| | | | |  | | By Nick Taylor-Vaisey | | Presented by |  | | | Send tips | Subscribe here | Email Ottawa Playbook | Follow Politico Canada Thanks for reading Ottawa Playbook. Let's get into it. In today's edition: → JUSTIN TRUDEAU wakes up for a day of summitry in Rio. → KIRSTEN HILLMAN checks in with HQ following Trump's win. → PIERRE POILIEVRE and lobbyists: it's complicated. |  | THREE THINGS WE'RE WATCHING | |
SUMMIT SEASON FINALE — The last time JUSTIN TRUDEAU skipped a weekly caucus meeting in favor of overseas travel, grumbling and headaches ensued. Trudeau met a nascent revolt when he returned from October's ASEAN Summit.
The PM is in Brazil today for the G20 summit. But don't expect him to miss another caucus catchup. Time for the home stretch on the Hill. — Back to Ottawa: Wednesday is caucus day, when Trudeau also typically takes center stage in question period. We won't be surprised if he attends an annual Newfoundland and Labrador reception that is a fan fave among Hill staffers. — And then away again: Trudeau is battleground-bound on Thursday, when he's penciled in for a party fundraiser at the Grand Victorian Convention Centre in Mississauga, Ontario. A pair of Cabmins, RECHIE VALDEZ and AHMED HUSSEN, are also on the bill. — Dueling dialogs: A pair of international confabs on defense and security cap the week. The Halifax International Security Forum — an annual magnet for allied military brass, politicians and thinkers — is underway on Friday. POLITICO is sending a team of reporters. We'll have lots of coverage. (Want to have coffee with Playbook? Drop us a note.) NATO's Parliamentary Assembly, a group of legislators that fashions itself as an "essential link" between the military alliance and its member legislatures, opens a four-day session in Montreal on Friday. Liberal MP JULIE DZEROWICZ heads the Canadian delegation. On that agenda: Ukraine; integrated air and missile defense; ending conflict-related sexual violence; defense spending and "burden sharing." → Crystal ball: Could Trudeau make an appearance in Montreal? | | | | A message from Wealthsimple: This fall, Wealthsimple is celebrating 10 years of serving Canadians. By offering simple, powerful financial tools — from a no-monthly-fee, high-interest chequing account, to low-fee investing and pay-what-you-want tax filing — Wealthsimple has earned the trust of over 3 million clients from coast to coast. Now, Wealthsimple takes care of over $50 billion in assets, while operating at a sustainable profit. Learn more about how Wealthsimple became a Canadian success story. | | | |  Ambassador Kirsten Hillman is in Ottawa this week. | AP | WASHINGTON WHISPERER — Canada's top Trumpland diplomat is in Ottawa this week. — First, the fun: We know KIRSTEN HILLMAN has a pair of schmoozy affairs on her agenda. She's a headline guest tonight at the Canadian American Business Council's annual State of the Relationship gala at the National Gallery. CABC's predictably flashy show will also feature U.S. ambo DAVID COHEN, whose time in Ottawa is officially ticking down as Washington readies for DONALD TRUMP 2.0. Organizers are also teasing a "surprise celebrity guest." Place your bets now on the secret identity. Any reader who correctly predicts the big-name Canadian-American personality gets their name in Playbook. Hillman will also join a Tuesday panel at the British High Commission on Netflix's “The Diplomat.” We're hoping for gossipy dips who dish on what the show gets right and wrong. No spoilers, but the second season's finale is pretty epic. ALLISON JANNEY fans will be glued. Playbook will be in both of those rooms. On Friday, Hillman is booked into a conversation with the Halifax Chamber of Commerce — in the same city as the high-profile security forum. — Down to business: The real work of Hillman's week could play out across the street from the high commission at Global Affairs Canada HQ — aka Fort Pearson on Sussex Drive, where bureaucrats and pols are tracking Trump's transition. Hillman's Pennsylvania Avenue office sits between Congress and the White House. She has traveled extensively beyond Washington