Roundup: Commence the negotiations

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We’re still talking NAFTA? Of course, we’re still talking NAFTA, as negotiations actually get underway today, so that’s exciting. If you need any more background (on top of what’s been said for the past several days) here’s a look at why Chrystia Freeland’s list of demands – especially around local procurement and labour mobility – might be a tough sell in the States, while the proposed chapters on gender and Indigenous issues are likely to be seen as simply expressions of the Trudeau government’s values. And while there aren’t any expectations that these negotiations will be easy, given that Trump is an Uncertainty Engine, trade experts are pointing out that Canada has more leverage than we think we do.

Meanwhile, Paul Wells had plenty to say about the past couple of days:

https://twitter.com/InklessPW/status/897422434017697792

https://twitter.com/InklessPW/status/897422919432888320

https://twitter.com/InklessPW/status/897423348501807104

https://twitter.com/InklessPW/status/897425726424702976

https://twitter.com/InklessPW/status/897426057942454272

This particular observation strikes me as so utterly unsurprising. (Seriously, MPs – you can do better):

https://twitter.com/InklessPW/status/897424893817610240

https://twitter.com/InklessPW/status/897428762215809024

And one more, because seriously:

https://twitter.com/kevinmilligan/status/897469441721552897

Good reads:

  • Justin Trudeau announced that Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will visit Canada this weekend, and they will both march in the Montreal Pride parade.
  • Canadian consulates in the US are reaching out to would-be migrants planning to cross the border in order to correct some of their ideas about refugee stauts here.
  • Jim Carr talked up the new Indigenous monitoring panel for TransMountain, while dropping hints about coming legislation about environmental assessments.
  • Now farmers are complaining about tax incorporation changes. I’m still dubious and await Kevin Milligan to weigh in.
  • It’s political fundraising data time, and this breaks down some of the impact on harder-to-trace smaller donations.
  • A few more Conservatives are starting to distance themselves from Rebel Media.
  • Kady O’Malley rates the NDP leadership candidates’ websites.
  • Here’s a long read about how one doctor became a convert to medical assistance in dying.
  • Susan Delacourt writes about the exodus from Rebel Media, along with the disavowals of those who have appeared on it.
  • Chris Selley looks at the rapidly changing attitudes to harm reduction and safe injection sites in the era of the opioid crisis.
  • My column looks at the resurgence of nostalgia for Triple-E Senate reform, and why it was always a bad idea.

Odds and ends:

The Senate Conservatives have a new chief of staff.