Roundup: An important Parliamentary anniversary

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Yesterday was the anniversary of the great fire that destroyed the original Centre Block, which also meant that it was the day when they use the wooden mace, which was the temporary replacement for the one that was lost during the fire. The Library survived because it was separated from the main building, and the iron doors were closed that kept the fire at bay. While the cause of the fire was never conclusively determined, and there were a lot of worries about German spies (because this was during the First World War), it was most likely caused by faulty wiring catching fire.

Ukraine Dispatch, Day 346:

European Union officials were in Kyiv to show support for Ukraine, and talked about upholding sanctions in order to degrade Russia’s war machine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also said that they plan to hold onto “Fortress” Bakhmut as long as possible, as Russian forces try to encircle it. Russian missiles struck Toretsk in eastern Ukraine, killing at least six civilians.

Good reads:

  • Chrystia Freeland met with her provincial and territorial counterparts to talk about federal constraints, and investments to counter the US’ “Inflation Reduction Act.”
  • The government withdrew their controversial amendment to their gun control bill, and the Star has the inside story on the move.
  • François-Philippe Champagne says he’s currently trying to save the workforce, technology and intellectual property at Medicago.
  • Joyce Murray and Steven Guilbeault are likely to make a major announcement at an ocean conservation conference happening in Vancouver next week.
  • The Chinese Ambassador was summoned to Global Affairs to explain the issue with the “spy” balloon over Canadian airspace.
  • Our country’s rail duopoly actually got our bumper harvest to market on time, which they’re hoping to leverage to avoid more regulation or competition.
  • The largest public sector union is gearing up for a strike.
  • Senator Marilou McPhedran names the government staffer who provided her with “facilitation letters” to help Afghan evacuees and landed her in an RCMP probe.
  • Because they love playing culture war karaoke, the Alberta government wants “free speech reports” from their universities. Honestly…
  • Justin Ling reports from Jordan Peterson’s Ottawa appearance, and decodes both his philosophy and why he’s resonating with the demographic he does.
  • Althia Raj sees the creation of the special representative to combat Islamophobia position as a crude electoral wedge to win votes in the GTA.
  • Paul Wells talks to Alexandre Boulerice about the Almira Elghawaby controversy, and there is an attempt to inject some nuance into the Quebec conversation.
  • My weekend column walks through the PROC report on trying to make hybrid parliament permanent, and why this will further undermine our institutions.

Odds and ends:

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