Tim Hodgson, Cabinet’s absolute worst QP performer, was in Calgary yesterday to announce funding for some carbon capture projects (which we should be dubious about), where he was asked about that absolutely morally bankrupt letter from the Alberta and Ontario environment ministers, demanding the essential dismantling of the federal environmental protection regime. Hodgson responded by praising Bill C-5 and its giant Henry VIII clause to deal with existing environmental legislation, and obliquely hinted that said environmental legislation would be dealt with over time, which is not exactly encouraging when Mark Carney says that he still cares about the environment.

Hodgson also made comments about the discussions being had about what projects they plan to designate as Projects of National Importance (PONIs), but again, it’s vague, and invites distrust because nobody knows what is supposed to qualify, or what they should be bringing forward, and it all looks like a gong show in waiting that will put way too much power in the hands of a single minister with nowhere near enough guard rails. That’s not a good thing, guys!

Meanwhile, Erin O’Toole showed up in The Walrus of all places to wax nostalgic about back when Canada used to build things, like during the First World War, when there were ships being built along the shores of Lake Ontario at an incredible rate. And that’s great. But also remember that the lakefront back then was an industrial wasteland with no environmental regard (that was incredibly costly to clean up afterward), and you can pretty much bet that occupational health and safety were not exactly being minded then either. I cannot stress enough that maybe you should think about just what the circumstances were back “when Canada used to build,” and why that might not be a good thing to return to. Honestly…

Ukraine Dispatch

Russia’s attack overnight Thursday and into Friday was the largest of the war so far, with 550 missiles and drones, largely at Kyiv and another four regions. (Video clips here). Two Dutch intelligence services say that Russia has been increasing use of outlawed chemical weapons in Ukraine.

Good reads:

• Mélanie Joly says she is talking to Rio Tinto about their liquidity issues in the face of the Trump tariffs.
• Indigenous Services minister Mandy Gull-Masty says she plans to reintroduce clean drinking water legislation, in spite of the objections of Alberta and Ontario.
• Foreign Affairs is aware of around 55 Canadians in ICE custody in the US, many entrapped during legal immigration hearings.
• Federal and provincial environment ministers endorsed stronger air quality rules for fine particular matters (but apparently GHGs are a bridge too far for some).
• Here is a contemplation of whether repealing the Digital Services Tax at the last minute was a good move or a capitulation that will encourage Trump to do worse.
• Federally-appointed judges say they need a salary increase to attract talent from the private sector, which has been dropping; the government says how dare you.
• Here is a look at some of the dynamics at play in Poilievre’s by-election race.
• Members of the Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg First Nation were slowing traffic on the Trans Canada to protest the federal and provincial fast-track legislation.
• The Siksika First Nation in Alberta is going to court over the province’s decision to end the coal mining moratorium without consultation.
• Mike Moffatt’s Missing Middle Initiative looks at what the reintroduction of the MURB tax credit could have on the rental housing market.
• Jennifer Robson considers the government’s promise to cut “red tape” in sixty days and what that really means.
• Justin Ling praises Bill C-5 for trying to un-stick project approvals (but I suggest this reads like he’s missing a few things, and relies on some dubious sources).
• Anne Applebaum indicts the Trump administration for helping Putin fuel the war against Ukraine by steadily eroding the measures keeping Russia in check.

Odds and ends:

Financial Post: François-Philippe Champagne said Canada can negotiate a better trade deal than other nations have received.

— Dale Smith (@journodale.bsky.social) 2025-07-04T14:40:10.509Z

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