As he heads to Vancouver to kick off a fresh round of closd-door pre-budget consultations, Finance Minister Joe Oliver will likely find himself fending off more questions on his pledge to present fully balanced books to the House this spring — particularly in the wake of the less-than-rosy forecast released by TD Economics on Tuesday morning, which warns that plunging oil prices could erode the promised $1.6 billion surplus.

Despite the gloomy predictions of near-future fiscal disappointment, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz will start his day by delivering a fresh instalment of federal support for the Canadian canola industry during a mid-morning appearance at the CropSphere tradeshow currently underway in Saskatoon before making his way to Toronto to share still more good news — this time, at the annual general conference of the Dairy Farmers of Ontario.

Elsewhere on the ministerial circuit:

  •  Treasury Board President Tony Clement teams up with XMG Studio Inc.'s Ray Sharma and other unnamed "tech enthusiasts" at Toronto-based OneEleven, where he will launch "a nation-wide tour" to promote the annual Canadian Open Data Experience (CODE 2015).
  • Meanwhile, in Mississauga, Minister of State for FedDev Ontario Gary Goodyear teams up with Minister of State for Sport Bal Gosal for a tour of the Koss Aerospace plant before revealing the details of a new "investment" by Ottawa.
  • Natural Resources Minister Greg Rickford wraps up a visit to Washington, DC by making himself available to reporters at the Canadian Embassy.

Back in the capital, the Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy hosts a breakfast panel discussion on "Canadians under financial stress," which will include the release of new polling data from Pollara Research.

Finally, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May holds an evening town hall for her constituents in Saanich-Gulf Islands.

Mobile readers: Follow the Parliament Hill ticker here.

For up to the minute dispatches from the precinct and beyond, keep your eye on the Parliament Hill Ticker: