'Inevitable' Return to Testy Federal- Provincial Relations

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Publications Mail Agreement #40068926 ‘Historic’ effort to run two hybrid Chambers a balancing act News THIRTY-SECOND YEAR, NO.1781 Climbers John Delacourt. Liberal strategist says former see differences,’ inevitably you’ll with [where] forecome tothe on resources policy decisions about crucial conversation the inevitable ‘We are seeing A A say politicos andexperts discord with differing priorities, provincial relations will showcase ‘Inevitable’return to testyfederal- News Andrew Caddellp.11 Chambers have now moved to a cial politicalleadersiscollapsing, BYSAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN BY NEIL MOSS to anti-Indigenous racism Quebec has eyes wide shut Canada’s two parliamentary fter amonths-longeffort, between federal andprovin- s thecollaborative approach Hill p.30

that “historic” first, according to resources alongtheway toreach in Ottawa andat home, sharing mentarians toparticipate both hybrid model, allowing Parlia- co-operation between Prime policy prioritiesdiverge. “inevitable” returntonormalas politicos andexpertssay itisan Gone arethedays ofcordial C anada Mexico talk Mexico talk protections protections ’ s P Canada, Canada, foreign foreign worker worker oliti joining theHouse ofCommons Chamber. seeing that work for theUpper the officeofSenator over premiers hopeformorefederal spiralling secondwave andthe urges theprovinces tocontainthe premiers, astheprimeminister Minister Justin Trudeau andthe The Senate’s firstfull week p. 4 c s Bitchy

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N ews while focusingonthecontinuity of healthandsafetyprecautions in hybrid sittings was abalance urged theprovinces tocontain dollars tosave failingbusinesses. Mr. Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) p a p er Continued onpage 28 Continued onpage12 Norton Andrew Meade photographs by The HillTimes pandemic. COVID-19 wave ofthe surging second combat the right thing'to and to'dothe Jason Kenney, Pallister, and Moe, Brian Legault, Scott Ford, François top left,Doug clockwise from premiers, like, provincial has urged Justin Trudeau Prime Minister Roy p.6 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER18,2020$5.00

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2 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES

rights abuses and on this pandemic— to have a phone call with the president- people like Kyaw Soe Oo, Wa Lone, and elect, according to the PMO. Maria Ressa—only to face repression and violence.” Bill Morneau gets Ivy League gig Kyaw Soe Oo and Wa Lone are Reuters If past finance minister Bill Morneau‘s reporters who were jailed for their cover- Heard on the Hill bid to lead the Organisation for Economic age of the Myanmar military’s repression Co-operation and Development (OECD) of the Rohingya people. Maria Ressa is falls short, he’ll have a backup plan. by Neil Moss a Philippine journalist who co-founded Rappler and was sentenced to six years in prison for cyberlibel, which was seen as retribution for her reporting on Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Chinese ambassador “It is never acceptable for a journalist to be attacked for doing their job,” Mr. Trudeau said. “It is never acceptable for a turns down invite to reporter to be thrown in jail for interviewing a peaceful protestor. And it is never acceptable for anyone anywhere to have their freedom of expression denied.” appear at Canada-China Canada and the United Kingdom un- veiled the inaugural winner of the Canada- United Kingdom Media Freedom Award, which was awarded to the Belarusian As- Former finance minister Bill Morneau will join Relations Committee past U.S. secretary of state John Kerry at Yale sociation of Journalists for their reporting in the face of increased crackdowns after University’s Jackson Institute for Global Affairs. MPs on the the fraudulent election win of Belarusian The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade Canada-China President Alexander Lukashenko. Mr. Morneau was named a senior fel- Relations Mr. Trudeau’s comments come after low at Yale University’s Jackson Institute Special Canada’s commitment to press freedom for Global Affairs. He will teach a course Committee has been questioned after reporter Karl on global economic policymaking in the said they Dockstader was charged with mischief and spring. Past U.S. secretary of state John were disobeying a court order while covering Kerry is also a fellow at the institute, as 'disappointed' an Indigenous protest in Caledonia, Ont. is Clinton White House chief of staff John that Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Podesta. Ambassador Champagne told reporters that he wasn’t Canada’s finance minister from 2015 to Cong Peiwu, aware of the case. pictured on 2020, Mr. Morneau resigned from cabinet March 12, and Parliament in August in the midst of chose not to MPs congratulate Biden and the WE Charity controversy. appear. The When he announced his resignation, Hill Times Harris on election win, extend Mr. Morneau said he was putting his name photograph by invitation for parliamentary forward to be the next secretary general Sam Garcia at the OECD. The leader of the 37-member address multilateral forum is picked by consensus As U.S. President Donald Trump refuses for a five-year term and will be selected by s the Special House Committee on Canada’s Ambassador to China Domi- to concede the Nov. 3 presidential elec- June 1, 2021. ACanada-China Relations continues nic Barton appeared before the committee tion, MPs unanimously supported an NDP studying the maimed relationship between in the last parliamentary session. motion to congratulate president-elect Joe O’Toole’s pooch Wexford joins Ottawa and Beijing, Chinese Ambassador Biden and vice-president-elect Kamala Cong Peiwu declined an offer to showcase Harris on their victory. social media the Chinese government’s perspective, the ‘We can’t turn away’: Trudeau Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole’s dog committee announced. has taken to social media. The committee noted in a Nov. 13 press champions press freedom at Wexford O’Toole debuted his new release that it was “disappointed” that Mr. international conference Twitter and Instagram accounts last week, Cong declined the invitation. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned with a picture from the Official Opposition “The Special Committee believes that about the dangers of the ongoing decline in Leader’s residence. a meeting, preferably an official meeting press freedoms at an international confer- on the public record, is the most appropri- ence devoted to world press freedom. ate means by which the Ambassador can “A crackdown on the media puts democ- clarify past remarks and share his govern- racy in danger,” Mr. Trudeau said on Nov. ment’s perspective regarding Canada-Chi- 16. “It puts lives in danger.” na relations generally, and the situation in Hong Kong particularly,” the press release noted. MPs have invited U.S. president-elect Joe The committee is currently conducting Biden to address Parliament. It would be the a study on the situation in Hong Kong. first parliamentary address since U.S. president The committee is still open to meeting Barack Obama’s speech in 2016. Photograph with Mr. Cong “at a mutually agreed time,” courtesy of Twitter/Joe Biden according to the release. He was invited to appear before the committee in its Oct. 26 They also called on the Canadian meeting. government to invite the pair to visit Par- Mr. Cong told The Hill Times in March liament and have Mr. Biden address the that committee members have “no right” to Lower Chamber. ask him to appear. Mr. Biden last was in Ottawa in an of- “I think if they invite me to take part in ficial capacity when Prime Minister Justin a roundtable discussion, that’s good. But Trudeau hosted him for a state dinner in if it’s just like a hearing, simply they have Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the world December 2016. no right to just ask me to be there like a can’t ‘turn away’ when it sees a crackdown Mr. Trump never visited Ottawa as business,” he said at the time, noting that on the freedom of the press. The Hill Times president, but he did visit Canada when it wasn’t the norm for foreign diplomats to photograph by Andrew Meade he travelled to Quebec for the 2018 G7 appear before parliamentary committees. Summit in Charlevoix. Vice-President Mike While not having the tradition of an Mr. Cong’s fiery comments about Canada co-hosted the Global Press Pence visited Ottawa in 2019. American presidential pet, there have been Canada-China relations have generated Freedom conference with Botswana. Past U.S. president Barack Obama‘s many notable Canadian political canines. Canadian attention. After a remark alleg- Canada ranks 16th on the Reporters first international trip was to Ottawa in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau adopted edly threatening the safety of Canadians Without Borders press freedom index and 2009. He also gave an address to a joint sit- a Portuguese water dog in 2016. But the in Hong Kong by Mr. Cong, Deputy Prime Botswana ranks 39th. ting of Parliament in 2016. most famous Canadian terriers belonged to Minister Chrystia Freeland said his com- The first Press Freedom Conference The last joint sitting address was given past prime minister William Lyon Mack- ments weren’t “in any way in keeping with was co-hosted by Canada and the United by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in enzie King who had three Irish terriers— the spirit of appropriate diplomatic rela- Kingdom in 2019. 2018. all three were named Pat. Mr. King was tions between two countries” “When we see [a crackdown on the me- Many past American presidents have known to have Pat present when inter- In the 42nd Parliament, the ambassadors dia] happen we can’t turn away. We can’t addressed Parliament, including Bill viewing prospective cabinet ministers and for Latvia, Finland, and Moldova ap- wait for someone else to act,” Mr. Trudeau Clinton in 1995, Ronald Reagan in 1981 staffers. Past Conservative leader Andrew peared before various committees. It is not said, noting that press freedom is “vital” to and in 1987, Richard Nixon in 1971, John Scheer also had a dog roam the halls of customary for Canadian ambassadors to the world’s “shared future.” F. Kennedy in 1961, Dwight D. Eisenhower Stornoway. appear in front of a foreign country’s legis- “Today, we see citizens calling for in 1953 and in 1958, and Harry S. Truman Wexford’s profile lists Mr. O’Toole as his lative committees, but there are exceptions. change, from Hong Kong to Belarus, only in 1947. best friend in his profile and it notes that Mr. Cong cannot be compelled to ap- to have the authorities attack the free- Mr. Trudeau was one of the first world he is a fetch enthusiast. pear before the committee given his diplo- dom of the press,” Mr. Trudeau said. “We leaders to congratulate Mr. Biden on his [email protected] matic immunity status. see journalists casting light on human election victory and he was the first leader The Hill Times

4 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES News Mexico calls on Canada to maintain new measures protecting migrant workers

a permanent basis,” department tions, running until Dec. 22, on a Ms. Qualtrough isn’t expected to ESDC said it’s possible an is- Inspections, national spokesperson Samuelle Carbon- proposal to establish minimum attend, and already spoke with sue is considered minor if imme- neau said in an email. requirements for employer-provid- her counterpart in the lead-up to diately corrected when “brought housing standards, A similar set of talks will be ed accommodations for temporary the annual meetings, Mr. Morales to their attention,” said spokesper- and continuing a held with Caribbean nations from foreign workers across Canada. said, with this week less a politi- son Isabelle Maheu. Nov. 23-27. The health and safety of tem- cal than technical engagement. “For example, an employer binational contact This season, Mr. Morales said porary foreign workers is a key “We’re really looking for- may have misunderstood the about 22,154 Mexican workers priority and unsafe working or ward to having a stronger and requirement related to the use group are among came to Canada, far more than living conditions are “completely better program for the coming of bunk beds during quarantine,” the 10,000 to 15,000 officials were unacceptable,” Employment years, that it’s always centred on said Ms. Maheu in the emailed re- key commitments expecting, given the tough start to Minister Carla Qualtrough (Delta, protecting workers, the workers’ sponse. “Since COVID-19-related the season. That accounts for one- B.C.) previously said in a state- rights, but also making sure that measures are new for employ- Mexico would like third of all work permits issued ment. The Liberal government it’s something that employers can ers, education on the immediate from Canada, says through the Temporary Foreign also announced $58.6-million in abide by,” he said. appropriate actions is the first Worker Program, with 66,000 July for direct support to work- approach prior to sanctioning the its consular head in handed out between January and ers ($7.4-million), strengthening Most inspections still employer.” August 2020, according to quar- the employer inspection regime In the Migrant Workers Alli- Ottawa. terly statistics from by Immigra- ($16.2-million), and improv- virtual ance for Change’s June report, tion, Refugees, and Citizenship ing health and safety on farms Heading into the discussions Unheeded Warnings, it pointed BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN Canada (IRCC). and in employee living quarters around inspections of work- to repeat problems with social Following Canada’s mid- ($35-million). places staffed by temporary distancing including one where he continuation and evolution March lockdown on the border, The contact group has been a foreign workers, updated num- 50 workers from different states Tof measures brought in to im- the first group from Mexico under place to air important issues and bers suggest the government in Mexico were placed on one prove safety for Mexican workers the SAWP crossed on April 9 respond, Mr. Morales said. has increased its pace in recent bus from the airport to the local in Canada after three deaths and after being deemed essential to “It is a forum for dialogue but weeks. Between April 24 and farm hours. In another instance, multiple COVID-19 outbreaks is food supply in Canada and the also for rapid response to cases Oct. 23, 3,120 cases were referred nine workers, also from differ- the top priority for this week’s countries reached an agreement and oversight of outbreaks and for inspection and 1,740—68 per ent states, were cramped in one talks between the two countries, to safeguard migrant work- other measures,” he said, adding cent—were completed—with the house despite being in quaran- says a Mexican diplomat in ers’ health and safety. Farmers that it creates conditions for “a department posting better results tine. Canada. had been ramping up pressure very fluid dialogue.” than early in the pandemic, with Inspections will be a focus Held every year in person, this about their about half this week, too, said Mr. Morales. year’s week-long virtual bination- dire circum- Employment reported cases Canada has said there will be a al Seasonal Agricultural Worker stances with Minister Carla inspected as new model of inspections, said Program (SAWP) meeting will limited staff Qualtrough said of late August. Mr. Morales, though he couldn’t culminate in an updated contract to work crops late last month A further 565 comment “very deeply” with more that Mexico hopes will include close to harvest the government were screened information expected to be pre- the continuation of a contact and the added will consult about out due to cases sented this week. group to oversee the program, strain from establishing of duplication “The ongoing consultations a Canadian liaison officer who the required minimum or an employer on proposed accommodations works directly with Mexican two-week requirements for never received requirements will be part of the consulates and employers across quarantine employer-provided workers this discussions. Mexico and other the country, progress on national period. But after accommodations year due to sources countries are invited to housing standards, and a new three deaths of under the COVID-19, provide input on the process, model for inspections, said Juan Mexican work- Temporary according to as have employers, employer Gabriel Morales, who heads the ers on Canadi- Foreign Worker ESDC’s Oct. 30 industry associations, workers embassy’s consular section and ans farms, in Program. The update to The and worker advocacy groups,” Ms. oversees the thousands of sea- June Mexico Mexican Embassy Hill Times on Carbonneau said. sonal workers coming to Canada paused—and says national its inspection “We are looking forward to every year. then a week standards for numbers. also engaging in the discussions The program is “priority No. 1,” later re- housing has been a There have of how inspections can be ad- said Mr. Morales, though discus- sumed—send- 'longstanding issue' been only 57 dressed in a more proactive way, sions will need to go “deeper into ing temporary and one that should on-site inspec- preventing problems from hap- the evaluation” of guidelines and farm workers to be addressed tions during pening,” he said. the response to COVID-19, espe- Canada, coming before next season. that five-month Ms. Kwan and others previ- cially the “long-standing” issue of to an agreement The Hill Times period, 46 ously expressed concern that a national housing standards. on improved photograph by of which the virtual approach to inspections “It was magnified by COVID, safety protec- Andrew Meade department isn’t as thorough, with employers social distancing, and the conditions for labour- says are at given advance notice of upcom- tions to protect the workers,” ers. That’s when various stages ing inspections. ESDC said when said Mr. Morales, who said better Canada established the contact Previously discussions on the of completion. Eleven have been inspections resumed on April support and access to grievance group with Mexico and appointed program would only happen once completed, finding no evidence of 24, they were conducted with an mechanisms is also called for and a liaison officer to work with every three months or so, but that employer non-compliance. introductory call to the employ- will be a topic during the virtual consulates and migrant-support shot up to weekly in the group’s During that same timeframe, ers, with workers interviewed by meetings, which will run from organizations. early days. It’s not quite as often about 12 per cent of employers, or telephone or video chat. Nov. 17 to Nov. 20. Asked if Canada has ad- anymore, with the last workers 206, of the completed cases had Previously, ESDC said it “We’re trying to incorporate all dressed the risks, Mr. Morales arriving in early October, but it’s what ESDC described as minor launched four early on-site the elements that were not only called the deaths “unfortunate,” still a regular point of contact. issues that were corrected during inspections in situations that [learned] from COVID, but are and proof the system needs to “It is a very important tool, not the inspection to be brought into were considered “egregious.” The related to enhancing the opera- take better preventative mea- only because it is government to compliance. That’s up slightly department said it couldn’t offer tion of the program,” he said, with sures. government,” but it includes other from the 10 per cent recorded an update on those cases due to the pandemic highlighting the “It was very sad for us and it key actors, like the provinces. between April and August. ESDC privacy concerns, but it defines “essential” nature of their work in was a hard decision that led to a He credits the close bilateral previously described wage prob- egregious instances as when the Canada’s food supply chain. pause in terms of reviewing and work for outperforming expected lems and spacing of bunk beds employer is facing allegations Employment and Social evaluating the risk,” he said. But SAWP numbers this year, though as among that category of minor “with elements of abuse, reports Development Canada (ESDC), following the agreements and a it’s still down from the more than issues, which immigration critics that there has been an out- which administers the Temporary “proactive approach,” out of the 25,000 Mexican nationals who took issue with. break of the COVID-19 virus or Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), nearly 22,000 workers who came have travelled north each of the “What that tells me is social reported allegations that show a said both the contact group and to Canada, about 700 people were last three years. distancing is not being honoured blatant disregard for the regula- liaison position will carry on. “The ultimately infected with the virus. Several departments will take … and people don’t have proper tions in place to protect workers dedicated liaison officer estab- Some of the existing protocols are part in this week’s meetings as housing and, consequently, and the Canadian public” from lished for consulates and mi- still under review and there are the countries prepare for next workers are put at risk,” NDP MP the virus. grant network groups to address ongoing investigations into the season, including ESDC, Health Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East, ESDC said it does not com- employer non-compliance, as well deaths, which he said Mexico plans Canada, IRCC, and Agriculture B.C.) previously told The Hill ment on its investigations and as regular reports on challenges to follow up on in all three cases. Canada. Mexican consulates and Times, calling for a need to “fun- cannot provide further details. and actions taken to address In late October, Canada an- its foreign affairs and labour damentally change” the Tempo- [email protected] concerns, have been created on nounced it would begin consulta- departments will also be joining. rary Foreign Worker Program. The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020 5 Comment

