chemicals. “forever chemicals” are immunotoxicants, do the same for persons with disabilities. The federal government has delivered on meaning they damage the immune systems In the original decision in Carter v. its first promise, and last week introduced of humans. Growing research is now also Canada striking down the prohibition on legislation to help Canada achieve its cli- linking exposure to some PFAS to de- Michael Bach, Neil Belanger, assisted suicide, the B.C. trial judge justi- mate goals. Now, it’s time to follow through creased vaccine response in children. & Catherine Frazee fied her decision based in part on expert on its second promise to reform CEPA. As Canada, and the world, face a seri- Opinion testimony that in end-of-life situations, the CEPA is Canada’s cornerstone environ- ous challenge of rising COVID-19 cases decision of a terminally ill person to hasten mental law, but it has not been updated in and eagerly awaits a vaccine, we need to arliament appears poised to rush their death can be “well reasoned” and not more than 20 years and it is showing its update the laws that protect Canadians Pthrough the Government of Canada’s suicidal. Her finding was clearly limited to age. It is no longer able to protect Canadi- from exposure to dangerous chemicals proposed Bill C-7—amendments to the med- end-of-life situations. ans from everyday toxic pollution and puts like PFAS that cause chronic illnesses that ical assistance in dying (MAID) legislation. Claiming now that it can be just as public health at risk by being out of date. make Canadians more vulnerable. Most sweeping among these is the introduc- “well reasoned” for people with disabling As our federal government continues to This year has been dominated by CO- tion of a separate track that permits MAID conditions to choose MAID when they are battle the coronavirus pandemic, it must also VID-19, as governments battle to control the to people with disabling conditions, other suffering but not dying is a dangerous and place CEPA reform on top of its political agenda spread of the virus. But we cannot lose sight than mental health issues, who are not oth- faulty leap of logic. Are the suicidal deci- because of its role in keeping Canadians safe. of how our public health benefits from good erwise nearing the end of their lives. sions of other Charter-protected groups, A modern CEPA can be a driving force laws developed to protect Canadians and our We need to ask why, and who’s next? such as Indigenous persons and members for reducing the number of chronic health environment—and what the federal govern- Canada’s current MAID regime makes of the 2SLGBTQ+ community who endure conditions that have made vulnerable ment must do to make these laws work. an assisted death available to anyone whose intolerable suffering, also considered well- populations more susceptible to the worst CEPA provides the framework for fed- natural death is reasonably foreseeable. reasoned by our federal leaders? outcomes of COVID-19. eral action on greenhouse gases, plastics, When the federal government first intro- People with disabilities have been told Outdated legislation puts peoples’ vehicle efficiency standards, industrial duced the MAID legislation in 2016, it said it would be “patronizing” to refuse access to health at risk due to a failure to keep up emissions, and other pollutants. As such, this fundamental safeguard was necessary, MAID for those who are not dying. To do so to date with modern dangers. As Canada’s CEPA will set the environmental param- because “to permit it in circumstances where would violate their right to autonomy. So, will Chemicals Management Plan (CMP), an eters for Canada’s economic recovery from a person is not approaching natural death the government next “respect” the autonomy indispensable federal program for assess- COVID-19. Now is the time to update this could be seen as undermining suicide pre- rights of people in these other groups? ing and regulating chemical substances cornerstone of federal environmental leg- vention initiatives and normalizing death as Rightly, and without hesitation, we and pollution, winds down next March, islation to enable a green and just recovery. a solution to many forms of suffering.” override the autonomy rights of homeless, modernizing CEPA will be crucial for its In 2017, the House Standing Committee We agree. The end-of-life requirement Indigenous, and 2SLGBTQ+ persons who effective renewal. While the CMP has been on Environment and Sustainable Devel- represents a careful balancing of individ- are not living with disability, illness, or up to the task of regulating some legacy opment recommended significant CEPA re- ual autonomy rights and broader rights to disease but who seek a premature death pollutants such as PCBs, it failed to pro- form. All parties, and the government in its equality for all persons and social groups. when their suffering becomes intolerable. tect vulnerable populations and regulate official response to the committee, agreed Removing this requirement changes the We create policies and programs to help emerging chemicals of concern that are that CEPA needs to be updated. very nature of the intervention. them live robustly instead. now widespread in our communities. The federal government has signalled What compels the government to now But in the case of persons with disabili- One example of harmful chemicals falling that it plans to deliver on the environmen- sweep away this safeguard with such ease? A ties, the government suggests we should look through the cracks are per- and polyfluoro- tal promises it has made to Canadians, lower court judgment struck it down in 2019. into their eyes and say, “You’re right, people alkyl substances (PFAS)—a group of more alongside prioritizing its COVID response. Yet, in an unprecedented move for like you do have a good reason to die and we than 5,000 chemicals that CEPA has failed However, it must introduce a CEPA mod- court decisions affecting the Criminal are going to help you make it happen.” to regulate. Found in drinking water, soil and ernization bill by the end of this year if it’s Code, the federal government has so far Michael Bach, PhD., is managing direc- food, they eventually