Publications Mail Agreement #40068926 Derek Abma p.6 story andthefulllist. minister, again.A most lobbiedcabinet Navdeep Bainsisthe Innovation Minister TWENTY-EIGHTH1420 NO. YEAR, face ofwhat theoppositioncalled to presenta “unified front” inthe backroom collaborative efforts Conservative andNew Democrat rule changeswas aproduct of als’ attempt toexpediteHouse days offilibustering theLiber- PARLIAMENT HILL—Four Liberals’ ‘political thuggery’ fi Opposition partiessay their News BY RACHEL AIELLO LOOK p.5 2017: ABIG IN BUDGET ON WHAT’S LOBBYISTS libuster isaprotest against House rules &Hillculture hiaCpsp StephenGreenep.11 Sheila Copps p.9 Canada. actually unite that could budget measures There aretwo fairs Committee detailed the joint fairs Committeedetailedthejoint on theProcedure andHouse Af- Monday, April 3—oppositionMPs when MPsreturntotheHillon ing—which isscheduledtoresume the initialfourdays offi Times duringandproceeding eral government. “political thuggery” from theLib- In interviews withThe Hill C David Tkachuk p.10 Meredith. lapse injudgmentonDon the Senatefortheirextreme ISG needtoapologize Peter Harderandtheentire ANADA libuster- ’ S P OLITICS Liberals’ “political thuggery” was Liberals’ “politicalthuggery”was summer withoutall-partysupport. the rulesthat govern MPs, by the changes totheStandingOrders, ment’s attempt topushthrough effort” respondingtothegovern- ilton Centre, Ont.)calleda “unifi MP David Christopherson(Ham- efforts taken topresentwhat NDP The opposition response to the The oppositionresponsetothe

AND G attack p.16 terrorist on London’s Phil Gurski OVERNMENT It’s uptous. hands ofSenators. Senate restsinthe The futureofhe ed ed N EWSPAPER working very closely,” hesaid. third party, it’sallofus. … We’re just theofficial oppositionorthe Mr. Christophersonsaid. sition toslowdownthegovernment, tools aspossiblethatallowtheoppo- about protectingasmanyprocedural “If ourrightsarelost, it’snot Continued onpage22 Sajjan’s offi Minister Harjit new roleinDefence Cudmore takesona Hill Climbers:James ar ykwetp 3DavidCranep.12 Laura Ryckewaert p.23 on April3. the Housereturns fi will takeupthe opposition MPs House. The rules ofthe parliamentary plans tochange the government’s fi estimated 38-hour conducted an Committee, which House Affairs night atthe last Wednesday Simms, pictured Whalen andScott Liberal MPsNick Andrew Meade Times photographby libuster when libuster against libuster The Hill ce.

MONDAY, MARCH27,2017$5.00 vice-chair ofthecommittee. Mani- Trudeau-era cabinetminister, isthe tional law expertandformerPierre a respectedinternational constitu- Quebec Liberal Sen. SergeJoyal, of thefi African countries, isthechair former ambassadortoseveral senior publicservant andCanada’s former provincial judge, former tive Sen. Raynell Andreychuk, a rule ofthelaw.” the law andtheobservance ofthe have athorough knowledge of they’re legalscholarsandthey Hill. They’re expertsinthelaw, prominent jurists onParliament the mostcompetentand tials arebeyond reproach. They’re ing backto1974. “Their creden- an MPandacabinetministerdat- ber in2002, butbeforeserved as was appointedtotheRedCham- reproach,” saidSen. Baker, who Senate isabove politicsandabove Committee. Constitutional Affairs vice-chair oftheSenate’s Legaland Liberal Senator GeorgeBaker, Don Meredith, says Newfoundland the politicalfate of embattled Sen. Parliament Hillwho willdecide of the “most competentjurists” on of InterestCommitteehassome The Senate EthicsandConfl News Meredith Meredith embattled Sen. future of decide political lawyers to judges, two Three former BY ABBAS RANA BY ABBAS Saskatchewan Conserva- “The EthicsCommitteeofthe Senator DonMeredith ve-member committee. right away. Canada, justnot innovation in wants more Budget 2017 Continued onpage4 ict ict 2 MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 | THE HILL TIMES Who you gonna call? Heard on the Hill The fi re chiefs, naturally. by Derek Abma Photographsgp courtesy y of Dave Chan Summa’s Lanthier moving over to CN Rail

Summa Strategies adviser Louis- Fire chiefs from all of the provinces in Atlantic Canada with Liberal MP Rodger Cuzner. House Speaker Alexandre Geoff Regan hosted the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs on March 20 in Room 216-N Centre Block. Lanthier will start working for CN Rail next month, a company he’s already familiar with. Photograph courtesy of Louis- Alexandre Lanthier Vancouver Fire Chief John McKearney, left, Liberal Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier, left, MP Raj Saini, and Calgary Deputy Fire Chief Ken Liberal MPs Rémi Massé and Denis Lemieux, and McMullen. Gatineau Fire Chief Gary Barnes. umma Strategies senior adviser Louis-Al- In the Maclean’s article, Mr. Potter Sexandre Lanthier is taking his game over to wrote, among other things, that “Quebec Canadian National Railway as of next month is an almost pathologically alienated and as senior manager of government affairs. low-trust society, defi cient in many of the Mr. Lanthier had been at Summa for most basic forms of social capital that the last three years, and before that was a other Canadians take for granted.” staffer to Justin Trudeau before he became After its publication, McGill University prime minister. tweeted that the views expressed by Mr. Mr. Lanthier, in his lobbying work with Potter did not refl ect those of the universi- Summa, had been handling fi les from CN, ty. After Mr. Potter’s resignation, Maclean’s and the company eventually asked him to reported sources as saying McGill forced join the team directly. Mr. Potter to resign. “At fi rst I was wondering if I should In a resignation letter he posted on Twit- or not, mostly because I really enjoyed ter, Mr. Potter said: “I deeply regret many Liberal MP Hedy Fry, left, New Westminster Fire Chief Tim Armstrong, Victoria Fire Chief Paul Bruce, and Summa,” he told The Hill Times last week. aspects of the column—its sloppy use of an- Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. “But then as we were going back and forth ecdotes, its tone, and the way it comes across on what the company’s looking to get done as deeply critical of the entire province. That in the next couple of years, where I could wasn’t my intention, it doesn’t refl ect my help with that, then we found a good foot- views of Quebec, and I am heartbroken that ing where it made sense for me. the situation has evolved the way it has.” “It was an opportunity that came knock- He added the job he’s quitting was his ing. I was not looking to leave Summa.” “dream job,” but that “the credibility of the In- Mr. Lanthier said he’ll continue work- stitute will be best served by my resignation.” ing in Ottawa, out of CN’s offi ces in the He said he would continue his academic Château Laurier. And as CN will continue position at McGill as an associate professor. to be a client of Summa, he will maintain Mr. Potter started his position at the Mc- contact with his old buds there. Gill Institute for the Study of Canada last summer, a few months after stepping down Potter resigns from McGill as editor-in-chief of the Ottawa Citizen. Institute following Quebec GG’s book launch event Maclean’s Saint-Bernard Fire Chief Daniel Gaudet, left, NDP MP Tracey Ramsey, Essex Fire Chief Rick Arnel, NDP MP criticism in article on Tuesday night at LAC Cheryl Hardcastle, and Grand Falls-Windsor Fire Chief Vince MacKenzie. in Ottawa

An event to mark the launch of book co-written by Gov. Gen. David Johnston is planned for Tuesday, March 28, at Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa. The book is called Ingenuous: How Ca- nadian Innovators made the World Smarter, Smaller, Kinder, Safer, Healthier, Wealthier and Happier, published by Signal/McClel- land & Stewart, and OpenText chairman Tom Jenkins also has a writing credit. Mr. Johnston and Mr. Jenkins are to be Andrew Potter has resigned as director of the featured in an on-stage discussion hosted McGill Institute for the Study of Canada. The Hill by Catherine Clark. Times photograph by Jake Wright A reception starts at 6 p.m. and the main event gets underway at 7 p.m. Say cheese: The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs was on the Hill last week, lobbying on mental Andrew Potter has resigned as direc- It’s organized by the Ottawa International health issues. In this group picture are chiefs from across the country. Back row, from the left: Rob tor of the McGill Institute for the Study of Writers Festival. Among the other things this Evans, Redwood Meadows; Brad Yochim, Wallace & District; Graham Pawlett, CVFSA; Cameron Canada following the negative reaction group is putting together is a discussion and Abrey, Dauphin; Bruce Donig, Cornwall; Bruce Ferguson, Township of Langley; Brian Wilson, he received after writing an article for book signing on Wednesday, April 5 for The Clarence-Rockland; Daniel Gaudet, Nova Scotia; Rick Arnel, Essex; Sean Tracey, Ottawa; Blaine Maclean’s that criticized Quebec for the Harper Factor: Assessing a Prime Minster’s Wiggins, Aboriginal Firefi ghters Association; John Gillissie, Ottawa. Middle row, from the left: Todd events that unfolded during a major snow- Policy Legacy, published by McGill-Queen’s Horricks, Ottawa; Gary Barnes, Gatineau; Phil Lemire, White Rock; Duane Antle, Come by Chance; storm earlier this month. University Press. Co-editors Graham Fox Denis Pilon, Swift Current; Ken Block, Edmonton; Vince Mackenzie, Grand Falls Windsor; Tim The refusal of some transport-truck and Jennifer Ditchburn are scheduled to Armstrong, New Westminster; John McKearney, Vancouver; Richard Kent, Aboriginal Firefi ghters drivers to be towed, and incur expenses for be at this event, which happens at Carleton Association; John Kingyens, Sarnia; Gerry Pingitore, Ottawa. Front row, from the left: Rod such services, was blamed for a traffi c jam University’s MacOdrum Library at 7 p.m. MacDonald, East River; Charles Kavanaugh, Maritime Chiefs; Paul Bruce, Victoria; Peter Krich, on a Montreal highway that left as many as Camrose; Dan McCoy, Kennebecasis; Kim Ayotte, Ottawa; Ken McMullen, Calgary; Arnold Lazare, 300 vehicles stranded overnight. Continued on page 26 Aboriginal Firefi ghters Association; Rod Nielsen, Brookfi eld. THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 3 Comment Canada will start paying its way in NATO very soon, and that’s a very good thing

members, alongside military powerhouses Donald Trump is a thug and like Slovenia and Luxembourg, and others with bankrupt and/or struggling econo- a demagogue, elevated to the mies. By agreement reached in 2014, NATO members are supposed to be devoting two Oval Offi ce. But on NATO, and per cent of their nation’s gross domestic on the requisite contributions product (GDP) to defence. Canada doesn’t, and consistently hasn’t. We spend less than to NATO, he is right. one per cent. During the Republican primaries, and during the U.S. presidential race, Donald Trump would be asked often about defence by reporters looking for some new insane Trump statement to report. Trump wouldn’t disappoint. So: “We are getting ripped off by every country in NATO, where they pay virtually nothing, most of them. And we’re paying the majority of the costs.” And: “We’re spending a tremendous— Warren Kinsella billions and billions of dollars on NATO. Th e War Room We’re paying too much! You have countries in NATO, I think it’s 28 countries—you have countries in NATO that are getting a ORONTO—What Donald wants, Don- free ride and it’s unfair, it’s very unfair.” Tald gets. And, this gem, which gave plenty of Well, not really. He wanted a Muslim Western leaders heartburn, and which ban. Didn’t get it. Wanted Obamacare transformed Donald Trump’s presidency Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Donald Trump, pictured at the White House on killed, and something else instead. Didn’t from something that was mildly amusing Feb. 13, 2017. Photograph courtesy of Donald Trump’s Twitter get that. Wanted—promised!—ISIS defeat- to something that was deeply terrifying: ed in 30 days. Didn’t get, or do, that. NATO was “obsolete,” he said. And: “The But getting more money out of Canada U.S. must be prepared to let these coun- [Your eyes are not deceiving you. Hill- To this Liberal hawk, that is profoundly for NATO? He’s going to get that. tries defend themselves.” ary Clinton-loving Warren Kinsella wrote ironic—but highly satisfying. Now, if you were to poke through the that “Donald Trump is right” about some- Donald Trump is a traitor to his nation entrails of the 2017 federal budget, re- thing. Clip and save, folks.—Ed.] and its Constitution. He is a thug and a leased with a minimum of fuss last week, The unoffi cial word around offi cial demagogue. He is an internet troll, elevated you would not fi nd any statement that There are 28 members of Ottawa is that the budget’s Donald Trump to the Oval Offi ce. But on NATO, and on read: “Her Majesty’s Government pledges NATO. Its budget is north of Paragraph means that the forthcoming the requisite contributions to NATO, he is to commit more resources to the North defence review—with the Trudeau govern- right. American Treaty Organization (NATO), be- $900-billion annually. The ment’s amorphous pledge to “equip the Ask the guy who said this: “NATO cause we are concerned what the short-fi n- United States of America Forces to meet the challenges of the com- needs more Canada.” That guy? gered vulgarian to the south will do to us if ing decades”—will result in Canada fi nally One Barack Obama, in the House of we don’t.” No such statement is in there. contributes an extraordinary meeting its NATO commitment. A Conser- Commons on June 29, 2016. There is, however, this on page 186 in vative government had long been a NATO Warren Kinsella is a former Jean Chapter 3 of the budget: $650-billion of that. The United free rider, but it will be a Liberal govern- Chrétien-era cabinet staffer. “The government will soon release a Kingdom, $60-billion; France ment that will fi nally pay its way in NATO. The Hill Times new defence policy for Canada, following substantive public consultation and exten- and Germany, in and around sive analysis. It will be more rigorously $40-billion each, give or take. costed than any previous defence policy. It will commit the level of investment Canada?Canada is in the bottom required to restore the Canadian Armed third of NATO members, Forces to a sustainable footing with respect to fi nances, capital and people, and equip alongside military powerhouses the Forces to meet the challenges of the coming decades.” like Slovenia and Luxembourg, That paragraph is the Donald Trump and others with bankrupt and/or paragraph, you might say. It was written just for him. As we speak, Canada’s highly struggling economies. capable Ambassador to the U.S., David SERVICES | AMENITIES | LIFESTYLE MacNaughton—probably the best appoint- ment Justin Trudeau has made to date, but That statement about NATO’s obso- that is a column for another day—is shut- lescence, uttered during an interview in Luxury furnished suites in the heart of Ottawa tling around Offi cial Washington, a photo- January with a German newspaper, was a copy of that paragraph in hand, solemnly shock. “[NATO is] obsolete, fi rst because LIV Extended Stay is the ideal home away from home for the traveling professional. assuring the hawks in the Trump regime it was designed many, many years ago,” that Canada will start paying its way in Trump said. Secondly, he said, it’s obsolete We offer fully furnished suites equipped with all the conveniences you expect in your home, plus NATO very soon. because “countries aren’t paying what they unmatched amenities and services to provide you with an endless array of possibilities. Because we don’t pay our way in NATO, should.” and we haven’t for a long time. And we His fi rst point, like so much that the Approved Government Supplier - Exclusive Rates Available need to. Unpresident says, was certifi ably insane. There are 28 members of NATO. Its With Trump’s pal Vladimir Putin massing budget is north of $900-billion annually. troops and guns on the border of assorted The United States of America contributes Baltic states, NATO is needed more now an extraordinary $650-billion of that. The than perhaps ever before. But on his sec- United Kingdom, $60-billion; France and ond assertion, that NATO is compromised Germany, in and around $40-billion each, because many countries aren’t paying what give or take. Canada? they should? Canada is in the bottom third of NATO Donald Trump is right. 4 MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 | THE HILL TIMES News

Ind. Sen. Don Meredith, pictured in this Three former judges, fi le photograph at a Hill reception. The Senate Ethics Committee two lawyers to decide will release its report to the Senate and the Senators will vote political future of on the report’s recommendations. The Hill Times photograph by Jake embattled Sen. Meredith Wright

tee said in a press release after out of the national Conservative All members of the meeting. caucus in June 2015 after his the Senate’s Ethics Senate Ethics Offi cer Lyse relationship with the teenager Ricard fi led her damning report was fi rst reported in Toronto Committee are on March 9, after a two-year Star. This story triggered the investigation, on Sen. Meredith’s Senate ethics offi cer’s inquiry. ‘beyond reproach’ inappropriate sexual relation- Since then, Sen. Meredith has ship with a then-16-year old girl. been sitting as an Independent. and will not play In the report, she concluded that Prior to his appointment to the the GTA Senator, a Pentecostal Red Chamber, he ran unsuccess- politics with this pastor and father of two who was fully for the Conservative Party issue, says Liberal appointed to the Senate in 2010 in a 2008 byelection in the riding by then-prime minister Stephen of Toronto Centre. He came in Sen. George Baker Harper, violated the Ethics and fourth place behind the Liberals, Confl ict of Interest Code for Sen- NDP, and the Green Party. ators. The relationship between Ms. Ricard is conducting two Sen. Meredith and the girl, who other investigations against Sen. Continued from page 1 is referred to as Ms. M, continued Meredith, including one into alle- for two years. gations of workplace harassment toba Ind. Sen. Murray Sinclair, “I have concluded that Sen. from some of Sen. Meredith’s for- a former provincial court judge Meredith breached subsections mer staffers, and another into a who also chaired Canada’s Indian 7.1(1) and 7.1(2) of the code in the trip he led to the Caribbean in Residential Schools Truth and Rec- circumstances surrounding the 2015 that included a representa- onciliation Commission Inquiry, is relationship he had with a teen- tive of a company which Sen. Mer- another member. Ontario Ind. Sen. ager, Ms. M.,” Ms. Ricard said in edith co-owns. Ms. Ricard’s offi ce Howard Wetston, a former Federal her report. Ms. Ricard stated that told The Hill Times two weeks ago Court judge and former director at all times during this relation- that they can’t provide dates when of investigation and research with ship Sen. Meredith did not treat the report of the two outstanding the Federal Competition Bureau, this relationship with Ms. M as a investigations will come out. is also on the committee. And “personal matter.” There was an “How long the process takes Nunavut Conservative Sen. Dennis “obvious imbalance of power” depends upon the issues that Conservative Sen. Raynell Andreychuk, centre, pictured with former Ukrainian Patterson, a former justice minister where Sen. Meredith was in a are involved, its complexity, the president Victor Yushchenko and Liberal MP Borys Wrzesnewskyj, right, is the and former premier of Nunavut, is position of authority while Ms. M number of individuals who are chair of the Senate Ethics and Confl ict of Interest Committee. The Hill Times the another committee member. remained in a position of “rela- required to be interviewed, sched- photograph by Jake Wright None of the members of the tive youth and vulnerability,” Ms. uling issues, and the number, or committee wanted to discuss Sen. Ricard wrote. process issues, that are raised Meredith’s case with The Hill She said both subsections by the various parties and the Times last week. which the Senator violated time that is required in order to The committee met for the fi rst “require that a Senator’s conduct properly canvass and dispose of time on the Hill to discuss it on uphold the highest standards of relevant issues,” Louise Dalphy, March 24. Prior to the start of the dignity inherent to the position administrator and ethics adviser meeting, Sen. Andreychuk told of Senator and that a Senator to the Senate ethics offi cer told reporters that the meeting was refrain from acting in a way that The Hill Times. “There is a process aiming to come up with a strategy could refl ect adversely on the po- that is required to be followed to conduct its deliberations on sition of Senator or the institution under the Ethics and Confl ict the issue. She said the committee of the Senate.” of Interest Code for Sena- would provide its recommenda- The relationship started in 2013 tors (the Code). There are certain tions to the Senate. when Sen. Meredith was 48 years timelines provided to parties The meeting was held in-camera old, according to the report, and within this process. In addition, and the Senators declined to say the girl was 16. Ms. Ricard wrote issues that require resolution when they would be able to make that in this “improper relationship,” before moving to the next stage their recommendation to the Senate. there was an “obvious imbalance could surface throughout.” “The committee is bound to of power” between the two. Since the report came out, a report to the Senate as ‘promptly as “He engaged in a physical signifi cant number of Senators, circumstances permit,’ as stated in sexual relationship with Ms. M including Government Senate the ethics code,” Sen. Joyal wrote in that included two encounters be- Representative Peter Harder (Ot- an email to The Hill Times last week. fore she turned 18, one of which tawa, Ont.), Leader of the Inde- Neither Sen. Meredith, 52, who involved intercourse, and two pendent Senators’ Group Elaine Senator Murray Sinclair, centre, is a member of the Senate Ethics Committee. is on sick leave from the Senate, encounters just after she turned McCoy (Alberta) and Ind. Sen. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright nor his lawyer appeared before the eighteen, both of which involved André Pratte (De Salaburry, Que.) closed-door committee last week. intercourse. He also engaged in have called on Sen. Meredith to told The Hill Times last week in a helpful to anyone.” Sen. Andreychuk told report- numerous sexually explicit chats resign from his seat. phone interview. But last week Sen. Meredith ers after the meeting that the with Ms. M.,” Ms. Ricard wrote. “I would urge you to adopt the But Sen. Meredith has said dropped Mr. Pieters as his legal committee is in communication Sen. Meredith denies he had proper course of action to prevent publicly that he will not resign. counsel and retained Mr. Trudell. In with Sen. Meredith’s lawyer, Bill sex with her before she turned 18 further trauma to persons who His former lawyer, Selwyn Piet- media interviews, Mr. Trudell said Trudell, and wants to give them a and has apologized publicly for his have been directly affected by your ers, who was replaced last week, that his client does not feel any reasonable opportunity to make “moral failing.” He has asked for conduct,” wrote Sen. Harder in a said in earlier media interviews longer that racism is a factor in this their case to the committee. forgiveness and last month told The letter to Sen. Meredith on March that the Senate was holding Sen. case and Mr. Trudell told The Cana- “The code requires the com- Canadian Press that he believes 10. “More specifi cally, I urge you to Meredith to a different standard dian Press that he wants to turn the mittee to afford Sen. Meredith “absolutely, racism has played a do the honourable thing and resign because he’s a man of colour. temperature down. “There’s a lot of an opportunity to appear before role” that could cost him his job. from your seat in the Senate.” “His Senate colleagues would people saying thins and calling for it. The committee, in compli- Before the report came out, Former government Senate not have come down so harsh his resignation or prejudging. I just ance with this requirement, has Sen. Meredith served on the leader and former Conservative on him, thumping those bells of don’t think that helps. already afforded Sen. Meredith Senate National Security and De- Senator Marjory LeBreton also resignation or expulsion which has “Senator Meredith doesn’t feel with such an opportunity and fence Committee and the Aborigi- echoed similar views. never happened in the Senate’s his- this whole issue, including the Sen- has also offered him alterna- nal Peoples Committee. He has “I hope he does the honour- tory,” Mr. Pieters told CTV’s Ques- ate’s approach, is racially motivat- tive means to appear, either by since been dropped from both able thing and resigns, but it tion Period on Sunday, March 19. ed,” Mr. Trudell, said in an interview videoconference or by submitting committees. takes honourable people to do “There’s a lynch mob mentality with CBC on Thursday, March 23. written submissions,” the commit- Sen. Meredith was kicked honourable things,” Sen. LeBreton that’s going on right now that’s not The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 5 News

