The Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy

Progressive Dialogue and Policy for a Better Canada

PARLIAMENT 2020 CONFERENCE, Feb 24-25. Report…

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PARLIAMENT 2020 CONFERENCE, Feb 24-25. Report…

  • Date: February 3, 2020, 5:00 pm to 12:00 am
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For pics from PARLIAMENT 2020 CONFERENCE, Feb 24-25, addressing the economy and the future of work; energy, environment and reconciliation; and Canada and the World visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thepearsoncentre/posts/2134882649991826?__tn__=K-R-R-R-R

The full report to by published next week on www.thepearsoncentre.ca

Short summary:
This Parliament can work if the parties want it to. “Parliament in 2020”, was the focus of The Pearson Centre’s annual Conference which gave voice to much hope for a successful and perhaps Pearsonian minority mandate, but also raised fears that finger-pointing and excessive polarization could get in the way. (Full report to follow)

Current and former parliamentarians, business, labour and civil society leaders, diplomats and academics came together to share their views on the political state of play as Parliament resumes in 2020.

In their view this minority government could deliver more respect and collaboration and legislative results that harken back to the Pearson governments’ much vaunted accomplishments in the 1960s. Beyond final ratification of a “new and improved” NAFTA or CUSMA, this could mean a new Pharmacare program, action to make real the federal government’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 as well as progress on reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and legislation to reimagine the role of the CRTC and bring the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Acts into the 21st century.

At the same time, panelists expressed deep concern that what they see as necessary progress could be derailed by a failure to engage in real dialogue. The clear consensus was that Canadians want to see more collaboration and action on the political scene.

Adding to the priorities of climate, reconciliation, and the future of work, Associate Finance Minister Fortier focused our attention on an economy that generates inclusive growth. She explained her new mandate was to tackle issues like inequality and affordability and ensure the government as a whole prioritizes the quality of life and wellbeing of Canadians and their communities.

The conference also heard from China’s Ambassador to Canada and a panel on Canada’s role in a changing world highlighted the challenges and opportunities facing policy makers in the context of the Corona (COVID-19) virus outbreak, and Canada’s unique position in relationship to the world’s two largest economies China and the United States.

Against the backdrop of difficult challenges both here at home and around the world, the Pearson Parliament in 2020 conference brought together diverse perspectives to set out some signposts to guide us through this new minority Parliament.

Panel discussions focused on: the economy and the future of work; the intersection of energy, environment and reconciliation; and Canada and the world.

The full report of the conference will be published next week

PROGRAM

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24
Flag Day Reception & Panel (Room 330, Wellington Building, Parliamentary Precinct, 197 Sparks St)
5:00 – 7:00 pm Political Forum: MPs from all parties are invited to discuss priorities and cooperation
• Elizabeth May, Parliamentary Leader, Green Party of Canada
• Ruby Sahota, Liberal MP, Brampton North
• Dean Allison, Conservative MP, Niagara West
• Reps from NDP and Bloc tbc
• Moderated by Prof. Andrew Cohen, Board Member, Pearson Centre
• Comments by Speaker Anthony Rota, House of Commons

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25
All day Conference (Delta Hotel, 101 Lyon Street)
Co-Chairs:
Brian Gallant, Senior Advisor, Navigator; Former Premier of New Brunswick
Francesca Iacurto, Board of Advisors, Pearson Centre; Senior Director, Public Affairs, National Airlines Council of Canada

8:30 am Forum on the new Political Dynamics
Charelle Evelyn, Managing Editor, The Hill Times
Susanna Cluff-Clyburne, Senior Director, Parliamentary Affairs, Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Kevin Bosch, Partner, Hill + Knowlton, Former Advisor to Prime Minister Trudeau and other former leaders
Guy Caron. Former NDP MP for Rimouski-Neigette-Témiscouata-Les Basques
Jim Miller, Principal Connect Public Affairs; Former Policy Advisor in the Harper Government
Moderator: Andrew Caddell, Columnist, Principal, QIT Canada

9:15 am Policy Panel 1: Economy and the Future of Work
Professor Ian Lee, Sprott School of Business, Carleton University
Corinne Pohlmann, Canadian Federation of Independent Business
Toby Sanger, Executive Director, Canadians for Tax Fairness
Adam Melnik, Heat and Frost Insulators & Allied Workers, Local 95 Ontario
Terrance Hunsley, Senior Fellow, Pearson Centre
Moderator: Dean Allison, MP Niagara West
10:30 am Health Break

10:45 am New direction in Broadcasting and Telecommunications
Janet Yale, Chair, Broadcasting and Telecommunications Legislative Review Panel
In conversation with Andrew Cardozo and Elizabeth McDonald

11:15 am The Big Trends (Discussion)
Goldy Hyder, CEO, Business Council of Canada
Hassan Yussuff, President, Canadian Labour Congress
In conversation with Professor Jonathan Calof, Telfer School of Management, uOttawa

12 noon Working Lunch
Keynote on Inclusive Growth
Hon. Mona Fortier, Associate Minister of Finance and Minster for Middle Class Prosperity and conversation with Brian Gallant

1:30 pm Policy Panel 2: Energy, Environment and Reconciliation
Sandra Schwartz. Executive Director, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
John Williamson, MP, New Brunswick Southwest
Rose LeMay, CEO, Indigenous Reconciliation Group
Elizabeth McDonald, Board Member, Sustainable Building Canada
Robert Falcon Ouelette, Associate, Pearson Centre (Former MP, Winnipeg Centre)
Matthew Wayland, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
2:45 pm Health Break

3:00 Canada and China
H.E. Cong Peiwu, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary, People’s Republic of China
In conversation with Prof. Jonathan Calof

3;30 pm Policy Panel 3: Canada and the World
Julie Dzerowicz, MP, Member of the Finance Committee, House of Commons
Prof Yanling Wang, NPSIA, Carleton University
Sarah Goldfeder, Earnscliffe Strategy Group (Former US Diplomat)
Senator Peter Boehm, Independent Senators Group
Moderator: Arif Virani, MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General

5:15 pm Adjournment
Special thanks to our Sponsors

GOLD: IIAF and PIPSC

SILVER: AMAPCEO and Bombarier

BRONZE: Canadian Gas Association

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