Tag Archives: Housing

QP: A fictional second coalition

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The prime minister and his deputy were both present today, which has become somewhat unusual of late, and all other leaders were present as well. Pierre Poilievre led off in French, and he called out the Bloc for voting with the government on yesterday’s Conservative Supply Day motion, and that La Presse says that the Bloc wants to keep the Liberals in power for another two years, and that there was allegedly a call between the Bloc leader and the PM, and demanded to know the terms of this agreement. Justin Trudeau said that he was always willing to work with anyone to fight climate change, and that he was happy that the Bloc recognized the best way to fight it was with a carbon price and to help families, which is what they were doing. He added that he hasn’t had a recent call with the Bloc leader about anything other than the Middle East. Poilievre switched to English to claim that Trudeau found a “new coalition partner” in the Bloc to save him from a “confidence vote” (which was not a coincidence vote), and wondered what they were promised. Trudeau recited the lines about phasing out heating oil, and thanked the Bloc for believing in climate change. Poilievre was outraged that Trudeau thanked the separatists, decried his being divisive, and demanded to know again what he promised them. Trudeau said that he exchanges regularly with all leaders, but hadn’t with Blanchet recently except on the Middle East issue. Poilievre then raised that all of the premiers were against the carbon price and that they demanded he remove the carbon price on home heating. Trudeau spoke about Canadians being united in the fight against climate change. Poilievre then tried to question about the NDP’s supposed flip-flopping positions. The Speaker noted that he didn’t sound like a question on the administrative responsibility of the government, but Trudeau rose anyway to denounce the Conservatives for not believing in climate change.

Yves-François Blanchet led for the Bloc, noted that there was no call and the only true thing Poilievre said was that they are separatists, before he pointed out that the Liberals and the Conservatives are still advertising on Facebook in spite of their attempts to intimidate Canada. Trudeau gave another round of praise for being united on the climate, before saying that they were trying to find a way to get web giants to pay for journalism. Blanchet raised the 500 layoffs at TVA, and demanded the government do something, and Trudeau insisted that they are defending media against the web giants, which the Conservatives will stand up for.

Jagmeet Singh rose for the NDP, and gave pro forma denunciations of both the Liberals and Conservatives before demanding support for their Supply Day motion on taking the GST off of home heating. Trudeau said that he was surprised that the NDP don’t seem to be that interested in phasing out heating oil. Singh reiterated his same demand for support in French, and Trudeau responses with his paean about phasing out heating oil and replacing it with heat pumps.

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QP: Same scripts on demanding free votes for individual MPs

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While the prime minister was in town but not in QP, but most of the other leaders were absent as well, even when they just gave media availabilities in the Foyer. The PM’s deputy was present for a change, which has become something of a rarity. Pierre Poilievre led off in French, and he took shots at the Bloc for supporting the government’s carbon price plans, and that they planned to vote against their Supply Day motion on removing the carbon price on all home heating, and wondered what concessions the prime minister made to them. Chrystia Freeland said that the government was proud to follow in Quebec’s footsteps on child care and climate action, because Quebec was a leader on both. Poilievre stated that the question was for the prime minister, who was “hiding,” and repeated his insinuation that there was some kind of coalition deal with the Bloc, which is obvious nonsense. Pablo Rodriguez got up to worry that the Conservatives want to take Quebec backwards, whether it’s with women’s rights, gun control, or climate action, and declared the the Conservatives want to send Quebec back to the “Stone Age.” Poilievre switched to English to carry on with the empty chair gambit, said that Gudie Hutchings’ comments were “revolting,” and demanded a free vote on their carbon price motion. Jonathan Wilkinson somewhat wearily recited that the cost of heating oil is four times as much as natural gas and they have a plan for free heating pumps. Poilievre tried to pick off the two Alberta Liberals to demand a free vote, and Wilkinson again reiterated his same points. Poilievre insinuated that the prime minister was hiding and demanded more deee votes for more Liberal MPs. This time Chrystia Freeland got up to call out Poilievre for “hiding” on the Alberta pension issue, and that it took him 29 days to denounce the plan.

