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Politico
20-03-2025
- Business
- Politico
Trump's steel trap
Send tips | Subscribe here | Email Ottawa Playbook | Follow Politico Canada Thanks for reading Ottawa Playbook. Let's get into it. In today's edition: → Trade talks at the White House. → Former journo ANTHONY GERMAIN explains why he's running. → LLOYD AXWORTHY on the undoing of the Ottawa Treaty. TALK OF THE TOWN NOW IT'S ON — The Globe's BOB FIFE and BILL CURRY report this morning via two sources that Prime Minister MARK CARNEY is ready to call a snap election on Sunday with the vote expected April 28. As the report points out, Canada's federal parties have planes, buses and war rooms ready to go. The Globe also confirms news that EVAN SOLOMON and GREGOR ROBERTSON plan to run for the Liberals. DRIVING THE DAY NERVES OF STEEL — The POLITICO trade team is flagging a meeting at the White House later today between President DONALD TRUMP and American steel producers, as the administration seeks to drown out criticism that Trump's approach to trade is hampering the economy and causing the current stock market turmoil. POLITICO Pro subscribers can read the details via ARI HAWKINS and DOUG PALMER here. — What's at stake for Canada: Playbook recently interviewed CATHERINE COBDEN, the president and CEO of the Canadian Steel Producers Association, about the ongoing tariff war. We spoke just after Trump reversed his 50 percent tariffs on steel, knocking it back down to 25 percent. → The in-writing rule: 'I have put in place a rule here at the CSPA that we follow the language we see in the written text,' Cobden said. 'We need to be ever mindful that none of it's over until the actual legal text is in place, and even then it's subject to change.' → Keeping a cool head: 'Temperatures are very high at the moment. There's a lot going on,' she said. 'It's extremely volatile and unpredictable. Ultimately, we hope to see us get to a point where we're back to a USMCA that's good for the steel industry in North America. And that we're sort of focusing on the opportunities in front of us to combat the shared concerns we have.' → Long-term implications: 'If we aren't able to kind of find our pathway back to USMCA, or if we face a multiplication of steps, like tariffs, and then a scaling up of tariffs, and then an additive tariff … we're not able to accommodate this sort of uncertainty and fluidity in our businesses.' She added: 'If we think that that's going to be a long road, we need to do things very differently very, very quickly for the steel sector, and that includes doing some new and improved trade measures in our own domestic market.' Where the leaders are — Prime Minister MARK CARNEY will meet with Alberta Premier DANIELLE SMITH at 9 a.m. local time. At 1 p.m., Carney will make an announcement on affordable housing. — Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE will hold a 10 a.m. press conference in Jonquière, Quebec. 338Canada projection: BQ likely, though Conservatives are gaining ground on a dipping Bloc Québécois. — NDP Leader JAGMEET SINGH is in Hamilton where he will speak to media alongside NDP MP MATTHEW GREEN, NDP candidate for Hamilton Mountain MONIQUE TAYLOR, United Steelworkers Canada National Director MARTY WARREN and USW District 6 Director KEVON STEWART. — Bloc Québécois Leader YVES-FRANÇOIS BLANCHET has not released his itinerary. — Green Co-Leader ELIZABETH MAY will meet her caucus in the morning and campaign in Kitchener Centre … Co-Leader JONATHAN PEDNEAULT has private meetings in Montreal. DULY NOTED — Canada Post unveils a commemorative stamp honoring former Prime Minister BRIAN MULRONEY at a 5:30 p.m. ceremony at Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal. PMBM, who died last year, was born on this day in 1939. — Foreign Minister MÉLANIE JOLY will headline a party fundraiser in Montreal. NOMINATION WATCH — Former Quebec Finance Minister CARLOS LEITíO was acclaimed as the Liberal candidate in Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, Quebec. — ERIC ST-PIERRE is the Liberal candidate in Honoré-Mercier, Quebec — the seat formerly occupied by PABLO RODRIGUEZ. (The riding avoided a by-election following Rodriguez's January resignation because the October fixed election date was fewer than nine months away.) — Liberals announced acclamations in Beauharnois-Salaberry-Soulanges-Huntingdon (MIGUEL PERRAS) and Avalon, Newfoundland and Labrador (PAUL CONNORS). — Liberals in Cumberland-Colchester, Nova Scotia, will select their candidate at a Friday evening nomination meeting. ALANA HIRTLE is seeking the nod in the riding. — Former CBC journalist ANTHONY GERMAIN told NTV that 'what was happening in Washington' convinced him to seek the Liberal nomination in Terra Nova-The Peninsulas, Newfoundland and Labrador. — Three candidates will vie for the Conservative nomination in Nipissing-Timiskaming, reports My North Bay Now: JORDY CARR, STEVEN TRAHAN and Hill veteran GARRY KELLER. — SooToday counts four candidates in the running for the Conservative nod in Sault Ste. Marie-Algoma, Ontario: MICHAEL GASSI, CAMERON ROSS, CHRIS PATRIE and SONNY SPINA. PLAYBOOK ONE-ON-ONES BOOM — Tick, tick, tick. One small slice of Canada's piece of that international rules-based order is edging closer to obliteration in the face of our ever-changing, highly volatile, shifting geopolitical global landscape. Four of Canada's key NATO allies — Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia — are serving notice that they are withdrawing from the Ottawa Treaty to ban landmines. In a joint statement, the defense ministers of all four NATO countries say they need to be able to use all means necessary, including anti-personnel munitions, to defend the alliance's eastern flank from a potential invading Russian army. — Historical recap: It's called the Ottawa Treaty because it was at a meeting in Ottawa in 1996 to which then-Foreign Minister LLOYD AXWORTHY invited a growing international coalition to find ways to ban a weapon that, for all its effectiveness in slowing attackers, was also an indiscriminate killer of innocent civilians. It was an issue that united Canada's left and right. That ignited what became known as — what else? — the Ottawa Process that led to official signing of the treaty a year later in December 1997 in Ottawa. It went into force two years later. Axworthy was in the running for a Nobel Prize for the efforts. Canada claimed a new soft power foreign policy feather in its cap, alongside peacekeeping, which we lay claim to inventing in the late 1950s thanks to LESTER B. PEARSON (but that's another story). — Not interested: Despite early support, the United States did not join the approximately 160 countries in ratifying the treaty. Several large U.S. companies also manufacture anti-personnel mines. Other countries that did not sign include: Russia, China, India, Pakistan — and South Korea which remains to this day at war with North Korea since the signing of their armistice in 1953. — Outrage: Mines Action Canada, a member of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, issued a statement saying it 'is appalled' by the decision, even though it acknowledges their security concerns 'are legitimate.' → Quote of note: 'At a time when strength is needed, the Ministers of Defence of Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Poland are projecting weakness by recommending their countries leave the Ottawa Treaty banning landmines,' said ERIN HUNT, the group's executive director. 