The best and worst of 2022

Dec 22, 2022

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

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Thanks for reading the Ottawa Playbook. I'm your host, Maura Forrest, with Nick Taylor-Vaisey. Today, we bring you 22 awards for the best (and worst) in Canadian politics this year. Also, the Chinese election interference plot thickens. And public service unions are upping the ante in their battle against the return to office.

DRIVING THE DAY

BEST AND WORST — In honor of the year that has been, Playbook is pleased to present 22 (entirely earnest) awards to all the standout players and moments in Canadian politics from the last 12 months. Please enjoy.

Best overall year: To Quebec Premier FRANÇOIS LEGAULT, who promised to be the "premier of all Quebecers" — even the ones in Montreal — after his massive election victory in October.

Worst overall year: To RCMP Commissioner BRENDA LUCKI, who started 2022 with an unfavorable court ruling, ended it with a questionable performance at the Emergencies Act inquiry, and faced political interference allegations somewhere in between.

Most underrated story: The resolution of the Hans Island dispute. We have a new land border with Denmark, and all you people can do is call it an uninhabitable, barren rock. Rude.

Most overrated story: Have you heard that federal public servants don't want to go back to the office? Like, they really, really don't. How are they to afford bus passes? What are they to do with their refurbished home offices? How does lunch work?? Oh, the humanity!

Best piece of political theater: To Conservative public safety critic RAQUEL DANCHO, who was ejected from the House of Commons for accusing a Liberal MP of lying about the gun-control bill, and proceeded to accuse the Liberals of lying roughly six more times in a scrum immediately afterward.

Biggest upset: To Former Alberta premier JASON KENNEY, who stepped down after winning only a slim majority in a leadership review, and has since kept us guessing about what he thinks of his successor.

Best second act: To Brampton Mayor PATRICK BROWN, who proved that no matter how many scandals are attached to your name, you can still lead Canada's ninth-largest city and brag to the New York Times about how good Bramptonites are at soccer.

Most awkward moment: To Chinese President XI JINPING, who accused Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU on camera of leaking information to the media, after which the PM made a hasty exit to the washroom.

Biggest failure to read the room: To CEO SCOTT SMITH and the board of Hockey Canada, who tried to stay on even after Trudeau and literally everyone else said it was time to go.

Most talkative: Nobody comes close to KEVIN LAMOUREUX, the parliamentary secretary to the Government House Leader. He rose in the House of Commons 1,644 times. Trudeau ranked second with 988 interventions.

Least talkative: Six MPs rose fewer than 10 times all year in the House of Commons. Nobody spoke less than Conservative MP BOB BENZEN, who addressed the Commons only three times. Benzen officially resigns his seat at the end of the year.

Biggest comeback: To new-old Green Party Leader ELIZABETH MAY, who arguably was never really gone, but is now definitely, incontrovertibly back.

Best disappearing act: To Sir WINSTON CHURCHILL, whose portrait was stolen from the Chateau Laurier eight months before anyone noticed.

Most surprising move: NDP Leader JAGMEET SINGH's decision to sign a confidence-and-supply agreement with the Liberals, thereby ensuring he can take credit for everything and nothing for the foreseeable future.

Least surprising move: Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE becoming Conservative leader, after months of everyone predicting he would become Conservative leader.

Best off-script moment: Trudeau's impromptu performance of Bohemian Rhapsody ahead of the Queen's funeral in London, which was definitely worth a C$6,000-a-night hotel bill. Right?

Best attempt to be hip with the kids: To Conservative MP RYAN WILLIAMS, whose inflation-busting cover of "Jiggle Jiggle" manages to rhyme "skilled labor shortage" with "kids can't afford a mortgage" and only gets better from there.

Biggest slap in the face: To the Quebec legislature, which celebrated the ascension of KING CHARLES by making it optional to swear allegiance to the monarch.

Best mea culpa: To International Trade Minister MARY NG, who proved, like other Liberals before her, that it's cool to break ethics rules as long as you're really, really sorry about it.

Best non mea culpa: To Transport Minister OMAR ALGHABRA, who suggested airport delays were caused by Canadians who'd forgotten how to travel.

Biggest firebrand: To "Freedom Convoy" lawyer BRENDAN MILLER, of the-Nazi-flag-was-a-Liberal-provocateur fame, who left us all a little heartbroken when he failed to cross-examine Trudeau at the Emergencies Act inquiry.

