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A daily look inside Canadian politics and power. | | | | | |  | | By Zi-Ann Lum and Nick Taylor-Vaisey | Send tips | Subscribe here | Email Zi-Ann l Follow Politico Canada WELCOME TO OTTAWA PLAYBOOK. I'm your host, ZI-ANN LUM. NICK TAYLOR-VAISEY is in D.C. One more sleep until the trilateral, though today will be busy for Canadians in Washington. Four more until the return of the House. The Conservatives hold a caucus meeting today. |  | DRIVING THE DAY | | | 
A man walks past the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and Washington Monument as sunrise approaches on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) | Patrick Semansky/AP Photo | HERE'S A SIGN OF NORMALCY — The Canadian American Business Council is throwing a fancy bash in Washington tonight. The annual State of the Relationship gala goes down at the Hay-Adams, a luxurious hotel about as close to the White House as a cross-border booster can get. Walking distance: several paces. It's the kind of party CABC CEO SCOTTY GREENWOOD loved to throw in pre-Covid times. CABC's members are some of the biggest corporations with business on both sides of the border. Their pockets are deeper than most. Greenwood tells Playbook about 80 people are expected at tonight's in-person gathering (note: still a thrill). Ambassador KIRSTEN HILLMAN is a headliner. Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU will be there. CABC will give its Corporate Leadership Award to Pfizer CEO ALBERT BOURLA. No ticket? Watch it here. FEFE DOBSON and TYLER SHAW will perform “Lean on Me,” a selection seriously dripping with symbolism on the eve of TRUDEAU’s in-person tête-à-tête with U.S. President JOE BIDEN. Last year's virtual gala was hosted by veteran journo NEIL MACDONALD. His brother, the late and beloved NORM, made a cameo. You never know who you might see. Oh, there will be SPOTTEDS. Playbook will be in the house. Count on us to take notes. CABC is promising "a very special guest giving a hot open." Place your bets now: ottawaplaybook@politico.com. — Spreading the wealth: Consuls across the continent are also hosting parallel events. Ottawa, Atlanta, Calgary, Dallas, Detroit, New York City, Toronto, Vancouver and comparatively tiny Providence, Rhode Island, are in on the action. In Vancouver, it's a cocktail reception. In Ottawa, they'll serve dessert (no sign of incoming ambassador DAVID COHEN yet). | | TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS | | — Trudeau is enroute to Washington, D.C. His schedule includes a 12 p.m. lunchtime Q&A hosted by the Wilson Center, followed by some face time with House Speaker NANCY PELOSI, and House Minority Leader KEVIN MCCARTHY at 2 p.m. Trudeau will meet with Senate Majority Leader CHUCK SCHUMER and Senate Minority Leader MITCH MCCONNELL at 4 p.m. In the evening, he heads to the Canadian American Business Council’s aforementioned state of the relationship gala. — Foreign Affairs Minister MÉLANIE JOLY arrives in Washington ahead of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trilateral. — Conservatives are holding a caucus meeting in Ottawa. | | | | DON’T MISS THE HALIFAX INTERNATIONAL SECURITY FORUM: Back in person for the first time since 2019, tune in as international security leaders from democracies around the world discuss key challenges at the 13th annual Halifax International Security Forum live from Nova Scotia. As an official media partner, POLITICO will livestream the conversation beginning at 3 p.m. on November 19. Check out the full three-day agenda is here. | | | | | O'TOOLE OUT-OUSTS OUSTER — Conservative Leader ERIN O’TOOLE announced last night that Sen. DENISE BATTERS has been removed from national caucus. “I will not tolerate an individual discrediting and showing a clear lack of respect towards the efforts of the entire Conservative caucus, who are holding the corrupt and disastrous Trudeau government to account,” he said. Batters launched a petition to initiate an expedited leadership review for O’Toole. Teachable moment for Conservative senators: It seems a technicality in the Reform Act gave O’Toole leeway to revoke Batters’ capital-C Conservative caucus credentials. The Act establishes a process for expulsions, which can happen in one of two ways: If the caucus chair receives “written notice signed by at least 20 percent of the members of the caucus requesting that the member’s membership be reviewed” or if a member’s removal is approved by a majority via secret ballot. Under that section of the Act, caucus is defined as “a group composed solely of members of the House of Commons who are members of the same recognized party.” Heads up to the two dozen Conservative MPs who signed the petition. — Related reading from AARON WHERRY of the CBC: The challenges facing the Conservative Party may be bigger than Erin O'Toole. THREE VIAJEROS, CARRYING