Ottawa

This is the week that was

Your guide to the last seven days in and around Parliament Hill

The House of Commons returned. Thomas Mulcair rejected the Bloc’s attempt to repeal the Clarity Act and the NDP tabled its own bill to replace the Clarity Act. Nathan Cullen tabled a plan for civility. Romeo Saganash tabled a bill to reconcile Canadian law with the UN declaration on the rights of indigenous people. The Conservatives moved again to limit debate, tabled legislation to amend royal succession (after getting the Governor General’s consent) and asked the Supreme Court to consider Senate reform. And Harold Albrecht personified the real problem with the House.

Jim Flaherty sought a sounding board. Joyce Murray continued to champion electoral cooperation. Rona Ambrose commented on the abortion debate. Elizabeth May wondered if Environment Canada was about to be eliminated. Three Conservative MPs expressed their concerns about the Nexen deal. David McGuinty got a critic portfolio. Joan Crockatt was satirical. Patrick Brazeau and Royal Galipeau imparted their opinions on Theresa Spence and Idle No More. Three Conservative MPs wanted some abortions treated as homicides. Peter Van Loan misunderstood the rules. The oil industry supported a carbon tax. And the Liberals didn’t debate each other in Winnipeg.

Andrew Young worried about making electoral reform a partisan issue. Greg Fingas considered the NDP’s Unity Bill. Emmett Macfarlane criticized the Unity Bill. Colby Cosh looked at the riding boundary changes in Saskatchewan. I considered the meaning of Kevin Page and looked at the release of the Afghanistan audit. Stephen Gordon looked at the PBO’s mandate. Paul Wells considered secession and the Thomas Mulcair’s agenda. John Geddes looked at John Duncan’s position on funding for First Nations schools. And this week had three sketches.

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