L'affaire Belinda: How it happened

Jane Taber and Karen Howlett of the Globe wrote about l'affaire Belinda in "How it happened." Seems as though she was "called to see the principal" last week, in the words of some Tory insiders—she was summoned to a meeting at Stornoway, the residence of opposition leader Stephen Harper. He didn't like what she said to the media about his desire to call an election over the budget, so he told her that she was frozen out of any appearances in election ads.

Meeting former Ontario Premier David Peterson at a fundraiser led to a series of events that culminated in the Prime Minister asking Stronach and some of his aides to meet for dinner at 24 Sussex. I'm sure they discussed the political ramifications, but I was more interested in seeing the menu:

For two hours they talked about public policy and the direction of the country. They dined on veal medallions, toasted pecans, spring turbot, home pickled onions and young cucumbers. For dessert they had chocolate semifreddo, mango terrine, Valrhona chocolate mousse and brandy snap. It was all washed down with a respectable sauvignon blanc and a cabernet merlot.

I'm sure it was the Valrhona chocolate that did it. :-)