Category: Lobbying

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Ex-U.S. Ambassador MacNaughton; Palantir; Team Rubicon; Military Technology

Palantir is a crystal ball from the (fictional) Lord of the Rings, which allows people to see events elsewhere, past or present. Perhaps a coincidence, or maybe an open admission about the company Palantir.

Rubicon is also a strange — or maybe fitting — name. Crossing the Rubicon refers to taking steps which can’t be undone. This is similar to the point of no return.

1. Other Articles On CV “Planned-emic”

The rest of the series is here. Many lies, lobbying, conflicts of interest, and various globalist agendas operating behind the scenes, obscuring the vile agenda called the “Great Reset“. The Gates Foundation finances: the WHO, the US CDC, GAVI, ID2020, John Hopkins University, Imperial College London, the Pirbright Institute, the BBC, and individual pharmaceutical companies. Also: there is little to no science behind what our officials are doing; they promote degenerate behaviour; the Australian Department of Health admits the PCR tests don’t work; the US CDC admits testing is heavily flawed; and The International Health Regulations are legally binding. See here, here, and here. The media is paid off, and our democracy compromised, shown: here, here, here, and here.

2. Important Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-macnaughton-553b3624/
https://archive.is/pe8aK
https://www.linkedin.com/company/palantir-technologies/
https://archive.is/4nTWS
http://www.lobbycanada.gc.ca
https://www.dhs.gov/action-plan
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/palantir-macnaughton-ethics
MacNaughton: Broke Ethics Regulations
https://www.palantir.com/palantir-gotham/
https://www.palantir.com/palantir-foundry/
https://www.palantir.com/palantir-apollo/
https://www.teamrubicon.ca/staff-board/
https://www.clintonfoundation.org/clinton-global-initiative/commitments/team-rubicon-transition

3. More By Civilian Intelligence Network

For an interesting piece and a lot of background information of Palantir and Rubicon, check out this article by Anji at Civilian Intelligence Network. Well worth a read.

4. MacNaughton’s LinkedIn Profile Details

MacNaughton has been involved in politics (at least from behind the scenes), for many years. He was a Secretary for (then) Ontario Dalton McGuinty. He had also been a campaign chair for the Ontario Liberals years earlier. From March 2016 until September 2019, he was Ambassador to the United States. He also held several corporate jobs.

5. Who Lobbied MacNaughton As Ambassador

David MacNaughton was one of many public officials to be lobbied by SNC Lavalin in their quest to obtain a deferred prosecution agreement for the company.

Bombardier frequently lobbies the Federal Government, and often is handed millions of taxpayer dollars in the form of bailouts. MacNaughton has also been on the receiving end of some of this lobbying.

The Canadian American Business Council lobbies on many different issues, much of it to do with trade. One interesting topic is the “beyond border initiative“, which pictures closer harmonization with the U.S. These groups are just a few of those who lobbied MacNaughton when he was the U.S. Ambassador.

6. Canada/U.S. Beyond The Border Initiative

On February 4, 2011, President Obama and Prime Minister Harper announced the United States-Canada joint declaration, Beyond the Border: A Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness. Beyond the Border articulates a shared approach to security in which both countries work together to address threats within, at, and away from our borders, while expediting lawful trade and travel.

Since the February 4, 2011 announcement, the Governments of the United States and Canada have worked to identify specific action items to advance the goals of Beyond the Border. These initiatives are described in the Beyond the Border Action Plan, which was released on December 7, 2011 by President Obama and Prime Minister Harper. This Action Plan draws from the expertise and experiences of front-line personnel on both sides of the border. It represents significant commitments by our countries that will make our countries more secure and economically competitive. It was crafted through discussions between our governments and is guided by a mutual respect for sovereignty and our respective constitutional and legal frameworks that protect privacy.

Under the guise of “increased cooperation”, Canadian and American officials have for a decade talked about ways to manage the continent in a more coordinated manner. Of course, having a more “managed” border will make it easier to say, get millions of vaccines out very quickly.

7. MacNaughton Found Guilty On Ethics Breach

WHEREAS Mr. David MacNaughton was appointed by the Governor in Council to the position of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to the United States on January 15, 2016, thereby making him a public office holder for the purposes of the Conflict of Interest Act [Act];

AND WHEREAS Mr. MacNaughton had direct and significant official dealings with numerous public office holders during his last year in public office;

AND WHEREAS following Mr. MacNaughton’s last day in public office on August 22, 2019, he became a former reporting public office holder and subject to the Act’s post-employment rules;

AND WHEREAS Mr. MacNaughton, following consultations with the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, was named President of Palantir Technologies Canada [Palantir] effective September 4, 2019;

AND WHEREAS, pursuant to section 37 of the Act, a former reporting public office holder who, in the year following their last day in office, has any communication referred to in paragraph 5(1)(a) of the Lobbying Act or arranges a meeting referred to in paragraph 5(1)(b) of that Act shall report that communication or meeting to the Commissioner;

