Collegiality ruled in the House of Commons for about a nanosecond today as MPs returned for their first Question Period session in nearly three months.
NDP Leader Jack Layton was given a standing ovation from his colleagues, a show of support as he undergoes treatment for prostate cancer.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper even offered some kinds words, saying he was “happy” to see the NDP Leader in fine form.
In return, Mr. Layton offered some advice: “All the guys out there make sure you get tested.”
And then the NDP Leader returned to form, hammering Mr. Harper over his decision to shut down Parliament until after the Olympics.
“Will the Prime Minister admit prorogation was a useless mistake?” Mr. Layton asked.
No, the Prime Minister would not admit that.
Mr. Harper said the No. 1 priority for Canadians is economic growth and he believes the program his government put forward in yesterday’s Throne Speech will help with that.
The NDP Leader went at him again, noting that there wasn’t much new in the Throne Speech. “Wasn’t the real reason that the Prime Minister prorogued was to escape the tough questions about torture?” he asked, referring to the allegations of torture of Afghan prisoners.
No. The Prime Minister said his government spent the time consulting Canadians whose No. 1 priority is the economy.
Jack Layton receives a standing ovation from Members of Parliament during Question Period on March 4, 2010. It was the NDP Leader's first appearance in the House of Commons since announcing he is being treated for prostate cancer over the holidays. — The Canadian Press
Although MPs were waiting for the delivery of the fifth Conservative budget later in the afternoon, Question Period focused on the Prime Minister’s controversial decision to prorogue and the allegations of torture and abuse of Afghan detainees.
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff led off the session, referring too to prorogation.
“As we were saying before we were so rudely interrupted – the Prime Minister shut down Parliament – Canadians were rightly angered,” he said. “Canadians want this House to reassert its just authority. They want democracy strengthened not weakened.”
Mr. Ignatieff asked the Prime Minister to support creating a special committee of the House of Commons to study prorogation to prevent future abuse.
Mr. Harper didn’t bite. Rather, he defended his use of prorogation.
Both the NDP and Liberals alleged Mr. Harper shut down the House to avoid the light shining on the Afghan detainee controversy.
“He shut it down to avoid legitimate questions about the Afghan detainee scandal,” Mr. Ignatieff charged as he asked that the Prime Minister release non-redacted documents the opposition says are essential to the story.
No. The Prime Minister said thousands of documents have already been released and show the Canadian Forces have conducted themselves honourably.
They’re back…
(Photos: Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
