After wrapping up his latest lap of the high-level diplomatic hustings in London yesterday, Prime Minister Mark Carney is officially off the clock for the next few days, courtesy of a European vacation that, as Global News reported last week, will include time in Italy, although he will “remain in close coordination with his team and officials on several priorities,” according to his office.

For his part, after kicking off a two-day stint in Texas with a tour of a Houston oil terminal used by Calgary-based South Bow Energy to “distribute (Alberta oil) far and wide,” Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre heads to Austin, where, according to his office, he plans to “meet with state officials, energy, agriculture and business leaders (to) advocate for Canadian energy and trade to the benefit of both our countries.”

Also on the international hustings: Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand convenes a “virtual press conference” from Ankara, Türkiye, where she was scheduled to meet with senior officials to “strengthen the Canada-Türkiye bilateral relationship,” as well as “forge on with partners on deescalating the situation in the Middle East and Gulf,” as per her X feed. (9 a.m.)

Meanwhile, Defence Minister David McGuinty will “highlight Canada’s recent donations to Ukraine” during a visit to Brampton, Ont., where he should expect to field follow-up questions on his assertion that Canada “can successfully navigate President Donald Trump’s call for NATO allies to secure the Strait of Hormuz without getting drawn into the war,” which, as Canadian Press reports, he made during a back-and-forth with reporters in Ottawa yesterday. (12 p.m.)

During what CP notes was an “unrelated press conference,” McGuinty noted that “the question of the White House’s overture to NATO members and participation in the Strait of Hormuz is something that all NATO members are examining,” adding: “We’ve always managed to find a way to manage our relationship with the United States and we will manage our way through this as well.”

He did, however, reiterate that, while Canada is “leaving the door open to be (of) assistance to any neighbouring states that might require such assistance … we will not be engaging offensively in this war.”

Also on the ministerial circuit:

• Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism) Rechie Valdez joins National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association CEO Shannin Metatawabin and local Liberal MP Alana Hirtle at the Millbrook Cultural and Heritage Centre in Millbrook, N.S, to “highlight” a “budget investment to grow Indigenous tourism,” as well as “announce the recipients of the Indigenous Tourism Fund’s Signature Indigenous Tourism Experiences Stream.” (10 a.m. AT)
• Government Transformation Minister Joël Lightbound, who also serves as Team Carney’s Quebec lieutenant, teams up with representatives of the Canada Infrastructure Bank and Export Development Canada, as well as his fellow Liberal MP Claude Guay, for what the advisory is billing as a “federal critical minerals announcement” in Montreal. (10 a.m.)
• Moving west, Emergency Preparedness Minister Eleanor Olszewski drops by the Red Deer Ironworks to share the details of new federal support to “help tariff-impacted businesses in Alberta adapt and grow” during a morning appearance alongside Red Deer Mayor Cindy Jeffries (11:30 a.m. MT).
• Later this afternoon, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions) Wayne Long will outline his government’s “plan to build a stronger economy and make life more affordable for Canadians” while making the rounds in Edmonton. (1 p.m. MT)
• Rounding out the roster, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly mingles with Vancouver-area supporters at a $500-per-ticket evening reception, with all proceeds earmarked for the Pitt Meadows–Maple Ridge Federal Liberal Association.

Also on the radar: Canada Energy Regulator chief economist Darren Christie holds a virtual briefing session to promote the launch of the agency’s “flagship energy publication,” Canada’s Energy Future 2026: Energy Supply and Demand Projections to 2050, which “will include scenarios that are consistent with Canada’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 as well as a baseline ‘Current Measures’ scenario.” (8 a.m. MST)

IN THE CHAMBER

Regular parliamentary business will resume on Mar. 23, 2026.

FRESH FROM iPOLITICS

FEATURED OPINION

Marcel Wieder: Mark Carney is creating a national unity government

HOT OFF THE WIRES

Committee highlights courtesy of our friends at iPoliticsINTEL