QP: Disclosures and the rules

Posted on by

It was Audrey O’Brien Day in the Commons, as the Clerk Emeritus sat at the head of the table as a farewell to her time serving MPs. Rona Ambrose started off by paying tribute to O’Brien before she got to her question about pipelines, and how there was now a tanker ban on the west coast after Northern Gateway was approved (only it wasn’t really approved, as there were 200+ conditions attached). Trudeau also paid tribute to O’Brien before reminding Ambrose that they didn’t get any pipelines built. Ambrose demanded to know if Trudeau would let Energy East or Transmountain go through if they were approved, but Trudeau stuck to generalities. Ambrose tried again, but got a reminder that her government didn’t get pipelines to tidewater in ten years. Denis Lebel was up next, worried about the lack of information in the budget. Trudeau reminded him of the promises that they made to families in the election. Lebel tried to burnish his government’s record, but Trudeau’s answer didn’t change. Thomas Mulcair was up next, and after a brief homage to O’Brien, lambasted the government for approving the Saudi LAV deal. Trudeau reminded Mulcair of statements he made regarding the jobs in question and not cancelling agreements. Mulcair then accused Trudeau of using numbered companies to avoid taxes, but Trudeau insisted that all taxes were paid. Mulcair pressed, and Trudeau reminded him that he has been open about his financial holdings. Mulcair asked again in English, and Trudeau stood by his disclosures.

Round two, and Blaine Calkins asked about a forthcoming fundraiser by the Minister of Justice (LeBlanc: Your colleague got a letter back from the Ethics Commissioner saying there was no problem), Michael Cooper to ask the same again (LeBlanc: You have the letter saying there is no problem), Karen Vecchio wondered who arranged those fundraisers (LeBlanc: You have a letter), and Jacques Gourde demanded a list of attendees to the fundraisers (LeBlanc: Everything is transparent and above board). Georgina Jolibois asked about suicide attempts in La Loche, Saskachewan (Philpott: We are working to get adequate resources), and Charlie Angus had specific demands about Attawapiskat (Bennett: I look forward to working with you on these issues). Shannon Stubbs, Todd Doherty and Bob Zimmer wanted approval for LNG projects (McKenna: The proponent brought new information and we are assessing it). Hélène Laverdière wanted answers on the Saudi deal (Dion: You are confusing two things — a contract signed in 2014, and the export permits).

Round three saw questions on small business taxes, protecting workers in countries like Bangladesh, an international kidnapping, the Defence Review, arts grants, the lack of a minister for seniors, a local water issue, human trafficking, and Order-in-Council appointments.

Overall, I fail to see how the Conservatives possibly think the same round-two line-up of Calkins, Cooper, Vecchio and Gourde are an effective ethics critics block. The fact that their questions haven’t changed substantially in days isn’t really helping the cause of making them look like some kind of effective dream team (or perhaps rat pack, if that’s what they’re going for), and added to the fact that they’re not making credible accusations. It’s a bit of a mess, and it’s not effective opposition, it’s cheap theatrics, which makes it look like amateur hour.

Sartorially speaking, it was the International Day of Pink, so there was plenty of pink to go around. Snaps go out to Jane Philpott for a pink dress with red florals that weren’t garish and a white sweater, and to Justin Trudeau for a dark grey three-piece suit with a white shirt and a grey and pink striped tie. Style citations go out to Robert Sopuck for his brown corduroy jacket with a dark blue shirt and bright blue patterned tie, and to Diane Lebouthillier for a grey smock with orange and green patchwork patterns, with a red turtleneck. Special mention goes out to Michel Picard for a blue and pink striped jacket with a white shirt and pink trousers and tie.