Prime minister Justin Trudeau was present for the first time in over a week, but in spite of this, only one other leader was actually present. Observing today was a delegation of Ukrainian parliamentarians, though that did not guarantee good behaviour. Luc Berthold led off once again, and in French, he accused the government of stoking inflation by raising the carbon price (erm, except it’s not captured by the consumer price index), and then went on a tangent about the NDP wanting to raise taxes in the upcoming budget. Trudeau stood up to offer some bromides about delivering on promises for Canadians including their emissions reductions plan, reconciliation, and national child care. Berthold repeated the question and demanded a reduction in taxes in the upcoming budget, and Trudeau reminded him that the cost of inaction on climate change is far more than the investments they are making, and that the price on carbon was the right way to move forward. Berthold then policed Trudeau’s feminism by raising the military ombudsman’s warnings about General Jonathan Vance. Trudeau recited that they need to transform the culture in the Canadian Forces, and lamented that it is taking too long, but it’s happening. Kerry-Lynne Findlay took over in English, and lambasted the government for not taking action against General Vance of the minister who enabled him, and Trudeau repeated that nobody should be in a toxic work environment, particularly those who serve the country. Findlay gave a somewhat spun version of what happened with the military ombudsman, and Trudeau repeated his assurances, before stating that he didn’t agree with their characterisation of events, and that they were trying to score points.

Gretchen—err, Dan Albas, stop trying to make “spenDP” happen. It’s not going to happen. #QP pic.twitter.com/evtxTShEZZ

— Dale Smith (@journo_dale) March 31, 2022

Yves-François Blanchet rose for the Bloc, and he repeated the Bloc’s demand for an immediate airlift for refugees. Trudeau assured him they were working as quickly and safely as possible, with no limits on who could arrive. Blanchet pivoted to worries that some were being excluded when it comes to research, and Trudeau read some talking points about valuing science and providing resources to a scientific and research ecosystem. 

Alexandre Boulerice led for the NDP in person, and he accused the government of caving to the energy sector at the expense of the environment, to which Trudeau read some good news talking points about their emissions reduction plan. Charlie Angus took over in English to repeat the question with additional bombast and theatrics, and Trudeau read his English talking points with a bit more enthusiasm.

Round two, and Ed Fast lamented that carbon prices, CPP and EI premiums were all going up and driving inflation—err, even though those measures are not captured by the consumer price index (Boissonnault: We are fighting for Canadians’ affordability), Dan Albas decried that CHMC offers mortgages for landlords but not people (Hussen: Your party had no plan on affordable housing), Matt Jeneroux lamented people not being able to afford houses (Hussen: We have all of these programmes that you voted against), Melissa Lantsman worried that the government would raise taxes per the NDP platform (Boissonnault: We have had eight consecutive months of economic growth), and Dominique Vien listed countries with lower inflation than Canada has (Boissonnault: Here are countries with higher rates than ours).

Martin Champoux complained that certain academic grants excluded white people (Fillmore: We have helped to rebuild the scientific sector and supporting it is a good idea), and Maxime Blanchette-Joncas repeated the complaint (Fillmore: The research community looks like Canada).

Jasrqj Hallan complained that biometrics for Ukrainian refugees was a problem (Fraser: We have lifted some requirements and sped up processing), Laila Goodridge worried about a new mother fleeing Ukraine (Fraser: We are responding to the crisis in real time, and while this case may not be a security threat but we need to beware of people who have been fighting in the Donbas for the past eight years who might take advantage of our generosity), James Bezan demanded more military aid for Ukraine including armed personnel carriers (May: Here is some aid we have delivered).

Taylor Bachrach asked about the Transportation Safety Board report on a BC derailment that killed three people (Alghabra: We are going to study the report and act on it in addition to the interim measures we have implemented), and Lindsay Mathyssen worried about inadequate action on sexual misconduct in the military (May: We are committed to taking strong action to any allegations brought forward).

Round three saw questions on goals around protecting fish stocks (Murray: We need sustainable stocks, and when they are at a critical state, I will make decisions to grow them), lobster bait regulations (Murray: The mackerel stocks are at a critical state which is why we gave early notice for lobster fishermen), lobster licences (Murray: We are working toward reconciliation), an airlift for Ukrainian refugees (Fraser: We introduced expedited programmes, and another 12,000 have just been approved and we are having conversations with the private sector), a lack of transition support for displaced fisheries workers (Murray: I am committee to a responsible plan), support for small craft harbours (Murray: We have invested $1 billion in new funds for this programme), invasive species (Murray: My department is seized with this issue), local salmon retention in Newfoundland and Labrador (Murray: We are engaged with the sports fisher community, but we must protect stocks), the excise tax on alcohol (Boissonnault: We lowered taxes on the middle class but you voted against it), a missing Indigenous woman (Battiste: We are working on a federal action plan to see action).

Overall, it was another fairly strange day. While Justin Trudeau was present for the first time in over a week, he didn’t say anything terribly interesting, and much of what he did say hewed to prepared scripts. One of the more interesting turns of events today was that the third round was entirely dominated by fisheries questions by Conservatives, and I’m not sure why exactly. My working theory is that Conservatives either thought that there was was blood in the water where the minister, Joyce Murray, is concerned and they decided to try and swarm, but Murray more or less held her own, so that didn’t exactly work (if it were the plan). It could be some play to show their concern for coast communities and fisheries, but I have to wonder what the underlying message of just letting more fish stocks collapse does to show that concern. Either way, it was unusual as far as QPs go of late.

Sartorial speaking, snaps go out to Carla Qualtrough for a dark blue leather jacket over a white top and black slacks, and to Eric Melillo for a dark blue suit with a crisp white shirt and pink tie. Style citations go out to Alain Therrien for a bright blue jacket over a white shirt navy tie and grey slacks, and to Michelle Ferreri for a light pink jacket with tiny florals over a hot pink top and black leather slacks. Dishonourable mention goes out to Monique Pauzé for a good yellow jacket over a black top and slacks.