Prime Minister Stephen Harper heads back to the Greater Toronto Area to continue his cross-country Lunar New Year celebrations, which began Thursday with an unbilled appearance at a Richmond seniors residence.

Friday's festivities will, however, be open to media, and is expected to get underway this evening at the Fo Guang Shan Temple in Mississauga, with Defence Minister Jason Kenney and local MP Brad Butt among those expected to be in attendance.

  • Treasury Board President Tony Clement joins "developers, students and data enthusiasts" to "celebrate" the Canadian Open Data Experience (CODE 2015), an annual appathon that will, according to its organizers, "result in valuable Government of Canada data being turned into useful, consumer-friendly applications."
  • Meanwhile, Natural Resources MInister Greg Rickford teams up with Sustainable Development Technology Canada acting president Jane Pagel to share "significant" news on a fresh instalment of federal support aimed at "creating well-paying jobs and supporting clean technology."
  • Later this morning, Health Minister Rona Ambrose will drop by the Harbourfront Community Centre with an "important announcement" on family violence and child abuse.
  • Elsewhere on the ministerial circuit, International Trade Minister Ed Fast hosts a 'Go Global' export workshop in Moncton, while in Fredericton, ACOA Minister Rob Moore unveils a new "investment" during a visit to Eigen Innovations.
  • Finally, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz heads to Saskatoon for a joint appearance alongside his Saskatchewan caucus and cabinet colleague Lynne Yelich, as well as his provincial ministerial counterpart, at the Saskatoon Farmers' Market.

Back in Ottawa, MPs will begin — and possibly conclude — third reading consideration of the proposed victims' bill of rights, which has garnered the unanimous support of the House.

This afternoon, New Democrat MP Philip Toone will kick off debate on his private members' bill to improve passenger rail service in Canada.

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