Roundup: The data for the debunking

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I love a good takedown of some tired talking points, and lo, we have another doozy. You know how Andrew Scheer’s whole schtick and electoral campaign strategy is that carbon pricing makes life unaffordable for people because it drives up costs? This is the narrative he’s pinning his fortunes on, and lo, we find more data that it’s simply not true. Data from Alberta, which implemented its carbon tax two years ago, found that the inflation levels weren’t any different from other provinces, meaning that carbon taxes didn’t drive up prices. Mind you, having data won’t stop Scheer’s carousel of lies, because lying to people to make them angry is what he thinks is going to win him the election (and it might), but it’s still a lie, and we have yet more proof that it’s a lie.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that the other side isn’t being sloppy with its own messaging. Rachel Notley is trying to go after Jason Kenney talking about tolls, but she undermines her own arguments for a carbon tax because it’s the logic works the same way. But that’s the attempt at populist messaging for you. Unfortunately.

Meanwhile the Yukon has come up with their carbon pricing system, which involves a certain level of rebates, with higher levels to those in remote areas – something that is of particular concern for those living in any of the Territories.

Good reads:

  • At the conclusion of the Cabinet retreat, there were mixed messages between the glowing talk of the economy and turbulence in our foreign relations.
  • Justin Trudeau also noted that the government is working diplomatic channels to ensure the safety of the other Canadian who has gone missing in Burkina Faso.
  • Trudeau then held another town hall in Sherbrooke, and he got plenty of questions on immigration and dairy farmers.
  • While China has been making threats of repercussions if Huawei is banned, any decision on that is still months away (at the very least).
  • Bill Blair hopes to make his recommendations to Cabinet regarding a possible handgun ban within the next two weeks.
  • John McCallum told MPs that now isn’t the time for Trudeau to call the Chinese president, and that China is still safe for most Canadians to visit.
  • A First Nations-owned company is looking to help recycle plastics and turn bitumen into “pucks” that will be easier, cheaper, and safer to transport.
  • Other First Nations leaders want Criminal Code changes to make it easier for there to be casinos on reserves, but the government doesn’t sound too keen.
  • After the Supreme Court decision on expat voting, Elections Canada has ensured they will accept votes in the upcoming three by-elections.
  • Unconfirmed reports suggest that the daughters of a Pakistani woman acquitted of blasphemy are now in Canada.
  • Two men from Ivory Coast have been arrested in connection with the extortion attempt on Tony Clement.
  • Conservative MP Harold Albrecht has suffered a minor stroke.
  • Another long-time Conservative MP, Larry Miller, has opted not to run again.
  • Jagmeet Singh is talking about how unified his caucus is…which is usually the sign that another MP is going to bolt.
  • With the new Bloc leader, Yves-François Blanchet, now in place, Éric Grenier crunches the Bloc’s polling data to see if they can still find relevance.
  • Martin Patriquin gets his own kicks in about the Brexit gong show hurting the cause of Quebec sovereignty because it shows the realities of separation.
  • Andrew Coyne (correctly) notes that Karen Wang’s only real crime was engaging in the kind of ethnic politics that all parties engage in, but doing it out loud.
  • My weekend column looks at calls for Theresa May to prorogue Westminster to get Brexit through, while wondering why Trudeau never did undertake one.

Odds and ends:

https://twitter.com/InklessPW/status/1086334372611936256

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