'Leaving the Ottawa Treaty will create unnecessary distance between members of NATO further giving Russia the impression that the alliance is weakening,' — What Axworthy thinks: 'That's all very dismaying and disappointing. It's understandable. I think the combination of a Russian aggression and Mr. TRUMP pulling away any form of security guarantees or demonstrating a liking for Mr. PUTIN has caused a lot of people to get kind of upset, scared, concerned about their own security,' Axworthy told POLITICO on Wednesday from Winnipeg. → They don't need mines, anyway: Axworthy said that in the past an exploding landmine could be viewed as an early-warning system to detect an advancing enemy. Not so now, he said, in an era of advanced aerial surveillance, including drones. 'We can respond and provide deterrence without reverting back to a weapon that's been very much decided by 80 percent of the world to being part of a taboo. Let's not just use them there. They're just too destructive and long lasting on civilians.' → Canada can't stay silent: 'Canada needs to speak out against anything that undermines the treaty. Canada has a number of armed forces in Latvia as part of a NATO brigade, and that's going to create some very complex problems for them, right?' → Between a rock and a hard place: 'Everybody wants to say we're going to be tough with Donald Trump. Well being tough isn't just counterattacking on trade and tariffs. It also means standing up to defend and preserve and enhance the kind of values that we have and the kind of commitments we've made to laws and to treaties,' he said. 'Here's a chance for Canada to show Trump and others that Canada does stand for those principles.' MEDIA ROOM — At midnight, Chinese tariffs on $3.7-billion worth of Canadian agricultural and food products went into effect. The Globe's JAMES GRIFFITHS has details on the move, which is a response to Canada's levy on electric vehicles from China. — The WSJ reports that Trump administration officials recently weighed whether to simplify putting tariffs on hundreds of U.S. trading partners by sorting nations into one of three tariff tiers. — The massive wave of reciprocal tariffs on April 2 will likely affect most imports, totaling trillions of dollars, JEFF STEIN and DAVID LYNCH of The Washington Post report. — PIERRE POILIEVRE announced that if elected PM, he would approve all federal permits related to the mineral-rich Ring of Fire within six months of taking office, and commit C$1 billion to building a road in the region. The Star has details. — 'Trump is a flimflam man who will promise anything to anybody and count on the suckers forgetting tomorrow what he said yesterday,' DAVID FRUM writes in The Atlantic. PROZONE Read our latest policy newsletter via SUE ALLAN: Trump weighs in on Canada's campaign. More headlines: — Oil executives to push back on Trump tariffs and pricing pressure at White House meeting. — Fed officials see slower growth, higher inflation as trade wars rage. — Meet the scientists Trump could tap to undermine climate regulations. — US lays out vision for trade deal with UK. — EU rifts open even before Trump trade war gets rolling. PLAYBOOKERS Birthdays: HBD to former MP TINA KEEPER. HBD +1 to MOHAMMAD HUSSAIN (30!) Celebrate your day with the Playbook community. Send us the details. We'll let everyone know. Spotted: Internal Trade Minister CHRYSTIA FREELAND, attending Ontario Premier DOUG FORD's swearing-in ceremony. Freeland also met with Toronto Pearson Airport CEO DEBORAH FLINT. British High Commissioner ROBERT TINLINE, hosting a reception at Sussex Drive HQ — the greenest building in the U.K.'s diplomatic network, he'll have you know — that capped his first month on the job. Saskatchewan Finance Minister JIM REITER, avoiding U.S.- and Chinese-made footwear with his new budget-day shoes. A member of JUSTIN TRUDEAU's RCMP protection team, publishing maps of his runs on Strava. It's an obvious security breach, reports La Presse. Noted: An eagle-eyed reader pointed out former Deputy PM CHRYSTIA FREELAND's absence from any Cabinet committee rosters. Media mentions: CASSIDY MCMACKON joins the life and arts team at The Canadian Press. TRIVIA Wednesday's answer: Former Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King would host séances to communicate with the spirits of LEONARDO DA VINCI, WILFRID LAURIER and THEODORE ROOSEVELT. Props to JOHN DILLON, TED HENDERSON, MARCEL MARCOTTE, JOHN ECKER, CAMELLIA PENG, CHRIS LALANDE, LAURA JARVIS, GARY ALLEN, ROSS LECLAIR, MARK CAMILLERI, NATI PRESSMAN, BARRY J. MCLOUGHLIN, JAMES CALDWELL, STEPHEN F. RUSTON, AMY SCANLON BOUGHNER, DARRYL DAMUDE, DARREN MAJOR, BOOTS TAYLOR-VAISEY, CAROLYN MCCRIMMON, BILL GARVIN, RAY DEL BIANCO, J.D.M. STEWART, RALPH LEVENSTEIN, BILL WATSON, PATRICK DION, JOANNA PLATER, JORDANO NUDO, ALYSON FAIR, MARC LEBLANC, WAYNE EASTER, MARC SHAW, MAIA EASTMAN. Also: HILARY IWANOWSKI, JIM CAMPBELL, ANDREW SZENDE, GUY SKIPWORTH, GEOFFREY CHAMBERS, DAN MCCARTHY, MELISSA FELD, ADAM SMITH, RODDY MCFALL, JANE DOULL, SABRINA PAYANT SMITH, MAUREEN MACGILLIVRAY, LUCAS BORCHENKO, GWENDOLYN MONCRIEFF-GOULD, CAMERON RYAN, CHELSEA BERRY, ISABEL MCMURRAY, AVIGAIL RUCKER, SYDNEY LINHOLM, ALEXANDER LANDRY, JOHN MATHESON, ROBERT MCDOUGALL, PAUL PARK, FERNANDO MELO, DUANE BRATT, MALCOLM MCKAY, BARB WRIGHT, FELIX BERNIER, TOD COWEN, RON CREARY, SHAUGHN MCARTHUR, PATRICK ST-JACQUES, AMY CASTLE, MATT CONLEY, and SARA MAY. Today's question: What former MP had won both the Stanley Cup and Grey Cup before entering politics? Send your answer to ottawaplaybook@ Writing tomorrow's Playbook: NICK TAYLOR-VAISEY and SUE ALLAN. Advertise in our Playbook. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@
Politico
19-03-2025
- Business
- Politico
Smile like you mean it
