War and piecework

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Feb 15, 2023 View in browser   By Zi-Ann Lum Send tips | Subscribe here | Follow Politico Canada Thanks for reading Ottawa Playbook. I’m your host, Zi-Ann Lum, with Joseph Gedeon. It’s Flag Day and the 27th anniversary of the “Shawinigan Handshake.” Thank you, SHEILA COPPS for reminding us about that Canadian heritage minute. Over in Canada’s biggest city, JOHN TORY is still Toronto’s mayor, five days after he announced his resignation after admitting an affair with a former staffer. First though, a House committee has trudged through dysfunction to deliver an overdue report on Ukraine. DRIVING THE DAY Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Feb. 3, 2023. | Efrem Lukatsky/AP Photo BETTER LATE THAN NEVER — The House foreign affairs committee finally released its report on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — 10 days shy of the war’s one-year anniversary. The committee heard from its last witness in October. MPs tried to head off criticisms of tardiness by calling their list of 15 recommendations an “interim” report. Bloc MP and committee member STÉPHANE BERGERON told reporters in Ottawa Tuesday that he was somewhat embarrassed about the report, specifically its timing. “Our Ukrainian friends, our Ukrainian allies were counting on us to act with responsibility,” Bergeron said. “On that score, I think we have failed in that task because we’ve done extraordinarily good work, but we were unable to go about it more quickly.” He blamed “partisan issues” for taking the committee “hostage.” He said it prevented the report from coming out earlier and having “the government benefit from our observations and recommendations.” — Among the non-binding recommendations: There’s an ask to fast-track a Liberal election promise that would establish a Canada Financial Crimes Agency; and a nudge to Ottawa to make enhancing the energy security of Canada’s democratic allies an explicit policy goal while meeting domestic and international climate goals; and a request to list the Wagner Group as a terrorist group. — What’s next: In the next few days, MPs on the foreign affairs committee will head to Sweden, Finland, Belgium and Poland. They will almost overlap with two of Trudeau’s Cabinet ministers. Defense Minister ANITA ANAND is in Brussels today for a NATO defense ministers meeting; Foreign Affairs Minister MÉLANIE JOLY heads to Germany at the end of the week for the Munich Security Conference. For your radar MIRROR, MIRROR — Conservative finance critic JASRAJ SINGH HALLAN faced hard questions Tuesday about how his party’s support for a Bloc motion squares with the negative impact of Bill 21. Quebec’s secularism law has earned notoriety because it bars public servants in positions of authority from wearing religious symbols on the job, which critics have argued disproportionately impacts Muslim women. Expect questions to pop up during the next federal election. — The motion: Bloc Leader YVES-FRANÇOIS BLANCHET moved a motion Monday designed to remind the federal government that the pre-emptive use of the notwithstanding clause “is solely up to Quebec.” The vote fell along party lines. The Bloc shored support from Conservatives and former Tory MP ALAIN RAYES. The Liberals, NDP, Greens and Independent MP KEVIN VUONG voted against, defeating the motion 142-174. — What wedge? Reporters asked Hallan for clarity, given the Bloc motion supports Quebec’s pre-emptive use of the notwithstanding clause — a political tool used by Quebec Premier FRANÇOIS LEGAULT’s government to pass Bill 21. “I’ve been clear on my stand on Bill 21,” Hallan told reporters in West Block. In January 2020, the Calgary Forest Lawn MP stood in the House to present a petition urging MPs to denounce the province’s secularism bill. “As an immigrant and ethnic minority, I know Quebec’s Bill 21 has real human impact,” he said at the time. — Jump cut to today: Hallan held the media availability to talk about his opposition motion, calling on the government to “cap spending, cut waste, fire high-priced consultants and eliminate inflationary deficiencies and taxes” to curb the rising cost of living. Questions about Bill 21 generated crosstalk between Hallan and reporters that prompted PIERRE PAUL-HUS, the party’s Quebec lieutenant, to lead his colleague away. MPs will vote on Hallan’s opposition motion today. ANOTHER ONE — Hull–Aylmer MP GREG FERGUS is the latest Liberal to breach federal conflict-of-interest law, according to a new report by Ethics Commissioner MARIO DION. The transgression was a letter Fergus wrote in June 2021 to the CRTC, at the request of Natyf TV Director RONALD FÉLIX, to support the francophone channel’s application for a new broadcasting license. — From Dion’s report: “According to Mr. Fergus, Mr. Félix, as a Black Canadian, approached him in part due to his role as Chair of the Parliamentary Black Caucus, since the application concerned a television station that targets a diverse and inclusive Francophone audience.” The intent of the letter was to influence the CRTC’s decision, Dion wrote in his report, which was improper, contravening section 9 of the