Originally aired Thursday, March 30
The 2023 Federal Budget was tabled in the House of Commons on Tuesday. This was the third budget from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland since taking the role in 2019. Weeks of signaling and speculation set the stage for a budget that features affordability measures, health and dental care expenditures, and makes what the Minister calls “transformational” investments in clean technology, while keeping spending at sustainable levels. How has Freeland been able to balance these priorities? How will Canadians respond? Listen to our live analysis and review of Budget 2023.
Moderator
Beth Palmer
Principal, Earnscliffe Strategies
Beth is a policy and public affairs expert with over a decade of experience in the Canadian innovation ecosystem. With a focus on science, research and technology policy, she has deep expertise in advancing knowledge economy issues through legislative processes and in securing real-world results for clients.
Prior to joining Earnscliffe, Beth worked in the post-secondary education sector, as a senior public affairs official at the University of Waterloo, McMaster University and the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities. She also has a background in federal politics, where she served as a policy lead on digital economy files.
Beth has served on the Boards of various non-profit organizations in Ottawa and Waterloo for the past decade, including Planned Parenthood, the Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre and SHORE Centre. She holds a PhD in Canadian history.
Bud Locklear
Principal, Earnscliffe Strategies
With over 30 years of public policy and international relations experience in both the United States and Canadian governments, Bud is a results-oriented team player with the proven ability to motivate and lead. His professional expertise includes climate, energy, environment, trade, and defence issues, as well as space and innovation policy. Prior to joining Earnscliffe, Bud served as Special Advisor for Energy and Environment at the United States Embassy in Ottawa. For over two decades Bud provided expert advice and analysis to decision-makers at the Embassy, U.S. Consulates General across Canada, and to officials in Washington D.C. on developments in Canadian economy, government, and society with an emphasis on climate, energy, environment, and trade issues. During his tenure at the embassy Bud worked extensively with Canadian federal and provincial government officials to achieve mutually beneficial solutions across the border.
Elly Alboim
Principal, Earnscliffe Strategies
Elly Alboim leads Earnscliffe’s strategic communications, where he brings almost four decades of experience to his knowledge of public policy, communications and media.
Elly has provided advice on some of the most important issues in recent Canadian history to federal cabinet ministers, departments and agencies, including Environment, Finance, Health, Human Resources Development, Indian and Northern Affairs, Industry, Justice, Heritage (Multiculturalism), Natural Resources and Treasury Board. He provided communications and public opinion research advice for 9 federal and two Ontario budgets and was a senior advisor to Paul Martin during his tenures as Finance Minister and Prime Minister. Over the years, he has also provided communications and media advice to 24 federal government departments and agencies.
He has been active during federal and provincial election campaigns, including membership on election steering committees for Mr. Martin and Kathleen Wynne, the premier of Ontario. He has run debate preparations for Liberal leaders Paul Martin, Stephane Dion, and premiers Dalton McGuinty and Kathleen Wynne.
Elly has also advised some of Canada’s leading private sector companies and industry associations including advice on mergers and acquisitions and managing integrated advocacy campaigns. Further, he is an accomplished focus group moderator and interviewer, and has designed and analyzed numerous quantitative research projects. He specializes in elite interview projects on public policy and reputational issues.
Elly worked as a journalist for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation from September 1970 to September 1993, having acted as the Parliamentary Bureau Chief for CBC Television News and the National Political Editor for the network. He won one Gemini and was nominated for four others for his work in Special Events coverage. Elly is also a tenured Associate Professor of Journalism at Carleton University, having taught there since 1980, as well as having taught at Concordia University’s Graduate Studies Program in the mid-eighties. He also teaches government communications at the Queen’s University School of Policy Studies. He has been a Member of the Board of the Canadian Journalism Foundation and a member of the CJF’s Executive Committee. He has also been a member of the Board of the Institute on Governance. He was a member of the Journal Oversight Committee of the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Elly received his B.A. in Honours Sociology from McGill University and his M.Sc. in Journalism from Columbia University.
Laura Kurkimaki
Principal, Earnscliffe Strategies
Laura brings substantial experience in public affairs, campaigns, and advocacy. She supports clients in a wide range of industries including financial services, agriculture, energy, environment, cannabis, and health.
Prior to joining Earnscliffe, Laura served in several roles with federal and provincial Conservative parties, including at Conservative Party headquarters and as an Issues Manager in the Prime Minister’s Office. Most recently she was Principal Secretary to former Conservative Party Leader and Leader of the Official Opposition, Hon. Erin O’Toole, and served as Deputy National Campaign Manager for the Conservative Party of Canada during the 2021 federal election
Laura is a member of the board of governors at Laurentian University. From 2018-2022, she served as an elected member of the Ontario PC Party Executive as 8th Vice President. In 2017, she was named one of PR in Canada’s Top 40 Under 40.
Laura holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s degree in Political Management from Carleton University.
Melanie Richer
Senior Consultant, Earnscliffe Strategies
Mélanie Richer is a Strategic Communications Senior Consultant at Earnscliffe Strategies. With eight years of experience in federal and provincial politics, Mélanie specializes in strategic communications, crisis management, media relations and training.
Prior to joining Earnscliffe, Mélanie worked as the director of communications and media for a federal opposition party and leader. She led communication and media relations strategies, worked with the leader and spokespeople to persuasively communicate with media, and acted as the primary crisis management lead. She has served as the communications and media lead on tour for political leaders in federal and provincial elections.
Mélanie leverages her experience in understanding communication and media challenges by working on a solution that is tailored for each client, to help them better communicate and quickly solve problems. Mélanie earned an Honours Bachelor of Communications – Public Relations from the University of Ottawa and is a graduate of the Public Relations program at Algonquin College.
