House Watch: The 10 stories you need to know about

1. Controversial abortion pill can now be prescribed in Canada.

Doctors across the country can now prescribe the home abortion pill Mifegymiso, but the drug isn't expected to be available in Canada until the fall.

Last year, after a lengthy drug approval process, Health Canada agreed to allow doctors to begin prescribing the drug, more commonly known as RU-486, as of July 1.

But doctors have told CBC News that they currently do not have a supply of the drug and are concerned that rules put in place by Health Canada governing how doctors prescribe the drug are complicating the process.

2. Canadian troops heading to Latvia... but for how long?

Canadian soldiers as well as significant equipment will be sent to Latvia as part of a stepped-up NATO plan to deter further Russian aggression in Eastern Europe.

It's a commitment NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has described as "open-ended."

The government is also renewing a commitment to provide six CF-18 fighter jets for air policing duties over the Baltic states, a mission the air force last conducted in 2014. That comes at a time of renewed questions about the future of Canada's CF-18s, and what will replace them.

Canada is also on the cusp of finalizing a defence co-operation agreement with Ukraine, and the country's ambassador tells CBC News he's hopeful the Trudeau government will soon allow Canadian companies to export weapons to the embattled nation. Although it's not sure whether the deal will be ready in time for Trudeau's visit to Ukraine next week.

3. RCMP goes under Sheila Fraser's microscope... among other things.

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale has appointed former auditor general Sheila Fraser as a special adviser to look at how the RCMP has handled complaints of harassment in the force. The RCMP has long struggled to address workplace bullying and harassment inside the force.

The RCMP is also making significant changes to its witness protection program following a secret internal review. The changes come less than two years after a full-scale overhaul of the program prompted by high-profile controversies.

And there's more: members of the national police force are currently taking part in quiet protests over what they say is unsustainable under-staffing and an overall morale problem within the RCMP. Some Mounties are refusing to volunteer for so-called "red serge duty" where they march in parades and appear at public events in their ceremonial red uniforms and Stetson hats. Vancouver's Canada Day parade was the first casualty.

4. Electoral reform committee hears first witnesses.

Maryam Monsef, the minister of democratic institutions, was the first witness before the House of Commons special committee on electoral reform this week.

She urged MPs to find a compromise when it comes to figuring out the best alternative to the current first-past-the-post voting system

The committee also heard from the country's chief electoral office, Marc Mayrand, who said that he would be comfortable if the legislation to change the country's electoral system was in place by May 2017.

Under questioning, Mayrand also estimated a referendum could cost the federal government $300 million to conduct.

5.Trudeau at the "summer camp for billionaires."

Justin Trudeau spent Wednesday trying to sell Canada as a great place to do business for some of the world's biggest technology and media moguls in Sun Valley, Idaho, at an annual conference for the global business elite.

The trip was announced by the PMO with less than 24 hours' notice. 

6. The long road to ratifying the Canada-EU free trade deal.

The European Commission has decided the Canada-EU trade deal will proceed for ratification as a "mixed" agreement, recognizing demands from key members like Germany to vote not just in Brussels, but in each country's legislature.

The results of the Brexit vote have raised a lot of questions about the deal known as CETA and its future given the uncertainty surrounding the European Union's handling of the U.K.'s exit.

7. More money for First Nations children... but is it enough?

The federal government announced this week $382 million in new funding to implement Jordan's Principle —  the rule adopted by the House of Commons in 2007 ensuring equal access to health care and social services for First Nations children.

The announcement came just one day before Ottawa was required to prove to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal that it is not discriminating against First Nations children in delivery of child welfare services.

8. Syrian refugees need more support.

The senators on the human rights committee have been examining the integration of newly arrived Syrian refugees since May, and they are urging the government to do more to help.

The committee is studying the country's Syrian refugee program and is slated to issue a report in the fall, but decided to come out early with six suggested actions, including adding help to deal with mental health problems, more funding for language training and better programs to help young refugees adjust to life in Canada.

9. Coming soon? Passports with no mention of gender.

The federal government could easily drop any mention of sex or gender from identity documents like passports immediately, according to a senior official with the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

Some civil servants have outlined concerns for more than a year, but Marcella Daye, the acting manager of policy at the commission, said having gender-neutral identity documents like passports is the number one issue transgender Canadians have raised in recent consultations.

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said the issue of gender-neutral identity documents is being wrapped up in the government's new transgender rights bill introduced in May.

10. Dear Royals, please come visit.

Justin Trudeau has officially invited the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to consider crossing the pond for a royal tour with the family, including their two young children, whenever their schedule permits it.

William and Kate last visited Canada in 2011 as newlyweds, drawing big crowds at each and every stop.

BONUS. Do you want to be a Senator? Here's how.

Canadians can now submit their names for possible nomination to the Senate, with new changes announced by the Liberal government on Thursday.

Under an interim process announced by the Liberals in December, potential senators had to be nominated by a community organization. But Canadians are now able to apply directly to fill vacancies in the Senate.