AND WHEREAS Mr. MacNaughton reported, in accordance with section 37 of the Act, that between March 2 and May 1, 2020, he had communicated with or arranged multiple meetings with several public office holders for the purpose of offering pro bono assistance on behalf of Palantir in respect of the Government of Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as described in Annex A attached hereto; AND WHEREAS section 33 of the Act prohibits former public office holders from acting in such a manner as to take improper advantage of their previous public office;

David MacNaughton was named President of Palantir Technologies almost immediately after leaving his post as Ambassador to the U.S. That didn’t stop him from using his old position to push for favourable treatment for his new company. This of course, is completely illegal.

8. Palantir Stock Skyrockets After IPO

US tech firm Palantir, known for supplying controversial data-sifting software to government agencies, has fetched a market value of nearly $22bn (£17bn) in its debut on the New York Stock Exchange.

It’s a lofty figure for a firm that has never turned a profit, been hit by privacy concerns and relies on public agencies for nearly half of its business.

But the company, which takes its name from the “seeing stones” known for their power and potential to corrupt in Lord of the Rings, says the need for the kind of software it sells “has never been greater”.

The firm, which launched in 2003 with backing from right-wing libertarian tech investor Peter Thiel and America’s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), builds programs that integrate massive data sets and spit out connections and patterns in user-friendly formats.

Some valid concerns. Palantir’s price is now soaring, despite very serious privacy concerns, and the fact it’s never actually been profitable.

9. Palantir Gotham Program

GOTHAM IN ACTION
POWERING RAPID RESPONSE AFTER HURRICANE FLORENCE
In September 2018, Hurricane Florence devastated North and South Carolina in the United States. The storm was responsible for thousands of displacements, over a million power outages, and an estimated $17 billion in damage. To help victims remove felled trees from their properties, muck out flooded houses, and tarp damaged roofs, military veteran volunteer corps Team Rubicon deployed 1,000 volunteers—and Palantir Gotham.

Team Rubicon used Palantir Gotham’s Operations Module so the National Operations Center and Field Teams could collaborate on planning and executing six consecutive operations. They combined publicly available flood data with weather information and social vulnerability census data to find the communities in greatest need. In the field, Team Rubicon Incident Command and volunteers used data to manage operations: from triaging incoming help requests, to dispatching assessment and work teams, and producing sharable daily metrics and reports. With Palantir Gotham, Team Rubicon used data to marshal resources faster, to those most in need.

Palantir Gotham is presented as data collection with real world military application. They site floods and hurricanes as scenarios where this would be needed. And of course, David MacNaughton is head of the Canadian Branch of Palantir. This is an unusual situation to be in.

10. Palantir Foundry Program

From research and development to clinical trials to production and distribution, the pharmaceutical industry generates massive amounts of data. The company that harnesses this data can make better-informed decisions to bring new products to market faster and more safely.

We work to accelerate and improve the approach to developing, manufacturing, and delivering health products. Upon deploying Palantir Foundry, our partners modernize clinical trial design and analysis by creating a central environment for data, analysis, and hypothesis testing.

The high failure rate of clinical trials has increased research costs rapidly in recent years, and being able to generate insights in minutes rather than weeks offers significant opportunity for improvement.

We started by supporting the research and development process for clinical trials, supply chain efficiency, and product marketing. Since, we’ve partnered to establish Foundry as the central component of the pharmaceutical data architecture.

One of the states purposes of Palantir Foundry is in medical (or pharmaceutical research). The claim is that this technology will be able to advance it faster and safer than before.

11. Palantir Apollo Program

Palantir Apollo is the continuous delivery software that powers our SaaS platforms, Foundry and Gotham, in the public cloud and beyond. Apollo works around the clock to put our latest features in the hands of customers. It eliminates the tradeoff between stability and speed by delivering continuous, automated updates without disrupting operations. It’s why our platforms power mission-critical operations for the world’s most important institutions.

Palantir Apollo is the software that powers its systems. So this is a peculiar triad of products: (a) data collection with military application; (b) software that can potentially be the new branch of medical research; and (c) a new delivery system to get the others out.

12. Rick Hillier, Team Rubicon Director

Rick Hillier was announced to head the vaccine task force in Ontario. Aside from how unhinged Christine Elliott comes across as, obvious questions have to be asked. If this “virus” is so bad, then why would we need to encourage people to take a vaccine? Why the “military precision” needed, unless it was to get everyone all at once — and before side effects became known? Why push untested vaccines when there is already a 99% recovery rate anyway?

13. Rubicon Gets Funding From Clinton

Rubicon has also gotten substantial funding from the Clinton Foundation, (Clinton Global Initiative). The organization sells itself as a sort of disaster relief, just on a global scale. However, rushing to drug the entire planet is not anywhere near the same things as pulling survivors from a natural disaster.

