In the wake of the Venezuela happenings, Pierre Poilievre has decided to do what Pierre Poilievre does best, which is come up with a half-baked pronouncement and make it confidently—in this case, demand the immediate approval of a pipeline to the Pacific. Erm, you know, with absolutely no plan attached, or any of the necessary details about said pipeline. But sure, approve it. (Incidentally, Alberta launched a website for its attempt to get proponents for such a plan).
Poilievre and his followers are so insistent that if government just “got out of the way” that things would get built. Of course, the other thing that Poilievre has said outright is that even though he will “consult” with local First Nations, he will push through a pipeline without their consent, on their lands, where they hold treaty rights. I don’t think he understands what that actually means, and that’s going to be a problem that will merely ensure that all of his plans will land in protracted litigation, and eventually fail (and no, you can’t invoke the Notwithstanding Clause on treaty rights).
And because of course he is, David Eby is musing about refineries instead of export pipelines, which isn’t going to happen because they are extremely expensive to build and would require billions and billions in government subsidies for little return (and yes, the Alberta government tried that and is still paying for that particular error in judgment.
Ukraine Dispatch
The new Czech prime minister says they will continue to run the ammunition sourcing programme for Ukraine, but won’t contribute money to it.
Good reads:
- Mark Carney arrived in Paris for the “Coalition of the Willing” meeting, and signed onto a plan that could involve Canadian troops as part of a peace plan. (Photos here)
- Carney also met with Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen to offer support for Greenland, and to say that the GG and Anita Anand would visit next month.
- Here are five ways that the American intervention in Venezuela can affect Canada.
- The wife of rejected NDP leadership hopeful Yves Engler wants to run in his place.
- The first batch of Alberta recall petitions appear to be falling short of signatures.
- The book ban in Alberta schools has gone ahead, with a more limited list (that still expressly targets queer and trans materials).
- Mike Moffatt outlines the collapse of the condo market, which is spreading across the country from Toronto and Vancouver to other markets.
- Bruce Arthur points out that post-Venezuela, Canadian politics has a bright red line running through it over those who support Trump’s actions and those who don’t.
- Susan Delacourt muses about the coming byelections to replace Freeland, Jeneroux, and maybe others rumoured to be in line for diplomatic posts.
Odds and ends:
Position less than clarified. Carney's calculus on milquetoast communication around NATO alliances & international law places a baffling faith in securing a Cda/US trade deal that's worth anything the day after it's signed.
— Natalie Brender (@nataliebrender.bsky.social) 2026-01-06T15:33:27.028Z
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