Start your day off right with five things you need to know this morning.
Five things you need to know
Canada has the advantage in the build-up to talks with the US about the trilateral CUSMA trade agreement, according to the Canadian negotiator who helped draft the original deal during Donald Trump's first term. Steve Verheul – Canada's chief negotiator between 2017 and 2021 – said: "Time is on our side because I think the pressures on the US are only going to increase over time." He added that Trump's economic policy has so far not brought about a revival in manufacturing jobs in the US, while his foreign policy – the war in Iran – has tightened the supply of critical resources like aluminum and fertilizer.
Time is on Canada’s side in CUSMA talks, former trade chief says https://t.co/hA2YUYeesJ pic.twitter.com/HX18f9D8Af
— Financial Post (@financialpost) April 9, 2026
In the Persian Gulf, meanwhile, ships remain reluctant to pass through the Strait of Hormuz despite the announcement of a ceasefire between Iran and the US earlier this week. According to the Financial Times newspaper, fewer vessels are passing through the critical waterway in the aftermath of the ceasefire than during the "fiercest days of fighting" in the conflict that began on Feb. 28. Just four ships passed through the strait on Wednesday, the FT says, with Iran reportedly demanding fees of up to $2 million from vessels in exchange for safe passage.
Shipping stalls as Tehran dictates terms in Strait of Hormuz https://t.co/yjynfh6LHl
— FT Breaking News (@ftbreakingnews) April 9, 2026
The best way to give Canadians relief at the pumps amid the fallout from Trump's war in Iran is to cut taxes on gas, according to economists who have spoken out on the issue. Olivier Gervais, director of forecasting and modelling at Scotiabank, said cutting taxes on gas would be the most direct way for Ottawa to help Canadians weather the storm. Randall Bartlett, Desjardins' deputy chief economist, concurred, explaining that cutting federal gas taxes would deliver relief to a large number of Canadians.
Tax cuts not the only way to help Canadians as gas prices rise: economists https://t.co/mfa3qEFlNb via @Barrie360
— Barrie 360 (@Barrie360) April 8, 2026
The Liberal Party is hosting its national convention in Montreal over the next few days as members and fellow travellers celebrate an impending majority won through MP defections. Speaking to CBC News, pollster David Coletto had some advice for overjoyed Grits: "The challenge will be not to seem too excited because the public is not feeling great about the state of the world, and the anxiety that world is causing in their lives."
👇🇨🇦"Liberals descend on Montreal for convention on the cusp of a majority government" #Montreal #LiberalConvention https://t.co/VBOkJilGAT
— 𝕮𝖍𝖗𝖎𝖘 𝕿𝖍𝖔𝖗𝖓𝖊® (@thorchrs) April 9, 2026
BC United has been fined $4,500 for false advertising after it was found by Elections BC to have been responsible for creating a website demanding the firing of BC Conservative leader John Rustad. The website incorrectly claimed it was created in 2024 by disgruntled members of Rustad's party, but in reality it was the work of Kevin Falcon's BC United (formerly the BC Liberals).
BC United was secretly behind website calling for Rustad to be fired: Elections BC https://t.co/DoOslYW8RW
— CTV News Vancouver (@CTVVancouver) April 9, 2026