Serious questions have to be asked about all of this. If it were really about getting vaccines out, then why is this global push needed? Why are the death rates exaggerated? Why use faulty PCR tests? Why gaslight and try to silence critics? What’s really in these vaccines?

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CV #17(B): Ever Wonder Why Small Businesses Are Closed, While Large Chains Remain Open?

Ontario Premier Doug Ford recently became infamous for ordering a restaurant owner to shut down. This of course is while places like Walmart, Costco and Amazon remain open. And Ford is hardly the only one to do this. But why is this the trend? Perhaps influence peddling is the reason.

The above video specifically refers to Adam Skelly, who was arrested when he ignored Ford’s dictates to close down.

1. Other Articles On CV “Planned-emic”

The rest of the series is here. Many lies, lobbying, conflicts of interest, and various globalist agendas operating behind the scenes, obscuring the vile agenda called the “Great Reset“. The Gates Foundation finances: the WHO, the US CDC, GAVI, ID2020, John Hopkins University, Imperial College London, the Pirbright Institute, the BBC, and individual pharmaceutical companies. Also: there is little to no science behind what our officials are doing; they promote degenerate behaviour; the Australian Department of Health admits the PCR tests don’t work; the US CDC admits testing is heavily flawed; and The International Health Regulations are legally binding. See here, here, and here. The media is paid off, and our democracy compromised, shown: here, here, here, and here.

2. SNC Corruption Behind The Scenes

For more on the SNC Lavalin corruption, check out this series. A lot of details go on behind closed doors that were never reported in the media. Turns out that it’s a small world.

3. Lobbying Registry Web Sites (Public)

https://lobbycanada.gc.ca/ (Federal)
http://lobbyist.oico.on.ca/ (Ontario)

4. Walmart/SNC Lobbyist Bruce Hartley

Bruce Hartley worked in the Prime Minister’s Office, under Jean Chretien (Liberal), from 1993 to 2003. He spent a decade in the Government, according to the Public Office disclosure.

5. Walmart/SNC Lobbyist William Pristanski

William (Bill) Pristanski worked in the Government of Brian Mulroney (Conservative), from 1984 until 1991. He also worked for the Office of the Official Opposition when the Liberals were in office.

After he departed from public office, Pristanski has been a Principle at Prospectus Associates and Government Relations Consultant. In short, he’s been a professional lobbyist for nearly 30 years.

6. Walmart Lobbying Ottawa In 2020

Subject Matter Details
Policies or Program
-Advisories by Public Health Agency (Consumer Products Division) and the development of policies and programs as it relates to the safety of toys and food imported from foreign countries.
-Increase awareness of Walmart’s commitment to ethical sourcing, and more specifically global supply chains that empower the people who work in them, and the families that are supported by them.
-Monitor development of legislation to regulate the payments industry in Canada including C-236, An Act to amend the Payment Card Networks Act
-Monitor implementation of Payment Card Networks Act with regard to debit and credit cards.
Policy and programs related to the Environmental objectives of Wal-Mart. In particular, bringing to the attention of government officials the most environmentally-friendly food distribution centre in North America that has just been built in Balzac Alberta
-The Finance Canada federal budget process as it relates to policies of Sales Tax Harmonization with the provinces.

While most of these “lockdown” measures have been implemented Provincially, it’s worth pointing out that the Federal Government has also been lobbied by Walmart. Moreover, it’s Bruce Hartley, and William Pristanski, the same lobbyists who advocated on behalf of SNC Lavalin. And they have ties to the Liberal and Conservative Parties of Canada.

7. Walmart Lobbying Ontario Government

Walmart lobbied the Ontario Government several times in 2020. Here are quotes from their Provincial registration.

Subject Matter
What is the subject-matter of your lobbying activity?
.
Agriculture, Conservation, Consumer services, COVID-19/Pandemic response, Economic development and trade, Education, Energy, Environment, Food safety, Health, Industry, Infrastructure, International trade, Labour, Liquor control and alcohol, Northern development, Research and innovation, Science and technology, Small business, Taxation and finance, Tourism, Training and skills development, Transportation, Womens’ issues,
.
Other: Budget, Privacy

Describe your lobbying goal(s) in detail. What are you attempting to influence or accomplish as a result of your communications with Ontario public office holders?
.
Profiling Walmart to policy makers and decision makers in government. Our objective is to make public policy makers aware of many initiatives taken by Walmart that matches the government’s objectives. By profiling such programs, government will better understand how to adjust regulatory environments and how the private sector can help. Walmart drives responsible sourcing and purchases a variety of Canadian products and services. Walmart recently announced its Charter on Plastics, a milestone commitment to reduce plastic waste across its operations. In addition, Walmart’s objective is also to engage with the government on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to supply chain management, health & safety requirements, economic stimulus and opportunities to help.

