Ottawa

This is the week that was

The F-35, the “carbon tax,” a chat with Thomas Mulcair and more

The F-35 audit was released and the reset button was pushedDean Del Mastro and Bob Zimmer tried to put the new price tag in perspective. Thomas Mulcair explained the NDP’s position. Chris Alexander kept trying to make sense of the government’s handling of the file. The Prime Minister worried about “ripping up” contracts. The new accounting was considered. And myths and facts were clarified.

We talked to Thomas Mulcair, as the NDP leader made the end-of-year rounds.

Brian Jean worried that a carbon tax would critically hurt families and the Prime Minister’s director of communications tried to explain the difference between the Conservative cap-and-trade plan and the NDP cap-and-trade plan. Ralph Goodale worried about Peter Van Loan’s temper. Benjamin Netanyahu didn’t remember talking about settlements with Stephen Harper. Brent Rathgeber considered the rules around foreign investment. Mr. Mulcair had lunch with Ed Broadbent. Jason Kenney angered the basket weavers. Justin Trudeau and Marc Garneau appealed to the market. And Rodger Cuzner read his annual Christmas poem.

Taste in music transpired politics. The Conservatives led the polls for another month. The latest budget bill drew aboriginal protests. Despite objections, C-377 passed the House. The Speaker spoke of decorum and parliamentary democracy. The Conservatives taunted Mr. Mulcair. The issue of civility started an argument. A royal commission on taxation was proposed. An expansion of CPP remained possible. And Mark Carney was courted by the Liberals.

Elsewhere: Paul Wells looked at foreign investment and the F-35. John Geddes looked at the F-35, the black-footed ferret and Roma refugees. And Colby Cosh reviewed the aftermath of the Calgary Centre by-election.

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