These are difficult economic times and senior officials in the federal government want Canadians to know that the meeting between Stephen Harper and the premiers will be a frugal one.

Chris Hall

That extends to the meals.

No five-course menu this time, the meals will be buffet-style.

The tab works out to $29.95 per person, with another $300 alotted for wine.

Those same government officials say the cost of feeding staff members accompanying the leaders works out to just $19 per person.

For the journalists covering today's meeting, coffee and soft drinks will be provided. But if reporters actually want to eat they will have to walk a block (in the -25 temperature) to the closest cafeteria at the Lester B. Pearson building.

The buffet menu for the first ministers:

Alberta sirloin or beef, carved coq au vin, and vegetarian lasagna, roasted parisienne potatoes and seasonal vegetables; a vegetable tray, domestic cheese tray and garden salad, marinated vegetables, macaroni salad, buns and butte, antipasto tray.

For desert: assorted cakes and mousses, fruit tray, tea and coffee