We Still Have a Government, Right?: Canadian Politics 2020

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-tuesday-edition-1.5443076/montreal-family-stranded-in-china-during-coronavirus-lockdown-seeks-help-from-canada-1.5443082

Not even picking up the phone is unfortunately par for the course, in my experience.

:(

USMCA ratification legislation tabled, with only the Bloc dissenting on the ways and means bill: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberal-government-nafta-implementation-bill-trump-1.5444947

Haven't seen anything in the mainstream press yet but this seems like it might shape up to be an odd story: https://pressprogress.ca/mysterious-group-uses-made-up-name-and-fake-mom-to-attack-teachers-in-canadas-biggest-newspapers/

FFS. 🤦‍♂️

See the Vaughan Working Families twitter account, thanking Lecce for the fight against teachers? Check out the photo they used.

That's dead NYC billionaire Matthew Mellon. Ironically, the Mellons spend millions to fight for more teacher engagement. 🙄#onpoli pic.twitter.com/vXVV3wY8Ba

— Stephen Punwasi (@StephenPunwasi) February 3, 2020

That's pathetically low.

I'm hearing a lot about this on Radio-Canada: https://www.google.com/amp/s/montrealgazette.com/news/quebec/legault-blasts-trudeau-for-federal-funding-granted-to-emsbs-bill-21-challenge/amp

Afaict, the EMSB is receiving funding through the Court Challenges Program, which, afaik, is a program that allows any group to receive funds for a charter rights court challenge. I'm not sure that Trudeau even has much to do with it? He did make a supportive statement at the least, though.

Major strike day for teachers in ON today I gather (albeit not at the schools where I worked).

Update on 'Vaughan Working Families':https://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/9845588-ad-critical-of-teacher-unions-linked-to-lawyer-with-progressive-conservative-connections/?utm_source=facebook&source=yorkregion.com&utm_medium=socialmedia&utm_campaign&utm_campaign_id&utm_content&fbclid=iwar39lhi6hgn7nqjomtoni1aosighsdh1jm0ri2dlcle5xeksarylhnkd96m

Holy shit

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheers says the "protesters" need to check their "privilege" and let the rail system open again. #Wet'suwet'en. pic.twitter.com/dQKZ6IKouU

— APTN National News (@APTNNews) February 14, 2020

amazing.

inject it into my veins!

been out at actions most days for the last week so thank you, scheer for the added impetus to keep on going

So positive reports from the first day of negotiations with the hereditary chiefs?

Will admit I've been finding the Coastal Gaslink issue hard to fully get a handle on/take a position on, insofar as I can see why both the band leaders and the hereditary chiefs hold the positions they do. The BC govt's support for it is also interesting in light of their opposition to TransMountain.

I know many (maybe most) Canadian ILX people aren't big on Trudeau. Are you okay with him in charge of the coronavirus response? Maybe I shouldn't be, but I am. I think he'll at least take counsel from the right people, act on it, and spend whatever needs to be spent.

My one big international work trip this year is Montreal, so he better be on his game

I might just be lowering the bar and comparing him to Trump, but at the very least, I can't see him ever, under any circumstances, looking to Trump for the right response (even if he might pay lip service in public--there has to be a certain amount of coordination between the two countries).

I'm no expert but it mostly seems appropriate so far?

seems fine

Blockades come down in Quebec: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-kahnawake-blockade-1.5486733

I owe them another donation.

New ON Lib leader: https://toronto.citynews.ca/2020/03/07/ontario-liberals-new-leader/

I freely admit to remembering nothing about him from his cabinet days.

I said to a friend yesterday that when I try to get my mind around two weeks from now, I can't.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/trudeau-self-isolating-as-wife-sophie-awaits-result-of-covid-19-test-1.4850159

Legault just asked everyone who is arriving from abroad to self-isolate for 14 days. This will be me tomorrow.

This was posted 10 hours ago, but I just heard it now from CNN--I thought my FB wall would have been filled.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/sophie-gregoire-trudeau-tests-positive-for-covid-19-1.4850159

I feel like Canada is getting off easy so far. (knock on wood)

I was very glad my board closed schools. And wondering if that will extend past April 5. I've got jobs booked for three days in mid-April--I hope I don't face that decision.

I feel like we're just not there yet,give it a week.

BC has told people not to travel outside of Canada unless essential and events with over 250 people are verboten

Oh yeah and if you travel outside of Canada you have to self isolate for 14 days on return

i am at an all-inclusive in Cancun (we arrived last Friday). we go home to Montreal tomorrow, where we'll self-quarantine for 2 weeks. it all feels deeply uncanny. although the hotel's being diligent with handwashing and alcohol gel around the site, it's basically still paradise - sunsets, beaches, clean sheets. (all at a certain exploitative price - i know, i know, we had our reasons for trying this for the first time but i'll spare you them here.) knowing that we're returning to a terrified, shutdown Canada - and that we ourselves will be joining the shutdown, going from poolside lounging to self-imposed quarantine (with a 3-year-old to boot!) feels totally insane.

I was very glad my board closed schools.

I believe all public and Catholic schools in ON will be closed for two weeks after March Break?

Still deciding whether it will still be safe to go to Wire on Saturday.:(

thread title is newly relevant: https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2020/03/13/mps-to-discuss-suspending-parliament-in-covid-19-fight/#.XmuannJKiUl

xp I'm gonna skip it, I think.

I can spread more disease than the fleas
Which nibble away at your window display

I'm heading to the venue now to try to get a refund.xp

lol

Trudeau advises against international travel, calls for events of over 250 to be cancelled (until further notice, acc to the French report), bans boats and cruise ships of over 500 from docking until July 1; considering tightening the border and income support measures:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-covid-19-1.5496367
https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1663604/trudeau-approche-commune-provinces-coronavirus-canada

fair enough.

