If he wants to have that really fine dinner tonight, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff may have to have a really nice make-up lunch first.

The Liberals are holding their summer caucus retreat in Sudbury this week and tonight the party is holding a $550-a-plate fundraising dinner at The Caruso Club, with Ignatieff as the guest of honour.

Despite the expensive pasta, all 500 seats for tonight's event quickly sold out. But the pricey menu has riled up the NDP.

It accuses the Liberals of being heartless and having bad manners for holding a ritzy fundraising "do" while more than 3,000 Vale Inco workers are on strike.

Local NDP MP Glenn Thibeault is holding a rival fundraiser for striking workers tonight at a more modest $5.50 a plate.

I hear perogies, spaghetti and salad will be served. A protest by striking miners outside the Caruso Club may also be in the cards.

So today at noon, Ignatieff is meeting with John Fera, local president of the Steelworkers. On the menu, Canada's labour laws.

— Alison Crawford