Inside Politics

Orders of the Day - Welcome to the Third Party, former NDP MP Lise St-Denis!

by Kady O'Malley Posted: January 10, 2012 8:59 AM Last Updated: January 10, 2012 2:19 PM
Well, this could be interesting: Le Devoir is reporting that a joint press conference this morning by Interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae and Quebec Caucus Chair Denis Coderre -- which, for the record, most of us had been assuming would just be a standard pre-winter caucus teaser -- may have a surprise twist: namely, that the duo will reveal that an NDP MP has crossed the floor (or, to be geographically precise, moved a few rows down the aisle). At the moment, neither party is saying a word, so we'll just have to tune in at 10:30 to find out. 

UPDATE: So it looks like Le Devoir was on the money, although to the seemingly irreparably leaky Liberal caucus's credit, they were able to keep the name of the lucky desk-changer quiet until fifteen minutes before the official reveal. In any case, the Liberal caucus is now one MP stronger -- but will St-Denis' decision to join the C-team have any long-term impact? We'll find out! 


Meanwhile, on the ministerial circuit, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty heads to Vancouver for pre-budget consultations as his parliamentary secretary, Shelly Glover, is in Saint-Boniface for an "important announcement" on support for "global trade and foreign investment" in her home province of Manitoba.

Back in Ontario -- Vineland, Ontario, to be precise -- Justice Minister Rob Nicholson talks up the government's plan to "help local businesses become more productive in today's global economy" during a visit to Growers Greenhouse Supplies.

Elsewhere in the province, Conservative MP Cheryl Gallant unveils new support for Algonquin College while her caucus colleague, Royal Galipeau, leaves his Ottawa riding for Toronto, where he has an announcement on support for the horticultural sector.

Meanwhile, ACOA Minister Bernard Valcourt joins local MP Scott Armstrong in Tatamagouche Creamery Square, where the two will make an announcement on investment in the area.

Finally, Industry Minister Christian Paradis pops down to Detroit for the North American International Auto Show.

Also out and about on the west coast today: NDP leadership candidate Tom Mulcair, who will hold meet-and-greets in Kamloops and Merritt. For up to the minute dispatches from the precinct and beyond, keep your eye on the Parliament Hill Ticker below -- or, alternatively, bookmark it and check back throughout the day. 

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Tags: blackberry jungle, orders of the day