QP: Scripts on reconciliation

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It was all leaders present for one of the few remaining Question Periods of the 41st parliament where we’ll see them all together. Thomas Mulcair led off, acknowledging that they were on unceded Algonquin territory, and noted the Conservatives voting against an NDP bill to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Mulcair wondered if the government would adopt it, to which Stephen Harper reminded him that Aboriginals are already included in the constitution and that the UN Declaration is an “aspirational document.” Mulcair repeated “aspirational” with a vitriolic tone, then demanded a nation-to-nation relationship between First Nations and Canada. Harper reminded him that they established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and they were working to improve the living conditions of all Aboriginals. Mulcair noted that at least 6000 children died in residential schools, and wanted Harper to acknowledge that they were “cultural genocide.” Harper insisted that he addressed the damage of forced assimilation seven years ago, and that the NDP consisted voted against the concrete steps the government was taking. Mulcair then noted poor education outcomes for First Nations currently, to which Harper reminded him of measures in the budget. Mulcair demanded that the funding gap for First Nations students be closed, to which Harper said that they were trying to reform the system and that the NDP vigorously opposed them. Justin Trudeau was up next, asking about unfinished Reconciliation action for Métis and Inuit, and wanted nation-to-nation engagement. Harper reiterated the various achievements they’ve made, and encouraged the Liberals to stand with when. Trudeau said that his party accepted and pledged to adopt the TRC Reports recommendations and wanted the same pledge from the government. Harper said that they would study the report, before returning to his slap that the Liberals voted against concrete measures. Trudeau gave it one last attempt, to which Harper said that there was no ideal relationship in our history and they were working to improve the living conditions of First Nations.

Round two, and Romeo Saganash again demanded action based on the report (Strahl: Talking points about First Nations issues), Niki Ashton demanded an inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women (Leitch: We need action not study), Jean Crowder demanded the UN Declaration be adopted (Strahl: Talking points on the constitution), Carol Hughes asked about mental health care on remote First Nations (Ambrose: We have a new investment in the budget), Jonathan Genest-Jourdain wanted support and leadership for residential schools survivors (Strahl: Talking points about what the PM said), and Charlie Angus asked about the current funding gap for a First Nations youth (Strahl: Same talking point). Judy Sgro derided the government on the CPP (Sorenson: You want to implement Kathleen Wynne’s tax hike), and Wayne Easter took another couple of punches on the topic (Sorenson: Tax hikes! Kathleen Wynne!) Jack Harris and Élaine Michaud asked about the new military procurement panel (Kenney: It will accelerate procurement to have a challenge function early in the process), Sylvain Chicoine asked about litigating veterans cases (O’Toole: We are coming together with veterans with our new bill), and Randall Garrison demanded the government formally apologize for drumming out LGBT soldiers (Kenney: I only just saw your motion and I’ll study it but we have the most diverse armed forces in the world today).

Round three saw questions on vehicle recall legislation, Supply Management, immigration delays, the expansion of the Dorval airport, nuclear non-proliferation talks, work permits for foreign interns, ad-hocery in government budgeting, and the UN Declaration.

Overall, it might have been a good day to have some meaningful dialogue around the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report, but as with so many things, it quickly devolved into scripted condemnation and platitudes. Because the whole thing was scripted so heavily, all of the sincerity of both questions and responses bled out of the exchanges, leaving it hollow puppet theatre.that really is too bad because it’s an important topic that demands better from our elected members.

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Rona Ambrose for a grey jacket with a black and white top and black trousers, and to Greg Rickford for a dark grey suit with a white shirt and a purple tie and pocket square. Style citations go out to David Tilson for a tan jacket with a light blue shirt and navy blue tie, and to Sadia Groguhé for her loud floral jacket with a red top and black trousers. Dishonourable mention goes out to Roxanne James for a custard yellow jacket with a black top.