<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>Jean-Yves Duclos – Routine Proceedings</title> <atom:link href="https://www.routineproceedings.com/tag/jean-yves-duclos/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://www.routineproceedings.com</link> <description>The adventures of a Press Gallery journalist</description> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 02 Mar 2023 07:24:41 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-CA</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2</generator> <image> <url>https://www.routineproceedings.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/cropped-DSmith-2024-32x32.jpg</url> <title>Jean-Yves Duclos – Routine Proceedings</title> <link>https://www.routineproceedings.com</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height> </image> <site xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">34256478</site> <item> <title>Roundup: Few answers at committee</title> <link>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2023/03/02/roundup-few-answers-at-committee/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dale]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 02 Mar 2023 10:37:03 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Political Roundup]]></category> <category><![CDATA[China]]></category> <category><![CDATA[CSIS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Elections Canada]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jean-Yves Duclos]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Procurement]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Public Health]]></category> <category><![CDATA[RCMP]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Temporary Foreign Workers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Transfer Payments]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ukraine]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.routineproceedings.com/?p=11297</guid> <description><![CDATA[The Procedure and House Affairs committee met yesterday for an emergency meeting around these recent allegations of Chinese interference in the last election, and it wasn’t the most illuminating exercise—not just because MPs constant attempts at point-scoring, but because most … <a href="https://www.routineproceedings.com/2023/03/02/roundup-few-answers-at-committee/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Procedure and House Affairs committee met yesterday for an emergency meeting around these recent allegations of Chinese interference in the last election, and it wasn’t the most illuminating exercise—not just because MPs constant attempts at point-scoring, but because most of the national security agencies couldn’t answer very many questions, because answering questions can jeopardise sources or investigations. And we got the same cautions that virtually every media outlet is ignoring, which is that intelligence is not evidence, and much of it is out of context or incomplete, which is why everything needs to be taken with a grain of salt and not repeated credulously the way absolutely everyone is.</p> <p>We did learn a couple of things. The first is that the RCMP were the ones who <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2023/03/01/rcmp-not-investigating-claims-of-election-meddling-security-officials-say.html">opted not to proceed</a> with any investigations or charges around interference when presented with information about it. The second is that the prime minister is being <a href="https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/canada-elections-foreign-interference-committee">briefed constantly</a> about these kinds of threats, and that the problem is getting worse instead of better.</p> <p>And then there were all of the calls for a national public inquiry, which the NDP insisted they were going to try and look tough in demanding. Not to be outdone, Poilievre not only demanded an inquiry, but said that all recognised party leaders had to have a say in who would chair it, otherwise it would just be another “Liberal crony” (which was again used as a smear against Morris Rosenberg). The prime minister’s national security advisor said that a public inquiry wouldn’t get many more answers because of the nature of the secret information, and all of that would still be kept out of the public eye, which is a good point. Incidentally, the opposition parties cannot demand a public inquiry—it doesn’t work like that. They can’t force a vote in the House of Commons, or anything like that, so this is once again, mostly just performance.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="qst" dir="ltr">+1 <a href="https://t.co/3ybbp8Wy7m">https://t.co/3ybbp8Wy7m</a></p> <p>— JMDavis (@JessMarinDavis) <a href="https://twitter.com/JessMarinDavis/status/1630983686043598869?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p>Ukraine Dispatch:</p> <p>Despite the warnings that the Ukrainians may not be able to hold Bakhmut for much longer, they nevertheless <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/russia-ukraine-war-bakhmut-1.6764305">held positions</a> for another day, while Russian forces are also gearing up for a renewed offensive in the Zaporizhzhia region.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr"><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/2757.png" alt="❗" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" />Consequences of the nighttime Russian attack on a five-story building in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Zaporizhzhia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Zaporizhzhia</a>. Two people were killed, rescuers are pulling others out from under the rubble. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RussiaIsATerroristState?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RussiaIsATerroristState</a> </p> <p>Source: Anatoliy Kurtev <a href="https://t.co/g2305S2elG">pic.twitter.com/g2305S2elG</a></p> <p>— UkraineWorld (@ukraine_world) <a href="https://twitter.com/ukraine_world/status/1631175790820769793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">"No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn."<br />Hal Borland</p> <p>Total combat losses of the enemy from February 24, 2022 to March 1, 2023: <a href="https://t.co/WBXT2v6Wau">pic.twitter.com/WBXT2v6Wau</a></p> <p>— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) <a href="https://twitter.com/DefenceU/status/1630913736046256128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p><span id="more-11297"></span>Good reads:</p> <ul> <li>Jean-Yves Duclos is <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/duclos-drug-prices-pmprb-interference-1.6764448">pushing back</a> against claims that he tried to interfere with the PMPRB’s operations, and was merely responding to a request for his position.</li> <li>Former Clerk of the Privy Council, Michael Wernick, says Canada should <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2023/03/01/canada-can-learn-from-australia-on-addressing-foreign-interference-experts-say-2/">replicate</a> Australia’s legislation to address foreign interference.</li> <li>Novavax says the company is <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2023/03/01/company-planning-to-make-covid-19-vaccine-in-canada-could-go-out-of-business-2/">out of money</a> and will likely shut down their Montreal-based vaccine facility.</li> <li>The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation is <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2023/03/01/trudeau-foundation-to-return-200000-donation-over-possible-connection-to-china-2/">returning</a> a $200,000 donation from seven years ago because of its possible connection to Chinese influence operations.</li> <li>MPs Leslyn Lewis and Dean Allison remain <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2023/03/01/two-tory-mps-silent-after-poilievre-says-they-regret-meeting-german-politician-2/">conspicuously silent</a> after Pierre Poilievre’s condemnation of their meeting with German MEP Christine Anderson.</li> <li>Quebec’s labour minister says the number of temporary foreign workers is <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2023/03/01/number-of-temporary-foreign-workers-in-quebec-on-the-rise-labour-minister-says-2/">on the rise</a>—because the province refuses to accept more immigrants and asylum seekers.</li> <li>Alberta <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2023/03/01/alberta-to-introduce-bill-to-include-federal-officials-in-trespassing-rules/">plans</a> to pass a law to make federal inspectors subject to trespassing laws (which is both fatuous and unconstitutional).</li> <li>Both <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2023/03/01/b-c-and-ottawa-reach-27-billion-health-funding-agreement/">British Columbia</a> and <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2023/03/01/cp-newsalert-saskatchewan-signs-nearly-6-billion-federal-health-care-deal/">Saskatchewan</a> have reached health transfer agreements with the federal government. Only Quebec and the Territories remain.</li> <li>A special prosecutor in <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2023/03/01/special-prosecutor-decides-against-charges-in-b-c-money-laundering-investigation/">BC isn’t going to move ahead</a> with charges after a major money laundering investigation because of a low likelihood of conviction.</li> <li>Trevor Tombe <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/opinion-trevor-tombe-alberta-budget-2023-1.6764355">savages</a> the Alberta budget, as it doubles down on resource reliance.</li> <li>Susan Delacourt <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/2023/03/01/canadian-voters-need-independent-reassurance-that-our-elections-are-free-and-fair.html">declares</a> that the public needs reassurance about the issue of foreign interference in elections, even if it’s not in the form of a public inquiry.</li> </ul> <p>Odds and ends:</p> <p><iframe title="Reflecting on the Rouleau Report" width="584" height="329" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UqbY6kT5zcA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p><strong>Want more Routine Proceedings? <a href="https://www.patreon.com/journo_dale">Become a patron</a> and get exclusive new content. </strong></p> ]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">11297</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Roundup: Sanctimonious outrage over unsavoury characters</title> <link>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2022/12/02/roundup-sanctimonious-outrage-over-unsavoury-characters/</link> <comments>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2022/12/02/roundup-sanctimonious-outrage-over-unsavoury-characters/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dale]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 02 Dec 2022 10:46:24 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Political Roundup]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Canadian Forces]]></category> <category><![CDATA[China]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Corrections]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dental Care]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Doug Ford]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Euthanasia]]></category> <category><![CDATA[G20]]></category> <category><![CDATA[HIV]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Inuit]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jean-Yves Duclos]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Labour]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Maple Crown]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Supreme Court]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The King]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ukraine]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.routineproceedings.com/?p=11080</guid> <description><![CDATA[There was another bout of sanctimonious outrage in the House of Commons yesterday as a notorious Holocaust-denier attended an event put on by MPs of the Canada-Palestine Parliamentary Friendship Group, and the Conservatives (and Melissa Lantsman in particular) demanded apologies … <a href="https://www.routineproceedings.com/2022/12/02/roundup-sanctimonious-outrage-over-unsavoury-characters/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There was another bout of sanctimonious outrage in the House of Commons yesterday as a notorious Holocaust-denier <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/9318686/mps-condemn-publishers-attendance-parliament-hill-reception/">attended</a> an event put on by MPs of the Canada-Palestine Parliamentary Friendship Group, and the Conservatives (and Melissa Lantsman in particular) demanded apologies and denunciations. While at least two Liberals, Salma Zahid and Omar Alghabra, denounced, there hasn’t been much of an apology, but noted that said denier was not invited, but that an open invitation went out to the Palestinian community and he was one of 150 or so who showed up. One would think that with a topic as sensitive as solidarity with the Palestinian people that there would have been more of an emphasis on ensuring that someone like this didn’t show up, but they didn’t. In QP, Alghabra was not incorrect in noting that they can’t control the attendance at every public event and that sometimes unsavoury people will show up, which is true—but again, you should know with an event like this that it’s going to attract certain characters, and to beware.