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A daily look inside Canadian politics and power. | | | | |  | | By Maura Forrest | Send tips | Subscribe here | Email Maura | Follow Politico Canada WELCOME TO OTTAWA PLAYBOOK. I’m your host, Maura Forrest, with Zi-Ann Lum and Andy Blatchford. Today, we bring you all the reactions to CHRYSTIA FREELAND’s speech on tackling inflation. We take a look at the future of hybrid Parliament. And we bring you up to date on those 40,000 ventilators.
|  | DRIVING THE DAY | | A FEW TOO MANY — Remember all those ventilators Canada ordered back at the start of the pandemic? An awful lot of them are now sitting unused in the federal government’s emergency stockpile collecting dust. A total of 25,964 machines, to be precise. The federal government ordered just over 40,000 ventilators in the spring of 2020, at a cost of C$1.1 billion, when dire headlines out of Italy and New York warned of an acute shortage of the life-saving machines. A global surge in demand meant Canada could no longer rely on international supply chains, so the vast majority were ordered from five Canadian suppliers that began to build the machines from scratch. — At the time: It seemed like a win for Canadian ingenuity. Ottawa has now received 27,687 ventilators of the 40,000 it ordered. The thing is, most of them were never needed. Only 2,048 ventilators have been deployed across Canada and donated to developing countries, according to figures provided to POLITICO by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The government is now trying to cancel orders for ventilators that haven’t yet been delivered. — The upshot: Clearly, this is preferable to having doctors triage patients because they don’t have enough equipment. But the government won’t say how much it’s ended up paying for the machines, or whether it will save some of that C$1.1 billion by canceling orders. Read POLITICO’s full story here. NEWS FROM GENEVA — The World Trade Organization is back in the negotiating game after approving agreements to authorize generic versions of Covid-19 vaccines, curb some fishing subsidies and continue a 24-year-old ban on tariffs on digital goods and services on the internet, DOUG PALMER and SARAH ANNE AARUP report from Geneva. — POLITICO's team writes: "The deals breathe new life into the moribund organization, which previously had produced only one new multilateral agreement between all 164 members in its 27-year existence." Here's WTO Director General NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA at the closing ceremonies: “The outcomes demonstrate that the WTO is in fact capable of responding to emergencies of our time. They show the world that WTO members can come together across geopolitical fault lines to address problems of the global commons and to reinforce and reinvigorate the institution.” EXTREME INTOXICATION — Justice Minister DAVID LAMETTI will introduce a new bill today in response to the Supreme Court of Canada’s recent decision on extreme intoxication. Last month, the top court ruled people accused of violent crimes can use the defense of self-induced extreme intoxication, which the Criminal Code had barred since 1995. Essentially, the decision means defendants can be acquitted of violent acts, including sexual assault, if they can prove they were so intoxicated they couldn’t control their actions. Women’s advocacy groups were disappointed by the decision, arguing that defendants relying on this defense will largely be men, while their victims will disproportionately be women. — Ball’s in your court: The court urged Parliament to consider new legislation to fill the gap, and suggested a possible new crime of “criminal intoxication” — meaning a person could be acquitted of a violent crime but convicted for choosing to become dangerously intoxicated. At the time, Lametti said the government was reviewing the decision, but stressed that the defense wouldn’t apply to the “vast majority” of cases where someone commits a crime while intoxicated.
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Register today. | | | | | | | On The Economy | | WHAT DOES “NEW” MEAN, ANYWAY? — Do you think the government should be spending more to help Canadians struggling with the high cost of living? Good news! “A new set of measures is coming into force right now,” Freeland said Thursday during her first major speech since the budget, in which she outlined the government’s plan to tackle inflation. “This is $8.9 billion in new support for Canadians this year,” she said. This is “entirely new support,” “new money,” “a new affordability plan.” Or are you a fiscal hawk concerned about the government spending new money while inflation is surging? Fear not! These are actually all “investments we have already made in the last two federal budgets,” Freeland said. “They have already been accounted for in Canada’s AAA-rated fiscal framework.” So it’s new, but it’s not, like, new new. Got it? The Conservatives, of course, jumped on the “new money” bit, accusing the Liberals of pouring fuel on the inflationary fire. The NDP jumped on the “investments we have already made” bit, accusing the Liberals of not providing any real support. — Here are some of the first takes on Freeland’s speech: STEPHEN GORDON , economics professor at the University of Laval, in an interview with the National Post’s JOHN IVISON: “This is new money for the Canadians who receive it this year. The fact that it was in previous budgets is irrelevant.” And here’s Ivison’s take: “The immutable rules of economics don’t seem to apply in the Liberal world of white rabbits and mad hatters, where you can simultaneously tout your commitment to reducing government spending as ‘the responsible thing to do’ and pledge to help Canadians with the challenge of affordability.” DANIEL BLAIKIE , NDP finance critic: “It really seems like a public relations exercise, not a plan to help those who are most affected by inflation — and that's where I think the government is missing the mark. Inflation is not a communications problem. It's an economic problem and there's a lot of Canadians who need real help with that right now.” DAN ALBAS , Conservative finance critic: “Spending during an inflationary crisis will only fuel inflation further. Yet, the Liberals continue down this path with reckless abandon, inflicting more inflationary pain on Canadians.” RANDALL BARTLETT, Desjardins’ senior