Why is Doug Ford ordering small businesses to close, while simultaneously allowing places like Walmart to operate with very few restrictions? There could be a very simple reason, beyond just incompetence.

8. Ford Staffers Now Walmart Lobbyists

Both Melissa Lantsman and David Tarrant were staffers for Doug Ford before becoming Walmart lobbyists. It’s worth noting that they have ties to other political parties. iPolitics did an interesting article on the conflicts on interest that were obvious.

Jharna Bajaj was a political staff volunteer in the Ontario Legislature before moving onto the private sector.

The William Pristanski is, of course, the same lobbyist who lobbied Federally for Walmart, and who lobbied on behalf of SNC Lavalin, to get them their deferred prosecution agreement (DPA).

9. Amazon Lobbying Ottawa In 2020

Subject Matter Details
Legislative Proposal, Bill or Resolution, Policies or Program
–Work with government to promote and support Canada’s digital economy, including ensuring the availability of a high-skilled tech workforce.
.
Policies or Program
–Seeking government contract with multiple government departments and institutions with regards to Amazon Cloud based solutions and related support services.
-Seeking to influence policy direction related to cloud based services.

Amazon lobbied Ottawa this year, partly to obtain government contracts, partly to get laws passed to push the digital economy. Nicole Foster also worked in the Government of Jean Chretien.

10. Amazon Lobbying Ontario In 2020

Amazon has also been busy lobbying the Ontario Government. If no one can open out for “safety” reasons, then it leaves a huge void to fill. Side note: Crestview Strategy is the firm that was founded by Rob Silver, husband of Katie Telford, Trudeau’s Chief of Staff. Crestview also lobbied Ottawa on behalf of GAVI, funded by the Gates Foundation.

11. Lobbyists Control All Parties

While this example referred to Ontario and Doug Ford, it’s likely that the same corruption and influence peddling is elsewhere.

Even though William Pristanski worked for the Mulroney (Conservative) Government, and Bruce Hartley the Chretien (Liberal) Government, they now work together as lobbyists.

Doug Ford has been lobbied recently by political insiders from Walmart, including his own former staffers. This is most likely why he applies a double standard when it comes to letting big box stores stay open, but smaller ones have to shut down. It has to do with corruption, not safety.

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Pushing To Decriminalize Non-Disclosure Of HIV In Sexual Encounters

Yes, this was actually discussed in several Parliamentary hearings in the Spring of 2019: should we decriminalize the failure to disclose HIV positive status in sexual encounters?

1. Trafficking, Smuggling, Child Exploitation

The TSCE series is a broad area, one that covers many overlapping topics. This includes the open borders agenda, organ harvesting, and various NGOs who help facilitate it. A subtopic for this article is using gay rights as a way to make this seem less wrong.

2. Just Another Scott Wiener Here?

California State Senator Scott Wiener was the subject of a recent piece. He helped pass legislation that reduced the penalty of KNOWINGLY spreading HIV from a felony to a misdemeanor. He also helped pass SB 145, which made sex offender registration optional for gay pedos.

This may be even worse, since proponents in the Canadian debate want to decriminalize non-disclosure of HIV status altogether.

3. Parliamentary Hearings In 2019

hiv.non.disclosure.april.9.meeting.transcript
hiv.non.disclosure.april.30.meeting.transcript
hiv.non.disclosure.may.7.meeting.transcript
hiv.non.disclosure.may.14.meeting.transcript
hiv.non.disclosure.June.04.meeting.transcript
hiv.non.disclosure.June.06.meeting.transcript
hiv.non.disclosure.June.11.meeting.transcript

hiv.CanadianHIVAIDSLegalNetwork-e
hiv.JointUnitedNationsProgrammeOnHIVAIDS-e
hiv.PivotLegalSociety-e
hiv.WomensLegalEducationAndActionFund-e
HIVJusticeWorldwide-e

hiv.non.disc.report.to.parliament

4. Lobbying By HIV Legal Network

In what should surprise no one, HIV Legal Network has been lobbying the Federal Government a lot over the last several years. Don’t worry, Canadian tax dollars are helping to pay for this.

HIV Legal Network is also not the only group trying to weaken the criminal penalties. There are several more.

5. Women’s Legal Education & Action Fund

One would think that a women’s group with a feminist tilt would be very concerned about removing penalties for crimes that can devastate women. Instead, Karen Segal of LEAF argued that non-disclosure of HIV during sexual encounters should be removed from the sexual assault laws, and possibly decriminalized altogether. Segal was more concerned with protecting the rights of causing this.

Remember LEAF? They come out with yet another anti-woman stance, this time, on protecting women from HIV infected people.

