Dalphond The kids are ‘disappointed’ in Senate’s not alright p. 10 regressing reforms p. 4 Who’s up to the Heard on post-Year of the Hill p.2 Tragedy challenge? Les Whittington p. 11 Hill Climbers p.17 THIRTY-FIRST YEAR, NO. 1729 CANADA’S POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT NEWSPAPER WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2020 $5.00 News Clean energy News Access to information Oil demand drop, renewable energy Canada’s information czar says feds resiliency prompts calls for federal clean need to send ‘serious message’ about energy investment in economic recovery access innovation amid COVID-19 BY MIKE LAPOINTE ollowing recent evidence Information Information Fshowing that renewable Commissioner energy hasn’t shared the same Commissioner Caroline Maynard fate as oil and gas, which have Caroline says the government seen recent and dramatic drops needs to send a in demand amid the COVID-19 Maynard 'serious message' pandemic, Green Party MP Eliza- to departments so beth May is calling on the federal says the they proactively government to support the renew- disclose documents able sector over the beleaguered limitations some and find innovative oil sands, with a number of departments ways to respond environmental advocates saying to access requests the feds should take advantage of are facing with COVID-19 a “once-in-a-generation chance” likely to add to the to pursue a “resilient recovery” to fill access backlog. Photograph through increased stimulus for requests, like courtesy of Office clean energy. of the Information When speaking to reporters needing to print Commissioner of about the economy on May 6, Ms. Canada May (Saanich-Gulf Islands, B.C.), out electronic said that it’s going to be “years” documents, are Continued on page 15 ‘ridiculous.’ at least 5,000 outstanding com- BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN “overwhelmed” system, warns which already faces a 49 per cent plaints, from the 3,346 on file as of Canada’s information commis- increase in complaints. March 2019. While she hasn’t yet News Centre Block reno OVID-19 is expected to cause sioner, while also calling for Outside of the pandemic, Caro- Cfurther delays to an already stable funding to her office, line Maynard says her office has Senate playing Continued on page 16 catch-up on Centre Block renovation News Lobbying plans, but Red Publications Mail Agreement #40068926 Chamber’s footprint Hill Times analysis of the federal Environment, resource development lobby registry on May 18. Their to remain untouched departments also appeared among the most in demand last month, agenda among April’s top-lobbied files with Natural Resources up 104 per BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT cent compared to April 2019, with 169 mentions, and Environment fter a slow start to the year, BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN recovery, say some of the groups lob- O’Regan (St. John’s South–Mount Canada up 16 per cent with 100 Senators are playing catch-up bying the ministers focused on these Pearl, N.L.) and Environment A communications report mentions. on proposed plans for the Centre OVID-19 is offering important les- files and pushing them to the top of Minister Jonathan Wilkinson The 2,176 communications in Block building’s renovation and Csons for Canada’s approach to cli- the list during the pandemic. (North Vancouver, B.C.) have been April 2020 put overall lobbying construction of the final Visitors’ mate change and the need for green Over the last two months, Natu- among the top three most lob- programs to be built into economic ral Resources Minister Seamus bied in cabinet, according to a Continued on page 12 Continued on page 14 2 WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Former Mulroney comms master pens book on political communication in post-truth age Heard on the Hill Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Donald Trump have relatively little in common, but, among that short list by Neil Moss is the fact that both were household names before they led their countries. A new book by a former Hill reporter and past political communications czar looks at the political capital given to those who are “well-known ‘A very difficult few for being well-known.” Bill Fox’s Trump, Trudeau, Tweets, Truth takes a look at the past to understand the present. weeks’: MPs pay tribute “Discussing how the military-industrial complex of the 1950s gave way to today’s celebrity-distribution complex, Bill Fox examines the amount of power accorded to to Snowbirds fatal crash people well-known for being well-known, from Donald Trump to Justin Trudeau,” the book’s description reads. “Taking on a Canadian perspective, Fox victim Jennifer Casey addresses the disturbing cries of ‘fake’ news in the post-truth age and