Can Greg Fergus save QP?

Thanks for reading Ottawa Playbook. Let’s get into it.

In today’s edition:

→ GREG FERGUS started reading Hansard at 14 and is now speaker, inheriting the challenge of restoring decorum in the House.

→ Another first: Rapper-turned-reporter-turned Manitoba NDP Leader WAB KINEW is now premier-elect.

→ Why Washington is on the sidelines in Canada’s dispute with India.

Newly elected speaker Greg Fergus in the House on Tuesday. | Sean Kilpatrick, The Canadian Press

GLOW UP — There’s been a 180-degree vibe flip in the House thanks to GREG FERGUS.

The Liberal MP and former parliamentary secretary to Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU made history Tuesday, elected by his peers to be Canada’s first Black speaker.

“The words that we use matter. Symbols matter,” Fergus said, reflecting on the Nazi controversy that sank MPs’ faith in his predecessor, eventually forcing ANTHONY ROTA’s resignation from the speaker’s chair. Rota was not in the chamber for the speeches or vote.

Fergus’ son was in the gallery for his dad’s speech and when results were announced.

— Scenes from above: Playbook peered from the gallery at the goings-on in an unusual mid-session speaker’s election. Government House Leader KARINA GOULD was the only person wearing a mask in government benches.

Conservative MP LAILA GOODRIDGE had baby AODHAN in her arms in the chamber.

A scene of broken telephone played out at one point during speeches when Gould passed a message through MÉLANIE JOLY, who leaned into DIANE LEBOUTHILLIER’s ear, who whispered it to STEVEN GUILBEAULT, who got SEAN FRASER involved to ultimately deliver the House leader’s word to RANDY BOISSONNAULT.

Fergus’ staff, seated in the gallery at the far end of the chamber, high-fived each other when they heard their boss’ name. They had seats in the speaker’s gallery by question period.

— One in, one out: Rota returns to Liberal caucus in a third-row seat in the House behind Small Business Minister RECHIE VALDEZ. Liberal MP BRYAN MAY filled Rota’s seat on election day.

— New speaker, old problems: Task No. 1, Fergus promised, is to work “night and day” to promote and advance respect in the House.

Watching question period has been a tall task for most viewers in recent years. These days, the infotainment digest mostly attracts lobbyists monitoring for client mentions and political staffers watching for grist to fuel social media.

The candidates who ran against Fergus listed the ways they think the House is broken — and also the reasons it endures in an era of hyper-partisan politics.

→ Liberal MP SEAN CASEY told the House the level of respect for Parliament and the speaker “has taken an incredible beating” this session.

→ Conservative MP (and deputy speaker) CHRIS D’ENTREMONT identified “friendship and relationships” as the most important commodity in the House.

→ Liberal MP ALEXANDRA MENDÈS (and assistant deputy speaker) pointed to emergency and take-note debates, private members’ bills and motions as sources of the “most meaningful hours” she’s experienced in the House.

→ Liberal MP PETER SCHIEFKE notably did not read from a paper held in his hands while he vowed to make “rebuilding trust” that Canadians have in the House, and with world allies, his top priority.

→ NDP MP CAROL HUGHES (and assistant deputy speaker) warned: “The erosion of public respect for Parliament is real.”

→ Green Party Co-Leader ELIZABETH MAY lectured her peers on the practice of speakers getting speaking lists from party whips as an “abomination.”

— Partisan potshots: Fergus was elected after a weekend blitz of attacks from Conservative insider JENNI BYRNE, Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE’s DComm SARAH FISCHER and MPs MICHELLE FERRERI and RACHAEL THOMAS targeting his role in “Elbowgate.”

His ethics violation from earlier this year was also raised by critics as a point of offense. So was his link with The Center as parliamentary secretary to the prime minister, a role he held from March 2021 until 16 days ago.

Yet, at the end of Fergus’ first question period, he earned applause from Poilievre who stood in his seat and mouthed, “Not bad.”

— What’s next: With the speaker election done, Conservatives will bring attention back to their opposition motion to repeal the carbon tax. The motion, which slags the Bloc, NDP and “Atlantic Liberal members,” is unlikely to pass when it comes up for a vote this afternoon.

More grist for the political mill.

MEANWHILE IN AMERICA — In another “first,” the U.S. House deposed KEVIN MCCARTHY as its speaker after Democrats joined MATT GAETZ’s bid to oust him.

At the top of POLITICO this hour: The rudderless GOP careens toward 2024.

Premier-elect Wab Kinew takes in the moment on Tuesday night. | David Lipnowski, The Canadian Press

ORANGE CRUSH — NDP Leader WAB KINEW made history last night becoming Manitoba’s first First Nations premier-elect.

The Kenora, Ont.-born and Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation-raised leader won a majority government, dropping incumbent premier HEATHER STEFANSON’s Manitoba Progressive Conservatives to opposition status.

