Global National: May 27, 2026 | Canada looks to buy Sweden's early warning planes instead of US jets

Added: 2026-05-28

[00:00:04]On this Wednesday night, defying by American, Canada's proposal to purchase new surveillance aircraft from Sweden instead of the US.

[00:00:13]>> It would be perfect for an Arctic environment.

[00:00:15]>> What the fleet is capable of and how Canadian companies could help manufacture.

[00:00:20]Brutal brawl. The group of teenage boys arrested in this violent assault. An update on the investigation and the victim. From underground to overjoyed, five men trapped in a flooded cave for a week are found alive. Plus, UFC in DC.

[00:00:39]Why this ultimate fighting cage is being built outside the White House.

[00:00:45]>> Global National with Donna Fzen reporting tonight, Jeff Sample.

[00:00:51]>> Good evening and thank you for joining us. The federal government held multiple announcements today aimed at building closer trade ties with Europe in the face of US tariffs. Ottawa revealed plans for a major investment in defense spending with a proposal to purchase a new fleet of surveillance aircraft. The prime minister says they're looking at purchasing planes from a Swedish manufacturer instead of Americanmade jets. The two sides are still negotiating the terms, but as Mackenzie Gray reports, it's part of the government's promised pivot away from American military equipment.

[00:01:24]It's poised to be the latest addition to the Canadian Armed Forces, the Saab Globalized Spy Aircraft.

[00:01:29]>> The Globalized airborne surveillance capability can track objects and signals up to 650 km away, and they'll share in real time that information with the Canadian forces and our allies.

[00:01:42]>> Capabilities for NATO missions and defending the Arctic. While Saab says they could deliver by 2031, the contract hasn't been signed. Instead, negotiations are starting up to buy six planes. The Liberals preferring the Swedish option instead of two Americanmade choices with Saab underscoring the role Quebec based Bombardier and other Canadian companies will have.

[00:02:01]>> This will become a hub for us in Canada to have Canada manufacturing this capability. The Global Eye, a potential precursor to a bigger deal with Saab for their Griffin fighter jet that Ottawa is now considering buying as trade tensions have weighed on additional purchases of Americanmade F-35s.

[00:02:20]>> It would be perfect for an Arctic environment using many, many airports.

[00:02:24]Of course, that uh wouldn't be possible with infrastructure around the F-35s.

[00:02:28]The decision on fighter jets, one of many that will help Canada meet NATO's 5% of GDP spending target, but details on costs were not in the spring economic statement with Mark Carney only now providing an update.

[00:02:39]>> Our budget has already provisioned to achieve 4% of GDP in total defense spending by the end of this decade.

[00:02:48]>> Finance Department officials could not give any dollar figures that could fluctuate with purchases like new submarines. Ottawa picking between a South Korean and a joint German Norwegian bid. said for one of us >> leading the German defense minister to Ottawa for a sales pitch.

[00:03:02]>> It's not only about military benefits.

[00:03:04]The program creates and sustains more than 650,000 jobs over the next 50 over over the next years.

[00:03:12]>> The decision on which submarine is set to be purchased will be made as early as next month, Jeff. With the Germans promising 86 billion worth of economic activity in Canada if their bid wins.

[00:03:22]>> Mackenzie Gray in Ottawa. Thank you, Mac. And a new report reveals which Canadian cities are making the most progress towards diversifying their trade away from the United States.

[00:03:33]Nationally, non US exports rose by 17% last year in the face of US tariffs. And these cities led the way with Calgary and Ottawa Gatnau posting the largest increases in exports to non- US markets at more than 64% followed by Toronto, Saskatoon, and Colona. Well, these cities struggled the most to pivot to non- US customers. No surprise, they include integrated manufacturing hubs such as Ashawa and Kitchener, Cambridge, Waterlue.

[00:04:01]And there was another agreement today forging closer ties with Europe. Germany signed a non-binding deal to purchase 1 million tons of liqufied natural gas per year from a proposed export terminal in northern BC. Both countries are looking to diversify with Germany securing alternatives to Russian gas. But as Jillian Piper reports, the plan has several hurdles ahead.