MP Yasmin those skills to work in another Ratansi’s sister Member of Parliament’s office. was rehired My hope is this Ratansi mess Don’t put yourselves to work as her does not lead to a politically constituency motivated ill-thought-out reac- assistant in tion. A desire to erase all form of 2017—a clear familial-related employment in in knots over all violation of federal politics would be dumb. the 2012 rule, Canada is far too small to start and she should excluding people from certain be called out, types of employment because of writes Tim who they are related to. Checks political family ties Powers, but an and balances, yes. Transparency, overdone course most certainly. Proper reporting, correction is a must, but an overdone course While I can’t recall Parliament Hill turn- not needed. correction is not needed. My hope is this Ratansi ing into a family farm in 2012 and don’t The Hill Times Politics, by its very nature, mess does not lead to a know why that rule was made, it was, and photograph by is so all-consuming that it’s Ratansi can’t claim ignorance as her rehir- Andrew Meade unsurprising to see people of politically motivated ill- ing of her sister came five years after the the same bloodline enter into regulation was established. She rightly was had provided economic opportunity to his it. But family runs through just thought-out reaction. ushered out of the Liberal caucus—by her family. about all lines of endeavour in this country choosing or theirs, we will never know— In matters of family employment, when and elsewhere. So, while Ratansi should be A desire to erase all and now is subject to different parliamen- legally allowed, it is better to be transpar- called out, let us not lose the plot entirely. form of familial-related tary investigations as well as a good dose ent while going above and beyond to make Tim Powers is vice-chairman of Summa of public shame. It is also a tad embar- sure you are adhering to all regulations. Strategies and managing director of employment in federal rassing for the prime minister, who took Ratansi’s approach is not the model anyone Abacus Data. He is a former adviser to extensive criticism during the WE Charity should follow. Her sister may have been im- Conservative political leaders. politics would be dumb. scandal CANOLAfor favouring an organization that minently qualified, she just should have put The Hill Times Growing Canadian Prosperity Tim Powers Plain Speak CANOLA CANOLA Canadian Prosperity TTAWA—Time for a true confession. Canadian Prosperity OMy first job on Parliament Hill was Growing Canadian Prosperity given to me by my cousin, John Crosbie. Growing He gave me an opportunity because my Growing parents were family and they had always been supportive of him. In fact, he was the Canola is a driver of the Canadian master of ceremonies at their wedding and he grew up with my mother. That was more major than 25 years ago. economy, creating jobs and adding value. Fun additional fact: another cousin of mine was Crosbie the elder’s last chief of staff, Bill Crosbie. Bill went on to become Canola is a driver of the Canadian Canada’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Canola is a major driver of the Canadian appointed by Stephen Harper, and head of Canola is a major driver of the Canadian counsellor affairs at Global Affairs Cana- economy,major creating jobs and adding value. da, where he had a stellar career. Whether economy, creating jobs and adding value. either of us would have had the chances we economy, creatingOver 43,000 jobs andfarmers addingproduce value. did without a helping family hand—who 20 million tonnes of canola; knows? Times were different then and the family compact in federal politics was half is processed in Canada as much more open. value-added oil and meal. Our entry into federal politics was not Over 43,000 farmers produce unusual then, and likely, despite some Over 43,000 farmers produce changes, is still not all that radicalized 20OverCanola million 43,000 contributes tonnes farmers of canola produce; now. There are many people who were 20 million tonnes of canola; helped by the family tree in beginning their 20half millionis processed tonnes in Canada of canola as ; $half26.7 is processed BILLION in Canada PER YEAR as political careers. They can be found in all tovalue-addedhalf the is processedCanadian oil and in EconomyCanada meal. as parties. Some names may sound familiar— value-added oil and meal. Chrétien, Tobin, LeBlanc, Blaikie, etc. value-added oil and meal. So, as I watch the Yasmin Ratansi mess CanadianCanola contributes canola industry employs unfold, I’m cognizant of not being hypo- Canola contributes critical. However, in the case of Ratansi, 250,000$Canola26.7 contributes BILLION CANADIANS PER YEAR Member of Parliament for Don Valley East, to$26.7 the Canadian BILLION Economy PER YEAR Ont., she clearly broke parliamentary by- to$26.7 the Canadian BILLION Economy PER YEAR laws established in 2012, which prohibited toCanola the exportsCanadian were valuedEconomy at the use of House of Commons resources to Canadian canola industry employs hire siblings. Canadian$9.3 BILLION canola industry in 2019 employs First working for the MP from 2005 to 250,000Canadian canola CANADIANS industry employs 2011 (when Ratansi lost her seat), Ratansi’s 250,000 CANADIANS sister was rehired as her constituency 250,000 CANADIANS assistant in 2017—a clear violation of the Canola exports were valued at 2012 rule. According to reporting done Canola exports were valued at $Canola9.3 exportsBILLION were valued in 2019 at by the CBC, Ratansi’s sister went by a $9.3 BILLION in 2019 different name, assumedly to conceal her $9.3 BILLION in 2019 identity. CBC reported that, “Former staffers also said they saw Ratansi’s sister hide in an office or under the desk when people Canola has been the #1 source of farm revenue from crops for over came into the office who might recognize her … they were instructed not to take pho- a decade, earning $8.6 billion in farm cash receipts in 2019. tos of her work at events.” If the coverup was worse than the crime in Watergate, that was also the case here. To Learn More: www.ccga.ca/policy Canola has been the #1 source of farm revenue from crops for over Canola has been the #1 source of farm revenue from crops for over Canolaa decade, has been earning the #1 $8.6 source billion of farmin farm revenue cash receipts from crops in 2019. for over a decade, earning $8.6 billion in farm cash receipts in 2019. a decade, earning $8.6 billion in farm cash receipts in 2019. 6 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Opinion

The stakes are high, the window for constructive Canadian leadership won’t be open for long, and failure to achieve institutional reforms could, ultimately, resuscitate populist, nationalist, grievance-driven policies that so damaged the international order under Donald Trump, writes Roy Norton. Flickr photograph by Gage Skidmore

irritants, maximizes possibili- our credibility and connections to ordinated threats to global public ties for overcoming difficulties influencing U.S. decisions on im- health. But its centrality doesn’t between the two countries, and portant bilateral issues. It’s time excuse serious lapses as CO- Trump lost, grows opportunities for con- to turn our standing in the U.S. to VID-19 became a pandemic. U.S. structive partnership, in North the goal of building and chan- president-elect Joe Biden has said America and beyond. neling U.S. support for realistic the U.S. will rejoin. That’s good. Second, an effectively operat- multilateral renewal that serves The U.S. likely will want reforms so let’s try ing multilateral system capable of both their interests and ours. that maximize WHO transparency adapting to changing global pow- Canada is already leading an and position it better to anticipate er relationships while minimizing effort at the World Trade Organi- and control the next outbreak. We challenges to Canadian security zation (WTO) to rehabilitate the should share that goal—and work to inoculate (including climate change and dispute system (that U.S. actions alongside the U.S. to achieve it. public health); Canadian pros- caused to collapse). That’s impor- These are but three examples. perity (we are among the most tant. But if Americans have soured There are many, many more trade-dependent countries in on the WTO, it’s because they (NATO’s future being a particu- the world); and Canadian values widely share the view, enunciated larly important one to us). The key multilateralism (including our belief in universal by the Trump administration, that points are: the stakes are high; the human rights). advanced developing countries window for constructive Canadian While not powerless to defend (particularly China) are cut too leadership won’t be open for long; ourselves, we’ve repeatedly been much slack. The U.S. isn’t alone and failure to achieve institutional from any revival reminded since January 2017 in that belief. Maybe we should reforms in ways that reasonable how vulnerable our interests become more ambitious, trying to Americans can embrace could, can be. The Nov. 3 U.S. election build a coalition in support of more ultimately, resuscitate populist, na- outcome creates new opportunity fundamental reforms, including tionalist, grievance-driven policies of Trumpism for Canada to seek alignment of reining in export subsidies. that so damaged the international goals and policies with those of The global climate crisis be- order under Trump. a more “internationalist” U.S. As comes more palpably grave every In choosing to prioritize suc- the Biden administration starts year. Canadians are properly cessful multilateral reform, we The Nov. 3 U.S. election outcome creates new taking shape, we should prioritize upset that Trump withdrew the should be starkly alert to the perils reviving roles that Canada has U.S. from the 2015 Paris Accord of failure: Canada’s global inter- opportunity for Canada to seek alignment successfully played in the past: on Climate Change; we know that ests stand little chance if large, interpreter (of the U.S. to the collective action cannot succeed much more powerful countries feel of goals and policies with those of a more world and vice-versa) and partner without U.S. leadership. Trump totally unconstrained by global (in helping the U.S. move toward played to a sentiment shared by rules, standards, and norms. If ‘internationalist’ U.S. achievable policies that strength- many Americans: why should the we choose to unleash it, energetic en the global rules-based order). U.S. risk sacrificing jobs when Canadian diplomacy—in the U.S. beginning 75 years ago. While U.S. This doesn’t mean becoming China’s share of global green- and elsewhere—could consequen- President Donald Trump will soon the U.S.’ handmaiden. Histori- house gas emissions is twice that tially contribute both to reviving be gone, Trumpism could easily cally, we’ve proven capable of of the U.S. (28 per cent versus 14 multilateralism and to minimizing be revived if major institutional nudging parts of the world per cent), and China, via its Belt chances of renewed Trumpism. reforms acceptable to the U.S. toward a better appreciation of and Road and other programs, Roy Norton is a fellow of the aren’t achieved. Canada and other American needs while generating is constructing hundreds of coal Canadian Global Affairs Institute; U.S. friends have a responsibility constructive ideas for American plants worldwide whose emis- adjunct assistant professor of po- to push for such reforms. Failure policy-makers to consider. When sions, for decades into the future, litical science and public service will trigger more of what we’ve we have strong and friendly rela- will worsen the global commons at the University of Waterloo and seen—and do grave damage to the tions with the U.S., no country (but won’t count against China’s resident fellow, Balsillie School Roy Norton interests of democratic, free-mar- has more credibility than Canada reduction commitments)? Unless of International Affairs; a global Opinion ket countries around the world. in interpreting U.S. objectives to greater fairness in burden-shar- fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Any “interests-based” Cana- foreign interlocutors. No other ing is achieved, any American re- Center for Scholars’ Canada dian foreign policy should always country combines a sophisticated joining of the Paris agreement is Institute; and a former Canadian rumpism dealt serious blows focus on two things. First, a mutu- U.S. advocacy network with sky- vulnerable to Trumpian backlash. diplomat with four postings to Tto the multilateral system put ally respectful relationship with high levels of trust among Ameri- The World Health Organiza- the U.S. in place by the U.S. and its allies the U.S. that minimizes bilateral cans. Generally, we’ve applied tion must be central to any co- The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020 7 Comment

of the most corrupt early exploiters of its propaganda and disinformation uses are The civilizing effect (touch wood) now off-ramping their activities to special- ized platforms. The same civic-minded actors who brought us Cambridge Ana- lytica’s democracy-hijacking operations, of lockdown on social media have set up Parler, which advertises itself as a platform on which users can “Speak cultural, political, freely and express yourself openly, without At the risk of jinxing it, it athletic, and other fear of being ‘deplatformed’ for your views.” icons collectively Or, as Cambridge Analytica whistleblower seems like the virtual spaces and instantaneous- Christopher Wylie tweeted on Saturday, ly—the outpour- “They always wanted to create a new social our lives have migrated to ing following the network to collect data and disseminate in lockdown have become death of civil rights propaganda. And now they have.” icon John Lewis Which is not to say that established social more humane. was another recent media platforms won’t still be used to collect example—in the data and disseminate propaganda. It’s just form of virtual that, as democracy has roared back at toxic vigils and elegies. disinformation and relentless corruption in Among other other contexts lately, authentic humanity may indications that just prevail in our online shared spaces, too. social media Lisa Van Dusen is associate editor of is becoming a Policy Magazine and was a Washington saner, more bal- and New York-based editor at UPI, AP, and Casual consumption indicates that New Zealand actor Sam Neill isn’t the anced reflection ABC. She writes a weekly column for The only one using his Twitter feed as a pandemic palliative, writes Lisa Van of society is the Hill Times. Dusen. Photograph courtesy of Twitter/TwoPaddocks fact that some The Hill Times Lisa Van Dusen What Fresh Hell

or all the incalculable personal tragedy Fand economic disruption the COVID-19 pandemic has produced, there have been, if not entirely countervailing positives, at least unintended consequences of the rare, uplift- ing variety. One of them is that social media seems to have become less toxic in lockdown. I have nothing beyond anecdotal evidence for this assertion, but since I spend all week immersed in international political news and cultural content so I can compile The Week in Policy, Policy magazine’s weekly global brief (and, not infrequently these days, parade of lunacies), I get the sense social media has become more humane even in a world otherwise led, at least until Jan. 20, 2021, by its most toxic practitioner. There doesn’t seem to be any research on this yet, but casual consumption indicates that New Zealand actor Sam Neill isn’t the only one using his Twitter feed as a pandemic palliative. Neill tweets charming, frequently hilarious content from his Two Paddocks vineyard and farm. “If I do cheer up two or three distressed souls, that’s a good thing,” he told the Guardian recently. “It’s quite good for someone to say: ‘Listen, we’ll get through this, it’ll be all right.’” That sense of collective empathy was Stronger Together evident in the way Remembrance Day was celebrated last week. For an occasion e are very honoured to be celebrating the Republic of Latvia’s 102nd birthday in traditionally marked by the gathering of veterans—and the people whose rights and WCanada alongside our friends: Canadians. freedoms they fought for—in public spaces including, in Canada every year, the War Latvia, located in northern Europe by the Baltic Sea, was born on 18 November 1918. It is Memorial in Ottawa, the prospect of a Nov. a modern country, but blanketed in forests and a cultural heritage dating back thousands 11 in isolation was dispiriting. of years. We have an innovative spirit, with 2 million outstanding personalities. As it turned out, thanks largely to the adaptive efforts of the Royal Canadian Le- Latvia has warmly welcomed Canada’s contribution to global peace and stability. Canada gion and its digitalized Remembrance Day has led all NATO troops in Latvia during deterrence exercises for more than three years and is very campaign—including touchless donation boxes, virtual poppies, and a new focus on welcome to continue. the glorious poppy drops projected on land- We also value Canada’s commemoration of the victims of totalitarian regimes: the monument “Tribute to marks—Remembrance Day 2020 felt more significant than ever. So many Canadians Liberty” in the Garden of the Provinces and Territories in Ottawa. Positively, this monument also serves to shared stories on social media about fam- remember those who were fortunate enough to find their liberties again: by escaping to Canada. ily members whose lives were overtaken by, or sacrificed to, war that it became a Today, let us be reminded that the issues we see on other continents are not just in someone else’s collective outpouring of gratitude from a backyard — they are global problems. society with a renewed appreciation of both freedom and sacrifice. The juxtaposition We are celebrating an independence for which a dear price was paid, and we thank you for supporting of that outpouring against the spectacle of us on this occasion. an American president continuing to insult democracy was especially meaningful. Kārlis Eihenbaums, Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia in Canada With most of us inside and online, other rituals have taken on new dimensions. The cross-border online mourning for Sudbury- born Alex Trebek on the late Jeopardy! host’s passing Nov. 8 again displayed how social media has transformed the public grieving process. The posthumous deluge of affection For more information, please, visit Homepage: https://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/ottawa; for Trebek was a reminder of how, for the first time in history, we have the capacity Follow on FB: facebook.com/EmbassyOfLatviaInCanada and Twitter: twitter.com/LV_Canada to express gratitude and admiration for our 8 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES

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Editorial Letters to the Editor Commitment to media Canadian Transportation Agency freedom should start at home lacks will, not power, to order

n Nov. 16, Prime Minister Justin “When living in times of change, it OTrudeau extolled the virtues of freedom is up to us to seize the opportunity and refunds to passengers: advocate of the press in remarks given as part of the decide what to do next,” Mr. Trudeau said. Global Conference for Media Freedom that “It’s up to us to fight for a fairer and e: “Air passenger protection dur- inconsistent with the law, the CTA may Canada co-hosted with Botswana. healthier society where everyone, every- Ring and beyond the pandemic,” (The draw on its sweeping powers to order the The second such conference—the first where, is free to make their voice heard.” Hill Times, Nov. 12, online). In a recent airline to compensate the passenger on was co-hosted with the United Kingdom What wasn’t heard in Mr. Trudeau’s opinion piece, Scott Streiner, the chair- terms and conditions that should have last year—provided the prime minister remarks was an acknowledgement of where person of the Canadian Transportation been in place to begin with. an opportunity to grandstand about how Canada is falling down in these respects. Agency (CTA), vehemently argued that The laws that were the foundation for important it is that journalists be allowed It’s all well and good, necessary even, to the CTA’s hands were tied by Parliament. these decisions are still in force today. The to do their work free from political and commend journalists in other countries, like While the Transportation Modernization Air Transportation Regulations still re- extrajudicial interference. Belarus, where going out and doing their Act leaves a lot to be desired, that blame quire every airline to have terms and con- “Today, we see citizens calling for change— jobs can have incredibly dire consequences. is misplaced. ditions for refunds of services purchased from Hong Kong to Belarus—only to have the But it doesn’t excuse the omission For the past two decades, the CTA has but not used “as a result of […] the air car- authorities attack the freedom of the press. We that Canada isn’t the bastion of media been entrusted with sweeping powers to rier’s inability to provide the services for see journalists casting light on human rights freedom those in government might like regulate airlines. The CTA mandate has any reason.” The requirement that these abuses and on this pandemic—people like to pretend it is. Not when journalists like been not only to ensure that air passen- terms and conditions be just and reason- Kyaw Soe Oo, Wa Lone, and Maria Ressa— Karl Dockstader are charged for report- gers are subjected to just and reasonable able has not changed either. The Trans- only to face repression and violence,” Mr. ing on protests, like those staged by Six terms and conditions, but also to grant portation Modernization Act and the Air Trudeau said in an address livestreamed for Nations members at the 1492 Land Back remedies if an airline has imposed unjust Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) the virtual conference from his Ottawa office. Lane site in Caledonia, Ont. or unreasonable terms and conditions. did not repeal any of the aforementioned “It is never acceptable for a journal- “I am more motivated than ever to be In 2004, the CTA had no difficulty consumer protection provisions. Nor did ist to be attacked for doing their job. It a storyteller after having been arrested,” concluding, based on the laws in force they alter the fundamental right of pas- is never acceptable for a reporter to be Mr. Dockstader told the CBC. “It high- at that time, that Air Transat was re- sengers to be refunded. thrown in jail for interviewing a peaceful lights why we need journalism and why quired to refund airfares for flights that In short, the law did not change. The protester. And it is never acceptable for we need journalists who are educated [in were cancelled by the airline, regardless CTA has all the powers necessary to anyone, anywhere, to have their freedom Indigenous issues].” of the reason for the cancellation. In a order airlines to refund passengers for of expression denied. A crackdown on the Karyn Pugliese noted in The Globe and 2013 decision, the CTA recognized “the cancelled flights, regardless of the reason media puts democracy in danger. It puts Mail on Nov. 16 that the conference en- fundamental right of passengers to be re- for the cancellation, and regardless of the lives in danger,” Mr. Trudeau continued. tirely left Indigenous people off its agenda. funded.” In two additional decisions from wording of the airline’s terms and condi- He talked about Canada having “taken “If Canada is too embarrassed to admit the same fiscal year, the CTA reaffirmed tions. the lead” by investing in local journalism its own record is flawed—and instead al- the principle that it is unreasonable for an It is the CTA’s willingness to enforce here at home, and initiatives to boost media low politicians and bureaucrats to sanitize airline to refuse to refund the fare paid by the law that has changed. freedom internationally, such as the 2018 debate with safe, feel-good topics—it will a passenger because of the airline’s can- The reason for this change might war- commitment from the G7 Summit in Char- never be able to champion real global is- cellation of a flight, even if the cause is an rant an independent federal inquiry. levoix, Que., that included sharing lessons sues of press freedom,” Ms. Pugliese wrote. event beyond the airline’s control. Dr. Gábor Lukács and best practices on projects that “promote The Trudeau government loves to trot out In 2017, the CTA held that when President, Air Passenger Rights free, independent and pluralistic media; fact- its supposed commitment to transparency an airline’s terms and conditions are Halifax, N.S. based information; and freedom of expres- and accountability. This would be yet an- sion,” as well as the Media Freedom Coali- other place to start in making that a reality. tion, born out of last year’s conference. The Hill Times No one is protected from COVID-19 until everyone is protected, says letter writer

r. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public The World Health Organization has sug- Dhealth officer, recently announced gested rich countries provide just one per that “this pandemic has demonstrated cent of their total COVID-19 expenditures that inequities in our society place some to defeat COVID-19 everywhere. populations—and ultimately, all Cana- The most recent studies suggest that dians—at risk. No one is protected from COVID-19 immunity lasts less than six the risk of COVID-19 until everyone is months; unless Canada steps up with our protected.” one per cent share of funding, COVID-19 This doesn’t mean only within will return again and again, an outcome Canada: as long as the virus circulates, costing far more than the current one per it can return as quickly as it first arrived, cent request. and so those nations that cannot afford Tracy Koebel to battle the virus on their own need help. Victoria, B.C.

