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A daily look inside Canadian politics and power. | | | | |  | | By Nick Taylor-Vaisey | Send tips | Subscribe here | Follow Politico Canada Welcome to Ottawa Playbook. I'm your host, Nick Taylor-Vaisey. Today, U.S. Treasury Secretary tours Toronto with CHRYSTIA FREELAND. Defense Minister ANITA ANAND has NORAD modernization on the mind. And MARK HOLLAND will probably declare some sort of spring victory for Liberals during a morning presser. Did someone forward you this Playbook? Click here to sign up for your own subscription to this free newsletter.
|  | DRIVING THE DAY | | YELLEN DAY — Finance Minister CHRYSTIA FREELAND starts her week by welcoming U.S. Treasury Secretary JANET YELLEN to the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. Their latest confab launches just before 10 a.m. Presumably they won't spend too much time chatting about the still-controversial Michael Lee-Chin Crystal that forms the museum's Bloor Street entrance. (But here's a talking point for Yellen. DANIEL LIBESKIND, the architect of that particular glass-walled talker, also drew up the master plan for the World Trade Center site across the East River from her hometown of Brooklyn.) — The state of play: Yellen on Sunday was on ABC's This Week, where she told GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS that a slumping economy doesn't necessarily mean the dreaded r-word is on the horizon. “I expect the economy to slow," she said. "It’s been growing at a very rapid rate, as the economy, as the labor market, has recovered and we have reached full employment. It’s natural now that we expect a transition to steady and stable growth, but I don’t think a recession is at all inevitable.” Yellen also called inflation "unacceptably high." Earlier this month, Yellen admitted she was "wrong" to downplay the trend that economists once insisted was transitory. — Flight plan: When Freeland pitched her own cost-of-living plan last week, the major speech — which, we'll note, wasn't much of a newsmaker — launched a Summer of Affordability for the minister. Recall her own view of ongoing uncertainty: "We have been through two years of remarkable turbulence. Our challenge now is to land the plane. A soft landing is not guaranteed. But, fortunately for us, there is no country in the world better placed than Canada to achieve one." — On gas prices: Stephanopoulos quizzed Yellen on the notion of a federal gas tax holiday, an idea floated by the Tories north of the border. The treasury secretary appeared open to the idea. "President Biden wants to do anything he possibly can to help consumers," she said. "Gas prices have risen a great deal, and it's clearly burdening households, so he stands ready to work with Congress, and that's an idea that certainly worth considering." — What's on the agenda: Freeland will host a bilat with Yellen at 10 and a "working lunch" at 11:30 (on the menu: poutine). They'll shift a few blocks to U of T's Rotman School of Management for a 1 p.m. armchair discussion with Canada 2020. The topic of the Rotman convo, which will be moderated by BEATA CARANCI , TD's chief economist and senior vice-president: "How Canada and the United States can work together to create good jobs, make life more affordable, and build economies where nobody gets left behind." Background reading: Caranci recently posted a presentation she describes as "30 minutes of eco-geek." — The perfunctory tour: Freeland and Yellen will head 'round Queen’s Park to the headquarters of Evoco, a biotech company that "uses plant-based materials to replace petroleum products and reduce carbon emissions." — The presser: That's scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at the MaRS Discovery District. — The last stop: That'd be a "working dinner" at 8:30. They'll sup down the street from Freeland's Toronto home. Watch for full coverage of all of this from POLITICO’s ZI-ANN LUM in Toronto and ANDY BLATCHFORD. NORAD DAY — Defense Minister ANITA ANAND starts the week at CFB Trenton for a "major announcement" at 11 a.m. on the modernization of continental defense capabilities. She'll be joined by Gen. WAYNE EYRE, the chief of the defense staff, and Lieut.-Gen. ALAIN PELLETIER, NORAD's deputy commander. — The backstory: Less than two weeks ago, Anand and Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU were at NORAD HQ in Colorado with U.S. Defense Secretary LLOYD AUSTIN. The PM received classified briefings on "evolving threats posed by new technologies and recent geopolitical developments." He also got up to speed on "priorities for the development of NORAD’s capabilities and the future of continental defense." Pelletier was in the room, along with American NORAD commander Gen. GLEN D. VANHERCK. Anand also met Austin at the Pentagon in late April to talk NORAD. — More backstory: The minister's staff pointed Playbook in the direction of two documents: an August 2021 joint statement on NORAD modernization and Anand's speech to a CGAI Conference in May. Both focused on the same priorities: tracking new conventional threats, modernizing command and control systems; increasing capabilities to deter and defeat threats; and investing more in R&D. Behind the jargon, big-money projects lie in wait. Canada will need to contribute to the replacement of the aging North Warning System, a Cold War-era surveillance network that dates to 1988. In May, Anand committed to "significantly investing" in NORAD infrastructure. — Money, money, money: Budget 2021 committed C$163.4 million over five years to NORAD modernization. Freeland's most recent budget tossed in C$6.1 billion in new defense spending — a portion of which will find its way to NORAD priorities. — What's coming: Some specifics, perhaps? A year of statements, speeches and budgets set up … something . At her CGAI talk, Anand didn't give much away: "In the short-term, we will have more details to share on our next steps." Over to you, minister.