Alain Therrien led for the Bloc, and demanded that the government safe television after all of the TVA layoffs. Pascale St-Onge rose to say that her thoughts are with those whose jobs were affected but the landscape in media has changed, which is why they need the cooperation of all parties to safe Canadian media. Therrien decried that television was in danger and demanded federal action, to which St-Onge again decried the Conservatives trying to block their abilities to help the sector.

Jenny Kwan rose for the NDP, and decried how much rent has increased (which is provincial), and demanded more investments in social housing. Sean Fraser said that he agreed with the slams against Poilievre and patted himself on the back for their investments to date. Daniel Blaikie got up to denounce the government in general and demanded that they support the NDP bill on competition reform. François-Philippe Champagne said that they should support the government’s bill on competition reform.

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QP: The plan to phase-out heating oil

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The prime minister and all other leaders were present, albeit temporarily. Before things got started, Speaker Fergus gave another exhortation to improve their decorum, following a disruption during Members’ Statements. Pierre Poilievre led off in French, and he talked about the so-called “second carbon tax” that doesn’t exist, and switched to English halfway through to call on the PM to denounce what Gudie Hutchings said on the weekend. Trudeau read a script in French to praise their programme to help people switch to heat pumps, including free pumps for low-income households. Poilievre was fully in English to denounce the so-called “two classes of Canadians” that this heating oil pause created, and demanded the whole price be cut. Trudeau insisted that this was a step toward getting everyone off heating oil and onto heat pumps. Poilievre insisted that this was an attack on national unity, to which Trudeau denounced this as disinformation, and pointed out that most people get more in a rebate than they pay in carbon prices. Poilievre then misquoted the PBO on the costs of the carbon price, and mischaracterised what Trudeau said about the heating oil pause, to which Trudeau tried to more emphatically insist that they wanted to get free heat pumps to low-income households in provinces where they have an agreement. Poilievre insisted that he wanted to get rid of the price for all people in all places, and wanted it paused until the next election so it could be put to the public. Trudeau insisted that the Conservatives have lost three elections in a row on denying climate change and that the Liberals would show them that once again.

Yves-François Blanchet led for the Bloc, and he wanted a concession on reducing immigration targets, given that it was the subject of the Bloc’s Supply Day motion. Trudeau launched into a paean about how great and necessary immigration is for the country. Blanchet demanded support for their motion, and Trudeau talked about how they engage with stakeholder, and indicated their support for the motion (which is surprisingly considering that the motion is entirely concern trolling).

Jagmeet Singh rose for the NDP, and he demanded the government remove the GST on all home heating—a programme that is largely unworkable and disproportionately benefits the wealthy. Trudeau talked about how years ago they agreed to phase out coal, and now they are doing the same with heating oil. Singh repeated the question in French, and got much the same response. 

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QP: Trying to make “quadruple” happen

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While the prime minister was in town and due to make an announcement shortly after QP, neither he nor any other leader were present today. Melissa Lantsman led off, and laid out a network of supposedly shady dealings around the ArriveCan app development. Arif Virani said that they were aware of the allegations and there was an RCMP investigation underway, so they would not comment. Lantsman tried to equate this scandal with people using food banks, and Virani repeated his same response. Lantsman repeated the same assertion, and this time Sean Fraser stood up and pointed out that the Conservatives’ record doesn’t stand up to their rhetoric. Pierre Paul-Hus took over in French, and he gave Quebec-specific food bank figures to tie it to the ArriveCan app development. Virani got up to give the French version of his statement. Paul-Hus cited a survey about Quebeckers being worried about their mortgage renewals, which they blamed on government spending. Rodriguez stood up to say that Quebeckers are afraid of Conservatives because all they care about is cuts.

Alain Therrien led off for the Bloc, and wanted the government to cut immigration numbers because of housing supply issues. Fraser said that it is possible to welcome arrivals and build new housing at the same time, and that they signed a housing agreement with Quebec. Therrien repeated the same demand, and this time Marc Miller said that as a Quebecker, he recognises the need for higher immigration.

