Publications Mail Agreement #40068926 budgets for standing committees budgets forstanding committees panel ofMPsthat reviews travel about thechancesgovernment from beingoptimistictodeflated based foreignaidgroups have gone committee travel spendingover thepastyear House ofCommonsapproved $2.4-millioninstanding than abudgetincrease. make thegreatestdifferenceonground.’Leadersinsectorareworriedthismeansmovingmoneyaround,rather International DevelopmentMinisterMarie-ClaudeBibeausaidit’s hertoppriority‘toensurethatCanadianaiddollars expect little from budget groups‘alarmed,’ told to Canada being back,’ aid ‘Withof all thetalk news Foreignaid twenty-eighth N ews Scott Taylor, p.9 failed state a ink than gets more hockey rink When a The HouseofCommonsanda In amatter ofmonths, Canadian- B C B y y ommittee C T helsea im N aumetz N YE The HillTimes photographbyJakeWright ash AR,

S N pending O. 1400 the expensesshows. formed government, arecord of and abroad sincetheLiberals lion forcommitteetrips has approved atotalof$2.4-mil- on theworld stagewould translate idea that Canadawas coming “back” last spring, groups were hopingthe a fullreview ofCanada’saidpolicy might boostflat aidspending. Carlo Dade, p.7 mistakes of America’s advantage can take How Canada When thegovernment launched C anada

in Canada in Canada ’ s P oliti expectation ofapositive ending. participating inthereview, withthe willing into higheraidspending. They were February toOctober2016—a total expenditures were approved from The bulkofthebudgetsand c

s to spend time and money to spendtimeandmoney

and Continued onpage5 G Continued onpage 3 overnment Briefing Policy Issues Youth pp. 13-18

N ews no problem forveteran Yukon MP No northernersincabinet, Trudeau onthenew Washington The Trump watchers: who advises the post:strategist away from scrapping firstpast New ministercouldsignalstep [because] that fogged in.” in theplane, andwe couldn’t, go down andfollow thehighway it was arainy day. Sowe triedto the cockpit. “Clouds allmoved in, not relyingontheinstrumentsin being flown by thepilot’ssight, recounts, meaningtheplanewas hiking therestofway there. grounded dueto fog, andhitch- of flyinginasmallplane, being in theirridingwould notconsist MPs thejourney toahighschool most MPsare. However, formost school graduation inhisriding, as once invited tospeakat ahigh (Papineau, Que.)hasdispatched begin. era inCanada-U.S. relations will is days away, andwithit, anew Donald Trump president-elect Strategies andaformer adviser to Ottawa lobbying shopSumma Tim Powers. institutions, according topundit as thenew ministerofdemocratic pointing rookie MPKarinaGould first-past-the-post system by ap- election conductedunderthe pledge tomake 2015thelast to pivot away from itscampaign be signallingthat it’sbeginning Feature news N ews “It was visualflightrules,” he Liberal MPLarry Bagnellwas Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau The inauguration ofU.S. Mr. Powers, vice-chairmanat The Trudeau government may p a B p B y trump inauguration B E er y P y M lectoral C eter arco P helsea ro M V azereeuw Tim Powers, p.11 iglio gate coming helicopter- have seen should Trudeau f N ile ash tti R e wednesd f orm festivities. and networker-in-chief duringthe as thefaceofgovernment cabinet, to Washington toserve Ont.), hisnew Trump-wrangler in Freeland (University-Rosedale, Foreign MinisterChrystia minister, andthat’s maybe the down by it,”Hill Times hetoldThe. [they] don’twant togetsucked lenges they’ve had withit, and away from itbecauseofthechal- sition toanewly developed policy. Party’s campaignpromise, andtran- to distanceitselffrom theLiberal cancel. NotMr. Bagnell. tion available, callthehighschoolto with noothermeansoftransporta - likely callitquits at thispoint, and ally—would people, re- MPs—most land at. Most airport to found asmall eventually too, thepilot behind them, fogged in though ithad back, andal- had toturn use lastweek’s gested that thegovernment could Conservative politicalleaders, sug- “Nothing says new like anew “I thinkthey may bemoving The plane a y , j a nu Continued onpage19 ar

Continued onpage 4 Continued onpage6 ministerial shuffle ministerial shuffle Larry Bagnell. y 18,2017$5.00

2 The Hill Times, wednesday, january 18, 2017 feature buzz

on Heard the Hill By Marco Vigliotti

House of Commons The Manning Conference, set for next month in Ottawa, will host a Conservative Party leadership debate. The jam-packed field of candidates, pictured above, could narrow in the coming months as wins recognition as a top the race enters the stretch run. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright The embassy’s party in 2013, to mark in the province, with the Tories holding President Barack Obama’s second inau- three of the five seats in the city proper. employer for young people guration, featured Tim Hortons coffee, The Conservatives look poised to return Molson beer, Crown Royal whisky, and to the House later this month with some BeaverTails, according to the Star. momentum, as Prime Minister Justin Citing its page The embassy has held a party since Bill Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) faces sharpened and student Clinton’s first inauguration in 1993. questions about whether his use of the Aga employment Khan’s helicopter to visit a private island programs, in the Bahamas during his Christmas vaca- a new Conservative leadership tion violated conflict of interest rules. competition hopefuls to debate in The party is also seeing its polling has named numbers rebound after tumbling following the House of Ottawa next month the 2015 election defeat, though the Tories Commons one remain roughly 14 per cent behind the of Canada’s top The 2017 edition of the annual Manning governing Liberals in ThreeHundredEight. employers for Centre Conference, known unimagina- com’s weighted polling averages. young people. tively as Woodstock for conservatives, will The meeting comes as the party enters The Hill Times feature a federal Conservative Party lead- the stretch run of its crowded leadership photograph by Jake ership debate, organizers have announced. race that has attracted some of its most Wright The three-day extravaganza, set to high-profile members, including several run from Feb. 23 to 25, will be held at the Harper-era cabinet ministers. sprawling Shaw Centre in downtown Ot- The Liberals will be in Calgary for a tawa. The two-hour leadership debate will cabinet retreat from Jan. 23 to 24. be held on the afternoon of Friday, Feb. 24, he House of Commons is one of Steve Rennie lands according to a schedule available on the Ex-cabinet minister TCanada’s top employers for young conference’s website. people, according to an editorial competi- gig with the federal There are 13 registered candidates returns to work after tion published by The Globe and Mail . seeking the leadership of the party, though The House administration was touted for fisheries department it could still expand further, with entre- health scare its array of youth employment opportunities, preneur and reality television personality such as the page program, summer student Former Canadian Press reporter Steve Kevin O’Leary mulling a bid. Former inter- employment program, co-op opportunities, Rennie has taken his talents to the federal The Conservative leadership election is national trade and internal job rotations in a summary of civil service. scheduled for May 27. minister Ed Fast the reasons for its selection as one of Cana- The ex-Hill scribe joined Fisheries and As for the Manning Conference, high- (Abbotsford, B.C.) da’s top 100 employers for young people. Oceans Canada in December as a writer profile speakers will include firebrand con- is back to work The awards for top youth employers are a and editor, according to his LinkedIn page. servative author and broadcaster Mark after suffering a part of the Canada’s Top 100 Employers proj- He had most recently worked as the Steyn, former Canadian ambassador for stroke last month. ect, a publication put together each year since managing editor of Metro Ottawa, the religious freedom Andrew Bennett, and The Conserva- 2002 by Mediacorp Canada, a human resourc- trim, free daily newspaper catering to the former Toronto city councillor Doug Ford. tive MP tweeted Conservative MP Ed es company, and published in the Globe. commuter crowd. He joined the paper in Mr. Steyn is perhaps best known for on Monday that Fast, pictured here in a The summary, authored by Me- April 2015. his provocative polemics warning of the it was “great to photo he tweeted Mon- diacorp employees, also highlighted the Prior to assuming the editor post, Mr. consequences of surging Muslim popula- be back to work day, says he’s returned House’s Next Gen Network, an informal Rennie spent eight years as reporter and edi- tions in European countries and rampant part-time!” to work part-time after bilingual group that it describes as facili- tor with the Canadian Press Ottawa bureau. government spending and borrowing, as “Grateful for all suffering a stroke last tating networking events for employees, During his tenure with CP, he won a well as his pointed critiques of multicultur- the overwhelming month. Photo courtesy of the which include regular meetings and activi- National Newspaper Award in 2009 for his alism. His 2006 book America Alone: The support. Ready to Twitter account of Ed Fast. ties with leaders on the Hill and discussion reporting about a deadly outbreak of liste- End of the World as We Know It was on the get back to work forums on subjects affecting members. riosis bacteria traced to an Ontario Maple New York Times’ bestseller list. for the people of Abbotsford,” he posted on “The House of Commons is proud to Leaf Foods meat plant. He won another Manning Conference promotional mate- the popular micro-blogging website, attach- provide a unique and historical work National Newspaper Award with his CP rial says Mr. Steyn could tape a new episode ing a photo of himself grinning. environment that offers enriching oppor- colleagues in 2015 for their coverage of the of his show, The Mark Steyn Show, at the He’s currently serving as the Conserva- tunities for students, recent graduates and 2014 attack at the National War Memorial event, with details still being worked out. The tives’ environment critic. He was the last young professionals across various fields,” and Parliament Hill. show airs on conservative digital platform, international trade minister of the former House Speaker Geoff Regan (Halifax West, CRTV, which launched in December. Conservative government, and played a N.S.) said in a statement. prominent role in negotiations on the sweep- “This award represents our commitment Embassy prepares ing Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact. Tories ferry off to developing young talent and provid- uniquely Canadian Mr. Fast suffered a stroke in December ing meaningful work experiences, while to Québec City for at his home in Abbotsford. He’s expected to investing in the growth and future of our inauguration viewing make a full recovery, according to his office. institution.” national caucus meeting Acting House clerk Mark Bosc said that party as a House employee who started his ca- While members of the Liberal cabinet Defence conference set reer in the Page Program, he “strongly” sup- The Canadian Embassy in Washington, are set to convene out for end of the month ports providing “continuous learning and D.C. is ringing in the dawn of a new presi- west before the House development opportunities to our employ- dency with an exclusive tailgate party featur- rises later this month, The Mackenzie Institute is hosting a ees to enable them to grow and develop ing some quintessential Canadian staples. the federal Conser- conference on the geopolitical context of within the organization.” An embassy spokeswoman confirmed vatives will head to Canada’s ongoing defence policy review Forty students each year are selected to that the dishes available at the inaugura- Quebec for their own Jan. 31 in Toronto. participate in the page program, which was tion viewing party on Jan. 20 will in- pre-Parliament get- The think-tank’s event will focus on started in 1978. clude, but not be limited to, poutine, British together. matters of global security, Canada’s global Columbia salmon, Canadian beef, and Members of footprint, protecting Canada’s North, and CORRECTION tourtière, reports the Toronto Star. the Conservative Interim Conservative global terrorism. According to the newspaper, the embas- Party’s national Party leader Rona Panellists include former CSIS director Re: “Kenya’s national day draws sy’s inauguration party is a highly sought- caucus will meet in Ambrose will lead a Richard B. Fadden, ex-ambassador Rolf high-profile crowd,” (The Hill Times, after ticket largely because of its view of Québec City on Jan. 26 meeting of her caucus Holmboe, Japanese ambassador to Canada Jan. 11, p. 18). Two photos show the the parade route, with Canada having the and 27, the party has colleagues later this Kenjiro Monji, and University of Toronto Kenyan high commissioner with a only embassy located between the White announced. The House month in Québec City. professor, Dr. Janice Stein. woman mistakenly identified as his House and the Capitol building. Canadian will resume sitting on The Hill Times photograph The conference will be held at the Royal spouse, Stephanie Sitain Lanyasunya. diplomats expect some 1,800 guests to Jan. 30. by Jake Wright Canadian Military Institute. She is in fact Kenyan Deputy Head of join them at the embassy to watch Donald The Québec City [email protected] Mission Jane Onsongo. Trump be sworn in as president. area is one of the party’s strongest regions The Hill Times The Hill Times, wednesday, january 18, 2017 3 News Committee Spending Commons okays $2.4-million in standing committee travel over the past year new reviews on Sept. 21, the day required for each travel budget tor Aaron Wudrick told The Hill “In 2011, the Conservatives got The Board of Internal it made its last budget deci- approved by the committee. Times. “The point is they can do a majority, but two things played Economy separately sion for nearly a month when Ms. Sgro’s office provided The it via videoconference for a tiny there that didn’t make for much it approved a request from the Hill Times with spreadsheets list- fraction of the cost.” committee travelling, or as much approved the Special Government Operations and ing $2,081,297 in committee travel Conservative MP Gord Brown, as could have been,” Mr. Boudria Estimates Committee for $172,077 budgets that have been approved his party’s whip in the Commons, said in an interview. Committee on for committee members and staff through unanimous Commons con- said the official opposition sup- “The Conservatives gradu- Electoral Reform’s to fly to Surrey, B.C., Edmonton, sent, following approval of commit- ports extensive direct consulta- ally, especially Harper, began and Calgary, Alta., Yellowknife, tee budget requests by the subcom- tion with Canadians. to retrench, you know, like the $540,000-plus travel N.W.T., Moose Jaw and Regina, mittee of the liaison committee, “We don’t oppose committee walls were closing in around Sask., and Winnipeg and Scant- and a further $311,537 in travel travel, as long as it’s justified and him, that’s just the way the guy budget. erbury, Man., for a major study of budgets approved by the subcom- unless there are difficulties within felt,” said Mr. Boudria. “You could the future of Canada Post. mittee but still awaiting consent in some of the committees,” Mr. argue whether it was good or Continued from page 1 The Commons gave prear- the Commons. Brown (Leeds-Grenville-Thousand bad, but I don’t think it’s wrong ranged unanimous consent the A special Commons committee Islands and Rideau Lakes, Ont.) to say that in the end he ran a of $1.8-million for committee next day to pass a government established to conduct a four-month said. “We’ve withheld consent on pretty closed shop.” travel devoted to a range of stud- motion proposing the travel by review of electoral reform bud- those until they work out some of And the NDP blocked commit- ies on social, economic, defence, seven members of the com- geted a further $540,008 on travel the problems on the committees.” tee travel, he noted. and foreign issues. mittee and staff to each of the to places across the country as “By and large, we have been “Pretty well the only travel Committee minutes show a destinations. it sought direct testimony from supportive of committee travel. they allowed at the time was for panel of MPs that serves as the The Commons gave similar citizens. The Commons Board of We think it’s important that com- the Finance Committee’s pre- first vetting stage for travel by the unanimous consent to the sub- Internal Economy approved the mittees get out there to meet with budget consultation, because that 24 House of Commons permanent sequent travel budgets approved electoral committee’s travel budgets Canadians,” Mr. Brown said. one is set in the standing orders standing committees has since by the liaison panel’s budget separately. Recalling the past Parliament [of the House of Commons],” said last Oct. 18 approved hundreds of subcommittee for studies to be The head of the Canadian under the Conservatives, Mr. Mr. Boudria. thousands of dollars further. This resumed in early 2017. Taxpayers Federation on Tuesday Brown and long-time former Lib- Committee studies under way came after the committee sus- The budgets are first discussed questioned the House of Com- eral cabinet minister Don Boudria in the Commons include a review pended new travel budget requests and approved, or in rare cases re- mons trend toward more exten- noted the NDP prevented commit- of mental health and suicide pre- in September for the remainder of jected, in the budget subcommittee sive committee travel. tee travel in the final years of the vention among veterans; the first the year and imposed a require- of the Liaison Committee, chaired The policy stems in part from a previous Conservative government. parliamentary look at Canadian ment for the “rationale” of proposed by the chair of the entire liaison 2015 Liberal election position that The NDP deployed the news media in three decades, by travel in the winter and spring of committee, Liberal MP Judy Sgro a government under leader Justin obstruction tactic, denying the re- the Canadian Heritage Commit- 2017 and more detail on estimated (Humber River-Black Creek, Ont.). Trudeau would widen consultation quired unanimous consent in the tee; an Industry Committee study costs for those requests. The other members are three and interaction with citizens across Commons. It began using the tac- of the Canadian steel industry’s The panel, the budget subcom- other government MPs and two the country, far from the capital, tic in February 2014, in retaliation ability to compete internationally; mittee of a supervisory House official opposition MPs from the through the Commons network of to the government’s refusal at the and an Indigenous and North- Liaison Committee comprised main committee. committees. time to take its consultation on ern Affairs Committee review of of the chairs of all 24 Commons Subsequent unanimous con- “I’m all for consulting,” Tax- Bill C-23, the Fair Elections Act, suicide among indigenous peoples. standing committees, suspended sent in the House of Commons is payers Federation federal direc- cross-country. The Hill Times

A ONE-OF-A-KIND, CROSS-PARTISAN PROGRAM GEARED TO POLITICAL PROFESSIONALS AT ALL LEVELS

The Clayton H. Riddell Graduate Program in Political Management is a one-of-a-kind, cross-partisan master’s degree program geared to political professionals at all levels. Whether you are an advisor to a cabinet minister or elected representative, a strategist or tactician for a political party working on campaigns, a policy advocate, or a grassroots activist, can you really afford not to be here?

February 1 is the application deadline for funded places for September 2017 admission.

carleton.ca/politicalmanagement 4 The Hill Times, wednesday, january 18, 2017 News Electoral Reform New minister could signal step away from scrapping first past the post: strategist with on this file that would’ve Conservative MP allow her to successfully navigate Scott Reid says a path forward. That’s why the cynics say if they were to leave rookie Gould wasn’t her there, it’s because the file was dead,” he said. likely selected to “If they wanted to move for- ‘radically change ward, they had to make a change.” Ms. Monsef, however, doesn’t the agenda’ on deserve to shoulder the entirety of the blame for the electoral reform electoral reform. stalemate, as she was likely taking orders from higher-ups in the prime Continued from page 1 minister’s office, with her inexperi- ence preventing her from challeng- start of the transition to whatever ing the poor directions she was their particular position is.” receiving, according to Mr. Sears. Ms. Gould (Burlington, Ont.) Ms. Monsef’s office turned down was sworn in as the government’s an offer to comment for this story. new democratic institutions Mr. Powers argued that while minister on Jan. 10. She had pre- Ms. Monsef clearly had “challeng- viously served as the parliamen- es” doing her job and proved to be tary secretary for the minister of a less-than-effective communicator, international development. she faced enormous difficulties in At 29, Ms. Gould is now the her role because of the confusing youngest-ever female cabinet signals coming for the PMO. minister in Canadian history. Her “I think the government itself predecessor in the portfolio, is trying to figure out where it Maryam Monsef (Peterborough- wants to go with democratic Kawartha, Ont.), joined cabinet in reform. Despite what they had 2015 when was 30. She has since promised in the election cam- been moved to be the minister for paign, they seem to be on a differ- status of women. ent trajectory,” he argued. In the new role, Ms. Gould “So the minister is in a difficult will be presumably tasked with spot when her masters aren’t making 2015 the last federal elec- clear on where they want to go.” tion contested under the current It’s a view echoed by Mr. Reid, voting system, although Prime who said the minister shouldn’t Minister Justin Trudeau (Papine- be faulted for parroting the talk- au, Que.) has appeared to publicly ing points provided by the PMO, back away from the pledge in or for advancing an incoherent recent months. policy she didn’t develop. In an interview with Le Devoir “I feel that Maryam Monsef is last fall, he mused that electoral Rookie Liberal MP Karina Gould, pictured centre alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Governor General David Johnston, taking a lot of heat that I felt she reform wasn’t as pressing a prior- was appointed last week as the new democratic institutions minister, where she’ll be tasked with delivering on Mr. Trudeau’s cam- didn’t deserve. I don’t think the ity now that the Conservatives paign pledge to make 2015 the last election conducted under first-past-the-post.The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright policy made a lot of sense, and had been booted from power. I found the lines she delivered He told reporters last week didn’t make a lot of sense. But he continues to be “committed were so scattered it was hard to with the file, staff her office, and Reform released its long-awaited they weren’t her lines,” he said. towards renewing our electoral know what they were committed figure out how to handle the of- report that recommended some When asked whether booting system.” to,” he said. fice’s bureaucracy. sort of proportional representa- Ms. Monsef from the portfolio Many observers believe that When asked last week by According to the lobbyist, the tion system of the government’s was necessary, NDP MP and a new electoral system must be reporters if she believes the Liberals haven’t put anyone in the choosing based on the Gallagher party democratic reform critic decided upon this year to ensure government is committed to its democratic institutions portfolio to Index, which measures the dis- Nathan Cullen (Skeena-Bulkley Elections Canada is able to prop- campaign pledge, Ms. Gould only signal it’s at the top of their agenda, parity between the popular vote Valley, B.C.), said he didn’t know, erly prepare for the next election, commended the work completed citing the inexperience of the two and seat allocation. It also called though argued that a change expected in 2019. The Liberals by Ms. Monsef, and said she MPs appointed to the position. for a referendum to be held on in tone from the government have reiterated that they plan to “looks forward to picking up However, Robin Sears, a princi- the issue. is required to make any sort of introduce legislation on electoral where she left off and moving this pal with lobbying firmE arnscliffe In a widely criticized perfor- progress on the file. reform by May, though what it file forward.” and former national director of mance in the House for which He mused that the rookie MP will contain remains a mystery. Conservative MP and party the NDP, argued inexperience isn’t she later apologized, Ms. Monsef was likely given poor advice from Mr. Powers pointed to the man- democratic reform critic Scott that big of a barrier when it comes argued that the committee, which PMO, but that she was “ultimately date letter handed to Ms. Gould Reid (Lanark-Frontenac-Kings- to pursuing electoral reform. spent the better part of the past responsible” for accepting it at as providing clues on whether ton, Ont.) said he’s doesn’t believe “This is not rocket science. It’s year touring the country to hear face value. the Liberals remain committed to the new minister will truly pro- not like running Finance or Trans- from experts and Canadians, had Mr. Cullen said he interpreted dumping first past the post. It’s not vide a substantially different per- port. It’s one agenda with one failed to do its job by not recom- the ministerial change as a signal clear, he said, if she will be given spective than her much-maligned set of deliverables, with one very mending a specific electoral sys- that the government is looking to a new mandate letter or if she will predecessor. small constituency of interested tem, and the government would restart talks on electoral reform, inherit the one provided to Ms. He told The Hill Times that Ms. players,” he said. move on to the next stage in noting the file has become a “bit Monsef when she was appointed. Gould wasn’t selected to “radi- “A smart chief of staff, a smart consultations on electoral reform, of a train wreck.” In a break with tradition, the cally change the agenda,” as she deputy, a capable parliamentary a widely mocked online survey He said he hopes Ms. Gould’s Liberals publicly released the likely doesn’t come armed with secretary, and a very junior min- at MyDemocracy.ca. mandate is to “get something done” mandate letters for all cabinet a different perception on how to ister should be more than enough There were more opposition and do it in a “respectful way with ministers when they were sworn advance reform. horsepower to deliver it.” MPs than Liberals on the commit- the opposition, as opposed to bel- in originally in November 2015. “I don’t think she herself tee. The Liberal members pro- ligerence,” noting that he remem- A request for comment to the would have yet developed an in- Monsef shouldn’t be duced a dissenting report. bers her being “particularly enthu- prime minister’s office about Ms. dependent particular assessment After a troubling year in the siastic” about the way the Special Gould’s mandate letter was not of the file,” he said, explaining faulted for parroting post, there was no way the govern- Committee on Electoral Reform returned before press time. that she had likely only known of PMO talking points: Reid ment could realistically make prog- was formed. The government al- The signals coming from the appointment days or weeks Electoral reform has emerged ress on the file with Ms. Monsef lowed an opposition majority and the government prior to the before. as one of the most difficult files remaining minister, and had Mr. involvement of the Green and Bloc shuffle, though, suggest that the A veteran Ottawa lobbyist who for the year-old Trudeau gov- Trudeau kept her in the portfolio it Québécois parties that wouldn’t Liberals will not meet their self- spoke on the condition anonymity ernment. Ms. Monsef has faced would’ve been a signal that he had otherwise have standing. imposed deadline for overhaul- to avoid harming their working substantial criticism for the con- no intentions of pursuing signifi- “My hope and assumption is ing the country’s voting system, relationship with the govern- tentious and oft-confusing tone cant reforms to the voting system that she maintains that attitude according to Mr. Powers. ment said the appointment of emanating from the Liberal camp. this term, according to Mr. Sears. towards getting this issue back on “The government didn’t seem Ms. Gould suggests nothing will The issue came to a boil “She had clearly not won the track,” he added. as attached to their promise. The happen too quickly because she’ll in December when the House kind of trust and respect among [email protected] signs before Monsef was moved need some time to get up to speed Special Committee on Electoral the people that she had to deal The Hill Times The Hill Times, wednesday, january 18, 2017 5 news Foreign Aid

