A day for damage control

Sep 27, 2023

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By Zi-Ann Lum

Presented by

Thanks for reading Ottawa Playbook. Let's get into it.

In today's edition:

→ An emergency caucus meeting on Parliament Hill.

→ Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU attends his first question period during this week, which feels more like a month.

→ The No. 1 candidate will be M.I.A. in tonight’s No. 2 U.S. Republican presidential primary debate.

DRIVING THE DAY

Volodymyr Zelenskyy waves from a crowd of applauding people, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on his right clapping.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sept. 22, 2023. | Pool photo by Sean Kilpatrick via AFP/Getty Images

ROTA ROLLERCOASTER — The lesson is don’t glorify Nazis.

ANTHONY ROTA will be out of his role as speaker of the House of Commons by day’s end, triggering the beginning of another kind of election campaign that no one saw coming.

Rota’s resignation is feeding calls for Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU to apologize for an international scandal in which a Nazi veteran was honored in Parliament after last week’s historic address by Ukrainian President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY.

— Red carpet regret: 98-year-old YAROSLAV HUNKA sat in the gallery during Zelenskyy’s address and received a standing ovation after being praised by Rota as a “Ukrainian hero” who hailed from his northern Ontario riding. Hunka fought against the Russians during World War II, Rota said — a bright, red flag that was overlooked.

Hunka fought with the Waffen-SS Galicia Division, a Nazi unit. And now Poland is looking to extradite him.

— Apology watch: Liberals called an emergency caucus meeting on Tuesday evening. Ministers' cars were parked outside West Block well after sundown. Trudeau’s office says he did not attend.

The prime minister faces calls from opposition MPs to atone for a scandal that morphed initial headlines about Zelenskyy’s visit to Canada into an international mess impinging a leader of an active war.

Amid the political chaos, the Conservatives have managed to shorthand the scandal into that time the Liberals invited a Nazi into the House.

— Identity politics ricochet: The episode is certain to carry political costs for Liberals. It defangs attacks Trudeau has made against Conservatives, accusing the party’s MPs of standing “with people who wave swastikas” during the so-called Freedom Convoy.

— Americans are watching: The incident has the Simon Wiesenthal Center involved; it is calling on Trudeau to “explicitly condemn” the Galicia Division.

The Los Angeles-based organization evoked their late namesake in a statement Tuesday that called on the prime minister for a clear denunciation and delivered a history lesson on the side.

“Simon Wiesenthal, the heroic Nazi hunter, refused to go back to Canada after his first visit as he said that there was no political will to deal with the issues of Nazi war criminals by the Canadian government,” read the center’s statement.

— In Washington: U.S. State Department Spokesperson MATT MILLER fielded more questions from reporters on how Canada’s fallout with India will impact America’s bilateral relations than he did queries about the Biden administration’s take on Parliament’s Nazi gaffe.

“The Canadian government said that they were not aware of that individual’s past and expressed regret for it and that seems like the appropriate step,” Miller said at a newser prior to Rota’s resignation.

A message from Team SkyGuardian Canada:

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— What the PM has been missing: The incident has inspired more fervent finger-pointing and high-paid burns in question period where Trudeau has yet to appear this week.

“What’s next week’s disaster?” cried a lone voice from Tory benches Tuesday.

Conservative Deputy Leader MELISSA LANTSMAN yelled out across the aisle, “You’re a disgrace” to Government House Leader KARINA GOULD, both descendants of Jewish Holocaust survivors.

Deputy Speaker CHRIS D'ENTREMONT gave Lantsman an opportunity to retract the salty language after Liberal MP KEVIN LAMOUREUX called it unparliamentary.

Lantsman declined.

Conservative MP CHRIS WARKENTIN, seated next to Lantsman, threw his voice into the jeer exchange and called on Lamoureux to run for speaker.

— Change or status quo: A snap speaker’s election could see Liberal MP ALEXANDRA MENDÈS (current assistant deputy speaker) or the Conservatives’ d'Entremont vaulted into the top job.

