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A daily look inside Canadian politics and power. | | | | |  | | By Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Sue Allan | Thanks for reading Ottawa Playbook. Twenty-five sitting days until the end of 2022. We’ve asked experts what they’ll be watching. We also share reader mail on PIERRE POILIEVRE and the press gallery, set up the week in headline news and explain the brinkmanship behind a move to extend House hours. |  | DRIVING THE DAY | |
HOLLAND'S HARBINGER — Spring has arrived on Parliament Hill seven months early.
Government House Leader MARK HOLLAND will move a motion today to extend the sitting hours of the House to midnight whenever the government and at least one opposition party — hey there, NDP — choose to make it so. Holland moved a similar motion last spring when Liberals wanted to clear the decks before summer. Holland made his case last week via tweet . "The Conservatives are refusing to collaborate with other parties and insist on playing partisan games to prevent the House from achieving results," he said. "It’s parliamentary obstruction by stealth. Canadians deserve better." — The politics of late debate: Retired politicians of a certain age often lament the end of regular evening sittings, which offered MPs an opportunity to eat dinner together and then, far removed from the drama of question period, debate each other more collegially. Evening sittings wound down starting in 1982 in an attempt to create a more family-friendly Parliament. Holland couched his move as a response to Conservative complaints that Liberals are ramming bills through the House. "Conservatives say they want more time to debate before voting," he tweeted. "This would allow that." What he left unsaid was that the gambit actually undercuts the Official Opposition's ability to jam up the works. — Supply and demand: The House opens in mid-to-late mornings most days and typically adjourns by 7 p.m. Here's the typical schedule . As much as they complain about a lack of debate, Conservatives actually benefit from a limited number of sitting hours. The fewer the hours, the easier it is to delay proceedings and frustrate Liberal demand for progress. By expanding the supply of hours, Holland is reducing the scarcity that Tories — and in a different era, their NDP colleagues — harness to hinder, hold up and hamper the House by, say, filibustering to their heart's content. — The fine print: Holland's motion popped up on the notice paper late Thursday . When it passes, any minister will be able to team up with another party's House leader — here's where NDP MP PETER JULIAN steps up — to request that hours extend to midnight on any given day. Spare a thought for the House employees whose work days would end or extend at the whim of the government. That's everyone from clerks and pages to cafeteria workers. Did someone forward you this Playbook? Click here to sign up for your own . | | THREE THINGS WE'RE WATCHING | |
CHINA STUDY: MPs on the House procedure committee meet this morning to debate the merits of launching a new study of allegations raised in an investigation by SAM COOPER of Global News. His bombshell report suggests the Chinese Communist Party interfered in Canada’s 2019 election.
Trudeau has been asked if he plans to raise the issue with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the G-20. “We're always going to engage with leaders in ways that highlight concerns of Canadians,” he replied. ROULEAU COMMISSION: The Public Order Emergency Commission will hear from a blockbuster list of witnesses this week as it continues to interrogate the government’s decision to invoke the Emergencies Act. — Included on the roster: JODY THOMAS, Trudeau’s national security and intelligence adviser; JOHN OSSOWSKI, former president of the Canada Border Services Agency; RCMP Commissioner BRENDA LUCKI; MICHAEL SABIA, deputy finance minister; JANICE CHARETTE and NATHALIE DROUIN from the Privy Council Office. — The next next up: Cabinet ministers on Rouleau’s list for next week include ANITA ANAND, MARCO MENDICINO, BILL BLAIR, OMAR ALGHABRA, DAVID LAMETTI, DOMINIC LEBLANC and CHRYSTIA FREELAND. Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU has also committed to appear. MAR-A-LAGO: On Tuesday night, DONALD TRUMP is widely expected to unveil his 2024 presidential campaign. | | | | DON’T MISS A THING FROM THE MILKEN INSTITUTE’S MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA SUMMIT: POLITICO is partnering with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Digital Future Daily" newsletter with insider reporting and insights from the Milken Institute's Middle East and Africa Summit happening November 17-18. Hundreds of global leaders will convene, highlighting the important role connection plays in advancing global well-being. Whether you’re in-person at the event or following online, sign up for this special edition newsletter for daily coverage of the event. SUBSCRIBE TODAY . | | | | | | | HALLWAY CONVERSATION | |
What will you be watching as the House returns for a five-week sprint to the end of 2022?