Canadian Council for International ‘With all the talk Co-operation president Julia Sanchez says the government is of Canada being sending signals in informal discussions with the sector to keep back,’ aid groups expectations low for the next federal budget. The Hill Times photograph by ‘alarmed,’ told Kristen Shane to expect little from budget

0.28 per cent of its gross national NGOs expecting to income on official development get something out assistance (ODA), according to the OECD. The goal for developed of the months-long countries is 0.7 per cent. policy review are “Canada’s commitment to international assistance is near an worried the time all-time low. Canada is not back—it and money they is far back compared to any rea- sonable international or historical spent will be all comparison,” said the report. If there is not an increase for naught. to development spending in this year’s budget, which Mr. Continued from page 1 Greenhill’s report says could be the moment “when the Trudeau But months later, with the government puts Canada, after review’s results set to be soon an- two decades of free-riding, back nounced, several in the sector say on a path to being a fully paid- they’re receiving signals from gov- up member of the international ernment officials that they should community,” then the Trudeau lower their expectations for a government “will have the lowest budget increase. They’re wondering commitment to international as- whether the resources they spent on sistance of any Canadian govern- the review were all for naught. ment in the last half-century.” Julia Sanchez, president-CEO Should the development sector of the Canadian Council for Inter- not see any significant increase to national Co-operation, said it is its budget, the feelings of concern “very concerning” that the sector within the sector, Ms. Sanchez is receiving what she described as said, will only be exacerbated by the opposite of encouraging senti- the fact that members have spent he nor his organization would be “Over the past year, we engaged these conversations, we’re start- ment from the government. the last year in a holding pattern named as it receives funding from with our partners and with Cana- ing to mobilize. If there’s any She said the conversations awaiting the results of the aid the government, said “what we’ve dians to build a new international hope at all to influence, we will be between government officials and policy review, and investing a lot been hearing from the past couple assistance policy. We are in the doing so before the budget.” aid groups have been informal, of of time, energy, and money of months from conversations with process of changing course and we and nothing official has been contributing to the review. government, is to lower the bar for will set a clear vision,” she said. Optimism prevails said, but that the tone of the con- our expectations.” Another source, who also Jacquelyn Wright, vice-pres- versations has distinctly changed. A positive tone gone flat “Our organization put a lot spoke on the condition of ano- ident of international programs “We’re getting close to the Earlier in the year while the of time and a lot of money into nymity as her organization re- for CARE Canada, said she’s crunch,” she said, and there’s a international assistance review this with the idea that here was a ceives government funding, said heard the concerns, but she re- sense members of the develop- was in full gear, Ms. Sanchez chance Canada was promising to while there’s been nothing official mains optimistic. ment sector and its supporters said the tone from both political reinvest,” he said. from the government, and she “It’s definitely true that the “might not be happy with what and departmental staff at Global Now, he has the impression doesn’t expect there will be until level of funding over the past sev- we see” in terms of a budget in- Affairs Canada was optimistic, that the outcome of the re- the budget is released, “it’s just eral years has declined. And that, crease for international develop- encouraging, and ambitious. view “will really be to tell us what been a drip, drip, drip of position- of course, is very disappointing,” ment they say is needed. The next The review helped contribute to ing statements, or positioning she said. federal budget is due out likely that sense of optimism, she said, comments.” “We’re just waiting to hear the sometime in February or March. and International Development She said what is “galling” is outcome of the policy review. It does “In the bigger scheme of Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau’s “we’ve been waiting a year.” “It seem it’s going to be challenging to things, we’re talking about two office made it clear it was listen- It’s a much more cost members of the sector money make the overall budget of the gov- per cent of the federal budget. ing to the contributors. “ and time to engage so deeply with ernment, but that’s not a surprise.” We’re talking about a rounding “There’s snickering in town cautious tone” the department on what the new The House Foreign Affairs error [of the overall budget]. For sometimes about all the consulta- vision is for ‘Canada is back,’” she Committee tabled a recommenda- this government, we’re finding it tions that are going on,” she said, —Julia Sanchez, said. “At this stage, what we’re tion to the government in the fall hard to believe, with all the talk of “but we’ve happily and fully en- CCIC president hearing is that all of this effort is suggesting it commit to a timeline Canada being back,” she said. gaged” in the review process, and going to result in a five-page pol- to increase its foreign aid spend- the “sector has invested fully.” icy statement...something barely ing with the goal of reaching the ‘Canada is not back’ Ms. Sanchez said through to cut back on,” rather than what better than the mandate letter.” international goal of 0.7 per cent Global Canada Initiative, a informal conversations she’s had to expand on, as hoped. She said the sector is hearing of gross national income by 2030. non-governmental organization with government officials, both in “That is [the] kind of language “rumblings of really no ambition,” At the time, Ms. Bibeau said it advocating for more Canada the minister’s office and at Global we weren’t hearing before. People and “that’s putting it mildly.” was “ambitious.” in the world, released a report Affairs Canada, she’s heard “talk that are close to the Global Af- “We’ve given this government Ms. Wright said CARE wants last week that outlined just how of, we might have to make hard fairs file—it’s a much more cau- really the benefit of the doubt,” to be “realistic” about what’s pos- far behind Canada is when it decisions.” tious tone. It’s understandable as she said. What is appreciated is sible. But, “what we’re looking for comes to development spending. She said she’s heard from a we’re getting close to the budget,” the government’s open and will- is new money. Sometimes money “Canada is worse than a lag- few people in the department that Ms. Sanchez said. ing discussions it’s engaged in is moved around, and looks like gard—it is last among its global “even in the worst-case scenario, In an emailed statement via her with the sector. “I will give them it’s new money, but it’s not actu- peers,” it stated. The initiative we’re still going to find ways to communications director Louis 100 per cent credit for the fact ally new money.” is led by Robert Greenhill, a implement this new vision.” Belanger, Ms. Bibeau said her main that they do seem to be respon- The sector needs “an actual former president of the Cana- One director of a Canada-based priority “is to ensure that Canadian sive to policy suggestions.” increase,” she said. dian International Development non-governmental organization, aid dollars make the greatest dif- But, “the sector is alarmed,” [email protected] Agency. Canada in 2015 spent who spoke on the condition neither ference on the ground.” she said. “We are starting to have @chels_nash 6 The Hill Times, wednesday, january 18, 2017 news trump inauguration

Brian Mulroney Former Progressive Conserva- The Trump tive prime minister Brian Mul- roney is a friend and neighbour to Mr. Trump (in Palm Beach, Fla.), and has defended him in the watchers: who Canadian press. Mr. Trudeau’s office has al- ready moved to make use of that connection. Mr. Mulroney and advises Trudeau Derek Burney, a former Cana- dian ambassador to the U.S. and adviser to Mr. Mulroney, have been asked to advise the govern- on the new ment on the incoming Trump administration ahead of the Jan. 20 inauguration, Mr. Burney told the CBC. Washington That link could prove valuable given Mr. Mulroney’s connec- Former prime minister Brian Mulroney is among those who have offered ad- tions, which run beyond just Mr. vice to Justin Trudeau’s team on the next president of the United States. Mr. Trump, said Andrew Cohen, a Trudeau has plenty of staffers and public servants positioned to do the same. Corp, as well as several roles with Marc Garneau veteran Canadian journalist who The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright the Ontario and federal Liberal currently occupies the Fulbright now leads the parties. He oversaw North Ameri- Visiting Research Chair in Can- cabinet committee can operations for Hill and Knowl- ada-U.S. relations at the Wilson role of parliamentary secre- tional credentials; Sarah Hussaini ton for a time, and ran a public Center in Washington. tary for foreign affairs under worked for much of 2016 in the on Canada-U.S. affairs company with a branch in “Brian Mulroney knows Ms. Freeland with a focus on trade minister’s office, and prior Washington in the 1980s. the Republicans; he knows the Canada-U.S. ties, the Globe and to that for Invest Toronto, an relations, and Ralph The ambassador has regularly at- Reagan-ites, he knows the Bush- Mail reported. Mr. Leslie is on economic development agency Goodale continues tended meetings of the government ites, and he likes Justin,” said Mr. good terms with a couple gener- for the city focused on attracting cabinet committee on Canada-U.S. Cohen. als Mr. Trump has picked as international investment. Patrick to have a big stake relations, according to Ms. Freeland, close advisers. Travers spent years working in the former chair. That committee is Jeremy Broadhurst, the and around the United Nations in the border. now chaired by Transport Minister deputy chief of staff and deputy and in the international relations Marc Garneau (Notre-Dame-de- principal secretary to the prime realm. Continued from page 1 Grâce-Westmount, Que.). minister, will also be moved out Zita Astravas leads the Mr. MacNaughton told Diplo- of the PMO and into the role of PMO issues management team, Ms. Freeland is no stranger matic Connections magazine that chief of staff for Ms. Freeland charged with managing a re- to power players in the United the embassy has “a whole team of in her new role, the newspaper sponse to potentially damaging States. Prior to taking public of- people working on the various po- reported. political developments, a role that fice in 2013, she worked as a busi- tential outcomes and their implica- could become very important if ness journalist and author in New tions for the Canada-U.S. agenda.” PMO the incoming president decides to York, developing strong contacts “When I go to Ottawa for Mr. Trudeau’s top advisers put Canada in his Twitter cross- in the business world. She spent meetings of the Prime Minister’s have already started to try to hairs. Ms. Astravas is supported part of the past year working with Committee on Canada-United build bridges with the incoming by a team including adviser Mi- Back from left, Mr. Trudeau’s U.S. officials to try to resolve the States Relations, I remind people Trump administration and the chael Jones, a former communi- top advisers Gerald Butts, Katie latest Canada-U.S. softwood lum- that it is really important that we renewed Republican Congress. cations director for Environment Telford, Kate Purchase, and Jeremy ber dispute in her previous role as take into consideration U.S. views PMO chief of staff Katie Telford Minister Catherine McKenna (Ot- Broadhurst. Mr. Butts and Ms. trade minister. on things like defence, security, and principal secretary Gerald tawa Centre, Ont.) who worked in Telford have met with Mr. Trump’s Ms. and trade,” he said. Butts have had about a dozen Washington for the World Bank key advisers, and Mr. Broadhurst is Freeland Mr. MacNaughton is seen as meetings since the U.S. election between 2005 and 2010. expected to be the foreign minister’s and Mr. well-connected and trusted in with advisers to incoming presi- new chief of staff. The Hill Times Trudeau federal Liberal circles, and with dent Donald Trump, including his Top bureaucrats photograph by Jake Wright will lean good reason. He was appointed to son-in-law turned senior adviser, The Privy Council Office typi- heavily on his role by Mr. Trudeau. He served Jared Kushner, and chief strate- cally helps to funnel information Ambassa- as chair of StrategyCorp while Cabinet gist, Stephen Bannon, according from other branches of the public dor David Mr. Trudeau’s chief of staff, Katie With Ms. Freeland’s move to to news reports. service through to the govern- Mac- Telford, worked there as a senior the foreign affairs portfolio, Mr. The PMO would not say who ment’s political staff. Naughton, adviser. And he worked along- Garneau was tapped to take over specifically in the office follows Daniel Jean currently serves Foreign Minister who is side Gerald Butts, Mr. Trudeau’s as chair of the Liberal cabi- developments in the U.S. or briefs as the national security adviser Chrystia Freeland, hosting principal secretary, in the office net committee on Canada-U.S. Mr. Trudeau on them. However, to the prime minister in the PCO, a former reporter in a pair of of former Ontario premier Dalton relations. A former naval officer, there’s a good chance it will and John Hannaford is the PM’s the U.S. The Hill Times inaugura- McGuinty. astronaut, and head of the Cana- be Brian Clow, who served as foreign and defence policy adviser. tion events photograph by Jake Wright dian Space Agency, Mr. Trudeau’s chief of staff to Ms. Freeland dur- Martin Moen serves as in Wash- Canadian consulate communications director Kate ing her time as trade minister. Mr. director general of the foreign ington this week, as well as a in New York Purchase told The Globe and Clow has been shuffled into the ministry’s North America and network of diplomats, political Given Mr. Trump’s affinity for Mail, “he’s performed very well in PMO to serve as its co-ordinator Investment branch, supervising staffers, and senior bureaucrats to his Trump cabinet committees over the first for Canada-U.S. affairs, the Globe units focused on softwood lumber inform the government’s dealings Tower in year. In addition, his experience reported. negotiations, investment, and with the Trump White House and New York, in the military, as well as obvi- trade remedies. refreshed Republican Congress. Canada’s ously with NASA, made him an Martin Benjamin serves as Here’s a breakdown of the men diplomatic ideal choice to be the chair of the director general of Global Af- and women who will likely play a team in committee.” fairs Canada’s North America part in that network. Washing- Public Safety Minister Ralph Strategy Bureau, where Isabelle ton may be Goodale (Regina-Wascana, Desjardins works as a senior Embassy in Washington an impor- Sask.) serves as the vice-chair adviser. Ambassador David MacNaugh- tant source of that committee. His experi- More than a dozen bureau- ton is Canada’s chief promoter, of informa- ence—including nearly 30 years crats work in the bureau’s North defender, and spokesperson in the tion for the as an MP, and a half-dozen roles America Policy and Relations United States. A political appoin- govern- in cabinet—could be an asset branch, including David MacDuff, tee, Mr. MacNaughton won the ment on for the cabinet as it attempts to Brian Clow, left, is moving to PMO to the senior policy adviser for job after Transport Minister U.S. relations. Mr. MacDuff is the goings- Marc Garneau chairs sort through cross-border issues, become co-ordinator of Canada-U.S. accumulat- on in that said Susan Smith, a lobbyist affairs, the Globe reported. responsible for drafting brief- ing more the cabinet commit- ing documents, communications city. tee on Canada-U.S. with Bluesky Strategy Group in than two Phyllis Ottawa. “products,” and notes on policy decades of relations. The Hill Times Former prime minister options for the U.S. government Yaffe has photograph by Jake Wright Mr. Goodale is responsible for experience led the overseeing the Canada Bor- Stephen Harper was typically transition, according to his Linke- at the helm New York der Services Agency, making advised of developments in the dIn profile. of public consulate since this past sum- Canada-U.S. relations a core part United States during daily morn- Another 10 public servants affairs and mer. Ms. Yaffe has a long back- of his work. ing meetings with senior PMO currently work in the U.S. lobbying ground as a media executive in Liberal MP Andrew Leslie staffers, according to a former Transboundary Affairs branch, firms in Toronto, and her own connec- (Orléans, Ont.), a former general staffer in that office. including director Christopher Toronto tion to the PMO; she served on who has served as the govern- Michael McNair is the director Wilkie, a former ambassador to Ambassador David and Ot- the board of the World Wildlife ment’s chief whip, will also be of policy in Mr. Trudeau’s PMO, Morocco with a PhD in interna- MacNaughton. tawa, most Fund-Canada for several years, moved onto the Canada-U.S. where he is supported by deputy tional relations. Photograph courtesy of recently at an organization Mr. Butts ran as cabinet committee and into the Justin To and nine other policy [email protected] Global Affairs Canada Strategy- president and CEO. advisers. A few boast interna- @PJMazereeuw The Hill Times, wednesday, january 18, 2017 7 opinion trump inauguration The other half of preparing for a Trump era

been a target of far-right and Tea tive’s office, in the information That help appears forthcoming, dale; and the list goes on from there. How Canada can Party zealots who think it is a bad and communications sector alone, as it turns out, from Trump himself. Under Trump and like-minded take advantage of idea to provide the same type of US$36-billion of U.S. exports are administrations at the state export services to U.S. companies exposed to tariffs as high as 35 level, Americans will be work- America’s mistakes. that pretty much every other coun- per cent among TPP countries. ing hard to make Canada a more try provides to its exporters. If those products were made in attractive option for many of the In 2016, GOP hardliners Canada, they would be com- types of companies Canada sees stopped the seating of a full board petitive with other manufacturers “We’re talking about as its future: higher-value knowl- of directors for the bank, prevent- within the TPP-2 trade block. This edge companies that will locate ing it from offering services for is $36-billion of what is currently things that matter more and stay because they see com- larger loans. As a result, Ex-Im produced in the U.S. that could be petitive and personal value in a carlo dade financing dropped to support- looking for a new home from to some businesses and safe, tolerant, well-run, well-or- ing only roughly 52,000 jobs, which to sell more cheaply. dered society with well-educated down from 164,000 in 2014. This is More problems in U.S.- their competitiveness current and future employees ALGARY—As much as trade- the U.S. shooting itself in the foot. Mexico relations will also open than low taxes. whose families are covered by Cdependent Canada suf- But for Canada, constrained opportunities for Canadian universal health care. fers when the United States operations at Ex-Im led General companies, especially those in We’re not talking about selling shoots itself in the foot, there are Electric to move 350 jobs from consumer-facing services, to Recent moves to reverse unicorns and rainbows; we’re still often gains to be had. This is Wisconsin to Canada and also take business from American ObamaCare are only the begin- talking about things that matter shaping up to be likely with the expand a plant in Winnipeg. competitors in that growing mid- ning. Refusal of U.S. federal and more to some businesses and their incoming Trump administration. This was but a small portion of dle-class market if the back- state governments to invest in competitiveness than low taxes. Anticipating and preparing thousands of jobs GE relocated to lash against Trump begins to rub basic services, raise the gas tax The hard and soft advantages to seize these opportunities is countries that could offer ex- off on American companies. to pay for infrastructure, provide accruing to Canada under the age the other, often overlooked, half port support for bids it had won A different type of opportunity health care and quality education, of Trump will offer opportuni- of the work that is needed by the around the globe. should emerge in the tug of war value tolerance, support science ties for Canada. At the very least, private sector, federal and provin- Similarly, if president-elect between U.S. states and Cana- over superstition and rein in gun it should help avoid a race-to- cial governments to prepare for Trump follows through on his dian provinces for companies to violence makes the U.S. increas- the-bottom competition with the the incoming administration. pledge to withdraw from the set down roots in their jurisdic- ingly unattractive as a location U.S. But it won’t just happen on A great example of these types Trans-Pacific Partnership trade tion. Every day, Canadian com- for certain businesses—and the its own. We need to start now to of opportunities on the foreign agreement, and the remaining panies get offers from U.S. states employees they want to have. plan on how to anticipate and trade and investment front is the members decide to retool the with aggressive beggar-thy-neigh- It is no longer a matter of just capitalize on those opportunities. recent demise of the Export-Import agreement without the U.S., that bour incentives. This will only avoiding the worst neighbour- Carlo Dade is the director of Bank, the U.S. equivalent of Export puts Canada in an ideal position get tougher given a looming cor- hoods in Chicago; it is a matter the Centre for Trade & Invest- Development Canada. The U.S. Ex- to attract U.S. companies that porate tax cut in the U.S. and of worrying that the nice subur- ment Policy at the Canada West Im provides loan guarantees, credit, want to take advantage of favour- a new carbon tax in Canada. ban school one’s children attend Foundation and a senior fellow at insurance, and other services to help able tariffs on a range of prod- This is an area where Canada will be the next Sandy Hook or the School of International Devel- companies sell goods abroad. ucts to export to TPP markets. needs help if it is to avoid a tax- that the home airport through opment and Global Studies at the For reasons that can only make It’s a big opportunity. Accord- and-service-cutting race-to-the- which one’s employees transit every University of Ottawa. sense to Americans, the bank has ing to the U.S. Trade Representa- bottom competition with the U.S. week will be the next Fort Lauder- The Hill Times