</p> <p>What is rich, however, is that when far-right extremists showed up at Pierre Poilievre’s rallies, or when he cavorted with the occupiers on Parliament Hill in February, or when he went on that walk with members of Diagalon, that he and his caucus insisted that he couldn’t be held to account for those people showing up. And lo, they have a different standard when it happens to others. It’s something of a pox on all their houses situation—the MPs who hosted the Palestinian event should have been more careful, and headed off trouble when they saw who showed up, while the Conservatives need to own when they were attracting extremists, and consorting with them. But I have little doubt that either side will own this, and the sanctimonious outrage will continue, back and forth from each side, in perpetuity.</p> <p>Ukraine Dispatch, Day 282:</p> <p>Russian shelling has <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-russia-war-kherson-shelling-1.6671122">taken out power</a> in over a third of recently liberated Kherson, and Ukrainian officials are reiterating their call for civilians to relocate for the time being. Meanwhile, here’s a look at the <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-war-russia-bakhmut-1.6670438">grinding battle</a> near Bakhmut, whose strategic importance is questioned, but nevertheless, the well-fortified Ukrainians are exacting a heavy toll from Russian forces, even though it is costing between 30 to 50 Ukrainian casualties per day.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Vessels linked to Russia’s largest grain trader shipped thousands of tons of stolen Ukrainian grain to global buyers, using a sophisticated system of feeder vessels and floating cranes, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/WSJ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WSJ</a> investigation. <a href="https://t.co/k7mPRvJp4V">https://t.co/k7mPRvJp4V</a></p> <p>— Paul Vieira (@paulvieira) <a href="https://twitter.com/paulvieira/status/1598326955304226817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p><span id="more-11080"></span>Good reads:</p> <ul> <li>The prime minister and other ministers were out across the country, <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2022/12/01/applications-open-for-dental-care-benefits-touted-by-liberals-as-inflation-relief/">showcasing</a> that the dental care programme is now open (for children under twelve).</li> <li>Mélanie Joly <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2022/12/01/joly-ups-cash-for-international-criminal-court-sex-crime-probes-as-russia-rift-grows-2/">pledged</a> another $1 million to the International Criminal Court to help investigators prosecute war crimes in Ukraine, particularly around sexual violence.</li> <li>The new rules to guarantee ten paid sick days for federally-regulated workers came <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2022/12/01/new-paid-sick-leave-rules-coming-into-effect-for-federally-regulated-workers/">into effect</a> yesterday, and boy are the NDP sore they’re not getting credit.</li> <li>Global Affairs has <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2022/12/01/global-affairs-calls-in-china-ambassador-over-claims-of-secret-police-stations-2/">summoned</a> the Chinese ambassador to answer questions about the so-called Chinese “police stations” that have established themselves in Canada.</li> <li>The deputy minister of defence says that <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2022/12/01/military-was-told-to-prepare-to-intervene-in-freedom-convoy-protests-official/">plans were drawn up</a> to prepare for the possibility of assisting with the occupation, but was not seriously considered.</li> <li>The national security advisor says the government is <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2022/12/01/national-security-officials-planning-for-2023-freedom-convoy-reboot-adviser-to-pm-2/">preparing</a> for a possible return of the extremists, grifters and conspiracy theorists who occupied Ottawa last year.</li> <li>Correctional Services has been <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2022/12/01/advocates-criticize-slow-expansion-of-needle-exchange-program-in-federal-prisons-2/">slow to rollout</a> the needle exchange programme in federal prisons.</li> <li>Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami has <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/itk-reverses-support-c-29-national-reconciliation-council-1.6669809">pulled out</a> of their support for the federal government’s proposed reconciliation council, fearing it would impact their direct relationship.</li> <li>Here’s a look at the <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/9315653/canada-struggle-foreign-interference/">difficulty</a> of dealing with foreign interference, particularly during an election, because there are few tools available.</li> <li>Psychiatric groups are calling on the government to <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2022/12/01/canada-should-pause-maid-for-people-with-mental-disorders-psychiatrists-2/">delay</a> implanting MAiD for mental illnesses alone, citing a need for better preparation and training.</li> <li><em>Maclean’s</em> <a href="https://www.macleans.ca/society/indigenous-judge-michelle-obonsawin/">interviews</a> Supreme Court Justice Michelle O’Bonsawin.</li> <li>The NDP are <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2022/12/01/ndp-call-for-boycott-of-india-hosting-g20-citing-treatment-of-religious-minorities-2/">calling on</a> the federal government to boycott any G20 activities that take place in the Kashmir region, because of human rights abuses there.</li> <li>Those three PQ MNAs made a <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2022/12/01/parti-quebecois-barred-from-quebec-legislature-after-refusing-to-take-oath-to-king/">big show</a> of being barred from the legislature for their refusal to swear their oath to the King of Canada.</li> <li>Doug Ford says he <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2022/12/01/ford-says-he-wont-use-notwithstanding-clause-to-fight-bill-124-after-court-ruling-2/">won’t invoke</a> the Notwithstanding Clause to restore his public sector wage cut bill, but he does intend to appeal it being struck down.</li> <li>Business leaders in Alberta are <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/bakx-alberta-sovereignty-act-investment-1.6669945">concerned</a> that the “Sovereignty Act” will drive business away. Gosh, you think?</li> <li>Jennifer Robson, Tammy Schirle and Lindsay Tedds <a href="https://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/december-2022/canada-dental-benefit-problems/">walk through</a> the implementation problems of the kludge being called “dental care.”</li> </ul> <p>Odds and ends:</p> <p>For <em>Xtra</em>, I <a href="https://xtramagazine.com/health/jean-yves-duclos-hiv-aids-funding-241462">interviewed</a> federal health minister Jean-Yves Duclos about their record on funding HIV organizations on the occasion of World AIDS Day.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Need a copy of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UnbrokenMachine?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UnbrokenMachine</a>? Find it now for 25% off! <a href="https://t.co/2x5tOpO5ne">https://t.co/2x5tOpO5ne</a></p> <p>— Dale Smith (@journo_dale) <a href="https://twitter.com/journo_dale/status/1591627148636618754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p><strong>Want more Routine Proceedings? <a href="https://www.patreon.com/journo_dale">Become a patron</a> and get exclusive new content. </strong></p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2022/12/02/roundup-sanctimonious-outrage-over-unsavoury-characters/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">11080</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Roundup: The federal walkout in the face of the premiers’ games</title> <link>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2022/11/09/roundup-the-federal-walkout-in-the-face-of-the-premiers-games/</link> <comments>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2022/11/09/roundup-the-federal-walkout-in-the-face-of-the-premiers-games/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dale]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 09 Nov 2022 10:39:22 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Political Roundup]]></category> <category><![CDATA[China]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Constitution]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Danielle Smith]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Doug Ford]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Emergencies Act]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[First Nations]]></category> <category><![CDATA[GLBT]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Inuit]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jean-Yves Duclos]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Justin Trudeau]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Labour]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NSICOP]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Official Languages]]></category> <category><![CDATA[RCMP]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Senate]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Transfer Payments]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ukraine]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.routineproceedings.com/?p=11006</guid> <description><![CDATA[The federal-provincial health ministers’ meeting broke down with federal ministers Jean-Yves Duclos and Carolyn Bennett walking out after a communiqué from the premiers was leaked, decrying a failure of the talks, drafted five days ago, indicating that there was no … <a href="https://www.routineproceedings.com/2022/11/09/roundup-the-federal-walkout-in-the-face-of-the-premiers-games/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The federal-provincial health ministers’ meeting broke down with federal ministers Jean-Yves Duclos and Carolyn Bennett <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2022/11/08/health-ministers-expect-details-after-promise-of-federal-funding-boost/">walking out</a> after a communiqué from the premiers was leaked, decrying a failure of the talks, drafted five days ago, indicating that there was no intent to listen to the federal government’s position on tying increased funding to accountability measures like outcomes and pan-Canadian data. Duclos said in his press scrum after walking out that just increasing the transfer to provinces is not a plan, which is one hundred percent correct, because we know that provinces have a demonstrated history of spending additional federal dollars on other things that are not healthcare. (Duclos’ statement <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2022/11/federal-statement-on-the-federal-provincial-territorial-health-ministers-meeting.html">here</a>). The provincial spokes-minister, Adrian Dix, carried on with his disingenuous talking points about not being able to fix the system without more money, or demanding a first ministers’ meeting about this, the only purpose of which would be for the premiers to gang up on the prime minister for the cameras. Dix also painted this false picture of lamenting that the federal government couldn’t come together with them like they did over COVID, completely ignoring that the federal government sent billions of additional dollars to provinces for COVID and most of those provinces simply put that money directly onto their bottom lines to end their fiscal year with a surplus, which is not the point of sending money to them for healthcare.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">The pair of plans Duclos said that health ministers have been working on since Feb were:</p> <p>-Pan-Canadian Action Plan to Address Health Workforce Challenges and to support health workers <br />-Pan-Canadian Health Data Strategy to improve the quality and the safety of care to Canadians</p> <p>— Rachel Aiello (@rachaiello) <a href="https://twitter.com/rachaiello/status/1590132639780212737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p>Justin Trudeau, earlier in the day, was already <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/9261941/provinces-health-funding-tax-breaks-trudeau/">calling the premiers out</a> on this bullshit by pointing out that they are crying poor while they are offering tax breaks for their wealthier citizens, which is not a sign that their budgets are hurting for federal dollars. And this is exactly the point—premiers have largely decided to make this the federal government’s problem, because they can get away with this particular lie. Legacy media will continue to take the line that so long as a single federal dollar is involved, this becomes a federal responsibility, which is not how this works. The crumbling healthcare system is not the federal government’s problem. They have done nothing but increase funding year over year. The provinces have created this mess, and in all likelihood exacerbated it deliberately in order to force the federal government’s hand in giving them a lot more money with no strings attached, but the federal government isn’t blinking, and is finally starting to call bullshit. Let’s see if legacy media actually catches on (but I have serious doubts they will).