Canadians might roll their eyes at almost $1,900 on a silly expense, but this is too small beer to do real damage. The rationale behind the cutouts, and what it tells us about this government’s priorities, is where the problem might lie.

Where the real deal Justin Trudeau wasn't available, Canadian missions in the U.S. turned to life-size cardboard cut-outs.

Global Affairs has instructed diplomatic missions in the United States to stop using life-size cardboard cut-outs of the prime minister to promote Canada.