make their way into the serious about moving it through the legis- refused to appeal or refer that decision tor, IRIS, at the Institute for Research and human bloodstream, kidneys, and even lungs lative process before the next election. to the Supreme Court of Canada. It has Development on Inclusion and Society, where they linger for many years. Also known Robin Edger is executive director and dismissed concerns from legal experts and adjunct professor, disability studies, as “forever chemicals” due to the lasting impact CEO of Canadian Association of Physi- about the judgment’s reasoning along with at Ryerson University. Neil Belanger is the on the environment and because they never cians for the Environment, Ian Bruce is widespread pleas from the disability com- executive director of the British Columbia break down, these substances are widely used interim executive director of the David munity and hundreds of physicians for the Aboriginal Network on Disability Society in Canada and can be found in everyday items Suzuki Foundation, Elaine MacDonald is Supreme Court of Canada to weigh in. (BCANDS). Catherine Frazee is a profes- such as water-proof clothing, furniture, and Healthy Communities program director It’s time for the government to hit pause sor emerita at Ryerson University’s School non-stick cookware. According to a Health at Ecojustice, and Tim Gray is executive on Bill C-7 and heed the cautions. of Disability Studies and advisor to the Canada biomonitoring survey, 98 per cent of director of Environmental Defence. If the government’s proposed amend- Vulnerable Persons Standard. Canadians have PFAS in their bodies. The Hill Times ments become law, no longer will MAID The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020 11 News

“We impact every sector of the economy, Masterson said it agrees with the govern- in every region of the country, in communi- ment’s other stated goals: that producers Economic, industry ties large and small.” use more recycled content, take on the The Canadian Association of Petroleum cost of recycling rather than the taxpay- Producers, third-most active in October ers, and build a “circular economy” for with 23 filings, said its focus was on eco- their use. concerns top-lobbied nomic recovery decisions with both federal “But what we fundamentally disagree is and provincial governments. using [the Canadian Environmental Protec- “The oil and natural gas sector can play tion Act] and listing plastic goods as toxic an important role in bringing investment substances,” he said. “That’s a message to issues amid return back to Canada, creating jobs across the the global industry that you could probably country and driving environmental innova- care less whether they invest or not.” tion,” said Shannon Joseph, CAPP’s vice- It’s clear Ottawa is not aligned with president of government relations. the provinces on a recovery approach, he to Parliament and said, especially with the chemical sector’s ‘Ambitious’ environment agenda main provincial producers—Alberta, B.C., Ontario, and Quebec—and, in turn, one of a lobbying focus his group’s key messages in meetings with second COVID wave Like its minister, Environment and officials is that the path to economic recov- Climate Change Canada was in demand ery requires better collaboration. in October, listed in 140 reports, behind “It’s a real mixed message and we’re Natural Resources Canada (149), and ISED just asking the government to do what reacting to numbers as they go up, to have (246). they need to do, but do it properly and do Economic development, a forward-looking strategy to keep it under For the Chemistry Industry Association it in a way that won’t undermine the case control and how to get better data and to industry, health, and the of Canada’s members, ECCC has been for investing in Canada,” he said, adding use it,” especially with the second wave a central focus outside of the pandemic, there’s opportunity for it to grow and help spiking in October, said the Chamber’s environment were among said its president Bob Masterson, with push recovery with members exporting 80 vice-president of policy, Trevin Stratton Mr. Wilkinson’s “ambitious” agenda on per cent of what they make. the top-cited subjects in That lobbying came in the wake of the association’s radar, through ongoing “We could do that here with relatively early-October announcements, including a initiatives dealing with climate change, the low carbon resources, but if we get the October’s 2,611 filings in the $10-billion infrastructure plan with prom- clean fuel standard, hydrogen strategy, and policy framework wrong, we’ll give a mes- ises to bring 60,000 jobs over two to three the promise to reach net-zero emissions by sage of ambivalence or lack of interest to federal lobbying registry. years, and a plan to overhaul the govern- 2050. the global industry that we would like to ment’s rent-relief program. That came to More immediately, the association has invest here.” BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN fruition on Nov. 2 through Bill C-9, which been pushing the government to adjust its The association has proposed a passed on Nov. 19 and also extended the approach to banning single-used plastics, $200-million plastics innovation fund to obbying returned to lower levels, in line federal wage subsidy. after Mr. Wilkinson unveiled the proposed fund better research. with past years, in October—the first Under the new Canada Emergency Rent L list earlier this month, and a plan to have “Banning straws and plastic bags does full month of regular parliamentary pro- Subsidy, until Dec. 19 up to 65 per cent of regulations in effect by the end of 2021. not create a circular economy,” he said, ceedings since the pandemic started—with eligible expenses for businesses, charities, Consultations on the proposed ban are saying there is very little fiscal support economic development, industry, health, and non-profits will be covered. But the open until December and Mr. Masterson from the government to push that transi- and the environment the focus of most question on many business owners’ minds said the results are expected as early as tion. “The government needs to put money government relations efforts. is what comes after December, Mr. Stratton February or March. where its mouth is.” Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains said. Though the association, which filed 23 [email protected] (Mississauga-Malton, Ont.) and Eco- “It will be very useful to get [an idea reports last month, objects to the ban, Mr. The Hill Times nomic Development Minister Mélanie Joly of] what it’s going to look like next year (Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Que.) were among as early as possible,” he said, adding the the top-lobbied in cabinet, mentioned in 22 revenue cap that exists excludes a number and 19 filings, respectively. Their depart- of larger restaurant chains, even though ment, Innovation, Science, and Economic the individual restaurants operate like a Development Canada (ISED), was also top small business. ONE of the list. Environment Minister Jonathan It’s these outstanding conversations that Wilkinson (North Vancouver, B.C.), who continue, including doing away with other WORLD last month revived the Liberal plan to ban administrative hurdles made worse by the some single-use plastics, was also a top tar- pandemic. For example, the Chamber has REFUGEE get, with 25 mentions. been meeting with Finance Canada and With the pandemic having pushed the Canada Revenue Agency to push the FILM lobbying to new levels, the pace appeared government to waive a requirement that FESTIVAL to shift back toward normal levels last employers complete forms for every em- month after Parliament returned to regular ployee who works from home. December 1-14, 2020 sittings—albeit for hybrid sessions, with “To have all employers in Canada filling owrff2020.eventive.org many MPs still not in Ottawa—starting out a form which is four pages long for ev- Sept. 23. ery single employee working from home, I In October, lobbyists filed 2,611 commu- imagine that’ll be onerous for business and nications in the federal registry, compared for the government. There’s got to be a bet- to 3,262 interactions in October 2018— ter solution there,” said Mr. Stratton, whose down 20 per cent. Last year, lobbying organization posted meetings with Small ground to a halt in the fall months during Business Minister Mary Ng (Markham- the election, and with the government in Thornhill, Ont.) in October. caretaker mode only 394 communications Along with the Alliance of Manufac- were logged in October 2019. Last month’s turers & Exporters Canada and Pratt & numbers are also a decrease from October Whitney Canada Corp., a Canada-based 2017 (3,145), and about the same compared aircraft engine manufacturer, it was also to October 2016 (2,450). one of the few organizations to post filings That’s in contrast to the three months about communications with Prime Minister prior, all of which saw higher rates of inter- Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.). action than previous years. September, for The National Airlines Council of example, was up 35 per cent over Septem- Canada was the second-most active group ber 2018, with 2,483 filings compared to last month, logging 27 communications, 1,839, with much of that activity ahead of primarily with MPs and all focused on the Throne Speech. transportation. Since the outbreak started, Economic development has been the Canada’s airline capacity has reduced 80 top subject for lobbyists for the last six per cent, and passenger numbers are down months. That comes as no surprise to between 90 and 97 per cent, said Mike the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, McNaney, president of the council. which was top of the pack overall with 32 “As aviation continues to deal with the communications for October. It spent the economic chaos of the pandemic, the devel- month reaching out across departments to opment and implementation by the federal push for improved emergency supports for government of a clear and effective testing the sectors hardest-hit by COVID-19. regime at airports will be critical for the “We’re having a lot of conversations safe restart of the sector, and to moving with government about what improve- forward on addressing border and travel ments need to be made on emergency restrictions,” Mr. McNaney said by email, supports [and] about creating a proactive adding that a healthy aviation industry is national COVID management strategy, as “critical” to Canada’s overall economic opposed to having different jurisdictions recovery. 12 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES News

NDP Leader Romeo Tello, a consultant at tion, people will react to that,” she Jagmeet Singh Crestview Strategy who worked added, “and that’s always an issue has served as a on the NDP’s 2019 campaign, said with the NDP. As you move to be- reliable partner for regardless of whether or not it’s come a highly professional party, the the Liberals in key “a winning issue” that can galva- balance is how do you maintain the confidence votes, nize support, a wealth tax would grassroots nature of the party, which in recent months. be a prudent policy for the party is so important to many of us.” The party's policy to target in light of the staggering Work is already underway convention next pace of government spending to among party members to hone spring will be help keep people afloat amid the their proposals, which are due by an important pandemic. Feb. 8, 2021. opportunity for the Parliamentary Budget Officer Kiana Saint-Macary, co-chair NDP to contrast Yves Giroux has said the govern- of the New Democratic Youth itself with the ment’s pandemic spending is of Canada, said her wing of Liberals, say “barely” sustainable. the party is still in the midst of experts. The Hill “It’s really common sense at discussing the policies it plans Times photograph a time when so many people are to put forward, but suggested it by Andrew Meade out of work, struggling to make could throw its support behind a ends meet, sidelined as a result of proposal from the Quebec branch the pandemic,” he said. around “re-evaluating the funding Mr. Tello brushed aside sugges- allocated to the RCMP.” tions that the party’s convention “Jagmeet Singh has been really might generate less media cover- strong at criticizing many of the age with the Liberals competing actions