Roundup: Trying to allay diaspora concerns

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After two diaspora groups pulled out of the foreign interference inquiry, Justice Marie-Josée Hogue released a statement yesterday outlining precautions that are being taken to protect witnesses and sensitive information, which is hoped will allay their concerns (though some of those concerns have to do with the three politicians being given standing and the ability to cross-examine other witnesses).

It should probably be noted that this was probably inevitable. David Johnston warned as much of this in recommending against a public inquiry, but hey, politics took over and here we are.

Ukraine Dispatch:

There has been a drone strike in Odessa, killing three. It is hoped that examining the debris of the North Korean missiles that the Russians have acquired and are using against Ukraine will offer clues as to how they are avoiding sanctions. Here’s a look at two years of conflict through the eyes of one Ukrainian soldier who has seen it all. Here is a look at those whose relatives have gone missing in combat and their bodies not yet found. Reuters has a photo library from the first two years of the war.

https://twitter.com/zelenskyyua/status/1760766644995887429

Good reads:

  • Justin Trudeau was in Cape Breton to announce more funding agreements for housing, which include commitments to the local First Nations.
  • Trudeau took a swipe at Poilievre’s support for the bill to mandate age verification online with a jab about it possibly needing to create digital IDs, which he opposes.
  • Pablo Rodriguez is pushing back against Quebec’s claims around asylum seekers, and the funding that they get from the federal government for them.
  • The government is pledging $80.5 million toward a Kenyan-led mission to help stabilise the security situation in Haiti.
  • Here is what we know about the upcoming online harms legislation.
  • Documents show that the plan to unveil the “Victims of Communism Memorial” has been put on hold as part of the reaction to the Hunka incident in the Commons.
  • A leak from the special committee on the Winnipeg Lab documents claims that the documents were hidden to avoid embarrassment rather than national security.
  • The National Council of Canadian Muslims says that they don’t want politicians at mosques unless they call for a ceasefire in Gaza and funding UNRWA.
  • Two suspended senior civil servants who worked on ArriveCan told committee that they are being set up, in spite of evidence that shows their involvement.
  • A trans former Conservative candidate says that Poilievre’s latest attack on trans people sends the message that trans people are dangerous, which is wrong.
  • Independent MP Kevin Vuong says he would be “open” to running for the Conservatives, as though he hasn’t been auditioning for it for over a year now.
  • There was a surprise floor-crossing directly into Cabinet in the Nova Scotia legislature to replace a minister who suddenly left for mysterious reasons.
  • The Ford government continues to lie about the “savings” they’ll get by putting Service Ontario offices in Staples stores, because they never paid leasing before.
  • A BC First Nation is moving ahead with their own child and family welfare system, including funding it themselves, after delays with governments.
  • Philippe Lagassé offers some suggestions as to how Canada can approach its NATO defence spending target, or show that we are on a path to meeting it.
  • Jason Markusoff points out the flimsy promises and unrealistic plans Danielle Smith peddled in her pre-budget television spot.
  • Andrew Leach boggles at the decision to play into Saskatchewan’s legal fictions about who is the provincial gas distributor to avoid paying the carbon levy.
  • Colby Cosh claps back at the “smartphones are the new cigarettes” nonsense.

Odds and Ends:

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