Canada’s mistake on the lake

Reporters love being close to the action — so many are understandably bummed that they will be unable to cover this month’s G8 summit in Huntsville, Ontario. Only about 150 reporters have been granted access to the site, with the rest forced to cover it remotely from the less exclusive G20 meeting in Toronto. Understanding the frustration of these ink-stained wretches, the Canadian government has decided to building them a giant artificial lake: 

 Canada’s Conservative government is coming under heavy criticism from opposition parties for spending nearly $2 million for a fake lake inside the media center for this month’s G-8 and G-20 summits.

Organizers are building the artificial lake to showcase the real G-8 site in Huntsville, Ontario, on June 25-26. The lake is part of a $1.9-million Canadian (US$1.8 million) display called The Canadian Corridor that will include canoes, trees, deck chairs and a fake dock.

G20 reporters should also keep in mind that if canoeing on a fake lake with the global elite isn’t their thing and they’d rather just stay home, Dan Drezner has already written their story for them.