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Presented by the Canadian dairy, poultry and egg sector: A daily look inside Canadian politics and power. | | | | |  | | By Kyle Duggan, Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Zi-Ann Lum | Presented by the Canadian dairy, poultry and egg sector | Send tips | Subscribe here | Email Kyle | Follow Politico Canada Thanks for reading Ottawa Playbook. In today's edition: → Former Conservative Leader ERIN O’TOOLE says Canada is waking up to the boiling issue of foreign interference — but is the government? → All eyes on the St. Lawrence port strike as talks resume today. → The PM rolled up his sleeves to pause a carbon tax policy. |  | DRIVING THE DAY | |
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‘WAKE UP’ TO THE HEAT — ERIN O’TOOLE confirmed to his former colleagues that, yes, there is life after politics, and, yes, he remains a target for foreign interference. Borrowing a page from AL GORE, PIERCE BROSNAN à la “Dante’s Peak” and others before them, he compared Canada to a frog in boiling water — only just now noticing the water has become too hot to handle. — Notable quotable: “Multiple governments of both stripes ignored our intelligence agencies, who've been warning about the heat in the water from China. These warnings were ignored repeatedly until things came to a boil over the last few years with what we could call the three Michaels:Kovrig, Spavor and Chong.” — Tip of the iceberg: With Canadian intelligence resources strained, O’Toole said the little we do know about the country’s ongoing foreign interference controversy and the several MPs who were targeted indicates “there's a much greater problem than we're able to verify.” — Offered advice: He brought with him a set of questions he read into the record for Justice MARIE-JOSÉE HOGUE to take up on why the government was so flat footed in its response to concerns raised about electoral interference, following media leaks suggesting meddling in the last two campaigns. Hogue is heading up Canada’s public inquiry into foreign interference, and she has so far not ventured into the public spotlight with just 125 days left to submit her first report. — Get in line: O’Toole is just the latest politico this week to offer advice to the justice, after Bloc MP RENÉ VILLEMURE suggested she study the ethics committee’s recent report on foreign interference. — Meet the moment: MPs need to be better informed and equipped against such threats as the world becomes a more rough and tumble place to live, O’Toole said: “We're living in an age where the wolf-warrior diplomacy of China is well known, but there's also war in Ukraine. The attack on Israel … And tensions in the Middle East. We're seeing, increasingly, a more aggressive foreign policy posture from a lot of players.” — Frank talk: O’Toole said voters targeted with “intense misinformation and pressure” don't watch Canadian mainstream media, and instead get news from channels controlled by foreign entities, making it hard to alert them about such propaganda. “Some of the messages I saw about me — I probably wouldn't have voted for me.” | | A message from the Canadian dairy, poultry and egg sector: Canada’s innovative system of supply management supports sustainability, enables innovative solutions, promotes Canada’s food sovereignty, and drives economic activity that builds strong communities. Supply management is a testament to the strength and resilience of the Canadian agriculture sector. Stand with Canada’s farmers by supporting Bill C-282, An Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act (supply management). Click here to learn more. | | | | | For your radar | |
TABLE TALK — Labor Minister SEAMUS O’REGAN’s life is about to either get a lot easier, or a lot rockier.
It’s back to bargaining this morning for Unifor and the employer of the St. Lawrence Seaway workers that manage the locks, with billions in economic activity on the line. — Days of silence: It comes nearly a week since the strike began that froze the major marine artery, locking ships to port and giving businesses north and south of the border heart palpitations while negotiations paused. — Pile on: Ontario Premier DOUG FORD and Quebec Premier FRANÇOIS LEGAULTreleased a joint statement aimed at turning up the heat to bring the conflict to a speedier end — a sentiment backed by industry groups like the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters. O’Regan flew to Toronto after question period Thursday to heap pressure on the parties to work something out, ruling out back-to-work legislation in a drive-by scrum on the way into the House. — Hot potato: Asked about the pressure from the premiers, he tried to deflect that back to the warring parties: “Send that message loud and clear to the employer and to the union. We need a deal,” he told reporters outside West Block. — Remember Vine, anyone?: Ask him just about any aspect of the strike — like the roughly two months left for the shipping season — and the minister puts one talking point in particular on loop: “We need a deal. Need ’em at the table. Need a deal. Need a deal. Need a deal.” | | | | A message from the Canadian dairy, poultry and egg sector:   | | |
THE NEWEST SUPREME — JUSTIN TRUDEAU's nomination of MARY MOREAU to the Supreme Court restores a full bench following RUSSELL BROWN's resignation.
