Category: Lobbying

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Lobbyist For GlaxoSmithKline & AstraZeneca Maker Sits On Conservative Party’s National Council

Just who is this Amber Ruddy? She just recently ascended to her position in a major political party, but what’s her backstory?

Amber Ruddy is a Conservative volunteer who has spent her career fighting for small-c conservative ideas and values. She has knocked on thousands of doors, served on electoral district associations, and helped get Conservatives elected.
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Amber has worked for a federal Conservative cabinet minister, a provincial politician, and in non-partisan advocacy positions at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and the Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation.
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She currently works as Associate VP Western Canada with Counsel Public Affairs and has a decade of experience in business advocacy at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels.

Amber holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western University and an executive MBA from Queen’s University with a specialization in marketing strategy.

Amber Ruddy is quite open about being with Counsel Public Affairs, a lobbying firm in Canada. Did no one bother to check out (or even ask) what kinds of lobbying she was involved with? Or did the Conservative Party know about this and simply not care?

Amber was elected in March 2021 to the National Council of the CPC. Why is this important? Because only a month ago, she lobbied Manitoba on behalf of Emergent BioSolutions, the maker of AstraZeneca. She got directly to Manitoba Premier, Brian Pallister.

While this may be legal, how does it look? How does Ruddy go from being a pharma lobbyist to one of the people running the Conservative Part of Canada in just a month? Also, it’s not like she cut ties with Counsel Public Affairs. She’s still employed by them.

Her lobbying firm, Counsel Public Affairs, has been pushing other Provinces to accept AstraZeneca, despite its known health problems.

Ruddy has also lobbied Manitoba for on behalf of Atria Management Canada, ULC, asking “Seeking clarification for COVID-19 vaccination rollout plan, specifically where seniors in non LTC settings, such as community retirement settings, fit into provincial plan. Advocating for on-site clinics in retirement communities”. Yes, she actually wanted on site vaccination for seniors.

Now the obvious question has to be asked: when Ruddy performs her duties as Secretary of the CPC National Council, will she also be acting as a member of Council Public Affairs, which is STILL advocating on behalf of Emergent BioSolutions?

Bit of a side note: Dan Kelly, the President and CEO of the CFIB, Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses was bragging about vaccinating his children. Ruddy used to run the Alberta branch.

Ruddy also lobbied Saskatchewan on behalf of the AstraZeneca manufacturer. This included Premier Scott Moe, and Health Minister Paul Merriman.

Amber Ruddy Emergent BioSciences Lobbying Alberta

She’s also been working in Alberta lately, lobbying the Government of Jason Kenney. While Ruddy isn’t personally named in the Ontario Registry, several of her colleagues at C.P.A. are.

It seems pretty convoluted for Derek Sloan to be threatened over a $131 cheque he never actually saw, but then allow something like this.

Brian Pallister has also been lobbied on behalf of Emergent BioSciences by Tina Beaudry-Mellor, another member of Counsel Public Affairs. But what makes her case interesting is that she worked in Scott Moe’s Government in Saskatchewan until September 2020. After she was voted out, she began lobbying. Interesting way to avoid the rules: just hop Provinces, and then you’re good to go.

This also raises the question why people like Brian Pallister are always trying to give the hard sell on vaccines. Is this what they really believe, or have they been corrupted by some outside interest? Something always seemed off about that man.

At the time of writing this, Ruddy is an ACTIVE registered lobbyist on behalf of Emergent BioSolutions, at the Federal level. Until February, she was also a lobbyist for drug maker GlaxoSmithKline.

Even with that set aside, her firm is still lobbying both Federally and Provincially on behalf of drug companies. They are quite active. She will now have considerable power on the CPC National Council.

Members of the public, and especially those in the CPC should be outraged. It raises legitimate questions as to whether Rempel and O’Toole are simply puppets doing the will of big pharma. Their actions and words would suggest so.

The plot only thickens. Michelle Rempel-Garner, the CPC Health Critic, has recently been lobbied by both GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca (among others) looking to sell vaccines. Considering Ruddy is on the National Council, would that actually make her Rempel’s boss? Of course, ask such a question on Twitter and expect a quick blocking. And it gets worse….

And just when you think you’ve seen it all, the CPC has decided to add masks to their line of merchandise for sale. Perhaps the “pandemic” won’t end as long as there is inventory to be sold. There’s free enterprise, and then there’s this…..

This sort of thing is hardly an isolated incident. Some more of the corruption that lobbying is:

If you want to know what is really going on, stop focusing on the puppets. Instead, look to the puppet masters and their proxies.

