| | | |  | | By Mickey Djuric and Nick Taylor-Vaisey | Presented by Canada's federal workers | Send tips | Subscribe here | Email Ottawa Playbook | Follow Politico Canada Thanks for reading Ottawa Playbook. Let's get into it. In today's edition: → T-minus 11 days until Liberals crown a new leader. → RUBY DHALLA is not done with politics. → Plus, a new poll suggests Americans aren’t fond of taxing their closest allies. |  | DRIVING THE DAY | | | 
Karina Gould, Frank Baylis, Chrystia Freeland and Mark Carney yuk it up before the Liberal leadership debate in Montreal on Tuesday evening. | AFP via Getty Images | TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES — In the middle of nowhere, talking about ideas. That used to be the story of the Liberal government as it sank in the polls amid stubborn unpopularity fueled by all the dueling crises we've covered for years. On Tuesday, it was a literal description of the party's second leadership debate in Montreal — a four-person faceoff held on a soundstage in a remote part of town wedged between a railyard and the St. Lawrence River. — A new hope: Earlier in the day, Ipsos Public Affairs dropped an eye-popping poll that gave the Liberals their first lead since 2023 — a ray of hope for a party that was forgetting how that felt. Ipsos measured a slim 2-point advantage over the Conservatives (38 percent to 36 percent), a massive shift from a 26-point CPC lead only six weeks ago. — Rave reviews: Entering the debate, MARK CARNEY was on a path to Canada's prime minister's office — and probably still is. Pollsters gave him a clear advantage. He racked up most caucus endorsements. And Conservatives have attacked him relentlessly, hoping to glue him to JUSTIN TRUDEAU's legacy in the eyes of swing voters. Enter KARINA GOULD, the three-term MP who defines herself as a millennial mom from a middle-class family. Her fan base includes legions of young and young-ish party staffers. On a night that featured plenty of violent agreement, Gould at times went right at Carney. One example: “I’m glad to hear my colleague talk about housing," she said of the presumed frontrunner. "It’s one of the first times I’ve heard him talk about it." | 
"This is just a test run for the real debate that's going to come in the election," Karina Gould said last night. | AFP via Getty Images | — A hill to climb: Is Gould actually a serious threat? Spark Insights' ALEX KOHUT was in the field with Liberal supporters at the end of January. He mused about Gould at least overtaking CHRYSTIA FREELAND for second place. "At the end of January, Gould was polling in a distant third at 7% among likely leadership voters," Kohut wrote on Substack, "but showed signs of growth as the candidate with the second most 2nd place choices and the most 3rd place choices." → Profile-builder: Kohut hinted at Gould's growth potential in the long-term. "Having loyal support from the generation that dominates political staffing roles will give her considerable influence on Parliament Hill," he wrote. → If she wants to win: Kohut says Gould needs to "find a message that will resonate with Liberals over the age of 45." The debates, he pointed out, were "absolutely vital" given her equal share of speaking time beside the contenders. — Watch for: The next wave of post-debate polls that test each candidate's support. — Countdown: Advance voting starts today. Liberals elect their new boss on March 9. — Hype songs: Before the debate, Gould was in her greenroom blasting “Confident” by DEMI LOVATO, “Pink Pony Club” and “Femininomenon” by CHAPPELL ROAN, “Girl on Fire” by ALICIA KEYS and “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?” by TAYLOR SWIFT. Carney was vibing to “Carry On” by COEUR DE PIRATE — the song blaring when he walked onstage. His team worked with the Montreal artist to secure the rights to play the song, which naturally evolved into his anthem. Playbook couldn't confirm Freeland's gameday musical preferences. — Pre-game: Freeland went for a walk and a run with her husband GRAHAM BOWLEY, who watched the debate alongside journalists. She also brought her good luck charm: a bracelet of a traditional Ukrainian Axe, which to her represents warrior strength. (She didn’t wear it.) Carney got a smoked meat sandwich from Reuben's Deli. Gould ate an omelette for breakfast at the start of each debate day. — Frankie says relax: Former MP FRANK BAYLIS took it easy. His campaign said he was jovial with his team — and is "not a crammer." — Spotted: Global News chief political correspondent DAVID AKIN's chair, collapsing in the media room. (He lived to file.) Some morning headlines: The Globe: Liberal leadership contenders spar over U.S. threat, NATO target in final debate. National Post: A few sparks fly in English Liberal leadership debate, but candidates struggle to stand apart. The Star: 5 things we learned about Mark Carney from the Liberal leadership debates. Global News: Liberal leadership candidates explain how they plan to respond to Trump tariff threat. | | | | A message from Canada's federal workers: Remote work has revolutionized the way we work in Canada. It boosts productivity, enhances work-life balance, saves taxpayer dollars, and reduces traffic and pollution. Remote work is how we'll build the public service of tomorrow—one that uses cutting-edge technology, maintains a human touch, and delivers better services to families and businesses. It creates a diverse workforce from communities across Canada while putting people first. Visit remoteworks.ca. | | | | | Where the leaders are | |
— Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU will host a virtual meeting with provincial and territorial premiers. He will also chair the Cabinet meeting.
— Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE will hold a fundraiser at the Mount Royal Club in Montreal. Start time: 5:30 p.m. — Bloc Québécois Leader YVES-FRANÇOIS BLANCHET has not released his itinerary. — NDP Leader JAGMEET SINGH is in Montreal where he will speak at the Conseil des relations internationales de Montréal. The title of his speech: “Stronger together: Building Canada’s resilience in the face of a trade war with the United States and today’s unstable world.” He’ll hold a media availability at 1:50 p.m. — Green Co-Leader JONATHAN PEDNEAULT will be on the Hill to hold a presser where he plans to issue “a strong call to action” to protect Canada’s sovereignty, jobs and economy. Green Co-Leader ELIZABETH MAY is in British Columbia where she will travel from Sidney to Galiano Island for a community meeting. | | For your radar | |
POLL POSITION — More Americans oppose Trump’s threatened tariffs against Canada and Mexico than support them, even as the public is split on tariff policy overall, according to a survey from the British firm Public First shared exclusively with POLITICO.
Trump has floated levying tariffs on U.S. allies and adversaries alike, including planned 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico, which he said this week would go into effect in early March. — Second opinions: Public First polling found that just 28 percent of American adults supported specifically applying tariffs to Canada, while 43 percent were opposed. More than half of those polled said tariffs would damage the U.S. relationship with Canada. And respondents were even more opposed to using tariffs against Great Britain, another key U.S. ally. — The partisan divide: Trump voters still generally supported the tariffs on both Canada and Great Britain. Among respondents supportive of tariffs on both countries, the most commonly cited reason was because they trusted Trump to make the right decisions. They also cited other reasons for supporting tariffs — such as that they would boost American manufacturing — that largely echoed Trump’s own talking points. Public First surveyed 2,045 U.S. adults from Feb. 7-12. The margin of error was 2 percentage points. | | | | A message from Canada's federal workers:  
| | | | | DULY NOTED | |
— Public Safety Minister DAVID MCGUINTY is in Washington in a final full-court press to avert tariffs on Canada. McGuinty’s office told POLITICO his meetings would be with government and White House officials, and with lawmakers in both houses of Congress.
— Transport Minister ANITA ANAND is also in Washington. She met with her counterpart SEAN DUFFY on Tuesday afternoon to discuss “safety and keeping our transport systems and economic supply chains moving well.” | | HALLWAY CONVERSATION | |
RISE FROM THE ASHES — RUBY DHALLA hosted a livestream during the Liberal leadership debate that until days ago she expected to be a part of.
Dhalla was disqualified by the Liberal Party which claims she violated 10 campaign rules — charges she said are “false.” She was on the air with CBC’s Power & Politics when she discovered she’d been pushed out. “No one had the decency to call me and let me know,” said Dhalla, who was previously questioned by the party about her campaign. She called the investigation “very bizarre” and believes she stood in the way of a “coronation” for MARK CARNEY. “They did not want to have Ruby Dhalla on the debate stage. I had a lot of very progressive policy ideas. I have also been very, very aggressive. It’s an election campaign. We’re not running to be high school president here,” she said. “I wasn’t running just to be a pretty face.” Dhalla, dubbed dubbed by Toronto Sun columnist JOE WARMINGTON as the “female DONALD TRUMP” is embracing the nickname. She told Playbook she’s not done with politics just yet This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. How does it make you feel being referred to as female Trump? I actually took it as a positive because Trump is a very tough negotiator. What did you think of the French-language debate? Boring. No one's there to question the establishment. I wasn't doing this for a job. I was doing it because I'm just really passionate about politics and public service and really wanted to bring fresh change into our country. Do you fit in with the Liberal party? I certainly don't fit in obviously with the egos and the establishment of the Liberal Party of Canada, because of their decision that they have made, which has really brought to the forefront a lot of other issues. Do you think you’ll run as an MP, or is it the end of the road for you when it comes to politics? Politics is in my blood. We’ll have to see in the coming days and weeks what lies ahead. Even possibly running as an MP again? Yeah, I hope. | | | | Donald Trump's unprecedented effort to reshape the federal government is consuming Washington. To track this seismic shift, we're relaunching one of our signature newsletters. Sign up to get West Wing Playbook: Remaking Government in your inbox. | | | | | | | MEDIA ROOM | |
— More than 280,000 Canadians have signed a petition calling for ELON MUSK's passport and citizenship to be revoked over his ties to Trump, reports POLITICO’s MICKEY DJURIC.