[00:04:23]>> Spirits are high in BC with a new landmark energy deal.

[00:04:26]>> This contract represents the first agreement that we see long-term lowcarbon LG from Canada being shipped to our allies in Europe.

[00:04:37]>> German company Sepha has agreed to buy a million tons per year of BC liqufied natural gas for two decades starting in the early 2030s. Canada is one of the solutions uh to energy security uh energy security in Europe, energy security uh in Asia.

[00:04:52]>> The deal relies on building the 10 billion Salisms export facility on BC's north coast. The holdup a final investment decision which Ottawa expects will be announced in the coming months.

[00:05:03]A welcome timeline for the Niska First Nation, one of the leading partners.

[00:05:07]>> Many of us, the indigenous groups were managing poverty. We now want to manage prosperity. But prosperity may come at a cost. Two BC First Nations are challenging the project in court. And environmentalists argue the government's claims of low emissions LNG are just lip service.

[00:05:25]>> Liqufied natural gas often gets toted as this clean fuel or as a transition fuel, but we know that it's just as dirty as traditional oil and gas.

[00:05:33]>> The Conservative leader also taking issue with a proposed route from northern BC through the Panama Canal to Germany. We could have simply delivered the gas from eastern Canada where there were three terminals that the Liberals have killed.

[00:05:48]>> A criticism the energy minister dismissed.

[00:05:50]>> It's much cheaper to move LG over water in a tanker than it is to pay tolls uh to ship it all across the country. The BC government is pointing to the German contract as a reason why there should be a focus on building projects in British Columbia and why less energy should be spent on the oil pipeline proposal from Alberta that has no route or private proponent. Jeff >> Jillian Piper in Ottawa. Thanks Jillian.

[00:06:16]Montreal MP and former environment minister Steven Gilbo made it official today announcing he's leaving politics this summer. Gilbo led many of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's climate policies. That angered many in the West, but Gilbo remained popular in Quebec and among climate activists. His departure had been expected since he quit Prime Minister Mark Carney's cabinet back in November. David Aken reports on what it means for the Liberal Party and Carney's razor thin majority government.

[00:06:45]>> Steven Gilbo will depart politics without bitterness.

[00:06:48]>> You're feeling okay?

[00:06:49]>> Yeah. Hey, I'm feeling at peace >> and on good terms with the man who undid almost every environment policy Gilbo had worked on under Justin Trudeau.

[00:06:58]>> These seven years, intense, demanding, and deeply meaningful, have been among the most formative of my life. I have I leave proud of what we have accomplished together.

[00:07:09]>> I wish him all the best, and I'm sure uh in some way, shape, or form, we'll have an opportunity to continue to work together. Gilbo will end his parliamentary career as a liberal and will not vacate his seat until parliament rises for the summer, thus causing the least political disruption for the Liberals. His resignation does not threaten Carney's slim majority, and it is not seen as the first step in a caucus rebellion. Instead, Gilbo's departure is the final break between Trudeau era energy and climate policies in favor of Carney's more pro-development policies. We see a constant effort to roll back environmental protections and climate action. No wonder Steven Gibo is leaving this place. I am heartbroken that he is.

[00:07:55]>> But the current environment minister pushed back.

[00:07:58]>> I and this entire team of people and the Liberal benches fight every day against climate change. We fight for good, strong climate policy that is unifying, pragmatic, and it will work. And yet Carney's Liberal Party does appear to have tilted. The last MP to join Carney's caucus was floorcrosser Marilyn Gladu, a social conservative and former prochemical engineer who represents refinery rich Sarnneia, Ontario. Now the first MP to quit Carney's caucus over policy is a former Greenpeace campaigner from downtown Montreal, Steven Gilbo.

[00:08:39]Jeff, >> David Aken in Ottawa. Thanks, David.

[00:08:42]13 teenagers have been arrested after a massive brawl on Montreal's southshore.

[00:08:47]Investigators have now released a video and a warning. These images are disturbing.

[00:08:56]>> The footage appears to show several teens kicking and hitting another youth.