tions, said the highlight of the bud- get for him was the government’s Budget criticized $828.2-million investment over fi ve years for First Nations health care. He said it “starts the process toward levelling the playing fi eld for lack of between indigenous health and non-indigenous health.” He congratulated the govern- ment for putting $300-million over fi ve years toward the Canada public-service Health Infoway, a project that uses information technology to share health-related information between care providers. investment, no Mr. Tholl said he would have liked to see more investment in health-related research and innovation, and he interpreted Phoenix fi x this budget as an “IOU” on future investments in these areas. and agencies to help with the Yet, he added that the govern- But the government Phoenix pay problem. We’ve seen ment probably did not want to an- nothing on that in this budget.” nounce too many new initiatives was praised for Debi Daviau, president of the in the area of scientifi c research Professional Institute of the Public before the results of a review of programs to help Services of Canada (PIPSC), who government support for science indigenous and older was also on the Hill, said of the bud- is released, probably within the get, “We don’t see all that much.” next few weeks. Mr. Tholl also noted how the Canadians attain She said there should have PSAC vice-president Chris Aylward said he was ‘disappointed’ the federal budget government affi rmed its in- been a stronger commitment to did not make adequate investments in the public service nor address ongoing post-secondary reduce the use of outsourcing creased investments in health issues with the Phoenix pay system. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade for services that public servants transfers to the provinces, which education, and for could be doing, which she said are increasing by $1.1-billion to “costs taxpayers anywhere be- $37.1-billion in 2017-18 and to phone interview last week that the Jesse Clarke, director of measures to bolster tween two and 10 times as much $42.9-billion by 2021-22. federal budget got it right in terms government partnerships for innovation-based as just providing those services Mr. Tholl said he gives the gov- of the $950-million over fi ve years Pathways to Education, which inside of government.” ernment a B+ for its health-care to create “superclusters” of innova- promotes educational opportuni- industries. The budget did repeat a com- investments in this budget and a tive industries around the country, ties for disadvantaged Canadians, mitment made a year earlier C- for health research. $400-million in venture capital said she was pleased to see fund- to make annual reductions of Anne Sutherland, CEO of the for later-stage companies trying ing for her organization extended BY DEREK ABMA $221-million from “professional Canadian Nurses Association, to grow, $221-million to Mitacs with $38-million over four years, services, travel and government said, “We’re very happy on a num- over fi ve years to increase work- starting in 2018-19. eh,” was how one pub- advertising,” which the offi ce of ber of fronts [with the budget].” integrated learning placements to “I’m happy to see that the “Mlic service union leader Treasury Board President Scott In particular, she cited a move 10,000 students a year from about government is interested in help- reacted after the federal govern- Brison (Kings-Hants, N.S.) re- to give nurse practitioners the 3,700, and $50-million for a new ing low-income Canadians access ment’s budget was unveiled last cently said was being met for the authority to sign off on patients’ government procurement program opportunities, particularly youth week, though there were positive 2016-17 fi scal year. eligibility for the Disability Tax dedicated to buying from smaller who face many barriers to suc- reviews coming from educational Ms. Daviau also said the gov- Credit, which previously only Canadian companies. cessfully achieving education and interest groups, mixed reaction ernment’s lack of attention in this physicians could do. Bilan Arte, chair of the Cana- employment,” she said. from the health sector, and a budget to the Phoenix pay fi asco “This is great news for pa- dian Federation of Students, took More broadly, she lauded the range of other assessments from was “disturbing.” tients,” she said. “It improves their note of the budget’s $90-million government for putting $12.5-million those who had some interests rid- She said there were some “tar- access to these disability credits, over two years for the Post-Sec- over six years to create partnerships ing on this federal budget. geted investments in science, but it improves timeliness, and it ondary Student Support Program, and raise awareness related to the Chris Aylward, national not nearly enough to make up for prevents redundancy. Historically, which the government said will Canada Learning Bond, which helps executive vice-president of the the cuts of the Harper government nurses would be able to do this support the fi nancial needs of low-income Canadians afford post- Public Service Alliance of Canada in terms of decimating critical sci- work, but wouldn’t be able to sign 4,600 First Nations students. secondary education. (PSAC), told reporters in Cen- ence programs for Canadians.” it off, so the individual would have She said her group had been “We think that will be a great tre Block immediately after the Ms. Daviau said it was en- to go to a medical practitioner.” advocating for this program ever opportunity to reach many mem- budget’s March 22 release that he couraging to see the government She also gave credit to the gov- since it was missing from last bers of our community who don’t was “disappointed.” announce a $523.9-million invest- ernment for merging a number of year’s budget despite a 2015 cam- know about these resources and “This was an opportunity for ment to combat tax avoidance at benefi t programs for those caring paign promise. face many barriers to post-second- the Liberal government to reinvest home and abroad. for family members at home into “This is a pretty huge victory ary education,” Ms. Clarke said. in public services,” he said. “There “We’ve long been calling for the new Canada Caregiver Credit. for students,” Ms. Arte said, add- [email protected] seems to be signs of some invest- those investments, and although The Federation of Canadian ing that there was some disap- The Hill Times ment, but we certainly don’t know it probably doesn’t go far enough, Municipalities called the budget a pointment that it didn’t match the what those details are. And it is a it’s clearly a step in the right “game-changer for municipalities,” $100-million committed to in the very modest investment, obviously.” direction,” she said. highlighting in a press release the campaign platform. “We’re going One item that bolstered public She said her overall impres- government’s transit investment of to keep campaigning on it.” Highlights of services, Mr. Aylward noted, was sion of the budget was “meh.” $20.1-billion over 11 years, which She applauded moves in the bud- the promise to put as much as The Canadian Medical As- it called “transformational.” It also get to help part-time students and the 2017 federal $149.3-million over fi ve years into sociation, representing physicians cited the government’s promise of students with dependents with post- improving food-safety oversight, across the country, said in a press $11.2-billion for affordable social secondary education fi nancial as- budget: which he said “is encouraging, but release that the budget “missed housing over 11 years, $2.5-billion sistance, but said a missing element again, we are at a critical point an important chance to begin for roads, bridges, and broadband was dealing with the tuition fees that in this country when it comes to building a much-needed national Internet access in rural areas, and lead to high student-debt levels. • REVENUE IN 2017-18: food inspection and we certainly seniors strategy.” support for local green initiatives “There are no new, innovative, $304.7-billion, up from would like to see more investment As Canada’s population ages, as positive steps. bold measures in this budget to $292.1-billion in 2016-17 in food inspection.” the CMA was looking for invest- Colleges and Institutes Canada actually address the rising cost of Mr. Aylward also said it was ments to provide more coordina- called it a “skills budget,” and in post-secondary education across • EXPENSES IN 2017- disheartening that there were no tion and options for seniors’ home a press release congratulated the country,” she said. 18: $330.2-billion, up from measures to deal with the Phoe- care, a strategy for end-of-life the government for measures Michael McDonald, execu- nix pay system problems, which care, and more fi nancial support to improve educational oppor- tive director of the Canadian $315.1-billion in 2016-17 over the last year have resulted in for family caregivers. tunities for “underrepresented Alliance of Student Associa- • DEFICIT IN 2017-18: delayed or incorrect amounts of “By providing better access to populations” and for its newly tions, said the budget included money for thousands of govern- more effi ciently delivered high- announced Innovation Canada “some really strong investments $28.5-billion, up from ment workers. Public service quality care for seniors, we will initiative, described in the budget in making sure that marginal- $23-billion in 2016-17 unions had called on the govern- help improve access to care for as “a new platform led by Inno- ized groups were able to attend ment to invest $75-million into all Canadians,” CMA president vation, Science and Economic post-secondary education, • DEBT IN 2017-18: correcting the system. Granger Avery said in the release. Development Canada that will co- specifi cally the Post-Secondary $665.5-billion, up from “They continue not to be able “We did not see that action to ordinate and simplify the support Student Support Program for $637.1-billion in 2016-17 to pay their employees on time,” make that happen in budget, but available to Canada’s innovators.” First Nations students.” Mr. Aylward said. “We had an ask a it is not too late.” Ben Bergen, CEO of the Council Mr. McDonald also said the gov- • DEBT-TO-GDP RATIO IN couple of weeks ago for $75-million Bill Tholl, CEO of HealthCare- of Canadian Innovators, which ernment’s widening of eligibility of 2017-18: 31.6%, up from so that we could put more resourc- CAN, which represents hospitals represents Canada’s fast-growing grants and loans to mature and part- es in the individual departments and other health-related organiza- technology companies, said in a time students was a positive step. 31.5% in 2016-17 6 MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 | THE HILL TIMES News Bains attracts most lobbyists as ‘interface’ for industry, leader of innovation agenda

ernment’s interface with the private Innovation His predecessors sector. They’ve been focused on a lot Minister of the short- and long-term needs of Navdeep have also been specifi c industries.” Bains, pictured Mr. Murphy added that under in this photo heavily lobbied, this government, Mr. Bains “has shoot for The but Innovation even broader responsibilities than Hill Times’ past Industry minsters” that goes Power & Minster Bains beyond the specifi c needs of com- Infl uence panies and is focused more on the magazine, ‘has even broader future prosperity of the country. is the most He said Science Minister lobbied responsibilities Kirsty Duncan (Etobicoke North, minister in Ont.) and Small Business and the federal than past Industry Tourism Minister Bardish Chag- government, ministers,’ says ger (Waterloo, Ont.), who also as automakers, work within the department of tech lobbyist. Innovation, Science and Eco- companies, nomic Development Canada, have universities, supported Mr. Bains’ mandate and and many BY DEREK ABMA have also “shown a willingness to others seek an work with stakeholders.” audience with avdeep Bains, Canada’s min- Ms. Duncan is the seventh him. Nister of Innovation, Science most lobbied cabinet minister The Hill Times and Economic Development, is, with 118 communication reports, photograph by hands down, the most lobbied and Ms. Chagger is 10th with 94. Jake Wright member of the Trudeau cabinet Mr. Murphy, a past manager since the government came to of- of the federal Liberal Research fi ce in 2015. Bureau and former staffer for Since the Liberals took over in the Ontario Liberal government, November 2015 until earlier this said his familiarity with Mr. Bains For instance, Ford Motor Co. of cials from his offi ce have centred institutions see themselves as month, a total of 245 communi- goes back to his time as an op- Canada has six reports fi led, and on things such as: “How do we generators of new ideas, of new cation reports outlining contact position MP and as a professor FCA Canada Inc., the Canadian encourage startups to grow? How approaches that can lead to prod- with Mr. Bains (Mississauga- at Ryerson University and the division of Fiat Chrysler Automo- do we grow the tech ecosystem in ucts and services that have a real Malton, Ont.) have accumulated University of Waterloo, adding biles, has three. Canada in collaboration with Ca- potential for the economy. And on the federal lobbyists registry. that his interaction style is largely Telecommunications providers nadian businesses and Canadian Mr. Bains is really laser-focused The next two most lobbied cabi- the same. have also lobbied Mr. Bains often. government? What sort of invest- on this question of how Canada net members have been Natural “He is extremely considerate Bell Canada parent company BCE ments can we make in skills and can up its innovation game, which Resources Minister Jim Carr towards everyone he meets,” Mr. Inc. has registered four instances learning to address both the skill goes beyond just the immediate (Winnipeg South Centre, Man.) Murphy said. “He wants to hear of contact with the Innovation shortages we see but also those needs of industry.” with 191 reports and Agriculture from them. He loves to debate minister, Telus Corp. is there fi ve shortages among all our partners Guy Breton, chair of the U15- Minister Lawrence MacAulay new ideas. He’s genuinely curious times, Rogers Communications in the startup and small-business Group of Canadian Research (Cardigan, P.E.I.) with 178. and engaged.” Inc. has two reports, and Shaw ecosystem?” Universities and rector of the The heavy lobbying of Mr. Mr. Bains’ lobbying suitors Communications Inc. has one. Talking about Mr. Bains, Mr. Université de Montréal—both Bains is in line with previous include several representatives of Telus spokeswoman Jacinthe McKay said: “It’s evident from our of which have lobbied Mr. Bains Industry ministers, which his industry, particularly Canadian Beaulieu said in an email: “Telus interactions and what we’ve seen multiple times—said in an position replaced when Justin branches of large multinationals. met with Innovation Minister from him in other situations that emailed statement: “The U15 has Trudeau’s (Papineau, Que.) General Motors of Canada Co. Navdeep Bains and some of he’s knowledgeable and confort- been pleased to develop a strong Liberal government took offi ce. is by far the most common lobby- his staff on a few occasions to able in his portfolio, and particu- relationship with Minister Bains. A previous analysis by The Hill ist of Mr. Bains, having racked up introduce ourselves, and discuss larly when it comes to the policy Our meetings with him dealt with Times found that Industry min- 14 communication reports with our shared vision of advanc- and economic issues around the the role of universities within the ister James Moore was the most the Innovation minister. When ing Canada’s digital economy tech industry, and that he works innovation agenda and within lobbied cabinet minister in 2014, asked for comment on the com- through broadband wireline and very hard with those communities innovative ecosystems. Evidence the last full calendar year of the pany’s lobbying of Mr. Bains, GM wireless networks in urban and to understand their problems and from around the world shows former Conservative government. Canada spokeswoman Jennifer rural areas, as well as the signifi - then to advocate on their behalf.” clearly that globally competi- Wright recycled the same state- cant investments we’ve made in He said the Conservative tive innovation ecosystems are ment she gave to The Hill Times that important work.” government and its last Industry anchored around world-class when asked a few weeks earlier High-tech giants are also in minister, Mr. Moore, were “very research universities.” about the company’s lobbying of the mix. Microsoft Canada has different” but “equally interested Asked about the difference in Finance Minister Bill Morneau fi led four reports, Cisco Systems in both the tech industry at large dealing with the current Inno- (Toronto Centre, Ont.). Canada has three, and Google as well the digital economy.” vation, Science and Economic “We have very high regard Canada also has three. However, Mr. McKay said Development minister and former for ministers Morneau and Bains Colin McKay, Google Canada’s this current government’s “focus Industry ministers, Mr. Breton and their focus on economic head of public policy and govern- on innovation has given it the said: “I was pleased that the title growth through innovation,” the ment relations, said the contact mandate to really dig into both also includes the word ‘science,’ statement read. “These meetings, his company has had with Mr. the structural and social issues and also that the government as per our disclosures, were to Bains, as detailed on the lobbyists that have kept Canada from re- appointed Kirsty Duncan as a full discuss GM Canada’s hiring of registry, are indicative of “events” ally, really growing, particularly minister of Science. This under- 700 new infotainment, controls, that Mr. Bains and Google of- in the tech space. And it’s given scores the government’s focus and autonomous vehicle soft- fi cials have attended together them licence to have a broader- on innovation-driven economic ware engineers in Oshawa and rather than “meetings.” ranging conversation both with growth and the role that funda- Markham plus our successful The most recent occasion was Canadians in general as well as mental science plays within it.” Counsel Public Affairs’ Sheamus 2016 labour negotiations, which a conference of various technol- the industry.” Pamela Smyth, spokeswoman Murphy. Photograph courtesy of Sheamus resulted in our announcement of ogy representatives hosted by Go The post-secondary educa- for the University of Waterloo, Murphy’s Twitter $554-million in new GM product North Canada in Toronto in Oc- tional sector has also been active which has four communica- mandate investments in Oshawa, tober, which featured an address in lobbying Mr. Bains. There have tion reports for Mr. Bains, said Sheamus Murphy, vice- St Catharines, and Woodstock, all from the Innovation minister, he been 34 communication reports in an email: “The Industry and president of federal advocacy at of which is proceeding well.” said. A September encounter was from universities, or organiza- now ISED minister has always Counsel Public Affairs, is regis- Ms. Wright said GM did not a roundtable discussion hosted tions representing universities or been an important minister for tered as having lobbied Minister have anything to add when asked by Comunitech in Waterloo, Ont., colleges, naming Mr. Bains. the University of Waterloo due Bains twice on behalf of the On- for elaboration on the company’s Mr. McKay noted. The report for Mr. Murphy, who’s lobbied Mr. to our signifi cant relationships tario College of Art and Design dealings with Mr. Bains, given January 2016 marked Mr. Bains’ Bains on behalf of the Ontario with industry through our co-op University. that the company has fi led 14 appearance at Google’s opening College of Art and Design Univer- program, industry research, and On why Industry ministers and communication reports for him of its facility in Kitchener, Ont., sity, said: “I think the entire post- signifi cant regional startup eco- now the Innovation minister are versus two for Mr. Morneau. he added. secondary sector is very engaged system.” so heavily lobbied, he said: “The Other automakers have also Mr. McKay said Google’s dis- in the innovation-agenda discus- [email protected] Industry minister had been the gov- lobbied Mr. Bains regularly. cussions with Mr. Bains and offi - sion. Absolutely, post-secondary The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 7 Pictures

Lobbyists’ reports indicating Budget day in pictures The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade contact with Innovation Minister and Jake Wright Navdeep Bains:

March 13, 2017: AFCC Automotive Fuel Cell July 21, 2016: Queen’s University Feb. 4, 2016: Unifor Cooperation Corp. July 19, 2016: Futurpreneur Canada Feb. 2, 2016: Rio Tinto Aluminum March 1, 2017: Festival Montréal en Lumière (three reports) July 18, 2016: Xerox Canada Feb. 1, 2016: Canadian Steel Producers Association Feb. 23, 2017: Polytechnics Canada July 12, 2016: Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (consultant) Feb. 1, 2016: Northwestel Feb. 16, 2017: Ford Canada July 12, 2016: Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (in-house) Jan. 29, 2016: Greater Toronto Airports Authority Feb. 9, 2017: Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (consultant) July 12, 2016: CAE Inc. Jan. 29, 2016: Thermal Technology Services Feb. 9, 2017: Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (in-house) July 12, 2016: General Electric Canada Jan 27, 2016: SaskTel Feb. 8, 2017: Mark Anthony Group Inc. July 11, 2016: Bombardier (consultant) Jan. 15, 2016: 3M Canada Stacks of budget documents in Feb. 6, 2017: Canadian Steel Producers Association July 11, 2016: Bombardier (in-house) Jan. 15, 2016: Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters Finance Canada offi cials were on hand to the media lock-up for the 2017 Feb. 6, 2017: Rio Tinto Canada Management July 10, 2016: Magellan Aerospace Jan. 15, 2016: General Electric Canada help explain the budget’s fi ner points. federal budget. Feb. 6, 2017: University of Ontario Institute of Technology July 10, 2016: Dessault Aviation Jan. 15, 2016: Xerox Canada Feb. 6, 2017: Ryerson University July 4, 2016: Hospital for Sick Children Jan. 15, 2016: Nova Chemicals Feb. 2, 2017: Canadian Wireless Telecommunications June 21, 2016: Canadian Chamber of Commerce Jan. 15, 2016: Manitoba Telecom Services Association June 17, 2016: Music Canada Jan. 14, 2016: Google Canada Jan. 26, 2017: Irving Shipbuilding June 15, 2016: Rick Hanson Foundation Jan. 14, 2016: University of Waterloo Jan. 19, 2017: Cisco Systems Canada June 10, 2016: Magellan Aerospace Jan. 12, 2016: GM Canada Jan. 19, 2017: SNC-Lavalin June 10, 2016: GM Canada Jan. 12, 2016: Ford Canada (two reports) Jan. 18, 2017: Microsoft Canada June 8, 2016: Cisco Systems Canada Jan. 12, 2016: FCA Canada Jan. 11, 2017: GM Canada June 7, 2016: BioteCanada Jan 11, 2016: University of Waterloo Andrea Gunn, reporter for The Chronicle Jan. 11, 2017: Ford Canada June 7, 2016: Université de Montréal Jan. 8, 2016: Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada Jan. 10, 2017: Syngenta Canada June 6, 2016: Janssen Inc. Jan. 8, 2016: Bell Canada Herald, and Adam Huras, Hill reporter for Journalism professor Chris Waddell Jan. 10, 2017: GM Canada June 6, 2016: GlaxoSmithKline Jan. 5, 2016: eBay Canada (two consultant reports) the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal, and his class parse through the Dec. 16, 2016: Ericsson Canada (two reports) June 4, 2016: Ryerson University Jan. 5, 2016: eBay Canada (one in-house report) get to work in the lock-up. federal budget. Dec. 16, 2016: Honda Canada June 2, 2016: Apotex (two consultant reports) Dec. 31, 2015: Cavalia Dec. 15, 2016: Toronto Financial Services Alliance June 2, 2016: Apotex (one in-house report) Dec. 18, 2015: Quebecor Media Dec. 9, 2016: Magellan Aerospace (consultant) June 2, 2016: Corridor Communications Dec. 17, 2015: Bombardier Dec. 9, 2015: Magellan Aerospace (in-house) (two consultant reports) Dec. 14, 2015: Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Dec. 7, 2016: Telus June 2, 2016: Corridor Communications (one in- Association Dec. 6, 2016: Canadian Federation of Apartment house report) Dec. 11, 2015: FCA Canada Associations May 31, 2016: Bell Canada Dec. 10, 2015: BioteCanada Dec. 6, 2016: Bombardier May 30, 2016: Genome Canada Dec. 10, 2015: The Fédération des caisses Desjardins Dec. 5, 2016: Enterprise Machine Intelligence & May 28, 2016: Sightline Innovation du Québec Learning Initiative May 27, 2016: HealthCareCAN Dec. 10, 2015: Microsoft Canada Dec. 5, 2016: Sightline Innovation May 19, 2016: Food Processors of Canada Dec. 9, 2015: Mining Association of Canada Globe and Mail's John Nov. 30, 2016: Telesat (consultant) May 18, 2016: Motion Picture Association-Canada Dec. 9, 2015: Toyota Canada Ibbitson does a stand-up Global News' Shirlee Engel interviews Carleton's Nov. 30, 2016: Telesat (in-house) May 15, 2016: University of Calgary Dec. 7, 2015: Shaw Communications professor and business expert Ian Lee. Nov. 29, 2016: Wilfrid Laurier University May 13, 2016: U15-Group of Canadian Research Universities Dec. 3, 2015: Microsoft Canada during the media lock-up. Nov. 17, 2016: University of Calgary May 12, 2016: Teva Canada Dec. 1, 2015: GM Canada Nov. 16, 2016: Canada Organic Trade Association May 9, 2016: University of Ottawa Dec. 1, 2015: Honda Canada Nov. 16, 2016: Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical May 6, 2016: GM Canada Nov. 23, 2015: Freedom Mobile Association (consultant) May 5, 2016: Freedom Mobile Nov. 20, 2015: Xplornet Communications Nov. 16, 2016: Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical May 2, 2016: SNC-Lavalin Nov. 20, 2015: Telus Association (in-house) April 29, 2016: United Steelworkers Nov. 20, 2015: Manitoba Telecom Services Nov. 16, 2016: Apotex April 22, 2016: Respol Oil & Gas Canada Nov. 20, 2015: Quebecor Media Nov. 16, 2016: Sandoz Canada April 22, 2016: FCA Canada Nov. 19, 2015: SaskTel Nov. 16, 2016: Teva Canada April 21, 2016: Ontario College of Art and Design Nov. 18, 2015: Bombardier (consultant) Nov. 15, 2016: Bombardier University (consultant) Nov. 18, 2015: Bombardier (in-house) Nov. 3, 2016: Bombardier April 21, 2016: Ontario College of Art and Design Nov. 18, 2015: Rogers Communications Nov. 1, 2016: General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada University (in-house) Nov. 17, 2015: MPC Montreal Oct. 31, 2016: Corporation internationale April 21, 2016: Com Dev International Nov. 13, 2015: Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters d’avitaillement de Montréal April 20, 2016: Cycle Capital Management Nov. 13, 2015: Ford Canada Oct. 28, 2016: Google Canada April 19, 2016: Bombardier (consultant) Nov. 13, 2015: GM Canada Oct. 27, 2016: GM Canada April 19, 2016: Bombardier (in-house) Nov. 10, 2015: Calgary Zoo Oct. 26, 2016: University of Alberta April 19, 2016: Canadian Federation of Independent The sea of reporters, experts, and government offi cials in the media lock-up. Oct. 25, 2016: Cycle Capital Management Business Lobbying reports fi led for Oct. 24, 2016: Research Canada April 15, 2016: Royal Bank of Canada Oct. 24, 2016: Ontario College of Art and Design April 15, 2016: Cisco Systems Canada cabinet ministers since University (consultant) April 15, 2016: Quebecor Media November 2015: Oct. 24, 2016: Ontario College of Art and Design April 11, 2016: Bell Canada University (in-house) April 9, 2016: Bombardier Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains (245) Oct. 24, 2016: Quebecor Media April 8, 2016: McMaster University Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr (191) Oct. 21, 2016: Rogers Communications April 7, 2016: University of Waterloo Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay (178) Oct. 21, 2016: Telus April 1, 2016: Canadian Tire Transport Minister Marc Garneau (155) Oct. 20, 2016: Canadian National Railway March 30, 2016: BlackBerry Environment Minister Catherine McKenna (131) The Hill Times' Rachel Aiello and Oct. 20, 2016: Council of Canadian Innovators March 30, 2016: Polytechnics Canada Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland (formerly Peter Mazereeuw work their way NDP Leader Tom Mulcair reacting to the Oct. 20, 2016: Université de Montréal March 29, 2016: GM Canada International Trade) (125) through the budget document. budget in the House foyer. Oct. 19, 2016: GM Canada March 23, 2016: Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters Science Minister Kirsty Duncan (118) Oct. 12, 2016: GM Canada March 21, 2016: Maple Leaf Foods Health Minister Jane Philpott (116) Oct. 12, 2016: Bell Canada March 18, 2016: Bombardier Finance Minister Bill Morneau (110) Oct. 11, 2016: Quebec Employers Council March 18, 2016: The Fédération des caisses Desjar- Small Business and Tourism Minister/Government Oct. 10, 2016: Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters dins du Québec House Leader Bardish Chagger (94) Oct. 6, 2016: U15-Group of Canadian Research Universities March 15, 2016: York University Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi (88) Oct. 6, 2016: Retail Council of Canada March 14, 2016: GM Canada Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly (82) Sept. 29, 2016: Canadian Natural Resources March 9, 2016: Apotex Treasury Board President Scott Brison (80) Sept. 24, 2016: GM Canada March 9, 2016: Sightline Innovation Veterans Affairs Minister Kent Hehr (78) Sept. 23, 2016: Carleton University March 7, 2016: University of British Columbia Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (75) Green Party Leader Elizabeth May Finance Minister Bill Morneau getting Sept. 16, 2016: Hospital for Sick Children March 4, 2016: University of Alberta Sport and Persons with Disabilities Minister Carla and Conservative Leader Rona set up for a live TV appearance on Sept. 15, 2016: Magellan Aerospace March 3, 2016: Business Council of British Columba Qualtrough (74) Ambrose. budget night. Sept. 15, 2016: Bombardier March 2, 2016: FPInnovations Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale (68) Sept. 15, 2016: Google Canada March 1, 2016: Canada Organic Trade Organization International Development Offi cer Marie-Claude Sept. 15, 2016: University of Waterloo March 1, 2016: BASF Canada Bibeau (56) Sept. 14, 2016: Cogeco March 1, 2016: General Electric Canada Public Services Minister Judy Foot (55) Sept. 13, 2016: Honda Canada March 1, 2016: Telus Fisheries and Oceans Minister Dominic LeBlanc Sept. 9, 2016: University of Alberta Feb. 29, 2016: Business Council of British Columbia (formerly government House leader) (38) Sept. 9, 2016: University of Calgary Feb. 26, 2016: SNC-Lavalin Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett (37) Sept. 8, 2016: University of Alberta Feb. 23, 2016: Food and Consumer Products of Canada Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould (35) Sept. 7, 2016: Colleges and Institutes Canada Feb. 23, 2016: Information Technology Association of Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos (34) Sept. 6, 2016: GM Canada Canada (two in-house reports) Status of Women Minister Maryam Monsef (formerly Sept. 6, 2016: Ford Canada Feb. 23, 2016: Information Technology Association of Democratic Institutions) (33) Sept. 1, 2016: MDA Systems (three reports) Canada (one consultant report) Employment Minister Patty Hajdu (formerly Status of Aug. 31, 2016: Porter Airlines Feb. 23, 2016: Xerox Canada Women) (31) Aug. 30, 2016: World Vision Canada Feb. 23, 2016: Telus International Trade Minister François-Philippe Aug. 24, 2016: Université de Montréal Feb. 22, 2016: Entertainment Software Association Champagne (18) * Aug. 22, 2016: Mushkegowuk Council of Canada National Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan (17) Aug. 10, 2016: MDA Systems Feb. 22, 2016: Ford Canada National Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier (16) July 26, 2016: General Electric Canada Feb. 22, 2016: Microsoft Canada Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen (4) * July 26, 2016: Mohawk College Feb. 12, 2016: Bombardier Democratic Institutions Minister Karina Gould (0) * July 25, 2016: BASF Canada Feb. 11, 2016: University of New Brunswick July 25, 2016: Western University Feb. 11, 2016: Irving Shipbuilding * Communication reports fi led before joining cabinet Finance Minister Bill Morneau and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured shortly July 22, 2016: Council of Canadian Innovators Feb. 10, 2016: University of New Brunswick not included before releasing the budget in the House on March 22. July 21, 2016: Mitacs Feb. 5, 2016: Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Source: Federal lobbyists registry as of March 20 8 MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 | THE HILL TIMES