6. Recent Court Decision By ONCA

[1] Over a period of many months, after being diagnosed with HIV and warned about the need to disclose his HIV status to sexual partners, the appellant engaged in repeated acts of vaginal sexual intercourse with three different women. The appellant wore condoms but did not disclose his HIV-positive status and was not on antiretroviral medication. The complainants testified that they would not have consented to having sexual intercourse with the appellant had they been aware of his HIV-positive status.

[2] The appellant was charged with multiple offences, including three counts of aggravated sexual assault. The trial focused on whether the appellant’s failure to disclose his HIV status to the complainants, prior to sexual intercourse, constituted fraud vitiating their consent to that sexual activity in accordance with the principles laid down in R. v. Mabior, 2012 SCC 47, [2012] 2 S.C.R. 584. Although one of the complainants was diagnosed with HIV after her sexual relationship with the appellant, there was no proof that she contracted the virus from him.

And this goes to the heart of the matter: the other person would not have consented if the HIV status had been disclosed ahead of time. While these convictions were upheld, all of this can change if the Federal Government does implement changes to the criminal code.

7. Comm Report Recommends Decriminalization

Final Report To Parliament

5.1.1 Immediately Prohibiting the Use of Sexual Assault Provisions
The Committee agrees with witnesses that the use of sexual assault provisions to deal with HIV non-disclosure is overly punitive, contributes to the stigmatisation and discrimination against people living with HIV, and acts as a significant impediment to the attainment of our public health objectives. The consequences of such a conviction are
too harsh and the use of sexual assault provisions to deal with consensual sexual activities is simply not appropriate.

5.1.2 Limiting Criminalization to the Most Blameworthy Circumstances
The Committee believes that a new offence should be created in the Criminal Code to cover HIV non-disclosure cases in specific circumstances. The new offence should not be limited to HIV but cover the non-disclosure of infectious diseases in general. The Committee is of the view that people living with HIV should not be treated differently than people living with any other infectious disease.

Recommendation 2
That the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada immediately establish a federal-provincial working group to develop a common prosecutorial directive to be in effect across Canada
.
• to end criminal prosecutions of HIV non-disclosure, except in cases where there is actual transmission of the virus;
• to ensure that the factors to be respected for criminal prosecutions of HIV non-disclosure reflect the most recent medical science regarding HIV and its modes of transmission and only applies when there is actual transmission having regard to the realistic possibility of transmission. At this point of time, HIV non-disclosure should never be prosecuted if (1) the infected individual has an undetectable viral load (less than 200 copies per millilitre of blood); (2) condoms are used; (3) the infected individual’s partner is on PrEP or (4) the type of sexual act (such as oral sex) is one where there is a negligible risk of transmission.

The report is correct in one regard: that this shouldn’t be limited to HIV. However, it otherwise comes across as pretty indifferent to the real world consequences of withholding such information to a partner.

While it talks about creating a new offence, it would most likely have very minor penalties.

8. Lametti Promises To Implement If Re-Elected

The Liberals hope to address the criminalization of HIV nondisclosure if re-elected in the fall, the federal justice minister said Friday as advocacy groups pushed the government to make changes to the law.

HIV nondisclosure has led to assault or sexual assault charges because it’s been found to invalidate a partner’s consent — the rationale being that if someone knew a person had HIV, they wouldn’t consent to sexual activity because of the risk of transmission.

Advocates say the justice system lags behind the science on the issue, with a growing body of evidence saying there is no realistic possibility of transmission of HIV if a person is on antiretroviral therapy and has had a suppressed viral load for six months.

A parliamentary committee has been examining the issue for months and is expected to release a report with recommendations next week. Justice Minister David Lametti said the Liberals want to address the matter but won’t have time to act before the October election.

This misses the point. While antiretrovirals may be able to treat the person with HIV, the other person would likely still withdraw their consent anyway.

It must be noted however, that the CPC members on the committee dissented in their views.

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Twitter: Consulting Our Government Over Taxes, Privacy, Elections And Content Regulation

Twitter, just like Facebook and Google, has been meeting with public officials in the Federal Government. It would be nice to have more information beyond the blurb on the files.

Twitter information in the Lobbying Registry
https://archive.is/4pCl5

1. Developments In Free Speech Struggle

There is already a lot of information on the free speech series on the site. Free speech, while an important topic, doesn’t stand on its own, and is typically intertwined with other categories. For background information for this, please visit: Digital Cooperation; the IGF, or Internet Governance Forum; ex-Liberal Candidate Richard Lee; the Digital Charter; big tech collusion in coronavirus; Dominic LeBlanc’s proposal, Facebook and Google lobbying.

2. Twitter Lobbying Communications Reports

12 communications reports in the last few years. That means 12 separate meetings, not necessary 12 people who were lobbied. And this is just what’s on the books. There may be a lot more that wasn’t recorded.

3. Twitter Involved In Public Safety?

On May 19, Twitter representatives met with the Office of the Minister of Public Safety (which is Bill Blair’s Office). Interesting. What is the connection between Twitter, and public safety? Do certain ideas or points of view need to be censored?

