This post reports on the presence this week of tobacco and nicotine interests at the Canada Strong & Free Network (CSFN) Conference held in Ottawa.
The CSFN is a political advocacy group established twenty years ago by Preston Manning as the Manning Centre for Building Democracy, but was given a new name in 2025. Its relationship with Canada's Conservative Party is described as "interlocking", with board members including former federal cabinet ministers (Joe Oliver) and political advisors (Ray Novak, Kate Harrison).
The CSFN hosts two networking conferences each year -- billing them as "exchanges of ideas and best practices and fulfilling our mission of facilitating exchanges and stronger relationships amongst the conservative movement’s various components."
This year's conference features presentations by tobacco industry agencies (Frank Silva, Imperial Tobacco), industry-sponsored agencies (Consumer Choice, Maria Papaionnou, Rights4Vapers) and individuals (Ian Irvine) and nicotine apologist (David Sweanor).
On yesterday's agenda, Imperial Tobacco's CEO was scheduled to introduce a talk on "Why Liberalism Failed" shortly after a panel discussion with vaping advocates: "Common Sense Policies that Let Adults Be Adults."
The presence of tobacco-nicotine industry spokespeople and strategists in this spring's conference is noteworthy in the context of the federal election in which the event falls. In previous meetings Imperial Tobacco has sponsored refreshments (October 2024; April 2024) and Rights4Vapers has also sponsored previous meetings, as has the Vaping Industry Trade Association. This year's agenda appears to be the first in which this industry has been promoted to the front of the room.
The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control imposes requirements on governments to protect public health measures from tobacco industry interference, and offers guidance on how to implement this obligation. Health Canada recently published guidance for federal employees, but has refrained from offering recommendations to political agencies (or other levels of government).
The Article 5.3 guidelines are based on the principle that there is a fundamental and irreconcilable conflict between the tobacco industry's interests and public health interests. They call for accountability and transparency on the part of government and the industry. Health Canada has failed to impose on the industry any reporting requirements on political sponsorships or related expenditures.
The cozying up between nicotine manufacturers and politicians and political advocacy groups that took place this week in Ottawa is not illegal. But it is a discouraging sign for those who have previously relied on pan-partisan support for tobacco control.
The CFSN has proposed an answer to Canada's Conservative Party on the fundamental political question of "whose side are you on?" There are 17 days left for this and other parties to provide a clear answer to this question.