(1) https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberruddy/
(2) https://archive.is/mJpyH
(3) https://www.conservative.ca/team-member/amber-ruddy/
(4) https://www.conservative.ca/team/national-council/
(5) https://counselpa.com/
(6) https://counselpa.com/team/amber-ruddy/
(7) https://registry.lobbyistregistrar.mb.ca/lra/reporting/public/registrar/view.do?method=get&registrationId=14775394
(8) https://registry.lobbyistregistrar.mb.ca/lra/reporting/public/registrar/view.do?method=get&registrationId=416797
(9) https://nationalpost.com/opinion/derek-filderbrandt-derek-sloans-exile-over-131-from-white-supremacist-doesnt-add-up
(10) https://registry.lobbyistregistrar.mb.ca/lra/reporting/public/registrar/view.do?method=get&registrationId=413352
(11) https://counselpa.com/team/tina-beaudry-mellor/
(12) https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-at-thynk/
(13) https://archive.is/mf5FL
(14) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tina_Beaudry-Mellor
(15) https://www.sasklobbyistregistry.ca/
(16) https://www.sasklobbyistregistry.ca/search
(17) https://www.albertalobbyistregistry.ca/
(18) https://www.albertalobbyistregistry.ca/apex/f?p=171:DOC:0:IDOC_XSL_CACHE:::IDOC_TBL_GRP_ID,IDOC_CNTRL_CD:722007,CNSLT_REG_FRM&cs=30C0FDBAAAAD8B1BBD09725B9A23D7F51
(19) http://lobbyist.oico.on.ca/Pages/Public/PublicSearch/
(20) https://lobbycanada.gc.ca/app/secure/ocl/lrs/do/advSrch
(21) https://lobbycanada.gc.ca/app/secure/ocl/lrs/do/vwRg?cno=367533&regId=905977
(22) https://lobbycanada.gc.ca/app/secure/ocl/lrs/do/vwRg?cno=367534&regId=908352
(23) https://cpcstore.ca/collections/masks

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The B.C. Liberals Are Nothing But Controlled Opposition (With Audio)

In politics, lobbying and money make the world go round. Consider a recent talk with a B.C. Liberal MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly), Peter Milobar. You would think that there’d be some real opposition to John Horgan, Adrian Dix, Mike Farnworth and Bonnie Henry. But no, this isn’t the case. In fact, even referring to it as “controlled opposition” is a bit of a stretch.

In case this may just come off as having a bad day, consider what the candidates said in the October 2020 B.C. election. All parties agreed to abdicate responsibility to unelected bureaucrats. That said, trolling one of them afterwards was fun.

Milobar claims to have taken the AstraZeneca vaccine, which has now been pulled off the market. Let’s see if he actually believes what he’s saying. He also doesn’t really object to anything.

BC Liberal Party 2020 Platform Restore Confidence Rebuild BC

B.C. held a Provincial election in October 2020. One would think that with Horgan, Henry and their cronies destroying the place, the “opposition” party would jump at the chance to fix things. Instead, their election platform goes out of its way to avoid addressing the elephant in the room. Milobar isn’t alone in doing nothing for constituents. It’s everyone.

It this problem deeper than what it seems?

A recent piece covered Wellington Advocacy. This is a lobbying firm that has pushed Jason Kenney and Doug Ford into keeping defective PCR rapid test kits made by Spartan Biosciences. It’s worth noting that the same firm also has people connected to ex-Liberal Leader Christy Clark, and now outgoing leader Andrew Wilkinson.

According to Katy Merrifield’s profile:

As a BC native, and having served as Executive Director of the BC Liberal Party and Director of Communications to British Columbia Premier Christy Clark, Katy has a unique understanding of the province’s political, public and private sector landscapes. A seasoned expert in communications, corporate planning, campaign management and stakeholder advocacy, Katy is adept at delivering solutions with meaningful and measurable impact on public opinion. Katy has spent over a decade advising senior cabinet members and elected officials including as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Health, and the Minister of Jobs, Tourism, Skills Training and Labour in British Columbia.

According to Nick Koolsbergen’s profile:

Nick spent the last two years serving as Alberta Premier Jason Kenney’s Chief of Staff and Campaign Director. Prior to that Nick, served as former BC Premier Christy Clark’s Chief of Staff, as Director of Issues Management to former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and as a senior advisor to numerous federal Cabinet Ministers.

According to Peter Csillag’s profile:

Peter joins after nearly ten years advising elected officials and candidates at the provincial and federal levels, and advising companies and non-profits in the private sector. He served as a senior advisor to Jason Kenney and Alberta’s United Conservative caucus and to former BC Premier Christy Clark and caucus. In Ottawa, he worked for then-Minister Jason Kenney in three major federal departments. Most recently, he worked as a director for a national strategic communications firm.

At least 3 members of Wellington Advocacy (which is lobbying for Spartan rapid test kits) were part of the Government of then B.C. Premier, Christy Clark. True, Clark lost power — and her own seat — in July 2017, but she held tremendous influence over the party. And Wilkinson just resigned as leader. This is, of course, just one group that lobbies for money and influence.

On a related note: Ray Novak is also part of the firm. He was involved with Harper’s Government, is employed with the firm Harper & Associates, and is a Member of the International Democratic Union, which Harper chairs.