| | | | DON'T MISS THE 2022 GREAT LAKES ECONOMIC FORUM: POLITICO is excited to be the exclusive media partner again at the Council of the Great Lakes Region's bi-national Great Lakes Economic Forum with co-hosts Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot. This premier, intimate networking event, taking place June 26-28 in Chicago, brings together international, national and regional leaders from business, government, academia and the nonprofit sector each year. "Powering Forward" is this year's theme, setting the stage to connect key decision-makers with thought leaders and agents of change to identify and advance solutions that will strengthen the region's competitiveness and sustainability in today's competitive climate of trade, innovation, investment, labor mobility and environmental performance. Register today. | | | | | | | TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS | | — PM Trudeau is in "private meetings." 9 a.m. Health Minister JEAN-YVES DUCLOS and Environment Minister STEVEN GUILBEAULT will make an announcement on single-use plastics in Quebec City. 9 a.m. NDP MPs RACHEL BLANEY and PETER JULIAN will join RCMP veterans in calling for the elimination of the so-called “marriage after 60 clause” that bars spouses of Mounties from receiving survivor benefits if they get married after the age of 60. 4 p.m. Governor General MARY SIMON will mark National Indigenous Peoples Day with a tour of the new Social, Cultural, and Economic Innovation Centre of the Native Women’s Association of Canada in Gatineau.
| | AROUND THE HILL | | THE 'MISSION ACCOMPLISHED' PRESSER — This morning, Government House Leader MARK HOLLAND will attempt to set the tone for the House's last week before a long summer break. At 10 a.m., he'll hold a media availability to "highlight the accomplishments made by the Government of Canada during the spring session." As he walks to the podium, his notes will likely include these details: 9 bills have achieved royal assent since the election, including five in 2022. Two more are in front of House committees (C-13 and C-18), while one is at report stage in the Commons (C-11). Two are at second reading in the Senate (C-5 and C-14), another is at a Senate committee (C-19), and two appropriations bills are at third reading in the Senate (C-24 and C-25). — Glossary: C-13 is the official languages overhaul. C-18 would have social media giants compensate news outlets. C-11 overhauls broadcasting laws (and will be "quite a story to track through the autumn," according to Sen. COLIN DEACON). C-5 reveals mandatory minimums for some drug crimes. C-14 guarantees no province loses seats in the House of Commons. And C-19 is the budget bill. Ten more government bills are at second reading in the Commons, far from the laws of the land. This time last year as election speculation hit a fever pitch, the government watched key bills die on the order paper because senators refused to pass them in a hurry. No such angst animates this silly season.
| | For your radar | | COLLISION INDECISION — Playbook has learned that a number of African startup founders who planned to attend the Collision mega-conference in Toronto, which starts today, canceled their plans after delays in getting their visas approved by federal immigration officials. POLITICO has called the giant gathering the "Olympics of tech." Organizers expect 35,000 attendees and 600 speakers from more than 140 countries to fill the Enercare Centre — and book up all the rooms in hotels all over the city (and deep into the surrounding 'burbs). — Flashback to Ottawa Race Weekend: The Citizen reported "glitches" in visa processing that prevented some of the fastest marathoners in the world from landing in the nation's capital. Immigration flacks wouldn't comment on specific applications, but told the newspaper that processing times are based on several factors. “The government of Canada is committed to the fair and robust application of immigration procedures," spokesperson AIDEN STRICKLAND said at the time. "All applications from around the world are assessed equally and against the same criteria.” WATCH FOR SPOTTEDS — CBC's CHRIS HALL bids adieu to the Hill set tonight at the Met. The retiring host of The House will surely draw a crowd of Cabinet ministers, party strategists and assorted past interviewees — as well as a solid crop of keeners who want a front-row view of a treasured journalist's going away fête. RIDING REDRAW — The commissioners who reshape federal electoral districts every decade know with certainty that their work will earn the ire of sitting MPs. It's just how it goes. New Brunswick's proposed new map, posted Thursday, is the latest case in point. — What's in a name? Justice LUCIE A. LAVIGNE, retired judge THOMAS RIORDON