PRE-BUDGET SCRAPS — It could've been DOUG FORD walking to the podium on Monday, surrounded by electrical workers. They held signs with slogans like "Made-in-Canada" and "A growing economy." The lectern placed between teleprompter screens offered a simple message: "Creating good jobs." They'd gathered at an Oshawa training center of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, a union that endorsed the Ontario premier’s reelection bid — a blue-collar facility in a blue-collar city. (And a riding that has sent a New Democrat to Queen's Park three times in a row.) But it wasn't Ford's day to win over the local locals. Finance Minister CHRYSTIA FREELAND was the headliner. Her task was delivering a budget preview. Her first opener was local-ish MP RYAN TURNBULL. The second opener was MATT WAYLAND, IBEW's government relations director. Wayland is a former member of the federal task force on "just transition" and a current board member at the Canadian Climate Institute. (Can you say future Liberal candidate?) — Gimme, gimme, gimme: Freeland delivered a speech aimed at many audiences outside the Ottawa bubble: average news-watching Canadians, organized labor, provincial and territorial counterparts, and investors keen on reading her upcoming budget. Everyone wants to know where she's prepared to spend federal money — and where she'll resist the urge in the name of long-telegraphed fiscal restraint. — Three priorities: Affordability, health care and the clean economy. Affordability: The minister acknowledged that inflation "is still too high," and pledged "additional targeted relief" that wouldn't "pour fuel on the fire." The NDP has called on the government to extend an expanded GST/HST rebate for low-income families. New Dems also pitched federally funded school lunches. In 2021, the Liberals promised C$1 billion over five years for a national school nutrition program. Budget 2022 tasked Families Minister KARINA GOULD with crafting a food policy with fed-prov partners — but committed no money to it. The feds ran consultations late last year. Forty senators want action now, and asked Freeland in a February letter to fund a program in Budget 2023. Health care: Freeland also reiterated JUSTIN TRUDEAU's promise of C$196 billion in "additional" health-care spending over 10 years — including C$46.2 billion in new funding promised earlier this year. Freeland framed the injection as a business opportunity. "Universal and high quality health care is rightly a priority for every single Canadian," she said. "It is also a national competitive advantage." The next phase of a multi-year dentalcare program is at the top of the NDP's agenda. Clean economy: Freeland has long promised spending meant to lure global investment amidst an industrial transformation away from carbon. "Because Canada produces what the world needs, from energy to critical minerals, Canadian workers can be the ones to provide our allies with the resources they need," she said. Translation: America can't have all the fun. — Not a priority: New defense spending. Freeland found nary a word for any new injections into a budget line that NATO allies eternally hope Canada will boost to 2 percent of GDP. Freeland's dearth of oratorical interest in the subject might foreshadow an awkward conversation or two behind closed doors when President JOE BIDEN visits this week. “There's just no doubt that defense is at the top of the agenda for the United States,” Ambassador DAVID COHEN told CTV’s VASSY KAPELOS on Sunday. America's top envoy was referencing the war in Ukraine and NORAD modernization. Canada has funded Ukraine's war effort to the tune of more than C$1 billion since last year. Defense Minister ANITA ANAND has also pledged tens of billions for continental defense — including pricey new radar systems that'll take years to purchase and install. Food for thought from the Broadbent Institute: Will the response to the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act reveal Canada’s lack of green industrial policy? Know someone who could use Ottawa Playbook? Direct them to this link. Five days a week, zero dollars.
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