EDITOR Kate Malloy ASSISTANT DEPUTY EDITOR Abbas Rana PUBLISHED EVERY MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY BY PUBLISHERS Anne Marie Creskey, DEPUTY EDITOR Derek Abma ONLINE EDITOR, POWER & HILL TIMES PUBLISHING INC. Jim Creskey, Ross Dickson MANAGING EDITOR Kristen Shane INFLUENCE EDITOR Ally Foster 246 Queen Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5E4 GENERAL MANAGER, CFO Andrew Morrow DEPUTY EDITOR Peter Mazereeuw

Editorial Letters to the Editor MPs are right to stand up for the House, but Extended years on CCCS Tracy don’t they shouldn’t overplay their political hands seem that expensive, says reader omething happened the other day changes and some of those changes that e: “Coast Guard ship that underwent or $1.15-million per year. In addition, at the Procedure and House Affairs S are getting the opposition parties riled up. $9-million in repairs in 2009 sells for there would be charges for maintenance, Committee. The normally buttoned-down R Ms. Chagger, who unveiled the $373,000,” (The Hill Times, March 22, p. fuel, food and other supplies. One should Conservative MP Scott Reid lost his tem- proposed changes earlier this month, 1). While I fully endorse the idea of bring- contrast this with the cost stated in per with the Liberal majority MPs on the saying it is time to strike a better balance ing government waste to the public eye, the same article for replacing the ship, committee and accused Prime Minister between the government’s right to pass I am concerned in the case of this story, which was reported as $300-million. If Justin Trudeau’s Liberals of “ramming its legislation with the opposition parties’ that it should have been put in context. the lifetime of the ship was 45 years and through whatever the fuck they want.” right to be heard. She is suggesting set- The average cost of the refurbishment it underwent four refi ts at $10-million, He quickly apologized and the meet- ting aside one day a week to question the over the four years the ship was oper- the cost per year would be $7.6-million. ing carried on, but the outburst, which prime minister and cutting Friday sittings. ated after the $9-million refi t would be The extended years on CCCS Tracy don’t was tweeted and headlined, refl ected a The prime minister could attend other $2.25-million per year. The expense for seem that expensive. genuine frustration on the part of the op- Question Periods as well during the week, maintaining the 23-person crew would be Tom McElroy, Toronto position parties over what they say is the she suggested. Ms. Chagger said that on the order of 23 multiplied by $50,000 East York, Ont. majority-governing Liberals’ plan to ram instead of Friday sittings, the House could through changes to parliamentary rules add more sitting days in January, June, that would give additional powers to the and September, or start sitting at 9 a.m. government. The Liberals say they simply instead of 10 a.m. But the Liberals also want to discuss the changes and mod- want to limit fi libustering in the House or Electric-car revolution will render ernize the House. Most MPs do, but the in Commons committees. Ms. Chagger is Conservatives, NDP, and Greens say the suggesting limiting committee speeches Liberals will use their power to do, well, to 10 minutes, but MPs can have as many carbon tax redundant like Mr. Reid said, whatever they want. 10-minute speeches as they desire. wo-thirds of Canada’s power genera- of range, aimed at eliminating “range “Sunny ways are indeed gone,” NDP “The principle of deliberations in the Ttion come from renewable, mostly anxiety,” the fear that a vehicle will run Leader Tom Mulcair said last week in the House and in committees should be to hydro, sources of energy. As such, most of out of juice. VW has pledged to make House. “They have been replaced by an engage in substantive debate on the merit its carbon emissions come from gasoline- every model as a plug-in hybrid by 2025. attempt to unilaterally and quietly ram of an issue, not to engage in tactics which powered cars. But Elon Musk’s all-electric Every plug-in is effectively an electric car through changes to the rules that govern seek only to undermine and devalue the Tesla 3 will put carbon-spewing gasoline- carrying a “range extender,” just in case. our democracy. This is nothing less than important work of Parliament,” reads the powered cars out of circulation within a Hyundai Motor Co. promises eight plug- a massive government power grab, which government House leader’s discussion few years. in hybrid models, plus two all-electric is only meant to help the prime minister paper. Elon Musk, founder of California- models by 2020. Toyota’s overhaul of plug- avoid accountability.” The fact is, some of the government’s based Tesla Motor Corp., has been in Prius, boasting twice the battery range, Prime Minister Trudeau said he wants proposed House changes are reasonable, producing his highly sought after luxury will arrive before this year is out. to make the House more “family-friendly” including possibly cutting out Friday electric car Tesla 5. Now, he is about to And that is just the start. Pasquale for MPs. Government House Leader sittings, and offering a prime minister’s mass produce his all-electric Tesla 3 by Romano, CEO of ChargePoint Inc., the Bardish Chagger, who has refused to say weekly Question Period. The opposition the end of this year. Tesla Motors Model world’s largest maker of electric car charg- so far if the new rules would be passed parties have declared war over the pos- 3 is meant to appeal to the masses at ing stations, says he works with most major with the approval of all the opposition sible changes, which is good for them $35,000 before incentives and more than car companies. “We have seen their plans to parties, told reporters on March 23 that to stand up for their rights and for the 350 kilometres per charge. By compari- just electrify everything,” he said. “this place needs to be modernized. The House, but they also shouldn’t let politics son, the average new gasoline-powered With millions of cars not using gaso- more hours I sit in the House, the more to totally get in the way of what’s actually car in the U.S. sells for about $33,000. line most of the time, carbon emissions I believe that we do need to do things on the table and the Liberals should also Tesla will mass produce 500,000 electric will drop precipitously. We won’t need a better.” She is right, of course, but it’s listen to what the opposition parties have cars this year, followed by about two mil- carbon tax to keep fossil fuel use down. how the Liberals want to bring in those to say. It’s messy, but it’s also democracy. lion next year. The coming electric-car revolution will And Tesla is not alone. Later this year, take care of it. Chevrolet will roll out its $30,000 Bolt EV. Mahmood Elahi It, too, boasts more than 350 kilometres Ottawa, Ont.

Federal budget still allocates millions of dollars to fossil-fuel industry he federal budget presented on March to limit global warming to 2°C, as agreed T22 reduces some of the subsidies to the at the Paris summit in 2015. fossil-fuel industry but still allocates hun- A clean economy can create good per- dreds of millions of dollars to them. manent jobs throughout Canada, reduce Subsidizing the fossil-fuel industry extreme weather events, improve human undermines actions being taken to fi ght health, and reduce the boom-and-bust climate change, including the many initia- cycles in the energy sector from which tives supported in this budget. some regions of this country suffer. The budget included some important In conclusion, it is time to end to fossil steps to a clean-energy economy, such as fuel subsidies for good, and our politi- efforts to reduce reliance on diesel fuel in cians and leaders should do more to move indigenous and northern communities. in that direction, away from polluting Canada is fortunate to have many forms of energy and toward cleaner sources of renewable power, such as wind alternatives. and solar, and has the tools, technology, Peter Schmolka and policies to lower emissions in order Ottawa, Ont.

EDITORIAL Geist, Greg Elmer, Riccardo Filippone, Alice Funke, Dennis PRODUCTION Please send letters to the editor to the above SENIOR REPORTER Laura Ryckewaert Gruending, Cory Hann, Chantal Hébert, Joe Jordan, Warren PRODUCTION MANAGER Benoit Deneault street address or e-mail to [email protected]. REPORTER, POWER & INFLUENCE ASSISTANT Kinsella, Gillian McEachern, Arthur Milnes, Dan Palmer, Nancy SENIOR GRAPHIC, ONLINE DESIGNER Joey Sabourin Deadline is Wednesday at noon, Ottawa time, for EDITOR Rachel Aiello Peckford, Angelo Persichilli, Kate Purchase, Tim Powers, Jeremy GRAPHIC DESIGNER Melanie Brown the Monday edition and Friday at noon for the NEWS REPORTERS Chelsea Nash, Marco Vigliotti Richler, Susan Riley, Ken Rubin, Sarah Schmidt, Rick Smith, Evan WEB DESIGNER Jean-Francois Lavoie Wednesday edition. Please include your full name, PHOTOGRAPHERS Sam Garcia, Andrew Meade, Cynthia Sotiropoulos, Mathieu R. St-Amand, Scott Taylor, Paul Wells, address and daytime phone number. The Hill Nelson Wiseman, Les Whittington and Armine Yalnizyan Published every Monday and Münster, and Jake Wright Wednesday by Hill Times Times reserves the right to edit letters. Letters do POWER & INFLUENCE ASSISTANT EDITOR ADMINISTRATION not reflect the views of The Hill Times. Thank you. Christina Leadlay Publishing Inc. ADVERTISING FINANCE/ADMINISTRATION Tracey Wale Publications Mail Agreement No. 40068926 EDITORIAL CARTOONIST Michael De Adder VICE PRESIDENT MARKETING AND CIRCULATION SALES MANAGER Chris Rivoire RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Denis Calnan, Christopher MULTIMEDIA SALES Steve MacDonald 246 Queen Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5E4 ADDRESSES TO: CIRCULATION DEPT. Guly, Leslie MacKinnon, Cynthia Münster DIRECTORS OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Craig (613) 232-5952 246 Queen Street Suite 200, Ottawa, ON K1P 5E4 COLUMNISTS Keith Brooks, Karl Bélanger, Andrew Cardozo, Caldbick, Martin Reaume, Samim Massoom, Ulle Baum, François Moreau DELIVERY INQUIRIES Fax (613) 232-9055 John Chenier, David Coletto, Sheila Copps, David Crane, Jim ADVERTISING MARKETING DIRECTOR Chris Peixoto [email protected] Canadian Publications Mail Agreement No. 40068926 CMCA 2012 Better AUDITED Newspaper Creskey, Darryl T. Davies, Murray Dobbin, Gwynne Dyer, Michael CLASSIFIED SALES COORDINATOR Sarah Wells-Smith 613-288-1146 www.hilltimes.com Winner THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 9 Comment Two budget measures can actually unite Canada

The re-establishment of a federal role force strategy designed to analyze, The Council of Ministers of under housing, are no longer on forecast, and implement national Education Canada, headquartered the national radar, relegated to for housing makes sense and the Canada labour market modernizations. in Toronto, manages interprovin- largely provincial issues. More While the rest of the world cial liaison among Canada’s 13 money is generally spent on local Mortgage and Housing Corp. is the right moved to homogenize and syn- ministers, who meet once a year task forces to study the problem thesize in an effort to anticipate to discuss issues of cooperation. than on concrete solutions to vehicle to affi rm national leadership. The the needs of emerging global The formation of the CMEC secure different housing solutions same holds true for training investment. workforces, Canada’s national occurred during Canada’s 100th for changing demographics. housing and training policies were birthday, when it was agreed The major fi nancial commit- replaced with provincial programs that even though education is a ments included in the budget headed former federal decisions that differed in scope and applica- provincial responsibility, there is were welcome. The provinces to get out of housing and training. tion from province to province. a need for interprovincial sharing. need federal fi nancial support, Does anyone remember the So distorted is our national That being said, there is no and these investments will get the constitutional wrangles that almost labour market that in some cases, national mandate guiding the national government back into led to the breakup of Canada? One federally funded programs de- council, so every resolution and housing and skills training. of the core provincial demands signed to help students can actu- decision is referred back to 13 With border turmoil engulf- was that the federal government ally attach a provincial residency provincial and territorial minis- ing the United States and the vacate the fi elds of housing and ap- requirement, blocking applicants tries for implementation. United Kingdom, Canada’s open prenticeship training as they were from other jurisdictions. In this highly decentralized approach can actually become a deemed to be areas of exclusive The country also abandoned system, it is no wonder that skills huge boost for our economy. Sheila Copps provincial jurisdiction. the development of national training and employment mobil- But we have to be smart Copps’ Corner Back in 1992, the federal gov- assessment tools designed to ity are often sacrifi ced to the holy enough to mobilize at home fi rst. ernment exited most social housing measure educational and training grail of Canadian constitutional At the moment, it is easier investment, making an exception performance in different provin- division of powers. for many Europeans to move TTAWA—Everything old is new for cooperative and urban aborigi- cial jurisdictions. The same can be said for hous- between countries in some in- Oagain. Two major new invest- nal projects. That decision refl ected According to the most recent ing. It is impossible to ignore the dustries than it is for Canadian ments in last week’s federal budget a mistaken national consensus Organisation for Economic Coop- mounting evidence that home workers to move to new jobs in involve housing and training. that provincial governments were eration and Development report ownership is increasingly beyond different provinces. The re-establishment of a federal better positioned to deliver hous- on Canadian education, there is the grasp of urban millenials in The time is ripe for a “back to role for housing makes sense and ing at the local level, as they bear only one area where standardized most of Canada’s major cities. the future” look at housing and the Canada Mortgage and Housing responsibility for the management testing applies. That involves Grade Yet, because of the decision training. The issues need to be Corp. is the right vehicle to affi rm of municipal governments. 8 students participating in the Pan made a quarter century ago, the tackled through a national lens. national leadership. During the 1990s, pressure Canadian Assessment program country’s national housing cor- In a world where borders are The same holds true for train- mounted for the federal govern- which includes testing skill levels poration was stripped to the bare breaking the world up, these two ing investment. In a highly mobile ment to hand over all labour in reading, math, and science. bones, with little more infl uence budget measures can actually world, the need for national market planning and responsibil- Otherwise, a review of most than underwriting some higher unite Canada. training investment and strat- ity, to provincial governments via education curricula reveals a risk mortgages for potential Sheila Copps is a former Jean egy should be self-evident. But individual bilateral agreements. hodgepodge of trial-and-error homeowners. Chrétien-era cabinet minister and Canada has lost two decades of That move succeeded in frag- methods designed individually by A national vision to tackle a former deputy prime minister. valuable time because of wrong- menting an existing national work- 13 different jurisdictions. problems of homelessness and The Hill Times

Prime Minister Justin The problem with ‘Big Tents’ Trudeau, pictured ent pool of candidates, it’s often in this fi le Keep in mind it was Prime Minister Justin more fl exible when dealing with photo. Gerry national problems, and, of course, Nicholls Trudeau—the self-proclaimed champion of it’s more representative of the says ‘history diversity and tolerance—who basically purged population as a whole and thus shows us has more potential voter support. that political his party of pro-lifers. I guess the Liberals But history shows us that po- tents which litical tents which get too big are get too big realize that in politics you can either have a ‘Big invariably unstable. are invariably Consider the case, for instance, unstable.’ Tent’ or a ‘Peaceful Tent’; you can’t have both. of the Progressive Conservative The Hill Times Party of the 1980s when it was led photograph by sity and tolerance, I’d argue that by prime minister Brian Mulroney, Andrew Meade political parties in Canada which who deliberately created a “Big get too diverse and too tolerant Tent,” when he opened his party’s once mighty PC party split apart ning the niqab, many of its new are unwittingly planting the seeds fl aps to Quebec nationalists and at the seams and sank into ir- Quebec converts jumped ship, of their own demise. allied them with Western populists relevance. and the party’s base cracked. Yes, I know that sounds ter- and Ontario-based Red Tories. And the same sort of thing Maybe this is why a common rible, but before anyone gets over- It was an unlikely alliance of happened to the federal NDP. theme in the ongoing NDP lead- ly outraged and reports me to the factions which had little in common Recall how, when he led the NDP, ership race is that the party must nearest Human Rights Tribunal, ideologically, yet Mulroney some- the late Jack Layton decided to play return to its left-wing roots. hear me out. how managed to lead this heteroge- down his party’s socialist platform in Or maybe the NDP is just learn- Gerry Nicholls The point I’m simply making neous political force to two consecu- an effort to broaden its base. ing from the Liberal Party, which Post-Partisan Pundit here is that whenever a political tive majority government victories. In the short term, Layton’s certainly seems to prefer ideologi- party dilutes its ideological core But then, almost overnight, the strategy worked; in the 2011 fed- cal conformity over tolerance. belief system by welcoming into PC “Big Tent” collapsed on itself— eral election his party achieved Keep in mind it was Prime AKVILLE, ONT.—The thing its ranks people of varying ideolo- in the 1993 election it won only the greatest victory in its history, Minister Justin Trudeau—the self- Othat makes Canada a great gies and agendas, it’s just asking two seats. with the NDP becoming the of- proclaimed champion of diversity country, besides its vast maple for trouble. What caused this Armageddon? fi cial opposition and gaining a and tolerance—who basically syrup reservoirs, is we Canadians And I say that fully realizing Well, once the euphoria of stronghold in Quebec. purged his party of pro-lifers. enthusiastically embrace diver- that opening up a party to different their electoral victories began to And a more ideologically-tol- I guess the Liberals realize sity and tolerance. ideas—this is often called practic- fade, the PCs resurrected their erant NDP even elected a former that in politics you can either (And if you don’t agree with ing “Big Tent” politics—has many tribal resentments, grievances, Quebec Liberal, Thomas Mulcair, have a “Big Tent” or a “Peaceful me on that, it clearly means undeniable political advantages. and prejudices which ultimately to succeed Layton. Tent”; you can’t have both. you’re a dunderhead who should After all, a party that’s less caused them to turn on each other Yet, during the 2015 election, Gerry Nicholls is a communi- be deported to Borneo!) ideologically dogmatic and more like hungry wolves. when the more tolerant and di- cations consultant. Yet, despite the obvious won- tolerant to differing viewpoints In short, without a unifying verse NDP came under ideologi- www.gerrynicholls.com derfulness of Canadian diver- can draw upon a greater tal- ideology to bind it together, the cal stress over such issues as ban- The Hill Times 10 MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 | THE HILL TIMES Opinion

elected him a member of their leadership team, coyly known as the Chamber Coordination Meredith and the meritorious Team. It consisted of four mem- bers: three women; and a man He has made no secret of his We are now more who preys on women. How those Senator Peter Harder mandate, writing in Policy Op- than a year into women could sit alongside him as and the entire ISG tions last November that, “The the Trudeau a member of their “Coordination 150-year-old duopoly of the Con- government’s effort Team” is beyond me. need to apologize to servatives and the Liberals in the to rid the Senate The allegations against Senate is over,” and that, “Prime of political parties Meredith were well-known and those women and to Minister Justin Trudeau’s deci- and replace them well-substantiated prior to the sion three years ago to remove with a meritocracy ethic’s commissioner’s damn- the Senate at large Senate Liberals from the national of 105 ‘worthy’ ing fi ndings against him in her Liberal caucus and to appoint individuals, all of report released on March 10. for their extreme Independent Ssenators presents them, supposedly, Also well-known was that he was lapse in judgment. a historic opportunity to improve non-partisan, writes the subject of two other ethics the institution from within.” He Conservative Sen. investigations, one involving even commissioned a poem from David Tkachuk. The sexual harassment of his staff. the parliamentary poet laureate Hill Times photograph by The Trudeau appointees, led hailing the new updated Senate Jake Wright by Harder, were fully aware of that concluded with the lines: them. All they had to do was “‘Sober second thought’ isn’t give up a slot each on Senate 15 (an amalgamation of the do nothing regarding Meredith. partisan But, constitutionally, committees to accommodate the seven new appointees and any Instead, they welcomed him in, what is Canadian.” new Independents. other Independent Senator they elevated his status and gave him Harder and the rest of the But that was like blood to could rope in). One of them was a renewed imprimatur of respect. Trudeau appointees are on a a shark. By September even Senator Don Meredith. What message did they send to mission. And, like most people though more Senate appoint- Meredith had been summarily that young girl by doing that? Conservative Senator David Tkachuk on a mission, they believe their ments were only a gleam in booted from Conservative caucus What message did they send to Senator Don Meredith cause is noble. What would the prime minister’s eye the the year before over serious and his former female staff, some of give halt to a normal person on Independent Senators formed well-substantiated allegations whom still work in the Senate? the same path is brushed aside a group and sent out a press he had an affair with a teenager Harder represents in the ARLIAMENT HILL—We are as mere inconvenience by the release asking for even more more than 30 years his junior. Senate a government led by a Pnow more than a year into the anointed ones. (Remember the seats on committee. “Indepen- She was all of 16 when it began. man who proudly and loudly Trudeau government’s effort to rid two Senators who were appoint- dent Senators Group aims for The allegations were disturb- calls himself a feminist at every the Senate of political parties and ed before they met the consti- equality,” the press release ing enough for the Speaker of opportunity. The actions Harder replace them with a meritocracy tutional qualifi cation of owning intoned. It included a series of the Senate, Leo Housakos, to and the other Trudeau Senators of 105 “worthy” individuals, all of $4,000 worth of property?) initiatives: “One initiative would refer Meredith to the ethics took in regard to Meredith were them, supposedly, non-partisan. Nothing characterizes the rebalance committee represen- commissioner, Lyse Ricard, for anything but supportive of fe- Among the fi rst of those Trudeau appointees so much tation so that membership on investigation. She, in turn, found males, in general, and in callous individuals appointed was Peter as unseemly haste in pursuit of committees refl ects proportional them serious enough to refer disregard of the women involved Harder, a former senior govern- their cause. Barely had the fi rst standings in the Senate. This Meredith to the police for crimi- in the several ethics investiga- ment bureaucrat. He was also tranche of seven been intro- initiative is especially important nal investigation. tions of Meredith. Harder and the head of the Trudeau transi- duced in the Chamber than they on the eve of the appointment of But they were clearly not the entire ISG need to apologize tion team and a mentor at the were clamouring for their “fair” new Senators, for whom current serious enough to prevent the In- to those women and to the Sen- Trudeau Foundation. Harder share of seats on Senate com- arrangements do not provide dependent Senate Group, in their ate at large for their extreme was quickly made leader of the mittees. The Liberal and Conser- voting seats on committees.” headlong rush for infl uence, from lapse in judgment. government in the Senate and vative leadership in the Senate In order to bolster their claim welcoming him into their fold. Conservative Senator David is in charge of spearheading in an effort to be accommodat- for more seats, they attached to And once he was in that fold the Tkachuk was appointed in 1993 Trudeau’s Senate transformation ing agreed—in what the CBC the press release a list of their members of the ISG were so im- and represents Saskatchewan. process from the inside. called an “historic decision—to members. They now numbered pressed by his qualities that they The Hill Times Organic is good for the planet but needs more support, say authors of UBC study Organic growers and coverage has missed the mark, Canada’s 2016 overview reports All farmers are interested in business. We must also remember suggesting that organic is not all that $649.5-million were invested in growing healthy food in a sustain- that approximately 30 per cent researchers have it claims to be, or worse, is a risk agricultural research and develop- able way for the planet and their of the food produced in Canada for the planet. ment in 2015. Only $1.6-million of it bottom line. As the UBC authors goes to waste. Feeding our com- been sustainably So what did the authors really went to organic agriculture in that explain, organics have provided munities now and in the future is say? same year—that’s a mere 0.25 per conventional agriculture with as much about minimizing waste, innovating on a Setting out to answer the cent of the R&D budget, signifi cant- many helpful innovations in man- and improving equitable access important question of “where does ly out of proportion with the overall agement practices, such as diver- and distribution, as it is about shoestring budget organic agriculture perform well, percentage of Canadian agriculture sifying crop rotations, composting, optimizing productivity. for decades. Imagine and where does it not?” researchers represented by organics (two per cover crops, conservation tillage, Ultimately, is organic agri- at the University of British Colum- cent and growing rapidly). and biological pest control. Invest- culture worth our attention? The what could be bia reviewed scientifi c literature Investing in research in organ- ing in organics benefi ts all farmers, UBC authors say absolutely. and analyzed the performance of ics pays off. Wheat bred for organ- organic or otherwise. The organic market is the achieved with more. organic agriculture across 17 crite- ic production performs better on Organic agriculture faces fastest growing food sector in ria such as yield, impact on climate organic farms than conventional many challenges. The UBC study Canada. This is a testament to its change, livelihoods of farmers, and varieties, according to research by cites that organic farms typically success, and the desire of Canadi- consumer health. Martin Entz at the University of yield less by 19-25 per cent. The ans to eat healthier, more sustain- The authors found that organic Manitoba, and the Bauta Fam- authors question whether this gap ably grown food. More than ever, systems outperform conventional ily Initiative on Canadian Seed offsets the environmental benefi ts we need strong political engage- systems in several areas. Organic Security, a project of USC Canada. of organic farming, and argue for ment and investment in sustain- agriculture can improve farm When tested against conventional more research. Much has already able, climate resilient agriculture. profi tability by 35 per cent, and varieties, the organic wheat—care- been done. Dozens of reports, Organic growers and researchers decrease the exposure of farm- fully selected to grow well in low including a 30-year study by the have been sustainably innovat- ers and farm workers to toxic input environments—showed Rodale Institute, have shown that ing on a shoestring budget for agrochemicals. Organic systems greater early vigour, better disease organic yields can compete with decades. Imagine what could be JANE RABINOWICZ, KAREN ROSS protect biodiversity and water resistance, greater concentra- those of conventional, in some achieved with more. Organic growers & government and soil quality, and emit far tion of micronutrients, and was cases doing better over time and Jane Rabinowicz is executive less greenhouse gases per area competitive on yield. What does in years of moderate drought. director of USC Canada and the cultivated. this mean? By investing in organic And although yield is an impor- founding director of The Bauta nvesting in organics is worth These results are even more agriculture research, we can nar- tant measure, it does not indicate Family Initiative on Canadian Iour while, concludes a study impressive if you consider the row the yield gap while producing the overall productivity of a farm, Seed Security. Karen Ross, PhD, released Friday, March 10. miniscule research and develop- healthy food using fewer chemi- and should not come at the cost is pesticides and toxic substances While the study has received ment investment organics re- cals that we know are toxic for the of the health of the agro-ecosys- project manager at Équiterre. signifi cant media attention, the ceive. Agriculture and Agri-Food environment and human health. tem, or the viability of a farm The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 11 Opinion Is Wood Buffalo National Park’s world heritage status in jeopardy?

