1. A short thread on the risk of forming early conclusion on the findings at the inquiry into the use of the Emergencies Act. 2. OPP Commission Thomas Carrique is testifying today. In his witness statement entered as evidence he says the EA was NOT necessary and NOT used to compel tow trucks to assist police operation
BUT (and this is a big BUT so see next tweet)

Premier @fordnation and @SylviaJonesMPP are being summoned to testify at the Ottawa inquiry after refusing to be interviewed or testify voluntarily. Ford had previously said he wasn’t asked to testify. This letter suggests something very different.

Some context on the European MPs some of you are tweeting at me about. cbc.ca/news/politics/… From the article: Both Anderson and Zimniok are members of the political party Alternative for Germany, described by the BBC as a far-right political party that employs rhetoric "tinged with Nazi overtones."

Maybe the “silent majority” is speaking with their actions. Getting their shots. Wearing their masks. Complying with public health rules to keep each other safe. And generally being decent to each other under the horrible and stressful conditions of the past two years.

https://twitter.com/ivisonj/status/1495227616525225985

Most people I know who aren’t in politics or journalism are too exhausted to scream and yell. Their energy is used to endure and persevere. To get themselves and the people they love through this. Everything else is noise compared to that main goal which takes all they’ve got.

The Ottawa police say they had no indication the protestors would occupy the downtown. But the organizers literally published their intention to do just that in December. Their original timeline wasn’t met but the intention was clear. Read it here: canada-unity.com/event/operatio… They called it Operation BearHug. This has been the plan from the jump. They made it clear to everyone who would listen.

SCOOP: The federal government has approved a travel exemption for the final two rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs that would allow NHL teams to cross the Canada-US border without having to quarantine.

#nhl #StanleyCup #StanleyCupPlayoffs Federal immigration minister Marco Mendicino issued a national interest exemption to the league that would allow the cross border travel under specific conditions.

Pfizer’s delivery schedule to Canada until the end on June has been updated. Since it’s Belgium plant shutdown to boost production earlier this year Pfizer has been delivering like clockwork. It ramps up big time in May. For comparison here’s the Moderna scheduled. No clarity beyond next week’s reduced shipment (down 550k doses). There was a promise of 3-million doses in May. But production challenges make that extremely uncertain if not unlikely at this point.

PM @JustinTrudeau announces that Canada has reached an agreement with Pfizer for an extra 8-million doses. 4-million doses will come in May. 2-million in June. 2-million in July.
This is on top of existing deliveries.
New totals:
8-m Pfizer in May.
12-m Pfizer in June This means from May to June Pfizer should deliver enough doses for the balance of the adult population to get its first shot by Canada Day.
9.2-m doses administered as of yesterday.
3.5-m inventory
2-m Pfizer coming in April.
20-m Pfizer coming May/June
J&J doses TBC soon.

Breaking: Moderna cutting shipment to Canada due at end of April from 1.2-million doses to 650,000 doses. Moderna has also indicated that 1 to 2 million doses of the 12.3 million doses scheduled for delivery in the second quarter may be delayed until the third quarter.

Government of Canada announces $27-billion in direct support to Canadians and business.
A further $55-billion to meet liquidity needs for businesses and households through tax deferrals
That’s an $82-billion package.
That’s 3% of GDP. This aid package creates two new programs that will provide the equivalent of EI benefits to people who get sick, isolate, quarantine or provide care to sick family.
Also to people who lose their job or are self employed and don't qualify for EI.
So everyone is eligible for help

So we've been getting some questions over the seeming contradiction in Canada saying everyone should and can come home, while also saying you will be denied the right to board a plane if you have symptoms. I will try to clear that up in a few tweets 1/x Any Canadian who gets to the border will be admitted. This is your right as a citizen. You will be allowed in even if you're sick.
But an airplane is not a border crossing. You have no right to board a plane if you are sick.
2/x

One of the comforting things about Canada’s response to covid-19 is that public health officials are the main spokespeople & appear to be the prime decision makers. Politicians at all levels & all stripes are either riding shotgun or in the back seat. A non political response. As such there’s been no false bravado about the state of things. They’ve been clear the Virus will hit Canada & it will spread. They’re just trying to limit & slow it as best they can. And in absence of a true vaccine information has been their vaccine. Telling people the truth.

FWIW here's what I can add to the coalition story reported by colleagues @MikeConnors and @DavidMaherNL
The talks are real. PCs. NDP. Paul Lane. And at least 4 Liberals. They are advanced. But not finalised. Dwight Ball's resignation may have taken some of the momentum away 1/x @MikeConnors @DavidMaherNL There is a broad agreement on sharing cabinet posts across party lines. Those specifics aren't there.
The Liberals need to see what happen with the rules and process to replace Ball, who might run, who might win. That could change things drastically. 2/x