This is the week that was

Blaine Calkins offered a selective reading of Jack Mintz’s views on carbon pricing. Eve Adams mistakenly alleged that Exxon and the NDP were of the same view. Joe Oliver and Peter Kent ruled out a carbon tax, whatever that really means. Mr. Kent took a stand against mischaracterization. And Jim Prentice’s opinion of cap-and-trade was complicated.

David McGuinty criticized Conservative MPs from Alberta, then apologized and resigned as the Liberal party’s natural resources critic. His potential impact on the by-election Calgary Centre was considered. Chris Warkentin was unsatisfied with Mr. McGuinty’s apology. Justin Trudeau was discovered to have made disparaging remarks about Albertans. His campaign said the remarks had been taken out of context. A day later, Trudeau apologized. And then his campaign tried to raise some money.

Joan Crockatt exchanged tweets with Naheed Nenshi. A Forum poll gave the Conservatives a five-point lead in Calgary Centre and a Return on Insight poll found a similar spread. And Dave Climenhaga wondered if the Greens were gaming the polls.

Elizabeth May was named Parliamentarian of the Year at our annual celebration. Joe Comartin explained what it’s like to be the deputy speaker. Peter Goldring suggested the Conservatives were mocking him. Justin Trudeau expressed support for the Nexen takeover (and the Prime Minister took notice). Pierre Poilievre stayed on message. John Baird explained his support for Israel. Joe Fontana was charged. Dan Harris said a Conservative told him to go home. Rodger Cuzner accused the Conservatives of imposing a job-killing hockey tax. And Stephen Harper met Justin Bieber.

Another voting marathon approached as Scott Brison forced the finance committee to deal with 3,000 amendments and lamented for the state of our democracy. The War of 1812 was advertised. Conservatives laughed at the Parliamentary Budget Officer. Brad  Wall ripped the Harper government’s changes to refugee health care. Questions were raised about Conservative fundraising in Laurier-Sainte-Marie and some of those questions were answered. The Conservative campaign in Victoria made an interesting pitch. And Seat 309 was a bit of a mystery.

We explained the Conservatives’ story about a penny tax monster under your bed, chatted with Elizabeth May and looked back on a few moments in geographic politics. And John Geddes questioned the Harper government’s approach to prescription drug abuse.