iPolitics is back on the ground for day two of the Liberal convention after an eventful first night capped off with a spirited scrum with newest Liberal MP Marilyn Gladu.

Today is headlined by policy discussions on building homes, expanding Canada’s trade partnerships and the government’s new Buy Canada regime.

As for a recap, floor-crosser Marilyn Gladu spoke to reporters late in the evening, defending herself against claims that she reversed her position on social issues and abandoned her constituents.

She said she made the decision to join the Liberals after voters in her southwestern Ontario riding urged her to help build more “affordable housing” and address the Sarnia region’s “infrastructure needs.”

“All I can say is that I’ve been listening to my constituents since last summer, and this is what my constituents are saying this is what they want,” she said.

When asked about her position on social issues, Gladu said she always supported the right for women to choose and opposed conversion therapy, though had some initial concerns with a Liberal bill to criminalize the practice. Under leader Erin O’Toole, the Conservatives supported a motion to fast-track that bill.

Here’s what we have our eyes on today…

9 a.m.

Panel – Build Canada Homes: Supercharging construction, creating new careers, and bringing down housing costs
with: Rebecca Chartrand, Gregor Robertson, Anna Gainey, Patty Hajdu, Caroline Desrochers

10 a.m.
Panel – Strengthening and Diversifying Canada’s Partnerships
with: Anita Anand, Maninder Sidhu, Randeep Sarai, Matt Jeneroux, Mona Fortier, Rob Oliphant

12 p.m.
Panel – Building a stronger, more competitive Canadian economy
with: Mélanie Joly, Patrick Pichette, Rechie Valdez, Lena Metlege Diab

2 p.m.
Panel – AI for All & Canada’s Innovation Advantage
with Evan Solomon, Yoshua Bengio, Taleeb Noormohamed, Valerie Pisano

5 p.m.
Panel – Canada Strong: Buy Canadian, Build Canadian
with Joël Lightbound, Dominic LeBlanc, François‑Philippe Champagne, Mélanie Joly, Marc Miller