Van Loan makes a splash in Question Period

I'm still at a loss to understand why the Conservatives want Government House Leader Peter Van Loan to be doing all the answering (I use the term loosely) in Question Period. It can't be popular demand, surely.

Today, Van Loan was hauling out his now-predictable barbs against Bob Rae, reaching back into Rae's time as Ontario premier for something or other. (Memo to Van Loan: You might want to check with Bob about whether he's seen your anti-Rae talking points, in booklet form. Remember that Conservative candidate you didn't want? The one who was supposed to be delivering those lines? The one who supported Rae in the Toronto Centre by-election?)

Today, Rae responded to Van Loan this way: "For all I know, Mr. Speaker, at that time the minister who just responded was in high school pulling the wings off butterflies."

Van Loan, meanwhile, managed to knock over his water glass amid all this hilarity — drenching Prime Minister Stephen Harper beside him.  I didn't see this with my own eyes, but CBC folks did, and they've blogged on it here.

Comments

[Gabby in QC]

"Van Loan was hauling out his now-predictable barbs against Bob Rae, reaching back into Rae's time as Ontario premier for something or other."

Do you mean like the 18 year-old tape about Tom Lukiwski? Or the 1997 speech Mr. Harper delivered to a Republican group when he wasn't even in Parliament? Or other examples, which have not been retained in my memory bank?

I agree that QP would be more relevant if ancient texts/statements weren't dug up to score a few points. But the practice is not limited to the Conservatives. Both the Liberals and the Conservatives use those tactics, and sometimes the NDP does it too.
I guess there's no statute of limitations regarding the practice. I wonder if anyone intends to introduce a private member's bill ...

Anyway, I'm glad everyone enjoyed the drenching, including the PM.

[Wascally wabbit]

Van Loan, Helena Guergis and Patrick Brown.
The region just north of the 905 area is poorly served by those three "Communicators".
Chipmunk Cheeks doesn't know a non-answer that he hasn't used more than once this Parliamentary session.
Guegis is so desperate for recognition after fumbling the ball in Mexico - spending more time fun-ing than she ever did in prison working to get a Canadian citizen out of jail - that she is resorting to writing letters defending the target shooting sites within Toronto - that Mayor Miller wants to shut down - because they might injure the chances of our sharpshooters in Beijing. I have noticed she is no longer the "Flowerpot" peering around Harper's right ear either these days!
And Patrick Brown has weaselled himself so far into the backbench that even the Commons cameras can't locate him.