QP: Stuck on Repeat

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While in isolation for his COVID diagnosis, the prime minister pledged to appear virtually, and all of the other leaders were present for a change. Candice Bergen led off, script in front of her, and she went on a paean about telling the truth—which is rich coming from her—and demanded that the prime minister have Marco Mendicino step away from his job. Justin Trudeau, by video, read a list of people who stated at the time of the occupation who stated that their powers had been exhausted, which is why they invoked the Emergencies Act. Bergen outright demanded Mendicino’s resignation, and Trudeau reminded her police should not be able to grant themselves emergency powers, which is why government invoked the Act to give them powers that he listed. Bergen again demanded Mendicino resign, and Trudeau said that this was about the Conservatives trying to hope people forgot their support for the occupation. Bergen then pivoted to the bureaucrat who attended the Russian Embassy party, and Trudeau responded by saying he just got off the phone with Voldoymyr Zelenskyy, but did state that the attendance was unacceptable. Bergen said that the minister must be either dishonest or incompetent, and Trudeau repeated that he just spoke with Zelenskyy and that this did not come up because it wasn’t important in the grand scheme of what is Canada is doing for Ukraine.

Yves-François Blanchet led for the Bloc, and he cited the Globe and Mail in saying that the government knew their GHG reductions targets were not credible. Trudeau disputed this, citing those who support the plan which he termed “realistic and ambitious.” Blanchet disputed their support and raised the “fantasy” of carbon sequestration, and Trudeau repeated the list of those who supported the feasibility of their plan.

Jagmeet Singh rose for the NDP, and he cited a survey response that one quarter of Canadians would not be able to afford their homes if interest rates go up—a figure I have serious doubts about—and demanded direct action to help people to keep their homes. Trudeau recited his talking points about the measures the government is taking to increase housing affordability. Singh repeated the demand in French, and Trudeau recited the French version of the same talking points.

Round two, and Luc Berthold returned to the demands for Mendicino to resign (Mendicino: We understand our responsibilities for public safety, which is why we invoked the Act, but why doesn’t your party apologise for your role in extending the crisis; The RCMP Commissioner confirmed that we consulted with them before invoking the Act, which they needed), Blaine Calkins repeated the demand to resign (Mendicino: Same answer in English; Your leader should apologise), John Barlow raised the frozen bank accounts and fictional suspension of civil liberties in his demand for Mendicino to resign (Mendicino: If you read the Act, you will see all of our actions were Charter compliant and your party should apologise).

Monique Pauzé returned to the Globe report about GHG targets (Guilbeault: I object to your characterisation, and ours is the most transparent plan), and she took a personal shot at Guilbeault’s credibility (Guilbeault: You should read the whole article and not the just the headline, and you would see quotes from those who term our plan ambitious), and Kristina Michaud worried about the production of the Bay du Nord project (Guilbeault: You should read the latest GHG inventory, where production went up and emissions went down).

John Brassard made his call for Mendicino’s resignation with some added sanctimony (Mendicino: We took that was necessary in consultation with police, but you should accept your grievous role in prolonging the occupation), and Michael Barrett insisted the government invoked emergency powers to punish people who disagree with them (Mendicino: You need to look at your leader who was undermining public safety, and you are soft on crime and weak on public safety).

Charlie Angus also raised that Globe report on the emissions reduction plan (Guilbeault: The honourable member doesn’t seem to have read the plan), and Brian Masse demanded a safe border task force (Mendicino: We have been working toward the smooth flow of trade).

Round three saw yet more demands for Mendicino’s resignation (Mendicino: We are proud of the work we did to end the illegal blockade but your party created a threat to public safety in egging then on), plus questions on the official languages bill (Petitpas Taylor: We are all trying to protect this beautiful language), yet another demand for a low-barrier 24/7 safe space in Winnipeg (Ien: The work of frontline organisations is essential, and we are working to find a solution to this safe space), a UN report on the conflict in Gaza (Oliphant: We are a friend and ally of Israel and a friend of the Palestinian people, and our long-standing policy is for the creation of a Palestinian state).

Overall, the constant repetition in the service of gathering yet more clips for yet more shitposts made it a very, very boring day. There was just as much mendacity today as there was yesterday, because it’s not enough to performatively demand a resignation, apparently you also need to make up just what the resignation-worthy offence was (their version of what Mendicino allegedly said is not what he actually did say, even though his actual statements were a problem), and claim he’s “under investigation” (he’s not) and make a bunch of bogus claims about what the Emergencies Act, and it’s not martial law or the suspension of civil liberties. But they are bound and determined to create this narrative about Justin Trudeau being a dictator who is using extraordinary powers to crush his critics, in spite of all evidence to the contrary. But seriously, today was so much bullshit. Knock it off, you guys.

Sartorial speaking, snaps go out to Christine Normandin for a black top with three-quarter sleeves and a high-waisted black and grey houndstooth skirt, and to Anthony Housefather for a dark grey suit with a pink shirt and a dark blue tie. Style citations go out to John Williamson for a tan suit with a light blue shirt and navy tie, and to Kerry-Lynne Findlay for a long red jacket with a leopard print pattern over a black top and slacks. Dishonourable mention goes out to Pam Damoff for a black v-necked dress with yellow florals.