A whirlwind of bilat prep

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Thanks for reading Ottawa Playbook. I’m your host, Joseph Gedeon, with Maura Forrest and Nick Taylor-Vaisey. Today, we share thoughts from MICHAËLLE JEAN on Haiti and what Canada and the United States could do about it. We also sat down with Ambassador KIRSTEN HILLMAN to talk about the bilat — and her sleep routine. But first, American lawmakers are not pleased with a Canadian plan for nuclear waste.

DRIVING THE DAY


GREAT ACHES — American lawmakers who live around the Great Lakes are banding together today on a resolution that urges President JOE BIDEN to bring up nuclear waste when he meets with Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU this week, POLITICO is first to learn.

— The scoop: The resolution, brought to Congress to signal collective sentiment on an issue, takes aim at the Canadian Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s (NWMO) multi-billion dollar proposal for a permanent nuclear facility in South Bruce, Ontario.

— The timing: The resolution lands just ahead of the Biden-Trudeau visit.

Michigan Rep. DAN KILDEE calls for the president and Secretary of state ANTONY BLINKEN to push back against plans to bury Canadian nuclear waste near the Great Lakes. So far 16 Democrat and Republican members of the House have signed on.

— Quote of note: “Storing hazardous nuclear waste in our shared waterways threatens the drinking water of millions of people in the United States and Canada and jeopardizes jobs in the fishing, boating and tourism industries,” Congressman Kildee said in a statement. “I urge President Biden to address Canada’s plan to permanently bury nuclear waste in the Great Lakes basin as he meets with Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau.”

A similar resolution will be introduced in the Senate today by Sen. DEBBIE STABENOW.

More on the story here.

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NOTICE PAPER — Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister MARC MILLER placed a new bill on the notice paper Tuesday: “An Act to amend the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, to make consequential amendments to other Acts, and to make a clarification relating to another Act”

BY THE NUMBERS — Another batch of written answers to opposition questions was dumped in the House of Commons this week, and Playbook has been dutifully perusing them. Here are a few numbers that stood out:

C$1.05 billion — The total Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy funds paid to organizations that are now insolvent. The total cost of the program was just over C$100 billion.

C$761 million — The amount spent on resolving long-term drinking-water advisories on First Nation reserves as of September 2022. The government says it has lifted 138 boil-water advisories since November 2015, with 32 still in effect.

C$162,800 — The cost to the government for the flight crew and officials who traveled with Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU and his family to Jamaica for a one-week vacation after Christmas. The bulk of that — C$115,000 — went to the RCMP, who provide 24/7 security for the PM. Accommodations for the four-person Royal Canadian Air Force flight crew cost another C$30,000.

C$1,079.72 — The cost of producing this magnificent video, in which Transport Minister OMAR ALGHABRA cleared Santa for take-off last Christmas. Three (3) Transport Canada employees worked on the video, and the cost included C$203.36 in travel expenses and C$336.50 in overtime. The Conservatives wanted to know the details of any contracts awarded, but this baby was made entirely in-house.

IN CASE (SOMEHOW) YOU MISSED IT — After a Liberal filibuster that dragged on for weeks, the government has finally agreed to have KATIE TELFORD, chief of staff to Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU, testify at a committee studying foreign election interference.

“While there are serious constraints on what can be said in public about sensitive intelligence matters, in an effort to make Parliament work Ms. Telford has agreed to appear at the Procedure and House Affairs Committee as part of their study,” the Prime Minister’s Office announced in a statement.

The move effectively ended the logjam at the parliamentary committee, and took the wind out of a bid by the Conservatives to force a vote on the matter in the House of Commons. Telford will appear between April 3 and 14.

— In related reading: TONDA MACCHARLES and RAISA PATEL: Why Justin Trudeau decided to ‘test’ his relationship with the NDP to fight off a Conservative attack. And from CAMPBELL CLARK: Trudeau retreats, and retreat is his best political strategy.

— Related: Also on Tuesday, the PMO released the mandate of DAVID JOHNSTON, who has been named special rapporteur on foreign election interference. The former governor general has until May 23 to decide whether to recommend a public inquiry. Trudeau has promised to abide by his recommendation.

Johnston will have until Oct. 31 to complete his assessment of the impact of foreign interference during the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS


— Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU will attend the Liberal national caucus at 10 a.m., and question period at 2 p.m.

— Deputy Prime Minister CHRYSTIA FREELAND is in Quebec City. She will tour an electric vehicle technology company at 11:30 a.m. and will deliver an address about the government’s budget priorities at 12:45 p.m.

9:30 a.m. NDP Leader JAGMEET SINGH will attend his party’s caucus meeting. He will speak to reporters in West Block at 2 p.m. before attending QP.

11:15 a.m. Health Minister JEAN-YVES DUCLOS will make an announcement in Montreal about the next steps for a national strategy for drugs for rare diseases.

6:05 p.m. Former prime minister STEPHEN HARPER will deliver a keynote speech at this year’s conference of the Canada Strong and Free Network (formerly the Manning Centre).

6:30 p.m. Harper will join Reform Party founder PRESTON MANNING for a fireside chat.