alongside Trade Minister MARY NG and Industry Minister FRANÇOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE (who just returned from Silicon Valley). Most of the ambo's agenda this week isn't public, but she will surely sit in on a meeting of the Canada-U.S. Cabinet committee, where Deputy PM CHRYSTIA FREELAND runs the show. POSTAL STRIKE — Hands up if your inbox is pinging with warnings about service disruptions due to the Canada Post strike now stretching into its fourth day. Labor Minister STEVEN MACKINNON is keeping his powder mostly dry as 55,000 postal workers remain off the job. MacKinnon tapped PETER SIMPSON, director general of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, to support negotiations. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has listed 26 unresolved items across two bargaining units, including wages, benefits, job security and "improved protections against technological change." — The case studies: With the countdown on to Christmas, retailers are starting to pipe up anxiously. CBC News focused on small businesses over the weekend. Here's LORNE JAMES, a model train seller in Tillsonburg, Ontario: "Coming into our busy season, where we make a third of our sales over two months, to be held hostage … it's unacceptable, and for a rural business like ours, it's not right." — The latest: The crown corp isn't posting many updates online. Over the weekend, CUPW posted a picket line photo gallery — including a snap of NDP Leader JAGMEET SINGH delivering Tim's to strikers in Hamilton, Ontario. | | Where the leaders are | | |  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a Global Citizen fireside chat on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. | Getty Images for Global Citizen | — Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU is in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the G20 summit. He has bilateral meetings planned with leaders from Japan, Spain, Italy, Mexico and the U.K. Trudeau will also meet with U.S. President JOE BIDEN. — Deputy PM CHRYSTIA FREELAND will be in QP. — Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE and Bloc Québécois Leader YVES-FRANÇOIS BLANCHET have not released public itineraries. — NDP Leader JAGMEET SINGH starts the day in St. John's, where he'll participate in a fireside chat at the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour convention. He'll hold a press conference alongside St. John’s East candidate MARY SHORTALL . Singh then heads to Brampton, Ontario, for a fireside chat at the Future Voters Summit. — Green Leader ELIZABETH MAY will attend Parliament in person. | | | | A message from Wealthsimple:   | | | | | DULY NOTED | |
9 a.m. Industry Minister FRANÇOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE and Transport Minister ANITA ANAND are in Bécancour, Quebec, to announce "major investments under the National Trade Corridors Fund for the Bécancour Industrial and Port Park." They'll be joined by business leaders, as well as provincial and municipal officials.
| | | COUNTDOWNS | | | Your reminder of some key events edging ever closer. Sitting days, including today, until Christmas break: 22, at the absolute most … Summer: 91, at the absolute most. Calendar days until Statistics Canada’s next inflation data: 1 … Halifax International Security Forum: 4 … NATO Parliamentary Assembly: 4 … Nova Scotia provincial election: 8 … Sustainable Finance Forum: 10 … The Bank of Canada's next interest rate announcement: 23 … The federal by-election in Cloverdale-Langley City, B.C.: 28. The PM's deadline to call a by-election in Halifax, N.S.: 104. Which must-watch countdowns are missing from this list? Tell us! | | | | The lame duck session could reshape major policies before year's end. Get Inside Congress delivered daily to follow the final sprint of dealmaking on defense funding, AI regulation and disaster aid. Subscribe now. | | | | | | | PAPER TRAIL | |
LOBBY WATCH — Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE dropped a Saturday night flood of social media posts that renewed rhetorical hostilities with a few go-to punching bags.