K-12 restart planning relative to COVID (restart plan, Personal protection equipment, privacy and the use of digital platforms, Foundational Skills Assessments (FSAs), social distancing and class size, ministry guidelines, remote learning options, health and safety standards/guidelines, consistent reporting

The B.C. Teachers Federation has been lobbying the “opposition” Liberals for a number of things, including shutting down schools in favour of remote learning, and forcing masks on very young students. And by young, many want them imposed on kindergarten students.

The B.C. Labour Federation is also pushing the Liberals for a number of things, such as more handouts. They also demand more protections for illegal aliens (who they disingenuously call “undocumented workers”), more green jobs, and pay equity, which sounds sort of communist.

The BC Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU), has also been pushing all parties for a number of benefits, or “pandemic bucks”, but has also demanded that masks be made mandatory in all Government buildings. Public unions are very powerful, so it would be difficult to say no.

Drug companies like GlaoSmithKline, Innovative Medicines Canada, Merck and Pfizer have all been lobbying B.C. in recent months. Of course, they would never unduly influence politicians. Except for cases like Jean-Marc Prevost.

The above groups aren’t the only ones trying to influence the B.C. Liberals. These are just a few for which there are actual records. It would be interesting to find out what isn’t documented.

It isn’t just one useless MLA like Milobar refusing to do anything. The entire Liberal Party has no real interest in stopping the medical tyranny imposed by Bonnie Henry, and the Horgan Government. They don’t even pretend to be against it, but avoid the subject altogether.

Nor is their interest in Henry’s flip-flop from when she was an expert witness in the Sault Area Hospital arbitration. She testified that neither masks nor vaccines do much against influenza. Considering Henry was picked by a Liberal Government, they seem particularly indifferent about challenging her.

Press Progress also put out an interesting piece on lobbying in Alberta. It’s well worth a read.

(1) https://canucklaw.ca/cv-28-the-b-c-election-just-an-illusion-of-choice-all-parties-compromised/
(2) https://canucklaw.ca/handlers-for-lpc-ford-kenney-push-and-fail-to-continue-faulty-rapid-test-device/
(3) https://www.bcliberals.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/BC-Liberal-Party-2020-Platform-Restore-Confidence-Rebuild-BC.pdf
(4) https://www.wellingtonadvocacy.com/who-we-are
(5) https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-merrifield-1a741055/
(6) https://archive.is/2C2Xr
(7) https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickkoolsbergen/
(8) https://archive.is/NRcE8
(9) https://www.linkedin.com/in/petercsillag/
(10) https://archive.is/iY8A5
(11) https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-novak-289496128/
(12) https://archive.is/bVl6x
(13) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christy_Clark
(14) https://www.lobbyistsregistrar.bc.ca/app/secure/orl/lrs/do/guest
(15) https://www.lobbyistsregistrar.bc.ca/app/secure/orl/lrs/do/cmmLgPblcVw?comlogId=9288
(16) https://archive.is/mLLad
(17) https://www.lobbyistsregistrar.bc.ca/app/secure/orl/lrs/do/cmmLgPblcVw?comlogId=5434
(18) https://bctf.ca/NewsReleases.aspx?id=60409
(19) https://www.lobbyistsregistrar.bc.ca/app/secure/orl/lrs/do/cmmLgPblcVw?comlogId=6888
(20) https://www.lobbyistsregistrar.bc.ca/app/secure/orl/lrs/do/vwRg?cno=463&regId=56555680
(21) https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onla/doc/2015/2015canlii62106/2015canlii62106.html
(22) https://pressprogress.ca/lobbyists-with-ties-to-jason-kenneys-ucp-are-helping-private-health-companies-lobby-albertas-ministry-of-health/

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Handlers For LPC, Ford, Kenney Push (And Fail) To Continue Faulty Rapid Test Device

A story that went largely unnoticed is the announcement that Spartan Bioscience was seeking protection from its creditors. The reason is that its product, a rapid testing machine that uses PCR technology …. didn’t actually work.

While this part was reported by CBC, the larger part of the story wasn’t. And that involves the behind-the-scenes efforts to keep these kits on the market.

Of course, this shouldn’t be that much of a surprise. The BC Centre for Disease Control admitted in April 2020 that the testing method couldn’t actually determine if a person was infected. Doug Ford has known since July 2020, if not sooner, that there can be 50% false positives. Jason Kenney seemed uninterested in a possible 90% false positives. See the videos at the end.

This comes in spite of extensive lobbying efforts to persuade the Federal Government, and the Ontario and Alberta Governments to continue using them.

With all that in mind, is it any wonder that a company promising rapid testing would have problems, if the underlying technology itself was faulty?

An Ottawa-based company that developed a rapid COVID-19 testing device says it has filed for creditor protection after finding an undisclosed problem with the technology.

Spartan Bioscience’s interim CEO Jennifer Ross-Carriere said through a spokesperson Tuesday that the company has paused shipments of its COVID-19 testing cube while it works to resolve the “recently-identified issue.”

