The celebrity status of Sophie Grégoire Trudeau gained some internal clarity within government circles as new ethics rules were published with regards to her as it pertains to gifts and loans of the clothes and jewellery she wears. As a woman with a certain profile, Grégoire Trudeau has done the politic thing to do and showcase Canadian designers, because we all know that she would immediately be subject to criticism if she didn’t. And when a person of a certain profile makes that kind of decision about showcasing designers, she tends to be presented with dresses, outfits, and jewellery to showcase at different high-profile events – often for loan, but occasionally as a gift as thanks for the exposure she gives those designers, so it makes sense that there are some rules around it, as an extension of the fact that her husband is a public office holder. I get it.

What I do not get is this notion that somehow accepting the loan or rental of a gown, outfit or piece of jewellery is going to somehow corrupt the ethics of the government of the day and put them in some kind of impossible conflict of interest. And yet, here we are, once again quoting Duff Conacher, head of the Parliamentary Thought Police, giving credence to this kind of lunacy:

“In terms of personal ethics she shouldn’t be accepting these gifts. She should decide, and she will likely decide, to wear Canadian designers quite a bit to showcase them as others have … [but she should] not be tainted with even the appearance that’s she’s up for sale and happy to receive free gifts when she can afford to buy her own clothes and jewelry.”

Are. You. Serious? Aside from the fact that such a shopping habit would quickly become very expensive and become the subject of all manner of other gossip pieces (and let’s face it – the PM’s salary isn’t that generous, no matter what you may think), fashion is an industry that is not static. It’s very difficult to buy a few pieces and then just recycle them endlessly while you’re in the public eye and being seen to promote designers. That invites its own kind of damning criticism. But how, pray tell, is she “up for sale?” What influence does she wield that this is some kind of ethical dilemma for the operation of the government? She’s promoting the industry, and she is circumscribed from accepting items over $1000 (which are surrendered to the Crown collection unless she chooses to purchase them), and gifts over $200 are disclosed, which is fine. But “up for sale”? Seriously? Do you think they’re seriously going to ask her husband to send along subsidy cheques? Then again, this is from the mind of someone so paranoid that he thinks that $1500 can buy influence in government, and that capping donations at $100 will somehow fix the system rather than drive financing to less reputable channels (as it did in Quebec, which is the model he curiously admires). The disclosure rules are sensible. Let’s leave it at that.

Good reads:

• From the Council of the Federation meeting in Whitehorse, Brad Wall is complaining about the CPP and has found allies bristling about carbon pricing, while conversations turned to marijuana legalisation and interprovincial trade.
• Here’s a look at the approach Justin Trudeau is taking to ensure that there are pipelines that get approved, where the Harper government failed.
• Apparently the government is having difficulty finding diverse candidates for the upcoming Supreme Court nomination from the Atlantic region.
• Elections Canada has clarified the rules around swag vendors at party conventions.
• Early indications are that this was the best response the best census in at least the last two cycles.
• The government is tendering a contract to maintain both the un-built Joint Support Ships and Arctic offshore patrol ships, despite warnings about single contracts.
• Our largest icebreaker is headed to the North Pole on a mapping mission to help our ocean floor claims.
• MPs spend money on coffee and catering! OH NOES! As a Second Cup partisan, I’m only offended that so few MPs spent money there.
• Adam Goldenberg looks into how the recreational marijuana legislation will butt up against medical marijuana regulation, necessitating a change to it.
• Jennifer Ditchburn says that the Conservatives need a leadership candidate who can be disruptive to their supporter base.

Odds and ends:

Liberal MP Bill Casey helped rescue a pair of teens drifting out to sea.

Michelle Rempel talks Pokémon Go.