director of Canadian economics: “It was important to provide an overview of what some of those measures were in the budget because it probably wouldn't be clear to a lot of Canadians who didn't follow it closely.” — ICYMI: Freeland and Conservative leadership candidate PIERRE POILIEVRE had this indirect exchange yesterday. A harbinger of future battles between future leaders? You be the judge. FREELAND: At this time of global economic and political volatility, undermining Canada’s fundamental institutions — very much including the Bank of Canada — is highly irresponsible, not to mention economically illiterate. POILIEVRE: Freeland’s spending pours gas on inflation fire. TOEING THE LINE — Quebec Premier FRANÇOIS LEGAULT ’s recent recruitment of two high-profile candidates with sovereigntist credentials has opposition parties tossing about the “R-word” and the “S-word” (that’s “referendum” and “sovereignty,” for anyone not immersed in Quebec politics). Legault has been adamant that his government won’t launch another referendum. But his Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) recently enlisted former Parti Québécois minister BERNARD DRAINVILLE and former Bloc Québécois MP CAROLINE ST-HILAIRE, prompting the Quebec Liberals to claim he’s just waiting for his chance. — This morning for POLITICO: 338Canada’s PHILIPPE J. FOURNIER dives into a new poll from Mainstreet Research showing Legault would be wise to steer clear of the R-word. Two-thirds of respondents said Quebec should remain part of Canada, including 58 percent of CAQ voters, while 33 percent were in favor of sovereignty. Legault, who’s heading into an election later this year, is the most popular Quebec premier in decades, Fournier writes. “Yet, he would suffer a crushing defeat if he asked Quebecers for independence (and probably cause the implosion of his own party). Considering this, the sovereignist movement in Quebec remains as far from victory as it’s ever been.”
| | TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS | | 8:30 a.m. Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU will participate in a meeting of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, hosted by President JOE BIDEN. The PM will also speak with Senegalese President MACKY SALL , Ghanaian President NANA ADDO DANKWA AKUFO-ADDO and Northwest Territories Premier CAROLINE COCHRANE. 9 a.m. Housing Minister AHMED HUSSEN will make a national housing announcement in Ottawa. 10 a.m. Public health officials will hold a news conference on Covid-19. 1 p.m. The Royal Canadian Mint will hold its annual public meeting over Zoom. 1:30 p.m. Justice Minister DAVID LAMETTI and Minister for Women MARCI IEN will hold a news conference about a new bill to address the Supreme Court of Canada’s recent ruling on extreme intoxication. 2 p.m. Deputy Prime Minister CHRYSTIA FREELAND will take part in a virtual panel discussion hosted by the International Monetary Fund.
| | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | | | | AROUND THE HILL | | SECURITY AT THE TOP COURT — Supreme Court Chief Justice RICHARD WAGNER hopes February’s trucker protests in Ottawa will lead to increased security measures around the Supreme Court building. During a press conference Thursday, he said the court, just west of Parliament Hill, is the “poor cousin” of Parliament when it comes to security. The court is beyond the stretch of Wellington Street that has been closed to traffic since February, and is currently accessible to vehicles and pedestrians. — Fearing “anarchy”: Wagner has been vocal about his concerns regarding disinformation and the loss of trust in institutions, especially in the wake of the Freedom Convoy. In April, he told Le Devoir the protests were “a little beginning of anarchy.” Since Wagner was named chief justice in 2017, he has launched an outreach campaign that includes holding hearings outside Ottawa. "I have always said that the reason for prejudice is a lack of knowledge. So the more information we give people, the better they will be able to form an idea," he recently told Radio-Canada . “If they lose faith in the justice system, what will happen? People will solve their problems on the street and it will be anarchy.” FUTURE OF HYBRID HILL — The debate over the fate of hybrid Parliament is between traditionalists and progressives. Conservative House Leader JOHN BRASSARD is a self-described traditionalist. He isn't a fan. Mute button blunders, headset problems and connectivity issues have made the normal ebb and flow of chamber and committee proceedings jankier, he said. “It's contributed to a decline in our democracy. It's contributed to challenges in holding the government to account.” — Boon for parents: NDP MP LAUREL COLLINS said without hybrid Parliament, she wouldn’t have been able to do her work this week. The Victoria MP is quarantined at home after recently testing positive for Covid. Her symptoms are mild enough for her to continue to do her job, despite her not being physically present in the precinct. There are many MPs who firmly don’t agree with Brassard, the traditionalist, and plenty who do. MPs on all sides, the ones with more progressive streaks, argue it’s about damn time for Parliament to embrace elements of modernity to reflect contemporary society. “It is really surprising to me that while we are in this pandemic, while MPs still have to isolate, that there are members of Parliament who would oppose this really sensible policy,” Collins said. “It should be a no-brainer to continue.” Read the full story here from POLITICO’s ZI-ANN LUM. What do you think? Is it time to end the work-from-home House? Tell us your thoughts at ottawaplaybook@politico.com
| | WE GET MAIL | | THE BIRDS — On Monday, we told you about a campaign to get the Canada jay crowned Canada’s national bird, and we asked what you think our feathered emblem should be. Here’s some of what you had to say: “Any bird known as Whisky Jack on the left coast is a winner in my books.” — BOB GORDON , from Brantford, Ont., with a vote for the Canada jay “Canada's national bird should be a species virtually all Canadians can identify, so the Canada Jay does not cut it. The Canada goose is ubiquitous to Canada and should be selected.” — ETHAN SPENCER, from Delta, B.C. “Looking forward to the Canada Jay being announced as the Official National Bird of Canada!” — KENT LADELL, creator of Foothills Birds, from Foothills County, Alta.