Out of the 37 speakers in Canada’s history, only one has been a woman: JEANNE SAUVÉ.

— What’s next: Dean of the House, Bloc MP LOUIS PLAMONDON, will step into the chair until MPs vote for the next speaker on Oct. 3.

HALLWAY CONVERSATION

HELP WANTED — Earnscliffe senior consultant SEAN MURPHY, a veteran of Conservative whip offices in both government and opposition, tells Playbook that a recurring theme in speaker campaigns is to identify someone who can maintain order and decorum.

Murphy wrote to Playbook with some food for thought as candidates emerge:

My sense, having sat through countless hours of House proceedings, is that MPs will come to order quicker and be more deferential to a speaker with whom they have an existing rapport. Obviously eliminating all disorder is impossible and any candidate proposing to do so is trying to sell a bill of goods.

Sorry, but acrimony is a feature of our system, not a bug.

Members should be considering candidates based on their rapport with colleagues from all parties and their temperament in tense moments.

A well-known, affable and universally respected speaker will certainly have an easier time turning the temperature down when things are getting hot.

What do you think the House needs in a speaker? Who should it be? We’re all ears.

2024 WATCH

Ron DeSantis takes part in the first Republican Presidential primary debate.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during the first Republican Presidential primary debate in August. | Pedro Ugarte/AFP via Getty Images

DEBATE NIGHT IN SIMI VALLEY — The stage is set for the second U.S. Republican presidential primary debate. Just one thing, writes POLITICO’s ZACH MONTELLARO: “Once again, the frontrunner is nowhere to be seen.”

— When to watch: The debate will be held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, Calif., and begin at 9 p.m. ET.

— Moderators: STUART VARNEY, DANA PERINO and ILIA CALDERÓN.

— Behind the event: The debate is sponsored by Fox Business, the Reagan Foundation, Univision and the conservative streaming site Rumble.

— On the stage: The Republican National Committee has confirmed that seven candidates have been invited to the debate: Florida Gov. RON DESANTIS, businessperson VIVEK RAMASWAMY, former Vice President MIKE PENCE, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations NIKKI HALEY, South Carolina Sen. TIM SCOTT, former New Jersey Gov. CHRIS CHRISTIE and North Dakota Gov. DOUG BURGUM.

— Notably missing: Former President DONALD TRUMP will be in Michigan for a rally. He’s scheduled to deliver a speech at 8 p.m. Eastern Time — one hour before the debate.

DEBATE NIGHT IN MANITOBA — Party leaders will share their thinking on health care tonight at a town hall hosted by Doctors Manitoba. The Canadian Press sets the scene ahead of Tuesday’s election.

A message from Team SkyGuardian Canada:

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS

— It’s caucus day on the Hill.

— Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU is in Ottawa with a 10 a.m. national caucus meeting and the 2 p.m. question period on his public schedule.

— Deputy Prime Minister CHRYSTIA FREELAND is in Niagara Falls, Ont. for two closed-door events with the Power Workers' Union.

9 a.m. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative holds its virtual third United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Environment Committee meeting to review the implementation and obligations of Chapter 24 (environment).

11:30 a.m. Environment Minister STEVEN GUILBEAULT will deliver a keynote address about climate change issues at a Canadian Club of Ottawa event at the Château Laurier. Guilbeault will stick around after his speech for a fireside chat moderated by Sussex Strategy Group’s SHAWN MCCARTHY.

12 p.m. POLITICO Live holds its AI & Tech Summit: Shaping the Next Revolution.

2:30 p.m. Tourism Minister SORAYA MARTINEZ FERRADA marks World Tourism Day with a visit to Wendake, Que. to announce funding for organizations in the region.

3:50 p.m. Energy Minister JONATHAN WILKINSON will make an announcement and hold a teleconference call for reporters with International Energy Agency Executive Director FATIH BIROL following their bilateral meeting.

4:30 p.m. Housing Minister SEAN FRASER will be at the House human resources committee for a briefing alongside Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation President and CEO ROMY BOWERS and Infrastructure and Communities Deputy Minister KELLY GILLIS.

