Welcome to Monday Morning Update. Canada is officially preparing for the next election – more on that below, plus an investigation into the Canadian arm of China’s largest bank and Russia-Ukraine ceasefire updates. Let’s get to it.
From left, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, Liberal leader Mark Carney, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet and Green Party co-leader Jonathan Pedneault.Adrian Wyld, Gino Donato/Canadian Press, Martin Chevalier/AFP/The Canadian Press
TOP STORY
Canada is set to go to the polls April 28
The latest: As was expected, Governor General Mary Simon dissolved Parliament and called the election campaign at the request of Liberal Leader Mark Carney. The parties are expected to focus on U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war and annexation threats, which have led to a surge of patriotism and economic worries.
What’s next: So much. So much will come over the next five weeks of campaigning. The parties have their planes and buses ready. Star candidates are chosen, and their war rooms are up and running for what could be the most monumental election in Canada’s history. The government officially enters “caretaker mode,” meaning Ottawa holds back from major matters while politicians are out on the hustings.
The Conservatives: Pierre Poilievre sought leadership of the CPC nearly three years ago, saying he was running to be prime minister – he has now begun that bid in earnest.
The Liberals: Mark Carney defended launching an election campaign in the midst of a trade war by saying he wants voters to sign off on his plans to fireproof the Canadian economy.
The NDP: Jagmeet Singh says he is fine being a political underdog, but his party is best positioned to fight for Canadians through a trade war.
Shannon Proudfoot: As the long-awaited campaign finally kicked off, there was a funhouse-mirror quality to the way everyone played with the notion of time.
Campbell Clark: Politicians say every election is the fight of our lives. This time, it is.
Fact check: Here are some ways to spot fake visuals while we prepare for the election.
Displaced Palestinians flee from Rafah amidst ongoing Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip, arriving in Khan Younis on Sunday, March 23, 2025.Abdel Kareem Hana/The Associated Press
World
Palestinian death toll climbs past 50,000
The latest: Since Israel ended the ceasefire, waves of strikes have killed hundreds in Gaza, the territory’s Health Ministry said. The Israeli military launched ground incursions in northern Gaza and the southern city of Rafah, sending thousands of Palestinians to flee under new evacuation orders.
What else: Recent moves by Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet to dismiss two officials has drawn accusations from protesters that the right-wing government is undermining state institutions and leaving hostages behind. Meanwhile, the cabinet passed a measure to create 13 new settlements in the occupied West Bank by rezoning existing ones.
MSSM Yorkville on March 12, 2025.Carmen Cheung/The Globe and Mail
How We Live
Are we in an omakase bubble?
The latest: Limited time slots, a set menu and watching the sushi chef in action: Omakase has swept across Canada this past decade, and has more recently found mainstream popularity. In Tokyo, the small-group dinning provides a subtle hospitality not present in North America, where it has become more about performance.
What’s next: As with most luxury experiences, it is being democratized. “Omakase sort of peaked, and I think that we’re going to see that kind of decline into a relatively passé food fashion over time,” said James Farrer, a Tokyo-based sociologist.
Investigation
The Canadian arm of China’s largest bank repeatedly broke rules
The latest: Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Canada), known as ICBK, spearheaded a project to establish a payments processor that would collect financial information about Canadians of Chinese descent, as well as Chinese nationals and other consumers, sources say.
The context: As ICBK churned out fatter profits, a Globe and Mail investigation revealed it cut corners on financial-crime compliance. A confidential paper trail reviewed by The Globe shows ICBK failed to address repeated orders from FinTRAC and broke money-laundering rules.
What’s next: Canada is preparing for another review by the Financial Action Task Force this year. It found nearly a decade ago that Canada may be vulnerable to the laundering of the proceeds of Chinese corruption.
Canada-U.S. relations
A change in attitude may imperil cross-border science
The latest: The Great Lakes region has stood as a model of cross-border collaboration. But now, scientists on both sides of the border say the U.S. administration has put a freeze on cross-border communication.
What’s next: U.S. efforts to slash the federal work force includes cuts to civil servants dedicated to Great Lakes initiatives such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Regional leaders say that could leave a void in Great Lakes science and policy, pressing Ottawa to step up.
Bookmarked
Ukraine-Russia war: Ukrainian and U.S. delegations met yesterday to discuss energy and infrastructure ahead of today’s discussions between U.S. and Russian delegations.
For your finances: How will tariffs affect your personal finances? Globe reporters answered your questions.
Policing: Arab and Black people are overrepresented in police stops in Laval, Que., according to data obtained by The Globe.
Legislation: The families of young men who died after altercations outside Halifax bars pleaded to not let the bar bouncer law “fall victim to repeal.”
Sports: Wayne Gretzky was a great Canadian. Past tense. He chose another side. He’s free to do as he likes as long as he’s not hurting anyone, writes Cathal Kelly.
The Quote
“The only memory I have is shopping for a Wonderbra with my mom. Other than that, my only association with the Bay is not being able to find someone to help me when I need it.”
Talking to shoppers in the Hudson’s Bay Co. in downtown Toronto, generations reporter Ann Hui finds that saying goodbye sparks both nostalgia and indifference.
The Shot
The women were excited by the idea of complete isolation – just them, the moose, and maybe some wolves and bears.Cathie Archbould/The Globe and Mail
This year is Yukon photographer Cathie Archbould’s 27th annual fall moose hunt, which has expanded to include a group of four women who fly into remote lakes for a week at a time. Read more on the cherished ritual from our Underexposed series.
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