This is because, in the context of question period, he tends to deliver pointed, if rote, answers.
And when it comes to Boulerice, Poilievre has only one – and he uses some form of it at every possible opportunity: that Boulerice donated to the Québec Solidaire, a sovereigntist political party, 29 times.
On October 24th, when Boulerice asked about allegations that Julie Couillard illegally lobbied her then-boyfriend Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism Maxime Bernier, Poilievre asked for proof, but told the House of something “we do know for sure.”
Boulerice, he said, “donated not once, not twice, but 29 times to the separatist Québec Solidaire.”
On Monday, it was much the same.
Boulerice, as he had last week, continued to wonder about Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Peter Penashue’s 2011 campaign spending. Recent reports have said that Penashue’s campaign team itemized a donation of $5,500 from a St. John’s corporation, and also neglected to mention around $18,000 he’d spent on flights around Labrador. Since Boulerice (and fellow MP Charlie Angus) started asking questions about it, Penashue has been sitting in his place, silent.
On Monday, Boulerice noted Penashue’s silence, telling the House that Penashue has not only been quiet, he also “continues to believe the question doesn’t apply to him.” Where, he wondered, “is ministerial responsibility? The minister refuses to answer, and he should answer.” If he couldn’t manage his campaign, Boulerice asked, “how can we believe for one second he’s capable of managing his ministry?”
As usual, Poilievre got up to answer – or, at least, deflect.
The new official agent is now proactively answering Elections Canada’s questions, he said, before switching to attack mode.
“The New Democratic Party officials have been likewise very busy,” Poilivre said, referring to his iPad. “On Saturday they met in Quebec to discuss whether or not they should have a provincial party, but the decision, according to a Global News story, the party president, Rebecca Blakie said: ‘The decision is complicated by the fact that some of Quebec New Democrats are supporters of left-wing sovereigntist parties at the provincial level.’”
He looked across the aisle.
“Could the member clear up all the complications?” he asked, meaning Boulerice.
It was Angus’ turn to try Boulerice’s initial question again, this time in English.
“There is nobody in Quebec with the New Democrats that supports illegal activities, unlike over on that side,” he said, before again going over the allegations against Penashue and finally asking, again, whether the minister would “stand up and take accountability?”
Poilievre still had Boulerice on his mind.
“At no time did I suggest that the supporters of the NDP were breaking the law when they contributed to the separatist cause in Quebec. That is not a criminal offence. It is a political position,” he clarified, before turning to his real target, Boulerice.
“All I ask is for the honourable member who has contributed to that position on 29 occasions to rise in the House and say whether or not he is a federalist,” Poilievre said.
Forty-eight hours earlier, Boulerice had been awarded a gag prize at the annual Parliamentary Press Gallery Dinner for having the most effective one-liners. As he accepted the award, Boulerice appropriated Poilievre’s line. He told the hundreds gathered in the main hall at the Museum of Civilization that he planned to come back to the party not once, not twice, but 29 times.
To the left of the stage, standing on his feet, laughing along and applauding perhaps loudest of all, was Pierre Poilievre.
Original Article
Source: ipolitics
Author: Colin Horgan
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