Andrew Hallé Caddell Vaccine p. 11 back in skeptics PMO threaten Poets and they know it: MPs halls COVID Hill Climbers Tim see 2020 off in rhyme p. 15 p. 18 Powers recovery p.17 2020 in photos p.14 THIRTY-SECOND YEAR, NO. 1789 CANADA’S POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT NEWSPAPER WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020 $5.00 News News Emergency Lynn Beyak’s presence in sittings, committee meetings can be accommodated Senate ‘an insult to myself and during critical House maintenance other Indigenous peoples,’ says period, but will have to be in person Sen. Sandra Lovelace Nicholas BY NEIL MOSS s MPs head home for the Awinter break, the House will be The motion to expel undergoing a critical update to its broadcasting system, but the House Sen. Lynn Beyak from administration maintains the work won’t interrupt any potential “emer- the Red Chamber gency” parliamentary sittings. has supporters in Continued on page 6 multiple Senate groups, but Sen. Pamela Wallin says News they ‘cannot simply Canada’s banish people ... recognition of with whom we Independent Senator Marilou McPhedran, left, and Progressive Senator Sandra Lovelace Nicholas support a pending motion from Senator Mary Jane McCallum, third from left, that calls for the expulsion of non-affiliated Senator Lynn Juan Guaidó’s may fundamentally Beyak, right, from the Red Chamber. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, and file photograph; photograph disagree.’ courtesy of Sandra Lovelace Nicholas presidency BY PETER MAZEREEUW insensitive comments has support- Senators were formally given providing service to First Nations could come ers in multiple Senate groups. notice that the motion was coming communities in her province. motion to expel Senator Lynn The motion won’t likely pass on Dec. 8 by Independent Senator “A modern Senate is no place under question ABeyak from the Red Chamber unopposed, however. One Senator Mary Jane McCallum (Manitoba), for racism to exist,” Sen. McCallum for publishing racist remarks on her called it “troubling,” while another an Indigenous woman who has after Maduro’s Senate website and making racially cautioned it was “unprecedented.” worked for years as a dentist Continued on page 4 ‘illegitimate’ News Publications Mail Agreement #40068926 election “I wondered, in a situation like BY NEIL MOSS New research highlights anxiety, stress this—where basically the House of Commons is, not shut down, but fter a disputed parliamen- it’s a lot slower, most MPs aren’t in Atary election, much is in the on MP, Senate staff during COVID-19 Ottawa, you’re not working nearly air over whether Canada will the same as you did before—that BY LAURA RYCKWAERT professor Paul Wilson exploring usual stresses, with a majority of continue to recognize the soon- maybe offices wouldn’t be doing the experience of staff during CO- staff working longer hours, fielding to-be former president of Venezu- very much, at least Hill offices, but ork as a political staffer VID-19 found that, despite much increased calls and requests from ela’s National Assembly, Nicolás Wis never easy, and recent parliamentary work slowing down, constituents, all while struggling Continued on page 12 research by Carleton University the pandemic exacerbated the with feelings of isolation. Continued on page 16 2 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES “’But, Scrooge, Christmas is for Santa dependent MP Jody Wilson-Raybould also and cute elves Candy canes and budgets tweeted their support. that balance themselves.’ ‘No’, snapped Scrooge, ‘Santa is in debtors’ jail ’til you Former Grit cabinet minister pay. I’ll leave him there and ruin Christmas Heard on the Hill Day.’” Alfonso Gagliano dies at 78 Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole was Past Chrétien-era cabinet minister Al- billed as the Christmas-saving hero. fonso Gagliano, who played a major role in by Neil Moss “Out of a helicopter an air force vet the sponsorship scandal, died on Dec. 12. ran/A dashing and handsome, slightly He was 78. Alfonso Gagliano Press Gallery drafts was the minister of Public ‘generally accepted Works and Government Services, labour journalistic principles minister, and chief government whip in the and practices’ white Chrétien government. The Hill paper, as it rejects Rebel Times file photograph Media for membership balding man/‘Goodness,’ asked St. Nick, A four-term Grit MP, Mr. Gagliano was ‘who’s this man on a mission? My gosh, it’s condemned for overseeing a program the leader of the opposition.’” that doled out millions to Liberal-friendly A draft white Ms. May had her own version of the public relations and advertising firms as paper on classic. they were trying to curry favour in Quebec journalistic “’Twas just weeks before Christmas and after the 1995 referendum while minister practices and in this very room/Members are speaking, of Public Works and Government Services. principles debating by Zoom.” He also served as the labour minister and maintains that “We know we are best when we speak the chief government whip. accreditation from our heart/Next year must be better When he was chief government whip, to the —if we all do our part. So stay in your bub- Mr. Gagliano was usually accessible to the Parliamentary ble; keep your distance at school, and God media and often did sit-down interviews in Press Gallery is bless us all through Hanukkah and Yule.” his Hill office. He wasn’t afraid of answer- a 'privilege' and (See p. 15 for more on the holiday-themed ing the media’s questions. 