Heather McPherson rose for the NDP, and she demanded immediate action for homelessness in Edmonton. Fraser for back up to say that they have been working to build more homes and doubled support for homelessness. Bonita Zarrillo said that those solutions would not help this winter, and demanded immediate action (because they have a magic wand?) Fraser repeated his same points about the support they have been provided.

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QP: The worst kind of reading of scripts

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The prime minister and all other leaders were present today, and if anything, it promised to be a sour note all around. Pierre Poilievre led off in French, and he cited a “devastating” report about food bank use, blaming carbon prices. Justin Trudeau took the opportunity to mark the passing for Senator Ian Shugart, the former Clerk of the Privy Council. Poilievre said that Shuguart was his deputy minister and was a great public servant. He then returned to French to quote from the same report on food bank use. Trudeau cited the assistance they have delivered to Canadians, such as the Canada Child Benefit, child care and dental care, while the Conservatives would only those supports. Poilievre switched to English to reiterate his first question about the carbon price. Trudeau praised his government’s record in reducing poverty and reiterated the threat that the Conservatives would only cut supports. Poilievre cited a Nova Scotia quoted in the report and again blamed the carbon price, and Trudeau noted that Poilievre was part of a government that raised the age of retirement, and that it was about time he finally defended the CPP. Poilievre again quoted from the report on housing pressures and demanded more homes. Trudeau said that Poilievre has put forward no plan on housing and he lacks credibility on the file, while the housing minster was currently in BC signing new agreements. 

Yves-François Blanchet led off for the Bloc, and wanted the prime minster to acknowledge that Quebec would be financially viable on their own. Trudeau dismissed this as trying to reopen old fights that have long been settled, and listed off investments the federal government has made in the province. Blanchet again tried to get Trudeau to “admit” the province’s fiscal viability, and Trudeau again talked around the issue about growing the economy in the province together. 

Jagmeet Singh rose for the NDP, and blamed food prices on greedy CEOs, and Trudeau listed more programmes they have rolled out to help Canadians. Singh repeated the question in French, to which Trudeau listed off those programmes en français. 

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QP: A committee chair tells on himself

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The prime minster and all other leaders were present today, which is nice to see. Pierre Poilievre led off in French, and he raised that the Parti Québécois “independent budget” and that they claim that Trudeau is leading Canada to financial ruin. Justin Trudeau said that he would get to the questions in a moment but took the opportunity to pay respects to the shooting in Sault Ste Marie. Poilievre insisted that separatism was off the table under the Harper years because of low taxes, which is risible, to which Trudeau shrugged it off and praised his government’s actions to help people. Poilievre switched to English repeated his same claim about separatists before pivoting to the carbon price and blaming it on inflation, shrinks-flatiron, and “skimp-flatiron.” Trudeau suggested that Poilievre was guilty of conflation, and noted the Conservatives only want to cut. Poilievre went on a tear about the RCMP Commissioner being shut down at committee and the ArriveCan investigation, and cried corruption. Trudeau said that if the Conservatives were digging up matters that were settled years ago, they were desperate. Poilievre then pivoted again and demanded to know if the PM believed Israel fired on the Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza. Trudeau said that they needed to ensure they had the facts, and the best evidence was that Israel did not do it.

Yves-François Blanchet led for the Bloc, praised Poilievre for bringing separatism back to the floor of the Commons, before turning to discussing with the US about a truce in Gaza. Trudeau said that he did speak to Biden over the weekend and they were working to a humanitarian solution. Blanchet wanted to know what happened to the idea of party leaders getting together to speak on this with a single voice, and Trudeau said that time will be set aside for such a meeting.

Jagmeet Singh rose for the NDP, raised the dubious story about the Calgary senior whose mortgage went from $1000 to $2600 per month (which is impossible), and demanded help for Canadians. Trudeau said that he was just in Singh’s hometown of Brampton to announce more housing plans. Singh switched to French to raise the tent encampment in Gatineau while the prime minister was hosting a fundraiser there, to which Trudeau praised the signature of a housing agreement with Quebec, details to be forthcoming.