of the RCMP and pushing for broadcast time and column for more discussions about the inches. way policing has affected racial- “If anything, it’s a way to put ized people,” she said, alluding to and pit the two plans and visions Mr. Singh’s decision to echo the together, what you’ve seen from Assembly of First Nations’ call Jagmeet Singh in the height of for RCMP Commissioner Brenda the pandemic,” he said. “What re- Lucki to resign. Ms. Lucki has ally sets the NDP apart are issues been under fire over her response that connect to everyday people, to criticism of the RCMP’s han- issues that have an impact on dling of racial issues. NDP’s spring convention people’s livelihood. … You’re see- Ms. Saint-Macary said the Lib- ing the NDP really build on some eral Party often touts itself as an of those themes.” ally in the fight for racial justice, Conventions typically draw “but there hasn’t been a lot of offers chance to pit party’s dyed-in-the-wool partisans who concrete action.” can afford to spare time away “We’ve definitely seen that from work and other engage- the youth are trending more and ments to travel to another city more towards the NDP—a lot of vision against governing and pay the attendant costs of it has to do with the willingness brushing elbows with party elders to discuss racial justice in more and rank-and-file members. concrete way,” she said. For New Democrats, conven- Barry Weisleder, chairperson Liberals’, say members tions often generate “vigorous and of the NDP Socialist Caucus, said energetic” debate on “emerging the move to a virtual convention policy” issues among the party could prove beneficial in engag- “The federal NDP has just seen ly off the pandemic. The govern- faithful, said former NDP MP ing people, but there are logisti- For New Democrats, some very locust years, in which ment’s Throne Speech promised Libby Davies. cal concerns, such as delegate it’s lost 70 per cent of its caucus,” to “identify additional ways to tax As the party leadership figures selection, how votes are tabu- conventions often said Mr. Topp. “That’s clearly not extreme wealth inequality.” out the logistics of organizing a lated, which speakers are given a generate ‘vigorous a recovery, but when you look at platform, and which resolutions the state of public opinion, what Brian Topp, can be brought forward in a still- and energetic’ debate you see is a bit of a phoenix com- pictured at untested setting. ing out of the ashes.” the NDP’s Those details are still being on ‘emerging policy’ For the NDP to seize its mo- 2012 worked out, according to the party. ment in the spotlight, he said, it leadership He noted that, at the last issues among the has to make a big push to show- convention, convention, party members voted party faithful, says case Mr. Singh, the team behind in which he in favour of prioritizing resolu- him, and the party’s accomplish- ran against tions with the highest amount of former NDP MP Libby ments under the minority Parlia- eventual support at the local level, among ment at the upcoming convention. race-winner riding associations. Davies. In recent months, the NDP has Thomas Mr. Weisleder said he and his emerged as a reliable partner for Mulcair, says caucus were among those who the Liberals in key confidence the NDP has Continued from page 1 had been “agitating” for a conven- votes, earning some concessions to ‘keep’ tion, after the party executive to demonstrate to voters “blue and with the expansion of pandemic its contrast chose in January to postpone a red are not the only options” on relief benefits. Still, being in a against the 2020 convention to focus on im- the ballot. position to hold the balance of Liberals proving its finances, well before While the party’s standing has power has its own risks and can ‘sharp.’ The the pandemic scuttled other par- diminished after it “suffered two be a thankless job if the party is Hill Times file ties’ plans. devastating” results in the 2015 unable to claim credit where it photograph He said he thinks the NDP and 2019 elections, Mr. Topp said may be due. has much more room to distance it has recovered some ground “Canadian political history itself from the Liberals, beyond in recent public opinion polls teaches you that political parties the platform it ran on in 2019. Mr. relative to where it was under that play the role of juniors, get Weisleder pointed to his caucus’ Mr. Layton, ahead of the party’s kicked in the teeth,” he said. “You Prof. McGrane, who is also the virtual gathering for the first time, support for expropriating private, come-from-behind surge to sec- have to keep your contrast sharp author of The New NDP: Modera- she said it’s going to have to be for-profit nursing homes and se- ond in 2011. with the government and you tion, Modernization, and Politi- “extra attentive” to ensuring that niors’ residences, many of which The NDP’s steady drubbing in need to prosecute the govern- cal Marketing, said it’s hard to members feel heard. have been pandemic hotspots, the electoral polls has been attrib- ment, try to disqualify it.” create differentiation between the “We love to have our discus- and nationalizing pharmaceutical uted, in part, to it having ceded Kevin McGrane, associate two parties on issues of “identity sions, and even arguments, and firms and research, among other ground to the Liberals on areas professor of political science at politics,” because the Liberals get it out on the floor. I think proposals. traditionally in its domain, includ- the University of Saskatchewan, have claimed that space, too, but that’s healthy, that’s democratic,” Mr. Weisleder said the precar- ing its much-maligned decision in said he sees opportunity for the an emphasis on “class” differences said Ms. Davies. ity experienced by many people 2015 to campaign for four years NDP to differentiate itself by could strike a contrast. She suggested the party during the pandemic “demands of balanced budgets. casting the Liberals as a party for “You’re going to see more stuff should use the weeks and months radical thinking,” suggesting that, Throughout the pandemic, the the “ultra rich” due to its apparent around the general social pro- leading up to the convention to if given a platform at the conven- NDP has been consistently polling opposition to a wealth tax. grams they want to put in place, solicit ideas from members on tion, there would be broad-based at around 18 per cent, whereas The Liberals voted down an possibly childcare, but a much how to make it as inclusive as support among rank-and-file New enthusiasm for the Liberals and NDP motion last week that called more aggressive regime of social possible. Democrats for such proposals. the Conservative has been subject for one per cent tax on wealthy in- programs,” at the convention, he “If the convention is seen as a [email protected] to more noticeable shifts. dividuals who profited handsome- suggested. tightly controlled, managed opera- The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020 13 News End of five-year lobby ban comes with confusion for some Harper-era staffers

