It’s another day of Canadian politics covering itself in glory, starting with the Conservatives starting to backpedal when pressure mounted after three MPs—Leslyn Lewis, Colin Carrie and Dean Allison—attended an event with German MEP Christine Anderson, who is part of the far-right AfD party. As the pressure mounted, Pierre Poilievre issued a denunciation saying that he disavowed her racist rhetoric, and the three MPs gave a half-hearted apology, claiming they didn’t know who she was.
And that’s bullshit.
They knew exactly who she was. Carrie even quoted her in the House of Commons because she gave a speech denouncing Trudeau in the European parliament, and Canadian conservatives and far-right figures were lapping it up. (Carrie is one of the MPs who refused to get vaccinated, and has said that public health officials should be prosecuted. He can google all kinds of conspiracy theories but not the woman he’s quoting? Bullshit.) And yes, her trip to Canada included meeting with leaders from the Ottawa occupation from last year, whom the Conservatives also have associated themselves with. Even more interesting is the fact that the Western Standard asked her about Poilievre, and she said she had spoken with him a couple of times and he seemed like a decent guy, which Poilievre’s office disavowed and insisted that he had never spoken with her. But there is a pattern of behaviour here, with these faux apologies when they get caught, because they know there aren’t any actual consequences, and their followers lap it up.
https://t.co/0eSgq8Hst7 pic.twitter.com/SthEo4se9r
— Dale Smith (@journo_dale) February 24, 2023
if you have no shame, then the costs of lying and of being caught are greatly reduced.
— Steve Saideman (@smsaideman) February 24, 2023
Justin Trudeau got a few minutes of getting to rip into Poilievre and the Conservatives for their pattern of behaviour before he was struck with another bombshell, in which it is alleged that CSIS warned the Liberals to rescind the nomination of their now-MP Han Dong before the last election, citing that he was too close to the Chinese consulate. The PMO says that there was so much false information in the questions put them that they couldn’t answer, which doesn’t help things. But nobody is confirming anything, so this is likely to drag on into next week (where there may be some lawsuits in the works).
Ukraine Dispatch:
The Chinese government has decided they want to get involved in resolving Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and proposed a “peace plan,” but it doesn’t say anything about returning the land Russia currently occupies (including Crimea) or have any mention of accountability. To that end, president Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he’ll await more details (but I wouldn’t hold my breath). Zelenskyy did say there will be no peace talks until Russia leaves all of Ukrainian territory, so that’s probably China’s answer. Meanwhile, drone footage is showing how badly the eastern part of the country has been smashed by Russian forces. CBC talks to some people about their recollections of when the invasion began.
I thank Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau & 🇨🇦 people of for the decision to provide CAD 32 mln to boost 🇺🇦 security and resilience. Every day after Feb 24, 2022 we feel the support of 🇨🇦. It is as strong as ever. Today, the entire civilized world demonstrates that it is next to us!
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 24, 2023
With its invasion of Ukraine, Russia has attacked our shared principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peace. @G7 leaders spoke today and reiterated that our support for Ukrainians – and the principles they are defending – will never waver. https://t.co/TuXym8NC5g pic.twitter.com/6RChp15L4B
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 24, 2023
"If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be freed and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sunlit uplands."
Sir Winston ChurchillTotal combat losses of the enemy from February 24 to February 24: pic.twitter.com/xoXvleZ337
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) February 24, 2023