Roundup: An important first report

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While everyone was focused on Jane Philpott’s attempt to claim that the provisions in the garbage Reform Act weren’t met as it regards her expulsion from caucus, a much more important event was taking place, which was the release of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians’ first public report. This is the first time that Canada has seen any kind of public oversight into our national security and intelligence services, and it was important to see. One of the things that they focused in on was the oversight of military intelligence operations, for which the military thanked them for their suggestions on improving governance, but balked at the proposal for a legislative framework.

Nevertheless, the expert in this stuff is Stephanie Carvin, so I will turn over the reactions to her (full thread starts here):

https://twitter.com/StephanieCarvin/status/1115716056247676929

https://twitter.com/StephanieCarvin/status/1115717071185301504

https://twitter.com/StephanieCarvin/status/1115717072657502210

https://twitter.com/PhilippeLagasse/status/1115678714291871746

https://twitter.com/PhilippeLagasse/status/1115683292928299008

https://twitter.com/PhilippeLagasse/status/1115688317452935168

Good reads: 

  • Justin Trudeau reiterated that he’s suing Andrew Scheer for libel because he wants to drive home the message that falsehoods have consequences. 
  • Chrystia Freeland told the Senate foreign affairs committee that despite the current trade difficulties with China, our countries still have deep ties.
  • Patty Hajdu wants the Canadian Human Rights Commission to examine how micro-targeted job postings on Facebook can be used to discriminate. 
  • Dominic LeBlanc says that the budget implementation bill will eliminate the last federal barrier to direct-to-consumer alcohol sales.
  • Also in the budget bill are provisions to give additional tools to fight unlicensed immigration consultants.
  • The budget bill provisions aimed at preventing asylum shopping are being denounced by refugee groups (particularly given the state of refugee claims in the US).
  • Here are some facts and context around the $12 million Loblaws is getting for their carbon reduction plans (which is not coming from carbon tax revenues as is being claimed).
  • The Parliamentary Budget Officer says that like the provinces, the territories also reduced their infrastructure spending as the federal government transferred more dollars to them.
  • The bulk of the riding association in Markham-Stouffville resigned in protest over Jane Philpott’s ouster from caucus.
  • Conservative MP Rob Nicholson has decided not to run again this fall.
  • Kevin Vickers looks set to be acclaimed as New Brunswick Liberal leader.
  • Here’s a look at how Jason Kenney used Quebec Separatism as a template for his attempt to foment anger in Alberta.
  • Rachel Notley testified by video at a Senate committee, telling them to scrap the west coast tanker ban bill (and the testimony was a bit of campaigning as well).
  • Susan Delacourt has some difficult existential questions for parties when they seem to serve little point in reasonable debate and are weak links for cyber-security. 
  • Chris Selley notes that the resurrection of the Reform Act in the current debate shows just why it was always a doomed proposition from the start.
  • Heather Scoffield is unimpressed with the omnibus budget implementation bill and the things the Liberals are cramming in it in the dying days of this parliament. 
  • My column parses just what qualifies as a maverick MP in our system, why they’re important, and whether Wilson-Raybould of Philpott qualify. 

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