4. Rempel & Twitter: Privacy, Access To Info

Michelle Rempel met with Twitter on February 5, under the heading of privacy and access to information. Getting some more specifics would have been nice. Also, isn’t this a little weird, given Rempel’s habit of blocking everyone on Twitter?

5. What Exactly Is Twitter’s Agenda?

Subject Matter Details
.
Legislative Proposal, Bill or Resolution
-Broadcasting and Telecommunications Review with regard to proposals to regulate online content.
-Income Tax Act, with regard to digital tax proposals.
-Intellectual property proposals and legislation with regard to copyright and online content.
-National Data Strategy consultations with regard to innovation, trust and privacy.
-Privacy legislation or proposals such the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) with regard to data collection, safety, and use.
.
Policies or Program
-Internet advertising policy, specifically the adoption of digital media and advertising by government.
-Working with government agencies to help them understand how to use social media during elections.

It’s quite disturbing to see Twitter meeting with officials over the regulation of online content and social media during elections. A conspiracy theorist might think that these people want to ban or limit certain topics, in order to influence general elections.

6. Michele Austin Now Works For Twitter

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-austin-87922525/
https://archive.is/3tFFV

Austin spent many years working for various Conservative/Alliance politicians, even in the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition. From February 2006 to July 2007, Austin was the Chief of Staff in the Industry Minister’s Office. At that time, it was headed by Maxime Bernier, who now “identifies” as a populist. From June 2011 to December 2012, Austin was Chief of Staff of Public Works, Status of Women, Shared Services Canada, Minister’s Office.

The Manning Center refers to the Koch-funded “conservative” think tank headed by former Alliance Leader Preston Manning. It seems that the time in the Official Leader’s Office has paid off.

A longtime political hack is now Twitter’s main lobbyist in Canada (the only one listed who spends 20% or more time lobbying). This is shocking, but not surprising.

7. Other Twitter Lobbyist Information

PAUL BURNS
https://www.linkedin.com/in/electricartist/

VIJAYA GADDE
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijaya-gadde-2864a75/

CARLOS MONJE
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-monje/

8. Reminder: O’Toole Was Facebook Lobbyist

From earlier: New Conservative Party of Canada head Erin O’Toole was a lobbyist for Facebook before getting into politics.

Worth noting: His firm, (the now defunct), Heenan Blaikie had both Pierre Trudeau, and Jean Chretien as partners at one time. Heenan Blaikie was also heavily infiltrated by the Desmarais Family.

9. Merger Between Social Media & Politics

Considering the sway that lobbyists hold over politicians, it is rather disturbing to see this happen. Politicians — or political operatives — shouldn’t be lobbying in areas of social media. Similarly, lobbyists for social media companies shouldn’t be getting into politics.

With all of this in mind, it would be nice to have detailed records and accounts of what actually goes on in these meetings. But that’s unlikely to ever happen.

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Google Lobbying: Smart Thermostats; Digital Taxes; Smart Cities; 5G Infrastructure; Content Regulation

Google has been officially registered to lobby the Federal Government since 2008. But don’t worry, it’s not like it will lead to major laws getting changed, or anything like that. Canuck Law is a serious site, and does not tolerate conspiracy theories.

1. Developments In Free Speech Struggle

There is already a lot of information on the free speech series on the site. Free speech, while an important topic, doesn’t stand on its own, and is typically intertwined with other categories. For background information for this, please visit: Digital Cooperation; the IGF, or Internet Governance Forum; ex-Liberal Candidate Richard Lee; the Digital Charter; big tech collusion in coronavirus; Dominic LeBlanc’s proposal, and Facebook lobbying.

2. Important Links

(1) https://lobbycanada.gc.ca/app/secure/ocl/lrs/do/vwRg?cno=365072&regId=897489&blnk=1
(2) https://archive.is/TaD59
(3) https://lobbycanada.gc.ca/app/secure/ocl/lrs/do/vwRg?cno=16607&regId=898683&blnk=1
(4) https://archive.is/2NNky
(5) Google’s Recent Communications Reports
(6) https://archive.is/v0jDY
(7) https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/munich-security-conference
(8) https://archive.is/VlN8K
(9) https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/who-and-rakuten-viber-fight-covid-19-misinformation-with-interactive-chatbot
(10) https://archive.is/fWfYY
(11) https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/who-launches-a-chatbot-powered-facebook-messenger-to-combat-covid-19-misinformation
(12) https://archive.is/PRIHD

3. Google And Smart Thermostats

Google is currently in talks with the Federal Government if they install energy efficient or “smart” thermostats, and potential rebates. Presumably, these rebates would be financed by tax dollars or additional debt.