Received e-mail today from both the orthotics and massage therapy clinics I patronize, and they were virtually identical about conditions whereby you should reschedule. Wonder if there was a provincial directive.

Lol @

Ottawa Public Health has become aware of a third confirmed case of COVID-19 in Ottawa. This third case is unrelated to the two previously announced cases.

The confirmed case is a woman in her 40s with recent travel history to England. The individual is currently in self-isolation at home with mild symptoms. Ottawa Public Health is still investigating details of this new confirmed case.

https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/novel-coronavirus.aspx?utm_source=OPH&utm_medium=Home_Page_Banner&utm_campaign=Coronavirus&utm_content=Home_Page_Banner_OPH#March-13-2020---Statement-from-Dr-Vera-Etches-Medical-Officer-of-Health-on-COVID-19-situation-in-Ottawa

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-pay-attention-trump-trudeaus-coronavirus-response-is-a-lesson-in/

"It’s an old cliché that the American republic was founded on the principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, while Canada’s founders preferred peace, order and good government. But at times such as this, the Canadian approach has its appeal."

I don't know if the federal or provincial government can do anything about this ridiculousness hoarding going on (they can during wartime, no?), but I hope that is somehow addressed.

"ridiculous"

Going to read that but I will note that at least one point in favour of the US response is that CDC has been mich better than Health Canada at providing information for high-risk populations.

*much

column feels like it's spiking the ball before the end zone

we need to be way more aggressive than we are currently

we share an open border with the a country of +300M that is straight up rawdogging the pandemic. so we have to respond more heavily relative to other countries

no one should be crossing the border unless they live or work here imo. saw some news story about a WA family ‘quarantining’ at whistler... jfc

https://www.vancourier.com/news/city-of-vancouver-has-no-plans-to-cancel-public-gatherings-over-coronavirus-outbreak-1.24096692

vancouver city hall seems to believe risk is low, idgi

yeah it’s really bizarre

Even the BBC is talking about it: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55631198

So proud of my province rn.

I was out in the car when they interrupted programming for Ford's announcement. My most immediate reaction was "Can I still go for a walk?" If I interpret correctly, I can. That's good--that's really important to me, and pretty much all I ask. So a good thing.

Same for me.

I'm finding it a little difficult to figure out if this all semantics or if anything has actually changed. Ford is talking tough about big-box stores, but are there tangible differences I'm missing?

Props to Ford for taking action before it's too late. Gotta give credit where credit is due.

Agree, but they need to be clearer. Because I'm still not sure what changes on Thursday, except at the margins (i.e., younger grades have to be masked now--which, where I was supplying, they 100% were already).

ok sorry but what is "essential work" at this point

Perfect illustration of how all this really does seem like a lot of legerdemain. Non-essential curbside pickup is now restricted to the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Huh? Was anybody doing curbside pickup outside those hours? The three things I can identify are 1) the primary-grade mask provision (which, as I say, is kind of needless); 2) a limit in outdoor gatherings of 5 (down from 10); and 3) Ford saying he'll really come down on big-box stores that don't follow the 50%-capacity rule.

That's great if that's true. Otherwise, there doesn't seem to be a lot here.

Am I understanding correctly that e.g. Long & McQuade can still offer curbside pickup but I would be violating the stay-at-home order and could get a fine if I went there to rent mics via curbside pickup? Unless I can make a case that it is essential?

Hadn't thought about that. Not sure they have either.

Went for my 9:00 walk, stopping into Tim Hortons (empty, double-masked) for a takeout coffee that I drink on the way back. I do this every night.

On Thursday, 1) I can still go for a walk (I think), 2) Tim Hortons will still be open for takeout (I think--even they weren't sure, but 3) if I combine the two, am I now making a non-essential trip and leaving myself open to being charged? As with Sund4r's question above, there are either incompatibilities or I'm not understanding.

will I get arrested if I go for a night jog

Double double jeopardy

Afaik, there is no curfew and leaving the house for exercise is OK so that one actually seems a little clearer.xp lol

Yes, I’m still sort of generous about his position and intentions here, simply vs what his conduct could have been, but omg... it’s super fucking stupid how contradictory and confusing these announcements still are! It isn’t clear, The actual rules not much different, but the only real takeaway today is that now they are moving towards enforcement vs suggestion.

Simon: I think the answer is no to that--Ford seemed adamant today that that was the difference in not imposing a curfew. But I don't know, maybe that question is trickier in Toronto than St. Marys (though the order is province-wide...).

So cringe

Andrew Scheer (@AndrewScheer) Tweeted:
So @JustinTrudeau’s senior advisor just called for people to be thrown out a window to their death. Now, will the PM denounce this incitement to violence? Does this violate any kind of community standard for Twitter. https://t.co/BUhA7EUILY

our inept right really is a blessing

this was my favourite moronic andrew scheer bit

Omar Khadr is a convicted terrorist who murdered a medic and blinded another. He is not a victim, nor should he be portrayed in this way alongside real Canadian heroes. @googlecanada: fix this. pic.twitter.com/qywUGQihVb

— Andrew Scheer (@AndrewScheer) January 29, 2019

Apparently I don’t know how to properly embed a tweet. That one is hilarious. He should do comedy.

just copy/pasting the link works

I think he had to scroll through a few pages of photos to find khadr, as the arrows and other "canadian soldiers" indicate

Somewhat helpful:

https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/questions-about-ontario-s-stay-at-home-order-answered-1.5264068

How will the government know who is out for legitimate reasons and who isn't?

The province said that residents will have a duty to identify themselves when a police officer has "reasonable and probable grounds" that there has been a breach of the orders made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

Walking, running, A-OK.

New thread: Defenestrate Them All: Canadian Politics 2021