| | | | |  | | By Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric | Send tips | Subscribe here | Email Ottawa Playbook | Follow Politico Canada Thanks for reading Ottawa Playbook. Let's get to it. In today's edition: → A feel-good moment in the House. → Words of caution from STEVE VERHEUL. → The latest on the Fall Economic Statement. |  | Talk of the town | | |  Party leaders and MPs cheered and greeted a parade of athletes in the House on Wednesday. | Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press | WARM AND FUZZY — Ottawa's fishbowl talks a lot about broken things. Conservatives say JUSTIN TRUDEAU has broken Canada (or made Canada broke). Liberals say PIERRE POILIEVRE's party is breaking Parliament with a months-old privilege debate. Reporters hustle to break news. Wednesday was all about a team of Olympians who broke Canada's record medal count at the Paris games. Following question period, the House entered committee of the whole — a format that allowed the athletes free reign to roam the chamber floor. → Cynicism on pause: It was such a nice moment. — Peacemakers: Nothing unites MPs following a raucous QP like a few hundred Olympians and Paralympians. Two waves of them made their way through the Commons, each granted a prolonged standing ovation and a bilingual singalong of “O Canada.” Some were moved to tears amid all the applause. Liberal MP ADAM VAN KOEVERDEN — the four-time Olympic medalist, if you didn't know — joined an unofficial receiving line on the government side.
|  Athletes also joined the PM at a reception earlier in the day. | Adrian Wyld, The Canadian Press | Sport Minister CARLA QUALTROUGH, a three-time Paralympic medalist, got Trudeau to sign a jacket he had borrowed from an athlete during a Hill reception earlier in the day. (Qualtrough's staff returned the autographed jacket to its owner.) — Not a competition, but: Trudeau and Poilievre basked in the opportunity to share handshakes and hugs with the athletes clad in red. We tried and failed to keep count. Tory MP MELISSA LANTSMAN snapped photos of her leader with the guests of honor. She also handed out business cards. Trudeau was also a popular target. His photog, the PMO's ADAM SCOTTI, joined a gaggle of shutterbugs perched in the Press Gallery above. It wasn't long before the grip-and-grins popped up on Scotti's Insta feed. — Speaking of broken records: When the athletes filtered out, the politicians got right back to work, talking points and all. | | | DRIVING THE DAY | |
FULL OF EXCUSES — The question on everyone’s mind on Parliament Hill: Where the H-E double hockey sticks is the Liberal government’s Fall Economic Statement?
Finance Minister CHRYSTIA FREELAND, who has blamed the Conservatives’ filibuster in the House of Commons for blocking her economic update to Canadians, has been closely guarding the answer to that question. — But: The Liberal government doesn’t have to present the FES to Parliament. — Quick history lesson: For years, Conservative Finance Minister JIM FLAHERTY unveiled the statement in front of business audiences across Canada. At one point, the New Democrats challenged the practice, but former Speaker ANDREW SCHEER — now the Conservative House leader — ruled against them in 2014. — Not breaking tradition: Freeland promises to introduce her FES by the end of the year. She insists the Public Accounts of Canada will be published before 2025. During an appearance at the Senate finance committee Tuesday, she was asked why senators should approve C$1.6B in spending on the government’s “GST holiday” when they don’t have a clear sense of federal finances. Freeland assured them she, too, is watching Canada’s fiscal position “closely.” — Calling the DPM’s bluff: Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE said he’d “cooperate” with the Liberal government so Freeland can introduce her FES on Monday. “We’ll clear the decks so you can do it, and tell us how badly you’ve lost control of the nation’s finances, and the inflation and taxes Canadians pay as a result,” he said. → Countdown to FES becoming a WES: 16 days until the winter solstice.
