The government has introduced regulations that will allow authorities to monitor the Canadian bank accounts of foreign politicians. The regulations implement the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act, which became law in December 2006.

"Canada’s new government will be relentless in its efforts to prevent money laundering and terrorist crimes,” Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said. The minister’s news release states that there will be “special due diligence measures, including identification and monitoring of correspondent banking relationships and politically exposed persons.”

What the release does not mention, however, is that only the bank accounts of foreign politicians will be affected.

A change of command ceremony on Thursday officially ushered in Ottawa's new chief of police, Vernon White.

Most people aren't aware that the new police chief's name came up more than once when the House of Commons public acccounts committee recently held hearings into the RCMP pension scandal.

The committee of MPs heard from one of the whistle-blowers, Chief Supt. Fraser Macaulay, who, by the way, was recently honoured by the RCMP for stepping forward. Macaulay revealed how he had complained about mismanagement of the RCMP's pension and insurance funds by a manager named Dominic Crupi.

Friday's Roast Beef House on Ottawa's Elgin St. is not the place you would expect the RCMP to decorate five employees with the force's highest honour. But at a private dinner Wednesday night, just as dessert was being served, RCMP Commissioner Bev Busson rose from the table and retrieved a box.

In it were five Commissioner's Commendations, to be presented to the special guests at the private dinner: Denise Revine; retired Staff Sgt. Ron Lewis; Chief Supt. Fraser Macaulay; Staff Sgt. Steve Walker; and Staff Sgt. Mike Frizzell.

"We were all appreciative and we wanted it to come from this commissioner because of the respect we have for her," said Lewis.

It can't be easy being Grand Chief Phil Fontaine this week.

As the Assembly of First Nations gets ready for its official national day of action Friday, Fontaine is to meet reporters in advance to talk about what he hopes the day will achieve and what he expects might happen.

What he wants and what may happen may be worlds apart.

For a look at the calendar of planned events go to http://www.afn.ca/nda/es.htm

Welcome to our new online feature from the Ottawa Parliamentary Bureau. This is the place where you will find the colour behind the politics.

Our reporters and producers will take you behind the scenes on Parliament Hill to give you an insider's view.

Of course, we'll still bring you the top political stories and analysis on news programs including The National, Politics and The House. But, bookmark Political Bytes for coverage you won't find anywhere else.