NEWSLETTER: FEBRUARY 2020 - JUNE 2020 SENATOR PETER M. BOEHM Everyday life has changed drastically due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The global community has been forced to rethink even the most basic tasks, from grocery shopping to work itself. This has led us to consider how, in recovery, we can seize this generational opportunity to improve society, especially coupled with the heightened awareness of systemic racism and discrimination. Parliamentarians and public servants have worked hard to ensure Canadians receive vital financial support. I participated in Senate sittings on these important programs and during our much-needed emergency debate on racism. Further, as a member of the Senate's National Finance Committee, I was part of our study on the government's response to the pandemic on which we released a strong interim report. I have been inspired by how Canadians have come together and by the unwavering dedication of our healthcare workers and our best-in-the-world public servants; the challenges have been, and will be, great but I am optimistic about the future. ON THE HILL - 43R D PARLIAMENT COVID-19 Senate Committee on National Finance Between March, after Parliament shut down due to the pandemic, and June, National Finance was one of two committees authorized to meet, virtually, the Senate reconvened 11 times, four of which were to consider critical during the pandemic to study the government's response to COVID-19 (as financial supports for Canadians: the Canada Emergency Response Benefit well as routine money bills). The Committee met virtually nine times and heard (C-13), the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (C-14), and the Canada from 57 witnesses, including Minister Bill Morneau and Minister Carla Emergency Response Benefit (C-15); there were also amendments to the Qualtrough. On July 14, we released a comprehensive interim report on the Canadian Dairy Commission Act (C-16) to help hard-hit dairy farmers. When government's response and the economic consequences of the pandemic. we welcomed ministers to answer questions, I asked about the lack of, and Among other things, we recommended a basic income guarantee as a long- need for, reliable, affordable high-speed internet, the need for universal term economic recovery strategy. In the fall when the Senate resumes, we will basic income, and aid for dairy farmers impacted by both the pandemic continue our work. and international trade agreements. Racism Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade In the aftermath of the police killing of George Floyd in the United States Foreign Affairs and International Trade played a vital role in the study of the and heightened awareness of police brutality against racialized Canadians, legislation (C-4) that implemented CUSMA ("the new NAFTA"). Over three the Senate began work on a number of initiatives to address racism and meetings in March we heard from 20 witnesses, including Canada's Chief discrimination in Canada. This included a powerful emergency debate in Trade Negotiator, Steve Verheul, and representatives from the agricultural which I was honoured to participate on June 18. I spoke about the history of and automobile sectors. racism and discrimination in Canada to make clear that these problems are nothing new in our country. CUSMA/NAFTA Canada-Germany Interparliamentary Group In March, I was elected Chair of the Canada-Germany Interparliamentary Group, which comprises senators and members of Parliament interested in the bilateral relationship between Canada and Germany. While the pandemic has limited our usual activities, including meetings, parliamentary diplomacy between our countries will play a big role as we work together to recover from COVID-19. I look forward to working with my Canadian and German colleagues. Discussion Group on Future International Dimensions of COVID-19 As the Senate sponsor of CUSMA - the Canada–United States–Mexico To help keep interested senators engaged with the global and foreign policy Agreement - also known as "the new NAFTA" - I was proud that its impacts of the pandemic, my colleague Senator Mobina Jaffer and I initiated implementing legislation, C-4, received Royal Assent on March 13. After and co-chaired an informal discussion group open to all senators. Between more than two years of renegotiations, CUSMA entered into force on July 1; May and June we gathered virtually six times to welcome impressive guests, Canadian businesses and workers will now be able to count on reliable, all experts in their fields, to discuss with senators the social and economic predictable trade for years to come with our important North American consequences of COVID-19, now and in the future, for the global community. neighbours. SENATE OF CANADA, OTTAWA, ON K1A 0A4 | [email protected] | (613) 943-8226 @SENBOEHM SENATOR PETER M. BOEHM HTTPS://SENCANADA.CA/EN/SENATORS/BOEHM-PETER/ OFF THE HILL Balsillie School of International Affairs Global Affairs Canada Women's Network CCIC Forum 2020 March 2020 March 2020 June 2020 I was pleased to speak at the Balsillie School of I participated in a discussion about women and During this year's virtual edition of the Canadian International Affairs in Waterloo. I discussed pre- gender quality at GAC for International Women's Council for International Cooperation Forum, I pandemic global challenges and their impacts on Day. I spoke with Marta Morgan, Canada's first joined other panelists to discuss Canada's Canada and modern diplomacy. female Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and contribution to the global post-pandemic recovery Kristina Casey, GAC's first female Director General and rebuilding plan. of information management/technology. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT I continue to be impressed and encouraged by Canada's young people who have been especially engaged during the pandemic. It has been particularly rough on students, from finding summer jobs to adjusting to virtual classes, and new graduates trying to begin their careers. In February I met with students representing the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations and the Canadian Federation of Students to discuss student loans and debt, access to post-secondary education, and the unique challenges faced by international students. These issues are even more pressing now so I was pleased that an official from CASA testified at the Senate's National Finance Committee in June during its study on the government's pandemic response. The changing nature of diplomacy is yet another challenge for foreign affairs professionals. The "Death of Diplomacy" was the focus of my discussion with graduate students at my alma mater, the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, in February. I also discussed these issues, virtually, in May with Canada's Youth 7 delegation, as they prepared for the 2020 Y7 Summit. As Sherpa for the 2018 G7 Summit, I was proud to speak with a new generation of leaders who believe in the importance of multilateralism. February 25: Norman Paterson School of MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVES International Affairs, Carleton University Senate Mental Health Advisory Committee The SMHAC, of which I am a proud and active member, has been continuing its work to increase ARTICLES awareness of mental health among senators and Senate employees. During the pandemic, the Is Zoom Diplomacy the New Normal? Committee has been especially active in providing mental health supports and resources to senators COVID-19 and the End of the Air Kiss and employees to help develop effective coping strategies. In this May article for Policy Magazine, I wrote National Autism Strategy about the history of diplomacy, how it has been In May I joined colleagues and fellow advocates Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard, Senator Leo conducted, largely unchanged, for hundreds of Housakos, and Senator Jim Munson in a Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Alliance (CASDA) webinar years and how this approach has, and will, called Senators at Home: Honing in on our National Autism Strategy to discuss the need to implement a continue to change fundamentally as a result of national strategy on autism. the COVID-19 pandemic. Bronfman Student Award Iron Negotiator, Velvet Glove: Our Woman in Washington Bernard Besong, an undergraduate student at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, was awarded the school's Bronfman Student In March I wrote an article for Policy Magazine with Award for Canadian Studies earlier this year. Bernard spent a week in my thoughts on Canada's new Ambassador to the Ottawa visiting the Senate and other public institutions. I was United States, Kirsten Hillman, the first woman to honoured that Bernard chose to spend his time at the Senate with me be named to what is arguably our most important where he participated in meetings and watched proceedings in the diplomatic post. Chamber. SENATE OF CANADA, OTTAWA, ON K1A 0A4 | [email protected] | (613) 943-8226 @SENBOEHM SENATOR PETER M. BOEHM HTTPS://SENCANADA.CA/EN/SENATORS/BOEHM-PETER/.