Should we stay or should we go

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In today's edition:
→ DOMINIC LEBLANC is working the phones.
→ MARK CARNEY and others beg to differ with criticism over First Nations.
→ The House gears up to gear down.
Trade war
COUNTERMOVES — Canada-U.S. Trade Minister DOMINIC LEBLANC will hold a virtual meeting today with United States Trade Representative JAMIESON GREER.
On the agenda: Working the deal.
'The fact that there's now a deadline set by the two leaders, I think, has focused the conversation,' he said Thursday, standing next to Prime Minister MARK CARNEY at a press conference on Parliament Hill.
— Vibe check: LeBlanc said he's optimistic negotiations will advance toward a new security and economic deal.
— Brace for impact: That was Carney's message Thursday when he announced that Canada is prepared to levy additional counter-tariffs on U.S. aluminum and steel imports — but not before July 21 — after the 30-day deadline has come and gone.
— Cold steel welcome: After scrapping a Thursday presser, CATHERINE COBDEN, president of the Canadian Steel Producers Association, and MARTY WARREN, the Canada director of United Steelworkers union, issued a joint statement panning Carney's announcement. 'We will continue to review the details of the measures and work constructively with the federal government to get a plan that works for Canadian steel producers and the thousands of workers that make up our sector,' they said.
— Working the phones: Carney said he'll speak with provincial and territorial premiers today 'to discuss this response and our broader coordination.' That conversation is scheduled for noon.
The PM also said he 'frequently' communicates with President DONALD TRUMP.
— Paging Premier Ford: When the PM returned to Ottawa from the G7 in Kananaskis, one of the first people he called was DOUG FORD.
The Ontario premier had been urging Carney to limit how much steel can be imported into Canada from non-free trade agreement countries, a source familiar with the discussions told Playbook. Playbook granted anonymity to the individual as they weren't authorized to discuss internal matters.
The PM and the premier also remain in regular contact. And Ford continues urge Carney to retaliate against the U.S. after it doubled tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50 percent earlier this month. Canada has 25 percent counter-tariffs in place on U.S. metals.
'If the president doesn't come to the table, I'll give [Carney] my full support on full-out tariffs of 50 percent on steel,' Ford told reporters in Toronto on Thursday.
— After Trump's hike: Ford texted U.S. Commerce Secretary HOWARD LUTNICK: 'I thought no surprises.' The message got Lutnick's attention, though details of their exchange were not disclosed to Playbook.
Ontario does not have a formal role in negotiations, but Ford keeps in contact with Lutnick when White House decisions touch on Ontario workers and businesses.
— Wait, negotiate, react: Canada is so far holding off. Ultimately countermeasures will depend on what Canada and the U.S. achieve in negotiations.
'We'll continue these negotiations, of course, in good faith,' Carney said. 'In parallel, we must reinforce our strength at home and safeguard Canadian workers and businesses from the unjust U.S. tariffs that exist at present.'
— First step, not a final fix: Industry Minister MÉLANIE JOLY later turned up on CBC's 'Power & Politics' with DAVID COCHRANE to reassure anxious workers. 'The most important thing is, ultimately, people having a job and their family being able to, you know — like we say in French — put butter and bread on the table,' she said. 'That's why this is a first response to the steel-aluminum crisis.'
WHO'S UP, WHO'S DOWN
Up: 'The bro-thing.' TONDA MACCHARLES notes in the Star that the PM has yet to invite many women into his top inner governing circle. 'Does it matter? Time will tell.'
Down: The G7 — or is that 6?
DRIVING THE DAY
BBQ READY — The House is expected to rise today.
— But first: The government must pass Bill C-5, controversial legislation that the Liberals promise will use 'nation-building projects' to transform Canada into an economic powerhouse.
Lawmakers must sit until the bill passes the House. MPs need to vote on the amendments made to the bill during Thursday's marathon transport committee meeting. Then the bill is expected to pass its third reading — the final stage, which sends the bill to the Senate.
— Easy peasy: It shouldn't take too long.
The Liberal minority government has forged an unlikely bond with the Conservative caucus to push this major legislation through the House by Canada Day — a promise Carney made on the campaign trail.
The Tories even supported Liberal efforts to expedite Bill C-5. If all goes as expected today, it will have taken just 14 days for the bill to be introduced and passed by the House of Commons.
— Meanwhile in the Senate: The Red Chamber is prepared to sit until June 27 in order to get the bill passed by July 1. We'll be there.
THE ROOMS THAT MATTER
— 12 p.m. The PM will host a virtual First Ministers' Meeting.
— 2 p.m. Canada's Taxpayers' Ombudsperson FRANÇOIS BOILEAU will release his 2024–2025 annual report, containing two recommendations to improve the Canada Revenue Agency.
ON THE HILL
BILL C-5 BACKLASH — The PM is pushing back at critics who say his big bill on building energy projects fast — the one speeding through Parliament — is railroading First Nations.
At his Thursday presser, Carney dismissed warnings that a speedy passage of Bill C-5 will ignite a summer of discontent across Canada.
Former Liberal Justice Minister JODY WILSON-RAYBOULD is among those urging First Nations to draw a 'line in the sand.'