Conflict of Interest Act. ‘I KNOW YOU HAVE IT’ — On Parliament Hill on Tuesday, U.S. lawmakers joined their Canadian counterparts at a joint conference on protecting the Great Lakes. U.S. Rep. DEBBIE DINGELL, in a virtual appearance, called out Canada for not doing enough to fulfill its C$1 billion pledge on the issue, POLITICO’s Joseph Gedeon reports. “Canada has not appropriated funding similar to the monies that we have done,” said Dingell, who co-chairs the Great Lakes Task Force. “We've got to make sure that if we're going to protect our ecosystem, that both of our countries are working together.” Rep. Debbie Dingell during a House Natural Resources Committee meeting on Capitol Hill on Feb. 1. | Francis Chung/POLITICO Dingell, who was joined by Rep. MIKE GALLAGHER and Liberal MP VANCE BADAWEY, said the U.S. was doing its part by allocating $1 billion from the bipartisan infrastructure law to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Meanwhile, Canada is dragging its feet. During his last federal campaign, Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU promised to commit C$1 billion to protecting freshwater systems over the next 10 years. Last year, Canada announced a C$3.9 million investment to the Great Lakes over the next three years. 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. TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS — It’s caucus day on the Hill. — Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU will attend national caucus in Ottawa at 10 a.m. before heading to Nassau, The Bahamas, to be a special guest at the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). — Deputy Prime Minister CHRYSTIA FREELAND is in Ottawa and will be at the national caucus meeting at 10 a.m. before heading to Toronto to deliver remarks at the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression gala. — Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE holds a press conference in Calgary at 11:30 a.m. ET/9:30 MT. 8 a.m. It’s the second annual National Kindness Week. Global Dignity Canada holds a virtual press conference with MPs MICHAEL BARRETT, EMMANUELLA LAMBROPOULOS and BLAKE DESJARLAIS to promote this year’s theme: “Being kind to the planet.” 9 a.m. Survivor-led charity Courage for Freedom holds a media availability in the Sir John A. Macdonald Building in advance of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day (Feb. 22). 12 p.m. Bloc Québécois House Leader ALAIN THERRIEN holds a media availability in West Block on Bill C-290 to protect public servant whistleblowers. 12 p.m. ROMÉO DALLAIRE will be at the Senate veterans affairs committee to discuss emerging treatments from veterans suffering from occupational stress injuries. 4:30 p.m. Immigration Minister SEAN FRASER will attend the House operations committee to take questions on McKinsey contracts. 6:45 p.m. Transport Minister OMAR ALGHABRA, WestJet executive ANDREW GIBBONS and Air Canada executive DAVID RHEAULT will be at the Senate transport committee meeting to talk about the impact of climate change on the transportation sector. 6:45 p.m. Auditor General KAREN HOGAN will be at the Senate national finance committee to talk about the federal estimates “and other financial matters.” FROM THE DESK OF 338CANADA REMEMBER WEXIT? — In his latest analysis for POLITICO Canada, PHILIPPE J. FOURNIER looks at what happened to the independence movement in Alberta — and what it means for the coming provincial election. Read the column here. MEDIA ROOM First Minister Nicola Sturgeon speaks about Scottish independence on June 14, 2022. | Russell Cheyne/PA via AP — Our colleagues in Europe report this morning that NICOLA STURGEON is set to resign as Scotland’s first minister. — Top of POLITICO this hour: NIKKI HALEY enters the fray. — The GLOBE reports: MPs call on committee to probe Canada Soccer. — The Hub’s SEAN SPEER writes of the CBC: “After more than 90 years, the public broadcaster has outlived its usefulness.” — KADY O'MALLEY at iPolitics asks and answers a timely question: When will the Rouleau report on the Emergencies Act drop — and what happens when it does? — SARA CONNORS of APTN reports: First Nations in Yukon looking for information on unidentified objects. — From CARL MEYER and The Narwhal: Are Canadian oil sands companies working to save the planet or save face? — On the Star’s This Matters pod: NOOR JAVED and CHARLIE PINKERTON: Why Doug Ford’s ties to developers are under scrutiny again. — Last, but not least, from ERIC ANDREW-GEE: Federal government paying to move migrants from Quebec to Ontario. PROZONE For POLITICO Pro subscribers, our latest policy newsletter by MAURA FORREST: Ethics watchdog bows out. In news for POLITICO Pro subscribers: — Taiwan’s tech king to Nancy Pelosi: U.S. is in over its head. — Objects shot down aren't from China, likely 'benign', Kirby says. — European Parliament signs off on 2035 combustion engine car ban. — USDA responds to Mexico's latest move on GM corn. — With the balloon and maybe more, Beijing chases intel boost. PLAYBOOKERS Birthdays: HBD + 1 to PAUL MOEN, Labor Minister SEAMUS O’REGAN’s chief of staff; same to ZACHARY AUTHIER from the Indigenous Resource