</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is exactly the framing that the premiers are counting on, which lets them continue to lie to the public and get away with it.<br />Mainstream media continues to let itself get played once again. <a href="https://t.co/hWMxRGi4Wv">pic.twitter.com/hWMxRGi4Wv</a></p> <p>— Dale Smith (@journo_dale) <a href="https://twitter.com/journo_dale/status/1590180281532776451?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p>Ukraine Dispatch, Day 259:</p> <p>President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he’s <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-russia-invasion-day-258-1.6644729">willing to negotiate</a> peace—on his terms, and not Russia’s, but forestalled criticism Russia was levelling against him. Otherwise, there was more shelling in Bakhmut, and two civilians were seriously wounded by unexploded mines around Kharkiv.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Useful thread: how backing Ukraine is crippling Russia on the cheap, freeing resources to face China. <a href="https://t.co/PBUCj0oXvj">https://t.co/PBUCj0oXvj</a></p> <p>— Terry Milewski (@CBCTerry) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCTerry/status/1589978812410101760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p><span id="more-11006"></span>Good reads:</p> <ul> <li>Justin Trudeau was in rural New Brunswick to <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2022/11/08/trudeau-announces-half-a-billion-dollars-more-for-rural-high-speed-internet-access/">announced</a> new funding for rural broadband around the country.</li> <li>In response to the news of Chinese interference in the 2019 election, Trudeau said that they are playing “<a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/9258180/canada-china-election-interference-trudeau/">aggressive games</a>” with democratic institutions.</li> <li>Trudeau also <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2022/11/08/trudeau-slams-n-b-premier-higgs-for-naming-kris-austin-to-bilingualism-committee/">questioned</a> New Brunswick premier Brian Higgs’ decision to appoint a minister critical of bilingualism to review the province’s <em>Official Languages Act</em>.</li> <li>We learned that Trudeau <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2022/11/08/justin-trudeau-to-appear-on-canadas-drag-race-spinoff-series/">made an appearance</a> on the upcoming season of <em>Canada’s Drag Race</em> when they filmed, being the first world leader to appear on a drag show.</li> <li>In advance of the Pope’s visit, federal officials were <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2022/11/08/indigenous-languages-consultation-among-issues-raised-before-pope-franciss-visit/">concerned</a> about the level of consultation done with a First Nations community set to host him.</li> <li>The First Nations and Inuit Programme will be <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2022/11/08/first-nations-and-inuit-policing-program-expanding-into-nunavut/">expanding</a> into Nunavut.</li> <li>The chair of NSICOP is <a href="https://www.hilltimes.com/2022/11/08/broad-application-of-cabinet-confidence-risks-compromising-nsicop-says-chair/392190">warning</a> that the broad application of Cabinet confidence is making it hard for the committee to do its job of oversight.</li> <li>The Parliamentary Budget Officer says that climate change <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2022/11/08/parliamentary-budget-officer-says-climate-change-already-costing-economy-billions/">cost the economy</a> $20 billion las year, and will continue to grow as it gets worse.</li> <li>In the public inquiry, we <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2022/11/08/senior-opp-officer-to-testify-about-ambassador-bridge-blockade-at-emergencies-act-inquiry.html">learned about</a> calls between Doug Ford and Justin Trudeau about the Windsor bridge crossing, and Ford prioritizing it over Ottawa.</li> <li>Documents filed at the inquiry also showed that the RCMP <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/rcmp-ministerial-security-1.6644725">changed up</a> their plans around protecting Cabinet ministers before the occupiers arrived in Ottawa.</li> <li>Economists and professors <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2022/11/08/taxing-corporate-share-buybacks-unlikely-to-boost-investment-in-operations-experts-2/">don’t believe</a> that the proposed share buyback tax will lead to any serious re-investment in operations.</li> <li>The UN expert group headed by Catherine McKenna is <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2022/11/08/mckenna-led-un-group-calls-for-regulation-end-to-greenwashing-in-net-zero-pledges/">calling for</a> more regulation of net-zero commitments to ensure that pledges are accountable, not greenwashing.</li> <li>The Quebec Court of Appeal <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2022/11/08/quebec-religious-symbols-ban-violates-equality-right-that-cant-be-overridden-lawyer/">heard arguments</a> that the province’s faux-secularism law impacts rights that can’t be violated with the Notwithstanding Clause.</li> <li>Danielle Smith <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/danielle-smith-byelection-brooks-medicine-hat-alberta-1.6643590">won the by-election</a> for a seat in the Alberta legislature, but by a much, much smaller margin than was expected for a rural seat.</li> <li>Philippe Lagassé and Vanessa MacDonnell <a href="https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/lagasse-and-macdonnell-as-doug-ford-has-learned-constitutional-hardball-doesnt-always-pay-off">tease out</a> how Doug Ford lost when trying to play constitutional hardball, because he violated political norms.</li> <li>Heather Scoffield <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/2022/11/08/when-doug-ford-tried-to-prevent-a-strike-he-only-made-more-of-them-likely.html">gets the sense</a> that Ford’s blunder with CUPE may embolden other unions to take job action in the months ahead.</li> <li>Althia Raj <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/2022/11/08/doug-ford-let-justin-trudeau-off-the-hook-when-he-backed-down-on-the-notwithstanding-clause.html">believes</a> Trudeau to be relieved that Ford backed down on his use of the Notwithstanding Clause before he was forced to do something (as little as he can).</li> <li>My <a href="https://looniepolitics.com/non-affiliated-senators-want-to-be-empowered-never-mind-the-chaos-it-brings/">column</a> looks at the demands by non-affiliated senators to get more say in the operations of the Senate, and why these loose fish merely bring chaos.</li> </ul> <p>Odds and ends:</p> <p>For<em> National Magazine</em>, I look at the <a href="https://nationalmagazine.ca/en-ca/articles/law/in-depth/2022/the-environmental-divide">resurgence</a> of division of powers cases around the environment, and why the climate emergency has made them more pressing.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Economists like <a href="https://twitter.com/trevortombe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@trevortombe</a> have also done the math on this. <a href="https://t.co/LwVpL6OBT7">https://t.co/LwVpL6OBT7</a></p> <p>— Dale Smith (@journo_dale) <a href="https://twitter.com/journo_dale/status/1590017179910651908?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">I’ve had a lot of issues with Freeland’s budgets, but this Disney+ thing is the absolute fakest controversy imaginable. Read the interview: she wasn’t comparing dropping Disney+ to how families could cut spending, but how the *government* could. <a href="https://t.co/x2IxsjwEjk">https://t.co/x2IxsjwEjk</a></p> <p>— Andrew Coyne <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f1fa.png" alt="🇺" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f1e6-1f1ee.png" alt="🇦🇮" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f1f1.png" alt="🇱" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f1ec-1f1ea.png" alt="🇬🇪" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f1f2-1f1e9.png" alt="🇲🇩" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> (@acoyne) <a href="https://twitter.com/acoyne/status/1589966771771121669?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Politicians should expect criticism for what they actually say and do, and for the attitudes these reveal. But this is a bogus “gaffe” based on a willful misreading of what she said.</p> <p>— Andrew Coyne <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f1fa.png" alt="🇺" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f1e6-1f1ee.png" alt="🇦🇮" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f1f1.png" alt="🇱" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f1ec-1f1ea.png" alt="🇬🇪" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f1f2-1f1e9.png" alt="🇲🇩" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> (@acoyne) <a href="https://twitter.com/acoyne/status/1589968961080545281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p><strong>Want more Routine Proceedings? <a href="https://www.patreon.com/journo_dale">Become a patron</a> and get exclusive new content. </strong></p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2022/11/09/roundup-the-federal-walkout-in-the-face-of-the-premiers-games/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>2</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">11006</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Roundup: More alike than unalike</title> <link>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2021/02/24/roundup-more-alike-than-unalike/</link> <comments>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2021/02/24/roundup-more-alike-than-unalike/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dale]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 24 Feb 2021 10:37:29 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Political Roundup]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bank of Canada]]></category> <category><![CDATA[China]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Corrections]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Euthanasia]]></category> <category><![CDATA[First Nations]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jagmeet Singh]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jean-Yves Duclos]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Joe Biden]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NSICOP]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Procurement]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Public Health]]></category> <category><![CDATA[RCMP]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Senate]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tiff Macklem]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tough on Crime]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Trade]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.routineproceedings.com/?p=9336</guid> <description><![CDATA[The NDP decided that the bilateral meeting between Justin Trudeau and Joe Biden was the perfect time to take to shitposting about it, in the form of a juvenile mock-up of the agenda items, and making their remarks on them. … <a href="https://www.routineproceedings.com/2021/02/24/roundup-more-alike-than-unalike/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The NDP decided that the bilateral meeting between Justin Trudeau and Joe Biden was the perfect time to take to shitposting about it, in the form of a juvenile mock-up of the agenda items, and making their remarks on them. Because this is where we’re at in this country – our two main opposition parties have decided that the online tactics of shitposting are definitely the way to win the hearts and minds of Canadian voters.