QP: Mendacious privacy concerns

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For the first time this week, all of the leaders were present for QP, and Andrew Scheer led off, and he decried the “intrusions” of StatsCan collecting financial transaction data. Justin Trudeau, as he did the last two days, read a script to assure Canadians that the data is anonymised, and that they are working with the Privacy Commissioner. Scheer insisted that this was an extraordinary, and Trudeau dropped the script, and insisted that privacy was being protected. Scheer tried again, ignoring that the data was anonymised, and Trudeau hit back by decrying the Conservatives’ quest to eliminate data and evidence that they find to be inconvenient. Scheer went yet again, and this time Trudeau called it an attempt to sow fear and division. Scheer raised the number of government privacy breaches that resulted in a class-action lawsuit, to which Trudeau paid had his respect for the work of the Privacy Commissioner while the Conservatives continued to play politics over it. Guy Caron was up next for the NDP, demanding web giants be taxed like is happening in the UK and Spain. Trudeau read a script about how they were reviewing the Broadcasting Act and to point out how much they have invested in the cultural sector. Caron switched tracks to complain that CRA was only after going the little guys and not major tax evaders, to which Trudeau read about the investments they’ve made in CRA to combat tax evasion. Nathan Cullen was up next to demand that outstanding by-elections be called, and Trudeau assured him that he would call those by-elections soon. Cullen tried again, and this time, Trudeau praised their new elections legislation.

Round two, and Scheer got back up, this time decrying a carbon tax plan that wouldn’t do anything for the environment, and demanded that small businesses get the same “deal” that trade-exposed sectors do (Trudeau: We’re putting a price on pollution), and noted the exemptions to New Brunswick’s coal-fired plants (Trudeau: We’re phasing these out by 2030, not 2060 like the Conservatives’ plan), and then asked about the proposal for a debate commissioner — couched in the language of gaming the election rules (Trudeau: Most Canadians didn’t see the debates last time because Harper was gaming the rules). Randall Garrison asked why the government wouldn’t alter the service records of LGBT veterans who had dishonourable discharges (Trudeau: We are trying to fix past errors), and Brian Masse lamented that it took so long for the RCMP to deal with scam CRA calls (Trudeau: We trust our security agencies to do what needs to be done to protect Canadians). Alain Rayes and Lisa Raitt returned to the StatsCan questions (Trudeau: We are ensuring that the Privacy Commissioner is engaged on this; This is fear-mongering). Jenny Kwan and Alexandre Boulerice returned to the coal-fired carbon price exemptions (Trudeau: That’s factually wrong, and they have targets to reduce pollution).

Round three saw questions on rising interest rates (Trudeau: This is a sign of a strong economy), carbon price rebates for large emitters (Trudeau: We’re showing leadership, you’re spinning tales), replacing commuter busses with Greyhound pulling out (Trudeau: We are prepared to assist to close any gaps for private sector services stepping in), the Mark Norman case (Trudeau: This is before the courts, and here’s what we’ve done for veterans), Canada Post labour disruptions (Trudeau: We have been working with employers and organised labour to do collective bargaining), Davie Shipyard contracts (Trudeau: We are working with them while the Conservatives didn’t), and pensions for United Steelworkers members (Trudeau, with script: We committee to a pan-government approach to ensure a good retirement for Canadians).

Overall, it was a reasonable day in terms of behaviour on both sides, but it was also an unfortunately standard day when it comes to how mendaciously and disingenuously questions are being posed. The Conservatives continue to promulgate this notion that the StatsCan data collection is some kind of nefarious government surveillance being done at the behest of Cabinet directive, while they also continue to outright lie about the carbon pricing policies as they relate to industrial emitters in trade-exposed sectors. And yes, I had an economist sitting next to me in QP who was incredulous at how these issues are being deliberately distorted. Of course, the problem is that Trudeau wasn’t really giving reasonable responses to any of the issues that were being raised, and he was late in calling out any of the mistruths being uttered, and even then it wasn’t really substantive in countering what as being put forward, so yet again, lies are allowed to stand on the record because this government can’t communicate their way out of a wet paper bag. Good job there, guys.

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Yvonne Jones for a black suit and a black top with a keyhole neckline, and to Bill Morneau for a tailored navy suit with a crisp white shirt and an eggplant tie. Style citations go out to Colin Carrie for a grey and black checked jacket with a white shirt, grey striped tie and light grey pocket square, and to Mona Fortier for a blue floral jacket with a black top and slacks. Special Halloween mentions go out to Gordie Hogg for a black suit and tie with pumpkin prints with a black shirt, and to Robert-Falcon Ouellette for a white suit, shirt and tie, with a red “bloodstain” pattern, while Don Rusnak brought his toddler to QP in a horse costume.

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