Today on the Hill: Summer recess beckons as MPs run out the parliamentary clock

OTTAWA – School’s out for summer — well, almost. Maybe.

As kids across the country gleefully watch the clock tick its way toward the end of the academic year, politicians in Ottawa are doing the same.

The parliamentary calendar extends to June 20 this year, but there have been indications that the spring session of the Commons could come to a close as early as today.

New Democrat MPs have been hinting they won’t allow it.

But they’ve made similar noises in years past, only to sit on their hands in favour of returning to their constituencies and the summer barbecue circuit.

Here are some other events happening today in and around the national capital:

— It’s election day in Ontario, where voters will choose between Kathleen Wynne’s Liberals, the Conservatives under Tim Hudak or Andrea Horwath and the NDP.

— Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz will hold a news conference to talk about the central bank’s financial system review;

— A plethora of news releases will come from Statistics Canada today including the industrial capacity utilization rates statement for the first quarter, the new housing price index for April and a Canadian Community Health Survey for 2013;

— The Supreme Court of Canada will pronounce on a number of leave to appeal applications. It will also render a decision in the collective bargaining case between the Canadian Artists’ Representation and the National Gallery of Canada;

— And later today, Justice Minister Peter MacKay will be among the speakers as the Canadian Human Rights Commission national conference continues. Michele Audette, president of the Native Women’s Association, will also address the conference.