With the prime minister operating on a “reduced schedule” in Italy and no word from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre on his travel itinerary — which, according to his X feed, included clocking in a few hours on the byelection hustings in Chicoutimi — Le Fjord, Que., alongside Conservative hopeful Régis Gaudreault — just one federal party leader is set to go before the cameras today: New Democrat Avi Lewis, who, after spending most of July in Quebec, will be back in Toronto for what the party advisory describes as the “official launch” of  Beaches — East York byelection hopeful Shannon Devine’s bid to win the riding vacated by now former Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine Smith earlier this year. (7 p.m.)

“Devine’s campaign has focused on solutions to bring down the cost of groceries, lower housing costs, and protect the environment – including by stopping Doug Ford’s expansion of Billy Bishop Airport for good,” and “offers an alternative to voters disillusioned by the Liberals’ abandonment of progressive values under Mark Carney,” the advisory notes.

Earlier in the day, Lewis will join Devine for an afternoon “community canvass” — and a “post-canvass media availability” — before the kickoff event, which will also include an appearance by former Toronto city councillor Janet Davis, Canadian Labour Congress vice-president Lily Chang and other “surprise guests,” as per the notice. (5:30 p.m.)

Also out and about today:

• Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty drops by the Grey Eagle Resort Casino, which is located within the Tsuut’ina Nation, just outside Calgary, “highlight an investment to help provide employment supports to Indigenous youth “ throughout the province. (10:15 a.m. MDT)
• Secretary of State (Nature) Nathalie Provost starts her day in Quebec City, where, according to her office, she’ll join representatives of the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, as well as local Liberal MP — and former Team Trudeau cabinet minister — Jean-Yves Duclos, at the headquarters of Quebec-based youth group La Dauphine to “outline funding for local climate change and health projects.” (9:45 a.m.)
• Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson heads to Prince Edward Island to promote a fresh tranche of federal support for “fisheries and aquaculture” during an afternoon visit to Red Head Harbour with local Liberal MP Kent MacDonald. (1:30 p.m. AT)

Rounding out the roster, Governor General Louise Arbour will be making the rounds at the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Medicine Hat, where, according to her office, she’ll watch a basketball game, “attend soccer events” and “cheer on athletes at bocce divisioning games” before hitting the stage during the official opening ceremony later this evening.

IN THE CHAMBER

Both the House of Commons and the Senate have shut down for the summer, with regular parliamentary proceedings set to resume in September.

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Committee highlights courtesy of our friends at iPoliticsINTEL.