MEDIA ROOM

— The Canadian Press reports: 15 “potential” gravesites found near a former Yukon residential school.

— From POLITICO’s JOSH SISCO: The 5 most eye-opening lines in the Amazon lawsuit.

— NDP Leader JAGMEET SINGH says he’s received a classified intelligence briefing from officials on the evidence linking the Indian government’s alleged role in HARDEEP SINGH NIJJAR’s killing, report ROBERT FIFE and IAN BAILEY in The Globe and Mail.

— ANCHAL VOHRA, a Brussels-based columnist for Foreign Policy magazine writes for POLITICO: If Canada is to be believed, India has gone rogue.

— APTN’s DANIELLE PARADIS reports on Stk’emlúpsemc te Secwépemc Nation in British Columbia, which is disputing a proposed route change by Trans Mountain for its pipeline through an area known as Pípsell.

— BRANDI MORIN joined the This Matters pod to discuss her documentary on Thacker Pass.

— In Xtra, DALE SMITH interviews Women and Gender Equality and Youth Minister MARCI IEN on the rise in anti-trans hate a year into the government’s 2SLGBTQI+ action plan.

— From POLITICO’s EDDY WAX, how to drink in Brussels like a pro (as in professional, not as in alcoholic).

Enter the “room where it happens”, where global power players shape policy and politics, with Power Play. POLITICO’s brand-new podcast will host conversations with the leaders and power players shaping the biggest ideas and driving the global conversations, moderated by award-winning journalist Anne McElvoy. Sign up today to be notified of the first episodes in September – click here.

PROZONE

Our latest policy newsletter for Pro subscribers from NICK TAYLOR-VAISEY and SUE ALLAN: Victoria, come on down.

In other news for Pros:

— Senate debuts short-term spending bill to thwart shutdown.

— Landmark California climate disclosure bills could have far-reaching impact.

— Biden joins striking auto workers on picket line.

— Report exposes state divide on EVs.

— Ford halts work on $3.5B EV battery plant in Michigan.

Playbookers

Birthdays: HBD to environmentalist and clean water advocate AUTUMN PELTIER. Also celebrating today: Hockey Night in Canada’s ELLIOTTE FRIEDMAN, former Conservative cabmin PETER MACKAY, Corner Brook MHA GERRY BYRNE, New Brunswick two-term premier BERNARD LORD and Liberal MP CHARLES SOUSA.

HBD + 1 to EARL PROVOST, Ontario's agent-general in Chicago.

Is there an upcoming birthday that we should know about? Email us: ottawaplaybook@politico.com

Spotted: National Defense Minister BILL BLAIR and U.S. Ambassador DAVID COHEN posing for a photo receipt of their meeting … Canadian Crown corporation Export Development Canada has opened its office in Jakarta, Indonesia.

In the chamber, Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities Minister KAMAL KHERA trying to wave ANTHONY HOUSEFATHER to get out of the shot, standing behind GEORGE CHAHAL while he delivered a SO31 recognizing World Contraception Day.

U.S. Rep. ILHAN OMAR (D-Minn.) calling the circumstances of HARDEEP SINGH NIJJAR’s killing “deeply concerning,” and requesting a briefing to probe if there are “similar operations in the United States.”

Movers and shakers: JOHN DICKERMAN joins the Business Council of Canada as its first U.S.-based policy adviser in Washington … MARYSE GUILBEAULT has been appointed Canada’s ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo … ANDREW TURNER has been tapped as ambassador to Armenia.

MATTHEW TRNKUS has been promoted from parliamentary affairs to senior adviser to Foreign Affairs Minister MÉLANIE JOLY … SCOTT BARDSLEY is no longer interim DComm to President of the Treasury Board ANITA ANAND: “What's next? I'll be taking some time to figure that out.”

DANIEL MINDEN is sticking on as DComm for National Defence Minister BILL BLAIR … SAMRIDDHA CHAUDHURY has added “speechwriter” to his job title as communications adviser for Blair.

