Good morning. Prime Minister Mark Carney heads to the White House on Tuesday to start high-stakes talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and try to jump-start a new relationship on trade and security. More on that below, along with the latest on Western Canadians’ discontent, and the mystery of who will dress the next pope. Let’s get to it.
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives to his first press conference since forming government, in Ottawa, on May 2.Blair Gable/Reuters
TOP STORY
Mr. Carney goes to Washington
The latest: Carney’s first meeting with Trump is set to take place at a low point in relations between their two countries, and the new Prime Minister is eyeing a fresh start. Carney warned again on Friday that the old relationship Canada had with the United States “is over,” and he enters the talks without a clear picture of what Trump really wants.
What’s next: Experts predict Carney will bring an outline of a proposal for co-operation between the two countries to the meeting, which would hinge on Trump dropping tariffs on key Canadian products. Ottawa’s security and defence spending, which Trump has derided as being far too low, will also surely be high on the agenda.
What to expect: Carney has tried to downplay expectations that the meeting will yield immediate results. Instead, he hopes to lay the groundwork for further talks that could bring relief from tariffs, Steven Chase and Adrian Morrow report. “But I really don’t expect removal of tariffs on Tuesday, and I don’t think anyone should expect that,” said Brian Clow, a former senior member of Justin Trudeau’s staff. “It’s going to take some time.”
Just “unlikely”? Trump said “it’s highly unlikely” that the United States would use military force to try to take Canada, in an interview that aired Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press. “I don’t see it with Canada. I just don’t see it, I have to be honest with you,” he said. What about Greenland? “I don’t rule it out.”
Clerical robe tailor Raniero Mancinelli works on a white papal cassock at his liturgical vestments shop near the Vatican, in Rome, Italy, on April 29.Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters
World
Tailor to pontiffs cut out of the conclave
The latest: With the start of the conclave to choose a new pope only days away, garment-maker Gammarelli would normally have three sizes of robes ready and on display – after all, its tailors have clothed almost every new pope for the last 180 years. Not this time, Eric Reguly reports: Gammarelli’s window is empty because it hasn’t had its usual order from the Holy See.
What’s next: It could be that the conclave will raid the closet and pick a cassock it has on hand. The Italian press has speculated that it could be a nod to the austere lifestyle chosen by Pope Francis, who died on April 21.
A gift: Another ecclesiastical tailor, Mancinelli Clero, isn’t waiting to be given an order. He has made clothes for the last three popes, and is working on white cassocks for the next in line. “I just wanted to make them,” he told Reguly. “They will be a gift for the conclave.”
Maya Nguyen/The Globe and Mail
How We Live
A parents’ guide to prom
The latest: Planning for prom night can be pressure-packed – not just for students, but for parents. It’s no easy task for teens to find a date, nail the right outfit, negotiate curfews and after-parties – and, increasingly, capture the big night on Instagram or TikTok.
Need help? The Globe and Mail has a guide to help parents to navigate the occasion, from “promposals” to prom pacts, the temptation to skip the night altogether and setting rules to keep students safe.
What to wear: Some eager beavers started shopping for prom dresses as early as last August. For the rest of us, don’t worry, our prom style guide can help get you suited up, whether it’s in gowns, tuxedos or vintage ensembles.
Politics
Albertan first, Canadian second?
The latest: After a comeback win for the Mark Carney-led Liberals in last week’s federal election, some Albertans are feeling increasingly alienated. Almost one in four people in the province see themselves as Albertans first, and Canadians second, according to a new poll. One in 10 think their province would be economically stronger as part of the U.S.
How we got here: Western animus toward Ottawa is not new. But many Albertans felt that former prime minister Justin Trudeau neglected Western priorities during his decade in power, or even actively stymied the economic progress of regions that depend on producing fossil fuels, Nathan VanderKlippe and Carrie Tait report. Plenty of voters were thirsty for a change from Liberal governments.
What’s next: Support for a sovereignty referendum has been gaining steam in Alberta and Saskatchewan, as the Liberal Party returns to power with only three seats in the two provinces. Organizers are collecting signatures in the hope of forcing a vote. But the poll also found a large majority of Albertans think the province would be better off as part of Canada.
Finance
Warren Buffett’s Abel successor
The latest: Legendary value investor Warren Buffett stunned nearly everyone with his announcement that he will retire at the end of the year. The Canadian who will take his place as CEO, Greg Abel, was just as surprised.
The heir: It has been an open secret for years that Abel, a vice chairman at Buffett’s US$1.1-trillion company Berkshire Hathaway, was the heir-apparent to the Oracle of Omaha. Reporter Joe Castaldo profiled Abel and found an affable, hockey-playing workaholic who was still something of a mystery.
What’s next: The notion of retirement has never seemed to appeal to Buffett, who is 94. After he hands off to Mr. Abel by the end of the year, he told shareholders he “would still hang around and conceivably be useful in a few cases.” But Mr. Abel will have the “final word” on operations and how Berkshire invests its money, which includes nearly US$348-billion of cash. No pressure.
Bookmarked
- Security clearance dispute: A B.C. physician and former politician is contesting Ottawa’s decision to deny him security clearance for a diplomatic posting in Australia, in a legal action.
- NDP interim leader: Senior New Democrats expect to appoint an interim leader to replace Jagmeet Singh, who is resigning, by the end of the week.
- Mother’s Day: We’ve got a dozen ideas for gifts that will make Mom smile – all from Canadian brands!
- For your finances: Students across Canada are checking their mailboxes for acceptance letters from universities and colleges, and it’s time for parents to talk to them about how they’ll pay the bills.
- Conversation starter: As the Toronto Maple Leafs gear up to start their second-round series against the Florida Panthers on Monday, reporter Marty Klinkenberg stepped away from the superstars to meet three hourly employees who’ve witnessed a combined 152 years of Maple Leafs history, selling popcorn and taking tickets.
The Quote
“Come summer, the shelves are going to be empty. Everybody is in danger of missing Christmas.”
— Jonathan Cathey Owner of The Loyal Subjects toy company in Los Angeles
Jonathan Cathey owns The Loyal Subjects toy company in Los Angeles and is worried about the paralysis that U.S. tariffs on China are causing in industries such as his. He’s one of five Americans who shared their views about the Trump administration after 100 days.
The Shot
Cutter Melanie Farrar-Jackson shows a sample of her costume work at the Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ont., on April 16.DUANE COLE/The Globe and Mail
Long before the Stratford Festival’s curtains rise, a team of costumers, carpenters and wig makers are hard at work bringing the stage and its characters to life. We went behind the scenes to see them prepare for a new season.