Carney said Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution, is reflected in the bill, and guarantees 'free, prior and informed consent' and 'full consultations with Indigenous peoples to define what is a nation-building project.' He said the bill would ensure full economic participation by Indigenous groups.
— Other voices: STEVE MACKINNON, the Liberal Government House Leader, said C5 would ensure the full participation of Indigenous groups, many of which fully support the bill and the economic benefits new projects will bring to their communities.
'What I don't hear in the questioning is those Indigenous communities in this country, Indigenous Nations that wish to participate economically — whether in equity stakes or with job creation in these major national projects,' MacKinnon said Thursday. 'They exist all over the country and they deserve to have their voices heard.'
— Case in point: The First Nations Major Projects Coalition includes more than 170 Indigenous groups with an equity stake in 18 projects valued at C$45 billion. When the bill was introduced June 6, the group issued a statement emphasizing the continued imperative for First Nations to be 'true partners at every step of the process' in national interest projects.
Chief SHARLEEN GALE of the Fort Nelson First Nation and the chair of the FNMPC's board of directors said in a June 6 statement that she understands the need to move fast. 'History has shown us that speed without partnership leads to delay — not progress. This legislation could be a turning point if it is designed and administered in true partnership with First Nations.'
— Over here: Playbook asked FNMPC to speak with Gale, but we haven't heard back. We're still interested, so contact us here.
— About time: HEATHER EXNER-PIROT, the director of Macdonald-Laurier Institute's energy and resources program, told MPs on Wednesday night that although the bill is not perfect, it is long overdue. She said it is 'refreshing' that the Liberals and Conservatives have banded together to support it.
'For 10 years, much of the resource sector in this country has been in fight-or-flight mode, but the past few weeks, I've been hearing optimism and bullishness from Prairie premiers and energy CEOs,' she said. 'They believe this government actually intends to build some infrastructure and position Canada to be an energy superpower.'
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MORNING MUST-CLICKS
— 'The Carney-Sabia combo will be felt profoundly and fast,' KATHRYN MAY writes in The Functionary. She adds: 'A senior shuffle is expected any day, and departments are already being asked to map out spending-cut scenarios for a looming expenditure review.'
— Foreign Affairs Minister ANITA ANAND spoke with CP's DYLAN ROBERTSON ahead of next week's trip to Europe, which includes the NATO summit.
— From CATHERINE LÉVESQUE at the National Post: Doug Ford apologizes to Ontario First Nations for his 'passionate' comments.
— From the Star's NICHOLAS KEUNG: Carney government clarifies Canadian border bill's asylum changes as critics call for complete withdrawal.
— ALEX BOUTILIER of Global News writes on JAGMEET SINGH's life under RCMP protection.
— And the Globe's CHRIS HANNAY reports: 23andMe probe highlights Privacy Commissioner's lack of powers compared to U.K counterpart.
PLAYBOOKERS
Birthdays: HBD to PHILIP LAWRENCE and to public affairs pro ROMEO TELLO.
On Sunday: Former MPs WAYNE EASTER and BEV SHIPLEY.
Spotted: Former PMs JEAN CHRÉTIEN and STEPHEN HARPER having a convivial lunch at the Rideau Club.
And in QP, MARK CARNEY, accidentally calling the speaker 'Mr. Prime Minister.'
Noted: Finance Minister FRANÇOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE said Thursday that Canada is 'going ahead' with the digital services tax.
Canada's competition watchdog is advising Ottawa that Canadians want more competition in a domestic airline industry dominated by Air Canada and WestJet. The Competition Bureau shared 10 recommendations to the government — including one that would allow more foreign investment in Canadian airlines.
Lobby watch: Grain Growers of Canada met Thursday with Conservative MP KYLE SEEBACK. They also met with Secretary of State of Rural Development BUCKLEY BELANGER. … LEAH YOUNG of National Marine Manufacturers Association Canada met with Conservative MP TONY BALDINELLI, 'to advocate for tariff remissions on recreational marine products impacted by cross-border duties.'
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PROZONE
For Pro subscribers, our latest policy newsletter from MIKE BLANCHFIELD and SUE ALLAN: Carney puts Trump on notice.
In other Pro headlines:
— How Trump's cuts could weaken wildfire prevention.
— Chamber memo forecasts 'meaningfully higher' Trump tariffs.
— Canada to adjust US metal tariffs on July 21.
— Trump to open over 80 percent of Alaskan reserve to oil leasing.
— GOP frustrated but unwilling to act on Trump's TikTok extension.
Trivia
Thursday's answer: ANDRÉE CHAMPAGNE.
Props to SEAN SUNDERLAND, LISA HALEY, MALCOLM MCKAY, SHEILA GERVAIS, JOHN PEPPER, ROBERT MCDOUGALL, FELIX BERNIER, JUSTIN DE BEAUCAMP, NANCI WAUGH, ELIZABETH BURN, HUGUES THEORET, STEVEN HOGUE, SCOTT MCCORD, RAY DEL BIANCO, LYNE FORTIN-MARCOTTE, SEAN P. WEBSTER, PATRICK ST-JACQUES and MARCEL MARCOTTE.
Friday's question: Who signed the proclamation requesting that Canadians celebrate July 1? Hint: It happened on this date in history.
Answer to [e-mail]
Writing Monday's Playbook: MIKE BLANCHFIELD