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Such a serious party. <a href="https://t.co/RqWZjRJMG4">https://t.co/RqWZjRJMG4</a></p> <p>— Dale Smith (@journo_dale) <a href="https://twitter.com/journo_dale/status/1364250237624279041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2021</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p>In the NDP’s case, this is not only about trolling Trudeau, but also Biden, because they have made a concerted effort to appeal to the Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez/Bernie Sanders fanbase – consistent with their lifting their policy ideas wholesale, no matter whether or not they have any relevance in the Canadian context. This tends to involve a certain amount of trying to “win the Internet,” whether it’s with Jagmeet Singh adopting TikTok memes, or the culmination of this attempt to co-opt American Democrat cred when Singh and Ocasio-Cortez played Among Us over Twitch as part of a fundraiser. As a more centrist, compromise candidate, Biden is seen as a betrayal of the progressive wing of the Democrats, and you can bet that the Canadian New Democrats trying to appeal to them is going to cash in on that as much as possible.</p> <p>None of this should be too surprising, however – the NDP have long-since abandoned any real sense of ideology for the sake of being left-flavoured populists, running after flavours of the week and pursuing policies that don’t actually make sense for their own purported principles (like their demand to cut the HST off of home heating, which would only disproportionately reward the wealthy). In this way, they have been more like the Conservatives than unalike for a while now, but with this full-on embrace of shitposting (as opposed to simply the mendacious omission of jurisdictional boundaries in their demands) just drives that point home.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Conservatives are right-flavoured populists, and the NDP have become left-flavoured populists. <a href="https://t.co/oAzu2oSRSE">https://t.co/oAzu2oSRSE</a></p> <p>— Dale Smith (@journo_dale) <a href="https://twitter.com/journo_dale/status/1364280077220012034?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2021</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p><span id="more-9336"></span>Good reads:</p> <ul> <li>Justin Trudeau had his meeting with Joe Biden, and Biden <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2021/02/23/white-house-signals-hard-line-on-buy-american-as-ottawa-urged-to-push-for-exemption-2/">talked about</a> the Two Michaels in his remarks, but Buy American was not addressed in the readout.</li> <li>Trudeau also had a call with Australian PM Scott Morrison, and one of the things they talked about was <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2021/02/23/canada-australia-agree-to-co-ordinate-efforts-on-regulation-of-online-platforms-2/">working together</a> to regulate web giants like Facebook.</li> <li>Anita Anand says that Johnson & Johnson is wary about giving any timelines for when it might <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/johnson-johnson-vaccine-fda-canada-1.5924715">deliver doses</a>, should they get Health Canada approval.</li> <li>Treasury Board President Jean-Yves Duclos is taking time off to <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2021/02/23/liberal-cabinet-minister-jean-yves-duclos-steps-aside-to-recover-from-illness/">recover</a> from a pulmonary embolism.</li> <li>The government has <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2021/02/23/government-agrees-mentally-ill-should-have-access-to-maid-in-two-years/">agreed to support</a> one of the Senate amendments on the assisted dying bill, and to modify a second one.</li> <li>The PBO estimates that it could cost <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2021/02/23/jordans-principle-order-may-cost-feds-15-billion-in-compensation-pbo-says-2/">$15 billion</a> to compensate First Nations children and families affected by the child welfare system and Jordan’s Principle.</li> <li>The Correctional Investigator says that the second wave hit federal prisons <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/csc-prisoners-covid19-second-wave-1.5923707">twice as hard</a> in the second wave than the first, and vaccinations are needed.</li> <li>Lawyers and other advocates say that the criminal justice reform bill <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2021/02/23/ottawas-drug-law-reform-doesnt-do-enough-to-tackle-systemic-racism-advocates-say.html">doesn’t go far enough</a> in tackling systemic racism.</li> <li>The sentencing hearing for the man who invaded Rideau Hall grounds took place, and the Crown was <a href="https://nationalpost.com/news/political-message-behind-armed-soldiers-attack-on-trudeaus-home-requires-stern-punishment-court-told">asking for</a> six years in jail to send a message.</li> <li>The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians is undertaking a <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2021/02/23/security-committee-of-mps-senators-to-review-rcmps-federal-policing-activities/">review</a> of the RCMP’s operations.</li> <li>Kady O’Malley’s <a href="https://ipolitics.ca/2021/02/23/process-nerd-with-great-privilege-comes-oh-you-know-the-rest/">Process Nerd column</a> looks at the ground being laid for a contempt of Parliament charge if the vaccine contracts are not released to committee.</li> <li>Kevin Carmichael <a href="https://financialpost.com/news/economy/inflation-fears-take-back-seat-as-bank-of-canada-turns-focus-on-jobs-recovery">parses</a> Tiff Maklem’s statement that he might let the economy run hotter than usual to get more women and minorities into the workforce.</li> <li>Heather Scoffield <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/2021/02/23/covid-19-made-the-gap-between-canadas-rich-and-poor-even-wider-can-chrystia-freelands-100b-close-it.html">has hopes</a> that the planned $100 billion in post-pandemic stimulus will be able to do something about narrowing income inequality.</li> <li>Susan Delacourt <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/2021/02/23/theres-a-lot-to-rebuild-justin-trudeaus-first-words-to-joe-biden-were-four-years-in-the-making.html">gives her impressions</a> of what we saw of yesterday’s Trudeau-Biden bilateral meeting.</li> <li>Rupa Subramanya <a href="https://nationalpost.com/opinion/rupa-subramanya-meaningless-china-genocide-vote-will-do-nothing-to-help-uyghurs">calls out</a> the performative genocide vote, and why it’s just about symbolic politics while meaningful action remains on the table.</li> <li>My <a href="https://looniepolitics.com/are-we-capable-of-an-adult-conversation-about-the-next-gg/">column</a> looks at the polls, stories and bills that have been tabled in the weeks since Payette’s resignation, wondering if we can have an adult conversation about it.</li> </ul> <p>Odds and ends:</p> <p><em>The Line</em> gives a good recounting of just <a href="https://theline.substack.com/p/psa-the-mainstream-media-is-not-dying">why mainstream media is dying</a>, and it’s not for the reasons people like to give.</p> <p><strong>Want more Routine Proceedings? </strong><a href="https://www.patreon.com/journo_dale"><strong>Become a patron</strong></a><strong> and get exclusive new content.</strong></p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2021/02/24/roundup-more-alike-than-unalike/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>2</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">9336</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Roundup: Exit Morneau</title> <link>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2020/08/18/roundup-exit-morneau/</link> <comments>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2020/08/18/roundup-exit-morneau/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dale]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2020 09:28:01 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Political Roundup]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bill Morneau]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Blaine Higgs]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Chrystia Freeland]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Conservative Leadership]]></category> <category><![CDATA[CRA]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Cyber-security]]></category> <category><![CDATA[François-Philippe Champagne]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jean-Yves Duclos]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Julie Payette]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Lobbying]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Lynn Beyak]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Public Health]]></category> <category><![CDATA[RCMP]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.routineproceedings.com/?p=8823</guid> <description><![CDATA[After a week of leaks about clashes, finance Bill Morneau took to a lectern late in the day on Monday to announce that he had tendered his resignation, and would be resigning both as minister and as MP. Well, first … <a href="https://www.routineproceedings.com/2020/08/18/roundup-exit-morneau/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>After a week of leaks about <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-morneau-clash-1.5688776">clashes</a>, finance Bill Morneau took to a lectern late in the day on Monday to <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2020/08/17/bill-morneau-leaves-cabinet-federal-politics-as-suddenly-as-he-arrived-2/">announce</a> that he had tendered his resignation, and would be resigning both as minister and as MP. Well, first he did some back-patting over his record and couched the decision by saying that he never planned to serve more than two election cycles, and since the economic recovery would take years, it was better for someone else to step in who could carry the work through. The bombshell out of this was the face-saving gesture that he had put his name forward to be the next secretary general of the OECD, and that he had the PM’s full support in doing so – which is either really cute that he thinks he actually has a chance, or a bit pathetic in that he offered up an excuse that beggared credulity. The Q&A portion had very few answers, but this kind of pabulum is what Morneau was so good at – lots of words, not a lot of substance. When asked about the difference that he was apparently clashing with Trudeau over, Morneau mouthed that there was “vigorous discussion and debate,” and that he hoped that work on the green economy could continue and that he would try to help with the OECD (which he won’t get). He denied that he was pressured to resign, said that when it came to WE, he has been involved in philanthropy for many years and that in <a href="https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/morneau-to-resign-as-finance-minister-mp-after-breakdown-in-relations-with-trudeau-covid-policy-we-scandal/">hindsight</a> he wished that he had one things differently and recused himself – and yet said nothing about the donor trip he didn’t disclose. He insisted that he still wanted to contribute, and said that at the OECD, he would deal with things like international taxation and digital transformation, and use the expertise he gained as the finance minister of a G7 country to help, but, well, that’s not going to happen and we all know it.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">I worked at the <a href="https://twitter.com/OECD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OECD</a> under a Canadian SG. He got the job because of US support. The Europeans saw him as the US candidate. This seems like a big ask from Trump. It seems unlikely to me the Europeans will adopt him as one of their own (as was the case for Carney at <a href="https://twitter.com/IMFNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IMFNews</a>).</p> <p>— Mark Warner (@MAAWLAW) <a href="https://twitter.com/MAAWLAW/status/1295507527053070341?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2020</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p>Liberal Sources<img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/2122.png" alt="™" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> are saying that there won’t be an interim finance minister, though the Orders in Council say that Mona Fortier is already the Acting Minister since Morneau is out of the picture. The <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/morneau-resigns-covid19-economy-1.5690198">leading contenders</a> for the job appear to be Jean-Yves Duclos, Chrystia Freeland, and François-Philippe Champagne.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">A Liberal government source tells me there will be no interim Finance Minister and that a new Minister will be sworn into cabinet “soon. The source added the new Finance Minister will NOT be Mark Carney but outside of that, wouldn’t speculate who will get the job <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cdnpoli</a></p> <p>— Mackenzie Gray (@Gray_Mackenzie) <a href="https://twitter.com/Gray_Mackenzie/status/1295515791295733761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2020</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p>Meanwhile, Paul Wells <a href="https://www.macleans.ca/politics/ottawa/bill-morneau-melting-away/">describes</a> the strange circumstances that surrounded Morneau’s departure – particularly the leaks to the media about fights that Morneau lost and was gracious about, with added snark about how the departure went down. Heather Scoffield <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/2020/08/17/bill-morneau-accomplished-a-lot-but-it-was-time-to-go.html">notes</a> the good work Morneau did before agreeing that it was time for him to go. (Look for my own column on Morneau’s departure later today on <em>Loonie Politics</em>).</p> <p><span id="more-8823"></span>Good reads:</p> <ul> <li>The Rideau Hall stories continue, this time with Julie Payette <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/governor-general-julie-payette-spending-security-1.5684453">clashing</a> with her security detail and costing thousands of additional dollars in costs as a result.</li> <li>Dr. Theresa Tam says that they are <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2020/08/14/covid-19-surges-expected-and-people-must-be-vigilant-dr-theresa-tam-3/">preparing</a> for an autumn “peak” of new COVID cases that could overwhelm the healthcare system.</li> <li>François-Philippe Champagne has <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2020/08/17/canada-rejects-fraudulent-election-results-in-belarus-champagne-2/">denounced</a> the “fraudulent” elections in Belarus.</li> <li>The CRA has <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/cra-gckey-cyberattack-1.5689106">temporarily disabled</a> online services after a series of cyber-attacks.</li> <li>The CFL has had to <a href="https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-football-league-cancels-2020-season-amid-covid-19-outbreak/">cancel</a> their 2020 season after the federal government didn’t give them any funds.</li> <li>Questions have been <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/beyak-senate-discipline-1.5689689">raised</a> about Senator Lynn Beyak’s anti-racism “training” as the person who did the training suddenly was removed from his position.</li> <li>As the Conservative leadership race concludes this week, the <em>Star</em> has profiles on <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2020/08/16/peter-mackay-says-the-conservatives-need-to-modernize-is-he-the-leader-to-do-it.html">Peter MacKay</a>, <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2020/08/16/erin-otoole-attempted-to-convince-conservatives-hes-true-blue-did-it-work.html">Erin O’Toole</a>, <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2020/08/16/leslyn-lewis-is-already-a-winner-in-the-conservative-leadership-contest.html">Leslyn Lewis</a>, and <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2020/08/16/what-is-derek-sloans-endgame.html">Derek Sloan</a>.</li> <li>Conservatives from Alberta are <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2020/08/17/next-conservative-party-leader-best-not-take-alberta-for-granted-mps-3/">demanding</a> that the new leader not take them for granted (you know, like Stephen Harper did repeatedly).</li> <li>Blaine Higgs has <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/possible-election-covid-19-pandemic-1.5689049">called an election</a> in New Brunswick after the other party leaders wouldn’t give him a blank cheque to hold power for the next two years.</li> <li>Jamie Carroll <a href="https://foolfromthehill.home.blog/2020/08/15/only-we-can-change-the-past/">recounts</a> his experiences being (wrongly) charged under the <em>Lobby Act</em> while the WE organization’s retroactive lobbying filings are getting a free pass.</li> </ul> <p>Odds and ends:</p> <p>Colin Horgan <a href="https://medium.com/@cfhorgan/americas-escape-from-q-7f80f9a08440">delves into</a> the Q-Anon conspiracy theory and what it has to do with America’s conception of themselves.</p> <p><strong>Want more Routine Proceedings? </strong><a href="https://www.patreon.com/journo_dale"><strong>Become a patron</strong></a><strong> and get exclusive new content.</strong></p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2020/08/18/roundup-exit-morneau/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>2</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">8823</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Roundup: Civil liberties or delegated taxation authority</title> <link>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2020/03/24/roundup-civil-liberties-or-deferred-taxation-authority/</link> <comments>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2020/03/24/roundup-civil-liberties-or-deferred-taxation-authority/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dale]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2020 09:36:12 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Political Roundup]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Conservative Leadership]]></category> <category><![CDATA[CSE]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jane Philpott]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jean-Yves Duclos]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Justin Trudeau]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Parliament Hill]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Patty Hajdu]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Public Health]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.routineproceedings.com/?p=8519</guid> <description><![CDATA[Prime minister Justin Trudeau was in Prime Minister Dad mode during yesterday’s presser, telling people to stay home and that “enough is enough,” you’re not invincible, and you’re only putting others’ lives at risk. In terms of announcements, he talked … <a href="https://www.routineproceedings.com/2020/03/24/roundup-civil-liberties-or-deferred-taxation-authority/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Prime minister Justin Trudeau was in Prime Minister Dad mode during yesterday’s <a href="https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/justin-trudeaus-daily-coronavirus-update-enough-is-enough-go-home-and-stay-home-full-transcript/">presser</a>, telling people to stay home and that “enough is enough,” you’re not invincible, and you’re only putting others’ lives at risk. In terms of announcements, he talked about Parliament passing the emergency fiscal measures, that Farm Credit Canada was opening up funds, that flights were secured for a few countries that have secured their airspace, and that more funds were made available for vaccine and drug testing for COVID-19. He also spoke about his planned call with premiers to better coordinate emergency powers, and clarified that the <em>Emergencies Act</em> was largely about the federal government assuming the powers that provinces or municipalities haven’t enacted – in other words, it’s those levels of government that can suspend civil liberties in this time, and he’s trying to get premiers on the same page.</p> <p>https://twitter.com/AaronWherry/status/1242111081667080192</p> <p>https://twitter.com/jm_mcgrath/status/1242115177702666242</p> <p>For the bulk of the day, all anyone could talk about however was the <em>Emergencies Act</em>, and every journalist in town wanted to know why it hadn’t been invoked yet, and when they would do so. Trudeau, and later Freeland, kept making the point that it was a <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-emergencies-act-premier-1.5507205">tool of last resort</a> that would only be used when all other tools have been exhausted, but that doesn’t seem to have deterred anyone – lest of all New Brunswick premier Blaine Higgs, who said that he wanted the federal government to invoke it, either because he’s too reluctant to use the significant powers he has at his disposal provincially and would rather Ottawa do it for him, or because he can’t seem to deal with his fellow premiers to coordinate anything. And while everyone was practically begging the government to start taking away civil liberties, they also lost their minds when it was leaked that the government planned a <a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/draft-emergency-funding-bill-proposes-broad-spending-powers-through-end-of-2021-1.4865204">significant overreach</a> in their fiscal aid legislation that would have essentially given them delegated authority over taxation for up to December 2021 – which is clearly unconstitutional, but hey, they mean well, right? They backed down, but cripes the lack of competence in this government sometimes… (Look for more on this in my column, later today).</p> <p>Meanwhile, here’s John Michael McGrath <a href="https://www.tvo.org/article/why-ottawa-doesnt-need-to-declare-a-state-of-emergency">explaining</a> why the federal government doesn’t need to invoke the Act, while Justin Ling <a href="https://nationalpost.com/opinion/justin-ling-on-covid-19-the-emergency-act-isnt-yet-needed-sure-that-could-change">notes</a> that measures that trample civil liberties generally make problems worse instead of better. Adnan Khan <a href="https://www.macleans.ca/opinion/coronavirus-in-canada-when-freedom-is-a-liability/">ponders</a> individual liberties versus authoritarianism in a time of crisis. In this <a href="https://twitter.com/PhilippeLagasse/status/1242116224621871110">thread</a>, Philippe Lagassé explains more about the Act.</p> <p><span id="more-8519"></span>Good reads:</p> <ul> <li>Nearly a million Canadians have heeded the <a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/03/23/justin-trudeau-called-canadians-home-and-theyre-coming-by-the-hundreds-of-thousands.html">call to return</a> over the past week, and now we’ll see how well they adhere to self-isolation guidelines.</li> <li>Here’s a look at Patty Hajdu’s <a href="https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/health-minister-patty-hajdu-fought-homelessness-before-fighting-covid-19">work</a> combatting homelessness before her jump to federal politics.</li> <li>CSE has been working to <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/cse-disinformation-spoofing-1.5504619">take down</a> scam sites trying to profit off of COVID-19 anxieties.</li> <li>The Conservative Party has <a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/no-plans-to-change-tory-leadership-timeline-despite-covid-19-pandemic-raitt-1.4864892">no plans</a> to change their leadership process or dates. Peter MacKay, meanwhile, now thinks they should <a href="https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/inside-the-conservative-partys-debate-over-whether-to-delay-the-leadership-race">speed it up</a>.</li> <li>Kady O’Malley’s <a href="https://ipolitics.ca/2020/03/23/process-nerd-what-to-expect-from-tomorrows-covid-19-committee-of-the-whole/">Process Nerd column</a> previews how it will look when the House moves to Committee of the Whole to debate the financial aid bill.</li> <li>Paul Wells <a href="https://www.macleans.ca/politics/ottawa/inside-ottawas-light-speed-epidemic-driven-overhaul/">talks to</a> Jean-Yves Duclos about the situation that the government finds itself in, with multiple crises happening at once.</li> <li>Dr. Jane Philpott <a href="https://www.macleans.ca/opinion/dispatches-from-the-coronavirus-front-lines-i-am-afraid-of-what-lies-ahead-for-humanity/">recounts</a> her experiences being back on the front lines of the pandemic.</li> <li>Colby Cosh <a href="https://nationalpost.com/opinion/colby-cosh-how-the-british-got-their-covid-19-strategy-so-wrong-but-might-still-be-right">digs into</a> how the UK got their initial pandemic strategy wrong, but how herd immunity may wind up being the only real answer if social distancing fails.</li> <li>Susan Delacourt <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/2020/03/23/when-trudeau-and-trump-tackle-coronavirus-its-hard-truth-versus-hard-sell.html">enumerates</a> the ways in which Trudeau and Trump are diverging in their handling of the pandemic.</li> <li>Heather Scoffield <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/2020/03/23/covid-19-is-squeezing-renters-its-time-for-ottawa-to-step-up.html">suggests</a> that the federal government take immediate action to help renters (though I believe this is actually provincial jurisdiction).</li> </ul> <p>Odds and ends:</p> <p>Parliament Hill’s carillon has been <a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/peace-tower-bells-won-t-toll-carillon-silenced-due-to-covid-19-1.4864295">silenced</a> by the pandemic, which is a national tragedy.</p> <p>Here’s a look at how journalists in the Press Gallery are <a href="https://www.hilltimes.com/2020/03/23/the-instinct-is-to-throw-yourself-at-it-with-everything-youve-got-journos-bureau-chiefs-weigh-in-on-covering-covid-19-pandemic/240437">adapting</a> to the pandemic situation.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hey tweeps! Want to read <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UnbrokenMachine?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UnbrokenMachine</a> while you’re social distancing? Here’s your chance to get it at 25% off. <a href="https://t.co/PpC4ovVe7S">https://t.co/PpC4ovVe7S</a></p> <p>— Dale Smith (@journo_dale) <a href="https://twitter.com/journo_dale/status/1242212082780602371?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2020</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p><strong>Want more Routine Proceedings? </strong><a href="https://www.patreon.com/journo_dale"><strong>Become a patron</strong></a><strong> and get exclusive new content.