One of the sub-plots from the federal budget release last week was the release of the immigration numbers therein, and the fact that they are planning to hold them “steady” for the next couple of years in order to achieve “stability”when they have a lot of problems with the system internally (not the least of which is their totally-not-digital-asbestos determination software that is screwing up constantly). In there, however, was an additional pledge to turn 200,000 existing temporary residents into permanent residents, many of them Hong Kongers and Ukrainians who are already in the country under special programmes related to their situations. They’re also extending the work permits for temporary foreign workers from one to two years, while still insisting that Canadians get first priority when the reality is always more complicated than that.
This didn’t stop the Conservatives from having a meltdown about it, Pierre Poilievre releasing a video to call it “insane,” and to blame “corporate power brokers.” The thing that gets me, however, is the fact that you have legacy media just going along with it when the Conservatives are outwardly concern trolling, claiming it’s about not having housing or healthcare capacity and not just pandering to white nationalists in their voter base, while absolutely nobody will say a gods damned thing about the fact that not a single premier is living up to their own responsibilities when it comes to those particular issues, and this becomes an issue of federal levels and blame. It’s just so tiresome, but this is where the discourse is at in Canada.
Things got a little heated during Mike Le Couteur's interview with Michelle Rempel Garner on last night's Power Play.
— Scott Robertson (@sarobertson.bsky.social) 2026-11-07T15:32:38.484Z
My Latest:
For National Magazine, I delve into what’s in the budget for courts and the justice system, and while there are a few promising glimmers, most of it is not nearly enough.
Ukraine Dispatch:
Russia spent the weekend hitting power substations and cargo vessels, along with bridges in Kyiv. Ahead of fresh talks in Abu Dhabi, president Zelenskyy says that recent battlefield successes are strengthening Ukraine’s position.
Noteworthy:
- Supriya Dwivedi reminds us that Bill C-22—the lawful access bill—is terrible and unconstitutional, and it runs against the government’s investment in Cohere.
- Kevin Carmichael points to the importance of cultural spending in the budget.
- Philippe Lagassé has some questions about the defence spending in the budget, while Stephen Saideman has a few doubts about what the numbers are saying.
- Lindsay Tedds calls some bullshit on a few of the “enhancements” in the budget, and has a few thoughts on the tax credit for artists vs the Irish artists’ basic income.
- Jennifer Robson reflects on the Stellantis sale of their Brampton plant to Roshel, and why this isn’t going to convince any American lawmakers about tariffs.
America Just Wants Canada To Know It’s Totally Safe To Come Back Nowyoutu.be/-zaqhv7VOzk?…
— Clare Blackwood (@clareblackwood.bsky.social) 2026-11-06T15:07:34.384Z
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