Roundup: Giving up on 24 Sussex?

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The big news that everyone was talking about yesterday was that the National Capital Commission is considering an alternate site for the prime minister’s residence than 24 Sussex, in part because of security considerations at the existing site (because apparently, we now also need to worry about reinforcing the roof with steel in the event of a drone strike). One of those sites could be in nearby Rockliffe Park, near the RCMP’s national headquarters, where something would need to be built from scratch, including the security arrangements. And before anyone suggests it, no, the prime minister cannot take over Stornoway because it would be even more impossible to secure than the 24 Sussex site is, and the RCMP would never allow it.

And because this was the story of the day, someone asked Pierre Poilievre about it, and of course, he gave the populist answer about how that would be the last thing on his priority list because he’s too busy worrying about middle class people getting houses. Obviously, that’s a rehearsed and tested media line, because his plans won’t actually get any more houses built than the current government’s plans, but hey, he lies about it with confidence, so people obviously believe him. He then went on to say that he would want something that’s able to be secured, but just “basic,” with possibly a separate site for hosting dignitaries, but let’s be real—we don’t really do luxurious official residences in this country, and the notion that we would be building some kind of lavish mansion is already pushing it.

The more salient point is that Poilievre’s populist noise is why we can’t have nice things, and why 24 Sussex was allowed to fall to such disrepair as to reach the point of total failure. We keep dining out on cheap outrage and hairshirt parsimony, and we pander to the too-large portion of the commentariat who thinks that if Ritz crackers and ginger ale are good enough for a church social, they’re good enough for international diplomacy. We keep increasingly marginalising ourselves on the global stage with our rinky-dink backwater antics like this, and we’ve allowed the official residence of our head of government fall to pieces because everyone is too afraid of the headlines (while self-righteous media outlets see absolutely nothing wrong with what they’ve enabled). What an absolute embarrassment we’ve allowed ourselves to become.

Ukraine Dispatch:

At least four people died in the Kherson region in the south as a result of mines and other explosives left behind by Russians; the commander of the southern front also reported continued progress pushing southward. The Russians claim that they destroyed a Ukrainian drone over the Black Sea.

Good reads:

  • Steven Guilbeault says that recent comments by Suncor’s CEO about increasing production are proof why an emission cap is necessary.
  • An internal Public Safety memo says that Canada is lagging when it comes to security vital utilities from an ongoing number of threats.
  • Global Affairs is issuing travel advisories for some American states because of anti-LGBTQ+ laws that have been enacted.
  • The Trans Mountain expansion is facing yet more delays and will likely miss their deadline for construction completion and testing.
  • The thinner covers on the new passports are more susceptible to heat and humidity.
  • Blaine Higgs has managed to stave off a leadership review, which will just embolden other leaders to lean into moral panics that target vulnerable minorities.
  • Ontario is moving to ban online gambling ads that feature celebrities or athletes.
  • There is more drama with the Greenbelt scandal as one of the beneficiaries of sold land is looking to sell it or find a development partner, and Doug Ford is upset.
  • With the wildfires now being “held” seventeen kilometres from Yellowknife, NWT officials are planning for the eventual return of people once it’s safe.
  • Leonid Sirota tries to thread the needle on the upsides and downsides of changing political fundraising and possibly resurrecting the per-vote subsidy.
  • Glen McGregor gives some historical context to judicial appointments and political donors under the Harper era.
  • My column notes the use of guilt trips to try and get Meta to play ball on Bill C-18, while others urge capitulation, while nobody can be honest about the situation.

Odds and ends:

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One thought on “Roundup: Giving up on 24 Sussex?”

  1. More Liberal propaganda? Rather a stretch to blame Poilievre for the condition of 24 Sussex, which was under the control of Trudeau for the last 8 years. Maybe his new cottage would make a good hideout. If he wasn’t so hated he wouldn’t have to worry about security so much.

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