After news that the prime minister was in self-isolation after his wife was sick, and Jagmeet Singh also stated that he was self-isolating after feeling “unwell,” the business of parliament carried on. Andrew Scheer led off, mini-lectern on desk, and he gave his best wishes to the PM — for which he got applause — and then demanded more “decisive action” and claimed that passengers arriving from Italy were not screened, ignoring the pertinent information that everyone was screened before they were allowed to board. Chrystia Freeland addressed all Canadians to trust in the advice of medical experts, that things will get worse for it gets better, and that we are well prepared. Scheer raised potential shortages around equipment like ventilators, to which Freeland stated that the federal government was leading a bulk national procurement effort and they were working together with provinces and territories. Scheer lamented the lack of mandatory screening, quarantines or travel restrictions and demanded the evidence for those decisions. Freeland gave a bromide about our public health system, and assured him that enhanced measures were in place, and that they were following the advice of science. Alain Rayes demanded a plan to prevent large public gatherings, and Freeland repeated her first assurance for all Canadians in French. Rayes then demanded more “concrete measures” for workers who lose their jobs as a result of the outbreak, and Freeland read the changes to EI and promise for new measures as necessary. Christine Normandin led off for the Bloc, and after wishing the PM well, she demanded more resources for border screenings, for which Freeland addressed the PM’s situation, that he wasn’t sick but waiting for his wife’s results. Normandin again demanded “real” screening measures, and Freeland again read that they were following all public health advice. Peter Julian led off for the NDP, and again demanded that every worker who has to self-quarantine gets financial resort, to which Freeland reiterated the $1 billion COVID-19 package and that they were rolling out new measures. Rachel Blaney repeated the question with added condescension, to which Freeland calmly repeated the same response.

https://twitter.com/robert_hiltz/status/1238169023449268224

Round two, and Leona Alleslev raised the WHO’s COVID-19 strategy and what steps were being made to take them (Hajdu: We have already been undertaking these measures, and we will report more as time goes on) and wondered about tele-work for federal employees (Duclos: Treasury Board has directives so that when the time is right, they will be triggered), Pierre Paul-Hus reiterated the plane from Italy story and a demand for tighter measures (Blair: We are following the advice of public health officials and have enhanced screening) and a near-demand to take measures like Trump’s flight ban (Blair: We are in regular contact with our allies and international partners, but we have enhanced screening measures), and Matt Jeneroux was concerned about hospital supplies (Hajdu: I had a conversation with our provincial partners this morning and have authorized $500 million for new measures as needed), and demanded more measures to reduce the spread (Hajdu: We have technical guidance to support the provinces in decisions under their areas of jurisdiction). Stéphane Bergeron demanded a contingency plan to reassure the population (Hajdu: We provide technical briefings to critics every day, and we are considering expanding those), and Claude DeBellefeuille worried there weren’t enough screenings at borders (Blair: We have implementing new enhanced screening measures), Caroline Desbiens worried about festivals who need to cancel (Joly: I have had good conversations with tourism ministers, and are having another teleconference). Rosemarie Falk, Gérard Deltell, and John Barlow railed about the Globe story on Cabinet divisions on Teck Frontier (Wilkinson: We are seeing declining demand and increasing supply, and plan to work with the province; There is some revisionist history going on here). Niki Ashton and Charlie Angus demanded more COVID-19 action for First Nations (Miller: We are continuing to work to a long-term situation, and are exploring options like temporary isolation facilities and more staff as needed, and money is not an issue).

Round three saw questions on a prison needle exchange (Blair: Prevention and treatment of infectious diseases protects prisoners and correctional officers, and appropriate safeguards are in place; We are piloting new programmes based on the input of those officers), the PBO’s estimates on unspent retaliatory tariffs (Fraser: We will work with industry and additional compensation could be delivered over the next two years), EI processing times for quarantined workers (Qualtrough: We have taken immediate measures to deal with the COVID-19 threat and will consider additional benefits), increasing provincial health transfers (Hajdu: Health transfers have increased since we took office and we made the additional $500 million announcement for the immediate situation), investment in the energy sector (Fraser: We lifted a million people out of poverty), a bail case (Lametti: We introduced legislation to fight crime efficiently and fairly), missing laptops and tablets in a department (Fillmore: If you actually read the report,you would see only seven, not 200 were missing, and we are tracing them), an amusement park paddle boat captain’s license (Garneau: I am aware and please be patient while I consider the situation), mandatory minimum sentences (Lametti: We rely on facts and evidence and give judges the ability to assess sentences), approved questions on the 2021 short-form census (Bains: We have asked StatsCan the best ways to obtain quality information), compensation for Newfoundlanders who lost wages in the snow storm vis-à-vis the current pandemic (Qualtrough: We are determined to support workers through the COVID-19 crisis), and the veterans disability backlog (MacAulay: We have received a 90 percent increase in first applications and we have invested $10 million in the department).

Overall, the day was only slightly less pathetic than it was yesterday, both because the Conservatives were 24-hours behind the actual news cycle, but also the fact that they couldn’t let any of the petty bullshit go, particularly around that Globe and Mail story about which Cabinet ministers were against Teck Frontier. The project was never going to go ahead, even if it had been approved, because oil prices were too low to make it viable, and they have only plunged lower since. The continued need to make Teck Frontier some kind of symbol is both stupid and short-sighted, and will do more to drive off investment than it will to encourage it, because it sets up impossible expectations for those companies in the face of market signals that show that these projects are not viable. I will add that I was surprised that we didn’t get more demands to replicate Trump’s travel ban than the near-demand we got from Pierre Paul-Hus, but the demands for “real action” were not met by forceful enough reinforcement from the government that they are taking the right measures that were advised by public health officials, and that they are not over-reacting because that can make things worse, such as people who circumvent travel bans and then don’t report to pubic health officials so that they don’t get caught. This is serious stuff, and the government needs to get punchier in their responses rather than bland reassurances, which is their usual modus operandi. Their inability to communicate effectively is a real problem in this kind of a situation. 

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Tracy Gray for a navy jacket and skirt and black top, and to Matt Jeneroux for a navy suit with a dark grey waistcoat, white shirt and purple patterned tie. Style citations go out to Gerald Soroka for a navy suit with a pale yellow shirt and a reddish-brown patterned tie, and to Rosemarie Falk for a gold dress with white florals with a black sweater. Dishonourable mention goes out to Cheryl Gallant for a mustard yellow dress with a black sweater, and to Monique Pauzé for a mustard yellow jacket with a black top and slacks.