The benches were nearly full, and all of the leaders were present for today’s exercise in accountability. Rona Ambrose, mini-lectern on neighbouring desk, led off by demanding that the government was “shameful” in not declaring ISIS to be a genocide. Justin Trudeau strongly condemned the actions of ISIS, praised our efforts, and noted that they asked the international authorities to weigh on rather than politicians. Ambrose pressed, Trudeau reiterated that they wouldn’t trivialise the word “genocide” by using it inappropriately. Ambrose tried again in French, and Trudeau repeated his point about not making petty points with this determination. Ambrose moved to the plight of Yazidi girls and asking for them to be brought to Canada. Trudeau noted that they use the UN determination of most needy. Ambrose insisted that they weren’t refugees but displaced people, and the Conservatives hollered as Trudeau noted that the previous government diminished the capacity to bring people to Canada. Thomas Mulcair was up next, and lamented the court battle from a veterans group, and Trudeau insisted that they were making changes to help veterans. After another round in French, Mulcair moved onto marijuana decriminalisation, and Trudeau reminded him that decriminalisation won’t stop street gangs. Mulcair repeated the question in English, and got the same answer.

Mulcair delivers his applause lines in both languages consecutively, so that we get to hear them twice. #QP

— Dale Smith (@journo_dale) June 14, 2016

Round two, and Denis Lebel, Lisa Raitt and Andrew Scheer worried about a federal carbon tax (McKenna: Markets play a role in reducing emissions). Brigitte Sansoucy and Murray Rankin asked about the Justice Minister’s explanatory note about C-14 not needing to be Carter compliant (Wilson-Raybould: It complies because it’s not a blanket ban). Scott Reid, Alain Rayes, Blake Richards and Jason Kenney returned to the howls for a referendum (Monsef: We are consulting Canadians through the committee process; that town hall asked for voluntary donations to help cover costs). Shari Benson and Karine Trudel wanted Bill C-4 brought back for debate (Mihychuk: We are all anxious to get it passed).

Andrew Scheer might hit his laugh lines better if he wasn't so obviously reading his scripts. #QP

— Dale Smith (@journo_dale) June 14, 2016

Round three saw questions on ministers at a Canada 2020 event, labelling GMO foods, mandatory gender-based analysis, fighter jet procurement, interprovincial trade barriers, First Nations schools, foreign aid as leverage for a UN Security Council seat, the minister of infrastructure’s office renovations, Energy East, and health transfer payments.

You guys realise this is nothing like the original "Skypalace," right? Not even close.
Cripes, this is lame. #QP

— Dale Smith (@journo_dale) June 14, 2016

Overall, it was not a very exciting day, but it was again nice to see some new topics up for debate. As for the debate over the issue of whether to declare ISIS a genocide or not, there are degrees of nuance that should have been included in the debate but were not, which then makes the whole thing devolve into a certain level of partisan howling without the substance of the issue actually being addressed, as is so often the case. While it was going on, there was a much more constructive discussion being had over the Twitter Machine, some of which is below. Also, note to the Conservatives and their smarmy wannabe rat pack, that this attempt to brand the Minister of Infrastructure’s entirely legitimate office renovation expenses as “Skypalace 2.0” (a reference to the would-be official residence that Alison Redford was trying to build in Alberta before her resignation) are erroneous and lame. Seriously, it’s lame. It’s not funny, and it’s not even good cheap outrage. You can do better.

https://twitter.com/stephaniecarvin/status/742788515348504576

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Navdeep Bains for a tailored black suit with a light grey shirt and a green tie and turban, and to Joyce Murray for a white and fuchsia patterned dress with a white jacket. Style citations go out to Arif Virani for a taupe suit with a light blue shirt and a yellow, orange and blue striped tie, and to Niki Ashton for a slim black dress with a black jacket with brightly coloured kaleidoscopic sleeves and panels along the front and shoulders. Dishonourable mention to Brigitte Sansoucy for a bright yellow jacket with a black skirt.