QP: The fiscal firepower is there

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Monday, and major news happening regarding the country’s economic fortunes, but most of the party leaders were absent — Justin Trudeau returning from an event in Toronto, and Andrew Scheer elsewhere. That left Leona Alleslev go lead off, worrying that the country was hurtling toward recession as the stock market crashes before COVID-19. Chrystia Freeland assured her that the government had the fiscal firepower to withstand any downturn and would have measures to help people affected by the virus. Alleslev falsely stated that the economy was grinding to a halt, and concern trolled about Berkshire Hathaway pulling out of a Quebec LNG project, to which Freeland assured her that the government supports the resource sector and that planned projects and those under construction were up from the previous year. Alleslev tried one more time to rail about the state of the economy, and with a very measured tone, Freeland warned her against cheap partisan shots. Gérard Deltell stood up next to repeat the question about the Quebec LNG project, and Freeland repeated that they supported resource projects and there was record private sector investment. Deltell tried again, tying in the rail blockades, but Freeland was undaunted and repeated her response. Alain Therrien led off for the Bloc, and he demanded compensation for the “collateral victims” of the railway crisis, to which a Freeland read that while the blockades did cause problems, they needed to find a lasting solution to the problem through dialogue, and that’s what they’ve been doing. Therrien demanded the government take harder actions at the border regarding COVID-19, to which Freeland explained that there is a global approach, and that they were doing everything in their power to protect Canadians. Jagmeet Singh was up next and demanded help for a Canadians who need to self-isolate, to which Freeland listed EI measures they have taken, and that they are preparing further measures. Singh then falsely claimed that the government cut healthcare to provinces, for which Freeland regaled the House with her visit to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, and that they were coordinating bulk supply purchases with the provinces.

Round two, and Pierre Poilievre accused the government of spending the cupboard bare (Fraser: This tale is based on false pretences), and Richard Martel and Stephanie Kusie returned to the Quebec LNG project (Schiefke: We are committed to working with the resource sector to ensure the best projects go forward, and this project is seeking new investors). Kristina Michaud wanted compensation for companies affected by the rail blockades (Garneau: We worked hard to solve the situation and rail services have resumed), and Luc Thériault demanded the full COVID-19 contingency plan be made public (Hajdu: We have been putting plans into place, and we will share any information as it becomes available). Alain Rayes worried COVID-19 was becoming a global pandemic and demanded travel restrictions for those coming from China, Iran and India (Hajdu: that question demonstrates that more briefings are needed because we have enhanced screening measures), Matt Jeneroux worried about the state of readiness in hospitals (Hajdu: We have been gathering information on what needs there are and we will be there for them) and demanded mandatory quarantine from those coming from high-risk areas (Hajdu: We have been taking measures under the Act). Don Davies worried hospitals were stretched too thin (Hajdu: We are conducting the work with provinces and territories), and Leah Gazan loudly read a demand that the Minister of Indigenous Services be on the COVID-19 Cabinet committee (Miller: I am on the committee).

https://twitter.com/kevinmilligan/status/1237084778907586560

Round three saw questions on the decision to include Huawei in the 5G network (Blair: We will make sure Canadians have access to 5G, and that they are safe, and I met with US officials this morning), infrastructure needs of Canadian Forces bases (Sajjan: We have been working on assessing needs, and if the previous government had invested, we wouldn’t be in the state we’re in now), travel restrictions (Hajdu: I am confident in the work of the provinces and territories), ministerial offices being renovated while other office modernizations go undone (Anand: The department identified ministers’ offices that were in need of work and did it during the recess and election per Treasury Board policy), the Chinese persecution of Uyghurs (Champagne: We have actively been engaging with the Chinese government on this issue), the Trusted Traveller programme (Blair: We are having discussions), a winery dispute with Australia (Bendayan: The minister has been working to resolve this dispute), a needle exchange in a federal prison (Blair: The prevention of diseases protects not only inmates but also correctional officers), creating sustainable jobs (Fraser: We are investing, and you should look at our infrastructure plan), self-employed workers needing to self-isolate (Freeland: We are planning for more measures).

Overall, it was a little noisier than usual in the House today because the usual Liberal clapping ban wasn’t being enforced, as they apparently felt that Chrystia Freeland needed their praise and support. I find it a little patronizing, but that does seem to be a pattern for when the clapping ban gets violated. Otherwise, I find myself annoyed at the completely economically illiterate questions coming from the Conservatives on the state of the country’s books, and how they continue to rely on the false homily of the country’s budget as a household, and while I do give some props to Sean Fraser for pushing back a little on them today, it wasn’t enough, because there are more than enough arguments to be made about how bond rates are below inflation and that gives the government room to make new spending without imperilling the country’s fiscal position, but apparently that sounds too wonkish, or something. Also, props to Patty Hajdu for prefacing one of her responses that apparently there needed to be more briefings because of the problematic questions that the Conservatives were asking when it comes to demands for more border measures.

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Seamus O’Regan for a tailored navy suit with a crisp white shirt, black and navy tie and patterned pocket square, and to Mélanie Joly for a dark blue jacket with a black top and slacks. Style citations go out to Kirsty Duncan for a very eighties bright red dress with structured sleeves and a sewn-on gold chain collar, and to Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay for a black suit and tie with a nearly-fluorescent blue shirt. 

4 thoughts on “QP: The fiscal firepower is there”

  1. Is it any kind of official clapping “ban”?

    • The caucus has been instructed not to clap, and usually they follow those orders. Today was not one of those days, however.

  2. Liberal never push back on the Con self serving{not for Canadians| “questions” in the house. I can’t understand why they wear kid gloves with that band of liars.

    • It’s the “Sunny ways” philosophy or Michelle Obama’s, “when they go low we go high”. It bugs me too because the Democrats do the same. Neither the Cons nor the Canadian Bernsheviks of the NDP have any real policies or facts to speak of, just relentless BS and over-the-top hatred and character assassination of one man, and it is unfortunately effective to some extent. Plain to see the Liberal caucus and PMJT are giving Mme. Freeland a preliminary boost for when the torch is eventually passed. I think she’s great, especially because Putin and Trump both hate her guts, but I am really going to miss PMJT when he does depart. 🙁

      That said, it would probably be better for his overall well-being were he to eventually seek out a less stressful position where he is appreciated for his contributions (I really can see a U.N. position in spite of his protestations that he would return to quite private life). Moreover, he would completely pull the rug out from under the irrational, deceitful populists of the Con right and the dirtbag left. After all, where would the likes of Kamikaze Kudatah Kenney and Jagmeet Sanders pull their support from if not for Trudeau derangement syndrome?

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