Start your day off right with five things you need to know this morning.
Five things you need to know
The British government has just agreed a deal with the US to keep pharmaceutical tariffs at zero for three years, following threats from Donald Trump that tariffs on pharma imports could be set at 100 per cent. To obtain the deal, the British had to agree to pay more for medicines purchased through the NHS and to boost the country's overall spending on medicines from 0.3 per cent of GDP to 0.6 per cent.
US and UK agree zero tariffs deal on pharmaceuticals https://t.co/n3gG14BWWI
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) December 1, 2025
About 10,000 court cases – including alleged murders and sexual assaults – are being thrown out every year as a result of the Supreme Court of Canada's imposition of Jordan trial deadlines, according to Statistics Canada. The data show that, between 2023 and 2024, there were 9,560 cases that exceeded Jordan limits and were either stayed or withdrawn. According to the Jordan principles, criminal trials must be completed in provincial courts within 18 months of the day a defendant is charged. It increases to 30 months for superior courts.
About 10,000 Jordan cases thrown out annually as Ottawa, provinces call on Supreme Court for change https://t.co/dMtworZmpB
— The Globe and Mail (@globeandmail) December 1, 2025
Federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson, meanwhile, has stressed that it's "premature" to suggest that the BC north coast tanker ban is guaranteed to be removed or adjusted. Hodgson said people have been "jumping to conclusions" about the law because "there is no route yet," adding: "What the MOU says is there will be a deepwater port with access to Asia. It does not say which port, on what part of the coast." Separately, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith was booed on Friday when she asked her United Conservative Party conference if the pipeline deal with Ottawa made them feel more confident that the federal government would work with Alberta.
Federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson says it’s “premature” for anyone to draw conclusions regarding the potential removal, or adjustment, of the West Coast tanker ban.#pipeline #tankerban #cdnpolihttps://t.co/hiGzKZRUj4
— 650 CKOM (@CKOMNews) November 28, 2025
The UN's World Health Organization agency has praised new weight-loss drugs as representing a "new chapter" in battling obesity around the world. The WHO's director general recommended the drugs, saying they "can help millions overcome obesity and reduce its associated harms."
The World Health Organization on Monday recommended GLP-1 drugs as a tool to manage obesity in adults, marking a shift in the way the U.N. agency has historically framed obesity treatment. https://t.co/HoMzIHs54m
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 1, 2025
Associations representing various American industries have spoken up in favour of the CUSMA trade deal as the US, Canada and Mexico review the compact next year. Groups from the manufacturing, retail, industrial and other sectors praised Donald Trump for negotiating the deal and insisted it should be retained. Julian Karaguesian, a former special adviser on international trade at Canada’s Department of Finance, said he thinks that, despite that strong support, the Trump administration still wants to dismantle CUSMA.
U.S. industry groups strongly back renewing CUSMA. Manufacturers praise Trump for signing agreement in his first term, urge him to preserve it, @MikeCrawleyCBC reports https://t.co/MUYXaEbj7k
— National Newswatch (@natnewswatch) December 1, 2025
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