Spartan’s device, which the company says is about the size of a coffee mug, has been described as a potential game-changer by health officials, with the company claiming it could deliver on-location results in less than an hour using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to get results.

The device was authorized for use by Health Canada on Jan. 22. Spartan said Health Canada’s authorization remains in place while it works with the federal agency to resolve the issue.

Now, just because a product doesn’t work, or doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to, doesn’t always mean all is lost. Just send in the lobbyists and everything should be okay.

Also, Health Canada hasn’t seen fit to pull its authorization yet. Not sure exactly what it would take for that to happen.

The Federal Government, as well as the Governments of Ontario and Alberta have been lobbied by Wellington Advocacy on behalf of Spartan Bioscience. So, what do these people have do offer?

In short, connections. Lobbying has little to do with making a convincing argument. Instead, it’s about paid hustlers trying to cozy up with their former political cronies. It’s unethical, but unfortunately, legal.

Rachel Curran spent years in Harper’s Government, then moved on to other things. Interestingly, she now works with Facebook Canada. Current CPC Leader, Erin O’Toole, used to be a lobbyist for Facebook.

After managing Stephen Harper, Duncan has switched over to Provincial politics, and is a handler for Doug Ford. His profile is one of the revolving door of politics and lobbying.

Heelis has been addressed before. She has also been lobbying on behalf of Shoppers Drug Mart. Previously, she was a handler for the Ontario Minister of Health and Long Term Care.

Koolsbergen worked in the Harper Government, then was very involved in Kenney elected in Alberta. According to that lobby, he’s been pushing for Spartan with the Government.

Rinneard is yet another handler for Doug Ford, telling him what to think, and what to say. Doesn’t seem to have helped though.

Looking through the profiles of Wellington Advocacy, many of them are handlers and mouthpieces both for the Conservative Party of Canada, and more recently, for Jason Kenney. There are also a few who peddle influence with the Ontario Progressive Conservatives, and the B.C. Liberals.

Even after a person leaves politics, they still have the connections, which is why companies hire them. Again, this is legal, as long as it’s documented.

Do these politicians know that there are serious testing problems with the PCR technology? Yes they do. It has been made very clear to them. Nonetheless, the continue on pushing ahead with this fake pandemic.

The story from CBC is at least partially good news, as a defective product has been removed from the market. This comes in spite of the lobbying efforts, which CBC DIDN’T address. However, more needs to be done to address this scam.

People like Kenney and Ford are not leading. They are simply playing the part of leaders, and interested parties are pulling their strings. We need better people in charge.

(1) https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/spartan-bioscience-creditor-protection-1.5976825
(2) http://lobbyist.oico.on.ca/Pages/Public/PublicSearch/
(3) https://www.albertalobbyistregistry.ca/
(4) https://lobbycanada.gc.ca/app/secure/ocl/lrs/do/advSrch
(5) https://canucklaw.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/BC-COVID19_InterpretingTesting_Results_NAT_PCR.pdf
(6) https://www.wellingtonadvocacy.com/who-we-are
(7) https://archive.is/zDCrd
(8) https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-curran-a99258109/
(9) https://www.linkedin.com/in/samueljduncan/
(10) https://archive.is/sf2uV
(11) https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieheelis/
(12) https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickkoolsbergen/
(13) https://archive.is/GIOQ0
(14) https://www.linkedin.com/in/trisha-rinneard-b1004348/
(15) https://archive.is/eyXyh
(16) https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-tennant-84030a63/
(17) https://archive.is/ZbZY8

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BC Pharmacy Association Funded By AstraZeneca, Partners With myDNA; Dix; Sharkawy; Tieleman; Sterilization

The B.C. Pharmacy Association has been lobbying the Provincial Government as of late. It’s interesting to see just who some of these people are, and where the money is coming from. The public at large is completely oblivious to the bigger picture.

As for the people in the above photo, they are very much connected to the B.C.P.A. We will explain all of these players.

  • Bonnie Henry: B.C. Provincial Health Officer
  • Adrian Dix: B.C. Health Minister
  • Abdu Sharkawy: Paid operative on speaking circuit
  • Bill Tieleman: Ex-B.C. Gov’t Official, current B.C.P.A. lobbyist

The B.C.P.A. describes what it does as “advocacy“, or trying to educate the public on certain health matters. Here is their own explanation:

The BC Pharmacy Association is the voice of community pharmacy. Through our organization, we collaborate and advocate for the role of community pharmacists in B.C.’s health-care system.

The Association works with stakeholders like the Ministry of Health, the College of Pharmacists of BC, the University of British Columbia, private insurance payers and other groups to raise the awareness and understanding of community pharmacy in British Columbia.

We have struck working groups on such issues as the role of pharmacists in medical assistance in dying (MAiD), Medication Review Services, Clinical Services, Residential Care and Schedule 1 and 2 medications, to name a few.

Nothing is apparently off limits, as the MAiD, or medical assistance in dying market is growing. Essentially, this is assisted suicide. At least they are honest that some drugs are lethal. There’s also an MLA outreach program, to get Provincial politicians on board with whatever is going on.

