QP: Rushing off to the G7

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While it was Thursday, Elizabeth May was the only leader present, guaranteeing another mediocre day. Megan Leslie wondered rhetorically whether the PM was going to defend the status quo in the Senate. Paul Calandra reminded her the Senate called in the Auditor General themselves. Leslie responded that the PM “rushed off” to another continent when scandal broke — you know, because the G7 meeting was called at haste and wasn’t arranged months in advance, and Calandra called the NDP out of their depth. Leslie tried again, at which point Calandra  reminded the NDP of their satellite office expenses. Romeo Saganash was up next to ask about the PM’s meeting at the Vatican and if residential schools came up. Mark Strahl said that the PM raised the letter that the minister had sent. Saganash noted the invitation to the Pope to be in Canada for the 150th anniversary and if an apology could happen then. Strahl repeated his answer. Judy Foote led for the Liberals, pointing out trade deficits and wanted a resolution to the issue of the Newfoundland processing compensation, but Parm Gill read a talking point about how treat trade was. Ralph Goodale asked about pension shortfalls, to which Kevin Sorenson decried the Ontario plan. Goodale pressed, and got the same answer.

Round two, and Jean Crowder asked about the allegations of harassment by Senator Meredith (Leitch: Everyone deserves a workplace free of harassment), Irene Mathyssen, and Ève Péclet concern trolled about “real misspending” in the Senate (Calandra: You have some gall given your satellite offices), Peter Julian wondered why the Conservatives stopped believing in Senate reform (Calandra: Satellite offices), and Rathika Sitsabaiesan and Pierre Dionne Labelle asked about CRA not being able to find charities funding terrorists (Findlay: They are focused on the task). Carolyn Bennett pointed out that Valcourt’s letter to the Vatican does not call for an apology (Strahl: We have written to the Vatican), Francis Scarpaleggia asked about oil and gas regulations (Carrie: We have some of the cleanest energy generation), and John McKay needled the government about the meeting with the Pope, who cares about the environment more than they do (Carrie: You didn’t get it done). Murray Rankin and Christine Moore asked about prescription drug safety (Ambrose: We have acted if there are any risks), and both asked about the Supreme Court ruling on medical marijuana ingestibles (Ambrose: The Court replaced Health Canada as the drug regulator).

Round three saw questions on oil spill plans, a grounded boat, damage by torrential rains in the Eastern Townships, the government’s rhetoric about Muslims, the airline fuel consortium, punitive taxes for transferring businesses to families, the deal between StelCo and US Steel, and supertanker traffic between Montreal and Quebec City.

Overall, it was slightly better today, but the NDP remained obsessed with the Senate report, conflating it and mischaracterising it beyond all recognition. Chris Alexander’s outbursts at John McCallum’s questions on the government’s statements about Muslims was also bizarre, and not a particularly edifying moment. We’re at the point where they all just need to go home.

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Bernard Trottier for a black suit with a crisp white shirt and a violet tie, and to Lisa Raitt for a black v-necked dress with a grey and black striped jacket. Style citations go out to Peggy Nash for a fuchsia dress with a greenish floral patterned jacket, and to Mike Sullivan for a light taupe suit with a faded orange shirt and a black and orange patterned tie. Dishonourable mention goes out to Rathika Sitsabaiesan for a black dress with a fluorescent yellow jacket and to Linda Duncan for a custard yellow smock jacket over a black and grey striped dress.