inside politics trump inauguration

yet in office. More socially accept- to stay profitable. They simply able politicians pat themselves on would prefer to relocate there in Trump shows the back for doing much less. order to become more profitable. Last year, for example, both Up to now, governments in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Canada and the U.S. have handled Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne the Mexican threat by bribing the globalization’s took credit for a General Motors auto manufacturers with subsidies decision to create 750 new research and low-interest loans. and development jobs in Canada. Or, conversely, they have intro- Wynne crowed that her govern- duced so-called right-to-work laws ment had created the right condi- to bust unions and push wages logic can be Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland tions for a high-tech investment. down toward Mexican levels. seems to be a captive of a 19th- Trudeau noted that during an The Trump-Lumley solution is century delusion that countries elite conference in Switzerland much better: recognize the fact that open their borders fully to earlier in the year, he had person- profitable companies can afford challenged commodities, investment, and labour ally informed GM chief Mary to operate in high-wage North are somehow more virtuous than those Barra of Canada’s many virtues. American jurisdictions and co- that do not, writes Thomas Walkom. Trump’s style is different and erce them into doing so. In particular, he has dem- The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright He’s demonstrated onstrated some of the world’s arguably more effective. He doesn’t The Trudeau government that some of the biggest companies can be strong- charm CEOs. He threatens them— doesn’t get this because it con- armed into repatriating high- with high tariffs and other measures fuses unfettered free trade with list anger than the tolerant left. world’s biggest wage manufacturing jobs. designed to eat into their profits. tolerance, arguing that countries With his diatribes against Mexican companies can Since November, when Trump It’s an older style of job cre- that open their borders fully to migrants and Muslims, Trump has won the U.S. presidential elec- ation, one used with great effect commodities, investment, and la- tapped into a dangerous strain of be strong-armed tion by promising to tear up or by Canada in the 1980s when bour are somehow more virtuous American xenophobia. into repatriating renegotiate the North American then-industry minister Ed Lumley than those that do not. But that doesn’t mean every- Free Trade Agreement, companies threatened to hold up Japanese In defending Canada’s Compre- thing coming out of his mouth is high-wage ranging from Ford to United Tech- car imports at the docks in Van- hensive Economic and Trade Agree- wrong. Trump is right about trade nologies have backed away from couver until companies, such as ment with the European Union, even deals like NAFTA. They are bad manufacturing jobs. plans to move production abroad. Honda and Toyota, agreed to open someone as sophisticated as Foreign news (a recent poll shows that Certainly, Trump has exagger- assembly plants here. Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland even most Mexicans think the ated his role in this. Decades later, Japanese seems to be a captive of this 19th- pact hasn’t helped them). But a Washington Post analy- automakers continue to operate century delusion. More important, he is show- sis published this month in The manufacturing plants profitably Yet what she lauds about this ing that something can be done Toronto Star calculated that he can in Canada. pact is precisely what makes it to rectify such deals. Like former be credited for keeping or creating What Trump seems to get—and so dangerous: it is not just about Liberal prime minister John Turner, thomas walkom 9,630 well-paid American manufac- what Justin Trudeau’s government trade; it is about everything—in- a fierce opponent of free trade with turing jobs since the election. seems to forget—is that globaliza- cluding government’s ability to the U.S., Trump recognizes nations True, that’s a pittance when com- tion is not inevitable. regulate in the public interest. can thrive without embracing full- ive Donald Trump credit pared to a U.S. workforce that num- It is possible to operate a It is easy to see why the Trudeau blown globalization. Gfor this. The United States bers 160 million. True, also, that even successful capitalist economy government is so easily able to con- Trade does not require free trade. president-elect might not be ev- as Trump focuses on trade deals, without embracing trade deals de- flate free trade and tolerance. Trump seems to get that. erybody’s favourite person, but he other manufacturing jobs continue signed to drive industrial wages In countries such as the U.S., Thomas Walkom is a columnist is showing that governments can to fall victim to automation. down to Third World levels. France, and Britain, the intolerant with The Toronto Star. This column successfully challenge the logic of Still, 9,630 jobs is a significant The big car companies don’t right has been far more successful was first released on Jan. 16 globalization. win—particularly for someone not have to move to Mexico in order in channelling anti-globalist, popu- The Hill Times 8 The Hill Times, wednesday, january 18, 2017

Editor Kate Malloy Assistant Deputy Editor Abbas Rana Published every monday and wednesday Publishers Anne Marie Creskey, Deputy Editor Derek Abma online Editor, Power & Influence by Hill Times Publishing Inc. Jim Creskey, Ross Dickson Managing Editor Kristen Shane Editor Ally Foster 246 Queen Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5E4 General Manager, CFO Andrew Morrow Deputy Editor Peter Mazereeuw

Editorial voting Letters To The Editor Electoral reform is dead, How to turn off the cash-for-access tap hose expressing outrage at the Justin I suggest a system of public funding though was it ever even alive? TTrudeau/Kathleen Wynne “cash-for- for all qualified parties combined with po- access” issue might have forgotten the litical donations to an equally distributed s there anyone who really believes the bluff, knowing that Mr. Trudeau wouldn’t Mike Harris gold circle club. Paid access general election fund. This would remove Igovernment will change the way we elect risk the country’s benevolent duopoly, to cabinet was a feature of early Ontario the current reality that sees politicians our federal representatives by the time where power rotates between the desig- PC Party conventions. Delegates, for a seeking funding from wealthy individuals voters head to the polls again in 2019? nated centre-right party and the Liberals, $1,000 donation, were rewarded with an who expect results for their money. The Liberals have been elusive about to appease the fair-vote crowd. evening of socializing with PC cabinet Unfortunately, most Canadians seem to their true intentions since they formed The Conservatives have repeatedly ministers and Harris himself. The practice prefer the false comfort of a formal system government. It’s a timeless story, how called on the Liberals to put the issue to was discontinued after opponents of the that pretends to represent their interests. does a party balance its campaign prom- a referendum, knowing the odds were government publicized it. Easily obtainable evidence indicates that ise with its desire to remain in power? in FPTP’s favour. But is an esoteric issue While money alone does not guarantee while politicians and senior government There may have been a time when the that can be easily morphed by naysayers political influence, the current electoral staff are aware of public wishes, they Liberal Party believed that electoral re- really the most apt issue for a referen- system tends to create questionable finan- consistently serve an alternate agenda and form would be beneficial for its fortunes. dum? You can almost already hear the cial relationships between the donor and subtly marginalize their opponents. It’s easy to see how. warnings of European-style coalitions recipient politician—what might be called Morgan Duchesney Following the Grits’ disastrous show- and deadlocked legislatures. marketing democracy. Ottawa, Ont. ing in the 2011 election, some observ- It’s simple: the Liberals are struggling ers mused that the sole way to defeat a on the electoral reform file because it’s a unified federal Conservative Party would clash between what’s good for the party be for the Liberals and NDP to merge, a and keeping a campaign promise. Maryam sort of unite the left. The movement never Monsef wasn’t the problem. She did her Canada can only truly be back really got off the ground. job of stymieing reform so wonderfully But perhaps the Liberal brain trust, at that many pundits are saying she should when we contribute our fair share the time, thought electoral reform could shoulder some of the blame for the fiasco. ensure them a return to the promised Like a rookie MP was directing traffic. ustin Trudeau ventures across the is now a spendthrift cousin, envious of land, by avoiding splitting the progressive On the other hand, the Conservatives Jcountry this week, selling the benefits our European brothers with whom we vote with the NDP. haven’t really shown any willingness to of his government’s “Canada is back” would trade freely. Ranked ballot, in which voters rank abandon their self-interest. They’ve just slogan with efforts on climate, aboriginal Canada can only truly be back when their choices on their ballot, is widely bellowed “referendum, referendum” until rights, and the middle class. we contribute our fair share to the poor- reported to be the Grits’ preferred voting they’ve turned, well, blue. The tune hasn’t Surely an embarrassment will be the est of the world. Until then, we mumble alternative, and why wouldn’t it be? It changed. elephant in our closet: Canada’s abysmal empty promises in the shadow of others. rewards parties that are the least galling The NDP has extended an olive record on foreign aid. Once a leader and Randy Rudolph to voters, which historically has been the branch to the Tories, agreeing to a refer- indeed a world champion for aid, Canada Calgary, Alta. centrist party’s strength. This is because endum, and even the Liberals ceded their when no candidate receives a simple majority on the electoral reform commit- majority, the votes for second-best are tee to appease the opposition. No such factored in until someone breaches the co-operation from the Tories. PR like participation medals: 50-per-cent-plus-one threshold. So, yes, electoral reform will fail But then 2015 happened, and sud- because of the naked self-interest of our denly first past the post proved lucrative major political parties. everyone feels good, no one wins to the Liberals. So why tempt fate with The question is, did anyone think this reform? time would be different? roportional representation (PR) is like Karina Gould, The Conservatives, certainly no fans [email protected] Pthe participation medals that everyone the new of reform, masterfully called the Liberals’ The Hill Times gets in elementary school. Everybody minister for feels good but no one wins. democratic PR advocates suggest that it is demo- reform, will cratic to elect someone who came second, have to or worse, with as little as 15 per cent of navigate the the vote. pros and First, however, let’s step back and ask: cons of each “what is the purpose of electing a Mem- electoral ber of Parliament?” system in Are we trying to elect someone who deciding can govern the whole country or are we which is trying to elect one-issue advocates? best for Canada is a diverse country. Politi- Canadians. cal parties have to build consensus and The Hill Times make accommodations across broad photograph by issues, interests, and regions, to get Jake Wright elected and form a government or poten- tial government. I prefer a model akin to run-off votes, PR is a narrower, limited-interest, where the last standing candidate has at model. By appealing to smaller constitu- least 50 per cent support. Without using encies, under PR, parties can win a few run-off elections, that could be achieved seats, which they can barter in order to through ranked ballots, a process known get greater influence. as alternative vote. PR also means larger, multi-member So, if we want to elect limited-appeal ridings, where it would be difficult for issue advocates, with reduced account- elected members to even know, let alone ability to the local voters, then PR is the represent, their constituencies. way to go. But that is not for me. I know the first-past-the-post model Ian C. MacLeod has its flaws. Richmond, B.C.

Editorial Michael Geist, Greg Elmer, Riccardo Filippone, Alice Funke, advertising marketing director Chris Peixoto Delivery Inquiries Please send letters to the editor to the above senior reporters Tim Naumetz and Laura Ryckewaert Dennis Gruending, Cory Hann, Chantal Hébert, Joe Jordan, classified sales coordinator Sarah Wells-Smith [email protected] street address or e-mail to [email protected]. REPORTER, POWER & INFLUENCE ASSISTANT Warren Kinsella, Gillian McEachern, Arthur Milnes, Dan 613-688-8822 Deadline is Wednesday at noon, Ottawa time, for EDITOR Rachel Aiello Palmer, Nancy Peckford, Angelo Persichilli, Kate Purchase, Production the Monday edition and Friday at noon for the Wednesday edition. Please include your full name, News ReporterS Chelsea Nash, Marco Vigliotti Tim Powers, Jeremy Richler, Susan Riley, Ken Rubin, Sarah Production Manager Benoit Deneault address and daytime phone number. The Hill Times Photographers Sam Garcia, Andrew Meade, Schmidt, Rick Smith, Evan Sotiropoulos, Mathieu R. St-Amand, Senior Graphic, Online Designer Joey Sabourin reserves the right to edit letters. Letters do not Cynthia Münster, and Jake Wright Scott Taylor, Paul Wells, Nelson Wiseman, Les Whittington Graphic Designer Melanie Brown reflect the views of The Hill Times. Thank you. POWER & INFLUENCE ASSISTANT EDITOR and Armine Yalnizyan Web Designer Jean-Francois Lavoie Christina Leadlay Publications Mail Agreement No. 40068926 Editorial Cartoonist Michael De Adder Advertising Published every monday and wednesday Return undeliverable Canadian Contributing Writers Denis Calnan, Christo- vice president marketing and by Hill Times Publishing Inc. Addresses to: Circulation Dept. pher Guly, Leslie MacKinnon, Cynthia Münster multimedia sales Steve MacDonald administration 246 Queen Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5E4 246 Queen Street, Ottawa, ON K1P 5E4 Columnists Keith Brooks, Karl Bélanger, Andrew Cardo- Directors of business development Craig Finance/Administration Tracey Wale (613) 232-5952 Fax (613) 232-9055 2012 Better zo, John Chenier, David Coletto, Sheila Copps, David Crane, Caldbick, Martin Reaume, Samim Massoom, Ulle Baum, Circulation Sales Manager Chris Rivoire Canadian Publications Mail Agreement No. 40068926 CMCA AUDITED Newspaper Jim Creskey, Darryl T. Davies, Murray Dobbin, Gwynne Dyer, François Moreau www.hilltimes.com Winner The Hill Times, wednesday, january 18, 2017 9 inside defence afghanistan

None of the media stories I And the Taliban is not operat- saw about the final ball hockey ing alone, as there are now an When a hockey rink gets game mentioned the current estimated 20 separate terrorist situation in Afghanistan. No one groups operating in east Afghani- asked Ambassador Neufeld about stan alone, including Daesh (also the state of affairs in this war- known as ISIS, ISIL, and the more ink than a failed state torn country to which so many Islamic State). Canadians fought and died trying A whopping 90 per cent of Af- to bring about some stability. ghans report corruption is a part This was the final game played The ball hockey rink was con- The sad truth is that things are of daily life, and it is estimated Reporters wrote at the Kandahar Airfield ball veniently located next to another worse than ever. Last Wednesday, that more money was paid in reams on a hockey hockey rink before the U.S. army equally iconic Canadian fixture: United States Special Inspector bribes than was generated by the engineers began dismantling the a Tim Hortons outlet, which the General for Afghanistan Recon- entire Afghan tax base in 2016. rink being repatriated boards and benches. Once disas- Department of National Defence struction John Sopko released an Sopko’s conclusion was that from a Canadian base sembled, these iconic boards were operated in Kandahar. update on the challenges facing despite the U.S. pumping in more transported back home to Canada To illustrate just how hockey- Afghanistan today. Some of the than $750-billion in military costs in Afghanistan, but where they will be put on display mad Canadians are to their key points made by Sopko illus- alone over the past 15 years, the in the Canadian War Museum in bewildered NATO allies, then- trated the absolute incompetence Afghan government is still in no there should be more Ottawa and perhaps the Hockey chief of defence staff Rick Hillier of the Afghan security forces. Ac- position to support itself, and attention on what’s Hall of Fame in Toronto. brought the actual Stanley Cup to cording to the inspector general, “will require donor assistance for In addition to flying in the am- Kandahar in 2007. Some former there are tens of thousands of the foreseeable future if it is to become of the country bassador, the Canadian govern- NHL all-stars were brought in for “ghost soldiers” in the Afghan survive.” since our soldiers left. ment also provided photos and the occasion, and they played a ranks whose commanders retain Against that backdrop, the information to reporters to ensure game against a brave handful of their paycheques because the repatriation of our hockey rink that the final minutes of the Kan- Canadian soldiers as the revered individuals do not exist. boards seems almost nonsensical. dahar rink would be recorded for trophy was closely guarded on “The best spin the Afghan I’m reminded of that famous posterity. the sidelines. security forces can put on their line from the Vietnam war movie It has been two years since With the positive media activities is that they are able to Apocalypse Now, wherein the Canada concluded military par- stories about the rink’s removal, retake strategic areas after they American commander explains ticipation in the Afghan inter- one could be left with the false temporarily fall,” noted Sopko. why it was necessary to capture vention, and the media reports impression that Canada’s mission “We may be defining success as an island: “[Because] Charlie scott taylor focused on the nostalgic aspects in Afghanistan was a glorious the absence of failure,” he added. don’t surf.” In this case, our of this unique sports facility. chapter in our military history. We The Taliban has begun simply rationale for deploying troops to For the tens of thousands of came, we saw, we conquered— purchasing their weapons and Kandahar would be the equally TTAWA—On Dec. 27, about Canadian soldiers who served tours and then we played hockey in ammunition from the Afghan absurd: “because Afghans don’t Oa dozen Canadian Embassy of duty in Kandahar, there can be no the desert. Now we are bringing security forces because that is play hockey.” staff, including Ambassador Ken- question that the nearly regulation- home that rink so that future gen- cheaper and easier than trying to Scott Taylor is editor and neth Neufeld, were brought from size hockey surface served as a rare erations can be reminded of how, capture them. Money is no object publisher of Esprit de Corps Kabul to Kandahar to play a ball respite from an otherwise dangerous for more than a decade, Canada for the Taliban as it is harvesting magazine. hockey game. and frustrating mission. brought our sport to Afghanistan. bumper crops of poppies. The Hill Times

global affairs reunification Cyprus peace talks: waiting for Erdogan

the Greeks live in a universally UN Secretary General The Turkish recognized country that belongs António Guterres, president can’t to the European Union. They can centre, briefs trade and travel everywhere. journalists during afford politically The Turkish-Cypriots live in ut- a UN-supported to have the island ter isolation, their ramshackle state conference in Geneva recognized by no country except on Cyprus on Jan. 12 reunite now. Turkey. And although they are a that brought together well-educated, secular population, Mustafa Akinci, they may already be outnumbered Turkish-Cypriot by the ill-educated, socially conser- leader, left, and vative immigrants who have been Nicos Anastasiades, flowing in from Turkey. No wonder Greek-Cypriot leader, the Turkish-Cypriots voted nearly right. Jean-Marc Ferré gwynne dyer two-to-one in favour of reunifica- photograph courtesy of tion in 2004, the last time a peace the UN deal was attempted. ONDON, U.K.—It would be an The Greek-Cypriots, by Lexcellent thing to reunite the is- contrast, voted three-to-one land of Cyprus after 42 years of heav- against the deal—not because it ily armed partition, but it’s probably was really such a bad deal, but ed 165,000 Greeks and 45,000 Turks) on the island) to carry out its duty ful “executive” presidency. Like not going to happen this year. because many of them don’t feel will be allowed to return to their as guarantor, stop the carnage, and Putin’s in Russia, for example. They were all meeting in much need to compromise. The former homes in the “other” part of roll back the coup. That is politically tricky. It Geneva last week: President Nicos status quo is quite bearable, and the island? Will they be allowed to When London refused to act, takes 60 per cent of the votes in Anastasiades of the Republic of the United Nations troops will evict the current occupants? Turkey itself invaded to protect the Turkey’s parliament to change the Cyprus and President Mustafa be happy to stick around and And above all, who will guaran- Turkish-Cypriot minority, and the constitution. In the final vote, he Akinci of the Turkish Republic of enforce the ceasefire for another tee that both sides will observe the territorial division it imposed on might lose. And even if Erdogan Northern Cyprus, plus the new 42 years if necessary. Or so the terms of the deal? This is the point the island in 1974 has lasted ever gets the change through parlia- United Nations secretary general, Greek-Cypriot ‘no’ voters seemed at which things fell apart in 1974. since. Getting the right kind of ment, he must then win a national António Guterres, and represen- to believe last time. Cyprus got its independence guarantees this time is crucial to a referendum on the question. tatives of all three countries that Then there is the sheer com- from the British empire as a bi- successful deal, but it’s probably Since Erdogan restarted his guarantee Cyprus’s independence, plexity of the negotiations to put national republic in 1960. The power- not going to happen this year. war on the Kurds last year, he Britain, Turkey, and Greece. the country back together again, sharing constitution was guaranteed The deal itself is ferociously has lost the votes of pious Kurd- The talk was upbeat: “best and but this time as a bi-national by Britain and by Greece and Turkey, complex, and the fine print cer- ish voters. The only way he can last chance” for peace, said of- federal republic. How will the the two “mother countries” of the lo- tainly wasn’t settled last week. replace them is by winning the ficials on both sides of the island. territory be divided up? (The cal populations. But then there was a With enough goodwill on both votes of right-wing nationalists. But don’t hold your breath. Turkish-Cypriots currently hold military coup in Greece. sides, it could be done in the next So Erdogan can’t afford to back There are three reasons why about 36 per cent, but the maps The Greek military regime con- few months, but the real obstacle the Cyprus deal right now. It would reunification is probably not about the two sides tabled give them spired with a local Greek-Cypriot now is Turkish politics. alienate Turkish ultra-nationalists to happen, and the first is that between 28.2 per cent and 29.2 terrorist organization called EO- Nobody knows what Turkey’s who just want to annex northern Greek-Cypriots simply don’t want per cent.) Will there be a rotating KA-B to carry out a bloody coup in president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Cyprus. Maybe next year, after he it as badly as Turkish-Cypriots. The presidency, held sometimes by a Cyprus in 1974 and unite the island really wants in Cyprus. But his has total power. But not now. Greek-Cypriot majority has twice Greek and sometimes by a Turk? with Greece. So the Turkish prime one fixed goal is to change the Gwynne Dyer is a U.K.-based the average income of the Turkish- How many of the refugees who minister flew to London to beg Turkish constitution in order to independent journalist. Cypriot minority, mainly because fled during the 1974 war (an estimat- Britain (which has military bases turn his office into an all-power- The Hill Times 10 The Hill Times, wednesday, january 18, 2017 need to know trump inauguration

