Inside Politics

Orders of the Day - Let the Crown First Nations Gathering post-mortem-izing begin!

by Kady O'Malley Posted: January 25, 2012 8:52 AM Last Updated: January 25, 2012 9:14 AM
After unexpectedly spending much of yesterday at the Crown First Nations Gathering, the PM has decamped for Davos to take part in the World Economic Forum. 

Back on the Hill, just hours after delivering a message of cautious optimism at the close of the conference, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo will go back before the cameras at the National Press Theatre in order to "provide comments and answer questions" on the event, although given that today's press conference was scheduled in advance of yesterday's appearance, it's not entirely clear what more he would have to say. 

On what may or may not be a related note, later this morning, Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan is slated to make an "important announcement" on First Nations self-government at the Westin Hotel. According to the advisory, Whitecap First Nation Chief Darcy Bear will be joining the minister on stage.

Elsewhere in Ottawa, Rick Dykstra fulfills his duties as parliamentary secretary to Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney by attending the launch of the MS St. Louis Commemorative Project.

Hitting the NDP leadership hustings today: NDP leadership candidate Niki Ashton, who will unveil her foreign policy platform at Carleton University.

Finally, federal and provincial justice and public safety ministers meet in Charlottetown. 

Also hitting the Island good news circuit: Fisheries and Oceans Minister Keith Ashfield, who will join regional minister Gail Shea to unveil funding for various aquaculture programs and present the 2011 National Recreational Fisheries Award to local biologist Daryl Guignion.

Also hitting the government good news circuit:

  • Minister of State for Seniors Alice Wong takes her ambling cross-country pre-budget consultation tour to Quispamsis, where she's set to hear from the usual suspects -- unidentified "stakeholders" -- at the Moosehead Conference Centre.
  • Also out and about in New Brunswick: Miramichi MP Tilly O'Neill-Gordon brings news regarding the local Pay Centre of Excellence.
  • Quebec MP Jacques Gourde reveals "the granting of a financial contribution" to Miroirs Laurier Ltd.
  • Moving west, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz speaks to delegates at the Farmtech 2012 conference in Edmonton
  • In Calgary, Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver joins Sustainable Development Technology Chair Vicky Sharpe for a "major announcement" on clean technology investments, which will be followed by a speech to the local chamber of commerce on, among other things, "regulatory reform"
  • Finally, Vancouver will play host to two separate ministerial announcements, from Transport Minister Denis Lebel reveals new support for marine power technology and Western Economic Diversification Minister of State Lynne Yelich talks composites. 
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