Roundup: Pre-approved invitations to litigation

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Pierre Poilievre was in Jonquière, Quebec, yesterday, promising that if elected, he would create “pre-approved, shovel-ready zones” across the country for all kinds of major projects that would only need a checklist to be approved. Just like that! Why, nothing could possibly go wrong with such a proposal, right?

In no way has this been thought through, and as Leach points out, this is the kind of approach that lost the Harper government the Northern Gateway approval. Just like there hasn’t been any thought about his Churchill proposal. And look, he’s making stuff up wholesale about Ring of Fire mines, blaming the Trudeau government for decisions taken in the Harper era. Because of course he is.

Meanwhile, Mark Carney had a meeting with Danielle Smith today, and she comically presented him with a list of “demands” with the threat of a national unity crisis if he didn’t kowtow to her. Because that’s “cooperative federalism”! But seriously, it was a separatist manifesto, divorced from reality, because this is Smith we’re talking about, and she depends on her imaginary grievances to maintain power, more within her own party than the province as a whole.

Ukraine Dispatch

Russian drones hit civilian targets in Odesa, as well as in Kropyvnytskyi, where ten people were injured including children. Ukraine’s drone strike on Russia’s strategic bomber airfield in Engels caused a massive explosion as ammunition was ignited. Russia says Ukraine has violated the “ceasefire” with a hit on an oil depot. Zelenskyy is calling for European help in buying more artillery shells. And US intelligence confirms that Ukrainian forces in Kursk are not encircled, proving that Trump is taking his cues from Russian propaganda.

https://twitter.com/ukraine_world/status/1902834475806990623

Good reads:

  • Mark Carney is expected to ask the GG to dissolve Parliament on Sunday to go to an election. Several MPs jumped the gun and sent out campaign launch invites.
  • Carney was in Edmonton, and did a practice skate with the Oilers before meeting with Danielle Smith, and no, he’s not lifting the emissions cap (just yet anyway).
  • While in Edmonton, Carney announced the plan to cut the GST for first-time home buyer (for new builds under $1 million), plus $187 million for Jasper rebuilding.
  • The federal government came to a deal with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick on the funding for the isthmus that connects the two provinces (and it’s not full funding).
  • The government is pledging nearly $100 million in more humanitarian support for Palestinians Gaza, including $30 million for the West Bank.
  • Yukon has made a pharmacare deal with the federal government.
  • The deal on green hydrogen exports to Germany is waiting for federal funding, and a decision from European regulators on adequate competition.
  • Unsurprisingly, the tech bro cabal “Build Canada” has only put forward men in their policy ideas and comms (and sure, they have women running things).
  • The Translation Bureau is planning to cut its workforce by a quarter over the next five years, citing advancing technology (which makes no sense at all).
  • The Liberals have revoked sitting MP Chandra Arya’s nomination, citing “new information” obtained by their green-light committee.
  • Former journalist Evan Solomon plans to run for the Liberals (never mind the ethical lapse that got him canned from CBC, apparently).
  • Pierre Poilievre called up Doug Ford for his “opinions and advice” on the coming election, and Ford said he was too busy washing his hair governing Ontario to help.
  • Stephen Harper says he’s “perplexed” and “heart-broken” by the tensions with India, and blames Khalistani activists “infiltrating” the government. (Seriously?)
  • Brian Masse wants Transport Canada and the Competition Bureau to investigate Tesla’s use of the EV rebate programme, possibly gaming the system.
  • Quebec wants to extend their so-called “secularism” law to anyone who interacts with students, which is an enormous overreach.
  • The former head of Alberta Health Services is rebutting the claims by the province she was incompetent, and she’s brining receipts.
  • The BC government wants to give itself extraordinary powers to essentially bypass the legislative process for two years, citing the trade war. (This is a Bad Thing).
  • Eve Gaumond calls for the Canada Elections Act to be brought down on Elon Musk’s attempt to interfere in the coming election.
  • Steve Saideman muses about what militaries should and should not be doing in the face of democratic backsliding (as with the US).
  • Justin Ling takes on the far-right faux media attack on Mark Carney’s child, and dismantles their poorly researched hit-job, and their entire operation.
  • Susan Delacourt suggests that it’s a poor look for either Carney or Poilievre to be snippy with media, considering it helps inform people’s views of their character.
  • Paul Wells looks to Poilievre’s history to see how that landed him in the current moment, and how he’s positioned himself on the eve an election.

Odds and ends:

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One thought on “Roundup: Pre-approved invitations to litigation”

  1. Thanks for all your work and including those Leach posts from X. So good. Wish he was active on blsky.

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