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WELCOME TO OTTAWA PLAYBOOK. I'm your host, Nick Taylor-Vaisey with Zi-Ann Lum. Today is Friday. We offer five doors for Conservative Party members who are considering their leadership options. (There may be more, or fewer, when the April application deadline comes and goes.) Also, we talk about space!

THE FIRST THING — Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU and Deputy PM CHRYSTIA FREELAND spoke late Thursday with Ukrainian president VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY about Russian shelling at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. “These unacceptable attacks by Russia must cease immediately,” tweeted the PM.

With fire breaking out at the site, officials warned of the potential for a nuclear disaster. Ukraine’s emergency services subsequently said the fire had been extinguished. Shortly after 8 a.m. local time, Ukrainian authorities announced the Russian forces had seized the plant. Follow POLITICO’s live blog coverage below for the latest developments and analysis.

STADIUM TOUR — While JEAN CHAREST was hobnobbing with the Ottawa Conservative set at the Chateau Laurier on Wednesday night, his potential rival for the party's leadership was jumping on a plane to Saskatchewan.

PIERRE POILIEVRE is in full stump speech mode out west","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://twitter.com/PierrePoilievre/status/1499444303923335180","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef721e0000","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef721e0001","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">full stump speech mode out west. He railed against the increasing price of everything in front of a gas station, flanked by Prairie MPs KELLY BLOCK, COREY TOCHOR and BRAD REDEKOPP.

Standing behind a lectern labeled PIERRE, Poilievre repeated the very same slogans that punctuated his election ad last year — remember that TV spot? The one that made absolutely no mention of the Conservative Party?","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://www.hilltimes.com/2021/08/11/mp-pierre-poilievre-builds-personal-campaign-message-with-debut-campaign-ad-says-political-marketer/311015","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef721e0002","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef721e0003","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">The one that made absolutely no mention of the Conservative Party?

Tories were divided at the time on Poilievre's true intent with that ad. Some wondered if he might be fighting for his seat, which could've been in play had the Liberals gained a few points. Others figured he saw the writing on the wall for ERIN O'TOOLE and was road-testing his own catchphrases.

Turns out the slogans have stuck. Expect to hear a lot more of this: "Make more, cost less. Paychecks, not debt." Oh, and a lot of dismissals of Charest as just another Trudeau. ("This will be a tough battle. I have no doubt about it," Charest told the Globe, in the understatement of these early days of the race.)

— Right, the stadium tour: It's only one tour date, and it's not selling out the bleachers, but Poilievre is in Regina for a Friday night rally at Mosaic Stadium","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://www.facebook.com/events/504277544425731/","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72210000","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72210001","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">Friday night rally at Mosaic Stadium. Sure, it's only the AGT Lounge. But he's promising "special guests." Playbook readers will remember that ANDREW SCHEER is the caucus's biggest football fan, and Mosaic is his home turf. Could an endorsement be in the offing?

DOOR NUMBER 3 — Charest ducked into Ottawa. Poilievre flew out west. And then there's PATRICK BROWN, the former Ontario PC leader who resurrected his political career in the mayor's office of suburban Brampton, Ont.

— Threading the needle: A Brown booster nudged Playbook about a little bit of noise the mayor was trying to make Wednesday in the federal arena. He wrote to Finance Minister CHRYSTIA FREELAND with a plea that she cancel a planned increase to the carbon price/carbon tax this spring: "No new burdens should be on the backs of taxpayers during a period of economic upheaval."

Brown was careful not to outright oppose the price on carbon. When he was gunning for the premier's chair at Queen's Park, Brown's comprehensive \"People's Guarantee\"","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/themes/58386dc76ad5754297000000/attachments/original/1513353728/People's_Guarantee.pdf?1513353728","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72210002","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72210003","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">"People's Guarantee" included an opt-in to the federal carbon pricing plan.