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[email protected] Canadian Publications Mail Agreement No. 40068926 CMCA AUDITED Newspaper 613-288-1146 www.hilltimes.com Winner THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020 9 Opinion When the military Canada and credit dares to deceive, bureaus can do more to help struggling no one wins Canadians This information was subsequently The last time I checked, passed along to Ontario Premier Doug credit bureaus and the information that Ford to inform him that his electorate was Canada has an opportunity companies supplied them “still have seri- the role of the Canadian not happy with his failure to protect the ous problems in ensuring the accuracy of military was to protect elderly during the COVID-19 crisis. with the credit crisis credit reports.” It was also reported that the Canadian to go farther by finally Moreover, an inaccurate credit report- Canada and Canadian Forces had a plan to counter potential ing system increases the financial dis- pandemic-related civil disobedience by implementing a crimination faced by disadvantaged groups values, not to alter the using various information warfare tech- with the economic disparities being made niques, including broadcasting propaganda comprehensive set of worse by erroneous and harmful financial mental state of Canadian from vehicle-mounted loudspeakers. information. citizens. The architect behind the “enhance- measures to protect Research from the Law Commission of ment” plan for the public affairs branch Ontario and various U.S. studies have also was Brigadier-General Jay Janzen, who is Canadian consumers. shown that systemic racism or bias can quoted in one of the Canadian Forces strat- also be built into algorithms by the data egy documents as stating, “The motto ‘who gatherers since these reflect the skewed dares, wins’ is as applicable to strategic data or bias of the programmers that de- communication as it is to warfare.” signed them. Those familiar with military affairs will As these data gatherers collect, analyze, note that “who dares wins” is the operation- and report the extensive credit and finan- al motto of the British Special Air Service cial history of consumers, credit bureaus (SAS), which is one of the most elite com- serve as the unregulated gatekeepers of mando units in the world. Canadians’ sensitive financial information. Scott Taylor It is one hell of a stretch to compare elite In such an important role, this oligopoly special forces combat soldiers to a handful of Canada’s two credit bureaus can be do- Inside Defence of public affair officers monitoring civilian Daniel Tsai ing more to help Canadians. Facebook posts, but hey, you’ve gotta give Opinion Canada’s credit reporting agencies can TTAWA—Late last week, it was report- Janzen credit for his imagination. entirely eliminate the negative impact on Oed in the media that the Department of Perhaps one of the most disturbing rev- credit scores of new or additional loans such National Defence had ordered a halt to its elations was that of a planned campaign to s Canadians struggle to deal with the as lines of credit, car loans, and refinancing controversial program of “weaponizing” its counter allegations of white supremacists Apandemic and its negative impact on of mortgages taken out due to COVID-19. public affairs branch. in the ranks of the CAF. In advance of this their finances, the challenge of making Importantly, Canada can appoint a This move comes in the wake of a series PR initiative, DND had compiled dos- payments becomes more difficult as the regulator for Equifax and TransUnion, of news stories by Ottawa Citizen defence siers on several Canadian journalists and pandemic continues and impacts strug- which would make their reporting system reporter David Pugliese, which outlined planned to assemble a gaggle of military- gling households. accountable, transparent, understandable, how the DND intended to use propaganda friendly academics and historians to push As of the end of September, the Cana- and fair for all Canadians instead of being to change the attitude and behaviour of Ca- the narrative that no such problem exists. dian Bankers Association reported almost privately determined by banks and the nadian citizens. However, before that plan could be 760,000 Canadian homeowners have taken credit bureaus without transparency, ac- It was revealed initiated, there was a series of much-pub- a mortgage deferral, with one million exist- countability, or a set of national standards. in Pugliese’s licized incidents ing loans being deferred. U.S. president-elect Joe Biden has stat- reports that the involving CAF Equifax has recently reported since the ed his interest in creating a government- Canadian Forces members with al- pandemic started, three million Canadians led reporting agency in the U.S. to compete planned to create leged ties to white have taken at least one deferred payment. with the reporting agencies, in recognition “Joint Targeting supremacy. The Canada’s unregulated credit reporting of the need for accurate information, and and Information propaganda plan agencies, Equifax and TransUnion, have the credit bureaus’ power to cut consum- Operations” capa- was shelved and offered consumers negatively impacted by ers off from essential financing, such as bility along with a now it has been COVID-19 the opportunity to treat deferred mortgages and car loans. Defence Strategic exposed. revolving loan (e.g., mortgage) payments As many Canadians have experienced, Communica- Once the ac- as regular payments paid within 30 days correcting inaccurate credit reports is a tions team for the tivities were made so long as they have a deferral agreement challenging and frustrating process, and purpose of using public in the with the creditor. without recourse to appeal to a regulatory “defence activi- press, the senior However, many mortgage deferrals authority. ties as a means of military leader- were time limited to six months and are Canada has an opportunity with the communication ship realized that now becoming due. So, the potential for credit crisis to go farther by finally imple- to influence the It is one hell of a stretch to compare elite special these attempts more missed payments, or more loans menting a comprehensive set of measures attitudes, beliefs, forces combat soldiers to a handful of public affair to “weaponize” taken to keep households afloat, will nega- to protect Canadian consumers. and behaviours of officers monitoring civilian Facebook posts, writes the public affairs tively impact Canadians’ finances further. Canada should impose customer service the audiences.” Scott Taylor. Unsplash photograph by Glen Carrie branch had, in Ordinary Canadians, and in particular, standards on credit bureaus so they must Now, the last fact, backfired. those who are younger and in the lower- and acknowledge and promptly respond to time I checked, the role of the Canadian Instead of protect- middle-class face a vicious cycle of lower consumer complaints, and impose pen- military was to protect Canada and Cana- ing the CAF’s image with Canadians, Jan- credit scores and more difficulty getting alties if credit bureaus fail to deal with dian values, not to alter the mental state of zen’s public affairs enhancement strategy, loans to financially survive in a pandemic. consumer complaints. Canadian citizens. as well as the other missteps related to the TransUnion’s research showed at the Canada can also protect consumers What was most shocking about these pandemic propaganda schemes, actually end of March that 57 per cent of respon- by suspending any reporting of negative damaging media revelations was the fact damaged the military’s reputation and dents reported they were financially im- COVID-19 by the credit bureaus (such as that this program had moved beyond the credibility. pacted by COVID-19, with younger genera- taking out new loans or maxing out exist- theoretical and was already being em- In shutting down this initiative, Laurie- tions impacted the most: generation Z at 82 ing ones to stay afloat) as U.S. Democratic ployed here in Canada. Anne Kempton, the assistant deputy minis- per cent and millennials at 67 per cent. lawmakers have already proposed. To date, the Canadian Armed Forces ter of public affairs at National Defence— TransUnion found 70 per cent of Through formal regulation of credit have spent more than $1-million to train and Janzen’s immediate superior—wrote respondents are concerned about their bureaus and imposing much needed stan- public affairs officers on behaviour-modifi- an email to her staff. “Canadians must have ability to pay their bills and loans but mil- dards, Canadians can finally get a better cation techniques. absolute confidence in knowing that we lennials were at 78 per cent and generation credit reporting system that puts consum- At the beginning of the pandemic, when completely understand our role in inform- Z at 74 per cent. ers first and that Canadians deserve. the Canadian military was poised to deploy ing the public space of our initiatives and Poor credit scores tend to have a dispro- Daniel Tsai is a lecturer in law and busi- personnel to assist in civilian long-term activities,” she said, adding, “they must portionately negative impact on racialized and ness at Ryerson University’s Ted Rogers care facilities, the CAF established what it know they are not targets.” disadvantaged communities and low-income School of Management, a former senior called a Precision Information Team (PIT). Amen to that. workers who are more unlikely to qualify for policy adviser in the federal government, This PIT used military personnel to collect Scott Taylor is the editor and publisher mortgages, lines of credit, or car loans. and editor of ConsumerRights.ca. Twitter: and analyze information gleaned from of Esprit de Corps magazine. The U.S. National Consumer Law Cen- @dtsailawyermba civilian social media accounts. The Hill Times ter released a report in 2019 that showed The Hill Times 10 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Comment

the pandemic was COVID cops in every neighbourhood. And with a Resist the MAGA-lite theatrics and Winnipeg police force that has a trigger finger for Indigenous people, nothing could go wrong there. Instead of admitting that their make premiers accountable again pandemic messaging has been a flaming pile of garbage, each of these premiers began to blame the like spoiled milk left out in the “We cannot continue indefinitely to place before Phase 2 opening or public for their failures. “In other hot sun. These same premiers are impair the social and economic—as a well-foreseen second wave, but words, our political and bureau- failing hard at their ability to con- well as the mental health and physi- who needs a reliance on science cratic leadership, aided by the trol the spread of COVID-19. ological health of the broader popu- when Ford is in charge? Perhaps media, has pushed a narrative that The failure is provincial. The lation—for potentially a year for an Ford shouldn’t have cut public individuals have the responsibility failure is male and hard to distin- influenza that does not generally health during a pandemic. The to defeat the pandemic, and any guish from Donald Trump’s “Make threaten life apart from the elderly National Post reported that afer outbreaks—past, present, and fu- America Great Again” influence. and the immunocompromised.” And being elected in 2018 the “Ford ture—are the fault of people who Fast forward two years later, and that was before he continued with government quickly froze PHO’s break unclear and largely unen- a global pandemic rages on, infect- his attack on public health with [Public Health Ontario] budget forced rules,” Pouyan Tabasinejad Erica Ifill ing people at an alarming, exponen- $600-million in cuts and a loss of and signalled that deeper cuts, to wrote in Passage. Indeed. Bad+Bitchy tial rate. These provinces failed to about 9,700 jobs. PHO and local health units, were What were these guys do- take public and workplace health Seems like relying on science on the way. The new administra- ing during the lockdown? They seriously. Alberta saw significant is optional. Sounds familiar. tion also proved uninterested in should’ve been building testing and ALGARY—Canadian con- outbreaks at the Cargill meat plant, Ontario’s long-term care some core public health missions, tracing capacity, providing PPE, Cservatism is showing itself to the JBS meat plant, and long-term disaster is well-documented. The things like basic science.” quarantining those travelling from be a whiny bastion of imperious, care facilities. In December of bloviating Premier Ford has a In Saskatchewan, Premier Moe inside and outside of the province, incompetent, and now flailing last year, the UCP cut the require- pattern of blaming others for his didn’t equip the province with stepping up spending for the small mostly white men—and their co- ment for occupational health and COVID-19 response failure and proper ventilation equipment, ICU businesses they claim to love in conspirator women—who blame safety committees that the previous moving the goalposts of success beds, or even hospital beds until the form of financial support for everyone else for their problems NDP government put in place as when he can’t do that. Remem- after the virus hit. A Saskatche- inflated operating costs due to and shortcomings. It’s beginning an attempt the eliminate red tape ber when he pledged to increase wan-based medical anthropolo- increased safety requirements, and to look like a lighter version of (every time you hear a Conservative testing back in March? The goal gist commented that “it seems the prolonging their re-opening until our MAGA-obsessed southern say they’re eliminating red tape, a was nearly 20,000 tests per day by politicians allowed political con- those conditions were met. neighbours. billionaire hears the cha-ching of April 17, even though the prov- siderations to cloud their vision.” Instead, we get a lot of finger- What the pandemic has shown a cash register). And the UCP has ince was only at 2,500 per day. Some identity politics are more waving, personal responsibility is that the so-called “Resis- been particularly aggressive with When they couldn’t reach their acceptable than others. And some crap, which has always been a tance”—as defined by a dubious undermining workplace standards, goal, they just revised downward ideologies have more power to strawman argument to ignore the December 2018 Maclean’s cover so much so “the Alberta govern- to 12,500. When they didn’t build create policies that impose those systemic and systematic failures consisting of Saskatchewan Pre- ment has not reprimanded, fined, the capacity they needed over ideologies on others. in response to a global pandemic. mier Scott Moe, United Conserva- or shut down a single workplace the summer, resulting in end- Premier Pallister, who wanted to Now their ineptitudes, based on tive Party (UCP) leader and now in the province for violations of less hours in long lines, they cancel funding for charities and non- flawed MAGA ideology, will be Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, public health ‘guidance,’” according restricted testing, even though profits who deliver services to the instrumental in bringing this then-federal Conservative Party to The Tyee. Furthermore, Ken- the federal government gave most vulnerable during a pandemic, country to its knees. leader Andrew Scheer, Manitoba ney’s response in May downplayed them billions of dollars to help resorted to verbally beating people Erica Ifill is a co-host of the Premier Brian Pallister, and On- the deadly virus as akin to the flu, with testing. One would think a into COVID-19 restriction submis- Bad+Bitchy podcast. tario Premier Doug Ford—aged saying in all his MAGA majesty: robust testing regime would be in sion. His first grand idea to combat The Hill Times While Trump spews lies next door, countries join forces here for global media freedom

On Nov. 15, nearly two weeks Conference for Media Freedom imprisoned journalists at a time be established that their killing or The pandemic, after Donald Trump was de- hosted online by Canada and when they are more endangered imprisonment was directly related feated at the polls, he stuck to his Botswana on Monday. than ever on the global stage. to their work), according to RSF. coupled with the rise unprecedented, democracy-de- Leading off the speakers, The pandemic, coupled with On Nov. 16, Canada and the stroying refusal to concede to Joe Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the rise in illiberal political United Kingdom announced in illiberal political Biden and claimed instead that that, at the first conference in Lon- movements, has made the future the Belarusian Association of movements, has made he, Trump, had actually won. don 18 months ago, no one could of free-flowing information and Journalists is being awarded the The election was rigged and have imagined the challenges 2020 facts more in doubt than ever. first Canada-U.K. Media Freedom the future of free- the Democrats’ victory was only would bring. Without specifying Reporters Without Borders Award, which is meant to recog- “in the eyes of the fake news which country he was referring (RSF), which prepares an annual nize groups that work to protect flowing information media,” Trump tweeted. This to, Trudeau said, “In the last few World Press Freedom Index, says press rights. Speaking for media coup-like strategy, aided by months, we’ve seen how free COVID-19 has highlighted and am- in Belarus, who have been subject and facts more in Congressional Republicans and and open debate, based on facts, plified ongoing threats to “the right to a brutal police crackdown doubt than ever. the far-right news media, has is the only way forward. When to freely reported, independent, while covering protests calling succeeded in convincing a large journalists can do their jobs, when diverse and reliable information.” for the resignation of President number of Americans that the citizens can get good reliable in- The organization says this Aleksandr Lukashenko, Andrei election was indeed fraudulent, formation, everyone does better.” year’s data shows the next decade Bastunets, chairperson of the Be- despite zero proof. Trudeau said press freedom is a will be pivotal for press freedom larusian Association of Journal- It seems unlikely that Trump fundamental building block of de- because of converging crises af- ists, welcomed the recognition. can overthrow the U.S. gov- mocracy and stressed the need to fecting the future of journalism. “Today, journalists in Belarus ernment in denial of the will push back against disinformation. These are “a geopolitical crisis have to work under gunfire, literally, of voters. But the fact that the Former attorney general Irwin (due to the aggressiveness of in a peaceful country,” he said. “They so-called leader of the free world Cotler told the conference: “We authoritarian regimes); a tech- are victims of police violence and is in a position to even try to flip meet today on the occasion not nological crisis (due to a lack of are sentenced to long-term arrests the reality of the Nov. 3 outcome only of a global COVID pandemic democratic guarantees); a demo- for their work. We thank every voice through lies and disinformation but a global political pandemic, cratic crisis (due to polarization in the world that speaks out for Les Whittington is ample demonstration of the characterized by a resurgent and repressive policies); a crisis Belarusian journalists today.” damage his systematic attacks on global authoritarianism, the back- of trust (due to suspicion and Minsk is a long way from Need to Know truth have done to U.S. politics. sliding of democracies and global even hatred of the media); and an Washington, D.C., but the prin- And, beyond the U.S., Trump’s assaults on media freedom, where economic crisis (impoverishing ciple that free political systems TTAWA—It’s hard to imagine approach will be welcome news journalists are increasingly under quality journalism).” and peoples’ rights ultimately Oa more pressing context for to dictators everywhere with no threat and under assault.” In 2020, 42 journalists and cannot be guaranteed without a conference on media freedom interest in freedom of expression Cotler was part of a group of media assistants have been killed reliable, factual information is the than a moment when the president or inconvenient facts. international lawyers who re- globally, while nearly 400 journal- same no matter. of the United States is engaged in The U.S. situation, along with leased a report at the conference ists, citizen journalists, and media Les Whittington is a regular a full-scale campaign to reverse those in Hong Kong and Belarus, urging the creation of a new glob- assistants have been imprisoned columnist for The Hill Times. the truth about an election he lost. hung over the second Global al charter to protect the rights of (counting only those where it can The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020 11 Comment In Quebec, a wilful blindness to racism against Indigenous people

