QP: Quoting Joël Lightbound

Posted on by

It was an unusual morning, where one of the Liberal backbenchers, Joël Lightbound, decided to torpedo his status as rising star and held a press conference to slam the government’s handling of vaccine mandates, and mouthing a bunch of the same talking points about “divisiveness” that Candice Bergen has been spouting of late. Naturally, every one of the opposition parties was bound to pick up on this and hit the government with it as hard as they possibly could. In the Chamber, most of the leaders were present in person, Jagmeet Singh excepted. Candice Bergen led off, script in front of her, and she raised Lightbound’s concerns and selectively quoted Dr. Theresa Tam, and demanded and end to public health measures (never mind that most of them are provincial). Justin Trudeau acknowledged that people are tired of lockdowns, but Canadians were united in doing what needed to be done to beat the pandemic by following the science. Bergen listed countries with fewer restrictions and demanded an end to them in Canada, and Trudeau repeated that they follow science and that there was a less severe impact than in most of those other countries because we did the right thing. Bergen pandemic one final plea for freedom, and Trudeau doubled down on following science and note their work with premiers to bring in the measures that saved lives, before needling the Conservatives about their support for the occupiers outside. Luc Berthold took over in French to again quote Lightbound to decry “divisiveness,” and Trudeau repeated his points about following science and not politicising it. Berthold screamed that Trudeau was not answering the question, and Trudeau made a pitch for vaccination to end the pandemic.

Yves-François Blanchet rose for the Bloc, praised the injunction that silenced the occupation, and praised Quebec City’s handling of their protesters, but seemed to ignore that the Ontario government should have a role here. Trudeau said that he would speak with the mayor later in the day, and that they need to show solidarity in getting through the challenge. Blanchet then raised Lightbound before demanding more health transfers for the provinces, and Trudeau reminded him that summits with premiers are not held with the Bloc, before listing investments over the past two years.

Jagmeet Singh appeared by video to raise the blockades at two other border crossings, and Trudeau insisted that they were in touch and supplying resources, before calling out the Conservatives for their inconsistent messages on the occupation. Singh repeated the question in French, and Trudeau repeated his response. 

Round two, and John Barlow whined about the Liberals’ “politics of division” (Mendicino: We are providing the City of Ottawa with all of the tools they need to end this occupation; Duclos: We have the responsibility to work together and listen to science), Pierre Paul-Hus accused the prime minister of “demonising” those who disagree with public health measures (Duclos: We hold Lightbound in great esteem, and vaccinations unite us because it works), and Mark Strahl gave an angry denunciation of the “divisive” vaccine mandates (Duclos: Hooray vaccines!)

Kristina Michaud demanded more federal action on the occupation (Mendicino: We have provided RCMP support to the Ottawa Police).

Stephen Ellis demanded a plan to live with COVID (Duclos: We have been working together since March 2020 to deal with the largest public health crisis in a century), and Melissa Lantsman demanded a roadmap to end the mandates (Duclos: Lockdowns are provincial decisions, and I hope no one in this House is confused between federal and provincial responsibilities).

Alistair MacGregor and Heather McPherson worried about anonymous foreign funds fuelling this occupation (Mendicino: This is a concerning issue and I look forward to your committee’s report).

Round three saw questions on inflation (Freeland: We have implemented benefits that are indexed and helped to raise millions of children out of poverty; We have had a stronger recovery from the pandemic recession than most other countries), support for seniors (Khera: We will give a one-time payment and tabled a bill to prevent future clawbacks), the vacant federal ombudsman of victims of crime position (Mendicino: We are concerned with filling this position as quickly as possible), funding for the experimental lakes area (Guilbeault: The Conservatives cut funding for it, but we will be there for it), the government not supporting new businesses (Freeland: Can you guys pick a lane?), an update on getting organ donor forms as part of tax returns (Lebouthillier: CRA is making discussions with their provincial and territorial counterparts, but this change likely won’t happen until the next season), support for farmers impacted by floods (Bibeau: We have supports for farmers), the blockade on the Ambassador Bridge (Mendicino: We are working with CBSA officials, who are working with Windsor police), the inadequacy of lockdown benefits (Freeland: Workers are getting support thanks to a bill you voted against).

Overall,  it was a louder and rowdier day than it has been of late, and more to the point, there was a bit of a nastier edge to that heckling, particularly the fact that the Conservatives seem to be under the impression that the government is suppressing pandemic data—which sounds an awful lot like they are swallowing a bunch of conspiracy theory bullshit (which may be why they are making such common cause with the grifter occupation outside). To add to that, the constant referencing of Lightbound’s criticisms were expected, and he had such a grab-bag of them that every opposition party go to pick one and run with it. This being said, it’s really not a good look for straight, white men in the Conservative party to be having public meltdowns about “discrimination” against the unvaccinated. Vaccination is a choice, and comparing that to someone’s skin colour, religion, gender identity or sexual orientation is really quite offensive, not that they have the remotest bit of self-awareness to understand this.

Sartorial speaking, snaps go out to Christine Normandin for a grey and white checkered top with a black skirt, and to Eric Melillo for a tailored medium grey suit with a white shirt and pink tie. Style citations go out to Darren Fisher for a faded burgundy jacket with a light grey shirt and a navy tie and pocket square, and to Candice Bergen for a belted grey dress with florals, and a pussy bow down the front.

One thought on “QP: Quoting Joël Lightbound”

  1. Narcissistic, petulant backbencher throws tantrum on his way out because he fears a risk to his seat in the next election. Sounds familiar. He’ll be gone by then if the Liberals don’t deservedly boot him before then. For the ammo that he gave to the Covidiot Party of Canada at the absolute worst time ever, I hope he gets pink slipped at the next caucus meeting. Joël Manchin Sinema aka Jody Wilson Lightbound can go sit in the Freedom Caucus with the other unemployed nobodies Paulie Walnuts was writing about in his I Hate Trudeau blog at Macleans. What an insufferable little imp. Happy belated birthday, here’s a stale slice of cake and a 99-cent greeting card. Now get out.

Comments are closed.