Roundup: Waiting for details on Tuesday

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As things are being finalised, the government has said that they will announce the final details for the Syrian refugee plan on Tuesday – including full costs – leaving some to wonder about the government’s communications strategy throughout the whole thing so far. It’s true that in most cases, the ministers ‘ offices still haven’t been staffed yet and it’s making it difficult for them to effectively handle their media requests. It’s also worth asking if it’s entirely fair to criticize them for waiting until there were actual announcements before they went ahead and announced them, instead of giving a bunch of half-answers that could change because things haven’t been finalized. John McCallum did note yesterday that many of the details that have been leaked to the media are outdated, so as to manage the expectations around them. It does seem a bit odd to be demanding answers that don’t exist yet, or that to keep harping on the self-imposed deadline rather than to acknowledge that there is a process being followed – and one that has been relatively transparent in terms of what we’ve come to expect over the past decade, where you have ministers talking almost daily about aspects of what’s going on, where we can see the heads of CSIS and the RCMP meeting with said cabinet ministers and talking to the media about issues related to the refugees (including giving blanket reassurance that no, the security screening is not an issue despite what concern trolls may say), and where we can see the tenders going out as the military looks to rapidly winterize some of their facilities. All of this is being done in the open. Do we have all of the answers right now? No. But we have constant updates as to process and as of Friday, a date when the answers will be given. That’s not something we would have seen from the previous government, so it’s worth giving credit where credit is due.

Good reads:

  • The Liberals economic and fiscal update showed a $3 billion deficit projected for this year. Stephen Gordon crunched the numbers and is suspicious.
  • Maurice Velacott is supporting the NDP court case about satellite offices, as he has his own dispute to argue with the Board of Internal Economy over per diems.
  • Trudeau’s style or substance abroad, versus the Conservatives’ new “tone” on tough issues. Discuss.
  • The commander of CFB Trenton is worried about all of those civilians on base (assuming they go to Trenton).
  • It remains to be seen if we’re going to make these refugees pay for their own airfare with government loans (which is current policy).
  • Here’s a reality check on our climate change promises to date, and what the Paris conference means for Canada.
  • The government is delaying approval of letting Davie Shipyard convert a leased freighter into a military supply ship, leading to questions of rival interference.
  • The Supreme Court of Canada has said that Alberta doesn’t need to print and enact its laws in both official languages.
  • Susan Delacourt looks at the Canada-US relationship under Trudeau.
  • Tabatha Southey writes about all of the people spreading fear of refugees doing ISIS’ work for them.

Odds and ends:

Here’s the Conservative critic list, which includes a defeated MP as the Atlantic issues critic, and Jason Kenny chairing a Shadow Cabinet committee. (Huh?)

Retired general Andrew Leslie got the Chief Government Whip portfolio.

Here’s a look at Rona Ambrose getting the keys to Stornoway, and her spouse talking about his new role.