advice. He said Mr. Ra- Despite the confusion, former staffers Recent confusion centred he was told in inville said who spoke with The Hill Times agreed on whether the ban ends writing that responsibility the ban should stand, but some suggested his ban would for resolving there are elements that could be changed. five years after the first end on Nov. 5. the confusion “Do think that this could be tightened Other lies with the up? Absolutely. Do I think the law should Trudeau cabinet was sworn former staffers lobbying com- be changed? Not necessarily,” Mr. Arse- who worked missioner. nault said. in, or five years after former for the Harper “It comes He suggested each person captured government down to en- under the act could be given a designated staffers received their right to the forcement. It case officer in the commissioner’s office to last paycheque from the end, however, is very much report to on a semi-regular basis. got a different in the wheel- “We want to avoid a scenario where government. answer. house of the people are calling in and getting different Ashton Ar- [lobbying] tidbits of advice,” he said. senault, a se- commission- Mr. Rainville said the ban exists “for very BY AIDAN CHAMANDY nior consultant er’s discretion good reasons,” but suggested restrictions for with Crestview to make the designated public office holders joining the ome former Harper-era cabinet staff- Strategy who Lobbying Commissioner Nancy Bélanger, pictured at determination public service could be reworked. Sers are asking for clarification on the was director of an event celebrating the 10th anniversary of the office and stick to “Broadly, what you want to achieve is a enforcement of the federal Lobbying Act, parliamentary at Library and Archives Canada on July 10, 2018. Ms. that determi- balance between people using their time in the 2006 law that brought about a five-year affairs and Belanger's office has been criticized for not offering clear nation. But in government undesirably and people using lobbying ban for former public office hold- issues man- advice on when the lobby ban actually ends. The Hill Times making that it desirably to advance the public interest,” ers, after ex-staffers got conflicting advice agement to file photograph determination, he said. “But you also have to sort of ask from the lobby commissioner’s office on then-national they should yourself, is the public service a disadvan- the exact date on which the ban expires. revenue minister Kerry-Lyne Findlay communicate clearly with former reporting tage? Or is it a disservice to them to not The act, which was introduced through (South Surrey-White Rock, B.C.) from Oc- public office holders and the public at large allow or to make it harder for public office the Harper government’s centrepiece tober 2014 until November 2015, was told as to which way their decisions go,” Mr. holders to then become entry civil ser- Federal Accountability Act and also set up to wait until Dec. 5. Rainville said. vants? I think most people would believe the Office of the Lobbying Commissioner, “I reached out to the commissioner’s In response to questions from The Hill the answer is no that it’s beneficial to have imposed a five-year post-employment re- office and explained my situation, and they Times, the commissioner’s office said on ministerial staff work in the bureaucracy.” striction on lobbying activities by designat- determined I should wait until December,” Nov. 23 that the five-year prohibition on The Lobbying Act has been due for ed public office holders, a category which Mr. Arsenault said. “I sort of understood it. lobbying begins when designated public of- parliamentary review for two years. The captures ministers and ministerial staff, I was paid until Dec. 4, 2015.” fice holders “cease to occupy their position.” last parliamentary review by the House including those on government transition “In the grand scheme of things, waiting A guidance from the commissioner’s Ethics Committee was in May 2012. That teams, among others. another month isn’t so bad,” he said. website says the ban begins “immediately report made 11 recommendations, and the For five years after the day “on which Neil Brodie, now vice-president of following the last day of employment as a government response supported just two, the individual ceases to be a designated Bluesky Strategy who was chief of staff to designated public office holder.” including keeping the five-year post-em- public office holder,” the act states they then-treasury board president Tony Clement In response to confusion, on Nov. 18, the ployment ban. are prevented from becoming a consultant from 2012 until the Harper government end- lobbying commissioner’s office tweeted a Mr. Rainville said “perhaps it’s time for lobbyist in order to lobby the government, ed in 2015, was also told to wait until De- three-part thread attempting to clarify the Parliament to revise and review and pro- or members of the Senate or House of cember, as was Meagan Murdoch, a director different dates and encouraging anyone con- nounce their will one way or another,” but Commons. However, they can still be an with National Public Affairs, who was com- fused to contact the office directly for advice. said he thinks it’s highly unlikely anything in-house lobbyist, “if lobbying activities do munications director to then-employment In the tweets, it said the ban “generally” will get changed. not constitute a ‘significant part of their minister Pierre Poilievre (Carleton, Ont.) at begins “when designated public office hold- “There’s not a ton of political will for duties,’” according to the commissioner’s the Harper government’s end. ers cease to occupy their position.” It added governments to loosen rules around lob- website. This provision is more commonly “It would be nice to get clear, consistent further clarification for election-related bying or ethics. And I think that makes known as the “20 per cent” rule. The com- advice from advisers at the Office of the departures for MPs and ministers. For some governments shy around recalibrat- missioner also has the power to issue full Commissioner of Lobbying,” Mr. Brodie MPs, the ban begins on the day the writ is ing them. But I think that’s more what’s or partial exemptions in a number of cir- said. “The act combined with the policy issued. For ministers, when they leave their needed, a recalibration,” he said. cumstances, including for individuals who should give a clear-cut date that is consis- position, which happens the day a new [email protected] worked as students or under short-term tent across the board.” cabinet is sworn-in. The Hill Times employment, among others. Recent confusion was sparked over the timing of the end of the five-year ban for political staffers who worked under Stephen Harper’s previous Conservative government right up until its last days. Specifically, over whether the ban, as set out, would lift on Nov. 5, 2020—a day and five years after the Trudeau cabinet was first sworn in in 2015—or on Dec. 5, 2020, five years after the final Harper-era staffers stopped receiving a paycheque from the government. “Is it the day that the new government is sworn in and you cease to become a public servant? Or it is the final day that you no longer received public funds? I think that needs to be a declared distinction,” said Maddy Stieva, a consultant with Capital Hill Group who in 2015 served as press secretary to then-minister of state for West- ern Economic Diversification, Conserva- tive MP Michelle Rempel Garner (Calgary Nose Hill, Alta.). Ahead of the anticipated end of his own five-year ban, Etienne Rainville, a senior government relations officer at Universi- ties Canada who served as deputy press secretary and special assistant for par- liamentary affairs to then-public safety minister Steven Blaney (Bellechasse-Les Etchemins-Levis, Que.) from May 2014 until November 2015, reached out to the federal lobbying commissioner’s office for 14 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES News

Canada is $2.2-billion to the cost of the ships and the midst a two-year delay would mean an added of a crucial $4.5-billion. procurement “There is no evidence suggesting that project to the pace of the project has improved as the replace work became more difficult—and that is its fleet of without trying to account for any COVID- Halifax-class related impacts,” Mr. Perry wrote. frigates. During the first wave of the pandemic, Halifax- Irving Shipbuilding reduced staff at their class HMCS shipyard to about half. Vancouver is After the design phase of the ships is pictured in completed, Irving Shipbuilding will be Pearl Harbor, awarded an implementation contract to Hawaii. build the ships. Photograph “The schedule to build and commis- courtesy of sion the ships will be better understood as the U.S. Navy/ design work progresses,” the DND spokes- Daniel L. Zink person said. Mr. Giroux said he was surprised by how precise the information being pro- vided to the PBO is. “I would expect some of the information to be secret for defence reasons [and] na- tional security reasons, and very often they are,” he said. “We’re provided with a level of information that is surprisingly detailed in my opinion.” “In terms of transparency from DND, procure varying numbers of ships and the it’s a pleasant surprise so far,” he said, add- cost per individual ship decreases with the ing he also has been surprised with how DND says budget for more ships that are built. Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan (Vancouver Mr. Giroux said the cost analysis is in South, B.C.) and his officials have been the “early stages” and wouldn’t comment transparent with the PBO. on its early findings. [email protected] Surface Combatants He said the extended timeline is a result The Hill Times of the amount of work and the competing work that the PBO has been tasked with, such as costing COVID-19 supports. Other major defence remains unchanged; The DND spokesperson said costs for “per- sonnel, operations, and maintenance” that will procurement projects be needed throughout the life of the ships will be “greatly influenced” by the ship design and Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) “only available later in the process.” Purpose: The AOPS will provide armed surveillance of PBO report expected Canadian waters, which includes the North, and help enforce In 2019, the Canadian government selected the BAE Type 26 as the frigate Canada’s sovereignty with its defence partners. design for the CSC. Lockheed Martin is First announced: in 2015 by the Harper government. Cost: $4.3-billion partnering with BAE Systems. The ships Timeline: First ship was delivered in July 2020 with the sixth in late February will be constructed at Irving Shipbuilding’s and final ship planned for a 2024 delivery. Halifax shipyard. bat ships, so the comparisons are not very Irving and Lockheed Martin are cur- Victoria-class modernization In 2019, the PBO projected easy to do and there are not that many rently “focused on integrating” the neces- Purpose: To extend the life of Canada’s four Victoria-class [countries] in the world where information sary elements from the Type 26 with the submarines so they have the capability to operate until the the cost of 15 CSC frigates is readily available [for comparison],” he Canadian Navy’s systems requirements for mid- to late-2030s. to be nearly $70-billion. The said, noting the PBO hasn’t been having the CSCs, according to DND. First announced: in 2017 by the Trudeau government. difficulties with DND. The office recently The PBO will be comparing the cost of