and retired prof CONDÉ GRONDIN proposed a new moniker for New Brunswick Southwest. The new name would be Saint John–St. Croix, which they say "better reflects the new electoral district's culture, history, and geography." That's in part because St. Croix Island, which straddles the Canada-U.S. border, is "the birthplace of Acadie and of Canada." Back in 2002, a similar commission also kiboshed New Brunswick Southwest in favor of St. Croix-Belleisle. Two years later, MPs reverted the name. Expect that from the current Tory MP, JOHN WILLIAMSON, if the change goes through this time. Williamson told the Telegraph-Journal's ADAM HURAS that when he stands in the Commons, anyone watching "can pinpoint exactly" which corner of the country he represents. "Names matter," he told the paper. — Meanwhile, in Manitoba: That province's commissioners also published their proposal on Thursday. They appeared to anticipate some pushback for moving the Town of Virden from Brandon–Souris Dauphin–Swan River–Neepawa — a consequence of other nips and tucks that ripple across the province. "We recognize that this proposal might be contentious," they write, because of Virden's "close economic, transportation and social connections with the City of Brandon." But they point out that Virden is also a regional center for nearby rural areas. Cue the public feedback. Disgruntled Virdenites can assemble at a Sept. 8 public hearing in Brandon. WHAT THE PMO DOESN'T WANT IN YOUR ALGORITHM: Everyone knows international recognition is a big deal in the Prime Minister's Office. When the Liberals moved to freeze the handgun market, chief of staff KATIE TELFORD retweeted CNN. When the PM was on Pod Save The World, d-comm CAMERON AHMAD amplified that appearance. On Friday, Sky News Australia posted a notably pro-PIERRE POILIEVRE YouTube video on the Tory leadership contender's demand for Public Safety Minister MARCO MENDICINO's head. Sure, Sky News isn't this government's target market. But hundreds of thousands of views and thousands of scathing comments can't make for happy media monitoring.
| | PAPER TRAIL | | ROMANIA-BOUND — In March, Foreign Minister MÉLANIE JOLY announced that six CF-18 fighter jets would patrol the skies of Eastern Europe this summer — which the Ottawa Citizen's DAVID PUGLIESE reported was news to the Air Force at the time. A new federal tender sheds some light on when those jets will leave Canada, and how many DND personnel will follow them overseas. — ISO hotel rooms: The department is looking for "furnished accommodations, laundry services, cleaning services, gym access and parking near Mihail Kogalniceanu Airfield" in southeastern Romania. The lucky hotel will need to accommodate 237 personnel and 91 vehicles for almost six weeks. Most of them will sleep in double-occupancy rooms (two beds; cots don't qualify). Only 18 will be on their own. All of them require blackout curtains, cable TV, WiFi and a fridge. They'll also need a conference space that seats 60. — The timeline: DND is sending these particular personnel from July 4 to Aug. 15.
| | MEDIA ROOM | | — ERIN O'TOOLE joined CBC's The House on Saturday. "My close friends know I have listened to 'The House' since the RMC," he wrote on LinkedIn . 'With the host soon retiring, I agreed to my first post-leadership interview to discuss my Military Honours motion alongside the vote on my leadership, and the balance I think the next CPC leader needs to strike to help heal the divisions in our country." — Read the NDP’s CHARLIE ANGUS on being an MP in the age of conspiracy. — The Star’s CHANTAL HÉBERT asks: Is Justin Trudeau headed for defeat? — In The Atlantic, STEPHEN MARCHE spoke to senior engineers at Google. “They do not have a machine consciousness. They do have a machine that can reason.” — Tory MP MIKE LAKE was on the Dr in the House pod hosted by U.K. MP LUKE EVANS. Lake talks autism awareness, Covid and repping Canada's most populous riding (though a new proposal might shrink his supersized district). In a moment of levity, they were interrupted by a House vote. — SUPRIYA DWIVEDI sums things up: “We’re faced with a federal government that is either unable or unwilling to communicate transparently and effectively, and an Opposition party that is increasingly willing to say anything, so long as it dunks on the libs in the process.” — PIERRE POILIEVRE might prefer not to read PAUL KRUGMAN in the New York Times: "Wasn’t Bitcoin supposed to be a hedge against inflation?" But Poilievre might want to check in on former Morneau advisor AMITPAL SINGH's reality check on who's actually investing in cryptocurrencies. — The Toronto Sun's BRIAN LILLEY says it's time to go for a handful of Cabmins in hot water: MÉLANIE JOLY, OMAR ALGHABRA, KARINA GOULD, SEAN FRASER and MARCO MENDICINO.