First and foremost among the A signifi cant implication of the report is that recommendations is “to adopt a clear and coherent policy…to Canada is given a single chance to implement enable the transition to a genuine 17 recommendations to avoid having WBNP partnership with First Nations and Métis in the governance and placed on UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in management of the property.” The report also recommends Danger, a signifi cant international black eye. comprehensive cumulative effects assessments of the large number largest inland freshwater delta, of current and proposed develop- the PAD. The Mission found ments, including the Site C Dam clear evidence that a combina- and new oil sands mines, to ad- tion of rapid and poorly-planned dress the piecemeal way in which industrial growth, climate change, these assessments have been insuffi cient monitoring, inad- done in the past. A broad buffer equate science, and poor engage- zone around the Park, as is done ment with indigenous communi- for similar heritage lands inter- ties have made the PAD’s future nationally, is also recommended. Environment Minister Catherine McKenna called the report a ‘call to action.’ questionable at best. So too is a signifi cant enhance- For the sake of this globally important ecosystem, let’s hope the actions are DAVID SCHINDLER In this, the report rebuts ment of monitoring programs and ‘major,’ ‘adequately funded’ and ‘timely’ to use the words of the report, writes Canada’s assurances to the research directed at correcting Wood Buff alo National Park David Schindler. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright international community that the water loss and contamination in concerns about the PAD from the PAD. fter years of governments indigenous groups and scientists, Many of the recommendations was declared to have highest subsistence and spiritual needs Aignoring their concerns about myself included, are “overstated” are eerily similar to those made priority, but actions since then of indigenous people. mounting changes to Wood Buf- and that Canada’s environmental by the Northern River Basins have demonstrated anything but, Environment Minister Cath- falo National Park (WBNP) and assessments and monitoring are Study, of which I was a part, in as millions of dollars have been in erine McKenna called the report its ecological centerpiece, the “world class”. Particularly singled its fi nal report to Ministers from front-country facilities to accom- a “call to action.” For the sake of Peace-Athabasca Delta (PAD), the out were the poorly-assessed hy- Canada, Alberta and Northwest modate tourists and industrial- this globally important ecosys- Mikisew Cree First Nation took droelectric developments on the Territories in 1996. That report scale tourism. The report recom- tem, let’s hope the actions are their concerns to the United Na- Peace River, including the Site C was quietly shelved by govern- mends a reprioritization of Parks “major,” “adequately funded” and tions’ World Heritage Committee hydroelectric dam, and impacts of ment offi cials, and few, if any Canada’s mandate for protecting “timely” to use the words of the in 2014. This precipitated a 10-day oil sands projects upstream and of the recommendations were ecological integrity. report. Otherwise, to answer UNESCO Reactive Monitoring upwind of the PAD. Underfund- implemented. If they had been, The report comes at an op- the question posed in the head- Mission to WBNP, which took ing and understaffi ng at Parks the current review might have portune time, as a reminder to ing, the World Heritage status of place in the fall of 2016 and heard Canada’s station in Fort Chipewy- been unnecessary, or had a differ- Canada that it requires more Canada’s largest national park is from indigenous groups, industry, an were also noted. ent outcome. than lip service to include First clearly in jeopardy. government, academia and others. A signifi cant implication of Other recommendations Nations and protect the ecosys- D.W. Schindler is the Killam Me- The mission’s report was re- the report is that Canada is given extend beyond WBNP. For years, tems that provide us with the morial Professor of Ecology Emeri- leased Friday, March 10. Its fi nd- a single chance to implement 17 National Parks has struggled with ecological services that clean tus at the University of Alberta. His ings are signifi cant in their scope recommendations to avoid having its dual mandate of protecting key our air and water, and areas that involvement with environmental and implications. WBNP placed on UNESCO’s List ecosystems and providing enjoy- can be enjoyed as unique parts issues in the Peace and Athabasca The report contains little good of World Heritage in Danger, a ment for people. In the 1990s, the of our country’s natural heri- river basins spans over 40 years. news for the future of the world’s signifi cant international black eye. ecosystems protection mandate tage, as well as providing the The Hill Times

As Good put it to me in an email “… the potential of inter- Future of Senate rests in our nal modernization processes to address perceived defi cits in the institution [is] inspiring and welcome at a time when many hands, says Senator Greene [people] have become cynical about our political system.” I completely agree—and I came away from the experience The Senate can be one of the most revered political institutions in the world. It is up to us. feeling inspired by Good and her students. They convinced me that Senate Internal Economy Com- munications, I met and spoke with how the Senate has been bent out those of us who are working to mittee, eliminating or changing two groups of students at Dalhou- of shape by hyper-partisanship modernize the Senate should not any of our operating rules that sie University in Halifax, my alma over many decades as well as the feel that our efforts are in vain. bolster partisanship and the pow- mater. Over the course of two days recent efforts to modernize the To my fellow Senators I would er of whips, and passing all the I sat down with both undergradu- Senate—including the work of the ask them to think of those young recommendations of the Special ate and graduate political science Special Senate Committee on Senate students when they consider their Committee on Senate Moderniza- students engaged in the study of Modernization. With their excel- future actions. If we expect to not tion before we leave in June. Canada’s political institutions and lent questions and comments, the simply continue puttering along, As a Conservative, I believe taught by professor Kristin Good. students staked out a strong position like we have for decades, but to try that a strong, modernized, and I was impressed by the stu- that the Senate’s older hyper-parti- to grow in esteem and infl uence CONSERVATIVE SENATOR enduring Senate is the best legacy dents’ understanding and knowl- san ways cannot continue and that a among Canadians, we must take STEPHEN GREENE that the current crop of Senators edge of the Senate. Not only did more independently minded Senate note that the next generation is Senate can leave to the next generation. they demonstrate that they were is much preferred because only then watching and expecting. More- But as a modernizer, I sometimes aware of the efforts to modernize can it fulfi ll its constitutional role of over, I see no reason why, with a ask myself—do Canadians under- the Senate, they also understood providing “sober second thought.” little modernizing effort, the Cana- ARLIAMENT HILL—As a stand what we are doing? Are they that these efforts were vital to its Some of the students offered dian Senate cannot become one of PSenator, I believe that the paying attention to our efforts? continuance as an institution and the insight that a more indepen- the most revered political institu- future of the Senate rests in the More and more, I am fi nding to Canadian democracy. dent Senate is what the Fathers tions in the world. It is up to us. modernization of its Chamber that the answer to these questions We discussed the Senate as it was of Confederation intended and is Conservative Senator Stephen operations. This includes accept- is a resounding, yes. envisioned by our founding fathers at the root of not only improving Greene represents Halifax-The ing television, helping to elect our Roughly two weeks ago, at the and confi rmed by the Supreme the Senate’s functions, but also Citadel, N.S. Speaker, electing our chair of the splendid urging of Senate com- Court in 2014. We also discussed Canada’s overall democracy. The Hill Times 12 MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 | THE HILL TIMES Comment Feds want innovation, just not right now

Show me the budget: building a small number of innovation “super Finance clusters” with a $950-million fi ve-year fund Minister Bill (none of it new money but from realloca- Morneau tions) though it does not explain what makes and Prime a cluster “super,” compared to what we gener- Minister ally understand a cluster to be. Justin Future innovation policy, it appears, will Trudeau, be centred around Innovation Canada, a pictured new platform led by Innovation, Science and on March Economic Development Canada. This plat- 22 in the form, we are told, will develop six “Economic Commons Strategy Tables” that will identify opportuni- foyer and ties in the designated key sectors, set ambi- shortly before tious growth targets for innovators, identify releasing the sector-specifi c challenges and bottlenecks as 2017 budget well as barriers to greater participation by in the House women, and set out specifi c strategies to help of Commons. innovators achieve their targets. These Eco- The Hill Times nomic Strategy Tables will also be used, the photograph by budget says, to help the government provide Jake Wright relevant programmes for innovators. This is a highly ambitious endeavour and it’s fair to ask whether the capacity ex- ists within the federal government to make it work—as well as how it will mesh with provincial innovation plans. The budget also plans what it calls a new fi ve-year $1.26-billion Strategic In- novation Fund, but this is really a consoli- dation of existing funds—notably funding plans for the aerospace and automotive industries—with an additional $200-million over three years, with $100-million in new fi nding and $100-million reallocated from Budget 2016 funding for clean technology. The budget does replenish to federal support for venture capital through the Business Development Bank’s fund’s strategy, following the exhaustion of the $400-million previously provided by the government is also holding back on provid- Harper government. This was urgently Canada needs to do much ing Canadians with information already needed. There are promises for greater more on innovation. available. For example, the expert panel efforts by government to use its purchas- report on federal funding for basic research ing power to act as a fi rst customer for Other countries are is completed but will only be made public new technologies from young companies sometime “in the coming months.” So much through a fi ve-year $50-million Innovative moving. Under the for vaunted promises of greater transpar- Solutions Canada initiative. ency. It should be released now. Much of the innovation agenda, it ap- Harper government, we One has to wonder what the government pears, will be focused on clean technolo- were considered to be an has been doing since it was elected nearly 17 gies and here there is an ambitious agenda, months ago. It hasn’t even appointed a chief with $1.1-billion in funding over fi ve years. ostrich on climate change. science adviser yet, something it promised to Other possibilities, for example, in advanc- do in its election platform, and much of what ing the digital economy, remain too vague Will we be a tortoise on it has to say on innovation is aspirational to see how they will be implemented—such rather than focused on the all-important as the fi ve-year $125-million Smart Cities innovation under the “how” to achieve its ambitious goals. It also Challenge Initiative and the $125-mil- promises a new intellectual property strategy lion Pan-Canadian Artifi cial Intelligence Trudeau government? and new measures for fi n-tech, but we are Strategy. And while agri-food innovation is not sure when. highlighted as a key sector, the 2017 bud- “To strengthen and grow the middle get allocates just $70-million over six years class, and remain competitive in the global to help advance innovation there. economy, Canada must do more to encour- If the Trudeau government is incapable age innovation,” the budget says. “The future of moving out its Innovation and Skills Plan success of all Canadians relies on it.” This, of faster, there were things it could have done course, is not a new message. The Mulroney, nonetheless to foster investment and innova- Chrétien and Harper governments all had tion. For example, it could have reformed similar messages—and similarly ambitious the capital cost allowance provisions in our aspirations. And like previous governments, tax laws to refl ect the speed of change in it did remind us that Canadians gave the technologies to foster faster and expanded David Crane world insulin (1921) and the pacemaker investment by telecommunications compa- Canada & the 21st century (1949-50) as examples of Canada’s innova- nies to meet the need for faster broadband, tive capacity. But isn’t it time to get more including planning for 5G mobile technol- From a private business recent examples (what are they)? ogy infrastructure. It could have expanded ORONTO—If there is a core innovation Morneau did use the budget to re-label funding for granting councils that fi nance lunch to a lavish affair, at Tmessage in the 2017 budget it is that “the Innovation Agenda” as “the Innovation university research—the Natural Sciences we want and need a much more innovative and Skills Plan,” which he positioned as “an and Engineering Research Council, for Giovanni's we strive to Canada—but not right away. Increasing ambitious effort to make Canada a world- example, has a minimal increase in the exceed all expectations. our capacity for innovation is critical for leading centre for innovation, to help next fi scal year, below the rate of infl ation, Canada’s future, as Finance Minister Bill create more good, well-paying jobs, and and reformed the tax incentive for business Morneau said, over and over again, in his help strengthen and grow the middle class.” investment in research and development by budget papers. So why not move on it? It is based on targeting six “key” sectors: restoring the Harper government cuts. Open Monday to Friday This is the paradox of Morneau’s budget: advanced manufacturing; agri-food; clean Canada needs to do much more on It is a hymn of praise for the importance of technologies; digital industries; health/bio- innovation. Other countries are moving. lunches and dinner 7 innovation in a fast-moving and increasingly sciences; and clean resources. Under the Harper government, we were nights a week. competitive world, but its main proposals This plan “will set clear and ambitious considered to be an ostrich on climate largely lie in the future, with many initia- targets,” including growing Canada’s exports change. Will we be a tortoise on innovation tives delayed for at least a year and others of goods and services by 30 per cent by 2025 under the Trudeau government? dependent on the outcome of reviews that and doubling the number of high-growth David Crane can be reached at crane@ Free valet parking have yet to be started of existing innovation companies in Canada from 14,000 now to interlog.com. programmes and tax incentives. The Trudeau 28,000 by 2025. There is much emphasis on The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 13 Opinion Right, not fast, is Morneau’s principle

was spent in some fairly cushy right directions. How much has Trump changed the corner that we don’t know— Finance Minister corporate precincts, can’t seem “The starting point . . . is deal- the government’s plans? How that is always going to be the Bill Morneau tells to display the offhand charm and ing with middle-class anxiety. much of this budget is different case. If you ask me, what do I crusty wit of his late Conservative That was absolutely the frame we from what Morneau would have worry most about as Finance Paul Wells, ‘Budget predecessor. came in (with). It’s the right thing done if Hillary Clinton had been minister? I worry about the stuff If the walls don’t ask the ques- to be focused on because that is elected president? that I don’t know about. I worry 2017 is Chapter 2 of tion, reporters sometimes do, so the core of building confi dence. He paused, inspecting the about the thing that we need to the Finance minister sought to And it’s not possible to have a question as if looking for a be prepared for, what is coming a book that’s going pre-empt any such charge from long-term vision if you don’t have wire he could cut on its surface down the pike. Because we need to have, I hope, me by asking a few of his own people who are confi dently able somewhere to disarm it. “The to be resilient in the face of those questions about how I think he’s to aspire to . . . exciting jobs.” overwhelming majority of things potential challenges. And I think many chapters.’ doing as a communicator. Not And the government’s efforts we’re looking at (are) Canadian our plan is doing exactly that. great, I said. But whatever—the are bearing fruit, he said. “I don’t issues on how we can improve “We’re planning in a way that work is the message, and if Cana- think people can dispute that it’s our Canadian economy,” he said helps Canadians feel better, that dians judge Morneau’s budgets having some impact. Economists at last. “The fact that we need helps them reach for the brass persuasive, they won’t mind the won’t dispute it, because they’ll to have really strong trading ring, which they need to do. For occasional freshman jitters. see that the Canada Child Benefi t relationships is obvious. So the entrepreneurs to be confi dent, With that, Morneau’s press is actually having an impact in fact that we need to engage with that’s really important. For people secretary urged us to get on to terms of what we’re seeing in the United States, with the new to be confi dent that they can go the issue of the day, which was discretionary consumer spend- administration, I think is evident out and take the jobs. For people the day after Morneau’s second ing. And the job growth—well, to every Canadian.” in university to be confi dent that budget. What does he want Cana- there are multiple reasons why This part of Morneau’s answer Canada is a place where they can dians to know about the thing, I we’re seeing job growth, but one paraphrases Justin Trudeau’s have a successful career—that’s asked. of them certainly has to do with “We’re Canadians; we can get all really important.” Paul Wells “What I’m trying to commu- confi dence. It prepares us for the along with anyone” response to Our discussion, like the budget, Inside Politics II nicate is that it’s a plan,” he said. next steps.” Trump’s election. didn’t have a lot of numbers in it. “Budget 2017 is Chapter 2 of a They’re baby steps, though, The rest of his answer sug- Morneau in an interview is book that’s going to have, I hope, given the sluggish pace of eco- gests that very little in this budget more relaxed and engaging than ORONTO—Bill Morneau many chapters.” nomic growth and the uncertainty is specifi c to the current highly in Question Period. His han- Tworks in a building named This is Morneau’s response to around Donald Trump’s plans. “Is peculiar political moment. Cana- dlers should let him out more. It after Jim Flaherty. No pressure the charge that his second budget it always going to be as fast as da should be doing what Canada couldn’t hurt. there. barely touched the spending we might want? No. You have two should always be doing, Morneau Paul Wells is a national affairs The very walls seem to ask tracks laid out in the fi rst. Sure, alternatives: Doing it right and said in effect. writer for The Toronto Star. This why Morneau, a political rookie he said, but that’s because he still doing it fast. We’re determined to “The reality that we’re always column was released on March 24. whose adult life before politics thinks the fi rst budget set the do it right.” going to have something around The Hill Times CRA for the wealthy, and CRA for the rest of us

This is a tragic illustration of the growing Agency to work for KPMG, sug- gesting a serious confl ict of inter- inequality in our country: families who est between the CRA and KPMG. By failing to follow through on are struggling to make ends meet are Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s promise to close CEO stock option being made to go to ridiculous lengths loopholes, and by failing to walk to prove and reprove their eligibility, yet the talk after voting in favour of the NDP’s motion to close tax loop- millionaires who wilfully defraud the holes for the wealthy, the federal budget hands over $725-million to government are given a free pass. the wealthiest CEOs every year. Budgets are about choices elsewhere, in order to avoid paying and, unfortunately, time and time their fair share of taxes. again, the Liberals have chosen According to a CBC news re- tax breaks for wealthy CEOs and port, the Canada Revenue Agency giveaways to large corporations offered amnesty to multi-mil- over helping the middle class. lionaire clients found using what Meanwhile, my offi ce in Sas- Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos has is invited by Sheir Benson to the CRA alleged was an offshore katoon has been helping parents come to Saskatoon to hear fi rst-hand from families struggling to access the much tax “sham” on the Isle of Man who have been trying to claim heralded Canada child benefi t. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright by offering a secret, no-penalty, their Canada child benefi ts. Here no-prosecution deal to high-net are just a few examples: NDP MP Sheri Benson worth clients of accounting giant A woman who left her abusive was fi nally resolved, the mother for the rest of us. Not to mention Canada Revenue Agency KPMG. KPMG denies the scheme partner is told that her children’s received a retro-payment of more the demeaning series of hoops is illegal. CCB payments are suspended until than $20,000. Sadly, this mother that parents have to jump through The clients simply had to agree she can prove her current marital will face another CCB review in in order to claim a Canada Child es, it’s that time of year to pay their back taxes and modest status, and that she is the children’s the coming year, triggered by this Benefi t for their children. Yagain—tax time. interest on these offshore invest- primary caregiver. Often, this neces- large CRA retro-payment. Revenue Minister Jean-Yves Despite the fact that it hap- ments, which they did not report sitates the woman having to go back This is a tragic illustration Duclos has announced a cross- pens at the same time every year, on their income tax returns. to the abusive partner to complete of the growing inequality in our country tour, I invite him to come many Canadians fi nd themselves In the face of these shocking rev- the required paperwork. The welfare country: families who are strug- to Saskatoon to hear fi rst-hand scrambling to gather receipts and elations about KPMG’s tax schemes, of women and children fl eeing vio- gling to make ends meet are from families struggling to access tax forms, and staying up late in New Democrats are calling for a lence should be paramount. At the being made to go to ridiculous the much heralded Canada child an effort to fi le on time—because full investigation into the debacle very least, the CCB payments should lengths to prove and reprove their benefi t. Perhaps then, he would be there are penalties for fi ling late, and the role of the Canada Revenue continue pending the review. eligibility, yet millionaires who able to convey to his colleagues— especially if you owe taxes. Agency (CRA). So far the govern- Another mother on social are accused of defrauding the and his government—the very real Not so, it seems, for a select few. ment has done nothing but protect assistance has been reviewed by government are given a free pass. and urgent need that exists outside We have been hearing more and KPMG insiders and the millionaires the CRA every year since 2009 Why is there such a double the playgrounds of the wealthy. more about very wealthy Canadi- who benefi ted from this scheme. for her Canada child benefi ts. standard in the way the CRA treats Canadians are waiting. ans who don’t fret during tax-fi ling It’s been revealed that in Her CCB monthly payments Canadians—sweetheart deals for NDP MP Sheri Benson represents season. That’s because they have recent years, a number of offi cials were put on hold until the review rich Canadians who are alleged to Saskatoon West, Sask. managed to hide their wealth have left the Canada Revenue was completed. When this case cheat on their taxes, and penalties The Hill Times 14 MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 | THE HILL TIMES Opinion

persons and indigenous people). It ideologically from its predeces- cial killings, torture, etc.), the addresses inter alia anti-Semitism, sor. Consequently, one might report concentrates on labour corruption, willingness to deal anticipate its views on HRR issues (20.2 per cent), indigenous U.S. annual with human rights nongovern- content would differ from the peoples (no longer “aboriginals”) mental organizations, Internet and views of Obama offi cials. While 14.6 per cent, and women (8.5 academic freedom, and protection both happily excoriate the worst- per cent). of refugees/asylum seekers. of-the-worst (Syria, Iran, North Although extended, material human rights While adding these Christmas Korea), they could be expected to on labour is essentially anodyne: tree ornaments, attempting to differ on criticism for allies such Canada adheres to international keep length manageable, the HRR as Israel, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, norms regarding free association, also spun off some issues, specifi - Egypt, Morocco, the Philippines, prohibition of compulsory and report released, cally the International Religious etc. So the new administration child labour, nondiscrimination, Freedom Report. had two choices: delay the release and safe working conditions. Throughout the decades, the indefi nitely while scrubbing the Greater attention is paid to the HRR process has been handled massive text down to the last persistent problems of indigenous no one notices with the ritualistic formalism of semicolon to assure attitudinal peoples, who are disproportion- a kabuki performance. Human compatibility with its views; or ally unemployed, on welfare, and rights action offi cers in embas- release it at an obscure time with- incarcerated. The HRR notes the The new administration had two choices: sies and the U.S. Department of out publicity. new inquiry to investigate miss- State assembled documentation The administration chose the ing and murdered indigenous delay the release indefi nitely while on violations; drafted, edited, and latter approach. The HRR was women. The report now notes the scrubbing the massive text down to negotiated text; and cleared lan- transmitted to Congress under legal decision recognizing Metis guage to describe circumstances a perfunctory letter from U.S. as “Indians,” correcting an omis- the last semicolon to assure attitudinal in almost 200 entities. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson sion from 2015’s HRR. The objective is to have the on Friday afternoon, March 3. While the HRR notes signifi - compatibility with its views; or release it document ready for Congress by There was no senior offi cial in- cant reduction in anti-Semitism, Feb. 25. This date was more often troducing it or an accompanying it makes no mention of specifi c at an obscure time without publicity. The honoured in the breach than hon- media Q&A. When asked about anti-Islamic action. oured, with the HRR’s “roll out” this unprecedented approach, Moreover, once prominent, administration chose the latter approach. drifting through NCAA “March a State Department spokesman reporting of Anglo-Francophone madness,” April Fool’s Day, and said, in effect, “the report speaks language restrictions in Quebec ports on Human Rights Practices, sometimes as late as June. The for itself.” and outside the province no lon- it is a persistent residue of Jimmy availability of the secretary of As a result, media comment ger receive comment. Carter’s presidency, with its fi rst state determined the release date. was almost nonexistent, and the And Canada’s restrictions on edition released in 1977. He often was traveling or negoti- 2016 HRR became instant history. free speech are identifi ed but not Regularly described as the U.S. ating and unable to surrender 15 Specifi cally, the Canada chap- criticized. Supreme Court rulings Department of State’s “fl agship” minutes of calendar time to pres- ter again shrank slightly from that government can limit speech publication, it grew extensively ent the text offi cially. But, never- 9,341 words in the 2015 HRR to to end discrimination, ensure so- over the years, evolving from its theless, eventually the secretary 9,245, refl ecting the ever-daunting cial harmony, or promote gender original focus on basic human (almost always personally but effort to control the report’s equality are not regarded as HRR rights: freedoms of speech, as- occasionally another senior State massive length. Consequently, a abuses. David Jones sembly, association, and religion; offi cial) appeared, spoke a few section-by-section analysis dem- There are no longer individual U.S. human rights report freedom from arbitrary arrest scripted lines, and tossed the hot onstrates considerable “legacy country rankings; however, Cana- and extrajudicial killings; fair baton to a senior human rights language” refl ecting little has dians can be confi dent they rank public trial, and free elections, offi cial to serve as fl ak catcher changed, and drafting instruc- in the fi rst echelon regarding ASHINGTON, D.C.—One to incorporate many additional for pointed and/or idiosyncratic tions emphasize not “reinventing respect for human rights. Wof the hardy perennials of “rights.” Consequently, the current questions. the wheel” in describing circum- David Jones is former political U.S. foreign policy is the annual HRR includes extended sections Such was not the case this year. stances. counsellor at the U.S. Embassy in Human Rights Report (HRR). on labour, women, children, and The current administra- With Canada happily devoid Ottawa. Offi cially known as Country Re- minorities (particularly LGBTI tion differs both politically and of egregious abuses (extrajudi- The Hill Times Why are we still talking about Trudeau’s Christmas vacation this close to Easter?

