Stephen Harper's advice on Trump

Politico

18-03-2025

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→ MARK CARNEY's preelection tour heads for Nunavut.
→ Canada's premiers enlist D.C. lobbyists to help them ride out the storm.
→ JUSTIN TRUDEAU ghosts Ottawa journos.
DRIVING THE DAY
ARCTIC SOVEREIGNTY — Prime Minister MARK CARNEY arrives in Iqaluit today to remind the world the vast Arctic region is still a part of Canada — and with an announcement on strengthening Canada's sovereignty and security.
He'll also meet with Nunavut Premier P.J. AKEEAGOK.
— Later this week: STEPHANIE LEVITZ reports in the Globe, the PM is expected to convene a meeting with the premiers to discuss Canada-U.S. trade.
— State of play: In December, the Liberal government released an Arctic strategy highlighting the threats posed by Russia and China. All that was before U.S. President DONALD TRUMP's 51st state rhetoric evolved from a joke to a serious threat.
China continues to flex its Arctic muscles in Canadian territory. And its incursions into Canadian territorial waters and outreach to Indigenous peoples aren't benign, as POLITICO's PHELIM KINE heard at a think-tank event in Washington on Monday.
→ Conversation starter: 'Canada has recovered Chinese research buoys in our Arctic waters and [Chinese tech firm] Huawei Canada has targeted Indigenous communities in the high north by speaking to their right to access internet — targeting infrastructure gaps and vulnerabilities, and leveraging historical tensions between Indigenous groups in the Canadian Arctic and the federal government to advance their [Chinese] interests,' GAËLLE RIVARD PICHÉ, a strategic analyst with Defence Research and Development Canada, told an audience at the Stimson Center think tank on Monday.
The efforts in northern communities are part of a wider campaign by Chinese firms 'where they're proposing commercial projects that are undercutting potential Canadian federal initiatives,' Rivard Piché added.
→ Remember when: Citing the company as a security threat, Canada banned Huawei from its next-generation 5G network in 2022, one year after China freed imprisoned Canadian MICHAEL KOVRIG and MICHAEL SPAVOR who had spent three years in Chinese prisons in retaliation for the RCMP's arrest of Huawei executive MENG WANZHOU.
— The latest: In February, Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE traveled to Iqaluit to announce his plans for defense of the north, which include transforming Iqaluit into a full-fledged base.
Earlier this month, Defense Minister Bill Blair, who will be in Iqaluit today, announced that Iqaluit, Inuvik and Yellowknife will be northern military hubs.
OLD FOUNDERS, NEW FRIENDS — Carney sets down in Iqaluit after a two-country barnstorm to France and Britain. With U.S. relations wildly frayed, and no sign of a phone call with Trump on the horizon, Carney spent Monday rekindling centuries-old bonds.
→ Message to Trump: Carney started his day at Élysée Palace bonding with French President EMMANUEL MACRON. They gave joint statements, all in French, except for one moment when Carney switched to Canada's other official language.
He was addressing Macron, but it sounded like a message for Trump's English ears: 'Mr. President, I want to ensure that France and the whole of Europe works enthusiastically with Canada, the most European of non-European countries determined, like you, to maintain the most positive possible relations with the United States.'
Read VICTOR GOURY-LAFFONT's report from Paris.
→ The King winks: Later at Buckingham Palace, an effusive and beaming KING CHARLES III gave Carney what the BBC called 'a symbolic gesture of support' in the face of Trump's annexation threats. The tell, they say: The king sported a red tie.
→ Carney dishes: After that private meeting, and his subsequent discussion with British Prime Minister KEIR STARMER, Carney left no doubt the king was in Canada's court. 'We have a steadfast defender in our sovereign,' he said in opening remarks at a press conference at Canada House.
— The view from No. 10: A Downing Street spokesperson summarized Starmer's meeting with Carney in a written statement about shared history, values and a 'shared King.' The statement emphasized their commitment, as members of a new coalition of the willing, to 'work together to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position to see a just and lasting peace.'
