US embassy cable - 05OTTAWA1504

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 OTTAWA 001504 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE 
 
SECSTATE FOR ECA/PE/V/R/W - EWILKES-SCOTT; 
WHA/PDA - JCARPENTER; WHA/CAN - TBREESE; 
MONTREAL, TORONTO, CALGARY AND VANCOUVER FOR CGs and PAOs 
QUEBEC and HALIFAX for CGs 
CALGARY please pass to WINNIPEG 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO, OEXC, SCUL, CA, IV Program 
SUBJECT: FY 2006 International Visitor Leadership Program 
for CANADA 
 
 
1.   SUMMARY:  This cable transmits the Mission's FY 2006 
International Visitor Leadership Program slate.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
2.  The Mission Canada International Visitor Committee, 
composed of principal officers of Canada's seven constituent 
posts and Embassy Minister-Counselors for political, 
economic and public affairs, chaired by the Charg, met via 
digital videoconference on May 2nd to select Canada's slate 
of nominees for the FY 2006 program.  The twenty-eight 
 
principal candidates and twelve alternates represent 
emerging leaders from all of Canada's consular districts, 
from seven provinces and territories, from government, 
media, law enforcement, think tanks, higher education 
institutions, corporations, and non-profit organizations. 
Eleven of the principal twenty-eight candidates are visible 
minorities, twelve are women. Their proposed programs will 
support six priority Mission Performance Plan priorities. 
 
3.  Nominating bio-data will be submitted via separate 
cables in EVDB format.  The post looks forward to 
collaborating with ECA/PE/V colleagues to offer them the 
kind of up-close, stimulating and balanced experience in the 
United States that has given past grantees a multi- 
dimensional, richer view of the United States. 
 
4.  The nominees below have full country team approval. 
 
5.  Canada's FY 2006 International Visitor nominees follow, 
grouped by relevant Mission Performance Plan Themes. 
Numbers at left indicate ranking. Those ranked numbers 1 to 
28 are principal candidates, and 29 to 40 are alternates. 
 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
MPP THEME:  PREVENTION AND RESPONSE TO TERRORISM 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
1 - Qi WANG, Analyst, Borders Task Force, Privy Council, 
Government of Canada.  Requested program: EU RP U.S. FOREIGN 
POLICY CHALLENGES, OCT 10-28, 2005 
 
5 - Steve RAI, Sergeant, Vancouver Policy Department. 
Requested program: MRP INTERNATIONAL CRIME ISSUES, JUNE 29- 
JULY 20, 2006 
 
3 - Wade KELLER, Senior Producer, ATV news, Halifax, Nova 
Scotia.  ITT on Public Policy Issues and the U.S. Broadcast 
Media, with Kacey Wilson. (tbc) 
 
22 - Kacey WILSON, Host/Producer "Today So Far", CJOB 68 
Radio, Winnipeg.  ITT on Public Policy Issues and the U.S. 
Broadcast Media, with Wade Keller. (tbc) 
 
26 - Joe COUTO, Director, Government Relations, Ontario 
Association of Chiefs of Police.  Requested program:  EU RP 
Combatting Trafficking In Persons, June 4-23, 2006 Or EU RP 
Combatting International Crime, September 25-October 13, 
2006 
 
27 - Arnold CHAN, Executive Assistant to the Premier of 
Ontario.  ITT on Current Economic, Political, Security, and 
Social Issues 
 
Alternate: 
 
30 - Baraladei IGALI, President, Igali Foundation Inc., 
Vancouver.  MRP International Security Issues, AUG 2-24, 
2006 
 
--------------------------------------------- 
MPP THEME:  INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK PROTECTION 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
11 - David MORLEY, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the 
Minister of State for Infrastructure and Communities, 
Ottawa.  ITT on Infrastructure Development and Protection, 
with Isabelle Hudon. 
 
20 - Stephen LASKOWSKI, Assistant Vice President, Ontario 
Trucking Association.  ITT on Ground Transportation Safety 
and Planning 
 
25 - Robert KROEKER, Director of Commercial Vehicle Safety, 
British Columbia Ministry of Solicitor General. ITT on 
Ground Transportation Safety and Planning 
 
--------------------------------------------- - 
MPP THEME:  CLOSE TIES WITH ALLIES AND FRIENDS 
--------------------------------------------- - 
2 - Yolande JAMES, Member of Quebec Legislative Assembly - 
ITT on Current Economic, Political, Security, and Social 
Issues 
 
8 - Navdeep BAINS, Member of Canadian Parliament, Liberal 
Party.  ITT on U.S. Policymaking Process, with MP Nathan 
Cullen. 
 
10 - Nathan CULLEN, Member of Canadian Parliament, New 
Democrat Party.  ITT on U.S. Policymaking Process, with 
Navdeep BAINS. 
 