From Taiwan German Chancellor Angela Merkel, a to Russia, staunch U.S. ally, in with Russian Presi- president- dent Vladimir Putin when it comes to elect Donald trustworthiness. Trump has He criticized Merkel’s attempt to made short provide leadership in a troubled EU and work of scorned her humanitarian response to the long-standing migrant crisis in Europe, saying taking in American for- “all of these illegals” from the Middle East eign policy— was a “catastrophic mistake” that under- even before mined political stability on the continent. he takes Although it’s a mystery as to what office.Photo Trump might try to do as president, his courtesy of Gage latest remarks appear to have shaken up Skidmore Europeans who once hoped the upheaval in American trade, diplomatic, and defence policy the Republican candidate promised during the election might have been exag- gerated vote-getting rhetoric. In the two months since the vote, Trump has also managed to exacerbate tensions with China through his continuing depiction of the Chinese as economic enemies and his dismissal of decades of U.S. policy on Taiwan. The president-elect’s unprecedented in- volvement on behalf of Israel in a UN vote on Israeli settlements in territory claimed by the Palestinians has raised concerns about the ability of the Trump administra- tion to play any kind of constructive role in the search for a peaceful settlement in the region. Diplomats from around the world meeting in France sent Trump a message on the weekend warning that any hopes for an easing of Israeli-Palestinian tensions depend on a balanced approach—not the unmodulated support for Israel espoused so far by Trump. At home, Trump has confounded even those in his own party with his cozying up to Putin in the midst of a national uproar over Russia’s apparent cyber-interference in the U.S. election. Trump has finally admitted the interference took place, but refuses to acknowledge it might have Enter Hurricane Trump affected the outcome of the vote. On the weekend, even as members of Congress prepared to probe Russian hacking, he was Trump’s storm of chaos TTAWA—As a political power centre, thrown Washington into disarray, spread contemplating a nuclear arms reduction OWashington, D.C., has seen its share of dissension and division around the world, deal with Putin that would lead to dropping has spread far and wide bizarre occurrences. and prompted widespread fears about his U.S. sanctions imposed on Moscow after There was FBI director J. Edgar impulsive, incomprehensible, and hyper- Russia’s annexation of Crimea. even before Friday’s Hoover’s efforts to entrap Martin Lu- sensitive conduct. The Russian contretemps in Washington inauguration. ther King Jr. by bugging his hotel rooms. As of the weekend, the latest blast in the has taken on a heated personal tone over dis- There was John F. Kennedy’s compulsive storm of chaos came from interviews with puted suggestions that the Russians gathered White House sexual affairs with hook- British and German newspapers in which potential blackmail information on Trump ers and movie stars. And Richard Nixon’s he reignited troubling questions about the in a Moscow hotel room—a messy business thuggish-sounding Watergate tapes—to U.S.’s future relations with long-time Eu- that has fed his unheard-of war of words mention just a few. ropean allies, praised Brexit, and predicted with the U.S. intelligence community. It can But no one has ever seen anything like further disintegration of the 28-member be said without fear of contradiction that no Donald Trump’s transition to the presi- European Union. U.S. president-elect has ever been upbraided publicly in the way Trump was blasted by les whittington dency. He relished his diagnosis of NATO, Even before he officially sets foot in the main Western defence against Rus- outgoing CIA director John Brennan, who the White House on Friday, Trump has sian aggression, as obsolete, and lumped said the new president should stop shooting his mouth off. “It’s more than just about Mr. Trump. It’s about the United States of America,” Bren- nan said. REGISTER at www.energy.ca Trump is also under fire for promising to junk Barack Obama’s health-care plan immediately when the Republicans have no plan for a replacement program, for his antagonistic attitude toward the media, 2017 Canadian Energy Industry UPDATES & INSIGHTS and for his casual approach to the glar- ing conflict-of-interest problems raised REDUCING EMISSIONS FROM ENERGY USE by a billionaire president with extensive business interests. As well, some of his Policies | New Initiatives | What’s Needed cabinet appointees have stirred contro- versy because of their stated determination Westin Hotel Ottawa | February 6, 2017 | 1:15 pm – 5:15 pm to undermine the very purpose of their respective agencies. His Twitter attack on Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights icon who questioned Trump’s Finding ways to reduce GHG emissions from the energy end-use sectors is of central importance to climate policy legitimacy as president, has set off a fierce backlash that has contributed to the many making. In spite of their essential role, these sectors are often under-represented in discussions of climate change policy. protests being mounted around the inaugu- This event aims to profile the role that the major end-use sectors will play in GHG mitigation, and which policies and ration and decisions by at least 20 Demo- cratic lawmakers to take the unusual step new initiatives will be most effective in making this happen. It also provides an excellent opportunity for networking of refusing to attend Trump’s swearing-in by the Ottawa energy community, members of the diplomatic community, and Parliamentarians. ceremony. And that’s not to mention Trump’s plan Networking Reception to follow from 5:15 pm to 7:00 pm to pull out of the Paris climate change agreement or his threat to wreck trade re- GET the LATEST INFORMATION, TRENDS and INSIGHTS on ENERGY DEVELOPMENTS ACROSS CANADA lations with Canada and Mexico, his North American neighbours. Les Whittington is an Ottawa journalist View full program at www.energy.ca | For more info, contact [email protected], 613-232-8239 ext. 603 and a regular contributor to The Hill Times. The Hill Times

ECC-17 HillTimes Print UpdatesInsights Jan SMALLER.indd 1 2017-01-11 9:44 AM The Hill Times, wednesday, january 18, 2017 11 plain speak trudeau’s vacation Of politicians, vacations, and helicopters

minister and his government lots many people talking about our At that time opposition MPs, could bring that canoe he is so The PM need of grief. Most of it seems to be domestic affairs. including the Liberals, lambasted fond of paddling in photo-ops; it have only asked of their own making, based on But if you are a prime minis- MacKay and Stephen Harper’s would have saved him here. the planning of the trip and the ter or a serving minister of the government not just for the use Personally, I can’t wait to hear ex-Conservative mangled communications of it. Crown and some part of your of the helicopter but the way they the potential future leader of the minister Peter The prime minister probably is vacation involves a helicopter communicated. Sound familiar? Conservatives, Mr. Money Bags wishing he was like the rest of us ride, the red flags should go up. In a case of you reap what himself, Kevin O’Leary, weigh in MacKay about the poor sops whose Christmas travel Canadians would rather see you you sow, Trudeau is under fire on this one. No doubt a blistering perils of a convenient troubles usually involve lost lug- go all old-school voyageur in the for among other things using the critique of the Aga Khan’s aero- gage, never-ending delayed flights way you get around. Think of that Aga Khan’s private helicopter space choices and some reference helicopter. and the ever-reliable passenger old National Film Board vignette to fly to the religious leader’s to surfing will be part of it. That announcement: “We thank you with the classic “dum da da dum island. Helicopter flight is appar- will be some outsider perspective. for your patience.” As if there da da dum dum da” soundtrack ently the normal route of travel The wonderful thing about was some option. But the prime and you’ll be on the right track. there. There are restrictions on Canada is we can spend days and minister does have options most The prime minister need have prime ministers flying on pri- weeks chasing our tails around of us don’t. only asked former Conservative vate helicopters. Someone in the on what is appropriate or isn’t Let me join the chorus who minister Peter MacKay about the government perhaps overlooked for our vacationing politicians. argue that politicians rightly de- perils of a convenient helicop- that or hoped inquiring minds However, they themselves only tim powers serve vacations and they should ter. MacKay was vacationing at would. Trudeau is now getting need look in the mirror to ascribe be able to spend time with their a private fishing lodge outside MacKay-level grief, which has blame for this cycle. Nothing so friends regardless of the wealth Gander, N.L. a few years ago. He been exacerbated by the clumsy good like calling out the other TTAWA—Politicians, vaca- or poverty of the acquaintance. was the defence minister at the way information about the trip guy until you actually become the Otions, and helicopters do not They also shouldn’t be mandated time. He had to return to work has dripped out. other guy. make a comfortable threesome. to solely stay in Canada. If you from the vacation and a defence In some ways Trudeau is prob- Tim Powers is vice-chairman Now get your mind out of the gut- are a Canadian politician some- department helicopter came to ably in a no-win situation here. of Summa Strategies and manag- ter if somehow you ventured there. times the only time you do truly pick him up in the woods. It was a Imagine the storm cloud if a gov- ing director of Abacus Data. He is Justin Trudeau’s vacation to get away is when you get out of search and rescue helicopter that ernment helicopter or helicopters a former adviser to Conservative the Aga Khan’s private island in the country. Outside of Canada— was deployed to get MacKay for a had been co-opted to get him to political leaders. the Bahamas is causing the prime shock of shocks—you don’t hear short ride back to Gander. the private island? Next time he The Hill Times

opinion cabinet shuffle

A focus on traditional markets As newly for Canadian goods and services confirmed is not an effective long-term Trade Minister Canada’s strategy. Economic growth in the François- developed world has essentially Philippe flat-lined. This has become the Champagne new normal. Canada’s economic considers progressive future is in the developing world. his options, This is where the mandates of Africa is the Trade Minister Champagne and In- best rationale ternational Development Minister to keep the trade agenda Marie-Claude Bibeau intersect. Liberals’ pro- Africa represents the largest gressive trade share of Canadian international agenda on his development assistance. Un- priority list, starts in Africa der the umbrella of sustainable argue David economic growth—the overarch- Luke and Phil Its population has reached one ing theme of a progressive trade Rourke. The Economic growth in billion and is expected to surpass agenda—Canada has made Hill Times pho- the developed world two billion in the next 30 years. significant investments in the de- tograph by Jake By that time, Africa’s popula- velopment of small- and medium- Wright has essentially flat- tion is expected to be larger than sized enterprises, governance, lined. The country’s China and India’s combined. greater and more inclusive public The middle class in Africa participation, women’s empower- economic future is in now represents almost a third of ment, and the environment. Africa’s current population and Canada is already at the the developing world. is growing. According to a recent forefront of Africa’s trade and McKinsey report, Africa’s strong development agenda. Canada is household consumption and busi- working with the UN Economic ness spending will offer compa- Commission for Africa to support nies US$5.6-trillion in opportuni- African efforts for a continental ties by 2025. free trade area that would elimi- African countries are taking nate tariffs, streamline border- members, launched at a WTO We also need a change in per- positive steps toward improved related issues, address non-tariff Ministerial in December, would spective. The criticism of the lim- DAVID LUKE and PHIL ROURKE industrial development and struc- barriers, and achieve common provide a blueprint. its of globalization in addressing tural change. Trade is essential to rules on investment and services. A services trade and investment social and other developmental this effort. Intra-African trade is This is the best entry point for focus should be emphasized. Ter- objectives is leading to a “Made in he arrival of president-elect already significantly more diver- Canada for further engagement. tiary education, clean energy devel- Canada” approach for goods and TDonald Trump threw the Liberal sified than continental trade with The issue is how Canada will use opment, technological co-operation services. The reality is that we government’s trade strategy off the rest of the world, according to this opportunity. According to on climate change mitigation have mutual interests in creating balance. The recent reshuffling of research carried out by the Afri- OECD data, Canada’s contribu- strategies, and agricultural pro- value together, across national cabinet and the now laser-like focus can Trade Policy Centre of the UN tions to aid-for-trade initiatives is ductivity services improvements borders. A “Made WITH Canada” on the United States, Canada’s most Economic Commission for Africa. declining, as its commitment to are all priority areas for expansion trade and development niche important commercial relationship, Poverty remains the main official development assistance in Africa. These priorities also ad- strategy based on sound business confirmed the need for a reboot. challenge for Africa. The Mil- also declines. dress directly Canadian goals for and development principles and The first casualty of the lennium Development Goal of Africa has a Brexit challenge: improved women’s empowerment, some connection support from change in strategy is likely the halving poverty was met for all the United Kingdom and Europe increased inclusive growth, and Canada is, in our mind, the only government’s “progressive trade developing regions except Africa. will be consumed for years with more broadly based support for way to go. agenda,” particularly with respect The World Bank Group estimates redefining all aspects of their re- development. David Luke is co-ordinator of to the developing world. As newly that even though the share of lationship. Trade and investment Canada’s co-operation model the Africa Trade Policy Centre at confirmed Trade Minister Fran- extremely poor Africans declined relations with Africa are way with mining companies for im- the UN Economic Commission for çois-Philippe Champagne consid- from 57 per cent in 1990 to 43 down the list of priorities. proved corporate social responsi- Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. ers his options, Africa is the best percent in 2012, the number in- Canada should fill this engage- bility provides lessons for deeper Phil Rourke is executive director rationale to keep this agenda on creased by more than 100 million. ment vacuum through the Com- engagement in Africa. Lessons of the Centre for Trade Policy and his priority list. It also projects that the world’s monwealth and la Francophonie. learned, both good and bad, can Law at Carleton University and The continent’s GDP has now extreme poor will be increasingly A comprehensive trade and help develop new bilateral trade the University of Ottawa. surpassed the US$3-trillion mark. concentrated in Africa. development strategy with these and investment relationships. The Hill Times 12 The Hill Times, wednesday, january 18, 2017 opinion construction

Fort McMurray’s Waterways Drywall neighbourhood is seen in September after fire ravaged the area the tariff harms previous spring. Those rebuilding fire-damaged houses are being hit by businesses, higher drywall prices due to a tariff on U.S. imports meant to prevent dumping. must be lowered Photograph courtesy of Jason Woodhead The change significantly affected Since a tax of up thousands of construction proj- to 277 per cent ects in British Columbia, across the prairies, and in the territories. was imposed on Over a two-week period in Ed- U.S. imports last monton late last year, members of the Canadian International Trade $5-million in gypsum tariffs. That buildings. We help construct more previous cases have demonstrated fall, contractors, Tribunal (CITT) were given the money is coming from the pock- than 2,000 homes in Alberta each the poor product quality. It also suppliers, and home opportunity to hear from contrac- ets of these contractors. year, and are heavily involved shuts down the supply chain from tors, suppliers, home builders, Tribunal members heard with the Fort McMurray rebuild. the U.S. and harms associated builders in Western and other individuals negatively repeatedly about the hundreds This tariff has already cost us employees in Canada, who have affected by the provisional im- of thousands, if not millions, of almost a million dollars and the made it clear that they cannot Canada have been position of tariffs for gypsum in dollars that individual small busi- lack of available supply is nega- operate profitably when facing suffering. Western Canada. nesses have been forced to absorb tively affecting our family-owned, this steep tariff. The message to the tribunal since early September, which is third-generation business. Earlier this month, the CITT was clear: Canadian businesses of unprecedented. In full credit to Minister of released it official report and all sizes have been suffering. The Worse still, the only firm to Finance Bill Morneau, he saw the recommendations, which called provisional tariff has forced them benefit from the tariff cannot effects of the provisional tariff for a greatly reduced tariff and to lay off employees, delay new meet more than 50 per cent of the and took action. Several weeks remission orders for contractors. hires, and re-examine the finan- industry needs in gypsum produc- ago, he issued an order-in-council It is of vital importance that these cial stability of their businesses. tion. This means half of Western that moved the CITT hearings recommendations are accepted DAVID CAMPBELL This was unfortunately only the Canadian drywall needs are not around the tariff’s impact to the by the federal government. Tens start of the problem. met. The lack of material could public up from the usual 18-plus- of thousands of contractors, sup- Businesses are also on the prevent other tradespeople like month timeline. pliers, and worker’s livelihoods n Sept. 6, a provisional tariff hook to personally pay the tariff electricians and plumbers from It is clear that this tariff will hang on the outcome of this tariff. Oof up to 277 per cent was im- for existing contracts, with little coming in and finishing a job, ultimately leave suppliers find- David Campbell is the vice posed on gypsum board coming legal recourse to pass this mas- creating major delays. ing new methods of bringing in president of operations for in to Western Canada from the sive new cost on to end-users. Let’s put this into the context gypsum to supply the market’s Empire Drywall Ltd., a West- United States exclusively, with Some of these contracts were of just my company. With more needs. Unfortunately, this means ern Canadian drywall contrac- disastrous consequences. signed more than 12 to 18 months than 80 employees and 400 sub- Canadians west of Ontario could tor with projects ranging from This came as a shock to busi- ago, and the decision to apply trades, we are already committed be seeing one of every two boards small renovations to large-scale nesses in the construction sector, the tariff to them comes off as a to tens of millions of dollars in of gypsum imported from Mexico hospitals. They operate primarily their employees, and clients in short-sighted decision with no contracts that were signed before or Asia. These imports not only in Edmonton, Calgary, and Fort the process of building schools, understanding towards the real this tariff was imposed. We have avoid paying tariffs, but leave McMurray but also have projects major infrastructure projects, consequences. We know that major infrastructure projects that Western Canada with substan- in the Yukon and Northwest Ter- and even homes destroyed in the from Sept. 6 to Oct. 17 the federal feature fixed-price contracts for dard gypsum that Canadians ritories. fires that ravaged Fort McMurray. government collected almost schools, hospitals, and municipal would be hard pressed to accept; The Hill Times

opinion agriculture

er over their products that will re- over 5,300 kilocalories per person ous drag on the profits of the big sult in less choice and higher prices per day—even after subtracting agribusiness firms. This is due to for farm inputs and food? Will they food waste, animal feed, and non- the fact that farmers around the Agribusiness stifle innovation in the sector? Civil food uses of food crops, we are world, who are now earning less society critics also warn about left with nearly 2,800 kilocalories for their crops, have scaled back the environmental effects of the of food per person per day, more on their use of expensive farm industrial farming model pushed than enough to meet the food inputs. Declining demand for the mega-mergers by these firms, and farmer groups needs of everyone on the planet. seeds and chemicals sold by the in Canada are concerned about And that’s not just for today, but big agribusiness companies has the implications of the mergers for also well into the future. translated into weak financial farmer autonomy. At the same time, promises performance for these firms. won’t help to As questions mount, the firms of new technologies to deliver As their shareholders demand in question are making the case more food more sustainably are higher returns on their invest- that the mergers are a big win for also suspect. A key component of ments, the agribusiness giants humanity, because they will help these firms’ business strategy is have increasingly sought to shore feed the world to meet the challenge of feeding genetically modified seeds, which up profits by borrowing while a growing world population. Ac- were not designed to increase credit is cheap, in order to buy cording to the Bayer CEO Werner crop yields. More than 85 per out their rivals. A merger with Bureau, are currently reviewing a Baumann, the combination of cent of genetically modified seeds a competitor can boost a firm’s Hunger is a deeply trio of agribusiness mega-mergers Bayer and Monsanto “represents globally, and nearly all of those earnings by increasing its market complex problem, that were announced over the last the kind of revolutionary ap- grown in Canada, are engineered share and cutting research and 13 months. Decisions on all three proach to agriculture that will be to resist the application of a development costs. with many causes are expected by the end of 2017. necessary to sustainably feed the particular herbicide, most com- The agribusiness mega- that go well beyond The planned mergers—the world as we enable growers with monly glyphosate. According to mergers should be evaluated in marriage of Dow and Dupont, a broad set of enhanced agricul- the Canadian Biotechnology Ac- this broader context. If regulators food production. ChemChina’s purchase of Syn- tural solutions.” tion Network, glyphosate use in allow the mergers to proceed, the genta, and Bayer’s acquisition There are good reasons to be Canada tripled between 2005 and levels of corporate concentration of Monsanto—are collectively skeptical of this corporate narrative. 2011, despite rising concern that in the sector would be unprec- valued at more than $240-billion. For starters, the idea that we it may cause cancer. edented. Rather than feeding If approved by regulators, these need to grow more food to feed It is important not to be distract- the world, the mergers would mergers would give just three the world is a shaky premise. Hun- ed by the corporate narrative that primarily ensure that the finan- firms control over 60 per cent of ger is a deeply complex problem, mergers will deliver sustainable cial investors are the ones who the global seed and agrochemical with many causes that go well food security. A closer look reveals are well fed. jennifer clapp market, which is valued at nearly beyond food production. Today, that, far from acting altruistically, Jennifer Clapp is a Canada $100-billion per year. nearly 800 million people suffer these firms are primarily focused Research Chair in global food What worries the regulators are from chronic undernourishment, on their own financial bottom lines. security and sustainability at the egulators around the world, in- the effects on competition. Will the despite the fact that current world Dramatically lower commodity University of Waterloo. Rcluding Canada’s Competition new firms hold undue pricing pow- food production already delivers prices since 2013 have put a seri- The Hill Times The Hill Times Policy Briefing