Cost: Unknown defence department says criticized the department of finance for a the Type 26 to the Type 31e, the FREMM, Timeline: Currently in the options-analysis phase. More lack of transparency. and other “competing” ships. information on the timeline and costs are expected when the the ships are still projected “Even if we get perfect information and Canadian Global Affairs Institute current procurement phase is complete. totally complete and transparent informa- vice-president David Perry, an expert on to cost between $56- and tion from DND, that is only one part of defence procurement, recently wrote in Joint Support Ships the ledger. It doesn’t tell us whether the The Hill Times that there are “rumblings” Purpose: The two Joint Support Ships are replacing auxiliary $60-billion. predicted cost compared favourably or of delays to the CSC procurement and oiler replenishment vessels that were decommissioned in 2016. not with other procurement projects by First announced: in 2004 by the Martin government. Continued from page 1 changes to the ship that could drive up the other navies in the world,” he said, adding cost of the project. Cost: $4.1-billion Timeline: First ship is expected to be delivered by 2024 and forecast the project could cost nearly difficulty arises when trying to compare The CSC procurement has been going the second one is planned to be completed in 2025. $70-billion. The DND calculation does not different ships, with different capabilities, through a requirements reconciliation include taxes that will be paid for construc- being built by different shipyards, and phase of the design process, which the Fighter Jet Replacement tion, which the PBO projection does. under different timelines. spokesperson says has been “substantially Purpose: Eighty-eight fighter jets to replace Canada’s fleet of The PBO was initially tasked to exam- In response to the PBO’s recent cost completed,” adding that the preliminary CF-18s that serve as the pillar of the Canadian Air Force. ine the CSC procurement by the House projection of Canada’s Joint Support Ship design work has begun. First announced: in 2010 by the Harper government. Committee on Government Operations and procurement, DND said the comparisons “Significant progress has been made Cost: $15- to $19-billion Estimates during the last parliamentary that were being used didn’t have the same over the last 18 months to advance the se- Timeline: Proposals from three aerospace companies are cur- session and report back by the end of Octo- capabilities. lected design to meet the RCN’s unique op- rently being assessed—Saab’s Griffin, Lockheed Martin’s F-35, ber, but that timeline was cut short by the “It’s not always easy to compare capa- erational requirements. This progress has and Boeing’s Super Hornet. A contract award is anticipated for prorogation of Parliament on Aug. 18. Now, bilities that vary greatly from one country provided us with greater clarity about the 2022 with the first aircraft being delivered “as early as” 2025. the committee has passed a motion to have to the other and that’s one criticism we complexity of the ship design and its as- The new fleet is planned to operate beyond 2060. the PBO to report back by Feb. 5, 2021. sometimes get when we’re trying to cost sociated combat systems, as well as better Mr. Giroux told The Hill Times the PBO’s defence projects, [that] we did not take into insight into the required time to complete Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft report won’t be finished until late February. account sufficiently the fact that the Cana- the necessary design work before the start Purpose: To replace the CP-140 Aurora fleet to have a “en- “Given the complexity in the project dian capabilities are so much better than of construction,” the spokesperson said, but hanced long-ranged, long-endurance, multi-mission capability.” themselves—the big procurement projects the competitors,” he said. did not address if there are any delays. First announced: in 2018 by the Trudeau government. at DND—its not every day or even every Another issue when performing a cost The PBO’s 2019 reported indicated Cost: Unknown Timeline: Has yet to begin the option analysis phase. year that the government purchases com- analysis, Mr. Giroux said, is that navies that a delay of one year would add

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a.m. EST. It’s a Zoom virtual event and the (CPC) hosted by the CPA Canada Region ticket price is $1,625. www.conservative. in Halifax. The annual flagship event will Money on the mind: Liberals, ca/events bring together over 500 Parliamentarians, parliamentary staff, and decision makers MONDAY, NOV. 30 from across the Commonwealth for this Meet & Greet With Erin O’Toole—Shaun unique conference and networking opportu- Conservatives work to fill party Francis will host a virtual meet and greet nity. The conference will be hosted by the with Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole about CPA President (2019-2021), Anthony Rota, his plans for Canada and to ask questions MP, Speaker of the House of Commons. All “about the issues that are important to eligible CPA Branches will be contacted coffers with fundraising events you.” Monday, Nov. 30, 1 p.m. EST. It’s a with further information and invitations. Zoom virtual event. www.conservative.ca/ MONDAY, JAN. 27, 2021 events House Sitting—The House will likely TUESDAY, DEC. 1 be sitting in a hybrid format during the Canada’s GDP—GDP numbers for Sep- pandemic, with most MPs connecting tember will be released on Dec. 1. remotely. It’s scheduled to return on Q&A Fundraiser With Erin O’Toole—Paul Monday, Jan. 25-Feb. 5. It will take a one- Desmarais III will host another Q&A fund- week break and return on Tuesday, Feb. raiser with Conservative Party Leader Erin 16 and sit every weekday until Friday, Feb. O’Toole on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 8 p.m. EST. 26. It will take a one-week break, March It’s a Zoom virtual event and tickets are 1-March 5, and will return again for one $1,625. www.conservative.ca/events week, March 8-12, before taking another break, March 15-19. It’s scheduled to sit THURSDAY, DEC. 3 March 22-26, will take a two-week break, Seeds of a Better Anthropocene With Elena March 29-April 9. It’s then scheduled to Bennett—This Bacon & Eggheads virtual sit every weekday for the next five weeks, presentation with Dr. Elena Bennett, Canada April 12-May 14. It will take one-week Research Chair in Sustainability Science at break after that, from May 17-May 24. McGill University, takes place on Thursday, It will sit May 25 every weekday until Dec. 3, 12:15 p.m.