There are times when demands for transparency from the government in all things does perplex me, particularly times when it starts to feel creepily inappropriate. Case in point is the sudden cry of “Oh noes! Justin Trudeau’s itinerary doesn’t list who those private meetings are with!” followed by some handwringing about taxpayer dollars. And then a chorus of “Oh noes! He met with lobbyists!” Because that’s the whole point of lobbying – to meet with officials, and not all lobbying is evil or the exchange of money, gifts or favours for the sake of influence, despite what American television will tell you (though, to be honest, the American version of lobbying – where those lobbyists have been able to be on the floor of the House of Representatives – is excessive). The fact that we can see after the fact that the PM and his staff have met with lobbyists is a sign of the transparency in our reporting mechanism, and I’m sure that there are meetings that should probably be private for all sorts of legitimate reasons. Can we ask questions about it? Sure. Does it mean that we are entitled to be privy to all of the details? I don’t see why. The thing is, sometimes the government relies on private, frank conversations in order to help guide their thinking – kind of like meetings with the Governor General. Sometimes good governance requires a modicum of discretion, and sometimes total transparency makes things worse. Is there a balance to be had? Of course. The fact that we’re getting daily itineraries is a far cry more than what we got under the last guy, and while that can’t simply be the go-to excuse that something is better than nothing, it also behoves us to temper our expectations a little. They don’t have to jump when we say so. I sometimes wonder if there aren’t a few people who don’t realise this and who get bent out of shape when it doesn’t happen. By all means, let’s ask the questions – but let’s also not pretend that the system is broken when we don’t get the answer we’re looking for.

Good reads:

• The Conservatives may be preparing to kick off the leadership next month for fundraising purposes, while the party itself may be down but not out.
• Ralph Goodale’s security consultations in the UK and France have him thinking about more oversight than just a parliamentary committee, like Craig Forcese recommends.
• Justin Trudeau announced $20 million to help commercialise stem cell medical research.
• While Bill Morneau makes his pre-budget consultation tour, there are calls for him to accelerate infrastructure spending to help bolster the weak economy.
• Chrystia Freeland isn’t committing to joining a TPP signing ceremony in New Zealand next month.
• It looks like veterans are over-represented in the Canadian prison population.
• The former government paid for a visit by Australia’s former PM to attend a conservative conference here in 2013. Good fiscal management!
• Three staffers from former Senate Government Leader Claude Caignan’s office got extra severance, more akin to ministerial staff, which is essentially what they were.
• Kady O’Malley looks at what’s coming up on the new e-petition site.

Odds and ends:

The head of Ottawa Tourism wants Public Works to use a trompe-l’oeil to cover the scaffolding when the Centre Block finally undergoes renovations.

The Senate ethics officer is ready to go ahead with an examination into allegations of harassment in Senator Meredith’s office.

Bill Morneau says he wants banknotes to feature more women than just the Queen (but I’m not sure that’s actually his call).