Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly’s department is paying a Washington lobbyist US$85,000 (apx. CA$121,764) a month to manage “outreach to government officials,” records show.
The confidential contract signed Wednesday, per Blacklock’s Reporter, followed Joly’s claim she had deep influence with the White House.
“All discussions between client personnel and Checkmate Government Relations LLC will be kept confidential,” said the contract with Checkmate, an American lobbyist.
The firm was hired February 5 by the Council of the Federation amid ongoing threats of tariffs on Canadian exports.
Joly’s office did not comment. The Department of Foreign Affairs would not say why it could not manage its own “outreach to government officials.” The department has 12,800 employees and a $7.6 billion annual budget.
“The nature and method of performance of the contract will include strategic counsel and outreach with regard to government relations activity within the United States,” wrote Checkmate.
“This may include relevant outreach to government officials, non-government organizations and other individuals within the United States. Additionally it may include dissemination of information materials.”
American lobbyists would “provide government relations services by engaging and facilitating communications with U.S. officials and decision makers and, as necessary, non-government organizations and other individuals within the United States,” it said.
“It is understood that Checkmate Government Relations will use its best efforts.”
Joly had claimed Canadian diplomats enjoyed privileged personal relationships in Washington.
“We have a relationship that goes deep at different levels of American society,” she told reporters on November 5.
“We have an approach that is very broad and I think we’re very unique in the world.”
“We have the strongest and I think the most important relationship as a country with the United States. My job this time around was to talk with many foreign ministers and leaders around the world about the United States.”
“What are you doing to ensure you won’t be caught off guard?” asked a reporter.
“It’s the strength of experience,” replied Joly, who later claimed personal contact with White House insiders.
“I have been in contact with many key influencers within the Trump administration,” she said November 8.
The foreign minister said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also enjoyed a direct, eye-to-eye relationship with President Donald Trump.
“We know that when it comes to the Trump administration what is fundamental is the relationship with the President himself,” said Joly December 2.
“That’s why it was important for Prime Minister Trudeau to go to Mar-a-Lago, to sit down with President Trump, to be able to have a conversation by looking both in the eye and to be able to address difficult topics but also possible solutions.”
“That’s exactly what Prime Minister Trudeau has done.”
The prime minister later acknowledged Trump did not take his phone calls for two weeks while threatening to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canadian exports.
“It’s been since the inauguration that I’ve been reaching out to speak with Donald Trump,” Trudeau told reporters February 1.
“What does it tell you about your relationship?” asked a reporter.
“We will continue to be there,” replied Trudeau.
