Politics on TV: Sept. 26 edition

Message of the day

“We have a vision of growth based on citizenship”

Questions not answered

• Have cuts to CFIA affected its ability to respond to contaminated food?

Thomas Mulcair:

During a wide-ranging interview on Power & Politics, Thomas Mulcair explained that a cap-and-trade system internalizes environmental costs in a way a carbon tax does not. He argued that the government’s failure to enforce environmental legislation has driven the dollar up. He said the new temporary foreign workers legislation exerts a downward pressure on all salaries in Canada, whereas the NDP prefers a vision of growth based on citizenship. Mulcair called plans to put MP pension reform in an omnibus budget a “cheap trick,” and reiterated that he’d like the matter turned over to a blue-ribbon panel.

Food safety:

Chris Hall talked to MP panel about cuts to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in light of an E. Coli outbreak. Pierre Lemieux said the Sept. 4 test results were presumptive. He said once there was verification on Sept. 13, there was a recall. He said none of the food went to store shelves. Malcolm Allen suggested it was actually Americans inspectors who sounded the alarm. He asked what would have happened had the meat not been available for export. Frank Valeriote noted that such incidents affect Canada’s meat export market, which is still recovering from the BSE outbreak.

Abortion:

In the run up to the M-312 vote, Power Play host Roger Smith talked to an MP panel. Stella Ambler said the prime minister made his position clear and gave Conservatives a free vote. She said she finds it healthy for democracy. Jinny Sims asked why Conservatives would put the motion forward if the Stephen Harper didn’t want to open the debate. Ted Hsu said he’d vote against it, but because he represents all residents in his riding, he would present their petitions in favour.

Power & Politics carried the vote live. The final outcome: 91 yeas to 203 nays.

UN General Assembly:

Raymond Chrétien talked about the day’s events at the United Nations. The former ambassador said that while he agrees with Canada’s decision to walk out during Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s speech, he doesn’t like that Canada cut ties with Iran. While Harper is not addressing the assembly, Chrétien called it a great opportunity for John Baird. He said he hopes Harper will get a chance to meet with other leaders in New York, as one can do a lot in two days at the UN that would otherwise take weeks to accomplish.

“Bath salts” ban:

Chris Hall spoke to Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq about the ban on MDPV, an ingredient in “bath salts.” Aglukkaq said that other ingredients in the street drug are already banned, but this gives tools to law enforcement.

Northern Gateway opposition:

Chris Hall spoke to former hockey captain Scott Niedermayer about the Northern Gateway pipeline. Niedermayer discussed his appreciation for what BC has to offer after growing up there, and that after he retired, his agent suggested a number of groups he could meet with. After his meeting with WWF, he agreed to be a spokesperson for the group, as he doesn’t have a problem using his fame to shine a light on certain issues. Niedermayer says his opposition to the pipeline is because of the impact on the environment and wildlife of the region, saying that WWF has done a lot of work in the Great Bear rainforest to design a conservation plan.

Nutrition barometer:

Power Play spoke to Elly Vandenberg from World Vision about the Nutrition Barometer that World Vision and Save the Children unveiled at the UN. The tool assesses how countries are doing when it comes to malnutrition. Of the 36 countries examined – those where 90 per cent of malnutrition is happening – Vandenberg noted good progress in Bolivia and Ghana, but said growing income disparities in India are a problem.

Justin Trudeau’s leadership?

Power Play spoke to Tim Murphy and Daniel Brock about news that Justin Trudeau will soon announce his leadership bid. Murphy, Paul Martin’s former chief of staff, said it’s too to say if Trudeau’s entry will mean it’s over for everyone else. (The race doesn’t officially begin until November.) Brock, Michael Ignatieff’s former principle secretary, says it would be curious for a putative front-runner to be out so early. He suggested many people have formed an opinion about Trudeau without knowing his record as a politician.

The Canada Party:

Roger Smith had an awkward interview with Vancouver comedians Brian Calvert and Chris Cannon about the “Canada Party” and their satirical U.S. presidential campaign.