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Presented by Google Canada: A daily look inside Canadian politics and power. | | | | |  | | By Nick Taylor-Vaisey | | | Send tips | Subscribe here | Email Nick | Follow Politico Canada Thanks for reading Ottawa Playbook. In today's edition: → The growing list of Liberal foes in Ottawa. → Bombardier gains an ally in its own fight with the feds. → Toronto is where all the fundraising fun is at. |  | DRIVING THE DAY | | |  From grocers to tech giants, Trudeau's Liberals have been picking some battles. | Kena Betancur/Getty Images | LIBERALS VS. EVERYONE — 2023 could go down as The Year of Naming and Shaming in JUSTIN TRUDEAU's Ottawa. Liberals are used to (figurative) bare-knuckle fights in the House, but they enter the final month of 2023 having picked a bunch of simultaneous tangles — some with faraway politicians, most with corporate titans. Why all the negativity? Take your pick of poor polling, an affordability crisis, mandate letter commitments, the Liberal-NDP governing deal, and ever-frail federalism. — Alberta: Premier DANIELLE SMITH invoked her sovereignty act for the first time on Monday, introducing a resolution in the provincial legislature that would instruct provincial power operators to ignore federal clean electricity regulations when they come into force. Ottawa's regs will set a deadline of 2035 for a net-zero electrical grid. Smith is pushing for 2050. "I'm hoping that they now understand that we're serious, that we are going to preserve the integrity of our power grid in whatever way we need to, so that we can get back to the table and talk about the ways in which we can agree," Smith told a press conference. Environment Minister STEVEN GUILBEAULT’s 2 cents: “I saw over the weekend that [Smith] called me a maverick. I’ve been called worse, way worse. If I’m not mistaken that’s the call signal of TOM CRUISE in ‘Top Gun,’ so I can go with that: maverick.” The grid spat is the latest fed-prov tiff. Saskatchewan Premier SCOTT MOE has pledged that SaskEnergy will stop collecting the carbon tax on home heating unless the federal government extends an exemption for heating oil to all fuels. In related reading this morning, AARON WHERRY of CBC News asks: Is this fight over clean electricity regulations really necessary? — Meta, Google: If you've been on Facebook or Instagram at any point in the past several months, you're familiar with Heritage Minister PASCALE ST-ONGE's stalemate over Bill C-18, inherited from predecessor PABLO RODRIGUEZ, with the tech giants that will be forced to ink deals with news organizations in order to post their content. Facebook and Insta haven't published news for Canadians since the summer. Google hasn't taken similar steps, though the company intends to drop news links when C-18 takes effect in December. Trudeau has called Canada a global leader in taking on the bullies of the tech world: "We will continue to make sure that these incredibly profitable corporations contribute to strengthening our democracy," he once said. — The rest of big tech: Finance Minister CHRYSTIA FREELAND's Fall Economic Statement reiterated her intention to impose a digital services tax on a larger pool of tech giants that operate in Canada — say, Amazon — but don't pay corporate income tax to the Canada Revenue Agency. Some American lawmakers have made a fuss about potential retaliatory actions. Freeland has long threatened to charge the tax as early as Jan. 1, 2024, though the FES only promised legislation to bring the levy into force — no timeline attached. — Airbnb, Vrbo: Freeland's FES speech name-checked the all-stars of the short-term rental world, promising a "cracking down" on the services she said are "keeping far too many homes off the market in communities and cities right across the country." Freeland plans to deny tax deductions for anybody operating a short-term rental in a jurisdiction that has outlawed that sort of thing. (Fun fact: Your Playbook host recently spent American Thanksgiving at an Airbnb operated by a small-town mayor.) — Grocery chains: Every time Industry Minister FRANÇOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE reminds the House of Commons that he summoned five major grocery store CEOs to Ottawa for the first time in Canadian history on Sept. 21, the Conservatives recite the line with him in merry mockery. But that doesn't stop the minister from invoking the meeting as proof of tough talk about high food prices: "Mr. Speaker, I can assure members that there was nothing nice about my meeting with the five grocery CEOs in Canada," Champagne said in October. — Other employers, too: This week, the House is debating Labor Minister SEAMUS O'REGAN's bill that would ban replacement workers — "scabs" in the union-friendly jargon — from federally regulated workplaces. The unions love C-58. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Federation for Independent Business, and the Canadian Business Council hate it. → The big mystery of the week: What does Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE think about C-58? CHRIS LEWIS, the Tory labor critic, recited an entire speech on the bill Monday without taking a clear position. Eventually, the pressure will be on to vote one way or the other.
| | | | A message from Google Canada: We help defend critical infrastructure in Canada.