Most of the expenses But this is not about partisan would have been justifi ed. Canada perceptions afford past administra- of RCMP offi cers following him on politics. It is about the institution of has some top-quality ski facilities, tions more favourable coverage from foreign trips. He was politely told associated with the Prime Minister of Canada, the such a Whistler or Mont Tremblant, the media and opposition? Hardly. that he oversaw the business of the preferred target of opposition and which, frankly, would benefi t from But let’s forget about percep- country, not his security detail. Do Trudeau’s trip to the media, though not always justifi ed. the presence of the prime minister. tions and let’s deal with facts. we know the role needed of a “tour Aga Khan’s island are The controversy over the But vacationing down south The headline in the media technician” from the PCO? Nope. Trudeau family’s Christmas vaca- for a break in the long Canadian last week was that the cost of There is another $1,720 for ‘institutional,’ meaning tion on the private Caribbean winter is not only appropriate, Trudeau’s vacation was $127,000. food, beverages and “associated Island owned by the Aga Khan but a Canadian tradition. Even if the total is right, the fees.” Is this a real issue? Do we not controlled by the resurfaced recently. Is it appropriate to accept an invi- analysis of a single component really know what the cost of “as- I understand that last week’s tation from a spiritual leader who is makes the total “fake news.” sociated fees” is? I suspect that PMO. budget was not exciting enough also a billionaire and businessman? First, had Mr. Trudeau decided feeding the guests with a bag of to stimulate the imagination of First, the Aga Khan and the to vacation in Collingwood, Ont., popcorn or some caviar, the bill present and future generations, Trudeaus are longtime family friends. the cost of the security would wouldn’t be much different. but why is media still harping at Probably, it would have been bet- have been the same, $72,000. Considering that Mr. Trudeau Easter time about our prime min- ter not to, but not because of a pos- Second, considering that mili- reimbursed $4,895, the cost of ister’s Christmas vacation? sible confl ict of interest. If the gov- tary jets and pilots must be in the a commercial plane tickets for Because Mr. Trudeau, like his ernment wants to favour someone, air for a certain number of hours, him and his family, and that had father, seems not to be intimi- it can do it in many ways and more the cost of the maintenance, the Trudeau gone to another resort dated by media and opposition’s discretely. In fact, being open about depreciation of the Challenger and the expenses for food and accom- idiosyncrasies, always looking for their friendship makes it more diffi - the salary of the pilots would have modation would have been higher, fast news to cheaply fi ll air time cult to do anything improper. Sure, it been approximately the same. do we really believe that it is still or political gain. would have been better not to accept Roughly, we must shave necessary to talk about a Christ- Angelo Persichilli When in opposition, the Liber- the invitation to avoid the perception $100,000 from the total and deal mas vacation at Easter time? Politics als were doing the same, contribut- of a confl ict of interest. But do we only with the $27,000 spent for Angelo Persichilli is a freelance ing to create an environment of really believe that had Trudeau not the holiday. They include $15,000 journalist and a former citizenship fear and paranoia in the PMO, even gone vacationing on the Aga Khan’s for accommodations, $6,300 for a judge for the Greater Toronto Area. ORONTO—Defending the when buying toilet paper for the island, media and opposition would “tour technician,” and $1,700 for He was also a director of commu- Tspending habits of Liberal Langevin Block. Still, “they did it not have found another “perception” food consumption on the plane. nications to former prime minister Prime Minister Justin Trudeau too” is not a good reason to support of confl ict of interest? As we can see, most of the Stephen Harper and is the former is not the best topic for a for- the uproar over a normal vacation. If a prime minister is afraid of expenses are “institutional,” meaning political editor of Corriere Ca- mer director of communications Let me elaborate. dealing with “perceptions,” a culture not controlled by the PMO. I remem- nadese, Canada’s Italian-language of Conservative prime minister Had Mr. Trudeau gone skiing of paranoia develops in the Langevin ber that former prime minister Ste- newspaper in Toronto. Stephen Harper. in Colorado or the Alps, criticism Block. And did being obsessed with phen Harper questioned the number The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 15 Opinion It’s not easy to report wrongdoing in the federal government

There are a lot of hurdles Information about my disclosure: I have to choose one of six potential categories. and many obstacles This is confusing. All I want to do is expose a problem that needs correcting. Of course, to get over to report it is wrongdoing but why do I have to try and decide what type? The form also states wrongdoing. Here’s a that I can use my own words in describing what is wrong but I have to keep in mind rough guide of what the the six defi nitions. Why is this required? potential whistleblower Can’t I just describe the situation? They’re the experts, not me. I am not a lawyer. All I will have to go through. want to do is to talk to someone to explain what is going on and fi gure out the next steps. Instead, I have to fi ll out a form and decide what type of wrongdoing. This is worse than the normal bureaucracy. Under the fourth point, I have to give Public Sector Integrity Commissioner Joe Friday, pictured left in this fi le photograph with former the contact information for the individuals auditor general Sheila Fraser. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright who I allege committed wrongdoing. Why should I? I really only want the wrong- doing stopped. I am not vindictive. Why fuse” to deal with a disclosure. Why is this help but, obviously, it just places me in a do I have to point the fi nger at anyone? information even relevant to solving the worse situation. A proper investigation will reveal what problem and correcting a wrongdoing? I give up. It is too diffi cult to report and happened and who was responsible. This In Sec. 7, I am asked who I reported too great a risk. There is no way that I am Allan Cutler is becoming a witch hunt, not a problem- the situation to. Why do I have to name going to mail (or deliver) a copy of infor- Whistleblowers solving exercise. people? I don’t want to get them in trouble. mation when I cannot talk with someone The fi fth point asks about documenta- I just want a solution and the wrongdoing who can understand my situation and give tion. That is why I want to talk with some- corrected. I am asked what action has been me guidance. Faxing a copy is not realistic. TTAWA—We pick up the story from one (which PSIC states I am not allowed to taken and the current status. I thought I There are too many pages and no one uses Owhere we last left off. In trying to do) to know what documentation would be did that at Sec. 4 when I was requested to a fax anymore – except for lawyers. report wrongdoing, the employee has useful. It states in bold, “specifying which discuss the wrongdoing. Trying to do the right thing is too dif- already encountered many obstacles that portions you deem relevant to the alleged At last, the fi nal page, there’s a “decla- fi cult. With no one to talk to, there is no discourage him/her from proceeding. wrongdoing.” That answer is simple—ev- ration.” Now what do I have to sign? First, point to proceeding. I am just exposing my- These include a non-responsive manage- erything or I wouldn’t be reporting it. Is that the information is true and accurate. self more. The commissioner’s staff could ment, an ethics adviser more interested there not someone there who could help Wouldn’t an investigation confi rm this? show what I write to my department. What in protecting a department and their own me prepare this clearly? Oops, almost for- Why do I need to sign a declaration to this am I to do? I can’t afford a lawyer? I don’t career, and the written information that got, I am not allowed to talk with anyone effect? Of course, it is true or I wouldn’t want to launch a grievance. I just want to is on the Public Sector Integrity Commis- before submitting the written documents. be reporting it. The second statement is a do my job the way that I am supposed to. sion’s website. In an effort to report the Now there is a section called “other major problem. I have to confi rm that, “…it I just want to be able to go home at nights corruption, he or she now is going to fi ll proceedings.” The fi rst sentence states, “… is my responsibility to provide the commis- feeling that I did my job with pride. I am out the disclosure form that is required there are certain circumstances where the sioner with all the information required by trapped. The walls are closing in and man- by the integrity commissioner before any commissioner must refuse to deal with a this form, and to attach to this form any agement is getting ready to use me as an discussion can take place. disclosure or start an investigation.” Why relevant documentation.” Help. How do I object lesson for anyone who tries to speak Let’s see, I have to provide my name, job do I have to fi ll out the form regarding know what is relevant when I cannot talk out. Is there nobody that can help? title, address, and telephone number. The disclosures if the commissioner is going to the experts who can guide me? What Canadians for Accountability (www. form restates that the commissioner does not to rule that it cannot be dealt with it? I am happens if I miss something? What exactly canadians4accountability.org) is now the accept disclosures via email due to security already under stress and don’t need this. is my responsibility? only organization in Canada dedicated to and privacy concerns. What do they mean Is there not someone I can talk to before What is this below the signature line? helping whistleblowers. This article was by this? Is an email from me sent to them not doing useless work? There should be “Note: By submitting the disclosure form, written based on discussions with many secure and private? I really don’t understand someone who can help me. There are some you are authorizing the Offi ce of the whistleblowers. What readers need to real- this reasoning or why I can’t email them advocacy experts out there. Maybe they Public Sector Integrity Commissioner to ize is that the lack of action by the Public from my own Gmail account. are willing to talk to me and listen to what collect your personal information.” This Sector Integrity Commissioner’s Offi ce Wait a minute; it states the majority of I have to say? is a showstopper. What does my personal (PSIC) affects real people. The lives and communication will be via regular mail Oh well, I’ve come this far. Might as information have to do with what I want to integrity of public servants are impacted, or telephone. Now I understand, they can well continue. Section six asks if I have expose? My marital, fi nancial or personnel usually negatively. We have witnessed phone me but I can’t phone them. What a raised my concerns through another fi le is none of his business. This is intru- divorces, suicides, severe and permanent curious philosophy when I am the one who mechanism. Let’s see, I told my supervi- sive. I am not going to give permission for health problems, damaged self-esteem and wants to help. sor/manager. Don’t trust the senior ethics this. Whose side is the Commissioner on fi rings—all which have resulted from repri- The next question asks who I’m repre- offi cer for internal disclosure as she is anyway? sals against those who had the desire to do sented by. No problem with this as I am more concerned with her career. Griev- It is bad enough that I can’t sleep the right thing and do their jobs properly. representing myself. With what I have ance—didn’t think of that, maybe I should nights, have migraines and my health is Of course, unless there is a fi nding of read so far, I can understand why someone contact the union and start one. Not a bad suffering. I can’t talk or discuss what is wrongdoing, there cannot be a fi nding of would want to have a representative to idea. Is this a list to help me or a list to fi nd wrong with anyone that can be trusted. I reprisal. avoid dealing with PSIC directly. a reason where the commissioner “must re- was hoping that the Commissioner could The Hill Times

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In the cradle of the non-violent revolutions, things are going backwards. Rodrigo Duterte, president of the Philippines, is a self-proclaimed murderer who boasts about how many people his death squads kill.

Taiwan and South Korea and even About 8,000 suspected drug per cent of the population are not tionalist credentials and undermine an attempt at one in China). dealers and users have been killed Muslim, has been leading violent the fl edgling democratic govern- The democratic wave swept by police and vigilantes, with demonstrations against Basuki ment, and “The Lady,” as she is across the rest of the world too: Duterte’s warm approval and en- Purnama, the ethnic-Chinese universally called, dares not defy it. Eastern Europe and the former couragement, since he was elected Christian governor of Jakarta. There is no country in South- Soviet Union in 1989-91, South last June. And the fate of Thai He is facing spurious charges of east Asia where democracy is Africa in 1994, a large number democracy is equally dishearten- “insulting Islam,” but the FPI’s really secure, and in most cases of Latin American and African ing, although the strongmen there real objection is that non-Muslims the main reason is the overween- countries in the past quarter-cen- wear military uniforms. should not hold positions of au- ing power of self-serving military tury, and even a brave (but failed) Thai democracy, deeply polar- thority over Muslims. and police forces. Power struggles David Jones attempt at democratization in sev- ized by a long-running political There is clearly support for this between the old political and eco- Global Aff airs eral Arab countries. More people battle between the urban middle view among some of the capital’s nomic elite and “new” politicians now live in democratic countries class and the rural poor, fell to a Muslims—and to make matters like Widodo in Indonesia and the than in dictatorships. military coup in 2014. Two years worse many senior military and brother and sister Thaksin and ONDON, ENGLAND—Thirty But in the cradle of the non- later, the Thais ratifi ed a constitu- police offi cer have had close links Yingluck Shinawatra in Thailand, Lyears ago, most of Southeast violent revolutions, things are go- tion that grants the army per- with the extremist organization. both overthrown by military Asia was run by thuggish dic- ing backwards. Rodrigo Duterte, manent power over the political Indonesian democracy is certainly coups, play a large role too. tatorships. Then the Philippines president of the Philippines, is a system, including the right to the healthiest in the region, but it But there are many other new showed the rest of the world how self-proclaimed murderer who appoint all 250 members of the faces serious threats. democracies with over-mighty to get rid of the dictators with- boasts about how many people Senate. And even so the military And then there is Burma, the militaries and privileged elites that out violence, and its non-violent his death squads kill. “If you are have now postponed the promised latest convert to democracy in do not want to let go, and yet the example was watched and copied corrupt, I will fetch you using a election from this year to 2018. Southeast Asia. After half a cen- failure rate is signifi cantly lower around the world. But now the helicopter to Manila and I will Indonesian democracy still tury of almost continuous military everywhere else except the Middle thugs are coming back where it throw you out,” he declared in De- survives, and the latest president, rule Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel East. There may be some common all started. cember. “I have done this before, Joko Widodo, is a genuinely Prize-winning leader of the cultural factor that unites the South- The democratic revolution in why would I not do it again?” popular fi gure of unimpeachable democratic opposition, is fi nally east Asian countries, but it’s un- the Philippines in 1986 was quick- “Duterte Harry” (as he is called honesty. In the 2014 election he the effective leader of an elected likely: they are variously Buddhist-, ly followed by the non-violent in homage to Clint Eastwood’s saw off his opponent, a former civilian government. Christian-, or Muslim-majority. overthrow of the generals in Thai- fi lm portrayal of lawless cop general and ex-son-in-law of the But she still operates under a So what’s the matter with land in 1988 (though they contin- Dirty Harry) was elected to the old dictator Suharto, with ease. military veto, and she has to close them? Maybe it’s just bad luck. ued to intervene every few years), presidency with a massive major- But there are signs of rising her eyes to the brutal attacks on After all, they aren’t actually a and then by the fall of Suharto’s ity last year, and he is still hugely extremism in the world’s biggest the Rohingya, a Muslim minority statistical sample. 30-year dictatorship in Indonesia popular with ordinary Filipinos. Muslim-majority country. that the army and other Burmese Gwynne Dyer is an indepen- in 1998. By then, the example had But this is not democracy; it is The hard-line Islamic Defend- ultra-nationalists insist is not really dent journalist whose articles are also spread through the rest of populist demagoguery of the most ers’ Front (FPI), which demands a Burmese at all. The army is using published in 45 countries. Asia (democratic revolutions in extreme kind. sharia state in a country where 15 this confl ict to burnish its own na- The Hill Times Preliminary thoughts on the London attacks

Trucks or vehicles have been used Public Safety Minister Ralph The fact that this man was ‘known to MI5’ to mow down crowds in Berlin, Goodale, pictured in this is not proof of a ‘failure of intelligence’ Nice, and on the campus of Ohio fi le photo on the Hill. In the State University. Knives were immediate aftermath of this as many ill-informed pseudo experts used in an attack on a mall in loss of life, perspective is Minnesota, the stabbing of a man important. Yes, this is a tragic will bray, but merely demonstrates how in Sydney and by many terrorists event and lessons will be in the West Bank and Jerusalem. learned, but terrorism remains diffi cult counter terrorism really is. MI5 The combination should be famil- a rare event in the West. We and its partners have foiled 50 plots in iar to Canadians: Martin Couture need to emulate the British Rouleau ran down two members ‘stiff upper lip’ and more of recent years and to expect 100 per cent of the Canadian Armed Forces ‘keep calm and carry on,’ on October 20, 2014 (killing writes Phil Gurski. The Hill success is fantasy. Warrant Offi cer Patrice Vincent) Times photograph by Jake Wright before rushing police with a knife and attempted to rush Parliament, before being shot dead. Vehicles armed with a knife before police and knives are primitive terrorist to mention the inspiration for the West. We need to emulate the shot him dead. As of the time devices and the ultimate ‘dual-use’ my country’s parliament). More British “stiff upper lip” and more of writing four were dead and articles. Their use underscores importantly, it is a symbol of of “keep calm and carry on” and approximately 40 were injured, how hard it is to prevent all at- democracy and Islamist extrem- less of the bizarre Islamophobic several seriously. tacks. ists hate democracy, seeing it rant made by that clown (former The U.K. government is It should not be surprising that as un-Islamic and sinful. Again, English Defence League leader) proceeding cautiously with its the U.K. has been hit again. MI5 shades of why Michael Zehaf-Bi- Tommy Robinson at the murder comments so far, preferring to al- has stated publicly that it is aware beau elected to try to enter Centre scene. It is too easy to allow low the investigation time to run of 10,000 people who have be- Block in Ottawa on Oct. 22, 2014, ourselves to be afraid and react Phli Gurski and do its job. What we do know come “radicalized.” No agency can before he too was shot dead. irrationally in the wake of such Terrorism so far is that the alleged assail- monitor 1,000 people, let alone There is no surprise that the an incident, but we need to stiffen ant was known to MI5, the U.K.’s 10,000. The fact that this man was Islamic State has claimed the our resolve. Terrorists seek to CSIS, and that the Islamic State “known to MI5” is not proof of a London terrorist as one of their instill terror and fear and we can- TTAWA—Residents of has already called the terrorist a “failure of intelligence” as many own. They tend to do that, irre- not permit them to claim victory OLondon have undergone yet “soldier of IS.” From that we can ill-informed pseudo experts will spective of any real link. We will in this regard. We are better than another terrorist attack. The na- assume that this attack was car- bray, but merely demonstrates hopefully learn more in the days them. tion that survived countless IRA ried out by an Islamist extremist, how diffi cult counter terrorism re- and weeks to come but I would be Phil Gurski is the president attacks and threats in the 1970s, although we must acknowledge ally is. MI5 and its partners have astonished if the terrorist was not and CEO of Borealis Threat and 1980s, and 1990s, and which saw that more information is required foiled 50 plots in recent years and at a minimum inspired by groups Risk Consulting Ltd. He worked the carnage of July 2005 and the to be defi nitive. to expect 100 per cent success is such as IS. as a senior strategic analyst at attempted beheading of a military Nevertheless, there are a num- fantasy. In the immediate aftermath of CSIS and is the author of West- member in Woolwich in 2013, is ber of aspects to this attack that The choice of target was this loss of life, perspective is im- ern Foreign Fighters: The Threat reeling from last Wednesday’s should be highlighted. most likely not random. The U.K. portant. Yes, this is a tragic event to Homeland and International events when a man ran over The modus operandi is Parliament is an iconic site and and lessons will be learned, but Security. people on Westminster Bridge reminiscent of a pattern of late. a huge tourist attraction (not terrorism remains a rare event in The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 17 Spin Doctors By Laura Ryckewaert Feature

“The 2017 federal budget is out. What are your main takeaways?”

KATE CORY RICCARDO MATHIEU R. DAN PURCHASE HANN FILIPPONE ST-AMAND PALMER Liberal strategist Conservative strategist NDP strategist BlocBlB oc Québécois strategist Green strategist

udget 2017 is the next t’s another year and another udgets are about choices and his budget is simply a con- irst the depressing news: Budget “Bstep in the Government’s “Iround of Liberal tax hikes. “Bunfortunately Liberals have “Ttemptuous and disrespectful “F 2017 continues to subsidize the long-term plan to create jobs With each passing Trudeau chosen tax breaks for wealthy CEOs intrusion into Quebec’s jurisdiction. fossil fuel industry, which translates to and strengthen the middle budget, it becomes even more and giveaways to large corporations The federal government is interfer- another unfulfi lled Liberal campaign class. With its strong focus on obvious that Canada’s Conserva- over helping the unemployed, veter- ing in a number of Quebec’s respon- promise. Trudeau’s shaky tightrope innovation and skills, Budget tives are the only voice of the ans, and indigenous children. While sibilities, such as health care, educa- walk between oil and gas boosting and 2017 will help Canadians suc- taxpayers. Canadians can be sure giving wealthy CEOs hundreds of tion and municipal government. True the imminent need to embrace clean ceed in an increasingly global- that we won’t stay silent as this millions through stock option tax to form, the Justin Trudeau govern- energy is apparent. But for the fi rst ized and tech-driven world. Liberal government nickels and loopholes, this budget scrapped the ment is backing out of the labour time, the budget does acknowledge “From students looking to dimes them to death. If you’re public transit tax credit for every market development agreements climate adaptation as a priority. To get work experience, to adult an average family, if you’re a Canadian that spends a lot of their it signed and planning to renegoti- that end, Greens applaud the boost in workers juggling the costs of small business, or even if you’re a money just getting to work. ate them. These agreements on funding for climate disaster mitiga- returning to school, to un- student, this budget is not coming “Plans to privatize public in- workforce training were very rare tion, geothermal and other clean tech employed or underemployed with good news. frastructure will line the pockets examples of asymmetrical federal- innovation, and investments in Parks Canadians hoping to boost “There’s tax hikes on public of wealthy investors while leaving ism. With this budget, Ottawa is not Canada and VIA Rail. Another long- their skills, all Canadians transit users, there’s tax hikes everyday Canadians paying the only launching an unprecedented overdue commitment is the need to deserve a chance to get the on Uber and ride sharing, and bill through new user fees and series of intrusions into areas under negotiate an interprovincial trade deal. education and experience there’s even tax hikes on beer tolls. Meanwhile, there is nothing Quebec’s authority, but also showing Federal dollars for child care, family they need. That’s why Budget and wine. And a plan to get back to stop the growth of precarious that it wants to reduce Quebec’s and homecare leave, mental health, 2017 creates thousands of new to balance? Non-existent in the work or expand access to em- powers, including those concerning and affordable housing are beginning job placements for students, Liberal landscape. In fact, if ployment insurance for the more workforce development. to align with Canadians’ expectations. expands grants and access to you’re 40 years or older, I hope than six in 10 unemployed Cana- “Health transfers are too low to “But the budget misses low-hanging interest-free student loans for you kept a copy of the last Con- dians who can’t access benefi ts. reach the 25 per cent target identi- fruit that could spur Canadians to do adults, and makes it easier for servative budget, because that’s “And in spite of their clear fi ed by the Romanow Commission their part on climate adaptation. Small Canadians on EI to get new the last one you’re likely to ever promise, and multiple rulings from and established by Ottawa. The businesses employ half of Canadians, certifi cates or training without see balanced for the rest of your the Canadian Human Rights Tri- Trudeau government has decided and many of these entrepreneurs voted fear of losing their benefi ts. life if Justin Trudeau gets his way. bunal, the government still refuses to suffocate Quebec fi nancially. But Liberal believing their tax rate would “Budget 2017 also makes it “This budget is the Liberals to close the gap in funding for fi rst the fi nancial problems go beyond drop from 11 to nine per cent. Again, easier for Canadian innovators admitting their economic plan nations child welfare. Budget 2017 Quebec: provinces as such are not no dice. and entrepreneurs to get the isn’t working for ordinary, hard- was also a missed opportunity to viable. This prospect is troubling. “The budget continues to use funding they need to turn their working Canadians. Their last make the cost of medicine more “Ultimately, without relent- Harper-era climate targets as the ideas into thriving businesses. budget did not grow the economy, affordable for Canadians and save lessly harsher austerity, the benchmark for climate action. We Not only will this help Canada it failed to create jobs, and their billions by implementing a univer- Quebec government may very need more robust emissions targets lead the way in the innovation much celebrated ‘infrastructure sal pharmacare plan.” well implode.” and measures across government.” economy, it will also create plan’ is a complete disaster. This well-paying middle class jobs budget does nothing to even try across the country. to fi x that. It’s bad.” “In delivering this ambi- tious and forward-looking NOW AVAILABLE budget, we have taken the next step in our long-term CanCon Contributions & Quotas In a Digital Age plan to revitalize the middle class, grow the economy, and A complete guide to the regulations on the prepare Canadians for the jobs of today and tomorrow.” table in Heritage Canada’s review CanCon ContribuContributions tions & QQuotasuotas In a DigitDigitalal AgAgee

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For more information, please contact Mark I [email protected] I 613-688-8821 18 MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 | THE HILL TIMES News