→ Countdown to New Year’s Eve: 26 days. | | | | Billions in spending. Critical foreign aid. Immigration reform. The final weeks of 2024 could bring major policy changes. Inside Congress provides daily insights into how Congressional leaders are navigating these high-stakes issues. Subscribe today. | | | | | | | Where the leaders are | | — At 10 a.m., Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU will speak at the Assembly of First Nations special chiefs assembly. Four ministers will join Trudeau at the AFN: Justice Minister ARIF VIRANI, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister GARY ANANDASANGAREE, Indigenous Services Minister PATTY HAJDU and Northern Affairs Minister DAN VANDAL. — Deputy PM CHRYSTIA FREELAND is in Toronto where she will visit a local toy store to discuss the new tax break for all Canadians. — Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE headlines a 6:30 p.m. party fundraiser at a private residence on Toronto's swanky Bridle Path. — Bloc Québécois Leader YVES-FRANÇOIS BLANCHET will deliver 9 a.m. remarks at the AFN. — NDP Leader JAGMEET SINGH also delivers remarks at the AFN gathering in the same time slot as Blanchet. — Green Leader ELIZABETH MAY will travel to her B.C. riding and then will attend Parliament virtually. She will also attend the North Saanich Resident Associations meeting. | | | DULY NOTED | | |
9 a.m. The Parliamentary Budget Office will post a legislative costing note entitled “Canada’s surtax on Chinese-made electric vehicles, steel and aluminum.”
3:30 p.m. Brampton Mayor PATRICK BROWN is guest of honor for two hours at the House public safety committee. MPs are studying "electoral interference and criminal activities in Canada by agents of the Government of India." → Brown is a reluctant witness: "I have no new evidence to contribute to the committee's proceedings and am concerned that my appearance has been sought for political reasons," he said in a statement. → Radio-Canada reported this week that agents of India's government interfered in Brown's 2022 federal Conservative leadership campaign. Five sources detailed the allegations to Rad-Can's BRIGITTE BUREAU. 5:30 p.m. (7 p.m. NT) Rural Economic Development Minister GUDIE HUTCHINGS and Industry Minister FRANÇOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE host a party fundraiser at a private residence in Little Rapids, Newfoundland and Labrador. 9 p.m. (6 p.m. PT) Energy Minister JONATHAN WILKINSON headlines a party fundraiser at the Vancouver Club's Reading Room. | | Transition Watch | | | |  Steve Verheul, far left, at the start NAFTA renegotiations in Washington in 2017. Jacquelyn Martin| AP | AP | AMERICAN FRENEMIES — When STEVE VERHEUL talks about Trump administration instincts and objectives, we listen. Especially when he speaks up on trade dynamics. This is the guy who headed Canada's squad of free-trade negotiators during Trump 1.0. Verheul, now a principal at GT and Co, joined foreign policy doyenne JANICE STEIN and Toronto Star columnist ANDREW PHILLIPS on the Public Policy Forum's latest “WONK” pod. The topic of discussion: DONALD TRUMP's tariff threat — and how Canada should deal with it. Our ears perked up throughout, but these two comments from Verheul stood out: — On concessions: You don't get anything for providing concessions for free. [The Trump administration] will just take them and move on and look for more. They just don't … think that way. If you do something good for them, they just expect it and it gains you nothing. I think we need to be cautious about thinking we can make friends with the team in the U.S. right now. This is not the kind of relationship we're likely to have, or certainly did not have the last time. — On who really pays for tariffs: Consumers would be paying for it. We would see inflation rise, which is going to be another problem for the U.S. administration. But yes, there would be some benefit to the U.S. Treasury by collecting all these tariffs. But the impact of those tariffs on the economy in the U.S. writ large, I think would vastly overwhelm the income that the tariffs are going to be [raising]. → Listen to the full “WONK” pod here. ARRIVALS — Trump tapped PETER NAVARRO, a veteran of the president-elect's first term, as senior counselor for trade and manufacturing. Navarro gained prominence in Canada for saying JUSTIN TRUDEAU deserved a "special place in hell" — remarks he later called a "mistake." — In other updates: Trump’s former trade chief ROBERT LIGHTHIZER is unlikely to rejoin the Trump administration in an official capacity, five people with knowledge of his plans and personnel conversations within the presidential transition told our colleagues on the trade team. “It appears like he's being frozen out,” said one person close to the Trump transition team and Lighthizer. Another person with knowledge of his plans said Lighthizer has “made clear he was not going into [the administration] at all.” GAVIN BADE, ADAM BEHSUDI and ARI HAWKINS have that story. The Trudeau Cabinet had been touting close ties to the former USTR as a way into the Trump White House.
