The federal Conservatives are launching the the fall session of Parliament with a splashy event away from the Hill.  Rather than the usual news conference or speech to caucus members, Prime Minister Stephen Harper will lay out his party’s fall agenda this morning in front of Members of Parliament and Conservative supporters at an Ottawa convention centre.

The Harper Conservatives are expected to roll out a number of proposed legislative changes and job-friendly tax measures as they get an early start on campaigning for next year’s federal election. One measure has already been announced; a cut to employment insurance premiums for small business.

The Opposition New Democrats spent last week attending strategy sessions and holding campaign-style speeches and news conferences.  The New Democrats plan to unveil detailed planks of the party’s platform this fall, including plans for a national child-care program, a federal minimum wage and infrastructure investment.

The Liberals, under leader Justin Trudeau, will be asking for an emergency debate on the 30 day deployment of special forces advisers to help in the fight against Islamic State terrorists in northern Iraq.