WARMINGTON: Could Pierre Poilievre make same 'makeup' comment to Chrystia Freeland?

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Sometimes you just can’t make up what happens in the House of Commons.

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WARMINGTON: Could Pierre Poilievre make same 'makeup' comment to Chrystia Freeland? Back to video

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If not for double standards some politicians would have no standards at all, is the unofficial edict of politics often laughed about. 

But here’s the question of questions. 

What would have happened if Pierre Poilievre had commented on Chrystia Freeland’s makeup during question period in the House of Commons? 

Or any barb about her appearance? 

Be honest! 

Certainly, when the leader of the official Opposition called Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “wacko,” he was thrown out of the chamber. And that was followed by endless handwringing including many comments about his “Trumpish behaviour” being a concern. 

But the rules seem to be different when Poilievre is the victim of a personal attack and when it’s Canada’s deputy prime minister and finance minister throwing the barbs. 

“Mr. Speaker, the Conservative leader is wearing more makeup than I am today,” teased Freeland on Tuesday. “Now, I think it is wonderful.” 

Boom. That got some attention from her fellow MPs. It was certainly not something you hear every day in the House.

But Freeland has never commented on her boss, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, wearing black makeup on his face in the past or any of his other dress-up outfits.

It’s open season on Poilievre, though, who dishes it out pretty good daily himself. For example, before Freeland made this comment, Poilievre in the House had said: “Not only does the incompetent finance minister not know the inflation target, she does not know that one locks in low rates when one has the chance” and he asked why did Trudeau “hire the worst mortgage broker in the world to be our finance minister?” 

He didn’t make light of her appearance, however.

Saying Poilievre was in a “a grouchy mood today” Freeland commented, “The only thing he knows how to do is talk down Canada.” 

It’s unclear what makeup Freeland was commenting on but it is not uncommon for leaders to go on television wearing what they call a “concealer” foundation to help look better on the screen. It’s part of the gig and she knows that. But there are no rules on what anybody wants to wear on their face and there’s no law in somebody saying they think it’s “wonderful” that they have more of it applied than they do.

In today’s politically correct world, words can matter.

Perhaps Freeland’s comment was meant more as a harmless, metaphorical reference about someone touching up their appearance as a cover for how they really present. Perhaps it just came out wrong, which can happen to anybody.

But what would her reaction be if this was said to her?

Would the benefit of the doubt have been accepted had the makeup been on different faces? Often perceived veiled gender or same-sex style jokes are followed by charges of homophobia and intolerance. 

Not this time. 

Speaker Greg Fergus stepped in and asked Freeland to walk her shot back. 

“We do not comment on the appearance of members,” said the Speaker. 

Freeland obliged. 

“Mr. Speaker, I am sorry,” said Freeland. “I withdraw that comment.” 

But the punch landed. And she had more to say. 

“The fact is that the Conservative leader is phony all the way through. He is phony when it comes to his concern about the economy. All he can do is talk our country down. He is also phony when he talks about his concern about the opioid crisis. He tries to score cheap partisan points.” 

Freeland, this time, scored a pretty good one herself. All is fair in love, war and politics. As long as she would be OK if Poilievre had commented on her makeup, it’s fair game. 

jwarmington@postmedia.com