Start your day off right with five things you need to know this morning.
Five things you need to know
The interim leader of the federal NDP, Don Davies, reacted with fury on Tuesday when the deputy leader of the Ontario NDP announced she was defecting to the federal Liberals. Davies said Doly Begum's decision "damages our democracy" and "breeds cynicism in our politics." He added: "I'll leave it to Ms. Begum to explain to the people of Scarborough Southwest why she's abandoning the progressive policies she claimed to believe in to run for a party that is clearly governing like a conservative party."
Don Davies is a little salty ONDP deputy leader Doly Begum will run as a federal Liberal in Scarborough by-election pic.twitter.com/dfpam1Xpvg
— Scott Robertson (@sarobertsonca) February 3, 2026
Tory MP Jamil Jivani, a personal friend of US Vice President JD Vance, has announced he is heading to Washington, DC to attempt to improve US-Canada relations. Jivani said he has repeatedly tried to work with the Liberals on the US relationship, but nothing has come of his offers.
On my way to Washington, DC. pic.twitter.com/BRUDTpFMs0
— Jamil Jivani (@jamiljivani) February 3, 2026
David Eby has once again railed against the federal government, this time for creating a "paralyzing" situation as BC struggles with extortion-related crimes linked to India. The premier blamed Ottawa for "corrosive" loopholes in the immigration system that allow suspected criminals to apply for refugee status and stall the justice system. "We cannot wait any longer," Eby explained. "These are essential tools that police need now."
MPs must close loopholes that allow extortion suspects to claim refugee status: Eby https://t.co/SgCoc9VsJF
— CTV News Vancouver (@CTVVancouver) February 4, 2026
Some teachers in Canada are wearing Kevlar "to protect themselves from students who bite or stab," according to a union representative. Peter Day, president of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, added: "We have students who are throwing objects — heavy objects — around the classroom, which causes our classes to be evacuated. And this has a profound effect on not just the teachers, but the students themselves.”
Mainstream educators having to wear Kevlar in the classroom should be considered unacceptable. #onted #nsed #cdned #edchat https://t.co/EAZDTOc3L7
— Teachers Unite (@Teachers__Unite) February 4, 2026
Bill Gates' ex-wife, Melinda, has said fresh claims relating to the Microsoft co-founder's relationship with child abuser Jeffrey Epstein has brought up "painful times in my marriage." She said she's "so happy to be away from all the muck," adding that "whatever questions remain" must be answered. Gates has rejected claims – made by Epstein in the latest release of documents – that he caught a sexually transmitted disease while philandering.
Melinda Gates responds after Epstein Files suggest Bill Gates got an STD from “Russian girls” and planned to secretly medicate her.
— Vigilant Fox 🦊 (@VigilantFox) February 3, 2026
NPR: “The emails in the files suggest that Bill Gates had additional affairs and that he tried to get medication to treat a sexually transmitted… pic.twitter.com/gF1jRJyRb5