January 18, 2017

Photograph courtesy of John Lim

Feds committed Now, the hard Tackling the digital to helping youth part: few easy skills gap: youth ‘realize their full fixes left for feds without jobs, employers potential’: Schiefke on housing without workers Page 14 Page 14 Page 15

‘It can’t be Preparing young Tax hikes hobble We need better more of the Canadians for the young people’s policies made same’ as jobs of tomorrow: job prospects: for and by precarious Innovation Conservative youth: NDP MP work grows, Minister Navdeep MP Rachael Anne Minh- says NDP Bains Harder Thu Quach Page 16 Page 17 Page 17 Page 18 14 The Hill Times, wednesday, january 18, 2017 youth issues

Q&A peter Schiefke

making in co-op and providing young Canadians with experience Feds committed to helping in the workforce. We’ve invested heavily in the Canada Summer Jobs Program, which has seen a record number of young Canadians find youth ‘realize their full employment during the summer. We’re investing in co-op placements, which we’re going to be hearing more about in the coming months. potential’: Schiefke On top of all of that, one of the things the prime minister has made ‘A lot of what we’re education costs to securing stable, and $175-million that’s transferred a priority is engaging with Cana- long-term, and well-paying jobs, to provinces and territories for train- dians from coast to coast to coast. trying to do is to to housing affordability. ing. That’s important because every And he’s done so in many ways. Liberal MP Peter Schiefke single province has its own work- The first is, obviously, the creation say, look, where are (Vaudreuil-Soulanges, Que.), force labour requirements. of the first-ever prime minister’s the good-paying who serves as the parliamentary Another area we’ve increased youth council. The first meeting was secretary to the youth minister, significantly is our investments in held last year, where the first cohort Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has jobs available?’ told The Hill Times in an exten- the grants program. Those young of 15 was selected representing a positioned himself as a champion for sive interview that the Trudeau Canadians who are part of families wide array of different lived experi- youth in Canada. His parliamentary By Marco Vigliotti government remains active and that are struggling to get by are go- ences and backgrounds from all the secretary, Peter Schiefke, says the engaged on these files, among ing to see a 50 per cent increase in provinces and territories. We have government has put its money where rom the moment he was sworn a new cohort that’s actually going others, and committed to reach- the [student] grants they can receive its mouth is so far. Photograph courtesy into office, it was clear Prime F ing out to young Canadians. from the federal government. So to be meeting for the first time this of the office of Peter Schiefke Minister Justin Trudeau wanted to This interview has been edited that’s a boost from $2,000 to $3,000 coming week, that’s going to be display to young Canadians that for style and length. a year. Those coming from middle joining the first cohort.A nd that his government would be preoccu- class families will see an increase of essentially is in place to ensure the on youth employment. That was pied with issues that matter to them. What has the government done roughly $800 to $1,200 a year. That’s prime minister on a quarterly basis something that was very important After all, he appointed himself so far on the youth issues front a total investment of $1.5-billion is able to meet with young, dy- to the prime minister, and that’s go- youth minister. during its first year in office? [over five years]. Now, in addition to namic, incredibly energized young ing to help guide our approach to Through a strictly political “We had a very ambitious agenda that, one of the things that we heard people from all across the country providing opportunities for young lens, it’s an obvious calculation that we put forward during the cam- [was] that young people who leave who bring different experiences, Canadians to find the kind of for Mr. Trudeau (Papineau, Que.), paign last year, and we’ve been able school are, or used to be anyway, different points of view to the table jobs...that are going really build the with many pundits, pollsters, and to follow through on some of the key immediately kind of strapped with and talk to the prime minister about next generation of the Canadian observers crediting the Liberal points that were outlined. We’re in- this having to repay loans. One of issues that they faced in their own economy, which is particularly in Party’s success at the polls in vesting heavily in our youth employ- the things we did last year, which lives, or that people in their com- the STEM fields—science, technol- 2015 to a strong performance ment strategy. There’s $73-million has been very well-received, is munity are experiencing. The prime ogy, engineering, math. Their final among young voters. [over four years] for work-integrated we’ve made it so young Canadians minister is taking that information report is going to be coming out in However, the issues that learning, which is going to help didn’t have to start repaying those and putting it in place when deci- the spring, and that’s going to help largely predominate for young students get more real-life work loans until they find a job that pays sions are being made at the highest guide the kind of policies we’re go- Canadians remain among the experience while they’re in school; them at least $25,000 a year. levels of government. ing to put in place.” most challenging for any gov- $85-million [over five years] for And the last thing I want to talk But in addition to that we’ve ernment to tackle, from rising union-based apprenticeship training; about is the investments that we’re also [created] the expert panel Continued on page 18

News Real Estate

In parts of the country where provinces and municipalities that prices haven’t skyrocketed, home control levers such as zoning and Now, the hard part: few easy prices are less a problem for young property tax, said Prof. Davidoff. people than the lack of economic That could mean putting condi- opportunity to allow them to earn tions on how federal money is enough to buy, said Mr. Alexander. used, for example stipulating that fixes left for feds on housing Rectifying a skills mismatch in the government won’t chip in for the economy could go a long way transit projects if they run along- Many of the tools that tougher for some prospective buy- ing past the condominium market towards solving that problem, he side low-density housing, he said. ers to get a big enough mortgage for something larger. said. A large portion of Canadian Changes to tax policy could allow the government to buy the property they want. Vancouver and its suburbs are students graduate from arts and discourage foreign buyers from to cool the real estate Giving those dreamers a help- physically hemmed in by moun- social science programs that aren’t overheating the market as well. ing hand is more difficult than it tains, water, and the U.S. border. in demand from employers, while Anecdotal reports from Toronto and market also make it sounds, say Mr. Alexander and The Toronto area is surrounded by too few graduate from science, tech- especially Vancouver have suggested tougher for young Thomas Davidoff, an economist at the greenbelt and Lake Ontario. nology, engineering, and technical for years that wealthy residents of the University of British Columbia Throw in prohibitive commuting programs to staff all of the positions other countries have thrown money Canadians to borrow who does research on the housing times, and expanding out is becom- waiting for them, he said. into the real estate markets in those enough to buy a home. market. ing more difficult. Supporting apprenticeship cities at the expense of locals, Supply and demand drive the Increasing the density of programs, and working with the though data collected by the Canada By Peter Mazereeuw hot housing markets in Canada, housing in Canada’s hot housing provinces and schools to make Mortgage and Housing Corporation and tampering with the biggest markets isn’t always easy either, better labour market information shows that, in the condo market at The Liberal government may factors on either side of that said Prof. Davidoff, who pointed available to students before they least, the impact of foreign buyers is have to get more creative if it equation could be tricky. to municipal zoning that limits enter post-secondary school could mostly limited to newer units. wants to help young urban Cana- For example, the Liberals have construction in much of Vancou- help, said Mr. Alexander. Nonetheless, the B.C. housing dians struggling to break into the planned to welcome as many or ver to low-density single-family Mr. Trudeau’s government is market cooled significantly last housing market. more immigrants in the coming homes—unaffordable for most clearly aware of the problem. Peter year after the provincial govern- Finance Minister Bill Mor- years as ever before. A large por- young people—as an example. Schiefke, (Vaudreuil-Soulanges, Que.) ment there introduced a 15 per cent neau’s (Toronto Centre, Ont.) tion of newcomers move to Can- Changing that zoning is, of the parliamentary secretary to the tax on foreign buyers of residential moves last year to tighten mort- ada’s biggest and most attractive course, a matter of municipal, not prime minister for the youth file, told properties in the Vancouver area. gage rules, discourage non- urban centres. The government has federal, politics, and a tricky one. The Hill Times that all levels of gov- Another solution, said Prof. resident buyers, and fend off a tried to encourage more to settle City councillors who push for ernment are discussing the difficulty Davidoff, would be to raise property housing bubble were “absolutely in Atlantic Canada and other parts higher-density zoning risk blow- young people face buying homes. He taxes significantly for those who the right thing” for the economy, of the country that are less densely back from those who already own also said his government was trying don’t work or live within the city. said Craig Alexander, chief econo- populated, but it does not have the homes in the city, he said. to find new ways to give young Cana- Property taxes fall under municipal mist for the Conference Board of right to force immigrants to settle So what’s Canada’s federal dians “the best possible opportunity jurisdiction, but the federal govern- Canada. anywhere not of their choosing. youth minister, prime minister, to find the jobs that are going to allow ment could get involved by creating That may be little comfort to Cutting back on immigration and Liberal leader, Justin Trudeau them to buy their first home.” a special economic zone around the young Canadians looking to buy levels would handicap Canada’s (Papineau, Que.), to do? city, and grant tax breaks to those in the country’s most overheated economy, said Mr. Alexander, so For starters, try to deliver on ‘Creative’ tax, funding who file taxes from within it, he said. housing markets, particularly cross that off the list of possible his promises to improve employ- “There’s a lot of creative stuff the Vancouver area and much of ways to reduce demand in the cities. ment prospects for youth and in- changes an option that could be done to integrate southern Ontario. Broadening Increasing the supply of comes for the middle class, which In overheated markets, the federal and local taxation.” the “stress test” requirement for housing is no simple task either, have not grown in line with the feds may have to think outside of —with files from Marco Vigliotti insured mortgages will make it particularly for the buyers look- economy or housing prices. the box and make a deal with the [email protected] The Hill Times, wednesday, january 18, 2017 15 youth issues news education & employment Tackling the digital skills gap: youth without jobs, employers without workers

Nova Scotia Coding in elementary and British classrooms is only now Columbia have made starting to take hold in commitments to introduce Canada. Employers say coding into it’s needed to produce their school systems. the talent they need. Photograph courtesy of Kevin By Denis Calnan Jarrett

anadian youth use sophisticated tech- Cnology in many aspect of their lives, but are failing to gain the skills to develop that technology themselves, something em- ployers are seeking. This contributes to an unemployment rate for young people that’s almost double the national average. The digital skills gap is a growing problem for which experts are united in wanting a solution. “While we have a high number of young people without jobs, we also have about a third of businesses in business surveys indicating that they’re having difficulty finding the skilled staff that they require,” said Craig Alexander, the chief economist at the Conference Board of Canada. “So in my mind, this makes for clearly a market failure. We have young people with- out jobs but we have businesses that can’t find the workers they need,” he said. There are two options that many ex- perts say are available: educate and guide Canada’s young people towards a skill set that would ensure jobs in this field, or equip the immigration system including the temporary foreign worker program to “There is more awareness [of what] we For his part, Liberal MP Peter Schiefke Private companies are also working at further aid foreign nationals to work in have to do at least at the early stages of (Vaudreuil-Soulange, Que.), the parliamen- altering the workforce to their needs. Canada who have the sought-after skills. schooling: put more computer science in tary secretary for youth, noted: “[We’re] In an email, Alexandra Clark, the direc- While looking abroad for talent to bring the curriculum to make sure that students working with educational institutions as tor of policy and government affairs for to Canada is a worthwhile move, it would be are aware and [are] part of this digital well as the provinces to try to ensure the Shopify, said it launched a program last most useful as just a short-term fix, accord- economy,” he said. money that we’re investing as the federal year with Carleton University in which ing to many analysts. The long-term sustain- “If you look across the country, only in government is going to get the best return “computer science students spend four able solution lies in Canada’s own youth and the last year have you seen any provinces on investment, and that we’re doing it in years at Shopify and graduate with a debt- the education system that gets them jobs. adopt computer science or any type of a way that as best possible ensures young free degree. That system, say many experts, is broken. coding in the classroom. Most of the educa- Canadians who are pursuing these sorts of “Our hope is to see integrated learning “What we’re seeing is a bit of a mis- tion that the provinces and school systems jobs in the [science, technology, engineer- adapted by other companies, academic in- match in terms of enrolment rates by disci- have provided are along the consumption ing, and mathematics] fields are getting the stitutions, and governments to help shape pline compared to labour market demand. of technology more so than the creation of kind of support that in the real world [is] the success of our future workforce,” said For example, the highest enrolment rates technology,” said Jayson Hilchie president going to allow them to get that job.” Ms. Clark. are in the general arts and social sciences, and CEO of the Entertainment Software When it comes to allowing in more foreign Mr. Alexander said the federal government the lowest enrolment is in the hard scienc- Association of Canada, an industry group. workers to fill in-demand tech jobs, he said, could help by measuring results and reporting es, maths, computer science, engineering. He advocates for governments to introduce there must be a “delicate balance” between en- back to the provinces about what works. But when you look at employment rates, this type of education, but few have done so. suring that Canadian young people are able to Mr. Hilchie hopes the federal govern- [those] are the highest for the hard sci- “Nova Scotia and British Columbia have get jobs and employers here are able to excel. ment goes further. ences, engineering, computer science, etc. already made commitments to introduce this Some organizations are stepping into “I think the most basic and inspiring And the lowest rates are for general arts type of education into their school system, the gap. approach that the federal government can and social sciences,” said Mr. Alexander. so you have some provinces that are buying Ladies Learning Code is a national take, at least initially, is to simply declare He said the labour-market misalignment into it. Ontario has made some overtures that not-for-profit organization that focuses on the skills to be essential to the future of should be addressed early in the education they’re going to get into it as well,” he said. educating women and young people to be the Canadian economy, essential to job system, something many others agree with. Provincial partnership is needed because developers of technology. creation,” said Mr. Hilchie. While Canada may have some of the best education is a provincial responsibility. “The same way that we teach kids sci- “I think Prime Minister [Justin] Trudeau education systems, “the technology space is “It is up to the federal government to ence and math, it’s not so we have a whole (Papineau, Que.) knows this. Minister [of very fast moving. And hence there’s always show leadership and to work with the bunch of mathematicians and scientists, Innovation, Science, and Economic De- the lead time between the programs that the provinces to ensure that students at the it’s so that they understand how the world velopment, Navdeep] Bains (Mississauga- colleges and universities put together and secondary and post-secondary level gain around them works,” said Melissa Sariffo- Malton, Ont.) I know has made many com- their responsiveness to what the industry is the science, math, and technology skills to deen, the CEO of Ladies Learning Code. ments about how these skills are essential looking for,” said Namir Anani, the president meet the needs of employers today,” said “So it’s important for us that Canadians to the Canadian economy,” he said. and CEO of the Information and Communi- Rachael Harder (Lethbridge, Alta.), the understand how computing and how tech- “But the federal government has not cations Technology Council, a not-for-profit official opposition critic for youth, in an nology around them works. And not just taken a leadership position to champion this policy-advising organization largely funded email to The Hill Times. using it,” she said. as a national initiative. And I think that just by the Canadian government. “Our previous government invested heavily She said the tricky thing about staying as a starting point that’s what we should do, There are 200,000 vacancies in information in the Canada Jobs Grant to tie skills training on top of learning in the information tech- to have the federal government, the prime and communications technology expected by to in-demand jobs—helping employees and nology field is that it is constantly chang- minister, champion this, to inspire the prov- 2020, according to the Information Technology employers bridge the growing digital skills ing and advancing. inces to actually believe that this is some- Association of Canada, an organization that gap,” wrote Ms. Harder, a Conservative MP. Youth need to be exposed to technology thing that is actually required for the future represents companies in the sector. Mr. Hilchie said his organization is lobby- education early on, she said. And while there of our economy, or for the nation building.” “The demand is outweighing the supply ing the federal government to approach educa- is an appetite for it, provinces and schools —With files from Marco Vigliotti by far,” said Mr. Anani. tion in this field as a nation-building exercise. are not meeting that desire and need. The Hill Times 16 The Hill Times, wednesday, january 18, 2017 youth issues

News youth Unemployment

Liberals for the Canada Summer Jobs Program, which subsidizes ‘It can’t be more of the same’ as wages for employers hiring young people, as a substantial invest- ment in Canadian youth. The government, he said, precarious work grows, says NDP would release more details in the coming months on its planned investments in co-op placements, The chair of a which offer students an oppor- tunity to gain real-world work panel on youth experience while in school. employment calls The Liberals, he added, are also reaching out to young people on policymakers to in unprecedented ways, with the government presiding over the better appreciate the creation of the first-ever prime minister’s youth council, which challenges facing met for the first time last year young Canadians. with an initial group of 15 young Canadians. The council will welcome an By Marco Vigliotti additional 15 members at a meet- ing later this week. The Trudeau government is The Liberals also created fending off accusations that it has an expert panel on youth employ- failed to take concrete measures ment to get a firmer sense of the to improve employment prospects employment picture for young for young Canadians confront- Canadians. The panel released ing a swiftly evolving economic its interim report last month. Its landscape. final report will be delivered in NDP MP Niki Ashton the spring. (Churchill-Keewatinook Aski, Mr. Schiefke hailed the panel Man.), her party’s critic for jobs, as another way the prime minis- employment, and workforce ter is “reaching out and listening,” development, accused the govern- and said it will “help guide the ment of neglecting an “emerging kind of policies we’re going to put national crisis” of employment in place that are going to allow precariousness impacting Cana- young Canadians to be able to dian youth. realize their full potential, and “We’re taking about a gen- find those good-paying jobs that eration coming up now...that are they’re looking for.” facing higher [levels] of precari- Panel chair Vasiliki Bednar, ous [work] than we’ve ever seen, a senior policy associate with working jobs that don’t have fast-growing digital room- benefits, that don’t have pensions. sharing program Airbnb, said They don’t have security,” she told the interim report skewed a little The Hill Times. bit more towards how to “pre- She noted that those difficul- pare a workforce to encounter a ties are compounded by high fundamentally different world of levels of debt, particularly from work.” post-secondary education. However, it also touched Ms. Ashton conducted a na- upon interventions that looked tional tour last year on precari- at the characteristics of employ- ous work, where she met with ment, to ensure there are levers hundreds of young people at governments and employers can town halls across the country to utilize to make working arrange- discuss their concerns about the ments “better” and “less precari- changing employment picture, ous,” she said. marked by what some commen- NDP jobs critic Niki Ashton called on the government to forgive student debt, end unpaid internships, and more. Ms. Bednar said the interim tators have termed the “Uber- The Hill Times file photo report is made up of the major fication” of work. themes deciphered from the The concept refers to the consultations the panel held with rise of the sort of flexible, con- ing Finance Minister Bill Mor- to cut the costs of doing business As part of the scheme, the gov- young people, including some of tract work arrangements mostly neau’s (Toronto Centre, Ont.) and reduce regulatory burdens to erning Liberals have earmarked the more pronounced challenges prominently utilized by ride- comments last fall that young bolster competitiveness. $73-million for work-integrated facing racialized and indigenous sharing app Uber. Drivers for the workers should get use to the “The solution is to keep gov- learning, another $85-million for youth, and those from disadvan- company are not deemed em- “job churn,” marked by short- ernment spending under control union-based apprenticeship train- taged backgrounds. ployees but rather categorized as term employment and multiple and to reduce the cost of doing ing, and transferred $175 million For many young Canadi- independent contractors. While career changes. business in Canada—both in to the provinces and territories ans, she said, the concern isn’t the setup allows drivers to es- The one-time NDP leader- terms of taxes and government for training. necessarily about the quantity sentially set their own hours, ship candidate is calling on the red tape,” she wrote in an op-ed in Mr. Schiefke said the funds of work, but about the quality they are not entitled to any of the government to institute an ambi- The Hill Times. for work-integrated learning are of jobs. As a result, there’s a perks that come with being an tious suite of policy reforms to “Until the federal government important because they allow need to “push beyond” the binary employee, like sick days, vaca- aide young Canadians, including cuts the cost of doing business to students to “get more real-life concept of whether someone is tion time, and pensions, or even strengthening the social safety remain competitive in a global work experience while they’re in employed or not to get a better guaranteed hours. net, ending unpaid internships, economy, and reduces the regula- school,” while transferring funds sense of what young Canadians Precarious work refers to raising the minimum wage, for- tory burden on Canadian busi- to other orders of government is are facing in the workforce, she not only these new Uber-style giving all unpayable federal stu- nesses, we are going to see the necessary because of the vary- said, with the number of part- employment setups but any low- dent debt, and implementing uni- employment prospects of Cana- ing labour standards seen in the time, contract, and casual jobs paying part-time, contract, and versal dental, mental health, and dian students decrease over the provinces and territories. continuing to grow. casual jobs that offer little to no pharmaceutical care. life of this government.” “We had a very ambitious “That may prompt a policy guaranteed hours, and scarce “It requires comprehensive ac- Liberal MP Peter Schiefke agenda that we put forward during response that’s more about, how benefits, if any. tion. What we’re saying is, it can’t (Vaudreuil-Soulanges, Que.), the the campaign last year, and we’ve do we approve the social safety Young Canadians, in particu- be more of the same,” she said of parliamentary secretary to the been able to follow through on net so that it’s more appropriate lar, are worried about the erosion the need for reforms. youth minister, though, points some of the key points that were for the reality of work right now,” of stable, well-paying full-time Conservative MP and youth to enhancements to the federal outlined,” he said in an interview. said Ms. Bednar, who explained jobs and shift towards short- critic Rachel Harder (Lethbridge, youth employment strategy as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that those programs are currently term jobs and contract work, and Alta.) said she’s heard similar proof the Trudeau government (Papineau, Que.) serves as his structured around 40-hour per- feel the federal government concerns from young Canadians is working hard to improve government’s minister of youth. week jobs. has turned a blind eye to their about bleak employment prospects, work prospects for younger Mr. Schiefke also flagged [email protected] concerns, Ms. Ashton said, cit- and is calling on the government Canadians. the doubling of funding by the The Hill Times The Hill Times, wednesday, january 18, 2017 17 youth issues opinion education

