This is the week that was

Conservative MP Ryan Leef styled himself a character in a carbon tax comic book and Mark Warawa gave thanks for talking points. The New Democrats responded via YouTube. Greg Fingas and Chris Selley considered the NDP’s effort. We wondered by how much Stephen Harper would raise the price of Thanksgiving turkey. And Cathy McLeod thought she saw a duck, so we explained all the quacking her government had to account for.

Tony Clement insisted the Parliamentary Budget Officer was out of line in demanding information about the government’s budget cuts, but a few days later federal departments started to come forward and suddenly the tide seemed to have turned in favour of the PBO. Kathryn May wondered what had happened.

Megan Leslie had a bad dream. Stephen Harper’s attempt to blame someone else was questioned. Irwin Cotler criticized the Harper government’s cuts to prison chaplains. Dean Del Mastro dismissed the Broadbent Institute’s concerns about income inequality. Jason Kenney was a TV star in Ireland. Justin Trudeau explained why he’s running for the Liberal leadership and dismissed a merger with the NDP. And John McKay lamented the demise of Motion 312.

The Conservatives held their lead in September. Huawei became a new test of Canada’s relationship with China. More concerns were raised about XL Foods. While cutting billions elsewhere, the Harper government spent millions to promote itself. Indeed, the Conservatives seemed unable to keep to their advertising budget. And the Liberals hinted they might ask Stephen Harper whether he agrees with himself.

Andre Picard blamed a lack of leadership for the latest food safety crisis. Allan Gregg reflected on his call for reason. Stephen Gordon noted the finance department’s admission of a structural deficit. Alex Himelfarb considered citizenship. We explained how to fix members’ statements and Question Period. And the Agenda looked at the redrawing of the federal map.