When the 37-year-old Atikamekw luctant to be treated in Joliette, so he went to $3-million to build a better Indigenous wel- And Quebec is not alone in woman received morphine for stomach Hôpital Saint-Luc in Montreal instead. There, come centre near the Joliette hospital. And pains, she complained to the nurses she his Indian status and English language were $15-million in liaison and navigator posi- this, as events in Thunder was allergic. Instead of responding to her a target for one orderly, who would insist he tions in the province’s hospitals, along with concerns, the staff asked if she was “done speak to him en Français when he needed cultural sensitivity training for managers. Bay, Ont., Winnipeg, acting stupid.” They told the mother of seven help at 4 a.m., as he writhed in post-opera- Money is nice, but I am not convinced it will Saskatoon, rural Nova she “made some bad choices” and she was tive pain. Sadly, he died in 2017. solve the root of the problem: racism. only “good for sex.” It was the second time My friend is still angry at the treatment her And Quebec is not alone in this, as Scotia and elsewhere have in a month Echaquan was abused at the husband received as an Indigenous person from events in Thunder Bay, Ont., Winnipeg, Sas- Centre hospitalier de Lanaudière. health professionals whose objective is sup- katoon, rural Nova Scotia and elsewhere shown. Racism against First The abuse of an aboriginal woman should posed to be care for their patients. When I asked have shown. Racism against First Nations have come as no surprise to officials familiar her if she had complained to her local Members peoples spans the country. Nations peoples spans the with the Joliette hospital: it had a reputation of the National Assembly or Parliament, she When the Truth and Reconciliation country. for disgraceful behaviour that earned it a pointed out her provincial and federal ridings Commission report issued its 94 calls to mention in the 488-page Viens Report. The have traditionally been represented by either action in 2015, I thought it was a mistake to 2019 report targeted “violence, discrimina- the Bloc Québécois or the Parti Québécois. My go beyond its mandate examining abuses tory practices, and differential treatment in friend says her current representative in Quebec at residential schools and repeat many of the delivery of public services to Indigenous City, CAQ MNA Nadine Girault, seems indiffer- the recommendations in the 1996 Royal people.” It listed 142 calls for action, in social ent to the plight of anglophones or Indigenous Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. services, policing, corrections, justice, and people in her riding. Now I understand the strategy of the health services, as well as youth protection. The revelations in Joliette come on the chair, Senator Murray Sinclair: hit Canadi- One person who knows the Joliette heels of a recent statement by the Quebec ans on the side of the head with a metaphori- hospital all too well is a high school friend Human Rights Commission, which remind- cal two-by-four to get a response. Judging of mine who lives in nearby Rawdon. Her ed Premier François Legault of their report from the death of Joyce Echaquan, and the late husband was Mohawk, and thus eli- nine years ago describing systemic racism refusal of governments like Quebec’s to Andrew Caddell gible for certain benefits as a status Indian. in Quebec. In its update, the Commission acknowledge systemic racism towards Indig- With All Due Respect “Every time we went to that hospital, they recommended two immediate steps: a enous peoples, we haven’t done near enough. would make comments about how he got government-wide policy against racism Andrew Caddell is retired from Global free drugs and didn’t pay taxes,” she told and a ban on street checks by police. Affairs Canada, where he was a senior poli- AMOURASKA, QUE.—The death of me. “They never failed to be insulting and Yet Premier Legault refuses to recog- cy adviser. He previously worked as an ad- KJoyce Echaquan on Sept. 28 in the Jo- abusive.” And to compound the insult, his nize systemic racism in Quebec. Instead, viser to Liberal governments. He is a fellow liette, Que., hospital, northeast of Montreal, first language was English, and staff in- he fired his Indigenous affairs minister and with the Canadian Global Affairs Institute drew national headlines for the way she died: sisted on speaking to him in French. brought in former policeman Ian Lafreniêre. and a principal of QIT Canada. He can be Facebook Live streaming nursing staff as they When he became ill with cancer seven Lafreniêre immediately met with the leaders reached at [email protected]. hurled racist insults at her in a hospital bed. years ago, his bad experiences made him re- of the Atikamekw First Nation and promised The Hill Times

WHAT HAVE TOILETS GOT TO DO WITH CLIMATE CHANGE? Flood, drought & rising sea levels threaten sanitation, from toilets to septic tanks to treatment plants. Extreme weather can damage toilets and spread human waste into water supplies, food crops and people’s homes. These incidents, becoming more frequent as climate change intensifies, cause public health emergencies and degrade the environment. Strong water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) systems are climate resilient systems. Everyone must have sustainable sanitation as a human right, to withstand climate change and to keep communities healthy. WaterAid is calling for urgent action from the Government of Canada and the international community to increase investment in sustainable sanitation services. Safe, reliable, and inclusive sanitation services prevent the spread of infectious diseases and help communities withstand the impacts of climate change. Living without a safe toilet threatens the health, education and livelihoods of billions of people with women and girls experiencing the harshest realities. WaterAid is encouraging Canada to include ambitious sanitation targets in their climate action plans and climate finance package.

November 19th is World Toilet Day, this day raises awareness of the 4.2 billion people living without access to safely managed sanitation.

WaterAid/ Basile Ouedraogo 12 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES News

Prime Minister Justin ‘Inevitable’ Trudeau has taken a tougher approach of late return to with premiers than was seen in the early testy federal- days of the pandemic. The Hill Times provincial photograph by Andrew relations will Meade

ton Strategies, said the change in has created a challenge. He said down has hampered co-operation. messaging from Mr. Trudeau and in the second wave, the param- At the operational level, Prof. showcase the premiers is an “inevitability.” eters for success have changed. Graefe said there is no reason to In the early stages of the pan- There is a “classical federalism believe there is friction, but the demic, there were easier conver- issue” unfolding, he said, as levers damage is at the political level. sations between the federal and of power are in the hands of the He said premiers who are provincial governments where provincial government, while the facing re-election are in a more policy priorities aligned, he said. economic might is controlled by precarious position. discord with “All of sudden, you start to the federal government. “The premiers in the provinces look at program design and “I don’t think a collaborative that haven’t gone to elections are resource funding and you start approach can happen until all the worrying that they’re going to to have more difficult conversa- governments and all the leaders be blamed for a potential second tions,” he said. “We are seeing the come together,” he said, noting shutdown,” he said. “I suspect for differing inevitable conversation about cru- there need to be agreed-upon, the second wave, the blame is cial policy decisions on resources shared objectives. going to be much more on the come to the fore with [where] “There was that cohesiveness premiers than the federal govern- inevitably you’ll see differences.” at the beginning, I don’t think ment.” “It’s in the nature of how there is that cohesiveness now,” He said with a vaccine on the priorities, health care is funded and it’s in Mr. Leone said. “Until we can get horizon, Mr. Trudeau and the the nature of crisis response,” over that hump, which doesn’t premiers will want to position he said. “In that sense, it should look likely right now, we’re go- themselves for a post-pandemic surprise no one.” ing to be faced with a polemic world. He added that it isn’t a circumstance.” “While obviously the next say politicos coarsening of intergovernmental While Mr. Delacourt said three or four months may be relations, but a next phase. It’s a provinces are most under threat pretty terrible in terms of the return to normal under unusual for their handling of the pan- health-care systems … I think the circumstances, he said. demic, Mr. Leone said the federal actors are of the view that we’re Dalhousie University political Liberals’ grip on power could be in for a tough slog, but we can see and experts science professor Katherine Fierl- at threat. the light at the end of the tunnel beck, an expert on heath policy, Every incumbent provincial and so they’re already positioning said given the size and diversity government has won re-election and jockeying for what comes at of Canada, that, at times, leads to in every election held since the the end of this,” said Prof. Graefe, Mr. Trudeau said the federal a fractious political relationship. pandemic, but Mr. Leone said that noting that could change if the ‘We are seeing government can offer support “If the regions always got may not hold. public health situation becomes to make the provincial decisions along, despite their diversity, then “I think there’s a lot of con- more dire. the inevitable “slightly less difficult.” But later in probably some provincial leaders cern out there that until we get He said the testiness is per- conversation the week on Nov. 13, Mr. Trudeau wouldn’t be doing their jobs,” she [COVID-19] under control, I think haps a result of a “false sense” of said the federal government sup- said. “Different regions have dif- governments are going to suffer confidence that as bad things are, about crucial port to the provinces would not ferent interests.” no matter where they are,” he that the end is near and they want be “infinite,” adding that there Prof. Fierlbeck said in the case said. to begin positioning for that. policy decisions on could be a time when the govern- of the pandemic, political actors McMaster University political Some have called for greater ment has to make “really difficult put aside most of their conten- science professor Peter Graefe, an intergovernmental co-operation, resources come to choices” over where to allocate its tious interests to address the most expert on intergovernmental rela- such as Green Party Leader An- the fore with [where] “limited resources.” urgent issues facing them. tions and social policy, said the namie Paul, who wants to see a Some premiers didn’t receive “That’s how a proper federal second wave has brought more national COVID-19 task force. inevitably you’ll Mr. Trudeau’s warnings well. system should work,” she said. blame than the original outbreak Prof. Fierlbeck said such ideas Saskatchewan Premier Scott “But, of course, it’s not sustain- in March, which has led govern- fail to take into account Canada’s see differences,’ Moe called it “extremely unhelp- able in the long run because the ments to position themselves to political nature. ful” to conceive the COVID-19 underlying political tensions avoid being blamed for the cur- She said if a federal authority says former Liberal response as a binary choice simply don’t go away when new rent situation. was to override provincial juris- between protecting public health problems arise.” “In the spring, there wasn’t a diction, it would have to show strategist John and safeguarding the beleaguered “For a short period of time, lot of blame to avoid. Canadians’ that the provinces have been ill- Delacourt. economy. all the other political issues just confidence in their governments informed or reckless. Although the pandemic has dropped off the agenda,” she was pretty strong across the “With so much conflicting and put a spotlight on the re-emer- said. “You can’t ignore things board. I think we’re seeing with changing data, it’s just not pos- gence of intergovernmental co- like energy policy indefinitely. Continued on page 12 this recent upsurge that citizens sible to make such a black-and- operation, or lack thereof, there These things do creep back on are more unhappy and ask- white case,” she said. the spread of COVID-19 in their have been flare-ups of discord and regional governments are ing questions about what their She said a top-down imposi- jurisdictions during a press con- throughout. Premiers criticized properly politically charged with governments were doing over tion of public health guidelines ference last week. the Throne Speech for intrud- representing their constituents’ the summer to head this off,” would be “politically disastrous,” “I would hope that no leader ing on provincial jurisdiction. interests and sometimes these in- he said. “When there’s blame, as provinces elect governments in our country is easing public Premiers have also been pushing terests will be conflicting with the there will be blame avoidance— that represent their values and health vigilance because they for an increase in health fund interests of other Canadians.” passing the buck—in Canadian there are questions of how over- feel pressure not to shut down transfers to provinces. The trans- Former Ontario Progressive federalism.” riding provincial jurisdiction businesses or slow down our fers will be a subject of the first Conservative MPP Rob Leone, a He added that the increased would be received, especially in economy,” he said on Nov. 10. “I ministers meeting in December. principal at Earnscliffe Strategy awareness of the costs associated places that are opposed to the urge premiers and mayors to do Former Liberal staffer John Group, said the levels of govern- with the pandemic and a pro- federal Liberal government. the right thing. Act now to protect Delacourt, vice-president of ment are defining the goals and vincial concern over having the [email protected] public health.” public affairs at Hill and Knowl- the problems differently, which funds to pay for another shut- The Hill Times The Hill Times | Nov. 18, 2020

DEFENCEPOLICY BRIEFING

Access to mental health services for Armed Success in defence Forces in House Defence committee’s sights comes with across-the- amid rising suicide numbers board co-operation p. 14 p. 15

Canada’s security is Canada’s surface A more assertive languishing under the combatant costs might Europe to enhance Trudeau government be taking on water transatlantic security p. 18 p. 20 p. 24 14 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Defence Policy Briefing

specifically, but “what is important “Not that we expect the Armed now” Ms. Gallant said, “is to look Forces to provide those services in back over the recommendations every community where we have of the committee to see what has reserve units. It’s about making sure been implemented and gauge how that there are those services avail- effective we’re being.” able throughout the public health- “Has it truly been addressed care system and that there is some thoroughly in the three years level of commitment by the prov- since 2017?” she said, referring inces to provide those services in a to the 2017 suicide prevention timely matter,” Mr. Bezan continued. strategy jointly released by the Improving access to mental Department of National Defence health services for Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Canada. members, regardless of where they In 2017, 13 regular force mem- serve, was a key plank of the Liber- bers and three reservists died als’ 2017 defence policy document, by suicide, the lowest total since Strong, Secure, Engaged. It prom- Members of the CH-147 2013, when the numbers were 11 ised to grow the Medical Services Chinook medical team drill and three, respectively. Branch, which consists of enlisted during Operation Presence In 2019, the most recent annual members who serve in a medical in Mali on July 28, 2018. data, 17 regular force members role, by 200 personnel. The defence committee is and three reservists died by sui- Another key mental health- studying into the mental health cide, the highest total since 2014, related promise in Strong, Secure, impact Operation Laser had the year Canada left Afghanistan. Engaged was to reduce the stigma on members of the Canadian In 2014, 19 regular force members around mental health issues. Armed Forces. Canadian Armed and four reservists died by suicide. Mr. Bezan said Mr. Garrison’s Forces photograph courtesy of Mr. Bezan agreed with Ms. private members’ bill will help do Major Corporal Jennifer Kusche Gallant. exactly that. “There’s been the ongoing “It’s an indictable offence within discussion, going back over a the Canadian Armed Forces to try Access to mental health services for Armed Conservative MP James Bezan Forces in House Defence says committee members have a good working relationship, which will help keep committee’s sights amid partisanship out of its work. The Hill Times photograph rising suicide numbers by Andrew Meade number of Parliaments, on access to [die by] suicide. We believe that to mental health services. We is not helping reduce the stigma of interest, specifically looking at more than the three meetings want to make sure that we have a around mental health, or allowing In 2019, 17 regular how Operation Laser, which saw required by the motion. fulsome discussion on how things those that are struggling to go get members of the military go into “We’ve allowed for the flex- have evolved over the past num- the help they need,” he said. force members and long-term care homes in Ontario ibility for more meetings because ber of years, and making sure the Mr. Garrison’s bill, titled An Act three reservists died and Quebec, affected soldiers’ men- sometimes it’s in listening to wit- services that are available are to amend the National Defence tal health. Conservative MP James nesses that we learned that there adequate,” Mr. Bezan said. act (maiming or injuring self or by suicide, which was Bezan (Selkirk-Interlake-Eastman, should be more people we’re Mr. Bezan said one of his main another), would amend Section Man.), his party’s defence critic, hearing from,” she said. concerns going into the study is 98(c) to make it so that attempting the highest number said he will continue to ask ques- Defence Committee chair and to figure out how effective and to harm oneself no longer renders tions related to mental health and Liberal MP Karen McCrimmon available mental health services an individual unfit for service. Cur- since 2014. Operation Laser in this study. rently, if someone is found guilty “Within the COVID-19 study, they can face penalties ranging BY AIDAN CHAMANDY we will be asking questions as it from five years in a military prison relates to the mental health status to life imprisonment if the act was he House Defence Committee of those members of the Canadian committed on active duty. Twill soon begin studying ac- Armed Forces who participated in “Mental health services are cess to mental health services for Operation Laser, based upon the closely linked to the issue of members of the Canadian Armed testimony that has already come death by suicide in the Cana- Forces with the aim of addressing out of Ontario’s Long-Term Care dian military. It’s the most acute suicide, after 2019 saw the highest Commission,” he said. “The impact symptom of the problem, because number in five years. on their mental health is something we’re still losing one member of As part of the study, the I want to drill down on.” the Canadian Forces every month committee will also specifically Mr. Bezan said he hopes the to death by suicide. And part of consider the merits of removing a committee will finish both the that, I think, can be dealt with provision of the National Defence COVID-19 study and the mental by taking self harm out of the Act that renders self-harm an in- health study by the December re- military Code of Conduct as a dictable offence, which is the goal cess in order to table the reports disciplinary offence, because it’s of private members’ Bill C-203 in the new year. a powerful disincentive for people put forward by NDP MP Randall The COVID-19 study has Chief of the Defence Staff Jonathan Vance, left, Defence Minister Harjit not to seek help,” he said. Garrison (Esquimalt-Saanich- at least three more meetings Sajjan, and former Veterans Affairs Minister Seamus O’Regan unveil the joint According to previous commit- Sooke, B.C.), his party’s defence planned after committee mem- suicide prevention strategy in 2017. The Hill Times file photograph tee testimony by Judge Advocate critic and a Defence Committee bers agreed on Nov. 16 to hear General Geneviève Bernatchez on member. from more witnesses, according (Kanata-Carleton, Ont.) was not are for those serving somewhere Oct. 23, 2018, court martial charg- But before the mental health to Mr. Garrison, and the mental available for an interview on the outside a permanent base. es have only been laid four times study gets started, the committee health study will involve a mini- topic. “For those who are reserve since January 2000 under Section will wrap up its current one look- mum of three meetings, according The committee has studied ac- members serving in communi- 98, and all were withdrawn when ing into the effect COVID-19 has to the Oct. 24 committee motion. cess to physical and mental health ties where there is no permanent the court martial proceeded. Thir- had on the Armed Forces, which Conservative MP Cheryl services in the Armed Forces in base, access to health care is a ci- teen summary trial charges were it began on Nov. 16. Gallant (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pem- the recent past, including in 2009 vilian matter. Then, it’s a matter of laid in the same time period, and The COVID-19 study has a broke, Ont.), a longtime member and 2014. A number of reports how do you mesh those services no one was convicted. broad scope and mental health of the Defence Committee, left have been issued both on men- for reserves versus regular force,” [email protected] has already come up as a topic open the possibility of having tal health generally and suicide he said. The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020 15 Policy BriefingDefence SUPPORTING THE CANADIAN Success in defence ARMY WITH INNOVATIVE DND published photos by Public source comes with across- LAND SOLUTIONS the-board co-operation SINCE 1977 There will be more frequent deployments of our Armed Forces to protect civilians and communities from extreme weather events, wildfires, and flooding. The rapid pace at which the Arctic ice is melting also means that our northern borders will be more vulnerable. As such, our Forces will have to adapt and be prepared to serve in both traditional and new capacities, and our procurement must adapt to reflect these new Green Party Leader Annamie Paul realities as well. The Green Party supports the Opinion acquisition of icebreakers, coastal vessels for surveillance, and more fire bombers to protect communities at risk. We oppose purchas- ecurity is a fundamental responsibility of ing F-18 fighter jets as the case has yet to be Employing Sany state, but Canada cannot do it alone. made, particularly when we consider our gov- over 500 The The COVID-19 pandemic has only served to un- ernment’s underinvestment in cyberdefence derline that we live in an interconnected world and disaster response. Engineers Cornerstone of intersecting threats. From cybersecurity to cli- Regarding other modern threats, the Bul- mate change to transnational crime, the modern letin of the Atomic Scientists also highlighted of Canada’s threats we face can only be defended against the threat of nuclear war as the second exis- through co-ordinated international action. tential threat. The government has, however, Defence It is in our interest, for example, to ensure shown no leadership on nuclear disarmament, that Canada’s Armed Forces can function as and has failed to ratify the UN Treaty on the Industrial base a general-purpose force, able to build and Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, set to enter support complex peace operations. Our Forces into force Jan. 22, 2021. The treaty has 84 must be able to provide realistic options to the signatory states and will promote the effec- government in domestic security emergencies tive deployment of multilateral mechanisms and international operations alike—no one aimed at eliminating all nuclear stockpiles and will ever forget preventing the Sustaining the images of rebuilding of over 10,000 our Cana- nuclear arse- dian Armed nals. The case jobs annually Forces being for the contin- deployed to ued existence reinforce staff of nuclear Exporting in long-term weapons is over 85% of care fa- irrational. It cilities across is time that our product Canada—and we reclaim and services to be available our country’s for important Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornet pilot call sign traditional global deploy- ‘Slam'r’ gives Corporal Benedicte Moke a tour of the cockpit leadership role Enabling Canada’s ments. during Operation at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, on disarma- The Green on Oct. 9, 2020. The Green Party platform recognizes the ment. Economic Future Party platform global reputation of our Canadian Armed Forces for training, In the case recognizes leadership, and co-operation in international operations, and of supporting the global the party is committed to expanding Canada’s peace-support efforts to end reputation of role and working to strengthen post-conflict democratic deadly con- our Canadian institutions and civil society groups, writes Annamie Paul. Air flict, Canada’s Armed Forces Task Force Romania photograph courtesy of S1 Zach Barr approach must Sustaining for training, be civilian- jobs in leadership, and co-operation in international centred. For those of us who have worked in operations, and we are committed to expand- conflict-affected states, we know that civilians communities ing Canada’s peace-support role and working want the violence to end as quickly as possible, across Canada to strengthen post-conflict democratic institu- even if it involves compromise. They expect the tions and civil society groups. international community, including Canada, to As a middle power, we have learned that support that outcome. Supporting Canada has more impact within alliances than An end to deadly conflict is rarely produced outside of them. Alliances are not only military by overwhelming use of military force, and is more than in nature, but also have political components in more typically the product of compromise and 500 Canadian which we can be influential. That said, our role negotiation. The best role that Canada can play suppliers in military alliances should be periodically re- to support an end to deadly conflict will often viewed to ensure that it aligns with our values be to support international efforts to get the and priorities. In this respect, existing defence parties engaged in confidence-building and alliances will surely need to evolve to help us dialogue. This is an area in which Canada has to defend against the new threats that we face. excelled in the past and in which we should Investing This year, the Bulletin of the Atomic once again seek to lead as a means of contrib- Scientists, in consultation with 13 Nobel uting to global security. in Research and laureates, moved the Doomsday Clock to 100 Finally, in order to provide for the best secu- Development seconds to midnight to underscore the need rity and defence of people in Canada, we must for action on climate change, among other work to regain the international stature we threats. Climate change is a major contributor have seen erode over the past years. We do this to increased global instability and is a threat to by returning to what has proven most effective our national security. There have already been in amplifying Canada’s impact: reinforcing deadly conflicts directly attributable to the multilateral institutions that allow us to build warming climate, and it has been identified by consensus; empowering our diplomats; and security analysts as a major threat multiplier. identifying those policy areas where we can The Green Party was the first to recognize the have true influence and then building coali- impact of climate change as the source of more tions of the like-minded. www.gdlscanada.com frequent and dangerous natural disasters, as Annamie Paul is the leader of the Green well as the cause of increasing conflict over Party of Canada. resources around the world. The Hill Times