— In the crosshairs: The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, the Business Council of Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, which Poilievre called "money-sucking" and "worse than useless." Not for the first time, Poilievre urged their members to cancel their memberships — though it's unclear what impact his occasional advocacy actually has on membership rolls. — Issue du jour: Canada's resource sector, which Poilievre claims has suffered during the Trudeau era to the tune of thousands of jobs and billions in wages. — An open door: The Tory leader has been beating versions of anti-lobbyist drums for much of 2024. He says companies that want to influence government decisions should instead focus on swaying regular folks, who can in turn pressure Conservatives who come door-knocking. He's advocating a bottom-up, people-driven process. But it's not the only game in town. Poilievre's team is still hearing out lobbyists. His MPs are regulars on the reception circuit. — Caucus targets: No MP interacted more with lobbyists last month than Conservative MP RANDY HOBACK, a veteran lawmaker who advises Poilievre on Canada-U.S. relations. Most of October's lobbying stats have now been publicly reported. Hoback's name appears in at least 40 reports, alongside energy companies, automakers and several trade associations. No surprise they'd want his ear. — Par for the course: Hoback is far from alone. Tory MPs MATT JENEROUX, ADAM CHAMBERS, TONY BALDINELLI, TED FALK and JOHN BARLOW all appeared in at least 25 meeting reports last month. So did JWANE IZZETPANAH and BRYCE MCRAE, stakeholder relations staffers in Poilievre's office. Tory MPs JOHN WILLIAMSON and LAILA GOODRIDGE are listed as having met with CAPP. (Goodridge's Alberta riding includes the oil sands.) — Business audience: The Conservatives are hosting a Bay Street fundraiser Thursday evening. Poilievre is the headliner. It's the latest in a series. | | | | A message from Wealthsimple: Today, more than 3 million Canadians trust Wealthsimple with their money. There’s no secret to their success: a simple, all-in-one platform for managing your money, with powerful financial tools and fair, transparent fees. Their motto, “Keep it simple,” means stripping away the confusing jargon, hidden fees, and clunky product experience that defines traditional financial services. But looking after Canadians’ hard-earned money also takes trust. Wealthsimple takes that trust seriously, holding itself to the highest standards of security and compliance. And by partnering with multiple CDIC members, Wealthsimple can stack deposit coverage for its clients — up to $1 million on eligible deposits. Whether they’re saving for a home, investing for their kids’ future, or navigating life’s big financial milestones, Wealthsimple is proud to support Canadians along every step of their financial journey. Learn more. | | | | | MEDIA ROOM | | — The Globe reports: Iran allegedly planned to assassinate former Liberal Cabinet minister IRWIN COTLER. — Top of POLITICO via BETSY WOODRUFF SWAN and MYAH WARD: Trump’s immigration crackdown is expected to start on Day 1. — From POLITICO’s CLEA CAULCUTT, SAM BLEWETT and VERONIKA MELKOZEROVA in Rio: Trump shock waves ripple through fragmented G20. — And from CP's DYLAN ROBERTSON in Rio: Trudeau touts embattled carbon levy to global audience, says it faces misinformation. — DAVID COLETTO and KYLA RONELLENFITSCH joined “The Herle Burly” to discuss U.S. election results and to consider what, if anything, it all means for Canada. — The freshest speculation circulating among the chattering class? JUSTIN TRUDEAU should call a snap election before DONALD TRUMP's inauguration. Proponents include JOHN MANLEY. Odds of that playing out: low. CHANTAL HÉBERT offers a nuanced take. — Former PM STEPHEN HARPER recently sat down for a fireside chat with Abraham Global Peace Initiative founder and CEO AVI BENLOLO. “There is no logical reason why the Canadian embassy — or any embassy— should not be in Western Jerusalem,” Harper said, laying the policy groundwork for a future Poilievre government. | | PROZONE | |
For Pro subscribers, our latest policy newsletter by SUE ALLAN: The post-election path for the USMCA.
In other news for Pro readers: — Trump taps oil executive CHRIS WRIGHT as Energy secretary. — ‘Terrifying’: Trump’s Cabinet picks trigger unease in Europe. — Enviros on Trump’s AG pick: ‘Oh, for f---k’s sake.’ — China must now lead global warming fight, UN climate chief says. — Can Biden and Xi crisis-proof US-China relations? | | PLAYBOOKERS | |
Birthdays: HBD to Liberal MP BOBBY MORRISSEY (70!), former MPP GARRY GUZZO, professor and career diplomat ANNE LEAHY and CPC director of operations TREVOR BAILEY.
