Roundup: The tone of the interference debate gets worse

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Because we are in an era of bad faith and lowest-common-denominator shitposting, Pierre Poilievre called a press conference yesterday to assert that Justin Trudeau was working in China’s interests against Canada—no doubt catnip to the conspiracy theorists whom he has been trying to attract to his banner, who carry signs about “treason” and who carry nooses to rallies. Even one-time sensible moderate Michael Chong has gone on television to be “just asking questions” about Trudeau’s loyalty to Canada, which is frankly beyond the pale. (Poilievre also said some absolute nonsense about LNG in Canada and his steadfast belief that there would have been a market for it if not for red tape—never mind that proponents could find buyers and couldn’t make a business case to proceed with projects that were fully permitted).

Trudeau later responded that Poilievre’s was eroding faith in democracy with this kind of rhetoric, but that’s kind of the point with this brand of populists. They are trying to erode faith in institutions so that they can insert themselves as the solution to the problems of democracy, without needing to worry about things like minority rights. Not that Trudeau has helped, with his back-patting and platitudes, which doesn’t push back against this kind of threat. (Some good analysis here).

In the meantime, we wait for the announcement of the special rapporteur, but if the goal is to have opposition sign-off, that could be difficult. The NDP say they are cautiously optimistic, but the Bloc want someone who has pre-determined that there needs to be an inquiry, while the Conservatives are likely to engage in bad faith regardless of what happens, so the ability for there to be consensus on a name is not a hope I am holding out for. But seriously—everybody howling for a public inquiry doesn’t seem to realise that NSICOP is likely more independent, because a public inquiry would be appointed by Cabinet, with terms of reference set by Cabinet, and would report to Cabinet. The government is trying to create some distance from themselves with this rapporteur, but nobody wants to hear the actual process or procedure around the demands they’re making.

https://twitter.com/StephanieCarvin/status/1633129536358346755

Ukraine Dispatch:

Kyiv is disavowing a group that has been making raids over the border in Russia, while other small groups within Russia are also conducting sabotage operations in opposition to Putin. Ukrainian officials have identified the soldier in a video that was executed by Russians, in violation of the Geneva Conventions.

https://twitter.com/zelenskyyua/status/1633042812605280256

Good reads:

  • Justin Trudeau and Ursula von der Leyen announced a hydrogen agreement between Canada and Europe.
  • Canada will be sending seven electrical transformers to Ukraine to help them repair their power grid.
  • Sean Fraser was in Washington DC to meet with the head of Homeland Security about the issue of migrants crossing the border in both directions.
  • The government is rejecting the Senate amendment to exclude all user-generated content from the broadcasting bill.
  • The government announced that they are expanding the list of historically unjust convictions that can be expunged to include indecency offences and abortions.
  • It turns out that our CF-18s didn’t shoot down the balloon over the Yukon because they were delayed by freezing rain.
  • The man charged with throwing gravel at the prime minister during the last election pleaded guilty yesterday.
  • Afghanistan’s pre-Taliban ambassador is still on the job in Ottawa, ignoring the Taliban, and doing his best to help his people get needed aid.
  • The PBO is now commenting on staffing levels, which is well outside of his remit.
  • It was revealed, six weeks later, that Supreme Court Justice Russell Brown’s leave of absence has to do with a complaint filed at the Canadian Judicial Council.
  • Liberals have been filibustering the Procedure and House Affairs committee to prevent them from calling Katie Telford to testify. (You don’t summon staffers!)
  • First Nations leaders told the Commons justice committee they don’t disagree with the aims of firearms legislation, but there needs to be better consultation.
  • Alberta is tabling legislation that they claim will head off possible federal firearms bans or buy-backs. (Not sure how that gets around the Criminal Code, guys).
  • Despite record profits, oil companies in Alberta still aren’t paying municipal taxes that they owe, while the government is “consulting” on the issue.
  • Susan Delacourt wonders who would want the special rapporteur job considering that it’s already being denigrated by Poilievre and others.
  • My column takes issue with that Globe and Mail hit piece on votes in the Senate, and explains how things really operate and why votes don’t really matter.

Odds and ends:

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2 thoughts on “Roundup: The tone of the interference debate gets worse”

  1. “I’m worried someone is going to be shot in the next election.”

    All thanks to CPC’s embrace of incendiary rhetoric and conspiracy theories, and the media’s circlejerking about manufactured “scandals” that feed the CPC’s incendiary rhetoric and conspiracy theories.

    Michael Wernick gave a warning. Poilievre (who was at a previous convoy demonstration in Ottawa the day Wernick testified) is going to get someone hurt or killed.

  2. J.B. I thought about your comment. At first I didn’t think we had sunk so low.
    Reviewing the words and actions of the chief authoritarian, Poilievre, a reread of 1984 and the recall of the rhetoric of D Trump, I must admit that we are further down the slippery slope than I thought. I am of course, as you are, extremely concerned that harm will come to someone due to this inexorable path to the far right.

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