QP: Concerned about Mali

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While Justin Trudeau was present after two weeks away, Andrew Scheer was not, spending the day in Winnipeg instead. Lisa Raitt led off in his stead, mini-lectern on desk, and she raised the announcement of a peacekeeping mission to Mali, and the risks that it would entail given the rate of casualties there. Trudeau led off with some words about engaging in peacekeeping and that they were responding to a direct request from the U.N., and would work with the opposition on how to hold a debate on the mission — but didn’t really answer about risks. Raitt wondered about whether our troops there would be able to engage in direct combat. Trudeau took up a script, and recited about how personnel would have appropriate equipment and training, but they couldn’t eliminate the risk. Raitt demanded information on what the risk was, and how many soldiers were projected to be lost. Trudeau insisted that they would remain open and responsible rather than wrap themselves in the flag and use Special Forces troops for photo ops, as the previous government did. Pierre Paul-Hus took over in French, accusing the PM of being unconcerned for troop safety. Trudeau took up a script to remind him that they were alive to the risks and would ensure that troops had equipment and training that were necessary. Paul-Hus demanded the operational guidelines, but Trudeau reiterated the plan to hold a debate in the near future. Guy Caron was up next for the NDP, also asking about the Mali announcement, and Trudeau read off some more details about helicopters and medical assistance. Caron switched to English to concern troll about how this promise fell short of the promises. Trudeau noted it was odd how the Conservatives thought we were doing too much with the military and the NDP not enough, before he went off the cuff about the upcoming debate. Tracey Ramsey was up next, demanding the government stand up to US tariff threats. Trudeau noted that he was pleased to meet workers in those industries last week, and to hear their concerns. Ramsey raised Trump’s made-up facts, and Trudeau reiterated how much he enjoyed hearing from workers in those industries.

Round two, and Gérard Deltell demanded a date for a balanced budget (Lightbound: Your plan resulted in the worst growth in the G7, and our path led to jobs and growth), Pierre Poilievre was concerned that the programme review didn’t identify any waste (Brison: The innovation review resulted in a more focused and targeted approach to innovation, and we won’t cut like you did with Phoenix), as well as the lack of an infrastructure spending plan (Sohi: We are working with provinces and territories, and have 41,000 projects on the books), and broken budget promises (Lightbound: Canada Child Benefit! Growth!). Karine Trudel raised concerns about aluminium tariffs (Freeland: We worked hard to get an exemption and we will continue to work hard until the tariffs disappear), and Scott Duvall demanded changing laws to protect private pensions (Lametti: We are taking advice to look into how to better the situation). Erin O’Toole and Alain Rayes returned to the Atwal affair (Goodale: Our security agencies are impartial and we trust their advice). Rachel Blaney and Alistair MacGregor demanded action on new paper tariffs (Freeland: We are disappointed, and we will defend this sector against the actions of the Americans).

Round three saw questions on the attestation for summer jobs funds (Hajdu: We are protecting women’s rights and LGBT rights), rural internet and mobile phone coverage (Lametti: We are investing to bring equality of opportunity to these regions), the infrastructure plan (Sohi: We work with other levels of government to come up with a plan), Huawei access to 5G technology (Goodale: We are making investments into cyber security and critical infrastructure), the Trans Mountain pipeline (Rudd: We approved this pipeline as well as others), the rail grain backlog (Garneau: The situation has improved and we will continue to monitor it), the assassination of an activist in Rio (Freeland: We are working with our partners to defend rights and will continue to do this important work), official languages in federally regulated workplaces (Brison: This is a fundamental right that we respect), Davie shipyard (Qualtrough: We are finalising contracts), and sugary alcoholic drinks (Petitpas Taylor: We are working on this issue).

Overall, it was a reasonable day debate-wise, and the Conservatives were asking more or less reasonable questions on the Mali mission, such as chains of command and rules of engagement, though I did find Lisa Raitt’s demand to know how many troops were projected to die to be a bit crass and possibly over the line. I also found the NDP questions on demanding some kind of action over US tariffs, be they for steel and aluminium or paper, to be a bit like demanding that Donald Trump be a rational actor, which we all know is never going to be the case. I noted that Trudeau remains cautious in his answer and is reaching for scripts for half of his answers, but the pattern of answering more substantively to the NDP than the Conservatives is interesting. I’m not sure why exactly this is his modus operandi of late, but it has been noticeable.

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Scott Brison for a dark grey three-piece suit with a white shirt and a burgundy tie, and to Candice Bergen for a tightly tailored light grey dress with three-quarter sleeves. Style citations go out to Jennifer O’Connell for a red plaid blouse with ruffles down the front, and to Jean-Claude Poissant for for a dark grey suit with a faded cranberry shirt and a dark burgundy tie. Special mention goes out to Michel Picard for a dark pink jacket with a light pink shirt and black tie.