This is the week that was

Chris Alexander blamed the opposition for a “misunderstanding” among that public that a decision had been made to purchase the F-35. And he didn’t appreciate my pointing to a bunch of public comments from the Prime Minister, Defence Minister and Associate Minister of Defence suggesting such a decision had been made. And he asked me to agree with him that, whatever the Prime Minister and Defence Minister once said, no contract had been signed. The final word went to one of Mr. Alexander’s Facebook friends.

Jack Layton was remembered. I talked to the people who helped him write his last letter. Helen Branswell revisited questions about his health. Brian Topp considered the last year for the NDP and what the party needs to do in the next three. I sketched the scene on Parliament Hill. Chris Selley quibbled. The late NDP leader’s legacy was considered. And Colin Horgan and I debated the meaning and fate of Mr. Layton’s last words.

Justin Trudeau shook hands. Stephane Dion called for electoral reform. The Prime Minister rode an ATV in an ecologically sensitive area. Mark Warawa endorsed Motion 312. Ryan Leef and Peter Kent introduced the “Prime Minister of cannibal.” Denise Savoie resigned. Marc Garneau contemplated Quebec and the constitution. Frank Valeriote apologized for a robocall. And Helena Guergis’ lawsuit was dismissed.

The Northern Gateway debate continued, while the NDP fought the pipeline via video. The New Democrats led the polls for another month and put the F-35 on trial. The Russian invasion was cancelled. Conservatives picked sides in Calgary Centre. The Harper government cut nearly 3,000 environmental assessments, including 500 in British Columbia. The latest attack ads were studied. And the RCMP was given permission to use information that might have been obtained via torture.

John H. Richardson considered Keystone XL. Stephen Harper’s religion was debated. Mike Moffatt pondered a pop tax. Timothy Stanley, Richard Gwyn and Stephen Azzi debated John A. Macdonald’s feelings about different races. And Edward Greenspan and Anthony Doob challenged the government’s approach to crime policy.

Previous weeks that were here.