whether they sell books online or design For one thing, university and college self-driving cars. students should have access to more By 2020, an estimated 218,000 technol- work-integrated learning. Programs such Preparing young ogy jobs will be created in Canada. More as internships, apprenticeships, and co-op important, the nature of these and other placements should be expanded across jobs is rapidly changing. Based on my the country. These programs would help conversations with educators, academics students integrate more quickly into the Canadians for the and industry leaders, and young people workforce after they graduate. themselves, Canada needs to do more to Last fall, I attended the launch of a equip the next generation with the skill unique program that provides students set for the innovation economy of the 21st with free tuition and a salary while they jobs of tomorrow century. learn on the job. The program, a novel I have heard these themes consistently twist on co-op education, is a partnership since last June, when the federal govern- between Carleton University and Shopify ist, or were relatively new when I was their ment launched public consultations on how Inc., an Ottawa-based software company. Programs such age less than a generation ago. to foster innovation for a better Canada. The program allows computer-science as internships, We talked about ways for more young As the father of two young girls, I must students to spend the majority of their Canadians to develop digital skills, espe- say this: no country can afford to leave undergraduate program working at Shopify apprenticeships, and co- cially in a rapidly changing job market. In half of its brainpower on the sidelines. while they learn classroom concepts that can op placements should learning to write computer programs, these That means we need to encourage more be applied immediately to the workplace. young people told me, they developed the young women and other under-represented Work-integrated learning and computer be expanded across the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills groups to participate fully in the digital coding are just two examples of a broader that are key to innovation and entrepre- economy. skill set that all young Canadians must de- country. neurship. The merger of globalization and tech- velop. That skill is to learn how to learn—to These skills need to be taught to more nology means companies can source their constantly teach themselves new ways of Canadian students. British Columbia has re- talent, goods, and services from anywhere doing things. cently introduced a program to offer elemen- in the world. And when companies look to Because in an age when jobs are con- tary and high-school students in the province invest, they aren’t always looking for the stantly being digitized or automated, what an opportunity to learn computer coding as lowest-cost jurisdictions. we know will be out of date sooner than we part of the school curriculum. Nova Scotia Instead, many companies seek the most think. But how we learn will set us up to innovation minister navdeep bains has announced plans to follow suit. innovative economies—the ones with the manage a lifetime of rapid change in a global More regions should follow these most creative and entrepreneurial people and digital economy based on innovation. provinces’ lead. Why? Because technology who can turn ideas into solutions. Navdeep Bains is Canada’s minister of ast summer, I sat down with 12 young now shapes every industry, which means So what kind of education and skills innovation, science, and economic develop- Lentrepreneurs and innovators. They digital skills are in demand in every job, training will prepare young Canadians for ment and the Member of Parliament for were game designers, data scientists, and from auditor to zoologist. Many businesses the good-quality, well-paying jobs of an Mississauga-Malton. YouTube stars. These jobs either didn’t ex- are now software and data companies, innovation economy? The Hill Times

opinion employment & education Tax hikes hobble young people’s job prospects

Some of the greatest concerns I have Multinational Small businesses, the heard from Canadian youth relate to the companies biggest employer of shape of the economy and the impact gov- have been ernment policy has on their job prospects. selling assets young workers, will have This is why the carbon tax, the increase to in Alberta’s oil to cut jobs to cover taxes. the Canadian Pension Plan, and the ru- patch. One of moured new tax on health benefits are all the largest in- top-of-mind concerns. These tax increases dustries in the have had and will have a significant impact province to on the job market for young workers be- employ young cause small businesses, the biggest employer workers has of young workers, either have cut jobs or will been hobbled need to cut them to cover these taxes. by govern- conservative mp rachael harder This is particularly true in high-tech jobs, as ment policies, many young professionals are hired by small says Rachael startup companies, or grow their own startups Harder. The Hill anada’s youth are facing an employment from scratch. With the current economic condi- Times photograph Ccrisis. In December there were 40,000 tions, young entrepreneurs are unable to find by Jake Wright fewer youth jobs than the year before. That’s financial backers for their business plans. In a a three per cent decrease! Most worrisome fragile economy, banks and angel investors are is that youth have been relegated by the less willing to fund startups. This has a direct finance minister to a career of insecure part- impact on Canada’s innovation agenda. for a higher-paying job they often don’t have The solution is greater student involve- time and contract work, unable to make a In Alberta, one of the largest industries to the prerequisite experience for, or they have ment in university governance. This will proper life for themselves because of the “job employ young workers has been hobbled by to find any job that will pay them enough to ensure that the needs of students come first, churn.” In fact, the tax increases and red tape government policies. The oil and gas sector has pay off their student loans. This also effec- both to keep costs in check and to ensure the introduced by the Liberal government have witnessed multinational companies pull out of tively eliminates the ability of recent gradu- education is relevant to the jobs students are severely diminished employment opportuni- Alberta, instead of weathering the price drop ates to start their own businesses. pursuing. Increasing transparency in post- ties for young workers. like they have in previous downturns. Why? I believe students should bear an element secondary financials will allow for a more in- For the youth making the jump from Because of regulatory uncertainty. of financial responsibility for their future and formed discussion about how to reduce costs studying, either in secondary or post- With an American business tycoon prom- have some “skin in the game,” so to speak, but without affecting the quality of education. secondary, into the workforce, success de- ising lower taxes and no carbon pricing, the I also believe that universities should steward The federal government can construct pends on factors beyond the skills and edu- economic prospects are more appealing to their capital well and ensure that tuition costs buildings and fund research on campuses cation youth bring. Businesses will cover global investors in the United States. This are only as high as they need to be. across the country, but until the federal the training/mentorship costs of bringing goes for agriculture, manufacturing, as well Provinces have the regulatory authority government cuts the cost of doing business on a new employee, even if a skills mis- as natural resource extraction. over post-secondary institutions. The cost to remain competitive in a global economy match exists, if their profit margins allow The solution is to keep government of running Canadian colleges and universi- and reduces the regulatory burden on Ca- for these costs. If employers do not have spending under control and to reduce the ties has been growing at rates that outpace nadian businesses, we are going to see the the resources to take on young workers, cost of doing business in Canada—both in inflation for more than a decade. Without the employment prospects of Canadian students then it doesn’t matter how well educated terms of taxes and government red tape. provinces challenging post-secondary insti- decrease over the life of this government. young graduates are; there will be no jobs. The other significant issue I hear about tutions to keep their costs in check, it doesn’t Rachael Harder is the Member of Parlia- This is why some of the most significant is the cost of post-secondary education. Stu- matter how much money is poured into ment for Lethbridge, Alta., and the Conser- policy matters that affect youth have noth- dents are graduating with far too much debt. post-secondary by the federal or provincial vative Party critic for youth. ing specifically to do with youth. This means that students have to hold out governments; there will never be enough. The Hill Times 18 The Hill Times, wednesday, january 18, 2017 youth issues opinion youth unemployment We need better policies made for and by youth

unemployment rate for people Prime Minister In 2014, Trudeau aged 15 to 24 is stagnant at about Justin Trudeau reacts asked the 13 per cent, about twice the Cana- to protesters who dian average. The quality of jobs turned their backs Conservative for young people has deteriorated while he was speak- government what it over the decades. ing at the Canadian Statistics Canada has published a Labour Congress’s would do to improve study confirming what organizations National Young life for Canadian are seeing on the ground: today’s Workers’ Summit in youth have less access to full-time October. The Hill Times youth. Today, I call jobs compared to previous genera- photograph by Andrew tions. From 1976 to 1978, three-quar- Meade on him to answer ters of young men were employed that same question. full-time. Between 2014 and 2016, that has fallen to 59 per cent. Among women, the decrease is 10 percent- age points for the same period. Between 1989 and the mid- 2010s, the number of young people with temporary jobs has tripled. The increase in summer jobs for students is a good mea- NDP MP ANNE MINH-THU sure, but as the name suggests, QUACH they only last for the summer. and never wanted to answer my ply been forgotten. not listened to.” It is clear to me that This does not chip away at a pre- questions. All ministers should be The Phoenix pay-system fiasco young people, whether through ast year, many events promot- carious job market. Where are the accountable to Canadians, including has also affected several thousand non-governmental organizations, Ling citizen engagement for measures to combat this scourge? the minister of youth. students. Most of them were not associations, or as individuals, millennials took place in Ottawa, According to Finance Minister The Liberals chose the slogan paid on time or, worse, not paid at must be able to influence policy. such as ONE Young World or the Bill Morneau, young people must “Real Change” for the last election all. This meant that many students Our generation will have to live the Young Workers’ Summit. In 2017, simply get used to these precari- campaign. But they have failed to started the school year unable longest with the decisions that are for the 150th commemoration of ous working conditions. show “Real Change” in many files to pay their tuition fees. Many made by this government. I intend Confederation, it is time to ad- The prime minister has named including regarding Canadian youth. students are still waiting to get all to come up with solutions through dress important issues for youth himself minister of youth. He ex- For each step forward, we the money they are owed. Many the course of this year. under the age of 30, especially plained that he wanted to do politics move two steps backwards. The students sent me messages because In 2014, the Conference Board of precarious employment, to listen differently and to listen. However, government increased summer the government didn’t help them. Canada recognized that young Ca- to them, and include them in pub- when young people do not agree job grants/scholarships, but pro- It is time for the House of nadians were the first generation to lic policy discussions. with him, as during the Young Work- vided young people with no help Commons to listen to millenni- live worse than their parents. Justin Last fall, I attended a confer- ers’ Summit, he preferred to look in finding full-time jobs. It has als. Since October 2015, I have Trudeau then asked the Conserva- ence organized by my colleague down on them. When he broke his also failed to reduce the burden met with young Canadians and tive government what it would do Niki Ashton on precarious work. own promises with the approval of of today’s student debt. Moreover, youth organizations from differ- to remedy it. Today, I call on him to More than 100 participants ex- the Kinder Morgan pipeline, he was the Liberals’ main promise to of- ent parts of the country and I will answer that same question. changed views and showed how condescending; he did not want to fer a 12-month break on employ- continue to do so. Throughout the Anne Minh-Thu Quach is the precariousness affects young answer their tough questions. He ment insurance premiums each meetings, I have heard many times MP for Salaberry-Suroît, Que., Canadians. The facts are trou- chose not to do the necessary work time a company hires a person from youth organizations or young and the NDP critic for youth. bling, but must be addressed. The in the House of Commons as well, aged between 18 and 24 has sim- people the same message: “we are The Hill Times

q&a peter schiefke

have the skills and the educa- ties for young Canadians one of we’re putting in place our multifac- tion necessary to get those jobs, his top priorities. He’s a prime eted plan to provide more oppor- Feds committed and also attract businesses that minister who firmly understands tunities for young Canadians, is to are looking to start-up anywhere that investing in young Canadians try to give them the best possible around the world, to start those is investing in the future of our jobs, the best paying jobs, the jobs businesses here in Canada, and country, and that in order to have that allow them to realize their full to helping youth make sure that young Canadians that strong economy that works for potential. That’s really the goal. are the ones to get those jobs? the middle-class and those working We’re also looking long-term, we’re We’re reaching out to edu- hard to join it, we need to make saying to ourselves, ‘how do we cational institutions across the sure we’re investing in the next give opportunities for Canadians ‘realize their country. We’re sitting at the table generation of Canadians, and that to realize their full potential right now saying, ‘look, what can we do they’re given the skills and oppor- now by making key investments to help you provide those kinds tunities necessary to realize their in key areas, but also looking 20, of skills necessary to make sure full potential. And I think that he’s 30, 40 years down the line? What full potential’: that the students that leave your done that in so many ways: creat- can we do right now, [to give them] institutions are able to find the jobs ing the first-ever prime minister’s that same kind of [social safety] net you want them to have?’ [We’re] youth council, the unprecedented that our generation has had? We’re also sharing with them some of the investments that we’ve made in very proud of the fact that we’ve Schiefke information that we’ve been able increasing the grants program, the been able to sign an agreement to receive, either from the expert investments in our youth employ- with the provinces and territories panel on youth employment or ment strategy, and just the time to ensure the Canada Pension Plan Continued from page 14 country, particularly in informa- from the various employers that and the energy and the effort that has longevity. That’s actually going tion technology. There was some have come to us to say, ‘look, we the prime minister has put into to be very beneficial for younger information that came our way have the opportunity to hire young reaching out to young Canadians generations, those that are just Are the programs the govern- that said 34 per cent of Canadian people with these incredible jobs, since taking office.” getting in the workforce right now. ment is putting into place going employers have reported some the problem is we can’t find them So it’s looking short-term, it’s look- to adequately prepare young trouble filling information tech- right now.’” Is there any focus from the govern- ing at the medium-term, but it’s workers for a changing work nology jobs, in particular, due to ment on strengthening the social also looking at the long-term, and environment? skills mismatching. A lot of what What do you think of the NDP’s safety net to insulate workers I think our government has been “Definitely.A nd the reason we’re trying to do is to say, look, call for the prime minister to from what Finance Minister Bill able to look at all of those aspects we’re taking this approach is where are the good-paying jobs resign as the government’s youth Morneau termed the “job churn,” and really put in place a plan that that we’ve had employers that available? Where is the great- minister because he hasn’t done marked by short-term employment works for everyone, most definitely have actually approached us to est potential for growth in our a good enough job? and multiple career changes? young Canadians.” talk about the fact they’re having economy? And how can we invest “I think that the prime minister “One of the things that we want [email protected] trouble filling jobs all across the in ensuring young Canadians has made providing opportuni- to do, and one of the reasons that The Hill Times The Hill Times, wednesday, january 18, 2017 19 Feature Profile No Northerners in Cabinet, no problem for veteran Yukon MP have been a great opportunity to Former PM Paul reflect on some of the experience Martin says he’s that he’s (Bagnell) done with cabinet.” ‘never’ thought of Mr. Leef was also critical Mr. Bagnell as a of Mr. Trudeau for not having visited the North since he was backbencher, and elected. that he would make a But Mr. Bagnell, who has been said to tirelessly advocate for the ‘tremendous minister.’ North as an opposition and gov- ernment MP, says it’s not a prob- Continued from page 1 lem for him. He also defended Mr. Trudeau’s absence in the first “I had to walk in the rain in my year of his government, pointing suit,” the 67 year-old said. He bought out the fact that the then-Liberal a raincoat at the nearest store, “then leader spent almost a week in I hitchhiked in a big transport truck, the Yukon, before being elected and I got to the speech in time.” PM, at the 2013 annual general Mr. Bagnell said he had missed meeting of the Assembly of First the ceremony, when he was sup- Nations. posed to speak, but delivered his “He spent more [time] in my remarks to the graduating class— riding than any other riding in soaking wet—at the banquet that the country. He’s well familiar,” followed. It was still foggy when he said. it was time for him to return, so Mr. Bagnell says what mat- Mr. Bagnell holds a bunny while visiting the Dawson City Farmers Market in his riding. Photograph courtesy of Larry Bagnell he took a Greyhound bus back to ters most to him is that the prime his home in Whitehorse. minister delivers on his promises “His dedication to his vocation to the North. He said so far, he’s Two of his colleagues, Liberal tion. He’s respected in all parties,” Mr. Bagnell has been very easy to as a political figure from the North been thrilled. MP Michael McLeod (North- he said. work with. He described Mr. Bag- is one he has taken very seriously,” “I couldn’t get everything into west Territories) and Mr. Tootoo Canada’s third coast can often nell’s leadership style as “folksy.” said former prime minister Paul my ten minute budget speech,” Mr. (Nunavut), were both elected in slip under the radar when politi- “He’s a person that’s very Martin, who has been a friend of Bagnell said, citing an increase to 2015. Yvonne Jones (Labrador, cians are considering national down to earth. I think his leader- Mr. Bagnell’s for close to 20 years. the tax break that was awarded N.L.), who is the only Northern priorities. It’s far away from the ship style reflects that,” he said. Mr. Bagnell’s two young chil- to the North, called the “Northern MP with a government role as majority of the population, but “With Larry, what you see is dren are even named after the re- residents deductions,” as some- the parliamentary secretary for the problems that plague Cana- what you get. Ruffled shirt, hair gion of Canada he loves so dearly. thing he personally lobbied to indigenous and northern affairs, da’s Northern regions—climate flying, but he’s always on the go,” He has a five-year-old boy named have included in Budget 2016. won her riding in a byelection in change, food security, a lack of said Mr. Oliphant. Dawson, and an eight-year-old Mr. Bagnell said that when it 2013, and held onto it in 2015. education in First Nations com- Mr. Bagnell is married to Melis- girl named Aurora. Dawson City comes down to The North- munities—have been consistent sa Craig, who proposed to him in is a town in the Yukon linked it, the change in ern caucus over the years. 2005. Even then, as the Whitehorse to the Klondike gold rush, and strategy for the meets every Mr. Bagnell said one of the Daily Star reported at the time, Aurora Borealis is the scientific North was most Monday at priorities of the Northern Caucus is Mr. Bagnell was hard to nail down name for the Northern Lights. important. noon, Mr. Bag- “to make sure that we’re included, for five minutes of alone time so “Our strat- nell says, and we’re consulted and included in all she could pop the question. egy is based anyone who’s the national plans to make sure the He’s so busy, in fact, The Bea- Canada’s third coast not on the people interested is uniqueness of the North is taken into verton, a Canadian satirical news represented in cabinet of the North. welcome to at- account,” which he said includes the website, wrote an article titled, With Justin Trudeau’s (Pap- Whereas in tend. “We have “fragile ecological systems.” “Meet the 12 Clones that fill in for ineau, Que.) latest cabinet shuffle, the past, there a lot of North- “For instance there’s no way Yukon MP Larry Bagnell.” a noticeable gap was left in terms was more focus ern issues we of cleaning up oil in ice-filled Mr. Oliphant said Mr. Bagnell’s of regional representation: no on military, then go out to waters. We want those type of biggest fault is not taking enough minister on his team hails from defence, and re- lobby our col- unique things [considered] in the time for himself. “Larry,” as all Canada’s third coast, the North. source extrac- leagues on.” North, and consultations with the of his friends and colleagues Mr. Martin said there’s “no doubt” tion,” he said. “A member aboriginal people of the North.” call him, gets up early in the in his mind Mr. Bagnell would make In a later of Parliament morning, and works into the wee “a tremendous minister.” email exchange, like Larry who ‘Ruffled shirt, hair flying, hours of the night. “I’ve never thought of Larry he said “Liberal has the capac- Mr. Bagnell might agree with Bagnell as a backbencher. I think ministers and ity to speak but he’s always on the go’ him. “The hardest thing is leav- what he has done is demonstrate [the] PM are ‘I’m sure when ministers see Larry to the North In addition to his advocacy, his ing my children every Sunday,” he that if you’re a dedicated Member very receptive coming, they know he’s got an ask,’ with such constituency work, and his long said. When the House is sitting, Mr. of Parliament, you’ll have a huge and empathetic says one colleague. Photograph passion will hours travelling to and from his Bagnell manages to make it home influence,” he said. [regarding] courtesy of Larry Bagnell have a huge riding, Mr. Bagnell is also respon- every weekend. By the time he Former Yukon MP, Conservative Northern is- influence,” Mr. sible for chairing the Procedure journeys there, it’s almost time to Ryan Leef, told a local Whitehorse sues.” Martin said. and House Affairs Committee return back to Ottawa. He typi- radio station The Rush that he is dis- That doesn’t mean he doesn’t “That understanding isn’t easily (PROC), and participates as vice- cally leaves Ottawa on Thursday or appointed that no northerners were work hard to lobby them, though. come by, you have to work hard chair on the Standing Committee Friday afternoon, and gets home to included on the updated cabinet ros- “I’m sure when ministers see for it.” of Arctic Parliamentarians. Whitehorse between two and three ter, particularly given Mr. Bagnell’s Larry coming, they know he’s In 2016, as proof of that The latter is an international a.m. He spends Saturday in his 10-plus years of experience. got an ask,” said Liberal MP Rob dedication, Mr. Bagnell won the committee, with members hailing riding, and on Sunday, it’s time to In Mr. Trudeau’s initial cabinet in Oliphant (Don Valley West, Ont.). Maclean’s Parliamentarian of the from all the Arctic nations. Last make the trip back again. 2015, Hunter Tootoo was included Mr. Bagnell is the most expe- Year award for being the best fall, Mr. Bagnell hosted a confer- Mr. Bagnell’s regular 28-hour as minister of fisheries and oceans, rienced member of Parliament constituency MP. The award was ence with them all in Ottawa. On journey to and from his riding, representing Nunavut. Over the in the Northern caucus by a long won through a vote by his peers. the agenda right now is the fight he says, gives him time to reflect. summer, Mr. Tootoo resigned from shot, having been in office for a This comes as no surprise to against black carbon: carbon that “One of the things that Larry cabinet, and from the Liberal cau- collective 12 years. He won his Mr. Oliphant, who has known has been trapped in Northern ice does, is he not only acts, but he cus entirely, citing alcohol addiction first election in 2000, and stayed Mr. Bagnell since 1993, when he for years, but as a result of climate takes the time to think. When that as his reasoning. Since then, there in until losing narrowly in 2011 to moved to the Yukon to be a United change, is slowly being released airplane door shuts, he has time has been no one to replace him. Mr. Leef. Undeterred, he ran once Church Minister. into the atmosphere. to think about the people he’s “We’ve been left out of more in 2015 and won back his “Larry has been successful Conservative MP Blake Rich- working for,” Mr. Oliphant said. cabinet,” Mr. Leef is quoted as riding with a solid 53.6 per cent when we’ve been in government ards (Banff-Airdrie, Alta.), who is a [email protected] saying. “I think the shuffle would of the vote. and when we’ve been in opposi- vice-chair on PROC committee, said The Hill Times 20 The Hill Times, wednesday, january 18, 2017 feature political staffers