DOOR NUMBER 4 — At the bottom of her National Post columns, TASHA KHEIRIDDIN is described as "currently exploring a candidacy for the Conservative leadership." As she ponders, Kheiriddin is using her column inches to float platform trial balloons. On Wednesday: defense policy","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://nationalpost.com/opinion/tasha-kheiriddin-canada-needs-the-ability-to-defend-itself-in-an-increasingly-uncertain-world","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72210004","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72210005","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">defense policy. She pitched increased spending, rejigged procurement, bolder recruitment and improved cyber-defense.

DOOR NUMBER 5 — Global's ALEX BOUTILIER scooped the news that MP SCOTT AITCHISON is considering his own run","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://globalnews.ca/news/8656891/conservative-mp-scott-aitchison-conservative-leadership/","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72210006","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72210007","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">considering his own run. “I am building a team that will bring Canadians and our party together,” he said.

Recall Aitchison's plea for unity during the Emergencies Act debate in the House:

"There are lots of folks in downtown Toronto and Montreal who want lower taxes, and there are a lot of people in rural Alberta who are proud of and really want a strong publicly funded health care system. There are a lot of people in Vancouver who are fed up with vaccine mandates and a lot of people in Regina who are eager to welcome another new Canadian to their community. There are plenty of Quebecers who want to use Canadian energy and there are thousands of folks in Manitoba who are proud of their union membership."

THE FINAL FRONTIER — A new industry association hopes to convince Canada's political establishment that space should be one of the federal government's top priorities. Former New Brunswick premier BRIAN GALLANT is heading up SPACE CANADA","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://space-canada.ca/","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72230000","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72230001","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">heading up SPACE CANADA, and he talked Playbook's ear off about why normal people should care about what's happening way, way up (no, he didn't mention anything about the Canadians who want to study space sexology","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://www.mic.com/life/sex-in-space-research-space-sexology?utm_source=nextdraft&utm_medium=email","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72230002","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72230003","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">the Canadians who want to study space sexology).

This conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.

What drew you to the gig?

Like probably the average Canadian, in terms of awareness of space, I definitely underestimated the impact space has and can have on our lives here in Canada, on our economy, on societal and planetary challenges. So when I was approached with the idea of this opportunity, I was intrigued.

I said, Wow, it's innovative, obviously. You can sense that it's an emerging sector. And it's something that I thought would definitely give me the opportunity to learn, which is really important to me. I just always want to be learning.

What is the job?

A big part of this role is to do what I can to communicate to key stakeholders, but also the public, the importance of space to our collective goals of having a strong resilient economy in the country, to protecting our sovereignty and security, to tackling climate change, to addressing inequalities, and to really cooperating on an international level to better our quality of life here on Earth.

Where does Canada stand among space-faring nations?

Canada has a strong history in space. So we have a solid foundation on which to build. But I'm not sure where we have prioritized space as some of the other countries have done. There is a bit of a new global space race, if you will. And a lot of countries have already started to try to seize these opportunities.

At the highest levels of government, it should be a priority. We often hear about clean tech and fintech and agtech and biotech. Space should be mentioned with those emerging industries, if not maybe even before them, because of the role that it can play in actually helping enhance our competitiveness.

How do the feds do better?

Space Canada is strongly encouraging the federal government to create a National Space Council. Some issues get siloed in different departments. There's so many reasons why we should be doing more in space that no single department can embody all of that.

You only basically have two things that can end up happening. One is that a department is really the lead for that sector, but it doesn't do it justice because it has its hand tied with the programs and policies it's responsible for. The other is that all the departments that can play a role will be taking decisions and often making them in isolation to one another.

So a National Space Council, which we would like to see the Prime Minister chair himself, would help the government coordinate internally, getting different departments working together with key stakeholders that are external to government. To use an expression I like here in Atlantic Canada: getting everybody in the same boat and rowing in the same direction.

— Alternate timeline: "I decided at 15 years old, I wanted to be premier of New Brunswick to try to make a difference for families like mine that had gone through a bit of a tough financial time when I was younger. In another world, had that not happened, I was fascinated by physics. I'm fascinated by numbers, and I probably would have very much enjoyed a different type of career looking into things that would lead to some of the amazing things that we're doing in space."

