Gwynne Once the pandemic is over, Canada will need a new social Dyer on Hungary: the contract: David Crane p. 9 + Advice for MPs in this crisis: Joe Jordan p. 4 fi rst casualty? p. 13 The month we learned Aviation industry will mental health is everybody’s never be the same, so what’s next? pp. 15-21 responsibility: Rose LeMay p. 7 THIRTY-FIRST YEAR, NO. 1716 CANADA’S POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT NEWSPAPER MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020 $5.00 News COVID-19 & spending News Political leadership ‘Canadians are ‘Is it even big enough?’: Morneau shells out unprecedented placing all their billions, economists applaud as COVID-19 crisis deepens hopes and fears BY PETER MAZEREEUW precedented amount of borrowed more than two million out of “Every sacrifi ce you need to & MIKE LAPOINTE money to prop up Canada’s work, and economists, a former make to repay that debt—in terms in the hands of economy as the spreading novel parliamentary budget offi cer, of higher taxes, and potential inance Minister Bill Morneau coronavirus has kept Canadians and a former deputy prime min- government,’ Fsays he is spending an un- in their homes, out of stores, and ister say the spending is needed. Continued on page 24 and successful Feature COVID-19 & public health political leaders should be Canada’s top doctor ‘voice of reason’ straightforward, honest, drop the in face of uncertainty over COVID-19 talking points BY ABBAS RANA fallout, say politicos, experts he provincial premiers Tand Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s approval ratings are In a time of great currently rising over their han- dling of the COVID-19 pandemic, uncertainty and but pollsters are saying it remains anxiety, Dr. Theresa to be seen how long their popu- larity will last, as their numbers Tam has emerged fl uctuate depending on their performances during different as a ‘compelling’ phases of this unprecedented crisis. fi gure who has an “It [high polling numbers] will probably endure until we start ability to deliver getting into a situation where information without people move past whatever this is, and move into whatever the new dramatizing the reality is, and start evaluating Canada’s chief public health how politicians performed during stakes. ‘She gives offi cer Dr. Theresa Tam, this time,” said Darrell Bricker, us straightforward, pictured arriving at West Block president of Ipsos, in an interview Publications Mail Agreement #40068926 on March 24, has become with The Hill Times. evidence-based one of the leading voices in Right now, all incumbent poli- the government’s pandemic ticians are experiencing a bump in their ratings in the face of the information that response. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade crisis, Mr. Bricker said, because people are craving.’ there’s been a retreat in opposi- tion from rival political parties, BY BEATRICE PAEZ public health offi cer’s daily brief- Tam has settled into the role address large audiences from the the media, or the general public, ings have become a ritualized of steadily guiding Canadians bully pulpit to sound authorita- to help governments’ efforts mid the COVID-19 pandemic affair for the homebound, with through this all-consuming crisis. tive, and that’s no different in the against this pandemic. He said Athat has upended nearly politicians, a TV critic, and health There’s a degree of stagecraft the real test in the eyes of Cana- every facet of life, Canada’s chief experts saying that Dr. Theresa that’s at play when politicians Continued on page 27 Continued on page 23 2 MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020 | THE HILL TIMES Senator Doug Black, pictured on March 23, 2019, speaking at the Manning Heard on the Hill Conference in Ottawa, wants a group of by Neil Moss ‘eminent and highly qualifi ed Canadians’ to make up a council to Senator Doug Black address the post-COVID-19 economic recovery. The calls for creation of Hill Times photograph by Economic Recovery Andrew Meade well as Finance Minister Bill Morneau and Cianfarani announced the cancellation in Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains. an email on March 31. In the email, Ms. Council in post- In the last Parliament, Sen. Black Cianfarani wrote that the trade show has a chaired the Senate Committee on Banking, $10-million impact on the Ottawa economy. Trade, and Commerce. At the last couple of expos, defence companies putting forward aircrafts to re- coronavirus world place Canada’s aging CF-18 fl eet were cen- Pro tem Auditor General tre stage. As the Canadian Air Force waits n order to ensure Canada is positioned to Some forecasts predict that Canada’s GDP Sylvain Ricard to keep on a decision on the new plane, so does the Irebound from the fi scal damages brought will decline around 20 per cent, with unem- defence fi rms for the next