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | PROZONE | | For POLITICO Pro s, our latest policy newsletter by ZI-ANN LUM is jam-packed: The week ahead: Hard hustle on the Hill. In other headlines for Pros: — Dems set Manchin talks on party-line bill to simmer.
— Frances Haugen: From whistleblower to watchdog.
— Have Quebecers moved on? Sort of.
— ‘You’re on mute.’ Is it time to end the work from home House?
— Why the WTO’s vaccine IP waiver deal is a nothingburger for global health.
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| | PLAYBOOKERS | | Birthdays: HBD to Liberal MP KEN BOSHCOFF, NDP organizer MAT WHYNOTT and former Alberta MLAs RICK STRANKMAN and STEVE ZARUSKY. Spotted: Women's Legal and Education Action Fund ED PAM HRICK, joining MARCI IEN and DAVID LAMETTI at a Friday presser on a new bill — C-28 — that would intoxicated individuals criminally responsible for acts of violence. ERIN O'TOOLE, reminiscing on Father's Day about his favorite interview … SCOTT REID, with a "Very Long Thread Warning" before resharing a 2011 letter to his late father. Media mentions: Power & Politics producer EMILY HAWS is heading to work in Iqaluit for June and July … The CBC’s ADRIAN HAREWOOD celebrated “the finish line” at Carleton. Movers and shakers: CAM HOLMSTROM has left Bluesky Strategy Group to launch Niipaawi Strategies — that's pronounced knee-paa-way, and means "Stand up" in Michif — an Indigenous-owned and operated GR firm. (First media interview: check.) Farewell: RICK ANDERSON shared an obituary for his mother, Edith Isabel, who died Friday at 92. Edith raised four sons who are local legends of politics, polling and public affairs: RICK, BRUCE, JIM and DOUG. Born in Ottawa, Edith was the eldest and longest-living of a dozen siblings. "Together, they were witness to two world wars, the Depression, the beginning and end of the Cold War, the moon landing, and the invention of the smartphone that mom became so adept at using in her 90s," read the obit.
| | On the Hill | | Keep up to House committee schedules here. Find Senate meeting schedules here. 10:30 a.m. The Senate foreign affairs and international trade committee will hear from Global Affairs Canada officials on Bill S-9. 2 p.m. The Senate national security and defense committee meets for an “update on the security situation in Ukraine” with witnesses from the national defense department and Global Affairs Canada. 3:30 p.m. Sports Minsiter PASCALE ST-ONGE is at the House heritage committee where MPs’ are studying Hockey Canada’s involvement in alleged sexual assaults from 2018. 3:30 p.m. STÉPHANIE CHOUINARD, assistant professor at the Royal Military College of Canada and Queen's University, is a witness at the House official language committee to speak on Bill C-13. 5 p.m. The Senate human rights committee meets to study Islamophobia in Canada and will hear from witnesses including Canadian Race Relations Foundation Executive Director MOHAMMED HASHIM. 5 p.m. The Senate official languages committee meets and will hear from Official Languages Commissioner RAYMOND THÉBERGE on Bill C-13. (A reminder that Trudeau spoke to Théberge last Thursday.) 6:30 p.m. The joint parliamentary committee on medical assistance in dying meets in camera to consider a draft copy of its upcoming report. Behind closed doors: 11 a.m. The House access to information, privacy and ethics committee meets in camera to discuss drafting instructions for its report summarizing MPs’ study on the use and impact of facial recognition technology. 3:30 p.m. The House natural resources committee meets in camera to review a draft copy of its report on a greenhouse gas emissions cap for the oil and gas sector. 3:30 p.m. The House natural defense committee meets in camera to review a draft copy of its report on recruitment and retention in the Canadian Armed Forces. 5 p.m. The House natural resource committee’s subcommittee on agenda and procedure meets in camera to talk about “committee business.” 6:30 p.m. The House’s special Canada-China committee’s subcommittee on agenda and procedure meets in camera to talk about “committee business.”
| | TRIVIA | | Friday’s answer: Canada Post will release three stamps on National Indigenous Peoples Day commemorating HARRY DANIELS, Chief MARIE-ANNE DAY and JOSE KUSUGAK. Props to STEPHANIE SPERONI, BOB GORDON, ROBERT MCDOUGALL, HARRY MCKONE, JOANNA PLATER and BRAM ABRAMSON. Monday’s question: Where in Ottawa would you find the Animals in War Dedication, recognizing mules, horses, carrier pigeons and dogs who have played a role on the battlefield? Send your answers to ottawaplaybook@politico.com Playbook wouldn’t happen without Luiza Ch. Savage and editor Sue Allan. | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |  |