ON — We’re T-minus one day away from the resurrection of the Three Amigos summit, or as Canadian Council for the Americas president KENNETH FRANKEL aptly renamed it, the Three Viajeros. That’s Spanish for “travelers.” — What’s in a name: Frankel told a call organized by the Atlantic Council, a prominent D.C. think tank, Thursday’s meeting doesn’t bring together three amigos per se, but rather three viajeros “moving vaguely in the same direction, he said. “But [with] not that much in common between them, at least in their visions for what they want for their countries, not just what they want for their countries, but what they can deliver for their countries.” — Not so great expectations: If confidence building is what comes out of this week’s North American Leaders’ Summit, then that would be a “huge step forward,” Frankel said. JOB BOARD — The Toronto Star’s ALEX BALLINGALL reports that the federal Green Party is accepting applications for the role of interim leader , noting preference for candidates who can “help the Party rebuild and heal following the disappointing election result.” 5 FINAL DESIGNS — An online survey has opened to solicit public input for five proposed designs for the LGBTQ2+ National Monument. The federal government said the monument will “acknowledge discrimination experienced by LGBTQ2+ communities and the abuse perpetrated by the Canadian state, including during the LGBT Purge.” The survey closes Nov. 28. The national monument “is being financed exclusively through funds that would have been paid to victims of the Purge who died before they could receive a settlement from the lawsuit,” the government said. It’s expected to be installed in Ottawa at the corner of Wellington Street and Portage Bridge in 2025. | | MEDIA ROOM | | — Maclean’s PAUL WELLS has some thoughts about the office of Conservative Leader ERIN O’TOOLE and its puzzling comms strategy of managing issues by being intentionally M.I.A. “What’s wearing the leader, now as in 2019, is the sound of silence.” — THE DECIBEL this morning features KATHRYN BLAZE BAUM on the extreme flooding in British Columbia. — POLITICO’s PHELIM KINE has published a special edition of his China Watcher newsletter with updates out of the Xi-Biden summit. — NUNATSIAQ NEWS sets up today’s return of the legislature in Nunavut when a premier and Cabinet ministers will be chosen. — THE BACKBENCH features “a cynical guide to COP26.” Summed up in two words around the 10-minute mark: “Constant disappointment.” | | PROZONE | | If you’re a Pro , catch our Canada PM newsletter: Trilateral expectations? 'Let's wait and see.' In other news for Pros:
— Europe’s fractured approach to digital regulation stymies fight against Big Tech.
— USDA deputy presses for ag to be bigger piece of climate discussion.
— Top cyber official says more work needed to curb hospital hacks.
— Senators knock energy exports as fuel prices surge.
— Inflation emerges as a 2022 campaign dividing line. | | PLAYBOOKERS | | Movers and shakers: Playbook has learned that GEORGE YOUNG, chief of staff to former defense minister HARJIT SAJJAN, won't stay on as ANITA ANAND settles into her role. MIKE POWER got the job. Spotted: THE SUPREMES: Official photo. … THE TORONTO STAR: Refreshed … FRANK GRAVES, down for a booster: “Almost there,” he tweeted. … JASON LATORRE, Canada’s ambassador to Sweden with author KIM THÚY … THOMAS JUNEAU and the proofs of his new book … Former MP BRUCE STANTON back in the Speaker’s chair for a session of mock Parliament. Birthdays: GORDON LIGHTFOOT is 83 today and set to play Massey Hall when it reopens. How does he do it? “I exercise. I try to eat properly. I try and practise. I walk a lot — really a lot — I probably walk two and a half kilometres a day,” Lightfoot tells The Star. “I’ve been really getting ready.” Convalescences: Sen. JOSÉE FOREST-NIESING, hospitalized with Covid last month, is recuperating at home in Sudbury. The seriousness of her illness was surprising because the 56-year-old senator was fully vaccinated. — Forest-Niesing's office released details: "She has been struggling with an autoimmune condition affecting her lungs for over 15 years and she wishes to clarify the facts surrounding her vaccination," read the statement, which emphasized she was aware her medical condition could reduce the vaccine's effectiveness. Forest-Niesing "remains convinced her fight would have been much different if it had not been for this protection." | | ASK US ANYTHING | | What are you hearing that you need Playbook to know? Any questions about the next session of Parliament? Send it all our way. | | PAPER TRAIL | | NO, YOU’RE NOT IN THE METAVERSE — That’s just the feeling you get when you come across an expired government tender that’s titled, “Facilitation services for the delivery of the virtual training course ‘Facilitating in a Virtual Environment.’” Bidding closed this week. PRESSING FLESH — The pandemic put a halt on most government travel, but Canada's diplomats would be the first to say they can't do foreign affairs only from Ottawa. MARTA MORGAN, the deputy minister for foreign affairs, jetted to Pakistan and Qatar for meetings with bureaucrats, diplomats and civil society groups. Morgan tweeted three people-filled photos from her meetings abroad. With help from the department, Playbook offers these annotations. Here's who joined Morgan on both sides of the table. We've listed attendees starting with those nearest to the photographer. | 