</strong></p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2020/03/24/roundup-civil-liberties-or-deferred-taxation-authority/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">8519</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Roundup: It’s Cabinet Shuffle Day!</title> <link>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2019/11/20/roundup-its-cabinet-shuffle-day/</link> <comments>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2019/11/20/roundup-its-cabinet-shuffle-day/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dale]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 20 Nov 2019 10:34:52 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Political Roundup]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Arctic]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Brian Mulroney]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Catherine McKenna]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Chrystia Freeland]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[François-Philippe Champagne]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jason Kenney]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jean-Yves Duclos]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jonathan Wilkinson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Labour]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mélanie Joly]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NATO]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Pablo Rodriguez]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Procurement]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Rachel Notley]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Seamus O'Regan]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Super Hornets]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Thomas Mulcair]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.routineproceedings.com/?p=8192</guid> <description><![CDATA[We are now well into Cabinet leak territory, and right now the news is that Chrystia Freeland will indeed be moving – but we don’t know where. We do know that François-Philippe Champagne will replace her at Foreign Affairs, that … <a href="https://www.routineproceedings.com/2019/11/20/roundup-its-cabinet-shuffle-day/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We are now well into Cabinet leak territory, and right now the news is that Chrystia Freeland will indeed be moving – but we don’t know where. We do know that François-Philippe Champagne will <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberal-cabinet-trudeau-champagne-foreign-affairs-1.5365066">replace her</a> at Foreign Affairs, that Pablo Rodriguez will be the new <a href="https://nationalpost.com/news/choice-of-house-leader-could-be-most-important-move-trudeau-makes-on-wednesday">Government House Leader</a> (after we already heard that Steven Guilbeault will take over Canadian Heritage), plus Seamus O’Regan moving to Natural Resources, that Jonathan Wilkinson is <a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/trudeau-shaking-up-his-cabinet-mckenna-out-of-environment-portfolio-1.4692980">taking over</a> Environment and Catherine McKenna will take over Infrastructure. We’re also hearing from Quebec media that Jean-Yves Duclos will <a href="https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2019/11/19/cabinet-des-ministres--champagne-passerait-aux-affaires-etrangeres">take over</a> Treasury Board, and that Mélanie Joly is due for a promotion – but no hint as to what it means otherwise. Still no word on Public Safety, which is a huge portfolio that will need a very skilled hand to deal with in the absence of Ralph Goodale.</p> <p>https://twitter.com/StephanieCarvin/status/1196922355181924352</p> <p>https://twitter.com/StephanieCarvin/status/1196922357073489920</p> <p>https://twitter.com/JenniferRobson8/status/1196959319994056705</p> <p>Meanwhile, some of the <a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/cabinet-roster-just-the-start-of-key-appointments-for-trudeau-s-minority-liberals-1.4691635">other roles</a> that Trudeau needs to decide who are not in Cabinet will include the whip, parliamentary secretaries, and considerations for committee chairs (though he won’t have the final say on those as they are ostensibly elected by the committees themselves, and it’s the whips who largely determine who will sit on which committee). Committees are especially important in a hung parliament, so this could mean big roles for those who didn’t make it into Cabinet.</p> <p><span id="more-8192"></span>Good reads:</p> <ul> <li>A strike by rail workers at CN Rail has the Conservatives and Alberta government <a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/alberta-energy-minister-calls-for-parliament-to-return-early-to-end-cn-rail-strike-1.4692622">demanding</a> Parliament be immediately recalled to pass back-to-work legislation.</li> <li>Boeing is making a <a href="https://nationalpost.com/news/national/defence-watch/boeing-pitches-guarantee-of-billions-of-dollars-of-work-for-canadian-firms-if-its-super-hornet-is-picked-by-canada/">renewed pitch</a> to the federal government to choose the Super Hornets instead of the F-35 as the new Canadian fighter.</li> <li>Here’s a look at how Canada is somewhat <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2019/11/19/brewing-battle-over-future-of-nato-creates-minefield-for-canada-3/">caught in the middle</a> as the future of NATO is being debated in Europe.</li> <li>Canada <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/un-palestinian-vote-canada-israel-us-1.5365637">voted against</a> Israel at the UN on a vote about Palestinian self-determination and more importantly, against the US.</li> <li>The Federal Court has <a href="https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/federal-court-sides-with-ottawa-in-decision-to-reduce-nunavik-polar-bear-hunt">sided with</a> the federal government in ordering the Inuit in Nunavik to reduce their polar bear hunt.</li> <li>Here’s a look at a remote Quebec community <a href="https://mobilesyrup.com/2019/11/19/telus-lower-north-shore-lte-wireless-services/">getting</a> 4G LTE mobile service thanks to the federal government’s connectivity programme, and the challenges with it.</li> <li>Brian Mulroney is <a href="https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/brian-mulroney-urges-canadian-politicians-to-take-action-on-climate-change-despite-political-risk">encouraging</a> all political leaders to be bolder on tackling climate change, even if it riles up their base.</li> <li>The NDP held a gimmicky <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2019/11/19/remember-who-were-fighting-for-singh-says-as-ndp-caucus-sworn-into-office-3/">mass-swearing-in</a> for all of their 24 MPs yesterday.</li> <li>Former NDP leader Thomas Mulcair is now <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2019/11/19/ex-ndp-leader-tom-mulcair-featured-at-pro-homeopathy-conference-in-montreal/">shilling</a> for homeopathy.</li> <li>Surprising nobody, the Ontario PC government spent <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/doug-ford-green-energy-wind-turbines-cancelled-230-million-1.5364815">$231 million</a> to scrap a wind farm they claimed wouldn’t cost a cent.</li> <li>Rachel Notley was <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2019/11/19/notley-kicked-out-of-alberta-legislature-for-comment-on-election-watchdog-firing-2/">named</a> and escorted from the Alberta legislature after she refused to withdraw the accusation that the Chamber was being misled.</li> <li>Jason Markusoff <a href="https://www.macleans.ca/politics/jason-kenneys-strongman-maneuver/">reminds us</a> of the conditions as to why Jason Kenney is acting as brazen as he is with firing the Elections Commissioner in Alberta.</li> <li>Kevin Carmichael <a href="https://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/bill-morneau-has-been-a-disappointment-so-far-if-reappointed-he-needs-to-speak-for-business-not-team-trudeau">offers some advice</a> to Bill Morneau (assuming he stays in finance) about the files he needs to pay attention to this parliament.</li> </ul> <p>Odds and ends:</p> <p>My <a href="https://nationalmagazine.ca/en-ca/articles/law/access-to-justice/2019/the-hard-truth-about-legal-aid">latest</a> for the CBA’s <em>National Magazine</em> looks at why it’s so hard to get people – and most especially lawyers – to care about legal aid and advocate for it.</p> <p><strong>Want more Routine Proceedings? </strong><a href="https://www.patreon.com/journo_dale"><strong>Become a patron</strong></a><strong> and get exclusive new content.</strong></p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2019/11/20/roundup-its-cabinet-shuffle-day/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">8192</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Roundup: Scheer’s own personal Brexit idea</title> <link>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2019/02/07/roundup-scheers-own-personal-brexit-idea/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dale]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 07 Feb 2019 10:31:14 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Political Roundup]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ahmed Hussen]]></category> <category><![CDATA[CRA]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Cuba]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Cyber-security]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[First Nations]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Gun Control]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Infrastructure]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jagmeet Singh]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jean-Yves Duclos]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Maxime Bernier]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NSICOP]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Paul Dewar]]></category> <category><![CDATA[RCMP]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Refugees]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Scott Brison]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Senate]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Venezuela]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.routineproceedings.com/?p=7419</guid> <description><![CDATA[You may have heard the Conservatives making a big push over the past couple of weeks about promising that they would bow to Quebec’s wishes and let them have a single tax return (as in, surrender the federal authority to … <a href="https://www.routineproceedings.com/2019/02/07/roundup-scheers-own-personal-brexit-idea/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>You may have heard the Conservatives making a big push over the past couple of weeks about promising that they would bow to Quebec’s wishes and let them have a single tax return (as in, surrender the federal authority to collect income tax in the province, as opposed to Quebec returning to the system that every other province uses by which the federal government collects all taxes and turns over their provincial share). While the Conservatives portray it as a simple administrative change, and that there wouldn’t even need to be any job losses – just put those 5000 CRA employees in Quebec to work on tax evasion! – it’s really a lot more complicated than that. While Alan Freeman <a href="https://ipolitics.ca/2019/02/01/scheers-quebec-tax-proposal-shows-nothing-but-desperation-to-win-seats/">wrote</a> about the history and why it’s naked pandering to Quebec, tax economist Kevin Milligan walks through the complexity, and quite tellingly, notes that this is a Brexit-like proposal from Scheer – bold idea, no proposal of how to implement it. And yes, that is a problem.</p> <p>https://twitter.com/kevinmilligan/status/1093194511260442624</p> <p>https://twitter.com/kevinmilligan/status/1093195511857704960</p> <p>https://twitter.com/kevinmilligan/status/1093196146011385856</p> <p>https://twitter.com/kevinmilligan/status/1093197692530974722</p> <p>https://twitter.com/kevinmilligan/status/1093198624656306176</p> <p>https://twitter.com/kevinmilligan/status/1093199538192433153</p> <p>https://twitter.com/kevinmilligan/status/1093200551653736448</p> <p>https://twitter.com/kevinmilligan/status/1093205332216541184</p> <p>https://twitter.com/kevinmilligan/status/1093230785094606848</p> <p>https://twitter.com/kevinmilligan/status/1093259900912775168</p> <p><span id="more-7419"></span>Good reads:</p> <ul> <li>Ahmed Hussen says that Canada has begun <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2019/02/06/hundreds-of-ex-slaves-in-libya-coming-to-canada-immigration-minister-says/">resettling</a> 150 people rescued from slavery in Libya, and plan to resettle another 600.</li> <li>Hussen also found out his identity was being used over fake social media platforms to try and <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/immigration-minister-ahmed-hussen-facebook-refugee-scam-1.5001566">scam refugees</a> out of “resettlement fees.”