On questions and answers

Lawrence Martin's theory on how the NDP can start making Question Period more substantive looks to be a good start. But I'll add that there's one more consideration worth taking into account - especially in the early days of the new Parliament.

After all, the bulk of the Cons' cabinet has been under Stephen Harper's thumb in previous sessions. And I'm not sure we can expect bad habits to be broken all that quickly, no matter how reasonable the NDP is in seeking substantive answers to reasonable questions.

But two ministers (both in roles which do figure to be a focus of NDP attention) weren't around for Harper's past clampdown, and thus might not be quite as prone to dispensing empty talking points. And so in trying to establish a more positive tone, it might well be worth the NDP's while to direct questions particularly at Peter Penashue and Joe Oliver early on in the new Parliament - not because they're new to government, but to help set a standard that other Cons will start to adopt for themselves.