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MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021$5.00 P E conditions based on important itbutwill happen Liberal source, accordinga to spring election, ‘it looks like’a board ofdirectors Liberals’ national Trudeau told News “it lookslike” thenextelection directors beforeChristmasthat the party’snational board of opinion polls, toldmembersof ing acomfortableleadinpublic Christmas breakhave nomargin News insiders MPs andpolitical holidays, say controversy over caughtin travel left for politicians margin oferror hit a nerve’: no to have seems ‘It BY ABBAS RANA BY ABBAS BY ABBAS RANA BY ABBAS Hill Climbers Ng. International Trade Minister Mary New year, new staff roster for Ng makes somestaffing changes p. 22 whose Liberals areenjoy - rime MinisterJustin Trudeau, travelled abroad duringthe lected politicianswho Continued onpage20 Continued onpage4 2 MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 | THE HILL TIMES

Years later on the Hill, she helped the implications of COVID on migrant found and lead the Independent Senators workers with Ontario NDP MPP Taras Group before joining the Canadian Sena- Natyshak. tors Group in 2019, noted Senate Speaker George Furey in a statement. Mr. Furey Poloz to talk shop in Jan. 13 Heard on the Hill called her a “respected member of the parliamentary community” who will be re- webinar membered as “a proud Albertan, an ardent Canada’s long-term prosperity, ever the by Palak Mangat defender of fairness, and a tireless cham- hot topic amid the far-reaching impacts of pion for the people she represented.” the pandemic, will be among the subjects Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a discussed by former Bank of Canada gov- statement that McCoy “championed human ernor Stephen Poloz this week. rights and environmental causes” during Joined by Maclean’s magazine’s writer Global News’ Akin gets her time in the Senate, while advocating Paul Wells, Mr. Poloz, who joined Western for “effective Senate modernization.” University’s Ivey Business School last sum- McCoy died on Dec. 29, 2020, at the age mer, will offer his thoughts on the nation’s good uptake in probing of 74. Though she faced health challenges current economic climate and policy priori- in recent years, the cause of death was not ties for the future. The webinar is being immediately shared. framed by the university as part of “revela- tions” coming out of the new year, with MPs’ and hopeful the duo set to “contemplate” the country’s Conservative MP “economic playbook.” McLeod’s Kamloops office The event will be live-streamed on Jan. politics’ travel plans, broken into, says she was called a 13, and starts at 4:30 p.m., running about an hour. Those interested can register and ‘Nazi-like collaborator’ because submit questions online. she supports COVID-19 vaccines CTV News’ McGregor Conservative MP Cathy McLeod, who Chen joins Hill Times represents Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, B.C., took to Twitter last week to share newsroom, Wright Allen new focuses on current 338 news of a recent break-in at her Kamloops deputy digital editor constituency office, which happened on The Hill Times has hired a new reporter. New Year’s Day, according to Castanet Alice Chen, who hails from the not-so- Kamloops. remote suburb of Richmond Hill, Ont., “It has been suggested I am a Nazi-like started on Jan. 4. collaborator because I believe COVID is serious and support vaccines. … Not a U.S.-scale polarization but we do have issues,” she tweeted on Jan. 6, adding that the Kamloops office had also been “rifled through.” Her tweet came the same day angry mobs storming the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., dominated much of the news cycle, as supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump disrupted the ceremonial Congressional certification of the 2020 Alice Chen, left, is a new reporter at The Hill Times, CTV News' Glen McGregor, left, and Global News' David Akin have been asking federal politicians presidential election results. At least one and reporter Samantha Wright Allen is now our new about their travel itineraries in recent days. Mr. Akin is expanding his data to include those hoping woman was fatally shot in the riots. deputy digital editor. Photographs courtesy Alice Chen to run in the next election, while Mr. McGregor shared a list of the current 338 MPs last week. Ms. McLeod said she understands that and The Hill Times file photograph by Jake Wright Photograph courtesy of Glen McGregor's Twitter, The Hill Times file photograph “people are feeling very upset about politi- cians travelling,” amid a growing list of Ms. Chen studied journalism in a joint arliament Hill’s Global News’ chief po- public officials who have been caught in degree program at the University of To- Plitical correspondent David Akin could Alberta Senator Elaine McCoy, recent days travelling abroad, either for ronto and Centennial College and gradu- be onto something. who cut ‘a stylish [swath] through pleasure or for personal reasons, during ated with a set of internships under her The veteran reporter said he was “kind COVID—all while public health offi- belt, spanning work at magazines, com- of thinking out loud” to his some 83,000 fol- Alberta political culture,’ dies cials continue to tell Canadians to avoid munity news, and communications at Pride lowers recently, when he tweeted that he’s Alberta Independent Senator Elaine non-essential travel to help curb growing Toronto. going to be asking all election candidates McCoy, who served four decades in public COVID cases. She said she entered the field of jour- when they last left the country and under office, died last month. Appointed to the “They say, ‘You’re not looking at things nalism with “a strong desire to help people what circumstances since the pandemic Upper Chamber by then-prime minister independently.’ Certainly in the last week through coverage of important issues.” Ms. started last March. Paul Martin in 2005, McCoy was remem- or so, there’s been a really awful tone to a Chen will be covering the federal political Tracking social media, columns, watch- bered as an “icon of Alberta politics.” lot of the engagement,” said Ms. McLeod. parties, political fundraising, federal elec- ing political fallout, and having recent The MP, who has served since 2008, said tions laws, the House Affairs Committee, chats with those involved in campaigns, Late the people who broke into her riding office Hill life and people, LGBTQ issues, and Mr. Akin told The Hill Times that, amid the Independent appeared to use a crowbar and “opened a will be filing Wednesday’s HOH. When not global pandemic, he expects the topic will Senator Elaine number of drawers and cupboards,” though working, you’ll find her nestled in her bed come up in opposition digging and when McCoy, pictured nothing was taken. “I don’t keep a lot of playing video games. party headquarters vet candidates for the in April 2019, valuable information in there. But it was Meanwhile, Hill Times news reporter next federal election. was an ‘icon of rifled through.” Samantha Wright Allen, who first joined He said his goal is not to “pronounce Alberta politics,’ the newsroom in 2017, is our new deputy whether someone’s travel was illegitimate said Independent TVO’s Blind Date features digital editor. or not,” but said it became clear through Senator Paula Ms. Wright Allen, who will be assisting the slow trickle of new stories this month Simons. The Hill Greens’ May, two Tory MPs online editor Beatrice Paez and joins on- that some politicos may have been jet- Times photograph Speaking of Ms. McLeod, the MP will be line reporter Palak Mangat, will continue setting to “play golf or get a tan” over the by Andrew Meade among other Hillites featured on TVO’s Po- to report as well. break, which doesn’t look good while the litical Blind Date show, a six-part series that Ms. Wright Allen moved across the rest of the country is being told that it’s not brings together politicians of different stripes country to join Hill Times Publishing in a good idea to travel. “Elaine McCoy was an icon of Alberta to talk shop on important topics to voters. 2017 and started first as a reporter and edi- “This is also part of getting to know politics. She followed in the footsteps of She tweeted last July that the show was tor for The Lobby Monitor and moved over some of the candidates, people we don’t Peter Lougheed, succeeding him as MLA filming in Kamloops with COVID-19 pre- to The Hill Times’ newsroom a few months know,” he said last week, noting that usu- for Calgary West. She was a cabinet min- cautions in place, though it was unknown later. Born in Coquitlam, B.C., Wright Allen ally party whips can speak for their MPs, ister in Don Getty’s government, handling at that point who she was paired up with. graduated with her master’s in journal- but not for candidates or for those publicly some tricky portfolios in a time of transi- But according to a schedule shared this ism at Carleton University in Ottawa in interested in running. tion,” tweeted current Independent Alberta month by TVO, her partner for an episode 2014. She has previously written for the He said he expects to be focusing his Senator Paula Simons, who’s a former on the fourth season is Green MP Eliza- Prince George Citizen, the Ottawa Citizen, efforts mainly on the ridings “in play” in reporter. beth May. and the Saint John Telegraph-Journal. the next election. “It’s not like I’m going “When I first started work as a journal- The two will “explore the pros and cons At The Hill Times, Ms. Wright Allen to have this story or this database ready ist, she cut a stylish swarth [swath] through of the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion covers justice, lobbying, and Indigenous this week. It’s something to start collecting Alberta political culture. She was beautiful, and its impact on Indigenous and non- issues, the Senate, and all-things-data on information for, if and when we have an elegant, always fashionably groomed,” Sen. Indigenous communities” in B.C., TVO said federal political fundraising and voting election,” he said. Sen. Simons. “She brought glamour and in an email to The Hill Times. patterns. She also focuses on foreign af- CTV’s Glen McGregor is also building charisma to the Getty government, when Other episodes of the season will fairs and the diplomatic community, but a list of MPs’ personal travel and shared neither was in abundant supply.” explore hallway medicine, clean water, will be turning over her Diplomatic Circles the responses he received from all 338 MPs McCoy, who served in the Alberta legisla- religious symbols, and migrant labour. The column to HT reporter Neil Moss who cov- when he asked if they travelled after limits ture from 1986 to 1993, held the consumer and show returns on Jan. 19 at 9 p.m., and epi- ers foreign affairs, Canada-U.S. relations, were imposed in March 2020. According to corporate affairs portfolio in Getty’s Progres- sodes will be posted online after that. trade, security, and defence. his data, at least nine MPs have been out of sive Conservative cabinet, along with serving Conservative MP Dave Epp will also [email protected] the country since then. as the minister responsible for women’s issues. take part in the show and will chat about The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 3 Opinion Will 2021 be any better than 2020?

We can be horrified by the actions of those among us, by systems that perpetuate racism, and by the people who uphold the system, the white supremacists in our midst. I’m not sure we’ve learned the lesson yet about how to work through this horror. What will we collectively do about white supremacists? What will we collectively do about systemic racism?

Elders in this part of the country would say that if we don’t learn it, we will continue to be given opportunities to learn the lesson or the horror. So what is the les- son? There are possibly a few good lessons. We need to fix some systems An angry mob of Trump supporters stunned the world on Jan. 6, 2021, when thousands stormed the Capitol Building in that aren’t working, and now’s Rose LeMay Washington, D.C., to interrupt the certification of Joe Biden's successful election as president of the United States. The the time to do that. There’s noth- Trump supporters were encouraged by outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump, who told them 'We love you,' and who still Stories, Myths, and Truths ing like a pandemic to prove that hasn't congratulated Mr. Biden on winning the presidential election. Image courtesy of CBC NEWS screen capture systems are not equitable for all Canadians. And there’s nothing TTAWA—The first five days like a pandemic to slay the myth The first Oof 2021 seemed promising, that the economy will make us five days of until the American insurgency all healthy. How can we ensure 2021 seemed went down on Jan. 6. The world that we fix systems so we don’t go promising, stood wide-eyed in shock, Twit- through this again? until the ter lost its collective mind, and We can be horrified by the American there went all hopes of a dry actions of those among us, by insurgency January. systems that perpetuate racism, went down In 2020, the moments of calm and by the people who uphold the on Jan. 6. were even more notable when system, the white supremacists Screen capture surrounded by grim numbers of in our midst. I’m not sure we’ve courtesy of COVID cases and deaths, inter- learned the lesson yet about how ABC NEWS spersed with some can’t-make- to work through this horror. What this-shit-up news from America. will we collectively do about We’ll tell our grandchildren about white supremacists? What will 2020 through memes, the ones we collectively do about systemic with the undercurrent of fear. racism? What horror movie will come to We can cope with more than life next? we thought we could. But this A funny thing about horror is framed against the horror of movies is that the horror is cultur- being alone, and this is a such a The world ally based. Each culture pictures strong horror for so many of us. stood wide- its deepest fears and horrors dif- The lesson may be that we truly eyed in shock, ferently. Some have argued that belong in community, despite all Twitter lost the classic English haunted house the messages of individualism its collective was about the British fear of the that pummel us daily. We be- mind, and Nazi in one’s own house; and that long in community. We do better there went the zombie is about the American together. all hopes of a fear that they look like us but are We just went through the dry January. no longer us. More likely, there winter solstice last month, the Image courtesy are all sorts of unconscious fears shortest day of the year and the of CBC News and anxieties reflected in horror longest night. But in our reality, screen capture movies and stories. we are in the solstice of 2020 and Indigenous cultures also have it won’t be over for months. That scary characters that are unique gives us time to put our minds to to their culture or cultural group. fix the systems that elevate some On the West Coast, First Nations and bar others from inclusion. It have a story about the woman gives us time to remind ourselves in the forest, which is a both a that being part of a society is first horror story and one to keep the about responsibility and account- kids close to home. Then there’s ability to each other. And it gives CBC News the story about the people who us some more time to acknowl- reporter Katie almost were lost at sea but some- edge the strength and fortitude of Simpson, how returned to shore but never those around us. pictured at can return to full human. There Here’s to our collective learn- the scene on are stories about humans who ing in 2021. Jan. 6, 2021. have lost their moral compass Rose LeMay is Tlingit from Image CBC and who threaten the community. the West Coast and the CEO of NEWS screen In the horror stories in Indig- the Indigenous Reconciliation capture enous cultures, there’s usually a Group. She writes twice a month message about avoiding a risk, or about Indigenous inclusion and protecting the Earth, or maintain- reconciliation. In Tlingit world- ing the balance of the community. view, the stories are the knowl- That’s the other side of horror edge system, sometimes told stories; sometimes there’s a les- through myth and sometimes son to be learned. contradicting the myths told by So what’s the lesson from others. But always with at least 2020? Whatever it is, we need to some truth. get with the program, because The Hill Times 4 MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 | THE HILL TIMES News Trudeau told Liberals’ national board of directors ‘it looks like’ a spring election, according to a Liberal source, but it will happen based on important conditions

Political insiders Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Dec. and some Liberal 15, 2020, in the Sir John A. Macdonald Building in MPs expect the next Ottawa, told his national board of directors last election to be called month, 'it looks it' the next federal election will happen on the federal budget in spring. The Hill Times which is usually photograph by Sam Garcia tabled in March.

Continued from page 1 would happen this spring, said one source, but other sources say a spring election will only happen if the vaccine rollout is successful, if the COVID cases decrease sig- nificantly, and if the Grits remain popular in the next few months. “So, if your PM is saying that and he’s feeling very confident about it, then there’s a very good chance it’ll be a spring election,” said the Liberal source, who spoke to The Hill Times on a not- for-attribution basis. “He said, ‘It looks like it,’ [next election will happen in spring].” Mr. Trudeau is a member of the 35-member national board of everything it takes to keep Cana- saying they could not confirm in- But other sources also told The number of people] vaccinated. directors of the Liberal Party that dians safe and supported through ternal party meeting discussions. Hill Times that there are a few And the number of reported cases oversees the election readiness this global crisis,” said Mr. Caley. Both said the party is focused on caveats for the spring election should keep coming down. I think process, among other responsi- “As a party, we are continuing governance and effective man- to happen, including a smooth the budget will be presented in bilities, but he does not regularly to stay connected with Canadians agement of the pandemic. rollout of the vaccinations, a March, and the election will be attend meetings. He made a spe- in virtual ways that respect public “We’re in unchartered waters: significant decline in COVID-19 called in April or May, probably cial appearance in a Zoom call in health guidelines as we work to what’s first and foremost here is the cases, and Liberal Party remain- May will be the election. That’s a mid-December meeting to offer keep Canada moving forward.” safety of Canadians, and making ing popular in polls until then, my take as of today,” said the Lib- his Christmas greetings to mem- among others. eral MP, adding that things could bers of the national board. Eight-term If the Liberals did maintain change if there are any surprises “He was just talking very Liberal MP their dominance in the polls between now and the spring. generally that the election will Judy Sgro says giving them hope they can win In a minority government, an be coming,” the source said. “And she’s focused a majority, the next election will election could be called in one of we all need to be ready for it, only on helping most likely be called on the fed- the two ways—either the prime potentially [it] could be a spring her constituents eral budget, sources told The Hill minister requests the Governor election.” through this Times. Usually, federal budgets General to drop the writ, or the According to the Liberal COVID-19 are tabled in February or March. opposition parties defeat the gov- Party website, its board of direc- crisis and is These sources said that the next ernment in the House on a confi- tors “works together to provide not thinking budget would make “a splash” as dence vote. Considering the party oversight and guidance to the when the next it will contain some major ideas standings of all federal parties party in matters both fiduciary, election will that the government will an- in the House, all three major op- and strategic.” Also, it says the be called. The nounce, but were held back in the position parties in the House will board members “meet regularly Hill Times file fall fiscal economic update. These have to vote together to defeat the in person and by phone with the photograph same sources said they expect the government. objective of ensuring the party election to happen between April The Liberals have 155 MPs in is prepared for the next federal and May, depending on when it’s the 338-seat House of Commons. election.” called and the duration of the They need support from one of Braeden Caley, senior director Mr. Caley sent The Hill Times sure we look after those who are campaign. The minimum writ the three other recognized par- of communications for the Liberal a list of 20 candidates in held most vulnerable in our community,” period is 37 days and the maxi- ties in the House to get any bill Party, in an emailed response to and un-held ridings who have said Mr. Burton, director, Liberal mum is 51. passed. The Conservatives have The Hill Times, did not confirm officially been nominated and one Party of Canada in Newfoundland “Trudeau will make use of this 121 MPs, the Bloc Québécois 32, or deny Mr. Trudeau’s comment, Liberal source told The Hill Times and Labrador, told The Hill Times. [COVID-19 crisis] to make very and the NDP 24. The Green Party, but said the Liberals are focused that a “slew” of other candidates “And I think the Liberal government big, significant moves [in the next which does not have party status on helping Canadians through will be announced this month is definitely doing that.” budget],” said one Liberal MP, in the House, has three seats, the COVID-19 crisis. However, he along with the names of national Mr. Mehra, chair of the fed- who also spoke to The Hill Times and there are three Independent accused the opposition parties and provincial campaign co- eral Liberal Agency of Canada, on a not-for-attribution basis. MPs. In the 338 members House, of being focused on trying to chairs in the coming weeks. echoed that view: “Obviously, “[The election will be called] a simple majority requires 170 provoke an election, but did not Two other members of the government side and party side, this spring. There are certain votes. say how. national board of directors—Jim two different things, right? Cer- factors, or caveats, of course. One A recent Nanos Research poll “While other parties have Burton from Newfoundland and tainly I can tell you that, from my is that the vaccination rollout released on Jan. 1, suggested the pushed for an election, Justin Sachit Mehra from Manitoba— understanding, and observations, should go on [without any major Liberals were leading the second Trudeau and the Liberal Party declined to confirm or deny Mr. everybody’s focus is right now on hiccups], may not be the best, but of Canada are focused on doing Trudeau’s comment last month, COVID.” they should keep increasing [the Continued on page 5 THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 5 News