We asked a couple of experts: CAM HOLMSTROM, founder and principal, Niipaawi Strategies: I’ll be watching what impact any new revelations from the Emergencies Act commission have on the tone and questions asked in the House. We have yet to hear from the prime minister and federal Cabinet ministers. When they testify, that will likely feed into what happens in the House. I will also be watching for surprises. Given that 2022 has been full of such moments, it seems prudent to assume another one or two may come before the House breaks, changing the discourse and focus of all MPs for the start of 2023. Finally, I’m watching to see if the holiday spirit overcomes some of the more notably pugnacious combatants in the House and helps lower the temperature to end 2022. One can always hope! SHAKIR CHAMBERS, Earnscliffe Strategies: I’ll be focusing on the government’s two pivots: Its reorienting of foreign policy toward the Indo-Pacific, and its new economic messaging around fiscal restraint. Canada’s international allies have questioned our reliability in global affairs. Will the highly anticipated, but often-delayed, strategy be backed with sustained dollars, diplomats and trade deals or will it be used more for public relations rather than international relations? Economically, the Liberals are repositioning from spendthrift to economic prudence. How will voters react to messaging around fiscal restraint, particularly as the country heads into a recession? Politically, how does the government’s new economic messaging compete with PIERRE POILIEVRE’s consistent focus on inflation, affordability, and ‘everything is broken, blame the Liberals’?” | | For your radar | |
COCKTAIL CIRCUIT — Get a comfortable pair of shoes, Hill staffers. Playbook hears this is the busiest week of the year for receptions. Dozens of gatherings are planned for a pivotal mid-November stretch between a House break week and holiday party season in December.
One of the week's headliners: The Canadian American Business Council's State of the Relationship Gala, emceed by CTV Ottawa bureau chief JOYCE NAPIER and featuring Canadian D.C. envoy KIRSTEN HILLMAN. — Keywords also on the reception docket: construction, video games, mining, chicken, canola, fruit and vegetables, Music Canada. | | ALSO FOR YOUR RADAR | |
HOUSE ACRIMONY, EXHIBIT A: How bad are things in the House? Here's a case study.
Liberal MP BRENDA SHANAHAN lucked out this fall. The representative for Châteauguay–Lacolle moved a Senate bill that would change her riding name to Châteauguay–Les Jardins‑de‑Napierville. The municipality of Lacolle lies in a neighboring riding, not hers. The name change would right that wrong. — Mixed feelings: Bloc Québécois MP MARILÈNE GILL didn't oppose S-207 , but did point out the federal commission redrawing riding boundaries had already incorporated the new name into its proposal. Why repeat that work? Why spend House time on it? "I like all of the people of Napierville," added Tory MP PHILIP LAWRENCE, with tongue firmly in cheek. "I hope they have an absolutely fabulous time and I look forward to their being fully recognized as everyone in Canada should be, regardless of what they believe, who they love or who they are." Har har. As unimpressed as those opposition MPs sounded, there was no indication Shanahan's bill was headed for failure. The Senate had already offered a stamp of approval. On Oct. 28, House Speaker ANTHONY ROTA asked the chamber if any MP desired a recorded vote — a routine procedure. If nobody made the request, the bill was likely to pass without a vote. But Shanahan stood. She requested a recorded vote. Liberals all voted in favor, along with both Greens and both indie MPs. Everybody else was opposed. S-207 failed: 154-169 . The apparent message from the opposition benches? Don't waste our time.
| | TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS | |
Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU is at the G-20 summit, which begins on Tuesday in Bali.
9 a.m. Bank of Canada Governor TIFF MACKLEM will deliver opening remarks at the fourth annual Diversity and Inclusion in Economics, Finance and Central Banking Conference in Ottawa. 10 a.m. Transport Minister OMAR ALGHABRA will be at Toronto Pearson International Airport to make an announcement about the Canada-India Air Transport Agreement. 11 a.m. A high-profile meetup of the procedure and House affairs committee will take on last week's most underreported story: China's attempted interference in the 2019 campaign. 11 a.m. Two former cabinet ministers, LLOYD AXWORTHY and ALLAN ROCK, will be on Parliament Hill to speak about the use of provincial correctional facilities for immigration detention. | | MEDIA ROOM | |
— The Canadian Press reports: Ontario’s top doctor is set to urge residents to mask up.
