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Thanks for reading the Ottawa Playbook. Let’s get to it. In today's edition: → A quick look at a familiar playbook the Liberals are dusting off. → The one and only VP debate kicks off tonight. → Former USTR general counsel GRETA PEISCH chats DST. |  | DRIVING THE DAY | |
THAT OLD TORY STORY — Just 384 days to go until the next general election. Unless the House falls sooner than planned. Which it very well could.
As the next campaign inches closer and closer, the Liberals are increasingly turning to an age-old tactic: attacking the Conservatives for having a “hidden agenda.” — Hidden in plain sight: It’s coming up more and more in debate. A Liberal fundraising email on Thursday said if the “Conservatives want an election, they should come clean with Canadians and reveal their hidden agenda so Canadians know exactly what would be on the chopping block.” Prompted by a heckler, House Leader KARINA GOULD accused the Conservatives of having a hidden agenda when standing up to deliver her weekly statement on upcoming House business. “The only people that are afraid, Mr. Speaker, are the Conservative MPs, because they know the longer this House sits, the more their hidden agenda is exposed, and the more Canadians don't want to vote for them.” — The numbers: A recent Angus Reid poll found 54 percent of Canadians believe PIERRE POILIEVRE’s party has a — you guessed it — hidden agenda that it won’t reveal until after the election is done and dusted. — The context: The attack on the party brand hits an old chord at a time when the Liberals have failed to advertise against Poilievre and define his public persona, with most Canadians hearing positive things about the firebrand leader. The most alienating aspects of his political aura, though, relate to fears of surprise cuts to social programming. — Hmm, sounds familiar: That move goes back quite a ways in Hansard. The Liberals of course didn’t trademark the words, but they might as well have. The phrase was prominent way back in 1984, when JOHN TURNER accused BRIAN MULRONEY of having a hidden agenda on social programs. And that he had a hidden agenda on energy. And that he had one on jobs. And a “total hidden agenda to dismantle the social programs of this country.” The line of attack was a mainstay for both PAUL MARTIN and JEAN CHRÉTIEN. Anyone who was around for the last time the Conservatives were in power will recognize the anti-STEPHEN HARPER tactic that also lined up neatly with polling: Half of Canadians thought he had one. You might even remember some of the ads. — What’s next:Cue the familiar columns decrying the play. IN THE HOUSE — The Green Chamber revs up with two Op Day motions on the agenda this week — and two confidence votes. The first has MPs debating a Bloc motion today that calls for the government to quickly pass Bill C-319, which would boost Old Age Security for those 65 and older by 10 percent. The PBO pegs the cost for Bloc MP ANDRÉANNE LAROUCHE's bill at C$16.1 billion over five years. That motion will not be a confidence matter, but defeat of the bill would mean losing Bloc support on key votes. — The trick: That bill, currently at third reading in the House, would still have to head to the Senate before being granted royal assent. The government can exert influence in the Red Chamber but hasn’t been able to whip senators on a bill ever since the Liberals cut their Senate caucus loose and tinkered with the appointment process. — Jonesing for an election: The Conservatives’ most recent non-confidence motion against the government comes up for a vote after QP. The move is expected to fail once again. Asked on Global’s West Block by MERCEDES STEPHENSON just how many of these key votes the government can endure over the next year, Gould told her, “My objective is to survive all of them.” — Wait, that’s not all: Tomorrow, the House votes on another confidence matter: the government’s controversial capital gains changes. That one the Liberals will be all too happy to talk about. — Latest forecast: Cloudy in the Commons but slim chance of an early election. | | | | A message from Universities Canada: Canada’s reputation as a leading destination for international students is in jeopardy due to recent federal policy changes aimed at reducing student permits. While it’s crucial to address housing and immigration challenges, these measures are hindering Canada’s universities’ ability to attract global talent, sustain university funding and advance research. International students are essential to Canada’s future economy and innovation. It’s time to restore Canada’s legacy as a global education leader. Learn more. | | | | | Where the leaders are | |
— Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU attends a Cabinet meeting.
— Deputy PM CHRYSTIA FREELAND holds a 1 p.m. news conference on the government’s economic plan alongside Public Services and Procurement Minister JEAN-YVES DUCLOS, Trade Minister MARY NG and Small Business Minister RECHIE VALDEZ. — Playbook has yet to see today's itineraries from Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE, Bloc Leader YVES-FRANÇOIS BLANCHET, NDP Leader JAGMEET SINGH or Green Leader ELIZABETH MAY. | | DULY NOTED | |
— At the public hearings into foreign interference … CRTC executive director of broadcasting SCOTT SHORTLIFFE testifies. Also on the docket: a cultural community media consultation panel.
