Stephen Harper wore an orange tie to Question Period, giving the Liberals all they needed to accuse the Prime Minister of dancing with “socialist” New Democrats.
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff began by setting up the Prime Minister’s meeting tomorrow with U.S. President Barack Obama. Mr. Ignatieff said Canada is not doing enough to challenge protectionist measures in the United States. He also said Canada needs to do more when it comes to working with the Americans on climate change.
“How can we trust the Prime Minister to advance the cause of the environment in 42 minutes tomorrow [with the President] when he has failed for four years?” Mr. Ignatieff asked.
The Prime Minister said his government is working on climate change, both with the Americans and at home, pointing to an investment in a Yukon hydro project. He then chided the Liberals for attempting to force a needless election.
Once Mr. Ignatieff took his seat, Liberal MP Denis Coderre popped up to attack the Prime Minister’s orange tie.
“The only climate change we see here today is the change in the colour of the Prime Minister’s tie from blue to orange,” Mr. Coderre said, suggesting the Tories and New Democrats are inventing a “socialist-conservative” dance.
Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe, who would later tell reporters his party will support the government on its ways-and means confidence vote Friday, asked why forestry workers aren’t getting more EI help.
“The improvements to employment insurance are for all the unemployed, for every industry in Canada,” the Prime Minister replied. “They are not just for one industry or one province. They are for everyone. That’s why it’s time for the Bloc to support positive measures for the workers of Quebec.”
After the Liberals and Bloc had their turn, NDP Leader Jack Layton asked the Prime Minister to confirm Canada’s 2011 deadline for pulling out of Afghanistan – which he did.
The NDP leader also urged the Prime Minister to pledge more action on climate change during tomorrow’s meeting with the president.
“What about the solutions instead of more pollution,” Mr. Layton asked.
“I would point out we are committed to clean development of the oil sands, upon which many Canadians' jobs depend, including a number of NDP voters, or at least people who work there who used to be NDP voters,” Mr. Harper replied.
