With less than 36 hours to go before they’re due to face off during the first of two potentially critical debates, the leaders of all three major federal parties are set to spend the day in and around the Montreal area.

First up: The two main contenders — Liberal leader Mark Carney and his Conservative rival, Pierre Poilievre — who, as per their respective parties, are booked in for competing appearances this morning, with Carney set to speak in the northwestern suburb of Saint-Eustache as Poilievre will do the same at an undisclosed location somewhere in the city. (9 a.m.)

For his part, New Democrat leader Jagmeet Singh is also scheduled to make an on-camera announcement a few minutes later. (9:15 a.m.)

As for Green Party co-leader Jonathan Pedneault, he’ll clock in another day on the hustings in Outremont, Que., where he’s hoping to secure the party’s first-ever seat in Quebec.

Also on the radar: Gun control advocacy group PolyRemembers holds a mid-morning briefing at Polytechnique Montreal alongside graduates who “witnessed the mass shootings” on Dec. 6, 1989, as well as “student representatives,” to “release the results of an all-party survey on gun control commitments,” as well as share their perspectives on the “actions and commitments of federal political parties” on gun control, “and more specifically, regarding the issue of assault weapons.” (10 a.m.)

Later this afternoon, Kitchener-Centre Green candidate Mike Morrice — who, along with Pedneault’s co-leader, Elizabeth May, is one of just two Green incumbents on the current ballot — teams up with a full contingent of southwestern Ontario Green hopefuls to share their party’s housing plan. (3:30 p.m.)

Meanwhile, a trio of front benchers hit the fundraising circuit to fill the coffers of their respective local riding associations:

• Treasury Board President Ginette Petitpas Taylor rallies Moncton-area supporters at a “give what you want” mixer at O’Creek Brewing. (5 p.m. AT)
• Back in the capital, Employment Minister Steven MacKinnon mingles with local Liberals during a $1500-per-ticket soirée at the Portulagos Restaurant in Gatineau, Que. (6 p.m.)
• Rounding out the roster, Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson joins West Coast federal Liberal director Duncan Wlodarczak for a $1,750 fundraiser at a “private residence” in downtown Vancouver. (6:30 p.m. PT)

IN THE CHAMBER

Following the formal dissolution of the 44th Parliament, the federal election is now underway as voters get ready to head to the polls on Apr. 28, 2025.

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