QP: Slightly sharper responses

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It was very nearly a full house, and all of the leaders were present and ready to go. Rona Ambrose, mini-lectern on neighbouring desk, led off by concern trolling about the government trying to control the debate — as though her government was blameless on that front. Justin Trudeau rose to respond, noting that sixteen amendments were made to C-14 during the committee stage and that it was a free vote on the bill, while mentioning the deadline. Ambrose then moved onto the first of many demands for a referendum on electoral reform, for which Trudeau gave some standard lines about Canadians demanding change for the system. Ambrose accused the government of trying to rig the process and that they had hired a proponent of ranked ballots, but Trudeau responded with platitudes about a more inclusive process. Denis Lebel was up next to concern troll about Liberal party members being “muzzled” on C-14 debates last weekend, and Trudeau insisted that they had frank discussions including the ministers. Lebel worried about the provinces with C-14, and Trudeau insisted that the bill was largely based on the Quebec model. Thomas Mulcair was up next, and rises the Environment Commissioner’s report on toxic substances not being reported to Health Canada. Trudeau thanked the Commissioner for her report, and said that they would implement her recommendations. Mulcair then moved to a declaration that C-14 was unconstitutional, and Trudeau gave the standard responses. Mulcair demanded that the bill be referred the Supreme Court, but Trudeau reiterated the deadline debate. Mulcair pivoted again and demanded immediate decriminalisation of marijuana, for which Trudeau chided him for his desire to do an end-run around parliamentary process and that decriminalisation wouldn’t keep it out of the hands of children.

Round two, and Blake Richards, Alain Rayes, and Scott Reid demanded a referendum (Monsef: I want to hear how you will engage your constituents). Alexandre Boulerice railed about the cost of the Washington trip (LeBlanc: We told the truth with proactive disclosure, unlike you, and Nathan Cullen demanded to know if the government would force through their electoral reforms (Monsef: We will not move ahead without broad-based support). Lisa Raitt demanded to know when the government was raising taxes to pay for their spending (Morneau: We are focused on long-term growth) and the contingency fund (Morneau: We made allowances for prudence), and Michelle Rempel asked about cuts to the caregiver programme placements (McCallum: We are reducing processing times, and we cherish this programme). Richard Cannings and Karine Trudel asked about the softwood lumber deal (Freeland: We are working on this file).

Round three saw questions on minsters’ offices renovations, ministerial travel, daycares in public service buildings, EI changes, interprovincial trade, investments in growth, innovation, a Canadian imprisoned in the UAE, putting the new Ottawa Civic Hospital on the Experimental Farm, credit card merchant fees, and aid for Bombardier.

Overall, it was notable that Maryam Monsef’s tone was a little sharper in her responses today, not that the content was much more substantive than before. And hey, Blaine Calkins was back with his smarmy rat-packing questions, because this is his personal stand-up routine. There was little substance for most of QP yet again today, and it’s getting pretty tiresome.

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Celina Caesar-Chavannes for a tan belted short-sleeved dress, and to Justin Trudeau for a dark grey tailored three-piece suit with a crisp white shirt and a red and navy striped tie. Style citations go out to Steve McKinnon for a taupe suit with a light blue shirt and a navy and red tie, and to Patty Hajdu for a faded red and grey floral top with a red jacket with rolled sleeves.