Hello, welcome to Politics Insider. Let’s look at what happened today.
Beijing’s top diplomat dangled the prospect of Canada doubling its exports to China by 2030 – if relations stay positive.
Steven Chase reports that Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi, whose three-day trip to Ottawa ends Saturday and is his first visit to this country in a decade, laid out expectations for Canada-China relations in remarks before a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand.
One of the conditions was “strategic independence,” a term China often uses to signal its interest in seeing Canada stop moving in lockstep with the United States.
“The ups and downs in China-Canada relations over these years have brought us many important lessons,“ he said in remarks translated by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.
“We need to uphold mutual respect, seek common ground while reserving differences, maintain strategic independence and pursue mutual benefit and win-win outcomes,” Wang said.
“I believe that no matter how the international situation changes, we should adhere to these beneficial experiences.”
As she welcomed her Chinese counterpart to Ottawa, Anand said Canada wants to boost trade with China by 50 per cent in the next four years while protecting its national security interests.
Prime Minister Mark Carney shakes hands with Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi at his office in Ottawa on Friday.Spencer Colby/Reuters
What else is going on
Canada’s economy stalls, posting consecutive quarterly declines: Canada’s real GDP contracted 0.1 per cent on an annualized basis between January and March, Statistics Canada reported today.
Carney’s deputy chief of staff considering run for office, sources say: If Braeden Caley decides to seek the nomination in the North Vancouver-Capilano riding, it would create a vacancy at the senior level of the Prime Minister’s Office.
Federal deficit grows to $55.3-billion in latest fiscal year: The federal government posted a deficit of $55.28-billion for its 2025-26 fiscal year compared with a $43.15-billion deficit a year earlier, according to the Finance Department’s monthly fiscal monitor report.
Canada, U.S. must do more to remove political risks around pipeline permits, South Bow CEO says: Bevin Wirzba of Calgary-based South Bow said he sees oil sands production tripling over the next 50 years, but that can only happen if the federal and Alberta governments develop policies and regulations that encourage the investment needed to fund growth.
The big rig: Weak oversight and regulatory loopholes let predatory trucking firms run roughshod over vulnerable drivers.
On our radar
Prime Minister’s Day: In Ottawa, Mark Carney spoke at an event to recognize the contributions of Governor-General Mary Simon ahead of her mandate ending next month. Carney later met with Yukon Premier Currie Dixon. And he met with China’s Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi. Later, Carney attended a reception in honour of Simon.
Carney also spoke with Pope Leo XIV, discussing artificial intelligence and Canada’s desire to lead internationally on responsible AI, according to an advisory issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Party Leaders: Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre held a news conference at the House of Commons. In Ottawa, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May attended a discussion on the Canadian political landscape with members of the Americas Policy Group, and was later at the House of Commons. No schedules released for other party leaders.
Ministers on the Road: In Vancouver, Housing Minister Gregor Robertson made an infrastructure announcement with B.C. Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth.
In Jonquière, Que., Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, with representatives of the Quebec government, announced a Strategic Response Fund investment in the aluminum industry.
Meanwhile in Ottawa: Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty and the chiefs of the Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation held a celebration of the Ontario Final Agreement to reform the First Nations Child and Family Services Program.
Former Parliamentarians Remembered: On Monday, the Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians will be holding a ceremony in the Senate chamber to honour parliamentarians who have died in the last year. Among those honoured will be former federal cabinet ministers Marc Garneau, Ken Dryden, Gail Shea, John McCallum and Kirsty Duncan as well as Michael Cassidy, the former MP who led the Ontario NDP.
Quote of the Day
“I don’t get very excited, but this is exciting me so I’m having some trouble getting my words out” – Governor-General Mary Simon at a ceremony at Rideau Hall today to mark the end of her mandate. The ceremony included the announcement that the Rideau Hall Foundation is launching Ajuinnata, the Mary Simon Catalyst for Mental Wellness. The federal government is contributing upfront funding of $5-million and will match money the foundation raises for the project, up to $10-million.
Question period
To mark the end of her mandate as Governor-General, Mary Simon participated in a ceremonial tree dedication on the grounds of Rideau Hall today, turning a spade-full of earth at the base of a black spruce. More than 150 such ceremonial trees are on the grounds of Rideau Hall. Who planted the first one?
Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for the answer.
Perspectives
Alberta separatism increasingly resembles a temper tantrum
Alberta’s separatist narratives don’t sound like the alienation of old; they sound like the vitriol that fuels polarization south of us. Foreign influencers and online networks are amplifying grievance and animosity online. The result is governance by rage and resentment.
— Trevor McFadyen is an instructor at Capilano University’s School of Business.
A pandemic is a real and serious threat to Canada’s security. Military spending should reflect that reality
As a multilateral actor, Canada is ideally positioned to lead the kind of collective action required to protect ourselves and the globe in this new pandemic age.
— Dan Werb is an epidemiologist, policy analyst and writer whose books include The Invisible Siege: The Rise of Coronaviruses and the Search for a Cure, which was the winner of the 2022 Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction.
The mystery of Canadian ire, revealed
It would appear that Mr. Hoekstra hasn’t been paying attention. So in the interest of being good hosts – even to a guest who seems keen to channel his boss’s aggressive boorishness – allow us to explain why a popular graffito in the country now depicts a crossed-out U.S. flag with the words “There is no enemy like a friend betrayed.”
— The Globe and Mail Editorial Board
Go deeper
- Follow along for our stories on Canada-U.S. relations as news develops
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The answer to today’s question: Prince Arthur of Connaught, a grandson of Queen Victoria, planted the first tree – a red oak – in 1906. The tree still stands. Details on the traditions of ceremonial tree plantings are here.