Perhaps the glitz is/was  all about setting a more dramatic stage for PR purposes, to show the world that the P.M. is serious about it's environmental commitmenets and climate change agenda, in the face of increased opposition/lack of buy-in from several of the larger provinces (notably Ontario) with regards to the Carbon taxes scheme ..(i.e. we are not making headway there so let's focus on alternate approaches)

Not too far-fetched to think so as  witness most  Prime Minister /Presidents Media advisors/consultants  who go to great lengths to determine not only the location/setting of PR venues, but also  who should be seated where in the audience, whether the leader is  wearing a coat and tie (or hardhat ) , and to the extent of what colour tie and  direction of the stripes a leader should wear , if the latter happens to be a man. etc..all hat and no-cattle  sort of stuff/fluff for maximal public persuation/consumption