Roundup: Brian Mulroney passes away

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News came down last evening that former prime minister Brian Mulroney had passed away after some health challenges.

The Star has a pretty good obituary here, as well as some of the reactions to his passing, and the CBC has a series of photos over the course of his life.

https://twitter.com/yfblanchet/status/1763346642294411713

Bloc MP Louis Plamondon, who was first elected as a PC MP in 1984 along with Mulroney, reflects on Mulroney.

In reaction, Susan Delacourt notes that it’s hard to imagine a Canada without the larger-than-life Mulroney given his lasting legacy, and also reflects on the political lessons that she learned in covering him during his time in office. Ian Brodie praises Mulroney for his strategic sense in global affairs at a time of great upheaval.

Ukraine Dispatch:

Russian forces are pushing hard against the front lines in the east and southeastern parts of Ukraine, which Ukraine has repelled, and they do keep shooting down Russian warplanes, downing another three on Thursday alone. Ukraine is using more domestically-manufactured military equipment, as they strive to move more toward self-sufficiency and away from faltering Western aid.

Good reads:

  • Justin Trudeau was in Thunder Bay to announce more housing funding, not taking a “walk in the snow” on the 40th anniversary of his father’s decision to resign.
  • The pharmacare framework legislation was tabled, and lo, it’s going to depend on negotiation with the provinces. (What have I been telling you?)
  • Arif Virani was trying to reassure people that there are safeguards before new peace bond provisions to try and prevent hate crimes could be triggered.
  • Bill Blair says that under the right conditions, a limited number of Canadian troops could be sent to Ukraine in a non-combat capacity away from the front lines.
  • Marc Miller formally announced the visa requirements for Mexicans.
  • Anita Anand tabled the Estimates, and said that $10.5 billion is going to be “repurposed” to fund health care and housing over the next three years.
  • Amid cuts elsewhere, DND’s budget is increasing, but some of its funds will be reallocated toward major capital equipment pruchases.
  • The CBC is getting more fundings in the Estimates, and not being cut as its leadership claimed (so we’ll see if they cut the jobs they said they would).
  • The government has slashed funding to Innovative Solutions Canada, which aims to back innovation and procure from start-up companies.
  • The bills to protect long-term funding of child care and to delay the extension of MAiD for psychiatric disorders both received royal assent.
  • PHAC says that they have taken measures to safeguard research security after revelations in the Winnipeg Lab documents.
  • The ArriveCan contractor found to be a DND employee has been suspended, along with any contracts his company may be in receipt of.
  • Konrad von Finckenstein has been formally appointed the permanent Ethics Commissioner after serving as interim for the past six months.
  • After a court battle, the Privacy Commissioner released a report showing that PornHub breached privacy rules, and continues to do so.
  • Speaker Fergus has been fined $1500 for his video to the Ontario Liberal convention wearing his robes.
  • Liberal MP Mark Serré says he will continue to identify as Indigenous and Métis even after the community he claims to belong to purged him from their records.
  • Conservatives are on lockdown about responding to questions about Poilievre’s comments about trans women, and have even literally run away from reporters.
  • The Quebec Court of Appeal ruled that they couldn’t overturn Quebec’s Law 21 because of its use of the Notwithstanding Clause. (No, they didn’t “uphold” it).
  • A former Ontario judge with a reputation for being tough points to the fact that so-called “tough on crime” policies like Ford is praising don’t work.
  • Saskatchewan says they won’t remit carbon levy funds, which sets up a legal fight and will reduce the rebates in the province.
  • Jessica Davis points to the need to better understand extremism if we hope that police can detect terrorism and prevent attacks from happening.
  • Philippe Lagassé reflects on the evolving customs and conventions around ministerial responsibility, which are changing with the expansion of the civil service.
  • Susan Delacourt notes that Jagmeet Singh is putting a lot of faith in provinces signing up to pharmacare before the next election, meaning it may not happen.
  • Paul Wells remarks on the non-answer he received about the plans for a democracy promotion agency at a time when democratic rights and freedoms are in decline.
  • My Xtra column looks into the magical thinking that underpins support for age-verification legislation, particularly in how Poilievre qualifies his support for it.

Odds and Ends:

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One thought on “Roundup: Brian Mulroney passes away”

  1. I intensely disliked Brian Mulroney for his internal policies but totally admired his stand against Apartheid and his efforts to help refugees. Friends of mine are alive and well in Canada due to his decisions.

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