Start your day off right with five things you need to know this morning.
Five things you need to know
Mark Carney has refused to say whether his MP, Michael Ma, will face any consequences after he attempted to discredit an expert witness during a Commons committee discussion on forced labour in China. The prime minister, who has long argued about the need for moral values to take precedence over money, also dodged questions about forced labour in China, instead making general comments about the phenomenon around the world. Meanwhile, Carney attended a fundraiser co-hosted by Ma on Monday night. Separately, Margaret McCuaig-Johnston, the academic attacked by Ma, told reporters she has not received an apology from the MP, despite Carney saying on Monday that Ma had "apologized directly to Ms. McCuaig-Johnston."
Carney isn't saying whether Michael Ma faces fallout for China remarks https://t.co/J3Gv4To5pV via @stcatstandard
— The St. Catharines Standard (@StCatStandard) March 30, 2026
The minister tasked with overseeing Canada-US trade talks, Dominic LeBlanc, has said he isn't worried about a potential Mexico-US bilateral deal that excludes Canada. That's because the Mexicans are committed to a trilateral deal, LeBlanc said, adding: "The American administration and our government and the Mexicans have also been clear that there are bilateral issues that properly will be worked on together by two countries and it will necessarily form part of the discussion around the trilateral review of CUSMA as well." US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has said numerous times that Mexico is ahead in talks with the US, while Canada is lagging behind.
Canada not worried U.S.-Mexico trade talks will upend trilateral deal, LeBlanc sayshttps://t.co/hkonJ0lBi6
— CityNews Halifax (@CityNewsHFX) March 31, 2026
Donald Trump has said all the countries struggling to get fuel because of Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz should go to the region "and just TAKE IT." Highlighting the UK, he added: "You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us ... Go get your own oil!" Separately, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that Trump is considering bringing the war with Iran to an end without reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
On the other hand, however, the average price of gas in the US has topped $4 a gallon for the first time in nearly four years. That high price is a consequence of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran effected in response to the US-Israeli attack begun on Feb. 28.
Breaking news: The average price of gasoline in the U.S. is now more than $4 a gallon, the first time it has reached that level since 2022.https://t.co/kEB4yCi9na
— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 31, 2026
Canada's GDP grew by 0.1 per cent in January, according to Statistics Canada, as the country's economy remains stuck in neutral. Mining, oil and gas production were the main reason for what meagre growth was recorded, the agency explained.
Real gross domestic product (GDP) edged up 0.1% in January 2026, following 0.2% growth in December.
— Statistics Canada (@StatCan_eng) March 31, 2026
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