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Roundup: Abusing authority to summon the RCMP Commissioner

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The abuse and beclowning of House of Commons committees continues apace, as the Conservatives tried to use the Access to Information, Ethics, and Privacy Committee to re-litigate the SNC-Lavalin scandal after Astroturf group Democracy Watch floated some bullshit last week about how the RCMP said they couldn’t investigate if a crime occurred because they were denied access to Cabinet-confidential documents. Never mind that no crime was ever alleged, but this was more than enough for the Conservatives to try to resurrect this dead horse, and they did so by the committee chair abusing his position to bring the head of the RCMP to testify at committee. The other parties at committee, however, were having none of this because of the abuse of procedure, and shut down the meeting, to howls of outrage by Conservatives who wanted their dog and pony show for the cameras.

https://twitter.com/MonaFortier/status/1716549067180736827

We’ll likely see said RCMP Commissioner invited back in a proper fashion in the next week or two, because the Bloc have stated that they want to hear from him, but with proper notice and preparation, so they’ll get their dog and pony show eventually. It won’t do them much good—the Commissioner told CBC on his way out of the building that there was nothing to tell, that the RCMP was satisfied that there wasn’t anything illegal once they did their due diligence, even if they couldn’t get those documents. It won’t satisfy the Conservatives or Democracy Watch, who will continue to allege conspiracies and dark deeds, and howl at the moon about cover-ups, because that’s how they get attention. (But seriously, media outlets—stop quoting Democracy Watch. They actually have no credibility and it’s a sign of lazy reporting if you rely on their quotes as a crutch).

Ukraine Dispatch:

Ukrainian forces say they shot down 14 drones and a cruise missile attacking the country’s south and east, but falling debris damaged a warehouse in Odesa. Russian forces pressed their attack on Avdiivka in the east, and Kupiansk, further north.

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QP: Cracked crystal balls and shifting goal posts

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While the prime minister and his deputy were both in town, neither were present for QP today, while most of the other leaders were. Pierre Poilievre led off in French, accusing the prime minister of doubling housing costs and the report on the rise in the used of alternative loan services, which charge higher interest rates, and in turn wanted lower spending. Diane Lebouthillier, surprisingly, got up to decry that the Conservatives only want to chop, chop, chop, particularly programmes that people need, claiming they are like a shark that claims to be a vegetarian. Poilievre raised the story of a senior who had to sell his house and could not afford to rent anywhere, and demanded the government cut spending. Lebouthillier went on a tear about cracked crystal balls, Conservative cuts, and that they couldn’t tell the future. Poilievre switched to English to worry that people we going to alternative lenders to get mortgages, which charge added interest, and demanded the government cut spending to bring down interest rates—which doesn’t logically follow. Sean Fraser for up to denounce the Conservatives’ housing plans as doing nothing. Poilievre claimed that the government hasn’t built any housing, and that they only want to cut taxes on luxury penthouses. Fraser trotted out that when Poilievre was minister, his $300 million programme only built 99 houses. Poilievre tried to speciously claim the National Housing Strategy increased housing prices before pivoting to complaints from restaurant owners. Rechie Valdez stood up to read a script about what help the government has offered small businesses.

Alain Therrien led for the Bloc, and demanded the government extend the CEBA repayment period for another year including the non-repayable portion. Valdez read a script in French that they have offered more flexibility to these businesses. Therrien insisted that this wasn’t what they were asking for, and this time Sonya Martinez Ferrada recited that businesses appreciated that the government kept them in business during the pandemic.

Jagmeet Singh rose for the NDP, and demanded a ceasefire in Gaza, to which Ahmed Hussen rose to read that the government continued to work with allies to call for humanitarian law to be respected and that they were the first to provide aid. Singh read his same demand in French, and Hussen repeated his same points, still in English.

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Roundup: Stop ignoring the premiers’ role in pharmacare

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Over the weekend, the Star ran a brief interview with Dr. Eric Hoskins, former Ontario health minister and the person that Justin Trudeau initially tasked with writing a report on getting to pharmacare, about the current situation between the government and the NDP over getting to just that. Hoskins says he’s trying to have high-level engagements with both parties, because this could be the last opportunity to get this to work in a long time, but some of that means getting the NDP to back down on their arbitrary timelines (which is more than reasonable considering how much their stupid timeline demands has meant a poor rollout of dental care, because proper implementation can take time).