THE SAFIS, AT COMMITTEE — At the House immigration committee on Thursday, NDP MP JENNY KWAN raised the case of the Safis, a family of Afghan refugees who have since left Ukraine — but were denied safe passage several times in the past week.

Kwan asked Immigration Minister SEAN FRASER to apply diplomatic pressure wherever families like the Safis are treated differently than Ukrainians. “Let me just be unequivocal in calling upon those who are working the borders to the west of Ukraine that discrimination against a person based on their country of origin or skin color cannot be accepted,” he said.

SPUDS MEET SNOWBLOWERS — Today is deadline day for the destruction of nearly 300 million pounds of P.E.I. potatoes. The preferred method: running over piles with snowblowers.

“If they weren't destroyed now … we wouldn't know what to do with them,” P.E.I. Potato Board general manager GREG DONALD told Playbook, calling in from the Montreal airport.

For those who may have trouble visualizing what 300 million pounds of potatoes even look like, Donald offered a helpful mental image. Imagine Toronto’s Rogers Centre. Now picture it completely full with tubers.

It’s a lousy ending for P.E.I. farmers after last year brought bumper crops across the Island. The discovery of potato wart fungus in two fields led to the suspension of P.E.I. potato exports to the United States and Puerto Rico. A record harvest in 2021 wound up mostly stuck in warehouses.

Donald said today’s potato destruction deadline was determined by the potato board, governments, insurance adjusters — and weather.

— Another visual: Potatoes are 80 percent water. They don’t store as long as grain. Shredding and spreading potatoes into fields in winter uses freezing and thawing cycles that speed up their decomposition. Destroying potatoes via snowblowers in warmer weather means the scattered spuds stay on the ground for weeks, attracting flies to the rotting mess.

— Trade costs: Donald said losses amount to approximately C$2 million every week the potato dispute has dragged on. It’s been 15 weeks. But a resolution to the trade headache could be around the corner, he said.

He said Agriculture Minister MARIE-CLAUDE BIBEAU told him U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary TOM VILSACK kept his word last month when he gave the green light for the resumption of Puerto Rican imports of P.E.I. tablestock potatoes. News about resuming continental U.S. imports would follow a few weeks later.

According to Donald, Bibeau said that news could come as early as next week. “All indications I have is that there's no good technical reason for the suspension to continue,” he said.

— The Public Policy Forum is formally launching this morning a follow-up to its landmark Shattered Mirror report","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://ppforum.ca/publications/shattered-mirror-5-years-on/","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72260001","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72260002","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">follow-up to its landmark Shattered Mirror report on the state of journalism in Canada. The think tank devises a made-in-Canada plan to compel Google and Meta, which hoover up the vast majority of digital advertising revenue, to compensate news organizations for publishing their work.

The report was penned by ED GREENSPON, CHRISTOPHER DORNAN, DAVID MOSCROP and KATIE DAVEY.

— IAN ANDEXSER, chair of the Canadian Alliance of British Pensioners, is in Ottawa today to lobby for an end to the U.K. government's policy of freezing pensions for expats. He's meeting today with High Commissioner SUSANNAH GOSHKO. (On Thursday, Andexser met with Tory MP RANDY HOBACK.)

9 a.m. Conservative MP GARNETT GENUIS will hold a news conference on proposed amendments to the Canadian Human Rights Code.

10 a.m. NDP MPs RACHEL BLANEY and DANIEL BLAIKIE will talk to reporters "about the party's plans to help Canadians dealing with the consequences of the rising cost of living."

12 p.m. PM TRUDEAU will make a transit announcement and hold a media availability. He’ll be joined by Transport Minister OMAR ALGHABRA, Ontario Seniors Minister RAYMOND CHO, and Mississauga Mayor BONNIE CROMBIE.

3 p.m. Trudeau and Alghabra will meet with members of the Muslim community.

5 p.m. Trudeau will meet with members of the Ukrainian community.