— Milestone moment: Moreau, the French-speaking chief justice of the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta, will make history when she's confirmed in the role. For the first time, a majority of the nine justices on Canada's top court will be women. — Then and now: Supreme Court applicants fill out a detailed questionnaire. Moreau noted in hers that the legal profession had, at the time, “almost reached parity” — an observation made more remarkable since her appointment will mark the moment the top court surpasses parity. Here is a longer excerpt of Moreau’s reflections on being a woman in the law: “Women accounted for barely a quarter of my Law class at the University of Alberta. They also were in the minority in criminal law practice and held only about a quarter of the positions as judges of the Court of Queen’s Bench. I had to constantly prove my professional abilities to be accepted in this field. Today, we have almost reached parity. The elimination of barriers and greater openness to women’s perspectives in the legal profession, as lawyers and judges alike, have had a significant impact on access to the profession and on access to justice for women, so that they can see themselves reflected in the courts that serve them.” — Quick reflections: Playbook asked GERARD KENNEDY, a law professor at the University of Alberta, for his insta-reaction to Moreau's nomination: "She is respected across the Alberta legal profession, which is no mean feat, and has a reputation as a consensus-builder. She also brings much-needed criminal law expertise to the Court and, I believe, has more judicial experience than any Supreme Court appointment ever … 29 years!" — Not a deterrent: Last June, Kennedy indulged our request for speculation on who could replace Brown. We also wondered what might discourage prospective justices from making the leap to the Wellington Street chambers. "There will likely be some people who meet the legal and professional qualifications, and have the characteristics or experience that you'd want to have, and still might not want to go to Ottawa," he said. Ouch. The haters may scoff, but Moreau — an avowed westerner, raised far away from the Laurentian elite — evidently sees the nation's capital as a place she can call home. | | | ALSO FOR YOUR RADAR | | |
DRAMATIC REVERSAL — The governing Liberals turned heads when the PM Prime made a surprise announcement that he is softening the blow from the carbon tax by exempting rural home heating oil.
Trudeau made the campaign-style announcement Thursday, acknowledging the unpopularity of one of his government’s legacy green policies. “We are doubling down on our fight against climate change — and keeping true to the principles that we are supporting Canadians while we fight climate change,” he told reporters on Parliament Hill. Jacket off, the PM had his sleeves rolled up. “We have heard clearly from Atlantic Canadians, through our amazing Atlantic MPs, that since the federal pollution price came into force this summer — replacing provincial systems — certain features of that pollution price needed to be adjusted to work for everyone,” the PM said of the three-year pause. Here’s a roundup of quick takes/spit takes: CTV’s pollster NIK NANOS: This is “indicative of a government that's politically on the ropes.” The Canadian Climate Institute: "It sends the signal to emitters—and investors—that policy can be weakened in the future." Saskatchewan Premier SCOTT MOE: “Isn’t that an admission that the Trudeau carbon tax is making life a lot less affordable? And of course, it doesn’t do much for Saskatchewan.” Alberta Premier DANIELLE SMITH: “Although I congratulate Atlantic Canadians for a well-deserved break from the carbon tax on home heating oil, I am frankly disturbed that same break will not be extended to Albertans and those from Saskatchewan and elsewhere in Canada who heat their homes with natural gas.” University of Calgary economics prof. TREVOR TOMBE: “Fun fact, this week is the one-year anniversary of the LPC voting down an opposition CPC motion to remove the CTax on home heating fuel.” University of Alberta economics prof. ANDREW LEACH: “If you heat your home with heating oil you pay no carbon price. If you heat your home with natural gas, which is about 30% cleaner on an emissions per GJ basis, you're paying carbon taxes. Among other things, the regional distribution of this is unfair … “Essentially no one north of the St Lawrence river heats with oil. And a large share of people west of the Ottawa River heat with gas. I don't see how this is tenable.” | | A message from the Canadian dairy, poultry and egg sector: Supply management has provided countless benefits to farmers and Canadians alike for over five decades. In an era of volatility and change, this innovative system acts as a stabilizing force in our agriculture sector. It offers Canadian farmers a stable market for their products, allowing them to plan for the future. This stability reaches well beyond the farm, fostering strong communities from coast to coast to coast.
