MacKay Troops Up

We can only feel sorry for Fawning Affairs Minister Peter MacKay. While his dog outburst in the Commons was heard around the world (CNN Live with Larry King, Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Phil), scant attention was paid to yet another gaffe by the mouth that keeps on giving.

A separatist MP asked in French about the fate of funding for dance troupes. MacKay, a devout listener and ardent anglophone, jumped to his feet, squared his shoulders and reassuringly told the House that Canada was committed to deploying troops and saving Afghanistan from the Taliban. Howls of laughter followed.

MacKay recoiled in his front-bench recliner and wondered why all the fuss. When it was finally pointed out to him that the question was about dance troupes, theatre and music, not soldiers, MacKay wiped the egg off his face, turned to Treasury Board Bully John Baird and said: "I want you to be my poodle. Get over here, I need to pet you."