Ottawa: In an increasing shift away from the raucousness and rowdiness of a typical Question Period in the House of Commons, all parties made a special effort today to eliminate some of the antics common to QP and encouraged Members of Parliaments to be tough, not rough. “Libby Davies, House Leader for the New Democratic Party, took advantage of the day to underscore their efforts to make Parliament work, under often unpredictable and precarious circumstances. “The NDP has always been devoted to making the best use of MPs time and advancing the priorities of Canadians. Being respectful of our colleagues in the House, while continuing to ask the tough questions, is crucial to our success. “

CANADA needs a plan to deal with a housing shortage that’s reached crisis proportions, according to a coalition dedicated to drawing attention to the cause. On Tuesday, at demonstrations in cities across the country, including Winnipeg, housing advocates demanded that federal politicians support a private member’s bill (Bill C-304) that would require Ottawa to develop a strategy to deal with the estimated 150,000 to 300,000 homeless people in Canada.

Meanwhile, NDP MP Libby Davies will preside over the launch of the Canada Day of Action for a Federal Housing Strategy, which is — exactly what it sounds like, as far as I can tell. Oh, although it might be fun to see how the Liberal Party reacts to one of the more camera-friendly visuals set to be unveiled: One hundred red tents, which will be opened, amid much symbolic fanfare, just across from Parliament Hill before being marched to the Human Rights Monument on Elgin Street for a second rally.