Stefanson had been vying for re-election to secure her party’s third consecutive majority after former leader BRIAN PALLISTER pushed the NDP out of power in 2016. Last night, she announced plans to step down as leader.

Kinew’s win means Poilievre’s Conservatives lose a key ally in its coalition of Prairie premiers keen to find unity on irritability over Trudeau policies, notably the federal carbon tax. Kinew’s campaign focused heavily on health care, blaming Stefanson for cuts under her watch.

— Standings at dissolution: PCs (35 seats); NDP (18 seats); Liberal (3); vacant (1).

— Unofficial election night results: NDP (34 seats); PCs (22 seats); Liberal (1).

It wasn’t a sterling night for the provincial Liberals either, losing two of the party’s three seats, and slipping further away from the four needed for official party status. Liberals haven’t been in power in the province since 1958.

— Quick Ottawa-Winnipeg notes: Former Liberal MP ROBERT-FALCON OUELLETTE failed to win a seat for the provincial party seat in Southdale … Incumbent Manitoba Liberal MLA CINDY LAMOUREUX (her dad is Liberal MP KEVIN LAMOUREUX) was re-elected.

DOUGALD LAMONT used his concession speech to introduce himself as the former leader of the Manitoba Liberals.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes U.S. President Joe Biden upon his arrival Saturday at Bharat Mandapam convention center for the G20 Summit, in New Delhi, India. | Evan Vucci/AP Photo

SILENCE AS TREATMENT — POLITICO’s MATT BERG reports for National Security Daily that the United States has relegated itself to playing a minor role in Canada’s fallout with India, urging cooperation and letting things play out to avoid angering Indian Prime Minister NARENDRA MODI.

“Let these two countries speak to their bilateral relations,” National Security Council spokesperson JOHN KIRBY told reporters Tuesday.

But some members of the Biden administration believe its relationship with Modi could become more fraught in the near term, a State Department official familiar with the issue who was granted anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter told NatSec Daily.

At least for now, a private dialogue between Ottawa and New Delhi will continue, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister MÉLANIE JOLY told reporters. Expect Washington to sit mostly on the sidelines.

— It’s caucus day on the Hill.

— Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU is in Ottawa and will attend caucus at 10 a.m. and QP at 2 p.m.

— Deputy Prime Minister CHRYSTIA FREELAND’s public itinerary is identical: 10 a.m. caucus meeting and 2 p.m. for QP.

5:30 p.m. CIVIX celebrates its 20th anniversary at a party co-hosted by new House Speaker GREG FERGUS at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building.

— Columnist SUSAN DELACOURT writes in the Toronto Star about Fergus’ new challenge: Keeping Poilievre in line and Conservatives who have “appeared especially keen to test the limits of the Speaker’s power recently.”

— The National Post’s CHRIS NARDI got his hands on a copy of the first annual internal report, circulated by Global Affairs Canada, addressing neglected wrongdoing or misconduct complaints.

— In Xtra, DALE SMITH pens a column that ties the term “ethnic outbidding” to analysis of the 1 Million March.

— POLITICO’s MARK SCOTT explains why at a pivotal moment, the integrity of democracy has never been in more danger.

— Ottawa Citizen’s ELIZABETH PAYNE reports on a case of an Ottawa man discovering his mother’s retirement home was billing her for services provided by the public health care.

Our latest policy newsletter for Pro subscribers from ZI-ANN LUM and SUE ALLAN: Alberta brings beefs to Parliament Hill.

In other news for Pros:

— Canada’s Parliament elects first Black speaker.

— Commission launches EU-wide critical tech risk assessment.

— Diversity numbers among delegates trigger alarm at DNC meeting.

— Ireland denies LNG import terminal for climate reasons.

— ‘Green’ hydrogen company to build giant North American plant.

Birthdays: HBD to LISA KIRBIE of Blackbird Strategies and to Liberal MP SEAN CASEY’s mom (a celebration he let known during a speech in the House on Tuesday).

Is there an upcoming birthday we should know about? Email us: [email protected]

Spotted: It’s the first day of Fat Bear Week … After losing to Liberal CHARLES SOUSA in Mississauga-Lakeshore, ex-cop RON CHHINZER says he’s seeking the Conservative nomination in Oakville-North Burlington (incumbent is Liberal MP PAM DAMOFF).

Public Safety Minister DOMINIC LEBLANC in seat 6A on Air Canada evening flight from Toronto to Vancouver, enjoying the chicken dinner option and a diet Coke.

Deputy Bank of Canada Governor NICOLAS VINCENT telling business leaders in Montreal: “We are not out of the woods yet.”