Bill Tieleman works as a lobbyist for the B.C. Pharmacy Association. His goal is getting more money for the group, and in pushing the Government to buy more of his client’s products (and products of their supporters). Tieleman is, strictly speaking, a drug lobbyist. He runs a politically themed blog as well, but there is little of substance there.

Tieleman is apparently also pretty chummy with Premier John Horgan. That’s no surprise, given his other BCNDP connections.

It gets even more convoluted because he worked in the Office of the Premier in 1996, according to mandatory disclosures. Adrian Dix was at the time Chief of Staff to Premier Glen Clark, and he later became Leader of the NDP. Dix clearly has clout, even as Health Minister, and Tieleman is an old colleague of his.

As for the idea that lobbying is harmless, it’s been disclosed that the Federal Government (or taxpayers) contributed $176,000 to the B.C.P.A. Tax money was handed over to a private organization that lobbies politicians for greater influence of the drug business.

While the B.C.P.A. likes to present itself as standing up for small pharmacists, they deliberately gloss over an important detail. The bulk of the financing actually comes from pharmaceutical manufacturers. Here, AstraZeneca and Merck are listed as major sponsors.

Abdu Sharkawy, an easily recognizable TV doctor, has spoken to the B.C.P.A. on at least 2 separate occasions. Once was March 19 of this year, and the other was on May 6. The Association clearly thought that his clout was work the money to bring him there.

Sharkawy is actually a professional speaker, and can be hired out through the National Speakers Bureau, or the NSB. According to a reply from NSB, his speaking fees for a virtual appearance runs at $12,000. That said, he’s hardly the only one to engage in such a side business.

RxOme Pharmacogenomics Canada Inc., is a joint venture between the BC Pharmacy Association and myDNA, a genetic testing and interpretation service provider. Together these companies aim to make pharmacogenomic testing and interpretation services available to Canadians through community pharmacies. Empowered with this genetic information Canadians, with their pharmacist’s help, will be able to make better informed decisions about their medications, health and wellness.

Imagine if before taking a medication, you could walk into your local pharmacy and take a test that could accurately predict whether the medication would work for you and the dosage best suited to you—all based on your DNA.

myDNA uses a simple cheek swab to analyze a patient’s genetic profile. The test is ordered by the accredited pharmacy and then the results are sent to the patient, nominated health care professionals and accessible through a secure portal.

The B.C.P.A. is partnering with myDNA, a firm that claims to be able to determine what medications would be needed in the future, based on a person’s genetic profile. It seems like there was a time not too long ago when such an idea was dismissed as baseless conspiracy theories.

Of course, this also raises serious privacy concerns like where will the data be stored, who will have access to it, and will any 3rd parties be able to purchase the data?

Also, will certain drug companies be able to get preference for certain types of disorders, or will it be shared equitably?

The B.C. Pharmacy Association promotes drugs (obviously), and doesn’t seem too concerned about the long term impacts of them. Of course, when such companies, like AstraZeneca, are your primary donors, it’s best not to rock the boat.

Thank you to whoever made this clips available. This information needs to be shared.

Previously: Jean-Marc Prevost used to be work in B.C. Public Health, alongside Henry and Dix. He left, and joined lobbying firm called Council Public Affairs. He then lobbied the B.C. Government — which he was recently a part of — on behalf of Emergent BioSolutions, the manufacturer of AstraZeneca. Also, take a look at the conflicts of interest Doug Ford has been involved with.

It’s an open question whether of not Henry and Dix had any issue with this sudden change, however it seems unlikely.

After all, Henry apparently saw no issue with putting in an exemption for indoor wine tasting, when she co-owned a winery in Keremeos.

This is just a lay opinion, but a lot of this doesn’t exactly sound legitimate. At a minimum, where are the disclosures to the public? And shouldn’t the side effects like mass sterilization be covered a little bit more?

As an update, thank you to those commenting. Always more information to flesh out. See page 233 in the 2019/2020 report.

(1) https://www.lobbyistsregistrar.bc.ca/
(2) https://www.lobbyistsregistrar.bc.ca/app/secure/orl/lrs/do/vwRg?cno=514&regId=56558364&blnk=1
(3) https://www.bcpharmacy.ca/
(4) https://www.bcpharmacy.ca/advocacy
(5) https://www.bcpharmacy.ca/advocacy/mla-outreach-program
(6) https://www.bcpharmacy.ca/conference/sponsors
(7) https://www.bcpharmacy.ca/about/rxome
(8) https://www.nsb.com/speakers/abdu-sharkawy/
(9) https://www.bcpharmacy.ca/conference/agenda-speakers
(10) https://www.bcpharmacy.ca/news/bcpha-2021-conference-highlights-dr-abdu-sharkawy
(11) https://thetyee.ca/News/2011/04/20/MemoMistake/
(12) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrian_Dix
(13) https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbell/
(14) https://www.keremeosreview.com/news/similkameen-winery-co-owned-by-dr-bonnie-henry/
(15) https://globalnews.ca/news/7732090/indoor-wine-tastings-bc-covid-restrictions/
(16) https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/british-columbians-our-governments/government-finances/public-accounts/2019-20/pa-2019-20-crf-detailed-schedules-of-payments.pdf
(17) BC Public Accounts 2019 to 2020

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Shoppers Drug Mart Lobbyist Has Bipartisan Support From Ontario, Federal Liberals And Conservatives

Katie Heelis has recently been lobbying Ottawa on behalf of Shoppers Drug Mart. Shoppers has secured a profitable sector, administering on-the-spot vaccinations for the “coronavirus”. Also, over the counter rapid tests are coming en masse.