Pollster Nik Continued from page 4 they see an opportunity to win a majority press secretary to Mr. government or to avoid being negatively Trudeau, in an email Nanos of Nanos place Conservatives by a margin of 15 affected by a political storm coming their to The Hill Times. Research per cent of the votes. The Liberals had the way. Also, the opposition parties do the Nik Nanos, says that support of 40.3 per cent of Canadians, the same when they see an opportunity to founder and chief strategically Conservatives 25.7 per cent, the NDP 18 unseat the governing party or to increase data scientist for speaking, the per cent and the Green Party seven per their party standings to gain more influ- Nanos Research, said sooner the cent. ence. the Liberals, strategi- Liberals go to In British Colum- cally, would be better the polls the Greg bia, the NDP’s John off going to the polls better chances MacEachern, Horgan called the sooner rather than they have to senior vice- snap election in the later. He said in the win a majority president, fall even though he new year, there are a government. government had signed a writ- number of uncertain- The Hill Times relations ten power-sharing ties, including the file photograph for Proof agreement with the state of the economy, Strategies, Green Party at the the vaccine rollout, says he thinks start of his minority and the possibility the next government in 2017, of a third wave of election will be promising not to call COVID-19. Any, or, election on them believing that it’s going to called on the the provincial elec- the combined effect of, all of these uncer- be, that it will have all sorts of supports for next federal tion prior to the fixed tainties could derail the Liberal Party’s Canadians in order to get them through the budget. The election date in the ambitions to win a majority government. If pandemic.” Hill Times fall of 2021. But sens- the Liberals wait longer, it will likely give Eight-term Liberal MP Judy Sgro (Hum- photograph ing an opportunity to an advantage to the opposition parties, he ber River-Black Creek, Ont.) said that she win a majority, Mr. said. does not know when the next election will Horgan reneged on “The budget document is already a qua- be called. She said that her party is focused his agreement and si-political document, it’s the economic and on managing the COVID-19 crisis and, as And a second poll conducted by Nanos went to the polls in the hopes of winning a political platform for the government of the an MP, she’s not thinking when the next Research for the Institute of Research on majority government and he did. He won day,” said Mr. Nanos. “So the budget would election will be called. Public Policy (IRPP), released late last a majority government with 57 seats and be a natural launching point because it “I think we should stay focused as week, suggested that 58 per cent of Canadi- the highest share of the popular vote in allows the government to proactively mes- long as we can on helping Canadians get ans thought the country was headed in the the party’s history. He also became British sage and make promises. And then to have through this terrible pandemic,” said Ms. right direction, the highest since 2015 when Columbia’s first two-term NDP premier. an election saying, ‘If the Liberals aren’t Sgro, a former cabinet minister. “That’s our 63 per cent of Canadians felt this way, and In recent months, two other provinces— elected, maybe these other parties might priority and what we should stay focused 17 per cent higher than 2019 when only New Brunswick and Saskatchewan—have take away these things that were promis- on is governance. This is not the time to be 41 per cent of Canadians said that the had provincial elections right in the middle ing for Canadians.’ So I would say that the talking about elections.” country was headed in the right direction. of the pandemic. The minority government budget would probably be the one thing [email protected] The survey also revealed that 17 per cent of of the New Brunswick Progressive Conser- that the Liberals would want to have an The Hill Times Canadians described the current govern- vatives was converted to majority govern- ment’s performance as very good, and 30 ment. The Saskatchewan Party, which held per cent somewhat good. In 2019, six per a majority government, was re-elected with cent considered the Trudeau government’s another majority. performance as very good and 21 per cent Since the October 2019 federal election, CAREERS somewhat good. The survey of 1,048 Cana- all federal political parties have been busy dians was conducted between Dec. 27-30 plotting, planning, strategizing, raising and had a margin of error of plus or minus funds, nominating candidates, and mak- three percentage points, 19 times out of 20. ing outreach phone calls to Canadians to It’s not unusual for governing parties, prepare for the next election because in a in a minority government, at the federal minority government an election could be or provincial level to pull the plug when triggered at any time. Greg MacEachern, a former Liberal cabinet ministerial staffer and senior Government Relations Coordinator Liberal Party’s National vice-president, government relations for Summary: Membership and Other Related Responsibilities: Proof Strategies, told The Hill Times that The Government Relations Coordinator provides admin- • Respond to enquiries from Boards/Associ- Board of Directors he would not be surprised if an election is istrative support to the Government Relations team, and ations, staff, REALTOR® members and the called this spring after the budget. may additionally be required to conduct research and general public. 1. Leader Justin Trudeau “The reality is most minority govern- work with stakeholders to support the team in address- • Undertake other projects and duties as as- 2. President Suzanne Cowan ments in Canada last 18 to 24 months,” said ing the evolving list of active policy issues. signed by the Director, Government Relations 3. National Director Azam Ishmael Mr. MacEachern. “So we’re in that time 4. National Vice-President (English) Mira Ahmad and/or Vice-President, Advocacy. 5. National Vice-President (French) Elise Bartlett window. As well, the prime minister could Core Competencies: 6. Policy Secretary Omar Raza justifiably say, ‘I want my own mandate’ • Communication Qualifications 7. Party Secretary Sam Bhalesar-Saran and the opportunity for them to go to the • Project Management • College diploma/university degree or equiva- 8. Past President Anna Gainey polls could be following the tabling of a • Attention to Detail lent combination of education and experience 9. Director, Liberal Party of Canada (Newfoundland and Labrador) spring budget. The Liberals could use that • Customer Service • 3-5 years working experience with an associ- Jim Burton budget as their platform.” • Collaboration ation and/or federal government environment 10. Director, Liberal Party of Canada (Prince Edward Island) However, Mr. MacEachern said, the • Strong organizational and communication skills Emily MacDonald government has to keep its focus on han- Position Accountabilities: • Experience with document management and 11. Director, Liberal Party of Canada (Nova Scotia) Joseph Khoury 12. Director, Liberal Party of Canada (New Brunswick) Joel Reed dling COVID-19, a once-in-a-century crisis Provide administrative support to the Government filing systems an asset 13. Director, Liberal Party of Canada (Quebec) Chelsea Craig affecting the health and economic well- Relations team. Duties include: • Able to work evenings/weekends when 14. Director, Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario) Geoff Carpenter being of Canadians, and they don’t want to • Type, format and/or distribute general required (infrequent) 15. Director, Liberal Party of Canada (Manitoba) Alex Gilroy see any party taking political advantage of correspondence/reports/notices of meetings/ • Ability to work on multiple projects with time 16. Director, Liberal Party of Canada (Saskatchewan) Meghan the situation. Mr. MacEachern also said for agendas/minutes/dispatches sensitive deadlines McEachern a spring election to happen, the rollout of • Set up conference calls and coordinate other • Flexible, cooperative and able to take initiative 17. Director, Liberal Party of Canada (Alberta) Eleanor Olzewski the vaccinations has to be done reasonably meeting logistics • Excellent interpersonal skills, highly team 18. Director, Liberal Party of Canada (British Columbia) Gabe well and the COVID-19 cases have to be • Establish and maintain files and departmental oriented Garfinkel under control. records • Fluently bilingual in English and French is 19. Director, Liberal Party of Canada (Yukon) Clarence Timmons 20. Director, Liberal Party of Canada (North West Territories) Charles “The government has to walk a fine line preferred Blyth here, where they don’t seem to want to en- Policy Research 21. Director, Liberal Party of Canada (Nunavut) – hance their own standing during a time of • Provide operational and research support to Please direct your application to: [email protected] 22. Caucus Representative Liberal MP Francis Scarpaleggia real strife,” said Mr. MacEachern. “It’s also the Government Relations team, including 23. Co-Chair, Indigenous Peoples’ Commission (Female) Suzy Kies a time where Canadians seem to not want analysis of legislation and regulations impact- At CREA, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, 24. Co-Chair, Indigenous Peoples’ Commission (Male) Conrad anything to do with partisanship.” ing the real estate sector and homebuyers. barrier-free and accessible environment. Part of this com- Desjarlais He also predicted that in the coming • Maintain a current awareness and expertise mitment includes arranging accommodations to ensure 25. President, Native Women’s Commission Amy Robichaud weeks, Mr. Trudeau will issue new updated regarding ongoing policy and program issues an equitable opportunity to participate in the recruitment 26. President, Young Liberals of Canada – related to the real estate industry and selection process. If you require an accommodation, 27. Co-Chair, Senior Liberals’ Commission (French) Roger Légaré mandate letters for some cabinet ministers 28. Co-Chair, Senior Liberals Commission (English) Doug Brydges assigning them additional responsibilities we will work with you to meet your needs. 29. Leader’s Representative Liberal MP Omar Alghabra in their respective portfolios related to Committee Responsibilities: 30. Treasurer John Herhalt the management of the pandemic crisis. A • Assist the Government Relations team in 31. Revenue Chair Stephen Bronfman PMO spokesman told The Hill Times that ensuring Committee plans are implemented 32. Chair, Federal Liberal Agency of Canada Sachit Mehra new mandate letters will be issued, but did on time and on budget, including coordina- 33. Campaign Chair Suzanne Cowan not provide any specifics. tion as required with internal staff, Committee 34. Constitutional and Legal Adviser (English) Michael Fernick “The mandate letters are built off of the Members, volunteers and external parties. 35. Constitutional and Legal Adviser (French) Prachi Shah Speech From the Throne and will be re- —Source: Liberal Party of Canada leased in due course,” said Alex Wellstead, 6 MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 | THE HILL TIMES News

movie in real life, but technology Opposition MPs raise concerns is what it is now, and it’s now possible to have in something that seems quite usual like an X-ray machine, it’s quite possible to around procurement policies, have Wi-Fi [capability] that can gather information.” “When the technician comes, just a USB key will do the job and bring back all the information, security oversight following important or not, to the Chinese government,” she said. Ms. Vignola said although the committee heard from both cancelled $6.8-million standing individuals who raised concerns about internal USB ports or hard drives, as well as those who be- lieved it was not as simple as that, offer with Chinese company Nuctech “can we take any chance with our security?” “Is there a chance of failure ultimately resulted in the now want to buy some materials from around our security? Yes there is The purpose of the standing offer was cancelled standing offer awarded the Chinese government,” he said a slight chance, so don’t take a to the state-owned Chinese firm. in an interview with The Hill chance,” said Ms. Vignola. to replace Global Affairs Canada’s older, Although reviewers found Times. “It’s critical and should be Another underlying challenge that they “did not observe any started as soon as possible.” facing Canada is the relationship conveyer-style parcel x-ray machines instances of non-compliance” When asked by Mr. Paul-Hus that China has with it’s “quasi- currently in use at Canadian embassies with the procurement policies in about the direct relationship private entities, if there is such place, Deloitte’s review “identified between Nuctech and the Chi- a thing there,” said Mr. Green, worldwide. NDP MP Matthew Green says he opportunities for improvement for nese Communist Party during pointing out that China’s national future procurements of security the Dec. 7, 2020, OGGO meeting, domestic legislation requires was ‘astounded that we didn’t have a higher equipment,” including increasing Charles Burton, senior fellow companies and technologies com- the integration of security consid- with the Centre for Advancing ing out of the country have to be security clearance protocol on, particularly, erations into the materiel man- Canada’s Interests Abroad at cooperative with the government. technology relating to our foreign embassies agement life cycle, which could the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, “I should also state that include involving security subject said “there is no question in my given the scope of companies and our missions abroad.’ matter experts during the develop- mind that the Chinese govern- like Amazon, Google, Facebook ment of the procurement plan. ment seeks capabilities that may and Instagram, I’m unsure if it’s even that different in terms of Pierre Paul-Hus, America’s own reach within it’s BY MIKE LAPOINTE Public Works and Government Conservative MP own technology sector,” said Mr. Services. for Charlesbourg— Green. “It’s been well documented pposition MPs continue to The letter also highlights that a Haute-Saint-Charles, that there’s a close relationship Oquestion why the federal standing offer is not a contract, and Que., pictured at between U.S. intelligence and government’s security apparatus that it “is an offer from a supplier a press conference technology companies.” did not play a larger role through- to provide goods or services at pre- on Nov. 26, 2020. “I think that it’s an increasing out the procurement process arranged prices, under set terms and Mr. Paul-Hus threat,” said Mr. Green. “Glob- following the recent cancellation conditions, when and if required.” says 'something ally, it just so happens that China of a standing offer with partially PSPC confirmed to the fell through the has shifted to be one of the more state-owned Chinese security committee that while Nuctech cracks, absolutely,' hostile actors.” company Nuctech for the instal- received a standing offer for in regards to the Although Mr. Green suggested lation and operation of X-ray the machines, nothing had been federal government's that the “excessive way in which scanners in Canadian embassies purchased. standing offer we’re examining Nuctech is po- around the world. made with partially litically motivated, in the process The $6.8-million standing offer ‘It’s a several step process’ state-owned Chinese we have revealed significant was rejected in mid-November. Mr. Green alluded to com- security company inefficiencies, gaps, and security “I was astounded that we ments made by Christian Leupre- Nuctech for the threats.” didn’t have a higher security cht, a Munk senior fellow, policy installation and “And so it’s incumbent on clearance protocol on, particu- studies professor at Queen’s operation of X-ray the committee to come up with larly, technology relating to our University, and professor in scanners in Canadian recommendations from this study foreign embassies and our mis- leadership at the Royal Military embassies. The Hill to help direct the government sions abroad,” said NDP MP Mat- College during the Dec. 7, 2020, Times photograph by perform these things in a better thew Green (Hamilton, Ont.) in OGGO meeting, who called for Andrew Meade way,” said Mr. Green. an interview with The Hill Times “a comprehensive strategy” when Request for comment from last week. “But even domestically asked which federal organiza- GAC, PSPC, and the Canadian here, given the state of interna- tion should play key roles in the The review also recommended be useable if its intent comes Border Services Agency was not tional free trade, when we have a security assessment process. broader consultation throughout later.” returned by press deadline. national electronic security estab- “I think it requires an entire the procurement process for se- “Capability plus intent is a [email protected] lishment set up, that they’re not process, from devising a policy curity equipment, and additional threat,” said Mr. Burton. “I think The Hill Times actually front and centre in this.” to actually executing that policy,” guidance with respect to publish- in general we have to be very “Or CSIS, or any of the other said Prof. Leuprecht. “It’s a sever- ing technical requirements. cautious about any firm that is intelligence agencies that ought al step process that needs to have connected to the Chinese state.” to be guiding this,” said Mr. Green. much more consistent attention at ‘Our departments are not Bloc Québécois MP Julie Vi- House Standing “And I think that’s been a theme all points throughout it.” gnola (Beauport-Limoilou, Que.) time and time with procurement.” “That would already be a very working together,’ says echoed her committee colleague’s Committee on The OGGO committee moved to good beginning in terms of get- Conservative MP Pierre remarks, saying their first con- undertake a study of the standing of- ting a more equitable approach,” cern throughout the process was Government fer beginning on Nov. 23, 2020, with said Prof. Leuprecht. Paul-Hus security. Operations and relevant documents to be provided According to the security “Something fell through the “You don’t want them to have to the committee by Dec. 10, 2020. expert, Nuctech was founded in cracks, absolutely,” said Conserva- contracts in privileged places for Estimates The purpose of the stand- 1997 by the son of former Chinese tive MP Pierre Paul-Hus (Charles- information like embassies,” said ing offer was to replace Global leader Hu Jintao, “which makes bourg-Haute-Saint-Charles, Que.), Ms. Vignola. “When we all dug Chair—Robert Kitchen (Conservative) Affairs Canada’s (GAC’s) “older, him part of the notorious ‘prince- his party’s shadow minister for into that situation with Nuctech, Vice-Chair—Francis Drouin (Liberal) conveyer-style parcel X-ray lings’ of the ‘red royalty’ that are public services and procurement we realized that there were no Vice Chair—Julie Vignola (Bloc Québécois) machines currently in use at widely despised across China.” and also a member of the OGGO screening processes, no security Canadian embassies worldwide,” “Doing business with Nuctech Committee. “The problem is that levels put on the table, and it was Members: according to a letter submitted is bad for Canada’s image, bad our departments are not working an open banquet, let’s say.” to the committee by the Depart- for China, and bad for [our im- together.” “What we were told is that Matthew Green (NDP) ment of Public Works and Gov- age] with the average Chinese,” Mr. Paul-Hus also said the there’s no danger there, it’s not Majid Jowhari (Liberal) ernment Services signed by As- said Prof. Leuprecht on Dec. 7. government should add an in a place where there is a lot of Irek Kusmierczyk (Liberal) sistant Deputy Minister James In August 2020, senior man- external review of all procure- information because it’s only in Dane Lloyd (Conservative) Stott in the policy, planning and agement in GAC approached ment processes within a digital the entrance, it’s only X-rays to Steve MacKinnon (Liberal) communications branch with professional services firm De- environment. know what people are bringing Kelly McCauley (Conservative Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) Public Services and Procure- loitte LLP to perform a review “Our government must do with them,” said Ms. Vignola. “I Patrick Weiler (Liberal) ment Canada, the new name for of the procurement process that [more] to research each time we don’t want to be in a James Bond THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 7 Opinion Canadians’ appetite for climate action growing, but beware of polarization

