As yet, there’s no official word yet on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s itinerary for the third day of his visit to Australia, which, due to the 16-hour time difference, will get underway this afternoon and is expected to include a special address to the Australian parliament as well as a tête-à-tête with his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese.
Although it’s not guaranteed, he may also make himself available to the travelling press, who will undoubtedly have a fresh flurry of follow-up questions in the wake of his comments on the ongoing U.S and Israel-led military operations in Iran, which he told reporters that Canada supports, albeit “with regret,” as the “current conflict is another example of the failure of the international order,” and emphasized “is not a blank cheque,” as CBC News reports.
During the ensuing back-and-forth with media, Carney reiterated that “we were not informed in advance, we were not asked to participate,” CP notes.
“Prima facie, it appears that these actions are inconsistent with international law,” he added.
Meanwhile, after offering his unabashed endorsement of “free trade between free nations” during an evening address hosted by the Centre for Policy Studies in London last night, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is off to Berlin, where, as per the party-issued advisory, he’ll provide his perspective on the “Transatlantic relationship” during a keynote speech hosted by another centre-right think tank: the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, which has close ties with Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and is “committed to achieving and maintaining peace, freedom and justice through political education,” according to its website.
Back in Canada, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand will share her thoughts on Canada’s pledge to boost defence spending to five per cent of GDP — and, most likely, the situation in the Middle East — during a morning appearance at the opening of the annual Ottawa Conference on Defence and Security, which is organized by the Conference of Defence Associations Institute in conjunction with National Defence, and bills itself as “Canada’s premier defence national security forum.” (8:20 a.m.)
Moving westward to Winnipeg, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly will “highlight support for Canada’s defence industry” at a morning event hosted by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce.” (8 a.m. CT)
Out and about on the East Coast: Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty pays a visit to Membertou First Nation, an “urban and progressive Mi’kmaq community located on Unama’ki – Cape Breton Island,” where she’ll team up with Chief Terrance Paul to share the details of a new initiative related to “reserve lands and economic development.” (1:30 p.m. AT)
Rounding out the roster, Veterans Affairs Minister Jill McKnight will represent the government at a “short wreath-laying ceremony (to) mark the 35th anniversary of Operation Friction and the end of the Gulf War,” which will be held at the National War Memorial in downtown Ottawa, with Gulf War veterans, Kuwaiti diplomats and “other dignitaries” expected to be in attendance. (11 a.m.)
ON AND AROUND THE HILL
Public Services and Procurement Canada associate deputy minister Alex Benay hits the stage at the National Press Theatre to deliver what the advisory notes will be “a sixth update on the progress made in preparing for the upcoming transition to the Dayforce human resources and pay solution … as well as ongoing efforts to standardize and simplify HR and pay practices across the public service.” (3 p.m.)
IN THE CHAMBER
Regular parliamentary business will resume on Mar. 9, 2026.
FRESH FROM iPOLITICS
- Liberal MPs offer differing views on Carney’s support for U.S. attacks on Iran
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HOT OFF THE WIRES
- PM Carney: Canada’s support for U.S. striking Iran came ‘with regret’
- Carney won’t say whether India is engaged in interference, transnational repression
- Carney in Australia to deepen trade and defence ties with ‘natural partner’
- Canadian military personnel in Middle East out of harm’s way: McGuinty
- Poilievre calls for deeper ties with U.K., Australia, New Zealand during London visit
- Rising foreign investment in Canada doesn’t tell the whole story, economists say
- High-speed rail project runs into rural opposition
- Phoenix pay errors continue to haunt public service a decade after launch
- Commandant of Canadian Army Command and Staff College removed from post
- Bay du Nord oil project hits key milestone as N.L., Equinor sign benefits agreement
- Hundreds gather for First Nations-led protest in Nova Scotia over budget cuts
- NDP politicians set off on road trip to highlight northern Ontario road dangers
- Alberta minister optimistic about ER doctor deal, doesn’t blame physicians for delay
- Health care, deficit expected to be focus of Manitoba legislature spring sitting
- Unverified photo from ‘member of public’ was source of Vancouver mayor’s drug slur
- Focus on mental health, public safety at inquest into Tumbler Ridge, B.C., deaths
- B.C.’s move to end clock changes won’t be without complications
Committee highlights courtesy of our friends at iPoliticsINTEL.
