Roundup: Trying to dispel yet another conspiracy theory

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It was Environment Canada’s turn to take to Twitter in a series of plain-language tweets in order to dispel the conspiracy theories that Justin Trudeau is creating “climate cops” that are going to arrest people for…reasons. They’re not climate cops, they’re Environment Canada enforcement officers, they’ve been in existence since 2008 (you know, when Stephen Harper was prime minister), and they enforce environmental regulations. The theory, which seems to have originated from a far-right former Rebel fabulist, has been broadcast by UCP leadership hopeful Danielle Smith and several sitting Conservative MPs, and it’s utterly bonkers. It’s even more concerning that MPs are willingly spreading conspiracy theories in order to keep up the rage-farming that they think will get them votes, and that they have absolutely zero self-awareness that this is utterly corroding democracy. None.

Meanwhile, Conservative has-been and ongoing shitposter Andrew Scheer is trying to discredit the Bank of Canada’s correction about the false narrative of “printing money,” using the same kind of faux-logic that Flat-Earthers use. So yeah, the discourse is going great. They’re really respecting democracy. (We’re doomed).

Ukraine Dispatch, Day 190:

The International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors arrived at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant for real this time, and conducted their initial inspection of the facility, with the intention to remain on the site, and yes, they avoided shelling and gunfire to get there. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that independent journalists were prevented from covering the visit, which allows Russia to present a one-sided picture.

Good reads:

  • Following his meeting with premier Stefanson, Trudeau stated that many premiers aren’t being honest about the federal carbon price because they omit the rebates.
  • Trudeau also called on police to take threats against journalists and political figures seriously, and said Marco Mendicino would bring it up at the police chiefs’ meeting.
  • Health Canada has now approved Moderna’s omicron-specific booster, and the first doses should arrive in the country later today.
  • The luxury tax on boats, private aircraft and high-priced cars went into effect yesterday, and of course the usual voices are decrying it.
  • It seems that the breakdown of our slushbreaker that had to pull out of the Arctic exercises was cause by a coolant leak in its diesel generators. Quality craftsmanship!
  • The trial of the alleged RMCP spy has been put off for another year because his last lawyer was just appointed to the bench, and his new one asked for the delay.
  • Justice Michelle O’Bonsawin has been sworn-in to the Supreme Court of Canada. (Her official biography is now on their website here).
  • Here’s an interview with the new president of the Canadian Bar Association, who is the first president with a same-sex spouse.
  • The Canadian Press profiles Roman Baber, and yup, he’s still a complete moron.
  • Poilievre’s latest gimmick is a “Plain Language Act” to combat bureaucratese, but there are already plain-language directives, and regulations need legal precision.
  • Nova Scotia’s request for an extension on the deadline to present their carbon price plan to the federal government has been denied.
  • Alberta’s culture minister gave an aggrieved, woe-is-us speech to mark the province’s first “Alberta Day” celebrations (and I can barely even).
  • Philippe Lagassé sounds caution about Alberta’s Lieutenant Governor wading into the debate over the proposed “Sovereignty Act.” (I’ll have a column on this too).

Odds and ends:

https://twitter.com/slschulhauser/status/1565471820421419008

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One thought on “Roundup: Trying to dispel yet another conspiracy theory”

  1. The plain language strategy of the presumptive CPC leader is just what the Cons need…simple words that the ignorant can understand. Gotta get those rubes to fall in line so lets make it real easy. Should only take up a fifth of a column to put Polly’s platform “out there” which actually is the right two simple words…”out there.”

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