Send tips | Subscribe here | Email Ottawa Playbook | Follow Politico Canada Thanks for reading Ottawa Playbook. We're just trying to keep up. In today's edition: → A fresh approach to Washington. → Pre-election federal nominations heat up. → Why a pair of navy vessels are docked for the foreseeable future. THREE THINGS WE'RE WATCHING TONE SHIFT — We detect a softer approach to a belligerent Washington from two of Canada's loudest DONALD TRUMP critics. As Trump ratcheted up 51st state rhetoric and threatened layers of tariffs earlier this month, Ontario Premier DOUG FORD channeled coast-to-coast-to-coast anger with blistering responses that blanketed American cable news. As MARK CARNEY campaigned for his party's leadership — and the keys to the Prime Minister's Office — he let loose a similarly sharp tongue. — That was then: The day before punishing across-the-board tariffs were set to come into effect, Ford unleashed on his American opponents. 'If they want to try to annihilate Ontario, I will do everything, including cut off their energy with a smile on my face,' Ford told reporters. 'They rely on our energy, they need to feel the pain. They want to come at us hard, we're going to come back twice as hard.' → This is now: Speaking Tuesday, following last week's Washington meeting with Commerce Secretary HOWARD LUTNICK, Ford tested out fresh spin on the U.S. file. 'I'd kind of flip this around. What a compliment. We'll never be a 51st state. Canada's not for sale. But isn't it nice that someone thinks we have the greatest country in the world and they want access? My simple answer to that is, you want access? Let's build an Am-Can fortress.' — Further reading: The Toronto Star's ROBERT BENZIE on Ford's new approach. — That was then, part deux: When Carney won the Liberal leadership, he warned of 'dark days brought on by a country we can no longer trust.' Trump, he said, 'thinks he can weaken us with his plan to divide and conquer.' → This is now: At a brief stop in Iqaluit on Tuesday, Carney took questions from reporters. The New York Times' MATINA STEVIS-GRIDNEFF asked the prime minister if he shared JUSTIN TRUDEAU's view that Trump really does want to absorb Canada. Here was his full, chunky response: 'First and foremost, I think what President Trump wants — he wants several things. One is he wants to end the fentanyl crisis in the United States. I respect that. He wants good high-paying jobs in America. He wants more investment in America. He wants repatriation of many American industries and firms to the United States. And I fully respect that. I think he will respect that as prime minister of Canada, I want to end the fentanyl crisis in Canada. I want to grow good high-paying jobs in Canada. And of course I want to protect, with my colleagues, and reaffirm and reinforce our sovereignty of all of Canada.' → Follow-up: Stevis-Gridneff asked if that all added up to a rhetorical softening. Carney replied: 'I wouldn't necessarily have that characterization.' — What's next: Out with the bad cops, in with the good? INFLATION — Statistics Canada's monthly consumer price index (CPI) data drop got economists' attention. February prices were up 2.6 percent over the same month in 2024 — still within the Bank of Canada's target range, but nearing the upper bound of 3 percent. StatsCan credited the mid-month end of the federal tax holiday — remember that? — for 'notable upward pressure to prices.' Taxes paid are, in fact, included in the CPI. Higher restaurant tabs contributed more than anything else to the all-items CPI's 'acceleration.' — What, me worry? Our handy 2025 Mega-Calendar reminds us the federal stats agency's next inflation data will drop April 15 — likely smackdab in the middle of a campaign, just a day before the Bank of Canada's April 16 interest rate announcement. Speculation is already underway. The Toronto Star's JOSH RUBIN wonders if StatsCan's findings are complicating TIFF MACKLEM's near-future plans for rates. — Factors to watch: RBC economists ABBEY XU and CLAIRE FAN point out February's CPI wasn't yet reacting to cross-border tariffs. But they also note the zeroed-out consumer carbon price will reduce energy-related prices, starting in April — the same time households receive their final carbon rebate checks. Yes, those will also turn up mid-campaign. PREMIERS — Prime Minister CARNEY promised on the leadership campaign trail to host a premiers' meeting ASAP after his swearing-in. — The pledge: 'My government will immediately convene a First Ministers' meeting to work with provinces and territories to identify national investment priorities to be fast-tracked and to remove interprovincial trade barriers so Canadians can trade freely. These discussions should start from the principles of barrier-free trade, mutual recognition of standards and substituted compliance with regulations.' — Coming soon: Multiple outlets are reporting a virtual FMM will go down this Friday — just two days before a possible election call. The Globe's STEPHANIE LEVITZ reported earlier this week that the meeting will — no surprise here — focus on Canada-U.S. trade. Where the leaders are — Prime Minister MARK CARNEY will meet at 1 p.m. with the Canada-U.S. relations council appointed by JUSTIN TRUDEAU. At 3 p.m., he'll meet with the Cabinet committee on the same file. — Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE is in Sudbury, Ontario, where he will hold a 9:30 a.m. press conference before headlining a 6:30 p.m. fundraiser at a Radisson Hotel. — Playbook hasn't seen itineraries for Bloc Québécois Leader YVES-FRANÇOIS BLANCHET or NDP Leader JAGMEET SINGH. — Green Party co-leader ELIZABETH MAY will attend MP MIKE MORRICE's campaign launch in Kitchener Centre at 7 p.m. Ontario Green Leader MIKE SCHREINER and Kitchener Centre MPP AISLINN CLANCY will also attend … Co-leader JONATHAN PEDNEAULT has private meetings in Montreal. DULY NOTED — Ontario Premier DOUG FORD's Cabinet will be sworn in at a 2 p.m. ceremony at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. PAPER TRAIL SHIP SHAPE — As Canada's navy struggles through persistent recruitment woes, sailors are transferring to the next generation of ships. Now, a couple of veterans of the fleet are feeling a little lonesome at the dock. — Lying dormant: The navy's Kingston-class of coastal defense vessels are gradually entering the end of their era. They were built in the 1990s and occasionally make headlines for anti-drug trafficking missions in the Caribbean. HMCS Whitehorse hasn't recorded any movement on vessel tracking services since Sept. 8, 2021. A little over a year later, HMCS Saskatoon pinged its most recent location. Both ships are docked with the western fleet in Esquimalt, British Columbia. STEFFAN WATKINS, an Ottawa-based research consultant, tracks the location of every naval vessel — an eye on everything from seafaring frigates to harbor-roaming tugboats. Watkins has charted the weekly movements, or lack thereof, across the navy. By his count, only three of 12 Kingston-class ships have moved since February. Silence from the rest. — The official word: The navy says Whitehorse and Saskatoon are uncrewed as part of a transition to the next generation of ships. Their crew are bound for brand new Arctic and offshore patrol vessels and replenishment ships — the first of which is scheduled for sea trials later this year. → Nothing to see here: The spokesperson called the transfer of crew to new ships a 'long-established approach.' They added that none of the navy's other vessels is uncrewed 'for these reasons,' though 'it remains commonplace for any class of warship to be uncrewed should training, operational or maintenance imperatives demand.' — More to the story: Playbook asked DAVID PERRY, president of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, for his take. 