The ence shows that strong, How keen are Canadians oilsands, concentrated opposition pictured is enough to derail initia- for climate action in these in Fort tives that have majority McMurray, support—particularly if extraordinarily trying Alta. that support is broad but times? New survey results Decision- not particularly deep. makers need This is especially impor- from the University of to remain tant as the full brunt of attuned the second wave bears Ottawa’s Positive Energy to these down on the country. concerns. Successfully charting program and Nanos Successfully Canada’s energy and Research suggest that charting climate future depends Canada’s on it. enthusiasm may be on energy and The survey was an climate RDD dual frame (land- the rise, despite the future and cell-lines) hybrid depends telephone and online unprecedented fiscal, on it. The random survey of 1,096 Hill Times Canadians, 18 years of economic, and health photograph age or older, between situation, writes Monica by Jake Nov. 26 and Nov. 29, Wright 2020, as part of a Nanos Gattinger. Omnibus survey. The margin of error for this survey is ±3.0 percentage centrated at either end of a spectrum, they per cent, up from 39 per cent in June). Peo- points, 19 times out of 20. tend to be hardened and resistant to com- ple also said the pandemic offers a good Monica Gattinger is director of the promise. This is where the survey results opportunity for change and highlights the Institute for Science, Society and Policy, are a bit concerning. extent of our potential impact (20 per cent, full professor at the School of Political Almost 40 per cent of respondents hold down from 38 per cent in the summer). Studies and chair of Positive Energy at the very strong views on whether now is the Decision-makers need to remain at- University of Ottawa. best or worst time to address climate change, tuned to these concerns. Recent experi- The Hill Times answering zero or 10. Nearly one in four Ca- nadians (24 per cent) answered 10, while 15 per cent answered zero. This is up from June, Monica Gattinger when the figures stood at 17 per cent respond- Opinion ing zero, and 17 per cent responding 10. Appointment notice / Avis de nomination Governments will need to tread carefully. Interestingly, we do not see opinions get ast fall, the federal government much more polarized when we break the Lreleased a flurry of new climate data down based on age or gender. Region- measures: net zero by 2050 legislation, a ally, respondents from the Prairies are climate plan that will increase the car- more likely to say now is the worst time bon price to $170 per tonne by 2030, and (27 per cent). Respondents from British strategies for hydrogen and small modular Columbia are more likely to say now is the nuclear reactors. Ottawa says these mea- best time (30 per cent). sures pack the policy muscle needed to hit But dig into ideology and party affilia- the country’s 2030 emissions targets and tion, and opinions get very polarized. 2050 ambitions. We asked respondents to score them- But how keen are Canadians for selves on a scale of zero to 10 for their climate action in these extraordinarily political views, where zero means left and trying times? New survey results from the 10 means right. Among left-leaning respon- University of Ottawa’s Positive Energy dents (those answering zero to three, about program and Nanos Research suggest that 30 per cent of those surveyed), 48 per cent enthusiasm may be on the rise, despite the answered 10 on climate ambition. Among unprecedented fiscal, economic, and health right-leaning respondents (those answer- situation. ing seven to 10, about 23 per cent of those We asked Canadians on a scale of zero surveyed), 42 per cent answered zero. MARTIN IMBLEAU to 10, where zero means absolutely the When it comes to partisan views, 40 worst time and 10 absolutely the best, how per cent of Conservative Party supporters ’Administration portuaire de Montréal he Montreal Port Authority (MPA) is good a time it is for Canada to be ambi- answered zero, while over one-quarter (27 (APM) est heureuse d’annoncer la nomina- pleased to announce the appointment of tious in addressing climate change even per cent) of Liberal supporters answered Ltion de Martin Imbleau au poste de pré- TMartin Imbleau to the position of Presi- if there are costs to the economy. We first 10, as did 46 per cent of NDP, 30 per cent of sident-directeur général. M. Imbleau a occupé dent and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Imbleau asked this tracking question in June 2020. Bloc Québécois, and 66 per cent of Green différents postes de haute direction à Énergir held several senior management positions Canadians’ views are divided. But Party supporters. où il a acquis une grande expérience en éner- at Énergir, where he developed extensive since June, climate ambition has grown: a The results underscore that those chart- gies variées, en environnement et en gestion de experience in such various fields as energy, small majority of Canadians (52 per cent) ing Canada’s energy and climate future projets d’infrastructures majeures. Il occupait environmental and major infrastructure project answered seven or higher, a seven per cent will need to understand how to navigate plus récemment la fonction de vice-président management. More recently, he held the posi- increase from June. Just over a quarter (27 polarized contexts. This means listening to en stratégie d’entreprise et développement tion of Vice-President, Corporate Strategy and per cent) answered three or lower, a two Canadians’ concerns. des affaires à Hydro-Québec. M. Imbleau est Business Development at Hydro-Québec. Mr. per cent decrease from the summer. Less We asked respondents why they an- titulaire d’une maîtrise en droit de l’Université Imbleau holds a Master’s degree in Law from than one in five (18 per cent) answered swered the way they did. For those who de Montréal, membre du Barreau du Québec et Université de Montréal, is a member of the four to six (a five per cent decrease). said now was the worst time (zero to auteur de plusieurs ouvrages en droit interna- Quebec Bar and the author of several books on On the face of it, this is good news for three), the most common responses were tional des droits de la personne. Il est entré en international human rights law. He started his er Ottawa. It suggests the majority of Cana- that there are other priorities, like health poste le 1 janvier 2021 au Port de Montréal, new position on January 1, 2021 at the Port of dians are behind the government. But dig and the vaccine, (32 per cent, up from 22 le plus important port de l’est du Canada et le Montreal, the largest port in Eastern Canada e deeper into the numbers, and it’s not all per cent June) and that we should wait 2 en importance à l’échelle du pays. and the second largest in the country. sweetness and light. until the economy has recovered from the The zero to 10 scale helps to reveal the pandemic (23 per cent, down from 47 per strength of disagreement among Canadi- cent in the summer). For those saying now ans. Disagreement over policy issues need is the best time (seven to 10), by far the not prevent policy progress, but strong most common answer was that we need to disagreement can. When views are con- act now and climate change can’t wait (60 8 MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 | THE HILL TIMES

EDITOR Kate Malloy MANAGING EDITOR Charelle Evelyn PUBLISHED EVERY MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY BY PUBLISHERS Anne Marie Creskey, DEPUTY EDITORS Peter Mazereeuw, Laura Ryckewaert HILL TIMES PUBLISHING INC. Jim Creskey, Leslie Dickson, Ross Dickson ASSISTANT DEPUTY EDITOR Abbas Rana 246 Queen Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5E4 GENERAL MANAGER, CFO Andrew Morrow DIGITAL EDITOR Beatrice Paez

Editorial Letters to the Editor Trudeau should be slamming Trump’s High time Canada finally and demagoguery, more vociferously

ast week, Canada joined the rest of the the people. Democracy in the U.S. must fully invest in feminist policies Lworld in watching a group of rioters be upheld—and it will be.” It took him seemingly try to literally burn down their until Jan. 8 to mention that the “president democracy. and other politicians” played a role in the at home and abroad: KAIROS The mob that descended on Capitol Hill whole affair, and that it’s a reminder that e: “Bring back core funding for wom- on Jan. 6 was stirred up, incited, and ulti- “the choices we make” as politicians have organizations. This support is welcome. en’s groups, say MPs as new report mately directed by U.S. President Donald consequences. R And, more must be done to support local warns sector at risk of ‘financial devasta- Trump, who, along with his allies and fam- The prime minister could have gone women-led groups and peace-builders. tion,’ ” (The Hill Times online, Dec. 16). The ily members, had for months, if not years, even further. His fallback excuse is always Yes, Canada needs to increase its overseas pandemic’s impact on women and women- been telling anyone who would listen that that the Canadian head of government has development assistance from the current led organizations is not limited to Canada. something was rotten in the not-state of to work with whomever is elected to sit as 0.28 per cent of national wealth to closer KAIROS can attest to the profound effects D.C. and that it had to be rectified through the American head of state, ergo the U.S. to the international standard of 0.7 per that COVID-19 have had on women-led force. president is seemingly always going to be cent. But, as noted in this article, it is not grassroots partners in the Global South. Mr. Trump has adamantly refused to beyond reproach. only about money. It is about ensuring that The virus has not only challenged critical accept last November’s election result and But in avoiding that reproach and refus- these funds reach local women-led grass- service delivery to women impacted by congratulate president-elect Joe Biden, say- ing to name the problem—that Mr. Trump roots organizations, including support for conflict, it has accelerated gender-based ing shortly before the siege began on Jan. 6 cozies up to and encourages the white their recovery and transformation efforts domestic and state-driven violence. “we will never concede.” supremacists who act in his name—or even in response to the pandemic. Despite these growing threats, local Hours later, while people who carried use the president’s name, it gives tacit ap- For funding to reach these organiza- organizations have found creative solu- flags bearing his name, along with Confed- proval, or at least indifference, to those who tions, it must be accessible, flexible, pre- tions to offer women a life line, educat- erate flags, anti-Semitic, and Nazi para- hold the same views here at home. dictable, and long-term. This core funding ing communities about the virus and phernalia, weapons, and more, rampaged While the pro-Trump riots were going is paramount to building strong institu- providing critical supplies, in addition to through the Capitol Building—blocks away on in the U.S., similar, albeit tiny, parallel tions and social movements that drive their work in helping women heal from from where his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, from demonstrations cropped up in Canadian social change in Canada and internation- war, earn incomes, and become agents of the same stage as the president, called for cities. The Proud Boys hate group, who the ally. It’s high time that Canada finally positive change in their communities and “trial by combat”—Mr. Trump expressed his president helped shine an international and fully invest in its feminist policies at countries. To say their work is essential is love and support for the mob, while making spotlight on, were present in Washington home and abroad and ensures that this an understatement. the weakest of calls for them to “remain and got their start thanks to a Canadian. investment reaches the essential work of Acknowledging the critical role they peaceful.” At least five people associated The Canadian Armed Forces is already local women’s organizations. play, the minister of foreign affairs recent- with the melée have died. having to publicly crack down on far-right Jane Thirikwa ly announced $14.9-million in new funding Here in Canada, other parties called the extremists and white-supremacists to try to Global partnerships coordinator for women peace-builders globally, with president out, with Conservative foreign af- stamp it out from within its ranks. KAIROS Canada $5-million of that targeted at grassroots fairs critic Michael Chong and NDP Leader Systemic racism carries on unabated Toronto, Ont. Jagmeet Singh both specifying that the in Canada, with no sight of the long- violence was incited by Mr. Trump. announced “work plan” to address it the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who government promised last summer. mostly held his tongue, initially, had this Continued silence, or muted commen- to say about the galling display, summed tary, about the U.S. says more about Ca- No, not all nuclear materials and by- up in a Jan. 6 tweet: “Canadians are deeply nadian leadership than it does of the U.S. disturbed and saddened by the attack because if it’s good enough for our “closest products are safely stored in a highly on democracy in the United States, our ally and neighbour,” surely it’s good enough closest ally and neighbour. Violence will for us, and anyone who asks “could it hap- regulated environment, says letter writer never succeed in overruling the will of pen here?” isn’t paying attention. e: “We cannot afford to be naive about Ian McLeod, entitled “Chalk River’s Toxic Rclimate change—renewables and Legacy.” nuclear must work together,” by John The multinational consortium running Gorman, The Hill Times, Dec. 14, 2020. Chalk River Laboratories is planning to Mr. Gorman states “the nuclear indus- build a gigantic above-ground landfill for try is the only energy industry that can one million tonnes of radioactive waste in- account for all its by-products. While fos- cluding plutonium and other materials that sil-fuel emissions go into the atmosphere would remain radioactive for more than and other industrial waste goes to landfill, 100,000 years. This way of dealing with all nuclear materials and by-products are radioactive waste contravenes international safely stored, managed, and monitored in safety standards and best practices. a highly regulated environment.” The consortium’s own studies show Mr. Gorman appears to be unaware that the mound would leak during op- that all CANDU nuclear reactors rou- eration and after closure. The mound is tinely emit large volumes of radioactive expected to eventually disintegrate in a water vapour and other radioactive gases process referred to as “normal evolution” into the atmosphere. CANDU reactors described in a study called the “Perfor- also routinely emit radioactive materials mance Assessment,” produced by the such as tritium, carbon-14 and radioactive proponent as part of a protracted and cesium, strontium and cobalt into water controversial environmental assessment bodies (including drinking water sources). that is ongoing. There are numerous leaking radio- So much for Mr. Gorman’s assertion active waste areas on the Chalk River that “all nuclear materials and by-products Laboratories site north-west of Ottawa- are safely stored, managed, and monitored Gatineau on the Ottawa River. These leak- in a highly regulated environment.” ing waste sites were described in detail Lynn Jones in an Ottawa Citizen article in 2011 by Ottawa, Ont.

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Largely due to the incredible organizational work of Stacey Trump’s ugly legacy has Abrams and Fair Fight Action to oppose voter suppression, the Democrats were able to pull off razor-thin victories in both instances, thus securing the unleashed a venom in America balance of power in the Senate. That vote paves the way forward of them, Georgian Marjorie Taylor Donald Trump, for president-elect Joe Biden The American claim Greene, is now sitting in the pictured July and vice-president-elect Kamala House of Representatives. 10, 2020.Pre- Harris to receive support in the to ‘exceptionalism’ The American claim to “ex- Trump, racists House of Representatives and the ceptionalism” and its history of were largely in Senate. and its history support for democracy around the the shadows. But But they still have to face the of support for world has been delivered a severe his sick vision job of uniting a country where blow. for America has almost half of the population op- democracy around Lindsey Graham’s ridiculous enlisted millions pose their vision. response to the Washington at- of followers. This All those who chose Trump the world has been tack was to claim equivalency past week has only were not voting based on his between the attackers and Black emboldened them, racial record. But the fact that delivered a severe Lives Matter activists who took writes Sheila they could overlook it and cast to the streets to protest the death Copps. Photograph their ballot for him in such large blow. of multiple Black citizens at the courtesy of White numbers, is truly frightening. hands of the police. House Flickr/by Tia From misogyny to racism, Does anyone truly believe that Dufour from his affinity for dictators if the same group of Washington versus democrats, the president attackers had been racial minori- still managed to garner the sup- ties, there would have been so few the Senate by those who paraded the supremacy of one race over port of almost 75 million voting arrests? their hatred right onto the floor of another. Americans, the largest number in Graham’s claim that Demo- the Senate. Trump illustrated his true co- the history of the country to vote crats needed to call out protesters At the same time as the anar- lours more than three years ago, for a Republican candidate. of police brutality at the same chists were outside of the Senate, when white supremacists stormed Even when the president time as he was criticizing the ter- chief representatives inside were Charlottesville and killed an in- vacates the office, whether of his rorists simply reinforced the fact speaking about the “incredible” nocent bystander while shouting own accord or not, his leadership Sheila Copps that the day Donald Trump leaves four years of Trump rule and slurs against Jews and minorities. scars will endure long past his Copps’ Corner office will not be the end of this some of them were still trying as Trump was the first to lay out departure. reckoning in America. of last week to claim the election this false equivalency when he The suspension of Trump’s The CBC revisited footage was stolen. tried to claim that there were Twitter (temporarily), Facebook TTAWA—Whether or not from the summer protest at the The attack on the Senate was “very fine people on both sides” of and Instagram accounts are ODonald Trump remains in Lincoln Memorial, where row greeted with glee by the presi- the Charlottesville protest. not enough to stem the flood of office for the next two weeks is upon row of riot police were lined dent, who tweeted his love for the And multiple members of the hatred that has been unleashed hardly the point. up to truncheon protesters. That protesters. Senate still cling to the view that during his presidency. His ugly legacy has unleashed footage was compared to the At the same time as the state there is validity in the absurdly Pre-Trump, racists were large- a venom in America that will be police treatment of emboldened of Georgia elected its first Black false claims of election interfer- ly in the shadows. But his sick very difficult to suppress. white supremacists and conspir- Senator and its first Jewish Sena- ence. vision for America has enlisted The world has watched in hor- acy theorists who considered the tor, most people are not talking Notwithstanding these shock- millions of followers. ror as domestic terrorists stormed attack a victory for their cause. about how those elections made ing perspectives, even in the This past week has only em- the capital, wreaking havoc and Some television outlets car- history. consequential Georgia Senate boldened them. death on the ultimate symbols of ried footage of those storming Instead, we are witnessing a runoffs, the state was almost Sheila Copps is a former Jean American democracy. the capital taking selfies with country that is still deeply divided evenly split on those who sup- Chrétien-era cabinet minister and We have witnessed extremists police guarding the gates. And the on racial grounds, and whose ported Trump’s choice and those a former deputy prime minister. becoming so mainstream that one Confederate flag was carried into leadership actually promotes who opposed. The Hill Times

I say that because Conserva- tive politicians lack credibility Trudeau brands himself as when discussing environmental issues; it’s just not their turf. O’Toole is in a stronger tactical position whenever he’s taking on Canada’s Climate Change Churchill Trudeau over issues related to national defence, or to law and order, or to fiscal concerns; when- AKVILLE, ONT.—“We shall Hence Trudeau will need to mate change the defining issue of ever he’s talking climate change If Justin Trudeau is Ofight climate change at our gas undergo something of an image his leadership. or other environmental issues, stations, we shall fight it with our transformation before the next This is why, in my view, he’s on shakier ground. going to win the next furnaces, we shall fight with growing federal election, altering himself Trudeau recently announced his Indeed, if the electoral debate election, (which some confidence and growing strength from the “fun guy” who wows us bold plan to quintuple the carbon centres on climate change, with windmills and solar panels, we with his adorable yoga stances tax over the next ten years, a Trudeau can easily degrade speculate could come shall defend our planet’s environ- and costume changes to more of move I’d argue was calculated to O’Toole’s brand by saying some- ment, whatever the cost may be.” a leader who exudes confidence make Trudeau look like a leader thing along the lines of, “Whereas, as soon as this spring) Okay, that’s not a real quote, and strength. who has the courage and deter- I’m willing to do whatever it takes but it’s the kind of Churchillian- However, this won’t be easy mination to be a “eco-warrior,” a to save our planet, my opponent he’ll have to inject his style fighting words I expect for the prime minister. leader willing to wage an all-out O’Toole lacks the strength to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to After all, his persona has war against climate change. stand up to his oil industry pals.” leadership persona utter in the near future. always been more about compas- In short, the Liberals are Mind you, this strategy of go- with more toughness. Why? sion and empathy than about betting that if Canadians accept ing all out on climate change also Well, if Trudeau is going to win firmness and fortitude, a brand- Trudeau’s toughness credentials entails some risk for the Liberals. the next election, (which some ing that works since it actually when it comes to fighting climate If O’Toole can divert the debate speculate could come as soon as this reflects who he is as a person. change, they’ll also be more likely on carbon taxes away from the spring) he’ll have to inject his leader- So how can Trudeau go about to believe he’ll be tough when it environment and make it about ship persona with more toughness. convincing Canadians that, despite comes to confronting the coun- economics, he might persuade vot- I say that because when society his inherent amicable niceness, try’s other challenges. ers that Trudeau’s scheme is not so is going through a period when he’s got the internal toughness nec- Plus, by putting a focus on much courageous as it is ruinous. anxiety is the ruling emotion of the essary to guide a nation through battling climate change, it offers At any rate, my point is watch day (such as now) the public tends both the COVID crisis and any Trudeau an opportunity to make for Trudeau to offer Canadians to gravitate towards leaders whom looming economic downturn that himself look relatively stronger, his blood, toil, sweat and a quick they think can keep them safe. might be coming our way? by making his chief political image change. Everything else goes on the Well, I think we already have rival—Conservative Party leader Gerry Nicholls Gerry Nicholls is a communi- back burner; frightened people the answer to that question: Erin O’Toole—look relatively cations consultant. Post Partisan Pundit want strong leaders. Trudeau will make fighting cli- weaker. The Hill Times 10 MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 | THE HILL TIMES Opinion