| | | | Write your own chapter in the new Washington. From the Lame Duck Congress Series to New Administration insights, POLITICO Pro delivers intelligence across 22+ policy areas to help you anticipate and navigate change. Discover how a Pro subscription empowers you. Learn more today. | | | | | | | MEDIA ROOM | | — The union representing more than 55,000 postal workers at Canada Post says it has sent new counter-proposals to the government-appointed mediator. The Canadian Press has the latest. — CBC's ELIZABETH THOMPSON asks: Did Justin Trudeau's meeting with Donald Trump break a 225-year-old U.S law? — From BRETT FORESTER of CBC News: First Nations leaders demand national inquiry into 'epidemic' of deaths by police. — The Star’s RAISA PATEL reports: Trudeau government splits contentious online harms bill in effort to get child safety guidelines passed into law. — From ÉRIC GRENIER: The map that delivers Poilievre's majority. — Ontario Premier DOUG FORD made Ontario's case Wednesday on Fox News — a platform REGAN WATTS recently recommended would be smart for the Trudeau Liberals to embrace. — NORIMITSU ONISHI and RENAUD PHILIPPE report for the NYT: Canada is losing its permafrost to climate change. The Indigenous residents of Tuktoyaktuk know they’ll have to move but don’t agree on when. — From IRA WELLS and The Walrus: Trudeau might be the only one who still believes in Trudeau.
| | PROZONE | |
For POLITICO Pro subscribers, our latest policy newsletter via MIKE BLANCHFIELD.
In other news for Pro readers: — Trade hawk Lighthizer unlikely to return for Trump’s second term. — Nvidia considers setting climate targets in green charm offensive. — Thune plans sweeping bill on the border, defense and energy in Trump’s first 30 days. — TOM VILSACK: Why Democrats don’t get rural America. — Ramaswamy vows to use Chevron's demise against regulators. | | PLAYBOOKERS | |
Birthdays: HBD to former MP and journo JOAN CROCKATT.
Got a document to share? A birthday coming up? Send it all our way . Spotted: Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU, delivering a speech at a Liberal fundraiser where the Lord Elgin hotel audience included Indigenous leaders. Trudeau was joined by Crown–Indigenous Relations Minister GARY ANANDASANGAREE, Indigenous Services Minister PATTY HAJDU, as well as Liberal MPs TERRY DUGUID, JAIME BATTISTE and TALEEB NOORMOHAMED. Also in the room: Former national chief of the Assembly of First Nations PHIL FONTAINE, and current national chief CINDY WOODHOUSE NEPINAK. — Your Playbook co-host, winning the raffle at the British High Commission's holiday party at Crichton Lodge (prize: a blind wine tasting). Canapés included a mini-Christmas feast on a small slice of bread (turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce, etc.). U.S. ambo DAVID COHEN, who lives down the street, made an appearance. Also in the room: Danish ambassador-designate NIKOLAJ HARRIS, who only arrived in town last Friday. — Former NDP MP JUDY WASYLYCIA-LEIS, delivering remarks at the Parliamentary Internship Program's 55th anniversary reception on the Hill. Wasylycia-Leis was the first PIP alumna to be elected to the House. Also in the room: Justice Minister ARIF VIRANI and Conservative MP BRAD VIS (both program alum). — Snow, falling around Parliament Hill for the first time of the season. Winter boots, everywhere in response … ALEX MARLAND and THOMAS MULCAIR, talking politics over lunch in Montreal. … JEAN CHAREST, chirping DONALD TRUMP and the U.S. in general… JEFF BALLINGALL, sharing a snapshot from Washington. Former NDP MP DANIEL BLAIKIE, an adviser to Manitoba Premier WAB KINEW, hanging with NDP MP ALISTAIR MACGREGOR at Brixton’s Pub. Noted: Sen. MOHAMMAD AL ZAIBAK, rising in the Senate for the first time during debate earlier this week. “When I was a new immigrant to Canada and a younger man, I used to watch parliamentary debates in the House of Commons with reverence and awe. I watched and listened to giants like the Rt. Hon. JOE CLARK, BRIAN MULRONEY and JEAN CHRÉTIEN and watched video replays of PIERRE TRUDEAU and JOHN TURNER as they debated the important issues of the day with intellect, rigour, passion and fidelity to the facts with great honesty and integrity. … They elevated our public discourse. In doing so, they elevated us all.” A provincial state memorial service for former British Columbia Premier JOHN HORGAN will be held Dec. 15. CBC News reports that Cabmin HARJIT SAJJAN is defending his decision to accept taxpayer-funded TAYLOR SWIFT tickets for himself and his daughter. Movers and shakers: VERA ETCHES, Ottawa’s medical officer of health, will be the new CEO of the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario … MATTHEW CLARK recently left his job in the U.S. Embassy to join Rubicon as account director.