trade show. on by the coronavirus pandemic, Alberta ployment potentially reaching 15 per cent. To post for another half year But not all were disappointed to see the Senator Doug Black is calling for the cre- address the economic challenges brought upon event called off. Anti-war advocacy organiza- ation of an Economic Recovery Council. by COVID-19, the government has pledged a tion World BEYOND War celebrated the can- Sen. Black, a member of the Canadian $107-billion emergency aid package. cellation and pledged to continue its efforts to Senators Group, wrote a letter to Prime Min- “The Canadian Economic Recovery work to see all defence trade shows cancelled. ister Justin Trudeau last week calling for the Council would be tasked with developing a Ms. Cianfarani wrote that the next council to be composed of “eminent and highly series of forward-looking insights and pro- CANSEC will take place in 2021 on June 2 qualifi ed Canadians” to address opportunities posals,” wrote Sen. Black, who was appoint- and 3 at the EY Centre. and challenges that will have to be tackled in ed by then-prime minister Stephen Harper the post-coronavirus economic recovery. to the Red Chamber in 2013. “The council Former Hill journo “I am confi dent that Canadians will win would alleviate pressure on government and the battle against COVID-19,” Sen. Black help facilitate a smooth economic recovery.” Amy Castle joins wrote in the letter. “That is why we must “I believe this initiative to be in the best Former auditor general Michael Ferguson, who died position our country to be able to minimize interests of Canada, and I hope you will too,” last year, served in the post from 2011 until his death the Business Council challenges and maximize opportunities in Sen. Black wrote to Mr. Trudeau, adding in 2019. His permanent replacement has yet to be the post-COVID world.” that the council would report to the PM, as named. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade Amy Castle, who has been the Interim Auditor General Sylvain Ricard executive producer Power will remain in the post keeping a careful eye on at CBC’s and Politics government activities for another six months. since Mr. Ricard was appointed to the role on 2013, is joining the an interim basis in March 2019, following the Business Council of death of then-auditor general Michael Fergu- Canada as its new son who served in the role from 2011 to 2019. vice-president of Before taking the job, Mr. Ricard was the communications. deputy auditor general from 2018 to 2019. Ms. Castle From 2007 to 2018, he was an assistant audi- had been with tor general. Canada’s pub- Amy Castle was the The Offi ce of the Auditor General was lic broadcaster executive producer of CBC’s scheduled to release its spring report on since 1991, where Power and Politics since March 24, but the release has been delayed she has been a 2013. Photograph courtesy due to a March 13 House of Commons motion producer in its of LinkedIn/Amy Castle to suspend regular parliamentary sittings parliamentary The until April 20. The yet-to-be-released spring bureau on shows such as CBC Radio’s House Power & Politics report includes three studies on immigration and CBC TV News’ . Studio Sparks removals, student fi nancial assistance, and She was also a producer on , supplying the Canadian Armed Forces. which aired classical and jazz performances. The offi ce is also completing an audit “Amy’s storytelling, writing, and strate- on the Canadian government’s $187-billion gic planning abilities will contribute greatly “Investing in Canada” infrastructure plan. to our efforts to reach a wide range of audi- The AG started the audit following a House ences through a variety channels and new of Commons motion forwarded by the platforms—including our podcast Speaking Conservative Party which was passed with of Business,” Business Council President the other opposition parties’ support. Goldy Hyder said in a press release. Mr. Ricard’s third six-month term began on March 28. Separated at birth, eh? CANSEC joins list of cancelled conventions Canada’s biggest defence trade show will be put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. The not-for-public event typically attracts more than 3,000 guests the Department of Na- tional Defence and more than 11,000 visitors in total—slightly over the Ontario government’s Former PMO principal secretary Gerald Butts limit on gatherings of fi ve people. It was sched- took to Twitter last week with a thought: that uled to take place on May 27 and 28. Irish politician Pearse Doherty, left, looks The event has also attracted a number like Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, right. of MPs, including cabinet ministers and Photograph courtesy of Twitter/Sinn Féin and those who sit on the House of Commons The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade Defence Committee.