That’s nice. Justin thanking someone for donating money to the Liberal Party of Canada. Nothing smarmy or smug about that, right?

Some context: The Grassy Narrows First Nations have suffered from the environmental impact and aftermath of mercury poisoning for decades. It’s an ongoing national disgrace, something Justin promised to address. But of course he didn’t.

Meanwhile, at a swanky $1,500-a-plate Liberal fundraiser in Toronto, a protestor paid to attend in order to ask Justin about this. As he took the stage, this is what she said:

“PRIME MINISTER TRUDEAU, PEOPLE AT GRASSY NARROWS ARE SUFFERING FROM MERCURY POISONING. YOU COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING THIS CRISIS. WHEN WILL YOU KEEP THAT PROMISE?”

That last part was shouted as she was strong-armed out of the room by security.

Justin’s response? He mugged to the crowd, saying, smugly, “Thank you very much for your donation tonight,” as the crowd hooted and laughed.

An Indigenous man in the audience then shouted, “If your family was suffering from mercury poisoning, what would you do? If it was your family, would you accept it?”

He too was hustled out the door. Egged on by the crowd, Justin again mocked the protestors, saying, “Thank you, sir, for your donation to the Liberal Party of Canada. I really appreciate you being here.” This was met by more laughter and applause.

Y’know, every now and then, the mask slips . . .