QP: Committing to reconciliation

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Monday, and none of the leaders were present for QP, as is usual now. In fact, the Prime Minister had planned a photo op at the very same time, because this is apparently how he shows respect for the institution. Megan Leslie led off, noting the a forthcoming Truth and Reconciliation report, and asked if the PM would heed the call of the First Nations. Bernard Valcourt responded by reminding the House of the government’s apology to Residential Schools survivors, and that it was important to support the work of the commission. Leslie asked again for engagement on the file, and Valcourt said they were encouraging reconciliation. Leslie noted the legacy of the Residential Schools, such as poverty and crime, and wanted a commitment to honour the findings of the report. Valcourt thanked the commission and looked forward to receiving the report. Romeo Saganash expressed his dismay at the government’s actions following the apology, to which Valcourt reiterated the commitment to reconciliation on the part of the government. Saganash brought up the underfunding of on-reserve First Nations, to which Valcourt noted they had taken significant steps to improve the situation of Aboriginals across Canada. Carolyn Bennett also brought up the forthcoming report, and wanted a commitment to concrete actions to promote healing and reconciliation. Valcourt repeated their thanks to the commissioners and survivors, and their commitment to work with a First Nations to address the challenges they inherited. John McCallum was up next, and asked about pension insecurity in the private sector, and wanted an admission that voluntary programmes were not enough. Kevin Sorenson stood up to deliver the half-truth talking points about Trudeau’s comments on Ontario’s plan. McCallum gave it another go in English, and got the same answer.

Round two, and Carol Hughes asked about Aboriginal health (McLeod: We continue to support our Aboriginal partnerships), Randall Garrison asked about under-equipping the RCMP (Blaney: Training and procurement fall under their direct purview), he and Rosane Doré Lefebvre asked about the class-action lawsuit by 400 women in the RCMP (Blaney: We have a zero tolerance approach to harassment), Doré Lefebvre gave another go on RCMP resourcing (Blaney: Support the budget), Mylène Freeman and Charlie Angus asked something about the PMO hiding Senate fraud (Calandra: Your satellite offices). Chrystia Freeland asked about the contraction in the GDP in the first quarter (Oliver: Global economic uncertainty! You want to kill jobs!), Scott Brison raised Oliver’s comments on cutting jobs to promote growth (Oliver: I said no such thing. Low tax plan!), and David McGuinty wanted his bill on government advertising passed (Poilievre: We’re informing Canadians!). Anne Quach and Andrew Cash asked about pay-to-pay fees (Oliver: We will support your motion), and Rathika Sitsabaiesan and Guy Caron demanded job creation (Poilievre: Your tax hikes would kill the economy).

Round three saw questions on international student levels, family reunification, military sales to Saudi Arabia, GHG reduction plans, policing in Surrey, prison farms, pyrotite, protesting foreign workers, and delays for permanent residency cards.

Overall, it was nice to lead off on something other than Duffy questions, but it would have been nice if the questions on the forthcoming Truth and Reconciliation report could have been a bit more specific about issues as opposed to general condemnations about the government’s performance. It was nice to see that the Liberals have returned to asking real questions — GDP figures, arms sale, GHG reductions — rather than just sloganeering for their election platform. Also, the Conservatives’ continued repetition of the supposed “Liberal payroll tax” were more than tiresome.

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Gerald Keddy for a grey three-piece suit with a light blue shirt and navy tie, and to Stella Ambler for a black dress with white patterning and a white jacket. Style citation goes out to Megan Leslie for a black jacket with a fuchsia top and a grey pleated skirt, and to Jonathan Tremblay for a light grey jacket with a blueberry shirt, brown trousers and a purple tie. Special mention to Anne Quach for a blindingly bright fluorescent geometric patterned top with black leggings, which one commenter likened to something from Jem and the Holograms.