Got a document to share? A birthday coming up? Send it all our way. Spotted: Ontario Premier DOUG FORD, voicing his latest PC Party ad on traffic congestion, bike lanes, playground safety and the cost of living. The Cloverdale District Chamber of Commerce and the Surrey Board of Trade, planning to co-host a by-election all-candidates meeting on Dec. 2. Noted: On Friday, Public Safety Minister DOMINIC LEBLANC quietly granted the Hogue commission a one-month extension. MARIE-JOSÉE HOGUE now has until Jan. 31 to submit a final report on foreign interference. That extension could buy the Liberals more time to govern. NDP Leader JAGMEET SINGH told Playbook in October that he’d "ideally" like to see "some of" Hogue's recommendations implemented before the next federal vote. — Immigration Minister MARC MILLER confirmed via Friday afternoon press release that new rules for international students, including changes to the number of hours international students may work off campus, had taken effect. — Saturday's Canada Gazette included draft regulations capping non-sufficient funds fees at C$10 — a federal commitment that dates to Budget 2023. The government claims consumer benefits of C$5.1 billion, and C$4.8 billion in lost revenue to banks. Movers and shakers: LOUISE IMBEAULT has been tapped as the next lieutenant governor of New Brunswick. | | | | Policy change is coming—be the pro who saw it first. Access POLITICO Pro’s Issue Analysis series on what the transition means for agriculture, defense, health care, tech, and more. Strengthen your strategy. | | | | | | | | ON THE HILL | | Find the latest House meetings here. The Senate schedule is here. 11 a.m. The House fisheries and oceans committee continues its study of derelict and abandoned vessels. 11 a.m. EMILY LAIDLAW and MICHAEL GEIST are among the experts at the House heritage committee as it studies the freedom of expression. 11 a.m. The House status of women committee will hear from experts on breast cancer screening for women aged 40. 11 a.m. A meeting of the joint committee on the scrutiny of regulations is on the docket. 11 a.m. Parliamentary Budget Officer YVES GIROUX will be at the House natural resources committee, which picks up its study of the Trans Mountain Pipeline. 11 a.m. The House public accounts committee returns to its work on the auditor general’s report on Sustainable Development Technology Canada. 3:30 p.m. The House Indigenous and northern affairs committee will take Bill C-61 through clause-by-clause study. 11 a.m. The House environment committee has a meeting on the books with witnesses TBD. 3:30 p.m. The House veterans affairs committee is studying the experiences of Indigenous and Black veterans. 3:30 p.m. The House immigration committee will spend its second hour discussing International Student Program reforms. 4 p.m. Privacy Commissioner of Canada PHILIPPE DUFRESNE is on the roster at the Senate national security committee, which is studying Bill C-26. 5 p.m. The Senate human rights committee will hear from experts on youth aging out of foster care. 5 p.m. The Senate official languages committee will study matters relating to minority-language health services. Behind closed doors: The House Canada-China committee has a three-hour session booked to work on a draft report. The House international trade committee will be focused on a couple of studies. | | | TRIVIA | | |
Friday's answer: “It was more than a sweep, it was a tidal wave,” RENÉ LÉVESQUE wrote in his memoir of Nov. 15, 1976, the night the Parti Québécois won power.
Props to J.D.M. STEWART, JENN KEAY, ANDREW KOSTER, MALCOLM MCKAY, ROBERT MCDOUGALL, SCOTT LOHNES, RAY DEL BIANCO, SHAUGHN MCARTHUR, NANCI WAUGH, MARCEL MARCOTTE, JOHN ECKER and GEORGE YOUNG. Also: JANE DOULL landed Thursday’s Q. Today’s question : Which famed Canadian author, born on this day in 1939, reacted to DONALD TRUMP's victory with this quote: “I invoked, ‘Oh God, let it be sun.’ But it was darkness all around." Send your answer to ottawaplaybook@politico.com Writing tomorrow's Playbook: NICK TAYLOR-VAISEY and MICKEY DJURIC. 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 | | | | |
