QP: What AG report? 

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Tuesday QP, and with the Auditor General’s report out, there was the possibility of some juicy questions. Then again, given that most of what he examined happened under the Conservatives’ watch, their questions may not be as juicy. Rona Ambrose, mini-lectern on neighbouring desk, led off by referencing Morneau’s flippant “stuck on the balanced budget” thing, but in her framing of Trudeau being absent the day before, Trudeau first praised the Invictus Games, before pivoting to praising his government’s plan for the middle class. Ambrose asked a philosophical question about whose money Trudeau thought it was spending, and he retorted with rhetorical questions about whether it was reckless and irresponsible to lower taxes on the middle class. Ambrose lamented that the increased spending has to be paid back, and Trudeau parried by noting how much the previous government increased the federal debt. Denis Lebel took over in French, and Trudeau listed the many infrastructure and transit projects committed to in places like Montreal and Edmonton. Lebel insisted that the Conservatives we respecting provincial jurisdiction while balancing the budget, but Trudeau returned to Harper’s debt figure. Thomas Mulcair led off for the NDP, thundering about diafiltred milk and support for dairy farmers. Trudeau responded that they are engaging with the dairy sector, and that they are protecting the industry and Supply Management. Mulcair demanded an investigation into KPMG’s activities, but Trudeau insisted there was no favouritism by CRA. Mulcair demanded again in English, Trudeau replied again in English, and for his final question, demanded action on climate change. Trudeau reminded him that he was once environment minister in Quebec and didn’t get progress on the Kyoto Accords, and that the current government was committed to meeting more stringent targets.

Round two, and Lisa Raitt returned to the deficit figures (Morneau: We have a progressive government making a difference for the children of tomorrow), Phil McColeman demanded an accounting for “March madness” spending (Morneau: Look at the international praise our budget got), Alice Wong read a demand for small business tax cuts (Hutchings: We are taking measures across the board), Gérard Deltell demanded a balanced budget (Morneau: Canadians chose a government that will grow the economy, not balance the budget at all costs). David Christopherson asked about the AG report on reservists (Sajjan: As a reservist, I was aware of this and are working to improve the situation, and Matthew Dubé wanted more money for veterans’ mental health (Hehr: We will deliver on the changes in the AG report). Blaine Calkins and Karen Vecchio kept up his hay-making over Freeland’s trip to LA (Freeland: There is not a story there; the former PM hired someone to beg people for media interview in the States, but we get invited). Don Davies and Brigitte Sansoucy decried medical user fees (Philpott: We uphold the Canada Health Act).

Round three saw questions on trade deals signed, the TPP, a funded action plan for violence against women, a global initiative on nuclear disarmament, Iran as a state sponsor of terror, Canadian beef, beer across provincial lines, Supply Management, and the changes in C-10.

Overall, the first round was full of snappy dialogue, and particularly between Trudeau and Ambrose, with his deftly parrying and hitting back against her scripted lines. This having been said, it wasn’t until halfway through that we got a single question on the AG report, and even then, there were a mere two questions throughout. That’s pretty lame, considering some of the findings in the report were pretty serious and should demand answers. That none of the opposition parties could do so, despite the fact that they were given full briefings on it in a lock-up. But why hold the government to account for real things when you can carry on with endlessly repetitive theatrical questions that they won’t get responses to?

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Judy Foote for a black dress with three-quarter sleeves and red panels along the collar and sleeves, and to Emmanuel Dubourg for a nicely tailored black suit with a white shirt and silver tie. Style citations go out to David Sweet for a taupe suit with a white shirt and brown and gold paisley tie, and to Sylvie Boucher for a navy seventies smock top with white cuffs, and droopy half-sleeves that were slit all the way up.