— On CBC's The House, CATHERINE CULLEN asked Environment Minister STEVEN GUILBEAULT about his personal view of the role of nuclear energy in fighting climate change. Guilbeault opposed it for years . "Are you talking to the environmental activist who was in a nongovernmental organization? Or are you talking to the minister of environment for 38 million Canadians?" he replied, acknowledging that nuclear power is essential in the climate fight. "My fundamental beliefs haven't changed, but my role has changed." — MARISA BECK of the Canadian Climate Institute shares three options to ensure Canada doesn’t get left behind in the wake of the Inflation Reduction Act. — In a piece for Policy Options, MICHAEL WERNICK argues that fixing “wicked problems” in the public service requires leaving the comfort zone (and not necessarily a royal commission). — On today's Decibel pod: How FTX went from $32-billion to bankrupt in a week. — In the pages of the Ottawa Citizen, Treasury Board Prez MONA FORTIER makes the case for a hybrid workplace for federal bureaucrats . — The Big Story pod features EMMA MCINTOSH and a timely question: Why is DOUG FORD slicing up the Greenbelt? — Economists LINDSAY TEDDS and JENNIFER ROBSON led a Royal Society of Canada task force on the Covid-19 pandemic. Here’s their newly published report: Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Women in Canada | | PROZONE | |
For POLITICO Pro s, catch up to our latest policy newsletter from ZI-ANN LUM: Cut emissions? Yes. But also no.
In headlines for POLITICO Pro s: — Ireland’s top court rejects Canada-EU trade deal as unconstitutional.
— What the House GOP committee chairs plan to do.
— Biden's climate plans would face hurdles under a Republican House.
— EU lawmakers vote through new green reporting rules for companies.
— What a GOP-led House means for space.
— Contender for the top spot on the Ways and Means Committee wants to ramp up trade dealmaking. | | PLAYBOOKERS | |
Birthdays: HBD to Toronto-born JOHN ROBERTS, chief White House correspondent for Fox News. Also celebrating today: J. GREG PETERS, the Usher of the Black Rod in the Senate … Alberta’s TRAVIS TOEWS and former MPs FRANK BAYLIS and JONATHAN TREMBLAY.
Send birthdays to ottawaplaybook@politico.com . Movers and shakers: GUILLAUME BERTRAND exited CHRYSTIA FREELAND's office for a new gig as senior comms adviser and press secretary to Health Minister JEAN-YVES DUCLOS … Former Hill staffer JEREMY GHIO is now at the Quebec-based GR firm TACT … WALTER WOOD is now a senior director at the Treasury Board Secretariat. After eight years in politics and more than five on Parliament Hill, KARL SASSEVILLE is leaving his position as deputy chief of staff to Health Minister JEAN-YVES DUCLOS and heading back home to Montreal . Spotted: Defense Minister ANITA ANAND, recipient of the United Nations Association in Canada's Global Citizen Award . Media mentions: KEN WHYTE has announced the launch of Sutherland Quarterly, a series of long-form essays on current affairs. The debut edition features JOHN FRASER: Funeral for a Queen: Twelve Days in London. Coming in March: PAUL WELLS on the convoy commission. | | WE GET MAIL | |
MEET THE PRESS — We asked Playbook readers: Does the Conservative leader have an obligation to play ball with the press gallery?
Many readers said “no.” Here is a selection of your replies: Ignoring the press worked for Doug Ford. Mr. Poilievre thinks it's a winning strategy so he will continue to do it as long as he can. — Brian Tracey, Ottawa, Ont. Emphatically YES, all elected representatives have a duty to speak with the press, and this includes especially the Parliament Hill press gallery. These journalists are our best-informed questioners, and on our behalf are prepared to ask the hard, penetrating questions that our elected officials must answer to. For any official to duck this accountability is a glaring admission that they do not see themselves as owing us the answers to our questions. They — the elected officials — work for us. — Carol Moore, Bancroft, Ont. This is a two-way street. On the one hand, too many reporters are aggressive and unbalanced in their reporting. On the other hand, by choosing not to enter into dialogue with the Press Gallery, the leader of the Conservative Party can be seen to be doing exactly what our Prime Minister did during the Truckers Convoy - outright refusing to speak to a constituent group in Canada. When any of our MPs choose not to at least listen and respond to members of Canada's electorate (including the media) based on their own select criteria, they fail as leaders in our democracy. — A concerned Canadian
| | | | Tune in as international security leaders from democracies around the world discuss key challenges at the 14th 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 18. The full three-day agenda is here . | | | | | | | On the Hill | |
— Find the latest House committee meetings here .
