Counterpoint - Tuesday, July 9th, 2019

On this edition of Counterpoint, Alex is joined by:

Stephen LeDrew 

Lawyer, broadcaster and formerly the President of the Liberal Party of Canada

and 

Jamie Ellerton - Principal at Conaptus P-R and Conservative Strategist

Topics include:

Learning tonight that Bombardier has announced it will lay off 500 employees from their Thunder Bay plant. This is a company that has hoovered $4 billion in corporate welfare from the public trough. Will this Quebec company be getting yet another bail out?

There is a fuel fight gearing up! Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer says if he wins the election he will scrap what he has dubbed a "secret fuel tax" — a plan by the Liberal government to improve fuel standards through regulatory changes. 

The shelves at some GTA LCBO stores are a little bare these days, leading to concerns about inventory shortage. Not to worry, say those in charge - the LCBO says deliveries are behind schedule because they have “recently implemented a new Warehouse Management System (WMS), an updated technology for handling product intake and outbound orders. How does a liquor store run out of booze when that’s all they do?

Last week Catherine McKenna tweeted out a photo praising Ottawa’s clean drinking water - and showed her filling her water bottle. Well, that prompted an angry response from those living on Attawapiskat. 

On news that Quebec is now adding its name to the fight against the Federal Liberals carbon tax, the liberals are now urging premiers gathering this week to abandon any legal challenges against Ottawa. 

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer says he would continue Canada’s campaign for a seat on the United Nations Security Council if he becomes Prime Minister. Scheer said he would not “sell out” Canadian principles, including democracy, the rule of law and fundamental human rights, in an effort to secure votes from other countries for a seat on the UN’s most powerful branch. WHY????

Elections Canada has announced that they will not reschedule the October 21st election which happens to fall on a Jewish holiday. The high holiday when observant Jews aren’t allowed to work - let alone vote. And the three of four days of advance polling - also happen to fall on the holiday. Jewish groups have been requesting a date change for months - and Elections Canada hasn’t budged. So it’s now heading to court. Should there be a religious accommodation?

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