Roundup: Singh’s sad display of performative toughness

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In a Parliament that is mired in some of the worst theatrics imaginable, it’s hard to think about something that could possibly take the cake, and yet, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh certainly tried with his sad, pathetic performance over the weekend. To wit: The government started debate on the pharmacare legislation at the end of last week, and Conservative MP Stephen Ellis put forward a “reasoned amendment” at the bill be killed at second reading for *handwaves* reasons. Singh would not stand for this, so he…wrote a strongly worded letter, and threatened the Conservatives that he would not stand for delays. And then put out some press releases to show how tough he was in sending that strongly-worded letter. And lo, the deadline he gave the Conservatives to withdraw their amendment came to pass, and wouldn’t you just know it—nothing happened.

The thing with these “reasoned amendments” is that the Conservatives are now moving them on every piece of legislation because it essentially adds time to the clock, which they can use to then run out the clock, again and again, blocking the ability for the government to get more legislation through the process. It’s a tactic that is supposed to be used as a last resort for very serious matters, but it’s being used routinely now, because this is who the Conservatives are, and they will do absolutely anything to keep the government from moving on its agenda. There is a lot that could be written about the absolute degrees of procedural warfare that has taken place over the last few years that have bogged the government and its agenda down entirely, but I’ll get around to it at a later date.

Suffice to say, this is just one more example of Singh making himself (and his party) irrelevant. He keeps pretending he’s going to be tough on the government for their budgets, and then goes along with them (per the Supply and Confidence Agreement). After each song and dance, he swallows himself whole, and then pats himself on the back for how much he accomplished in that budget (never mind that the NDP did absolutely none of the work, but still take full credit for everything). This attempt to “threaten” the Conservatives is just yet more sad spectacle, and it showcases just ineffective he really is.

Ukraine Dispatch:

The Russian drone attack on the power facilities in Sumy region wound up cutting power to 400,000 consumers. Russian forces claim to have taken control of two more villages—Soloviove, and Kotliarivka, and Ukrainian bloggers appear to corroborate this claim.

Good reads:

  • The federal government tabled a sweeping foreign interference bill that includes a foreign agent registry, anti-sabotage laws, and updates to CSIS enabling legislation.
  • Sean Fraser has lost patience with the Ford government over their slow pace of building affordable housing, so he plans to redistribute provincial funds to cities.
  • François-Philippe Champagne was just in Omaha, Nebraska, to talk to Berkshire executives about investing in Canada.
  • The federal government will be awarding $574 million in research project funding to help bolster preparedness for future health emergencies including pandemics.
  • The CRA is looking to reclaim some $54 million in unpaid taxes tied to cryptocurrencies, while their education on tax obligations is found to be wanting.
  • Here is a look back at the drama around the construction of the Trans Mountain Expansion now that it’s completed, and the government will be looking to sell.
  • A special deal with the Alberta government allowed a Shell carbon capture facility to be profitable by selling “phantom” carbon credits that didn’t really exist.
  • B’nai Brith released their annual report on antisemitism in Canada, and they show a dramatic rise in incidents that predated October 7th.
  • The Bank of Canada announced that they are redesigning the $20 banknote to feature King Charles III, and said it will be vertical and keep Vimy Ridge on it.
  • We finally got a look at the promised King Charles III Coronation Medals.
  • The former chief-of-staff to then-BC premier John Horgan walks through the drug decriminalisation pilot project and what went wrong with it.
  • Philippe Lagassé discusses his visit to Japan and how the war in Ukraine is changing how that country is preparing its self-defence forces.

Odds and ends:

My Loonie Politics Quick Take puts some facts on the table around the Conservatives’ falsehoods about the opioid crisis in BC.

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One thought on “Roundup: Singh’s sad display of performative toughness”

  1. Dale, thank you for analysis of Parliament efficacy!
    Singh is performative, but knows that he has power with the agreement. It would serve him and his party well to be seen to be cooperative.
    The CPC are a hindrance to all things parliamentary and I do not understand why you stand alone in calling them out.

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