Ottawa’s recycled climate debate

From: POLITICO Ottawa Playbook - Wednesday Nov 08,2023 11:00 am

Nov 08, 2023

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By Zi-Ann Lum and Nick Taylor-Vaisey

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Thanks for reading Ottawa Playbook. Let's get into it.

In today's edition:

→ Vintage climate change talking points have been recycled into the carbon tax debate.

→ U.S. Ambassador DAVID COHEN’s campaign advice: Don’t freak out.

→ Documents shared in the House reveal few early adopters in the government’s heat pump program.

DRIVING THE DAY

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rises during question period on Nov. 7, 2023 in Ottawa.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on his feet during Question Period on Tuesday in Ottawa. | Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press

TIME WARP AGAIN — Debate in the House got a bit retro this week after accusations of climate change denialism were lobbed across the aisle again.

Tuesday’s episode of question period was a rowdy mess. Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU tried to paint Conservatives as a party still stuck in a debate of whether climate change is real or not. And Energy Minister JONATHAN WILKINSON apparently ate his Wheaties.

Wilkinson made it known he has a problem with Conservatives winning their seats in the last election under former leader ERIN O’TOOLE’s platform that endorsed a carbon pricing plan, only to completely abandon the idea. It’s the “height of hypocrisy,” he shouted.

— View from the gallery above: Wilkinson’s seatmate, Environment Minister STEVEN GUILBEAULT, gave his colleague a pat-pat on the shoulder after his passionate delivery.

— More scenes of a scene: The PM’s Tories-are-still-debating-climate-change salvo earned a sassy response from Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE. “The only thing fake is the prime minister,” he said.

While the camera stayed on Poilievre, Trudeau, seated across the aisle, reacted to the insult with some physical comedy by throwing his hands to his sides and acting as if he were electrically shocked by the jab.

— Something to watch: Since the Bloc voted with the Liberals to defeat the Poilievre’s carbon tax opposition motion Monday, Conservatives have been happily accusing the government of being cozy with separatists. Climate action is a top issue in Quebec.

— Big picture issue: Trudeau’s recent carve-out to pause the tax on home heating oil doesn’t give the government a good story to tell when COP28 gets underway at the end of the month.

— VIP no-shows: Trudeau is not expected to attend the climate conference in Dubai, according to a senior Canadian government official. U.S. President JOE BIDEN also isn’t expected to go.

— Remember when: Trudeau launched the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge in Glasgow two years ago, a Canadian-led push to get countries on board with a carbon tax to incentivize the adoption of green technology and fossil fuel alternatives.

— Who’s going: Guilbeault will head to the COP28 climate conference, which he’s been attending since 1995.

— Reuse to reduce: JERRY DEMARCO, the federal environment and sustainable development commissioner, rapped his finger again at political and policy players for lacking adequate drive, focus and leadership to make gains in cutting emissions.

“The stakes for failing to mitigate climate change grow ever higher, and the window of opportunity to reduce emissions and meet the 2030 and 2050 targets is rapidly closing,” he said Tuesday while delivering a set of fall reports that called for more aggressive measures.

— Sounds familiar: DeMarco shared the same warning in April when he appeared at a Senate committee. “Our window of opportunity to prevent catastrophic climate change is quickly closing,” he said at the time.

— For the record: The environment watchdog slipped in an endorsement for one familiar measure to effectively cut emissions in Canada.

Carbon pricing and regulations “have the potential for deep emission reductions if they are stringent enough and applied widely,” DeMarco said. “The federal government can still reduce emissions and meet its 2030 target.”

— And scene: Guilbeault started his response to DeMarco’s new reports with a partisan barb at the Conservatives, calling it “frankly, immoral” to have no plan to fight climate change this late in the game.

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2024 WATCH

CANDID AMBO — U.S. President JOE BIDEN's top envoy in Canada admitted that recent polling in several key swing states is "sobering and scary."

A New York Times/Siena survey published on Sunday gave DONALD TRUMP an edge in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada and Pennsylvania. Biden led only in Wisconsin.

