Orders of the Day - Happy Democracy Week, Everyone!

According to the uncharacteristically last-minute advisory sent out by the Prime Minister's Office this morning, the PM is off to Quebec, where he will make an early afternoon appearance alongside Veterans Affairs Minister Steven Blaney at Fort Lennox.

Although no details are given as to the nature of the announcement that he will reportedly make, the venue would seem to be linked to a simultaneous series of synchronized cross-country events during which local ministers -- including Defence Minister Peter MacKay himself -- and MPs will make themselves available to local media at local armouries and barracks. 

Back in Ottawa, the Canadian Space Agency launches a new contest that will "challenge the scientific curiosity of Canadian youth."

Meanwhile, on the ministerial circuit:

• Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Peter Penashue heads to Bishop's Falls for an "important infrastructure event" at the start of the Baie D'Espoir Highway, while in neighbouring Nova Scotia, Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield drops by ABCO Industries in Lunenburg to "formally announce" the name of the newest ship in the Canadian Coast Guard fleet.
• Also out and about in Atlantic Canada: Revenue Minister Gail Shea, who will "celebrates Island Abbey Foods' expansion" into the Charlottetown-based BioCommons Research Park.
• Back in central Canada, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney "highlights" the Canadian Experience Class program during a PMO-highlighted appearance in Toronto.
• Moving west, Western Economic Diversification Minister of State Lynne Yelich pays a visit to the Saskatchewan Research Council, where she will "announce construction" on a new mineral processing plant that, according to the advisory, will be "unique" to the province, while in Alberta, Minister of State for Finance Ted Menzies tours the Bragg Creek Water Treatment Facility. 
• Up north, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz meets with his provincial and territorial counterparts in Whitehorse.
• Finally, Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore is in Coquitlam, where he will unveil the next round of government funding for "official-language projects that will strengthen the economy in British Columbia" NOTE: This event has been cancelled.

Finally, Chief Electoral Officer Marc Mayrand kicks off Democracy Week by trekking west to Edmonton, where he's slated to talk "civic engagement" -- particularly amongst youth -- with student teachers at the University of Alberta.