QP: Scheer on repeat

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Wednesday, caucus day, and still no real answers as to what actually happened in the SNC-Lavalin/Wilson-Raybould Affair. Andrew Scheer led off in French, asking about today’s Globe and Mail report that Trudeau had a meeting with Jody Wilson-Raybould about the SNC-Lavalin file after the Public Prosecution Service opted not to go for a remediation. Trudeau stood up to talk about standing up for jobs and all good things, but didn’t really answer. In English, Scheer wanted to know who asked for the meeting, but Trudeau deflected, saying there are processes underway,  but they stood up for good jobs while respecting judicial independence. Scheer asked again, and this time Trudeau invoked Cabinet confidentiality, but Canadians could rest assured they were acting in the best interests of Canada. Scheer wanted to know if he was aware of the Public Prosecution Service’s decision when he had the meeting, but this time Trudeau reminded him that there are ongoing court cases that he couldn’t answer about. Scheer tried again, and Trudeau noted the thousands of jobs at stake while they were standing up for the independence of the judicial system and the processes that keep the county safe. Guy Caron got up next for the NDP, and in French, he too tried to put SNC-Lavalin lobbying on a timeline regarding that meeting, and Trudeau repeated that they defend jobs while respecting the system, and he read a quote from the Director of Public Prosecutions in order to back up his case. Caron demanded to hear from Wilson-Raybould, and Trudeau re-read the quote that the Attorney General exercises their powers apart from partisan considerations. Charlie Angus reiterated the question, with added melodrama and sanctimony, and Trudeau repeated the same answer and the English version of the quote. Angus wondered if Trudeau would testify before the justice committee, and Trudeau noted their independence, before praising Gerald Butts’ contributions.

Round two, and Scheer got back up to ask about a September 5th meeting between Wilson-Raybould and Butts (Trudeau: A team that works together has lots of meetings with Cabinet on many issues), whether the PM expressed support for SNC-Lavalin getting a deal (Trudeau: The Director of Public Prosecution said they exercise their independence; We will support jobs but respect the rule of law). Ruth Ellen Brosseau and Murray Rankin wanted PMO staff to appear at the justice committee and to waive solicitor-client privilege (Trudeau: these issues need a full airing, but we respect the privilege which is why I have asked for a legal opinion but want to avoid unintended consequences). Scheer got back up to repeatedly wonder again if he expressed support for SNC-Lavalin getting a DPA (Trudeau: Same answer as before). Alexandre Boulerice and Nathan Cullen demanded an end to fossil fuel subsidies (Trudeau: You are talking about a choice between economic prosperity and the environment, but we are following the court procedures for the Trans Mountain pipeline). 

https://twitter.com/journo_dale/status/1098308853807095810

Round three saw Scheer return again to the same question if Trudeau preferred a DPA for SNC-Lavalin (Trudeau: Same answer), why Wilson-Raybould would have to talk to the Clerk of the Privy Council if it was her decision to make (Trudeau: You won’t say you’re standing up for jobs), did you ask for Gerald Butts to resign (Trudeau, with script: His letter speaks for itself), demanding a public inquiry (Trudeau: We have confidence in the processes already in place), allowing Butts to testify under oath at committee (Trudeau: We respect the independence of committees), while other questions touched on species extinctions affecting Indigenous communities (Trudeau, with script: We have robust plans based on science in partnership with Indigenous people), funding for an Indigenous project (Trudeau: The Minister is aware of the request and will have more to say in the coming weeks), rail safety regulations (Trudeau: We acknowledge that pipelines are the safest way to transport resources, so we are following the court’s guidance), and “crony capitalism” (Trudeau: We will stand up for good jobs).

Overall, it was a dull and annoyingly repetitive day. I’m not sure why Trudeau thought that “We’re standing up for jobs unlike the opposition” was a good line, but he repeated it time, after time, after time, while Scheer repeated his own questions time and time again, possibly presuming that he’d look prosecutorial, but he did not. Instead, it was, as one person referred to it today, a Groundhog Day QP, with nary any enlightenment to be found. The only real exchange of note, and only because it was ridiculous, was Nathan Cullen insisting that Trudeau only bought the Trans Mountain pipeline to protect his friends – implying of course that Trudeau is friends with the oil sector, which is ludicrous on the face of it, contrary to everything the Conservatives have been insisting, and goes against the price that Trudeau is paying among his base. But when every NDP question needs to end with some jab at the government protecting their powerful friends, it gets ridiculous if that formula doesn’t actually fit the facts at hand.

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Catherine McKenna for a grey wrap dress with a black sweater, and to Arif Virani for a navy suit and tie with a lavender shirt and pocket square. Style citations go out to Ron Liepert for a black jacket over a black “I ❤️ Oil Sands” t-shirt and jeans, and to Diane Lebouthillier for what appeared to be a black leather vest over a plaid blouse with wide sleeves, and a black and red fur collar. Dishonourable mention goes out to Kevin Waugh for a black suit with a yellow shirt and tie, and special mention to Stephanie Kusie for a leopard-print dress.