"For people in Canada or the United States who are concerned or troubled by a prospective second term for Donald Trump, those polling results are sobering and scary," Ambassador DAVID COHEN told a conference of Canadian manufacturers and exporters Tuesday.

But Cohen added a year in politics "is longer than an eternity." Biden wasn't a favorite to win the Democratic nomination at the same point in the 2020 election cycle, he said.

Still, Cohen says he worries about voters' views on key "issues of concern" in the same Times/Siena poll, which "strongly favor" a potential Trump candidacy.

The ambo's message for Democrats: Don't freak out.

"For me, it is more laying out a roadmap of the work that needs to be done over the next year, then causing anyone to push the panic button," he said.

— A broader trend: Cohen commented on an "unprecedented time of disruption in politics," name-checking the U.S., Western Europe and Argentina (but not Canada).

"A variety of countries are facing tremendous disruptions with significant outsized influence by populist, usually very conservative movements — they're movements more than they are parties — that are very disruptive to the political process," he said.

— Top of POLITICO this hour: Democrats cement banner year at the ballot.

A message from Team SkyGuardian Canada:

Leveraging the well-proven MQ-9 platform that has supported Five Eyes and NATO missions for more than a decade, Team SkyGuardian brings together the best in business and technology to serve Canada, the Canadian Armed Forces, and the many industries that support them. Our government and industry team will help ensure Canada’s safety and security for the long term.

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS

— It’s caucus day on the Hill.

— Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU will join the Liberal caucus meeting at 10. At 2 p.m., he’ll attend QP.

— NDP Leader JAGMEET SINGH will attend the NDP caucus meeting. Later, he’ll be in QP.

9 a.m. Defense Minister BILL BLAIR speaks at the 2023 Canadian Aerospace Summit.

10 a.m. Advocacy group Justice For All Canada holds a press conference in West Block to urge the government to call an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Liberal MP ARIELLE KAYABAGA re-upped her own call for an immediate ceasefire in a statement late Tuesday.

4:30 p.m. Industry Minister FRANÇOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE will be up at the House science committee.

7 p.m. Ontario Liberal Party leadership candidates will debate in Ottawa.

PAPER TRAIL

PUMP IT — The feds’ Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program saw 43 heat pumps installed in 11 provinces and territories during the first eight months of the program.

Documents tabled in the House this week show the program has received high interest in Atlantic Canada — and almost no uptake in the Prairies.

That’s not entirely a surprise considering Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador signed up to co-deliver the program with Ottawa.

Applicants from other provinces/territories apply through a national portal managed by Natural Resources Canada.

— Who wants to know: Conservative MP WARREN STEINLEY submitted the order paper question.

— Relevant: There’s been a spike in heat pump mentions on the Hill in the 13 days since Trudeau promised more cash and cooperation with provinces and territories to incentivize switching from home heating oil — the fuel that got a temporary carbon tax break.

Here’s what the response from NRCan showed:

British Columbia: 207 applications; 119 granted; 10 units installed.

Alberta: 2 applications; 0 granted.

Saskatchewan: 0 applications.

Manitoba: 2 applications; 0 granted.

Ontario: 267 applications; 155 granted; 13 units installed.

Quebec: 289 applications; 141 granted; 13 units installed.

Northwest Territories: 1 application; 0 granted.

Nunavut: 0 applications.

Yukon: 4 applications; 2 granted; 1 unit installed.

New Brunswick: 113 applications; 59 granted; 1 unit installed.

Nova Scotia: 2,337 applications. No data on approvals or units installed.

Prince Edward Island: 5,393 applications. No data.

Newfoundland and Labrador: 711 applications between March and June. No data on approvals or units installed. The province started its co-delivery program in late June.

— Context: Pre-registration opened in February and full registration was launched the following month. Roughly 3 percent of Canadian households use home heating oil, according to government data.

MEDIA ROOM

The sun sets over a destroyed building in Izyum, Ukraine on Oct. 24, 2023.

The sun sets over a destroyed building in Izyum, Ukraine on Oct. 24, 2023. | Bram Janssen/AP

— “I’m a Ukrainian, and I refuse to compete for your attention,” SASHA DOVZHYK writes in The New York Times.

