Ottawa

The part of Peter Van Loan, Hyperpartisan Attack Dog will be played by ...

…. Pierre Poilievre, now styled as parliamentary secretary to the Prime Minister, which ensures that the irrepressible pixie dancer will bask in the Commons spotlight when the Prime Minister can’t be in the House – or doesn’t particularly want to answer pointed questions about, say, the in-and-out election financing controversy.

Oh, come on – does this come as a shock to anyone? Anyone? Good call by PMO, though – this way, the new Peter Van Loan – incoming House Leader Jay Hill – can actually start rebuilding behind-the-curtain relations with his opposition counterparts without having to worry about going all Mr. Hyde for the CPAC camera during QP.