</li> <li>Cabinet committees got shuffled up, so here is a bunch of staffers <a href="https://www.hilltimes.com/2019/02/06/cabinet-committee-changes-highlight-quebec-ministers/186876">reading into</a> Jean-Yves Duclos being made vice-chair of the Treasury Board committee.</li> <li>Canadian diplomats who were stationed in Cuba are <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/diplomats-sue-ottawa-cuba-embassy-sickness-1.5008794">suing</a> the government for $28 million regarding their mystery symptoms. (But what it really is mass hysteria?)</li> <li>Groups are asking the government to <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2019/02/06/should-ottawa-help-mosques-synagogues-and-religious-schools-prepare-for-attacks.html?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMedia&utm_campaign=500pm&utm_campaign_id=NationalNews&utm_content=ShouldOttawaHelpMosquesSynagoguesPrepareForAttacks">extend</a> their security infrastructure fund for vulnerable religious sites to be extended to training in the event of violence.</li> <li>A former CIA analyst testified before a Commons committee about cyber-security <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/cyber-warfare-sanctions-denial-service-cia-1.5008956">vulnerabilities</a>, as Canada is an “<a href="https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/canada-is-an-attractive-target-for-new-cyberattack-techniques-security-expert-testifies">attractive target</a>.”</li> <li>Among NSICOP’s <a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/top-secret-committee-to-study-foreign-meddling-military-use-of-canadians-info-1.4285158">planned studies</a> will be a look at foreign interference in Canada, and how our military collects and uses the private information of Canadians.</li> <li>The first day of <a href="https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/senators-press-for-answers-on-whether-bill-c-69-will-actually-get-oilsands-projects-built-faster">hearings</a> on Bill C-69 were at the Senate’s energy and environment committee, hearing from the bureaucrats.</li> <li>Conservative MPs are <a href="https://ipolitics.ca/2019/02/06/senate-represents-last-hope-for-conservatives-to-halt-liberal-gun-bill/">hoping</a> the Senate can kill the gun-control bill (which almost certainly won’t happen given that they don’t want to provoke a crisis).</li> <li>Liberal MP Scott Brison <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2019/02/06/scott-brison-bids-farewell-to-house-of-commons-announces-resignation-date-2/">announced</a> that he’s vacating his seat next week. His speech is found <a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/scott-brison/farewell-my-speech-to-parliament/10155923921366641/?__tn__=-y.g">here</a> (video <a href="https://twitter.com/CPAC_TV/status/1093247483650596864">here</a>).</li> <li>Robert-Falcon Ouellette has been forced to <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2019/02/06/liberal-backbencher-apologizes-for-not-including-women-in-notable-calendar-2/">apologise</a> after his calendar featuring “Notable Canadians” featured no women. Oops.</li> <li>The NDP want the Commissioner of Elections to <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ndp-elections-canada-singh-1.5007989">investigate</a> fake news articles showing up about Singh owning a mansion or being wanted on terrorism charges.</li> <li>The NDP’s foreign affairs critic, caucus chair and Jagmeet Singh are all giving <a href="https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/ndp-shifts-position-on-sensitive-venezuela-issue-despite-differences-of-opinion-inside-party">contradictory positions</a> with regard to Venezuela.</li> <li>NDP MP Murray Rankin wants an <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ndp-merrifield-inquiry-rcmp-1.5006130">investigation</a> into allegations that the RCMP were spying on one of their own as part of a harassment probe.</li> <li>Amendments to Georgina Jolibois’ bill to make Indigenous Peoples Day a statutory holiday would <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2019/02/06/federal-bill-would-make-sept-30-holiday-for-indigenous-reconciliation-3/">also make</a> September 30<sup>th </sup>a holiday to remember residential schools.</li> <li>Maxime Bernier is <a href="https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/maxime-bernier-defends-right-hand-man-after-accusations-of-antisemitism-misogyny-and-racism">standing by</a> his advisor after an investigation commissioned by B’nai Brith says that he’s an apologist for conspiracy theorists and racists.</li> <li>After Doug Ford’s government unveiled a new autism funding policy, one of their top staffers <a href="https://ipolitics.ca/2019/02/06/staffer-quits-ford-government-citing-terrible-mistake-in-new-autism-policy/">quit</a>, calling the policy a terrible mistake.</li> <li>John Ivison <a href="https://nationalpost.com/opinion/john-ivison-despite-pledge-to-keep-it-positive-liberals-plan-to-get-personal-with-scheer-poilievre">suggests</a> that the Liberals are going to start calling Andrew Scheer the “Six Million Dollar Man” as a reference to his accumulated public salary and pension.</li> <li>Colby Cosh <a href="https://nationalpost.com/opinion/colby-cosh-the-old-flat-earth-game-explained-by-a-pro">looks at</a> how Flat Eartherism is often used as a means of intellectually softening up people to believe all manner of other conspiracy theory.</li> <li>Similarly, Paul Wells <a href="https://www.macleans.ca/society/love-makes-the-world-go-flat/">finds it interesting</a> that flat earthers, a PM who believe in cupping and an opposition that peddles conspiracy theories all “do their research.”</li> </ul> <p>Odds and ends:</p> <p>Former NDP MP Paul Dewar <a href="https://www.macleans.ca/politics/paul-dewar-1963-2019/">passed away</a> from brain cancer yesterday. He left a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pauldewarcanada/posts/10157098538509433">final letter</a> on Facebook.</p> <p><strong>Want more Routine Proceedings? </strong><strong><a href="https://www.patreon.com/journo_dale">Become a patron</a></strong><strong> and get exclusive new content.</strong></p> ]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">7419</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Roundup: Sexts and extortion</title> <link>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2018/11/07/roundup-sexts-and-extortion/</link> <comments>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2018/11/07/roundup-sexts-and-extortion/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dale]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 07 Nov 2018 10:30:41 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Political Roundup]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Appointments]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Budget 2018]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Canadian Forces]]></category> <category><![CDATA[CSIS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[David Johnston]]></category> <category><![CDATA[GLBT]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jean-Yves Duclos]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Justin Trudeau]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Maxime Bernier]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Procurement]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Public Service]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Saudi Arabia]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tony Clement]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Trade]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Veterans]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.routineproceedings.com/?p=7155</guid> <description><![CDATA[Conservative MP Tony Clement has resigned from Conservative shadow cabinet and his parliamentary duties (but not from caucus) after he was victim to an attempted extortion after sharing “sexually explicit images and video” with someone. Tony Clement resigns from shadow … <a href="https://www.routineproceedings.com/2018/11/07/roundup-sexts-and-extortion/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Conservative MP Tony Clement has <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/tony-clement-sexting-1.4894889" target="_blank" rel="noopener">resigned</a> from Conservative shadow cabinet and his parliamentary duties (but not from caucus) after he was victim to an attempted extortion after sharing “sexually explicit images and video” with someone.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tony Clement resigns from shadow cabinet following what he calls an extortion attempt. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cdnpoli</a> <a href="https://t.co/F1CkO2gwnC">pic.twitter.com/F1CkO2gwnC</a></p> <p>— Dale Smith (@journo_dale) <a href="https://twitter.com/journo_dale/status/1059970248403673088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2018</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p>https://twitter.com/StephanieCarvin/status/1059976854415659008</p> <p>https://twitter.com/StephanieCarvin/status/1059982799095050240</p> <p>https://twitter.com/StephanieCarvin/status/1059986660748812288</p> <p>Some observations:</p> <ul> <li>Clement is part of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians, which is of the highest security classification. Being a target for blackmail on that is a Very Big Deal, and can’t be excused by those who don’t want to be involved in any kind of shaming for sexting. Clement apparently <a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2018/11/06/conservative-mp-tony-clement-steps-back-from-duties-over-extortion.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">notified PCO</a> about this a few days ago, so this is serious in how it affects his role with NSICOP, and now they will need to find a new member to fill that vacancy.</li> <li>This is likely to get bigger. Already a number of women are coming forward over social media about his creepy behaviour on Instagram and this kind of thing has apparently happened before (sans extortion attempt).</li> <li>The Conservatives can stop being so smug about the fact that they haven’t had to boot anyone from caucus for being sexually inappropriate. Clement is still in caucus for the moment, but we’ll see how this grows in the next few days.</li> <li>Clement says that he’ll be “seeking treatment,” which is the really gross part here, because it employs the language of trying to medicalise sexual harassment or inappropriate behaviour. And when you try to medicalise it, you try to diminish personal responsibility – as this Tracey Ullman sketch so amply demonstrates.</li> </ul> <p><iframe title="Tracey Ullman - Some Sort of Therapy Centre" width="584" height="329" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z05pttPjcxU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p><span id="more-7155"></span>Good reads:</p> <ul> <li>Justin Trudeau told an American audience that Trump’s tariffs <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/06/politics/trudeau-trump-tariffs/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">didn’t pressure him</a> into the New NAFTA deal, and he <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2018/11/06/canada-could-ratify-new-nafta-even-if-u-s-tariffs-stay-put-trudeau-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">may sign it</a> even with the tariffs still in place.</li> <li>Trudeau will give the government’s official apology for turning away the <em>MS St. Louis </em>in 1939 today. Here’s an <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/national-ms-st-louis-sol-messinger-jewish-canada-apology-1.4892464" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interview</a> with a survivor of that trip.</li> <li>Jean-Yves Duclos <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2018/11/06/liberals-unveil-new-anti-poverty-law-with-targets-to-reduce-poverty-rates-in-canada/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> new anti-poverty legislation yesterday, but there aren’t any new dollars attached to it – just better coordination of existing programmes.</li> <li>The government’s relief programme for businesses impacted by the steel and aluminium tariffs is (finally) <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/4634792/new-federal-remission-program-relieves-tariffs-trade-dispute/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">starting to pay out</a>.</li> <li>The Speaker ordered some parts of the omnibus budget bill to be given <a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/speaker-orders-separate-vote-on-part-of-largest-liberal-budget-bill-to-date-1.4165888" target="_blank" rel="noopener">separate votes</a>, which goes to show how the government is overreaching with it.</li> <li>Parliament <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/4635188/parliament-veterans-funding/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unanimously adopted</a> the NDP’s Supply Day stunt motion about lapsed funding at Veterans Affairs (which means nothing given its erroneous premise).