Unions representing federal scientists protest 'partisan interference'

Representatives from Canada's major public sector unions, including the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the Canadian Association of Professional Employees and the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada will protest "the muzzling of Canada's public scientists and partisan interference in the development of public science" by holding "mobilization and information activities" at Tunney's Pasture.

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According to the advisory, similar events slated to take place in Montreal, Quebec City and Vancouver.

Back on the Hill, the Commons Chamber may be shuttered for the week-long Victoria Day constituency break, but Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and International Trade Minister Ed Fast are still slated to join representatives from Canada's beef and pork sectors in the House Foyer later this morning to take questions on the latest rejection of US meat labelling requirements by the World Trade Organization.

• WTO rejects final U.S. appeal on meat labelling

In Toronto, meanwhile, New Democrat Leader Tom Mulcair, who will join the "McGill Four" MPs — Charmaine Borg, Matthew Dubé, Mylène Freeman and Laurin Liu — for a panel discussion after speaking to the McGill Alumni Association.

Also in Toronto today: Finance Minister Joe Oliver, who will be the keynote speaker at the 2015 PCMA Private Capital Markets Conference, and Transport Minister Lisa Raitt, who will do the honours on behalf of Minister of State for Sport Bal Gosal at the SEEDS Orientation Event

Elsewhere on the good news circuit:

• Fisheries and Oceans Minister Gail Shea unveils new federal support to "help young Canadians find jobs" during a visit to Charlottetown-based Adventure Group.
• On the other side of the Confederation Bridge, ACOA Minister Rob Moore teams up with New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant, local MP Mike Allen and Grand Falls Mayor Richard Keeley for what the advisory is billing as a "major infrastructure funding announcement" at the Broadway Boulevard Bandstand.
• In Quebec City, Infrastructure Minister Denis Lebel will be front and centre at a groundbreaking ceremony to "highlight the start of the reconstruction of the Voltigeurs de Québec Armoury," as well as reveal the name of the firm chosen to do so.
• Treasury Board President Tony Clement hits the stage at the OpenText Auditorium in Waterloo, where, alongside local MP Peter Braid, he'll share the details of new efforts to bolster the local technology sector.
• Moving west, Minister of State for Social Development Candice Bergen will tout her government's latest budget in an address to the Portage la Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce.
• Health Minister Rona Ambrose joins Public Health Agency chief Dr. Gregory Taylor in Edmonton, where the pair will co-host a one-day "symposium with shareholders" on prescription drug abuse in Alberta, after which Ambrose will deliver an announcement on the issue.
• Finally, Minister of State for Western Development Michelle Rempel makes back-to-back appearances in British Columbia, where she'll outline new federal cash for "community infrastructure and national heritage" during a stop at the Britannia Shipyard in Richmond before making her way to Surrey Memorial Hospital with fresh support for "health innovation."

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