Roundup: It wasn’t just social housing

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A speech by NDP MP Daniel Blaikie is making the rounds in which he blames the rising housing unaffordability on the federal government vacating the social housing space in 1993, and that this is all the consequence of that. As economist Mike Moffatt explains, this isn’t actually true. But that’s one of the issues with the NDP—they have singular narratives that they must fit things into, whether it’s true or not, and singular policy prescriptions to go along with them. (Yes, other parties do this to, to greater or lesser extents).

Anyway, here’s Moffatt on the more complicated picture. (Full thread here, select portions below).

https://twitter.com/MikePMoffatt/status/1642488918435155970

https://twitter.com/MikePMoffatt/status/1642489599900495872

https://twitter.com/MikePMoffatt/status/1642490391969636355

https://twitter.com/MikePMoffatt/status/1642491809065574401

Ukraine Dispatch:

Wagner Group mercenaries are again claiming victory in Bakhmut, not for the first time, while Ukrainian forces again insist they remain in control of the territory. Russians shelled the eastern city of Kostiantynivka, killing six civilians and wounding eight others. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials are outlining plans for what to do with Crimea once they have recaptured it, and those plans include dismantling the bridge to Russia. Here is a look at the Canadian training programme for Ukrainian soldiers in teaching them how to check for booby-traps and mines in captured territory.

https://twitter.com/kyivindependent/status/1642087035715420160

Good reads:

  • The delays around promised EI reforms and the lack of mention in the budget is raising questions, particularly around rising premiums.
  • Apparently Steven Guilbeault needs to explain the difference between “average” and distributional effects of carbon prices, because the PBO didn’t very well. Cripes.
  • “There’s no political will on pharmacare.” No, guys—it’s the fact that nine of the provinces have refused to sign on. Keep up!
  • The reason the government hasn’t pursued criminal charges against pharmaceutical companies that fuelled the opioid crisis is because the fines would be miniscule.
  • The government’s talk about “friendshoring” is raising questions about what is going to be allowed by Canadian firms.
  • As many as a third of government phone lines are currently dormant because of work-from-home, and many are in the process of being decommissioned.
  • The Royal Canadian Navy is launching a new programme to try and reform their recruiting practices in order to attract talent to cover their personnel shortfall.
  • The RCMP is hoping the 150th anniversary celebrations will increase recruitment, as the viability of their future as a police force is in question.
  • Here’s a look at Canada participating in future moon missions.
  • Six Canadian children in a Syrian detention camp are being returned to Canada without their mother because her security assessment hasn’t been completed.
  • The Star has a lengthy look back at the LGBTQ purge within the military.
  • Former senior intelligence official Artur Wilczynski addressed a Commons committee on foreign interference last week, and his opening remarks are here.
  • Susan Delacourt notices that Stephen Harper has been giving Pierre Poilievre advice that is contrary to how he won power.
  • Chantal Hébert wonders if the budget may be laying the groundwork for a future coalition deal with the Liberals and NDP post-election. (I’m dubious).
  • Paul Wells takes a second look at the budget and asks some probing questions about the questions of governance for the money that is being spent.

Odds and ends:

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2 thoughts on “Roundup: It wasn’t just social housing”

  1. > Susan Delacourt notices that Stephen Harper has been giving Pierre Poilievre advice that is contrary to how we won power.

    Shouldn’t it be “how he won power”? I really doubt you were a member of the “Harper Government,” Dale!

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