Supply management provides a dependable supply of high-quality food on our store shelves while fostering innovation, sustainability, and domestic self-sufficiency. An economic powerhouse, it generates over 339,000 jobs, contributes $30.1 billion to Canada’s GDP, and delivers $5.95 billion in tax revenue each year.
This system serves as the foundation for our agricultural success. Stand with Canada’s farmers by supporting Bill C-282, An Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act (supply management). Click here to learn more. | | | | | TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS | |
— Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU is in Montreal where he will take part in a question and answer session with the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec at 8:30 a.m. Later in the morning he'll meet MAGALI PICARD, president of the Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec.
— Deputy Prime Minister CHRYSTIA FREELAND is in Toronto with private meetings on her itinerary. Finance Canada publishes financial results for August 2023. Conservative Party Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE holds a press conference this morning in St. John’s ahead of an evening rally there. NDP Leader JAGMEET SINGH is in Quebec City where he will speak at the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)’s National Convention. Green Party Leader ELIZABETH MAY will participate virtually in Parliament and hold private meetings in her riding. | | | WHO'S UP, WHO'S DOWN | | | 
Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem will be guest of honor at Monday's meeting of the House finance committee. | Dave Chan/AFP via Getty Images |
UP: BoC Governor TIFF MACKLEM for fearlessly wading into the fiscal policy debate.
DOWN: BoC Governor TIFF MACKLEM for fearlessly wading into the fiscal policy debate. | | | | PLAYBOOK IS GOING GLOBAL! We’re excited to introduce Global Playbook, POLITICO’s premier newsletter that brings you inside the most important conversations at the most influential events in the world. From the buzzy echoes emanating from the snowy peaks at the WEF in Davos to the discussions and personalities at Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to the heart of diplomacy at UNGA in New York City – author Suzanne Lynch brings it all to your fingertips. Experience the elite. Witness the influential. And never miss a global beat. BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | | | | FROM THE DESK OF 338CANADA | |
SURPRISE SPLITS — Turns out it’s not just the Liberal caucus that’s split over how Canada should respond to the Israel-Hamas war.
Canadians are divided, and so too are more partisans than you’d think, a new Pallas Data poll suggests. — Hot off the press: 338Canada poll analyst PHILIPPE J. FOURNIER has a full breakdown in his first OG poll, most revealing by party and province. “The findings expose what could prove to be a major challenge for Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE,” he writes for POLITICO. “Denouncing Hamas atrocities is the easy part of the leader’s job. Taking a strong stance on Canada’s position in this conflict — when your supporters are split — could be dicier.”
|  Pallas Data/338Canada/POLITICO | | Quick takeaways: → It bucks conventional wisdom. With 44 percent of Conservative Party supporters agreeing Canada should support Israel in its armed conflict with Hamas and 39 disagreeing, the poll suggests the issue might be trickier than expected for the blue team. → There’s a simple explanation. Conservatives led on thinking Canada should become less involved overseas, at 54 percent. → Quebec is an outlier. The ROC hovers around 40 percent for Canada supporting Israel and 38 percent against. But Quebec is much starker, at 51 percent against and 27 for. — For the nerds: The poll was conducted through IVR robocalls, reaching 1,484 adults with an MoE of +/- 2.5 percent, 19 times out of 20. | | | MEDIA ROOM | | |
— ELIZABETH THOMPSON of CBC News reports: The cost to protect the prime minister has shot up to more than C$30 million a year.
— Environment Minister STEVEN GUILBEAULT announced Thursday that the federal government plans “targeted and meaningful amendments” to the Impact Assessment Act to align with the opinion of the Supreme Court of Canada. DAVID THURTON of CBC News has the details. — CP reports: Alberta Premier DANIELLE SMITH says the International Energy Agency is "no longer credible." — KELLY CRYDERMAN is on the latest Decibel pod to discuss the drama over Alberta’s plan to exit the Canada Pension Plan. — Radio-Canada’s LOUIS BLOUIN and DANIEL THIBEAULT scoop that with divisions in Cabinet over whether to reduce Ottawa’s immigration target amid the housing crunch, there’s significant support in Cabinet for freezing it where it is — a decision that could be made on Tuesday. — Top of POLITICO this hour: Inside DEAN PHILLIPS' longshot presidential campaign. — OLIVIA CHOW will remain a card-carrying dipper during her tenure as mayor of Toronto, DAVID RIDER writes in the Star. — Over at the Line, former CRTC vice-chair PETER MENZIES writes “AI is coming. Is our government ready?” | | PROZONE | |
If you’re a , don’t miss our latest policy newsletter from SUE ALLAN and NICK TAYLOR-VAISEY: A date with TIFF MACKLEM.
