The first Question Period of the new session, and the Prime Minister was absent, jetting off to Brussels to conclude the trade agreement with the EU. After a round of Members’ Statements which were pretty much bog standard for the rhetorical levels we’ve come to expect in the current parliament, Thomas Mulcair returned to true form — reading from a mini-lectern. But rather than beginning with questions on the ClusterDuff, Mulcair started with a calm and controlled question on missing and murdered Aboriginal women. Peter MacKay, acting as the designated back-up PM du jour, assured him that they were taking the measures seriously. Mulcair then turned to the issue of “corruption” in the prime minister’s office, and accused him of hiding on the other side of the Atlantic. Pierre Poilivre responded and extolled the virtues of the Canada-EU trade deal. After another round of the same, Mulcair turned to the closure of Veterans Affairs service centres, for which Parm Gill insisted that they drive to meet veterans at a place of their choosing rather than forcing them to drive to designated locations. Mulcair then moved onto the issue of cyberbullying, and demanded that they pass Robert Chisholm’s bill at all states unanimously. (Proof right there as to why we need the Senate to do the scrutiny that MPs seem to want to avoid). MacKay assured him that a bill would come in due course. For his turn, Justin Trudeau asked why there was no mention of transparency or accountability in the Throne Speech. Poilievre assured him that once the Supreme Court provided then with a “legal reference manual,” they would reform the Senate. Trudeau then pointed out the government’s abysmal economic record, which Poilievre laughed off. For his last question, Trudeau asked why the government would not put in place a new system for MPs’ expenses reporting. John Duncan said that until a new system was agreed to, Conservative MPs would do it on their own accord.

Round two started off with Charlie Angus asking about the RCMP investigation into the ClusterDuff affair and Harper’s insistence that he knew nothing (Calandra: The PM had no knowledge until the 15th), Alexandre Boulerice asked the same in French (Calandra: Why won’t you focus on Canadian jobs?), Craig Scott asked when the bill on amending the Elections Act was coming (Poilievre: In time for it to be implemented before the next election), and Malcolm Allen and Ruth Ellen Brosseau were concerned about the fate of supply management under the EU trade deal (Poilievre: We’re protecting it and opening up new markets for our farmers). Dominic LeBlanc and Judy Foote returned to the ClusterDuff investigation (Calandra: Wright handled this on his own, Harper didn’t know anything until May 15th). Glenn Thibeault and Annick Papillon demanded laws for ATM fees and air passengers (Flaherty: We regulate the banks, and we protect all Canadian consumers; Raitt: We have constructive dialogues with airlines and airports and passengers can turn to the transport tribunal).

Round three saw questions on phasing out older tanker railcars, whether or not the new environment minister believes in climate change (Aglukkaq: The science is sound and we are taking measures), supply management, funding for abortion services for rape and child bride victims, whether the government would refer the question of Justice Nadon’s appointment directly to the Supreme Court (MacKay: Our legal opinion was quite clear), yet another ClusterDuff question, and the lack of measures in the Throne Speech for Quebec.

Overall, it wasn’t the gong show that I was expecting. It was, however, pretty scattershot and tried to touch on so many things that were left brewing from the summer months. That Mulcair has resumed reading from his lectern rather than keeping his questions short and measured is an obvious lapse in form, and a reminder of the whole scripted theatre of it all. The standout turned out to be Paul Calandra in his new role as the PM’s parliamentary secretary, who turned out to be a feisty combatant against the NDP.

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Bernard Trottier for a tailored navy suit with a blue-checked white shirt and medium blue tie, and to Michelle Rempel for a fitted tan dress with navy patterns. Style citations go out to Lauren Liu for a black belted dress with a loud floral pattern, and to Jean Rousseau for a grey suit with a bright teal shirt and plaid tie.