Businessman Kevin O’Leary shook up the Conservative Conservative Party leadership contest two weeks ago by Party must be issuing a public statement saying back room organizers transparent are signing up new members in violation of the party about fraudulent membership rules. Within a day, the party cancelled 1,351 memberships. memberships The Hill Times photograph by Jake or ‘undercut Wright There are 14 candidates run- target of the O’Leary statement. ballot allows members to rank ning for the Conservative Party’s A few days later, the Bernier only 10 candidates, not 14. credibility of leadership, including nine current campaign provided an affi davit to Ms. Gladu said in the interest MPs, three former MPs and two The Globe and Mail accusing an of fairness, the party should al- businessmen. The Conserva- O’Leary campaign organizer of low members to rank all 14 and tive MPs are: Michael Chong attempting to buy memberships intends to send a question to the outcome,’ says (Wellington-Halton Hills, Ont.), for potential new party members. party about it. She said the party Kellie Leitch (Simcoe-Grey, Ont.), They, however, did not publicly never communicated this to the Maxime Bernier (Beauce, Que.), produce any proof. Instead, the caucus. Deepak Obhrai (Calgary Forest Bernier campaign said they will “The party is doing their due Conservative MP Lawn, Ont.), Mr. Scheer (Regina- not discuss the issue in the media diligence [on memberships] and Qu’Appelle, Sask.), Erin O’Toole anymore and will provide the I’m pleased that they did it expe- (Durham, Ont.), Steven Blaney proof only to the party offi ce. ditiously,” said Ms. Gladu, add- (Bellechasse -Les Etchemins -Lé- Meanwhile, The Hill Times ing that she wants to get more vis, Que.) Lisa Raitt (Milton, Ont.), reported last week that Conser- details from the party on why Kent and Mr. Trost. Former Conserva- vative MP Alex Nuttall (Barrie- it never communicated to caucus tive MPs Pierre Lemieux, Chris Springwater-Oro Medonte, Ont.), about allowing party members ‘Nothing wrong will happen under my Alexander and Andrew Saxton who is the national membership to make 10 choices on the ballot are also running for the party’s chair for the Bernier campaign, paper and not 14. watch,’ Conservative Party’s Dustin Van top job. The other two candidates allegedly fraudulently signed “We had no communication to include businessman and Reality up party members in 2010 in caucus. That would be a concern Vugt tells Conservative MP Bob Saroya. TV star and businessman Kevin his unsuccessful bid for the of mine, if it’s a preferred ranked O’Leary and businessman Rick provincial PC party nomina- ballot, one would expect that you BY ABBAS RANA porter of the Scheer campaign. Peterson. tion in Barrie, Ont. The local PC would have a system that would Mr. Saroya said Mr. Van Vugt told Mr. O’Leary launched a politi- nomination committee at the time be able to deal with that.” he Conservative Party has him that “nothing wrong will hap- cal grenade in the Conservative recommended to the party that Meanwhile, Conservative Par- Tto be transparent to Canadi- pen under my watch,” he said. leadership campaign two weeks Mr. Nuttall be disqualifi ed from ty insider Tim Powers said it’s not ans and to its more than 100,000 “He’s looking into every single ago when he stated that “back- the contest. Mr. Nuttall denied unusual for major political parties members about the process it’s fi le riding by riding to make sure room organizers” are “committing the allegations at that time and to receive complaints about sign- undertaking to scrub fraudulent everything is done by the book,” widespread vote rigging” by sign- the party after reviewing the ing up people in violation of memberships from the party list Mr. Saroya told The Hill Times. “He ing up new members using pre- complaints allowed the then- party rules. He said his guess or it will undermine the outcome means what he’s saying.” paid credit cards, a violation of municipal councillor to continue is organizers on the ground resort of the leadership race, says Con- “‘I can promise you that my the party rules. The Conservative his candidacy. to these measures because they servative MP Peter Kent. team is working very hard and Party membership rules require Within a day of Mr. O’Leary’s think they can convince the new “That will undercut the credibil- nothing wrong will happen under that only personal credit cards or public statement on fraudulent members at some point to vote ity of the outcome. It is incumbent my watch,’” Mr. Saroya said Mr. personal cheques can be used to memberships, the Conservative in favour of the candidate these on the party to not only complete Van Vugt told him. The Markham buy memberships. Party cancelled 1,351 member- organizers are supporting. a very thorough and due diligence, MP told The Hill Times that he’s “It has been brought to my ships that had been signed up “Or they may have other but to share the process and satisfi ed the party is doing every- campaign’s attention that there from two IP addresses with pay- nefarious means they’re going to provide credible guarantees that thing it can protect the integrity are backroom organizers who are ments made using pre-paid choose to exercise to get those all is above board and acceptable,” of the leadership contest. committing wide-spread vote rig- credit cards. The party said it was votes counted for whomever Mr. Kent (Thornhill, Ont.) told The In an emailed response to The ging and potentially breaking our impossible to pinpoint to any they’re supporting. There’s always Hill Times last week. Hill Times, Conservative Party electoral and fi nancing laws to specifi c campaign. Last week, the funny, weird stuff that happens on Mr. Kent, who is supporting spokesman Cory Hann said the try to buy a Leadership victory,” party declined to say if it was re- the ground organizing by people Conservative MP Michael Chong’s party is making every effort to declared Mr. O’Leary in his state- viewing memberships before who try to get what I will politely (Wellington-Halton-Hills, Ont.) make the leadership campaign a ment. “In an attempt to protect Mr. O’Leary went public with his describe as creative in the way campaign, said he’s not speaking fair contest. He did not get into against this kind of fraud, the par- complaint or if the review started in which they bring people on up as Chong supporter, but as a details, but said the No. 1 priority ty has strict leadership rules in after the statement. board,” said Mr. Powers. Conservative Party member. More- for the party is to ensure that only place requiring all memberships “The party regularly reviews Meanwhile, in a recent over, Mr. Kent said the party should legitimate members stay on the to be purchased by individuals memberships to ensure they are analysis, CBC’s Eric Grenier said publicly disclose its fi ndings and membership list. using either personal cheques or within our rules,” Mr. Hann wrote that, based on his Conservative explain the steps it took to scrub “We regularly review member- personal credit cards. However, to The Hill Times but did not Leadership Index, Mr. Bernier, Mr. the fraudulent memberships. ships to ensure they’re within we have been informed that to provide any specifi cs. “We thank O’Leary and Mr. Scheer would Meanwhile, rookie Conserva- our rules, and have a variety get around these rules, campaign the EDA volunteers and leader- be the three top contenders on tive MP Bob Saroya (Markham- of protective measures at our activists are using untraceable ship campaign representatives the fi rst ballot. The index is an Unionville, Ont.), who is supporting disposal to ensure that,” said Mr. prepaid credit cards to sign up that alerted us to the ineligible estimate of where the candidates Conservative MP Andrew Scheer’s Hann. “Our leadership race is, and fake members, possibly without memberships.” would end up on the fi rst ballot of (Regina-Qu’Appelle, Sask.) leader- will continue to be, a fair contest, these individuals even knowing Conservative MP Marilyn the vote, if that vote had occurred ship campaign, said Conservative and we will take every necessary about it. Beyond the legalities of Gladu (Sarnia-Lambton, Ont.), today. Mr. Grenier calculated the Party executive director Dustin Van step to keep it that way. Members this, it is completely immoral, and meanwhile, said she’s satisfi ed index using the average results of Vugt told him in a phone conver- can be confi dent that the party’s extremely unfair to the tens of with the party’s efforts to scruti- four different metrics: endorse- sation last week that the party is number one priority through this thousands of real Party members nize memberships. But she said ment points, fundraising, contribu- reviewing the entire party member- election is to maintain the integ- that will have the impact of their she wants an explanation from tors, and polls. Mr. Bernier led the ship list to ensure that all members rity of our leadership race.” votes weakened.” the party on a different subject pack last week, according to Mr. who vote in the leadership contest The Conservative Party cur- Mr. O’Leary did not accuse related to the leadership con- Grenier’s index, with 20.1 points, are legitimate. rently has more than 100,000 any specifi c campaign in his test, one she read about in The followed by Mr. O’Leary with 18.5 Mr. Saroya said he spoke to members. statement, but anonymous sourc- Hill Times earlier this month. points. Mr. Scheer scored 13.3 and Mr. Van Vugt in his capacity as a The deadline to sign up new es told Huffi ngton Post Canada The Hill Times reported that Mr. O’Toole 9.9 points. concerned member of the Conser- members for the May 27 leadership and The Globe and Mail that although the leadership contest [email protected] vative caucus and not as a sup- convention is Tuesday, March 28. Mr. Bernier’s campaign was the has 14 candidates, the party’s The Hill Times WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 | THE HILL TIMES 19 Feature

LISA RAITT KEVIN O’LEARY Dean Allison Conservative MP Guy Lauzon Conservative MP Phil McColeman Conservative MP Percy Mockler Conservative Senator Conservative Bruce Stanton Conservative MP Karla MacFarlane Nova Scotia Progressive Judith Seidman Conservative Senator Conservative MLA Scott Armstrong former Conservative MP Tim Uppal former Conservative MP Keith Ashfield former Conservative minister Bernard Valcourt former Conservative MP John Carmichael former Conservative MP Ken Hughes former Progressive Conservative MP and Alberta PC Rob Clarke former Conservative MP MLA and minister Kerry-Lynne Findlay former Conservative minister Marjory LeBreton former Conservative Senator leadership race Mike Harris former Ontario Progressive Conservative premier Robert Goguen former Conservative MP Gary Goodyear former Conservative minister of state Rick Perkins former Conservative candidate Dick Harris former Conservative MP Erika Barootes former political staffer to the former Alberta PC Who’s supporting whom Ted Menzies former Conservative MP government Darrel Stinson former Conservative MP Andrew Boddington former Ontario Progressive Conservative Alfie MacLeod Nova Scotia PC MLA Party executive director Lisa MacLeod Ontario Progressive Conservative MPP Erinn Broshko former federal Conservative candidate Sources: Media reports, The Hill Times archives, and candidate/supporter communications. Note: This list is limited to former and current political staffers, elected Eddie Orrell Nova Scotia PC MLA Jim Burnett adviser to the Ontario PC Party leader politicians, and candidates. Compiled by Kristen Shane and Chelsea Nash Mike Cluett Halton regional councillor John Capobianco former federal Conservative candidate Cecil Clarke mayor of Cape Breton Regional Municipality, former Mike Coates former Conservative staffer, current Hill & Knowlton vice-chair Conservative candidate Erin Chutter former political staffer Gordon Krantz mayor of Milton, Ont. Amanda Galbraith former Conservative staffer and ANDREW SCHEER KELLIE LEITCH Michel A. Plourde mayor of Danville, Que. spokesperson for Toronto Mayor John Tory Ari. S. Laskin former Ontario PC staffer Ziad Aboultaif Conservative MP Keith Bain former Nova Scotia PC MLA Ben Lobb Conservative MP Sara MacIntyre former Conservative staffer John Barlow Conservative MP Currie Dixon former Yukon Party MLA Peter Van Loan Conservative MP Amy Mills former Conservative staffer Luc Berthold Conservative MP Phil Gillies former Ontario Progressive Conservative cabinet minister David Yurdiga Conservative MP Peter McQuaid former party president of P.E.I. Progressive Conservatives Kelly Block Conservative MP John Snobelen former Ontario Progressive Conservative MPP Consiglio Di Nino former Conservative Naresh Raghubeer former aide to a former Ontario Progressive Sylvie Boucher Conservative MP Case Ootes former deputy mayor of Toronto Senator Conservative MPP Jim Eglinski Conservative MP Henry Lau former Conservative Party candidate Ronald Atkey former Progressive Conservative minister Patrick Robert former Conservative staffer Ted Falk Conservative MP Adam Rodgers former Conservative Party candidate David Artemiw former Progressive Conservative Queen’s Park staffer Chris Rougier former Conservative staffer Garnett Genuis Conservative MP Jana Regimbal former Conservative staffer Trent Blanchette former Conservative staffer Doug Schweitzer former CEO of the Manitoba PC Party Marilyn Gladu Conservative MP Brooke Timpson former Conservative staffer Richard Ciano principal at Campaign Research, former Ontario Lesli Tomlin former Conservative staffer Matt Jeneroux Conservative MP Progressive Conservative party president Norm Vocino former Conservative staffer Tom Lukiwski Conservative MP Michael Diamond director of operations for ex-Toronto mayor Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative MP Rob Ford, Manitoba Progressive Conservative caucus staffer Alain Rayes Conservative MP Tannis Drysdale former northern VP for the Ontario Progressive STEVEN BLANEY Scott Reid Conservative MP Conservative Party Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu Conservative Senator Gerry Ritz Conservative MP RICK PETERSON Jan Dymond former political staffer Jean-Guy Dagenais Conservative Senator Bob Saroya Conservative MP Stephanie Gawur constituency assistant Daniel Gaudreau former federal Bill Clarke former Conservative MP Kevin Sorenson Conservative MP Sander Grieve former Progressive Conservative Hill staffer Conservative candidate Jeff Bridge 2013 campaign manager for Mark Strahl Conservative MP Stanley Hartt former chief of staff to prime minister Brian Mulroney Pierre-Luc Jean former Conservative staffer the B.C. Conservatives Shannon Stubbs Conservative MP Nick Kouvalis former chief of staff to Toronto mayor Rob Ford, Christophe Lavoie Hill staffer Karen Mortfield former press secretary to a Arnold Viersen Conservative MP principal at Campaign Research former Ontario Progressive Conservative leader Cathay Wagantall Conservative MP Dany Renauld former federal Progressive Conservative Party Mark Mullins former adviser to federal and Ontario PCs, former Mark Warawa Conservative MP organizer in Quebec Fraser Institute director Chris Warkentin Conservative MP John Simcoe chief financial officer, Ontario PC Fund Bob Zimmer Conservative MP Mitch Wexler voter-data expert and a principal at Politrain Consulting CHRIS ALEXANDER Denise Batters Conservative Senator Norman Doyle Conservative Senator Yuri Shymko former Progressive MICHAEL CHONG Dennis Patterson Conservative Senator Conservative MP and Ontario PC MPP Don Plett Conservative Senator Alexandra Day former Conservative staffer Peter Kent Conservative MP Carolyn Stewart Olsen Conservative Senator Paul Egli former Conservative nomination candidate David Tilson Conservative MP Scott Tannas Conservative Senator ERIN O’TOOLE Victor Oh Conservative Senator David Tkachuk Conservative Senator Mike Wallace former Conservative MP Harold Albrecht Conservative MP Terence Young former Conservative MP Betty Unger Conservative Senator Mel Arnold Conservative MP David Wells Conservative Senator Erminie Cohen former Progressive Conservative Senator James Bezan Conservative MP MAXIME BERNIER Ted Arnott Ontario Progressive Conservative MPP Garry Breitkreuz former Conservative MP John Brassard Conservative MP Paul Calandra former Conservative MP Ted Chudleigh former Ontario PC MPP Blaine Calkins Conservative MP Dan Albas Conservative MP Gary Mar former Alberta MLA, cabinet minister Royal Galipeau former Conservative MP Colin Carrie Conservative MP Alupa Clarke Conservative MP John McDermid former Progressive Conservative MP, minister of state Bal Gosal former Conservative MP Michael Cooper Conservative MP Tony Clement Conservative MP Réjean Savoie former New Brunswick MLA Bryan Hayes former Conservative MP Gérard Deltell Conservative MP Jacques Gourde Conservative MP Devin Baines Conservative staffer Costas Menegakis former Conservative MP Kerry Diotte Conservative MP Tom Kmiec Conservative MP Nathan Caranci Conservative staffer Tilly O’Neill-Gordon former Conservative MP Todd Doherty Conservative MP Alex Nuttall Conservative MP Yaroslav Baran former Conservative staffer LaVar Payne former Conservative MP Ed Fast Conservative MP Lynn Beyak Conservative Senator Susan Elliott former PC national director Peter Penashue former Conservative minister Randy Hoback Conservative MP Nicole Eaton Conservative Senator Catherine Keill former staffer to then-Alberta Progressive Conservative Kyle Seeback former Conservative MP Robert Kitchen Conservative MP Stephen Greene Conservative Senator premier Jim Prentice and former Progressive Conservative MPs Devinder Shory former Conservative MP Ron Liepert Conservative MP Leo Housakos Conservative Senator Harry Near former PC national campaign director, adviser to PC leader Chuck Strahl former Conservative MP Larry Maguire Conservative MP Ghislain Maltais Conservative Senator Geoff Norquay former Conservative staffer Jeff Watson former Conservative MP Kelly McCauley Conservative MP Larry Smith Conservative Senator Chisholm Pothier former Conservative staffer Wayne Anderson Alberta Wildrose MLA Cathy McLeod Conservative MP Derek Fildebrandt Alberta Wildrose MLA Bram Sepers former Conservative staffer Steven Bonk Saskatchewan Party MLA Blake Richards Conservative MP Steven Fletcher Manitoba PC MLA, ex-federal Conservative William Stairs former Conservative staffer Bill Boyd Saskatchewan Party MLA Jamie Schmale Conservative MP cabinet minister Adam Taylor former Conservative staffer Martin Shields Conservative MP Fred Bradshaw Saskatchewan Party MLA Laura Ross Saskatchewan Party MLA Peter White former principal secretary to Progressive Robert Sopuck Conservative MP Greg Brkich Saskatchewan Party MLA Rick Casson former Conservative MP Conservative prime minister Brian Mulroney Karen Vecchio Conservative MP J Russ Hiebert former Conservative MP ennifer Campeau Saskatchewan Party MLA Dianne Watts Conservative MP Jeff Carr New Brunswick Progressive Conservative MLA Jay Hill former Conservative whip and House leader Kevin Waugh Conservative MP Ryan Leef former Conservative MP Lori Carr Saskatchewan Party MLA Diane Ablonczy former Conservative MP Nathan Cooper Alberta Wildrose House leader and MLA Gary Lunn former Conservative minister DEEPAK OBHRAI Laurie Hawn former Conservative MP Pat Perkins former Conservative MP Herb Cox Saskatchewan Party MLA Ed Holder former Conservative MP Corneliu Chisu former Conservative MP Dan D’Autremont Saskatchewan Party MLA John Reynolds former Conservative MP and B.C. MLA Gerald Keddy former Conservative MP Brian Storseth former Conservative MP Joe Daniel former Conservative MP Terry Dennis Saskatchewan Party MLA Wladyslaw Lizon former Conservative MP Lawrence Toet former Conservative MP Julian Fantino former Conservative MP Larry Doke Saskatchewan Party MLA Ted Opitz former Conservative MP Gerry Weiner former Progressive Conservative federal minister David Hanson Alberta Wildrose MLA Bernard Trottier former Conservative MP Michel Rivard former Conservative Senator Larry Harrison Progressive Conservative Nova Scotia MLA David Wilks former Conservative MP George Richardson former Canadian Alliance party president Jeremy Harrison Saskatchewan Party MLA Bob Runciman Conservative Senator Heather Forsyth former Alberta MLA and Wildrose Party interim leader Warren Kaeding Saskatchewan Party MLA John Hamm former Progressive Conservative Novia Scotia premier BRAD TROST John Hastings former Ontario Progressive Conservative MPP Jamie Baillie Nova Scotia MLA, leader of Progressive Conservative Greg Lawrence Saskatchewan Party MLA Fred Bamber councillor, municipal district of Bonnyville no. 87, Alberta Leon Benoit former Conservative MP Party of Nova Scotia Don MacIntyre Alberta Wildrose MLA Matt Whitman deputy mayor of Halifax Joseph Ben-Ami former operations director Lorne Coe Ontario Progressive Conservative MPP Monte McNaughton Ontario PC MPP Babu Nagalingam senior adviser to the Ontario Progressive to Canadian Alliance leader Stockwell Day Hugh Nerlien Saskatchewan Party MLA Vic Fedeli Ontario Progressive Conservative MPP Mike Patton former Conservative staffer Michael Harris Ontario MPP Conservative leader Greg Ottenbreit Saskatchewan Party MLA Jeff Callaway former Alberta Wildrose Party candidate, current Kevin Phillips Saskatchewan Party MLA Brian Macdonald New Brunswick Progressive Conservative MLA Norm Miller Ontario Progressive Conservative MPP party president Doug Steele Saskatchewan Party MLA Nathan Giede columnist, former B.C. Conservative party candidate Warren Steinley Saskatchewan Party MLA Rick Nicholls Ontario Progressive Conservative MPP ANDREW SAXTON Randy Pettapiece Ontario Progressive Conservative MPP Marie-Claude Godue former federal Conservative candidate Lyle Stewart Saskatchewan Party MLA Laurie Scott Ontario Progressive Conservative MPP Phil Green former Conservative candidate John Duncan former Conservative MP Christine Tell Saskatchewan Party MLA Lisa Thompson Ontario Progressive Conservative MPP Adam Richardson former Canadian Alliance candidate and staffer John Fraser former House Speaker and Carl Urquhart New Brunswick Progressive Conservative MLA Bill Walker Ontario Progressive Conservative MPP Robert Strickland former Conservative candidate Progressive Conservative minister Glenn van Dijken Alberta Wildrose MLA John Yakabuski Ontario Progressive Conservative MPP Steven Barrett former Conservative staffer Noël Kinsella former Senate speaker and Randy Weekes Saskatchewan Party MLA Jody Mitic Ottawa city councillor Éric Duhaime newspaper columnist, former Canadian Alliance adviser Conservative Senator Shayne Saskiw former Alberta Wildrose MLA Dave Myette Saugeen Shores, Ont. councillor Aaron Gairdner former Conservative staffer Elaine Allan former Conservative candidate Joan Baylis Conservative staffer Brad Vis Conservative staffer Emrys Graefe deputy director for the Conservative Party’s 2015 campaign Paul Seear former Conservative staffer Kenzie Potter Conservative staffer Daniel Lindsay former Conservative leadership candidate Maxime Hupé former Hill staffer Brock Stephenson former Conservative staffer Nancy Bishay former Conservative staffer Fred DeLorey former Conservative candidate and staffer Mark Johnson former Conservative staffer Georganne Burke former Conservative Party outreach manager James Dodds former chief financial officer for the federal Leif Malling former Conservative staffer and organizer Progressive Conservative Party Tony Oliver former vice president of the Progressive Conservative Mike MacDonell former Conservative staffer John MacDonell former Conservative chief of staff Party of Newfoundland PIERRE LEMIEUX Hamish Marshall former Conservative PMO and party staffer Dan Mader former Conservative chief of staff Dan Robertson former Conservative staffer Marc-André Leclerc former Conservative Party staffer Tausha Michaud Hill staffer Dean Tester former Conservative staffer Stephen Taylor former Conservative nomination contestant, Mike Murray former Conservative staffer, candidate Mark Whiffen past president of the Progressive Conservative ex-director of the National Citizens Coalition Dave Pierce former Conservative staffer Party of Newfoundland and Labrador 20 MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 | THE HILL TIMES News

and government on the location of subsequent scrums. “We’re able to get questions Most Hill to the government about their agenda for the day or what’s go- ing on, and I’m not sure what a briefi ng might accomplish,” said reporters don’t Mr. Akin. After watching recent White House press briefi ngs with Mr. Spicer, Mr. Akin questioned the see merit of usefulness of the briefi ngs “in terms of actual journalism.” “Why on earth would you send a star reporter to sit in that bringing White room and listen to nonsense from Spicer? Why not use that reporter to go out and do some real jour- nalism, make some phone calls, dig into something,” he said. House-style Mr. Akin also noted that the Canadian prime minister doesn’t While the daily press briefi ngs with White House press secretary Sean fi t into our system of federal gov- Spicer have captivated plenty of Canadians, many press gallery members ernment like the U.S. president fi ts question the merit of bringing a similar exercise to Canada with the prime press briefi ngs into the American one, with power minister’s communications director, currently Kate Purchase, or other PMO more divided between members of communications staff. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia & The Hill Times photograph by cabinet and less overall executive Jake Wright power held by the PM. to Canada “We have our ability to do quoted on the record by Canadian to the Canadian system, and both what essentially is happening in media, it’s far short of the degree are “good idea[s] worth exploring.” Former press gallery president the United States, except that we to which Mr. Spicer or other “I found, when I was in Wash- After watching Manon Cornellier, a veteran Hill often don’t get a chance to holler White House staffers (Kellyanne ington, that once you’re in the White House press reporter for Le Devoir, said no at the prime minister, but we get Conway, for example) speak on White House, in the executive one raised the idea of daily press the cabinet ministers, all the MPs behalf of the president, including branch, people come through there secretary Sean briefi ngs with Prime Minister’s on all sides, if we want to yell on camera. and you bump into some of the Offi ce staff with her in the last and scream [questions], we get a “If you did implement a system players and have conversations Spicer’s daily two years. Instead, she said she chance to do that,” he said. like this, you do need an effective with them. … Because [White would like to see increased avail- Instead, Mr. Akin said one communications director, some- House reporters are] situated in briefi ngs unfold, abilities with the prime minister— change he would fi nd useful body who can handle themselves there, they have that kind of im- reporters question for example, a weekly scrum after would be allowing ministerial on their feet, who looks presentable proved access to signifi cant players Wednesday caucus meetings. communications staff to take on television, who’s quick-minded in the White House,” he said. how useful an “I think that would be a lot questions on the record from me- and who knows the fi les. It’s a very Since stepping into the role more useful for us than to have a dia as part of technical briefi ngs, diffi cult job,” said Mr. Martin. earlier this year, Mr. Spicer’s daily exercise it would be. briefi ng by the PMO, who spins following the limited availabilities In addition to the more infor- press briefi ngs have garnered their message,” said Ms. Cornellier. with the ministers themselves. mal, off-camera press “gaggles” much attention both across the David Akin, a senior political But Globe and Mail political that occasionally take place in U.S. and outside it. His fi rst round BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT reporter for The National Post, columnist Lawrence Martin said the U.S., members of the White with the press was on Jan. 21, recalled the idea of instituting he thinks of the idea of creat- House press corps are able to during which he criticized “some ARLIAMENT HILL—White regular U.S.-style press briefi ngs ing daily PMO press briefi ngs in take part in daily, televised White members of the media” for being PHouse press secretary Sean with the PMO came up in casual Canada is a good one. House press briefi ngs with the “engaged in deliberately false Spicer’s daily press briefi ngs may conversation “from time to time “It seemed to me a pretty effi - president’s press secretary, Mr. reporting,” including with regard capture global attention, includ- here within the gallery” under cient way and a good way for the Spicer. They don’t actually always to Inauguration Day crowd sizes. ing Saturday Night Live’s, but the previous Harper government, government to communicate its happen every single day, but In one memorable exchange on many parliamentary press gallery though he didn’t recall any formal message and a good way for the rather most days, and they’ve Jan. 31—made even more so after reporters say they don’t see a request being made. media to increase media access. been televised since the Clinton being depicted in a parody by Me- need for similar daily PMO brief- “The notorious and infamous This government, in terms of ac- administration. lissa McCarthy on Saturday Night ings here on Parliament Hill. very cool relationship that hap- cessibility, is a big improvement The daily briefi ng takes place in Live—after Mr. Spicer said the Parliamentary press gallery pened had some of us saying, on the last one but they could the James S. Brady press briefi ng president’s plans to block travel by president Tonda MacCharles, ‘Well, could we get a D. Comms or make it even better if they move room, which was created in 1969 individuals from seven countries a veteran Hill reporter for The whoever, press secretary, to give to a system like that,” said Mr. and sits between the offi ce of the wasn’t a travel ban, he was pressed Toronto Star, said the idea of us some sort of regular briefi ng Martin. press secretary and working space again on the characterization. creating U.S.-style daily press about what’s up,’” said Mr. Akin. It’s an idea he fi rst put forward for the White House press corps in “You’re saying it’s not a ban. briefi ngs in Canada hasn’t been Mr. Akin said for a time back in 2002, inspired by his own the White House’s West Wing. Its This was President Trump’s tweet raised with her, aside from be- under Kory Teneycke’s tenure fi rst-hand experience with the establishment was seen as an effort yesterday: ‘If the ban were an- ing asked by The Hill Times. as communications director to American practice while serving as to provide more casual communi- nounced with a one-week notice, While she said she hasn’t yet prime minister Stephen Harper, The Globe and Mail’s Washington, cation with the White House press the ‘bad’ would rush into our given the idea much thought, she Mr. Teneycke would hold “semi- D.C., bureau chief from 1978-81. corps and as acknowledging the country during that week.’ So he questioned the usefulness of the regular” briefi ngs with media on Last week, Mr. Martin announced press’ integral role. says it’s a ban,” said the reporter. exercise “because then it becomes a background basis, meaning he he would be returning to Washing- The small theatre contains 49 Mr. Spicer responded by say- the focus itself.” couldn’t be quoted, but could be ton for the Globe later this spring seats assigned to various news ing that, “He’s using the words “It becomes like the Sean asked again about information to cover U.S. President Donald outlets, with the major outlets that the media is using,” later add- Spicer show, it becomes kind raised later for on the record Trump’s presidency. He said hopes in the front row, and often many ing, “It can’t be a ban if you’re let- of a focus, but who’s to say comment. While Mr. Akin said to be at Mr. Spicer’s daily briefi ng reporters are also seen standing ting a million people in. If 325,000 that you’re necessarily getting he found the practice helpful, not with the White House press corps around the room. The briefi ng people from another country can’t anything but spin at something everyone did—namely TV corre- “quite a bit,” noting it’s a “lively ses- typically starts with a statement come in, that is by nature not a like that?” she said. “I think one spondents—and it fi zzled out. sion these days.” from the press secretary, often ban—it is extreme vetting.” of the things that this gallery In the roughly year-and-a- “The idea of having a guaran- highlighting upcoming business In general, Mr. Spicer’s handling learned through the Harper half since the Trudeau govern- teed access to a signifi cant player and events involving the presi- of the briefi ngs has been a point of years was there’s also a lot to be ment came to power, Mr. Akin in the government on a daily dent, before opening up to ques- focus among the White House press said about good, hard digging, said he hasn’t heard the idea basis, as opposed to having to tions on the fl oor. corps for “upending some of the using access to information laws resurface, noting that Prime chase them down or to wait hours The White House press corps longstanding traditions surrounding to get information and to dig Minister Justin Trudeau (Papine- for them to get back or never get- have had a workspace in the the nearly daily press conference,” behind the so-called spin.” au, Que.) makes himself “a little ting back to you at all,” would be West Wing, which also includes as described in a February piece in Ms. MacCharles added that bit more available” to media in helpful for both sides—media and the Oval Offi ce, since it was built The New York Times. unlike the U.S., under Canada’s Ottawa and across the country government, said Mr. Martin. in 1902. The Cabinet Room, the Mr. Spicer has brought in TVs parliamentary system, there’s and there are increased opportu- “It’s a way of the government offi ce of the vice-president, the to take questions via Skype from a daily Question Period and nities to scrum cabinet ministers providing a coherent message, offi ce of the chief of staff, and of- reporters across the country, has journalists often have a chance on a weekly basis. right, because they have all the fi ces for press staff are all also in ended the reportedly decades- to follow up and question cabinet Since taking power in No- reporters in the room, as opposed the West Wing, as is the situation long tradition of giving the ministers and MPs in the foyer vember 2015, the Liberals have to answering individual queries room on the basement level. fi rst question to the Associated outside the House Chamber after- resumed the practice that ended all day where you could get your Along with a daily press brief- Press, and often calls on non- ward. While she said she wasn’t under the previous government of message mixed up by the different ing from communications staff mainstream media before calling sure it “would be all that helpful,” announcing when cabinet meet- tone of your responses,” he said. in the PMO, Mr. Martin said he on some of the major, traditional she added, “I’m not going to be ings were taking place in Centre While the prime minister’s also thinks creating a workspace news outlets. the one to say, ‘Oh we don’t need Block, though there’s been some communications director or for reporters within the Langevin [email protected] to talk to government offi cials.’ ” disagreement between journalists press secretaries are occasionally Block would be an “improvement” The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 21 News ‘This is a big deal for us,’ talks continue over plans for Hill media security screening

