There have been so many important (or just entertaining) political issues that have popped up over the last few weeks, that it’s been hard to decide on just one to write about.
So many thoughts, so little time.
Non-apology not accepted
SNC-Lavalin and the recent ruling of the ethics commissioner is an obvious and troubling one.
In a impromptu interview with the Canadian Press Trudeau stated, “I’m not going to apologize for standing up for Canadian jobs, because that’s my job — to make sure Canadians and communities and pensioners and families across the country are supported, and that’s what I will always do. I disagree with the ethics commissioner’s conclusions, but he is an officer of Parliament doing his job and I fully accept his report, which means I take full responsibility.”
READ MORE: VIDEO: Trudeau repeats non-apology for ‘standing up for jobs’ in SNC-Lavalin case
That’s very contradictory to accept responsibility in the same breath as denying any wrong doing.
Will he apologize or not has been answered. He won’t. But that’s the wrong question. Will police lay charges?
It’s not enough to ask Justin Trudeau to apologize to the two former Liberal MPs or to simply say we’ll vote him out.
When one is in the highest office in the land, they should also be held to a high standard and they are not above the law.
Sen. Mike Duffey was at least charged, although ultimately acquitted of the 31 charges against him, but it proves that a government official can indeed be charged and isn’t above the law.
Trudeau should also have his actions scrutinized by the RCMP and the courts if necessary.
READ MORE: What could be next? Five questions in the SNC-Lavalin saga
As frightening as it is, the Liberals may yet win another term. Some polls suggest the scandal may not even affect the Liberal’s chance of re-election because people are bored of hearing about it and consider it “old news.”
Canadians can’t afford to be complacent and just hope he gets voted out. He needs to be held accountable.
Mackerel for McKenna
Then there is our proud nation’s environment minister Catherine McKenna.
During a trip up north earlier this month, the minister made time for a “fishing” photo-op but as it’s been pointed out online, the photo doesn’t have much credibility as she is wearing high-heeled shoes and if you look closely, there doesn’t appear to be any line in the rod.
She’s fishing alright, just not for fish.
McKenna also recently blasted the Ontario government for its plan to make stickers advertising the cost of the carbon tax mandatory at gas stations throughout the province.
She called them out, stating, “This is just par for the course for a government wasting taxpayers’ dollars to fight climate action instead of climate change,” in a Facebook post.
McKenna went on to say, “… they are impeding the free speech of small-business owners.”
On that I can agree.
Whatever side of the climate change argument you fall on, it does seem like propaganda for a government to force businesses to advertise a certain message, does it not?
Got milk?
The Liberal government recently announced a dairy bailout of $1.75 billion in direct cash payments over the next eight years. It’s interesting that this comes after the new food guide was released that de-emphasizes meat and dairy.
It seems like the government is hurting and helping the industry at the same time.
War on wages
I could also go on about how Premier Jason Kenney’s idea to cut the minimum wage of alcohol servers because it might give them more hours and therefore possibly more tips and a higher overall income, is just passing the buck, literally, and is a bit akin to the line most famously attributed to Marie Antoinette, “Let them eat cake!” but I’m out of space for today.