Ottawa

This is the week that was

The NDP leadership candidates took their debate to Montreal. The latest fundraising totals put Thomas Mulcair in the lead. MPs continued to pick sides. The most experienced MPs were decidedly split. The Nash campaign signed up young people. Romeo Saganash chose Mr. Mulcair. Five female MPs championed Brian Topp. Nathan Cullen picked up momentum. Jamey Heath argued for his candidate. Gabriela Perdomo talked to Niki Ashton. And a deal between Thomas Mulcair and Martin Singh was speculated.

As to what happened in Guelph, the Conservatives pleaded ignorance. The list of ridings where voters received suspicious calls about their polling stations grew and grew and grew and grew. Bob Rae asked a simple question. Elections Canada investigated the Conservative campaign’s expense reports in Guelph. Maurice Vellacott blamed Elections Canada. Elections Canada invited complaints. The NDP filed new reports. The public looked unkindly on the Conservatives and Liberals. The Conservatives suddenly supported new powers for the chief electoral officer. Question Period was usurped by Twitter. The result in Nipissing-Timiskaming might be challenged. Dean Del Mastro ventured a categorical response. Pierre Poutine became Pierre Jones. The logic of the government’s latest talking point was questionable. And older voters might have been the target.

The Speaker ruled against Anonymous. The NDP moved that Veterans Affairs be exempt from budget cuts. The Harper government voted otherwise. The Conservative party gave up its appeal of in-and-out. Dean Del Mastro sought refuge in an elevator. The CBC discovered strange paperwork in Eglinton-Lawrence. Jack Harris had 21,000 things to say about the government’s omnibus crime bill. And the Prime Minister justified intervening in Air Canada’s labour dispute.

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