Best stop on the cocktail circuit: Governor General MARY SIMON's plane. Come for the beef carpaccio, stay for the china plates and "appropriate garnish."

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS

7 a.m. Deputy Prime Minister CHRYSTIA FREELAND will participate in a virtual meeting of G-7 finance ministers, hosted by German Finance Minister CHRISTIAN LINDNER.

For your radar

A TALE OF TWO STORIES — Yesterday morning, the Globe and Mail's ROBERT FIFE and STEVEN CHASE seemed to have the scoop of the day. China's consulate in Toronto did target 11 candidates in the 2019 election, they reported, and Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU was briefed about it this past fall.

But but but, continues the story, which was based on reports from two unnamed sources, Trudeau "was informed in the briefing that there was no evidence of Chinese money secretly flowing to the 11 candidates." Also, "there was no indication China's interference efforts had helped elect any of them."

— The background: Since Global's SAM COOPER published a story last month claiming Trudeau was briefed in January about China "funding a clandestine network of at least 11 federal candidates," the Liberals have been doing their level best to throw cold water on the whole thing.

But their denials have been circumscribed. Trudeau has said he wasn't briefed about federal candidates receiving money, and his national security adviser, JODY THOMAS, told a parliamentary committee she had "not seen money going to 11 candidates, period." Broader questions about whether China tried to get those candidates elected have gone unanswered.

— A shift: Yesterday's story in the Globe changed the narrative. Yes, OK, China was targeting 11 candidates, the sources seemed to be saying. But still! They didn't receive money. The election results were unaffected. Everything's fine!

— But then, lo and behold: Cooper published another exclusive for Global hours later. He'd gotten his hands on an unredacted national security document from February 2020 warning the government that Chinese consulate officials allegedly targeted at least 11 candidates in the GTA during the 2019 election.

It also warned that similar influence operations were "likely to be more persistent and pervasive in future elections."

— Call us crazy: But February 2020 seems like … a lot longer ago than this past fall. Or even last January. And so we're left with familiar questions: Who knew what and when?

THE S-WORD — The battle between federal public servants and their bosses over returning to the office is getting spicier. On Wednesday, the Public Service Alliance of Canada put out a statement saying it plans to file a complaint to the Labour Board over the government's "flawed hybrid work plan."

Last week, Treasury Board President MONA FORTIER announced public servants across the government would have to return to the office two or three days a week by the end of March. PSAC says 80 percent of its members oppose the plan "and are prepared to take action — including taking strike action — to fight for better work-life balance, fair wages, protections against harassment and discrimination in the workplace and other top bargaining priorities."

The union also says it will provide guidelines to employees to help them file grievances against the government once the new policy takes effect.

— Meanwhile: MARC BRIÈRE, president of the Union of Taxation Employees, a bargaining unit of PSAC that represents Canada Revenue Agency workers, gave an interview to the Hill Times' MIKE LAPOINTE, featuring this phenomenal quote:

"If I have to, we will shut down the CRA, and if it happens during the tax season, it will be their fault. I don't give a damn."

— For more: The CBC's KATE PORTER has a breakdown of which departments have the largest transition ahead to comply with the new directive.

MEDIA ROOM

— POLITICO's LARA SELIGMAN reports on VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY's visit to Washington — and the first-ever transfer of a Patriot missile defense system.

— 2023 predictions from DON MARTIN include a "substantive Cabinet shuffle."

— In Policy Options, ANDREW GRIFFITHS asks: Has immigration become a third rail in Canadian politics?

— The Canusa Street pod welcomes former Canadian diplomat LOUISE BLAIS, who mostly talked continental competitiveness. Blais said she used to regularly consult American candidates for office to hear what was on their mind.

— Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE defended his criticism of safe supply programs in a radio interview with ALEX PIERSON on AM640 Toronto.

PROZONE

If you're a subscriber, don't miss our latest policy newsletter: Population boom.

In other Pro headlines:

— Canada pitches credit system to hit ambitious ZEV targets.

— New York will launch recreational weed sales Dec. 29.

— WTO rejects U.S. national security defense in Hong Kong label case.

— Lawmakers come up short for agency watchdogs.

— Congress to boost FDA oversight of beauty product chemicals.

PLAYBOOKERS

Birthdays: HBD to Bloc founder and former premier LUCIEN BOUCHARD, former deputy premier of B.C. CAROLE JAMES and former MP TODD RUSSELL.