'The navy had to make some difficult choices about exactly how much of the current fleet they could keep operating as they're introducing new stuff,' he tells Playbook. Crewing a ship is made even more difficult, he says, thanks to personnel shortfalls in 'a couple of key military trades that you need to actually be able to put a ship to sea.' → tl;dr: More sailors would make the navy's life a heck of a lot easier. — Look to the skies: Perry said Canada's air force will also face massive fleet turnover as aviators get trained on incoming F-35 fighter jets (and perhaps additional aircraft), P-8 maritime patrol aircraft and new SkyGuardian drones. He predicts all that time in training mode will reduce the air force's ability to deploy overseas. 'Basically, we're going to only be focused on doing Canadian and continental fighter missions,' he says — core duties patrolling the continent and protecting sovereignty. Not so much with, say, air policing missions in Eastern Europe: 'I don't think we're going to be doing that.' — Further reading: Only 40 percent of air force inventory ready for action as Canada rethinks its F-35 contract, reports CBC's MURRAY BREWSTER. NOMINATION WATCH — We bring fresh numbers of nominated candidates from two parties who didn't report back when we asked on Monday. Conservatives sit at 275. Liberals trail at 185. — 'Toronto Today' host GREG BRADY is leaving his show to seek candidacy for the Conservative Party in the riding of Ajax. — Former city councilor SCOTT ANDERSON will rep the Conservatives in Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee, British Columbia. — Liberals posted two nomination meetings set for March 21: Bourassa, Quebec, where ABDELHAQ SARI is a candidate; and Cape Spear, Newfoundland and Labrador, where candidates include TOM OSBORNE, NICOLE KIELEY and VICTORIA BELBIN. — DENISE COULONVAL was removed as Liberal candidate in Beauport—Limoilou, Quebec — 'in accordance with our national nomination rules,' says a party spokesperson. — ALANA HIRTLE wants to nab the Liberal nod in Cumberland-Colchester, Nova Scotia. — Thirteen Conservative hopefuls expressed interest in the Nipissing-Timiskaming nomination following CASSIDY VILLENEUVE's resignation on March 9. — Liberals acclaimed candidates in four Quebec ridings: Mirabel (ROBERT FLEMING), Thérèse-De Blainville (MADELEINE CHENETTE), Rivière-des-Mille-Îles (former MP LINDA LAPOINTE) and Saint-Hyacinthe–Bagot–Acton (MÉLANIE BEDARD). — Add another LPC candidate: LISA HARRIS in Miramichi-Grand Lake, New Brunswick. — The Liberals acclaimed a candidate — KENT MACDONALD — who would take the mantle from longtime MP LAWRENCE MACAULAY in Cardigan, Prince Edward Island. MEDIA ROOM — DONALD TRUMP's latest musings on PIERRE POILIEVRE: 'The Conservative that's running is stupidly no friend of mine, I don't know him but he's said negative things so when he says negative things I don't care, I actually think it's easier to deal with a Liberal.' That's from the president's sitdown with Fox News' LAURA INGRAHAM where he also repeated his 51st state rhetoric. — Also Tuesday, Trump, in a social media post, described his call with the Russian president as 'a very good and productive one,' ELI STOKOLS and VERONIKA MELKOZEROVA report. — Conservative campaign boss JENNI BYRNE told newsrooms Tuesday that they won't be allowed on the leader's tour campaign plane — a departure from the party's long-standing practice. 'There's no question that if you do this, it gives the party doing it more control,' Carleton University journalism professor emeritus CHRISTOPHER WADDELL told the Globe. — KEVIN LYNCH and PAUL DEEGAN share 6 questions candidates should be prepared to answer in a federal campaign. First, 'how will you deal with Trump personally?' — The anecdata is real. CBC's JOHN PAUL TASKER reports that Canadians took nearly 500,000 fewer cross-border trips last month compared to the same month in 2024 — levels not seen since Covid times. — The New York Times reports on President Trump's message to U.S. auto executives: Everyone needs to buckle up. PROZONE For POLITICO subscribers, our latest policy newsletter by MIKE BLANCHFIELD: Trade war puts defense dollars in play. From trade reporter ARI HAWKINS: Treasury Secretary SCOTT BESSENT suggested Trump may not impose immediate tariffs on U.S. trading partners April 2, as the president has repeatedly promised to do. Read the latest. In other news for Pro readers: — Trump officials say income rose during his first term thanks to tariffs. Economists doubt there's a link. — USDA reduces requirements for worker safety data at meat plants. — USTR taps Business Roundtable trade VP as new general counsel. — EU risks more Trump tariffs in looming Big Tech crackdown. — MARK RUTTE is an odd man out in the 'new NATO.' PLAYBOOKERS Birthdays: HBD to former MP DAVID TILSON, Hill Times editor KATE MALLOY and writer/podcaster JENN JEFFERYS. Got a document to share? A birthday coming up? Send details our way. Spotted: Australian Prime Minister ANTHONY ALBANESE, on the horn with PM Carney. Conservative MP MICHAEL BARRETT, on the Hill, answering questions only in English. Noted: Cabinet committee listings, which disappeared for a time from the prime minister's website on Monday, were restored online. Movers and shakers: MATTHIEU PERROTIN is an issues adviser in the Prime Minister's Office. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives welcomes former NDP MP PEGGY NASH as new executive director … KEITH DE SILVIA-LEGAULT is the fundraising and outreach coordinator for the federal New Democrats in the upcoming election. Media mentions: AMY DEMPSEY RAVEN joins the Toronto Star's investigations team … MARY VALLIS COWAN is the editor-in-chief of Yahoo News' Canada operation … KIM HONEY is CEO and EIC of The Conversation Canada … TIM BOLEN and DINA PUGLIESE-MIRKOVICH are new co-hosts on the revamped 'Breakfast Television'. TRIVIA Tuesday's answer: Comedian TOM GREEN took MONICA LEWINSKY fabric shopping with him in Ottawa, just over 25 years ago. Props to BARRY J. MCLOUGHLIN, ROBERT MCDOUGALL, CHRISTINA LEADLAY, SARA MAY, JIM CAMPBELL, SUSAN MURRAY, AMY CASTLE, ANDRÉ BRISEBOIS, PAUL PARK, MICHAEL POWELL, DAVID LJUNGGREN, MARCEL MARCOTTE, PATRICK DION and LAURA JARVIS. Wednesday's question: Which Canadian prime minister hosted séances to communicate with the spirits of LEONARDO DA VINCI, WILFRID LAURIER and THEODORE ROOSEVELT? Answers to ottawaplaybook@ Writing tomorrow's Playbook: MIKE BLANCHFIELD.
Politico
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Stephen Harper's advice on Trump
Send tips | Subscribe here | Email Playbook | Follow Politico Canada Thanks for reading the Ottawa Playbook. Let's get to it. → 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.' To sign up for the POLITICO Influence newsletter, follow this link. 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 ottawaplaybook@ . 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.