4. Google Lobbying On Many Subjects

Subject Matter Details
Legislative Proposal, Bill or Resolution
-Copyright Act, in respect of amendments related to user rights and intermediary liability.
-Copyright Act, in respect of reforms to the Copyright Board of Canada
-Income Tax Act, in respect of a proposed ‘digital renovation tax credit’ for small and medium sized businesses.
-Income Tax Act, specifically expanding section 19 to cover digital advertising.
.
Policies or Program
–Broadcasting policy, specifically related to governing online content.
–COVID-19 pandemic, more specifically potential collaboration between the Government of Canada and Google on remote work practices, chatbots, community mobility reports, and network infrastructure.
-Consideration of the creation of a Government digital service, a central office to coordinate digital transformation of the Government of Canada
-Government of Canada consultation on Canadian Content in a Digital World
–Immigration and visa policies, specifically policies that will promote and maintain a highly-skilled workforce.
-Innovation policy, specifically policies or programs related to the adoption of technology by small and medium-sized enterprises.
-Intellectual Property Strategy, as it relates to intangible assets.
-Internet advertising policy, specifically the adoption of digital media and advertising by government.
-Internet policy, specifically as it relates to cyber-security and national security.
-Internet policy, specifically the implementation of policy affecting the governance of the internet.
-Policies that would encourage growth of The Toronto-Waterloo Region Corridor, an 100-km stretch that is the second largest technology cluster in North America and is a global centre of talent, growth, innovation and discovery
-Procurement policy, specifically policy related to the provision of technology services by the Government of Canada.
-Providing feedback to a Canada Revenue Agency employee on draft government communications training program
-Public service polices to create greater digital skills
-Public service policies to encourage more open government
-Taxation policy, specifically proposed changes to the taxation of technology companies.
–Technological developments related to artificial intelligence.
-Technology policy, specifically promoting the development of technological infrastructure through the Smart Cities Challenge.
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Policies or Program, Regulation
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), specifically provisions related to intellectual property and digital trade.

These are the things that Google is currently in talks with the Federal Government in order to implement.

It would be nice to have more information on what “network infrastructure” actually meant, but most people can probably guess what it is.

5. Google Lobbying Canadian Politicians

Former Facebook lobbyist, and current CPC leader, Erin O’Toole, was lobbied twice in 2018 by Google.

This is hardly an exhaustive list. Members of all parties have been lobbied for years by Google. There are some 300 communications reports listed in the Lobbying Registry.

6. WHO Partners With Social Media

WHO is working with manufacturers and distributors of personal protective equipment to ensure a reliable supply of the tools health workers need to do their job safely and effectively.

But we’re not just fighting an epidemic; we’re fighting an infodemic.

Fake news spreads faster and more easily than this virus, and is just as dangerous.

That’s why we’re also working with search and media companies like Facebook, Google, Pinterest, Tencent, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube and others to counter the spread of rumours and misinformation.

We call on all governments, companies and news organizations to work with us to sound the appropriate level of alarm, without fanning the flames of hysteria.

The World Health Organization openly admits to partnering with social media companies to “combat misinformation” related to this so-called pandemic. It was mid-February that this Munich Conference happened. On March 31, the Rakuten Viber app was launched by WHO, and on April 15, a Facebook app was set.

Misinformation, of course, is simply anything that conflicts with the ever-shifting official narrative.

7. Google Supports Free Speech On YouTube

Google demonstrates its commitment to free speech, by hiring 10,000 people to scrub videos from YouTube (which Google owns). Nothing to worry about, as only hateful and extremist content will be erased.

8. Nothing To See Here, People

Despite the vast array of subjects which Google is lobbying the Federal Government on, there is no need to be concerned. There is nothing malevolent about it. After all, Google would never lie or mislead.

In fact, social media companies are following the lead of the World Health Organization to ensure that only the official sources of information get released to the public.

Please move along.

Posted on

Ottawa, Privy Council Lobbied By Facebook, Crestview Strategy, O’Toole

Facebook meeting with the Canadian Government over legislation which is set to influence digital media. Facebook claims that many of these meetings are solicited by the Government itself.

1. Important Developments On Free Speech

There is already a lot of information on the free speech series on the site. Free speech, while an important topic, doesn’t stand on its own, and is typically intertwined with other categories. For background information for this, please visit: Digital Cooperation; the IGF, or Internet Governance Forum; ex-Liberal Candidate Richard Lee; the Digital Charter; big tech collusion in coronavirus; and Dominic LeBlanc’s proposal.

2. Important Links

CLICK HERE, for Office of the Lobbying Commissioner.
CLICK HERE, for Crestview Strategy’s mainpage.

CLICK HERE, for Facebook lobbyist, Erin O’Toole of HB firm.
https://archive.is/ennLd

CLICK HERE, for Kevin Chan’s LinkedIn page.
https://archive.is/Ngbtb
CLICK HERE, for Kevin Chan, Privy Council Office Holder.
https://archive.is/3Mwny

CLICK HERE, for Zakery Blais LinkedIn page.

