After 15 months on the job, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has embarked on a cross-Canada tour, ostensibly to reconnect with Canadians -- or at least those that can't afford $1,525 to bend his ear in private.

It seems Trudeau and some federal cabinet ministers have a fondness for political fundraising events held behind closed doors, far away from prying eyes.

In political slang it's better known as "cash for access," not to be confused with its kissing cousin, "pay to play."

When news of Trudeau's private dinners broke in November -- first reported on by The Tyee -- the prime minister assured Canadians that nothing untoward was taking place.

Little more than dumpling-making demonstrations, as Trudeau is seen doing in a number of photos from a Toronto dinner last May.

In political slang it's better known as "cash for access."

Everything was peachy-keen as far as the prime minister was concerned, until one host spilled the beans.

In November, when Trudeau was in the Lower Mainland to announce his five-year, $1.5-billion ocean protection plan, there was a $1,525 cash-for-access event on his private itinerary.

Unpublicized at the time, Trudeau broke bread at the home of Miaofei Pan, a Vancouver property developer.

Shock of all shocks, some of the 80 guests saw the dinner as an opportunity to talk shop with the prime minister.

Up for discussion that night was the proposed acquisition of Vancouver-based Retirement Concepts, a chain of retirement homes believed to be worth more than $1 billion, by China's Anbang Insurance Group.