Birthdays, gatherings, social notices: Send them our way.

Spotted: BILL BLAIR, DIANE LEBOUTHILLIER, ALEXANDRA MENDÈS, KODY BLOIS, PETER SCHIEFKE, JAIME BATTISTE and TIM LOUIS, among the Liberal MPs who serenaded West Block with Christmas carols.

The POPULATION OF CANADA, up 362,453 since July. Current estimated population: 39,292,355.

Cabmin CAROLYN BENNETT, getting a boost … Retired senator JIM MUNSON taking on Sports Interaction … NDP Leader JAGMEET SINGH, soliciting fashion advice.

Elections Canada filings from a Nov. 14 Bloc Québécois fundraiser in Saint-Jérôme. YVES-FRANÇOIS BLANCHET was guest of honor. Total attendance: 13 (including an MP).

The Conservative Party, looking for interns … Fiona, topping Environment Canada's list of top 10 weather stories of 2022.

"Freedom Convoy" lawyer BRENDAN MILLER, sued for defamation … CAMERON ORTIS, released on bail.

Movers and shakers: TYLER MEREDITH, who left Finance Minister CHRYSTIA FREELAND's office in September, is joining the Maytree Foundation as a fellow, and will also be co-teaching this winter term in the Munk School's public policy program.

NORA SPINKS will serve as chairperson of the National Seniors Council until June 2024. OLIVE BRYANTON has been appointed a new member of the council for a three-year term.

JUSTINE HENDRICKS leaves Export Development Canada after a 15-year run, most recently as senior VP and chief corporate sustainability officer. Next up: President and CEO of Farm Credit Canada. She starts Jan. 30.

ANNICK MONGEAU of Mongeau-Pellerin registered to lobby for Métro, owner of the Jean Coutu pharmacy chain. The former consultant for Quebec pharmacy owners plans to impress on Ottawa the importance of protecting the drug supply chain and need for price certainty. She's targeting Health Canada, which oversees the federal drug price regulator.

Send Playbookers tips to ottawaplaybook@politico.com.

On the Hill

→ Find the latest on House committee meetings here.

→ Keep track of Senate committee meetings here.

TRIVIA

Here are the answers to our 22 questions about 2022:

WHO SAID IT — 1. Ukrainian President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY addressing Parliament. 2. Public Safety Minister MARCO MENDICINO in a text to Justice Minister DAVID LAMETTI during the "Freedom Convoy" protest. 3. Former Alberta Premier JASON KENNEY as he resigned from the Alberta legislature. 4. Ottawa mayoral candidate CATHERINE MCKENNEY after their defeat to MARK SUTCLIFFE. 5. The words are from the farewell speech JIM CARR intended to share in the House.

LOSING BATTLES — 6. SCOTT REID, caucus chair, did not vote. 7. STEVEN DEL DUCA, formerly Ontario Liberal leader, is mayor of Vaughan. Former Ontario NDP Leader ANDREA HORWATH is now mayor of Hamilton. 8. Former finance minister TRAVIS TOEWS. 9. 39. 10. JEAN CHAREST was runner-up to PIERRE POILIEVRE. LESLYN LEWIS placed third, followed by ROMAN BABER and SCOTT AITCHISON.

NUMBERS — 11. 60,000. 12. 36.9 million. 13. 185-151. 14. 55,000.

ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES — 15. Three. SVEN SPENGEMANN, BOB BENZEN, DAVE MACKENZIE. 16. KETANJI BROWN JACKSON. 17. MICHELLE O'BONSAWIN. 18. LISA LAFLAMME and EVAN SOLOMON. 19. LANA PAYNE.

FILL IN THE BLANK — 20. Transitory. 21. BA.4 and BA.5 22. French and French.

Finally, here's Wednesday's trivia answer: The winter solstice.

Props to JOANNA PLATER, ALYSON FAIR, LAURA JARVIS, ROSS LECLAIR, DOUG RICE, MICHAEL WERNICK, BRAM ABRAMSON, SHANE O'NEILL, MARC ROSS, DAVE EPP, JOHN DILLON and GORDON RANDALL.

And … today's question: During this week in 1967, Prime Minister PIERRE TRUDEAU said, "We take the position that there is no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation." What bill was he introducing at the time?

Send your answer to ottawaplaybook@politico.com

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