President Donald Trump Trump loyalists spurred on supporters who attacked Capitol Hill last week, abandon ship, overwhelming police officers and leaving five dead. Photograph but can’t outrun by Andrea Hanks, courtesy of the their treachery White House to America

host of Americans who handed Who is the King Rat him power, and then proceeded to enable him through his worst into Trump’s base for a run for the Vice-President Mike among the president’s excesses. presidency in 2024. Cruz is the Pence, now apparently These same rats are now death march of blind ambition. furious with his boss, former enablers? It’s swan-diving off the tramp- Who is the King Rat? It’s hard makes Uriah Heep look hard to tell. steamer of the Trump presidency. to tell. like a piker. For four The cavalcade of hypocrites is Rudy Giuliani comes to mind. painful years, Pence long and disgraceful, from White It was the former New York resolved every doubt House staff and cabinet, to mem- mayor who whipped up Trump’s in favour of a man who bers of the House and the Senate. mob, and then piously denounced locked up children in The top of that list of infamy is their violence on Capitol Hill. His cages, bragged about the Republican Party itself. denunciation was as bogus as grabbing women by Vice-President Mike Pence, the conspiracy theories he’s been the pussy, and extorted now apparently furious with his whispering in the president’s ear. foreign leaders to do boss, makes Uriah Heep look like How could he condemn the riot- his political bidding a piker. For four painful years, ers, when it was Giuliani himself by withholding already Pence resolved every doubt in who incited them with the battle authorized financial and favour of a man who locked up cry “trial by combat” before they military aid. Photograph Michael Harris children in cages, bragged about marched to the Capitol? courtesy of Commons But Bill Barr, Trump’s former Wikimedia Harris grabbing women by the pussy, and extorted foreign leaders to do Attorney-General, is also in the his political bidding by withhold- running for the lowest honours. ALIFAX—And so the lame He now says that Trump “be- ing already authorized financial Ted Cruz, who once said Hschmuck presidency of and military aid. That is not loyal- trayed” his office by inciting a Donald Trump lurches toward the mob to interrupt the constitution- that Donald Trump was ty. That is snivelling subservience. a ‘pathological liar’ and exits. Pence is the King of Snivel. al process of transitioning power A few weeks back in this from the current administration torched him for insulting Mitch McConnell, whose the senator’s wife, was space, I opined that his leaving dance with the devil ended with to president-elect Joe Biden. But would be ugly. With five dead on this is the same Bill Barr who was prepared to argue the sore toes and a demotion, enabled president’s fantasy claim the Capitol Grounds after Trump’s Trump to avoid the consequences Trump’s chief accomplice in sink- pitchfork brigade’s antics, I stand ing the Mueller Report with spin that the election was of being impeached. The former stolen from him in front by that observation. majority leader in the Senate and deceit, in order to save the This U.S. president, a liar, a president from facing the conse- of the U.S. Supreme assisted Trump in imposing a Court. Photograph bully, a masher, an egomaniac, new appointment to the Su- quences of what he had done. and very likely a psychopath, un- This is the same Bill Barr courtesy of Commons preme Court, just weeks before a Wikimedia leashed his followers on the seat presidential election—something who effectively said in decision of American democracy because McConnell once said he would after decision that the executive he lost an election to a better never do. branch should have more power man, and can’t accept that. Two And now this reliably spine- than Congress—an authoritar- months after Joe Biden thrashed less creature stands up to Trump ian rebuke of the separation of him, and with more than 4,000 on challenging the election re- powers that the founding fathers Americans dead from COVID-19 sults—after the Republicans lost prescribed as the basis of U.S. in just one day last week, Trump the majority in the Senate, and governance. posite of Jesus. They looked the ions were creating their dark, remains fixated on floating his Trump lost the presidency. How And finally, this is the attor- other way at his torrent of lies. alternate universe on these sites? debunked theory of a stolen elec- very brave. ney general who directly inter- They ignored his moral turpitude Unwittingly or not, Facebook and tion. Ted Cruz, who once said that vened to dismiss cases or lessen in cases alleging everything from Twitter were the recruiting office Now in the wake of Jan. 6, it’s Trump was a “pathological liar” sentences against the president’s sexual harassment, to out-and- for the very digital soldiers who all the rage to loath the Marma- and torched him for insulting felonious cronies. Michael Flynn out sexual assault. No one in that invaded the Capitol Building, lade Mussolini. There is talk about the senator’s wife, was prepared had actually entered a guilty plea religious community seemed to every bit as much as Fox News. another impeachment, a Section to argue the president’s fantasy to the charge of lying to the FBI, care about his relentless dance It comes down to this: some 25 removal from office, demands claim that the election was stolen when the DOJ dropped the case around the golden calf of wealth very powerful people, some in for resignation, and at the low from him in front of the U.S. Su- because Barr said Trump’s former and Wall Street. Simply put, they the Republican Party, some in end of outrage, a sanction. preme Court. national security advisor should had turned their religion into just the religious community, some in Let me offer another option: That’s not what Harvard- never have been charged. another lobby group, clamouring business, and some in the media jail. After all, five people are trained lawyers usually volunteer Barr now presents as a man for a judge who would reverse allowed Donald Trump to run dead because of his incitement for. After all, sixty court deci- appalled by the assault on the Roe V. Wade. When you start amok. They allowed him to be to storm the Capitol. And this sions, including one from the U.S. Capitol Building. Strange stuff thinking of Donald Trump as the protected by the aura of the office president took an oath to protect, Supreme Court, countless state from the legal handmaiden of a chosen one, you know your faith he held, even though he abused it not kill Americans. Has there ever election officials, fifty governors, tyrant who had shown his colours is in trouble. outrageously time after time. With been a clearer case of inciting a the Electoral College, and even long before he hatched a desper- It is now in vogue for social their self-interested enabling riot and sedition? the Department of Justice found ate coup to keep himself in power. media giants like Facebook and of this monster, they were not It will be interesting to see if the election to be fair and free of Barr’s belated moral judgment Twitter to lock the president’s protecting the presidency, but a the criminal investigation into the mass fraud. of Trump is a fraud. He was not accounts or suspend him indefi- brazen man who recognized no death of a Capitol police officer So how does Cruz denounce so much attorney general, as the nitely for his role in inciting the rules but his own. will include a conversation with the violence at the Capitol, and president’s lawyer. As one wag smash-up on Capitol Hill. But Democracy deserves better the man who rallied this posse then vote in favour of Trump’s put it, it was a case of “conserva- these same super platforms al- treatment than that. If she doesn’t of domestic terrorists, Donald J. baseless claim that the election tive ideologue meeting grifter.” lowed Trump to poison millions of get it, it’s never very long before Trump. was stolen from him? By setting a A large swath of the Christian minds during his presidency with it leaves. Missing in most of the cover- new world record for sucking and Right has a lot to explain for its half-baked conspiracy theories, Michael Harris is an award- age of Trump’s perverted and blowing at the same time, that’s years of support for a man who lies, and racism. Where were winning author and journalist. calamitous presidency, is that how. And daydreaming of tapping might be described as the op- they when Trump and his min- The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 11 Opinion

resigned, and a senior minister removed from cabinet because they decided they should be Christmas travellers. Other numerous elected legislators from Ken- ney’s United Conservative Party have also admitted to foreign jaunts. Kenney initially said it was his fault because he wasn’t clear with his team about what travel rules should be. Regular Albertans seemed to know what was expected of them and have gone apoplectic over the UCP frequent flyers. Kenney, who was already struggling with public opinion prior to the caucus Club Med binge, has not been helped with his government’s re-election chances. Sanctimony was always his greatest en- emy—now it is bludgeoning him. It wasn’t just provincial conservative politicians freely floating about—this story has found Liberal culprits, NDP excep- tionalists, CPC journeymen, and other provincial politicians. They have all struck a nerve and created a legitimate challenge to ongoing public health communications. If more people become skeptical and throw their hands up in air because of the be- haviour of this lot, that has the potential to create conditions for COVID-19 spread and lengthening the pandemic. Maybe don’t take that sunny trip during a global pandemic, people: Provincial politicians who chose to leave the country for tropical holidays found themselves While there are certainly more press- with different jobs when they came home, including former Ontario finance minister Rod Phillips, left, former Alberta municipal affairs minister Tracy Allard, ing issues in our lives, because none of us and former Quebec Liberal critic Pierre Arcand. Wikimedia Commons photograph, Facebook photograph, and Quebec UK Flickr photograph has been free of the pandemic’s punch, don’t expect this tale to end anytime soon. People are pissed off. Tim Powers is vice-chairman of Summa figure in the province was so cruelly tone Strategies and managing director of deaf. Abacus Data. He is a former adviser to Jet-setting politicians Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is in a Conservative political leaders. full-on political crisis. His chief of staff has The Hill Times shouldn’t be surprised CAREERS when the public asks for heads to roll Senior Policy Advisor The damage assessment is still being Summary: Qualifications: An uber majority of elected done and it will vary across different juris- The Senior Policy Advisor conducts research, provides • College diploma, university degree or equivalent dictions, but at a time when Canadians are technical expertise, and engages with government in combination of education and experience officials followed the rules tired, frustrated, and probably uncertain order to support the real estate sector and find solutions • 3-5 years’ work experience in an association, about certain public health efforts, self- to the policy challenges currently facing the housing federal government and/or financial industry they set out and lectured us indulging politicos wasn’t the booster we industry. A team-oriented, highly-motivated, and stra- • Experience developing policies that cut across to follow, but a few high- needed. We all need escapes, we all need tegic-minded professional with a strong background in government departments and program areas vacations, but we are all living with limita- policy development and analysis. • Proven track record of working effectively with profile rule breakers have tions—or at least most of us are. The colos- external organizations, experts, academia, and sal error of judgement made by the elected Core Competencies: government officials damaged the credibility good-time travellers was to misjudge the • Policy development • Strong business acumen / financial industry knowl- heightened moral policing that is being • Communication & Presentation skills edge, with a high comfort level working with and inter- of the politician as public done by the public in this pandemic. And • Strict attention to detail preting financial data to inform policy development when you were an author of the COVID-19 • Adaptability • Advanced research, analytical, and problem-solving skills health messenger. criminal code and you decide to step out- • Good judgement and political acuity • Strategic and creative communicator with the abil- side its established practices, you can be ity to brief effectively to inform communications, damn sure public lynching is prescribed. Position Accountabilities: government relations, and leadership decisions We all want this pandemic to be over • Provide thorough, timely, and accurate analysis of • Innovative thinker, with an ability to test/reject/ and return to something like a 2019 world. complex policies and issues impacting homeown- refresh policy options Many of us are finding ways daily to keep ers, homebuyers, and the real estate industry. • Strong interpersonal skills, including an ability to our sanity and health—jetting far afield • Monitor the development and progression of major develop and maintain relationships with internal would be a great option. But it is not a federal legislation and regulation and provide timely and and external stakeholders realistic or sanctioned one in most juris- relevant updates to the Government Relations team. • Experience managing multiple projects and deliv- dictions unless for an essential purpose. • Develop policy proposals, recommendations and ering quality results under tight timelines Regular readers will have heard me opine discussion papers based on research, analysis, envi- • Previous experience in the real estate industry is a or whine about the fact that I have not ronmental scanning, and organizational priorities. definite asset Tim Powers been able to come home to Newfoundland • Provide written and oral briefings to CREA col- • Fluently bilingual in English and French is preferred Plain Speak and Labrador since the pandemic began. leagues, management and senior leadership. For now, as painful for me to accept it, that • Monitor and assess source reliability and bias when it Please direct your application to: [email protected] is just the way that it is. The most extensive comes to information gathering and policy development. At CREA, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, TTAWA—“Do as I say, not as I do” travel I have done is by car and it has been • Maintain effective working relationships with Boards, barrier-free and accessible environment. Part of this com- seems like an apt proverb for the times in the eastern Ontario-western Quebec Associations, stakeholders and Departmental Officials O mitment includes arranging accommodations to ensure as more stories emerge about politicians region for short, safe, allowable mental within the federal government. an equitable opportunity to participate in the recruitment who, during the holiday period or prior, health breaks. Suck it up buttercup, as a • Monitor developments in government relations and selection process. If you require an accommodation, thought they’d take some personal foreign dear departed friend of mine used to say. and lobbying and determine any relevant implica- we will work with you to meet your needs. travel when the rest of us were told by Ontario Premier Doug Ford lost a tions for CREA. them not to. While it is true, based on avail- finance minister and, by all reports, an • Research and synthesize complex concepts and able public reporting, that an uber majority extremely capable public servant after Rod information to inform policy development. of elected officials followed the rules they Phillips needed some time in St. Bart’s. For • Undertake other projects and duties as assigned set out and lectured us to follow, a few days now, Ford’s team has had to manage by the Director, Government Relations and/or high-profile rule breakers have damaged that mess and it has irritated locked-down Vice-President, Advocacy. the credibility of the politician as public Ontarians who remain aghast that the *Some travel is required post pandemic health messenger. formerly second-most powerful political 12 MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 | THE HILL TIMES Opinion COVID is exacerbating regional, provincial, and inter-personal tensions

block, have to take public transit to work, deal directly with the public, or work in long-term care. If these people, many from racial- ized groups, are more vulnerable to illness, it is not from any moral failing. Those who deserve oppro- brium are the anti-maskers, often white and middle class—and their ideological cheerleaders— who care more about their own comfort than about their fellow citizens. Some blame belongs to political leaders, too, who have issued a welter of conflicting and constantly changing advi- sories that only breed public disdain. (Even last week, under “severe” lockdowns in Ontario and Quebec, the Canadian Tire in Gatineau remained open while, in nearby Ottawa, the hardware giant provided only curbside service. And while indoor masks have been mandatory in many provinces for months, Alberta only signed on last week.) Maybe the problem is also the very structure of our country, where individual provinces often prevail over the broader national While some politicians exacerbate these divisions—Ontario Premier Doug Ford warning of 'hordes' of Quebecers, flooding into Ottawa; Alberta Premier Jason interest—even in a pandemic. Kenney, and Quebec’s François Legault, criticizing the federal government for slow vaccine roll-outs—there are rare, and welcome, voices of compassion and While some politicians unity, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade exacerbate these divisions—Pre- mier Ford warning of “hordes” of Quebecers, flooding into Ottawa; skiing in Gatineau Park, on the C hydro dam, the TMX pipeline Doug Ford, who recently blamed Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, ‘Shaming and blaming Quebec side, are told by locals project, and others. Even with the federal government for lax and Quebec’s François Legault, that they shouldn’t be on the reduced numbers imposed by surveillance of arriving passen- criticizing the federal government people does not trails, even though there is no of- the province, these camps house gers at Toronto’s major airport. for slow vaccine roll-outs—there ficial prohibition (yet) on crossing hundreds of men in close quarters Ford was right about the weak are rare, and welcome, voices of prevent the spread the border. By the same token, and outbreaks are both inevitable federal response, but wrong to compassion and unity. of COVID. It creates Quebec licence plates in Ottawa and have spread, during the first suggest that arriving passengers One is Dr. Robert Strang, chief shopping areas sometimes draw wave, to neighbouring communi- are a major source of his prov- medical officer of health for Nova stigma. It drives hostile stares. And, as always, fes- ties. ince’s recent surge in cases. They Scotia. Last week, he lamented tering linguistic tensions underlie This resentment of outsiders— play a very minor role. the “blaming and shaming” he has people underground,’ every uncomfortable interaction. a normal instinct for self-pro- That said, no one (accord- witnessed—smaller Nova Scotia Similarly, residents of some tection that can tip easily into ing to polls) wants to open land communities refusing service says Nova Scotia’s interior British Columbia towns, paranoia—extends, naturally, to borders to American visitors, or to people from Halifax; work- chief medical officer where COVID cases have been international travellers. Both the even to Canadians returning from ers who must travel outside the low, look askance at Alberta U.S. Centers for Disease Con- Florida, Arizona, or other infec- province for jobs, facing “serious of health, and ain’t licence plates. The Atlantic trol, and Canada’s Chief Medical tion zones—for understandable and intimidating communica- provinces keenly patrol their Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, reasons. Understandable, but not tions,” and even harassment of that the truth. own borders, intent on blocking conclude that the spread of the necessarily reasonable. their families. visitors from COVID hot spots virus among airplane passen- It is behaviour, not geography, “Shaming and blaming people like Quebec and Ontario. There gers is rare. Most carriers, like that spreads COVID. Blaming does not prevent the spread is even hostility among regions Air Canada, have air filtration foreigners, young people, im- of COVID,” he said. “It creates within the same province. People systems as good as those used migrants, the poor, the province stigma. It drives people under- living in Toronto’s satellite cit- in hospital surgery rooms. And next door, is a futile effort that ground.” Some people are going ies, like Vaughan, resent Toronto passengers have been required only undermines social cohesion to test positive, he said; it is a shoppers flocking to their shop- to wear masks since early (not and adds more misery to a miser- pandemic after all. He urged a ping malls when commerce is all early enough, but early) in the able time. People lucky enough caring and compassionate ap- but shut down in the red-zone pandemic. to work at home, smart enough proach, “caution, but not fear.” provincial capital. There have been recent, to follow health protocols, and And he wants Nova Scotians to People wealthy enough to own belated improvements, too. All considerate enough to bring their recognize that “everyone’s situa- a second property flee their city inbound air travellers to Canada supplies with them before they tion is different.” Susan Riley homes for cottages to the dismay must (finally) present a negative depart for the cottage present a These are words the entire Impolitic of small resort communities. COVID test before boarding and minimal threat—as long as they country needs to hear. Along with They worry that incoming cot- agree to quarantine upon arrival. don’t throw large dinner parties, another straightforward reminder tagers from Toronto, or Ottawa, And the short-lived prohibi- or parade around unmasked in from University of Toronto infec- HELSEA, QUE.—The most in- or the B.C. Lower Mainland, will tion on all flights from the U.K., tight quarters. Behaviour, not tious disease expert, Dr. Isaac Csidious thing about this pan- spread their big-city germs in prompted by the discovery of a geography. Bolgoch: “The driver of this infec- demic is the way it turns strang- local grocery stores and pharma- more infectious form of COVID Similarly, while Montreal is a tion is people who are in close ers into threats and everyone into cies. Or that they will overwhelm across the Atlantic, was lifted last recurring hot-spot, that doesn’t contact with others in indoor set- a stranger. local businesses, unprepared for week. The new strictures are sup- make everyone from the city a tings. It’s as simple as that.” This is most obvious, perhaps, holiday crowds in winter. posed to prevent further imported public health menace. As always, Behaviour, not boundaries. in border cities like Ottawa- Residents of northern British transmission, and, besides, the wealthier neighbourhoods— With the important caveat that is Gatineau, where interprovincial Columbia, including First Nations variant has already been discov- where people are comfortably easier for some to behave respon- bridges were closed during the communities, worry about major ered in this country. retired, able to work at home, and sibly than others, through no fault first wave. As cases in the Na- work camps that house construc- That doesn’t mean public close to outdoor recreation—have of their own. tional Capital Region rise again— tion workers for the LNG site nervousness about flying foreign- a distinct advantage by virtue Susan Riley is a veteran politi- not quite in tandem on both sides in Kitimat, the Coastal GasLink ers, or returning Canadians, has of their economic privilege. It cal columnist who write regularly of the Ottawa River, but close—so project on Wetsu’weten tradition- abated, however. If anything, it is harder to avoid the virus if for The Hill Times. do suspicions. Ottawa residents al territory, the controversial Site is amplified by politicians, like you live in a crowded apartment The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 13 Opinion