— Senior dippers tell the National Post’s JOHN IVISON opportunism is in the air and that the party hasn’t ruled out ditching its supply and confidence deal with the “weak” Liberals. Top Dipper JAGMEET SINGH later telling reporters himself there are no plans to rip it up.

— “[PIERRE] TRUDEAU was very dapper, intelligent, intense ... kind of a combination of Albert Einstein and Napoleon (only taller). And he was doing important work. I was dazzled,” BARBRA STREISAND writes in her new memoir. People magazine has the skinny.

— Former MP and MLA JACK ANAWAK was elected to Iqaluit city council on Oct. 23, but resigned Monday, JORGE ANTUNES of Nunatsiaq News reports.

— “Imagine leaving your house for a doctor’s appointment and not getting home for almost a month.” DANIELLE PARADIS of APTN News profiles the plight of an Inuk mother who must take an extended leave from her Grise Fiord community to access medical care.

— From POLITICO's ERICA ORDEN: What DONALD TRUMP’s volatile courtroom conduct means for his future criminal trials

— Tickets go on sale today for TUCKER CARLSON’s Jan. 24 (brrr) event at Calgary’s TELUS Convention Centre. Carlson’s website suggests ticket prices start at C$224, LAURYN HEINTZ of The Canadian Press reports. Q&A with BRETT WILSON and fireside chat between Carlson and Alberta Premier DANIELLE SMITH included.

PROZONE

Our latest policy newsletter for Pro s: Environment watchdog on repeat.

→ Ottawa turns to federal lands and buildings to ramp up the housing supply.

→ Britain and Canada have come out against the U.S. Senate’s tough “Buy American” provision for shipbuilding under its version of the National Defense Authorization Act, saying the measure would block U.S. cooperation with London and Ottawa.

→ Treasury Board President ANITA ANAND announced public consultations on “regulatory possibilities to improve efficiency and resiliency of our supply chains” in key areas such as critical minerals, transportation and border operations.

In other news for Pro readers:

— China releases plan to tackle methane emissions.

— Pentagon UFO boss to step down next month.

— Report shows US trade deficit with China falling sharply in 2023.

— EU Commission to seek mandate on U.S. steel deal soon.

— EVs are driven less than gas cars. That’s an issue for climate policy.

A message from Team SkyGuardian Canada:

PROZONE

Birthdays: Conservative MP BLAKE RICHARDS celebrates today as does ex-Vancouver mayor KENNEDY STEWART. It’s former CTV News chief political commentator CRAIG OLIVER’s 85th turn around the sun.

Birthdays, gatherings, social notices for this community: Send them our way.

Spotted: Fisheries Minister DIANE LEBOUTHILLIER and NDP MP BONITA ZARRILLO, the only members in the chamber wearing face masks during question period … Meanwhile, in The Other Place, Sen. RODGER CUZNER officially taking his seat in the Red Chamber.

LAUREL CHESTER, a senior adviser at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, meeting with lobbyist SARAH BAIN, who represents Pornhub owner Ethical Capital Partners, at the end of October to discuss “telecommunications.”

Guelph Mayor CAM GUTHRIE, heaping praise on Housing Minister SEAN FRASER’s housing policy … Job posting for president of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is up with a C$458,500-C$539,400 salary range.

Quebec Tourism Minister CAROLINE PROULX in New York City with BONHOMME in Times Square … Foreign Affairs Minister MÉLANIE JOLY, in a 40-minute G7 bilat with her Japanese counterpart, YŌKO KAMIKAWA.

JOHN HORGAN’s salary as Canada’s ambassador to Germany, in the “C$273,500-C$321,700” range — up from C$214,200-C$252,000 when STÉPHANE DION took the job in May 2017.

U.S. ambo DAVID COHEN, sipping a Diet Coke at a 9:30 a.m. fireside chat with Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters CEO DENNIS DARBY.