Politico
17-03-2025
- Business
- Politico
A sort of homecoming
Send tips | Subscribe here | Email Ottawa Playbook | Follow Politico Canada Thanks for reading Ottawa Playbook. Let's get into it. → Canada's new PM gets down to work — in Europe. → Federal polling shows the Conservatives' lead has evaporated. → The latest on election speculation. DRIVING THE DAY WHEELS UP — Campaign energy is in the air — along with the fake promise of spring. Prime Minister MARK CARNEY is in Paris after a Sharpie photo op, a Montreal pit stop and a 23-minister reveal. 'Everybody in this Cabinet is senior,' he told reporters Friday at Rideau Hall. Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE was quick to point out: '87 percent of Carney's ministers were Trudeau ministers.' The only surprise was the lack of one. — Gone from Cabinet: Gender balance, along with ministries dedicated to diversity, women, official languages, mental health and more. DARREN FISHER and RUBY SAHOTA, just recently appointed to Cabinet, are also out — along with hugs from the prime minister. — Mission statement: Carney pledged that his government will focus on three priorities: 'growing more higher paying jobs, improving affordability and making Canada more secure.' Read his first remarks as PM. The top issue to be managed will be President DONALD TRUMP. As a result, former Privy Council Clerk MICHAEL WERNICK advises the Globe's CAMPBELL CLARK: '[Carney] can be very, very focused on the Canada-U.S. chessboard.' — Job one: Carney's first move Friday was to sign his name in permanent marker to an 'executive order' axing Canada's consumer carbon tax. Yes, E.O.s are not a thing in Canada. For sure, there is debate about how Carney has gone about making the carbon levy $0 after March 31. But as STEPHANIE TAYLOR writes in the National Post: 'In doing so, he also neutralized one of the Liberals' most unpopular policies before a widely expected election call.' Carney's ministers clapped as he killed the Trudeau government's signature climate policy — a deliberate break and a move former Vice President KAMALA HARRIS definitely could have used when asked if there was anything she wished the Biden administration had done differently. 'Not a thing that comes to mind,' she told 'The View' back in October. — Caveat emptor: Poilievre warned Friday that carbon pricing is merely going into hiding. 'If he's reelected, he'll bring it back bigger than ever — and with no rebate,' he said. — TBD: Left in place of the carbon tax, AARON WHERRY notes: 'The question of what each leader would do to reduce Canada's emissions.' → Election speculation: We're hearing Sunday — a day before the House is scheduled to return. Tell us your guess. — Over the weekend: Carney talked with Ukrainian President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY 'and many of our closest allies' to discuss Ukraine's path to peace. 'Canada supports the proposal for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine,' he said. 'Now, Russia must stop stalling and launching its attacks.' He also spoke with European Union Commission President URSULA VON DER LEYEN. In Montreal, he sat down with Quebec Premier FRANÇOIS LEGAULT and joined a St. Patrick's Day Parade. The start of Carney's week looks like this: — Paris: Carney will head to Elysée Palace within the hour to meet EMMANUEL MACRON for a working lunch. 'I received an invitation from the president of France,' the new PM explained Friday of his first overseas trip. On the agenda: The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, artificial intelligence and a 'shared commitment to build stronger economic, commercial and defence ties.' For the record, Carney says Canadians don't need other countries to affirm that Canada will never be a U.S. state. 'We're masters in our own home,' he said last week in response to a question. 'We're in charge. It's always nice when people say nice things about you, but we don't need it. We're not seeking it.' — London: Carney has teed up a meeting today with Prime Minister KEIR STARMER with similar agenda items, along with the Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement and the CPTPP. Carney will also get an audience with KING CHARLES III. — Iqaluit: Per the Prime Minister's Office, Carney will be in Nunavut on Tuesday, 'to reassert Canada's sovereignty in the Arctic.' He'll also meet with Premier P.J. AKEEAGOK. Where the leaders are — Prime Minister MARK CARNEY is in Paris and London — as detailed above. — Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE will hold a morning press conference in L'Orignal, Ont., a village about one hour east of Ottawa. — Bloc Québécois Leader YVES-FRANÇOIS BLANCHET and NDP Leader JAGMEET SINGH have not shared their itineraries. — Green Co-Leader ELIZABETH MAY will attend the Saanich Gulf Islands Forum to discuss cross-border levels of government. Later in the evening, she will officially launch her campaign office in Sidney. Co-Leader JONATHAN PEDNEAULT will hold private meetings to discuss campaign and election readiness. THREE THINGS WE'RE WATCHING ELECTION WATCH — Time is ticking down to March 24, when the House is supposed to return. Cabinet is very much aware that opposition parties are eager to take down their government through a confidence vote. But will Liberals be masters call an election before they're toppled? If so, they have a week to do it. — Alternative: The House returns. But CARNEY would face an immediate confidence vote through the Throne Speech. When asked about a future election, Cabinet is keeping its story straight. — Beats me: 'We don't know when there's going to be an election,' Agriculture Minister KODY BLOIS said Friday. — Seriously, no idea: 'We do not know the dates when we will go to the election,' Democratic Institutions Minister ARIELLE KAYABAGA told reporters after her swearing-in. — One thing for certain: Asked when Canadians can expect an election, Carney replied: 'They certainly should expect to go to the polls before November.' FLEXING FORD — Ontario Premier DOUG FORD is expected to talk with Commerce Secretary HOWARD LUTNICK. It'll be their second meeting in as many weeks. Ford has been working with Ottawa to lower the temperature as they navigate Trump's slew of tariffs and look for ways to ease the economic pain. Officials existed last week's meeting saying they had a better understanding of the president's protectionist policies. The Star reports, 'Lutnick hinted at ways to scale back some tariffs in the weeks and months after Trump's April 2 escalation of levies on goods shipped stateside.' Cabinet ministers have expressed hope Carney will provide a reset to Canada-U.S. relations. Politicians on both sides of the border said Trump's fractious relationship with former Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU didn't help. WILL TRUMP PICK UP THE PHONE? — The president has yet to say peep about Carney. — Crickets: Carney's team has put in a request for a call with the president, Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. KIRSTEN HILLMAN told Fox News Sunday. 'Prime Minister Carney will be looking to speak with the president as soon as possible, and forge a good and solid relationship,' she said. 