It is hard to believe, but back on this day in 2005, we were all involved in an election that was forced on November 28th when the Martin government lost a confidence vote.

Part of what made that election possible and which laid the ground work for that non-confidence vote was the success the then opposition Conservatives had in Question Period. Question Period was interesting, hard hitting and rarely dull. Today, the best you can say about Question Period is that it is pathetic and a great opportunity to take a nap. By doing so, you won't miss anything important happening.

It's hard to believe that yesterday the Conservatives were still putting up MPs to rant in their SO31 statements about the NDP's supposed carbon tax and Justin Trudeau's comments on Alberta. The rant on the carbon tax is pretty old at this point and the importance of Trudeau's comments ended a few days ago. When you listen to this type of overkill at this stage (the by-election is now in the history books) you feel like saying "zzzzzzz, wake me up when you have something interesting to talk about." Trudeau's comment will make a useful attack ad down the road, but right now no one is listening, except perhaps their backbench colleagues who dutiful clap and cheer each speaker.

By the way will someone tell Justin that was a pathetic excuse he gave when he tried to defend his Alberta comment, that "Canada is in bad shape right now because Albertans are controlling our community and social democratic agenda." No one believed his explanation that instead of Albertans, he really meant Harper. If Trudeau is trying to convince everyone that he represents the new way of doing politics, then he just failed his first test. In addition, every time Trudeau talks about the Conservatives being divisive or not wanting to play the Conservatives game, he is taking a two or three-day story and making it into a week-long one, as the media always includes what he said as part of the story. It is time for Trudeau to come up with a game changer, perhaps some fresh ideas and move on.

The Official Opposition at this late date seems to have forgotten how to launch a sustained attack on the government. Until they do, the Conservatives can stand up and answer with anything that comes to mind and of course the answer will have nothing to do with the question. If the Speaker won't shut down consistent answers that have absolutely nothing to do with questions asked, then it's time to change your tactics. Can you imagine the Conservatives in opposition accepting that nonsense from the Chretien or Martin Liberal governments?

The NDP have some excellent questioners, but they are wasted when they are all over the map asking questions on a variety of different topics instead of focusing their attack. Just because you are a critic in one area, doesn't mean you should only ask questions in that one discipline.

Whoever the leader's advisors are, please let Mulcair be Mulcair. Pretending he is this cool, calm (boring) questioner reading from a miniature podium is ridiculous. He is a bit of a firebrand, so let him be one. Let his questions match his personality. The podium is pretentious and makes him look a bit elitist, time to do away with it. If he must have written questions, give him two and let him be himself and respond as he wishes on the third.

You can't change your leader's personality and make them in to something they are not. We couldn't turn Harper into an attack dog because it wasn't his style. Instead, we had others do that while he asked more solid questions that were better suited to his personality and mind set.

It doesn't matter if you support one party or another; democracy is best served when governments (regardless of the party in power) are held accountable. That certainly isn't happening in today's Question Period.

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• TheMajor

  Trudeau really stepped into it in Alberta eh? Quebec leader????

• Paul McLeod

  No one outside of Alberta cares that Trudeau dissed Alberta. But the appearance of favoritism for Quebec, that hits a nerve.

• Karen Robson

  Trudeau said something bad about Alberta. Since when are cowboys so sensitive?

• Karen Robson

  I'm from Alberta. Trudeau is right.

• Darren Kirkham

  If anti-Alberta Justin Trudeau is elected, Western Canada should separate.

• Kelly Robson

  Anti-Alberta Trudeau interview reminds Canadians why the Liberals were voted out

• Dave Limacher

  Is Justin Trudeau still popular in Alberta today?

• Zoey Duncan

  Part of me is offended by Trudeau’s anti-Alberta comments. Part of me wonders who are these nasty Albertans giving rest of us a bad name.

• Տҝ∆₩ﾅ

  Justin Trudeau just keeps bashing #alberta. If you live in Western Canada and vote for Trudeau,hit yourself with a frying pan. #yeg #yyc

• Chris_T

  Hey to break it to the tories but if they attack justin trudeau as "anti alberta" it may work for him

• Peter Mansbridge

  Justin Trudeau found out what it's really like to play in the big leagues today. And Andrew Chantal and Bruce are eager to talk about it.

• Steve Murray

  If I were Trudeau I would get out in front of this thing and challenge anyone to a boxing match.

• Susan Delacourt

  I've watched a lot of TV on Trudeau's comments tonight but with rare exceptions, only non-Liberals speaking. What's that about? #cdnpoli

• Art Middleton

  btw, it's comments like those from Justin Trudeau that convince me Alberta is better off as it's own country.

• Sean Dicks

  @petermansbridge all the dirty secrets will come out now. It's not even election time! Are the Cons threatened?

• David Akin

  Long history of English reporters ignoring what happens across the river, my guess. MT @aaronwherry: How did Trudeau comments escape notice

• Angela

  I said it earlier and I'll say again. Justin Trudeau makes Thomas Mulcair appear sane. #cdnpoli #shinypony #tcot

• Keith Torrie

  To those upset by Trudeau's Alberta comments remember we have a Prime Minister who said Atlantic Canada has a "culture of defeat". #cdnpoli

• Wade Prue

  Hold the phones everyone; a Liberal spoke out against western focused political interests. Honestly, I am stunned. http://t.co/VnTCtcJP

• Rosalind Robertson

  Let us all learn a valuable PR lesson: Tape never dies. #justintrudeau http://t.co/hwGkTe6a

• Manny Montenegrino

  Cause most LPC agree with western bigotry sentiments MT @SusanDelacourt: .only non-Liberals speaking Trudeau's comments. What's that about?

• Brittany Steele

  Aghhhhh Trudeau *palm face* CTV News: Conservatives seize on Trudeau's Alberta remarks as byelection fight heats up http://t.co/7KgYhFRB

• scott faulconbridge

  Justin Trudeau caught on video with anti Albertan slant. SUN NEWS journalists will take turns masterbating to the video for the next week.

• Nic Ruszkowski

  So Trudeau controversy asks if Laurier, St-Laurent, Trudeau, Mulroney, Chrétien were better for Canada than Bennett, Clark and Harper...

• Isaac

  Trudeau should just come out and back the stamps in the grey cup. Problem solved.

• Shaggy

  #nevervoteliberal Ahhh...the old #Trudeau #Liberal #Quebec arrogance comes out again. Justin's comments on AB in 2010 http://t.co/vBtx30Xy

• Kristy Kirkup

  The govt now wants #LPC to fire Trudeau from his portfolio as critic for amateur sport, suggests 2010 comments were "anti-Alberta" #cdnpoli

• Clint Upham

  TOstar headline: "Justin Trudeau faces uproar for alleged anti-Alberta comments" Alleged?! He said it! via @PartyOfSunshine cc: @shephardm

• colin horgan

  The NDP is jumping on the Trudeau Alberta comments, too. @nathancullen speaks to how great Alberta is #hoc

• Miss June

  Trudeau anti-alberta bias- hardly believe he has changed his tune since 2010. He was raised by his father after all. http://t.co/7W1QPQF4

• LeighPatrickSullivan

  Wonder if Harvey Locke knows no good Liberals come from Alberta, according to J Trudeau. #tcot #yyccentre #yyc #abpoli #ShinyPony

• Darren Kirkham

  Anti Alberta comments "Taken out of context" Justin Trudeau? Proves he is arrogant and delusional. #cdnpoli #abpoli #qcpoli

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