FROM THE TENDERS — Parks Canada's national fire team shelled out C$355,551","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://buyandsell.gc.ca/cds/public/2022/01/04/14cebf675a6cca97aa9c14ac3b06fea4/ABES.PROD.PW_WPG.B014.E11300.EBSU000.PDF","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72280000","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72280001","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">shelled out C$355,551 for a new mobile incident command post, a three-room trailer that accommodates a 12-person team. … Canada's embassy in Switzerland — check out the street view","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kirchenfeldstrasse+88,+3005+Bern,+Switzerland/@46.9404582,7.457356,3a,75y,183.84h,92.23t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s6Vh8E_L-iz0erYIiKulZcw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3D6Vh8E_L-iz0erYIiKulZcw%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D192.62537%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656!4m5!3m4!1s0x478e39d0d3fb62d7:0x696c716ed66dc8d!8m2!3d46.9401584!4d7.4573714","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72280002","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72280003","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">check out the street view of the stately structure in Bern — is hiring a landscaper","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://buyandsell.gc.ca/procurement-data/tender-notice/PW-22-00988095","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72280004","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72280005","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">hiring a landscaper for the chancery's 32,000 sq.-ft. garden. … The agriculture and agri-food bureaucrats in Kentville, N.S., are on the hunt for an insect rearing chamber","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://buyandsell.gc.ca/procurement-data/tender-notice/PW-HAL-507-11492","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72280006","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72280007","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">insect rearing chamber. Yes, that's just what it sounds like.

— Vaccine cost-benefit: The Public Health Agency of Canada is looking for a consultant","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://buyandsell.gc.ca/procurement-data/tender-notice/PW-22-00988467","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72280008","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72280009","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">looking for a consultant who can "conduct an economic evaluation following the recommendations outlined in the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) Guidelines for the Economic Evaluation of Vaccines in Canada." Playbook isn't sure exactly what that means, so we've asked PHAC for more details.

For POLITICO Pro subscribers, our PM policy newsletter: Out of favor: Canada slaps trade tariffs on Russia, Belarus","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter/2022/03/out-of-favor-canada-slaps-trade-tariffs-on-russia-belarus-00013984","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72290001","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72290002","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">Out of favor: Canada slaps trade tariffs on Russia, Belarus

In other headlines for Pros:
— Canada strips Russia, Belarus of trade status in latest sanctions salvo","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/article/2022/03/canada-strips-russia-belarus-of-trade-status-in-latest-sanctions-salvo-00013758","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722a0000","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722a0001","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">Canada strips Russia, Belarus of trade status in latest sanctions salvo
— Treasury sanctions Russian online outlets for spreading disinformation
— Brussels mulls removing Russia’s WTO privileges","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2022/03/brussels-mulls-removing-russias-wto-privileges-00013848","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722a0004","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722a0005","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">Brussels mulls removing Russia’s WTO privileges
— Russia crisis forces Pentagon to rework defense strategy on the fly","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/article/2022/03/russia-crisis-forces-pentagon-to-rework-defense-strategy-on-the-fly-00013449","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722a0006","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722a0007","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">Russia crisis forces Pentagon to rework defense strategy on the fly
— 'People will feel that': Fed's Powell says war could fuel inflation

— WELLS GETS ACTION: Maclean's published a PAUL WELLS column on Wednesday in which the connected observer of all things Ottawa lamented the achingly slow progress","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://www.macleans.ca/politics/the-truckers-brought-chaos-to-ottawa-what-can-we-learn-from-them/","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722b0001","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722b0002","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">lamented the achingly slow progress of a program meant to help small businesses get online.

On Thursday, Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU and Small Biz Minister MARY NG announced the C$4 billion Canada Digital Adoption Program","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/152.nsf/eng/home","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722b0004","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722b0005","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">Canada Digital Adoption Program. Coincidence?

Wells didn't let the announcement go unnoticed","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://www.macleans.ca/politics/ottawa/news-from-canadas-critical-digital-business-revolution/","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722c0000","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722c0001","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">didn't let the announcement go unnoticed: "Are you the owner of a small business with no access to Google or a smartphone? At last, there's a big new government program ready to help."