Finance Minister Bill Morneau is Hill Climbers one of several ministers to By Laura Ryckewaert shake up their staff recently, and more changes are likely coming in the wake of this month’s cabinet Finance minister shuffle.The Hill Times photograph hires new senior by Sam Garcia communications assistant

in June, and has been a secretary Former Queen’s for the Haguruka Association of Park staffer Women from Burundi. Ms. Joly likely has a jam- Nicholas Brown is packed schedule ahead of her this year with celebrations and events now a political aide related to the much-anticipated 150th anniversary of Confedera- on Parliament Hill. tion in Canada. principal secretary Gerald Butts of the Liberal Party’s digital Papamarkakis as a senior policy Leslie Church is chief of staff after serving as national director communications team, helping to adviser on his political staff team, to Ms. Joly, while Jade-Émilie for the Liberals during the 2015 manage party-affiliated Twitter and she marked her first day on iberal Finance Minister Bill Daigneault is the minister’s ex- campaign. accounts. The Liberals slid to the job on Jan. 9. LMorneau welcomed Nicholas ecutive assistant. As reported earlier in the third-party standing in that elec- Mr. Duclos’ policy team is led Brown to his ministerial staff Sport and Persons with Dis- week, John McCallum’s political tion and Mr. Ignatieff lost his seat by Mathieu Laberge as director team on Dec. 15 as a senior spe- abilities Minister Carla Qual- staff team have all been asked in the House of Commons, lead- of policy, and also includes Dylan cial assistant for communications. trough’s office is down one to stay in place to serve under ing him to resign as leader. Marando, senior policy adviser; Before joining Mr. Morneau’s special assistant, with Jennifer the new Immigration Minis- Mr. Harrison has also previ- Ariel Gough, policy adviser; office, Mr. Brown was a staffer Perimal no longer working for the ter, Ahmed Hussen, the Liberal ously been a government rela- Colleen Lamothe, policy adviser at Queen’s Park, working as a minister. MP for York South-Weston, Ont. tions co-ordinator for the Canadi- for Western Canada and the Ter- senior communications adviser Nicholas Kang remains in the Mr. McCallum is now Canada’s an Dental Association in Ottawa, ritories; Marjorie Michel, policy to Ontario Tourism, Culture, and office as a special assistant for ambassador to China. and has a bachelor’s degree in adviser; and Marc-Étienne Vien, Sport Minister Eleanor McMa- legislative affairs, and there’s also As well, Hill Climbers has political science from the Univer- policy adviser. hon, having started out under scheduling assistant Stephanie learned that over in new For- sity of Ottawa. In other office staffing news, her predecessor Michael Co- Carisse, parliamentary assistant eign Affairs Minister Chrystia Christine Tabbert is chief special assistant François Landry teau—who is now minister of Julia Duncan, and Kim Leclerc, Freeland’s office, so far at least of staff to Mr. Hehr, while Rob left Mr. Duclos’ office around mid- children and youth services—last legislative assistant to the parlia- Stéphane Dion’s communications Rosenfeld is director of communi- December, and his duties have April. Previously, from October mentary secretary. team as minister—press secretary cations and issues management, since been divided up between 2014 until last spring, he was a Matt Stickney is chief of staff Chantal Gagnon and communica- Jeff Valois is director of parlia- Mr. Marando, special assistant writer in Ontario Liberal Premier to Ms. Qualtrough, while Jude tions director Joe Pickerill—have mentary affairs, Paul McCarthy for operations Jessie Pierre, and Kathleen Wynne’s office, and has Welch is director of parliamen- remained in place at this point, is director of policy, and Sarah Hana Kokanovic, special assis- also worked as a research analyst tary affairs and issues manage- continuing to send out press re- McMaster is press secretary. tant to the chief of staff. with the Ontario Liberal caucus ment, Kristina Molloy is director leases and responding to media. Other political staffers work- Josée Duplessis is chief of services bureau. of policy, and Ashley Michnowski Ms. Freeland will soon embark ing for the minister include: staff to the minister, with Mathieu Mr. Brown is already famil- is press secretary. on her first out-of-country trip Alexander Slusar, policy analyst; Filion serving as director of com- iar with Parliament Hill and After the Jan. 10 ministerial as Canada’s foreign minister as Katharine Heus, legislative assis- munications, Daniel Boudria as his new boss in Mr. Morneau’s shuffle, further cabinet staff- she’s confirmed to be heading tant; Sarah Nasser, junior policy director of parliamentary affairs, office, communications director ing changes are expected in to Washington, D.C. to attend officer; Alisha Adat-Nurani, spe- Marie Tremblay as director of Daniel Lauzon, as he previously the six affected offices: foreign inauguration events. U.S. presi- cial assistant; Daniel Bourque, regional affairs, and Emilie Gaud- worked with him as a communi- affairs; international trade; im- dent-elect Donald Trump will be special assistant; Annabelle St- uchon as press secretary. cations adviser to then-interim migration, refugees, and citizen- inaugurated on Jan. 20, with offi- Pierre Archambault, special as- Also working in the office are: Liberal leader Bob Rae. He’s also ship; employment and workforce cial and unofficial events starting been a communications officer development; democratic institu- Jan. 19. focused on media monitoring and tions; and status of women. Trevor Harrison, research for the federal Liberal There have already been some Ministers Hehr, pictured with Party in Ottawa, and for Save staff changes at the senior ranks, Prime Minister the Children Canada in Toronto, with Chrystia Freeland’s old chief Duclos welcome Justin Trudeau, is among other past jobs. of staff at international trade, a senior special In an emailed statement to Hill Brian Clow, moving in to the new senior aides assistant for is- Climbers welcoming Mr. Brown Prime Minister’s Office as a co- sues management back, Mr. Lauzon said, “It’s great ordinator for Canada-U.S. affairs Veterans Affairs Minister Kent to Veterans Affairs to have Nick on the Hill again.” across the federal government, Hehr recently added Trevor Har- Minister Kent “He has a great pen, and he’s as reported by The Globe and rison to his ministerial staff team Hehr. Photograph already made his mark on some Mail. In turn, PMO deputy chief as a new senior special assistant courtesy of Facebook big files, including the finance of staff and principal secretary for issues management. and health ministers’ meeting, in Jeremy Broadhurst will be Ms. Before studying for a master his first few days on the job,” said Freeland’s new chief of staff as of arts in international relations Mr. Lauzon. foreign affairs minister. Former at Queen’s University in Kings- Richard Maksymetz is chief foreign affairs minister Stéphane ton, Mr. Harrison was a legislative of staff to Mr. Morneau, and also Dion’s chief of staff, Julian Ovens, assistant to Ms. Freeland as the focused on communications work will instead move over to become Liberal MP for Toronto Centre, in the minister’s office is press chief of staff to new International starting at the beginning of 2014 secretary Annie Donolo. Trade Minister Francois-Philippe until the summer of 2015, as indi- Heritage Minister Mélanie Champagne. cated by Mr. Harrison’s LinkedIn Joly welcomed new scheduling Mr. Clow is a former senior ad- profile. sistant; Ben Charland, executive Rachel Desjardins, senior special assistant Vinciane Museru to her viser to Ontario Liberal Premier Mr. Harrison previously served assistant to the minister; Emilie assistant; Dominique Salgado, office on Jan. 3. Kathleen Wynne, and before join- as a legislative assistant to former Simard, executive assistant to senior special assistant; Shan- A former Queen’s Park aide, ing Mr. Dion’s office in November Liberal MP Michael Ignatieff, the chief of staff; Peter Cullen, non Zimmerman, senior special Ms. Museru was previously a 2015 Mr. Ovens was working at who represented Etobicoke- assistant to the parliamentary assistant; and Michael Brewster, scheduler and assistant to then- BHP Billiton in Saskatoon. Mr. Lakeshore, Ont., starting in 2008 secretary. special assistant for parliamen- Ontario attorney general and jus- Broadhurst had been a key player through to the May 2011 federal Families, Children, and Social tary affairs. tice minister Madeleine Meilleur, in the PMO, working right under election. During the campaign Development Minister Jean- [email protected] who resigned from the legislature chief of staff Katie Telford and that year, Mr. Harrison was part Yves Duclos has added Peggy The Hill Times The Hill Times, Wednesday, January 18, 2016 21 hill times classified information and advertisement placement: tel. 613-232-5952, fax 613-232-9055

0010 Residential Real Estate 0041 Apartments for Rent 0850 Financial Services 0850 Financial Services 0920 Business Opportunity 0920 Business Opportunity 0990 Announcements 1030 Personal CENTRETOWN Historic Home Golden Triangle LOWER YOUR MONTHLY PAYMENTS MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION! CANADIAN TAXPAYERS FEDERATION REACH MILLIONS OF CUSTOMERS IN TIRED OF BEING ALONE? Fabulous location. Updated condo, two 2000 sq.ft., one bedroom apartment in his- Credit700.ca AND CONSOLIDATE YOUR DEBT NOW!!! In-demand career! Employers have work- is seeking District Sales Managers in ONTARIO WITH ONE EASY CALL! Make it your New Year’s resolution not bedroom and 2 bath, furnished or unfur- toric home, Golden Triangle, 167 Gilmour. $750 loans - no more. No credit check 1st, 2nd, 3rd Debt Consolidation at-home positions available. Get online Ontario. We fight for lower taxes, less Your Classified Ad or Ad would appear in to be! Let MISTY RIVER INTRODUCTIONS – same day deposit Toll Free number Refinancing, Renovations Tax Arrears, No nished, rent 1800/mo or buy $299.900. Large living/dining, two bathrooms, heated CMHC Fees $50K YOU PAY: $208.33 training you need from an employer- waste, accountable government. Salary weekly newspapers each week across help you find someone wonderful to http://grapevine.ca/listing/48033#. parking, private entrance, six appliances, 1-855-527-4368 Open 7 days from trusted program. Visit: CareerStep.ca/ + commission. Resumes to: rcunning- Ontario in urban, suburban and rural. spend your life with. CALL (416)777- 8am to 8pm / MONTH (OAC) No Income, Bad Credit WECY7RJpGt8 613 286 9132 utilities included, non-smoking, no pets, Power of Sale Stopped!!! BETTER OPTION MT or 1-855-768-3362 to start training [email protected]. More info CALL For more information Call Today 647- 6302, (705)734-1292, 613-257- Urban upscale living $2,650 p/m, 613-237-0520 x 211. MORTGAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL for your work-at-home career today! TOLL-FREE: 1-800-667-7933 or www. 350-2558: [email protected] or visit: 9531, (519)658-4204, www.mistyriv- steps from downtown! TODAY TOLL-FREE: 1-800-282-1169. mort- taxpayer.com. www.OntarioClassifiedAds.com. erintros.com. Modern, three storey semi, 4Bed 3Bath, 0041 Apartments for Rent gageontario.com (Licence # 10969) main level deck off gourmet kitchen, third floor master retreat, with balcony. MONTREAL RD & ST. LAURENT $2995/month. Visit www.99concord. Spacious, Renovated 1&2 BDRM suites com 613-282-3731 with new granite & island counter. New appliances, ensuite laundry, ceramic WALK TO EMBASSY ROW! tile and hardwood throughout. $1000- $1500 p/m 613-725-1111. Michael@ high-rise.ca www.Camillecourt.ca MCLEOD STREET Executive apartments. Tastefully deco- rated. All inclusive. Long term. Available now. View apartments at mcleodapart- ments.wordpress.com. 613-232-7939. c0088 Lots for Sale Stunning 4bed+den house downtown across Rideau River avail immediately LAKE LOT FOR SALE @ $2195/month. Contact: 613-680- 27 acres with 300 feet + on pristine Wolfe 3279; [email protected] Lake near charming Westport, Ontario. 1 hr 15 mins Ottawa, 1 hr Kingston. Environ 0020 Condos for Sale protected property with abundant wildlife and fauna. New survey. Price reduced for CATHEDRAL HILL quick sale. Jacques 613 608 6602 Executive two bedroom two full bath luxury condo. Superior design and finishes 0132 Travel throughout. Floor to ceiling windows. Views of Parliament and the Ottawa River. NAPLES FLORIDA VACATION HOMES Full lifestyle amenities. $568,000. www. FOR RENT ColleenandKristy.com. Colleen McBride & by the week or month. Near the Kristy Ward, Sales Representatives, Royal Beach & The Ritz. Visit: www.naples- LePage Team Realty 613-829-1222 vacationproperty.com. For Information, Reservations or Canadian Discount CALL 0030 Condos for Rent Kathleen Rubeck (Owner) TODAY: 812- 327-8950. AYLMER-GATINEAU EXECUTIVE CONDO NEWFOUNDLAND IRCUMNAVIGATION June 5-15, 2017 Aboard the 198-pas- senger Ocean Endeavour. Travel from St. John’s aboard our comfortable ship and experience amazing food, music, land- scapes and culture. See Newfoundland as it was meant to be seen – by sea! Quote Ontario Newspapers AND SAVE $500 www.adventurecanada.com TOLL- FREE: 1-800-363-7566 14 Front St. S. Mississauga (TICO # 04001400) Executive Condo at 1160 Aylmer-Gatineau, 1439 sqft. 2bedrooms / 2bathrooms, 8 0211 Articles for Sale minutes to Parliament Hill, 6 appliances, open concept kitchen with wine cooler, SAWMILLS from only $4,397 Indoor Parking/Storage, Gym/Pool, Spa/ MAKE MONEY & SAVE MONEY with your Golf, access maid/room service from own bandmill - Cut lumber any dimen- Chateau-Cartier-Hotel. Available 2017-04- sion. In stock ready to ship. FREE Info 01. $1800/month. guo_family@yahoo. ca. 613-608-1916. & DVD: http://www.NorwoodSawmill. com/400OT 1-800-566-6899 CENTRETOWN Ext:400OT. Brand new 2 bedroom/1 bathroom Condo for rent. Includes indoor garage, cable/internet $2,250 /month. Kijiji 0217B Computer Services Ad: 1221677669 FIREARMS WANTED FOR FEBRUARY Luxury Lansdowne/Glebe Condo 25TH, 2017 AUCTION. with Private Terrace Rifles, Shotguns, Handguns. As Estate 2 bed/2 bath, third floor, 1000 sq ft ter- Specialists WE manage sale of registered race, canal views. Designer interior, under- / unregistered firearms. Contact Paul, ground parking, gym, concierge. 1035 Switzer’s Auction: Toll-Free 1-800-694- Bank Street. $3295.00. 613-884-6760. 2609, [email protected] or Virtual tour: http://tours.virtualtoursotta- www.switzersauction.com. AGRICULTURE wa.com/public/vtour/display/444280 WANTED: OLD TUBE AUDIO PUBLICATION DATE: FEB. 13, 2016 • ADVERTISING DEADLINE: FEB. 9, 2016 SPACIOUS 2 BEDROOM @PARKDALE EQUIPMENT. 12-18 months rental @ 215 Parkdale. 40 years or older. Amplifiers, Stereo, 2 bdr, en-suite and second bath, spacious Recording and Theatre Sound Equipment. living/dining, 5 appliances, indoor parking Hammond Organs, any condition. CALL Toll- he Hill Times will investigate the latest on we’ll offer the latest on transport regulations and pool. $1700/month. 613-680-5068. Free 1-800-947-0393/519-853-2157 PENTHOUSE CONDO ON GLEBE AVE. T agriculture issues in our Agriculture Policy and livestock. We’ll also look into rising 0320 Health & Beauty Briefi ng. In it, we’ll look at NAFTA, the Trump energy costs and the effects on farmers and CANADA BENEFIT GROUP Do you or someone you know suffer presidency and what it means for Canada’s consumers; and we’ll fi nd out the latest on from a disability? Get up to $40,000 from the Canadian Government. Toll-free agriculture industry; we’ll look at supply the House Agriculture Committee’s report on 1-888-511-2250 or www.canadaben- efit.ca/free-assessment management and the agriculture industry; the temporary foreign work program and its Do you have a DISABILITY? we’ll fi nd out the latest on GMOs; and possible effects on the agriculture sector. Physical or mental. We can help you get Features a 900’ Private Terrace, 10’ up to $40,000 back from the Canadian Ceilings, Fireplace 2 bdrm + den, 2,800 Government. FOR DETAILS check out our sq ft. 613-601-6128. website: disabilitygroupcanada.com or CALL us today Toll-Free 1-888-875-4787. 0041 Apartments for Rent BE A PART OF THIS IMPORTANT AND COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE. 0850 Financial Services BRAND NEW 3 BEDROOM $$ CONSOLIDATE YOUR DEBT $$ For more information or to reserve your government relations and public affairs advertising space, contact HOME EQUITY LOANS FOR ANY!! Bank turn downs, Tax or Mortgage arrears, The Hill Times display advertising department at 613-688-8841. Self Employed, Bad Credit, Bankruptcy. Creative Mortgage Specialists! No proof of income 1st, 2nd, and 3rd’s Up to 85% Borrow: Pay Monthly: $25,000-$105.40 $50,000-$237.11 $100,000-$474.21 LARGER AMOUNTS AND COMMERCIAL AVAILABLE!! Decrease monthly payments Brand new 3 bed 2 bath apartments locat- up to 75%!! Based on 3% APR. OAC ed at 335 Olmstead Street. 1,245 sq. ft. 1-888-307-7799 ONTARIO-WIDE FINANCIAL $1,650. Parking included. Utilities extra. 1801347inc FSCO Licence #12456 www. 819-790-3532. [email protected]. ontariowidefinancial.com!! LET US HELP !! 22 The Hill Times, wednesday, january 18, 2017 feature events EU hosts annual Christmas concert Diplomatic Circles The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia

