Orders of the Day - Scenes from the mid-August political news cycle

NDP finance critic Peggy Nash hits the National Press Theatre to demand that the government to "take real action to help Canadians" on everything from health care to unemployment -- or possibly just health care and unemployment. (The advisory is a tad oblique, although it does credit a "string of reports highlighting Conservative failures" as the catalyst for today's appearance.) 

On the ministerial circuit:

International Trade Minister Ed Fast heads to Halifax to launch a "key part of Canada's pro-trade plan for jobs, growth and long-term prosperity," complete with a speech, a photo op and a media availability, while cabinet colleague John Duncan drops by Chief Allison Bernard High School in Eskasoni with a fresh supply of cash for First Nations infrastructure and education.

Also out east today: Justice Minister Rob Nicholson, in St. John's for (at least) the second time this summer to present new money for crime victims during an appearance at the Sheraton Hotel, with his parliamentary secretary, Kerry-Lynne Findlay, scheduled to make a similar announcement in Calgary later today.

A second series of synchronized good newsers will unfold in front of security screening stations at airports across the country, with events set to be held in Moncton, Kelowna and the Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto.

Back in Ontario, Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore continues his sojourn through the northern part of the province, with stops in North Bay and the Sudbury campus of the College Boreal to hand out more federal cash for deserving local initiatives.

Meanwhile, in Toronto, Labour Minister Lisa Raitt reveals the details of an "innovative project" to help the Royal Conservatory "expand globally," while Minister of State for Sport Bal Gosal shares the details of a new sponsorship agreement between Air Canada and the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

Just outside the downtown core, agriculture parliamentary secretary Pierre Lemieux pays a visit to Brampton-based Cardinal Meat Specialists, where he will demonstrate his -- or, at least, his government's -- support for the province's meat producers in the traditional manner.

Moving west, Public Works Minister Vic Toews joins local MP Shelly Glover at the Winnipeg regional minister's office to unveil new funding for flood preparation.

Local MP Cathy McLeod joins BC caucus colleague John Weston at the Whistler Chamber of Commerce, where the duo will host a closed-door roundtable with unidentified local business owners to "discuss the Harper government's efforts to cut red tape."

Finally, an update to yesterday's OotD: The Canadian Jewish News reports that Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird made a "surprise visit" to Israel yesterday morning - an unscheduled (or, at least, non-publicized) addition to his Middle East touring itinerary.

According to CJN, the minister "stopped at the Kotel to pray with Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, the rabbi of the Western Wall," which the paper describes as a "personal trip to the holy site," although it also notes that calls to the minister's office "were not returned by ... deadline."