'We're looking forward to having him connect.' So far, it's dead air. Trump has said he plans to speak with Russian President VLADIMIR PUTIN on Tuesday. — Some insight: After his swearing-in, Carney said there are no plans to travel to the U.S. to meet the president. Public Safety Minister DAVID MCGUINTY told reporters the PM is 'well known' to the Trump administration already. What are you watching this week? Tell us here. FROM THE DESK OF 338CANADA THE ELECTION IS A TOSS-UP — In a stunning reversal, the latest federal polling shows the Conservatives' once-dominant lead has evaporated. For the first time in more than two years, the Liberals have drawn even with the Conservatives in the 338Canada projections, a dramatic turnaround from early January when the LPC appear to be heading toward historic defeat. — Polls converge: Polling from Léger, Abacus Data, Mainstreet, Innovative Research and Liaison Strategies all confirm the Liberal surge and Conservative decline, though the amplitudes vary. Léger and Mainstreet have the parties tied or with a slight Liberal edge. Abacus and Innovative still show a narrow Conservative lead. Liaison, which has launched a daily tracking poll, even reports a four-point Liberal lead. — Streams have crossed: This shift has reshaped the 338Canada seat projections, where the Liberals and Conservatives are now neck-and-neck. The Liberals have climbed for the 10th straight week, now averaging 150 seats, according to the model, just one ahead of the Conservatives. The Bloc Québécois has weakened in Quebec, while the NDP remains in a precarious position, battling with the 12-seat threshold for official party status. — It's a marathon, not a sprint: With the election officially a toss-up, the key question is whether the Liberals can maintain this momentum into the campaign. Polls do not predict the future. However, if trends hold, could the Conservatives potentially blow one of the largest polling leads in modern Canadian history? We'll know soon enough. COUNTDOWNS Your reminder of some key events edging ever closer. — Sitting days until summer: 49, max. — Calendar days until the Bank of Canada's next rate announcement: 30 … G7 finance ministers meet in Banff, Alberta: 64 … Statistics Canada's next batch of inflation data: 1 … The House's scheduled return: 7. Which must-watch countdowns are missing from this list? Tell us! Calendar HOT TICKETS — Join the Oscars of policymaking at the Public Policy Forum's annual Testimonial Dinner on April 24 in Toronto — an extraordinary event for extraordinary times. POLITICO Canada is chuffed to be PPF's media partner at this shindig. This year, PPF will be celebrating Canada's former chief statistician ANIL ARORA; Chief CRYSTAL SMITH; Ontario's longest-serving lieutenant governor ELIZABETH DOWDESWELL; Head of CDPQ Global MARC-ANDRÉ BLANCHARD; Journalist STEVE PAIKIN, winner of the Hyman Solomon Award for public interest journalism; and Tribe Network CEO ALFRED BURGESSON, winner of the Emerging Leader Award. This event is always a sell-out. Get tickets here. MEDIA ROOM — The latest from CHRIS JONES — in The Atlantic — ends with a banger. The magazine writer asks Ontario Premier DOUG FORD why the crisis that elevated him has not done the same for Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE. 'I couldn't answer that,' Ford replied. 'I don't care about political stripes. You'd have to ask him.' — From the Star's ROBERT BENZIE and ROB FERGUSON: Insiders say the president's dislike of Trudeau hurt relations. — 'The vibe in DC is completely different from Canada,' The Globe's TIM KILADZE writes on LinkedIn with a share to his feature from Washington. 'Right away it was clear the White House has no idea how much they've pissed off other countries — particularly the Canadians. And that's a huge problem for their tariff strategy. They just did not see retaliation coming.' — Looming tariffs — and their uncertainties — have Canadians rethinking the orange juice they buy and the places they vacation, POLITICO's Florida team writes. — 'It makes no sense whatsoever. We can both be better off. Why wouldn't we want that? Why wouldn't we do that?' TIFF MACKLEM said during an interview with the Globe's MARK RENDELL. 'But here we are.' — 'Members of the Trump administration may not have heard of Vimy Ridge, Dieppe, the crossing of the Sangro, Juno Beach, or the Battle of the Scheldt,' ELIOT A. COHEN writes in The Atlantic. 'Take it from a military historian: The Canadian soldiers were formidable, as were the sailors who escorted convoys across the North Atlantic and the airmen who flew in the Battle of Britain and the air war over Germany.' — MURRAY BREWSTER of CBC News reports that Ottawa is actively looking at potential alternatives to the U.S.-built F-35 stealth fighter. PLAYBOOKERS Birthdays: HBD to former Conservative MP MARK ADLER, Google's SEAN MURPHY and to MICHAEL FORIAN. Got a document to share? A birthday coming up? Send it all our way. Noted: Mississauga Mayor CAROLYN PARRISH announcing that the city is removing U.S. flags from sports arenas and other spots around the city. BOB PLAMONDON's latest book is out: 'Freedom Fighter: John Diefenbaker's Battle for Canadian Independence and Liberties' with a foreword from former PM JEAN CHRÉTIEN. SCOTT GILMORE shared news that he is PM Carney's senior adviser on foreign, defence and security policy. Spotted: Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada DAVID COHEN, weighing on the U.S. taunts and threats: 'Continuing to tout it is an insult to Canada and creates no value for the United States — only negative embarrassment. Enough.' Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada BRUCE HEYMAN in London outside Canada House. Colorado Gov. JARED POLIS, raising the Canadian flag at the state capitol, which was also lit up in red and white, for the inaugural Colorado-Canada Friendship Day. New Brunswick Premier SUSAN HOLT, noting her meeting with Gov. MAURA HEALEY of Massachusetts. NDP Leader JAGMEET SINGH, in a 'get ready with me' video. Conservative MP DON STEWART and Conservative candidate ROMAN BABER, opening Toronto-area campaign offices, with Deputy Conservative Leader MELISSA LANTSMAN attending both. StrategyCorp's GARRY KELLER, announcing he's submitted his application for the Conservative nomination in the riding of Nipissing-Timiskaming. CAROLINE MULRONEY, grand marshal of the Toronto St. Patrick's Day parade. Media mentions: EMMA GODMERE of CBC Radio's 'The House' is this year's winner of the R. James Travers Foreign Corresponding Fellowship, which she plans to use to explore defense and security issues in three Arctic states and what Canada can learn from them. PROZONE For Pro subscribers, our latest policy newsletter by SUE ALLAN: On Carney's agenda: Tax, Trump and trade. In other news for Pro readers: — Prime Minister Mark Carney axes Trudeau carbon tax on first day in office. — Countries weigh how to stand up to Trump's tariff barrage. — Wall Street hoped Scott Bessent would keep Trump in check. He had other ideas. — Trump blasts New York for holding up pipelines. — Puck around, find out: Florida and Canada are on a trade war collision course. TRIVIA Friday's answer: After meeting with former Prime Minister PIERRE ELLIOTT TRUDEAU and Health Minister JOHN MUNRO, JOHN LENNON said: 'It's the only place on earth where people have asked us for help in the cause of peace and where we've received tangible offers of help.' Props to ERIC BROUSSEAU, MALCOLM MCKAY, ROBERT MCDOUGALL, BOB GORDON, JULIA ORSINI, LAURA JARVIS and MARCEL MARCOTTE. Today's question: On this date in history, the Habs forfeited to Detroit. What happened next? Send your answer to ottawaplaybook@ Writing tomorrow's Playbook: MICKEY DJURIC and SUE ALLAN
Politico
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Mark Carney takes over
