Sparks fly in Parliament’s first question period since election

OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – The throne speech, jobs and pharmacare all came under fire as federal leaders resumed tossing political jabs in the first regular day in the House of Commons since the fall election

The clashes began Friday as Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer floated an amendment to the Trudeau government’s throne speech, proposing the political blueprint include a list of the priorities that he would have added.

“A plan for tax relief for Canadians with a path to a balanced budget,” he said.

Despite all the talk of collaboration, Scheer opened question period by targeting Justin Trudeau over the country’s loss of 71,000 jobs last month.

RELATED: Economy lost 71,200 jobs in November, unemployment rate climbs to 5.9 per cent

“The prime minister is going to spend the next few weeks and months blaming everything else except for his failure,” he said.

Trudeau defended his economic strategy, saying the Liberals are: “Bringing in investment to create good jobs for Canadians right across the country.”

On energy, Trudeau said the Conservatives failed to get pipelines built. He added he understands the economic woes in the energy sector and his government is responding.

“What we are doing now is actually getting our resources to new markets with shovels in the ground.”

But others focused on different priorities, with the NDP’s Jagmeet Singh trying to ensure a robust national pharmacare program.

“Deliver pharmacare that covers all Canadians,” Singh demanded.