QP underway. Bergen starts off on vaccine mandates with no targets for end; suggests PM likes the restrictions that a "growing number of his MPs" disagree with (personally have not heard of any since Lightbound). Trudeau says Tories have "refusal to listen to science" and cites members of Conservative caucus not vaccinated.

QP kicks off with Bergen calling for plan to lift restrictions instead of going slow “because of the prime minister’s ego, pride and denial.”

Some backbench start cheering “we want Joël” (Lightbound)

PM talks about people making sacrifices to protect each other. Both accuse each other of not following science (which is not novel).

Erin O’Toole’s seat empty as #QP gets underway. Bergen’s tone more aggressive than last Thurs (by which I mean her usual tone); says Trudeau is “overtly politicized” vaccine rollout and should “fix the mess that he’s created.”

Holland replies after 10sec confusion on Lib side (Me noting tone is to help characterize what approach the interim leader is taking; I am not trying to tone-police but rather point out the dynamic in the House)

Thread: Here is what the TRC reports from 2015 documented about the former Marieval Indian Residential School on Cowessess First Nation, known as the Grayson school. I simply took screenshots I took of all mentions that came up in Ctrl+F, and sorted by theme. I may have missed information.

The national 24/7 Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line can be reached at: 1-866-925-4419, including for intergenerational survivors.

Ottawa reneged this spring on including grain-drying and barn-heating in carbon tax, after years of uproar from farmers.

The budget watchdog released costing this morning, and it suggests the levy costs way more than Ottawa and industry projected: …bution-a617274656661637473.pbo-dpb.ca/0a4cfe7b0a509a… #cdnAg Alberta govt had pegged 2019-20 cost at $2.7M and the 2021-22 rate at $6.8M.

https://twitter.com/withfilesfrom/status/1230980257907453953

PHAC president Iain Stewart has entered the Commons. Stands at the bar (as House had requested, as MPs expressed displeasure over not handing over uncensored document related to National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg sending viruses to Wuhan lab). Stewart takes off mask, stands with hands behind bar beside the sergeant. Speaker reads out a reprimand over PHAC's "contempt, refusing to submit" the requested document.

Haircut condition: obviously overdue

Weather condition: soupy, squinty

Parliament condition: pre-summer partisan push Am in the chamber for the first time in a while and I see about 20 Tories (incl @CandiceBergenMP), two NDP (incl @LeahGazan), a few Bloc and I believe three Liberals.
And buddies @rachaiello @journo_dale (the latter of whom I convinced lives inside this press bannister)

Massive screens in the House of Commons (pic from right before the session started). Now sitting at press balcony; me and the floor photogs seem to be only ones in masks. Weird times. The screens are right above the press bannister so the MPs are all facing the two of us in the gallery right now.

The federal government really needs to be giving the media technical briefings on COVID-19. There is way too much info being announced at podiums — sometimes with errors — and the details are written out hours later.
I want to punch up here, not down. Here are some shortfalls: This morning the PM misspoke about when Canadians will receive the emergency benefit:

https://twitter.com/AbigailBimman/status/1243218405932568580

Premier’s consultation claim on flood-channel outlets questioned:
Pallister has chided Ottawa for "changing the yardsticks" — but regulator filings show Manitoba is ignoring a federal directive 18 months ago to meet with reserves. winnipegfreepress.com/local/premiers… #wfp Manitoba has indeed contacted First Nations and Métis groups. Below is an explanation of the premier's claim of having "approaching 600 meetings." Issue is some communities Ottawa said must be heard out are decrying scant communication; regulator issued warning this summer.

Indigenous Services Minister Seamus O'Regan introduces long-awaited child welfare legislation. It intends to have Indigenous CFS laws override fed & prov jurisdictions. If a year of “reasonable efforts” to sign agreement with a province fail, Ottawa would recognize Indig law #wfp St-B MP Dan Vandal says legislation “very close to my heart” as someone whose work touched on CFS in Winnipeg.