Marta Morgan heads up a Canadian delegation that met Qatari officials | Photo courtesy of Global Affairs Canada | Morgan stopped in Qatar, where fellow Global Affairs staff joined her in a meeting with LOLWAH AL KHATER, Qatar's assistant foreign minister. "I extended Canada's sincere thanks for Qatar’s help with COVID-19 flights & Afghanistan evacuations," she said of the sit-down. Canada's side included DAVID SPROULE, senior official for Afghanistan; STEFANIE MCCOLLUM, ambassador to Qatar; DM MORGAN; JESS DUTTON, director general for the Middle East; DAVID HARTMAN, director general for South Asia; and ELYAS IRFANI, advisor to Sproule. Qatar's side included SARAH AL MULLAH, office of the assistant foreign minister; AL KHATER; SARA AL SAADI, director of cabinet of assistant foreign minister; and HUDA ALJEFAIRI, first secretary of the Americas Department. | 
Morgan leads a meeting with civil society groups in Pakistan | Photo courtesy of Global Affairs Canada | Morgan took a team of Canadians to catch up with regional NGOs. "I held insightful discussions in Pakistan with international and civil society organizations about the crisis in Afghanistan and its impact on neighbouring countries," she tweeted. Pakistan's side of the table included MUHAMAD AMAD, chair of the National Humanitarian Network; ZAIN IL ABIDEEN, member of the Pakistan Humanitarian Forum; MIO SATO, chief of mission at the International Organization for Migration Pakistan; NORIKO YOSHIDA, representative for UNHCR; PETER (PIWI) PHOFF, head of country delegation for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; and QAISER M. SIDDIQUE, director of Inspire Pakistan. Canada's side included LUKE MYERS, counsellor for development at the High Commission; WENDY GILMOUR, the high commissioner; DM MORGAN; and DAVID HARTMAN, director general for South Asia. | 
Morgan leads a meeting with officials from Pakistan's foreign ministry | Photo courtesy of Global Affairs Canada | Morgan led a Canadian delegation at meetings with Pakistan's foreign secretary, SOHAIL MAHMOOD. "We advanced our shared priorities and discussed our interest in evolving our strong bilateral relations to include an economic focus," she said of the meeting. Pakistan's side of the table included ASIF MEMON , the director general for Afghanistan; FAIZAL TIRMIZI, additional secretary for the Americas; MAHMOOD; MUHAMMAD MUDASSIR TIPU, director general for the Americas; USMAN JADOON, director general for the UN; and HUSSNAIN HAIDER, director for Canada and Latin America. Canada's side included PAUL GODBOUT, political counselor at the High Commission; DAVID HARTMAN, director general for South Asia; DM MORGAN; WENDY GILMOUR, high commissioner; MICHAEL LAZARUK, senior trade commissioner; and SIAN UPTON, immigration program manager for Afghanistan. CODA ON A PAPER TRAIL — The RCAF explained exactly why one of its CC-177 transport aircraft landed in Glasgow. The visit had nothing to do with the COP26 summit. In fact, Scotland was only a pit stop. "The aircraft stopped there to refuel while on a tasking in support of Operation IMPACT," said a spokesperson. "When transiting across the Atlantic Ocean on such missions, it is common for RCAF aircraft to stop and refuel in various locations in the United Kingdom." | | TRIVIA | | Tuesday’s answer: During an official dinner for U.S. V.P. JOE BIDEN held in Ottawa in 2016 JUSTIN TRUDEAU teased: “There’ll be no RYAN REYNOLDS or BLAKE LIVELY ... I’m the only eye candy you get to sit with tonight.” He was referring to guests at the Canada State Dinner held in Washington in March 2016. Props to BEN ROTH, ANDREW DUMBRILLE, MICHAEL MACDONALD, LEIGH LAMPERT, MARIE LEMIEUX and BOB GORDON. Wednesday’s question: What is the name of the U.S. president’s official guest house? Send your answers to ottawaplaybook@politico.com CORRECTION: Tuesday's Playbook incorrectly characterized the signatories of a petition launched by Conservative national councillor BERT CHEN. They were not necessarily Conservative Party members. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness amongst this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Alejandra Waase to find out how: awaase@politico.com. Playbook wouldn’t happen without Luiza Ch. Savage, editor Sue Allan and Andy Blatchford.
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