I am glad you made it clear, Pierre.

On June 12, 2009, Nepean Carleton's mighty mouth MP, Pierre Poilievre entered, voluntarily, a scrum outside the House of Commons.  For those who may not be aware, a scrum is one of the few chances that reporters get to ask questions of Cons MPs.  Generally, guys like PP only like media types that have a camera in both hands. and no mouth.


Julie VanDusen, from CBC, was part of the scrum and she asked this seemingly simple question:
"How many jobs have been created through the federal investment in infrastructure."

The answer should have been simple enough.  After all The FinMin had been talking about creating 160,000 jobs just a few minutes earlier in the Commons.

  “Lots of jobs,” Mr. Poilievre said.
   “No, but I need a number,” the reporter protested.
   “Lots of jobs,” Mr. Poilievre said.
   “You've got more than 3,000 - where are you going? I mean if it's a great news…” the reporter said.
   “I'm going to the grand opening of a new radio station here in Ottawa,” Mr. Poilievre replied.
   “Okay. How many jobs have been created to date?” the reporter asked.
   “Lots of jobs. Lots of jobs,” Mr. Poilievre said.
   “Be specific,” the reporter said.
   “I'll be specific,” Mr. Poilievre said.
   “Okay,” the reporter said.
   “We're building roads, bridges, hockey arenas, other construction projects all of which create jobs. We're lowering taxes so that people can spend and invest in the economy to create even more jobs. So the answer to your question is lots of jobs. Thanks,” Mr. Poilievre said.
   “The Prime Minister said 80 percent of the projects are underway. How many jobs? Give me a number,” the reporter said.
   “Lots of jobs,” Mr. Poilievre said.
   “Give me a number,” the reporter said.
   “Lots of jobs,” Mr. Poilievre said.
   “That's not an answer,” the reporter protested.

With that, PP walked away to his next photo op.

I will bet you that if you asked PP how many votes he got in the last election, he could tell to the last number.  I bet, if you asked PP how many times he has been named by the Speaker he could tell you, but then he'd tell you that it was the Liberals fault, not his.

So why can't PP answer a simple question on employment numbers?  Is it because he doesn't know?  Is it because he doesn't care?  Is it that he is no more than a stuffed shirt who when he does not have a script, he cannot operate?

I guess we will find in the fall during the next election.