From Blacklock Reporter
Health Dep’t Pays For Praise
Health Minister Patricia Hajdu’s department is paying people to say nice things about it on Twitter and Facebook. The department yesterday said it will pay minor celebrities to tout its work “as a trusted source of health information†on social media after being faulted for pandemic mismanagement.
“Targeted audiences will be determined by each influencer,†the department wrote in a notice to contractors. Twitter stars would be paid to “build the department’s credibility†and must not “tarnish Health Canada’s or the Government of Canada’s reputation.†So-called “influencers†will be paid by the hour plus expenses. No budget was detailed.
“Digital influencers are defined as people who have built a reputation for their knowledge and expertise on a specific topic,†said the notice Influencer Marketing Programs. “They make regular posts about that topic on their preferred social media channels and generate large followings of enthusiastic, engaged people who pay close attention to their views.â€
Influencers do not have to disclose they are paid to tweet enthusiastic messages in support of the department and its Public Health Agency. Payments are intended to “increase knowledge of Agency policies or programs.â€
Parliament in 2004 created the $675 million-a year Agency as a pandemic preparedness unit. An internal 2020 audit disclosed management from the outbreak of Covid-19 saw “confusion,†lacked “skills and expertise,†had “limited public health expertise†and “no clear understanding†of how to compile essential data.
“Some of the challenges observed throughout the response are recurrent issues,†said the audit Lessons Learned From The Public Health Agency Of Canada’s Covid-19 Response. The audit prompted the resignation last September 18 of the Agency’s $273,700-a year president, Tina Namiesniowski.
The Agency in an earlier January 14 notice acknowledged it required advice from outside experts despite Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s boast that Canada was “among the best prepared countries in the world†when Covid struck.
“The complexity of the work is very high,†wrote management. “Given the evolving situation and outbreak projections, the Agency requires the services of a public health expert.â€
The Prime Minister at the outbreak of the pandemic March 11, 2020 said Canada was fully prepared. “We are pulling out all the stops to make sure Canadians stay safe, healthy and supported,†said Trudeau. “Canada is among the best prepared countries in the world to respond to the situation we are facing.â€
The Agency at the time had 2,300 employees. It has since doubled its staff to “a total of approximately 5000,†managers wrote in a submission to the Senate national finance committee.
“The Agency’s priority is to ensure we are responding to and are prepared for various waves and changing requirements of the pandemic, including preparing for public health events in the future,†wrote management. “This is why we are continuously adapting and learning.â€
Health Dep’t Pays For Praise
Health Minister Patricia Hajdu’s department is paying people to say nice things about it on Twitter and Facebook. The department yesterday said it will pay minor celebrities to tout its work “as a trusted source of health information†on social media after being faulted for pandemic mismanagement.
“Targeted audiences will be determined by each influencer,†the department wrote in a notice to contractors. Twitter stars would be paid to “build the department’s credibility†and must not “tarnish Health Canada’s or the Government of Canada’s reputation.†So-called “influencers†will be paid by the hour plus expenses. No budget was detailed.
“Digital influencers are defined as people who have built a reputation for their knowledge and expertise on a specific topic,†said the notice Influencer Marketing Programs. “They make regular posts about that topic on their preferred social media channels and generate large followings of enthusiastic, engaged people who pay close attention to their views.â€
Influencers do not have to disclose they are paid to tweet enthusiastic messages in support of the department and its Public Health Agency. Payments are intended to “increase knowledge of Agency policies or programs.â€
Parliament in 2004 created the $675 million-a year Agency as a pandemic preparedness unit. An internal 2020 audit disclosed management from the outbreak of Covid-19 saw “confusion,†lacked “skills and expertise,†had “limited public health expertise†and “no clear understanding†of how to compile essential data.
“Some of the challenges observed throughout the response are recurrent issues,†said the audit Lessons Learned From The Public Health Agency Of Canada’s Covid-19 Response. The audit prompted the resignation last September 18 of the Agency’s $273,700-a year president, Tina Namiesniowski.
The Agency in an earlier January 14 notice acknowledged it required advice from outside experts despite Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s boast that Canada was “among the best prepared countries in the world†when Covid struck.
“The complexity of the work is very high,†wrote management. “Given the evolving situation and outbreak projections, the Agency requires the services of a public health expert.â€
The Prime Minister at the outbreak of the pandemic March 11, 2020 said Canada was fully prepared. “We are pulling out all the stops to make sure Canadians stay safe, healthy and supported,†said Trudeau. “Canada is among the best prepared countries in the world to respond to the situation we are facing.â€
The Agency at the time had 2,300 employees. It has since doubled its staff to “a total of approximately 5000,†managers wrote in a submission to the Senate national finance committee.
“The Agency’s priority is to ensure we are responding to and are prepared for various waves and changing requirements of the pandemic, including preparing for public health events in the future,†wrote management. “This is why we are continuously adapting and learning.â€
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