It was a beautiful spring day in the Nation’s Capital, and the Prime Minister was back in the House, which is always an encouraging sign. Thomas Mulcair led off by trying the prosecutorial tactic once again, and asked about when abuses to the Temporary Foreign Workers came to light. Stephen Harper pointed out that the NDP often asked for permits, and then said that they wanted to ensure that Canadians got the first crack at jobs. Mulcair read some quotes and wanted to know again when the government was made aware. Harper was more forceful in his reply when he repeated both points. Mulcair responded that he wanted the Auditor General to investigate the programme — not really a question — to which Harper insisted that the NDP were trying to block the government’s own reforms to the programme. Mulcair changed tactics and wondered why Harper was giving up on Senate reform, to which Harper insisted that his position hadn’t changed, but it was up to the provinces to bring forward proposals. Mulcair tried the same in French, taunting Harper that he didn’t want to speak to the provinces, not that Harper’s answer changed. Justin Trudeau was up next and returned to the TFWs, to which Harper retorted that the Liberals were also blocking their attempted reforms. Trudeau noted that he raised the problems a year ago, to which Harper accused him of revisionist history. Trudeau noted falling wages and youth unemployment in the face of those illegitimate TFWs, but Harper stuck to his declaration that the Liberals were blocking changes.

Round two, and Mulcair was back up asking about the power of the Chief Electoral Officer to compel testimony (Harper: He has the same powers as every other officer), why do you believe that voter turnout is a partisan issue (Harper: He should focus on the where and how to vote and maybe the voter turnout decline will reverse), Alexandrine Latendresse returned to the issue of compelling testimony (Poilievre: You want people to be able to vote without any ID at all), Sadia Groguhé went on a tangent about the Liberals using the TFW programme to bring in exotic dancers back in the day (Kenney: You’re right, the Liberals are awful), and Jinny Sims demanded an independent audit of the TFW programme (Kenney: The Auditor General can investigate what he likes). John McCallum noted the government’s complicity in the increase in TFWs and that McDonald’s said they had an understanding with the minister (Kenney: You created the programme! Your leader asked for permits!), and Rodger Cuzner demanded an urgent and immediate review of the programme (Kenney: You created the programme). Guy Caron and Nathan Cullen brought up the detrimental impact of government cuts on the economy (Oliver: balanced budgets maintain jobs!).

Round three saw questions on food inspectors, Economic Action Plan™ advertising, Justin Trudeau asked about the planned toll on the replacement to the Champlain Bridge (Harper: No toll, no bridge), the costs of veterans families being downloaded onto a charity for the National Day of Honour, the possibility of a peacekeeping mission to the Central African Republic, a refugee claim whose lawyer botched the hearing, the state of humpback whales (Shea: Science!), and the Montreal Airport authority.

Overall, there were a number of strange turns taken today, from the NDP going after the Liberals using the Temporary Foreign Workers programme to bring in exotic dancers back in 2002 — because QP is apparently about holding the third party to account — to Kenney’s bizarre responses decrying the Liberal Stripper Programme™. I will note, however, that the exchanges between the Liberals and the government were far more spirited than those of the NDP, which was more compelling to watch.

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to James Bezan for a medium grey suit with a light lavender shirt and a purple tie and pocket square and to Alexandrine Latendresse for a grey and black spotted top with a black suit. Style citations go out to Roxanne James for a near-zebra-print top with a bright blue jacket, and to François Choquette for a black suit with a fluorescent teal shirt and a black and grey striped tie. Special mention goes out to Blaine Calkins for a open-collared grey paisley shirt and jeans with a black blazer and no tie — in the Chamber.