12 - Paul BLACK, Research Officer, Office of the Leader of 
the Opposition, Government of Nova Scotia.  ITT on Current 
Economic, Political, Security, and Social Issues 
 
15 - Josee VERNER, Chair, Quebec Caucus of the Conservative 
Party of Canada.  ITT on Current Economic, Political, 
Security, and Social Issues 
 
24 - Tara BINGHAM, Special Assistant to Member of Canadian 
Parliament Belinda Stronach.  ITT on Current Economic, 
Political, Security, and Social Issues 
 
Alternate: 
 
33 - David SALVATORE, Legislative Assistant to Member of 
Canadian Parliament Solberg.  ITT on Current Economic, 
Political, Security, and Social Issues 
 
------------------------------------- 
MPP THEME:  SECURE AND STABLE MARKETS 
------------------------------------- 
 
9 - Derek BROWN, Executive Director, Resource Development 
and Geoscience Branch, British Columbia Ministry of Energy 
and Mines, Oil and Gas.  Individual Program on U.S. Energy 
Policy 
 
13 - Ryan CRAIG, Chief of Staff, Office of the Mayor of 
Winnipeg.  ITT on Current Economic, Political, Security, and 
Social Issues 
 
14 - Adrienne BATRA, Manitoba Director, Canadian Taxpayers 
Federation.  EU RP on Trade and Economic Development 
(pending acceptance). 
 
17 - Isabelle HUDON, President and CEO, Board of Trade of 
Metropolitan Montreal.  ITT on Infrastructure Development 
and Protection, with David Morley. 
 
18 - Marie-France CHARBONNEAU, Political Attache, Bloc 
Quebecois Cabinet, Ottawa.  ITT on Current Economic, 
Political, Security, and Social Issues 
 
 
19 - Peter GREGG, Vice President, Corporate Communications, 
Hydro One, Toronto.  Individual program on U.S. Energy 
Policy and Security. 
 
23 - Barry McNamar, Assistant Director for Development, The 
Fraser Institute, Calgary.  EU RP Trade And Economic Issues 
- MAY 8-26, 2006 
 
Alternate: 
 
31 - Alexander LOFTHOUSE, Policy Advisor, Trade and 
International Policy, Ontario Ministry of Economic 
Development and Trade.  Individual Program on U.S. Trade and 
Security Policies 
 
------------------------------------ 
MPP THEME:  ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 
------------------------------------ 
 
4 - David Neufeld, MANAGER, Water Policy, Ontario Ministry 
of the Environment.  Individual Program on U.S. 
Environmental Protection and Water Management 
 
28 - Letia COUSINS, Director, Aboriginal and Circumpolar 
Affairs, Government of Nunavut.  Individual program, theme 
to be confirmed. 
 
Alternate: 
 
34 - Allan SCHOLZ, President, A.N. Scholz and Associates, 
Calgary.  Individual program on U.S. Water Policy and 
Management. 
 
 
---------------------------------------- 
MPP THEME:  INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC OPINION 
---------------------------------------- 
 
6 - Ahmed MAHIDJIBA, President, Algerian Cultural Center, 
Montreal.  Individual program on Role of Religious 
Communities in U.S. Society 
 
7 - Peesee PITSIULAK, Campus Director, Nunatta Campus, 
Nunavut Arctic College.  Individual program on Educational 
Policy for Minority Populations 
 
16 - Patrick GILLES, Cultural Community Organizer, Quebec 
Liberal Party - ITT on Multiculturalism in the U.S. 
 
21 - Tracey THOMAS, Coordinator of Student Recruitment, Nova 
Scotia Community College - ITT on Multiculturalism in the 
U.S. 
 
Alternates: 
 
29 - Robert SMALL, Non-profit Manager and Program 
Development, Portland Hotel Society, Community Services 
Society, Vancouver.  MRP on Substance Abuse, Education, 
Treatment And Prevention, Nov 10-Dec 1, 2005 
 
32 - Carmen MOORE, Chief of Protocol, Government of the 
Northwest Territories.  Individual program, theme tbd. 
 
 
35 - Zarina Mulla, Social Planner, City of Vancouver Drug 
Policy Program.  Individual or group program on Drug Abuse 
Prevention, Education and Treatment. 
 
End of nominee list. 
 
----------------------------------- 
6.   Proposed Canada group programs 
----------------------------------- 
 
A)  Current Economic, Political, Security and Social Issues 
 
This proposed project, for provincial and municipal 
politicians and political aides, representing several 
parties, would develop grantees' understanding of the 
workings of the U.S. political and economic policy-making 
system; federal/state/local relations; 
legislative/executive/judicial checks and balances; U.S. 
policies and public views on security and defense; 
international trade policies, especially those that affect 
Canada; health care and social security debates; energy 
policy; and environmental protection and conservation.  The 
project would be structured so that grantees participate in 
10 days of common programming, then split into smaller 
groups to pursue specific interests in the remaining 5 
program days. 
 
