Inside Politics

Orders of the Day - Pipeline lobby pitches the precinct on "Integrity First(tm)"

by Kady O'Malley Posted: August 9, 2012 8:10 AM Last Updated: August 9, 2012 8:29 AM
The Canadian Energy Pipeline Association hits the stage at the parliamentary press theatre today to unveil the details of "Integrity First(tm)," which the advisory bills as "an industry-wide initiative that will improve pipeline safety and environmental and social performance."

Interestingly, the notice goes on to point out that this particular plan has been in the works "for the past several years," which is doubtless a (very possibly fruitless, but points for effort) attempt to preempt cynics in the audience from writing it off as part of a hastily assembled damage control strategy whipped up to combat those less-than-positive pipeline-related headlines that have filled the news of late.  

Meanwhile, on the ministerial circuit: 

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz continues his east coast tour with a visit to Lawrencetown-based West Nova Agro-Commodities, where he will reveal the government's plan to "support an innovative, diversified agricultural sector" throughout the province.

Back in Ontario, Justice Minister Rob Nicholson holds one of his trademark legislative coming-into-force events at the Port Credit Memorial Arena in Mississauga, with Senator Pierre-Hughes Boisvenu set to join him on stage to celebrate the official implementation of various and sundry provisions of the much ballyhooed omnicrime bill -- specifically, sections 10 through 31, and 34 through 38, which deal with sentencing related to offences against children. 

(It may be worth noting that several distinctly more contentious sections of the Act -- specifically, those that boost sentences for drug possession and trafficking -- won't go live until November.) 

In Toronto, Labour Minister Lisa Raitt makes an appearance at the Playground Games at Monsignor Fraser College, during which she will share the latest news on KidSport on behalf of her absent colleague, Minister of Sport Bal Gosal.

Elsewhere in the province, Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan makes an "important announcement" on First Nations education in Fort Severn.

Moving west, Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver tours the Cory potash mine to "see first-hand the importance of natural resources development in Saskatoon," an experience that will almost certainly provide him with a carefully localized introduction when he gives his now traditional stump speech on the subject, which he is set to do before the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce this afternoon.

In Calgary, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Diane Ablonczy will "celebrate" the official opening of a new affordable housing development

Transport Minister of State Steven Fletcher continues to crisscross the country, sharing his thoughts -- or, at least, a standard set of thoughts provided to him by his government -- on long-term infrastructure funding with local chambers of commerce. On today's itinerary: Surrey!
 
Also in BC today: Western Economic Development Minister of State Lynne Yelich, who will pay a visit to the Abbotsford Aerospace and Defence Expo to share an "important announcement" of her own.

Finally, Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore joins Public Safety Minister Vic Toews in Yellowknife, where the pair are expected to reveal the details of the latest round of cultural funding for the North.

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. 

Mobile-friendly auto-updating text feed available here

Tags: blackberry jungle, orders of the day