iPolitics AM: Annamie Paul to mark ‘grand opening’ of Toronto campaign office – iPolitics.ca

Amid a fresh wave of news reports on the tensions within her party, Green leader Annamie Paul will go before the cameras once again, this time to mark the “grand opening” of her Toronto Centre campaign headquarters.

According to the notice, she’ll be “joined by Green candidates and Toronto Centre community activists for a celebratory announcement,” after which she can expect a flurry of follow-up questions from reporters on the latest developments in the high-stakes battle between herself and the party’s powerful central governing authority: namely, the newly revealed legal skirmish, which, it transpires, was (and is) at the heart of the surprise 11th-hour truce that paused a planned non-confidence vote and membership review, which is now being challenged in court by the party’s executive. (11 AM)

Back in the capital, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau fires up his webcam once again to speak during the opening round of the National Summit on Islamophobia, which starts later this morning, one day after his government convened a similar session on antisemitism. (12 PM)

According to the advisory, the online event will “bring together diverse Muslim community leaders,” as well as federal ministers, MPs, and officials from provincial and municipal governments.” As was the case with yesterday’s discussion, however, the government hasn’t yet released a full list of participants.

Later this evening, Trudeau will join former Liberal leader Jean Chrétien and a full contingent of MPs for the virtual edition of the party’s annual Laurier Club garden party. Those who’ve donated, or pledged to donate, at least $1,600 per year are on the invite list. (7 PM)

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland is spending the day making the rounds on Prince Edward Island, starting with a morning visit to the Founders’ Food Hall and Market in Charlottetown. There, she’ll join Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay for an announcement and media availability before making her way to Summerside to meet with local business owners who received her government’s pandemic relief. She’ll then tour a “smart storage demonstration project.”

Back in Quebec, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet wraps up a four-day trek through western Quebec by dropping by an agri-tourist venture in Saint-Bruno-de-Guigues and lunching behind closed doors with local officials from across the Témiscamingue region.

Finally, Employment Minister and former Paralympic swimmer Carla Qualtrough travels to Japan to “cheer on Team Canada athletes” at the opening ceremonies for the Tokyo Games.

IN THE CHAMBER

The House of Commons and the Senate have risen for the summer, with regular programming scheduled to resume on Sept. 20, 2021.

OUTSIDE THE PRECINCT

Two Team Trudeau front-benchers are hitting the midsummer hustings in Quebec today: Canadian Heritage Minister Stephen Guilbeault, who will announce the “latest recipients of the Creative Export Canada program” during a morning stop at a Montreal art gallery, and Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, who will drop by a charging station in Trois-Rivières to announce new federal cash for “electric vehicle infrastructure.” (9/10 AM)

Back in Ontario, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra is once again scheduled to appear at a local train station to highlight his government’s plan to expand passenger rail service — this time in Windsor, accompanied by local Liberal MP Irek Kusmierczyk. (10 AM)

Moving westward to Winnipeg, Health Minister Patty Hajdu will meet with staff at the Maw Mawi Chi Itata Centre, an “Indigenous community and program service provider” that offers rapid COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, and “launches a new call for proposals under the Substance Use and Addictions Program.”

Also out and about in Manitoba is Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, who tours a St. Andrews grains and oil-seeds farm before heading to Winnipeg to “highlight” her government’s efforts to support Canadian farmers “impacted by extreme weather.”

Last, but not least, Labour Minister Filomena Tassi teams up with Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan to “highlight support” for Newfoundland and Labrador youth to “launch meaningful careers” during a virtual chat with St-John’s Choices for Youth. (10 AM)

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HOT OFF THE WIRES

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Don’t miss today’s complete legislative brief in GovGuide.ca!