HINDSIGHT’S WISDOM — In the House of Commons, MPs are referred to by their ridings. But this afternoon, a series of speakers will break with convention and recognize the late JIM CARR by name.
NDP House Leader PETER JULIAN acknowledged Tuesday that the tributes are overdue. MPs had known Carr was fading. “We were aware that we needed to do that,” he said. The MP for Winnipeg South Centre died Monday. Ahead of Tuesday's QP, MP TERRY DUGUID put it on record that Carr had served with distinction. “He believed that our evolving energy sector will help power our country forward. That is how he found the strength to see his private member's bill — the building a green prairie economy act — pass third reading last week.” Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE shared his condolences off the top of question period. In reply, Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU told the House: "His thoughtfulness, his commitment to the Prairies and his commitment to Canada will be long remembered and need inspire us all every single day as we notice the empty seat among us." Global’s AARON D’ANDREA reports that MPs on the House public safety committee, which Carr once chaired, also shared remembrances during their meeting on Tuesday. A public memorial will be held for Carr on Saturday in Winnipeg at the Centennial Concert Hall. Do you enjoy Ottawa Playbook? Maybe you know others who would like it, too. Point them to this link where they can sign up for free. WATCHDOG BITES — International Trade Minister MARY NG broke ethics rules over two contracts signed for media training services by a company owned and led by her friend of more than 20 years, AMANDA ALVARO. “There is simply no excuse for contracting with a friend's company,” said Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner MARIO DION. “This includes the need to quickly obtain media training services to help Minister Ng respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020." The value of the contracts each fell below the C$25,000 threshold needed to trigger a competitive bidding process. Dion launched an investigation after Conservative MP JAMES BEZAN requested the commissioner review the contracts to Alvaro. The watchdog's findings present the Conservatives with a new opening to call back the WE scandal, which their leader was quick to do. "From incompetence to bad ethics, we have another Liberal minister found guilty of violating the Ethics Act," Poilievre told the House. Conservative MPs are calling on Ng to step down. "After [former finance minister] Bill Morneau got caught, he did the honorable thing and resigned," Bezan said. "Will the trade minister follow suit?" Ng told the House she accepts full responsibility. "I should have recused myself," she said in reply to Bezan. "I am sincerely sorry for not having done so." | 
