QP: Bringing back the Duffy questions yet again

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Tuesday, and all of the leaders were finally present like they should be. If we’re lucky, we may see them for two days this week instead of just the one. Thomas Mulcair led off, once again returning to the issue of PMO interference in the Senate audit. Harper insisted that the premise was false and the matters were before the court. Mulcair tried to drag in Senator Carolyn Stewart Olsen into the conspiracy, but Harper wouldn’t take the bait. Mulcair asked about Duffy’s residency prior to appointment and the statement he allegedly signed before being sworn in, and Harper again retreated behind the courts. Mulcair finally segued to layoffs at Alcan, to which Harper and praised his government’s low-tax agenda. Mulcair read the question in French, bringing up Jack Layton’s name in the process, but Harper’s answer didn’t change. Justin Trudeau was up next, asking the government to cancel tax breaks for the wealthy. Harper insisted that their lower taxes benefit everybody, and insisted the Liberals would take everything away. Trudeau asked again, and Harper insisted his plan would make life better for every Canadian. Another round in French, and more of the same answer.

Round two, and Anne Quach, Alexandre Boulerice and Peggy Nash returned to the Alcan job losses (Holder: When Canadian companies change hands we don’t prefer it but hey, job creation record! Poilievre: Trade, Training and Tax Cuts™), Irene Mathyssen and Mylène Freeman demanded action on the tax on female hygiene products (Leitch: You want to raise taxes), Laurin Liu and Andrew Cash asked about the intern rules changes in the omnibudget bill (Leitch: We are taking action!), and Nathan Cullen offered some kitchen sink outrage (Poilievre: Here’s the story of someone who used our apprenticeship programme). Judy Sgro asked about summer jobs funding (Poilievre: We have maintained the summer jobs budget — umm, but how much of that lapsed?), Adam Vaughan asked about infrastructure funds needed for a water treatment plant (Lebel: Highest infrastructure funding ever), and a question on affordable housing payments (Bergen: We are working with provinces). Niki Ashton asked about RCMP comments about Idle No More (Roxanne: Stand up and support our tough on crime measures), and Sylvain Chicoine and Fin Donnelly asked about their supply day motion on veterans (O’Toole: We are supporting it and we go further in the measures in the omnibudget bill).

Round three saw questions on the state of the CETA ratification, trade with China, childcare spaces, deportations to Haiti and Zimbabwe, the lack of development assistance accountability in the omnibudget, cuts to rehabilitation programs, public service sick leave changes, the tall ships festival at Quebec City, pension benefit changes, and income splitting.

Overall, it was a punchier day, but I remain mystified why the NDP continue to lead with the Duffy issue when a) these allegations years old now, and b) there are plenty of other things going on in this country that the government should probably answer for. Meanwhile, Justin Trudeau’s openly musing about the meaning of “fairness” caused the biggest uproar, but his wording probably got him in more trouble than intended. It didn’t stop Pierre Poilievre from bringing it back up again later in QP as one more addition to his talking points about the Liberals, but such is the state of things these days.

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Bernard Trottier for a black tailored suit with a crisp white shirt and a violet patterns tie, and to Lisa Raitt for a fuchsia jacket with a black top and trousers. Style citations go out to Marie-Claude Morin for a busy black, red and white printed dress with a black sweater, and to Bal Gosal for a navy suit with a blueberry shirt and a red and grey striped tie. Dishonourable mention to Jinny Sims for her fuzzy yellow jacket with a black top and trousers, and Charmaine Borg for a yellow blouse with a black jacket.