5 Things posted Oct 1, 2026 @ 08:00am by Iain Burns

5 things you need to know this morning: Oct. 1, 2026

Start your day off right with five things you need to know this morning.

Five things you need to know

1. Canada 'can deal with' US ban on diesel exports: minister

Energy Minister Tim Hodgson has said Canada has backup plans for disruptions to the supply of diesel, including the possibility that the US could ban exports of the precious fuel. Hodgson said Canada is a net exporter of diesel – which is essential for transport, agriculture and industry – and so "if push came to shove, we can deal with that." He added: “I would say keep calm and carry on."

Canada’s energy minister said the country has contingency plans for disruptions to diesel supply, including a possible US ban on exports of the fuel https://t.co/xEJ3jcQQcU
— Bloomberg (@business) September 30, 2026

2. Liberal minister 'disappointed' with France over plan to fish for crabs off Newfoundland

Despite plenty of warm words and gestures between Mark Carney and French leader Emmanuel Macron, France and Canada remain in conflict over fishing rights off the coast of Newfoundland. Joanne Thompson, the federal fisheries minister, said she was "disappointed" that France had chosen to "unilaterally" launch a plan to harvest snow crabs near the European country's North American colony of St. Pierre et Miquelon. Thompson said the French plan would violate Canada's claimed economic exclusion zone.

Canada's fisheries minister is encouraging France to abandon its plan to launch a snow crab fishery in waters near Newfoundland and the French territory of St-Pierre-Miquelon. https://t.co/nPutIUYVQj
— CityNews Vancouver (@CityNewsVAN) September 30, 2026

3. EU and Canada to announce 'expansive new partnership' in Montreal this month

The Canada-France squabble over fishing rights comes ahead of a much-hyped meeting this month in Montreal between federal officials and senior representatives from the European Union. According to reports, the EU intends to shore up its invitation for Canada to become an "associate member" by announcing a new partnership on trade, wildfires and the Ukraine war. The draft paper for the summit reportedly reads: "Canada and the EU, with our unparalleled trade access, shared values, and complementary economic strengths, can build a deeper and more integrated relationship."

EXCLUSIVE: The EU and Canada will use a landmark summit next month to announce an expansive new partnership, ranging from breaking down digital trade barriers to joint support for Ukraine and investing in fighting wildfires. https://t.co/0bBJmT4USK
— POLITICOEurope (@POLITICOEurope) September 30, 2026

4. Just 26% of Americans consider Canada a 'close ally': AP-NORC poll

Canada's most important relationship, however, appears to be souring in new ways, with an AP-NORC poll released today showing dramatically fewer Americans consider Canada a close ally than did a year ago. The survey found just 26 per cent of Americans regard Canada as a close ally of the United States, down from 45 per cent last year and 62 per cent three years ago. More respondents — 30 per cent — said relations with Canada are “not friendly” but that the two countries are not enemies than said Canada is a close ally. The poll also found that President Donald Trump is very unpopular in the US, with an approval rating of only 31 per cent.

AP/NORC - Trump Approval

Approve: 31%
Disapprove: 69%

Lowest approval in either term
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Trump's net approval on key issues

🟤 Immigration: -21
🔴 Iran: -43 (new low)
🔴 Economy: -47 (was -23 in Mar)
🔴 Inflation: -65 (new low)
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9/24-28 | 2,140 Ahttps://t.co/xuxxiM84n2 pic.twitter.com/3hrxUtpzU0
— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) October 1, 2026

5. Russia threatens to nuke European countries if NATO cuts off colony

Elsewhere in the world, Russia has threatened to destroy European countries with nuclear weapons if NATO attempts to cut off the Russian colony of Kaliningrad, which the Soviet Union conquered and ethnically cleansed in the 1940s. In a note sent to NATO and reported by Reuters news agency, Russia said the alliance was pursuing a "dangerous and reckless course" that could create "high risks of the outbreak of a direct armed conflict." Consequences, the note adds, could include "Russian strikes against decision-making centers in the alliance's member states right from the outset," adding: "Russia will be ready to use the entire arsenal of forces and capabilities at its disposal, including nuclear weapons, in order to defend its territory should NATO countries undertake any attempt aimed at isolating the Kaliningrad Region from the rest of the country."