For the last post of 2020, it seems fitting to take one more kick at Doug Ford, whose incompetence has been responsible for the worsening of the pandemic. While Ford continues to try and blame the federal government for international travel bringing in cases – something which the evidence does not support – his mockdown full of half-measures is doing nothing about workplace spread. Case in point is that Amazon facility where some 400 cases were identified, which is a big-P Problem, and yet nothing from the Ford government about this. That’s kind of a problem – but this is Doug Ford, and when he says he’s looking out for the “little guy,” he’s talking about the business owner, not the workers.

Meanwhile, he’s not taking criticism for his failure well, and well, it shows. His “uncle Doug” schtick is failing him, and he doesn’t know what else to do. This could end very badly for all of us.

"Body Bags" isn't just a tone deaf overreaction and gaffe – it's a tell. It reveals that the populist Ford, who likes to sail past problems with "Hey folks" schtick is unprepared for the pushback that comes with the severe restrictions he must now impose #onpoli https://t.co/rGCvdqOzs9

— Scott Reid (@_scottreid) December 23, 2020

So, as Ford's forced to deal with the consequences of his inconsistent response and endure angry pushback, expect more "body bags". Populists want to be cheered. Which is what prompted him to avoid tough decisions earlier. Which, ironically, prompts such criticisms now #onpoli

— Scott Reid (@_scottreid) December 23, 2020

Programming Note: I am taking the rest of the year off of blogging, as well as there won’t be a new YouTube episode next week. Loonie Politics columns should remain unaffected. Have a safe, socially-distant holiday and we’ll see you in the New Year.

Good reads:

• Health Canada has now approved the Moderna vaccine, which doesn’t have the same freezing requirements as Pfizer’s, so rural and remote areas will now get it.
• Prime minister Justin Trudeau announced that January 8^th would be marked as a new National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters.
• The prime minister named Vice-Admiral Art McDonald as the new Chief of Defence Staff, the first from the Navy since Chrétien was in office.
• The UK travel ban has been extended to January 6^th.
• Here’s a look at how Canada Post has been dealing with the pandemic.
• The Hill Times has some in-depth reporting on the state of the renovations of the Centre Block, which has a lot more information on decisions being made.
• So it turns out Quebec has been issuing unsuitable masks to daycare workers since May, so that’s great.
• Kevin Carmichael takes issue with how certain telecom giants have been transparent (or not) about their receiving the wage subsidy or other assistance.
• Carmichael also talks to the industry minister about the government’s incoming strategy of protecting Canadian IP firms from being raided by foreign companies.

Odds and ends:

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