5 things you need to know this morning: June 4, 2025

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

Five things you need to know

1. Sean Fraser apologizes for saying First Nations don't have 'blanket veto power' over projects

Justice Minister Sean Fraser has apologized for saying the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples does not amount to a "blanket veto power" over projects. Fraser said his comments have damaged the "very precarious trust" Ottawa has built with First Nations.

As he was heading into this morning’s caucus meeting, Minister Fraser stopped to clarify and apologize for his comments yesterday, adding that he should have rejected the premise of the question. #cdnpoli
(Left: Statement; Right: Scrum) https://t.co/YE4FhIMh75 pic.twitter.com/Vixa84xSVQ

— Stuart Benson (@LeftHandStu) June 4, 2025

2. Canadian steel industry at risk of extinction, association head warns

The head of the Canadian Steel Producers Association has urged Ottawa to act quickly after US President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50 per cent starting today. Catherine Cobden said the new tariff will essentially shut down Canadian exports of the materials to the US, a crucial market for manufacturers. She also said the federal government needed to increase tariffs on Chinese steel coming into Canada, warning that the communist dictatorship will seek to dump its excess supply after being locked out of the US market.

Canadian steel industry urges government intervention amidst U.S. tariff threats. https://t.co/EXmbwy9q7Y

— CityNews Toronto (@CityNewsTO) June 4, 2025

3. Liberals face first serious test with throne speech vote

Mark Carney's minority Liberal government will face its first serious test today as MPs vote on the government's throne speech. It comes after the government lost a vote on Monday concerning an amendment to the throne speech. Today's vote, however, counts as a confidence motion, meaning if the government loses, it could fall.

The federal government is set to face its first confidence vote since the election, with MPs to cast their vote on the throne speech Wednesday.https://t.co/ckFUnlfXFa

— Globalnews.ca (@globalnews) June 4, 2025

4. Jews in US fearing for safety after terror incidents

Jews in the US are feeling increasingly afraid for their safety in the wake of attacks in the country linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Halie Soifer, CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, said recent terror incidents in Washington, DC and Boulder, Colorado "could have happened to anyone."

'All Jewish Americans are questioning their security' after violent antisemitic attackshttps://t.co/b37jJsTFsm

— Breaking News (@jooilong) June 4, 2025

5. Poilievre commemorates Tiananmen Square Massacre, condemns Beijing for 'indiscriminately killing' protesters

Tory Leader Pierre Poilievre has commemorated the Tiananmen Square Massacre, which occurred on this day in 1989. He said that, amid peaceful protests in Beijing, "the Communist regime responded mercilessly as the army began indiscriminately killing anyone in their path, using troops and tanks to murder their own people."

Poilievre on 6/4 anniversary: The CCP has "never shown remorse, and their oppressive tactics continue to be used today." pic.twitter.com/1cj2POXl9D

— Noé Chartier (@NChartierET) June 4, 2025

Thumbnail photo credit: X/Pierre Poilievre