like Google and Amazon rather than in promoting Canadian- owned tech companies. Naively, Canada shouldn’t be a they didn’t understand that Big Tech was after our talent, our intellectual property and our best tech companies. They were easily seduced by Big Tech, with the happy trips to Silicon Valley happy hunting ground and first-naming with Big Tech billionaires. What we ended up with were R&D branch plants of Big Tech which used Canadian talent and our university professors and for foreign corporations research institutes to develop intellectual property to be owned by the corporate parents and used to generate jobs and wealth Canadian start-ups and scale-ups elsewhere, as well as takeovers of Belatedly, Industry R&D branch plants and develop intellectual property some of our best up-and-coming Minister Navdeep Bains, for our future economy. So we are tech companies. of Big Tech are using pictured Nov. 17, 2020, spending our own public money to This summer, the House of is now voicing concerns create seed corn that will benefit Commons Committee on Indus- Canadian talent over the potential investors from other countries. try, Science and Technology—over takeover of promising and our university What is the point of the the opposition of Liberal MPs— Canadian tech companies $52.4-million Bains pledged to held four sessions to review by foreign corporations, professors and three Ontario tech hubs to grow Investment Canada, including a trend that could 30 small tech companies into whether the thresholds for net accelerate as a result research institutes to companies with revenues of benefit reviews were too high. The of the pandemic. Rich $100-million or more by 2024, if committee now has a draft report develop intellectual with cash, Big Tech is Big Tech can simply come in and but Liberal MPs may try to water roaming the world to take them over, garnering the it down. property to be owned buy up promising tech intellectual property and talent Yet, this is a serious issue companies that are by the corporate team Canadian taxpayers have that will determine whether we struggling financially. helped to develop? will continue to be a farm team And we have companies parents and used to Thresholds that opened the for Big Tech so it can exploit our they would like to buy, doors to easier takeovers of intellectual property and talent writes David Crane. The generate jobs and our tech companies originated for its own profit, or whether we Hill Times photograph by with the Canada-U.S. Free Trade can build up a new generation wealth elsewhere. Andrew Meade Agreement negotiated by the of world-competitive businesses Mulroney government in 1984. headquartered and owned here, Although much lower then—it and which can generate the jobs was set at $192-million for 1992— and wealth for our own future company valuations were much prosperity. According to an interview in see whether the takeovers deliv- lower than today. This wouldn’t mean a ban The Financial Post, Bains said ered a net benefit for Canada. In the three fiscal years from on all takeovers. But it would he had asked Finance Minister Bains did this by raising the fiscal 2016-2017, 2017-2018 and require some radical new think- Chrystia Freeland to help Canada threshold for Investment Canada 2018-2019, some 1,772 Canadian ing, including the use of national deal with future takeovers of Ca- net benefit reviews from $600-mil- businesses have been sold to for- security as a reason to screen nadian tech companies. It will be lion in enterprise value when the eign owners without any kind of below-threshold takeovers based David Crane interesting to see whether Free- Liberals took office in 2015, to review by Investment Canada to on strategic criteria to bar the land responds in her first budget. $1.613-billion today for investors see whether there was a net benefit takeover of key Canadian tech Canada & the 21st Century Bains’ concern is over the sale of from countries with which we to Canada. In the same three years, companies, the use of a govern- tech companies short of capital have a free trade agreement; no- just 40 foreign investments were ment agency such as the Canada ORONTO—Belatedly, Indus- due to the pandemic. But what tably the U.S., and $1.075-billion reviewed for net benefit, and all Development Investment Corpo- Ttry Minister Navdeep Bains foreign multinationals really want for other WTO-member countries. were approved. We don’t know ration to recapitalize promising is now voicing concerns over the are our most successful compa- Even the $600-million threshold how many Canadian businesses tech companies because of im- potential takeover of promising nies. So to be effective, changes was too high—it was raised from were sold in the 2019-20 fiscal mediate financial difficulties, find Canadian tech companies by would be needed in Investment $369-million to $600-million in year, which ended last March since ways to ensure that Canadian foreign corporations, a trend that Canada. early 2015 by the Harper govern- could accelerate as a result of the What’s remarkable is that it ment, with plans to see it rise to In his first pandemic. Rich with cash, Big was Bains, the minister respon- $1-billion by 2017. years in office, Tech is roaming the world to buy sible for Investment Canada, who What Bains did was to open Prime Minister up promising tech companies that made it much easier for multina- the doors much wider and much Justin Trudeau, are struggling financially. And we tionals to acquire many more of more quickly than the Harper seemed keener have companies they would like our promising tech companies government planned to enable on courting Big to buy. without any kind of screening to foreign investors to acquire the Tech companies very same companies that we are like Google spending billions of dollars in and Amazon According to grants, tax incentives, education, an interview rather than and basic research to encourage in promoting in The as start-ups and scale-ups for our Financial Post, Canadian-owned future economy—the companies tech companies, Innovation we need for the jobs and wealth Minister writes David generation for future prosperity. Crane. The Hill Navdeep Bains Almost all of our tech companies said he had Times photograph fall below the thresholds. In fact, by Andrew Meade asked Finance Canada has been a happy hunt- Minister ing ground for Big Tech for many Chrystia years, often with active encour- Freeland, agement from successive govern- pictured ments. Nov. 23, This represents a colossal 2020, to help contradiction in federal policy. Canada deal On the one hand, we are mak- with future ing it extraordinarily easy for takeovers of foreign investors to buy up our Investment Canada has failed to pension and other funds invest Canadian tech potential future champions, turn- provide a 2019-2020 annual report, more of their money to support companies. ing Canada into a farm team for more than nine months after the Canada’s future, and require The Hill Times other countries to exploit for our end of its fiscal year. much greater transparency from photograph by intellectual property and talent; In their first years in office, Investment Canada itself. Andrew Meade while on the other hand, we have Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, David Crane can be reached at a growing investment of tax dol- along with Bains, seemed keener [email protected]. lars to train future talent, foster on courting Big Tech companies The Hill Times 14 MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 | THE HILL TIMES Global

The obvious way to continue this article would be to point out that Joe Biden won the election, that thanks to the run-off elections in Georgia, the Democrats will control both houses of Congress, and that the joint session of Congress withstood the assault of Trump’s storm-troopers on Jan. 6, 2021, pictured, writes Gwynne Dyer. Screen capture image courtesy ABC NEWS

will control both houses of Con- They didn’t hold elections, be- gress, and that the joint session of cause the bands were hardly ever Congress withstood the assault of more than a hundred strong and Trump’s storm-troopers on Jan. 6. they could just talk things over. All that is true, but Gopnik is But the core belief of democracy correct in saying that American is that everybody has equal rights democracy is still in serious trouble including a share in the decision- Democracy and that the populist tide is running making process, and our distant strongly in the world. The problem ancestors all believed that. They is with his view of the rest of the believed it for so long that it be- world and America’s place in it. came a basic human value. Gopnik grew up in Canada, but That basic human belief went he seems to have drunk the Ameri- underground when the first mass can Kool-Aid. That is the familiar societies appeared around 6,000 has nothing to mythology in which the United years ago. The only way to run States is not only the first mass them was from the top down, democracy but the indispensable by force, because without mass one, the shining example without communications (and they hadn’t which the others would wander even invented writing yet) there hopelessly in the darkness. was no way for tens or hundreds That’s not true. Democracy, of thousands of people to make do with being not autocracy, is the default mode decisions together as equals. political system, even though it is So the tyrants took over and had “the worst form of government ex- a very long run, but the belief in cept for all those other forms that equality never died, as all the slave have been tried from time to time,” and peasant revolts attest. And by as Winston Churchill said in the the 18th century a kind of mass com- House of Commons in 1947 (quot- munications had finally emerged. American or ing an unknown predecessor). Just the printing press plus mass Almost every dictator in the literacy, but that meant everybody world holds fake elections so he can could get back to making decisions claim legitimacy, however fraudu- together as equals, and so the demo- lently. No democratic leaders falsely cratic revolutions began. claim to be dictators or tyrants The United States was the (although some, like Donald Trump, first, perhaps because it then Bolsonaro in Brazil, Orbán in Hun- had the highest rate of literacy in ‘Western’ gary, and Duterte in the Philippines, the world. The far more radical secretly aspire to it). So default French Revolution came only mode democracy wins in a walk. 13 years later (it even abolished interesting question is not what This was not true before the slavery), and democracy just American democracy will probably survive its causes authoritarianism but what 18th century. There are indeed “all kept spreading. By now half the has ever suspended it.” those thousands of years of his- governments on the planet are current difficulties. Democracy as the default No, that’s the wrong question. tory” when the norm was “some genuinely elected, and the other It assumes, as Gopnik says, that form of autocracy.” But before half pretend to be. mode in the world certainly will. “The default condition of human- that there are all those hundreds Democracy has nothing to do kind is not to thrive in broadly of thousands of years of pre- with being American or ‘Western.’ ONDON, U.K.—If I have to egalitarian and stable democratic history when all humans lived as China was the first country with Lread one more hand-wringing arrangements that get unsettled equals, reaching their decisions printing, and if it had also had mass article about the ‘crisis of Ameri- only when something happens to by discussion and consensus, in literacy it could well have been the can democracy’ and what it means unsettle them. The default condi- little hunter-gatherer bands. first country to have a democratic for the world, I’m going to retch. tion of humankind, traced across We know this because some of revolution. American democracy The last straw was an article thousands of years of history, is those bands, living in out-of-the-way will probably survive its current dif- in The New Yorker last week by some sort of autocracy.” places, survived long enough for ficulties. Democracy as the default Adam Gopnik, an accomplished The obvious way to continue anthropologists to study them—and mode in the world certainly will. journalist whom I usually admire. this article would be to point out they were all egalitarian. In fact, they Gwynne Dyer’s new book is It was called ‘What We Get Wrong that Joe Biden won the election, had no formal leaders, and the worst ‘Growing Pains: The Future of Gwynne Dyer About America’s Crisis of Democ- that thanks to the run-off elec- social crime was for one adult man Democracy (and Work)’. Global Affairs racy,’ and the strapline read: “The tions in Georgia, the Democrats to give an order to another. The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 15 Opinion Arts and artists need a ‘new deal’

Red Sky Supporting the arts as part Performance dancers, of the creative class that pictured on Sept. 30, is essential to innovation 2019, at the and economic development Honouring National Day does not require the for Truth and Reconciliation costs of building hard ceremony at the Canadian infrastructure, and the Museum of History in impact may be intangible. Gatineau, Que. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Deanna Horton Opinion

he government has recognized the Tnecessity of fiscal stimulus not only to revive the economy, but also to support the most vulnerable. Artists and the arts sector are at serious risk during the pandemic. What’s more, the U.S. Farm Security ences. The government’s Nov. 30 economic ences. Their creativity forms the lifeblood For example, a recent Nordicity report Administration sent photographers across statement, which announced additional of our communities. Many are volunteer- noted a survey of live music which indi- the country—who can forget the iconic funding for Canadian Heritage and the ing or working at a fraction of what they cated that 96 per cent of surveyed venues photographs of Dorothea Lange and Walk- Canada Council for the Arts is a welcome would normally earn, because just as we were at risk of failure—only one sector of er Evans that documented the hardships of step, but institutions are still fighting for need them, they need us. There is nothing the arts spectrum, many without access to life in rural America? their survival. that can replace the shared experience of enough government support. Fast forward 85 years to a pandemic-in- Most importantly, however, the artists viewing visual and performing arts, and Using additional fiscal stimulus to sup- stigated recession where high-touch sectors, who depend on these institutions should be our cultural sector is demonstrating its tal- port the arts would be an investment in our such as culture, are uniquely vulnerable. given more support for their work. Artists ent and commitment to audience engage- future, it would help rebuild our communi- ment, even if only virtual. ties, and improve quality of life for artists Cultural industries are a vital part of the and audiences alike. And it would allow Franklin “creative class,” the term coined by re- artists to make an immeasurable contribu- Roosevelt, nowned urban geographer Richard Florida. tion to a better post-pandemic future. left, As we move deeper into the global digital Why not a 21st-century Canadian ver- pictured economy, the services and software-related sion of the Depression-era New Deal? on Oct. industries will underpin our competitive- Franklin Roosevelt’s Works Progress 24, 1932, ness. Supporting the arts as part of the Administration (WPA) in the U.S. was an campaigning creative class that is essential to innovation ambitious program integral to his New with Anna and economic development does not re- Deal. Support for bricks and mortar infra- Roosevelt quire the costs of building hard infrastruc- structure was only part of the story. The Halsted ture, and the impact may be intangible. But WPA also employed thousands of artists, and Eleanor there is little doubt that the government’s musicians, actors and writers through a Roosevelt, support for cultural institutions and artists WPA program known as Federal One, in Warm will prove a wise investment for Canada’s enthusiastically promoted by Eleanor Springs, future. Let’s put them to work to help us Roosevelt. Georgia. thrive. The WPA supported American artists, Photograph In a recent speech, Minister of Infra- such as Jackson Pollock, and others who courtesy of structure and Communities Catherine went on to become icons of the postwar Commons McKenna quoted Roosevelt’s maxim for abstract expressionist movement—Mark Wikimedia/ the intangible impact of the New Deal as Rothko, William de Kooning and Lee Kras- FDR “inspiring hope for the future.” The arts are ner. The WPA program allowed more than Presidential an intrinsic part of Canada’s brand, and of 5,000 other artists to work in their chosen Library our innovation edge. If Canada is to lead fields and develop their skills. on the world stage, cultural industries and The Federal Theatre project, also a part the artists who support them should be of Federal One, not only supported theatre given the support they need to play their across the country, but also the profession- roles. als who went on to illustrious careers, such Deanna Horton is a former Canadian as Arthur Miller and Orson Welles. Programs are necessary to ensure that creating on their own or in groups are criti- ambassador to Vietnam and previously Federal One made up only a minuscule the largest cultural institutions in Cana- cal to reweaving Canada’s cultural fabric served as a trustee of the Royal Ontario (0.5 per cent) portion of WPA expendi- da—those that attract both Canadians and now and into the post-pandemic era. Museum. Currently, she is a senior fellow tures—just US$27-million of the nearly visitors—are given sufficient funding to This past year, performing artists have at the Munk School. She resides in Strat- US$5-billion that had been earmarked for tide them over, and to use their innovative demonstrated their ingenuity by embracing ford, Ont., and is a theatre devotee. WPA work programs went to the arts. skills to create new ways of reaching audi- online technologies to engage their audi- The Hill Times

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Prime Minister Trudeau’s Justin Trudeau says priority should be given 'vulnerable people move to wait who need to get these vaccines much quicker.' The Hill Times photograph by his turn for Andrew Meade vaccine signals difference in political dynamics with

“We’re not going to be able to and the process. But the flip side portance, they [essential workers] U.S., say experts overcome the challenge that this is, people in positions of privilege would be paid more, offered more virus represents unless we stand will receive a scarce resource,” protection. It’s easy to say an MP together as a community, that we she said. “What if you’re on the is more essential to the function- for allocating the initial limited all accept that we have to act in other side of the fence, receiving ing of society than a bunch of Some experts say supply. In Canada, for example, accordance with the best evi- this message from someone you people who are checkout clerks, Ottawa is poised to receive about dence,” said Prof. Baylis. don’t value, trust? It’s a bit of a and that justifies the esteem and it’s an open question 1.2 million doses of Pfizer and Some experts said it’s an open double-edged sword.” pay differences,” said Prof. King. whether having Moderna vaccines by the end of question whether vaccinating Prof. King said Mr. Trudeau’s “But those grocery store workers January. Priority is being given to political leaders or other high- decision signals to the public that are far more essential.” political leaders or those most at risk of contracting profile figures will actually be they should trust the guidelines Such moves by politicians to and suffering severely from the effective at shoring up confidence are the fairest process, adding cast themselves as spokespersons other high-profile virus, such as seniors living in con- in the safety of the vaccine. many politicians likely don’t want for the inoculation campaign gregate settings, and those more “I don’t know of any evidence to be seen as “cutting in line.” haven’t been without criticism. figures get their shots likely to get infected and transmit indicating that public leaders The public outcry over politi- Democratic Congresswoman it because of their occupation, such publicly taking the vaccine [is cians who took trips abroad over Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was first will actually be as medical workers, before the convincing]. … They’re proceed- the holidays and ensuing fall- among those who publicized her effective at shoring campaign widens to other groups. ing on the assumption that if out—several have been stripped vaccine appointment, sharing a Neither list puts politicians someone who is vaccine hesitant of their duties—also suggest that video of herself getting the shot up confidence in the first in line, noted Françoise Bay- sees Joe Biden or Justin Trudeau, many Canadians wouldn’t toler- in late December with her 8.2 mil- lis, university research professor that’s going to make them more ate seeing politicians get prefer- lion followers on Instagram. safety of the vaccine. at Dalhousie University. likely to take the vaccine,” said ential treatment because of their In a tweet defending her deci- occupation, he added. sion to get a vaccine not long Outgoing U.S. Kate Harrison, part- after it was approved for use, Ms. BY BEATRICE PAEZ Vice-President ner at Summa Strate- Ocasio-Cortez said she hoped Mike Pence, gies, agreed that there that, by demonstrating she wasn’t anada’s political leaders pictured with could be some backlash hesitant about receiving the shot, Care hewing to the vaccine Prime Minister if Canadians politicians many Americans would trust the guidelines the federal advisory Justin Trudeau were seen as jump- regulatory process, noting wide- committee has issued in waiting in May 2019, ing the queue, saying spread resistance to pandemic their turn for the shot, a depar- during a visit to there would likely be restrictions and measures like ture from some of their American Ottawa, got his more of a “knee-jerk mask-wearing made her call nec- counterparts that some experts shot alongside reaction” if they were essary. “Our job is to make sure say speaks to differences in politi- his wife, an afforded special access. the vaccine isn’t politicized the cal dynamics. appointment that “Canada is a much way masks were politicized,” she While a number of high-profile was captured live smaller place; constitu- tweeted in response to Republi- political leaders in the U.S., such on television. encies are smaller,” she can Senator Rand Paul. as incoming president Joe Biden The Hill Times said. “Politics is local There could be other dynamics and current Vice-President Mike photograph by everywhere, but I would at play in Canada’s calculations Pence, have rolled up their sleeves Andrew Meade say that the role a local that speak to long-standing politi- in the early days of the immuni- politician plays is just cal traditions. zation campaign in a bid to curb fundamentally quite Sheamus Murphy, partner at vaccine hesitancy, Prime Minister different than a senator Counsel Public Affairs, said many Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.), or congressperson in of Canada’s political leaders have who just turned 49 and is far the U.S.,” she said. “They resisted making investments that down the vaccine priority list, Prof. Baylis said some politi- Nicholas King, associate profes- have an expectation that [politi- would benefit themselves by dint said he intends to wait his turn. cians in the U.S. view images sor at McGill University’s depart- cians] are not all that removed of their position at the public’s “I am super enthusiastic about of themselves getting a vaccine ment of the social studies of from themselves.” expense, pointing to how 24 Sus- getting vaccines, and I certainly as key to fostering public trust medicine, of the approach some The pandemic has also laid sex Drive, the prime minister’s want to show people they’re safe among those skeptical about U.S. politicians are taking. bare what’s considered essential principal residence, has fallen and that we trust our doctors. its safety. In Canada, she noted, Shannon MacDonald, assis- to keep society humming, said into disrepair over the years, and But there’s a lot of vulnerable political leaders appear to be tant professor at the University Prof. King, which should prod the also how a pair of Challenger jets people who need to get these leaning on the message they’ve of Alberta’s faculty of nursing, broader public to reckon with the used by high-profile federal of- vaccines much quicker than I been repeating for months that said there’s a tradeoff in having treatment afforded to front-line ficials are no longer up to modern will, and we’re going to make the pandemic demands a commu- politicians get first dibs on what’s essential workers such as grocery- aviation standards. sure that they get it first, because nity response, requires collective a scarce resource at the moment store clerks and workers at meat- “There’s just years and years that’s the priority,” he told CP24, a sacrifice, and adherence to the and it may not ultimately end processing plants—many of whom of examples of prime ministers news channel in Toronto, back in best scientific evidence available. up having the intended effect of are in precarious economic and who’ve refused to make those December. That includes abiding by the pre- shoring up trust, especially in social positions. He said it’s “an types of investments relative to With vaccines still a scarce scriptions, as much as possible, the U.S., where partisanship has open question” whether politicians world leaders,” he said. “It’s part commodity across much of the handed down by the National hardened. can reasonably fall within that cat- of the dynamic in this country. world, Canada and the U.S. have Advisory Committee on Immuni- “If we have our leaders get egory of essential workers. They don’t want to be seen as both turned to advisory committees zation (NACI), Canada’s federal vaccinated early, it sends the mes- “I would hope that out of fair- feathering their own nest.” to issue recommended guidelines task force, she added. sage that they trust the vaccine ness, and recognition of their im- The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 17 News Trump’s incitement of mob hopefully a wake-up call for senior Republicans, but America’s standing as ‘beacon of democracy’ damaged, say Canadian Parliamentarians

