Infoman drops gloves against Rick Mercer over Energy East pipeline

In one corner, Rick Mercer, the silver-tongued Newfoundlanderthrowing jabs at Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre for his opposition to the Energy East pipeline.

In the other is Infoman, the mop-topped French-language political satirist, responding to Mercer with a few uppercuts of his own.

• Rick Mercer rants to Montreal's DenisCoderre, saying Energy East is needed
• DenisCoderremeets JustinTrudeau, says 'right balance' needed on pipeline project

Mercer's rant against Coderre earlier this week went viral as he accused the mayor of selfishly putting his city's interests ahead of Canada's.

Rick Mercer's Energy East rant

8 years ago

Duration 1:55

In his latest rant to air Tuesday night, Rick Mercer goes after Mayor Denis Coderre for saying the pipeline proposal doesn't have enough in it for Montreal."This has nothing to do with Montreal, this has nothing to do with Quebec," Mercer said as he did his trademark walk-through of a graffiti-laden alley.

"This is about one part of Canada trying to get their natural resources to the world market."

'I can also rant in front of graffiti'

Infoman, a.ka. Jean-Ren Dufort, occupies a similar position in the Quebec mediasphere as Mercer does in the rest of Canada.

And he couldn't resist dropping the gloves against his anglophone counterpart in his weekly program, broadcast on Thursday.

It wasn't us who for the past 10 years voted for a government that put all its eggs in the same basket of oil, while giving subsidies to oil companieswith our money.- Infoman

"Hey Rick, I can also rant in front of graffiti," Infoman says to kick off his response.

He goes on to criticize Mercer for focusing only on what Coderre said, and failing to point out that it was 82 Montreal-area mayors who came out against the pipeline project, representing 12 per cent of Canada's population.

"That's 12 times your precious Newfoundland," says Infoman, also strutting in front of the graffitied walls of an alley.

In his rant, Mercer describes Coderre's motives for opposing the pipeline as being about moneyand the shortage of financial gain for the province.

Alberta put allits eggs in'basket of oil'

Infoman invites Mercer, in turn, to conduct a thought experiment:

"Imagine your neighbour proposesrunning a huge pipe across your yard, reaching your neighbour on the other side, saying 'shut your mouth, I'm not giving you a cent, and if it ever leaks it will be your problem," Infoman says.

"Would you say yes? That's awfully kind of you."

Infoman also attacks Mercer's claim that in opposing the pipeline, Quebecers are getting in the way of much needed economic development for cash-strapped Alberta.

"It wasn't us who for the past 10 years voted for a government that put all its eggs in the same basket of oil, while giving subsidies to oil companies with our money," Infoman said.

He closes his rant by wondering why Quebec is catching all the flak for its misgivings over a pipeline project, when British Columbia and the United States have also rejected similar projects.

"Is our crime having said no, or having said no last?"

Toronto comedian also weighs in

Mercer'svideo was also fodder for Toronto comedian Scott Vrooman. Like Infoman,Vrooman found an alleywith grafitti the same used by Mercerin which to tape a reply.

Vrooman's argument, though,is based on concern for the environment. He says Mercer gives too much weight to economic and national unity considerations.

"Chemistry doesn't care about politics," Vrooman says in his video. "Our fossil fuel economy has radically changed the atmosphere. And now the atmosphere is fighting back."

Coderre has toned down his criticism of TransCanada's proposed pipeline since joining with the Montreal-area mayors to declare their opposition.

Following a visit from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier this week, Coderre called for a "balanced" decision-making process.

Several politicians and commentators have expressed concern the pipeline decision is straining national unity.