Also look at the date: September 2018. Wynne was voted out in June 2018, which means that Heelis became a lobbyist for Shoppers Drug Mart almost immediately after leaving Government. That appears to violate lobbying restrictions, or perhaps its okay because she’s lobbying FEDERALLY.

Previously, Heelis worked for as an “Issues Manager” for then Ontario Minister of Health and Long Term Care, Eric Hoskins. She describes what that involved doing:

• Develop and provide strategic advice to the Minister and Ministry on contentious issues relating to health care in Ontario
• Prepare briefing notes and research findings to brief the Minister on the latest emerging issues or advancements in the health-care sector
• Prepare the Minister for Question Period, debates, media scrums, and public events
• Develop communication plans and strategies including drafting key messages, statements, media responses and quotes to respond to health related events or issues
• Brief the Premier’s Office on contentious issues and support the Premier’s staff in preparing the Premier, including drafting briefing notes and key messages
• Lead the development of communication materials such as news releases, op-ed’s, speaking notes or speeches

In short, Heelis was a “handler” for Hoskins, telling him what to say, and managing his media affairs. The Minister, like many others, must just be a bobble-head for the cameras. Anyhow, she now has a new job as a lobbyist.

Never mind that these vaccines aren’t approved by Health Canada (only given interim authorization), and never mind the lack of long term testing. Don’t worry that the virus has never been isolated, and that PCR tests can’t determine active infection. There’s money to be made.

Ever wonder why the Conservative Party of Canada supports Trudeau, even if they whine about details? Ever wonder why the Ontario Liberal Party supports Doug Ford, and only complains about handling? Think it’s strange that they all support mass testing and vaccinating the country?

There is a simple answer for that: they all have the same handlers. Some of those handlers have also been successful in securing a lucrative venture for Shoppers Drug Mart: on the spot injections.

Press Progress did a story in march about ties between the Ontario “pandemic expert” and a lobbying firm called Santis Health. It’s definitely worth a read. Not only did Jane Philpott’s staffer become a lobbyist for Santis Health, but Philpott herself supports the mass vaccination agenda.

Now, if you have any doubt that they are all on the same side, consider the staff and respective profiles from the people at Ensight Canada. All from one firm, and not even a large one. There are ties to both Ontario and Liberals and Conservatives, and to Federal Liberals and Conservatives.

  • Andrea Ernesaks: She was media relations and press secretary for (then) Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne. Secretary for media coverage on ON Liberal 2018 campaign.
  • Katie Heelis: “Issues Manager” or handler for Eric Hoskins, then Minister for Health and Long Term Care under Kathleen Wynne.
  • Nivitha Jeyakumar: Worked Federally for both B.C. and Ontario Liberal candidates, trying to get them elected to office.
  • Colin MacDonald: Helped run a candidate for Ontario Liberal Leadership race in 20012/2013, and Policy Advisor for several Cabinet Ministers.
  • Jesse Shea: Ties to both Ontario and Federal Liberals, now works for new Ontario Liberal Leader, Steven Del Duca and handling his new role.

  • Philippe Gervais: Involved in 2006 campaign which put Stephen Harper in office, works behind the scenes in U.S. elections as well.
  • Jason Lietaer: Worked as Liason (whatever that is) between Conservative Party of Canada Caucus, and the Prime Minister’s Office. Also served in Mike Harris’ ONPC Government.
  • Dennis Matthews: Worked in Harper Government starting in 2006, managing Government advertising, helped campaign to make Doug Ford Ontario Premier in 2018.
  • Semhar Tekeste: Handler for Cabinet Ministers at the federal level, including Gordon O’Connor, Shelly Glover, and Greg Rickford. Media relations during 2015 election, then outreach for Andrew Scheer.
  • Matt Triemestra: Long time staffer for Conservative Party of Canada, including Members of Parliament, such as Jason Kenney, Rob Moore and Colin Carrie.

Do you get it now? It doesn’t matter which Party is in power, since the same lobbyists control both sides. The agenda still goes ahead, regardless of which puppet sits at the head of the table. Had Wynne been re-elected in 2018, it’s doubtful she would have been much different.

Just for the sake of variety, there is an NDP operative, Tyler Downey, who works with the firm. He must be the diversity hire for Ensight.