HALLWAY CONVERSATION

Canadian ambassador to the U.S. KIRSTEN HILLMAN is in Ottawa this week where she spoke to Washington reporter JOSEPH GEDEON, an interview that has been edited for clarity and length.

What do you think will be the main points of conversation?
The main themes are going to be economic security, energy security, greening our economies, defense around our continent, international partnerships and promotion of democracy around the world. I think that’s the big theme.

U.S. Ambassador David Cohen quoted U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on the weekend saying there needs to be conversations about the size and timing of NORAD commitments. Is Canada prepared to give a timeline?
We have a timeline. We have a timeline for the over-the-horizon radar systems and all of the different, additional investments that we are making in NORAD. So that timeline exists.

By the way, some of the investments we’re making, these aren’t just things you pluck off the shelf and implement. This is highly new and sensitive technology that is being developed and being implemented.

So I’m not exactly sure what Ambassador Cohen is looking for in terms of missing information because the timeline exists. And, in fact, Secretary Austin and [Defense] Minister Anand do talk about the different phases that we’re at on these projects every time they meet.

NORAD modernization is something we’re both doing, and in some respects, it’s interlinked. You know, there are certain things the U.S. does that enable Canada to make certain steps, and vice versa. So if the suggestion is, let’s try and go faster, that’s a message I’ve heard before and I think that’s a message we certainly want to talk about with the Americans.

I also understand Roxham Road might come up, which has become a concern for irregular crossings.
The whole issue of migration in our hemisphere is a huge issue for both countries. And obviously it’s a huge issue for the people south of the U.S. border, who are making their way north because of their very difficult and dangerous situations. So the state of migration and the state of these communities in our hemisphere will absolutely be part of the discussion. It’s something we talk to Americans about all the time. And it’s something, of course, that they face all the time with over 2 million individuals being encountered at their southern border last year.

How long have you been working on this trip?
Every day all day for the last couple of weeks, I’ve been working with the White House on the substantive elements of the trip, and the kinds of things that people want to achieve when the leaders get together, what we’ll want to have them talk about and hopefully have them make progress on. So that’s something that has been ongoing for seven days a week for several weeks now.

How much sleep have you been getting?
It depends on the day. I like sleep. I am not particularly happy if I get less than seven hours. Seven hours a night, a good workout at least four times a week and healthy food — that is my recipe for success. It’s important to prioritize your health if you want to perform properly, so I try hard.

For your radar

‘SHARED RESPONSIBILITY’ — Biden and Trudeau are expected to talk about Haiti when they meet. Canada and the United States are looking for ways to quell violence in the fracturing island country. Playbook had a wide-ranging conversation with MICHAËLLE JEAN, who served as UNESCO’s Special Envoy for Haiti and now runs the Michaëlle Jean Foundation. Jean, who left Haiti with her family as a youngster, served as Canada’s governor general from 2005 until 2010, the first and only Haitian Canadian to hold the job.

Here are some takeaways.

The situation
Jean says life in Haiti has progressively worsened over the years. “What we’re seeing is the capital being completely under control by more than 200 criminal organizations. We have an approximation of 600,000 weapons of war in circulation, arising from the United States and also arriving from the Dominican Republic. We’re also seeing professional snipers in action.” More on the weapons here.

Leadership discussions
Jean said Canada should bring Haiti to the table; that Biden and Trudeau should address their “shared responsibility.”

What’s not on the table?
One thing that doesn’t get talked about, Jean says, is the impact of deportations from Canada and the United States. “Criminals of Haitian origin are sent back to Haiti and once they are out of jail they reinforce the criminal organizations in place,” Jean said. “It creates an even greater risk when they join criminal organizations because it makes them stronger, they bring information, contacts and networks.”

— In related reading: Who takes the lead in Haiti? The United States is volun-telling Canada for the job, report The Washington Post’s AMANDA COLETTA and WIDLORE MÉRANCOURT

MEDIA ROOM

— Top of POLITICO: Everything you should know about the potential Trump indictment.

— From our London colleagues: BORIS JOHNSON and LIZ TRUSS to vote against RISHI SUNAK’s Brexit deal.

— TONDA MACCHARLES reports via a senior source that this week’s bilat will telegraph a deal that will see Canada work with U.S.-based IBM to increase semiconductor testing and packaging capacity.

— APTN reports on the Senate appearance of KIMBERLY MURRAY on Tuesday. She is the independent special interlocutor for missing children and unmarked graves and burial sites.

— A new Gallup News poll shows that Americans find Canada to be their favorite foreign country in the world, according to researcher MEGAN BRENAN.

— In case you missed it, Globe editor DAVID WALMSLEY is on The Decibel to discuss why he decided to publish this story.

— “It was in the news five years ago, but it really has never left the news, right?” KATHLEEN GOLDHAR says of her crime pod, The No-Good, Terribly Kind, Wonderful Lives and Tragic Deaths of Barry and Honey Sherman.

PROZONE


Read our latest policy newsletter for POLITICO Pro subscribers: Trudeau’s top aide to testify at committee.

