While Justin Trudeau took the day off of campaigning, Andrew Scheer attended the grand opening of a Buddhist temple in Bethany, Ontario, before doing meet-and-greets in Peterborough and Newcastle. There, Scheer said that he was confident in the party’s vetting process, despite having to dump a candidate earlier in the week (given that her homophobic posts go well before the election period).

Jagmeet Singh visited Grassy Narrows, where the local chief is running for the NDP, and pledged more money for drinking water in First Nations communities (although it’s rarely an issue of not enough money, but other capacity challenges, which the current government is addressing – partially why it is taking as long as it is to get movement on some of these challenges, on top of the fact that they took responsibility for a number of drinking water outlets that used to be private and are addressing them as well).

Other election stories:

• Elections Canada is monitoring the possible strike situation by education support workers in Ontario, as it could have an effect on polling stations.
• A group representing Canadian innovators wants parties to offer more policies to help companies scale up in Canada, and retain skilled talent.
• Here’s a look at how the Liberals and Conservatives are promising to reform defence procurement (for real this time!)
• The Liberal candidate in Fort McMurray has been targeted with racist, threatening graffiti and posters.
• First Nations leaders in Saskatchewan are expressing scepticism about Scheer, noting that he has barely engaged them in the 15 years he’s been an MP.
• After Rachel Notley said she probably won’t vote NDP federally this election, Jagmeet Singh insisted he’ll work hard to convince her.
• Elizabeth May promised to end the Indian Act and colonial oppression. Just like that, apparently.

Good reads:

• Kevin Carmichael expresses his frustration that none of the parties are talking about how they plan to manage Canada’s transition to a digital economy.
• Jason Markusoff looks into the process of renouncing one’s American citizenship, noting that it’s less the issue of citizenship in this election than the hypocrisy.
• Terry Glavin gets the scoop on what the Global Affairs review of the Syrian honorary consul’s appointment is likely to show.

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