The images of rioters Pro-Trump standing on the world stage. supporters, “It’s very worrisome not only for donning Trump pictured Jan. the U.S., but for the standing of 6, 2021, democratic institutions through- regalia and neo-Nazi storming out the world,” he said. “Any Capitol penetration, for political reasons, garb as they wrested Hill in on an institution like the U.S. control of the Capitol Washington, Senate is totally unprecedented in D.C. a country that’s supposed to be a has undermined Screenshot beacon for democracy.” courtesy of Those in charge of securing America’s push to CNN the Capitol Building, including the sergeants-at-arms, have resigned. promote democracy There have been bipartisan calls for an investigation into the and has implications breach. News media have reported for Canada’s that the Capitol Police turned down offers for reinforcement, in- own efforts, say cluding from the National Guard, even as some feared civil unrest. Parliamentarians. Mr. Harris’ Conservative coun- terpart, Michael Chong (Welling- Continued from page 1 ton-Halton Hills, Ont.), issued a press statement a day after the For many, the assault on the riots, pinning blame on Mr. Trump Capitol Building on Jan. 6 was bear some brunt of the blame. transfer of power and that a new along with securing Democratic for inciting an “unruly mob” and shocking, but not incomprehen- “They seemed to think they could administration would be sworn in. control of the Senate and the calling on him to “respect the will sible. do that without negative conse- He did not, however, concede that House, gives him all the legisla- of the American people.” “Things were moving towards quences, because he was going to the election was free and fair. tive and executive levers he needs The events have also prompted a flashpoint because of his denial lose anyway,” she said. Even as Ms. May and Sen. to “bring society together and Canadian political leaders to re- of the election results. He was Sen. Boehm said Mr. Pence Boehm were hopeful that some reduce the climate inequality, the flect on Canada’s own brush with trying all kinds of means to try to and Republican Senate Major- Republicans have been chas- racial and societal inequality, and politically motivated violence. overturn the results,” said Inde- ity Leader Mitch McConnell’s tened, they said Mr. Biden’s effort economic inequality that has led Watching the endless stream pendent Senator Peter Boehm refusal to lend any credence to to unify the country amid deep to the rise of populism over the of images of the chaos unfold- (Ontario) of the storming of Capi- Mr. Trump’s claim that they can partisan rancour will be no small past years.” ing brought Progressive Senator tol Hill. “His last gambit was to invalidate the results during the feat. Jane Cordy (Nova Scotia) back have the vice-president overturn pro forma exercise, and the deci- “[Mr. Trump] has set alight to the stressful hours six years the election—and obviously, what sion to press forward with the some very dangerous fuses, and ‘Damage has been done’ ago, when a 32-year-old gunman, precipitated things was the fact proceedings, has left Mr. Trump they still remain a threat,” Ms. The images of rioters donning suspected of being an extremist, that the Vice-President [Mike] “quite diminished.” May said. Trump regalia and neo-Nazi garb killed Nathan Cirillo, an honour Pence was very clear that he “I think senior Republican Independent Senator Fran- as they wrested control of the guard posted at the National War could not do that constitutionally, leadership has received a wake- ces Lankin (Ontario) said it’s a Capitol likely left many across the Memorial, before storming Centre that he’d sworn an oath to the up call,” he said. terrifying prospect that there’s world astonished that such events Block on Parliament Hill. Sen. Constitution.” In the immediate aftermath, a crowd, essentially, ready to be could unfold in a country that has Cordy and other Parliamentarians For weeks, after losing the at least two cabinet officials re- mobilized to thwart the peace- held itself up as the leader of the had to hunker down, unaware presidential race, Mr. Trump signed and there were discussions ful transition of power, because free world. of the exact details of the events has baselessly claimed electoral of invoking the 25th amendment they’ve been fed unsubstantiated Progressive Senator Dennis unfolding above them before fraud, stoking the fury of his sup- of the U.S. Constitution to try to claims. “That’s a very dangerous Dawson (Lauzon, Que.), a member travelling through the tunnels to porters who also turned out in remove Mr. Trump from office in situation when one can only hope of the Canada-U.S. Interparlia- East Block. record numbers to vote for him. the waning days of his presiden- that, with time, things will calm mentary Group, who has long There were TVs in the room Many senior Republicans also cy. Mr. Biden’s inauguration is on down,” she said. been involved in efforts alongside broadcasting live coverage, but refused to immediately recognize Jan. 20. Mr. Trump tweeted Jan. 8 As difficult as it will be for Mr. his U.S. counterparts to promote early information had suggested U.S. president-elect Joe Biden’s that he would forgo the tradition Biden, who has a track record democracy abroad, said America’s there could be more than one victory. of past presidents appearing at for embracing bipartisanship, to ability to cast itself as a beacon for shooter. Despite reports that pro- the event to mark the transfer of bridge the partisan divides, Sen. democracy has been tarnished. He “It was that feeling of—‘what’s Trump supporters were openly power. Dasko said, a change at the top added it’s also going to undermine going on?’—because you were plotting an occupation on Capitol Green parliamentary leader can help reset the tone. And, with- Canada’s own efforts. locked inside,” she said. “You Hill to overturn the election Elizabeth May (Saanich-Gulf out access to the levers of power, “The damage has been done. could only imagine what [U.S.] results, Capitol Police were over- Islands, B.C.) said the violent including the unfettered ability [That image] is going to be staff and Senators and House rep- run and unable to prevent rioters episode may be sobering for to tweet without consequence, weakened forever,” he said. “Who resentatives who were there, what from ransacking the Senate many Republicans. “I definitely she added, Mr. Trump won’t have are we now? Who are they to talk they must’ve been going through.” Chamber and several offices as a think there was a rupture within the same clout and profile. (Mr. about respect for orderly transfer Ms. May suggested it’s a joint session convened to certify the Republican Party over what Trump was temporarily locked of power?” testament to their commitment Mr. Biden’s win. The mob tem- happened,” she said. “When they out of his Twitter account for post- Canadian Senators Group’s to democracy that a majority porarily halted proceedings, but came back to vote on some of the ing a video urging his supporters Diane Griffin (Prince Edward of American lawmakers were after police reined in the rioters, objections, they no longer had to “show strength” at the rally.) Island) agreed. “It is an embar- determined to see the certification both chambers reconvened and adequate sponsors to force a two- “The change in leadership is rassment for them, an embar- process through after the threat formally recognized Mr. Biden hour debate.” going to be really important. It’s rassment for all democracies,” they faced. would be the next president. Five Though nearly 150 Repub- going to be absolutely crucial. He she said. “Who would ever believe “When we got through what people died as a result of last licans refused to recognize the brings a completely different set that we’d see the Capitol Build- happened [in 2014], we recon- week’s shocking attack on the results after the riots, some who of values,” she said. ing being stormed by its own vened for long enough to say, Capitol Building, CNN reported had tied their political fates close- Green Party Leader Annamie citizens? There’s no need for us ‘We’re not doing anything today. on Friday. ly to Mr. Trump, including Senator Paul said the Biden administra- to be cocky—that it would never We are adjourned,’ ” she said. Independent Senator Donna Lindsey Graham, broke with the tion has an “extraordinary oppor- happen in Canada.” “Imagine if we said, ‘We’re going Dasko (Ontario) said Republicans president. After facing backlash tunity” to address the challenges, NDP MP Jack Harris (St. back to work.’ ” who backed Mr. Trump in his from his own ranks, Mr. Trump and that the cross-partisan outcry John’s East, N.L.), his party’s for- [email protected] drive to delegitimize the election released a video pledging he that’s followed should be “em- eign affairs critic, said it’s landed [email protected] for apparent political advantage would co-operate in the “orderly” powering” for him. That, she said, “a significant blow” to America’s The Hill Times 18 MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 | THE HILL TIMES News

“Frankly, it’s frightening to see cases rise at home and around the Regular updates world day after day, but you’re not in this alone—we continue to be there for you,” said the prime minister. and ‘keeping ‘Politics has absolutely no place in this’ When asked what the role of politics out of it’ politicians should be in the next nine to 12 months in order for the vaccine regime to be effective, Green Party Leader Annamie Paul key to COVID-19 told The Hill Times that “politicians need to keep politics out of it.” “Politics has absolutely no place in this, our decisions about who gets vaccinated when and vaccine rollout, Health Minister Patty Hajdu, left, and Chief Medical Officer of Public Health Theresa in what order need to be guided Tam pictured speaking with reporters in Ottawa on Dec. 11, 2020 at a technical by the recommendations of the briefing on the government’s roll-out of vaccines and response to the second wave of [national advisory commission on the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade immunization] and needs to be say experts, guided by the recommendations been a lot of finger pointing in of the virus. Just over 3,500 new of that commission, and need to terms of whose to blame, but the cases were also reported in Cana- be guided by health experts,” said reality is, is we have these vaccines da’s most populous province. Ms. Paul. “As soon as political politicians and they haven’t been given to The day previous, Quebec considerations get into the mix, people who need them.” imposed a four-week lockdown— it sows doubt, it creates a lack of With COVID-19 cases in- complete with an 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. confidence, it creates divisive- for questions from the public and creasing quickly in many prov- curfew—which was scheduled to ness, and we don’t want any of Public trust is key for from the media. inces, and longstanding problems begin on Jan. 9. that to come into the system.” “In addition to that, if you within long-term care homes, In Alberta, another particu- “At the very least, it’s a distrac- effective public health don’t have an answer to some- getting those vaccines into those larly hard-hit province, Premier tion, and at the worst it will slow initiatives, says top one’s question, everybody knows most vulnerable people as quickly Jason Kenney announced on down our efforts to get to that herd that you’re going to be at the ex- as possible should be the priority, Jan. 7 that COVID-19 restrictions immunity percentage,” said Ms. Paul. infectious disease act same place at the exact same according to Dr. Tuite. will remain in effect for at least NDP MP Don Davies (Vancou- time to address the questions “It hasn’t happened, and that’s another two weeks following ver-Kingsway, B.C.), his party’s specialist Dr. Isaac again,” said Dr. Bogoch. problematic,” she said, pointing reports of 24 more deaths and 968 health critic, told The Hill Times Even though it might still be out that we currently have a lot new cases of the virus. that from the beginning, he’s said Bogoch. ‘Obviously a crisis, at least people have a fewer vaccines now than we’re there should better understanding of what the going to have in the coming Infectious disease be a national that’s multi-faceted, response is, according to the in- months. expert Dr. Isaac vaccination plan but one of them is fectious disease expert, who also “If we can’t figure out how to Bogoch says ‘in that should be said it’s likely that around 70 per get those to the people who need a perfect setting, coordinated by openness, honesty cent of Canadians need to be im- them quickly, what are we going you would have the the federal gov- munized to provide some degree to do when we’re starting to talk same person show ernment. and transparency of herd immunity. about vaccinating tens or hun- up at the same “It doesn’t “I think we’re going to see a dreds of thousands of people a place at the same mean that the about what you’re lot of benefits much earlier on as day?” said Dr. Tuite. time, every single actual vaccina- we vaccinate priority populations day to provide an tion rollout isn’t doing, what’s going a complicated, like those who are in long-term ‘The goal is to achieve update and to take well, what’s not going care,” said Dr. Bogoch. “We will questions from coordinated set certainly alleviate some pressure as high as possible the media and the of responsibili- well, and how you’re from our healthcare system and general public.’ ties between all certainly prevent so many deaths immunizations across Photograph courtesy levels of govern- going to fix what’s not by vaccinating long-term care, so the population’ of Twitter ment,” said Mr. you’ll see much earlier benefits.” Experts don’t yet know what Davies. “If the going well.’ Public trust is key for effective share of the population must be federal govern- public health initiatives, said Dr. vaccinated in order to stamp out ment doesn’t Bogoch. COVID-19, said Dr. Susy Hota, British Columbia will keep pull together and publish a Continued from page 1 “Obviously that’s multi-facet- medical director of infection pre- restrictions in place until Feb. 5. national vaccination plan, than infectious disease experts says the ed, but one of them is openness, vention and control at Toronto’s Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie nobody is going to do it, and they ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and honesty and transparency about University Health Network. Henry said the number of infec- haven’t done that yet.” the associated push for wide- what you’re doing, what’s going The measles is even more tions was trending up once again. “Other jurisdictions are doing spread vaccinations against the well, what’s not going well and infectious than COVID-19—and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau it, and that’s why I’m particularly virus “is a crisis; it needs a crisis how you’re going to fix what’s not also transmits differently—and convened a virtual meeting with critical of them because I’ve seen management approach, and [that] going well,” he said. outbreaks of measles begin to First Ministers on Jan. 7, where other countries do it, like Austra- includes crisis management com- occur when less than 85 per cent they discussed the rollout of the lia,” said Mr. Davies. munication.” of a population is not vaccinated vaccine across the country. There are two main reasons Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an expert in Getting vaccines into against the disease, she said. “We agreed that it is vital to for the efficacy of that approach, infectious disease at the Univer- the most vulnerable “The goal is to achieve as high work together as ‘Team Canada’ according to the NDP MP. sity of Toronto, told The Hill Times as possible immunizations across to get vaccines delivered, dis- “If you don’t have a well last week that “part of crisis as quickly as possible the population, because nobody tributed, and administered as thought out, published plan, as management communications should be the priority truly knows exactly what it’s go- quickly and efficiently as pos- any financial planner will tell means that you have to have very Dr. Ashleigh Tuite, an infec- ing to take.” sible,” said Mr. Trudeau in a press you, you’re unlikely to meet your regular updates, and in a perfect tious disease epidemiologist and “We want this to end—we conference on Jan. 8. “The pre- goals,” said Mr. Davies. “And setting, you would have the same mathematical modeller at the don’t want to just be stomping out miers and I also discussed ways second, I think it’s important for person show up at the same place University of Toronto, told The fires for the rest of our lives, so to combat misinformation—vac- public confidence and transpar- at the same time, every single day Hill Times that the slow rollout of it’s an opportunity,” said Dr. Hota. cines are safe and effective, and ency and communication.” to provide an update and to take the vaccine so far “has been a dis- Dr. Hota said a lot of the focus everyone should be doing their Basically we live “day-to-day” questions from the media and the appointment, in the sense that it’s at the moment has been on pro- part by getting vaccinated when with whatever the prime minister general public.” kind of miraculous that we have a curement and assuring the public it’s their turn.” or health minister deigns to tell us “That’s how it’s done,” said Dr. vaccine a year after this virus was that Canada will have enough The prime minister said the on that particular day. Bogoch, who sits on the govern- first recognized, and the fact that vaccine available. government is on track to deliver “And I think it’s purely politi- ment’s COVID-19 testing and we have it in Canada available to “What we also need to supple- approximately 1.3 million doses of cally managed—it’s a cheap way screening expert advisory panel. roll out.” ment is enough expert voices the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines by for the government to kind of There are six key points in “I think there was a huge poten- on the safety and effectiveness the end of January, with quantities withhold information and dole this approach, according to Dr. tial win for politicians, for people of—and what the actual vaccines expected to scale up in February. it out as they see fit,” said Mr. Bogoch: what’s happened today, working in public health, for the are—and what people can expect “Remember, Canada has the Davies. “I think its paternalistic, I what’s going well, what’s not medical community, to get those in terms of how to monitor your- most vaccines secured per capita think it’s poor public policy, and going well, how are you going vaccines deployed and in people’s self afterwards,” said Dr. Hota. in the world, which means that by I think Canadians are starting to to improve on what’s not going arms,” said Dr. Tuite. “And it’s been On Jan. 7, Ontario reported its September, we will have enough see that.” well, and the big picture—with a series of things that haven’t gone deadliest day since the pandemic vaccines for every Canadian that [email protected] time available at the end to allow quite as one would expect. There’s began, with 89 deaths as a result wants one,” said Mr. Trudeau. The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 19 News