| | | ON THE HILL | |
Find the latest House meetings here. The Senate schedule is here.
8:15 a.m. Officials from Canadian National Railway Company, Canadian Pacific Kansas City and Railway Association of Canada will be at the House agriculture committee to discuss issues and opportunities for Canadian agriculture. 8:15 a.m. The House defense committee continues its study of contaminated sites. 8:15 a.m. The House industry committee picks up its work on Canada’s e-transfer ecosystem. 9 a.m. The Senate forestry and agriculture committee looks at the effects of wildfires on the industry and Indigenous communities. 9 a.m. The Senate fisheries committee examines a report on ocean carbon sequestration. 9 a.m. The Senate internal economy committee considers financial and administrative matters. 9 a.m. The Senate energy committee hears from the oil and gas industry on climate change. 11 a.m. The House official languages committee hears from more witnesses on minority- language education in Canada. 11 a.m. The House human resources committee will take Bill C-378 through clause-by-clause study. 11 a.m. CAROL TODD will be a witness at the House justice and human rights committee as it pre-studies Bill C-63. 11 a.m. Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President NATAN OBED, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated VP PAUL IRNGAUT and other officials will be at the House government operations committee as it studies Indigenous procurement. 11:30 a.m. The Senate legal affairs committee considers Bill C-321, an amendment to the Criminal Code dealing with assaults against first responders and health services providers. 11:30 a.m. The Senate foreign affairs committee considers a report on Canada’s engagement with Africa. 11:30 a.m. Immigration Minister MARC MILLER appears before the Senate social affairs committee on Bill C-71, which proposes amendments to the Citizenship Act. 3:30 p.m. The House foreign affairs committee will hear from the department of foreign affairs about Canada’s relations with Latin America and the Caribbean. 3:30 p.m. The House science and research committee continues to discuss the impact of the criteria for awarding federal funding on research excellence in Canada. 3:30 p.m. Brampton Mayor PATRICK BROWN will spend two hours by videoconference with the House public safety committee as it studies electoral interference and alleged criminal activities in Canada by agents of the government of India. 3:30 p.m. Transport Minister ANITA ANAND will be at the House transport committee to take questions on environmental contamination in the vicinity of the dock in Fort Chipewyan. 3:30 p.m. Privacy Commissioner PHILIPPE DUFRESNE will be at the House privacy and ethics committee to discuss privacy breaches at the Canada Revenue Agency.
| | TRIVIA | |
Wednesday’s answer: Who was the Canadian woman to have a husband and son serving in the Senate at the same time?
PEGGY DELANCEY ROBINSON, widow of THEODORE MEIGHEN (Arthur's son); she married Sen. HARTLAND MOLSON in 1990. Her son was MICHAEL MEIGHEN, who was appointed to the Senate in 1990. Props to MARC SHAW, ROBERT MCDOUGALL and LAURA JARVIS. Today’s question: On this date in history, former Liberal MP and Cabmin JEAN AUGUSTINE championed a motion that passed unanimously. What did it create? Send your answer to ottawaplaybook@politico.com Writing tomorrow's Playbook: MICKEY DJURIC Playbook wouldn’t happen without: POLITICO Canada editor Sue Allan, editor Willa Plank and Luiza Ch. Savage. Advertise in our Playbook. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com. | | | | 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 | | | | |
