Start your day off right with five things you need to know this morning.
Five things you need to know
The NDP has elected a new leader. Leftwing activist and filmmaker Avi Lewis, the son of former Ontario NDP leader Stephen Lewis and grandson of former NDP leader David Lewis, won the race with nearly 40,000 out of 71,000 ballots cast. His policies include government-owned grocery stores and a hostile attitude to fossil fuels. The leaders of both the Alberta and Saskatchewan NDP said they were disappointed with Lewis's victory, but Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew praised the new federal leader.
To every volunteer, donor, organizer and NDP member who helped power this history-making movement: thank you.
— Avi Lewis (@avilewis) March 29, 2026
We are building a new foundation for our party, and we are ready to come roaring back on the Canadian political stage. Let’s get to work! pic.twitter.com/1Ll79Zw1nK
China has joined Liberal MP Michael Ma in attacking a Canadian expert who told a House of Commons committee about forced labour used in China's production of EVs. The Chinese embassy in Canada said talk of forced labour was a "blatant lie" peddled by people who dislike China. Ma was widely condemned for his aggressive questioning on Thursday, prompting him to release a statement claiming he had been talking about the Chinese metropolis of Shenzhen, rather than the province of Xinjiang, an excuse that some influential groups – including the Canadian Press news agency – accepted without question, but skeptics remain unconvinced. Mark Carney has still not commented on the scandal.
Chinese Embassy Spokesperson’s Response to Media Question Regarding the Erroneous Comments on Xinjiang
— 中国驻加拿大大使馆 Chinese Embassy in Canada (@ChinaEmbOttawa) March 28, 2026
Question from the Media: Yesterday, when testifying at a hearing of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry and Technology regarding the Canadian federal…
Food banks across Canada are being forced to cut back on their offerings because they have limited supplies, according to a report. CTV News spoke with a number of food charities across Canada, with one in Saskatchewan warning it will now limit households to one visit a month because "resources aren’t keeping up with the demand." The head of Food Banks BC, meanwhile, said 90 per cent of food banks in the province have seen a fall in food donations, while 80 per cent have recorded a drop in cash donations.
Cost of living hitting food banks in Canada so hard that visits are limited to once a month https://t.co/lLdMBFz99u
— CTV News Vancouver Island (@CTVNewsVI) March 29, 2026
A petition signed by tens of thousands of people calling for federal politicians to be held to account when they fail to tell the truth has been dismissed by the Liberal government. Federico Sanchez said he was left "very upset" by the Liberals' attitude. His petition called for MPs to be officially corrected when they speak untruths.
Liberals dismiss call for law to ensure political fibs and flubs don't eclipse facts https://t.co/Nzt6Qy8TLI
— CP24 (@CP24) March 30, 2026
Air Canada has announced its CEO will retire early after the airline was targeted by the Liberal Party, Bloc Quebecois and others over an English-only condolence video. Michael Rousseau, who has worked for the company for nearly 20 years, released a video expressing his sadness about the deaths of two pilots in New York last week, but Mark Carney and other political figures were more concerned about his French – or lack thereof. In a statement, Air Canada wrote: "His decision [to retire] is consistent with the Board’s longstanding focus on CEO executive succession planning."
Air Canada Board of Directors announces the retirement of President and Chief Executive Officer: https://t.co/VV4AfVmeUG
— Air Canada (@AirCanada) March 30, 2026
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Le Conseil d'administration d'Air Canada annonce le départ à la retraite du président et chef de la direction : https://t.co/m7WbxGRChj pic.twitter.com/JlccCMt7wK
