QP: The Goldilocks of pipelines

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In the wake of yesterday’s big pipeline announcement, it remained to be seen if that would finally knock the fundraising questions off of the agenda. Rona Ambrose led off, lamenting that saying no to the Northern Gateway robbed hope and opportunity from 31 Aboriginal communities who had an equity stake in the project. Justin Trudeau noted that his government did what the previous one could not, and they would protect the environment while still growing the economy. Ambrose went or another round of the same, and Trudeau shot back that they we flailing about for something to talk about. Ambrose worried that Trudeau didn’t have a plan to deal with the Trumpocalyse (not her word) particularly with their tax plans, and Trudeau reminded her that they would engage constructively while working to diversify Canada’s trade markets. Ambrose then wondered when Trudeau would head to BC to get pipeline opponents onside, and Trudeau insisted that he was going about things the right way. Ambrose pivoted to CBC’s proposal to go ad-free for a bigger subsidy, and Trudeau replied that her party didn’t understand cultural industries and their importance. Thomas Mulcair was up next, and raised the issue of 59 First Nations opposed Kinder Morgan. Trudeau said that there were groups on all sides and that the balanced the various interests to make a decision. Mulcair switched to French to lament that the decision was done with Stephen Harper’s process, and Trudeau reminded him of their work with the provinces, particularly with new climate plans. Mulcair moved onto the appeal of a Manitoba case involving First Nations survivors, and Trudeau mouthed some platitudes about working together to move ahead in the relationship. Mulcair’s final question was on electoral reform, demanding that Trudeau keep his election promise, and Trudeau replied that he awaited the committee report and the consultations with Canadians.

Round two started off with Denis Lebel lamented the lack of a softwood lumber agreement (Freeland: Your government let it expire and we are trying to get a good deal), Mark Strahl and Candice Bergen decried the decision to cancel Northern Gateway as a political decision (Rudd: We took the science ad evidence and we are moving in the right direction), and Cathy McLeod relayed the disappointment of the 31 First Nations equity partners in Northern Gateway (Rudd: We are committed to a renewed relationship). Linda Duncan worried about the southern resident killer whale population affected by Kinder Morgan (LeBlanc: We have an ambitious plan to mitigate the stresses on them), and Fin Donnelly accused the government of turning their back on BC (Young: Yay innovation and growth). Alex Nuttall, Jacques Gourde and Blaine Calkins accused the government of leaking the marijuana task force report (Philpott: That report will be made public in good time; Wilson-Raybould: A statement on the task force will be made before it is translated; Chagger: You’re deliberately mixing facts). Nathan Cullen returned to threats over Kinder Morgan (Rudd: Rachel Notley is in favour), and Randall Garrison returned to the orcas (LeBlanc: We outlined a draft plan last summer and received 11,000 comments which are being incorporated into a new plan to be released in January).

Round three saw questions on the price of Super Hornets (Foote: We are still negotiating), repealing C-51, the AG’s report on CRA delays, the Civic Hospital, CBC funding, interprovincial trade, softwood lumber, the electoral changes in C-33, the Kinder Morgan approval (Trudeau: The interim process we applied extended consultations and reviewed more science).

Overall, it was a rowdy day which the Speaker threatened more than once to shut down whole affair. While the pipeline questions from either opposition party were not unexpected in any respect, the Conservatives tried to “surprise” the government with accusations of leaking the marijuana committee report in relation to a stock surge for a particular marijuana company that has ties to Liberal party members. While no less than three ministers got up to answer the question and eventually Philpott did, the Conservatives started gleefully going around Twitter saying that it was disarray, that the government was caught flat-footed, and the likes, when that certainly wasn’t how it appeared from the gallery. Also, a slow clap to Alupa Clarke for his exchange on the Super Hornets, and his Captain Obvious retort. She said she’s negotiating, so obviously she doesn’t have a price. Your announcing it is not stating the obvious, it makes you look like you weren’t actually paying attention to her answer.

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Arif Virani for a medium grey three-piece suit with a white shirt and a blue tie, and to Chrystia Freeland for her short-sleeve black dress. Style citations go out to Diane Lebouthillier for a red turtleneck and a shapeless black jacket, and to Robert-Falcon Outlette for a grey suit with a cherry pink shirt and red and grey striped tie.