Ottawa

This is the week that was

Seven days in 31 links

Scott Clark and Peter DeVries explained how the federal budget process fails and, after being dismissed by the government, explained themselves. Stephen Harper used to lament for the estimates process too. The Library of Parliament sought a new parliamentary budget officer. Amid questions about the hiring process, the government appointed an interim PBO (a month after claiming it wasn’t possible to do so). And Conservatives on the public accounts committee decided they weren’t that interested in fiscal sustainability.

Halifax witnessed the quintessential Justin Trudeau moment. Michael Fortier questioned the usefulness of the Senate and the New Democrats asked the House to consider abolishing the Senate, but both the Senate and the Clarity Act survived for another week. The New Democrats assigned an MP to mind Jonquiere-Alma and called Claude Patry’s constituents. Conservative grammar lessons were questioned. No one wanted to explain the CMHC’s mandate for legislative analysis. Olivia Chow considered a run for mayor. Pat Martin took on the Justice Minister. The NDP paid tribute to Stompin’ Tom. C-279 received its last hour of debate. And Thomas Mulcair planned a trip to Washington.

James Surowiecki argued in favour of legalized sports gambling. Sustainable Prosperity found that energy companies are already assuming a price on carbon. George Stroumboulopoulos talked to Olivia Chow and Sook-Yin Lee. And Preston Manning considered the state of the conservative movement.

I reviewed the new Jack Layton movie and checked the government’s math. Paul Wells considered the government’s concerns about the public service and the Supreme Court reference. John Geddes looked at the Senate. And Nick Taylor-Vaisey considered the NDP’s attitude toward the oil sands.

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