-1:15 p.m EST. Creating a Wednesday, June 23, and will then break sustainable and just future will require a major for three months, until Monday Sept. 20. shift in how humans live in, and interact with, In the fall and winter, the House is sched- the Earth system. But how this shift will take uled to sit for 11 weeks over September, place and the pathways it will follow remain October, November and December. It will vague. In this seminar, Dr. Bennett will discuss sit Sept. 20-Oct. 8; Oct. 18-Nov. 5; Nov. efforts to develop a suite of alternative, plau- 15-Dec. 17. sible visions of futures that are socially and THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021 ecologically desirable by identifying elements of a good anthropocene that already exist, Conservative Party National Policy Con- Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, Associate Finance Minister Mona Fortier, and Economic Development Minister and will show how the science of ecosystem vention—The Conservative Party National Mélanie Joly are all taking part in a Liberal Party fundraiser on Nov. 26. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade services can be used to assess them. There Policy Convention will now take place from will be no charge for this virtual event. Regis- March 18 to 20, 2021, exclusively online tration: please register by contacting Emma and the Conservative Party’s National Coun- Brown, PAGSE manager by email: ebrown@ cil decided the next convention in 2023 nature.ca or by phone 613-363-7705. will take place in Québec City. For more THURSDAY, DEC. 10 information, call 1-866-808-8407. FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 Meet & Greet With Erin O’Toole, Hosted by Jordan Kupinsky—Jordan Kupinsky will host Liberal Party National Convention—The this virtual meet and greet with Conserva- Liberal Party of Canada announced on tive Party Leader Erin O’Toole on Thursday, Sept. 25 it was postponing its 2020 Liberal Dec. 10, 5 p.m. EST. It’s a Zoom virtual National Convention from Nov. 12-14. The event. www.conservative.ca/events new dates are April 9-10, 2021. Meet & Greet With Erin O’Toole, Hosted by New Democratic Party National Conven- Stewart Lyons—Stewart Lyons will host this tion—The NDP rescheduled its 2020 policy virtual meet and greet with Conservative convention to instead take place virtually Party Leader Erin O’Toole on Thursday, Dec. April 9-11, 2021. Riding associations have 10, 6 p.m. EST. It’s a Zoom virtual event. until Feb. 8, 2021 to submit resolutions for www.conservative.ca/events consideration. The Parliamentary Calendar is a free FRIDAY, DEC. 11 events listing. Send in your political, cul- Last scheduled House sitting day—Today tural, diplomatic, or governmental event marks the last scheduled sitting day of in a paragraph with all the relevant details 2020 for the House of Commons. under the subject line ‘Parliamentary Cal- endar’ to [email protected] by Wednes- TUESDAY, JAN. 12, 2021 day at noon before the Monday paper or by 65th Commonwealth Parliamentary Con- Friday at noon for the Wednesday paper. ference—One of the largest annual gather- We can’t guarantee inclusion of every ings of Commonwealth Parliamentarians event, but we will definitely do our best. will take place in August 2021 at the 65th Events can be updated daily online, too. Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference The Hill Times CLASSIFIEDS Information and advertisement placement: 613-232-5952

Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole will be taking part in a number of fundraising and meet-and-greet events in the HOUSES FOR RENT CONDOS FOR RENT PROFESSIONAL coming days. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade SERVICES

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 25 hosting an online panel on Canada-Sudan THURSDAY, NOV. 26 relations, moderated by global and inter- G7 Research Summit on The Future of Digi- national studies professor Amal Madibbo, A ‘Think Victory’ Liberal Fundraising Event tal Health—The Royal Society of Canada hosts with speakers including Tariq Abusalih, with Jonathan Wilkinson, Mélanie Joly, and a virtual edition of “G7 Research Summit on Sudan’s ambassador to Canada; Adrian Mona Fortier—Taking place on Thursday, The Future of Digital Health.” Domestic and Norfolk, Canada’s ambassador to Sudan; Nov. 26, from 5-6 p.m. PT. To register: LOVELY 2BED 2BATH GLEBE COACH HOUSE international leaders will envision a future in Dr. Sami Sharif, Sudan’s deputy minister https://secure.liberal.ca/Event/think-victory- @1000CAD Charming updated 2-storey, 1 PERSONAL DRIVE AWAY which citizens feel increasingly inspired by of higher education; Jacqueline O’Neill, bc This Turnkey home is ready and bdrm house (w/alcove); hardwood SERVICE FOR SNOWBIRDS and connected to the opportunities afforded Canada’s first ambassador for Women, FRIDAY, NOV. 27 waiting for you to move right in throughout; patio; private; parking. & TRANSPORT OF VEHICLES by Digital Health. Mona Nemer, Canada’s Peace & Security; and Meredith Preston and start living. @1000CAD. Perfect Glebe location. $1900. + Personal Vehicle Transport across chief science adviser, will deliver remarks. McGhie, secretary general for the Global Q&A Fundraiser With Erin O’Toole—Paul Contact: [email protected] utils. Dec. 1, 613-563-4101 the USA and Canada, Senior Wednesday, Nov. 25, 8:45 a.m. Centre for Pluralism. The event will take Desmarais III will host a morning Q&A Responsible Driver, I drive your Carleton University Panel on Canada- place over Zoom on Nov. 25 from 11:30 fundraiser with Conservative Party Leader vehicle, door to door. All Inclusive. Sudan Relations—Carleton University is a.m. to 1 p.m. Erin O’Toole on Friday, Nov. 27 at 7:45 [email protected] [email protected]

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