Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough

What Winter?

Team Wilkins just returned from a most productive and action-packed few days in Ottawa where we were blessed to see a lot of folks!  (Yes, get ready for some heavy name dropping…)

But first, we have to confess to being a bit bitter about the perfect, warm sunny weather in Ottawa – and almost total lack of snow – that had nearly everyone in town boasting about the most "mild" winter they could recall. 

When we were there, Ottawa missed record snowfalls by just inches, and the sidewalks didn't show themselves until mid-April. 

Gets us thinking that perhaps Mother Nature is a bit biased toward the new US Ambassador from Chicago and has re-routed all that white stuff toward the Deep South – home of the former US Ambassador….

Deporting Diplomat 

We were proud to be at the historic Chateau Laurier on Tuesday for US Ambassador David Jacobson's excellent speech to the Canadian Club.  Jacobson provided an insightful update on upgrades and ongoing improvements at the US-Canada border.

And of course, Ambassador Jacobson heaped praise on Canada for its wonderful Winter Olympic Games and gave credit where due for pulling out a heart-stopping win in men's hockey.  And being the great American the Ambassador obviously is, he also dutifully announced that the US is "deporting Sidney Crosby."

We were very honored to sit with Dawson Hovey, as well as his son Tristan, at the BMCI table and see so any old friends including Tom Creary, Peggy Morgan, Mobeen Khaja, Jacques Shore, Howard Mains, Goldy Hyder, Greta Poole, Kerry Patterson-Baker, and a number of colleagues from US Embassy Ottawa.  

It was also wonderful to chat with the lovely and gracious wife of the US Ambassador, Julie Jacobson. 

Power Play

It just wouldn't be a trip to Ottawa without a stop by Centre Block at Parliament Hill where Tom Clark and his illustrious crew set up shop each weekday for CTV's Power Play.  Ambassador David Wilkins made a special guest appearance this week with none other than the Honourable John Manley – president and CEO of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives. 

With anti-NAFTA rhetoric once again rearing its ugly head in the Lower 48, Wilkins and Manley had much to say about protecting and enhancing free trade and the US-Canada relationship and guarding against the dangers of protectionism. 

It was great to see journalists extraordinaire and regular CTV contributors The Sun's Greg Weston and The Star's Tonda MacCharles.   

And speaking of power players, Wilkins paid visits while in town to friends Tom d'Aquino, Tom McDougall, Ministers Jim Prentice, Gary Lunn and Vic Toews, and talked business with David Luxton.  

And it's always a good day when we get to see Ministers Rob Merrifield and Tony Clement and Senator Mike Duffy. 

Good Government

Team Wilkins was honored to be invited to a special event sponsored by the Fraser Institute featuring Preston Manning who gave a presentation on what it takes to effect "good government."

Our very good friend Laura Peck, vice president of McLouglin Media, served as the evening's host. 

Mr. Manning certainly draws an impressive group of folks interested in bettering government including Minister Rona Ambrose, House Leader Jay Hill and his wife Leah Murray, Barry McLoughlin, and Blair Dickerson. 

And how can it not be a good day when you get to spend time with Manny and Joanne Montenegrino, Monty and Deb Solberg, Lisa Samson, and Nigel and Judy Hannaford. 

Politics and the Pen

Ottawa put on its finery and was out en masse at the Chateau Laurier Wednesday evening celebrating the 10^th anniversary of the Writers' Trust of Canada Politics and the Pen event.

Anne McLellan and Jay (white tie) Hill did an outstanding job corralling the rowdy A-list crowd featuring diplomatic dignitaries, politicos, and journalists far too numerous to keep count.

Team Wilkins was beyond honored to sit with the gracious and always good-humored Laureen Harper and Transport Minister John Baird, and to reconnect with friends like Minister Stockwell Day and his wife Val, Minister Lisa Raitt, and Speaker Peter Milliken. 

And while we just can't begin to comment on everyone who was there (because everyone looked terrific and we'll for sure leave someone out) it was great to see some of our favorite scribes including Bob Fife, Rob Russo, Susan Delacourt and Brigitte Pellerin Robson.

Canadian Waves

After a business breakfast with Porter Air President and CEO Bob Deluce and Chief Counsel Lorna Counsell, and with mild temps in Ottawa putting most folks in a "summertime spirit" we couldn't help but remind our Canadian friends that thanks now to Porter Airlines all of you can now come on down to see us so much easier!

As you no doubt have heard, Porter is making twice-weekly Toronto to Myrtle Beach, SC runs through the end of May. 

So no excuses! See ya'll soon.