David Maddox: So what was more important than knife crime, minister?

As the scourge of Scottish streets was debated in the chamber at the knife crime summit today, readers of the Steamie may wish to know the important events in Canada that made it impossible for Scotland's Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill (pictured) to attend.
His itinerary has been posted out by the Scottish Government:

FRI:
Daytime: Media interviews in Toronto to promote Homecoming
6.30pm: St Andrew's Society Burns Supper, Horizons at CN Tower.
SAT:
Daytime: Visits Pier 21 Immigration Museum, Halifax, Nova Scotia
6.30pm: Digby Board of Trade Burns Supper, Annapolis Basin Conference Centre, Nova Scotia.
SUN:
6pm: The Scots Society Burns Supper @ Westin Novia Scotian Hotel, Halifax, Nova Scotia
MON:
Dayime: Meetings with Canadian Ministers.
12.15pm: Lecture at Saint Mary's University, Halifax. What does the Future Hold for a New Scotland?
Flies back Mon evening