Next stop: Mexico City

Dec 21, 2022

Send tips | Subscribe here | Email Zi-Ann | Follow Politico Canada

PROGRAMMING NOTE: We'll be off next week for the holidays. We'll be back on schedule Tuesday, Jan. 3.

Thanks for reading Ottawa Playbook. I'm your host Zi-Ann Lum with Sue Allan. 'Tis the season for special puzzles and today's edition contains a jumbo-sized trivia section to test how much of 2022 stuck. But first, Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU is Mexico-bound in a few weeks for some precious face time with his North American counterparts.

DRIVING THE DAY

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Merry Xmas, lobbyists. Environment Minister STEVEN GUILBEAULT will reveal today the much-anticipated details of proposed regulations for zero-emissions vehicle sales targets.

The legally binding targets for new light-duty vehicles were teased in March's emissions reduction plan but regulatory details at the time were scant.

DUE SOUTH — In a few weeks, Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU will partake in a time-honored winter tradition of many Canadians: He'll fly south to Mexico.

Trudeau will join U.S. President JOE BIDEN at the North American leaders' summit hosted by Mexican President ANDRÉS MANUEL LÓPEZ OBRADOR. The meeting, playfully dubbed the "Three Amigos," will be a forum to air unresolved grievances deemed pointy enough to be raised at the leaders' level.

— Predictable priorities : Trudeau's office said the summit will focus on developing the electric vehicle supply chain, competitiveness, climate change and the environment, migration, diversity and inclusion, health and security.

Biden's team has confirmed the president's official attendance, but his trip will look a little different than Trudeau's.

National Security Council spokesman JOHN KIRBY said Biden's travel dates are Jan. 9-10, giving the president an extra day for bilat meetings ahead of Trudeau's arrival. The trip will double as Biden's first to Mexico as president.

An official schedule, Kirby said, will be out in the "coming weeks."

NEW INFLATION NUMBERS — Statistics Canada will publish updated figures this morning, delivering fresh stats to fuel inevitable holiday dinner chit chat about rising grocery prices.

Economic fortune tellers have boldly predicted the Consumer Price Index for November will show a slight drop from October's 6.9 rate.

One factor that has lowered inflation is the state of supply chains, and how they've relatively stabilized compared to the first couple years of the pandemic.

But the devastating number of Covid-19 cases in China could derail long-term price stability transferring into the new year.

— The big picture: China's U-turn on its zero-Covid policy is unleashing a crushing wave of new cases, leaving cities scrambling to expand hospital capacity in intensive care units.

One modeling study forecasts the Covid-19 ripping through China could lead to the deaths of one million people over the next few months.

The nightmare situation is unfolding a month before the Lunar New Year and the country's related national week-long holiday.

Do you enjoy Ottawa Playbook? Maybe you know others who would like it, too. Point them to this link where they can sign up for free.

Talk of the town

SOLD OUT — Holy moly.

You love Playbook Trivia Night. You really love Playbook Trivia Night.

We announced our next live edition for Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Met in Tuesday's Ottawa Playbook and all the tables were claimed the same day. The competition for trivia crown bragging rights is fierce. But we'll still take names in case there are last-minute spaces.

Email to reserve your spot on the waitlist: RSVP here.

22 QUESTIONS ABOUT 2022

The Peace Tower on Parliament Hill is seen past lights illuminating the downtown core on Tuesday night.

The Peace Tower on Parliament Hill is seen past lights illuminating the downtown core, Tuesday, December 20, 2022 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld | Adrian Wyld, The Canadian Press

WHO SAID IT

1. "Can you imagine the famous CN Tower in Toronto, if it was hit by Russian bombs? Of course, I don't wish this on anyone."

2. "How many tanks are you asking for?"

3. "From the far left we see efforts to cancel our history, delegitimize our historically grounded institutions and customs and divide society dangerously along identity lines. And from the far right we see a vengeful anger and toxic cynicism which often seeks to tear things down."

4. "It's tough and it's disappointing, but we are going to move forward. Tonight, we'll share some drinks — but not on me though, I'm unemployed."

5. "Seek to build bridges and consensus, add chairs around the dinner table. Most importantly, Mr. Speaker, be kind to each other."

LOSING BATTLES

6. The 119 member Conservative caucus voted 73-45 to depose ERIN O'TOOLE. Who did not vote?

7. These former Ontario party leaders are newly elected mayors. For bonus marks, name the cities over which they preside.

8. Who placed second to DANIELLE SMITH in the United Conservative Party leadership race.

9. How many candidates lost to Liberal candidate CHARLES SOUSA in the Mississauga—Lakeshore by election earlier this month?

10. The Conservative leadership race went to PIERRE POILIEVRE. In what order did the rest of the candidates finish?

NUMBERS

11. About how many people filled Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium for Pope Francis's first mass in Canada?