Trudeau capping the night at D’Arcy McGee’s for a farewell party to staffers leaving PMO for various ministers’ offices (he drank a Beyond The Pale “Yummy! NEPA”) … KATIE TELFORD and BEN CHIN showed up later. The PMO staffers heading elsewhere include: COURTNEY WHITE (now at Mental Health and Addictions), YOUMY HAN (now at Immigration), MARIA MORLEY (shortly at Agriculture), SARAH JACKSON (now at Transport), ASHLEY FEARNELL (now at Heritage), KRISTINA SLODKI (IGA) and ELISABETH PAUL (CRA).

Liberals and NDP applauding Manitoba NDP’s election night win at Brixton’s with Ex-MP ADAM VAUGHAN spotted in the crowd.

At German Ambassador SABINE SPARWASSER’s residence for “Day of German Unity” celebrations on Tuesday evening: Sen. PETER BOEHM, Bloc MP STÉPHANE BERGERON, Liberal MP ROB OLIPHANT, Japan’s Deputy Head of Mission TOKURO FURUYA, Earnscliffe’s MÉLANIE RICHER, Reuters’ DAVID LJUNGGREN, Toronto Star’s TONDA MACCHARLES and Le Journal de Montréal’s GUILLAUME ST-PIERRE.

Cocktail circuit: The Canadian Cattle Association’s Fall Barbecue on the Hill takes over the East Block courtyard at 11:30 a.m., and runs until 2 p.m. RSVP here … CIVIX hosts a 20th anniversary evening reception at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building. Doors open at 5:30.

Movers and shakers: Canada’s Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security JACQUELINE O’NEILL has been named the 31st Vimy Award Laureate.

Former Liberal Hill staffer JULIA PENNELLA started a new job as manager of public affairs at Mortgage Professionals Canada … Conservative MP STEPHANIE KUSIE elected North America VP for ParlAmericas’ parliamentary network for gender equality.

Media mentions: CBC News investigative journalist DIANA SWAIN marking her last week at the broadcaster after 33 years: “Now, I’m ready for something new. Stay tuned!” … Former CTV News chase producer SOPHALL DUCH has landed at Global News as a producer on The West Block with MERCEDES STEPHENSON.

Send Playbookers tips to [email protected].

— It’s caucus day on the Hill.

4:15 p.m. Bill C-48 will be up for discussion at the Senate legal and constitutional affairs committee. Canadian Civil Liberties Association’s SHAKIR RAHIM is on the board as a witness.

4:30 p.m.PETER TERTZAKIAN of ARC Financial Corp. will be first up at the House natural resources committee, which is studying Canada’s clean energy plans. Other organizations on the roster: Canadians for Nuclear Energy, Canadian Nuclear Association, Canadian Renewable Energy Association, Electricity Canada and Hydrogen Naturally.

4:30 p.m. The House public safety committee meets to take Bill C-20 through clause-by-clause consideration.

4:30 p.m. The House committee on science and research will hear from intellectual property lawyer JIM HINTON,IVANA KARASKOVA of the Association for International Affairs and KEVIN GAMACHE of Texas A and M University System Research Security Office. MPs are studying links between China and research and development grants at Canadian universities and research institutions.

4:30 p.m. Immigration Minister MARC MILLER will appear in the second hour of the House official languages committee. Off the top of the meeting, MPs will hear from retired professor CHARLES CASTONGUAY, immigration lawyer ROGER PICHETTE and STÉPHANE PAQUET, president and CEO of Montreal International.

5:30 p.m. CIVIX celebrates its 20th anniversary at a party co-hosted by the new speaker of the House of Commons at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building.

6:45 p.m. Main estimates will be on the agenda again for the Senate national finance committee.

7:30 p.m. Housing Minister SEAN FRASER headlines a late meeting of the House transport, infrastructure and communities committee to brief MPs on his mandate. The prime minister’s office has yet to release new mandate letters since July’s Cabinet shuffle.

— Behind closed doors: The House subcommittee on budgets of the liaison committee has a meeting on the books. The House access to information committee reviews a draft report on their foreign interference study; the House human resources committee meets to discuss a copy of their financialization of housing study; the House health committee has a review of its breast implants study on its agenda; the Senate ethics and conflict of interest committee will discuss an inquiry report from the Senate ethics officer. The Senate national security committee has a closed-door discussion of Bill C-21 on the agenda.

Tuesday’s answer: The first speaker of the House was JAMES COCKBURN.

Props to GERMAINE MALABRE, QASIR DAR, SCOTT LOHNES, KEVIN BOSCH, ROBERT MCDOUGALL and GEORGE SCHOENHOFER.

Think you have a harder trivia question? Send us your best.

Wednesday’s question: Name the last MP to cast their ballot in Tuesday’s speaker election, right before dean of the House LOUIS PLAMONDON cast his own.

Answers to [email protected]

Playbook wouldn’t happen without: POLITICO Canada editor Sue Allan, Luiza Ch. Savage and Emma Anderson.