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Explore how Google is helping to keep Canadians safe online at g.co/safety/cyber. | | | | | For your radar | |
BOMBARDIER VS. BOEING — The machinists who keep Canada's fighter jets airborne are coming out against what seems to be a sole-sourced aerospace procurement worth billions.
— What's the rush? The Canadian branch of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) and Unifor are in West Block today at 9 a.m., alongside Bloc Québécois MP SIMON-PIERRE SAVARD-TREMBLAY. The unions are joining a pair of powerful premiers, and a parliamentary committee, in calling on Cabinet to launch an open competition to replace the CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft. The Aurora fleet rolled off production lines in the early 1980s, a few years earlier than the CF-18 Hornets that now get TLC from IAMAW members at L3Harris, a defense contractor based at Mirabel Airport outside of Montreal. — Members, members everywhere: DAVID CHARTRAND, IAMAW's Canadian general vice president who often says his members "work miracles" to keep CF-18s in the sky, just so happens to represent workers at Bombardier — which just so happens to be the loudest voice in the room opposed to a potential $5.9 billion sole-sourced federal procurement of a Boeing aircraft to replace the Auroras. Unifor represents thousands of Bombardier employees. — Quick background: The official line is that the government is still considering its options. Ottawa claims Boeing's P-8 Poseidon, which is a converted 737-800, isn't a done deal. But in June, the U.S. Congress received notice from the U.S. State Department of the potential sale of 16 P-8s at an estimated cost of $5.9 billion. — What Bombardier wants: Bombardier claims to be able to convert a business jet that can compete with the P-8. The aerospace giant hasn't built it yet, but CEO ÉRIC MARTEL told an audience at a recent Ottawa summit that his company has converted planes before and can do it again. Quebec Premier FRANÇOIS LEGAULT and Ontario Premier DOUG FORD have taken Bombardier's side in calling for a competition. — Timing is everything: The House national defense committee passed a motion on Nov. 9 that also called on the government to hold an open competition. The committee chair, JOHN MCKAY, presented that report to the House last Friday. But a last-second amendment to the motion dulled its short-term impact. MARIE-FRANCE LALONDE, the parliamentary secretary to Defense Minister BILL BLAIR, inserted a clause that forced the government to table a "comprehensive response" to the report within 120 days — or four months, for those doing the math. NDP MP LINDSAY MATHYSSEN was the swing vote on the amendment, and she voted in favor. — Why that matters: Lalonde's procedural tweak will stymie opposition attempts to have the full House approve the report in the near future, effectively giving an open competition the chamber's blessing. Standing Order 109 dictates the House can't concur in — translation: approve — a committee report until the government response is in the committee's hands. — What's next: Rumors are running rampant that a deal has already seen Cabinet's eyes and could be announced in the coming days, but Ottawa insists no decision has been made on the P-8 purchase. Here's what Playbook heard from Procurement Minister JEAN-YVES DUCLOS' office on Monday afternoon: “From operations management, maritime and overland intelligence to search and rescue and anti-submarine warfare, the CP-140 Aurora is a critical resource for the Canadian Armed Forces. Discussions on the replacement of the aircraft fleet are ongoing and no final decision has been taken.” | | TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS | |
— Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU is in Ottawa. He'll chair Cabinet at 10 a.m., attend question period at 2 p.m. and deliver remarks at the Equal Voice Foundation gala at 7:15 p.m.
— Deputy PM CHRYSTIA FREELAND is in Ottawa. She'll attend Cabinet and QP, and hold a 1:15 p.m. press conference with Industry Minister FRANÇOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE, Housing Minister SEAN FRASER and Treasury Board President ANITA ANAND. — The Senate is voting on an amendment to Bill C-234 that could disrupt a prospective carbon carve-out's journey to royal assent. Senators will vote on the amendment following a separate vote on an amendment to Bill C-48 (bail reform). Those votes start at 5:30 p.m. — The Canadian Labour Congress launches a lobbying blitz on the Hill, pushing a bill to ban replacement workers, sustainable jobs and pharmacare legislation. 8:30 a.m. Housing Minister SEAN FRASER delivers a keynote address at the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association's "Housing on the Hill Day" event at the Delta Hotel. 9 a.m. Three MPs talk about housing at the CHRA event: Liberal PETER FRAGISKATOS, the parlsec for housing; Conservative SCOTT AITCHISON, housing critic and former leadership candidate; and New Democrat JENNY KWAN, housing critic and caucus chair. 10:30 a.m. The Coalition of First Nations for Finfish Stewardship holds a West Block press conference to unveil "an Indigenous-led positive vision for the modernization of the salmon farming industry." 11 a.m. NDP Leader JAGMEET SINGH will meet with the CHRA (in Toronto). 12 p.m. Singh will meet with the CLC (also in Toronto). 6 p.m. Former Tory leadership candidate JEAN CHAREST hosts a fundraiser to pay off campaign debts at a private residence in Westmount. | | | | A message from Google Canada:   | | | | | MEDIA ROOM | |
— Life expectancy for Canadians decreased for the third straight year in 2022, The Canadian Press notes in a new report from Statistics Canada.
— The Globe’s MATT LUNDY is on The Decibel pod this morning to talk about Canada’s rent crisis. — SAM RICHES at the National Post writes on MAX VALIQUETTE, “the man Justin Trudeau hired to clean up his image.” — Over on The Walrus, KEVIN PATTERSON explains why the opioid crisis is rooted in the housing crisis. — Conservative Sen. DAVID WELLS was on the Hot Room pod to discuss Bill C-234. — DANIELLE PARADIS of APTN reports that Athabasca First Nation Chief ALLAN ADAM has joined calls for the Alberta Energy Regulator to be “reviewed and overhauled and a new leadership put in place.” Timely reading for today’s meeting of the House environment committee. — How have we grown numb to the suicide of Indigenous children? TANYA TALAGA asks in the Globe. — And from our colleagues in Brussels and beyond: The Class of 2024: POLITICO’s annual ranking of the most influential people in Europe. | | PROZONE | |
Our latest policy newsletter for POLITICO Pro s from KYLE DUGGAN: Alberta's next fight with Ottawa
|  This way to Expo City in Dubai, UAE, where the world with gather for COP28. | AP | In other news for Pro s: — UAE plotted to use COP28 to push for oil and gas deals, leaked notes show. — 5 questions about the latest disease outbreak in China. — On the state of play on voluntary carbon markets. — Microsoft plays hardball in AI copyright row. — IEA charts path for oil companies to go net zero. | | PLAYBOOKERS | |
Birthdays: HBD to former Senate speaker NOËL KINSELLA and former Liberal leadership candidate DAVID BERTSCHI.
Send us birthdays: ottawaplaybook@politico.com Spotted: At the Canadian American Business Council "State of the Relationship" gala at the Shaw Centre: PAUL RYAN, DAVID COHEN, KIRSTEN HILLMAN, FRANÇOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE, AHMED HUSSEN, GREG FERGUS, ADAM CHAMBERS, MELISSA LANTSMAN, JOE CLARK and MAUREEN MCTEER, JASON EASTON, GREG MCLEAN, ALIK ANGALADIAN, MATTHEW HOLMES, ALEX PATERSON, KATHRYN BURTON. The fictional characters — MALCOLM, GALEN, BROOKE, FABRICE, MIKAELA and TYLER — in the made-up case studies in CHRYSTIA FREELAND's Fall Economic Statement, familiar names to anybody who knows anybody in the minister's office. Movers and shakers: H+K Strategies senior VP NEIL BRODIE is repping NextStar Energy, the company behind the EV battery plant in Windsor that plans to bring in foreign workers. Counsel Public Affairs has brought on former Hill staffer DIAMOND ISINGER for some client work. Ontario Liberal leadership candidate BONNIE CROMBIE's campaign, claiming in a news release after voting closed this weekend that internal data showed a first-ballot victory was "in play." Points for creativity in post-ballot posturing. Cocktail circuit: The Canadian Housing Renewal Association caps a lobby day on the Hill with a reception at Rabbit Hole on Sparks Street … The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance is hosting a 5:30 p.m. reception upstairs at 3 Brasseurs just down the street … The Equal Voice Foundation gala opens at the Shaw Centre at 6 p.m. | | AROUND THE HILL | |