Network. Spotted: A copy editor on the Conservative events website, fixing a typo — "planed" instead of "planned" — that lingered for four days … Conservative strategist JENNI BYRNE typing hot fire into the bird app about JOHN TORY’s advisers. A new look for “Canada Brand” agri-food products … A belated pic of Lobbyist KYLE LARKIN with Foreign Affairs Minister MÉLANIE JOLY, Liberal MP FRANCESCO SORBARA and LEIA, “the future prime minister of Canada.” At the funeral for former Mississauga mayor HAZEL MCCALLION: Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU, former PM JEAN CHRÉTIEN, Ontario Premier DOUG FORD, Mississauga Mayor BONNIE CROMBIE, Sen. VICTOR OH, former Conservative Cabmin TONY CLEMENT, Liberal MP SONIA SIDHU, MPP KEVIN HOLLAND, Brampton Mayor PATRICK BROWN and Ontario Lieutenant Governor ELIZABETH DOWDESWELL.  Movers and shakers: Ethics Commissioner MARIO DION is stepping down Feb. 21, citing “persistent health issues.” Dion said in a statement: “I firmly believe that educating regulatees and the public about the importance of avoiding conflicts of interest serves to help restore Canadians' trust in public officials and the institutions in which they serve and, ultimately, in our democracy.” CAM GORDON joining Rogers’ communications team … Tory MP MICHELLE REMPEL GARNER’s spoof Valentines card series with one featuring a red balloon and ANITA ANAND. He’s running: SHUV MAJUMDAR makes his run for Calgary Heritage official with an unlisted YouTube video. Media mentions: GRIFFIN JAEGER will be CBC The National’s first social media reporter. Send Playbookers tips to ottawaplaybook@politico.com . On the Hill → Find upcoming House committees here → Keep track of Senate committees here 12 p.m. ROMÉO DALLAIRE will be at the Senate veterans affairs subcommittee to discuss emerging treatments for veterans suffering from occupational stress injuries. 1:30 p.m. The Senate audit and oversight committee meets partially in public to hear from Ernst & Young LLP and Senate administration officials about finances. 4 p.m. Former senator RAYNELL ANDREYCHUK is a witness at the Senate foreign affairs committee as senators continue their study of the Sergei Magnitsky Law and the Special Economic Measures Act. 4 p.m. The Senate social affairs committee meets to continue its study of Canada's temporary and migrant labor force. 4 p.m. The Senate banking committee meets to study Bill C-228, which would strengthen pension protections. 4:15 p.m. Sen. KIM PATE is a witness at the Senate legal and constitutional affairs committee to speak about Bill S-212, for which she is the sponsor. 4:30 p.m. Immigration Minister SEAN FRASER will attend the House operations committee to take questions on McKinsey contracts. 4:30 p.m. Conservative MP JEREMY PATZER is at the House industry committee to talk about his private member’s bill, before MPs change gears to take Bill C-244 through clause-by-clause consideration. 4:30 p.m. The House justice committee will kick off its study of Canada’s bail system by hearing from justice department lawyers and Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner THOMAS CARRIQUE. 6:45 p.m. Saskatchewan Treaty Commissioner MARY CULBERTSON is on the witness list for the Senate Indigenous peoples committee meeting for a briefing with senators. 6:45 p.m. Transport Minister OMAR ALGHABRA, WestJet executive ANDREW GIBBONS and Air Canada executive DAVID RHEAULT will be at the Senate transport committee meeting to talk about the impact of climate change on the transportation sector. 6:45 p.m. Auditor General KAREN HOGAN will be at the Senate national finance committee to talk about the federal estimates “and other financial matters.” — Behind closed doors: The House agriculture committee meets to go through a draft report of their global food insecurity study; the House liaison committee’s subcommittee on budgets meets; the House government operations committee’s subcommittee on agenda and procedure meets to talk about “committee business”; the House citizenship and immigration committee will review a draft report regarding the conditions faced by asylum seekers. TRIVIA Tuesday’s answer: VIVIAN BARBOT was the first Black person to lead a political party in the Parliament of Canada. From May to December 2011, following the departure of GILLES DUCEPPE, she was acting leader of the Bloc. Many readers guessed ANNAMIE PAUL, former leader of the Green Party. Props to NANCI WAUGH and BRANDON RABIDEAU. Wednesday’s question: Name the sitting senator who spent five years at the helm of the Association of Haitian Physicians Abroad. Send your answer to ottawaplaybook@politico.com Want to grab the attention of movers and shakers on Parliament Hill? Want your brand in front of a key audience of Ottawa influencers? Playbook can help. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com. Playbook wouldn’t happen: Without Luiza Ch. Savage and Sue Allan.   Follow us on Twitter Nick Taylor-Vaisey @TaylorVaisey Sue Allan @susan_allan Maura Forrest @MauraForrest Zi-Ann Lum @ziannlum POLITICO Canada @politicoottawa   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters Follow us

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