Orders of the Day - They're from the government, and they're here to help! (By giving out money/diamond jubilee medals!)

With the House of Commons closed for business until next week, the precinct remains in post-Thanksgiving repose.

At press time, there is only one event listed on the schedule for today: a mid-afternoon background briefing on the PM's upcoming trip to Africa, which will see him spend two days in Senegal before heading to Congo for this year's Francophonie Summit.

Before heading abroad, however, the PM will get to spend a little quality time in Calgary, however: later today, he'll take part in a Diamond Jubilee medal presentation at the university's Red and White Club.

Back in Toronto, Environment Minister Peter Kent makes an "important announcement" related to the Great Lakes and gives a "luncheon address" on the government's "priorities and initiatives" for "building a better environment."

In neighbouring Markham, meanwhile, Minister of State for Sport Bal Gosal unveils yet another 2015 PanAm Games "venue announcement."

Elsewhere on the good news circuit:

• Saint John MP Rodney Weston joins New Brunswick tourism minister Trevor Holder to unveil new funding or Stonehammer Geopark, while across the water, West Nova MP Greg Kerr drops by the Wedgeport Sport Tuna Fishing Museum with "financial support" for the francophone tourism sector before heading to Yarmouth for an "announcement" at IMO Foods.
• In Quebec, Minister of State for Small Business Maxime Bernier delivers fresh federal funding to Saint-Georges-based Immobilisation 2010 and its subsidiary firms, with Jacques Gourde set to do the same for RO-BOIS-TIC in Saint-Apollinaire, and Transport Minister Denis Lebel set to open the federal coffers in support of Quebec City's tourism sector.
• Moving west, Minister of State for Transport Steven Fletcher shares good news for Canada's "malt barley industry" during an appearance in his hometown of Winnipeg, and Regina MP Tom Lukiwski takes part in an event at the Regina Work Preparation Centre.
• Meanwhile, Medicine Hat MP LaVar Payne pops up in Brooks, where he will present the local adult learning council with money to "assist local youth."
  
• Finally, in Vancouver, Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore will tout, on behalf of cabinet colleague Ed Fast, the latest developments in trade between Canada and "the fast-growing Asia Pacific region."

Back in Ottawa, Minister of State for Science and Technology Gary Goodyear chats with reporters via teleconference from Japan.