18 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Defence Policy Briefing Canada’s security is Pandemic response languishing under the showcasing Trudeau government resiliency, reliability rines with under-ice capabilities to patrol If the Liberals remain in our Arctic. And, our frigates project is grossly over-budget even before the steel is power, Canada’s security cut, leading some experts to muse we may of Canadian Forces never afford them. and sovereignty will be COVID-19 should have served as a In our domestic response, Operation La- increasingly vulnerable and wake-up call. Instead, the Liberals carry The world has changed ser, more than 1,700 CAF personnel were on with their failing defence plan as deployed to 54 long-term care facilities in compromised, especially though nothing has changed. In a world of significantly since this Ontario and Quebec to support our seniors. pandemics and fragile supply chains, it is The CAF also assisted the Public Health when forced to confront the a matter of national security that Canada time last year, as a result Agency of Canada and Public Health cut the red tape on defence procurement, of the global pandemic, Ontario with management of personal pro- next global crisis. and foster domestic defence capabili- tective equipment (PPE) and with contact ties we can rely on in times of crisis. We and the Canadian Armed tracing. saw the evidence during the pandemic The Canadian Rangers have been de- as countries scrambled to buy up stocks Forces have adapted and ployed in northern and remote communi- of personal protective equipment and ties across the country to assist with tasks ventilators to keep their citizens alive. responded accordingly. such as delivering food and transporting It was quickly understood that domestic emergency supplies, wellness checks, and production of these critical materials was assisting at emergency operations centres. essential, a matter of national security, The Rangers who responded are residents and so the re-tooling began by Canadian of the communities in which they serve, companies to meet that need. Sadly, it providing vital local knowledge and familiar- was a lesson learned too late. The Liberals ity. Their presence in remote communities is Conservative MP James Bezan are failing to apply this lesson to national a backbone of strength in the North and their Opinion defence. We must identify what our core contributions in not only responding to, but defence competencies are, and make sure also prevention of, the spread of COVID-19 in we are putting Canadian technology into their communities is a source of pride. s the COVID-19 pandemic ravages Canadian ships, jets, and vehicles. The At the same time that CAF has shown Athe Canadian economy, it also lays ability to build and maintain our own de- Liberal MP Anita Vandenbeld flexibility and adapted its operations to bare Canada’s vulnerability to increas- fence equipment capability inside our own Opinion respond to the domestic health crisis, ingly hostile foreign actors. The Liberal country at times of crisis, along with our COVID-19 has exacerbated geopolitical defence plan, Strong, Secure, Engaged, Five Eyes partners, is critical to maintain- tensions and emboldened malicious for- left Canada ill-prepared for the real ing our sovereignty. s Canada took pause on Nov. 11 to eign actors, particularly through increased world. The new reality of COVID-19, Justin Trudeau’s weak leadership in the Aremember the brave Canadians who cyberthreats. The Canadian Security Es- the return of great-power rivalry, and face of an increasingly aggressive Com- served and sacrificed so that we can live tablishment has worked with government, interrupted supply chains for critical munist Chinese regime in Beijing should in freedom and democracy, we did so in a businesses, and health-care institutions equipment, is causing Canadians to worry Canadians. The Liberal foreign very different way than ever before, mainly to swiftly secure our networks and cyber doubt whether this Liberal government is policy of appeasing China has failed to through our television and computer infrastructure as millions of Canadians capable of protecting Canada’s security ban Huawei from our 5G network, failed screens. shifted to working remotely. and sovereignty. our farmers, failed the unjust detention of In private reflection, we mourned the While there have been adjustments to Before the pandemic, the Liberal Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael loss of Corporal James Choi who died in Canadian Armed Forces international de- government failed to deliver the critical Kovrig, and failed our entire population a training incident at Wainwright, Alta., ployments because of COVID-19, the CAF equipment our Canadian Armed Forces fighting COVID-19. A reset of foreign pol- on Oct. 31; Captain Jenn Casey who was has remained agile and continues to con- need to protect us on the land, sea, and in icy doesn’t seem likely under this Trudeau killed in a Snowbirds accident in May; duct successful international operations. the air, and is compromising our ability government. Despite the global crisis, and six members of the crew of the HMCS At a time when the international rules- to continue to contribute meaningfully to it is no closer to identifying its foreign Fredericton who were lost in a Cyclone based order is being challenged, and with our NORAD and NATO alliances in the policy objectives and aligning our defence helicopter crash in April. In small and rising global trends toward authoritari- future. Now, amassing record amounts of objectives accordingly. So, it should come intimate gatherings, we honoured and anism and isolationism, Canada’s com- pandemic debt, the Liberals risk pushing as no surprise the Liberals fumbled the remembered those brave Canadians who mitment to working with our allies and already delayed defence procurements ball throughout the pandemic in securing gave their lives in the First and Second multilateral partners to promote peace, even further into the future, jeopardizing critical medical equipment, handing sole- World War, the Korean War, and more re- democracy, and global security is even projects like the fighter-jet replacement sourced contracts to Liberal friends and cently in Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and more important. Canada continues to program, the Canadian Surface Combat- questionably classifying COVID contracts other operations. play a leadership role in NATO, remains ant frigates, and derailing the Arctic and as “secret” under national security exemp- Through social media, we thank those committed to modernizing NORAD, and offshore patrol ships. Critical projects tions. who continue to serve today, carrying on contributes to UN Peace Operations. long-ignored by the Liberals risk never While Trudeau was busy trying to the proud legacy of those who came before. Strong, Secure, Engaged provides a seeing the light of day under this govern- shovel record amounts of money out the The world has changed significantly strong foundation to ensure that the CAF ment, such as upgrading our North Warn- door to his friends at WE, Vladimir Putin since this time last year, as a result of has the capabilities, tools, and supports to ing System and replacing our Chrétien- was busy conducting complex Arctic the global pandemic, and the Canadian keep Canadians safe and respond to evolv- era submarines. military exercises right on our Arctic Armed Forces (CAF) have adapted and ing global challenges, while contributing This equipment is not a luxury in to- doorstep. Despite warnings from defence responded accordingly. Canada’s defence to economic recovery at home. During the day’s world, but is essential to protecting experts to take note of Russia’s newly policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, was COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen the our sovereignty as a country. The Ameri- demonstrated ability to seize Arctic designed to ensure that Canada’s mili- flexibility and responsiveness of the CAF can military has been clear and is on the islands, even in bad weather, Trudeau tary is prepared for decades to come, to to unanticipated demands. record; it is not the policy of the United kept his head firmly planted in the snow. keep Canadians safe in a world where They have supported the delivery of States of America to defend Canada The Liberals are unwilling to do the hard new and unanticipated threats emerge. PPE to communities from the Yukon to as against a long-range missile strike by work necessary to equip Canada to face We live in a rapidly evolving global and far away as Honduras. They have mobi- the likes of North Korea. Unfortunately, these emerging threats to our Arctic technological environment, where the lized Reservists and are ready to respond beginning negotiations to join the Ameri- sovereignty. expectations and requirements of our to pandemic-related and other emergencies can Ballistic Missile Defence program has Trudeau has failed the test of leadership women and men in uniform are constant- at home as they did in our long-term care never been on the Liberal agenda. And during the COVID-19 pandemic due to his ly changing. facilities. They set up a quarantine centre under the Trudeau government, Canada arrogance and entitlement. If the Liberals Nowhere is this more apparent than on the base in Trenton on short notice so has only contributed token support to our remain in power, Canada’s security and throughout the COVID-19 crisis. As much that Canadians could return home safely. allies and allowed our participation on sovereignty will be increasingly vulnerable of the country is gripped in a second And they stand ready to help with what- UN missions to slide to the lowest levels and compromised, especially when forced wave, the readiness and agility of the ever is asked of them as Canada combats the on record. to confront the next global crisis. It’s all CAF to respond to the crisis has proved second wave and builds toward recovery. So what is their plan to protect our just a matter of time. vital. Through Operation Globe, the CAF Anita Vandenbeld is the Liberal MP Arctic sovereignty, defend our airspace, James Bezan is the MP for Selkirk-In- repatriated more than 650 Canadians, and for Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont., and the and patrol our three coasts? We have no terlake-Eastman, Man., and the Conserva- delivered more than 82,500 kilograms of parliamentary secretary to the minister of modern fighter jets to defend our airspace. tive Party critic for defence. humanitarian and medical supplies for the national defence. We have no heavy ice-breakers or subma- The Hill Times World Food Program in Central America. The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020 19 Policy BriefingDefence

NATO’s former headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, are pictured in Canada’s adaptation 2012. Canada needs to strengthen and adapt its defence to the realities of emerging threats to evolving NORAD and security challenges to effectively meet its alliance commitments, writes Nancy Teeple. Flickr photograph by UD/Frode and NATO roles Overland Andersen

ficacy of our alliances as collective bodies The U.S. continues to lead our alliances as the Wales summit in 2014, when NATO As peer competitors and intended to preserve and promote peace one of the world’s strongest economies and the members reaffirmed their commitment to and stability through defence and deter- most powerful military. Canada remains a key two per cent of GDP spending on defence, other adversaries continue rence. They comprise a North Atlantic player in both alliances, providing geographi- Canada has continued to fall short of its community reflecting the universal norms cal advantage for NORAD and niche capabili- commitment. Canada needs to be serious to violate international and values of liberty, democracy, rule of ties for NATO. NATO and NORAD evolved about its contribution, revise its problem- norms and rules, alliances law, human rights, and freedoms. Canada and adapted to changes in the global threat atic procurement processes (characterized was one of the eight founding members of environment from the Cold War to the pres- by delays and cancellations on the whims like NATO and NORAD NATO in 1949 and remains a valued bina- ent. From its creation in 1949, NATO began of political leadership), and increase tional partner in NORAD. as a consensus-based collective defence body defence spending and investing in capabili- provide a means to promote Born out of the post-Second World War and focused on deterring military aggression in ties needed now and into the future. For early Cold War strategic context, NATO and the Euro-Atlantic region, with an emphasis on its own national security interests, and and enforce the boundaries NORAD provide the foundation for defence Article 5 of the Treaty that an attack against as a continental defence partner, Canada of acceptable conduct. co-operation and security that we continue to one or more of its members is considered an must be serious about upgrades to North enjoy today. These institutions adapted and attack against all members. After the Cold War, American defence, including the Arctic demonstrated their enduring relevance as NATO evolved and its core tasks expanded (particularly replacing the aging North the global security environment shifted from to include co-operative security and crisis man- Warning System of early-warning radars), bipolar, to unipolar, to multipolar with the rise agement, and broadened its scope for interven- potentially requiring a revisit to missile of peer competitors. Today’s threats are more tion from regional to global. Canada played a defence participation. Reaching 1.4 per complex; adversaries are varied and operate in significant role in these NATO missions, from cent of GDP on defence spending by 2024 non-traditional ways and domains. the Balkans in the 1990s, it expanded its con- may no longer be viable for the complex The world today is experiencing tribution to NATO-ISAF in Afghanistan from and diverse defence challenges in multiple unprecedented challenges—a global Kabul to Kandahar province, it led the 2011 domains we must be prepared for today. pandemic with severe economic effects, a air campaign NATO intervention in Libya, and Canada needs to join its U.S. partner in divided America following an isolationist now leads a battlegroup as part of NATO’s revising its defence and deterrence posture president, the ending of stability-enhanc- Enhanced Forward Presence in Latvia. with serious investment in all domains to Nancy Teeple ing arms control regimes, and strategic NORAD was established in 1958 as a remain a credible defence partner. Opinion competition with adversaries that deploy Canada-U.S. binational continental air defence Our alliances are more important than aggression below the threshold of conflict. command, in which Canada provided an early ever in today’s unpredictable and volatile International relations returned to great warning and defence role as part of deter- international security environment. As peer n Nov. 9, in a call to Canadian Prime power competitions, characterized by a rence. NORAD evolved through renewals that competitors and other adversaries continue OMinister Justin Trudeau, U.S. president- resurgent Russia and a revisionist China expanded its mission, most notably in 1981 to violate international norms and rules, elect Joe Biden reaffirmed the close bonds seeking to project power globally and to include aerospace warning, and in 2006, it alliances like NATO and NORAD provide a between Canada and the U.S., citing the regionally manipulating or outright ignor- added a maritime warning role. In response means to promote and, if necessary, enforce North American partnership and deepening ing international norms and legal regimes. to peer strategic competitors’ innovation in the boundaries of acceptable conduct in inter- collaboration to address regional and global Despite this renewed focus for defence offensive weapons to strike the continent (no national and regional spaces. Canada has a challenges—including strengthening NATO. and security institutions, the risk posed by defences exist against hypersonic vehicles, vested national interest in supporting NATO Indeed, not only do NATO and NORAD rogue nations, such as North Korea and advanced cruise missiles, and unmanned and NORAD to promote shared values and remain viable and workable alliances today, potentially Iran, wielding nuclear weap- aerial systems), North American defence is defend the rules-based international order. they are imperative; and Canada’s role has ons threatens regional allies and, possibly, undergoing modernization, primarily through Nancy Teeple is an adjunct profes- been and should continue to be engaged, the North American homeland. The threat NORAD and USNORTHCOM, with new sor and research associate at the Royal but Canada needs to strengthen and adapt of international terrorism has not disap- deterrence and integrated defence concepts, Military College of Canada, a postdoctoral its defence to the realities of emerging peared, and the threat of religious extrem- which has implications for Canada as a close fellow at the North American and Arctic threats and security challenges to effective- ism has been augmented by the rise of U.S. defence partner and Arctic nation. Defence and Security Network, and the ly meet its alliance commitments. far-right groups. The international security As an important NATO and NORAD Fulbright Canada Visiting Chair in Peace Canadians should remain confident in environment is less predictable and more partner, Canada must revise its Strong, and War Studies at Norwich University. the sustained historical record of the ef- volatile than we could have anticipated. Secure, Engaged defence policy. Since The Hill Times

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A0319e1120_Rh Canada_Force Enabler-gen_263,525x109,538.indd 1 05.11.20 18:44 20 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Defence Policy Briefing Canada’s surface combatant costs might be taking on water

Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux is expected to release an updated costing of the Navy’s Canadian Surface Combatant project, and if his office finds that significantly more money is needed to deliver this project, that may be a good sign that Canada should revisit the governance and project management to ensure it is being best managed, writes David Perry. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

of the Navy’s Canadian Surface the project’s prime contractor, ing that ship design extensively to Canada acquiring a ship with a It is unclear where Combatant (CSC) project. Much have been reviewing the detailed ensure it meets the Navy’s require- purpose-built combat system and of Canada’s naval future, military bid to fully understand it, make ments and provides the economic the extensive design and systems exactly the project combat capability, and ability to changes, and translate the bid benefit required by the process. integration work that will be re- defend our country and continent proposal into the actual ship that Since submitting that bid in Octo- quired to make it combat effective, stands, as the are wrapped up in that project, will be built in Halifax. That effort ber 2018, the requirements have including the impact on schedule. government has said the most expensive we have ever is complicated, time consuming, gone through a “reconciliation” As we await the PBO’s report, undertaken. Currently bud- and arguably more difficult than process that was either finished a it is worth remembering that the virtually nothing geted at between $56-billion and the earlier phases of the project long time ago, recently, or is still organization has developed a $60-billion, the PBO will likely that came before it, and in those ongoing, depending on who you solid track record of estimating about the progress report that substantially more earlier phases, the project consis- ask. While the parameters of this the costs of ships built under the money is needed to deliver CSC. tently missed one milestone after process have been fuzzy, it seems National Shipbuilding Strategy. If on the project since As it stands, the last PBO another. There is no evidence sug- to have resulted in additional they find that significantly more February 2019. costing from 2019 estimated the gesting that the pace of the project combat capability being added to money is needed to deliver this budget should be closer to $70-bil- has improved as the work became Canada’s future warships. project, that may be a good sign lion. Two key things have changed more difficult—and that is without The net result, as material re- that Canada should revisit the since then that will likely push trying to account for any COVID- cently released by the RCN makes governance and project manage- their estimate higher. First, there related impacts. Using the PBO’s clear, is that the CSC, as currently ment of this project to ensure it is are rumblings that the project last report, a delay of just a couple envisioned, is a very different ship being best managed. The project’s is facing significant delays. In of years on its own could increase than the Type 26. It is both heavier schedule appears to keep drift- its last effort, the PBO pegged costs by about $5-billion. and longer. And while the hull and ing and some of the most difficult the cost of an additional year of The second key change be- related systems are largely the work lies ahead. Ensuring we delay at more than $2-billion. tween the PBO’s last report and same, virtually the entire combat have project management and It is unclear where exactly the the present time relates to the ac- systems are different. Costing out governance that can effectively project stands, as the government tual ship itself. When the PBO last the differences between the major manage an extraordinarily com- has said virtually nothing about costed the project, their analysis components of the combat system plicated, developmental project is David Perry the progress on the project since was based on the Royal Navy’s would presumably be a key fea- the best way to keep the project’s Opinion February 2019 when Lockheed Type 26 frigate, which had been ture of the PBOs report, including costs down and deliver the Navy Martin Canada was confirmed identified at the time as the ship the radar, major weapons systems, Canada needs. as Canada’s winning bidder and design upon which the winning combat management system, and David Perry is the vice-presi- ometime soon, the Parliamen- the project entered into a critical submission was based. But the Co-operative Engagement Capa- dent and a senior analyst at the Stary Budget Officer (PBO) period of detailed design work. Type 26 was just the starting point bility. Similarly, the PBO might Canadian Global Affairs Institute. will release an updated costing Canada and Irving Shipbuilding, for that bid, as it proposed modify- try and assess the implications of The Hill Times Setting the Standard for Future Aircrew Training

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A CF-18 Hornet from 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron in Cold Lake, Alta., flies in the Alaskan airspace in preparation for Exercise Vigilant Eagle 13 on Aug. 25, 2013.To ensure that Canada meets its obligations to NATO and to NORAD, modernization is essential, not least of all because it also represents a contribution to wider NATO aims, write Andrea Charron and James Fergusson. DND photograph courtesy of Cpl. Vicky Lefrancois

the NORAD and NATO seams of back to 1964—first to defend geographic areas of responsibil- Canada, then North America, and In the return of major ity are now potential liabilities if then assistance in the world. we continue to think of them as This does not mean that acting in parallel rather than in Canada should abandon Op- concert. More and more attention eration Reassurance in Latvia or power rivalry, Canada is paid by the U.S., European, and refuse UN stability missions, such Canadian militaries to the stra- as in Mali, but it does mean that tegic position of the Greenland- Canada needs to prioritize mis- Iceland-United Kingdom (GIUK) sions to deter future aggression and Norway “gap,” which exists by revisionist states like China should cement its role in the North Atlantic and aligns and Russia against North Ameri- almost perfectly with the seam ca first to ensure that other peace between the U.S. geographic and stability operations are more Failure to rediscover the NATO-NORAD reinforce the other. The “gaffe” combatant commands—EUCOM effective because they require that Diefenbaker made in the late and USNORTHCOM—whose allied assistance. As the U.S. connection means that North America is 1950s, to convince Canadians to commanders are also NATO’s military champions a new way of join NORAD by suggesting the supreme allied commander and rapidly planning and executing vulnerable, Canada forfeits its commitment to former was the North Ameri- USNORTHCOM and NORAD’s operations using capabilities from can contribution to NATO, was commander, respectively. These all domains in a synchronized its allies, and Canada’s ability to contribute to actually correct—just 60 years threats may never materialize, but and co-operative fashion with premature. For too long, however, the primary purpose of NORAD the Joint All-Domain Awareness international peace and security is curtailed. NORAD and NATO operated as if and NATO is to deter aggres- Command and Control (JADC2) separate and apart. This is no lon- sion and to be prepared to defeat concept, NORAD and NATO will to assist with drug interdiction ger the case; indeed, it is essential them. They are Canada’s and its necessarily play a role in this missions. NORAD was assumed they work together. allies’ insurance policies—we strategic redesign. Canadian to defend Canada and the conti- While Canada is hesitant to resent these military costs when industries will have opportunities nental United States exclusively; call out Russia and China as all is well, but the alternative is to benefit and the CAF will con- NATO was dedicated to Western adversaries (there are scant refer- unthinkable. tribute to an all-domain picture, Europe only. ences to either in the 2017 Strong, CAF attention has shifted which will be an information Now, with the return of great- Secure, Engaged defence policy), decidedly to Canada and to multiplier for all allies. NATO and power politics, the collective the United States does consider North America. Fifty per cent of NORAD are still relevant. Cana- defence missions of NATO and them major concerns. The chang- CAF missions are now domestic dians need to rediscover NORAD NORAD are surely self-evident. ing nature of conflict means that ones to deal with environmental and the NORAD-NATO connec- Andrea Charron & James Fergusson But are they? According to a threats (a combination of intent disasters and provide assistance tion. Failure to do so means that Opinion recent poll by Nanos for the and capabilities) from Russia and to other agencies or government North America is vulnerable, Canadian Defence and Secu- China, other states, as well as (helping Parks Canada with ava- Canada forfeits its commitment to rity Network, Canadians are non-state actors, no longer rest lanche mitigation measures, for its allies, and Canada’s ability to he demise of NATO, espe- decidedly pro-NATO (a NORAD- in one domain. A maritime vessel example), and to support NORAD contribute to international peace Tcially, and NORAD, occasion- specific question was not asked), can quickly become an airborne and the other bilateral security and security is curtailed. ally, has been declared by many but for their collective security/ threat (as the launch platform and military operations. To ensure Andrea Charron is director of pundits on numerous occasions. assistance to civilian authorities’ of a missile), which may carry a that Canada meets its obligations the Centre for Defence and Secu- During the 1990s, having defeated missions—not for their primary nuclear or conventional warhead to NATO and to NORAD, mod- rity Studies (CDSS) at the Uni- the Soviet Union and reached and intended roles to deter great- targeting vital infrastructure, ernization is essential, not least versity of Manitoba and associate “the end of history,” NATO and power aggression, thus defending guided by GPS (space-based) and of all because it also represents a professor in Political Studies. NORAD discovered new mis- Canada, the United States, and likely presaged by cyber misin- contribution to wider NATO aims. James Fergusson is deputy-direc- sions. NATO went out of area and European allies. Indeed, NORAD formation attacks (the cognitive Prioritizing North American de- tor of the CDSS and professor in added counterterrorism and crisis and NATO are still thought of as domain). fence co-operation and NORAD Political Studies at the University management to its to-do list. parallel, rather than complemen- This can all occur from any- also aligns with the priorities of of Manitoba. NORAD provided air surveillance tary defence relationships that where in the world, which means all of the defence policies dating The Hill Times Sponsored by SkyAlyne, November 18, 2020

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In a world of changing Despite the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, global political which absorbs a lot of efforts, the EU security structures and great initiatives are on track and expanding. Flickr power competition, photograph courtesy of the our Canadian EU Naval Force Somalia partners can count on the EU as a reliable and capable ally on the other side of the Atlantic.

Brigadier-General Fritz Urbach Opinion

he COVID-19 pandemic has Ttaught us many lessons, one of them being the importance of a more assertive role for Europe as a security provider and a reliable defender of the rules-based international order. The pandemic accelerated already existing and worrisome trends—questioning of multilateral institutions, the dis- engagement of some of our allies, growing vulnerabilities in critical “no.” Our efforts do not aim to re- of the EU: the Green Deal, the hance the operational readiness able to benefit from EU-funds for sectors of our defence co-opera- define the transatlantic relation- promotion of multilateral partner- and contribution of their armed research and development when tion. The pandemic also happened ship, but rather to enhance it. It is ships, strategic autonomy, and forces. This initiative has re- joining co-operation projects with at a time when the U.S.—so far, neither politically desirable nor resilience. These priorities reflect cently been expanded to include other European companies. the unquestionable security and realistic that EU member states the very broad and comprehen- participation from third countries. Finally, on the conceptual side, power provider—continued to replicate the military capabilities sive European understanding of Under this latest development, the EU is currently developing withdraw from many parts of the and the political power of NATO. security with a decisive role of trusted partners such as Canada the Strategic Compass, a concise world due to its increased focus It would be also unreasonable resilience at its centre. This resil- are invited to identify and join document outlining the general on China, while the rules-based to think that EU member states ience is a national responsibility, specific PESCO projects. policy guidance, future CSDP international order came under would fund European duplica- a result of whole of government Another initiative, known as priorities, and needed capabili- permanent pressure from many tions for nuclear defence, com- measures. But it is the EU that Military Mobility, enables allied ties, starting with agreeing on a sides. mand and control, intelligence- sets standards, co-ordinates and military forces, including from common EU threat assessment. In Europe, these develop- surveillance-reconnaissance or orchestrates solidarity actions Canada, to move across Europe, to In conclusion, a more asser- ments have had a catalyst effect, strategic airlift capabilities. The among member states, as it hap- the destination of their operations. tive, strategically autonomous EU triggering reflections on the collective defence against any pened during the first wave of the Thanks to financing from the will only benefit and strengthen need to strengthen our resilience military threat will unquestion- COVID-19 pandemic. common EU budget (1.5-billion transatlantic relations. Our and capacity to act as a security ably remain NATO’s key role, New European security initia- EUR/US$1.77-billion), the Military transatlantic allies, Canada and provider, with autonomy in such based on its crucial capabilities tives should be perceived within Mobility infrastructure will now the U.S., should not be con- strategic areas as access to con- provided jointly by allies on both an all-encompassing effort and be upgraded across the continent. cerned about a more assertive nectivity, digital technologies, sides of the Atlantic. co-operation with partners. They Additionally, legal and admin- EU. Should the term “strategic critical raw materials, and health- For many years, our transat- were launched to improve Euro- istrative procedures required to autonomy” be better explained care supplies. In short, Europe lantic allies have insisted that the pean military capabilities, which move troops and hazardous goods by European leaders? Probably. realized it needs to be more self- EU boosts its security and de- will of course benefit NATO across Europe are also being re- But it is clear that the EU’s goal reliant to guarantee the necessary fence capabilities to be able to act because we all have only one vised and streamlined in hopes of is to improve complementarity capabilities in the broad field of as a security provider, especially single set of armed forces and no facilitating these movements. with NATO without creating any security and defence. The term in its geographic neighbourhood, duplication can be allowed. The third initiative is the duplications or competition. that has been used in this context when NATO is not available or Despite the fight against the European Defence Fund (budget Consequently, in a world of by high-level EU representa- does not have the appropriate COVID-19 pandemic, which of 7-billion EUR/US$8.84-billion), changing global political struc- tives and think tanks is “strategic tool-set to solve a crisis. The key absorbs a lot of efforts, the EU which aims to provide financial tures and great power competi- autonomy.” word is thus complementarity security initiatives are on track incentives for a better co-operation tion—which will not disappear Of course, this term, which between NATO and EU. This and expanding. among stakeholders in the Europe- with a Biden administration in covers all domains of internation- complementarity cannot be taken First among them is the Per- an defence industry. What is impor- Washington—our Canadian al policy—from climate change for granted, and does not happen manent Structured Co-operation, tant to note is that this mechanism partners can count on the EU as to diplomacy, from trade to social overnight—it must be organized or PESCO, one of the pillars of will also be open to participation a reliable and capable ally on the standards—raises questions on and backed by political will and the EU’s defence policy. PESCO from third countries under specific other side of the Atlantic. this side of the Atlantic, especially enhanced military capabilities on allows for co-operation among conditions. It will certainly be of Brig.-Gen. Fritz Urbach is the in security and defence matters: the European side. EU member states to create and interest to the Canadian defence EU Defence Attaché in Canada do Europeans want to replace Let us consider the new, develop defence capabilities, industry, as Canadian companies and the United States of America. NATO? The answer is obviously overarching strategic priorities invest in shared projects, and en- with subsidiaries in Europe will be The Hill Times Easy Parliamentary Tracking With the sheer magnitude of information coming out of Parliament Hill every day, it can be hard to sift through it all to find what you need. Parliament Now is the service that will help you sort out your government affairs.

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Contact Lakshmi Krishnamurthi for a trial. Lakshmi Krishnamurthi, Subscriptions and Licensing Executive 613-263-3013 • [email protected] 26 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Opinion Canada must legislate climate targets to avoid embarrassment at COP26

Experts from the Environment Minister Jonathan nation’s environmental Wilkinson is community agree pictured leaving the West Block that Canada must on Oct. 21, 2020. The Liberal enact accountability government has made a welcome legislation if we are commitment to net-zero to reach emissions legislation. reduction targets. However, setting long-term targets in law is not BY CATHERINE ABREU, JULIA enough. The Hill CROOME, ANDREW GAGE, DALE Times photograph MARSHALL, & MARC-ANDRÉ VIAU by Andrew Meade or the past quarter-century, Flate autumn has marked the beginning of the UN’s annual climate negotiations. Had 2020 gone as planned, thousands of negotiators, diplomats, journalists, activists, land protectors, and elected officials would be gathering in Glasgow for the 26th Confer- ence of Parties (COP26) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to discuss, with painstak- ing detail, the policy paths still left to get us to a climate safe future. The year 2020 was meant to be one of ambition, when all signatories to the landmark Paris Agreement returned to the UN with more ambitious climate pledges. But of course, to net-zero legislation. However, (net-zero by 2050 and a stronger Thirdly, we need a system of so we never miss another climate 2020 has not gone as planned. While setting long-term targets in law 2030 goal), but a schedule of independent expert oversight, target. Anything less is unlikely to COP26 is still set to take place, the is not enough. We need account- short-term ones as well. A series in the form of a committee deliver the results we need. schedule has been pushed back a ability—a law that makes explicit of five-year carbon budgets will representing the best scientific We are weeks away from 2021. year, to November 2021. who is responsible for given ele- map out emissions reductions, and technical minds, which will That means we’re one year closer Media from every corner of the ments of climate action, makes and regular five-year impact re- provide advice on everything— to our 2030 target, and we have globe follow these negotiations those responsible answerable for ports will map out how we need targets, budgets, plans—and less than a decade left to do our closely. Had COP26 proceeded as their actions and decisions, and is to adapt to climate change as a independently report on our fair share to stave off the most di- intended, the headline in every enforceable, by attaching conse- country. progress. sastrous and irreversible impacts news outlet across Canada would of climate change. read: “Canada is not on track to Canada’s international respect reach the emissions-reduction as a climate leader is already wan- target agreed to in Paris.” ing as we continue to blow past the climate targets we set for ourselves. As a society that has historically Lack of accountability benefited from the high-emissions leads to an inconsistent oil and gas industry, we owe it to the world and to ourselves to use performance our wealth and ingenuity to hasten Canada continues to send mixed our transition to a clean energy messages on climate change—pro- future. What Canada does matters. fessing to prioritize climate action And failure is not an option. while continuing to subsidize the This year has demonstrated fossil fuel industry to the tune of that our environmental health more than $600-million each year. is deeply intertwined with our Meanwhile, nations like Denmark, physical and sociological wellbe- New Zealand, and the United ing. Although COP26 has been Kingdom are faring better—thanks delayed we cannot afford to set largely to their legislated climate aside climate commitments in accountability frameworks. favour of concentrating solely on Take for instance the United pandemic relief—the hour is too Kingdom. In 2008, its Climate late, and the crises too intercon- Change Act made the nation’s long- nected—and we certainly cannot term climate targets and five-year wait to hold ourselves account- interim targets legally binding. The able for our actions. result? The U.K.’s carbon emissions Catherine Abreu is the execu- have fallen by 38 per cent since tive director of Climate Action 1990, and most steeply since the Network Canada; Julia Croome Climate Change Act passed in 2008, is a staff lawyer at Ecojustice; while Canada’s have increased by Andrew Gage is a staff lawyer at 21 per cent in the same period. Source: Canada and U.K. 2020 annual National Inventory Reports to UNFCCC—Total CO2 equivalent emissions in millions of West Coast Environmental Law; tons (MT) without land use, land-use change and forestry. Chart courtesy of Julia Croome, November 2020 Dale Marshall is the national Necessary features of climate program manager at quences for failing to live up to Secondly, we need to set up a Legislation that imposes Environmental Defence; and Canadian accountability commitments. clear and results-based cycle of explicit duties on responsible Marc-André Viau is the director, legislation What does that mean for planning, reporting, and reassess- actors to achieve these three government relations at Équi- The Liberal government has Canada? First, that we set not ment targeted to those carbon key elements can make this and terre. made a welcome commitment only long-term targets in law budgets and impact reports. future governments accountable The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020 27 News