demonstrates how journalism, no longer the domain of a select A Snowbird few political reporters and editors, has be- plane crashed come decentralized and disaggregated.” in Kamloops, Mr. Fox is a former bureau chief for The B.C. on May Toronto Star in both Ottawa and Wash- 17, leading to ington. He later became spokesperson for the death of then-opposition leader Brian Mulroney public affairs and then director of communications in Mr. officer Captain Mulroney’s office as prime minister follow- Jennifer Casey. ing the 1984 federal election. Captain Richard The 320-page book is due to be released Bill Fox’s Trump, Trudeau, Tweets, Truth will be MacDougall, by McGill-Queen’s University Press in published in September. Book cover image the plane’s September. courtesy of McGill-Queen’s University Press pilot, was injured in the crash. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia A pandemic can’t keep Catherine McKenna out of the pool arliamentarians commemorated the As MPs adjust to the new normal of life pates in a weekly swim with Parliamentar- Plife of a Snowbird public affairs officer Tory pundit Rachel during the coronavirus pandemic, Infra- ians from all political stripes at the pool in following a crash in Kamloops, B.C., which structure Minister Catherine McKenna has the Château Laurier on Thursdays at 6:45 happened less than a month after six mem- Curran joins Facebook’s taken up stationary swimming in an above- a.m. bers of the Canadian Forces were killed in ground pool. Along with the MP for Ottawa Centre, a helicopter crash off the coast of Greece. public policy group Ms. McKenna posted a Twitter video Ont., participants have included Conserva- Snowbirds spokesperson Captain Jen- showing off her new set-up, which features tive MPs Steven Blaney and David Sweet, nifer Casey was killed in the crash on May a pulley chord to keep her in place as she Liberal MPs Anthony Housefather and 17 and pilot Captain Richard MacDougall Rachel Curran, swims in the compact pool. William Amos, and Green Party Parliamen- was injured. pictured at “Getting this sorted out is how I spent tary Leader Elizabeth May. “This has been the Manning the long weekend,” she tweeted. “And now I Ms. McKenna was previously the a very difficult few Conference on can get my swim on. I feel better already!” captain of the University of Toronto swim weeks for mem- March 24, 2019, In normal times, Ms. McKenna partici- team. bers of the Cana- started her new dian Armed Forces,” job at Facebook Prime Minister Canada on May Justin Trudeau told 18. The Hill reporters on May Times photograph Senators to discuss National Autism Strategy in 19. by Andrew Meade The Snowbirds webinar this week had been perform- ing aerial shows Jennifer Casey across Canada A former staffer in Stephen Harper’s of- Four Senators will take part in a webi- joined the as part of Opera- fice as prime minister has joined Facebook nar to discuss the future of the National Snowbirds as a tion Inspiration in Canada’s public policy team. Autism Strategy on May 22. public affairs tribute to those on Rachel Curran announced her new job Participating in the webinar will be non- officer in 2018. the front lines of in a tweet on May 18, her first day in the affliated Senator Jim Munson, Conserva- Photograph courtesy the coronavirus new gig. tive Senator Leo Housakos, and Indepen- of the Department of pandemic. “I have long been passionate about dent Senators Wanda Thomas Bernard and National Defence Capt. Casey was social media platforms as essential tools Peter Boehm. a journalist in Hali- of democracy. They are a critical means of Sen. Munson has been a vocal advocate fax before joining the Armed Forces in 2014. organization and communication, often for for autism-related causes, including spon- “The Snowbirds have been traveling those who have not traditionally had a voice soring Bill S-206 in the 41st Parliament, across the country for the past few weeks or influence in political spheres,” she wrote. which led to April 2 being declared World lifting Canadians’ spirits as part of Opera- “In the current context, where we can- Autism Awareness Day. He also partici- tion Inspiration. This is a tragic end to a not easily meet face-to-face, I am even pated in the Senate Social Affairs, Science, tour that has brought much needed joy to more appreciative of these platforms as and Technology Committee’s report on so many,” Conservative Leader Andrew critical tools of personal and professional autism treatment funding in 2007, titled Scheer said in a statement. connection,” Ms. Curran added. Pay Now or Pay Later: Autism Families in Kamloops-area Conservative MP Cathy Ms. Curran worked in the Prime Min- Crisis. McLeod noted the crash in a series of ister’s Office from 2009 to 2015, first as During the last election, the Canadian tweets.