From POLITICO’s ZI-ANN LUM: Bill C-34: Canada seeks to protect critical minerals from foreign ‘threats.’

In other news for POLITICO Pro subscribers:
— American companies lay out Canadian grievances.
— TikTok’s busy week in Washington.
— Beyond TikTok, Dutch tell government staff to uninstall Chinese, Russian apps.
— Biden will release Covid-19 origin intelligence.
— NATO releases its homework.

PLAYBOOKERS


Birthdays: DICK POUND was born in St. Catharines on this day in 1942.

Spotted: WYATT SHARPE pairing up with CIVIX at the Chateau Laurier to talk about the Student Budget Consultation with ZIAD ABOULATAIF, FRANCIS DROUIN, JENNY KWAN, FRANCESCO SORBARA, LEAH TAYLOR ROY, MIKE MORRICE, SEAN CASEY, KODY BLOIS, RACHAEL THOMAS, JOHN NATER and JASRAJ SINGH HALLAN.

On 22 Minutes, the PM, giving MARK CRITCH of 22 Minutes a lesson on going downhill. … In case you missed it: 24 SUSSEX DRIVE, empty but with utility bills still soaring.

In the SENATE: A disgusting sewer smell.

Foreign Minister MÉLANIE JOLY, hitching a ride from Ottawa to Montreal aboard Greek counterpart NIKOS DENDIAS‘s plane.

Former Sun columnist ANTHONY FUREY, promising to bring a ‘fresh’ voice to Toronto’s mayoral race: “I don’t believe that the status quo people who got us to this point are the ones that can get us out of it.”

Former Toronto police chief MARK SAUNDERS, who also wants to run Canada’s largest city. “I’ve experienced the good and bad of every corner of the city and understand the root causes of crime and how to fix it. That’s why I’m running.” The Canadian Press looks at the many contenders in the race.

Send Playbookers tips to [email protected].

Movers and shakers: MARKUS VON WARTBURG has been appointed chief economist of the Competition Bureau for a one-year term, starting April 3.

JOHN DESJARLAIS is the new executive director of the Indigenous Resource Network.

Impact Public Affairs associate LAURA RINALDI is signed up to lobby for Equal Voice.

On the Hill

→ Find upcoming House committees here

→ Keep track of Senate committees here

— It’s caucus day on the Hill.

12 p.m. The Senate veteran affairs committee meets to continue its study of emerging treatments for occupational stress injuries.

1:30 p.m. The Bank of Canada publishes a “summary of deliberations” behind its recent interest rate decision.

3:15 p.m. The Senate audit and oversight committee meets to discuss a draft budget.

4 p.m. Former prime minister JOE CLARK will be a witness at the Senate foreign affairs committee to take questions related to Canada’s foreign service and foreign policy machinery at Global Affairs Canada.

4 p.m. The Senate social affairs committee meets to study Bill C-22.

4:15 p.m. The Business Council of Canada’s ROBERT ASSELIN will be a witness at the Senate banking committee in relation to its study of business investment in Canada.

4:15 p.m. The Senate legal and constitutional affairs committee meets to consider a draft report on the topic of self-induced intoxication.

4:30 p.m. Foreign Affairs Minister MÉLANIE JOLY will be at the House citizenship and immigration committee to take questions related to the government’s response in Afghanistan.

4:30 p.m. The House Indigenous and northern affairs committee will elect a new chair.

4:30 p.m. Procurement Minister HELENA JACZEK will appear at the House government operations committee to speak about the supplementary estimates (C).

4:30 p.m. Public Safety Minister MARCO MENDICINO is up at the House justice committee to answer questions about Canada’s bail system.

6:45 p.m. “Briefings on Indigenous affairs” is on the agenda for the Senate Indigenous peoples committee.

6:45 p.m. The Senate transport and communications committee meets to take Bill C-242 through clause-by-clause consideration.

6:45 p.m. The Senate national finance committee meets to review the main estimates.

— Behind closed doors: The House liaison committee’s subcommittee has “budget submissions” on its agenda; the House agriculture committee is putting together its global food insecurity report; the House industry committee is reviewing a draft report of its study of domestic manufacturing capacity for a Covid-19 vaccine.

TRIVIA

Tuesday’s answer: The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination recognizes the Sharpeville massacre, when South African police killed 69 unarmed civilians.

Props to KEVIN BOSCH, DOUG RICE, TRACY SALMON, NANCI WAUGH and JOHN ECKER.

And some housekeeping and belated congrats to BILL PRISTANSKI, ETHAN SPENCER, WALTER ROBINSON, PATRICK DION, JOSEPH CRESSATTI, W. SCOTT THURLOW, SAM MACPHAIL, HARRISON RUESS, ROBERT MCDOUGALL, GARY COLLINS, NANCI WAUGH, GERRY THORNE, ANDRÉ BRISEBOIS, DAVID GRANOVSKY, BOB GORDON, BRANDON RABIDEAU and JOHN ECKER for landing Monday’s question.

Wednesday’s question: The first-ever Stanley Cup Series was decided on this day in 1894. What was the trophy originally called?

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

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: [email protected].

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