QP: Seniors and softwood

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Tuesday afternoon, and the benches were full for the grand inquest of the nation. Rona Ambrose led off, worried about that Vincent Lee, who beheaded someone on a bus several years ago (declared criminally not responsible) who is now freed and changed his name. Trudeau responded that they were working to ensure that all Canadians were kept safe. Ambrose pressed, and Trudeau said that he sympathized with the family of the victim, but wouldn’t commit to tougher measures, nor did he make any point that this was a case where it was someone suffering from a mental health issue and not a criminal case. Ambrose switched to tax measures for seniors and wanted assurances that Trudeau wouldn’t repeal them. Trudeau responded by listing measures that the have taken to benefit seniors, and when Ambrose called him on it, his answer didn’t change much. Ambrose closed off by worrying that softwood lumber talks were not in any new ministerial mandate letters, and Trudeau assured her that they were working with the Americans  on this and a number of trade files, ensuring that they know how many jobs rely on trade with Canada. Thomas Mulcair was up next, declaring that Trudeau had broken the law on his holiday with the Aga Khan and wondered if he had met with the Ethics Commissioner yet and what he told her. Trudeau reiterated that the Aga Khan was an old family friend and he would answer any questions she had. Mulcair pressed, but Trudeau stuck to his points. Mulcair moved onto the recommendation from Morneau’s advisory panel that they raise the OAS age back to 67, and Trudeau said they would not. Mulcair railed about how this was the recommendation and that Morneau didn’t rule it out, but Trudeau reminded him that it was a promise they kept.

Round two, and Denis Lebel worried about competition from the United States (Andrew Leslie: We are taking a Team Canada approach to dealing with our American partners), and about softwood lumber and supply management (Leslie: We are working to get a good agreement on softwood), Gérard Deltell asked if they would cut pension income splitting (Morneau: We have been helping seniors with our measures), and Diane Watts and Alain Rayes complained that shovels are not going in the ground for infrastructure projects (Sohi: We have doubled our infrastructure investments). Nathan Cullen worried about cynicism (Gould: I would hope that’s not the lesson from this), and Matthew Dubé worried about a Muslim family that was questioned about their religion at the US border (Hussen: We have an open society and we are working with the Americans). Pierre Poilievre wanted the costs of carbon taxes released (McKenna: Carbon taxes make us more competitive, and the document you’re referring to was created under your government), and Kelly Block worried that carbon taxes increase the costs of transport and make everything more expensive (McKenna: We are working with the provinces), and John Barlow worried about a tax on everything (Duclos: We have taken historic steps to reduce poverty). Niki Ashton worried about precarious work (Schiefke: We’re working hard for young people), and Anne Quach insisted the PM wasn’t doing his job as minister of youth (Schiefke: We’re working hard for young people).

Round three saw questions on Super Hornets, peacekeeping missions to Africa, farmers not being able to sell their farms to family members, supply management, Canada 2020, a bail reform bill, sexual assault allegations being named “unfounded,” and cabinet leaks on the killing electoral reform.

Overall, it wasn’t a terribly exciting day, but it was noticeable that Rona Ambrose has lost a bit of her fire after her own billionaire yacht adventure came to light and put her in danger of being called a hypocrite. That didn’t stop Thomas Mulcair from going full-bore on the topic, but I was surprised that he was not cautioned for asserting that the PM broke the law as though this were an established fact when it is not. I would also note that the Conservatives have indeed kept up their tax credit question of the day, and more faux outrage over the Canada 2020 non-issue, for which the Liberals haven’t adequately shut down. Also, Andrew Leslie needs to up his performance pronto as the reading from cue cards was a bit sad, while Karina Gould showed marked improvement, which is encouraging.

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Bill Morneau for a nicely tailored dark grey suit with a crisp white shirt and a maroon tie, and to Kirsty Duncan for a nicely tailored black suit with a black top and a shiny necklace that made it all come together. Style citations go out to Niki Ashton for a blue and grey top with a black skirt and a shiny orange suede jacket, and to Will Amos for a tan suit with a dull blue shirt and black striped tie.

One thought on “QP: Seniors and softwood”

  1. PMJT is preparing the over 50 for a big shock on taxes. He is putting all his eggs in one basket that of the hipsters and under 45 crowd. He never mentions seniors or poor seniors. It is all a big shell game to give the impression he cares. As for moving the CPP OAS age up to 67 it may not happen this year but wait there is always next year. Yep with the Liberals its lets victimize the seniors at the profit of the young ones. Sad state of affairs. Again no credibility.

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