— From our colleagues in London: Inside KEIR STARMER's plan to woo Trump with a defense spending surprise. — From ALEX PANETTA in Washington: Big tariffs on Canada next week? Not necessarily, White House says. — “In Michigan car country at least, Trump’s tariffs plans are almost as terrifying and controversial as they are [in Canada],” the Star’s RICHARD WARNICA reports from Detroit. — How do we get the most out of our procurement dollars? NOAH FRY has some suggestions. — POLITICO’s SAM SUTTON reports that consumer confidence in the U.S. is buckling as Trump’s policies revive inflation concerns. | | PROZONE | |
For POLITICO subscribers, our latest policy newsletter by MIKE BLANCHFIELD: Another day, another Cabinet minister in D.C.
From POLITICO’s DOUG PALMER: Trump launches review that could lead to copper tariffs. In other news for Pro readers: — Trump: Zelenskyy likely heading to White House Friday. — House Republicans take aim at IMF at China hearing. — Musk's ‘what did you do last week?’ email hits a million replies. — Pentagon communications job goes to podcaster who spreads conspiracy theories. — Can Congress keep up momentum on nuclear? | | PLAYBOOKERS | |
Birthdays: HBD to KERRY DIOTTE, a former Conservative MP now seeking the federal party's nomination in Edmonton Griesbach. Navigator’s CATHERINE MOAR also celebrates today.
Got a document to share? A birthday coming up? Send details our way. Spotted: Liberal leader candidate MARK CARNEY, with a “Believe” sign above the door of his debate war room à la “Ted Lasso.” Ontario Liberal Leader BONNIE CROMBIE, endorsing Carney. And RACHEL BENDAYAN, announcing her support — just before Monday’s debate. Conservative MP JASRAJ SINGH HALLAN, sharing a message to point out that NDP Leader JAGMEET SINGH is now eligible for an MP pension upon retirement. Singh was first elected to the House Feb. 25, 2019. For the record, Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE qualified 14 years ago at the age of 31. Media mentions: KELLY CRYDERMAN, a member of the Globe’s Calgary bureau since 2013, announced that she’s heading to TC Energy to be a senior adviser in media relations. Farewell: Newfoundland and Labrador Premier ANDREW FUREY is stepping down after five years in power, citing the challenge of dealing with DONALD TRUMP, who he called a “maniac.” | | | | A message from Canada's federal workers: Remote work has revolutionized how we work in Canada. It boosts productivity, enhances work-life balance, saves the government money, and reduces traffic and pollution. It also creates a more inclusive public service, bringing in talent from communities across the country.
Remote work is how we'll build the public service of tomorrow—one that uses cutting-edge technology, maintains a human touch, and delivers better services to families and businesses. It's a smarter, more efficient way to serve Canadians while saving taxpayer dollars.
Despite its clear benefits, the government's push for rigid office mandates ignores the proven advantages of remote work. It's time to embrace the future and focus on policies that deliver real results for Canadians. Learn more at remoteworks.ca. | | | | | TRIVIA | |
Tuesday’s answer: The Treasury Board of Canada is the only Cabinet committee that's established by law.
Props to MARCEL MARCOTTE, MARK AGNEW, BENEDICTA ARTHUR, ALEX STEINHOUSE, MORGAN LARHANT, JOHN ECKER, JOHN MATHESON, MARTIN CHAMPOUX, CAROLYN MCCRIMMON, RAY DEL BIANCO, PATRICK DION, MARC LEBLANC, KELSEY MACDONALD, SHAUGHN MCARTHUR, MELISSA FELD, LAURA JARVIS, MARK MAHABIR, MAIA EASTMAN, MALCOLM MCKAY, ROBERT MCDOUGALL, MIRIAM MATHEW, CID CABILLAN, Wednesday’s question: In a 2000 federal leaders' debate, what message was written on the sign that Canadian Alliance Leader STOCKWELL DAY held up? Answers to ottawaplaybook@politico.com Writing tomorrow's Playbook: MIKE BLANCHFIELD.
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