</li> <li>A senior judge in Toronto has been <a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/11/06/senior-judge-vents-frustration-over-superior-court-vacancies-critics-say-may-result-in-more-toronto-charges-being-tossed.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">critical</a> of the slow pace at which the government is filling vacancies on the bench.</li> <li>The Auditor General has some <a href="https://ipolitics.ca/2018/11/06/phoenix-needs-time-to-rise-from-ashes-of-federal-pay-system-ag/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">observations</a> about the Phoenix Pay gong show.</li> <li>A declassified CSIS report calls pipeline protests a <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2018/11/06/spy-service-says-federal-pipeline-purchase-seen-as-betrayal-by-many-opponents-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">developing</a> intelligence issue, but aren’t anticipating violence. (Some added context <a href="https://twitter.com/StephanieCarvin/status/1059940152708083715" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>).</li> <li>In the wake of the Saudi Arabia controversy, weapons export permits have <a href="https://nationalpost.com/news/ottawa-taking-longer-to-approve-weapons-export-permits-following-controversial-arms-deal-with-saudi-arabia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">slowed dramatically</a> over the past year.</li> <li>French fighter jet maker Dassault is <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2018/11/06/french-firm-dassault-pulls-out-of-fighter-jet-competition-sources-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pulling out</a> of the CF-18 replacement competition, allegedly because of Five Eyes compatibility concerns.</li> <li>The Canadian Forces are spending the next year <a href="https://ipolitics.ca/2018/11/06/militarys-review-of-fitness-requirements-due-in-a-year-says-general/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">evaluating</a> their physical fitness requirements, and may reduce them in some instances.</li> <li>The government has created a <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadian-pride-citation-sexual-orientation-1.4894738" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Canada Pride citation</a> for those civil servants, RCMP, and Canadian Forces members who were victims of the “gay purge.”</li> <li>A plaque is being <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2018/11/06/parliament-to-unveil-plaque-for-mp-and-ww1-veteran-who-died-by-suicide-3/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unveiled</a> on Parliament Hill to commemorate an MP who fought in the First World War and committed suicide because of PTSD.</li> <li>Former Governor General David Johnston says he’ll <a href="https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2018/11/06/johnston-pledges-to-release-public-report-on-expenses-incurred-since-retirement/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">publicly release</a> a report detailing his post-retirement expense claims.</li> <li>Absent Liberal MP Nicola Di Iorio now says he’ll <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/nicola-di-iorio-resigning-1.4894147" target="_blank" rel="noopener">resign for realsies</a> in January just before the House returns, but no one will say what his special project is.</li> <li>Maxime Bernier’s latest attention-seeking bid is to <a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/maxime-bernier-says-he-s-the-only-politician-in-ottawa-against-paris-accord-1.4165832" target="_blank" rel="noopener">declare</a> himself against the Paris Accords. (The difference being that C/conservatives treat it as “aspirational.”)</li> <li>Alberta MLA Robyn Luff was indeed <a href="https://nationalpost.com/news/robyn-luff-fires-back-at-alberta-ndp-after-they-kick-her-out-of-caucus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">turfed from caucus</a> for daring to fulfil her job obligations.</li> <li>Susan Delacourt <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/2018/11/05/justin-trudeau-treads-carefully-on-us-election-day.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">evaluates</a> Trudeau’s careful responses to American media about the midterm elections.</li> <li>Colby Cosh <a href="https://nationalpost.com/opinion/colby-cosh-can-the-liberals-avoid-a-partisan-trap-on-statcan-and-the-banks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">castigates</a> the government for walking into the partisan trap laid over the StatsCan data collection issue.</li> <li>My column <a href="https://looniepolitics.com/will-a-backbenchers-boycott-make-a-difference-in-politics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">looks at</a> the Robyn Luff situation and hopes that it sparks a conversation among elected officials nation-wide.</li> </ul> <p>Odds and ends:</p> <p>Archaeologists have <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/archeologists-quebec-city-325-year-old-wooden-fortifications-1.4893781" target="_blank" rel="noopener">discovered fortifications</a> in Quebec City that date back to 1693.</p> <p><strong>Want more Routine Proceedings? </strong><strong><a href="https://www.patreon.com/journo_dale">Become a patron</a></strong><strong> and get exclusive new content.</strong></p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2018/11/07/roundup-sexts-and-extortion/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">7155</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Senate QP: Duclos versus petulant questions</title> <link>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2018/10/02/senate-qp-duclos-versus-petulant-questions/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dale]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 02 Oct 2018 22:17:35 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Question Period]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jean-Yves Duclos]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Supply Management]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Senate]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Trade]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.routineproceedings.com/?p=7039</guid> <description><![CDATA[It’s rare that there is drama around ministers appearing at Senate Question Period, but it happened today. While senators had initially been promised an appearance by finance minister Bill Morneau, he ended up jetting off to Vancouver with the prime … <a href="https://www.routineproceedings.com/2018/10/02/senate-qp-duclos-versus-petulant-questions/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It’s rare that there is drama around ministers appearing at Senate Question Period, but it happened today. While senators had initially been promised an appearance by finance minister Bill Morneau, he ended up jetting off to Vancouver with the prime minister for the LNG announcement. Apparently Senators were apprised at 11 AM that he wouldn’t be appearing due to “obligations related to NAFTA negotiations,” and the Conservatives got a bit miffed by the last-minute switch to minister Jean-Yves Duclos. Senator Larry Smith led off, noting that they expected Minister Morneau and would ask some questions to the government leader instead, and he launched into a broadside over the trade deal and he lack of action on steel and aluminium tariffs. Senator Harder said that the matter was subject to a stream that was different from the NAFTA agreement, and that the government was still negotiating on them.</p> <p>Senator Eaton also asked about the clause in the new agreement about “non-market countries” and what it meant for trade with China. Harder responded that all agreements have clauses the termination of the agreement, and it wasn’t surprising and that this particular clause references the opportunity of all sides to review the agreements that any of the three partners might enter into with third parties and that the signatories to NAFTA aren’t disadvantaged.</p> <p><span id="more-7039"></span>Senator Munson asked Duclos about funding cuts to services for those with disabilities, and Duclos noted that this is the purview of the minister of disabilities, and that he would pass along the concerns.</p> <p>Senator Gagné asked about the national housing strategy, and the fact that recent immigrants are not on the priority list despite the fact that they have a great deal of difficulty finding affordable housing. Duclos walked through the goals of the strategy, and that it was a long-term strategy that would evolve thanks to comments like those.</p> <p>Senator McPhedran asked about Duclos’ recent mission to the UN for the voluntary review of the sustainable development goals, and wanted more on the government’s strategy and how they would get young people involved. Duclos offered an overview of the issue, and noted that there remains a great deal of work to do, and that they were working to involve young people because it involves their future.</p> <p>Senator Dagenais asked Senator Harder about the compensation for dairy producers in Quebec, and Harder said that he wanted to reassure them that the minister of agriculture was in close contact with his provincial counterparts about the agreement. Likewise, Senator Housakos read off a list of concessions in the agreement. Harder called it a “Vesuvius of blame,” and read Brian Mulroney and Rona Ambrose’s praise.</p> <p>Senator Joyal asked about the government’s poverty strategy, and the pilot program around guarantee income in Ontario that the provincial government cancelled, and whether the federal government planned to undertake their own pilot project, and what link they could make between guaranteed income and abolishing poverty. Duclos noted that they took measures that were inspired by minimum income programs, such as the Canada Child Benefit, and they indicated to Ontario that they would be willing to offer support if they wished to continue, particularly around things like data.</p> <p>Senator Boniface asked about recent reports on child welfare in Canada, where UNICEF ranks is 25 out of 41 OECD countries. Duclos said that they have been investing significantly into lifting children out of poverty, into housing, and early learning and childcare.</p> <p>Senator Martin asked Harder about pharmaceutical patent protection in the new NAFTA, to which Harder noted similar meaning TPP, and the government’s work to lower drug prices in Canada though other means.</p> <p>Senator Mercer asked about the part of the minister’s mandate around creating an inventory for federal lands that could be used for affordable housing, to which Duclos first praised the national housing strategy again, and to that they would soon announce the inventory and a program to make some of those lands available.</p> <p>Senator Dupuis asked about the measures for reducing poverty for women, and whether they would consider some kind of allowance for single parents, and Duclos first digressed into the need to properly define poverty in order to find effective measures, which the current government is now undertaking to do, before talking about other measures which can help women participate in the economy.</p> <p>Senator Duffy asked if the federal lands initiative included military lands, and Duclos assured him that it would include military land that was no longer of use, which could be in rural areas that need affordable housing.</p> <p>Overall,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> it wasn’t one of the better Senate QP exercises, both because the Conservatives were somewhat petulant in their refusal to ask Duclos any questions related to his portfolio, but also the fact that Duclos felt the need to preface all of his responses with an overview of the issue before giving a response. It slowed down the pacing of the day, and made for less edifying responses overall.</span></p> <p>Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to <a href="https://sencanada.ca/en/senators/dagenais-jean-guy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Senator Jean-Guy Dagenais</a> for a black three-piece suit with a crisp white shirt and a blue bow tie, and to <a href="https://sencanada.ca/en/senators/bellemare-diane/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Senator Diane Bellemare</a> for a light grey suit and skirt with<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>a<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>dark grey top. Style citations go out to <a href="https://sencanada.ca/en/senators/miville-dechene-julie/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Senator Julie Miville-Dechêne</a> for a leopard print jacket with a large orange and blue scarf, and to <a href="https://sencanada.ca/en/senators/doyle-norman-e/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Senator Norman Doyle</a> for a medium grey suit with a butterscotch shirt and a brown tie.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">7039</post-id> </item> </channel> </rss>