[View the story "Peter Penashue takes a question" on Storify]

Peter Penashue takes a question

The Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs has done things, seen people

Storified by Maclean's Magazine · Tue, Nov 06 2012 12:41:08

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Peter Penashue was asked today for an update on interprovincial meetings.
The MP, under fire for questions about campaign spending, stood up.
He confessed to being a little nervous, then replied:
"I'd like to say that this job has given me a great opportunity to spend time with the premiers and intergovernmental affairs ministers right across the country. And I've learned a lot. And I've learned a lot about our country. And I've very proud of what we've accomplished as a country. I've had a wonderful meeting, for example, with Premier Dunderdale, with the premier of New Brunswick, the premier of Nova Scotia. I've been to Alberta ... and, um."
Penashue received a Standing O for his applause.
Here's how Twitter replied to the embattled minister's reply:

#penashue problems in the House today #cdnpoliBrian Webb

So basically, Peter Penashue has gone places and met people. #QPkady o'malley

Everyone does realize Peter Penashue is a minister, right? The minister of intergovernmental affairs, to be precise? #QPkady o'malley

Just like the rest of Canada! Hallmark card moment. RT @kady: So basically, Peter Penashue has gone places and met people. #QPSusan Delacourt

.@kady Penashue is a very busy adult with many important things to do. #BusyBusyBusy #cdnpoliAndrew Buswell

Peter Penashue finally answered in Question Period #nlpoliWayne R. Bennett

Penashue gets up like a deer in headlights and the CPC cheer like trained seals. What the hell have we become? #cdnpoliNeeta Kumar-Britten

And again, Penashue's campaign are not the business of government, and hence, not the business of #QP. #HoC #cdnpoliDale Smith-Journo

RT @laura_payton HE SPEAKS! Peter Penashue is answering a q in the HoC. On intergovernmental affairs, but still. He has a voice. #hwKeith Dunne

Jack Harris tries to repeat the alchemy that induced Penashue to rise, but alas, it seems that's all we'll hear from the minister today. #QPkady o'malley

PETER PENASHUE DID THINGS, IS DOING THINGS, AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO THINGS IN THE FUTURE. THAT IS ALL. #QP #cdnpoliInfoAlerteBot

so, Penashue convinced no one at all, but he was kind of endearing. #QP #cdnpoliEmilie Novaczek

Huge embarrassment in Question Period for Min Penashue. Clearly unable to answer for his dept. Not humane letting him dangle.Ralph Goodale

Here is one assessment of Penashue's reply:

Penashue returns to the house & delivers the most bizarre rambling speech in response to a question during #qp I've ever seen #cdnpoliDavid DesBaillets

And here is the video, so you can see for yourself:

Truly painful RT @AdamGCarroll Painful - Conservative Minister Penashue has trouble explaining his job: http://youtu.be/TEVTJUqvMUINevine Chiari

Finally ... this:

@kady who is Peter Penashue?Cinnamon Digory

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