Roundup: Cancelled committees because of the human toll of hybrid sittings

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It is now approximately day ninety-three of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Russian forces have shelled more than 40 towns and villages in the Donbas region, while they try to encircle Severodonetsk and Lysychansk. It also sounds like Russia has lifted the age restriction for voluntary military service, which gives you a hint that they need more troops because the invasion has not gone well for them. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is asking Western allies for rocket systems to repel Russian forces from the Donbas, before the cities and towns in the area become “uninhabited.”

Closer to home, it looks like the realities of the finite resource of Parliament are finally starting to hit for MPs and senators, and more and more committee meetings are being cancelled as there simply aren’t enough interpreters to go around, exacerbated by late-night sittings, and more than anything, the fact that they keep finding excuses to extend hybrid sittings no matter that they know full well that the use of Zoom is causing injuries to the interpreters, and most of them know that they can’t simply hire more as there are no more to hire. They literally cannot graduate enough to replace the ones who are retiring or whose injuries are forcing them from the workplace (especially as they risk permanent hearing loss). And MPs simply don’t care. Worse, they passed a motion last week to create yet another special committee, as if they had the resources to do so. Because they don’t care. It’s all about show, whether that’s the Liberals and NDP patting themselves on the back for being “good examples” of working from home, or the Conservatives’ constant filibustering and wasting of time that drags out proceedings, which taxes the interpreters even further (and isn’t helped by the fact that they refuse to wear masks in the Chamber).

I’ve stated this before, and I’ll keep saying this—it is morally reprehensible for MPs and senators to keep demanding hybrid sittings when they know the human cost it takes on the interpreters. They could easily organize themselves in safer ways to have in-person meetings, which won’t strain the interpreters, and that they could have something that resembles normal operations as a result, but they refuse, because too many of them have grown to like the hybrid sittings, so that they don’t have to travel. Who cares if a human being is suffering injuries and facing the possibility of permanent hearing loss? That MP doesn’t have to travel, so that’s what counts. It’s absolutely unconscionable, and they should be shamed for it.

Good reads:

  • Justin Trudeau has reiterated the promise to toughen gun control even further, so there is a reminder of what he has promised to date.
  • Quebec will start providing vaccinations for monkeypox, as they now have 25 cases.
  • Chrystia Freeland is floating the idea of allowing Russian oligarchs to “buy their way” out of sanctions, and using the funds to help rebuild Ukraine.
  • Mélanie Joly pledged $1 million and more police help to investigate sexual violence by Russian troops in Ukraine.
  • Marco Mendicino says he will soon order the RCMP to ban the use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and neck restraints, hoping other police forces take the hint.
  • Steven Guilbeault says he hopes this week’s G7 climate meetings will produce a consensus on gradually phasing out coal use.
  • Following meetings in Washington DC, Omar Alghabra says there are positive signs from the Biden administration about the future of those EV tax credits.
  • The government has released new policy directives for the CRTC in the hopes of boosting competition and lowering telecom rates.
  • The trade talks with the UK won’t include more access to British cheese. (Boo!)
  • Canada Soccer has cancelled their planned friendly game with Iran in light of political criticism; Ukraine’s incoming ambassador suggests they play instead.
  • The Clerk of the Privy Council won’t disclose materials related to the invocation of the Emergencies Act to the Federal Court, citing that it is a Cabinet confidence.
  • The Supreme Court of Canada will rule today on the sentencing rules for the Quebec City mosque shooter.
  • The parliamentary committee tasked with examining the assisted dying legislation will start drafting their report.
  • Liberal MP Michael Coteau has been named the new co-chair of the Parliamentary Black Caucus, who previously helped establish Ontario’s Anti-Racism Directorate.
  • Andrew Coyne calls out the use of paranoia as part of their conspiracy theories to try to motivate voters, the toxic populism moving from the fringes to the leadership.
  • Susan Delacourt calls for more public debates in the Conservative leadership race, and less attacking one another over Twitter.
  • Paul Wells give his acerbic take on the French debate (in both languages!).

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