— Where's Keir?: Carney faced a grilling at his presser on whether he was leaving Europe empty-handed. 'You didn't even get a press conference next to Sir KEIR STARMER,'' intoned the BBC's chief international correspondent and most famous Canadian, New Brunswick's LYSE DOUCET.
'It's great to see you Lyse,' Carney deadpanned. 'We don't need another country to validate our sovereignty. We are sovereign. We don't need praise from another country. We are proud, in and of ourselves.'
— Media relations: Carney was pushed for details of the blind trust he announced last week for most of his assets. ROSEMARY BARTON of CBC News was one journo pressing the PM.
'Look inside yourself, Rosemary,' Carney replied. 'I have served in the private sector. I have stood up for Canada. I have left my roles in the private sector at a time of crisis for our country. I'm complying with all the rules; Your line of questioning is trying to invent new rules.' CATHERINE LÉVESQUE of the National Post wrote about the exchange.
The Star's RYAN TUMILTY also wrote about it here.
— Through the looking glass: Later Monday evening, the Conservatives shared a release accusing Carney of being 'incredibly defensive and snippy.'
For your radar
ADVICE FROM A FORMER PM — STEPHEN HARPER has a simple message for Ottawa's dealings with Trump: Have a plan — but don't rise to the bait, POLITICO's ROBBIE GRAMER reports.
'There's a difference between taking some hard negotiating positions versus just shooting insults back,' he said at a think tank conference in India today. 'That may be emotionally satisfying, but it's not a terribly effective way of dealing with a much larger country, and I think actually quite counterproductive.'
— State of the world: Harper fretted over the decline of what he and other leaders call 'the rules-based international order' as Trump dramatically shakes up Washington's role in the world. But, true to his own advice, Harper voiced concerns over the United States without lobbing any potshots explicitly at Trump.
'You've had over the past couple generations China, Russia and Iran with, I think, increasing success being able to jump in and out of the rules-based order as it suits them,' Harper said. 'Now you have, to be candid, the United States, really the originator of that post war order, largely doing the same thing.'
ALSO FOR YOUR RADAR
AND THEN THERE WERE THREE — The Carney Cabinet has eliminated several Trudeau-era committees and working groups, including two tables devoted to 'economy, inclusion and climate,' and another on reconciliation. The slimmer roster includes three: Canada-U.S relations and national security, operations and Treasury Board — a suggestion made in a January Playbook by former Cabinet guru MARCI SURKES.
→ Canada-U.S. crew: Carney chairs that committee, backed up by vice-chair and Trump whisperer DOMINIC LEBLANC.
Also in the room: ANITA ANAND, RACHEL BENDAYAN, BILL BLAIR, KODY BLOIS, FRANÇOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE, MÉLANIE JOLY, DAVID MCGUINTY and JONATHAN WILKINSON.
→ Transparency watch: The refreshed Cabinet committee list disappeared Monday from the prime minister's website. The Trudeau-era mandate letters were also vamoosed.
Where the leaders are
— Prime Minister MARK CARNEY is in Iqaluit today where he will me with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President NATAN OBED. He will also meet Nunavut Premier P.J. AKEEAGOK and make an announcement on strengthening Canada's sovereignty and security. He will be joined by the Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. JENNIE CARIGNAN and Cabmin BILL BLAIR.
— Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE, Bloc Québécois Leader YVES-FRANÇOIS BLANCHET and NDP Leader JAGMEET SINGH have not shared details of their day.
— Green co-leader ELIZABETH MAY is on her way to Toronto so that she can join MIKE MORRICE (Kitchener-Centre) for his official campaign launch on Wednesday. JONATHAN PEDNEAULT will hold private meetings in Montreal.
Talk of the town
LAST WORD — On his way out, JUSTIN TRUDEAU gave an exclusive interview to VALERIE PRINGLE, a Canadian journalist, whose show 'Canada Files' airs on PBS, an American public broadcaster.
The interview was recorded in Ottawa on March 10 — the day of his final Cabinet meeting, just after MARK CARNEY's leadership victory.
— WTH: Trudeau, who long advocated through his government's media laws to protect Canadian media — made it a point as he left office to largely avoid talking to them himself.
— Ghosted by the PM: We thought it was just us, but it turns out Trudeau's disappearing act included most Ottawa journalists. An unofficial Playbook analysis found PMJT answered 20 questions in 2024 from Hill journalists who were camped outside the House, caucus and Cabinet rooms. In 2023, he took 209 of their questions.
— Talking through Americans: In September amidst growing calls for his resignation, Trudeau went on 'The Late Show With STEPHEN COLBERT.'
Then in January, after calling off year-end interviews with Canadian media, he sat down with CNN in Washington to discuss Trump's tariffs.
And then with MSNBC to talk about his resignation.
— The Pringle connection: The former CBC journalist was a mentor at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation and has interviewed MARGARET TRUDEAU. She's someone the Trudeau family knows and evidently trusts.
Here's some excerpts from the interview scheduled to air April 15 — smack dab in the middle of an election campaign, probably.
→ Vibe check: ''I'm feeling serene about everything that I got done. I'm feeling excited about being able to spend more time with my kids, excited about, you know, looking for other ways to contribute. But I think I had a good run, and I'm feeling good about it, and glad to be handing off a party that's healthy, to a strong leader that is going to keep fighting for the things that matter,' Trudeau said.
→ Accomplishments he's most proud of: Canada Child Benefit, school food programs, $10 a day child care and dental care.
→ What being Canadian means to him: 'Not being afraid to be challenged by differences.'
NOMINATION WATCH
As federal election chatter heats up, we're tracking the number of nominated candidates in each major party — and noting significant names as they emerge. A full slate is 343 candidates. Last week's numbers are in parentheses. We didn't hear back from the Liberals or Conservatives this week.
— Conservative: n/a (258)
— Liberal: n/a (n/a)
— NDP: 214 (174)
— Green: 208 (187)
— Bloc Québécois: 40 (39)
→ Worth noting: The most recent confirmed Liberal number we have is 160 … The Bloc will add another candidate later this week, and has candidates for the party nod in 15 other ridings.
PAPER TRAIL
K-STREET SPRINT — Canada's provinces are turning to lobbyists in Washington for help finding leverage to ride out the storm. For example, the Council of the Federation hired the Trump-linked firm Checkmate Government Relations for assistance arranging their trade mission to Washington.
Documents filed with the U.S. Justice Department reveal others:
— Saskatchewan: Has retained HBW Resources to lobby for 'energy reliability' and 'affordability' and to advocate for 'diverse energy options for American families and businesses,' DOJ filings show.
The firm disclosed a letter sent from Premier SCOTT MOE to Louisiana Gov. JEFF LANDRY in February in which Moe requested for Saskatchewan to join the Governors Coalition for Energy Security, a partnership launched last year by GOP governors to push for reducing regulatory barriers for energy projects.
'The strength of this trading relationship and our integrated energy sectors is foundational to the ongoing mutual success of our economies,' Moe wrote.
— Alberta: Hired HBW last month and joined the governors' coalition in November. It added two new firms just before the election.
— Quebec: Hired Florida-based Becker & Poliakoff to craft an engagement strategy for the province in both Washington and Florida, the winter destination for droves of Québécois snowbirds each year.
Becker will work to line up 'strategic meetings' for Quebec Premier FRANÇOIS LEGAULT during his visits to the U.S., identify opportunities for 'high-level networking' for the province and help the government 'communicate more effectively with Republican elected officials and the White House.'
— New Brunswick: Retained the Porter O'Brien Agency last month and the Ingram Group.
