Orders of the Day - Let the sober second thinking on omnicrime resume!

As Hill denizens continue to savour the comparative serenity of the constituency break -- we do hope that you're enjoying having your MPs back in the riding for a whole week, electorate -- the Senate legal and constitutional affairs committee hearings on the much-debated omnicrime bill appear to have become the only -- and, as such, biggest -- political show in town, or at least within the parliamentary precinct.

On the agenda for today: youth criminal justice, with witnesses from the RCMP, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, Toronto Police Services, UNICEF Canada, the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres, Canadian Council of Children and Youth Advocates.

There are also various and sundry individuals expected to testify, including retired Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge Merlin Nunn and former Quebec justice minister (and not infrequent object of speculation with regard to future Senate appointments) Marc Bellemare, who has also convened a press conference to share his thoughts on the bill with reporters. Spoiler Alert: Judging from what he's already said about it, and barring some sort of Damascus-like conversion in the last few days, he appears to be a fan.

On the ministerial circuit:

Revenue Minister - and, as the advisory now styles her, PEI Federal Regional Minister - Gail Shea delivers fresh funding to Vanco Farms in Mount Albion and attends the "official opening" of Celtic Montague.

On the other side of the Confederation Bridge, Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield discusses a local angle to the upcoming (ongoing?) War of 1812 bicentennial celebrations at the Carleton St. Armory in Fredericton, ACOA Minister Bernard Valcourt shows his government's support for First Nations economic development at the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation Recreation Centre, and Robert Goguen unveils new money for employment assistance targeting Moncton residents with disabilities.

In Quebec, meanwhile, Jacques Gourde heads to Blainville with glad tidings for La Petite Bretonne Inc, and then treks off to Laval to hand out more money to Electro-Kut Inc. 

Back in Ontario, Veterans Affairs Minister Steve Blaney joins local MP Rick Norlock at the Brighton Royal Canadian Legion, and Paul Calandra highlights new government support for the provincial food processing industry during a visit to Shandiz Natural Foods in Markham, and Kelly Leitch has an "important announcement" to deliver at Libro Financial Group in St. Thomas.

Moving west, Justice Minister Rob Nicholson is in Regina to make a joint announcement on services for victims of crime alongside his Saskatchewan counterpart on services for victims of crime.

On the Alberta front, backbencher Leon Benoit heads to Lakeland College in Vermilion, where he will share the details of  "a collaborative initiative that will further develop Alberta's agricultural and environmental sectors."

In Calgary, Minister of State for Sport Bal Gosal joins Canadian Olympic Committee representatives to reveal "a major sponsor" for the upcoming Games, although given that the event is taking place at the Suncor Energy Centre, it's not terribly difficult to hazard a guess as to who that sponsor might be.

On the west coast, International Trade Minister Ed Fast celebrates the "accomplishments of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's trade mission to China" at Sun Sui Wau Seafood  Restaurant in Vancouver and makes "an important announcement" for the North Shore Trade Area.

Elsewhere in Vancouver, Human Resources Minister Diane Finley and Citizenship, Immigration and Multicultural Minister Jason Kenney drop by S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Social Services Centre with good news -- and, of course, federal money -- to aid in credential recognition for internationally trained professionals.

Also out and about in British Columbia:

• Treasury Board President Tony Clement talks red tape reduction to members of the Surrey Board of Trade during a luncheon appearance at the Eaglequest Golf Club;
• Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan takes part in the "official opening" of the Vancouver Island Mountain Sports Centre
• Andrew Saxton pays a visit to a Burnaby carpentry shop;
• Ron Canaan touts the community job-supporting record of the government and the Canadian Forces at Kelowna-based ArmorWorks;
• Randy Kamp presents the 2011 Small Craft Harbours Prix D'Excellence to "a local Harbour Authority manager" in Richmond

Meanwhile, both interim party leaders hit the constituency week hustings today: Nycole Turmel is in Gatineau, where she will take in a "large public forum" on the possible impact of "government cuts" on the local (Outaouais) economy. Also in Quebec: Bob Rae, who will hit the stage at the Universite de Montreal, where he will chat with Young Liberals.

Finally, NDP leadership candidate Brian Topp attends a pensioners rally outside the Toronto offices of Brookfield Asset Management, which is -- or, at least was prior to now, perhaps -- best known for its supporting role in the Occupy Wall Street saga.