Inside Politics

Orders of the Day: Forget the Olympics... it's T20 CRICKETIN' TIME

by Kady O'Malley Posted: August 2, 2012 8:18 AM Last Updated: August 2, 2012 8:45 AM
Programming note: I'm awaiting confirmation from PMO, but it would appear that yesterday's writ drop may well mean an abrupt end to the seemingly (and, in fact, very nearly actually) constant stream of federal funding announcements in Quebec.

For the second day in a row, the PM headlines the ministerial good news circuit, beginning his day in Gimli, where he's set to "participate" in an announcement  -- and, of course, pose for photos -- at Lakeview Hotels and Resorts before heading off to Gross Isle to make an appearance at the annual Manitoba Conservative Summer Barbecue at the Hitch 'n' Post Ranch.

Back in Ottawa, Human Resources Minister Diane Finley drops by Preston Hardware to deliver an "important" employment insurance-related announcement of her own.

Elsewhere in Ontario, Conservative MP Guy Lauzon delivers fresh War of 1812 bicentennial cash during an appearance at Crysler's Farm in Morrisburg.

Meanwhile, in Regina, Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan will share the details of the "important role of Canada's Aboriginal community" in ensuring Canada's "long term growth and prosperity" with members and guests of the local chamber of commerce.

Finally, a week after his adventures in proactive political donation disclosure began, Paul Calandra is scheduled to make his first summer appearance at a PMO-promoted "notable media advisory-worthy event" by taking part in the traditional coin toss at the opening ceremony of the National T20 Cricket Canada Championship in King City. 

UPDATE: A second glance at the official PMO Notable Event list reveals that Calandra's moment in the cricket world spotlight did not, in fact, make the cut, although a notice was duly sent out by the office of Minister of State for Sport Bal Gosal. In any case, Sir John A MacDonald, who declared cricket to be Canada's national sport in 1867, would almost certainly have included it in his Notable Event list, had it existed at the time. 

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