A very blustery day on Parliament Hill, and all three main leaders made it through the rapidly accumulating snowfall in order to make it to QP on time. Rona Ambrose led off, mini-lectern on desk, reading a question about pulling the fighters out of Iraq, insisting that it means that Canada is not fighting terrorism. Justin Trudeau said that they consulted with allies and came up with a robust new plan to do what was needed. Ambrose insisted that military action and fighting was necessary, to which Trudeau quoted to her the US coalition leader saying that they couldn’t bomb their way out of the crisis, and that they needed training. Ambrose switched to the issue of new funding for UNRWA, which was found to be linked to Hamas. Trudeau noted his meeting with Ban Ki-moon, and the commitment to re-engaging with the world. Stephen Blaney was outraged that some of our aid money could find its way to terrorists groups, at which Karina Gould reminded him that our aid money was neutral. Blaney then called the decision to send Griffon helicopters with the new trainers “bungling,” but Harjit Sajjan merely confirmed that yes, the helicopters would be deployed. Thomas Mulcair was up next, outraged that more trainers over in Iraq would mean more risk. Trudeau reminded him that Canadians always stand up to do their duty when called upon. Mulcair asked again in French, and got the same answer in French. Mulcair mentioned his trip to Saskatchewan, and demanded EI reforms to help people in the oil price drop. Trudeau said that they were working hard to meet that demand. Mulcair decried a $6.5 billion shortfall for grain farmers without the Canadian Wheat Board. Lawrence MacAulay noted that government no longer had ties to the former Board.

Round two, and James Bezan decried the increased danger to our troops in Iraq (Sajjan: Our plan is forward looking), Peter Kent decried the funding of UNRWA (Gould: We haven’t taken a decision), Deepak Obhrai and Dean Allison asked again about the possibility of aid funding reaching terrorists (Gould: Geneva Convention, aid funding is neutral). Scott Duvall and Guy Caron demanded expanded CPP benefits in the budget (Morneau: We are working with the provinces to get to a CPP enhancement this year). Lisa Raitt demanded to know what the deficit cap would be in the budget (Morneau: We were elected to help grow the economy), and Maxime Bernier railed about debt on future generations (Morneau: We have committed to invest). Niki Ashton and Anne Quach demanded action on unpaid internships (Mihychuk: The consultation period has just concluded and we aware working on a regulatory framework).

Wait, so the Conservatives want us in the fight, but without any risk? How does that work? #QP

— Dale Smith (@journo_dale) February 16, 2016

Candice Bergen worries that pipeline decisions are political. Remember the Conservatives changes the law to give the power to cabinet. #QP

— Dale Smith (@journo_dale) February 16, 2016

"The Liberals care more about Saudi Arabia" says a Conservative whose government signed that LAV deal. #QP

— Dale Smith (@journo_dale) February 16, 2016

Round three saw questions on the pipeline regulatory process, a local government decision around infrastructure funding, restoring the Canadian Wheat Board, cabinet meetings with the Irving Family, the dumping of sewage in the St. Lawrence, investments in social housing, the Office of Religious Freedom, young women being trapped by pimps, and funding for Bombardier.

Overall, it was a fairly repetitive day. Most of the whole second round was a rehash of the leader’s round, with the same questions eliciting the same answers. And even worse was the usual pattern of asking the exact same questions in French as in English, so the effective number of actual questions today were about a third of what was asked. That’s completely ridiculous, MPs. But hey, keep relying on scripts and looking like puppets because you want to make sure you get press clips.

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Maxime Bernier for a tailored dark grey suit with a white shirt and pocket square with a gold and black tie, and to Cathy McLeod for a black dress with a dark grey jacket with a mandarin collar. Style citations go out to Diane Lebouthillier for a red turtleneck wit a long grey, green and orange patchwork sweater, and to Andrew Scheer for a schlumpy navy suit with a light blue shirt with a white collar, and a dark blue striped tie.