9 a.m. Sens. RATNA OMIDVAR, MOHAMED-IQBAL RAVALIA and STAN KUTCHER release a report on how to quickly boost the supply of family doctors in Canada and hold a press conference in West Block. 12:30 p.m. Residential school survivors hold a media availability at a flag-raising event on Parliament Hill. | | | 2024 WATCH | | | 
JD Vance and Tim Walz will face off at 9 p.m. tonight. | Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images | VEEP FIGHT — It’s their biggest moment of the election. Buckle up for tonight’s VP debate, where the energizing TIM WALZ from small town, Middle America will face off against the elegizing JD VANCE, of small town, Middle America. — The buck stops somewhere near here: Walz has used PETE BUTTIGIEG as a Vance stand-in during his debate prep. DANNY O’CONNOR, who once roleplayed as Vance in debate prep for Rep. TIM RYAN during their fierce 2022 Senate race,dished to Politico mag on Vance’s key tell: awkward laughter. — Achilles’ heels: PAUL GAZELKA, former Republican majority leader in the Minnesota Senate,tells NPR that Walz’s biggest weakness is he’s known to speak off the cuff. DAVID FRUM argues Vance’s thin skin is what makes him most vulnerable. — WaPo’s take: Vance’s key demo to win over: DONALD TRUMP. — Timestamp: The debate kicks off at 9 p.m., hosted by CBS News in New York. Fact checking will be left up to the candidates. POLITICO’s GRETA REICH has everything you need to know about the process. | | | | A message from Universities Canada:   | | | | | HALLWAY CONVERSATION | |
PREVIEW OF THE REVIEW — The U.S. launched a consultation process under the USMCA on Aug. 30, which lasts for 75 days until Nov. 13 before the U.S. can decide to move to dispute settlement.
Playbook up with former USTR general counsel GRETA PEISCH, now at Wiley Law, to pick her brain on Canada’s recent moves on the DST, EV tariffs against China and the upcoming USMCA review. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. What do you think of the timeline for the DST consultations, that takes us right past the U.S. election date? I wouldn’t read that much into that, having been at USTR and involved in the preparation of cases. It’s generally driven by the substance of having tried to work out with Canada and talk to them about this proposal for some time, and really avoid going down this road. When that seems to be unsuccessful, doing the work of preparing to make a consultation request of this type, and ultimately also preparing to go down the path of dispute settlement. Are there multiple pathways for this to play out here, or is this pretty clearly going to head to dispute settlement? There’s always options. If the parties can find a way to address the concerns through consultations or some other type of settlement path, that is always preferred. There is certainly that off-ramp to avoid going through the panel process. What’s the overall timeline for this? It’s roughly about nine months, from start to finish. But the United States wouldn’t need to trigger it right away. The USMCA review is looming. Would this issue impact that in any way? Certainly. Trade irritants big and small … among the three parties will all be discussed at the table. If this issue is not resolved before then, it could certainly be one that is subject to those conversations. I think it will not go away. Pro subscribers have access to the full conversation here. | | MEDIA ROOM | | — Fast on the heels of grain exporters returning to their jobs in Vancouver after a short-lived strike, port of Montreal dock workers started one of their own Monday — and the U.S. is about to follow suit, writes Quartz’s WILLIAM GAVIN. The latest from POLITICO: Thousands of East, Gulf Coast dockworkers in the U.S. hit the picket line. — PAUL WELLS writes on his Substack about how the government is prepping for the next big disaster. — MARC GARNEAU took aim at the PMO for running interference on messages sent up to the PM, writes CBC’s BENJAMIN LOPEZ STEVEN. — HT’s ABBAS RANA and STEPHEN JEFFERY mull when the next election might come. — CP’s DYLAN ROBERTSON has this report on Foreign Minister MELANIE JOLY’s address to the UN, where she said Liberal democracies need to reclaim the word “freedom.” She also said it’s "unacceptable" the UN has never been led by a woman. — MICHAEL WERNICK in Policy Options with some pitches to strengthen Treasury, with this pitch that jumps out: Grant it the “power to pause or terminate procurements and technology projects that have gone off the rails.” | | | PROZONE | | |
In other news for Pro readers:
— Who would lead Harris’ DOE? — Energy wonks, rejoice! Harris campaigns on permitting reform. — Republicans are starting to raise alarms about Trump’s ground game. — NATO’s Stoltenberg has parting words for Europe: Don’t fear Donald Trump, work with him. — Helene wrecked the Southeast. Will Florida still get a presidential candidate visit? — DOE finalizes loan guarantee to reopen Michigan nuclear plant. | | | | A message from Universities Canada: Canada’s reputation as a leading destination for international students is in jeopardy due to recent federal policy changes aimed at reducing student permits. While it’s crucial to address housing and immigration challenges, these measures are hindering Canada’s universities’ ability to attract global talent, sustain university funding and advance research. International students are essential to Canada’s future economy and innovation. It’s time to restore Canada’s legacy as a global education leader. Learn more. | | | | | PLAYBOOKERS | | |  Two new pins at the Plains Trading Post in Plains, Georgia, commemorate the 100th birthday