5 things you need to know this morning: June 30, 2025

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

Five things you need to know

1. Bonnie Henry and Theresa Tam appointed to Order of Canada

Some of the most prominent health officials from the COVID-19 era are among 83 appointments to the Order of Canada announced by the governor general today. Canada's former chief public health officer, Theresa Tam, and British Columbia Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry have both been chosen to receive the accolade, alongside Marc-André Blanchard, who is due to become Mark Carney's chief of staff in July.

Political, health leaders among more than 80 new appointees to the Order of Canada.https://t.co/pkIH2VulCU

— Barrie 360 (@Barrie360) June 30, 2025

2. CEO of Alberta independence group reckons province could vote to leave if referendum held now

The CEO of a group promoting Alberta separation has said he "wouldn't be surprised" if the province voted to leave Canada were a referendum held today. Mitch Sylvestre, who heads the Alberta Prosperity Project, is aiming to gather the requisite 177,000 signatures to force a plebiscite on the question of independence.

Amid calls for separation, Alberta’s new referendum rules set to formally take effect https://t.co/opsUvkhYKi

— CTV Edmonton (@ctvedmonton) June 30, 2025

3. William Shatner says Captain Kirk would be 'appalled' by the state of Earth

William Shatner has said Captain Kirk would be "appalled" by environmental decline on Earth. "Everybody should acquaint themselves with the problem, and make a decision," he said, praising ChatGPT as a tool for research.

Captain Kirk would be ‘appalled’ at state of Earth’s decline, William Shatner says https://t.co/v3VJSAql1x

— CityNews Ottawa (@CityNewsOttawa) June 29, 2025

4. Liberals planning 'fresh' look at Online Harms Act

The Liberal government is planning to take a "fresh" look at its controversial Online Harms Act, which critics have branded an assault on freedom of expression. Justice Minister Sean Fraser said the government "would be remiss if they didn't recognize that policy needs to shift" as new technologies, such as AI, change the internet.

Liberals taking ‘fresh’ look at online harms bill, justice minister says https://t.co/4apBmHGcYU pic.twitter.com/WOLBXLMfv0

— Toronto Sun (@TheTorontoSun) June 29, 2025

5. Man charged with vandalizing Holocaust monument fired from government job

The man charged with vandalizing the National Holocaust Monument in the country's capital has been revealed as a City of Ottawa lawyer. Iain Aspenlieder, who has been accused of writing the words "feed me" on the monument, has now been fired.

Man accused in Holocaust Memorial vandalism fired by City of Ottawa https://t.co/evlhJcUjnW pic.twitter.com/zJ1UBNcsm3

— Ottawa Citizen (@OttawaCitizen) June 29, 2025