Prime Minister Stephen Harper will table the tentative free trade agreement with the European Union in the House of Commons on Tuesday — the same day his government hopes to cut off debate in the Senate on the motion to suspend Senators Mike Duffy, Pamela Wallin and Patrick Brazeau without pay.

Harper’s office is sending out invitations to industry groups and business executives to witness the tabling of the agreement on principle on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.

A reception with Trade Minister Ed Fast will follow question period.

The timing is no coincidence. It dovetails with a vote on the procedural move to cut off the debate over suspending the three former Conservative senators embroiled in the scandal over living and travel expenses.

That debate continues to drag on in the Senate, and cracks are beginning to appear in the Conservative caucus over the fairness of depriving the three of their livelihood before they have had a public hearing, or criminal charges have been laid.