Mackay defends $2M cost of Halifax defence forum
Minister highlights opportunity for industry
OTTAWA — As hundreds of delegates descend on Halifax for a fifth annual global security conference, Justice Minister Peter MacKay is defending the cost of the $2-million event that includes his wife and former chief of staff among the list of esteemed speakers.
Media relations for the Halifax International Security Forum, which was renewed for another five years this week to the tune of $9.8 million, are also being handled by MacKay’s former director of communications.
Something of a taxpayer-funded family affair for the Central Nova MP, whose hometown also benefits economically, he made no apologies Friday for what has become a pet project he took on while defence minister with the help of people like his former chief of staff John MacDonell.
“What we have now is 300 influence-makers from 50 different countries, from security backgrounds, diplomatic backgrounds. We have ambassadors, ministers. We have a lot of folks from the military,” he said in an interview with Postmedia News, adding the conference — which also counts U.S. Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel, Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon and French Defence Minister Francis Delon among its delegates — was actually “oversubscribed” this year.
“Being able to bring the discussion here, in addition to exposing Canada to the perspectives of these world leaders, it also brings those world leaders right here to our backyard to bring about a greater understanding of our own security challenges.”
According to conference organizers, speakers are not paid to participate but the forum will sometimes provide travel and accommodation assistance to “ensure the highest-
“What we have now is 300 influence-makers from 50 different countries.”
JUSTICE MINISTER PETER MACKAY
quality discussions occur on Canadian shores.”
MacKay said the inspiration for bringing the conference to Halifax came from his attendance at similar forums in Munich and Brussels. But those, he added, focused more on Europe and the United States and having it here is a way to boost Canada’s “visibility” and “credibility on the world stage.” It’s also an opportunity to showcase Canadian industry and he expects defence ministers will have an opportunity to visit the Irving shipyard where Canada’s Arctic patrol vessels are being built.
“It’s hard to put a price on it but I just met with about 25 industry representatives from Atlantic Canadian businesses that are very interested in opportunities to interface with other countries and representatives,” he said. “Companies like Composite Atlantic, IMP Aerospace. Companies that are doing really innovative work right here in Atlantic Canada and making great contributions to the global supply chain.”
Besides a jam-packed agenda that includes a five-kilometre run with Defence Minister Rob Nicholson, as well as dozens of on and off-record discussions on subjects like terror- ism, cybersecurity, the Middle East, energy security, nuclear disarmament, the crisis in Syria and the war in Afghanistan, the event is known as an opportunity for productive bi- lateral discussions that take place quietly in the corridors and around the dinner table.
As for the cost, which is covered jointly by National Defence and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, this year’s event has seen a boost in private sector funding and MacKay hopes the forum will eventually be self-sustaining.