Some of the lobbying at the Federal level has been published in earlier pieces on this site. However, this is not true at the Provincial level. The question that has to be asked is whether lobbying is playing a role in getting various Premiers to support the vaccination agenda.
The answer is yes, or at least it certainly looks like it. This article will focus on Alberta, now headed by Jason Kenney. Others will be addressed subsequently. Kenney is blatantly pro-vaxx, and people have to ask who is pulling the strings for this agenda.
Clearly, Wellington Advocacy and Counsel Public Affairs are not the only 2 groups lobbying the Alberta Government. But they are both very prominent.
Also noteworthy is that Kenney is a former Cabinet Minister in Stephen Harper’s Government. He is a twice-attendee of the Bilderberg meetings. Kenney has powerful connections.
1. Jason Kenney Wants Mass Vaccination
(From March 30, 2020 public announcement)
Jason Kenney, like the Federal Government, and other Premiers, supports the agenda for mass vaccination. Unlike the Feds, though, Kenney hasn’t (so far) said that it will be mandatory, but we will have to see what becomes of it.
EDMONTON — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended his government Tuesday after Alberta’s premier suggested Ottawa is dragging its feet on approving potential screening devices and treatments for COVID-19.
On Sunday, Jason Kenney tweeted that he had directed staff to consider using tests, vaccines or medications “that have been approved by the high standards of at least one credible peer country’s drug agency.”
That of course is just a clip from a broader article. Point is, Kenney seems on board with vaccinations. He doesn’t want Ottawa potentially slowing it down.
2. Wellington Advocacy, ex-PMO Staffers
What we do
Wellington Advocacy helps you build, run and win campaigns.
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After a decade of working alongside Stephen Harper on the campaign trail and in office, our team is uniquely positioned to help you build government relations strategies, digital campaigns, stakeholder coalitions and blueprints to run.
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Government Relations
Our team will work with you to build and deliver a concise and compelling presentation to government. Drawing on vast public policy and government experience, we ensure the right people hear your message at the right time.
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Digital
Finding and winning over an audience is central to any successful campaign. We know how to identify and engage audiences and will help you build a bespoke digital strategy to capture the attention you need to deliver your message.
This lobbying firm was with Stephen Harper for more than a decade, and even played a role in the PMO (Prime Minister’s Office). They brag about having influence. Now, they lobby (current) Alberta Premier Jason Kenney. Keep in mind, that Kenney was Immigration Minister for much of his time in Harper’s Government. All of this reeks of a conflict-of-interest.
Wellington.1.Registered.Office.and.Directors
wellington.2.articles.of.incorporation
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Wellington.4.notice.of.return.filed
According to the Lobbying Registry of Alberta, Wellington Advocacy has lobbied the Alberta Government 53 times since May 2019. While certainly not all of their clients are drug companies, several of as late, are.
DATE
LOBBYIST
CLIENT
SENIOR OFFICER
23-Apr-2020
Wellington Advocacy Inc.
Triple M Housing
Nick Koolsberge
23-Apr-2020
Wellington Advocacy Inc.
Spartan Bioscience Inc
Nick Koolsbergen
19-Apr-2020
Wellington Advocacy Inc.
AMD Medicom Inc
Nick Koolsbergen
22-Mar-2020
Wellington Advocacy Inc.
Bayshore Healthcare LTD
Nick Koolsbergen
22-Mar-2020
Wellington Advocacy Inc.
Shoppers Drug Mart
Nick Koolsbergen
3. Counsel Public Affairs, Inc.
Healthcare
Our team has extensive experience working across the health care sector, from hospital operations and broader health care industry governance, to service providers and product manufacturers, and to the regulated health professionals who support the system. Counsel has advocated on behalf of doctors, nurses, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies, medical device manufacturers, healthcare associations and patient groups on a wide range of mandates.