A few more firms worth looking into. These are people who control our politicians and media. Think you’re voting of an MLA, MPP, or MP? That’s not the case at all.

None of this gets reported in the mainstream new in Canada due largely to lobbyists being embedded with them. FOr a specific example, Jaime Watt was a long term guest on Power and Politics with Evan Solomon. In fact, several members of Ensight have significant media connections.

How does any of this help advance Canadian interests?

(1) https://lobbycanada.gc.ca/app/secure/ocl/lrs/do/advSrch
(2) https://lobbycanada.gc.ca/app/secure/ocl/lrs/do/vwRg?cno=362887&regId=899659&blnk=1
(3) https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-lietaer-06734168/
(4) http://www.ensightcanada.com/who-we-are/jason-lietaer/
(5) https://enterprisecanada.com/team_members/2-jason-lietaer/
(6) http://www.ensightcanada.com/who-we-are/jaime-watt/
(7) http://www.ensightcanada.com/who-we-are/matt-triemstra/
(8) https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-triemstra-1134873/
(9) http://www.ensightcanada.com/who-we-are/nivitha-jeyakumar/
(10) https://www.linkedin.com/in/nivithaj/
(11) http://www.ensightcanada.com/who-we-are/tyler-downey/
(12) https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-downey-137687163/
(13) http://www.ensightcanada.com/who-we-are/philippe-gervais/
(14) http://www.ensightcanada.com/who-we-are/colin-macdonald/
(15) http://www.ensightcanada.com/who-we-are/dennis-matthews/
(16) https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-matthewsca/
(17) http://www.ensightcanada.com/who-we-are/katie-heelis/
(18) https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieheelis/
(19) http://www.ensightcanada.com/who-we-are/semhar-tekeste/
(20) https://www.linkedin.com/in/semhartekeste/
(21) http://www.ensightcanada.com/who-we-are/jesse-shea/
(22) https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-shea-a8b377170/
(23) http://www.ensightcanada.com/who-we-are/andrea-ernesaks/
(24) https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaernesaks/
(25) https://pressprogress.ca/doug-fords-director-of-pandemic-response-was-a-private-health-lobbyist-for-shoppers-drug-mart/

Posted on

Pfizer Lobbyists Claim Responsibility For Installing Ford and O’Toole Into Current Positions

A serious question: when someone helps install a politician into a position of power, and then becomes a lobbyist, are any “favours” then expected of said politician?

This specifically addresses 2 of them. One is Erin O’Toole, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, and Leader of the Official Opposition. The other is Doug Ford, Leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, and Premier of Ontario.

Both men are in their respective positions as a result of others who then went on to become lobbyists for Pfizer. Both support the mass vaccination agenda, and support lockdowns and martial law of society.

Last month, 4 lobbyists from Pfizer tried to push for vaccine sales on behalf of their client. This is according to records from the Ontario Lobbying Registry. Let’s take a look into who these people actually are.

1. Kenzie McKeegan

Kenzie supports clients with government relations, policy development, research, and communication. Prior to joining Loyalist, Kenzie worked in the University of Toronto Government Relations Office where she built relationships at all levels of government, institutional partners, and external stakeholders.
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Before working at the University of Toronto, Kenzie served in various Ontario Ministries including the offices of the Deputy Premier, the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, the President of the Treasury Board, the Minister Responsible for Digital Government and the Minister Responsible for Small Business.
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During her years in government, Kenzie supported goals and priorities of Cabinet Ministers through strategic planning and stakeholder management, providing analysis and advice.

For a bit of variety, McKeegan was actually a party operative when Kathleen Wynne and the Liberals were still in power in Ontario. Interesting that by sending lobbyists from different parties, it ensures that there will always be bipartisan support for whatever is going on.

As a bit of a side note: she’s also currently lobbying Ottawa on behalf of Apotex, trying to get more generic drugs onto the market.

2. Dan Mader

Prior to founding Loyalist, Dan served as a Senior Vice President at National Public Relations. He draws on his knowledge of policy, communications, and strategy to help Loyalist Public Affairs clients succeed in an increasingly regulated world where public opinion and the political process are critical.
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Dan worked in the federal government, where he led the development of policy in several departments including Environment, Transport, Infrastructure, and the Treasury Board and later served as Chief of Staff to the minister responsible for defence procurement. Dan also served as Deputy Campaign Manager (Policy) on Erin O’Toole’s successful campaign to lead the Conservative Party of Canada.
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During his twenty years of activism for the Ontario PC Party, Dan has served as Deputy Director of Communications for the 2014 general election campaign and as a member of the scripting team on the 2018 campaign.
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Dan began his career designing and developing enterprise software, then worked as a management consultant and as an executive at a technology company. Before joining NATIONAL, Dan worked as a Senior Consultant at a Toronto-based public affairs strategy consultancy.
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Dan is an active volunteer with the Writer’s Trust of Canada, having recently co-chaired the charity’s Ottawa dinner, Politics and the Pen. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Jewish National Fund of Canada and the Government Relations Institute of Canada (GRIC).

