After talking up the prospect of cross-party collaboration in the House of Commons, Liberal and Conservative MPs wasted little time when Parliament resumed before reverting to partisan attacks over housing and the cost of living.
The tone was set early yesterday afternoon, when the first-ever question period exchange between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre began cordially before turning belligerent.
Hours earlier, Government House leader Steven MacKinnon said he was under "no illusions" about the chances for co-operation with Poilievre and his caucus, even though the minority government needs opposition votes to advance its agenda.
The Liberals and Conservatives did work together in the spring to pass the government's major projects legislation. The first projects to be fast-tracked under that legislation were announced last week.
The Liberals hold 169 seats in the House of Commons, meaning they only need three additional votes to pass legislation.
Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet has said he's willing to work with other parties as long as it benefits Quebec.
Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld