Start your day off right with five things you need to know this morning.
Five things you need to know
Stellantis is in talks with Chinese firm Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology about options for building electric vehicles in Canada, according to a report. In an article published on Wednesday, Bloomberg said "people familiar with the matter" stressed the talks "are in an early stage" but could lead to the first Chinese auto investment in Canada since Mark Carney signed an agreement with Xi Jinping to allow Chinese EVs into the Canadian market. The US has repeatedly warned Canada against working with China on autos, with Donald Trump threatening 100 per cent tariffs on all Canadians goods as a consequence. Flavio Volpe, head of Canada’s Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, warned that Canadians "shouldn't settle" for a "bad deal." He added: "Chinese knockdown kits may be fine for Brazil, but they aren’t for the hundreds of Canadian auto parts suppliers who are waiting for that plant to reopen." Ontario Premier Doug Ford, meanwhile, said: “If they’re bringing kits over made in China, all that does is undermine every single auto worker we have in Ontario. I am dead against it.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he’d oppose any deal between Stellantis to build electric vehicles with China’s Leapmotor in his province unless the automakers are buying local parts https://t.co/20pHmhzDFM
— Bloomberg (@business) April 2, 2026
A "combination of tax increases, spending cuts, or taking on more debt is required" in Canada, according to a new report from an influential think tank. The CD Howe Institute's analysis suggests Ottawa should consider a one or two point increase to the GST and slower growth in non-defence spending as a way of paying for Canada's hugely increased military budget. The new defence spending, the think tank explained, will require "hard fiscal choices," and that without a responsible approach, federal deficits would surge to even greater levels.
Canadians could face tax hikes as Ottawa scrambles to fund defence target: report https://t.co/2RaP4qUSep
— CTV National News (@CTVNationalNews) April 2, 2026
Pierre Poilievre, meanwhile, made a very different argument at a press conference in Ottawa this morning. The Tory leader said the Liberal government should scrap federal taxes on gas for the rest of the year to help families cope with rising prices at the pump. He claimed it would cut gas prices by 25 cents a litre and save a family of four an average of $1,200 for the rest of 2026. He added: "Seniors should be able to enjoy a worry-free drive to see grandkids, parents should not stress about filling the minivan for hockey practice and workers should be able to fill their trucks stress-free."
LIVE: Zero Gas Tax // EN DIRECT : Non aux taxes sur l'essence https://t.co/6FZXpajGVu
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) April 2, 2026
BC Premier David Eby has insisted his government's plans to change the Declaration on the Rights of Aboriginal Peoples Act are "non-negotiable," adding: "We have to do it, and we will do it." His comments come ahead of a meeting today with First Nations chiefs to discuss the legislation, which has caused fear and anxiety in the province after two court decisions related to Aboriginal title appeared to imperil private property rights.
Premier Eby says changing DRIPA is 'non-negotiable' and will be pushed into law https://t.co/FxgE7PJpx4
— Kristen Coughlan 🇨🇦🦫🐇 (@UncoverTheNews) April 2, 2026
Two First Nations chiefs have called on Mark Carney to apologize for joking about a protester who interrupted his press conference in Toronto earlier this week. One of them, Chief Sherry Ackabee, said: "Shame on you, prime minister. You're making a joke of my people." Carney said during the press conference that he would "outlast" the shouting protester, who was shouting about mercury poisoning in her community.
First Nations chiefs demand the PM apologize after he said he could 'outlast' protesters
— Celeste George (@cie1947) April 1, 2026
Mark Carney made the remarks during a news conference in Etobicoke on Monday
Carney responded by saying, "I can outlast her," and then laughed, with Ford and Toronto https://t.co/jHhL3Zibzd
