Beyond The Commons

 Beyond The Commons

Aaron Wherry covers all the goings-on in and around Parliament Hill. Follow Aaron on Twitter: @aaronwherry

Categories: Beyond The Commons, Capital Read

Ministerial accountability in action

by Aaron Wherry on Monday, October 4, 2010 4:40pm - 0 Comments

Last week, in regards to the matter of Christian Paradis and his wayward aide, the Prime Minister’s spokesman told reporters that ministers are “responsible to Parliament,” which is to say that “if Parliament has any questions they can ask him in the House of Commons.”

During QP this afternoon, the opposition posed four questions on the matter. One of these questions was directed towards the Prime Minister and was answered, in Mr. Harper’s absence, by government house leader John Baird. The other three were directed specifically at the minister. They too were answered by Mr. Baird, while Mr. Paradis, who was present, remained seated.

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  • brooster

    The House of Commons, where ministers of the crown perform magic by hiding in plain sight.

    • Jan

      After listening him just now on CBC – I can fully appreciate why the government doesn't want him answering in QP.

      • Dave

        Speaking of CBC, can anyone tell me what is up with the stupid howling in the cuts on Evan & Solomon?

        • Jan

          It's a howling pack of dogs, which was funny the first few times but now is just annoying.

          • Dave

            Make it stop!

            Maaaaaaaa-aaaaa-aaaaa-aaake it stooooooooooooooooopppppppppp!

        • CAPS

          I loved how after the segment about the guy who sparked up a joint in the public gallery during QP . Afterwards Latchmi Nair (is that her name?) was laughing her head off and somebody tweeted that Evan was getting a contact buzz and she kept laughing her head off and Evan claimed to not know what that meant.

          Shee looked like she know what time it is.

          • Dave

            The show doesn't even start for 40 minutes after 4:20.

  • Richard_S_Argent

    Honestly, why can't the Speaker force the person being posed the question to answer? This would seem to be the easiest solution to this problem.

    • Patchouli

      No kidding. How humiliating for Paradis (heh heh).

      • danby

        Don't let it get you down Mr Paradis
        some people get the reins and some get the coffee

        • MostlyCivil

          …but next time, bring the cream and sugar back with you. Don't want you screwing that up again..

  • Dave

    And here, it's why they call it Question Period and not Answer Period.

  • tedbetts

    Aaron, there is a typo in your heading.

    You accidentally inserted a space between the last two words.

  • Out There

    Maybe they should just eliminate the middleman – instead of having Conservative ministers in the House Of Commons, just put Soudas there to handle all questions from impertinent opposition members.

    This will free the cabinet ministers to handle more important tasks, such as determining the exact size and GPS location of Economic Action Plan signs.

    • Jenn_

      No, but it will free up their time to promptly attend at committee meetings, where MPs have questions for Mr. Soudas.

      Nothing wrong or backwards about this state of affairs at all, is there?

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