5 Things posted Jun 18, 2025 @ 08:00am by Iain Burns

5 things you need to know this morning: June 18, 2025

Start your day off right with five things you need to know this morning.

Five things you need to know

1. Canada's population growth slows in first 3 months of 2025: StatCan

Canada's population growth slipped to its slowest level since 2020 in the first quarter of 2025, according to Statistics Canada. The population grew by 20,107 people between Jan. 1 and April 1, bringing the total up to 41,548,787. The growth was entirely down to immigration, with 5,628 more deaths than births in Canada, meaning the country's population would have declined without new arrivals from overseas.

Winter population growth in Canada is always slow but this year it was especially slow. Only 0.2% annualized. Lowest on record and perhaps in Canada's history. pic.twitter.com/H9lja9tJp3
— Mikal Skuterud (@mikalskuterud) June 18, 2025

2. G7 summit in Alberta comes to a close, Carney makes nice with Modi

The G7 summit in Alberta has now concluded, with political analysts picking through the official pronouncements that came out of the meeting. One highlight was Mark Carney's conversation with Narendra Modi: the duo committed to rebuilding the two countries' strained relationship, including by appointing new high commissioners.

Carney, Modi hold talks to reset India and Canada ties after tense two years

Relations have been poor for almost two years, but there was no sign of tension when Prime Minister Mark Carney warmly welcomed Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to the Group of Seven summit he is… pic.twitter.com/SI9XPILaqf
— Forbes India (@ForbesIndia) June 18, 2025

3. Canadians spending much less time with friends, research reveals

Canadians are spending much less time with their friends than they did in the past, according to new data. The decline, according to Statistics Canada, has been particularly pronounced among working-age people. Laura Eramian, associate professor at Dalhousie University, said she isn't surprised by the data because more Canadians are working multiple jobs amid a cost of living crisis.

Canadians spending less time with friends, especially those of working age: StatCan https://t.co/rt3aImsqQT #gpab #yqu #countygp #mdgreenview #yxj #ydq #fortstjohn #dawsoncreek pic.twitter.com/7qur83q09e
— 96.3 Reach FM (@963ReachFM) June 18, 2025

4. Tory MP resigns seat to make way for Pierre Poilievre

Alberta Tory Damien Kurek has now officially resigned as the MP for Battle River–Crowfoot to make way for his leader to contest the riding. It means the soonest Pierre Poilievre could be elected as an MP once again is August.

Conservative MP officially resigns from Alberta seat so Poilievre can run in byelection https://t.co/t8FRAmA4GS pic.twitter.com/TmLtYz0WQf
— Toronto Sun (@TheTorontoSun) June 17, 2025

5. Republican senator reveals ignorance of Iran, a country he wants the US to attack

Republican Senator Ted Cruz, a heavyweight on the American right who has been calling for the US to attack Iran, has revealed his ignorance of the Middle Eastern country he has in his sights. Speaking to Tucker Carlson, who is opposed to attacking Iran, he said he didn't know what the country's population was, but added: "Why is it relevant whether it's 90 million or 80 million or a hundred million?" He also said, inaccurately, that Iranians were "Persians" when asked about the country's ethnic mix.