Roundup: Getting called out by your deputy minister

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This government’s problems with cleaning up the culture of sexual misconduct in the military continues to roll along, and the calls are definitely coming from inside the house. In the latest installment, the deputy minister of National Defence has taken to the radio waves to point out that the government didn’t make an effort to push the military on implementing the Deschamps Report, who wound up treating it like a kind of checklist that they could do the bare minimum with rather than actually implementing the systemic changes that it called for. This shouldn’t be a surprise, given everything we know, but the fact that the deputy minister is saying this is damning.

We also got another harrowing tale of harassment, and retribution when the civilian employee who was subjected to it complained. This isn’t a surprise given the culture, and as the piece points out, one of the reasons she was targeted is because she upset the status quo – which is part of why the military made a conscious effort not to really implement the Deschamps Report, because it called for systemic changes, and that is a definite upset of the status quo. That the government didn’t really recognize this or push back against it is an indictment.

Which brings me back to the key point – that the government, and in particular the minister, needs to wear this. The deputy minister called him out. That’s not good. And part of the problem is also that Sajjan was part of that culture, which is may explain why he was either blind to the problems, or was fine with not actually bothered that they weren’t upsetting the status quo. It’s one of the reasons why actual civilian control of the military is so important, and we haven’t had that under Sajjan. Regardless, this is his problem to wear, and he needs to take actual ministerial responsibility, and offer his resignation. There is no other option.

Good reads:

  • Justin Trudeau called out Belarus for its attack on democracy when they diverted a plane in order to arrest a journalist, and is threatening to impose more sanctions.
  • For the anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, Trudeau recommitted to fighting racism, but won’t comment on issues like defunding police.
  • The federal government is preparing to deploy military and Red Cross health workers to Manitoba, given the critical situation in the province.
  • Moderna deliveries continue to be behind, but they are not yet in breach of contract.
  • The Star talks to Switch Health, who is administering a lot of tests for returning travellers, and how they have ironed out most of their growing pains.
  • A soldier who called on fellow military personnel to reject vaccines is now facing mutiny charges.
  • The pandemic is delaying ship construction, but officials have no idea yet how much the timelines have been affected.
  • Here is a longer read on the state of the MSM blood deferral period, and where things are with the research projects geared toward eliminating the period.
  • The Information Commissioner has singled out Citizenship and Immigration for their constant abuses of the Access to Information system.
  • The Americans are ramping up their complaints about Supply Management.
  • Bill C-15 on UNDRIP passed the Commons at third reading, with Conservatives opposing it (along with one Green MP, citing it not being strong enough).
  • The Commons also voted for the Bloc’s motion saying it’s irresponsible to trigger a pandemic election (with only Derek Sloan voting against).
  • Senator Mike Duffy reaches mandatory retirement today, and his parting words to the Chamber were to complain about having his pay suspended.
  • Here’s a recounting of the latest spat between Senators Plett and Dalphond.
  • Susan Delacourt remarks on the fact that while Justin Trudeau could head to the G7 leaders’ meeting in the UK, but should not skip quarantine when he gets home.
  • Paul Wells offers a lengthy reflection of Justin Trudeau’s thinking around Quebec, and his particular moves around Legault’s Bill 96.
  • My latest Xtra column talks to Bardish Chagger about her role as minister of diversity and inclusion, and the role of the LGBTQ2 Secretariat.
  • My column looks at what will need to happen when the federal negotiations on long-term care happens, in order for proposed national standards to have meaning.

Odds and ends:

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