— Mi’kmaw Elder PHYLLIS GOOGOO is part of a delegation headed to the Vatican, APTN reports","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/mikmaw-elder-heading-to-vatican-hopes-for-an-apology-from-the-pope/","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722c0002","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722c0003","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">APTN reports, in search of an apology from POPE FRANCIS.

— "Despite sweeping sanctions after the invasion of Ukraine, some Canadian resource extraction and manufacturing ventures haven’t been directly punished for continued business with Russian partners," CARL MEYER and EMMA MCINTOSH report for The Narwhal","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://thenarwhal.ca/canadian-companies-russia-sanctions/","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722c0004","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722c0005","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">report for The Narwhal.

— "Do you want to know the best kept secret in Quebec's health care system?" asks HAL NEWMAN, writing for The Rover","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://rover.substack.com/p/privately-owned-publicly-funded-quebecs?s=w","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722c0006","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722c0007","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">writing for The Rover. "Our network of ambulances is funded entirely by the state but belongs mostly to private interests who feel their finances aren’t subject to government oversight."

1 p.m. Innovation Minister FRANÇOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE, Rural Economic Development Minister GUDIE HUTCHINGS and International Trade Minister MARY NG will appear before the House committee on industry and technology","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=6c360d2d44e613e1177c5782828fe92141606995db9dffd8b099798635bc503afba29c7f16a2fd54b400538a881d2649281245978e4d72ed","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722d0001","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722d0002","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">House committee on industry and technology to take questions about their mandate letters.

1 p.m. The House standing committee on the status of women","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=6c360d2d44e613e1deb4d85dfd4f43eae80a43148d602a83af9774e11a2632a0bc3cc5334911984de66e44692e29991e5df0090b83aca597","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722d0003","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722d0004","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">House standing committee on the status of women continues its study on intimate partner and domestic violence in Canada.

1 p.m. The House justice and human rights committee holds its fifth meeting reviewing the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=6c360d2d44e613e1bbcbc5180cd288437ba6c8f86bf60dd061ef87a858b450692abda62aa4e4345339eb8a79770c699bbce05469f5395d35","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722d0005","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722d0006","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act.

1 p.m. Canada’s housing shortage and its impact on Indigenous Peoples is on the agenda of today’s House Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee meeting","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=6c360d2d44e613e10bb0a3d389597cdfbe72d35048e4349790e99de76f048edac6da479bad197082996a1405a4b231d298a649c439d82388","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722d0007","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722d0008","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">today’s House Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee meeting. Ministers MARC MILLER and PATTY HAJDU will appear. DM CHRISTIANE FOX is also on the docket.

1 p.m. Two senior department officials are on the witness list at today’s House veterans affairs committee meeting","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=6c360d2d44e613e1211710e76e7b6305b2046bab9939528512131bcfd6777b4e7343d72c9be4cdc6644e7813d1d61e6a760351faa42ad702","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722e0000","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722e0001","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">today’s House veterans affairs committee meeting studying fairness in services offered to Francophones, Anglophones, men, women and the LGBTQ+ community.

1 p.m. The House government operations and estimates committee","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=6c360d2d44e613e1188a4e8448d241b14b79bf89454e068e4953b9806883dac1e870ce14813e36baa668d6ac078d20cb59be5d7196d9819c","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722e0002","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722e0003","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">House government operations and estimates committee meets to go over Supplementary Estimates (C) and the latest crop of departmental results reports.

4 p.m. The standing committee on citizenship and immigration","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=6c360d2d44e613e1722c7d6401ff9a28fa38452a76d42176ed2692cf993a52b14473d5854f18fd65bf38a0ef311ea6a127d8a4fe782fa78a","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722e0004","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef722e0005","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">standing committee on citizenship and immigration meets in camera to discuss “drafting instructions for a report” related to recruitment and acceptance rates of foreign students.

