After clocking in a full week on the high-level diplomatic circuit at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey — and, later, during what his office made a point of noting was the first visit to Saudi Arabia by a sitting prime minister in more than two decades — Prime Minister Mark Carney made it back to Canada in time to enjoy the final weekend of the Calgary Stampede, where“he ate mini doughnuts, watched chuckwagon races and talked pipelines,” Canadian Press reports.

“’It’s good to be back,’ said Carney, wearing a white hat and a belt buckle, as he walked the Stampede grounds and was welcomed by some in the crowd. ‘Let’s get that pipeline through eh?’ one Stampede-goer said to Carney. ‘Thank you for doing this. We need someone like you to push this through.’ ‘You know where we stand out here right? We’ve got to have that pipeline. It’s good for the country,’ said another man.”

For his part, Carney told the crowd he was “feeling pretty good about it now,” and said that he was “optimistic the pipeline will get done, and that polling across the country shows it has majority support,” as per the wire service.

Before joining the throng at what he noted is the “greatest outdoor show on earth,” Carney met with representatives of the Treaty 6, Treaty 7 and Treaty 8 First Nations.

“First Nations in Alberta are fighting for a strong, united Canada,” he noted in a post to X.

“Our government is here working together as a true Treaty partner in that mission — so we can seize the massive opportunities ahead of us.”

According to his office, Carney was slated to head back to the Stampede grounds on Sunday morning, but as yet, there’s no word on his itinerary for the coming week.

If he does make himself available to reporters, however, he should be ready to field questions on the latest developments in the months-long standoff over the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge — and, more specifically, the potentially controversial to end the cross-border impasse announced last week.

“A source with knowledge of negotiations, who was not authorized to speak publicly about them, said that under the deal, Canada gets 50 per cent of the toll profits — after operational expenses — and the other half will go to a U.S-run regional development project for a 15-year time frame,” Canadian Press reported on Saturday.

“The agreement also requires the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority to consult the U.S. on any toll changes greater than 10 per cent, the source said, or if it’s looking to lower tolls below those of comparable regional averages.”

Under the original agreement co-signed by Canada and then-Michigan governor Rick Snyder in 2012, Canada “agreed to shoulder the cost of construction and to recoup its investment through tolls, after which the money would be split with the state,” CP notes.

Also on the radar: Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin teams up with her Alberta counterpart, Grant Hunter, to co-host a closed-door meeting of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment that, according to an advisory put out by Hunter’s office, will focus on “practical ways to support economic growth while maintaining strong environmental standards that protect Canada’s air, land and water.” (Wednesday)

Earlier in the week, Dabrusin will join representatives of the Manitou Asinîy-Iniskim-Tsa Xani Centre (MAITX), as well as her fellow front bencher, Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski, in Elk Island National Park to share the details on what the advisory is billing as a “historic agreement” between Parks Canada and the First Nations-led MAITX following the signing of a “letter of intent” last fall to “collaboratively explore options to establish a permanent home for the Manitou Asinîy (the Manitou Stone) in Elk Island National Park, where it will remain under the care and custody of Indigenous Peoples.” (Monday a.m.)

A day later, Olszewski will drop by Canadian Forces Base Edmonton to “unveil (the) first net-zero emissions-ready military apartments,” which, as per the notice, also “marks  the first delivery of new military housing” under the first phase of the Canada-wide national housing construction program launched by the Department of National Defence earlier this year. (Tuesday a.m.)

Meanwhile, Secretary of State (Nature) Nathalie Provost delivers a fresh tranche of federal support for Montreal’s iconic Biosphère during a morning appearance alongside Quebec labour minister Jean Boulet and Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough mayor Stéphanie Valenzuela. (Monday a.m.)

Elsewhere in the city, Health Minister Marjorie Michel and Quebec social services minister Lionel Carmant will announce new measures to boost “youth mental health” throughout the province during a morning visit to Aire Ouverte Montréal-Nord-Lacordaire, which offers confidential, free mental health and wellness support. (Monday a.m.)

Rounding out the roster, Secretary of State (International Trade) Randeep Sarai starts the week on his political home turf in Surrey, B.C., where he’ll drop by an unnamed local business to highlight new “investment” that will “help Surrey businesses diversify their exports, grow locally and compete globally,” according to the notice. (Monday a.m.)