Today was the day that MP Mauril Bélanger was given the role of honorary Speaker, his plans to have run for the post cut short by his ALS diagnosis. Bélanger has since lost the ability to Speak, but thanks to modern technology, he has been using an iPad with a speech emulator, and it was this that allowed him to preside over the Commons after a slow procession to the Chamber. Bélanger oversaw some rather well-behaved (though still somewhat partisan) Members’ Statements, and the first couple of questions. Rona Ambrose led off and recalled the Ice Bucket Challenge, and asked the PM for research dollars for ALS. Justin Trudeau saluted Bélanger first, and urged Canadians to give time and support in finding a cure. Normally Ambrose would get four more questions, but instead Mulcair was up next, and asked about minority francophone rights — a passion of Bélanger’s. Trudeau paid tribute to Bélanger’s efforts over the year. Bélanger then made a statement of thanks through his voice emulator, before Speaker Regan resumed the chair, while the Chamber thundered applause.

QP got underway for real, and Ambrose once again raised the question of the visit to the Centre for American Progress, and asked Trudeau to ask Obama to overturn the Keystone XL decision. Trudeau praised the importance of the relationship and it was getting back on track. Ambrose worried about the deficit, to which Trudeau reminded her of the previous government’s preference for tax cuts for the wealthy instead of investing in growth. Ambrose tried again to rail about debt, but Trudeau insisted that their plan would create jobs and growth. Denis Lebel was up next, asking about the softwood lumber file, to which Trudeau gave the standard assurances. Lebel returned to the topic of deficits, for which Trudeau reminded him that the former government spent through a surplus before the go all recession even hit. Mulcair was up next, and demanded action on wealthy tax cheats. Trudeau stated that they were pursuing the matter before the courts. Mulcair asked again in French, got the same answer, and then asked about a plan for childcare, at which point Trudeau hit back about the cuts that Mulcair would have needed to make in order to balance his budget at all costs. Mulcair asked about seniors having tough economic choices, for which Trudeau reminded him of the increase to GIS that they are putting forward.

Round two started with Diane Finley worrying about the deficit (Champagne: We have a different approach to growing the economy), Ed Fast lamented the lack of a climate change plan (Wilkinson: We are getting a deal), and Alexander Nuttall demanded a plan for the manufacturing sector (Bains: We have a plan because we know it’s important). Hélène Laverdière and Randall Garrison worried about the mission in Iraq being a combat mission (McKay: It’s not combat but they can defend themselves). Tony Clement and James Bezan asked about a Ukrainian pilot in a Russian prison (Goldsmith-Jones: We are gravely concerned by this situation and we call on Russia to release her), and Bezan and Jean Paul-Hus lamented the end of the bombing mission (McKay: the people have spoken). Roméo Saganash and Charlie Angus asked about a court case related to a residential school survivor (Bennett: We have provided all documents as soon as they were complete).

Round three saw questions on Aboriginal title versus private property, enforcing the Truth in Sentencing law, the Site C Dam court cases, that Afghan War memorial, support for air men and women from the bombing mission, Iranian missile tests, support for Bombardier, and VIA Rail subsidies.

Overall, the opportunity for Bélanger to take the chair was touching, and there was hardly a dry eye in the Chamber. It was a classy affair all around, and great that all MPs agreed to this tribute to such a long-time parliamentarian. Otherwise, QP went downhill from there, with poor scripts — including one where the MP acknowledged that he was going to repeat the same question his colleague had asked, but in French, which is part of the problem with the poor puppet theatre that QP so often is.

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Rona Ambrose for a chocolate brown there-quarter-sleeved jacket top with a grey and black diamond pattern skirt, and to James Bezan for a black suit with a crisp white shirt and a green striped tie and pocked square. Style citations go out to Mel Arnold for a black suit and tie with a teal shirt, and to Kelly Block for a long belted blue-grey top with pink florals over black tights. Dishonourable mention goes out to Rachael Harder for a mustard yellow top with a black jacket with a white diamond pattern.