12. What is the population of Canada according to the latest census?

13. The Emergencies Act was approved by MPs on Feb. 21. What was the vote count?

14. The government of Ontario's Bill 28 would have imposed a contract on how many education workers?

ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES

15. In 2022, how many MPs resigned — or announced plans to retire — from the House?

16. Name the first Black female justice to America's highest court.

17. Name the first Indigenous person to be named to Canada's high court.

18. Name two CTV anchors who left the network in 2022.

19. In March, JERRY DIAS resigned suddenly from Unifor. Who replaced him as national president?

FILL IN THE BLANK

20. Bank of Canada Governor TIFF MACKLEM: "It's fair to say that Team ___________ has disbanded."

21. Health Canada authorized a new Moderna's Covid booster vaccine that targets the Omicron ___________ and ___________ subvariants.

22. Quebec Premier FRANÇOIS LEGAULT: "I think that Bill 96 is a balanced bill and it's important to have a balanced bill. It's important to protect ___________ and ___________ will always be vulnerable."

We'll share answers in Thursday's Playbook.

YOU TELL US

Another question for Playbook readers:

What wasn't on your BINGO card at the start of 2022? Drop us a line. We'll share a selection of replies later this week.

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS

— Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU is back in the National Capital Region for a "personal" day.

8:30 a.m. Statistics Canada will release its Consumer Price Index for November.

PROZONE

For POLITICO Pro subscribers, our latest policy newsletter: What to know with the Amigos a go.

In news for POLITICO Pro subscribers:

— USTR expands case against Canadian dairy policies.

— 3M to exit "'forever chemicals" business by end of 2025.

— Bill to ban TikTok for U.S. federal employees included as omnibus rider.

— Vestager: EU subsidies could match U.S. green push.

— IPEF talks set for February in India, Commerce says.

MEDIA ROOM

— From our Washington newsroom: What's in and what's out of Congress' $1.7T spending bill.

— "'Friendshoring' may be appropriate policy between nations, but not between politicians and their pals," TASHA KHEIRIDDIN writes in a column that calls for the resignation of Trade Minister MARY NG.

— Radio-Canada reports Conservative MP RICHARD MARTEL is ignoring calls to apologize for after refusing to help a Quebec family facing deportation, writing them off as "illegal refugees" who crossed through Roxham Road.

— In a post titled "A Year of Stepping Backwards" CAM HOLMSTROM writes: "Going into 2023, I had hoped that maybe (just maybe) we were past the time when Indigenous peoples had to spend lots of money on lawyers to go to the courts to get government to do what they have been told repeatedly they must legally do."

— Nunatsiaq News looks at what Bill C-21 could mean for Inuit.

— JUSTIN TRUDEAU sitting down with pal TERRY DIMONTE for their annual No Politics chat over a beer (spoiler alert: there was superficial talk about politics) and shared a glimpse into a day in the life of a prime minister.

Playbookers

Birthdays: HBD to LLOYD AXWORTHY, former Cabmin and current chair of the World Refugee & Migration Council: DWIGHT BALL, former premier of Newfoundland and Labrador; JAMES LOCKYER, lawyer and founding director of Innocence Canada; and former Conservative MP GURMANT GREWAL.

Spotted: The B.C. snowpile that ate NDP MP ALISTAIR MACGREGOR's car.

ALEXANDRA MENDES, SHERRY ROMANADO and GREG FERGUS, comparing notes on Wordle. … Canadian High Commissioner LESLIE SCANLON, arriving by carriage to present her credentials to the president of Pakistan.

Environment Minister STEVEN GUILBEAULT clutching his Chinese counterpart HUANG RUNQIU's hand in celebration after reaching a COP15 deal in Montreal … Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister DAVID MORRISON meeting his American counterpart, WENDY SHERMAN, Deputy Secretary of State.

Former Ottawa mayor JIM WATSON flexing his free time by preparing to host his first Christmas dinner in a decade … Ontario Transport Minister CAROLINE MULRONEY in Ottawa meeting with the city's mayor, MARK SUTCLIFFE.

Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association FLAVIO VOLPE revealing a prototype of Project Arrow, the first all-Canadian electric vehicle … Innovation Minister FRANÇOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE predictably hitting RT on the made-in Canada EV news … Export Development Canada's top boss MAIREAD LAVERY scored an invite to the reveal for partners.

U.S. Ambo DAVID COHEN at NORAD HQ at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Movers and shakers: GARY O'TOOLE, AMIR RAZA and MYLES MORRIS have been appointed to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety council of governors.

EMILY CROCCO has been named chairperson of the Canada Agricultural Review Tribunal … GRAHAM FOX has been named executive chairman of the Canadian Centre for the Purpose of the Corporation.

Conservative MP RANDY HOBACK is looking for a legislative assistant.

Send Playbookers tips to ottawaplaybook@politico.com.

On the Hill

→ Find upcoming House committees here

→ Keep track of Senate committees here

It's quiet inside the House and Senate. The House of Commons resumes Jan. 30 and the Senate is back Jan. 31.

On the Hill

Tuesday's answer: Nova Scotia Premier TIM HOUSTON is chair of the Council of Atlantic Premiers. Prince Edward Island Premier DENNIS KING will take over in 2023.

Props to JOANNA PLATER, ROBERT MCDOUGALL, and BRAM ABRAMSON.

Wednesday's question: What happens today at 4:47 p.m.?

Send your answer to ottawaplaybook@politico.com

Playbook wouldn't happen: Without Luiza Ch. Savage and Sue Allan.

Follow us on Twitter