Apparently we’re going to be part of a network of joint embassies with other British Commonwealth nations, in an attempt to head off the rising influence of European Union diplomats. It’s being billed as a cost-cutting measure, but there already questions about sovereignty being raised, as well as some fairly grossly inaccurate statements about how we’re under the same Queen (which we’re not – the Crowns are separate, even if Elizabeth II wears them all).

Here’s the strange case of an Ottawa communications firm involved with the F-35 blocking media access to aspects of the story. This, of course, while there are more questions as to whether or not the F-35 is really the pinnacle of fighter jet technology that its creators claim.

Thomas Mulcair was in Edmonton over the weekend to attend the provincial NDP convention there (despite saying that he stays out of provincial affairs when asked about happenings in Quebec). There, Mulcair told the audience that they need to boost the Canadian manufacturing sector (in other words, build refineries and upgraders in Alberta and not the Keystone XL pipeline to send said bitumen for processing in the States), while provincial leader Brian Mason claimed that his party were the true heirs to Peter Lougheed’s legacy.

MPs tweet less over the summer than when the House is sitting. This has now been statistically proven. Because apparently they too realise that not everyone cares about every stop on the barbecue circuit.

Here’s another look at the way in which the Courts and the government are coming into conflict over the various tough-on-crime measures. The last one to be struck down, which was a reverse onus clause, should have been expected given that reverse onuses go against one of the fundamental principles of our justice system.

The National Post looks to cast the Conservatives as supporters of queer rights, but it’s a piece that pretty much obliterates any kind of nuance in the topic. Sure, they haven’t attacked same-sex marriage in Canada, and sure, they don’t want gays to be killed in other countries, but that’s the bare minimum test that is hardly resounding support, especially within the broader caucus. Yes, they have some very supportive caucus members, but they’re in the minority so far. One of those supportive members was told by other conservatives that she “left her right flank vulnerable” when she voted in favour of the trans bill last spring, which was a thinly veiled threat as to her future nomination prospects. The party has made baby steps, I will grant them – but it’s not the kind of conversion that the Post seems to think so. (Here’s another great post calling out the pinkwashing).

Jason Kenney says there were no Canadian citizens before 1947, just British subjects, therefore children of war brides shouldn’t be able to count themselves as Canadian citizens, even though they’ve lived almost their entire lives here. No, seriously – which is at the centre of a legal dispute of one woman who found out she doesn’t have citizenship because of such a circumstance around her birth.

Over in Calgary Centre, Harvey Locke has won the nomination for Liberal candidate in the upcoming by-election. Locke says he already has Conservative crossovers coming to his side as he appeals to Progressive Conservatives in what is traditionally a fairly Red Tory riding.

Here is your recap of the Sunday politics shows.

And Pundit’s Guide breaks down the entire Liberal leadership process and produces this really handy guide to the race.