THEN AND NOW — Natural Resources Minister JONATHAN WILKINSON joined a Canadian Nuclear Association conference for a Thursday morning "fireside chat" about where nuclear fits into Canada's clean-energy future.
JUSTIN TRUDEAU 's Cabinet ministers haven't always had a can-do attitude about CANDU reactors. Before Environment Minister STEVEN GUILBEAULT launched a political career, he opposed the (literally) radioactive file. Last year, Guilbeault danced around a question on Canada's nuclear future — and deferred to the judgment of the marketplace. Former natural resources minister SEAMUS O'REGAN felt differently. He championed small modular reactors as a key part of the country's energy future. And the feds committed C$120.6 million over five years in Budget 2022 for research on and regulation of SMRs. — The new guy: Two years ago, when he was environment minister, Wilkinson told then-Maclean's writer PAUL WELLS that nuclear energy would be part of someone's future — just maybe not Canada's. And like Guilbeault, the minister invested his faith in the invisible hand of the market. But on Thursday, in his newest gig as natural resources minister, Wilkinson showed up at the CNA conference with a new message for industry . Compare and contrast below his varying views on — cue a reliable Wilkinson-ism — a "go-forward basis." Wilkinson in 2020: "Minister O’Regan is correct, in the sense that there are areas of the world where there probably is no path to net zero without nuclear energy. "And on a go-forward basis, it’s certainly part of the mix of non-emitting technologies that will be competing for the provision of electrical energy. "But it’s going to be competing with solar and wind and geothermal and hydrogen and a whole range of other things; it will need to demonstrate that it is both commercially viable and cost wise." Wilkinson on Thursday: "To achieve our climate and our economic goals Canada must be open to the deployment of all non-emitting technologies and energy sources, including nuclear energy. “Today, Canada is a Tier-1 nuclear nation with over 70 years of technological leadership, a world-class regulator and a strong domestic supply chain. And our nuclear sector is poised to be a leader in an emerging global market that some estimate to be worth up to $150 billion a year by 2040. "On a go-forward basis, nuclear power can help address increasing demand for electricity, grow the economy and create jobs, all while helping us reach our climate targets." ELECTION POST-MORTEM — In case you missed it, POLITICO Canada ace contributor PHILIPPE J. FOURNIER nailed Quebec election projections. All five parties landed close to 338Canada’s final projections. Fournier correctly identified the winner in nearly 95 percent of electoral districts. In today’s Playbook, he shares his thoughts on election fallout: Last spring in Ontario, DOUG FORD ran an intentionally uneventful campaign some dubbed “the Seinfeld election” after the show about nothing. The Progressive Conservatives stuck to a tight script and left opposition parties fighting each other. Ford’s PCs went on to win a larger majority at Queen's Park than when they arrived in 2018. We saw glimpses of the same play in the Quebec campaign, even as incumbent premier FRANÇOIS LEGAULT made ill-advised comments on historically slippery topics. The warring opposition proved incapable of taking advantage of the stumbles. The Coalition Avenir Québec swept 90 of the 125 seats in the Quebec National Assembly. — Among the slippery topics? Immigration. — Tale of the tape: Asked about his plan to set a limit of 50,000 immigrants per year in Quebec, the premier replied: “Quebecers are peaceful. They don't like conflict and extremism and violence. And we have to make sure to keep things the way they are now.” Opposition leaders called him out, but the campaign rolled on. Days later, Legault’s minister of immigration was caught on tape. “Eighty percent of immigrants coming to Quebec move to Montreal, don't work, don't speak French or do not adhere to Quebec values,” Trois-Rivières MNA JEAN BOULET said during a local debate. Legault condemned Boulet, but still let him run under the CAQ banner. Boulet won his district with more than 50 percent of the popular vote, 30-plus points ahead of his closest opponent. — Missing in Montreal: Legault’s victory was unequivocal in the regions, from the Outaouais to the Eastern Townships to Quebec City and all the way to Gaspésie. Outside of Montreal, the CAQ won 88 of 98 seats. But his attempts to break through in the province’s metropolis fell short. On the island of Montreal, the CAQ ranked a distant third in popular vote (behind the Liberals and QS), and won just two of the island's 27 seats. Montreal, where most newcomers to the province reside and work, was once again isolated within a powder blue enclave. — Campaign fallout: Campaigning on the backs of immigrants may have proved a winning formula, but time will tell if it was worth risking the social fabric of the Quebec nation, whose identity remains a hotly debated ballot-box issue. Since its creation, the CAQ has branded itself as a promoter and defender of Quebec nationalism. But nationalism and cultural division can be an explosive mix, and may lead to growing counter-nationalist attitudes. — The work ahead: Unless Legault mends bridges with Montreal and its cultural communities, the campaign could leave a mark for years to come. IN 'N OUT — Foreign policy heavyweights ROLAND PARIS and ADAM CHAPNICK think Canada's foreign minister has morphed into a Teflon-clad role, in that no one sticks around long anymore. Chapman told senators Thursday that quick turnover at 125 Sussex's corner office is a fairly recent phenomenon. BRIAN MULRONEY had the same foreign affairs minister for seven years, Chapnick said. "Even LLOYD AXWORTHY was foreign minister for nearly five years." The hot potato treatment of the high-profile responsibility has worked against a key requirement in the job: time. Paris explained long-term commitment to the role is essential to cultivate relationships to get countries to pick up Canada's calls. Five ministers have held Canada's foreign affairs portfolio in Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU's seven years in power. ON THE RECORD — “I’m one of the lucky ones that made it,” PATRICK BRAZEAU said Thursday to a Senate committee studying the Federal Framework for Suicide Prevention . “I count my blessings every day.” In 2020, Sen. Brazeau shared his own story as he urged the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology to study suicide prevention and mental health. On Thursday morning, he took time in front of the same committee to urge his colleagues to focus on the needs of Indigenous boys and men. “If we want to reduce the greatest number of suicides in Canada, we need to focus research programs and evaluations on those populations who commit suicide most, ” he said. At the close of his opening comments, Brazeau shared the number for Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566. And he spoke directly to anyone struggling: “You are not alone. You are valuable. We need you. And you belong. We love you.” | 
