None of the major leaders were in the House today, and even the Conservative caucus was somewhat subdued, even after a weekend spent sipping the Kool-Aid among the party faithful on the weekend. Megan Leslie led off for the NDP, and inquired about the latest version of events as proffered by Senator Gerstein on Saturday. Paul Calandra gave the basic version of events in response — that Wright made the repayment and that they wanted to suspend those three senators, but nothing on Gerstein’s comments. Leslie wondered when the PM had first spoken with Gerstein about the repayment, but Calandra didn’t answer the question. Leslie asked which version of events the PM believed, but Calandra reiterated that Wright took responsibility and was no longer working in the PMO as a result. Nycole Turmel took up the same again in French, and when Calandra responded in English, Turmel complained about the fact. Calandra responded that while he is still learning French, he didn’t want to give any wrong answers because of his a own mistranslation. Ralph Goodale was up for the Liberals, and asked if Gerstein was an “integral part” of the deception around Duffy’s repayment, but Calandra responded by hectoring the Liberal senators for not passing the suspensions. When Goodale pushed, Calandra claimed that Liberals in the House were also somehow standing in the way, not that it makes any sense. When Goodale listed the many people implicated in the coverup, Calandra insisted the opposition was making a victim out of Duffy.

Round two started off with Charlie Angus demanding to knew which version of events was correct (Calandra: those senators should be suspended), Alexandre Boulerice asked about Peter MacKay’s defence of Wright (Calandra: Look at our MPs raising money for charity — no, seriously), and whether Senator Stewart-Olsen had any illegitimate expenses — um, not that it’s a question on government business (Calandra: You donate to separatists), Chris Charlton asked if the PMO coached Duffy on his lines around the repayment (Calandra: It’s inconceivable that kids in short pants should have so terrified him), and gave some lament about a Senate reform (Calandra: You keep making victims of these senators), and Pat Martin asked the Public Works Minister — in her capacity as Receiver General — for the cheque Duffy wrote about repayments (Calandra: bafflegab). Judy Foote wanted the invoice for Duffy’s legal fees tabled (Calandra: Pass that suspension motion), and Stéphane Dion asked for clarity between the Wright and Gerstein versions of events (Calandra: I won’t take lessons from you on being a successful politician). Malcolm Allen asked if Wright resigned or quit (Calandra: Your party accepted illegal union donations), and James Rafferty, Carole Hughes and Yvon Godin soliloquised about the Duffy affair (Calandra: Bafflegab).

Round three saw questions on why funds for veterans’ funerals were restricted, veterans being dismissed before being eligible for their pensions, Fisheries Act changes, the increase in violent incidents in prisons that threaten the safety of correctional officers, affordable housing, a deportation order for a family with a severely ill child, and the closure of a Department of Fisheries library.

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to James Bezan for a dark grey suit with a white shirt and deep blue tie and pocket square, and to Rathika Sitsabaiesan for a grey plaid short-sleeved dress. Style citations go out to Candice Bergen for an otherwise good black top and jacket, but accessorised with an unacceptable purple striped tied scarf, and to Phil McColeman for a brownish grey jacket with a white and purple striped shirt and a purple striped tie. Dishonourable mentions to both Bal Gosal and Larry Miller for black suits with custard shirts, Gosal’s tie also custard, Miller’s tie composed of black and grey stripes, as well as to Niki Ashton for a black and blue jacket with a yellow skirt.