Birthdays: HBD to former NDP MP SVEND ROBINSON, 70 today. … Former Liberal MP TED HSU celebrates his 58th spin around the sun. … Toronto-born SHARREN HASKEL, a member of Israel's Knesset, is 38. CATHERINE O'HARA — aka Moira — is today's top Canadian celeb birthday.

Spotted: The CBC reports via multiple sources that Ontario Deputy Premier CHRISTINE ELLIOTT is poised to announce she's leaving politics. Elliott, who also serves as health minister, is expected to make the announcement today.

High Commissioner of India to Canada AJAY BISARIA hosting Vietnamese ambo to Canada ","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://twitter.com/Ajaybis/status/1499522613038755841","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72310000","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72310001","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">hosting Vietnamese ambo to Canada PHAM CAO PHONG … Tory leadership frontrunner PIERRE POILIEVRE, holding a mic while wearing a mic","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://twitter.com/PierrePoilievre/status/1499526132953010179","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72310002","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72310003","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">holding a mic while wearing a mic.

Career diplomat LOUISE BLAIS, dragged down by the news","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://twitter.com/blais_louise/status/1499548427742498816?t=j83uwod7OFeJr5TS5dtcsw&s=19","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72310004","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72310005","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">dragged down by the news: "I am no longer in government. Still, I want to look myself in the mirror tomorrow and feel I did everything I could to avoid a catastrophe. Tonight, I feel defeated."

Movers and shakers: Earnscliffe's ELLY ALBOIM signed up to lobby on the Hill for Reconciliation Inc., which is championing an indigenous-led initiative to secure ownership of the Trans Mountain Pipeline.

The Canadian Craft Brewers Association, which wants federal help in exporting beer, lobbied NDP MP DANIEL BLAIKIE and Tory MP ADAM CHAMBERS. … The Motion Picture Association of Canada filed a meeting with THOMAS OWEN RIPLEY, an associate assistant deputy minister — now there's a job that sounds deeply ensconced in the bureaucracy — at Canadian Heritage.

The Canadian Centre for the Purpose of the Corporation named ","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6905260599824261120/","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72310006","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72310007","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">named ANDRÉ PRATTE its new chair, and GRAHAM FOX vice-chair.

Media mentions: Canadian Press reporter JORDAN PRESS with simple advice to fellow journalists","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jordanbpress_bank-of-canada-hikes-key-interest-rate-revises-activity-6905261693035773953-wym0","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72310008","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72310009","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">simple advice to fellow journalists: "Being open about what you don't understand and asking for someone to explain things to you in simple terms can yield some really interesting answers."

Thursday's answer: Ottawa Mayor JIM WATSON, joined by city councilor MATHIEU FLEURY and Ukrainian Charge D’Affaires ANDRII BUKVYCH, unveiled "Free – Libre Ukraine" signs at the corner of Charlotte and Laurier in the nation's capital — the very same corner as the Russian embassy.

For bonus marks: NDP MP CHARLIE ANGUS wants Charlotte Street renamed after Ukrainian President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY. Readers who scored the bonus get an asterisk beside their name.

Props to BOB GORDON*, ALAN KAN*, GEORGE YOUNG, ALYSON FAIR*, MICHAEL SUNG*, SHAE MCGLYNN*, JOHN GUOBA*, PHIL GAUDREAU, DAN MCCARTHY*, PATRICK DION, ROBERT MCDOUGALL*, and STEPHEN KAROL*.

Friday’s question: In her book "The Morning After" about the 1995 Quebec referendum, CHANTAL HÉBERT quoted a politician saying this:

"From 1993 to 1995 I was nowhere; I was on no one's radar. When the referendum campaign got underway in '95 I was like a kid in the candy store. I was getting a lot of coverage. But as soon as it was over, it was curtain time for me." Who said that?

Send your answers to ottawaplaybook@politico.com","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"mailto:ottawaplaybook@politico.com","_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72330001","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"0000017f-5f06-d1e9-a1ff-ffef72330002","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">[email protected]