Liberals Rebuke Parliamentary Budget Officer – May 29, 2024

The carbon tax continues to make waves in Ottawa. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance, Ryan Turnbull, has sent a letter to the Parliamentary Budget Officer, Yves Giroux, criticising him for not making more public an error that occurred in his 2022 and 2023 analyses of the price of carbon. The PBO published a note on its website on this subject in mid-April, but the Liberals believe that this initiative is insufficient. They question the very accuracy of these reports. These reports are of particular importance to the Liberal government, as the Conservatives have often cited the PBO's work in support of their argument that the price of carbon is worsening the financial situation of Canadian families. Our host Omayra Issa discusses this with Yves Giroux.

The Israeli army continues its strikes in Rafah, even though a prosecutor from the International Criminal Court has requested a warrant for the arrest of Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu. In a motion, the Bloc Québécois calls for respect for international law, an immediate ceasefire, and the release of the hostages. Why is Israel continuing its strikes despite international criticism? We put this question to Ferry de Kerckhove, former Canadian ambassador to Egypt.

Last weekend was a busy one in Quebec politics. The Coalition Avenir Québec, the Quebec Liberal Party and Québec solidaire all held conventions. We take stock of these gatherings with the Cogeco network's parliamentary correspondent, Louis Lacroix.