QP: Concern trolling about tariff compensation

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In advance of the arrival of French president Emmanuel Macron, Justin Trudeau was present for QP, along with all other leaders. Andrew Scheer led off, mini-lectern on desk, and in French, he read some Supply Management concerns. Trudeau replied with the well-worn talking points about how they created Supply Management, would defend it, and took a shot at Maxime Bernier while he was at it. Scheer then switched to English to ask about where the budget contained any contingency funds for possible tariff relief. Trudeau noted that they ensured they had retaliatory measures ready to go, but the wanted to consult to ensure there were no unintended consequences. Scheer concern trolled about the size of the deficit and how much higher it might be with measures to help industries affected by the tariffs, to which Trudeau reminded him that the choice in the election was cuts and austerity or his government’s investments. Scheer said that the budget was built on the back of “borrowing and tax cuts” — getting applause from the Liberals — before he corrected himself and said that he wanted tax cuts for those affected by the tariffs paid for by the revenues of retaliatory tariffs. Trudeau reminded him that they gave a tax cut to the middle class. Scheer then pivoted to demand that the TPP be ratified before the House rises, to which Trudeau praised their record and that they would introduce a bill before the House rises. Guy Caron led for the NDP, railing about the Trans Mountain purchase and retention bonuses for its executives. Trudeau dispatched his lines about growing the economy while protecting the environment. Caron railed that the pipeline was against the principles of UNDRIP, and Trudeau noted that he sat down with affected First Nations communities yesterday, and that he listened to all points of view. Alexandre Boulerice repeated the first question in French, and got the same response in French. Nathan Cullen then stood up to sanctimoniously expound about fossil fuel subsidies, and he got the same response about the environment and the economy. 

Round two, and Luc Berthold listed a litany of disingenuous sins against farmers, worrying that cheese and fruit juice would labelled as health hazards (Trudeau, with script: We invested into agriculture and have entered into trade deals that give our farmers new export markets), Kelly Block railed thar farmers don’t support the carbon tax (Trudeau, with script: Same response in English), and Pierre Poilievre demanded to know how much carbon taxes would cost families (Trudeau: When your government did nothing on the environment, provinces stepped up; Each province will get to determine how they recycle those revenues). Georgina Jolibois and Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet worried that the PM does not support UNDRIP with the pipeline (Trudeau: There are a range of voices, and we need to listen to all of them; We have been working toward reconciliation with them on a nation-to-nation basis and won’t speak for them like the NDP does). Lisa Raitt worried that the PM should have consulted on retaliatory tariffs months ago (Trudeau: Canadians have been united in our approach in dealing with the United States), and if the TPP would pass (Trudeau: Yay our accomplishments), and Alain Rayes worried that local workers are being forced other of work because of the G7 meeting (Trudeau, partly with script: I visited the region last week and they are proud to host the world, and we are working with local officials to make sure it goes smoothly). Anne Quach and Cheryl Hardcastle asked about sexually abused athletes (Trudeau, with script: All sports organization funded by the federal government have needed to implement a discriminant and harassment policy).

Round three saw questions on the Trans Mountain pipeline (Trudeau: You guys failed because you didn’t realise you need to protect the environment at the same time), cannabis versus pre-clearance (Trudeau: We are moving forward on legalisation because the current system doesn’t work, and people need to be honest when they cross the border), the shortage of sleeping bags in the Canadian Forces (Trudeau: You pretend to support our troops but you nickel-and-dimed them, whereas we are investing in them), the Arctic surf clam fishery (Trudeau, with script: We are including Indigenous people and the minister is working with the Conflict of Interest Commissioner), dental care for First Nations (Trudeau: We are moving forward in partnership with First Nations), the new advisory group on broadcasting (Trudeau, with script: The Act has not been modernised since 1991, and we are reviewing it), the Official Languages Act (Trudeau: We are about to modernize the Act, and will work with Canadians), and a suicide crisis in Nunavut (Trudeau: We have invested $180 million over ten years in community partners to respond to their needs).

Overall, there were a couple of things to note – one, that Scheer is very much speaking to Quebec by leading off on Supply Management in French only, and two, that his shift in tone around tariff retaliation to one that is more concern trolling rather than aggressively calling the prime minister a failure shows that he’s getting some kind of pushback but that he wants to still make his case that the prime minister is an incompetent dilettante. Whether that’s going to be effective is a question for the future. Trudeau’s performance for proto-PMQs was about average, not using as many scripts as he has been of late, but not really saying anything new, with the possible exception that they are planning an announcement around Official Languages shortly. His appeals to the high road were also evident in places where he should perhaps have been calling the Conservatives out on their disingenuous framing of questions posed, but that’s nothing unexpected from him regardless.

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Chrystia Freeland for a black half-sleeved dress, and to Matthew Dubé for a tailored black suit with a crisp white shirt and a medium blue tie. Style citations go out to Darrell Samson for a navy suit with a white and black speckled shirt with a red tie, and to Candice Bergen for a well-cut black dress that was unfortunately marred with huge, loud florals.