Team Trudeau front benchers converge on Halifax as public safety committee kicks off probe into alleged Toronto terror plot

With just one week to go until the Labour Day long weekend brings an unofficial close to the summer — although barring an emergency early recall, the House of Common itself will remain shuttered until mid-September — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his front bench team are set to spend the next few days huddled behind the firmly closed doors of a makeshift cabinet room in Halifax ahead of a fall sitting that, as Canadian Press notes, “may be the last real chance” that his minority Liberal government will have to regain control of the overarching political narrative before hitting the hustings in a general election. (Sunday through Tuesday)

At the top of the pre-sitting to-do list, according to the preview put out by Trudeau’s office last week: “Top-of-mind priorities of Canadians,” including “ringing down the cost of living, building more homes, investing in health care, making dental care and essential medications more affordable, and taking climate action.”

(In a bid to emphasize his government’s push to address the housing crisis, just a few hours before joining his colleagues for the opening round of discussions on Sunday evening, Housing Minister Sean Fraser unveiled the 56 latest additions to the list of federally-owned properties that, as Canadian Press reports, “are suitable for long-term leases so developers can build affordable housing,” and includes “former military bases, Canada Post sites and federal office buildings.”)