Roundup: Speaker Fergus on the spot in new privilege battle

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The brewing privilege battle over the Sustainable Development Technologies Canada documents is largely going under-reported, save for the National Post, but it’s going to be an interesting showdown with the Speaker about the refusal to turn over these documents. The government’s argument is that the stated purpose for demanding these documents is not for Parliamentary business, such as committee study, but because they intend to be turned over to the RCMP, which is in and of itself a problem because it does violate the separation of powers and really, really looks like politicians trying to direct the police (who have said that they don’t want the documents, because it would violate the Charter rights of any accused). I think this is a sound argument, and one that is necessary because of the ongoing abuses of privilege that the past couple of parliaments have engaged in.

Yes, Parliament has unfettered authority to send for the production of papers, but there have to be limits on this privilege, or it can be abused, and I think that this case demonstrates the limits. The complicating factor is that limits are especially difficult to maintain in a minority parliament situation because all of the opposition parties tend to be all be interested in embarrassing the government at any turn (and this is not unique to this government, but any government). It’s partly why NSICOP was fine during a majority Parliament but became the subject of political manoeuvring during the minority years—because opposition parties will try to use their leverage to embarrass a government or score points when they think they can.

I don’t envy Speaker Fergus in having to make this decision, but this kind of exercise is clearly beyond the pale. It’s not up to MPs to get information on behalf of the RCMP, and that crosses so many red lines that it should be blinding. He’s going to be criticized whatever he makes, but hopefully for the sake of precedent, he makes the right choice and rein in some of this foolishness, because once MPs feel empowered enough to do this to one organisation—SDTC in this case—they’re going to start going after anyone they disagree with ideologically on an increasing base going forward.

Ukraine Dispatch

Russians targeted a geriatric centre in Sumy, as well as the power grid, which a UN body believes is probably against international humanitarian law. Russia says they are ramping up their drone production tenfold (but that may just be all talk, given the sanctions and the availability of components).

Good reads:

  • Anita Anand is the new transport minister (on top of Treasury Board president) after Pablo Rodriguez resigned and sits as an independent (to avoid a by-election).
  • The government will release their report on how the two terror suspects came into Canada within the next two weeks.
  • The federal government released a report detailing their intelligence priorities for the first time ever.
  • The Clerk of the Privy Council has invited his provincial and territorial counterparts to get top secret security clearance to help fight foreign interference and threats.
  • The Canadian Climate Institute’s latest report shows emission are once again falling—but there is a long way to go for the 2030 target.
  • Representatives of political parties were at the Foreign Interference inquiry to push back against the idea of further regulation of nomination contests.
  • The Métis Nation of Saskatchewan has pulled out of the Métis National Council because of problems with the Ontario Métis group (whose status is dubious at best).
  • Legal organizations across the country are calling on the Manitoba NDP to reinstate the backbencher they turfed allegedly because his firm represents Peter Nygard.
  • The Federal Court has ruled that Rebel Media is not eligible for journalism tax credits because they don’t produce original news content.
  • The Commons’ public safety committee voted unanimous to study Russian funding of right-wing media outlets such as Tenet Media.
  • Hill security has been beefed up after Jagmeet Singh’s confrontation with the Asshole Brigade, but MPs say that’s still not enough.
  • The NDP have also decided not to join in the Conservative non-confidence motion, while Quebec premier François Legault is telling the Bloc to bring the Liberals down.
  • The New Brunswick election is now officially underway, and Blaine Higgs wants to run against Justin Trudeau rather than on his own record.
  • Stephen Saideman recounts his appearance at the Commons’ defence committee.
  • Justin Ling suggests that the Liberal caucus force the issue with Trudeau that his government needs to actually deliver, not just worry about communicating.

Odds and ends:

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