In other news for Pro s: — Canada boosts carbon tax rebate for rural residents. — Climate scientists stumble across space junk pollution. — United Nations wants to coordinate global response to AI. — China and U.S. battering EU’s green tech sector, industry warns. — Oil industry lauds new U.S. House Speaker Johnson who green groups condemn over climate denial. — The new Wi-Fi? Hotels go big on EV charging. | | PLAYBOOKERS | |
Birthdays: HBD to the NDP’s JACK HARRIS (75!), former Ontario cabmin ROB SAMPSON, Yukon MLA JOHN STREICKER.
Celebrating Saturday: Broadcasting legend DON NEWMAN, New Brunswick Green Party MLA DAVID COON, former NDP MP ROMEO SAGANASH and the Globe’s CARYS MILLS. Celebrating Sunday: Former B.C. premier CHRISTY CLARK, retired general WALTER NATYNCZYK and former Alberta MLA TERESA WOO-PAW. Send birthdays to ottawaplaybook@politico.com . Spotted: Green MP MIKE MORRICE, cycling down Wellington Street in seasonally appropriate commuter garb (and a helmet). NDP MP TAYLOR BACHRACH, not far behind in a suit (no helmet, immaculate hair).GEORGE SMITHERMAN, president and CEO of the Cannabis Council of Canada, lamenting that he was unable to bring samples to the House finance committee where he appeared as a witness on Thursday. PROC Chair BARDISH CHAGGER rocking what appeared to be gray ballerina-cut Chuck Taylors; former Conservative Leader ERIN O’TOOLE literally running out of the committee room after PROC kept him late. Speaker GREG FERGUS sporting a shimmering white bowtie while betting thousands in high-stakes baccarat games chairing his first BOIE meeting. Canadian Chamber of Commerce CEO PERRIN BEATTY, traveling overseas for the Korea-Canada Forum, at an event where Foreign Minister PARK JIN made a surprise appearance. Bloc MP MARTIN CHAMPOUX and CPC MP LUC BERTHOLD duking it out on social media over a post by the former denouncing Conservative MP RACHAEL THOMAS for associating CBC with Hamas as the party amps up its war against mainstream media. RANDY BOISSONNAULT, amping up the crowd at a Video Game Day on the Hill reception at the Macdonald Building ("Gamers, can you hear me?!"). Also in the crowd: Super Mario, glad-handing in the packed room; Liberal MP CHRIS BITTLE, trying out an Xbox racing game. Movers and shakers: SHEILA NORTH, a former grand chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, has announced her bid to become the next national chief of the Assembly of First Nations. Media mentions: Rogers Media is shuttering its CityNews Ottawa radio station (1310 AM) | | Calendar | |
Small Business Minister RECHIE VALDEZ is in New York City for two days of meetings with Canadian tech companies and “U.S. business partners.”
12 p.m. Women and Gender Equality and Youth Minister MARCI IEN will be in Halifax to make an announcement at the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre to support implementation of the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence. 5 p.m. (6:30 p.m. NT) Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE is in St. John’s, Newfoundland for a rally | | TRIVIA | |
Thursday’s answer: The first sitting in the interim House of Commons chamber took place Jan. 28, 2019.
Props to WAYNE EASTER, DAVE EPP, GEORGE SCHOENHOFER, ROBERT MCDOUGALL, ROBERT DEKKER, JENN KEAY, GORDON RANDALL and ADAM ENKIN. Today’s question: Who was speaker of the House when TV cameras started rolling? Send your answer to ottawaplaybook@politico.com Think you have a harder trivia question? Send us your best . Correction: LEAH TAYLOR ROY is the MP for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill, TONY VAN BYNEN is the MP for Newmarket-Aurora. A careful reader of Thursday’s Playbook notes: “She has ties with Newmarket though because her father, TOM TAYLOR, was a longtime mayor and brother, JOHN TAYLOR, is the current mayor.” Playbook wouldn’t happen without: POLITICO Canada editor Sue Allan, editor Emma Anderson and Luiza Ch. Savage. 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 | | | | 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 | | | | |  |