9 a.m. Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President NATAN OBED will be among the leaders and officials at the Senate Indigenous Peoples committee, which is considering the constitutional, treaty, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
9 a.m. The Senate transport and communications committee will continue its study of the impacts of climate change on critical infrastructure. 9 a.m. Conservative MP CHRIS LEWIS will be at the Senate finance committee to discuss Bill C-241. 11 a.m. The House heritage committee has gathered experts for a hearing titled, “Tech Giants’ Current and Ongoing Use of Intimidation and Subversion Tactics to Evade Regulation in Canada and Across the World.” On the roster: University of Ottawa’s MICHAEL GEIST; JEAN-HUGUES ROY, Université du Québec à Montréal; IMRAN AHMED, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate; and Digital Content Next CEO JASON KINT. 11 a.m. LAURIE PUSHOR, the president and CEO of Alberta Energy Regulator, will be at the House environment committee for two hours to take questions on toxic leaks from tailing ponds. 11 a.m. Canada Border Services Agency will be in the hot seat at the House fisheries and oceans committee as it studies illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. 11 a.m. Department officials will be at the House trade committee as it takes Bill C-57 — the act to implement the Canada-Ukraine trade deal — through clause-by-clause consideration. 11 a.m. The House subcommittee on human rights will hear from aid agencies on international disability-inclusive education. On the witness roster: CARE Canada, Humanity and Inclusion Canada, Plan International Canada Inc., Right To Play International, Save the Children Canada, and World Vision Canada. 3 p.m. The Senate national finance committee will hear from finance and Treasury Board officials as it considers supplementary estimates. 3:30 p.m. The House committee on citizenship and immigration will devote its first hour to closed work permits and temporary foreign workers. It will move in camera in its second hour to discuss a draft report on application backlogs and processing times. 3:30 p.m. Public Services Minister JEAN-YVES DUCLOS will be at the House operations and estimates committee to discuss supplementary estimates. 3:30 p.m. Cadotte Lake Métis Nation, Kebaowek First Nation and Metis Settlements General Council are among witnesses at the House committee on Indigenous and northern affairs. MPs there are studying Bill C-53, an Act respecting the recognition of certain Métis governments in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan. 3:30 p.m. The House industry committee is studying Bill C-27 and will hear from the Women's Legal Education and Action Fund, Information Accountability Foundation, ERICA IFILL and BARRY SOOKMAN. MPs will also discuss Sustainable Development Technology Canada. 3:30 p.m. The House justice and human rights committee will discuss Bill C-40. 4 p.m. The House committee on veterans affairs is studying the experience of women veterans. 6:30 p.m. A roster of medical experts will appear at the special joint committee on Medical Assistance in Dying. Behind closed doors: The House public accounts committee will discuss an auditor general report on Covid benefits, plus other AG findings on hydrogen’s potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. | | | TRIVIA | | |
Monday’s answer: Prime Minister JOHN TURNER was born in Richmond, United Kingdom.
Props to EVERYONE, including LUCAS BORCHENKO, CHIARA MORIN, CHARLES SMITH, MATT DELISLE, RODDY MCFALL, CAMERON RYAN, DOUG SWEET, DON NEWMAN, CHRISTOPHER LALANDE, ANDREW FITZPATRICK, ROBERT MCDOUGALL, ANDREW FITZPATRICK, BOB ERNEST, JOANNA PLATER, ADAM ENKIN, GERMAINE MALABRE, PAUL QUINTILIAN, SHEILA GERVAIS, JIM MUNSON, QASIR DAR, AMY CASTLE, ALLAN FABRYKANT, ROSS LECLAIR, GUY SKIPWORTH, NANCI WAUGH, ELLA D’SILVA, NANCI WAUGH, MICHAEL MACDONALD, JOHN DILLON, KEVIN COLBOURNE, MATTHEW CONWAY, TIM MCCALLUM, MARK AGNEW, GEORGE SCHOENHOFER, BOB GORDON and SCOTT LOHNES. But, hold on … Reader KATE DALGLEISH notes: You could argue Turner wasn’t technically foreign-born, since he was born before the Citizenship Act, and so would have been a British subject no matter if he was born in Canada or the UK. Have a harder question? Send it our way. Today’s question: In the 1870s, who was enlisted to design a plan for the public grounds on Parliament Hill? Answers to ottawaplaybook@politico.com . Want to grab the attention of movers and shakers on Parliament Hill? Want your brand in front of a key audience of Ottawa influencers? Run a Playbook ad campaign. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com. Playbook wouldn’t happen without: POLITICO Canada editor Sue Allan, Luiza Ch. Savage and Emma Anderson. | | | | 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 | | | | |  |