LOBBYING
Engaging decision makers with a powerful, persuasive and fact-based position is the key to success. With decades of experience working at all levels of government, we know how to effectively bridge the gap between those inside and outside of the political sphere to find solutions for your most important issues.
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POLICY DEVELOPMENT
We know how government weighs options, evaluates impacts, and makes choices. We understand the policy process and how your organization can intervene effectively. We’ll help to ensure the facts are laid out, your case gets in front of the right people, and the policy implications are clear.
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STAKEHOLDER AND INFLUENCER ENGAGEMENT
Skilled and targeted stakeholder management involves both recruiting allies and minimizing opposition. We can help you identify, track, and influence stakeholders.
Their LinkedIn page is filled with countless examples of Counsel Public Affairs attempting to control political narratives. Members have ties to many political parties, so they really are playing all sides.
11-Apr-2020
Counsel Public Affairs Inc.
Emergent BioSolutions Canada Inc. (formerly Adapt Pharma Canada Ltd.)
Philip Dew
Counsel does have offices in other provinces, and connections to many political parties.
4. Registered Lobbying Reports
24-Apr-2020
AstraZeneca Canada Inc.
Jane Chung
23-Apr-2020
Wellington Advocacy Inc.
Triple M Housing
Nick Koolsbergen
22-Apr-2020
Stosic & Associates Ltd.
Mint Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Aleksandar Stosic
16-Apr-2020
Becton Dickinson Canada Inc
Gregory Miziolek
16-Apr-2020
Hill + Knowlton Strategies
3M Canada Company
Sheila Wisniewski
15-Apr-2020
Global Public Affairs
Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation
Randy Pettipas
15-Apr-2020
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.
Christian Macher
11-Apr-2020
Counsel Public Affairs Inc.
Emergent BioSolutions Canada Inc. (formerly Adapt Pharma Canada Ltd.)
Philip Dewan
09-Apr-2020
Lundbeck Canada Inc.
Peter Anastasiou
09-Apr-2020
Rothmans, Benson, & Hedges
Peter Luongo
07-Apr-2020
Pfizer Canada ULC
Cole Pinnow
07-Apr-2020
Merck Canada Inc.
Anna Van Acker
06-Apr-2020
Alberta Pharmacists’ Association
Margaret Wing
01-Apr-2020
Janssen Inc.
Jorge Bartolome
This is of course not an exhaustive list of who has been lobbying the Government in Alberta. Nor is health the only topic that gets lobbied for.
But it is interesting to see how many interested parties are coming forward. And “interested” refers to those who will be able to make money off such a vaccine or other remedy. When there is a lot of money at stake, people must always be wondering who is possibly pulling the strings.
One thing seems clear though: the Alberta Government won’t be waiting around for Ottawa to make a decision. Whether AB ultimately decides to go the route of mass vaccinations is unknown. However, there are companies who would profit greatly from it.
It also can’t be understated the conflict of interest that arises when lobbyists — many of whom have ties to government officials — start lobbying those officials on matters that are not in the best interests of the people. Much like Crestview Strategy and many more, Wellington Alliance and Counsel Public Affairs rely on their personal connections to pass initiatives that their clients pay for.
(1) https://www.wellingtonadvocacy.com/
(2) http://archive.is/0x8cN
(3) https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-curran-a99258109/
(4) http://archive.is/lchjs
(5) https://counselpa.com/strategic-communications/
(6) http://archive.is/tBPaJ
(7) https://www.linkedin.com/company/counsel-public-affairs-inc-toronto-ontario/
(8) http://archive.is/r5Qg6
(9) https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/we-won-t-wait-kenney-says-alberta-may-use-covid-19-tests-treatments-approved-by-other-countries-1.4896121?cache=yes%3FclipId%3D89680%3FclipId%3D373266%3FclipId%3D89680%2F5-things-to-know-for-thursday-october-31-2019-1.4663743
(10) http://archive.is/M1FOy
(11) https://www.albertalobbyistregistry.ca