3. Context For This Article

The lobbying firm, Crestview Strategy, is being covered once again. This time, it is because of Crestview’s lobbying efforts on behalf of Facebook. It’s time to show some of the secrets the public may not know about this.

It was addressed in Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, and Part 48 how Crestview Strategy was lobbying the Federal Government on behalf of GAVI, the Global Vaccine Alliance. However, Crestview has its fingers in many more pies than just the drug industry.

4. CPC Head Erin O’Toole Ex-Facebook Lobbyist

Less than a year after serving as a lobbyist for Facebook, O’Toole announced he was going to enter Federal politics.

5. Kevin Chan: Privy Council, OLO, Facebook

In the lobbying records, it is mandatory to disclose all senior officers who hold (or have held), public office. The registry lists Kevin Chan, who held several positions with the Privy Council. Interestingly, none of that appears on Chan’s LinkedIn profile.

Also, from 2009 until 2011, Chan worked for the Office of the Leader of the Opposition. At that time, it was Liberal Leader, Michael Ignatieff. Ignatieff is now a Vice-President at George Soros’ Open Society.

It’s worth pointing out the the Leader of the Official Opposition is now Erin O’Toole, who was also lobbyist for Facebook, when he worked for Heenan Blaikie.

6. Conflict Of Interest With Privy Council

As can be seen in the last section, Kevin Chan worked for the Privy Council’s Office for several years, before joining Facebook. He is now one of their senior officers.

Dominic LeBlanc is currently the President of the Privy Council. He has publicly suggested passing laws to combat “misinformation online”. In order to do this, LeBlanc would have to get social media outlets like Facebook onboard with that agenda.

It seems that Facebook Canada (using their in-house Council), has been lobbying the Canadian Government — and specifically the Privy Council — a lot in the last few years. But don’t worry, that won’t lead to a crack down on free speech or anything like that.

7. Zakery Blais Worked For AG David Lametti

His experience spans both the public and private sectors. He previously worked as a Legislative Assistant to a Canadian Member of Parliament, providing strategic political and communications advice. Prior to joining Crestview Strategy, Zakery also worked in various capacities in public affairs, including as an analyst focused on the energy and natural resources sectors.

Blais worked for a sitting MP, according to his Crestview Strategy profile, but does not identify the person. However, on his LinkedIn page, it is listed as David Lametti. Lametti was a Parliamentary Secretary at that time, but is now the sitting Attorney General of Canada.

On August 1st, Blais renewed his Crestview lobbying registration for the Gates financed GAVI. See here.

8. Jason Clark: Crestview, GAVI, Facebook

Jason holds a Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Western University, and a Master of Arts degree in International Studies and Diplomacy with a Specialization in Global Energy & Climate Change Policy from SOAS, University of London in London, United Kingdom. Jason serves on the Board of the Ottawa Bicycle Club and volunteered for several Ottawa-area Liberal Party of Canada candidates during the 2015 election campaign.

Crestview’s Jason Clark has been a lobbyist for both Facebook and GAVI. He also worked as an election volunteer for the Liberal Candidates in Ottawa for the 2015 election.

9. Chad Rogers: Crestview, GAVI, Facebook

Chad Rogers is a strategist, entrepreneur and founding partner at Crestview Strategy, a public affairs agency.
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Chad helps leaders, companies and industry associations make their case and get things approved. He has been a public opinion researcher, senior advisor to a Premier, and has served as an advisor to political party and government leaders across the globe.

Rogers was a founding partner of Crestview Strategy (as was Rob Silver, who is Katie Telford’s husband). He has also been registered as a lobbyist for both Facebook and GAVI. Interesting, however, he won’t list the Premier, but a search on LinkedIn identifies it as the 1999-2003 Government — who was led by John Hamm.

10. Crestview Strategy & Facebook Lobbyists

Although they haven’t all filed formal communications reports, it seems that Facebook always has at least 1 or 2 lobbyists on staff, ready to go

11. Everyone Should Have A License

A proposal earlier this year to make all media outlets in Canada have a license. The Government backtracked a bit when there was a public backlash.

Of course, it must be asked: where did this idea come from? Was it some bureaucrat with the CRTC? Was it Facebook and Google? Was it some other group who wants to shut down free speech?

12. Big Tech Collusion On “Pandemic”

This was addressed in another article, but it seems that social media companies are fully on board with promoting the vaccine agenda, and stamping out “misinformation” of their platforms.

13. This Doesn’t Look Like Arms Length

There is little real separation here. Lobbyists are paid to influence politicians on a variety of issues, including media, free speech, taxation, and vaccines. As such, the interests of the public are given little, if any, real consideration.

One last point: this isn’t just a Liberal problem. Crestview Strategy, and similar groups, have ties to many political parties, including the Conservative Party of Canada.

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