Later this morning, the PM will embark on what may be his last international trip before the House returns later this month: a week-long trek through Asia, starting in Malaysia and wrapping up at next week's APEC leaders' conference in Indonesia. 

The first port of call will be Kuala Lumpur, where the PM, along with Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and International Trade Minister Ed Fast, will embark on what the advisory notes will be "the first bilateral visit by a Canadian prime minister since 1996," and will involve meetings with Malaysian PM Najib Razak, among other events over the course of next few days. Once that wraps up, the prime ministerial entourage will make its way to Bali for the 21st annual APEC Leaders' Meeting, which runs from October 7-8.

Back in Canada, Public Works Minister Diane Finley is expected to talk federal procurement at the Best Defence Conference in London, which could, at least in theory, give her the opportunity to preview the rumoured revamp of the current process that will reportedly be included in the upcoming Speech from the Throne.

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Let me state up front, I like tradition.

So for example, when my family tries to serve up something other than turkey for Thanksgiving, I'm unhappy.

It was the same feeling yesterday when I heard the Prime Minister's Office was not holding an actual briefing on the prime minister's upcoming trip to southeast Asia.

Instead, they sent out an email.

It was three and a half pages long, filled with information I had already gleaned from the APEC website, the department of foreign affairs and a Google search or two.

The prime minister's new director of communications told me he was available to answer any questions I may have, which he did, although it took more than an hour.

I've been on Parliament Hill for 11 years. I've gone on prime minister's trips with a total of three prime ministers. There has always been an in-person briefing that's led to at least an hour of questions from the parliamentary press gallery. There has never been, in my memory, just an email.

Here's hoping my cousin is still planning on cooking turkey later this month.

Just days after his nomination was made public, Supreme Court hopeful Marc Nadon is set to go before the ad hoc committee of MPs charged with questioning him -- gently, of course -- on his qualifications for the top court, with today's session slated to take place between 1 and 4pm.

Before that gets underway, however, New Democrat finance and youth critics Peggy Nash and Matthew Dube share their plan to "help tackle youth unemployment" at a mid-morning press conference.

Outside the capital, New Democrat Leader Tom Mulcair kicks off a two-day tour of Edmonton by heading behind closed doors for meetings with the Association canadienne-francaise de Alberta, as well as provincial party leader Brian Mason.

Later today, he'll outline his "progressive vision for Canada" at the University of Alberta before heading to The Marquee for a meet-and-greet with Edmonton NDP MP Linda Duncan and Lewis Cardinal.

Back in Toronto, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau will hit the by-election hustings with candidate-in-waiting Chrystia Freeland.

Hit the jump for the full post. 

We asked: Do you believe the U.S. shutdown will have an impact on you?

Here are the results:

Yes: 20%
No: 77%
Not sure: 3%

Total votes: 868 votes

Short answer: No, it can't.

Just one day after returning from a week-long stint at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird is set to welcome his Somali counterpart to Ottawa for discussions on "a broad range of issues," including, but presumably not limited to "regional security and Canada-Somalia relations."

Back on the Hill, meanwhile, the Rideau Institute will host a press conference with "noted defence expert and author" William Hartung, who, according to the advisory, will "share in-depth knowledge on the defence industry, especially defence giant Lockheed Martin, its influence in the United States, and the potential for a 'military-industrial complex' to take root in Canada."

Also running the media gauntlet today: Veterans Ombudsman Guy Parent, who will release his new report on the New Veterans' Charter, and New Democrat agriculture critics Malcolm Welland and Ruth Ellen Brosseau, who will run down their priority list for the upcoming session.

Outside the precinct, the Competition Bureau and the University of Ottawa co-host a day-long workshop on e-commerce and online advertising at the Samuelson-Glushko Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic. 

Hit the jump for the full post. 

We asked: How concerned are you about a U.S. budget shutdown?

Here are the results:

Yes: 67%
No: 9%
Not sure: 24%

Total votes: 1053

With just over two weeks until the House returns to regular parliamentary business, the PM takes a day trip to Quebec City, where, alongside Infrastructure Minister Denis Lebel, he will "deliver remarks" at the Institut national d'optique (INO) before heading to the iconic Citadelle for a photo op with Defence Minister Rob Nicholson.

Back on the Hill, meanwhile, New Democrat consumer protection critics Glenn Thibeault and Annick Papillon hit the stage at the National Press Theatre, where they will share their thoughts on the current government's track record on consumer protection issues, and present their party's priorities for the upcoming session.

Also out and about in the precinct today: Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, who will chat with reporters about her ongoing 'Save Democracy From Politics' tour before she makes her way to the Chateau Laurier to talk democratic deficit with the Economic Club of Ottawa. Later this evening, she'll host a town hall on the same subject.

Hit the jump for the full post.