Send tips | Subscribe here | Email Ottawa Playbook | Follow Politico Canada Thanks for reading Ottawa Playbook. Let's get into it. → The scuttlebutt on MARK CARNEY's new Cabinet. → The skinny from the G7 in La Malbaie. → FRANÇOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE switches flights. DRIVING THE DAY LIBERALS' NEW DAWN — JUSTIN TRUDEAU is moving out of Rideau Cottage. The about-to-be former PM left office this week with little fanfare. After more than nine years on the job, Trudeau shared his goodbye from the Prime Minister's Office in a social media post that he addressed to Canadians: → 'I'm proud to have served a country full of people who stand up for what's right, rise to every occasion and always have each other's backs when it matters most,' he said in a short video. 'My only ask is that no matter what the world throws at us, you always be the same.' There's no move-in date for MARK CARNEY — yet. That decision will be 'made in due course,' the Privy Council Office tells Playbook. Whatever the timeline, Carney won't have far to go since he already lives in Rockcliffe Park, which neighbors Rideau Cottage. Staff in the Prime Minister's Office have returned their government devices and had their emails shut off. Many circulated personal contacts. — Today at Rideau Hall: Trudeau will officially tender his resignation to Governor General MARY SIMON. — Cue the pomp: Carney will be sworn in as Canada's 24th PM at around 11 a.m. in Rideau Hall's historic ballroom. The ceremony includes signing the oath books. If they follow tradition, a reception will follow in the Tent Room. — Because this is Canada: The GG will inform KING CHARLES III of the resignation and the swearing-in of the new PM and his ministry. — TBD: Will the new PM or his Cabinet emerge to take media questions? Carney has not taken questions since Sunday. — Size: Carney is expected to limit his Cabinet to about 15 to 20 ministers — so there is little room to reward Cabinet ministers who endorsed his leadership campaign. — Because it's 2025: The new PM will maintain gender equality at the Cabinet table, his team told Playbook during the leadership campaign. — For the record: The last time a government Cabinet numbered fewer than 20 ministers was in 1956, under Liberal Prime Minister LOUIS ST-LAURENT. Carney's transition has so far focused on getting up to speed on trade issues, and the Canada-U.S. relationship. His Cabinet will reflect who he believes can go head-to-head with the Trump administration. Here's our best summary of the scuttlebutt: — Who's in: Foreign Affairs Minister MÉLANIE JOLY is not going anywhere. Industry Minister FRANÇOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE let slip Thursday that he's staying put, as is Finance Minister DOMINIC LEBLANC. Public Safety Minister DAVID MCGUINTY is also expected to stay. The key players have deep contacts with the Trump administration. Crown Indigenous Relations Minister GARY ANANDASANGAREE will become Justice Minister, according to CBC. CHRYSTIA FREELAND was offered Transport, as reported by LOUIS BLOUIN and LAURENCE MARTIN. STEVEN GUILBEAULT is moving to Canadian Heritage, Radio-Canada reports. He was one of Trudeau's strongest defenders of the consumer carbon price, a policy Carney has since promised to ax. Labour Minister STEVE MACKINNON will keep his post, ALTHIA RAJ reports for the Star. — Who's out: Immigration Minister MARC MILLER, a close friend and groomsman to Trudeau, will no longer have a role, the Star scoops. Public Services and Procurement Minister and Liberals' Quebec Lieutenant JEAN-YVES DUCLOS is also out, CBC reports. That's … awkward, considering Trudeau, in one of his final acts, asked Duclos to fix the 24 Sussex problem. Health Minister MARK HOLLAND is not seeking reelection. Treasury Board President GINETTE PETITPAS TAYLOR and Fisheries Minister DIANE LEBOUTHILLIER are also reportedly out. Several reports say KARINA GOULD, who quit Trudeau's Cabinet to run against Carney, won't be in this ministry. — First days in office: Carney has said that he'll engage with Trump when he's ready to show Canada some respect. And as soon as next week, Carney plans to flex his standing on the world stage — as Canada seeks to grow its trade and military relationships with Europe and other U.S. allies. As PM, he'll make his first official trip abroad to London and Paris,The Globe and Mail scooped. He's expected to meet with Prime Minister KEIR STARMER and Foreign Secretary DAVID LAMMY (who's wrapping a three-day G7 meeting in Charlevoix with Joly). Carney largely avoided interviews on the campaign trail. His team likely knows he needs to introduce himself to Canadians. A sit-down interview in the days ahead could do the trick. Our bet: a Francophone media outlet gets first dibs. — Incoming PMO: The Globe reported the details of a senior staff list that made the rounds on Thursday. Carney's chief: MARCO MENDICINO. Senior adviser: CYNDI JENKINS. Director of communications: JANE DEEKS. Director of parliamentary affairs and issues management: KEVIN LEMKAY. Director of operations: ANGAD DHILLON. Director of policy: TIM KRUPA. The paper added that MARJORIE MICHEL, a PMO deputy chief in recent years, 'will return to the PMO for a short period to assist and will then run for election as an MP.' The riding where her name will be on the ballot: Papineau. WHO'S UP, WHO'S DOWN Up: Cases of measles. The Globe's KELLY GRANT reports that nearly 200 cases have been reported in Ontario in the past two weeks alone — 'more than in the entire decade between 2013 and 2023.' Down: Road trips to the U.S., Statistics Canada reports. Where the leaders are — Prime Minister-designate MARK CARNEY is attending his swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall set for 11 a.m. — Playbook has not seen an itinerary for Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE. — Bloc Québécois Leader YVES-FRANÇOIS BLANCHET is in Quebec's Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region. He's meeting with Rio Tinto in Chicoutimi, a farm in La Baie, Port de Saguenay and STAS Inc. Blanchet will hold a press conference at 11:15 alongside MPs ALEXIS BRUNELLE-DUCEPPE and MARIO SIMARD. — NDP Leader JAGMEET SINGH will be in Iqaluit. — Green Co-Leader ELIZABETH MAY has no public events scheduled. Co-Leader JONATHAN PEDNEAULT is in private meetings. Talk of the town VIVE LE CANADA — Even all the way out in rural La Malbaie, nestled on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River two hours from Quebec City, a visiting dignitary couldn't escape visual clues of the anger and anxiety that currently define the Canada-U.S. relationship. At the Métro supermarket a five-minute drive from G7 foreign minister meetings at Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu in Quebec's Charlevoix region, locals have turned American-made products upside down — a quiet rebellion taking hold across Canada. The visiting delegations, which have sampled local fare and toured around town, have noticed those little spurts of patriotism. They likely also clocked the bench on display in the Fairmont that dates to the 2018 G7 summit in the same building — yeah, that summit. It was, of course, not lost on the visitors that Canada picked this spot for its first ministerial meeting since the G7 gathering with the most awkward ending of all time. — Subtweet of the day: Foreign Minister MÉLANIE JOLY scored a social media win when the tandem of German Foreign Minister ANNALENA BAERBOCK and European Commission VP KAJA KALLAS posted #solidarity with Joly on X and Instagram. 'We've got your back,' Baerbock posted, posing with Kallas in coordinated red and white outfits. (Kallas affixed a maple leaf pin over her heart.) The Instagram version was set to music that reinforced the point. → Lyrics: 'I've got your back when we go out / You know I'm always on your side / No need to worry, no need to doubt / We're gonna take the world in stride.' Viewers were left to draw their own conclusions. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State MARCO RUBIO — who has, it's fair to say, a lot on his plate these days — skipped the Wednesday evening marshmallow roast and was nowhere to be found during the Thursday afternoon maple taffy tasting with a view. The ministers later dined at Chez Truchon. — The boss' latest: U.S. President DONALD TRUMP reiterated Thursday the apparent advantages of Canada joining his country: 'To be honest with you, Canada only works as a state,' he said. — First up: Joly will speak to reporters at 8:30 a.m. She was scheduled to leave Charlevoix Friday morning, bound for the first Cabinet confab of the MARK CARNEY era. — Sidelines chatter: The American delegation spotted a moose. The gaggle of Brits set up their workspace on comfy couches in front of a fireplace. Nearby, a swirl of ambassadors, aides, organizers and journalists milled endlessly as meetings played out behind closed doors. — Fun fact: Each delegation received 10 transferable passes to a 'listening room' that heard the daylong meetings between ministers. Only the boss' chiefs of staff were allowed in the room itself. For your radar HOEKSTRA IN THE HOT SEAT — Trump's nominee for ambassador to Canada fielded some topical questions on Thursday in front of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. For example, PETE HOEKSTRA was asked: 'Would you agree that Canada is a sovereign state and should not be even jokingly referred to as the 51st state?''Canada is a sovereign state, yes,' he replied. Hoekstra seemed to suggest the president's non-stop references to expanding U.S. borders are the byproduct of 'the characteristics and nature' of the relationship between Trump and JUSTIN TRUDEAU. In response, Sen. CHRIS COONS (D-Del.) suggested the arrival of a new PM offers a chance for a reset. 'I am hopeful that casual threats about throwing Canada out of Five Eyes, not respecting our border treaty and their potentially being annexed as a 51st state will stop, and that a positive, respectful conversation about our close integration will continue,' Coons said. — Quote of note: Hailing from Michigan, Hoekstra told the committee he has a special relationship with Canada. 'If confirmed, I will work tirelessly to build on that record of cooperation,' he said. 'Obviously, they're part of NATO. They're also part of Five Eyes, so that relationship goes deep.' Here's Mike Blanchfield's profile of the incoming ambassador. — This just in: Trump noted again Thursday that Canada would make a great additional state. Today is a new day. — Elsewhere in Washington: Ontario Premier DOUG FORD told reporters the 'temperature is being lowered' in a dispute with the U.S., after meeting in Washington with Commerce Secretary HOWARD LUTNICK. 'We're like a family, sometimes there's tension between families, but that was an extremely productive meeting,' Ford told reporters outside the Commerce Department. He also said Lutnick has agreed to a meeting next week, 'and I think it's going to be very productive, as well.' Canada's Finance Minister DOMINIC LEBLANC, Industry Minister FRANÇOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE and Ambassador KIRSTEN HILLMAN also attended the HAWKINS has the details for our Pro subscribers. HALLWAY CONVERSATION CHANGING THE CHANNEL — The last time FRANÇOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE sat down with the POLITICO Tech podcast, he was rejected suggestions that JUSTIN TRUDEAU should step down as Liberal leader — telling STEVEN OVERLY you don't change the pilot mid-flight. How quickly things can change. Champagne rejoined Overly earlier this week, acknowledging he has switched flights — one piloted by MARK CARNEY. 'There was a time I was considering running myself. We decided to team up together, and now we are on a very strategic course,' Champagne said. — Dynamic duo: Painting himself as a pea in a pod, Champagne said he and Carney are focused on 'beefing up' Canada's military, investing in infrastructure and regaining Canada's leadership on the international stage. — The great reset: Champagne says he believes Carney can repair the relationship between Canada and DONALD TRUMP. 'We get along with the American people, but it has to be on the basis of respect. I think Mark Carney will have the respect of President Trump. They've seen each other before.' — Read more from Overly: 'We're not like some small country you can push around.' MEDIA ROOM — CBC News reports: 'The staycation goes Canada-wide.' — 'I don't really want to play Canada's therapist here, but what's behind the reaction? Is it defiance? Is it betrayal? I mean, what do you think is unifying the Canadians at this point?' KIM SEVERSON asks on an episode of 'The Daily' devoted to Canada's response to Trump's trade war. — WARREN KINSELLA serves up in The Sun: 10 reasons MARK CARNEY-led Liberals could win next election. '1. Trudeau is gone.' Coming soon, the columnist promises: 10 reasons why PIERRE POILIEVRE could still win. PROZONE For Pro subscribers, our latest policy newsletter by SUE ALLAN: Trump's latest ALL-CAPS mega-tariff threat. A special global briefing: Trump's New World Order: How U.S. Policy is Reshaping Europe, Canada and China → POLITICO reporters discussed how America's trading partners, security allies and rivals are navigating a whirlwind of new U.S. tariffs and policy shifts. Europe's response to steel and aluminum tariffs, Canada's sharp economic countermeasures, and China's careful but forceful retaliation underscore the widespread uncertainty abroad. Meanwhile, NATO partners openly wonder about the alliance's future and Canada wrestles with a profound political transition. In other Pro headlines: — Klobuchar hits Trump on tariffs: You can't be 'just declaring yourself a king.' — EU lays out state aid push to stoke green investments. — Huawei bribery scandal rocks EU Parliament. — EU trade chief to call US counterpart on wine tariff. — EPA launches attack on 'holy grail' of climate science — and dozens of enviro rules. PLAYBOOKERS Birthdays: HBD to MPs RHÉAL FORTIN, ADAM CHAMBERS, JOËL GODIN. Also celebrating: LIAM ROCHE of the Carney campaign and CAA's JASON KERR. Saturday: Former Conservative Cabinet Minister RONA AMBROSE, Newfoundland And Labrador MP YVONNE JONES, former Conservative MP PHIL MCCOLEMAN, former B.C. politician DAVID J. MITCHELL and ALEX SPENCE, senior manager, government relations at TD. Sunday: Blowing out the candles is MARK CARNEY (60!), former MP LEONA ALLESLEV and JASON CLARK, national director of climate change advocacy at the Insurance Bureau of Canada. Got a document to share? A birthday coming up? Send deets. Noted: Publication of Carney's new book will be delayed, MARK RAMZY of the Star reports. 'The Hinge: Time to Build an Even Better Canada,' was set to be released May 13. Spotted: European Commission Vice President KAJA KALLAS, in red, donning a maple leaf pin in Quebec while being interviewed by CNN. California Gov. GAVIN NEWSOM, thanking outgoing Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU for 'taking bold action on climate' and bolstering economic ties with his state. 'I am thankful for all we've accomplished together,' he said. Movers and shakers: The Liberals acclaimed MANDY GULL as their federal candidate in Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou. Farewell: MIKE BURTON, chief of staff to Minister MARC MILLER, is leaving politics 'for personal and family reasons.' TRIVIA Thursday's answer: Two G7 leaders who attended the 2018 Charlevoix Summit will be in power during the Kananaskis Summit this June: U.S. President DONALD TRUMP and French President EMMANUEL MACRON. Props to MARCEL MARCOTTE, JOHN DILLON, LAURA JARVIS, CHRISTINA DE TONI, MARK AGNEW, JOHN MATHESON, JOHN ECKER, LESLIE SWARTMAN, NATHAN CATO, MICHAEL FOLKERSON, PATRICK ST-JACQUES, MORGAN LARHANT, DARRYL DAMUDE, BILL GARVIN, ELIZABETH BURN, CYRUS J. REIMER, CAMERON RYAN, MATEO LARRAZÁBAL, ETHAN SPENCER, JAYLEN GORDON, SEAN SUNDERLAND, MARC LEBLANC, DEAN VALENTINO, JENI ARMSTRONG, ROBERT MCDOUGALL, BOB RICHARDSON, RON CREARY, JONAH ROSEN, FERNANDO MELO and MALCOLM MCKAY. Friday's question: Who said this in 1969 after meeting with former Prime Minister PIERRE ELLIOTT TRUDEAU and Health Minister JOHN MUNRO: 'It's the only place on earth where people have asked us for help in the cause of peace and where we've received tangible offers of help.' Answer to ottawaplaybook@ Think you have a harder question? Send it our way!