Perception of poor U.S. polling could hurt Canadian industry Mr. Coletto said a high-profile event, such as the U.S. presidential election, will “no doubt” have an effect and raise questions about polling and methodology at home. “My view has always been that I don’t necessarily think the tool that we have available to us—the survey itself—is not as precise and perfect as people make it out to be,” he said. “The expectation of perfection and being dead-on accurate, I think, is unrealistic.” University of British Colum- bia emeritus professor Richard Johnston, who previously held the Canadian Research Chair in public opinion, elections, and rep- resentation, said the perception of poor polling accuracy “absolutely” has an impact on the industry. “Polling firms are susceptible to the same sort of anti-intellectual mistrust … that’s out there” that impacts academics and others, he said. “They are going to be very sensitive as an industry,” Prof. With around 97 per cent of the expected vote counted, U.S. president-elect Joe Biden is leading U.S. President Donald Trump by 3.6 points in the popular vote Johnston said, but added there as of Nov. 17. Pre-election national polls projected Mr. Biden would win by at least eight points. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/White House and Twitter/Joe Biden might not be much they can do about it. “We still don’t really know what went on—even in 2016,” he said. “At the end of the day … nature of this election,” said Mr. you don’t know how much of the Graves, adding that the accuracy problem is a result of people who What can Canadian of the polling was within the just aren’t answering the polls in realm of what has been seen over the first place.” the last 20 to 30 years. Mr. Lyle said there is some Most polls likely predicted the “reputational hit” for the polling accurate results in 48 of 50 states, industry, especially from election pollsters learn from according to polling aggregator night. FiveThirtyEight. But he said despite the doom Mr. Graves said one issue for and gloom around polling fol- U.S. pollsters is accounting for lowing the 2016 U.S. presidential voters who distrust institutions. election, there wasn’t much of an mistakes in American “Because much higher levels effect on the Canadian polling of institutional mistrust—and industry. in the media and polling and all “It’s still a big feature of media those sorts of things—just don’t coverage. And the reason for that do surveys, which they’ll have to is because people like to read presidential polling? figure out,” he said. those stories,” Mr. Lyle said. Mr. Graves said Canadian Mr. Graves said the accounts pollsters can always learn and of polling “massively failing” were polls leading up to the election underestimated Mr. Trump’s adapt to different changes that “egregiously overstated.” ‘The methods they are had Mr. Biden leading by at least performance at the state level, have happened south of the He said there isn’t a great deal eight points. a 2017 report by the American border. of corrosive impact that spills using aren’t capturing Pollster David Coletto, CEO of Association for Public Opinion Pollster Greg Lyle of Innova- over to Canadian polls from the a certain segment Abacus Data, told The Hill Times Research found. tive Research Group said it will negative view of polling accuracy that there are “lessons” for Cana- He said the likely explana- likely be two years before all the in other places. of the population,’ dian polling firms to learn from tion is that there are certain work is finished in assessing what Mr. Graves said it is important the mistakes that are being made people that polls aren’t account- working theory is the most likely for the polling industry to “point Abacus Data’s David in the United States. ing for. behind polling errors. out where the criticisms are un- “Something happened that “The methods they are using Some have said certain voters founded, unfair, or exaggerated.” Coletto says of U.S. we, I think, really need to under- aren’t capturing a certain seg- aren’t accounted for due to a “shy” Mr. Nanos said the challenge stand,” he said. ment of the population,” said Mr. Trump voter effect, where those for the industry is that on one day pollsters. The exact reason why some Coletto, adding that Canadians surveyed don’t admit that they a poll will be championed, but polling was off won’t be known polling is not immune to the same are backing Trump, but research on the next it will be dismissed, for some time, as U.S. polling challenges pollsters face in cap- by the Pew Research Center has based on the partisan advantage Continued from page 1 firms and academics analyze turing the U.S. electorate. unearthed little evidence for the it gives. the performance of their U.S. what went right and what went In the last federal election, theory. “The problem is not neces- counterparts. wrong. Canadian pollsters fared well. Nik Nanos, chief data scientist sarily the polling. The problem Soon after the Nov. 3 election, “It’s hard to defend the per- But there have been issues in the and founder of Nanos Research, is that people are very quick to as the early returns came back in formance in the U.S. when it’s past, especially in provincial and said the effect is “complete media dismiss any kind of survey that favour of U.S. President Donald pretty clear that the same kinds municipal elections. speculation” by Trump supporters they disagree with, while at the Trump, pollsters were once again of mistakes or some kinds of er- “Our ability to maybe capture to discredit polls because they same time use another survey to placed on the hot seat. A New rors that might be showing up in the mood of the country is in part were behind. support their views,” he said. “If York Magazine headline asked if these polls [in previous elections] a function of how … less polar- He said when the full na- there’s a problem it’s the weapon- the public should even stop pay- happened again,” he said, adding ized we are now as a country,” Mr. tional vote is counted, Mr. Biden ization of polling … where they ing attention to polls. there’s more work to be done to Coletto said, noting that partisan- is likely to win by four or five are used, dismissed, discredited, But as the vote count pro- figure out what’s going on and ship isn’t as strong. points, which is around the mar- or held up as gospel, depending gressed and mail-in ballots were how to better estimate vote inten- Frank Graves, founder and gin of error. on where you stand in a particu- counted, the vote totals got closer tions. president of EKOS Research, said Mr. Nanos said U.S. polling is lar campaign.” and closer to the results that were In 2016, Hillary Clinton won while there were some areas of more vulnerable to error because He said trust in polling is at projected in pre-election polls. the national vote by 2.1 percent- “systematic underrepresenta- they do extra modelling for likely the same level as it has always Yet, the results were still off. With age points, but lost the electoral tion of Trump support,” he said voters, which doesn’t happen in been, noting that response rates around 97 per cent of the expect- college. While national polling he didn’t think the polling was Canada. have increased during the pan- ed vote counted, U.S. president- was largely accurate—most “particularly inaccurate.” “That’s the most vulnerable demic. elect Joe Biden is leading by 3.6 national polls had Ms. Clinton “It looked worse than it was at part of the polling that is done in [email protected] points as of Nov. 17. National with a three-point lead—polls the outset because of the unusual the United States,” he said. The Hill Times 28 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES News

On Nov. 2, the Senate joined the House of ‘Historic’ Commons in running its proceedings in a hybrid fashion, allowing effort to run Senators to participate both in Ottawa and virtually from home. But the two hybrid Red Chamber, pictured on Nov. 5, has to share limited resources with Chambers a the House of Commons to make it happen. Screenshot courtesy of balancing act SenVu

bringing in “99 per cent” participa- ing upgraded to accommodate vir- ware to connect a larger number standing patience in their delayed ‘The reality is that we tion among the ISG’s 44 members. tual meetings, said Mr. Ryan, and of remote participants.” start, that the network capacity To get to this point, the Senate prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Even as the meetings occur on spread between two Chambers [had] limited capacity administration was tasked over four Senate committee meetings Zoom, support staff work from amid COVID-19 has created un- the summer with developing alter- could take place at the same time. within the committee rooms in or- derstandable delays. for the House of natives to in-person sittings with “Due to available resources, der to provide essential services, Progressive Senator Pierre Commons and the the expectation that technology, that number will be fewer like interpretation and transcrip- Dalphond (De Lorimier, Que.) logistics, and procedural matters because virtual and/or hybrid tion. Clerks are also on-site as pointed to the paralyzed negotia- support team in the would be similar to the House’s meetings require more staffing procedural support, as are techni- tions between leaders in spring as approach, Mr. Ryan said. Senators resources to operate,” he said, cal support officers. a major blockage to sittings and Senate to go remotely participated in Zoom rehearsals in noting the decision on how many The Senate always shares most committees, but not neces- August, September, and October can take place at the same time some resources and that’s kicked sarily the sole factor. The techni- with committees,’ co-ordinated by the administration has not yet been made and will up a notch with hybrid sittings. cal ability of the support systems at the request of Sen. Furey. have to take into account several That’s meant close work between to have the committees sitting at says Progressive Sen. Scheduling will be a “signifi- factors, including the issue of Senate staff and partners in the the same time was a very impor- Pierre Dalphond. cant variable for the coexistence” time zones with Senators logging Parliamentary Precinct, on whom tant aspect, he said. of hybrid sittings and committees, in from across the country. the Senate is reliant for many “Our support system is essen- Mr. Ryan added. Senators have shared services, Mr. Ryan noted. tially provided by the House of Continued from page 1 yet to decide whether committees Interpretation services are pro- Commons and at the time [Sena- will also hold hybrid meetings or Hybrid-sitting work vided by the Translation Bureau, tors were negotiating over com- of the Senate administration’s if they can also have the option to an agency operated through Public mittees], the House was going into core legislative functions, which meet solely by video and telecon- shared by three partners Services and Procurement Canada remote” sittings and focused on get- are to support Senators with the ference. The two largest groups Committee meetings and (PSPC). Like MPs, Senators are ting committees up and running, he “services, infrastructure, and ad- in the Chamber, the Conserva- Senate sittings take place on the equipped with headsets with a said in an interview Nov. 2. vice they need to carry out their tives and ISG, are on either side Zoom platform and are operated proper microphone to ensure “The reality is that we [had] work as legislators,” said Ross of that equation, with both sides entirely in-house, but are juggled good sound quality and meet- limited capacity for the House of Ryan, press secretary to Senate saying the other’s position—the among three partners. First, ings often begin with a reminder Commons and the support team Speaker George Furey (New- ISG wanting the option of virtual resources from the Senate include to witnesses and legislators alike in the Senate to go remotely with foundland and Labrador). meetings, while the Conservatives committee clerks, legislative and on proper conduct so translators committees.” “Owing to the dedication and think hybrid meetings are suf- administrative staff, information can do their work. Early in the Conservative Senate Leader hard work of Senate staff, the ficient—is a non-starter, stalling technology support staff, and pandemic, unions representing Don Plett (Landmark, Man.) said Senate has successfully imple- most committees from meeting. committee room support staff. The these interpreters warned a virtual in a Nov. 9 interview he was confi- mented virtual committees, as Parliament had created a spike dent three simultaneous commit- well as hybrid sittings of the Independent in injuries. PSPC confirmed in a tee meetings could accommodate Senate—both historic firsts for Senators June report there were 56 health every committee that has to meet. the institution,” said Mr. Ryan, by Group Leader incidents among the 70 interpreters With the recent addition of the email, of the first such sitting in Yuen Pau working for the Translation Bureau Audit and Oversight Committee, the Red Chamber on Nov. 2. Woo praised from March to May 2020. Of those there are now 18 regular Senate After having only in-person the Senate 55 were related to sound quality, 17 committees. Only three have met proceedings whenever the Cham- administration involved telephone audio, and 38 regularly amid the pandemic: the ber sat during the spring and for their involved a videoconference signal. Senate Internal Economy, Bud- summer, and after the new session execution of “The Senate administration gets, and Administration Com- began in September, Senators a ‘historic’ works in close co-operation with mittee, the Senate Social Affairs, approved a new hybrid model on first week. PSPC to ensure these services are Science, and Technology Com- Oct. 27. The House of Commons The Hill Times maintained while making every mittee, and National Finance. The had been running regular hybrid photograph by effort to ensure the safety of em- Selection and Ethics committees proceedings since Sept. 23. Andrew Meade ployees—both with respect to the were also empowered to meet as Senators have been similarly coronavirus and to the technolo- of April, and did a few times. effusive over the past months in gies used,” Mr. Ryan said. The Selection Committee met their praise for Senate staffers get- The Senate has installed inter- in spring for a failed effort to ting all 94 of them online, even as pretation booths in its Chamber set up the majority of commit- frustrations mounted from proce- and committee rooms to support tees, and again Nov. 2 and 4 as it dural delays pushed by disagree- the necessary physical distance, sought to get more committees ment among leadership teams. and translators have also worked up and running. The National Independent Senators Group outside the relevant meeting Finance Committee is currently (ISG) facilitator Yuen Pau Woo It’ll be up to Senators to decide House of Commons provides mul- room, considered remote inter- allowed to hold virtual meetings (British Columbia) called it a “his- how to schedule that work, too. timedia and broadcasting services, pretation, in some cases. to study government’s emergency toric week” and said it went well. Prior to the pandemic, commit- while the Government of Canada A “long-standing” relation- rent-relief legislation, Bill C-9. “Hats off to the Senate ad- tees typically didn’t meet while gives its interpretation services. ship with the House of Commons Between April 11—when some ministration for execution of the the Senate Chamber was sitting, “Videoconferencing has long remains in place for multimedia committees were first approved to plan so well,” said Sen. Woo in an and it’s likely a similar approach been used by Senate committees and broadcasting service, with its study pandemic-related matters— interview Nov. 6, following the will proceed under the hybrid to enable participants to testify one team, managed by the House, and Nov. 6, Senate committees Chamber’s first hybrid week. model, but Mr. Ryan stressed remotely,” said Mr. Ryan. “The serving both Chambers. These re- and subcommittees have held 59 “We embarked on a major Senators will determine the right Senate was already equipped sources are shared “whenever ap- meetings, met for more than 116 experiment in the Senate’s history. balance between the Chamber with the necessary hardware propriate to ensure the availability hours, heard from 200 witnesses, We made preparations over many and committee operations. to accomplish this; however, of consistent, reliable service for and tabled or presented nine months and went through a num- Still, fewer committees than some additional equipment and both Houses,” said Mr. Ryan. reports, Mr. Ryan said. ber of trials to get ready for last usual can likely be supported at programming upgrades were It’s here where Senators have [email protected] week and pulled it off,” he said, one time. Committee rooms are be- required to allow for a new soft- pointed in many cases for under- The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020 29 News

and that’s one of the reasons I’m MPs, Senators look to fill feeling really quite delighted to be moving off that committee,” she said. Sen. McPhedran—who said she could not speak to the sub- Centre Block’s courtyards in committee’s deliberations on renovation plans so far due to the rules around in-camera meetings—said she thinks the group should only meet in camera for recent reno recommendations discussions involving security or potential contracting decisions, The Centre and otherwise, the decision to The Senate has, for Block keep a lid on LTVP deliberations building, “doesn’t make any sense.” one, recommended a pictured Sen. Plett said subcommittees on July 15, generally meet in camera as it partial infill be built is likely to allows Senators to speak “more in Centre Block’s see new openly” and noted that recom- construction mendations become public infor- eastern courtyard, in its mation once approved by CIBA. previously Asked whether they were while the House’s unused concerned new members could courtyard delay the subcommittee’s prog- working group spaces as part ress, Sen. Plett and Sen. McPhe- of the massive dran both noted that a number of has endorsed an modernization other Senators have been tuned expansion of the and renovation into the subcommittee’s work so project that's far, either as former members or lobbies into its now underway. interested individuals (all Sena- The Hill Times tors have the ability to tune into western courtyard. photograph by any Senate meeting, even if in Andrew Meade camera). “It would depend who they Continued from page 1 would put on, but in most cases, House Board of Internal Economy no, I wouldn’t see it as a problem,” (BOIE) before it can be consid- said Sen. Plett of the impact of ered official direction, but recom- Along with Mr. Stanton, the space for Senators in the Centre confirm on which date they were new membership. mendations from Senators have MP working group includes Lib- Block building is a key challenge briefed on schematic design plans In the Nov. 12 interview, Sen. already been adopted by the Sen- eral MPs Mark Gerretsen (Kings- for the Upper Chamber when it as the meetings were in camera. Plett said he had “every confi- ate Internal Economy, Budgets, ton and the Islands, Ont.), Ginette comes to renovations. Before con- On Oct. 8, PSPC assistant dence” that CIBA’s LTVP subcom- and Administration Committee Petitpas Taylor (Moncton-Riv- struction, there were 25 Senator deputy minister Rob Wright mittee would be reconstituted this (CIBA). erview-Dieppe, N.B.), and Ryan office suites in the building. indicated hopes to get feedback week, “which would mean it [the Meeting minutes made public Turnbull (Whitby, Ont.); Conser- Along with recommending from Parliamentarians on sche- debate over committees] would late last week reveal that at an vative MPs Kelly Block (Carlton that the medium-sized option for matic design plans—with 10 to have caused virtually no delays Oct. 28 meeting, the MP working Trail-Eager Creek, Sask.) and the underground Parliamentary 15 key “big boulder decisions” to at all.” group—which meets in camera Martin Shields (Bow River, Alta.); Welcome Centre be pursued, as be sorted out before the depart- Alberta Canadian Senators as a subcommittee of the BOIE— NDP MP Carol Hughes (Algoma- previously reported, CIBA has ment can provide baseline cost Group Senator Scott Tannas, agreed to recommend a design Manitoulin-Kapuskasing, Ont.); also adopted a recommendation and timeline estimates—“by the who was a previous chair of the for the lobbies that flank that and Bloc MP Louis Plamondon from the subcommittee for a Christmas-time period.” LTVP subcommittee, said on Nov. House of Commons Chamber (Bécancour-Nicolet-Saurel, Que.). “separate and secure East entry 13 that it remained to be seen “that includes additional support Meanwhile, in a report point” to the welcome centre. Senate subcommittee to whether he would officially be space located on the ground floor adopted by CIBA on July 23, Among the questions PSPC put returned to the group, but said and the adjacent courtyard, with the Senate’s Long-term Vision to Parliamentarians earlier this get new members either way, he plans to continue dedicated vertical circulation.” and Plan (LTVP) subcommittee year was whether to have one Manitoba Conservative Sena- following its work. Design options pitched to MPs recommended the Senate approve shared and central entranceway tor Don Plett, who was chair of Sen. Tannas said he has no in February included multiple construction of a “partial infill to the welcome centre or to have the LTVP subcommittee before it problems with the subcommittee options to expand the House in the East Courtyard of Centre separate ones. disbanded on Nov. 5, told The Hill meeting in camera as it allows lobbies—which, particularly Block” that would add six Parlia- In a further report adopted Times he’s “cautiously optimistic” Senators to ask questions without for the opposition, are already mentary office units, and request by CIBA on Sept. 24, Senators Senators will be able to have fully needing to worry about “how cramped under the current MP that Public Services and Procure- also recommended, among other weighed in on plans by the end of smart we look, because frankly, count—two of which would have ment Canada (PSPC)—the depart- things, an “underground Centre the sitting in December. a lot of the stuff it takes two or seen changes to Centre Block’s ment charged with overseeing Block-East Block tunnel connec- On Nov. 5, debate over Sen- three questions to understand exterior, western façade. the Parliamentary Precinct’s tion through [the] Parliamentary ate committee formation—spe- what they’re talking about.” The third option—which, renovation—provide “further Welcome Centre” as the Senate’s cifically over whether to allow “You’re dealing with engineers based on the description, is the development and costing for an “preferred option.” A pre-existing virtual-only meetings to be held— and construction people, they one the MP working group has infill in the east lightwell, in order tunnel connects Centre Block resulted in the Senate’s Internal have their own language some- endorsed—would see both the to create additional Senator sup- directly to the East Block. Economy Committee ceasing to times that they fall into,” he said. government and opposition lob- port spaces in Centre Block.” The CIBA adopted these reports— exist. While the committee has “More often than I’d care to ad- bies expanded down one floor, east lightwell is located above the in turn, endorsing the recommen- been reconstituted, as of filing mit, I’ve sat there and thought, ‘oh with the opposition lobby also foyer outside the Senate Cham- dations made in them—while in deadline its subcommittees had man, I’ve lost the plot here.’ … If expanded east, into the previ- ber. camera. The recommendations yet to be reformed. that were a public meeting, some ously unused western courtyard The Senate subcommittee also were made public through meet- Who will chair the LTVP Senators, me included, might sit that sits beside it. recommended the Senate admin- ing minutes, which get posted subcommittee and who will sit on there and not want to ask the At the Oct. 28 meeting, MPs istration consult with the House following agreement at its next it remained to be seen by dead- dumb questions.” on the working group, which is administration about options to meeting. CIBA has yet to hold a line, but changes are expected to Demolition work is already chaired by deputy Speaker and build an infill in the building’s public meeting to get an update include two new members from well underway in the Centre Conservative MP Bruce Stanton central courtyard—which sits from the Senate’s LTVP subcom- the Independent Senators Group. Block building, and work to dig a (Simcoe North, Ont.), also recom- above the Hall of Honour (where mittee. Previously, Quebec ISG Senator hole directly in front of it to allow mended that the design for the the roof sits lower, and which Mr. Stanton told The Hill Renée Dupuis and Manitoba ISG for construction of the final phase House Chamber’s galleries com- is colloquially referred to as a Times he anticipates the MP Senator Marilou McPhedran were of the underground welcome ply with National Building Code courtyard)—and report back with working group will appear before on the subcommittee. centre began in July. requirements, even though that options. the BOIE in public for a second Sen. Plett told The Hill Times The first phase of the wel- will mean a “significant reduction” In 2019, Senators endorsed a time for an update on its work he understands both ISG mem- come centre was built alongside in the number of gallery seats plan to expand the standard size later this month, having previ- bers will be changing. Sen. renovations to the West Block available, and that architects be of Senator office units from 80 to ously done so on Oct. 8. McPhedran confirmed that she is and is now in use. Demolition “instructed to consider solutions 90 square meters each, made up At that Oct. 8 meeting, Mr. set to leave the group, and CIBA. inside Centre Block began in to accommodate more visitors.” of three adjoining suites. Stanton noted that MPs were Citing frustrations over the mid-December 2019, and Jennifer With MPs having ruled out any In turn—and with other reno- briefed on the preliminary pro- subcommittee’s decision to only Garrett, PSPC’s director general changes to the Chamber’s exist- vation requirements to accom- posed schematic design plans for meet in camera, she said she’s for the Centre Block project, has ing footprint, bringing the gal- modate, like the need to increase Centre Block and the welcome “OK” with leaving it behind. previously estimated that work leries up to code will likely mean and revamp circulation routes to centre, laying out the broad “Everything follows the could take 18 months to complete. available seating drops from 553 make the building more acces- strokes of work to be done, on preferences of the chair and the [email protected] to 305 seats. sible—finding sufficient office Aug. 13. Senators declined to decision-making of the chair, The Hill Times 30 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES

