The government's "moral, social, legal and fiduciary obligation" to support both military veterans and the families of those killed or injured in service will take the parliamentary spotlight today as the New Democrats attempt to convince their Commons colleagues to formally acknowledge the existence of "a standalone covenant" to do so.

The full text of the motion, which stands in the name of British Columbia MP Fin Donnelly:

That, in the opinion of the House, a standalone covenant of moral, social, legal, and fiduciary obligation exists between the Canadian people and the government to provide equitable financial compensation and support services to past and active members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have been injured, disabled or have died as a result of military service, and to their dependents, which the government is obligated to fulfil.

Later this afternoon, MPs will vote on another New Democrat-backed opposition day initiative, which would, if passed, see the House express its approval of the party's pitch to exempt feminine hygiene products from the GST — a move that the Conservatives are expected to back:

On the committee front:

Justice and Human Rights members will get a brief opportunity to quiz Justice Minister Peter MacKay on the latest batch of main estimates — including, specifically, votes on support for administrative tribunals, the Canadian Human Rights Commission, the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

members will get a brief opportunity to quiz on the latest batch of main estimates — including, specifically, votes on support for administrative tribunals, the Canadian Human Rights Commission, the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. During the second hour, the committee will turn its attention to Conservative MP Randy Hoback's backbench pitch to impose "more severe penalties" for impaired driving offences that involve a particularly high blood alcohol content and/or result in "bodily harm or death," which will be followed by a brief meeting with a delegation from Ukraine.

backbench pitch to impose "more severe penalties" for impaired driving offences that involve a particularly high blood alcohol content and/or result in "bodily harm or death," which will be followed by a brief meeting with a delegation from Ukraine. Also on the estimates circuit today: International Trade Minister Ed Fast who will take questions on new budget requests related to the Canadian Commercial Corporation, as well as his government's efforts to help small and medium-sized businesses "compete globally."

who will take questions on new budget requests related to the as well as his government's efforts to help small and medium-sized businesses "compete globally." Representatives from the Directors Guild of Canada, Alliance des producteurs francophones du Canada, the Moving Picture Company, TELUS and Quebecor Media Inc. share their respective and collective thoughts on the state of the Canadian feature film industry during an appearance before Canadian Heritage.

Later this afternoon, MPs and senators will gather on the front steps of Centre Block, where they will don life jackets for a group photo alongside local school children, members of the National Health and Fitness Day Advisory Council and Buckles, the Canadian Red Cross "water safety mascot."

Outside the precinct, ACOA Minister Rob Moore teams up with Miramichi Conservative MP Tilly O'Neill Gordon. New Brunswick cabinet ministers Roger Melanson and Bill Fraser and local mayor Gerry Cormier for the announcement of what the notice bills as a "major infrastructure funding announcement."

Back in Ontario, Associate Defence Minister Julian Fantino delivers news on planned "investments" during a visit to CFB Borden.

Finally, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau will highlight his latest pre-campaign policy teaser during an appearance before the Canadian Club of Toronto, where he'll attempt to sell the crowd on his recently revealed proposals in a speech entitled "How Fairness and Growth for the Middle Class Benefits Everyone."

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