QP: Concern trolling about the media

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While the PM was off to Calgary to sell his fiscal update, Andrew Scheer was absent yet again. Alain Rayes led off, proclaiming that the government was racking up “record” deficits (not sure that’s correct), and demanded a plan for a balanced budget. Bill Morneau insisted that they did have a plan for growth and investment, and that the level of debt was the best in the G7. Rayes tried a second time, and got the same answer. Pierre Poilievre got up next, and said that the Morneau was trying to rewrite history from his deficit promises. Morneau got up and said that Poilievre was repeating buzz-words from first-year economic textbooks, while his government was getting results with growth. Poilievre then concern trolled that the government was buying off the press, to which Morneau said that journalism was vital democracy and they were trying to help the sector in a manner that was independent. Poilievre stated that the government thinks that journalists should shower then with praise, to which Morneau replied that it was insulting to think that journalists could be bought off. Guy Caron was up next for the NDP, decrying the tablet of back to work legislation for Canada Post, to which Morneau said that they tried to get a deal but the economy was starting to suffer. Caron railed that this was a gift not only to Canada Post but also EBay and Amazon, and Morneau responded with some pabulum about supporting small businesses. Karine Trudel and Irene Mathyssen further denounced the move on back-to-work legalisation, to which Patty Hajdu listed the ways they tried to get to a deal, and that the legislation may still give room for bargaining while getting the workers back to work.

Round two, and Gérard Deltell returned to demanding a balanced budget (Morneau: Same pabulum), Tom Kmeic denounced help for the media instead of helping energy workers (Fillmore: Investments will be handled by an independent panel), Phil McColeman decried the media investments instead of new supports for veterans (Fillmore: This conspiracy theory is insulting to the intelligence of Canadians), Dean Allison posited the issue of media vs steel and aluminium tariffs (Lametti: We have the backs of the sector), Luc Berthold posited the issue of media versus Supply Management (Fillmore: Same response), and Michelle Rempel said the government was buying off Jerry Dias, whose union represents journalists (Fillmore: Your government supported the Canadian Periodical Fund). Pierre Nantel railed that not taxing web giants was the real problem hurting media (Fillmore: The Minister consulted with stakeholders to design the programme), and Peter Julian decried the fiscal update as handing gifts to CEOs (Morneau: Our approach has made an enormous difference to Canadians). Stephanie Kusie accused the government of trying to rig the next election (Gould: Our bill will ensure more Canadians can vote and puts safeguards against foreign interference), and Peter Kent and Jacques Gourde concerns trolled about the Statistics Canada data collection project (Lametti: The project will not move ahead until privacy concerns have been addressed). Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet and Sheri Benson decried inadequate help for Indigenous housing (Vaughan: We have acted swiftly, and thousands of Canadians now have housing).

Round three saw questions on fighter jet procurement (Sajjan: We will not neglect our NATO and NORAD obligations ), Cabinet confidences (Goodale: That question is exactly the reason why this House has rules around matters that are sub judice), coerced sterilisation of Indigenous women (Philpott:It’s incomprehensible that this could happen, and we are working with stakeholders across the country to ensure this message gets through), Inuit housing conditions (Vaughan: The signed significant agreements with the Territorial governments), a Quebec environmentalist being given a government position (McKenna: We need to tackle climate change and you have no plan), drug shortages (Petitpas Taylor: Drug shortages are a complex global problem and we are working with partners to get a result), CRA’s unequal treatment (Lebouthillier: We are investing in a tax system that is fair), investments for Quebec (Morneau: We are focusing on jobs across the country, and it’s important to invest in Canada and Quebec), and a question about GHG emissions (McKenna: We have a serious plan to tackle climate change after a decade of inaction).

Overall, while it was nice to see Morneau be a bit sharper in some of his replies than just simply mouthing pabulum, but while there is plenty that he could say to defend his fiscal update that was of substance, he sticks to platitudes, which is part of this government’s perpetual problem. Meanwhile, the Conservative tactic of the day was to frame everything in contrast to the tax credits the government was extending to media, which they characterized as the government “buying off” the media in an election year. The most insulting part was they would say this, then look up to the press gallery for our reaction, and one particular MP made eye contact, shrugged, then stood up to read another of those attacks. So yeah. That was fun. And while sure, the responses from the government would denounce these as conspiracy theories and to suggest that it’s insulting to the media to suggest that they can be bought off, this kind of barking to the base is hard for anyone to counter because no matter your response or lack of response, you’ll be accused of being bought off, so thanks for that. You’re real peaches.

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Bill Morneau for a tailored dark grey suit with a crisp white shirt and a purple tie, and to Stephanie Kusie for a black jacket and top with black leather pants. Style citations go out to Bardish Chagger for a black dress with orange and yellow florals, and to Ahmed Hussen for a black suit with a faded cranberry shirt and a red tie. Dishonourable mention goes out to Kevin Waugh for a black suit with a yellow shirt and a brown and yellow tie.

One thought on “QP: Concern trolling about the media”

  1. Why would the Liberals have to bribe the media when the Conservatives are convinced that any positive news about the progress of the government is FAKE?
    Here is my old song…how long is it going to take for a Liberal to stand up and recite the Harper deficits year by year to shut them up? Maybe the Liberals are waiting until the campaign.

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