With regular parliamentary programming on pause until next week, the minority Liberal government is poised to release a new defence industrial strategy that will outline “sweeping changes to the way it approaches supporting the domestic defence industry, as Canada looks to transition away from overreliance on the United States for military gear,” according to Canadian Press.

The long-awaited roadmap was originally set to be unveiled by Prime Minister Mark Carney during a stop in Halifax last week that — along with his scheduled trip to Germany to attend the Munich Security Conference — was cancelled in the wake of the tragic events in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., with the reveal now on track to take place tomorrow morning. (Tuesday a.m.)

“Media outlets on Sunday published the details of the document officials shared with journalists ahead of its official launch,” CP notes.

“The $6.6-billion strategy aims to help small and medium-sized Canadian businesses break into the defence industry and reorient spending decisions to prioritize equipment made in Canada, instead of relying on foreign military contractors such as American firms. The document claims it will spur 125,000 jobs over a decade. According to a government press release last December, the Canadian defence industry ‘supports’ more than 81,000 jobs.”

According to the departmental release, senior defence officials will hold a “virtual technical briefing” to go over the fine print of the strategy, although as yet, there’s no word on whether there will be an accompanying ministerial — or prime ministerial — announcement.

As yet, there’s no word on how Carney is planning to spend the week, although it looks like he’ll be clocking in at least a few hours on the West Coast hustings, courtesy of a $1,775-per-ticket reception at a “private residence” in Vancouver. (Wednesday p.m.)

Also in Vancouver this week: The five New Democrat hopefuls angling to lead the party into the next federal election are set to face off for the second — and, at least as far as party-organized debates, final — time before the virtual polls open next month. (Thursday p.m.)

The two-hour event — which, according to the advisory, will take place at an unnamed venue somewhere in “BC’s lower mainland” — will be moderated by former CBC News journalist and anchor Hannah Thibideau, who is now a senior communications officer with Global Public Affairs, with the back-and-forth “primarily in English” with a “dedicated French segment,” according to the latest party invite.

“As members across the country prepare to vote, this debate is a pivotal opportunity to hear directly from the campaigns, compare their visions, and help shape the future of our Party,” it notes before inviting members to “RSVP today to get the link to watch.”

Meanwhile, Canada – U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc —  whose cabinet responsibilities, it’s worth noting, also include intergovernmental affairs, internal trade and ‘One Canadian Economy’ — touched down in Mexico on Sunday night to begin a five-day trade mission that “will bring together a diverse delegation of Canadian businesses, industry associations, and partners from across the country to strengthen commercial ties with Mexico and explore new opportunities in a dynamic and diverse market,” as per his office. (Sunday through Friday)

“Over the next few days, in Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara, exporters and investors from across Canada will have the chance to build new partnerships,” LeBlanc noted in an X post that included a photo of the launch.

Over 370 delegates representing 240 organizations  were slated to join LeBlanc on the trip, which is taking place “as Ottawa looks to diversify its trade links in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and threats to abandon a critical continental trade pact,” Canadian Press notes.

“LeBlanc is set to play a key role in the upcoming review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade, better known as CUSMA.” which Trump “has called … irrelevant and said it may have served its purpose. Ottawa and Mexico City have indicated they intend to stay in CUSMA but officials in both countries are preparing for negotiations. LeBlanc has said he has no reason to believe the Trump administration is preparing to tear up the free trade agreement. He has said his Mexican counterparts share the same view.”

According to the advisory provided by LeBlanc’s office, the cross-continental discussions will focus on “advanced manufacturing; agriculture, processed foods, and agricultural technology; clean technologies and clean energy; creative industries; and information and communications technologies.”

Elsewhere on the international hustings: Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson embarks on a European mini-tour to “advance Canada’s energy priorities” during a one-day stop in Warsaw “focusing on nuclear energy” before travelling on to Paris to make the rounds at the International Energy’s annual ministerial meet-up as well as the Canadian Critical Minerals Forum. (Wednesday through Friday)

Back in Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Lena Metlege Diab starts the week on her political home turf in Halifax, N.S., where, according to her office, she’ll “highlight investments in support of second-language education” via fresh funding for Canadian Parents for French – Nova Scotia. (Tuesday a.m.)

Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu and Secretary of State for Labour John Zerucelli are booked in for a morning visit to the Windsor, Ont., office of two Unifor Locals 444 and 200, which collectively represent thousands of local auto workers, to “launch new workforce measures for key sectors” on the same day that the local Stellantis assembly plant is slated to reinstate the third shift that was eliminated in 2020.   (Tuesday a.m.)

Moving west, Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon teams up with Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand and local Liberal MP Terry Duguid to outline “federal priorities aimed at strengthening Canada’s transportation system, reinforcing supply chains and supporting the country’s economic growth” during a morning event hosted by the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. (Tuesday a.m.)

The following night, MacKinnon will mingle with local party supporters in Calgary, Alta., with all proceeds from the $250 entry fee earmarked for the Calgary McKnight Federal Liberal Association. (Wednesday p.m.)

Rounding out the front bench traveling roster, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne joins local Liberal MP Louis Villeneuve to make the rounds at an $850-per-ticket “dinner fundraiser” for the Brome-Missisquoi Federal Liberal Association. (Friday p.m.)