Roundup: A strange definition of dictatorship

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We’re now on or about day thirty-five of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Russian forces appeared to be pulling back from Kyiv, allegedly to give more space to peace talks, not that anyone believes Russia (nor should they). It could mark a more concentrated effort by Russian forces to “liberate Donbas,” which some say could be a face-saving measure for Putin. As part of the peace talks, Ukraine floated the idea of making Canada a security guarantor to the proposal of neutrality, and not hosting any military troops or bases from other alliances such as NATO, so that’s something. In the meantime, here is a look at why Russia is taking such heavy casualties (and why that is unlikely to deter them).

Closer to home, we have a major problem with disinformation that is being pushed by MPs, particularly Conservative ones. This week, MPs Brad Redekopp and Rachael Thomas declared that Justin Trudeau is a “dictator,” and that they were being absolutely serious about it. This, like Andrew Scheer declaring that Trudeau is the world’s greatest threat to liberty, is absolutely gobsmacking, but part of an increasing pattern of rhetoric that is dangerous to our democracy because it is so corrosive to both accepting election results, and faith in government writ-large, regardless of party.

https://twitter.com/StephanieCarvin/status/1508917840333709317

https://twitter.com/StephanieCarvin/status/1508917842607054853

This metastasises into the full-blown endorsement of conspiracy theories, and it’s a problem that is currently plaguing MPs, as that (fairly shite) Senate bill on developing a framework for a guaranteed basic liveable income has senators’ mailboxes and social media being flooded with both conspiracy theories and disinformation about this bill, but also panicked seniors who are being told that they will be denied their pensions and benefits if they are insufficiently vaccinated or the likes. It’s a real problem, and too many MPs (and a handful of senators) have been feeding into this disinformation environment for the sake of scoring a few points, and they really need to stop. No good comes of this, and they’re causing longer-term damage that will be incredibly hard to overcome.

Good reads:

  • Justin Trudeau will be visiting the Williams Lake First Nation in BC today, where more unmarked graves were found.
  • Chrystia Freeland announced that the budget will be released on April 7th.
  • The government tabled their emission reduction plan, and part of it calls for a 42 percent reduction in oil and gas emissions by 2030, which will be a big undertaking.
  • As part of the reduction plan, the government is committing another $9.1 billion to green measures. (Here are five more highlights from the plan).
  • The government has signalled a willingness to entertain amendments to the update to the Broadcasting Act (but we’ll see if those amendments are reasonable).
  • Now that every province has an early learning and childcare agreement, the government is planning legislation to enshrine the principles for accountability.
  • Shockingly, unions support the government pledge to pass anti-scab legislation as part of their confidence agreement with the NDP.
  • There are concerns that without a registry of Ukrainian refugees arriving in Canada, it will be too difficult to connect many of them to needed services.
  • Canada is sending RCMP officers to the International Criminal Court to help investigate Russian war crimes in Ukraine.
  • CSIS is looking for new warrant powers to deal with far-right extremism, but there are questions as to whether it’s needed or warranted under Charter rights.
  • Two senior female officers are quitting the Canadian Forces because of the inability to hold high-ranking officers to account for sexual misconduct.
  • The CRTC has heard calls that the planned three-digit suicide prevention number should be accessible to the deaf and disabled (but Conservatives are complaining).
  • While one of the stated goals of the child care programme is more labour force participation by women, there may not be enough spaces to make a big difference.
  • Unsurprisingly, the Conservatives say they prefer the old Harper climate targets that they never had any intention of meeting.
  • Quebec is promising a complete overhaul of its public healthcare system by 2025.
  • Heather Scoffield points to the longer-term economic impact of the national early learning and child care programme.
  • Susan Delacourt notes that the era of Big Government seems to be back, and only a few conservatives like Poilievre are holding a rear-guard action for Reaganism.

Odds and ends:

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