5 things you need to know this morning: May 21, 2025

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

Five things you need to know

1. Smith talks pipelines, Eby says West is 'engine' of Canada's economy ahead of meeting

BC Premier David Eby is set to meet with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and other Western leaders in Yellowknife today. The premiers are set to discuss energy security, trade and Arctic sovereignty, with Smith saying she'll be emphasizing "the importance of new pipelines" and Eby stressing that Western Canada is "the engine of the economy for Canada."

Western premiers meet in Yellowknife to talk trade, energy and Arctic security https://t.co/OpaKdC6t7G

— CTV National News (@CTVNationalNews) May 21, 2025

2. Trump says it 'makes sense' for Canada to be involved in US's 'Golden Dome' defence system

President Donald Trump has said "it automatically makes sense" for Canada to be involved in the US's plan to build a "Golden Dome" missile defence system. Trump said Ottawa had called and said "they want to be a part of it," though participation won't be free.

Trump says Canada wants to be part of his Golden Dome missile defence shield https://t.co/buC4WGWTtM pic.twitter.com/tslcXYUhuj

— National Post (@nationalpost) May 21, 2025

3. Tributes pour in for Cheers star

Cheers star George Wendt has died at the age of 76, prompting a flurry of tributes. Wendt played Norm Peterson in the show, appearing alongside Ted Danson and Kelsey Grammer, both of whom have praised their former colleague.

Watching him walk through that door and head to his barstool, America couldn’t wait to say hi to Norm every Thursday night. George Wendt was an essential part of the genius of ‘Cheers’ and he will be missed by the millions who loved him. Norm was all of us. A regular guy who… pic.twitter.com/BcnqCcZ3PM

— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) May 21, 2025

4. Champagne to meet with G7 finance leaders in Banff

Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne has teed up a meeting of the G7's finance leaders in Banff, promising to focus on stability and economic growth. But Mark Carney's number two mostly dodged questions from reporters on Tuesday, particularly those related to the US's new global tariff regime.

In the news today: Banff hosts G7 finance summit, western premiers meet in NWT https://t.co/mCzL7CO22c

— The Canadian Press News (@CdnPressNews) May 21, 2025

5. South African president visiting the White House amid tensions with US

South Africa's president is due to meet with Donald Trump in the White House today. It comes amid tensions between the US and South Africa, particularly over South Africa's treatment of its white minority and the country's decision to accuse Israel of genocide.

South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, is due to meet Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday in an attempt to reset relations between the two countries. Trump likes to describe himself as a master negotiator, but will he meet his match in Ramaphosa? pic.twitter.com/mg4A7ice4K

— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) May 20, 2025