of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. | Photos courtesy of Philip Kurland | Birthdays: Former President JIMMY CARTER is 100. HBD to Liberal MP SUKH DHALIWAL, philanthropist and child care advocate MARGARET MCCAIN (90!) and Canadian businessman JIM PATTISON is 96. Got a document to share? A birthday coming up? Send it all our way. Spotted: Politicos sporting orange shirts to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Governor General MARY SIMON, MPs PIERRE POILIEVRE, DAN VANDAL, STEVEN GUILBEAULT, JEAN-YVES DUCLOS, DIANE LEBOUTHILLIER, JONATHAN WILKINSON MARCO MENDICINO, PATTY HAJDU, HEDY FRY, JULIE DZEROWICZ and JOHN NATER … Sens. JULIE MIVILLE-DECHÊNE, MARGARET DAWN ANDERSON, BRIAN FRANCIS, YVONNE BOYER, MARILOU MCPHEDRAN, PIERRE DALPHOND. Sault Ste. Marie MP TERRY SHEEHAN meeting with Indigenous artist CONRAD BOBIWASH in Elliot Lake who designed his shirt. Canada’s high commissioner to the UK RALPH GOODALE and his Canada House staff. The Peace Tower and Senate building, illuminated in orange. PHYLLIS WEBSTAD, the creator of orange shirt day,honored by PoliLEGO. Noted: MICHELLE REMPEL GARNER raising ethics concerns over a Liberal fundraising note written by MARK CARNEY, given his position at Brookfield. Per The Detroit News: JIM CASHA, a green party candidate in Michigan is running for a seat in Congress while living in Canada. | | ON THE HILL | |
9 a.m. The Senate committee on Indigenous peoples meets to examine the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
9 a.m. The Senate finance committee hears from Shared Services Canada President SCOTT JONES, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited’s JASON CAMERON and Parks Canada’s ANDREW FRANCIS on the main estimates. 9 a.m. The Senate transport committee talks about Sen. MARTY DEACON’s Senate Public Bill S-269, which aims to create new restrictions on ads for sports betting. Witnesses on the docket include Canadian Gaming Association CEO PAUL BURNS, ThinkTV CEO CATHERINE MACLEOD and various CRTC officials. 9:30 a.m. The Senate’s Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament committee hears from House of Commons Deputy Clerk JEFFREY LEBLANC and Clerk Assistant JEAN-PHILIPPE BROCHU on the role of non-affiliated senators. 11 a.m. Global Affairs bureaucrats brief the House foreign affairs committee on the war in Ukraine. 11 a.m. The House committee on human resources hears from groups that advocate for people with disabilities on the goal of a barrier-free Canada by 2040. 11 a.m. The Commons health committee hears from Dr. SUMANTRA MONTY GHOSH on the opioid and toxic drug crisis. 11 a.m. Deputy Minister JEAN-FRANÇOIS TREMBLAY appears before the government operations committee on the subject of federal grants and contributions. 11:30 a.m. Conservative MP ALEX RUFF and professors WESLEY WARK and CHRISTIAN LEUPRECHT testify to procedure and House affairs about Ruff’s private members Bill C-377, which deals with obtaining information under secret security clearances. 3:30 p.m. The Commons transport committee hears from regional airlines and the mayor of Churchill, MICHAEL SPENCE, on the competition act and air travel in Canada’s north. 3:30 p.m. The Commons science and research committee hears from various groups on plastics recycling. 3:30 p.m. The House agriculture committee hears from bureaucrats on carbon border adjustments. 3:30 p.m. The Commons finance committee continues its pre-budget consultations, hearing from the Canadian Labour Congress, B’nai Brith Canada, the Climate Emergency Unit, Réseau FADOQ and the Canadian Independent Sceen Fund for Black and People of Colour Creators. 3:30 p.m. The House subcommittee on international human rights discusses the situation in Sudan, hearing from Amnistie internationale Canada francophone executive director FRANCE-ISABELLE LANGLOIS and MUTASIM ALI from the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights. 3:30 p.m. The Commons ethics committee hears from experts BENJAMIN FUNG and JON BATEMAN on the impact of disinformation on parliamentarians. 6:30 p.m. The Senate’s Ag committee hears from experts on the growing issue of wildfires in Canada. 6:30 p.m. The Senate energy committee meets but has yet to set an agenda. 6:30 p.m. The Senate’s fisheries committee hears from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. Behind closed doors: The Special Joint Committee on the Declaration of Emergency huddles over a draft report. The official languages committee meets in private to discuss a trio of reports. Commons defense considers a draft report on lack of affordable housing for members of the Canadian Armed Forces. | | TRIVIA | |
Monday’s answer: During his days as speaker, ANDREW SCHEER said: “It takes a partnership between the Opposition and the Government to demonstrate a willingness to elevate the tone, elevate the substance, and make sure that Question Period is being used to do the job that we were elected to do, which is to represent our constituents, advance ideas, and hold the government to account.”
Props to ROY DERRICK, KARINA SUBOTA, TYSON SCHOFIELD, ROBERT MCDOUGALL, RAY DEL BIANCO, MALCOLM MCKAY and KEVIN BOSCH. Today’s question: Who was EMILY STOWE and how is she connected to this date in Canadian history? Answers to ottawaplaybook@politico.com. Want to grab the attention of movers and shakers on Parliament Hill? Want your brand in front of a key audience of Ottawa influencers? Run a Playbook ad campaign. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com. Playbook wouldn’t happen without: POLITICO Canada editor Sue Allan, editor Willa Plank and Luiza Ch. Savage. | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
