Roundup: A predictable lack of self-awareness of her rhetoric

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As day follows night, it was not only predictable but absolutely inevitable that Danielle Smith would immediately start parroting Republican talking points to condemn the rhetoric of her political rivals for the increase in political violence in the wake of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. And because this is Danielle Smith, there is absolutely zero self-awareness of her own history of violent political rhetoric and encouraging it among the more swivel-eyed elements of her political base in reference to her rivals.

In fact, here are some examples of how Smith’s past rhetoric has put lives in danger, which, again, she refuses to take absolutely any responsibility for. No, it’s the “progressive left” with their “cancel culture” that is creating this violent rhetoric.

Meanwhile, Pierre Poilievre says he worries about the safety of his family, but rejects any notion that he has to tone down his own political rhetoric, where he accuses the prime minister of selling out the country to foreign powers, or offering succour to the “convoy” crowd and their flags denoting their desire to have sex with the prime minister, while refusing to condemn their violent rhetoric (such as images or actual nooses that they carry as part of their grievance cosplay). It should be little wonder then why Canadian intelligence services worry that threats to politicians are increasing because those people see that there’s no consequences for them doing so. Indeed, this comes at the same time as the former Army reservist who crashed into the gates of Rideau Hall with a truck full of guns got out on statutory release. It was a short sentence (he was sentenced to less than half of the maximum), and seems to be no worse for wear from it. It certainly gives all of the impression that we’re not taking it seriously.

Ukraine Dispatch

Ukraine’s navy says that the last Russian patrol ship has left Russian-occupied Crimea to be re-based elsewhere, thanks to Ukraine’s campaign of naval drones causing significant damage to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that Ukraine still needs another 25 Patriot missile defence systems, and more F-16s in order to protect the country from further Russian strikes.

Good reads:

  • Carbon rebate payments went out this week, but CIBC still labels them as “Canada Deposit” insisting that they’ll make the changes “this summer.”
  • Gary Anandasangaree offered an official apology from the government to the Dakota and Lakota for being considered refugees rather than First Nations in Canada.
  • Canadian ambassador to the US, Kirsten Hillman, says that Trump’s pick for vice-president, JD Vance, knows Canada well. (He’s also friends with MP Jamil Jivani).
  • Dogs may be barred from crossing into the US by August because new rules on disease control would require CFIA sign-off, which they can’t provide.
  • A Bank of Canada discussion paper says we may need a digital currency to maintain monetary sovereignty and financial stability as use of cash declines.
  • The CBC paid out bonuses to some staff based on contractual obligations around performance pay, but they could review that structure in near future.
  • Indigenous leaders had a “candid” meeting with the premiers about questions of jurisdiction and increasingly strained relationships.
  • The Star fact-checks the competing claims about just how many affordable housing units got built when Poilievre was minister of ESDC (to whom the CMHC reported).
  • BC premier David Eby wants to join Newfoundland and Labrador’s losing court challenge against equalization (because why not waste money being performative?)
  • Here’s an unsettling look at budding authoritarianism in Slovakia patterned after Orbánism in Hungary, and its slow spread across Europe.
  • Justin Ling places the assassination attempt in the context of conspiracy and paranoia that now grip American politics on the right.

Odds and ends:

My Loonie Politics Quick Take looks at the PBO’s two latest reports and why they’re a sign he would rather be a talking head pundit rather than doing his job.

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