Start your day off right with five things you need to know this morning.
Five things you need to know
There's been lots more talk about Canada in the US as officials from both sides intensify their preparations for formal negotiations about the CUSMA free trade deal. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Wednesday that Canada and his country have two different philosophies to trade – Canada is "doubling down on globalization" while the US is "trying to correct for the problems of globalization" – and those ideas "don’t fit together very well." Greer also said he's raised Canada's supply management "repeatedly and frequently" in talks with his counterparts and stressed that the US is "at the end of our rope" with Canadian boycotts of US alcohol, adding: "There may have to be an enforcement action to deal with this issue on wine and spirits in Canada." Separately, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Wednesday that it was "outrageous" that certain Canadian provinces are boycotting US alcohol.
"They're doubling down on globalization when we're trying to correct for the problems of globalization," Greer said. "So those are two models that don't fit together very well."https://t.co/emwwaWl461
— Globalnews.ca (@globalnews) April 22, 2026
Alberta is considering three options for a new one-million-barrel-a-day oil pipeline through northern British Columbia, according to a report, while Danielle Smith and Mark Carney are "closing in" on an agreement about the industrial carbon tax. The three routes include Prince Rupert and "two other spots further north along the coast," according to the Bloomberg News story, which cites anonymous sources. The story also claims that Alberta has not ruled out a second pipeline to Vancouver, but one source reportedly said "there’s not enough room to run another large pipeline" and the terrain along the southern route is "difficult," particularly in the Coquihalla area.
Alberta is looking at three options for a new oil pipeline to ship 1 million barrels a day through northern British Columbia, @btaplatt reports https://t.co/M5waRogOAA
— National Newswatch (@natnewswatch) April 22, 2026
Find out more at https://t.co/1zbPY5GAhV pic.twitter.com/jOLiODpa6e
Justin Trudeau has been talking geopolitics, technology and his sleeping habits in Singapore. The former prime minister told a conference in the city state that international institutions might not be good enough any more, that he saved Bombardier from massive Chinese investment after aggressive behaviour from Airbus and Boeing, that middle powers could unite and be equal to great powers, that Canada struggles to get "people to notice us" but the country serves as an "alternative way" into the North American market, that AI will either be used to serve everyone or the "pitchforks" will come out and that as prime minister he slept "eight or nine hours" every night.
Speaking of Justin Trudeau: a new poll has found that almost half (47 per cent) of respondents think the former PM was the worst leader in modern Canadian history. The Research Co survey also found that Pierre Trudeau topped the list of Canada's best prime ministers, followed by Mark Carney and Stephen Harper. Among just female respondents, however, Carney was ranked as the best prime minister in Canadian history.
Our latest release: When Canadians are asked to name the best prime ministers, men put John A. Macdonald and Stephen Harper at the top of their ballot, while women choose Mark Carney and Pierre Trudeau. #cdnpolihttps://t.co/t87hM5bmR8
— Mario Canseco (@mario_canseco) April 23, 2026
Another new poll – this one from Abacus Data – has found that a plurality of respondents (48 per cent) are "satisfied" with the Liberal Party securing a thin majority courtesy of five MP defections. Another 29 per cent told the pollster they are "dissatisfied," however, with 19 per cent "very dissatisfied." In Alberta, the response was different: 29 per cent satisfied, 42 per cent dissatisfied.
New Abacus Data polling shows a country split, but tilting positive, on the Liberals’ new House majority: 48% satisfied, 29% dissatisfied, and 23% neutral.
— David Coletto 🇨🇦 (@DavidColetto) April 23, 2026
Read more: https://t.co/vciJdnGz6d pic.twitter.com/hynOSyCgu4