New press gallery Along with Ms. MacCharles, the current gallery executive includes: president Tonda Radio-Canada’s Philippe-Vincent Foisy as vice-president; CBC’s Parliamentary Press Gallery president Tonda MacCharles, left, a reporter with The Toronto Star, says she was motivated MacCharles Elizabeth Thompson as treasurer; to take on the job in light of the House of Commons’ plans to introduce a security-screening process for new reporters and Huffi ngton Post Quebec’s on the Hill, which has raised concerns among gallery members. The Hill Times photographs by Jake Wright says part of her Catherine Lévesque as secre- motivation to take tary. The directors are freelancer an option to appeal that could in the process of reaching out to and Mr. Blaikie said concerns Gerhard Braune, iPolitics’ Amanda ultimately be up to the House of the various party caucuses to fi nd have been expressed through the on the job was to Connolly, Le Devoir’s Manon Commons Speaker. out what MPs think of the plan. union about the plan based on fi rst Cornellier (past-president), The Ca- At the Feb. 24 AGM, press gal- While she said “there’s no ques- impressions from discussions with tackle the challenge nadian Press’ Kristy Kirkup, CBC’s lery members voted to oppose the tion” the decision is ultimately up to House offi cials and what’s been Chris Rands, and The Globe and plan in principle, and to have the the House, “by the same token, let’s reported in media. of the proposed Mail’s Michelle Zilio. gallery executive take concerns not kid ourselves: as journalists, we “We’re concerned that these The gallery fi rst received notice raised to security and House have every right to be there.” kinds of processes aren’t more in- security screening of the House’s plans to introduce offi cials. Those concerns include “We have had a presence in trusive than they need to be. The for reporters. a new security-screening process questions over why the new that building, unimpeded access idea of fi ngerprinting and all that, for journalists to access Parliament process is seen as needed, why to that building, since Confedera- at fi rst glance, raises red fl ags Hill last summer. A briefi ng on the fi ngerprinting is included, who tion. Actually, there’s been a press for us in terms of the appropriate BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT plan—which originally involved would have access to information gallery since before Confedera- freedoms for the people who are the Canadian Security Intelligence gathered in background checks, tion,” said Ms. MacCharles. “There working on the Hill,” he said. alks are ongoing between the Service (CSIS)—with House and and possible grounds for denying has never been any evidence of “I think people’s fi rst impres- TParliamentary Press Gallery security offi cials took place in No- a journalist parliamentary access. any threat posed by a journal- sion is that security on the Hill and House of Commons offi cials vember and led to talks to amend A similar process is set to be ist in the House of Commons in has been working relatively well and concerns remain over a pro- and clarify the process. introduced for MPs’ staff, interns, Canada, so we feel that this is not and so people are concerned to posed security-screening process A revised version of the plan and volunteers to get access on a measure that’s been justifi ed.” know, if there are changes being for new reporters. was presented to press gallery the Hill, and both were prompted proposed, what the rationale for “We’re still in a fact-fi nding members at the gallery’s an- by a security audit of the House those changes would be.” and a discussion stage,” said nual general meeting on Feb. 24 of Commons prompted by the Conservative caucus Chair Tonda MacCharles, the new at the National Press Theatre in Oct. 22, 2014 shooting. The House David Sweet (Flamborough-Glan- president of the Parliamentary Ottawa. In its latest iteration, the of Commons Board of Internal brook, Ont.) was not available for Press Gallery and a Toronto Star process would involve a criminal Economy is ultimately respon- an interview last week. reporter. background check by the House sible for approving these plans. Ms. MacCharles said the “This is a big deal for us,” she of Commons Corporate Security The House is looking to imple- proposed new screening process said. “We are very concerned that Offi ce (CSO), working with the ment these processes by the end was part of what motivated her bit-by-bit access is overly con- RCMP, and a digital fi ngerprinting of spring. to want to serve as press gallery trolled and overly rigid. You can check against criminal databases Currently, there is no security- president. have the illusion of security on for new gallery members. The screening process required for “I though that was something Parliament. You can think you’ve RCMP would toss out information either press gallery members or that I could tackle on behalf of screened people for a criminal gathered after 120 days. Current MPs’ staff, interns, or volunteers. press gallery members because record. Does that make you safer? press gallery members would not However, the House administra- I’ve been a member of the gallery I think that this is really a big be subject to this screening, and tion staff, ministerial staff, and for more than 18 years. … I have project for the gallery this year.” would be ‘grandfathered’ in. federal public servants are all Liberal caucus chair Francis covered the RCMP and security subject to security screenings. Scarpaleggia. The Hill Times Photograph issues for a long time,” she said, Members of the “We don’t know what they by Jake Wright adding another factor was that Parliamentary would view as the bar for access, her kids are “a little older now.” Protective Service in other words, what kind of Liberal MP Francis Scarpaleg- While the majority of her focus guard the front doors criminal record in their eyes will gia (Lac-Saint-Louis, Que.), chair as president so far has been on to Centre Block. An mean that somehow a journalist of the national Liberal caucus, said the proposed security screening, access pass is required shouldn’t be allowed in Parlia- he’s been in touch with the House Ms. MacCharles said she has had to enter Parliament ment to do their job,” said Ms. Sergeant-at-Arms about plans for a a chance to have a meeting with through these doors, MacCharles, questioning, for new security-screening process for the prime minister’s director of and new security example, whether a pot posses- MPs’ staff, but said he doesn’t yet communications, Kate Purchase, screening processes sion charge as a minor would have many details and hasn’t seen and has already raised concerns are in the works for count or someone with a history a draft plan. He said he under- over the PMO making “unilateral reporters and MP staff of activism who’s been charged stands it will involve criminal back- decisions that only certain media to get them. The Hill with mischief. ground checks and fi ngerprinting, will be allowed to follow the prime Times Photograph by Jake “We’re told that the proposal and he hasn’t heard any feedback minister,” as happened during the Wright would have the RCMP delete the from caucus so far. PM’s recent cross-country tour. The information after 120 days. Okay, “It sounds like it will be a very Canadian Press had been arranged what happens to that information rudimentary process, and it’s logi- to take part, but other media Ms. MacCharles added: “We’re While it would still be up to in the interim and who has access cal,” he said. struggled to fi nd out the PM’s daily trying to determine what are the the press gallery to grant mem- to it?” she said. “We still have a NDP MP Daniel Blaikie itinerary early on. practices in other legislatures, bership to individuals, it’s up number of outstanding questions (Elmwood-Transcona, Man.), chair Another issue Ms. MacCharles and to what extent this is a pro- to the House to grant passes to to resolve.” of the NDP caucus, said he’s in the said she’d like to tackle is estab- posal that is either well underway allow access to the Parliament Ms. MacCharles said the gallery process of “learning more about lishing rules around sharing pool and already fi xed, or is it some- Buildings. The CSO would decide executive has been in contact via the details” of the proposed plan space on trips abroad. thing where there is still a bit of whether or not to grant a pass email with House offi cials “every and that he has not yet seen a draft [email protected] negotiating room.” based on the screening, with other day” on the matter, and is also of it. NDP staffers are unionized, The Hill Times 22 MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 | THE HILL TIMES Opinion Opposition parties say fi libuster a protest against Liberals’ ‘political thuggery’

Opposition MPs spent March outside of its regularly scheduled ‘It’s so important 21-24 in Centre Block meeting committee sitting hours in order that you’ve got rooms fi libustering, fi rst in the to complete the study on a wide basement, and then moved to the range of potential House reforms. the NDP and the Reading Room so the proceedings It also proposes that the study be could be televised. The standoff is completed by June 2, ahead of Conservatives arm set to continue following the con- the House’s scheduled summer stituency week on Monday, April 3. break on June 23. in arm, singing The Conservative and NDP Opposition MPs have alleged Kumbaya, and members of the Procedure and that Mr. Simms’ motion was not House Affairs Committee began done on his own volition, but nothing right now their procedural manoeuvring rather on the direction of Prime shortly after the March 21 regularly Minister Justin Trudeau’s (Pap- is going to phase scheduled meeting got underway ineau, Que.) offi ce, a charge that when it became apparent the Liberal Mr. Simms denies. us from continuing majority on the committee wanted “I guess when you spend 13 to vote that day on the motion call- years [as an MP], 10 of which are this fi ght,’ says ing for the committee to complete a in opposition, now you’re back in the NDP’s David study and issue recommendations government, I don’t get too angry on possible changes to the Standing about antics. These are antics,” Mr. Christopherson. Orders by June 2. Simms said. The opposition wanted to wait Mr. Simms is one of the editors until the March 23 meeting to vote of a book of essays coming out in Continued from page 1 so they’d have time to consult their May, Turning Parliament Inside Conservative MPs Garnett Genuis, left, and Scott Reid at the Procedure and caucuses on it. It quickly became Out, for which he wrote and House Affairs Committee fi libuster on March 22, 2017. The Hill Times photograph “Nothing is more important to about the opposition wanting edited alongside Conservative by Andrew Meade us right now than stopping the gov- to show the government that it MP Michael Chong (Wellington- ernment from unilaterally chang- wasn’t going to back down on its Halton Hills, Ont.) and NDP ing how we do democracy here request, and they proposed a sub- MP Kennedy Stewart (Burnaby a media availability in the House in Parliament. … It’s so important amendment to the motion that no South, B.C.) on the urgent need Foyer in which she doubled down Government ‘blinking’ by that you’ve got the NDP and the changes would be reported back by for Parliamentary reform and on her position and attempted to suspending to April 3 Conservatives arm in arm, singing the committee that did not have the possible suggestions that could offer explanations to what she Mr. Bagnell told The Hill Kumbaya, and nothing right now is backing of all parties. actually see it done. In it, he says called “misconceptions” in what Times it was ultimately his decision going to phase us from continuing The March 21 meeting was sup- his focus is more on empowering she’s proposing, and placed the to make as to when the commit- this fi ght,” he said. posed to end at 1 p.m., and opposi- provincial backbenchers to have blame for the fi libuster on the op- tee would suspend until, and after As soon as the opposition de- tion MPs tried to adjourn in an ef- a voice in Ottawa, but says his position’s skewed view of what’s taking the temperature of some cided a fi libuster might be needed, fort to push the vote on the motion reason for taking on this motion on the table. Conservative and Liberal members Conservative and NDP staff began to two days later. But the Liberal is the same as why he contributed “This was not a recipe to say on the committee, decided that was preparing notes for MPs to speak to, MPs—led by Deputy Government to the book. this is exactly what we will do and the schedule desired. and worked jointly on a speaking list House leader Arnold Chan (Scar- He said in the process of writ- this is how we’ll do it. I believe we In committee on Friday morn- that would have enough members borough-Agincourt, Ont.)—refused ing, he had “several” conversa- can improve upon the ideas that we ing, Mr. Christopherson called it to run through the weekend and to grant the unanimous consent tions with Ms. Chagger, which campaigned on, hence that’s why the government “blinking” by let- beyond. The delay in letting Finance needed to adjourn the meeting, he said evolved in to him going I want to have the conversation,” ting the reprieve of a week come. Minister Bill Morneau (Toronto and so, with some breaks for votes, over the discussion paper before Ms. Chagger said. “I do believe this “We are seeing public pressure Centre, Ont.) table the federal budget pizza, Question Periods, and a few it was released, and indicating he place needs to be modernized. The mount on the executive to end on March 22 was also a coordinated hours of sleep, the fi libuster contin- wanted to be put on the commit- more hours I sit in the House, the this,” said Conservative MP Tom effort, said Mr. Christopherson, who ued up until Friday at 11 a.m., with tee to further the Standing Order more I believe that we do need to Kmiec (Calgary Shephard, Alta.), said meetings happened “all through plans to return. conversation. do things better.” who despite not being a regular the morning” to plan how they’d be “They have a right to fi libuster. Mr. Simms’ appointment to But her plea was unconvincing member of the committee, held able to bring national attention to I would never want to take their the committee was fairly recent. to opposition, as both Conservative the fl oor for one of the longest the “insider baseball” fi ght. right to fi libuster away, never. He said being on the committee House leader Candice Bergen (Por- amounts of time during the fi li- Conservative MP Scott Reid And so I gleefully walk in this wasn’t solely about the discussion tage-Lisgar, Man.) and NDP House buster—about nine hours. (Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston, room at one o’clock in the morn- paper, but more about being con- leader Murray Rankin (Victoria, His colleague, Conservative Ont.) said that while public opin- ing, knowing that democracy is nected to his interest in the issue. B.C.) said this attempt to change MP Blake Richards (Banff-Aird- ion doesn’t support the opposition being preserved,” said Liberal MP House rules is unprecedented. rie, Alta.), a member of the com- using these procedural tactics all Scott Simms (Coast of Bays-Cen- ‘The government “The government has again mittee, told The Hill Times that the time, this occasion could be tral-Notre Dame, N.L.), a member has again absolutely absolutely mishandled this,” Ms. Conservative MPs have been a chance to “rally public opinion of the House Affairs Commit- Bergen told reporters following getting “hundreds, thousands of behind something that we think tee, and the one who introduced mishandled this’ Ms. Chagger’s time at the micro- emails from Canadians that are might be of importance, if the the controversial motion. Up until the end of last week, phone, calling her counterpart’s saying ‘this is not acceptable.’ ” public has a chance to look at it.” The motion proposing the study members of the opposition took response to the bubbling issue a Mr. Reid said, “My guess is this He said: “We can’t win this if the is strongly aligned in its wording turns holding the fl oor by going “word salad.” She pledged that is the government’s chance to sit government is able—after people with the March 10 discussion paper over previous parliamentary stud- until the all-party agreement was down and fi gure out and rethink” had a chance to look at it—to show from Government House Leader ies of the Standing Orders and part of the study going forward, what he called a “hasty and ill- that the population supports it. But Bardish Chagger (Waterloo, Ont.) the much longer timelines they the opposition has plans to use thought out initiative.” if it turns out that the public doesn’t on potential reforms to the way the had to complete them, compared “every tool” at their disposal. The opposition say they have support it, then the government has House operates, including intro- to the time frame proposed by Mr. Rankin told The Hill enough speaking material to to back down. There’s lots of ex- ducing electronic voting, removing this motion. They also discussed Times:“And [the Liberals] haven’t fi libuster until the end of the sit- amples of this, most recently being Friday sittings, and changes to how reasons for opposing the changes even got the majority. … They ting and delay a vote that can’t be the electoral reform issue.” opposition days and private mem- as proposed, and took the oppor- have 39.5 per cent, only, of people called as long as there are speak- The opposition chose to dig bers’ bills are handled. As well, tunity to highlight previously bro- who voted for them. They act as ers on the roster. They say this in its heels now against a motion it suggested limiting the amount ken promises or contradictions of though they have 100 per cent of would force the government to proposing a study on the Stand- of time members can speak at the Liberal government’s word on the power. … That is something either compromise or vote in sup- ing Orders, as opposed to later in committee in an effort to prevent things like electoral reform and that Stephen Harper never once port of the opposition’s require- the process, because they worried fi libustering. the independence of committees. in 10 years tried to do.” ment for all-party consent. it might be too late to make a dif- “If we lose this fi libuster, we Other MPs arrived to step in Mr. Rankin was planning on If the opposition is unable or ference later on, and their efforts may be seeing the last fi libuster and take their shift at the com- staying in Ottawa over the week- declines to hold the fi libuster, the could be reduced to a dissenting in Canadian history, and none of mittee, which for the Liberal end to sub in at committee if the Liberals on committee can push report fi led against the Liberal us want to be authors of that,” Mr. members essentially consisted of proceedings ended up going over forward and report recommenda- majority on committee. Christopherson said. sitting there and saying noth- the weekend and into the break tions for rule changes that the gov- Mr. Christopherson said past ing as the opposition continued week, as was anticipated up until ernment can then move in motions studies of the Standing Orders Simms lobbied for a seat on their knocks on the government’s late Thursday evening when com- in the House for all MPs to vote acknowledged that less was able to behaviour. mittee Chair Larry Bagnell (Yu- on, and potentially have the new get done when the need for all-party House Aff airs committee At what seemed like the apex kon) indicated he didn’t intend to rules in place for the fall sitting. support was upheld, but upholding Mr. Simms’ motion calls for of the tension, at about midday have everyone push through their [email protected] that process was more important. the committee to, if needed, meet on March 23, Ms. Chagger held off-time, House staff included. The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 23

Hill Climbers

by Laura Ryckewaert James Cudmore takes on policy director role in Defence Minister Sajjan’s offi ce

Prime Minister Justin Berman, special assistant for the Western regional affairs desk; and Megan Hope, Trudeau has also made some parliamentary assistant. A few new staffers were recently hired National Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, pictured speaking to media on the Hill, has made changes staff changes in the PMO. to work in the Prime Minister’s Offi ce to the roles of a few political staff in his ministerial offi ce. The Hill Times Photograph by Jake Wright (PMO), including Agriculture Minister ational Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan Lawrence MacAulay’s now former director Nrecently promoted a number of staff in of policy, Maxime Dea. his ministerial offi ce, including bumping Mr. Dea is now a policy adviser in the senior policy adviser James Cudmore up to PMO and is working on the agriculture, the role of director of policy in his offi ce. democratic reform, national revenue and Mr. Cudmore, a former CBC senior Canadian heritage fi les. Also currently work- parliamentary reporter who covered ing as policy advisers in the Langevin Block defence policy and foreign affairs for the are Zoë Caron, Rachel Doran, Tyler Mer- broadcaster, was fi rst hired to work in Mr. edith, Christina Rettig, and Patrick Travers. Sajjan’s offi ce in January 2016. Michael McNair is director of policy while Since forming his political staff team, Mr. Justin To is a policy adviser and deputy di- Sajjan has been without a director of policy, rector of the unit, which also includes special but departmental aide Jennifer Foster has assistants Emmaline English, Sarah Hus- been acting as an interim policy director. saini, Tim Krupa and Julie Savard-Shaw. Isabelle Daoust and Scott Savage con- A former policy adviser with Canada’s tinue to serve as senior policy advisers to the permanent mission to the United Nations minister, while John Ma is a policy adviser. in New York City, Mr. Dea began working Mr. Sajjan’s director of communica- for the Liberal government in late 2015 as tions, Renée Filiatrault, has also taken on a chief of staff to then Democratic Institu- new title and is now also fi lling the role of tions minister Maryam Monsef. He exited deputy chief of staff to the minister. Brian the role a couple of months later and was Bohunicky is Mr. Sajjan’s chief of staff. hired to oversee policy in Mr. MacAulay’s Ms. Filiatrault has been in charge of ministerial offi ce. He has a background in communications for the defence minister law, and has worked in the Foreign Affairs since the very beginning in November and International Trade department’s trade 2015. Before that, she had most recently law offi ce and is also a former law clerk to been teaching communications at Algon- Justice Marie Deschamps at the Supreme quin College but was a former staffer Court of Canada. under the previous Liberal government, With Mr. Dea now at PMO, Mr. MacAu- including serving as communications lay is currently without a director of policy, director to then defence minister Bill Gra- though Abed Harb, Alison Porter and San- ham and as an aide to Art Eggleton when geeta Lalli remain as policy advisers, along he was defence minister before that. with legislative assistant and policy adviser James Cudmore, left, pictured with CBC’s Murray Brewster, and Renée Filiatrault. The Hill Times Her previous stint on the Hill start- Wallace McLean. Photograph by Jake Wright ed in the late 1990s when she was hired John Sinfi eld has also recently joined as an aide to then Liberal MP Diane the PMO as a special assistant, and Duner- tary affairs Diana Mendes taking on the Brushett, after working as a constituency ci Caceres is now an executive assistant in Staff changes for ministers role of director of parliamentary affairs assistant to then Ottawa Centre Liberal the senior advisers unit. and issues management. MP Richard Patten. Mathieu Bouchard is now the only PMO Sohi and Duncan Ms. Mendes started off as a parlia- Among other past roles, she also senior adviser, with Cyrus Reporter and mentary assistant to Ms. Duncan in her worked for then minister of state for Roland Paris now gone from the offi ce. Infrastructure and Communities Min- capacity as the Liberal MP for Etobicoke families and caregivers Tony Ianno, and Chris MacMillan is also an executive as- ister Amarjeet Sohi has a new assistant North, Ont. back in 2012, and joined her as press secretary to then Indian affairs sistant in the unit, while Philip Proulx and working away in his ministerial offi ce. new ministerial offi ce not long after Ms. minister Bob Nault (who’s also now back Natalie St-Denis as special assistants. Caitlin Szymberski started on the job as Duncan was named to cabinet. She’s on the Hill as the Liberal MP for Kenora, The PMO’s advance team, which works assistant to the minister’s parliamentary previously also been an aide to Liberal MP Ont.). Ms. Filiatrault has also previously to plan events and trips involving Prime secretary, Liberal MP Marc Miller, earlier Francis Scarpaleggia, who represents Lac- spent time in Kandahar, Afghanistan as a Minister Justin Trudeau, is down by one this month. Saint-Louis, Que., and has done communi- foreign service offi cer and is a former head member following the departure of ad- A former lawyer with international law cations work for the Canadian Federation of media at the British High Commission. vance Cassandra Almeida. fi rm Clyde & Co. LLP, Ms. Szymberski of Apartment Associations in Ottawa, In more belated news, Matt Luloff, who A former special assistant for tours in studied law at McGill University and was according to her LinkedIn profi le. was previously assistant to the defence Ontario Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne’s a summer law student at Montreal-based She studied journalism at Carleton Uni- minister’s parliamentary secretary, is now a offi ce, Ms. Almeida joined the PMO back in fi rm Kugler Kandestin LLP, which special- versity and a master’s degree in the history special assistant for issues management in early 2016. She offi cially moved to post- izes in litigation, insolvency and bankrupt- of international relations at the London the offi ce. A former lobby co-ordinator in the employment status as of March 10. cy cases, where she later articled and then School of Economics and Political Science. Liberal Whip’s Offi ce, Mr. Luloff fi rst joined Former parliamentary press gallery worked as a lawyer. As reported by Hill Climbers, Ms. the defence minister’s team in early 2016. chief Terry Guillon is lead media advance, Mr. Miller, who represents the Montreal- Duncan recently hired Anne Dawson as Also working as political aides in the with Julie Tatone is a media advance and area riding of Ville-Marie-Le Sud-Ouest-Île- her new chief of staff. Other senior aides to offi ce are: Louis Landry, director of par- technical adviser. Susan Menchini, Adam des-Soeurs, Que., was named parliamen- the minister include: John Burnett, director liamentary affairs; Jordan Owens, press Grech and Alexandra Bernier are also tary secretary to the infrastructure minister of policy; and Michael Bhardwaj, director secretary; Christine Roussel, senior special currently working as PMO advances. on Jan. 28, amid a slate of other parliamen- of communications. Director of operations assistant; Manjeet Vinning, special assis- Director of operations John Zerucelli is tary secretary changes. John Broadhead is and issues management Chris Ethier, who tant; Elyse Banham, special assistant for overall in charge of overseeing advance chief of staff to Mr. Sohi. had previously been acting as chief of staff, the Ontario regional affairs desk; Anthony work in the PMO. Meanwhile, Science Minister Kirsty is now on paternity leave. Di Carlo, special assistant for the Quebec Katie Telford is PMO chief of staff and Duncan has promoted one of her political [email protected] and Atlantic regional affairs desks; Ben Gerald Butts is principal secretary. aides, with special assistant for parliamen- The Hill Times 24 THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 CLASSIFIEDS Information and Advertisement Placement: 613-232-5952 • classifi [email protected]

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No credit Visit https://www.facebook.com/ check - same day deposit Toll profile.php. id=100015438693745 Free number 1-855-527-4368 Call 613-236-4352 Open 7 days from 8am to 8pm THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY MARCH 27, 2017 25 Budget Night Shindig at the Métropolitain Party Central The Hill Times photographs by Shruti Shekar by Shruti Shekar Posh versus popcorn: unwinding at two post-budget parties The crowd at Métropolitain chowing down on grilled cheese, shrimp and poutine.