part be chalked up to the speed Should feds intervene in provincial at which COVID-19 vaccines have been developed and ap- proved. “I’m not sure that we expected to receive vaccines this quickly,” he said. vaccine rollout? Experts in health, However, Sen. Dean said it was a mistake for the Ontario government to pause its vaccina- tion program over the holidays. governance and politics weigh in He said that Ontario has a “gov- ernance problem,” with too many questions about who is making 'A one-size-fits-all order in which people receive the decisions about pandemic man- ‘Declaring an approach from the vaccine.” agement, and how. federal government Dr. Lam wrote an op-ed in the “We obviously have problems emergency under the isn't automatically Globe in late November calling with our emergency management Emergencies Act is the best thing,' said on the government to invoke the structure, and I think a number Prime Minister Justin Emergencies Act, take a bigger of people in the province—those unlikely to actually Trudeau during a Jan. role in supervising provincial and who run hospitals, public health 5 press conference. Mr. local efforts to fight the pandem- experts and academics—would be a helpful route Trudeau has repeatedly ic, and take more direct actions look at this and say, ‘that gover- said that he does where needed. nance structure is either too big, forward at this point,’ not want to use the The federal government has or you don’t have the right people Emergencies Act to a duty to step in if the provinces there,’” he said. says pandemic expert cross into provincial are failing to contain the spread Invoking the Emergencies Act Steven Hoffman. jurisdiction as part of of the pandemic effectively, he would only make sense if there Canada's pandemic told The Hill Times. Invoking the were a “renegade” provincial gov- response. The Hill Emergencies Act would allow the ernment that was refusing to take Times photograph by federal government to direct local the pandemic seriously, said Mr. Continued from page 1 Sam Garcia health agencies to report di- Hoffman, who added that none of government should step in and rectly to the federal government; Canada’s provincial governments use the Emergencies Act to mar- use cell phone data for contact fit that description now. shall local resources in the fight tracing without first obtaining If the federal government were against COVID-19, something permission; order Amazon or to take charge of some aspect of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau other businesses to help the gov- provincial healthcare delivery, (Papineau, Que.) has said he does ernment quickly deliver vaccines it would have to replicate pay- not wish to do. from one place to another; or use ment systems, regulations, and a COVID-19 cases have surged ing control of a provincially-run “Provinces have had at least commercial refrigeration facilities host of other provincial respon- across parts of Canada in recent healthcare service. And it would 10 months to prepare for this to store vaccines, he said. sibilities on the fly, which would weeks, prompting Quebec to unlikely be able to do any better moment when we have vaccines,” The act would also give the inevitably have “downstream” impose a curfew, and Ontario to than the provinces, because of he said. federal government the ability consequences, he said. shutter schools. The federal and course [it hasn’t] prepared for do- As of Jan. 8, the provinces to pay businesses or individuals Taking control of just one provincial governments have ing that over these last 10 months.” and territories had administered for such extraordinary services aspect of a province’s healthcare pointed fingers at each other for Former Liberal MP Andrew about 48 per cent of the nearly quickly. system—such as vaccine deliv- the slow pace of vaccinations, Leslie told The Hill Times that Mr. 485,000 vaccines delivered to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ery—at this stage would create with Mr. Trudeau saying on Jan. Trudeau should have invoked the them by the federal government, has said repeatedly he won’t use two systems within provinces 5 he was “frustrated” that more Emergencies Act to take greater according to COVID-19 Tracker the Emergencies Act to intervene competing for the same resourc- vaccines hadn’t been adminis- control over the country’s pan- Canada, a website run by Uni- in provincial efforts to dole out es, said Mr. Leslie. tered. Several provincial leaders demic response back in the spring versity of Saskatchewan student the doses of COVID-19 vaccines. responded that the federal gov- of 2020, when COVID-19 was first Noah Little and populated with “I’m not particularly keen on Staying out of provincial ernment hadn’t yet provided them taking hold in Canada. data by volunteers. Canada’s using the federal Emergencies with enough vaccines. “If Trudeau were to try to do it federal government has placed Act,” Mr. Trudeau said during a turf good politics but The University Health Net- now, he would get pushback from orders for millions more vac- Jan. 5 press conference. He said ‘not necessarily in the work, which is made up of four just about everybody, not the least cines that have not yet been that different regions of Canada hospitals in Toronto, was on pace of which is the federal govern- delivered. are being challenged in differ- best interests of the to run out of COVID-19 vaccines ment and a variety of his min- Dr. Lam said family doctors ent ways by the pandemic, and a nation’ says Leslie by Jan. 8, CEO Dr. Kevin Smith isters, because they’re not used and frontline health workers in “one-size-fits-all” solution from The Liberals have been “ruth- tweeted on Jan. 7. to actually running the frontline Ontario are frustrated that they the federal government wouldn’t lessly focused on getting re- The leader of the Ontario battle. They have no experience in weren’t being involved in the prov- be an improvement to provincial elected,” said Mr. Leslie, a former Liberal Party, Steven Del Duca, it,” he said. ince’s effort to vaccinate people. and territorial efforts. parliamentary secretary in the called on Ontario Premier Doug When invoked, the Emergen- Dr. Lam treats people for opi- Liberal government and retired Ford on Jan. 6 to ask the Cana- cies Act gives the government ex- oid addiction at Toronto’s Coderix Ontario has pandemic Canadian Armed Forces general. dian Armed Forces to step in and traordinary powers to dictate the Medical Clinic. He previously Staying away from provincial help coordinate the province’s movement of people and resourc- worked as an emergency room ‘governance problem’ responsibilities during the pan- vaccine rollout. es, spend money, use property, physician in the city for years, says former cabinet demic has been “either intentional Mr. Trudeau spoke with the and more in the event of a public including during the SARS out- or unintentional clever politics, premiers about their efforts to welfare emergency. It imposes break in 2003. secretary Tony Dean but not necessarily in the best administer federally-procured numerous constraints on those Provincial governments should It’s more likely that the federal interests of the nation,” he said. vaccines during a Jan. 7 virtual special powers, including requir- not delay the administration of government would intervene with “I think [the Emergencies Act] meeting. The press release that ing that the Charter of Rights and vaccines in order to funnel them permission from, or at the request was needed back in March, and followed the meeting did not Freedoms be respected. It allows to the priority groups such as of, a provincial government, said everything that the government reveal much detail about the the federal government to use healthcare workers or long-term Independent Senator Tony Dean is struggling to try to do now discussion. “First Ministers agreed those powers across the country care home residents, he said. (Ontario), who served as Ontario’s could have been done a lot more to continue working together to without permission from the “This is a situation where it is top public servant from 2002 to 2008. effectively and efficiently, but— allocate, distribute, and admin- provinces, but does not allow the probably better to be a lot faster, Sen. Dean said he believed and this is a very big but—it’s ister vaccines as efficiently and government to intervene in just a even if it means that we’re a little the sluggish pace of vaccina- been good politics for the Trudeau equitably as possible,” it said. single province without permis- bit less precise, in terms of the tions by the provinces could in government,” he said. Having the federal govern- sion from that province’s govern- “I agree with [Trudeau] that ment or military help provinces ment. doing it now would not make it to manage the logistics behind Some Canadian doctors and Parliamentarians on use of the Emergencies Act better, because that means it’s mass public vaccinations could be health experts have also said they a complete admission of failure helpful, but a total federal take- are frustrated over the slow pace “I’m not particularly keen on using the federal Emergencies Act. I think on a practical basis, the challenges by the provinces, so they would over of the vaccine rollout now at which provincial governments faced in different regions are very different, and a one-size-fits-all approach from the federal government isn’t have their noses out of joint. And might not produce a better result, are administering COVID-19 automatically the best thing.”—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a press conference, Jan.5, 2021 the level of cooperation would said Steven Hoffman, an expert vaccines delivered to them by the be tough to implement, because in international health threats federal government. The Globe “In terms of the Emergencies Act in the context of distributing vaccines, at this point I do not think we need the federals have no experience leading the Global Strategy Lab and Mail quoted several of them to use the Emergencies Act. We are having incredible collaboration with provinces and territories.”—Health in actually running the frontline in Toronto. in a story published Jan. 5. Minister Patty Hajdu in the House of Commons, Dec. 3, 2020 fight against the pandemic. The “Declaring an emergency Mr. Hoffman told The Hill provinces do,” said Mr. Leslie, “In light of what is happening in Canada, in the U.S. and around the world, could the prime minister please under the Emergencies Act is un- Times it was “perplexing” that who now works as a consultant tell us if he intends to invoke the Emergencies Act, as our COVID crisis continues to seriously endanger the the provinces had not managed likely to actually be a helpful route lives and health and safety of Canadians? Further, is he confident his actions and his leadership today will at Bluesky Strategy Group in forward at this point,” he said. to dole out more of the vaccines not see demands for an apology for not invoking the Emergencies Act 50 years hence?”—Independent MP Ottawa. “The federal government would given to them by the federal gov- Jody-Wilson Raybould, a former Liberal justice minister, in the House of Commons, Oct. 29, 2020 [email protected] essentially be swooping in, tak- ernment. The Hill Times 20 MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 | THE HILL TIMES News ‘It seems to have hit a nerve’: no margin of error left for Despite public health advisories, Liberal MP Kamal Khera, left, Liberal MP Sameer Zuberi, Conservative MP David Sweet, Conservative MP Ron Liepert, and NDP MP Niki Ashton travelled abroad over the holidays. MPs and political insiders have described their choice to travel internationally in the midst of COVID-19 as 'entitlement' and 'hypocrisy.' politicians The Hill Times file photographs MPs’ travel was approved by the to avoid non-essential travel. might consider the reasons why Liberal Whip. Since March, Canadians have someone ignored the travel advi- Some of these MPs who trav- been making personal sacrifices sories. He said that it’s too early caught in travel elled out of country last month by observing social distanc- to make a prediction at this time did so to visit their relatives who ing requirements in an effort to about what this means for the po- were seriously ill or to attend contain the spread of COVID-19. litical careers of these politicians. their funerals. Others travelled for They missed important family “It’s different circumstances controversy vacation. events, including in some cases for different people,” said Mr. Ms. Ashton travelled to Greece of funerals of close family mem- Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public to visit her seriously ill grand- bers, to follow the rules. When Affairs. “We’ve seen problems mother. She did not get permis- they learned that some of the that have occurred in the past for over holidays, sion from her party leadership politicians have failed to do the other politicians where they’ve before leaving and now has same, it drew a sharp reaction gone on to win elections. So, time been removed from her shadow from them, Mr. Graves said. will tell, and I don’t think that you cabinet critic position. Ms. Khera “It seems to have hit a nerve, could treat every single individual say MPs and went to the U.S. to attend a for sure,” said Mr. Graves, founder as being in the same situation, memorial service for her uncle. and president of Ekos Research. or potentially suffering the same She has resigned from her posi- “It’s not entirely surprising given level of consequence.” tion as parliamentary secretary that the public mood right now is Conservative MP Peter Kent political insiders to the minister of international not normal. I mean, under normal (Thornhill, Ont.), a former development. Mr. Zuberi travelled circumstances, people like to member of the Ethics Committee to Delaware to spend some time jump on politicians for various who is not seeking re-election, and MPs said; otherwise these with his wife’s ill grandfather. indiscretions and mistakes. But declined to say if the indiscretion NDP MP Charlie politicians get exposed before the He’s stepping down from his com- in this context, we have a pub- of MPs traveling abroad will have people. mittee roles. Mr. Sweet received lic who are just worried about any negative implications for Angus described “In today’s environment, any permission from the Conserva- a burgeoning pandemic that is their political careers. He said it’s politician that travels outside of tive whip to travel to the U.S. to reaching record levels in terms up to their constituents to decide. politicians’ choice the country for a vacation risks deal with a property issue but of cases, hospitalizations, and “Well, it’s not for me to say to travel abroad, becoming a political pariah,” later stayed for “leisure.” He has deaths.” what impact their discretionary said Mr. Nanos. “Voters expect announced that we will step down NDP MP Charlie Angus non-essential travel might have despite public their elected officials to lead by as chair of the Ethics Committee (Timmins-James Bay, Ont.) said on their political careers, that’s example. You can’t expect on one and will not seek re-election in in an interview that on a personal for their constituents in the up- health advisories, day to say, ‘stay home, don’t visit the next election. Mr. Liepert also level, he’s sympathetic with MPs coming election,” said Mr. Kent. your parents, don’t leave your travelled to the U.S. to deal with a who travelled abroad because He however said it’s “hypocriti- as ‘entitlement’ and house, we need to fight the pan- property issue. of a family member’s death or cal” for politicians to ask Cana- ‘hypocrisy.’ demic,’ and then the next day for Sen. Plett went to Mexico for illness. But, considering the dire dians to follow the lockdown you to go on what is a vacation. vacation while Sen. White went to consequences of the COVID-19 rules while they choose to travel Can they shake it? Yes. Will it dog Finland to visit his wife’s family. on people’s health and economic internationally. them? Absolutely.” As of deadline, it was not known well being, all Canadians have “It was a matter of poor judg- Continued from page 1 As of deadline last week, a if Mr. Liepert or the two Conser- to follow the guidelines provided ment for those that chose,” said of error left for their credibility, number of MPs and Senators vative Senators had faced any by the health officials. He said Mr. Kent. “I haven’t heard any and any more mistakes could from all major national parties consequences. that he has not seen his elderly stories of essential nature to those prove to be fatal for their political had publicly confirmed travel- A significant number of pro- mother in a year in order to fol- travels. And I think it’s between careers, say some political players ling outside of Canada over the vincial politicians, including some low the social distancing require- the advice that many of those and MPs. holiday weeks even though the cabinet ministers and senior staff- ments. For MPs who travelled out politicians were offering on social “They can put it behind them public health officials had issued ers in Ontario, Alberta, Quebec, of the country for a vacation, Mr. media, and the fact that they took as long as there are no more advisories against non-essential and Saskatchewan also travelled Angus described this as “derelic- those trips displays a certain breaches of the rules,” said Nik travel. Before going abroad, some abroad for non-essential reasons tion of duty.” amount of hypocrisy. It was im- Nanos, founder and chief data of these politicians had encour- and ended up in trouble, having “That is an abandonment of proper and unwise.” scientist for Nanos Research, in aged Canadians to do their part to resign or being demoted from your fundamental obligation in Liberal MP Judy Sgro (Hum- an interview with The Hill Times. to flatten the spiking COVID-19 their parliamentary positions. the middle of a crisis, that we are ber River-Black Creek, Ont.) told “But now the problem is that even case curve by following public As of Jan. 6, there were in the worst part of the crisis,” The Hill Times that it’s “unfortu- if there’s another minor trans- health advisories. 626,799 cases of COVID-19 in said Mr. Angus. “And you go to a nate” that so many people wanted gression, it’ll be rolled up with the They include: NDP MP Niki Canada. Among those, 531,227 beach: not having it, not having to go away, and that in most major transgression, which was Ashton (Churchill-Keewatinook people had recovered, 79,203 it at all.” cases they were going to the U.S., the vacation trip. Now there’ll be Aski, Man.), Liberal MP Kamal were still ill, and 16,369 had died. He said that he has no qualms where the COVID-19 situation a big magnifying glass on these Khera (Brampton West, Ont.), On Jan. 7, Ontario reported a about the three party leader- is even worse than Canada. She politicians. So it would be fair Liberal MP Sameer Zuberi record high of 3,519 new cases ships disciplining their caucus said it appears these people “were game now to see are there any (Pierrefonds-Dollard, Que.), of COVID-19, above the previous members. He said that politicians not thinking it through.” She said other rules that they might not Conservative MP David Sweet record that was set on Jan. 2 with ignoring the rules while asking that the infraction will negatively be respecting? Are they having (Flamborough-Glanbrook, Ont.), 3,363 new cases. The second wave people to follow them is “hypoc- affect these politicians’ credibility, more people over at their home Conservative MP Ron Liepert of COVID-19 has been turning risy” and “entitlement.” but any electoral consequences during a dinner? Are they caught (Calgary Signal Hill, Alta.), out to be deadlier than the first. “It is entitlement,” said Mr. would depend on the political in a public place without wearing Conservative Senate Leader Don Ontario and Quebec have been in Angus. “And there need to be environment and the timing of a mask?” Plett (Landmark, Man.) and On- lockdown since late last month. consequences. People need to be the election. Mr. Nanos and others inter- tario Canadian Senators Group The government of Quebec also stripped of their portfolios for “It will depend on the mood of viewed for this article said that Sen. Vern White. Three other imposed a curfew from 8 p.m. to that.” the voters at the time,” said Ms. in this era of social media where Liberal MPs, including Alexan- 5 a.m. in an effort to bring the Pollster Darrell Bricker told Sgro. “If it’s a year from now, they “twitter supercharges opinions,” dra Mendès (Brossard—Saint- spread of the pandemic under The Hill Times that at this point probably will care less. But if it is this controversy would dog the Lambert, Que.), Lyne Bessette control. people are not making a distinc- in the next six months, there are politicians for a long time. And at (Brome—Missisquoi, Que.), and Pollster Frank Graves of Ekos tion between those who travelled those people who will feel like, election time, their political oppo- Patricia Lattanzio (Saint-Léo- Research said that this contro- out of country for vacation or ‘I had to stay home, I couldn’t nents will make this a character nard—Saint-Michel, Que.) had versy has struck a chord with those who travelled to attend a travel. What right did you have to issue. In this day and age, people travelled abroad last year during Canadians because of the hypoc- funeral or visit a family member do that?’.” expect their leaders to do what the summer or fall when travel re- risy of politicians who travelled who is sick. But at election time, [email protected] they preach, political insiders strictions were loosened. All three abroad while asking Canadians if this becomes an issue, people The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 21 News

go beyond being stripped of one’s Ms. Khera, a registered nurse parliamentary duties. who contracted COVID-19 earlier Not yet clear if MPs will “Any place that has an election in the pandemic and volunteered sooner rather than later, this is at a long-term care home, wrote going to be more problematic,” that she hopes to “do my part in said Prof. Small, as voters will the vaccine rollout where there pay steeper price for have their MP’s travel itiner- may be nursing shortages” in the ary over the holidays in recent future. memory to take stock of. She could use that as goodwill The degree to which individual to restore public trust and “retell holiday travel abroad, violators, or political parties, need her story with hard work in her to repent and regain a specific community,” said Mr. Parkin. “Vot- constituency’s trust will also ers are not that unreasonable that hinge on whether that riding is they can’t recognize if people do say politicos, but damage considered a safe or swing seat. acknowledge their mistake. But “The party leader can only do again, she didn’t apologize.” what the party leader can do,” The NDP also said a mem- she said, noting leaders are not ber of its caucus, Niki Ashton necessarily an MP’s “boss.” That (Churchill-Keewatinook Aski, could come at polls role is fulfilled by the “people of Man.), got approval to enter that riding.” Greece by its officials who only Tom Parkin, a NDP com- allow people to enter the country ‘If anybody’s going comes down to the relationship this … they can hold that for a mentator who sought the party’s if they can prove their trip is es- you have with your constituents,” while.” nomination last year in a Toronto- sential. She did not inform NDP to cut them some said Mr. Christopherson. “At the Mr. Zuberi announced last area riding, said the storyline of Leader Jagmeet Singh (Burnaby end of the day, the fundamen- week he would be stepping down politicians travelling during the South, B.C.) or the party whip slack, I think it would tal relationship is between the from his committee roles after second wave of the pandemic has of her plans to visit her “ailing elected person and their constitu- travelling to Delaware on Dec. resulted in a “mishmash” of “in- grandmother,” and was then be me, and I have no ents.” 18 to visit his wife’s sick grand- dividual stories,” which are filled removed from her critic roles by That will put rookie MPs on father. He returned Dec. 31, and with “inconsistencies” like if their Mr. Singh. room for any slack,’ shakier ground, he noted, as they the party whip’s office said it was travel was approved by parties. Conservative Leader Erin says former veteran were already faced with an un- “not previously made aware” of “Some of these MPs said that O’Toole (Durham, Ont.) said ear- known time limit to maintain the his trip. they were going to visit an elderly lier this week that his whip, Blake NDP MP David trust of voters during a minority In a Jan. 3 statement, twice- and infirm relative. That’s wrong,” Richards (Banff-Airdrie, Alta.), Parliament, which can send vot- elected Liberal MP Kamal Khera he said in a phone interview. “It’s approved MP David Sweet’s Christopherson, ers to the polls at any moment. (Brampton West, Ont.) also an- like going 110 in the 100 km/hour (Flamborough-Glanbrook, Ont.) Among the nine MPs so far nounced she was stepping aside zone, but not 180 like some others.” request to travel to the U.S. for a of the growing list who have travelled during the from her parliamentary secretary He said Ms. Khera’s and Mr. “property issue,” but he was un- of public officials pandemic, three are rookies: Lib- duties, supporting International Zuberi’s travels did not sit well aware that Mr. Sweet decided to stay down south “for leisure.” Mr. who travelled Sweet resigned from his role as chair of the House Ethics Com- overseas in defiance mittee and announced he would not be seeking re-election as an of public health MP. The whip also allowed MP Ron Liepert (Calgary Signal Hill, recommendations Alta.) to travel to his property in over the holiday California for “emergency repair” issues. break. Stéphanie Chouinard, a politi- cal scientist at the Royal Military College, agreed that “it will be up BY PALAK MANGAT to voters to decide” Ms. Ashton’s future in light of her recent travel. t is too early to say if some poli- “In the case of some Alberta poli- Iticians caught travelling abroad ticians, the election is not coming over the holidays will face long- soon, whereas for someone like term consequences, say some Hill Ms. Ashton, the memory of her observers, as timing will play a travelling to Greece may still be big role in determining if they fresh in voters’ minds,” she said. lose their jobs in the next vote. (Albertans are expected to next Speaking to The Hill Times, for- hit the polls in 2023.) mer NDP MP David Christopherson Patricia Sibal, a consultant said he was “outraged” at this week’s with Crestview Strategy, said trickle of stories about political the “instinct” of party leaders to leaders who travelled overseas in react quickly after learning about defiance of public health recom- travel of a caucus member “is very mendations over the holiday break. much related to, ‘We’re still very “If anybody’s going to cut much in this crisis period.’ ” them some slack, I think it would NDP MP Niki Ashton, pictured top left in February 2020, Liberal MP Kamal Khera who’s a nurse, pictured at right While it’s possible for politi- be me, and I have no room for any in front, and Conservative MP David Sweet, pictured at left in 2011, are part of a growing list of MPs who travelled cians to recover from this, Ms. slack,” said the former veteran MP abroad, for different reasons, over the holidays. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade, photograph courtesy of Kamal Sibal said “we’re quite far away of 15 years. Khera’s Twitter, The Hill Times file photograph from seeing that happen just The issue has become “explo- because of the urgency of the cur- sive” in recent days, with politi- rent situation.” cians in Alberta and Ontario, and eral MPs Lyne Bessette (Brome- Development Minister Karina with him, and Ms. Khera’s state- In Ontario, for example, of- at the federal level, coming under Missisquoi, Que.), Sameer Zuberi Gould (Burlington, Ont.). ment also did not “cut it.” ficials reported a record high of fire, as public health officials con- (Pierrefonds-Dollard, Que.), and Ms. Khera said she travelled to “Is it as wrong as people going 3,519 cases on Jan. 7, above the tinued their months-long plea to Patricia Lattanzio (Saint-Léo- Seattle on Dec. 23 for a “private and tweeting pictures of them- previous record that was set on Canadians to stay home in order nard-Saint-Michel, Que.). memorial” to mark the passing of selves by a fireside in Ajax and Jan. 2 with 3,363 new cases. to curb the spread of the virus. Mr. Christopherson advised her father, who passed in Sep- then being in St. Barts? No, it’s The list of public officials who The consequences have so far that “handling it properly” by tember, and uncle, who passed not that bad; that’s far worse,” he have come under fire also grew included resignations, firings, and apologizing for travelling amid a few weeks later. She returned said, referencing former Ontario Tuesday, to include an Ontario demotions. the pandemic will help speed up to Canada on Dec. 31, and wrote finance minister Rod Phillips who hospital CEO who apologized For many Canadians, includ- any attempted recovery. “If you that while “the purpose of my resigned from his post 48 hours for his non-essential travel to the ing those who have been forced don’t have a history of a lot of ac- travel is deemed essential,” she after news of his holiday getaway Dominican Republic. to “watch their loved ones” pass cumulated negatives … then you was stepping aside “in an effort to went public. “The main mood is, ‘Act away over Zoom or through a can overcome almost anything in ensure my choices do not distract” While Ms. Khera’s choice “is quickly now and ask questions window to limit the likelihood of the right circumstances,” he said. from Ottawa’s work to battle maybe something she can come later,’ ” said Ms. Sibal, noting that catching or spreading the virus, “If you haven’t had the benefit COVID. back from, she has to show a little mirrors the quick response time he said it’s an issue in which it’s of four years, to lay down some Tamara Small, a political bit of acceptance,” he said. Mr. that Ottawa has had to adjust to easy to understand and relate to markers so people can under- scientist at the University of Parkin added that an apology was in drafting relief measures since the public backlash. stand what kind of person you Guelph, agreed that timing could missing in her statement, unlike the pandemic hit. “Everybody gets this. So, can are, and suddenly, the biggest be at play in determining if the Mr. Zuberi, who called it an “error [email protected] you recover from this? Yes, but it thing they’ve seen about you is consequences are long term and in judgment.” The Hill Times 22 MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 | THE HILL TIMES

