Good morning. This is Hanna Lee.
 
Yesterday marked Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre's first time facing off in the House of Commons, as MPs returned to Parliament for the fall sitting. Below, we'll look at what's coming this sitting.

THE LATEST

• The Israeli military has begun a ground offensive targeting Gaza City, slowly squeezing in on the Palestinian territory's largest city. Residents still in the city were warned they must leave and head south.
   
• Statistics Canada will release its consumer price index numbers for August. 
   
• U.S. President Donald Trump will be in the U.K. for a state visit until Sept. 18. Anti-Trump demonstrations are expected.
   
• Tuning into the Newfoundland and Labrador election on Oct. 14? Track how the major parties stand on the most important issues here.

Carney and Poilievre exchange pleasantries, then resume an epic debate

(Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

It all led up to this. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre had their first parliamentary faceoff yesterday, as MPs returned to the House of Commons for its fall sitting.

What's happening: The two shook hands and greeted one another before getting down to business. The main points centred around Poilievre's assertion that Carney has failed to change much in his term so far, while Carney argues he is responding decisively to a profoundly challenging moment.

What's ahead: Indeed, this Parliament faces unique and wide-ranging issues, with U.S. tariffs continuing to impact the Canadian economy, housing remaining out of reach for many and the world around us feeling more unstable by the day. Carney is expected to introduce his first budget this fall, and Poilievre has signalled that his party will be taking a more critical look at the Liberals' record and policies.

German or South Korean subs? Ottawa's pick will hinge on economic windfall 

(Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press)

South Korea and Germany are competing for a Canadian government contract for a dozen new submarines. Ottawa is picking whichever pitch will create the most Canadian jobs. 

What's happening: The Royal Canadian Navy has green-lit both submarine proposals, and the choice will also come down to the cost and delivery schedule. The contract is expected to be worth more than $20 billion.

Why it matters: The news highlights the Carney government's attempts to build up the Canadian industrial base as it looks to ramp up defence spending to levels unprecedented in recent history. It's also hoping the money will protect jobs at home, particularly in tariff-vulnerable sectors like steel, as well as create new ones. 

Immigration lawyers concerned IRCC's use of processing technology leading to unfair visa refusals

(John Woods/The Canadian Press)

Immigration professionals and people applying to enter Canada say they're increasingly getting refusal letters that they think don't make sense — leading them to wonder whether a human being is reviewing their cases.

What's happening: In one example from a lawyer, an applicant was told they were denied because they didn't include a copy of their birth certificate, even though it was attached to the application. Experts are pointing to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)'s use of technology as the problem. 

The response: IRCC acknowledges it uses computer programs to sort through applications faster, but denies the claim that they affect the review thoroughness. Human officers make the final decision on eligibility, it said. But experts are still concerned some officers are refusing applications without checking all the submitted documents.

PICTURE THIS

Cases of COVID-19 are climbing across Canada, according to wastewater and other disease indicators. It comes as students and teachers go back to school and people begin to congregate indoors more often as the weather cools. By now it's a familiar annual trend, doctors say, and prevention methods remain the same — vaccination, hand hygiene and staying home when sick. Read more here.

In case you missed it

• Alberta will become the first province to add mandatory "citizenship markers" to driver's licences.
   
• Here's how Alberta teacher pay compares with other provinces, on the precipice of a strike.
   
• Donald Trump says the U.S. has struck another alleged drug boat from Venezuela. Three people were killed and no U.S. personnel were injured, he said.
   
• Here is a look at Muhammad Abu Dakha, a 31-year-old Palestinian whose long journey from Gaza to Europe included a Jet Ski.
   
• In Ukraine, identifying the dead has become an overwhelming effort for forensic workers.

IN LIGHTER NEWS

This B.C. man circumnavigated Vancouver Island on a stand-up paddleboard

(Submitted by Paul Verchere)

Paul Verchere was recovering from ankle surgery when he decided to stand-up paddle board all the way around Vancouver Island. After two years of preparation, on June 25, he left his home in Ladysmith, B.C. Some days he'd paddle for 11 hours, carrying 40 kilograms of gear. "I had a very wonderful sense of accomplishment," he said, when he returned on Aug. 4 — though his legs didn't work for another week or two after that.