By Chelsea Nash Envoys bid farewell

Canada’s Chief of Protocol Roy Norton, who to Ottawa over attended at the invitation of EU Ambassador This choir from Romania was one of several choirs that Marie-Anne Coninsx. performed for a packed Notre Dame Cathedral on Dec. 9. holiday season

everal diplomats—some of them well Sknown in the Ottawa community—took the new year as an opportunity for new be- ginnings, having finished their postings here. The hole left by Rafael Barak, who, until the end of November was Israel’s ambassa- dor to Canada, was filled within less than a month. The new Israeli ambassador, Nimrod Barkan, arrived on Dec. 12, and has already presented his credentials to the governor general to start work officially. The concert is open to the public each year for free, and was followed by an invitation-only reception in the parish hall. Mr. Barak, 67, had reached the manda- Two prominent departures: U.S. Ambassador tory retirement age in Israel, and so was Bruce Heyman, left, will be leaving Ottawa with called back home. his wife Vicki Heyman, right, by Friday. Former Mr. Barkan, whose biography has been Israeli ambassador Rafael Barak, and his helpfully compiled in a video posted to spouse, Miriam Barak, left Canada at the end of New Israeli envoy celebrates dance group YouTube by the Israeli foreign ministry, November. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia is the son of a Holocaust survivor from Hungary. He was born in Tel Aviv and grew excited” to take on the role of interim head up dreaming of being a garbage collector, of mission. It is not yet known how long it “to fulfil his desire for action.” By the time will take for a new high commissioner to he was ready to start a career, that desire be appointed. was channelled into serving the foreign Among all of the retirements, there is one ministry, now for about four decades. Mr. ambassador who is said to have received a Barkan, who studied history, worked as promotion. Former Italian ambassador Gian a diplomat in Philadelphia, Cairo, Wash- Lorenzo Cornado has returned to Italy to ington, and Paris, among other places, become the chief of staff to Italian Minister and in Israel he worked closely with the of Foreign Affairs Angelino Alfano. late prime minister and president Shimon The current chargé d’affaires, Fabrizio Peres when he was foreign minister. Nava, who has previously served as consul Former Brazilian Ambassador Pedro general in Houston, Texas, said he’s “hon- Fernando Brêtas Bastos has retired from oured and humbled” having been presented Nimrod Barkan, the newly accredited ambassador of the diplomatic service after having spent with the task of running the embassy in Israel, speaks at a Jan. 11 reception for Israel’s Batsheva three years in Ottawa, and returned to the absence of an ambassador. He said he’s Dance Company, hosted in conjunction with the National Brazil. An embassy spokesperson said staff not sure when someone new will arrive. Arts Centre. The group has been touring in Canada this are expecting to receive a new ambassador The embassy of Benin confirmed that month. Photograph courtesy of the embassy of Israel sometime in February, though there are its ambassador, Comlan Pamphile Gout- no concrete plans yet. Pablo Cardoso, a ondji, left at the beginning of December counsellor at the embassy, has taken over to return to Benin, leaving Houèvo Angèle as chargé d’affaires for the time being. Adoukonou, the first secretary at the em- The 70-year-old former ambassador was bassy, to run things. Azerbaijan showcases ‘Young Voices’ a regular at national day receptions, Amid all the controversy over Prime though he was often one of the more re- Minister Justin Trudeau’s family vacation and ‘Ancient Songs’ served party-goers. to the Aga Khan’s private island in the During his time here, Brazil hosted Bahamas, the former high commissioner many Canadian visitors for the FIFA World of the Bahamas, Calsey Johnson, may have Cup, and the 2016 Summer Olympics. The left just in time. Mr. Johnson returned to ambassador spent more than 40 years in his country on Dec. 16. the diplomatic corps, and finished off with Roselyn Dannielle Dorsett-Horton is a bit of a bookend: his first assignment the current acting high commissioner rep- having been as a desk officer for Canada resenting the Caribbean islands. from 1978 to 1980. Another familiar face, former Vietnam- Another notable departure includes the ese ambassador To Anh Dung, left Ottawa now-former South African high commis- at the end of his posting. He left quite a bit Georgian Ambassador Alexander Latsabidze, A performer lost in his music at the film screening sioner Membathisi Mdladlana. He also re- earlier than his colleagues, having depart- with host Ramil Huseynli, chargé d’affaires of the and traditional music display, hosted at Carleton tired, returning to South Africa. ed on Oct. 11. An ambassador-designate embassy of Azerbaijan. University late last year. His former deputy and now interim head has arrived and is waiting for his accredi- of mission, Tanya Sefolo, described him as a tation ceremony with the governor general. “colourful character,” and a “very funny man.” Austria also has an ambassador-desig- Mr. Mdladlana, a former teacher, labour nate for the time being. Stefan Pehringer minister, and union head, was known for is newly arrived to the city. The former his flourish and his sense of humour.A t ambassador, Arno Riedel, left just before last year’s Africa Day celebrations, which Christmas, on Dec. 20. He also retired and he emceed, he and his co-host, Rwan- returned home to Austria. dan Acting High Commissioner Shakilla And of course, the impending departure of Umutoni, ululated on stage together. Mr. U.S. Ambassador Bruce Heyman is expected Mdladlana cracked jokes throughout the to leave a hole in Ottawa’s diplomatic corps. evening, and even urged his colleagues, Mr. Heyman and his spouse, Vicki Heyman, pleading “your excellencies,” to tell one have been instructed to leave by Jan. 20, the raucous group to quiet down. day of the incoming president’s inauguration. “The staff clearly miss him,” she said, as As the ambassadors between Washington Mr. Mdladlana “always had us in stitches.” and Ottawa are typically political appointees, They often reminisce about the jokes he observers are anxiously waiting to see whom used to tell and share a laugh, she said. president-elect Donald Trump will send North. Ms. Sefolo, who has only been in Ot- [email protected] Mr. Huseynli and the U.S. Embassy’s Miguel Rodrigues. tawa for six months now, said she’s “quite @chels_nash The Hill Times, wednesday, january 18, 2017 23 feature events

ment’s accomplishments in 2016 and how to continue Interim Parliamentary creating good, middle-class jobs. For more information, Conservative call the PMO Press Office at 613-957-5555. leader Rona Calendar TUESDAY, JAN. 24 Ambrose A Policy Magazine Working Lunch—“The Trump and deputy Presidency and What It Means for Canada-U.S. Rela- leader Denis tions and Global Affairs.” The Rideau Club, 99 Bank Lebel will join St., 15th floor, Jan. 24, 12 noon-2 p.m. Policy editor L. members of Ian MacDonald in conversation with: Policy columnist the national Don Newman; Meredith Lilly, Simon Reisman Chair in Conservative International Affairs, Carleton University; Earnscliffe caucus for Strategy Group principal Yaroslav Baran; and Michael Coates, global vice chair and former CEO for the meetings on Americas, H+K Strategies. Tables of 8 are $1,000, ½ Jan. 26 and tables are $500. Information: [email protected] 27 in Quebec or 514-943-3868. City. The Hill Conservative WEDNESDAY, JAN. 25 Times photograph by Jake Wright International, Political, and Policy Studies Students caucus to meet Association—Model Parliament, begins on Wednesday, Jan. 25 and runs to Friday, Jan. 27, University of Ot- tawa, Ottawa. en.aeeippssa.ca. in Quebec City THURSDAY, JAN. 26 National Conservative caucus to meet in Quebec City—Official opposition leader and interim Conserva- WEDNESDAY, JAN. 18 tive leader Rona Ambrose will be joined in Quebec City The Populist Pivot and the Economic Outlook for by members of the national Conservative caucus for 2017—The Ottawa Economics Association is hosting a meetings on Jan. 26 and 27. Hôtel Château Laurier luncheon event featuring Peter Hall, vice-president and Québec, 1220, Place George-V Ouest, Quebec. For Collie, 3:35-4:25 p.m.; Bob Masterson and Shahrzad WEDNESDAY, FEB. 15 chief economist, Export Development Canada (EDC). For more details, media may contact Mike Storeshaw (613- Rahbar, 4:25-4:55 p.m.; Elyse Allan, president and the global economy, 2016 was yet another post-recession 222-7484) or Jake Enwright (613-290-8298). CEO of GE Canada, 4:55-5:10 p.m.; and Colin Ander- Canada’s Digital Policy Adoption Symposium—Moderated disappointment, with critical upset votes in the U.K. and FRIDAY, JAN. 27 sen, Energy Council of Canada, will deliver the closing by CPAC’s Catherine Clark, Canada’s Digital Policy Forum is the U.S.—a populist pivot away from the architecture remarks, 5:10-5:15 p.m. holding a digital adoption symposium from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. that is being blamed for secular stagnation. Where does Policy Options Workshop: How to Read a Federal Genomics on the Hill—Genome Canada invites on Feb. 15 at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building, 144 Wel- this lead? Hear Peter Hall’s views on this, together with Budget—How should one properly read the budget to you to meet some of Canada’s most accomplished lington St., Ottawa. A reception will follow from 4:30 to 6:30 EDC’s outlook for 2017 and implications for Canada’s get an unvarnished look at the state of the country’s researchers and see how genomics technologies are p.m. in Room 200 of the Sir John A. Macdonald Building. trade. Members: $50 prepaid online/$80 at the door; finances? Featuring Stephen Tapp, research director being applied in Canada today to solve big challenges Registration is complimentary. For more information or to Non-members: $75/$100; Student members: $25/$30. at the Institute for Research on Public Policy; Cam in precision health and climate change. Feb. 6, 4-7 RSVP please visit cdpf.ca or contact Denise Siele at events@ Jan. 18, 11:45 a.m., Chateau Laurier hotel, Canadian Vidler, senior economic policy adviser at the Office of p.m. Refreshments will be served. Room 256-S Centre cdpf.ca or phone 613-276-3274. Room (lower level), 1 Rideau St., Ottawa. Details and the Leader of the Official Opposition; Armine Yalnizyan, Block. RSVP to Lucy Sorensen, 613-751-4460, ext. Canadian Welding Bureau: Parliamentary Reception— registration via cabe.ca. senior economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy 210, [email protected]. The CWB Group invites MPs and staff to show their support for skilled trades at their annual parliamentary New Challenges of Consular Affairs—The Canadian Alternatives. Moderated by Jennifer Ditchburn, Policy TUESDAY, FEB. 7 International Council’s national capital branch presents Options editor in chief. Jan. 27. 1-3 p.m. Rideau Club, reception at the Métropolitain. Interactive elements this event exploring the increasing dangers for travel- 99 Bank St., 15th floor, Ottawa. $25. For more informa- Promoting Women in Municipal Government—The such as state-of-the-art welding simulators will allow ling Canadians, and related issues of official services to tion, please contact Suzanne Lambert at 514-787- National Capital Region chapter of Equal Voice is them to try their hand at welding, while industry support and assist distressed Canadians abroad. Fea- 0746 or [email protected]. hosting this event to put the 2018 municipal election representatives will be on site to discuss the spark that turing Rick Kohler, former chief of protocol of Canada; MONDAY, JAN. 30 in people’s minds and to promote women in municipal keeps Canada prosperous. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Métropolit- Alex Neve, Amnesty International Canada; and Gar politics. Tuesday, Feb. 7, 5-8 p.m., Jean Pigott Place ain Brasserie, 700 Sussex Dr., Ottawa. Pardy, a former director general for consular services. House Sitting—The House resumes sitting on at Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave. W., Ottawa. THURSDAY, FEB. 16 Wednesday, Jan. 18, 5 p.m. (registration and cash bar); Monday, Jan. 30, after a six-week break. It’s scheduled 6 p.m. (presentation, discussion); 7:30 p.m. (optional to sit from Jan. 30 to Feb. 24. It breaks for one week, WEDNESDAY, FEB. 8 Macdonald-Laurier Institute Confederation Dinner: dinner). Tickets vary from $15 to $70. Sheraton Hotel, Feb. 27 to March 3 and returns March 6 to 10. It 2016 Census Program Release—The first in a rolling A Celebration of Canada—Revel in what has made the Rideau Room, 150 Albert St., Ottawa. Register: ot- breaks for one week, March 13 to 17, and returns for series of releases is today, on population and dwell- country great and discover the opportunities Canada has [email protected], 613-903-4011 or via eventbrite.ca. one week, March 20 to 24. ing counts. Other results of the 2016 census will be to offer in the next 150 years with a panel including: Ujjal More information: cicncbjan182017.eventbrite.ca. Diplomatic Hospitality Group Grand Winter Festival— released throughout the year, until Nov. 29. Dosanjh, former B.C. premier and MP; Mark Dockstator, Bank of Canada Release—The bank is expected to The Canadian Federation of University of Women’s Dip- Liberal Caucus Meeting—The Liberals will meet in First Nations University of Canada president; and Char- make its latest interest rate announcement as well as lomatic Hospitality Group in Ottawa invites diplomats, Room 237-C Centre Block on Parliament Hill. For more lotte Gray (moderator), acclaimed author and historian. publish its quarterly Monetary Policy Report. 10 a.m. their spouses/partners, and their families to this event. information, please call Liberal Party media relations at MLI’s Brian Lee Crowley and entrepreneur Raven Smith Diplomatic Hospitality Group: Learn to Curl—The Cana- Monday, Jan. 30. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Smithvale Stables, [email protected] or 613-627-2384. will serve as the event’s co-chairs. Feb. 16, Canadian dian Federation of University of Women’s Diplomatic Hos- 3664 Carling Ave., Nepean. A nominal fee will be Conservative Caucus Meeting—The Conservatives Museum of History, 100 rue Laurier, Gatineau, Que. 5:30 pitality Group in Ottawa invites diplomats, their spouses/ charged to help cover costs. will meet for their national caucus meeting. For more p.m. $120-$150 per ticket. For tickets, call 613-482- partners, and their families to this event. Wednesday, Jan. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 1 information, contact Cory Hann, director of commu- 8327, ext. 104, or visit macdonaldlaurier.ca. 18. 10 a.m. to noon. Navy Curling Club, 41 Navy Pvt. nications, Conservative Party of Canada at coryhann@ Ottawa Conference on Security and Defence—The Canada in a Trump World—The Mosaic Institute Liberal Caucus Meeting—The Liberals will meet in conservative.ca. Conference of Defence Associations and CDA Institute presents this discussion with moderator Warren Kin- Room 237-C Centre Block on Parliament Hill. For more NDP Caucus Meeting—The NDP caucus will meet present this annual conference. Until Feb. 17. sella and panelists: Karen Mock, chair of JSpaceCan- information, please call Liberal Party media relations at from 9:15 a.m.-11 a.m. in Room 112-N Centre Block, TUESDAY, FEB. 21 ada; Ihsaan Gardee, executive director of the National [email protected] or 613-627-2384. on Wednesday. Please call the NDP Media Centre at Council of Canadian Muslims; Desmond Cole, activist Conservative Caucus Meeting—The Conservatives will 613-222-2351 or [email protected]. Big Thinking on the Hill with Matthew Hayday—The next and freelance journalist; and Bernie Farber, executive meet for their national caucus meeting. For more informa- Bloc Québécois Caucus Meeting—The Bloc Québécois Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences’ Big director of the Mosaic Institute. Wednesday, Jan. 18, tion, contact Cory Hann, director of communications, Con- caucus will meet from 9:30 a.m. in the Francophonie room Thinking on the Hill lecture features Matthew Hayday speak- 7:30-9 p.m. Al Green Theatre, Miles Nadal JCC, 750 servative Party of Canada at [email protected]. (263-S) in Centre Bock, on Wednesday. For more informa- ing on “‘Canadian-ness,’ citizen engagement, and Canada Spadina Ave. Toronto. Tickets: $5-$35. Register online. NDP Caucus Meeting—The NDP caucus will meet tion, call press attaché Julie Groleau, 514-792-2529. 150: Using history to inform policy.” Hayday is an associate from 9:15-11 a.m. in Room 112-N Centre Block, on professor of history at the University of Guelph and will be THURSDAY, JAN. 19 Wednesday. Please call the NDP Media Centre at 613- THURSDAY, FEB. 9 joined for a Q&A moderated by Guy Laforest, president-elect Digital Truths: Societal and Economic Implications— 222-2351 or [email protected]. Bacon & Eggheads Breakfast—The Partnership of the federation. He will discuss how national celebra- The Economic Club of Canada presents Sir Peter Gluck- Bloc Québécois Caucus Meeting—The Bloc Québé- Group for Science and Engineering presents a talk, tions and commemorations, both official and citizen-led man, chief science adviser to the prime minister of cois caucus will meet from 9:30 a.m. in the Fran- Unnatural tremors: the science of fracking and earth- processes, have shaped our country’s sense of itself and offer New Zealand. Thursday, Jan. 19, 7:45-9 a.m. Chateau cophonie room (263-S) in Centre Bock, on Wednesday. quakes, with Gail Atkinson, Western University. Thurs- suggestions to policy-makers of lessons that can be learned Laurier hotel, 1 Rideau St., Ottawa. Tickets: $89-$110 For more information, call press attaché Julie Groleau, day, Feb. 9, 7:30 a.m. Parliamentary Dining Room, from these past efforts about what works, what does not, each. economicclub.ca. 514-792-2529. Centre Block. No charge to MPs, Senators, and media. and how to foster citizen engagement in theses events. A hot breakfast will be served. Tuesday, Feb. 21. 7:30-8:45 FRIDAY, JAN. 20 SATURDAY, FEB. 4 All others, $25. Pre-registration required by Monday, Feb. 6 by contacting Donna Boag, PAGSE pagse@rsc- a.m. Parliamentary Restaurant, Centre Block. Free for Running out the Clock: The Strategic Use of Par- Bloc Québécois General Council Meeting— The Bloc src.ca or call 613-991-6369. Parliamentarians and the media, $25 for all others. For more liamentary Time—Time is the most precious resource Québécois will hold its general council meeting on Feb. More Than Words: Illustrating Data Webinar Series— information and to RSVP, go to ideas-idees.ca/big-thinking or within the parliamentary system. This seminar will 4 at Hôtel Mortagne in Boucherville, Que. The party is The Ontario Council for International Co-operation is call 613-238-6112 ext. 310. bring together current and former Parliamentarians, expected to adopt rules for its next leadership election. hosting data illustration expert Ann K. Emery for a free WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22 academics, parliamentary staff, and journalists who MONDAY, FEB. 6 three-part capacity-building webinar series designed will explore the management of parliamentary time and to improve international development groups’ ability Diplomatic Hospitality Group: Canadian Heritage—The share their thoughts on the strategic use of time by the Converge 2017—Universities Canada will convene to demonstrate impact. The series covers simple Excel Canadian Federation of University of Women’s Diplo- government and the opposition. This half-day seminar young Canadian thinkers, visionaries, and innovators in di- tools for data analysis, data visualization planning, and matic Hospitality Group in Ottawa invites diplomats, is presented by the Canadian Study of Parliament alogue with leading thinkers from universities, businesses, design principles for reports, social media, dashboards, their spouses/partners, and their families to this event. Group. Breakfast and buffet lunch included. $150 and communities to share ideas on building an innovative, and more. Open to all. Of particular interest to monitor- Wednesday, Feb. 22. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Museum of for members, $200 non-members. 8:15 a.m.-12:15 prosperous, and inclusive Canada for 2067. Until Feb. 7. ing and evaluation practitioners and development pro- History + IMAX, 100 rue Laurier, Gatineau, Que. A p.m. Sir John A. Macdonald Building, Room 100, 144 Shaw Convention Centre, 55 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa. For fessionals. Space is limited and registration is required. nominal fee will be charged to help cover costs. Wellington St., Ottawa. For more information, visit more information, visit: univcan.ca/converge or contact Part 3: Design Principles, Thursday, Feb. 9, 12-1:30 THURSDAY, FEB. 23 studyparliament.ca or contact the CSPG Secretariat at [email protected] or 613-563-3961, ext. 228. p.m. Register via ocic.on.ca/morethanwords. 613-995-2937 or [email protected]. 2017 Energy Industry Updates and Insights—This FRIDAY, FEB. 10 Manning Conference—The 2017 Manning Centre Confer- MONDAY, JAN. 23 event—subtitled Reducing Emissions from Energy Use: ence will take place in Ottawa, featuring speakers, training Policies, New Initiatives, What’s Needed—will take Foolproof: Why Safety Can Be Dangerous and How sessions, and policy discussions. Until Feb. 25. This year’s House Not Sitting—The House resumes sitting on place on Feb. 6 at the Westin Ottawa, 11 Colonel By Danger Makes Us Safe—The Fraser Institute hosts this theme is: Take the Lead. The event will feature a formal Monday, Jan. 30, after a six-week break. It’s scheduled Dr., from 1:15-5:15 p.m. followed by a reception from luncheon with Greg Ip, chief economics commentator, debate of federal Conservative leadership candidates. to sit from Jan. 30 to Feb. 24. It breaks for one week, 5:15-7 p.m. At 1:15, Graham Campbell, president of The Wall Street Journal. Friday, Feb. 10. Registra- The Parliamentary Calendar is a free listing. Send in Feb. 27 to March 3, and returns March 6 to 10. It the Energy Council of Canada will welcome guests; fol- tion and lunch: 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Presentation and your political, cultural, diplomatic, or governmental event breaks for one week, March 13 to 17, and returns for lowed by federal Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr at Q&A: 12-1 p.m. Weston Conference Centre, 1491 in a paragraph with all the relevant details under the sub- one week, March 20 to 24. 1:20 p.m.; followed by Peter Boag, Chantal Guimont, Yonge St., 3rd floor, Toronto, Ont. To purchase tickets, ject line ‘Parliamentary Calendar’ to [email protected] Prime Minister to Hold Cabinet Retreat in Alberta— and Paula Vieira, 1:35-2:20 p.m.; Andy Mahut, Rob please register online or email laura.chan@fraserin- by Wednesday at noon before the Monday paper or by Fri- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will hold a cabinet re- Cumming, Joseph Galimberti, and Sarah Stinson, 2:20- stitute.org or call 416-363-6575, ext. 529. Tickets: day at noon for the Wednesday paper. We can’t guarantee treat in Calgary, Alta., from Jan. 23-24. The PMO says 3:10 p.m.; Dr. Jatin Nathwani, 3:10-3:20 p.m.; Lance $39.55 ($35 + $4.55 HST). A light lunch is included. inclusion of every event, but we will definitely do our best. the cabinet will discuss how to build on his govern- Jefferies, Thomas Mueller, Brent Gilmour, and David fraserinstitute.org [email protected] IT’S BACK TO PARLIAMENT PUBLICATION DATE: JAN. 30, 2017 • ADVERTISING DEADLINE: JAN. 25, 2017

he House is back on Jan. 30 and will sit for 15 weeks until it breaks again in June. The THill Times will offer a substantive primer on the session. Fresh from a cabinet retreat and a newly-shuffl ed cabinet, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government will be dealing with an unpredictable U.S. administration. We look at the top bureaucrats, political players, and issues in this session. BE A PART OF IT. For more information or to reserve your government relations and public affairs advertising space, contact The Hill Times display advertising department at 613-688-8841.