5 Things posted Jul 7, 2025 @ 08:00am by Iain Burns

5 things you need to know this morning: July 7, 2025

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

Five things you need to know

1. Steps to boost interprovincial trade merely 'political theatre,' think tank says

A think tank has accused Canadian leaders of exaggerating their efforts to reduce interprovincial trade barriers, branding the moves "political theatre." The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives said the steps taken by Ottawa and the provinces so far will do little to boost the economy or mitigate the effects of US tariffs.

A new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is dismissing moves by the federal government and Canada’s premiers to break down internal trade barriers as little more than “political theatre.” https://t.co/ZdwWPz1lB0
— CityNews Montreal (@CityNewsMTL) July 7, 2025

2. Ford and Smith to meet in Calgary to sign agreements on trade, energy

Two rather important individuals – Doug Ford and Danielle Smith – disagree with the above claims, however, and are set to sign memoranda of understanding on interprovincial co-operation, energy and trade today. The Ontario and Alberta premiers are due to meet in Calgary, where they'll discuss pipelines, railways and critical minerals.

Danielle Smith and Doug Ford to sign agreements in Calgary today https://t.co/xo0MZnRhJt
— CTV National News (@CTVNationalNews) July 7, 2025

3. Two killers escape same prison in space of two weeks

Two convicted killers have now escaped from a Quebec prison in the space of two weeks. Lory Bill Germa fled the Archambault Institution, near Montreal, on Saturday; police believe he could now be in Ontario. Two weeks ago, Richard Plourde escaped the facility, but was captured the following day.

Lory Bill Germa has escaped from Archambault Institution (minimum security) in Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, Quebec. Anyone who has information is asked to contact the Sûreté du Québec. More information will follow. pic.twitter.com/DvXbDds2wf
— Correctional Service (@CSC_SCC_en) July 6, 2025

4. Environmental group tells Ottawa to keep EV mandate

A group of environment activists is lobbying the federal government to reject calls to repeal the electric vehicle mandate. Instead, Clean Energy Canada said, Ottawa should help make EVs available for less than $40,000, in part by allowing some Chinese-made cars into Canada tariff-free.

Environment group warns against repealing federal electric vehicle mandate.https://t.co/yGE2OZcZy9
— Globalnews.ca (@globalnews) July 6, 2025

5. Robert Pickton was killed with broomstick, report says

Serial killer Robert Pickton was killed with a broom handle, according to an investigation into his death in prison. The murderer was attacked while medication was being distributed, according to the report, with a fellow inmate grabbing a broomstick, breaking the handle and thrusting it into Pickton's face.

Fatal prison assault on serial killer Robert Pickton was carried out with broken-off broom handle: reporthttps://t.co/SZEz5ju0N5
— CP24 (@CP24) July 6, 2025