A day after joining his Liberal caucus colleagues in applauding Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne as he presented his first-ever spring economic update — which, as iPolitics reports, featured the reveal of a slightly lower than expected federal deficit, courtesy of “rising tax revenue and lower interest rates,” along with billions of dollars in proposed new spending — Prime Minister Mark Carney will be in his front-and-centre seat in the House of Commons to field questions — and, most likely, critiques — from his opposition counterparts this afternoon. (2: 15 p.m.)

As per his itinerary, he’s also planning to make an appearance as his fellow Liberal MPs gather for their weekly closed-door huddle (10 a.m.), and highlight his government’s plan to boost support for young people entering the skilled trades during an afternoon speech to an audience of “trade union members.” (4:30 p.m.)

Also on the parliamentary docket today: The opening round of debate on the government’s proposal to update both the Weights and Measures Act and the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act, as well as the associated regulations, which was initially tabled in — and, ultimately, approved by — the Senate and is now set to make its debut on the floor of the House of Commons this afternoon.

Before that gets underway, however, MPs will vote on a ways and means motion that would effectively clear the way to introduce legislation to roll out the proposed new policies and initiatives unveiled in his spring fiscal update — which, it’s worth noting, may also be the first explicit test of confidence for the government since the Liberals secured a narrow majority earlier this month, although it could, of course, be adopted ‘on division’ without a recorded vote. (3 p.m.)

Later this afternoon, Conservative MP Garnett Genuis will launch his backbench bid to make it a criminal offence for any federal, provincial or territorial official “other than a medical practitioner or a registered nurse, including a nurse practitioner,” to “initiate a discussion with a person about the availability to that person of medical assistance in dying” if, “by virtue of their profession,” they are “in a position of trust or authority towards that person (and) know that the person has not specifically requested to have such a discussion with them.”

Outside the precinct: Champagne will promote his newly unveiled fiscal update — and, more specifically, his government’s “plan to face global uncertainty with fiscal responsibility and strong economic choices,” during an “armchair discussion” hosted by the Montréal Council on Foreign Relations. (11:30 a.m.)

Elsewhere on the ministerial circuit:

• Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree teams up with his Ontario provincial counterpart Michael Kerzner and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow to share the details of fresh federal funding to “support hosting the FIFA World Cup in Toronto and Vancouver.” (12 p.m.)
• Meanwhile, Secretary of State (Sport) Adam van Koeverden heads to Vancouver to tout “recent investments” included in the latest fiscal update that, as per the advisory, are “focused on building stronger and safer communities” during a morning media availability with “athletes and sport partners.” (9 a.m. PT)
• Back in the capital, Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson hits the main stage at the Canadian Nuclear Association’s annual conference, where, according to the programme, he’ll “share the federal government’s perspective on the role of nuclear energy in supporting Canada’s transition to clean energy, promoting economic growth, and ensuring energy security.” (9:45 a.m.)

ON AND AROUND THE HILL

Members of the First Nation Wild Salmon Alliance, including chair Bob Chamberlin and representatives of the Homalco First Nation, St’át’imc Chiefs Council and Nisǥa’a Lisims Government, will brief reporters on the “growing and unwavering support for the removal of open-net pen fish farms as a measure to protect wild pacific salmon” before fanning out across the capital to “meet with Liberal MPs and senior bureaucrats” to “secure the federal ban of open-net pen fish farms in 2029.” (10:30 a.m.)

Later this afternoon, First Nations Finfish Stewardship Coalition spokesperson Dallas Smith joins a “coalition of British Columbia coastal First Nations elected and hereditary and elected chiefs” to outline what the advisory is billing as “opportunities to leverage the modern salmon aquaculture sector to drive significant foreign and Indigenous equity investment into the B.C. economy, as a means to immediately address food affordability, Canadian food security and economic reconciliation.” (1:15 p.m.)

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