Poilievre, getting a signal boost from Libs of TikTok, a lowbrow social media account that mocks liberals and amplifies anti-LGBTQ hate. (h/t former press gallery reporter RACHEL GILMORE)

Movers and shakers: ETOILE STEWART reappointed by Heritage Minister PASCALE ST-ONGE as a member of Telefilm Canada for a five-year term.

EMILY GILROY joins Crestview Strategy as a consultant.

Media mentions: RICHARD MADAN is joining the CBC News bureau in Washington.

Send Playbookers tips to ottawaplaybook@politico.com .

A message from Team SkyGuardian Canada:

Learn about the remotely piloted multi-mission aircraft built on Canadian industrial partnerships to deliver sovereignty and security for Canada.

On the Hill

8:30 a.m. Statistics Canada releases new building permits data for September.

10 a.m. Advocacy group Justice For All Canada holds a press conference in West Block to urge the government to call an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

11 a.m. The Senate veterans affairs committee will hold a press conference to release their report on psychedelic-assisted therapy for veterans.

11:30 a.m. The Senate national security committee meets to study Bill C-21.

1:30 p.m. The Bank of Canada will release a summary of deliberations behind its interest rate decision two weeks ago.

4:15 p.m. The Senate foreign affairs committee meets to continue its study on Global Affairs policy machinery and the Canadian foreign service.

4:15 p.m. Bill C-35 is the topic of the day at the Senate social affairs committee.

4:15 p.m. The Senate banking committee meets to hear from First West Credit Union CEO Launi Skinner.

4:15 p.m. The Senate legal and constitutional affairs committee meets to take Bill S-13 through clause-by-clause consideration.

4:30 p.m. Industry Minister FRANÇOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE will be up at the House science committee to take questions on the Chinese government’s link to federal grants and funding to Canadian universities and research institutions.

4:30 p.m. TIM EGAN, president and CEO of the Canadian Gas Association, is on the witness list at the House foreign trade committee’s study on Russia’s war in Ukraine.

4:30 p.m. The House human resources committee continues its study on the implications of AI on Canada’s labor force.

4:30 p.m. The Institute for Research on Public Policy will host its 2023 fall lecture at the National Arts Centre featuring a keynote from University of Toronto Professor AKWASI OWUSU-BEMPAH, co-author of “Waiting to Inhale: Cannabis legalization and the fight for racial justice.”

6:45 p.m. Fourteen department and Crown corporation officials are up at the Senate national finance committee to take questions about main estimates.

6:45 p.m. PAMELA PALMATER, Toronto Metropolitan University’s Indigenous governance chair, will be up at the Senate Indigenous peoples committee where the Canadian human rights framework is up for study.

7:30 p.m. The dream of high-frequency rail is on the agenda at the House transport committee.

7:30 p.m. The House health committee meets to discuss “committee business.”

Behind closed doors: The House liaison committee’s subcommittee on budgets meets to talk about budget submissions; the Senate ethics and conflict of interest committee meets to discuss a watchdog report.

TRIVIA

Tuesday’s answer: Canadian Pacific Railway financier and director DONALD A. SMITH drove in the final spike of Canada’s transcontinental railway.

One reader’s reply: “Some old white guy! Pour one out for the immigrant workers who pounded in the other 29,999,999 spikes.”

Props to PAUL MCCARTHY, GERMAINE MALABRE, DOUG SWEET, MATT DELISLE, SHAUGHN MCARTHUR, RALPH LEVENSTEIN, ROBERT MCDOUGALL, JOANNA PLATER, GORDON RANDALL, TRACY SALMON, MARK AGNEW, STEPHEN HARRIS, JENN KEAY, J.D.M. STEWART, JOHN DILLON, GEORGE SCHOENHOFER and BOOTS TAYLOR-VAISEY.

Props + 1 to JENN KEAY for Monday’s answer.

Today’s question was sent in by reader NICK CHAN: On whose desk was a dead salmon dropped during question period?

Answers to ottawaplaybook@politico.com

Think you have a harder trivia question? Send us your best.

Playbook wouldn’t happen without: POLITICO Canada editor Sue Allan, Luiza Ch. Savage and Emma Anderson.

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