Women and Gender Equality Minister Maryam hill climbers Monsef, who’s also responsible by Laura Ryckewaert for Rural Economic Development, announced a $600-million agreement with Telesat Katherine to provide high speed internet in rural and Northern Koostachin joins Canada on Nov. 9. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew PMO as a senior Meade

sity of Toronto’s Osgoode Hall Law school, ending as a special assistant for policy policy adviser as noted on her LinkedIn profile. and executive assistant to the princi- Marci Surkes is executive director of pal secretary in then-premier Kathleen policy and cabinet affairs, supported by Wynne’s office. Prime Minister Rick Theis as director of policy and cabinet Now off the Hill, Ms. Williams started Justin Trudeau, affairs. her new job as public policy manager for pictured Nov. August Mills has also recently joined Uber Canada in Toronto at the beginning of 10 during the top office, having started as a special November. a press assistant under the PMO’s executive office conference in early November. on the The executive office team includes government's deputy director of scheduling and co-ordi- COVID-19 nation and manager of the executive office response in Dunerci Carceres, deputy director of the the Sir John executive office and executive assistant to A. Macdonald the prime minister Philip Proulx, and spe- Building. cial assistant Cordell Johnson. The unit is Alongside overseen at the top by the PMO’s executive Veterans director of planning, administration, and Affairs Minister people Brett Thalmann. Lawrence In his new role, Mr. Mills replaces MacAulay, he Harry Orbach-Miller, who himself recently announced a replaced now-former PMO staffer Jennifer $20-million Swan as executive assistant to Ms. Surkes, temporary as previously reported. Veterans Mr. Mills is a recent graduate from Car- Organizations leton University’s master of public policy Emergency and administration program. He previously Support fund. interned in the PMO over the summer The Hill Times of 2018, after which he briefly stayed on photograph by as a financial analyst. He later spent the Andrew Meade summer of 2019 as an international trade intern with the Canadian Embassy in Madrid, Spain, after which he spent four months as a policy co-op student with On- in January 2017, she was an Indigenous tario’s ministry of economic development, Plus, Women and Gender affairs co-ordinator for the University of job creation, and trade, amongst other past Ottawa’s faculty of law, her alma mater. experience. Equality Minister Maryam She’s also a former associate legal coun- Mr. Mills also has a bachelor’s degree in sel with Willms & Shier Environmental history from the University of Toronto, and Monsef is in need of a new Lawyers LLP. spent six months starting in the summer of Yanique Williams has left WAGE Minister Maryam director of policy following Along with her law degree from the 2017 as a historical interpreter for Veterans Monsef’s team. Photograph courtesy of LinkedIn University of Ottawa, Ms. Koostachin has Affairs Canada in Arras, France, where the Yanique Williams’ recent exit. a bachelor’s degree in political science and Canadian National Vimy Memorial Park A new director of policy has yet to be international relations from the University can be found. hired since Ms. Williams’ exit, but stay of British Columbia and did an intensive Katie Telford continues as chief of staff tuned for an update on that. rime Minister Justin Trudeau has a program focused on aboriginal lands, re- to Mr. Trudeau. Left tackling policy in Ms. Monsef’s Pnew wonk in his office with Katherine sources, and governments with the Univer- office are: Emily Hartman, who’s been in Koostachin having been brought on board Minister Monsef looking for a the office as a senior policy adviser since last week as a senior policy adviser. September; Kendra Wilcox, who’s been a Ms. Koostachin left her role as director new policy head policy adviser to Ms. Monsef since the be- of Indigenous relations and reconciliation Women and Gender Equality Minister ginning of the year; and Laurence Harvey, to Natural Resources Minister Seamus Maryam Monsef is on the hunt for a new a policy and regional affairs adviser for O’Regan, a post she’d taken on at the director of policy after Yanique Williams’ Quebec since the start of the year. There’s beginning of September, to join the Prime recent departure from her ministerial team. also former Liberal MP Mike Bossio, who Minister’s Office. In the PMO, she’ll be Ms. Williams had led policy work in Ms. continues as a senior adviser on rural af- tackling policy work related to Indigenous Monsef’s office since the beginning of June fairs. reconciliation. 2018. Before taking over the post, she’d Ms. Monsef is also the minister respon- Before joining Mr. O’Regan’s team, spent a year working as a policy adviser to sible for the rural economic development she spent almost a year as a senior policy then-international trade minister François- file. adviser to Indigenous Services Minister Philippe Champagne. Other regional advisers in the office Marc Miller, and before that worked just A former Ontario Liberal staffer, Ms. include Alice Zheng, who covers Ontario; under three years as a senior policy ad- Williams first came to work on the Hill Joanna Lam, who covers Western Canada viser on Indigenous and regulatory affairs in March 2016 as a policy and Ontario and the Territories; and Harry Burton, who in then-environment minister Catherine regional affairs adviser to then-small is a special assistant for operations and the McKenna‘s office. business and tourism minister Bardish minister’s Atlantic regional affairs adviser. Ms. Koostachin is from the Cree Mush- Chagger. She’d spent three years in all Christopher Evelyn is chief of staff to kegowuk community of the Attawapiskat working at Queen’s Park, starting as a Ms. Monsef. First Nation in Ontario, and prior to com- Katherine Koostachin joined the Prime Minister’s scheduler and office manager to then- [email protected] ing to work for the Liberal government office last week.Photograph courtesy of LinkedIn citizenship minister Michael Coteau and The Hill Times THE HILL TIMES | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020 31 Parliamentary Calendar Chagger, Paul join panel to talk women in politics on Nov. 18

chelle Good for Five Little Indians; Thomas WEDNESDAY, NOV. 18 King for Indians on Vacation; and Maria Reva House Sitting—The House of Commons is for Good Citizens Need Not Fear. Watch the sitting in a hybrid format right now during the premiere or view the show afterwards at your pandemic, with most MPs connecting remotely. convenience on Facebook, YouTube and Twit- The House is scheduled to sit every weekday ter writerstrust.com/WTAwards from Nov. 16-Dec. 11, and that’s it for 2020. What’s Canada’s Climate Plan?—The Senate Sitting—The Senate has ap- University of Toronto presents the Douglas proved a plan for hybrid sittings during Pimlott Memorial Lecture on “What’s the pandemic to allow Senators to connect Canada’s Climate Plan? Fairness, Safety, remotely. The Senate is scheduled to sit Justice, and Resiliency in a World on Fire.” Nov. 17-19 and Nov. 24-26. Nov. 16, 20, Dr. Tzeporah Berman will explore the social 23, 27, and 30 are all possible sitting days policy implications of climate change and for the remainder of the month. fossil fuel conflicts in Canada. Berman is Moyra Davey: The Faithful—National Gallery a professor at York University, international of Canada hosts this new exhibition, Moyra program director at Stand.earth, and chair of Davey: The Faithful, featuring the work of one the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Com- of Canada’s most innovative conceptual artists, mittee. Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 4-6 p.m. on now until Jan. 3, 2021. National Gallery of Register via Eventbrite. Canada, 380 Sussex Dr., Ottawa. This new ex- Book Launch—McGill University hosts hibition features 54 photographs and 6 films the launch of Dr. Paul W. Bennett’s new by Davey, along with more than a dozen works book, The State of the System: A Reality from the Gallery collection. Developed by the Check on Canada’s Schools, exploring the artist and curator Andrea Kunard, the exhibi- nature of the Canadian education order in tion explores the artist’s trajectory from early all its dimensions. Daniel Béland, director images of family and friends, through portraits of the McGill Institute for the Study of of the detritus of everyday life, her mailed Canada, will speak with Bennett about the photographs, and films examining the work of book. Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 5-6:30 authors, philosophers and artists. https://www. p.m. Registration required, at mcgill.ca. gallery.ca/whats-on/exhibitions-and-galleries/ Security of Research in Canadian Universi- Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth Bardish Chagger, left, and Green Party Leader Annamie Paul, right, will moyra-davey-the-faithful ties—The University of Saskatchewan and the take part in a panel discussion on ‘Women in Politics,’ hosted by the Canadian Club of Toronto on Nov. 18. The Hill Equal Voice National Campaign School— Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) Times photographs by Cynthia Münster and Andrew Meade Equal Voice hosts its first online National host a public talk on “Security of Research Campaign School, designed to equip women in Canadian Universities” with Tricia Geddes, and gender-diverse individuals with the skills, deputy director of policy and strategic part- knowledge, and resources they need to run nerships at CSIS. She will focus on CSIS’s for political office in Canada. The school will efforts during the past few months to work National Interest Post-COVID-19.” Panelists consist of eight online courses (Nov. 3-27) in- with medical and scientific researchers across include Ann Fitz-Gerald, director of the Bal- cluding a mix of group exercises, guest speak- the country to sensitize them to threats of sillie School of International Affairs; Robert CLASSIFIEDS ers, and networking opportunities. Registration foreign interference and espionage targeting Murray, president of Grande Prairie Regional is full, but visit equalvoice.ca for information their research, data, and other intellectual College; and Stephen Wallace, former deputy Information and advertisement placement: about being added to the wait-list. property. Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 6-8 p.m. of the governor general of Canada and career As One Film Screening—The Embassy of ET. Register via Eventbrite. public servant. Thursday, Nov. 19, from 6-7 613-232-5952 • [email protected] the United Arab Emirates to Canada, the Office Dialogue with Anne Applebaum—The MST. Register via thecic.org. of Public and Cultural Diplomacy, and Image Munk Debates hosts a Munk Dialogue with David Lametti Gives Mallory Lecture— Nation Abu Dhabi are hosting an online film bestselling author Anne Applebaum on the Justice Minister and Attorney General HOUSE FOR RENT screening of As One on Wednesday, Nov. 18. aftermath of the U.S. election, the future of of Canada David Lametti will take part Screening at 11 a.m. EST, followed by a panel democracy in an era of populist politics and in a conversation on “From Lectures to Lawmaking,” part of McGill University’s discussion at 12:25 p.m. EST featuring Fahad rising authoritarianism. Watch via munkde- LOVELY 2BED 2BATH@1000CAD Al Raqbani, Ambassador of the United Arab bates.com or on the CBC Gem streaming 2020 Mallory Lecture. Minister Lametti will Emirates to Canada; Conservative MP Mike service. Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 8-9 p.m. discuss his work as Minister of Justice and This Turnkey home is ready and waiting for you Lake; and Sharifa Al Yateem, autism spectrum Attorney General of Canada, and ongoing to move right in and start living. @1000CAD. THURSDAY, NOV. 19 policy issues. Thursday, Nov. 19, from 7-8 behaviour analyst, UAE. Moderated by Hana Contact: [email protected] Makki, head of documentary, Image Nation Abu Desiring Muslim Women—A conversation p.m. Register via mcgill.ca. Dhabi. Register at imagenationabudhabi.com. with leading postcolonial feminist scholar Cindy Blackstock Gives Lougheed College The 2020 Writers’ Trust Awards—Join the Dr. Sherene Razack, a distinguished profes- Lecture—The University of Alberta presents Writers’ Trust online Wednesday, Nov. 18 sor and the Penny Kanner Endowed Chair its Lougheed College Lecture featuring Cin- for the digital premiere of the 2020 Writers’ in Women’s Studies in the Department of dy Blackstock, McGill University professor Trust Awards: Books of the Year Edition, host- Gender Studies, University of California at and executive director of the First Nations ed by author Kamal Al-Solaylee. The Writers’ Los Angeles. Presented by uOttawa Public Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, Trust will be celebrating the finalists and Law Centre, Ottawa Law Review, Alex Trebek who will speak on “Reforming the Repeat CONDO FOR RENT announcing the winners of two of Canada’s Forum for Dialogue and Shirley E. Greenberg Offender: Ending Canada’s discrimination toward First Nations children.” Thursday, most notable literary prizes: the $60,000 Hil- Chair for Women and the Legal Profession. GLEBE COACH HOUSE ary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfic- 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Register here: https:// Nov. 19, from 9-10:30 p.m. ET. Register tion and the $50,000 Writers’ Trust Fiction www.eventbrite.ca/e/desiring-muslim- via Eventbrite. Charming updated 2-storey, 1 bdrm house (w/alcove); Prize. 11 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. MT / 1 p.m. women-a-conversation-with-sherene-razack- Launching the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Founda- tion’s Virtual Programming—Thursday, Nov. 19, hardwood throughout; patio; private; parking. Perfect CT / 2 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. AT / 3:30 p.m. NT. virtual-event-tickets-127763460951 Glebe location. $1900. + utils. Dec. 1, 613-563-4101 Given for the year’s best work of Canadian Women in Politics Panel Discussion—Minis- 5:30-7:30 p.m., EST, to launch the theme for non-fiction, this prize spotlights books with a ter of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth Bardish the 2020-2023 scientific cycle, Technology & distinctive voice, as well as a persuasive and Chagger and Green Party Leader Annamie Paul Ethics. Dr. Yoshua Bengio, a professor at the compelling command of tone, narrative, style, will take part in a panel discussion on “Women Université de Montréal and a world-renowned and technique. This year’s finalists for non- in Politics,” hosted by the Canadian Club of expert in artificial intelligence and deep learn- fiction: Lorna Crozier for Through the Garden: Toronto, where they will discuss how they have ing, will be the keynote speaker. This virtual A Love Story (with Cats); Steven Heighton for and continue to overcome challenges, advocate event will also feature a Q&A. Reaching Mithymna: Among the Volunteers for women and others underrepresented in gov- The Parliamentary Calendar is a free PROFESSIONAL SERVICES and Refugees on Lesvos; Jessica J. Lee for ernment, and pave the way for young, politically events listing. Send in your political, Two Trees Make a Forest: In Search of My minded women to follow their lead. They will cultural, diplomatic, or governmental event PERSONAL DRIVE AWAY SERVICE FOR Family’s Past Among Taiwan’s Mountains be joined by former Progressive Conservative in a paragraph with all the relevant details and Coasts; Tessa McWatt for Shame on Me: prime minister Kim Campbell and Stephanie under the subject line ‘Parliamentary Cal- SNOWBIRDS & TRANSPORT OF VEHICLES An Anatomy of Race and Belonging; and MacKendrick, CEO of Crisis Services Canada. endar’ to [email protected] by Wednes- Personal Vehicle Transport across the USA and Canada, Thursday, Nov. 18, 12:45-1:45 p.m. Register David A. Neel for The Way Home. As well, day at noon before the Monday paper or by Senior Responsible Driver, I drive your vehicle, door to recognizing Canadian writers of exceptional at canadianclub.org. Friday at noon for the Wednesday paper. We talent for the year’s best novel or short story Canadian Foreign Policy and the National can’t guarantee inclusion of every event, door. All Inclusive. [email protected] collection. Congratulations to this year’s Interest Post-COVID-19—The Canadian Inter- but we will definitely do our best. Events fiction finalists: Gil Adamson for Ridgerun- national Council’s Edmonton chapter hosts a can be updated daily online, too. ner; Zsuzsi Gartner for The Beguiling; Mi- webinar on “Canadian Foreign Policy and the The Hill Times

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