Today on the Hill: Party caucuses talk Iraq as Harper decides next step

OTTAWA – It’s down to some serious business today as the party caucuses gather on Parliament Hill to discuss, among other things, Canada’s potential commitment to an anti-extremist war in northern Iraq.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper told the House of Commons yesterday that no decisions have been made.

At the same time, he gave indications that members of Parliament could soon be debating a proposal to send Canadians into a combat role to assist the U.S. and other allies in fighting Islamic militants.

Here are some other comings and goings expected in Ottawa today:

— Not everything is about Iraq.A panel including Cedric Barnes of the International Crisis Group, Liberal MP Irwin Cotler and the University of Cape Town’s Christina Murray will discuss what role Canada should play in the Horn of Africa;

— Day three of CRTC hearings to determine whether the wholesale mobile wireless services market is sufficiently competitive;

— Carleton University president Roseann O’Reilly Runte appears at the Economic Club to discuss how her school plans to encourage competition and creativity in the university world;

— And minister of state for seniors Alice Wong helsp celebrate National Seniors Day with the launch of a report ranking Canada among world nations for its support of seniors.

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