This having been said, I was struck by the fact that the story completely left out the role of the premiers in this, and I cannot stress this enough, because healthcare delivery is a provincial responsibility, you cannot in any way, shape or form, get to national, universal pharacare without the provinces on board. And no, this isn’t something that they can just opt-in to over time, like the NDP seem to think—they need to be in on it from the ground floor, so that they can shape the direction of the Canada Drug Agency, and negotiate a national formulary rather than just the federal government pulling it out of their asses and, again, expecting the provinces to sign onto it (again, like the NDP seem to think). Hoskin’s whole report premised on the provinces being active participants in the process, because this affects them fundamentally. And it’s the provinces who have been the biggest hold-up for moving forward with this—only PEI has moved ahead, and thanks to the gradual build-up they’ve implemented with the federal government, they have a low-cost co-pay system running in the province, which is a wild step-up from the virtually nothing they at the provincial government level before.

The way that media keep talking about pharmacare is that this is something the federal government will do on high, and will somehow pay for entirely themselves, which again, is not how this would work. The PBO’s report cites a figure that the federal and provincial governments together would be paying (using whatever a methodology that may or may not survive reality), but doesn’t have any breakdown about what the cost-share would be, because of course that would need to be negotiated. It would be great if the national conversation, particularly that is happening in media, could actually include the crucial role of the provinces, but we all know that legacy media is allergic to the issues around jurisdiction, and it means a much worse discourse as a result.

Ukraine Dispatch:

Russian forces intensified their push toward Avdiivka in the east, and Kherson in the south, while six people were killed in a Russian missile strike on a postal distribution centre in Kharkiv. Russian forces claim that they foiled several attempts by Ukrainian forces to cross the Dnipro river near Kherson over the past day. Meanwhile, here is a look at Ukrainians preparing for another winter of attacks on the electricity grid, as they prepare firewood and candles.

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QP: Questions about French castles

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While the prime minister was entertaining Caribbean leaders for the CARICOM summit, his deputy was on her way to Washington for other meetings, and only a couple of the other leaders were present in the Chamber for QP. Pierre Poilievre led off in French, and recounted the story of a couple from Ontario who wold their home and bought a castle in France, and wouldn’t be able to afford to move back to Ontario and buy a new home there. François-Philippe Champagne took this up and launched into a demand that the Conservatives support their bill on affordability. Poilievre pivoted and said that they warned the government that the clean fuel regulations would impose higher costs on lower income Canadians and wanted it cancelled, and Steven Guilbeault noted that the Conservatives campaigned on the same standards, but the difference is that the Liberals actually did it. Poilievre switched to English to repeat the story of a couple with the castle in France. Champagne got back up to deploy the “take no lessons” line and exhorted the Conservatives support their bill. Poilievre claimed this was Champagne saying “let them eat cake,” and this time Karina Gould got up to point out that Poilievre won’t explain why he won’t support a bill to increase affordability measures. Poilievre returned to the question on the clean fuel regulations, and this time Guilbeault read a survey of small businesses owners impacted by weather events and pilloried the Conservatives for ignoring climate change. 

Alain Therrien led for the Bloc, and decried that only 20 trucks of humanitarian aid have been allowed into Gaza, and wanted to know if the government has been on the case. Mélanie Joly says that they have been constantly asking to deliver humanitarian aid, and that they are engaging with the different countries in the region. Therrien insisted that Canada needed to show humanitarian leadership, to which Ahmed Hussen red a script about their commitment to getting humanitarian aid to civilians. 

Jagmeet Singh rose for the NDP, and he railed that Toronto hasn’t received the promised $97 million in aid for housing, particularly around asylum seekers. Mark Miller said that they are engaging with the city and the province, and that they have been asking the city for the receipts which they will pay for once they receive them. Singh switched to French to recount a story of someone who was evicted and needed to find a smaller, less adapted home. Champagne exhorted him and all of the opposition to vote for their affordability measure.

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