Aiello and Ally Foster, The Wire Re- Popcorn and grilled port’s Anja Karadeglija and Charelle Ev- elyn, and The Lobby Monitor’s Samantha Wright Allen were huddled together. Finance Department’s Budget Night cheese at the Met or I’m a huge fan of hors d’oeuvres, but the party didn’t have many options. Sprawled More Subdued Soirée at the Riviera divine hors d’oeuvres on two tables were plates of shrimp and mini grilled cheese sandwiches—an odd at Riviera were among combination. I stuck to the grilled cheese, which was pretty delicious. choices for those At one point, I noticed a waiter handing out little cups of poutine, but hungry guests looking to take the edge devoured them faster than I could grab one. In the corner of the room was a classic off from budget day in popcorn machine that was popping away. It was right next to the table of champagne Ottawa last week. fl utes fi lled with prosecco, which was free and a highlight. I bumped into Robert Asselin, the direc- fter spending the day in my fi rst media tor of policy for Finance Minister Bill Mor- Abudget lock-up, held this year’s at neau, looking relaxed and happy. Brian Ottawa’s Shaw Centre, I welcomed the Clow, director of Canada-U.S. relations at chance to unwind, drink, and laugh at two the Prime Minister’s Offi ce, was also there. Shot of the crowd at Riviera at the party hosted by Finance Canada. after-parties where I bumped into many I briefl y spoke to Kevin Ménard, com- people with the same goal in mind. munications adviser for the Canadian The evening started at one of political Nurses Association, and Joseph Mayer, Ottawa’s favourite watering holes, vice-president of patient and public en- the Métropolitain Brasserie, where the gagement at the Canadian Medical Asso- fi rst post-budget shindig took place. It ciation, about their opinions on the budget. was sponsored by Earnscliffe Strategy Both were pleased and said it had some Group, iPolitics, and the Canadian good health content. Chamber of Commerce, with the support of Kevin DesJardins, director of public the Chartered Professional Accountants of affairs at the Canadian Dental Associa- Canada. tion, and Normand Lafrenière, president of Themed “Policy, Prudence & Prosecco,” the Canadian Association of Mutual Insur- I can defi nitely say the prosecco was fl ow- ance Companies, were also on hand. ing for a packed party with guests coming Don’t laugh when you read in and out, fi lling the space with at least this, but I had a fan-girl moment 200 at any given time. John Ivison, Andrew when I saw CBC’s Rosemary Bar- Coyne, and Marie-Danielle Smith, all from ton and CTV’s Don Martin chatting away the National Post, were there. with guests. More of the party-goers unwinding at the Riviera shindig. I chatted with Ms. Smith about the I briefl y talked to iPolitics’ Kyle Dug- budget, who said it was one of her favou- gan about his time inside the lock-up; he rite days as a reporter, digging for details said he focused on health measures. Janice press secretary to Prime Minister Justin and making sense of Dickson and Beatrice Britneff, also from Trudeau. the politics and the iPolitics, were there as well. I chatted a bit with Vice’s Justin numbers. Rob LeForte of Impact Public Affairs Ling and saw the man of the hour, Finance The Hill told me the work hadn’t stopped for him as Minister Bill Morneau, all smiles before Times’ Rachel he had to leave the party to help out clients leaving the party. with their budget reactions and press The hors d’oeuvres at this party were releases. divine. Having been to the restaurant a I also saw Government Relations couple of times, the servers knew me and Institute of Canada president and Earn- brought me only the vegetarian option, scliffe lobbyist Patrick Kennedy, who was which were tiny caulifl ower pieces with a busy buzzing through the crowd. Tim savoury garnish and dressing, served on Powers, of Summa Strategies, came a bit Chinese soup spoons. later. Edmonton Mayor Don Ivison and I noticed Health Minister Jane Phil- Liberal MPs Julie Dzerowicz, Kyle Pe- pott casually chatting in one corner, and terson, James Maloney, and Don Rus- saw her press secretary, Andrew MacKen- nak were also among the crowd. drick, as well. I bumped into Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, As the night was nearing an end, I also parliamentary secretary to Trade Minis- saw Environment Minister Catherine McK- ter François-Philippe Champagne. We chat- enna sipping on a cocktail at the bar and ted a bit before I had to leave and sneak later chatted with Dunerci Caceres, who into the next party at about 9:30 p.m. was recently appointed as executive assis- Hosted by the Finance Department at tant in the senior advisers unit of the PMO. the new and trendy Riviera on Sparks Another budget day and evening in the Street, the tone was different—a classy books. I was pooped the next day at work. soirée that had about 70 people at any What do you all want to do next year? given time in attendance. I’m not sure if I Shruti Shekar is the editor of The Lobby was even allowed to go in, but I didn’t let Monitor, owned by Hill Times Publishing. Taking a selfi e with Robert Asselin, director of anyone kick me out, especially since Huff- [email protected] Celebrating the end of a long day. Follow me on policy for the fi nance minister. ington Post Canada’s Althia Raj was there, Snapchat: shrutishekar Snapchat (shrutishekar) for more. who I saw talking with Cameron Ahmad, The Hill Times 26 MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 | THE HILL TIMES

covering Parliament Hill for an English- Ms. Mitchell passed away on March language regional newspaper, will be re- 8, some say fi ttingly, on International placed at the Free Press with someone else Women’s Day. covering the Hill in a way geared toward Manitoba readers. Heard on the Hill Senior First Nations Former Liberal MP, bureaucrat headlines by Derek Abma Senator Rompkey dies upcoming Famous 5 event

Senators Bill Gina Wilson, the highest-ranking First Rompkey Nations woman in the federal public service, Rabson explains to and Pierrette is the featured “nation builder” at an upcom- Ringuette ing event in the Famous 5 Speaker Series. at a Liberal A promotion for the event on the Fa- convention mous 5 Ottawa website says Ms. Wilson in 2003. Mr. is a member of the Algonquin Nation in congratulators she Kitigan Zibi, Que. It says she “brings a Rompkey passed away last unique perspective on indigenous affairs and reconciliation at a time when Canada week. The Hill celebrates its 150th anniversary.” Times photograph already lives in Ottawa The event happens Wednesday, April by Jake Wright 5, at the Rideau Club at 99 Bank St. in Ot- tawa. Tickets are $25 each and can be pur- Mia One of whom was former NDP MP for chased online through famous5ottawa.ca. Rabson Ottawa Centre Paul Dewar, who tweeted Bill Rompkey, who spent almost 30 is moving at Ms. Rabson, “Welcome to Bytown Mia— years as Liberal MP and then Senator, died from the will make sure we get you @REDBLACKS last week at the age of 80. A CBC report Launch for multi-partisan Winnipeg & @ottawasenators jerseys #ottawa.” indicated he had been battling cancer. Free Press Ms. Rabson replied, “Thanks Paul. I’ve Mr. Rompkey was fi rst elected as the book about democratic to CP next been here since 2008 and already have the Liberal MP for Grand Falls-White Bay-Lab- month. RedBlacks jersey, but you won’t pry my rador, N.L., in 1972 and held that seat, and reform planned for June Photograph the rejigged riding of Labrador, N.L., until Jets away yet!” A launch event for a book edited by courtesy As well, Jantine Van Kregten, Ottawa Tour- being appointed to the Senate by prime of Mia minister Jean Chrétien in 1995. He served Liberal, Conservative, and NDP MPs, with ism’s communications director, tweeted at Ms. writings from others from different parties, Rabson’s Rabson, “Welcome to Ottawa! What a year to in the Senate until 2011. Twitter Among the key roles Mr. Rompkey had is happening June 1 in Toronto. make the move,” and included a link to infor- The book is Turning Parliament Inside mation about Ottawa 2017 celebrations. as a politician was as National Revenue minister from 1980 to 1982 in prime min- Out: Practical Ideas for Reforming Can- The outgoing Free Press reporter re- ada’s Parliament, edited by Conservative Continued from page 2 plied, “I’ve lived here since 2008 but it is a ister Pierre Trudeau’s government, and he was the deputy government leader in the leadership candidate Michael Chong, Lib- great year to be here!” eral MP Scott Simms, and New Democrat Mia Rabson has reported for the Win- Ms. Rabson tweeted that she’ll be Senate from 2004 to 2006. In recent years, his name came up in con- MP Kennedy Stewart, and published by nipeg Free Press for 17 years, and has done starting her new job with CP on April 10. Douglas & McIntyre. it from Ottawa for the last nine. She had Heather Scoffi eld, Ottawa bureau chief nection with controversies surrounding Sen- ate expenses, as he was fl agged in a report Others providing writings for this book to explain that to a few Twitter users last for CP, said Ms. Robson will be covering include NDP leadership candidate Niki week who were congratulating her on her politics, environment, and energy. from the auditor general, along with several other Senators, as having recouped expenses Ashton, fellow NDP MP Nathan Cullen, upcoming move to The Canadian Press’ It was reported by iPolitics that Ms. Conservative MP Michael Cooper, Green parliamentary bureau. Rabson, one of the few reporters still he was not eligible for. He was facing pos- sible legal action over $17,292 in expenses. Party Leader Elizabeth May, and Liberal MP Anita Vandenbeld. As well, there are forwards for the book Former British Columbia written by former NDP leader Ed Broad- bent, Reform Party founder Preston Man- NDP MP Mitchell passes ning, and former Liberal interim leader and NDP Ontario premier Bob Rae. away The launch event is happening at Ben McNally Books at 6 p.m. on June 1. The book becomes available on May 13. Globe columnist Martin heading to D.C.

Globe and Mail columnist Lawrence Martin is being reassigned from Ottawa to Washington, D.C., to cover Donald Trump’s presidency. It’ll be his second stint covering the U.S. capital after being there from 1978 to 1981. He told iPolitics that covering Washington is “very diffi cult for a Canadian journalist,” given the lack of access to some of that city’s major movers and shakers. On the other hand, he noted that “Trump provides so much fodder. He’s a journalist’s dream in many ways.” Samara report on Canadian democracy out next week

The late NDP MP Margaret Mitchell at a protest on Samara Canada will release its second Parliament Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Kate Malloy edition of Democracy 360 on Tuesday, March 28, a grading of how Canadians communi- Margaret Mitchell, an NDP MP between cate, participate, and lead in politics. 1979 and 1993, died earlier this month at The fi rst 360 report was released in the age of 91. March 2015, before that year’s federal elec- She represented the riding of Vancou- tion, and gave Canada a C overall, citing a ver East, B.C., during her political career, lack of participation in politics by Cana- bringing issues such as domestic abuse, dians and a lack of understanding among women’s issues, and minority rights to the people how politics affect them. forefront of parliamentary debate. If you agree or disagree with what they In her autobiography, No Laughing come out with next week, there’ll be a chance Matter, she wrote how a male-dominated to discuss this assessment with the folk at Sa- House of Commons laughed at her when mara the following week when they host a pub she tried to debate domestic abuse, but night at the FarmTeam Cookhouse and Cellar that this reaction helped set the stage for a at 208 Sparks St. in Ottawa on Monday, April 3. more open discussion on the subject across [email protected] the country. The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 27 Events Feature

and buffet lunch included. $150 for members, $25 Macdonald-Laurier Parliamentary students/retirees, $200 non-members. For more Institute’s Great information, visit cspg-gcep.ca, or contact the CSPG Debate—Should Secretariat at 613-995-2937 or [email protected]. Canadians be Calendar Nature Nocturne: Picture Perfect—Friday, March 31, 8 p.m. to midnight. The not-to-be missed event on ashamed of their every hill staffers’ social calendar, celebrate the Junos country’s history? at this month’s Nature Nocturnee. On the theme of Jack Granatstein Picture Perfect, the evening includes a mix of eclectic and Noah Richler activities, photo booths, selfi e stations and more, with will hash out that a bit of natural science mixed in. Plus, last chance to question as part experiences the Reptiles: Beautiful and Deadly, special of another Great exhibit and sneak preview of Ikebana, a fascinating dis- play of traditional Japanese fl ower arrangement. Tickets Canadian Debate, and information available at: www.nature.ca 7 p.m. March 28, at the Barney MONDAY, APRIL 3 Danson Theatre, Public Safety House Sitting—The House is sitting April 3-13. It Canadian War breaks April 14-28 and resumes sitting May 1-19. The Museum, 1 Vimy Senate sits until April 13 and is then off until May 1, Pl. in Ottawa. associate deputy at which point it will sit until May 19. Photograph courtesy of Five Byelections—There will be fi ve byelections held today in: Ottawa-Vanier, Ont.; St-Laurent, Que.; and the Macdonald Laurier minister Gina Markham-Thornhill, Ont.; Calgary Midnapore, Alta., and Institute Calgary Heritage. For more information, call the PMO Press Offi ce at 613-957-5555. will be in Ottawa to meet with Parliamentarians about TUESDAY, MAY 16 Wilson to speak Reporting The Refugee Crisis—A conversation with issues of importance to Canadians, such as access to some of Canada’s top journalists about their experienc- affordable prescription drugs, investing in Canada’s infra- Society of Composers, Authors, and Music Publishers es and challenges reporting on the refugee crisis. CBC’s structure and international trade. For more information, of Canada—The Society of Composers, Authors and Music at Famous 5 event Europe correspondent Margaret Evans; Globe and contact Susan Murray ([email protected]). Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) invites all parliamentar- Mail’s Mark MacKinnon; Foreign Policy and OpenCan- Michael Healey’s 1979—Canada’s Shaw Festival is ians and staff to come celebrate Canadian music talent April 5 at the ada contributor Michael Petrou; Toronto Star national set to co-produce a new production of 1979 by Michael at a reception on May 16th on Parliament Hill 5:30 pm security reporter Michelle Shephard; and freelance Healey with Ottawa’s Great Canadian Theatre Company. to 8:30 pm. The event will showcase music performances writer Naheed Mustafa will be talking at the Canadian The play takes us back to the eve of former prime from English and French top-chart artists. Rideau Club in War Museum, Barney Danson Theatre, 1 Vimy Place, minister Joe Clark’s minority government’s defeat in a WEDNESDAY, MAY 24 Ottawa, April 3, 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Reception to follow. non-confi dence motion. It’s a fast-paced satire incorpo- Bank of Canada Release—The bank is expected to WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5 rating political heavyweights and infl uencers of the era. Ottawa The production will rehearse at Shaw Festival, premiere make its latest interest rate announcement. 10 a.m. Liberal Caucus Meeting—The Liberals will meet in in Ottawa at GCTC and tour back to Shaw as part of SATURDAY, MAY 27 Room 237-C Centre Block on Parliament Hill. For more its 2017 season. The Ottawa component will run from information, please call Liberal Party media relations at April 11 to 30, 2017. Tickets for Ottawa’s production Conservative Party Leadership Convention—The MONDAY, MARCH 27 [email protected] or 613-627-2384. on sale: 613-236-5196 or gctc.ca. Conservatives will elect their next leader on May 27, House Not Sitting—The House is not sitting this Conservative Caucus Meeting—The Conservatives will WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12 2017. The party is urging Conservative Party members week, but it does sit again April 3-13. It breaks again meet for their national caucus meeting. For more informa- to buy memberships or renew them in order to vote. April 17-28 and then resumes sitting May 1-19. It tion, contact Cory Hann, director of communications, Con- Bank of Canada Release—The bank is expected to For more information, contact Cory Hann, director of breaks again May 21-26 and resumes sitting again May servative Party of Canada at [email protected]. make its latest interest rate announcement as well as communications, Conservative Party of Canada, at 29 and is then scheduled to sit every weekday until NDP Caucus Meeting—The NDP caucus will meet publish its quarterly Monetary Policy Report. 10 a.m. 613-697-5614. June 23, but it could adjourn earlier than scheduled if from 9:15 a.m.-11 a.m. in Room 112-N Centre Block, Former Parliamentarians—The Canadian Association WEDNESDAY, MAY 31 the House unanimously approves to do so. The House on Wednesday. Please call the NDP Media Centre at of Former Parliamentarians twelfth annual Douglas C. will break until Monday, Sept. 18. 613-222-2351 or [email protected]. Frith Dinner will take place on Wednesday, April 12, CANSEC 2017—This is an annual showcase of tech- Book Talk: The Vimy Trap—Join author Jamie Swift Bloc Québécois Caucus Meeting—The Bloc Québécois 2017 in the ballroom of the Fairmont Château Laurier nology, products, and services for land-based, naval, for a presentation on The Vimy Trap: Or, How We caucus will meet from 9:30 a.m. in the La Francophonie Hotel from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The guest speaker, the aerospace, and joint forces military units. Organizers Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Great War, Room (263-S) in Centre Bock, on Wednesday. For more in- Hon. Pierre S. Pettigrew, will speak about “The future say this two-day event is the largest and most important which he wrote with Ian McKay. Monday, March 27. formation, call press attaché Julie Groleau, 514-792-2529. of Globalization and Canada’s place in the emerging defence industry event in Canada. Until June 1. EY 5-7 p.m. Royal Oak, Canal branch, 221 Echo Dr. Famous 5 Speaker Series—Gina Wilson, Public World Order.” For additional information please call the Centre, 4899 Uplands Dr., Ottawa, Ont. defenceandse- Co-sponsored by the Group of 78, Rideau Institute, Safety Canada’s associate deputy minister, the most se- CAFP offi ce at 613-947-1690. curity.ca/CANSEC2016/cansec/Overview. Citizens for Public Justice, and Peace Quest. nior First Nations woman in the Government of Canada, THURSDAY, JUNE 1 will be celebrated as a nation builder. Wednesday, April SATURDAY, APRIL 22 TUESDAY, MARCH 28 5, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., the Rideau Club, 99 Bank St., Earth Day 2017 with David Suzuki, Ian Hanington and Le- A Collaborative Roadmap for Canadian Parliamentary Information Session for Veterans and Their Families— Ottawa. Tickets $25, plus GST. anne Betasamosake Simpson—Ottawa International Writers Reform—Turning Parliament Inside Out: Practical Ideas Veterans and their families are invited to hear more about The Harper Factor, Panel Discussion and Book Sign- Festival, Saturday, April 22, at 6:30 p.m., Christ Church for Reforming Canada’s Democracy, edited by Michael Veterans Affairs benefi ts and Veterans Review and Appeal ing—Co-editors Jennifer Ditchburn and Graham Fox will Cathedral, 414 Sparks St., 6:30 p.m. Tickets: general Chong, Scott Simms, and Kennedy Stewart, will launch Board hearings. Organized by 5P Legal Services. Tuesday, read from their book, The Harper Factor, on Wednes- $35; reduced $20; and free for members. their book at Ben McNally Books, 366 Bay St., on June 1 March 28, 1:30 p.m. Free. Unit 3, 158A McArthur Ave. day, April 5, at 7 p.m. in the MacOdrum Library at Car- TUESDAY, MAY 2 in Toronto. Author proceeds will go to Samara Canada. (Chateau Vanier), Ottawa. Free parking, accessible venue. leton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, as part WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7 For more info: 613-729-9983. of the Ottawa International Writers Festival. The panel Vision Forum—To celebrate the launch of Vision Ambassadors Speakers Series—This public lecture discussion will be hosted by professor Susan Harada, Health Month, come join us at our Vision Health Association of Professional Executives of the Public will feature Ambassador of Argentina Marcelo Suárez associate director of Carleton’s school of journalism. Forum for some light refreshments, interactive displays Service of Canada (APEX) 2017 Symposium: Celebrating Salvia. Tuesday, March 28, 5:30 p.m. Carleton Univer- She will be joined by panellists Derek Antoine, instruc- and mini vision expo The Canadian Association of Leadership, Innovation and Diversity 2017. APEX is the asso- sity campus, Senate Board Room, 6th fl oor, Robertson tor at Carleton’s school of journalism and Paul Wilson, Optometrists (CAO), the Canadian Council of the Blind ciation which represents the interests of the 6,400 federal Hall (room 608). A reception will follow in room 617. associate professor of Carleton’s political management. (CCB), the Foundation Fighting Blindness and the executive community across Canada. Its fl agship initiative Limited seating. RSVP by March 27 to: ambassador- THURSDAY, APRIL 6 Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) will be is an annual unique professional development, leadership argentina.eventbrite.com. hosting the Vision Forum. May 2 from 4 p.m.-8 p.m., and networking Symposium which is the single largest Ottawa International Writers Festival—Governor Bacon & Eggheads Breakfast—PAGSE presents a Room 256-S, Centre Block. For questions or to RSVP, gathering of executives from the federal public service. General David Johnston and Tom Jenkins will launch talk, ‘Building a Climate-smart World: How Develop- contact Laurence Therrien [email protected] or Jean-Francois Tremblay, deputy minister of Infrastructure their book, Ingenious: How Canadian Innovators Made ment Research Helps the Global Population Adapt to 613.241.6000, ext. 226 and Communities and Catherine Blewett, deputy minister the World Smarter, Smaller, Kinder, Safer, Healthier, Climate Change,’ with Robert Hofstede, International WEDNESDAY, MAY 10 of Department of Fisheries and Oceans are the 2017 Wealthier, and Happier, at the Library and Archives Development Research Centre. Thursday, April 6, Symposium co-chairs. The 2017 Symposium program is Canada, 395 Wellington St., on March 28 at 6 p.m. 7:30 a.m., Parliamentary Dining Room, Centre Block. Politics and the Pen—Politics and the Pen, the annual rich in content and includes presentations by thought lead- There will be a reception and an on-stage conversation No charge to MPs, Senators, and media. All others, fundraiser that brings together federal politicians, writers, ers across Canada on a variety of topics. Speakers include: with Catherine Clark. It’s free and part of the Ottawa $25. Pre-registration required by Monday, April 3, by diplomats, notable arts and business leaders to support Salim Ismail is a Waterloo Grad and is the global ambas- International Writers Festival. contacting Donna Boag, PAGSE [email protected] or the Writers’ Trust’s mandate to advance and celebrate sador at Singularity University, Zabeen Hirji is the Chief Macdonald-Laurier Institute’s Great Debate—Should call 613-991-6369. Canadian writers and writing will happen Wednesday, Human Resource Offi cer with the RBC and will participate Canadians be ashamed of their country’s history? Jack Investing in Canada: A Long-Term Infrastructure Plan May 10, at the Chateau Laurier Hotel. The evening will in a panel discussion on Diversity and Inclusiveness in Granatstein and Noah Richler will hash out that ques- to Build the Canada of the 21st Century—The Economic end with the $25,000 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize winner the workplace, Michele Maheux is the Chief Operating tion as part of another Great Canadian Debate, 7 p.m. Club of Canada presents Infrastructure Minister Amar- for the best political book of the year. Nominees: Kamal Offi cer from the Toronto International Film Festival who will March 28, at the Barney Danson Theatre, Canadian jeet Sohi. Thursday, April 6. 7:45 a.m.-9 a.m. Chateau Al-Solaylee for Brown: What Being Brown in the World participate in a panel session on what it takes to be a top War Museum, 1 Vimy Pl. in Ottawa. Laurier, 1 Rideau St., Ottawa. Breakfast will be served. Today Means (To Everyone); Christie Blatchford for Life employer in Canada. The Symposium invites participation from the public, private and academic sectors. June 7&8, THURSDAY, MARCH 30 Members $89 per seat; guests $110. economicclub.ca. Sentence: Stories from Four Decades of Court Reporting – Broadbent Institute Progress Summit—The Broad- Or, How I Fell Out of Love with the Canadian Justice Sys- Ottawa, Shaw Centre. For more information - http://www. Ikebana 2017: The Art of Japanese Floral Design— bent Institute will host its annual conference, with the tem (Especially Judges); Ian McKay and Jamie Swift for apex.gc.ca/en/services/symposia Ikebana International Ottawa Centennial Chapter 120 theme “Change the Game.” Speakers include journalist The Vimy Trap: Or, How We Learned to Stop Worrying and WEDNESDAY, JULY 12 will present its annual Ikebana Exhibition from March and activist Desmond Cole; Sandy Hudson, co-founder Love the Great War; James McLeod for Turmoil, as Usual: 30 to April 2 at the Canadian Museum of Nature, 240 of Black Lives Matter-Toronto; and more. April 5-7. Politics in Newfoundland and Labrador and the Road to Bank of Canada Release—The bank is expected to McLeod St., Ottawa. Entry to the exhibition included in Delta Ottawa City Centre, 101 Lyon St. N. For registra- the 2015 Election; and Noah Richler for The Candidate: make its latest interest rate announcement as well as regular museum admission. tion details, see: broadbentinstitute.ca/summit2017. Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail. publish its quarterly Monetary Policy Report. 10 a.m. FRIDAY, MARCH 31 SATURDAY, APRIL 8 MONDAY, MAY 15 WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 6 The Relationship Between Parliament and the Agents 2017 CFHS National Animal Welfare Conference—The Donner Prize—The award for the best public policy Bank of Canada Release—The bank is expected to of Parliament—Agents of Parliament are meant to be annual Canadian Federation of Humane Societies Na- book by Canadian will be announced in Toronto at the make its latest interest rate announcement. 10 a.m. independent from the government, but it is the govern- tional Animal Welfare Conference features speakers and Donner Prize’s Gala evening. The Donner Prize encourages The Parliamentary Calendar is a free events listing. ment that gives and sometimes diminishes their power, dozens of different animal welfare topics, helping to and celebrates excellence in public policy writing by Ca- Send in your political, cultural, diplomatic, or govern- their independence, and their funding. Some say that further professionalize the sector, build knowledge and nadians and the winner receives $50,000 while the other mental event in a paragraph with all the relevant details we have too many agents of Parliament, and others say set the agenda for Canada’s humane movement for the nominated authors receive $7,500. The shortlist will be under the subject line ‘Parliamentary Calendar’ to that we need more. This seminar will bring together year to come. April 8-11, 2017. The Westin Ottawa, 11 announced in April and the winner will be proclaimed at [email protected] by Wednesday at noon before the current and former agents of Parliament, parliamentar- Colonel By Dr. conference.cfhs.ca. a gala dinner in Toronto on Monday, May 15. Last year’s Monday paper or by Friday at noon for the Wednesday ians, and academics who will share their views on that TUESDAY, APRIL 11 winner was Donald Savoie’s What Is Government Good At? paper. We can’t guarantee inclusion of every event, but mysterious relationship between Parliament and agents A Canadian Answer. For more information, contact the we will defi nitely do our best. of Parliament. This half-day seminar is presented by Life and Health Insurance Industry Advocacy Day—CEOs Donner Prize manager Sherry Naylor at 416-368-8253 or [email protected] the Canadian Study of Parliament Group. Breakfast representing Canada’s life and health insurance industry [email protected] The Hill Times