With the by-elections on, and Harper out of the House, it looked like it was going to be Thomas Mulcair versus Paul Calandra — a particularly debased bit of political theatre that serves nobody’s interests. As well, it was Deputy Speaker Comartin in the chair today and not Scheer, so it would remain to be seen if anything would be different. Mulcair led off by reading a question around the admission by the PM’s communications director that there was a cover-up in the PMO and likely criminality that took place. Paul Calandra rejected the premise of the question, and insisted that the PM had nothing to do with it. Mulcair demanded that everyone who had a hand in the event be fired, but Calandra insisted that they were cooperating with authorities. Mulcair wondered why Gerstein remained in caucus if he was involved in improperly attempting to influence the audit — but Calandra reminded him that the RCMP were only investigating Duffy and Wright. Mulcair closed the round by wondering about the “good to go” order being after he told Duffy to repay, but Clanadra insisted that Duffy was still trying to justify his inappropriate expenses in the interim. David McGuinty led off for the Liberals, wondering how long Harper put up with the cover-up in his office, but Calandra assured him that the Prime Minister immediately ordered cooperation with investigators. McGuinty also tried to ask about the “good to go” discrepancy, not that Calandra’s answer changed. For the final question of the round, McGuinty wondered when the government would share all of the documents in its possession, but Calandra simply repeated that the PM ordered cooperation with investigators.

Round two, and Megan Leslie returned to the original question about whether Wight lied to Harper (Calandra: It’s leadership to insist on cooperating with the RCMP), what was the “or else” that was threatened if Duffy didn’t repay (Calandra: He’d have to sit in the NDP or Liberal caucus as they’d accept any standard of behaviour), Chris Charlton wondered why none of the he other players in the PMO were considered to be at fault (Calandra: This is about Wright and Duffy), Françoise Boivin wondered how the Prime Minister could keep claiming that he was duped (Calandra: It took your leader 17 years to report a bribe attempt!), and Élaine Michaud wondered if the offer to repay Duffy’s expenses was for services rendered (Calandra: 17 years!). Lise St-Denis wondered if the PM was aware of the criminal activities of his compatriots or did he turn a blind eye (Calandra: 17 years!), and Yvonne Jones asked the same in English (Calandra: Look at all of these Liberal misdeeds!). Ève Péclet wondered if Harper spoke to Senator Gerstein about Duffy’s expense — insulting Calandra’s intelligence along the way (Calandra: No), and Charlie Angus wondered why the PM could account for the activities of his staff (Calandra: Your party found a corrupt Liberal to lead them).

Round three saw questions on the Iran nuclear deal, the recent fires in Attawapiskat, the plans for replacing the Champlain Bridge, Canada’s latest fossil award, the EU seal products bank the rebranding of the Canadian Museum of Civilization which is getting guilt money from the petroleum industry, the elimination of violence against women, and a refugee claimant with cancer being slated for removal.

Overall, it was a particularly awful QP with Paul Calandra taking full use of parliamentary privilege, making a number of baseless allegations across the board to both opposition parties — and Comartin just sat there, only intervening to tell Calandra to direct his comments through the chair. The NDP were little better with their own members insulting Calandra’s intelligence in their questions — because they’re the party of decorum. Mulcair was also obviously reading questions today, which is a step back from where he had been previously.

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Jonathan Genest-Jourdain for a grey suit with a lavender gingham shirt with a cream tie, and to Annick Papillon for a dark grey jacket and skirt with a black top. Style citations go out to Roxanne James for a brown leatherette jacket with a yellow and black patterned top, and to Yvon Godin for a dark grey suit with a near-fluorescent blue shirt and tie.