QP: Electoral reform apoplexy

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After the howls of outrage by the NDP and Elizabeth May in the Foyer about announcement that the government was abandoning its plans for electoral reform, it was promising to be a rowdy QP. Rona Ambrose led off, worrying about the state of the deficit on future generations. Justin Trudeau responded by reminding her that the Canada Child Benefit was giving direct aid to the middle class. Ambrose worried about the bogey man of taxes on medical and dental benefits, and Trudeau started off with the usual points about the middle class tax cut before saying that he would not raise those taxes. Ambrose was a bit thrown from her points, and asked something vague about youth, and Trudeau noted the various programs they’ve implemented. Denis Lebel was up next, and clearly having prepared a question on the benefit taxes, he wanted Trudeau to repeat the answer in French, and Trudeau dutifully did so. Lebel then asked about softwood lumber, and Trudeau listed the many files they had worked on with the Americans and softwood lumber was on that list. Thomas Mulcair was up next, and wanted Trudeau to admit that he lied on electoral reform. Trudeau listed the many positions out there, said there was no consensus and didn’t want to harm country’s stability at this time. Mulcair went another round, got the same response. Mulcair hounded Trudeau on the topic, but Trudeau said he wasn’t going to just check off a item on a list if it was the wrong thing to do.

Round two, and Candice Bergen was up next, worrying that the Trumpocalypse would steal jobs through lower taxes and fewer regulations (Morneau: We are focusing on growth to create a strong economy), Gérard Deltell worried about the deficit (Morneau: We are focused on investing in growth), and Pierre Poilievre worried about hydro rates and carbon taxes (Morneau: We have offered help for the middle class; McKenna: The economy and the environment go together). Alexandre Boulerice got cautioned for saying the government lied on electoral reform, and when he didn’t apologize, the Speaker said he would no longer be called upon. Nathan Cullen then gave his denunciation of the electoral reform decision (Gould: No consensus). John Brassard, Jacques Gourde and Luc Berthold railed about the PM’s vacation (Chagger: It was a personal vacation and he’ll answer any questions from the Commissioner). Randall Garrison asked about LGBT refugees affected by Trump’s ban (Hussen: We continue to be an open society), and Hélène Laverdière asked about the safe third country agreement for refugees (Hussen: Our system evaluates cases on their merits).

Round three saw questions on Canada 2020 getting a SSHRC grant, Status of Women office renovations, the New Brunswick ice storm, survivors of the “Sixties scoop,” Ambrose asked about a bail reform bill (Trudeau: We are committed to reforming the bail system in consultation with the provinces) and a Liberal backbencher’s musing about decriminalizing all drugs (Trudeau: We are planning on legalizing marijuana but nothing else at this time), the Vegreville immigration processing system, violence against women, mental health resources for troops, and Elizabeth May worried that there was no requirement for consensus when electoral reform was promised (Trudeau: A divisive referendum is not in the best interests of Canada).

Overall, I was surprised to see that the NDP decided to go with Profoundly Disappointed Mulcair rather than Angry Tom for QP today, though either was a likely choice. Alexandre Boulerice and Nathan Cullen went with angry, and Boulerice ended up getting his wrists slapped for it as a result. Trudeau clearly knocked the Conservatives off of their script today as well, which was evident when Denis Lebel was forced to get Trudeau to simply repeat an answer in French rather than ask something else. It was also interesting to see Ambrose get up again and ask several more questions in round three, which I’d like to see more of, because it was a little less scripted and stiff (and I suspect was because the questions they had planned to ask were no longer applicable).

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Candice Bergen for a dark grey dress with a brown checked jacket, and to Pablo Rodriguez for a dark grey three-piece suit with a crisp white shirt and brown tie. Style citations go out to Colin Carrie for a black suit with a cranberry shirt and black patterned tie, and to Rona Ambrose for a leopard print jacket with a white smock blouse. Dishonourable mention goes out to Michelle Rempel for a black dress with yellow and tan panels.

One thought on “QP: Electoral reform apoplexy”

  1. I wonder why you used the word bogeyman on taxing health and dental plans. I fully expect this to happen in the budget. As a retired person I cannot see this as a good thing and coming from a government who is only promoting the under 40 age group that leaves a lot of people out. As a Canadian I wanted change on the electoral system and yes I now see that PMJT lied and is cynical about it. Well I won’t be fooled again.

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