Proposed group members: 
 
--Yolanda James, Member of Quebec Legislative Assembly 
(Liberal); 
--Paul Black Research Officer, Office of the Leader of the 
Opposition, Government of Nova Scotia (New Democratic 
Party); 
--Josee Verner, Chair, Quebec Caucus of the Conservative 
Party of Canada; 
--Marie-France Charbonneau, Political Attach, Bloc 
Quebecois Cabinet, Ottawa; 
--Tara Bingham, Special Assistant to Member of Canadian 
Parliament Belinda Stronach (recent Liberal); 
--Arnold Chan, Executive Assistant to the Premier of Ontario 
(Liberal); 
--Craig Ryan, Chief of Staff, Office of the Mayor of 
Winnipeg 
 
B)  Ground Transportation Safety and Planning 
 
This project would better acquaint two players involved in 
supporting Canada-U.S. trade via truck to overall U.S. 
security policies, U.S. border security concerns, regulation 
and implementation, including both northern and southern 
borders, ground transportation safety measures, 
 
infrastructure planning and funding, and broader border 
security measures, such as container inspection, 
bioterrorism countermeasures, and marine security 
cooperation. 
 
Nominees: 
 
--Stephen Laskowski, Assistant Vice President, Ontario 
Trucking Association; 
--Robert Kroeker, Director of Commercial Vehicle Safety, 
British Columbia Ministry of Solicitor General 
 
C)  Infrastructure Development and Protection 
 
This project would focus on the political, financial, 
environmental, and social aspects of infrastructure 
development in urban areas and at key U.S. border crossings. 
One nominee is a public sector manager, the other a business 
association leader.  The program would emphasize the 
positive interaction between the public and private sectors 
in the United States to identify priorities, stimulate 
investment, and implement infrastructure projects that 
support economic growth, safety and well-being of citizens. 
 
Nominees: 
 
--David Morley, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the 
Minister of State for Infrastructure and Communities, 
Ottawa; 
--Isabelle Hudon, President and CEO, Board of Trade of 
Metropolitan Montreal 
 
D)  U.S. Policymaking Process (security, economic, 
environmental issues) 
 
This project would acquaint two first-term Members of the 
Canadian Parliament to the policy-making system in the 
United States, through discussions with federal, state and 
local government leaders and officials, experts, lobbyists, 
media, labor organizations, and interest groups on security, 
economic and environmental issues that matter in the U.S.- 
Canada relationship.  Specific topics will be determined in 
consultation with invitees, once approved. 
 
Nominees: 
 
--Navdeep BAINS, Member of Canadian Parliament (Liberal) 
--Nathan CULLEN, Member of Canadian Parliament (New 
Democratic Party) 
 
E)  Multiculturalism in the U.S. 
 
This project would acquaint two leaders of multicultural 
communities with U.S. ideals and practice in celebrating the 
diversity of our society.  Themes might include immigration 
policy and integration of new immigrants; business 
development among minorities and government policies in 
support of women- and minority-owned businesses; education 
and training opportunities for minorities; integration and 
language issues in schools; promotion of diversity in the 
workplace; the Haitian-American community and its role in 
aiding Haiti; African-American community leadership and 
culture; US promotion of religious tolerance and freedom at 
home and abroad; cultural institutions celebrating 
indigenous people, immigrants, and minorities. 
 
Nominees: 
 
--Patrick Gilles, Cultural Community Organizer, Quebec 
Liberal Party; 
--Tracey Thomas, Coordinator of Student Recruitment, Nova 
Scotia Community College 
 
F)  U.S. Public Policy Issues and the Broadcast Media 
 
This program would acquaint two emerging broadcast 
journalists with major public policy debates in the U.S. and 
how they are covered in the broadcast media.  Through 
meetings with federal executive, legislative and judicial 
branches, state and local governments, NGOs, industry and 
professional associations, and naturally, their counterparts 
in U.S. media organizations, they would gain insights into 
how the differing views of Americans merge in the policy- 
making process.  Specific issues on which they might focus 
include U.S. Homeland Security (e.g. balancing security 
measures with privacy and civil liberties concerns); U.S. 
Trade Policy (e.g. commitment to free trade, positions on 
agricultural trade distortions in world markets, U.S. trade 
remedies as applied to Canada-U.S. softwood, wheat and hog 
trade); Energy and Environmental Policy (respective 
contributions of energy companies, auto companies, 
alternative energy researchers and producers, nuclear power 
proponents, conservationists, public utilities, and NGOs), 
Prescription Drug Trade, or the Social Security Debate. 
 
Nominees: 
 
--Wade Keller, Senior Producer, ATV news, Halifax, Nova 
Scotia 
--Kacey Wilson, Host/Producer "Today So Far", CJOB 68 Radio, 
Winnipeg 
 
7.  EVDB nominating cables will follow.  Post looks forward 
to Washington approval of nominees and to working with 
ECA/PE/V/R/W and group project officers in designing and 
implementing the FY 2006 Canada International Visitor 
Leadership Program, the beneficiary in past years of the 
expert planning and dedication of Washington program 
officers and program agency colleagues. 
 
DICKSON, CHARGE