— Ontario: Inked a yearlong contract with Capitol Counsel worth up to $1.3 million, which included a plan for the first 100 days of the new Congress and administration. Several weeks before Trump took office, Capitol Counsel announced its own cross-border partnership with Rubicon Strategy, which the firms pledged would provide 'a seamless solution to clients seeking to influence policy and manage cross-border trade issues.'
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PROZONE
Check out our latest Pro policy newsletter from MIKE BLANCHFIELD: Carney meets 'reliable allies' in France, U.K.
The latest headlines for Pro subscribers:
— Trump puts Columbia River Treaty negotiations on ice.
— Trump orders cuts to DC think tank.
— German court takes up landmark legal battle over melting glaciers.
— Trump's IRA attacks unnerve clean-tech manufacturers.
— French PM says EU hitting wrong targets with retaliation tariffs on US.
MEDIA ROOM
— The Globe reports that Manitoba has identified a second set of human remains at a Winnipeg-area landfill.
— The what-will-she-do-next theme is part of DANIELLE SMITH's appeal, CHRISTINA FRANGOU writes in The Walrus, calling Alberta's premier a 'political chameleon … always open to ideas, even when they are bananas.'
— Pollster DARRELL BRICKER makes a case in The Hub that MARK CARNEY's 'best campaign is the act of governing.'
— CBC's 'Front Burner' podcast tackles burning questions from readers about tariffs and the trade war.
— From Maclean's: 'Twenty-five bold, entirely doable ways' to fix Canada's housing crisis.
— Question from STEPHEN MARCHE to DAVID FRUM in the Star: 'Do you think when he's done, it'll all be done, or is this just going to be America from now on?'
PLAYBOOKERS
Birthdays: HBD to conservationist and former Sen. DIANE GRIFFIN.
Got a document to share? A birthday coming up? Send it all our way.
Spotted: New ministers KODY BLOIS and ALI EHSASSI, attending the St. Patrick's Day bash at the Irish ambassador's residence alongside Liberal MP and Irish advocate-in-chief JAMES MALONEY — and caucus colleagues MONA FORTIER and FRANCIS DROUIN. Also in the room: PIERRE POILIEVRE's chief of staff, IAN TODD. Ambassador JOHN CONCANNON and his wife MARY welcomed special guest Irish minister TIMMY DOOLEY.
Former Conservative Leader ERIN O'TOOLE, leaving a message in Vimy Ridge.
Former PM JUSTIN TRUDEAU, at Canadian Tire.
Industry Minister ANITA ANAND, calling on government suppliers to buy Canadian.
Finance Minister FRANÇOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE, holding a virtual meeting with his G7 counterparts.
Former Labor Minister SEAMUS O'REGAN, lacing up a pair of festive dress shoes.
KING CHARLES III, in a red tie, offering to replace PM Carney's Order of Canada pin, which apparently broke on Monday. He sported a Canadian flag pin instead.
Movers and shakers: LARS HAGBERG has become the official photographer to the PM.
Media mentions: THEO ARGITIS joins The Hub as its editor-at-large for business and economics.
TRIVIA
Monday's answer: The Richard Riot took place on March 17, 1955 in Montreal.
Props to ROBERT MCDOUGALL, ROB LEFORTE, JIM CAMPBELL, MARC LEBLANC, CAMERON RYAN, AMY CASTLE, CAROLYN MCCRIMMON, ALEXANDER LANDRY, AMY SCANLON BOUGHNER, DARREN MAJOR, BOB GORDON, PATRICK ST-JACQUES, RAY DEL BIANCO, PAUL PARK, LAURA JARVIS, MARCEL MARCOTTE, RALPH LEVENSTEIN, DARRYL DAMUDE, MALCOLM MCKAY and SUSAN KEYS.
Today's question: Who did comedian TOM GREEN take fabric shopping with him in Ottawa, about 25 years ago?
Answers to [e-mail] .
Wednesday's Playbook will be written by MICKEY DJURIC and NICK TAYLOR-VAISEY.
With thanks to Phelim Kine in Washington, Robbie Gramer in New Delhi and to Garrett Ross.