'not a right.' rhymes, including one from Conservative He was later named Canada’s ambas- The white paper MP Scott Reid.) sador to Denmark, but was fired in 2004 by has been sent then prime minister Paul Martin amid the to press gallery Brian Mulroney recovering after mounting scandal. members for Mr. Gagliano maintained his innocence consultation. health scare in a 2006 memoir. The Hill Times Past prime minister Brian Mulroney photograph by is back at home after being rushed to the Andrew Meade hospital to have emergency surgery, ac- Former Hill staffer Julian Ovens cording to media reports. Mr. Mulroney was a Progressive Con- named to Canadian Commercial servative PM from 1984 to 1993, and in Corporation board he Parliamentary Press Gallery that the right-wing organization has been A former top staffer in the Foreign Affairs Tis seeking to highlight “generally “banned” by the gallery “for years.” and International Trade minister’s offices has accepted journalistic principles and The group, along with True North, were been named to the board of directors of the practices” to provide transparency in the granted credentials to cover the leaders’ Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC). decision-making process for accrediting debates in the last general election after a journalists. federal court overturned the decision of the Julian Ovens The release of the draft of the white Leaders’ Debates Commission to deny ac- was a chief paper came on the same day that the Press creditation for the two organizations. The of staff to Gallery revealed two individuals from commission initially denied access to cover Stéphane Rebel Media—Keean Bexte and David the debates because they were involved in Dion, Menzies—were denied membership. advocacy. In a post-debate scrum, members François- To gain accreditation with the gallery, of both organizations invoked a false con- Philippe news organizations must “adhere to gener- spiracy theory in their questions to Prime Champagne, ally accepted journalistic principles and Minister Justin Trudeau. and Jim Carr. practices,” according to its constitution. Brian Mulroney was Canada’s longest-serving The white paper outlines central Photograph Housefather, Poilievre, and May Progressive Conservative prime minister. The courtesy of journalism tenets from a number of news Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade organizations and associations. take-up Cuzner’s traditional LinkedIn/ “Membership in the Parliamentary Christmas roast more recent years has helped the gov- Julian Ovens Press Gallery allows access to the secure Without past Grit MP Rodger Cuzner to ernment develop its Trump strategy as it physical buildings of the Parliamentary delight the Commons with his traditional po- renegotiated NAFTA. Precinct and the opportunity to directly litical-themed ‘Twas The Night Before Christ- Mila Mulroney, Mr. Mulroney’s wife, no- question individuals who drive and shape mas roast, Liberal MP Anthony Housefather, ticed something was off with her husband public policy,” the draft report reads. Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre, and Green and called for an ambulance, according to International Trade Minister Mary Ng “Misuse of this access by any one mem- MP Elizabeth May took up the mantle. reports. appointed Julian Ovens to the CCC on Dec. ber or member organization could erode “’Tis the last sitting week before Christ- Ontario Transportation Minister Caro- 11. The CCC works with Canadian export- the professional relationship that exists mas,” Mr. Housefather started. “For this line Mulroney, his daughter, tweeted that ers to sell goods and services to foreign between the institution of Parliament and virtual House/Instead of coming to Ottawa/ her father is resting at home. governments. the Parliamentary Press Gallery, leading MPs are home with their spouse.” “Thank you to everyone for their kind Mr. Ovens was chief of staff to then-for- to negative consequences for the ability of “Making speeches of brilliance/Winning messages. My family and I appreciate your eign affairs minister Stéphane Dion from members to perform their work.” each dispute/Only to realize/That we are on love and support,” she wrote. 2015 to 2017 and had the same position “As a result, accreditation is a privi- mute.” Canada’s UN ambassador and former with International Trade ministers Fran- lege—not a right.” “With a team Canada approach/There is interim Liberal leader Bob Rae tweeted his çois-Philippe Champagne and Jim Carr.