Inside Politics

OotD - #IdleNoMore supporters set for Canada-wide "Day of Action"

by Kady O'Malley Posted: January 16, 2013 8:15 AM Last Updated: January 16, 2013 8:26 AM
In the wake of last week's protests, Idle No More supporters are expected to rally in communities across Canada today as part of a country-wide "day of action," at least some of which will likely involve blockades of key bridges and highways. 

Meanwhile, in what the prime minister's office has seemingly determined is the most noteworthy "Notable Event" of the day, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is set to join his cabinet colleague Diane Finley at IBM's Ottawa offices later this morning for an "important announcement" that, according to the missive issued by PMO earlier this morning, "fulfills a [budget] commitment to help increase labour market participation of persons with disabilities in Canadian companies."

Elsewhere in the capital, Public Safety Minister Vic Toews takes the stage at the Summit on the Economics of Policing, which will close its doors to the media after his opening remarks, and Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird is slated to meet with ambassadors from Mali, France and Cote d'Ivoire for a closed-door confab on the situation in Mali.

In Toronto, Labour Minister Lisa Raitt teams up with representatives from the Mental Health Commission of Canada, the Bureau de normalisation du Quebec and CSA Group for the release "a voluntary Standard" to help organizations "promote psychological health and safety and prevent psychological harm in their workplaces." 

Also out and about today:

  • National Revenue Minister Gail Shea attends the "grand opening" of a "newly expanded terminal" at the Charlottetown airport, while in New Brunswick, local MP Tilly O'Neill-Gordon shares news on Miramachi's Public Service Pay Centre.
  • Moving west to Ontario, Conservative MPs Chris Alexander and Ted Opitz unveil a new "investment in [the] Canadian Armed Forces" as caucus colleagues Dean Del Mastro and Barry Devolin join forces in Peterborough to deliver fresh funding to local aviation company Flying Colours.
  • Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz will kick off his day with an appearance at the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease in Winnipeg, where he will show his government's support for "animal health and the economy" before heading to Brandon for the Manitoba Ag Days Show.
  • Minister of State for Seniors Alice Wong convenes a pre-budget roundtable with "key stakeholders" in Vancouver. 
Finally, later this afternoon, Liberal Party national director Ian McKay will brief reporters on the ongoing leadership race. 

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

 NOTE: Updates added in reverse chronological (newer to older) order.

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