PETRA VARADI, formerly a member of Premier DOUG FORD's advance tour team, is GEDS official — see for yourself in the federal public servants directory — as a member of the tour team in PIERRE POILIEVRE's office.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has two new members: BRYAN DETCHOU joins as a senior director on natural resources, environment and sustainability and ALEXANDER RUDOLPH takes on a new job as a policy advisor with a focus on AI, cybersecurity and defense policy … 3Sixty Public Affairs has a new chief strategy officer: IMRAN AMIN.

Media mentions: Political commentator SHARAN KAUR bids adieu to CBC News’ “Power & Politics” for “a new adventure abroad” … Journalist RICHARD RAYCRAFT has left CBC News and his federal politics beat … MARLO GLASS joins the Ottawa Citizen as a general assignment reporter.

Send Playbookers tips to ottawaplaybook@politico.com .

A message from Team SkyGuardian Canada:

Learn about the remotely piloted multi-mission aircraft built on Canadian industrial partnerships to deliver sovereignty and security for Canada.

On the Hill

— It will be caucus day on the Hill.

4:15 p.m. The House social affairs committee continues its study of Canada's temporary and migrant labor force.

4:15 p.m. The Senate banking committee will elect a deputy chair before going in camera to discuss “future business.”

4:15 p.m. The Senate social affairs committee meets to continue its study on Canada’s temporary and migrant labor.

4:15 p.m. Justice Minister ARIF VIRANI, and four department officials, will be at the Senate legal and constitutional affairs committee to take questions on Bill C-48.

4:30 p.m. The House natural resources committee meets to continue its study of the country’s clean energy plans. Witnesses include the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada's GREG MOFFATT and DAVID CHERNIAK; Clean Energy Canada’s RACHEL DORAN; Hoverlink Ontario President and CEO CHRISTOPHER MORGAN.

4:30 p.m. The House public safety committee has a stacked agenda with election of vice-chairs off the top, followed by “committee business” before taking Bill C-20 through clause-by-clause consideration in the company of nine department and agency officials.

4:30 p.m. The House committee on science and research will spend its first hour studying federal government R&D grants, funds and contributions by Canadian universities and research institutions in partnerships with entities connected to China.

4:30 p.m. The House languages committee will be focused on increased Francophone immigration to Canada.

4:30 p.m. The House foreign affairs committee continues its study of Canada’s sanctions regime.

6:45 p.m. Main estimates are the topic of discussion at the Senate committee on national finance. Witnesses include department officials from Infrastructure Canada, Indigenous Services and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs.

6:45 p.m. Briefings from representatives of Deschâtelets-NDC Archives and OMI Lacombe Canada are on the agenda for the Senate Indigenous peoples committee.

7:30 p.m. The House health committee has a late evening in the books for a briefing on natural health products regulations with three department officials.

— Behind closed doors: The House transport committee meets to review its study on adapted infrastructure to climate change; the House ethics committee meets to discuss its foreign interference study; The Senate veterans affairs committee meets to consider a draft report; “consideration of an inquiry report of the Senate ethics officer” is on the agenda for the Senate ethics committee; the Senate audit and oversight committee meets to discuss the upper chamber’s internal and external audits “and related matters.”

TRIVIA

Tuesday’s answer: The first YMCA in North America opened in Montreal on Nov. 25, 1851.

Props to SARA MAY, SHAUGHN MCARTHUR, ALLAN FABRYKANT, JOSEPH CHAMOUN, DOUG SWEET, ROBERT MCDOUGALL, STEPHEN KAROL, JOANNA PLATER, QASIR DAR, DOUG RICE, CHARLIE SKIPWORTH, NANCI WAUGH, GEORGE SCHOENHOFER and BOB GORDON.

Think you have a harder trivia question? Send us your best.

Wednesday’s question: What does the word “ajuinata” mean?

Answers to ottawaplaybook@politico.com

Playbook wouldn’t happen without: POLITICO Canada editor Sue Allan, Luiza Ch. Savage and Emma Anderson.

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