Thomas Mulcair started off QP with one of those polite gimme questions that leaders occasionally ask one another, in this case on the situation in Syria – which Mulcair asked in English and then repeated immediately in French in the same 35 second block. Harper gave a perfunctory reply about how they’re working with their allies about binding sanctions, and then it was back to business as usual. Mulcair asked a pair of questions on the omnibus budget bill and the NRTEE’s final report today about the oilsands and greenhouse gas emissions. Harper responded by saying that when they took office, emissions were growing steadily but have levelled off. Peggy Nash was up next wondering about the effect of the EI changes on women, which got a rote talking point from Kellie Leitch, followed by Lisa Raitt giving her assurances about contractual obligations for income equity. Bob Rae was greeted with a standing ovation from all sides when he got up to speak, given his announcement earlier in the morning (though really, he’s not retiring), to which Rae quipped “Now they love me.” His first two questions were on Harper calling a first ministers’ meeting on national economic and energy strategies, which Harper insisted that he consults all the time and not just with premiers, and for his last question, Rae asked about the Del Mastro situation – with Del Mastro sniping “That’s a lie!” the whole while. Harper shrugged it off and said that they should treat all members with more consideration. Erm, okay.

Round two kicked off with Jinny Sims and Sadia Groguhé asked about the provisions in C-38 to delete the immigration backlog (Kenney: The Liberals left us with a huge backlog!), Irene Mathyssen and Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet asked OAS changes (Leitch: We’re making it sustainable for the future!), Peter Julian asked about the impact of C-38 on resource projects (Kent: One proposal, one review!), and Alexandrine Latendresse and Charlie Angus asked about the Del Mastro investigation (Poilievre: All documents were provided four years ago). Joyce Murray asked about that Alberta pipeline and safeguards in C-38 (Kent: It’s provincial jurisdiction but the bill has increased funding for monitoring), Stéphane Dion asked about Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency’s responsibilities having been transferred to the National Energy Board, which is now being weakened in C-38 (Oliver: Jobs! Economic Growth!), and Judy Sgro wondered why the government was attacking the poor (Leitch: Our top priority is the government). Rosane Doré Lefebvre and Libby Davies asked why the government was trying to modify the RCMP apology on the Pickton case (Toews: You voted against victims, and we work with RCMP on communications), and Jack Harris asked about a cover-up on a soldier’s suicide (MacKay: Stop politicising the issue).

Round three saw questions on official languages for officers of parliament, the funding for franco-Manitoban newspapers, Del Mastro, VIA Rail changes, First Nations living conditions, and the omnibus budget bill.

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to James Bezan for a brown suit with a pale blueberry shirt with a white collar and pocket square and patterned blue tie, and to Michelle Rempel for a fitted black-and-white striped dress with a black sweater. Style citations go out to Sadia Groguhé for her white jacket with the ugly black and gold floral pattern, and to Alex Atamanenko for a navy jacket, khaki trousers, light pink and blue shirt and a navy and beige tie. Dishonourable mention to Joyce Bateman for a black top and trousers with a lemon yellow jacket. The Christine Moore shiny watch reports a metallic multi-coloured skirt from the Talos IV collection, with a black top and sweater.