Small Business, Export Promotion, and International hill climbers Trade Minister by Laura Ryckewaert Mary Ng, pictured on Nov. 3, 2020, during a press conference on the New year, new government's COVID-19 response. The Hill Times photograph staff roster for by Andrew International Meade

including for the Pennsylvania Democratic luk has officially been promoted to the title Party in 2016 and the New York State of press secretary, after having covered Trade Minister Democratic Committee in 2017. those responsibilities since last spring. Youmy Han continues as press secre- Mr. Nosaluk first joined Ms. Murray’s tary to Ms. Ng. office as a special assistant for commu- Along with Ms. Catenaro, senior policy nications in January 2020, around the adviser Zara Rabinovitch left Ms. Ng’s same time as the minister’s former press office in December. Ms. Rabinovitch first secretary, Farees Nathoo, left to work for Ng, including became a senior policy adviser to then- Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. international trade diversification minister Jim Carr in August 2018. Before then, she’d spent almost two and a half years handling policy files for Mr. Carr as minister of natu- ral resources. Catenaro’s exit In turn, two special assistants for policy, Yash Nanda and Alessia Avola, have both been promoted to the title of policy adviser.

Prior her time with the PMO, Ms. Cat- Plus, Digital Government enaro spent a little more than a year and a half as a special assistant to Lac-Saint- Minister Joyce Murray has Louis, Que., Liberal MP Francis Scarpaleg- officially promoted Erik gia, who has served as Liberal national caucus chair since 2011. Nosaluk to the title of press Stay tuned to Hill Climbers for an up- date on where she’s landing. secretary, a role he’s been Lauren Conway, who joined Ms. Ng’s team as a senior special assistant for com- acting in since last spring. munications on Nov. 16, is now acting di- rector of communications in the minister’s Erik Nosaluk now officially wears the title mall Business, Export Promotion, and office. She’s a former executive assistant of press secretary to the digital government SInternational Trade Minister Mary Ng to ex-prime minister Paul Martin through minister. Photograph courtesy of LinkedIn is starting the new year with a couple of his work for the Martin Family Initiative, changes to her staff roster after recently which “works together with First Nations, Mr. Nosaluk is a former IT assistant bidding farewell to her director of commu- Inuit, and Métis Nation People to support with the Liberal research bureau, and has nications, Eleanore Catenaro. education, health, and overall well-being also offered technical assistance to now for children, youth, and adults,” as de- Transport Minister Marc Garneau’s 2013 Alessia Avola has been promoted to the title of scribed on its website. leadership campaign, Liberal MP Kevin policy adviser to the trade minister. Photograph Lamoureux’s successful by-election cam- courtesy of Facebook paign in Winnipeg North, Man., and to the federal Liberal Party during the 2011 elec- A former summer intern in Ms. Ng’s tion. He was also new media director for office as minister of small business and the Manitoba Liberals during the 2011 pro- export promotion in 2018 and 2019, Mr. vincial election, according to his LinkedIn Nanda was hired on full-time to her trade profile. Before joining Ms. Murray’s office, team in December 2019. He’s got a bach- he was working as a technical expert for elor’s degree in economics and political Apple in Winnipeg. science from Montreal’s McGill University Sarah McMaster is director of commu- and while there co-founded and served nications to Ms. Murray. as executive director of the McGill Policy In another Hill Climbers update for Association. the office, Cid Cabillan is now director of Ms. Ng added on the international trade parliamentary affairs to the digital govern- portfolio after the 2019 federal election. ment minister. For her part, Ms. Avola has been work- He first joined Ms. Murray’s team in ing for Ms. Ng since 2018, starting as an early 2020 as a special assistant for opera- Eleanore Catenaro has left her post as operations and communications assistant tions and communications. Mr. Cabillan communications director to Ms. Ng. Photograph in her office as small business and export has also briefly worked as a parliamentary courtesy of Facebook/Haley Withers Photography Lauren Conway is currently acting as Ms. Ng’s promotion minister. She became a special affairs and issues management assistant director of communications. Photograph courtesy assistant for policy in January 2020. A to then-democratic institutions minister Ms. Catenaro ended her time in the of LinkedIn former Jaimie Anderson parliamentary in- Karina Gould in 2018, provided commu- minister’s office last month after roughly tern, Ms. Avola has a bachelor’s degree in nications support to Liberal candidates a year on the job, starting in January 2020. Ms. Conway has also previously worked international relations, and ethics, society, during the 2019 election, and spent time as Before then, she’d spent four years tackling as a program manager for the France and law from the University of Toronto. an opposition researcher for the Liberal communications in Prime Minister Justin Canada Chamber of Commerce Ontario, Former PMO Canada-U.S. relations research bureau and as an assistant to Lib- Trudeau’s office, beginning in February a French non-profit organization, and as manager Simon Beauchemin is director eral MP Gary Anandasangaree in 2017. 2016 as executive assistant to then-director an events and communications officer for of policy to Ms. Ng, whose office is run by Shaun Govender is chief of staff to Ms. of communications Kate Purchase. She the American Chamber of Commerce in chief of staff Jason Easton. Murray. was promoted to press secretary in the France. As well, she has experience as a Meanwhile, over in Digital Government [email protected] PMO in March 2017. campaign organizer south of the border, Minister Joyce Murray’s office, Erik Nosa- The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 23 News Events Feature

Economic Development Minister Mélanie Joly, pictured Parliamentary Calendar in July 2020, topped Finance Minister Chrystia Biden inauguration happens Freeland, pictured in September 2020, in being at noon Jan. 20 on Capitol Hill the most-lobbied U.S. vice- member of president-elect cabinet for Kamala Harris, the month of and U.S. November. president-elect The Hill Times Joe Biden, photographs by pictured Dec. 1, Andrew Meade 2020. Photograph courtesy of Kamala Harris/Facebook

for an election later this year. (Like all MONDAY, JAN. 11 vice-president-elect Kamala Harris and federal party leaders, Mr. Trudeau has her husband, Doug Emhoff. The inaugu- insisted that he is “not eager” for an House Not Sitting—The House will ration, which starts at noon EST, will in- likely be sitting in a hybrid format during clude a “virtual parade across America,” Joly, Freeland election this year, but says his party the pandemic, with most MPs connect- and Mr. Biden will review the readiness of will be ready to hit the campaign trail.) ing remotely. It’s scheduled to return on U.S. military troops and he will receive a Reached last week, FCM presi- Monday, Jan. 25-Feb. 5. It will take a traditional presidential escort from 15th dent Garth Frizzell said in an email one-week break and return on Tuesday, Street to the White House, but “provid- that discussions with federal officials Feb. 16 and sit every weekday until ing the American people and world with top lobbying Friday, Feb. 26. It will take a one-week in November centred around the historic images of the president-elect break, March 1-March 5, and will return proceeding to the White House without ongoing pandemic that is “stretching again for one week, March 8-12, before through 2021.” The group focused on attracting large crowds,” the Associated taking another break, March 15-19. It’s Press reported last week. how to keep cities “stable, ready, and scheduled to sit March 22-26, will take targets as activity MONDAY, JAN. 25 prepared to drive a green and inclu- a two-week break, March 29-April 9. It’s sive economic recovery for Canada then scheduled to sit every weekday for House Sitting—The House will likely when the time comes,” he added. the next five weeks, April 12-May 14. be sitting in a hybrid format during the Ms. Freeland, in her economic It will take one-week break after that, pandemic, with most MPs connecting continues to grow statement, announced the feds are from May 17-May 24. It will sit May 25 remotely. It’s scheduled to return on every weekday until Wednesday, June ready to spend up to $100-billion Monday, Jan. 25-Feb. 5. It will take a 23, and will then break for three months, one-week break and return on Tuesday, Environment Minister and Global Affairs Canada, with the as part of a short-term stimulus until Monday Sept. 20. In the fall and Senate and Employment and Social Feb. 16, and sit every weekday until package over three years to kick winter, the House is scheduled to sit Friday, Feb. 26. It will take a one-week Jonathan Wilkinson Development Canada coming in start the post-COVID economy. for 11 weeks over September, October, break, March 1-March 5, and will return fourth and fifth, respectively. Spending will begin once November, and December. It will sit Sept. again for one week, March 8-12, before and Finance Minister Economic Development Minister impacts of the COVID crisis have 20-Oct. 8; Oct. 18-Nov. 5; and Nov. taking another break, March 15-19. It’s 15-Dec. 17. Mélanie Joly (Ahuntsic-Cartierville, damped down, with details to be scheduled to sit March 22-26, will take Chrystia Freeland were Que.) was the most-lobbied minister, fleshed out in the coming months in TUESDAY, JAN. 12 a two-week break, March 29-April 9. It’s then scheduled to sit every weekday for who was mentioned in 25 filings the 2021 budget, its first since 2019. Maclean’s Magazine’s 12th Annual Par- both cited by lobbyists from hoteliers, tourism associa- the next five weeks, April 12-May 14. It (Ottawa has not shared a full budget liamentarians of the Year Awards—Hosted will take one-week break after that, from in 21 filings each for the tions, and other arts and cultural since the pandemic began, with Mr. by Peter Van Dusen, Maclean’s will hold May 17-May 24. It will sit May 25 every groups that have taken a hit amid the Trudeau citing uncertainty around this virtual and invitation-only reception weekday until Wednesday, June 23, and month of November, pandemic. Finance Minister Chrys- COVID as a reason.) to honour the top Members of Parliament will then break for three months, until tia Freeland (University-Rosedale, In an email last week, NPF in the following categories: best mentor, Monday Sept. 20. In the fall and winter, best orator, best represents constituents, according to figures Ont.), who delivered the feds’ fall spokesperson Fabrice de Dongo the House is scheduled to sit for 11 weeks hardest working, lifetime achievement, over September, October, November, and economic statement later that month, said the group’s efforts with Ottawa released last month. most collegial, most knowledgeable, ris- December. It will sit Sept. 20-Oct. 8; Oct. and Environment Minister Jonathan in November included a week of ing star, and parliamentarian of the year, 18-Nov. 5; and Nov. 15-Dec. 17. Wilkinson (North Vancouver, B.C.) on Jan. 12, from 7 p.m.-8 p.m. To watch meetings with MPs, Senators, minis- The Parliamentary Calendar is a free the show, visit: https://www.macleans.ca/ BY PALAK MANGAT were both cited in 21 filings each. ters, and other officials to “reiterate” events listing. Send in your political, parliamentarians-of-the-year/ and enter Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains’s its funding requests that traced back cultural, diplomatic, or governmental your email address with the password obbying numbers spiked in (Mississauga-Malton, Ont.) name event in a paragraph with all the relevant to its asks at a House Finance Com- ‘MACLEANS.’ LNovember as MPs marked was attached to 17. mittee in August. details under the subject line ‘Parlia- the second full month of regular Mr. Wilkinson was a target for out- They included $190-million to help WEDNESDAY, JAN. 20 mentary Calendar’ to news@hilltimes. com by Wednesday at noon before the proceedings after the pandemic dis- reach by groups like the B.C. Wildlife boost the RCMP’s training capacity, Despite last Biden Inauguration— Monday paper or by Friday at noon for rupted the legislative calendar, with Federation, the Mining Association of week’s storming of Capitol Hill by a mob $40-million to speed up the replace- the Wednesday paper. We can’t guarantee of Trump supporters, U.S. president-elect a more than 300 per cent increase in Canada, Suncor Energy, and Imperial ment of “aging and unsafe” service inclusion of every event, but we will defi- Joe Biden will be sworn in on Jan. 20 activity from the previous year. Oil, shortly before he joined Prime pistols for the force, and $50-million nitely do our best. Events can be updated on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and Consultants, corporations, and Minister Justin Trudeau (Papineau, to implement body-worn cameras. daily online, too. will be joined by his wife, Jill Biden, and organizations logged a total of Que.) in December in announcing the In its economic statement, Ottawa The Hill Times 3,284 communications reports in Liberals’ revamped climate agenda. earmarked about $240-million over November, compared to 818 the The party, which had initially six years to help bring in those de- year before, which followed the fall promised not to raise the price of vices, noted Mr. de Dongo. “The NPF election. It was also a bump from emissions past 2022, presented an up- believes that the federal government CLASSIFIEDS the previous month’s filings of 2,656 dated plan that comes with a proposal must address these timely and press- Information and advertisement placement: 613-232-5952 and 2,485 in September. to boost the federal carbon price from ing challenges, and more, to ensure According to lobbying figures $50 per tonne of emissions in 2022 to ongoing community, member and CONDOS FOR RENT CONDOS FOR RENT posted last month, the Federation $170 per tonne in 2030. Mr. Wilkinson public safety,” he said. Do you have a of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), acknowledged that getting provincial The federation’s efforts follow which represents cities across the buy-in may be tough, as Alberta, Sas- months of worldwide protests, house to rent or country, was the busiest group last katchewan, and Ontario have all gone including across Canada and the sell? Items or November, logging 60 disclosure to court to oppose the policy, while U.S., decrying police brutality and filings that cited priorities around Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole authorities’ treatment of, and inter- products to sell? housing, infrastructure, and transpor- (Durham, Ont.) has vowed to scrap actions with, Black and Indigenous the levy entirely. tation. The National Police Federation people. In mass solidarity demon- 1 BEDROOM 1 BATH DOWNTOWN 1 BEDROOM + Advertise them (NPF) followed not far behind in The blueprint, which includes strations across North America IN THE EAST MARKET DEN (OR 2ND BEDROOM) AT in The Hill Times' reporting 50 communications reports, $15-billion in commitments such as last year, many activists urged (383 CUMBERLAND ) BANK AND LAURIER just above IBM Canada’s 49 and the new building codes and regulations, policymakers to consider redirect- Totally renovated 1 bedroom Downtown, high-end bedroom + classfieds section. Mining Association of Canada’s 47. aims to bind Canada to hitting a net- ing funds to community and social on 2nd floor facing west. New den, balcony, granite, SS appliances, As usual, Innovation, Science, zero emissions target by 2050. It had floors, kitchen and appliances, hardwood, ensuite washer/dryer, services instead of police forces. bathroom, Parking available built-in closets, pool/gym/BBQ/ FOR INFO, CALL OR EMAIL and Economic Development topped observers like veteran pollster Nik – With files from Beatrice Paez at additional $200,-/month. lounge/concierge. $1950/month [email protected] the list of most-lobbied departments. Nanos wondering last month if the [email protected] 613-884-9108 with locker. Parking negotiable. It was followed by Finance Canada party is positioning itself to prepare The Hill Times Contact: [email protected] 613-232-5952 OUR TELEVISION LANDSCAPE IS STRONGER WHEN OUR PUBLIC BROADCASTER IS DISTINCT AND COMPLEMENTARY

As a society, we’ve made a choice to rely on a Canadian public broadcaster to ensure the sharing of our national conciousness and identity.

In the race to win ratings and advertising revenues by purchasing foreign and dubbed content, all of which are for commercial gain, it’s our national television content that’s losing. Our public broadcaster is moving away from its culture and duty of public service and needs to resume its role, first and foremost, as a public broadcaster.

A public broadcaster that’s open to the world and dares to take risks that encourage discovery.

A public broadcaster dedicated to investing more in investigative journalism, international news, and documentaries that portray Canadian local and regional diversity.

A public broadcaster that promotes Canadian creativity by showcasing original programming.

The future of our television and the diversity of its offering depend on a balanced ecosystem where each broadcaster has an important role to play.

The time has come for the CRTC to refocus CBC/Radio-Canada’s mandate to ensure private television sustainability.