Mader wasn’t just with O’Toole in the 2020 race. He was also one of his handlers in his failed 2016/2017 run, eventually losing to Andrew Scheer. Mader’s boss was Campaign Chair Walied Soliman, who is a Director at Sick Kids Hospital Toronto.

Mader also lobbied Ford in November 2019, on behalf of Pfizer.

3. Jill Wilson

Jill represents clients across a wide range of sectors, from critical infrastructure such as nuclear energy, land development, and transportation to high-profile issues like cannabis, alcohol, and gaming.
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Jill focuses on government and stakeholder relations, policy development, detailed research, and communication support.
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Jill worked with federal, provincial, and municipal governments for over ten years. She understands how to make change in government, identifying those who make decisions and helping them to understand how her clients’ interests align with those of the public and the government.
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Before joining Loyalist, Jill worked at a national government relations and strategic communication firm.
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Jill served as a political advisor in Stephen Harper’s government and has also spent time in the not-for-profit sector with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.

Wilson is another one who spent a long time in the Government of Stephen Harper, albeit in several different roles. Surely, she has connection to convince “Conservatives” not to ask too many questions about the experimental drugs Pfizer wants to sell to the public. Most likely, she knows a lot of the same people that Erin O’Toole and his staff know.

4. Chris Froggatt

Prior to founding Loyalist Public Affairs, Chris served as the Managing Partner for the Ottawa office of National Public Relations for eight years.
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In government, Chris served as Chief of Staff to the Hon. John Baird in a variety of ministries including Treasury Board, Environment, Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities. He also served as senior advisor to the Minister of Transportation and the Attorney General in Ontario, and a senior advisor to Canada’s former Leader of the Opposition, Preston Manning.
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During his time in the governments of Canada and Ontario, Chris led the development and execution of many policy and communication strategies for various complex public policy files. In 2012, Chris received Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal as a recognition of his commitment to his community and to Canada.
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In 2018, Chris provided strategic counsel to Doug Ford during his successful bid for the leadership of the Ontario PC Party. He then served as Vice-Chair for the Ontario PC Party’s 2018 election campaign where the PCs won their first election in almost twenty years and Doug Ford was elected Ontario’s 26th Premier. At the request of then Premier-elect, Doug Ford, Chris chaired the transition team that helped shape the foundation for the new Government of Ontario.
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Chris is a graduate of Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario where he received a B.A. in Political Science and History. For over six years, he served as a member of the Steering Committee of the Clayton H. Riddell Graduate Program in Political Management at Carleton University and as a former Fellow of the Program, he provided lectures on the Canadian political process.

Froggatt appears to have left his official roles with the Conservative Party of Canada before Erin O’Toole was elected to Parliament. Nonetheless, he likely has many connections that cross over. Otherwise, what would even be the point of hiring him in the first place? He claims to have been with Doug Ford pretty much every step of the way of putting him into power in June 2018.

In an interesting twist to all this, Erin O’Toole was working for Christine Elliott (now the Health Minister), when she was running for the Ontario Progress Conservative leadership. She ultimately lost.

Another Loyalist operative, Zahra Sultani, worked as a Project Manager at Ontario Progressive Conservative Party Headquarters and Advisor to Ontario Cabinet Minister Rod Phillips.

What do you think? Should political handlers be allowed to get into lobbying, and then try to peddle on those very same politicians? Or does this just invite corruption?

(1) http://lobbyist.oico.on.ca/Pages/Public/PublicSearch/
(2) https://lobbycanada.gc.ca/app/secure/ocl/lrs/do/advSrch
(3) https://lobbycanada.gc.ca/app/secure/ocl/lrs/do/vwRg?cno=366128&regId=904001
(4) https://loyalistpublicaffairs.ca/kenzie-mckeegan/
(5) https://archive.is/qbLM5
(6) https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenzie-mckeegan-8b5784105/
(7) https://archive.is/wKsVB
(8) https://loyalistpublicaffairs.ca/dan-mader/
(9) https://archive.is/P3A4o
(10) https://www.linkedin.com/in/danmader/
(11) https://archive.is/4Z21L
(12) https://loyalistpublicaffairs.ca/jill-wilson/
(13) https://archive.is/8zeVP
(14) https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-wilson/
(15) https://archive.is/Mu6qx
(16) https://loyalistpublicaffairs.ca/chris-froggatt/
(17) https://archive.is/w5F75
(18) https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisfroggatt/
(19) https://archive.is/JCjwC
(20) https://loyalistpublicaffairs.ca/zahra-sultani/
(21) https://archive.is/1d9ia
(22) https://www.linkedin.com/in/zahrasultani/
(23) https://archive.is/QV0YR
(24) https://www.macleans.ca/opinion/a-race-suddenly-breaks-out-for-the-conservative-leadership/
(25) https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2020/01/16/erin-otoole-to-position-himself-as-unifying-candidate-in-conservative-leadership-race.html