— Keep track of Senate committees here . 8:30 a.m. Statistics Canada will release its investment in building construction data for September. 11 a.m. Women and Gender Equality Minister MARCI IEN and Mental Health and Addictions Minister CAROLYN BENNETT will be at the House status of women committee to participate in MPs’ study of the mental health of young women and girls. 11 a.m. The House industry and technology committee continues its study of Bill C-244 , proposing a right to repair. Witnesses include the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association’s BRIAN KINGSTON and Medtech Canada’s RAJ MALIK. 11 a.m. BENJAMIN ROEBUCK, the federal ombudsperson for victims of crime, will be at the House justice committee to speak on Criminal Code amendments related to self-induced extreme intoxication. 11 a.m. The House government operations and estimates committee has its focus on the ArriveCAN application — and attention split between nine department officials representing the Canada Border Services Agency, Public Services and Procurement Canada, the Public Health Agency and Shared Services Canada. 11 a.m. It’s clause-by-clause consideration day at the House Indigenous and northern affairs committee . MPs are studying Bill C-29, government legislation proposing the establishment of a national council for reconciliation. 11 a.m. The procedure and House affairs committee meets at the request of six members to discuss launching a study into a story from Global News alleging the Chinese Communist Party funded election candidates in 2019. 3:30 p.m. MPs on the House foreign affairs committee will be joined by Canadian Gas Association President TIMOTHY EGAN as they embark on their fifth meeting studying the export of Russian Gazprom turbines. They switch gears in the second half to study Bill S-223, a Senate public bill proposing new offenses under the Criminal Code related to human organ trafficking. 3:30 p.m. Contrecoeur Mayor MAUD ALLAIRE and Saint-Ignace-de-Loyola Mayor JEAN-LUC BARTHE will be at the House transport committee as MPs begin a new study investigating the impact of commercial shipping on shoreline erosion. 3:30 p.m. The House agriculture committee meets to take Bill C-234 through clause-by-clause consideration. It is Conservative MP BEN LOBB’s private member’s bill proposing to exempt grain drying and barn heating from the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act. 3:30 p.m. The House human resources committee meets to continue its study of Bill C-22 with witnesses from Indigenous Disability Canada and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance. 4 p.m. The Senate national security committee will hear from Canadian Global Affairs Institute President DAVID PERRY and Carleton University Associate Professor PHILIPPE LAGASSÉ about the procurement of “Arctic-capable assets.” 5 p.m. RCMP Assistant Commissioner MARK FLYNN is a witness at the Senate human rights committee as senators continue their study of Islamophobia in Canada. 6:30 p.m. The House science and research committee continues its study of publications in French. Behind closed doors: The House ethics committee is scheduled to review a draft report of its study of the RCMP’s use of spyware; the Senate official languages committee meets with cameras and microphones off to review a draft report of its study of Bill C-13 . | | TRIVIA | |
Friday’s answer: Armistice Day was inaugurated in 1919. In 1931, the Canadian government selected November 11 as the date Remembrance Day would be observed.
Props to KATE DALGLEISH, BRAM ABRAMSON, MARY JANE ALLAN, ELIZABETH BURN, ALASTAIR MULLIN and ANNE-MARIE STACEY. Today’s question: The Usher of the Black Rod is the Senate’s most senior chief protocol officer. As the title suggests, this attendant actually carries a staff of office. Tell us: What sits atop the Black Rod? Send your answer to ottawaplaybook@politico.com Playbook wouldn’t happen without: Luiza Ch. Savage, Maura Forrest and Sue Allan. Want to grab the attention of movers and shakers on Parliament Hill? Want your brand in front of a key audience of Ottawa influencers? Playbook can help. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com .
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