| | MEDIA ROOM | | — The Star's STEPHANIE LEVITZ reports: Pierre Poilievre’s campaign accuses Patrick Brown of breaking the law in Conservative leadership race. — Senator PAMELA WALLIN talks to Hub editor SEAN SPEER about the future of Conservative politics. — The Narwhal’s AINSLIE CRUICKSHANK presents five proposed protected areas that could help Canada meet its 2030 conservation targets. — The latest episode of ALTHIA RAJ’s new pod focuses on political polarization and includes a recitation of racist comments left on Transport Minister Omar Alghabra’s Instagram posts. — PARMINDER SINGH and MANVEER SINGH, the two men arrested after a bogus bomb threat on Parliament Hill last weekend, talk to Global News about their ordeal.
| | PROZONE | | For POLITICO Pro s, our policy newsletter by ANDY BLATCHFORD and ZI-ANN LUM: Freeland's tl;dr: 'It’s a lot of money.’ In other Pro headlines:
— Freeland: ‘Why are Canadians so worried? Inflation.’
— Climate compensation fight looms over Egypt summit.
— UK lifts opposition to WTO vaccine patent waiver, paving way for deal.
— Black New Yorkers twice as likely to die from heat stress.
— EPA tightens safety thresholds for ‘forever chemicals.’
| | PLAYBOOKERS | | Birthdays: HBD to one of our very own, the indelible NICK TAYLOR-VAISEY, Ottawa Playbook’s in-house hype-man-in-chief. Also celebrating: Former federal Cabmin STEVEN FLETCHER (50!), former Ontario premier ERNIE EVES and Quebec MNA JEAN-FRANÇOIS ROBERGE. Saturday: Conservative MP ED FAST, Senator DENISE BATTERS, NDP MP ALEXANDRE BOULERICE. Sunday: Author and philosopher JOHN RALSTON SAUL. And British Prime Minister BORIS JOHNSON turns 58. Spotted: PROOF OF VACCINATION on the Hill: Suspended. The Board of Internal Economy will remove the requirement in the House precinct starting June 20. The PUBLIC POLICY FORUM, in St. John’s. Movers and shakers: YAROSLAV BARAN is handling communications for the Conservative Party through the leadership race, after CORY HANN stepped down in March. PAUL SAMSON will be the fourth president of the Centre for International Governance Innovation, effective Sept. 6. Media mentions: IAN HANOMANSING is the new permanent host of CBC Radio’s Cross Country Checkup … MANJULA SELVARAJAH will host a new podcast: 'Solve for X.' Farewells: PIERRE BRUNEAU, news anchor at TVA Nouvelles, retired Thursday after 46 years with the network.
| | On the Hill | | Keep up to House committee schedules here. Find Senate meeting schedules here. 1 p.m. Sen. MICHÈLE AUDETTE, former MMIWG inquiry commissioner, is at the House status of women committee as part of MPs’ continued study of resource development and violence against Indigenous women and girls. 1 p.m. The House industry and technology committee meets to continue its study of small and medium-sized businesses. Witnesses include nine department officials from the competition bureau, citizenship and immigration, Statistics Canada and Treasury Board. 1 p.m. The House justice and human rights committee will hold its second meeting studying the government’s obligations to victims of crime. Witnesses include HEIDI ILLINGWORTH, the former federal ombudsman for victims of crime. Behind closed doors: 1 p.m. The House veterans affairs committee meets to review a draft report of its study delving into fairness in the services offered to veterans. 1 p.m. The House government and operations and estimates committee meets to talk about air defense procurement projects and to review a draft report about its national shipbuilding strategy study.
| | TRIVIA | | Thursday’s answer: In his farewell speech in the House June 15, 2021, NAVDEEP BAINS said, “Politics has taught me that progress is not linear.” Props to SHIFRAH GADAMSETTI and ROBERT MCDOUGALL. Friday’s question: On June 21, Canada Post will officially issue three new stamps. Tell us who the release will commemorate. Send your answers to ottawaplaybook@politico.com Playbook wouldn’t happen without Luiza Ch. Savage and editor Sue Allan.
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