[00:09:00]And at one point, a suspect can be seen striking the teen with a large object.

[00:09:04]Investigators say this fight happened back in April. A 15year-old boy was taken to hospital. The boys arrested are all 15 and 16 years old.

[00:09:14]>> We shared the video to support the investigation and to encourage witnesses to come forward. Public cooperation is essential in cases like this. It also reforce a clear message. This type of violence will not be tolerated.

[00:09:32]Police say the teens could face several charges, including armed assault. And the Montreal Police hate crimes unit is now investigating after a pro Palestinian rally was held over the weekend. Protesters staged a mock hanging using effiges of US President Donald Trump and Israeli leaders, one of whom was wearing a kipa, the traditional Jewish head covering. The video was shared online, sparking public outcry.

[00:09:56]As Phil Carpenter reports, the organizers of the protest are now responding. During a demonstration in support of Palestinians Sunday in downtown Montreal, refugees of what appears to be three men are shown being hanged. Video was posted to social media and has brought condemnation.

[00:10:13]>> We need to address the issue of having protest because it's a democ dem democratic right, but do it in a way that is respectful.

[00:10:22]>> Members of Montreal's Jewish community say they felt targeted given that one of the figures being hanged was wearing a keeper. That's how the Jewish community felt despite what the context may or may not have been.

[00:10:33]>> In a statement to Global News, the group behind the protest, Montreal for Palestine, says the mock hanging was in no way meant to target the Jewish community in Montreal, saying the effiges displayed during the demonstration were directed specifically at political figures Benjamin Netanyahu, Itmar Bengavir, and Donald Trump. This symbolic and nonviolent act of expression was aimed at the political architects and cheerleaders of brutal policies against Palestinians. Still, the incident has caught the attention of Montreal police.

[00:11:03]>> I'm happy that the Montreal police is conducting a full investigation on that.

[00:11:07]Completely unacceptable.

[00:11:09]>> A police service spokesperson confirms that their hate crimes unit is investigating. This is at least the second time this month in Montreal that there has been a mock execution of a politician. During a pro-UN rally three weeks ago, protesters carried out a mock execution of Quebec Labor Minister Jean Boule. Police are still investigating.

[00:11:30]One legal expert isn't surprised that there is a hate crimes investigation in the latest incident since he points out a reasonable person could think that the group was targeted. He also thinks charges could be avoided if a prosecutor thinks protesters genuinely believe that they are speaking out against an injustice. They're entitled to do that if they reasonably believe that what they're saying is true and that they feel that there should be a proper public discourse about the issue.

[00:12:00]>> He argues that's the conundrum police and prosecutors will have to contend with. Phil Carpenter, Global News, Montreal.

[00:12:08]>> Israel's military has stepped up its bombing campaign of southern Lebanon after ordering residents to leave.

[00:12:14]Israeli strikes pounded the outskirts of Ty, one of Lebanon's largest cities.

[00:12:19]Israel declared the area a combat zone as it attacks the headquarters of Hezbollah, the Iranbacked militant group. Israel's defense forces have now issued nine warnings in the past 24 hours, fueling fears of a major escalation of violence. Lebanese officials say around 3,000 people have already been killed, mostly civilians, since the fighting erupted in March.

[00:12:40]US President Donald Trump says he's not yet satisfied with a potential peace deal with Iran. The White House is dismissing reports from Iranian state media that claimed a so-called memorandum of understanding had been agreed. There are also reports that Iran and Oman want to assert joint control over the Strait of Hormuz. During a cabinet meeting today, Trump said any deal will require that international waterway to completely reopen to maritime traffic.

[00:13:07]>> Nobody's going to control it. We're going to watch over it. We'll watch over it, but nobody's going to control it.

[00:13:11]That's part of the negotiation that we have. Uh Oman will behave just like everybody else, so we'll have to blow them up. They understand that. They'll be fine. Trump maintains that Iran must never have a nuclear weapon, but Thrron says it's not discussing its nuclear program until a later second round of negotiations.

[00:13:31]One traffic ticket, millions of online views. Coming up, the driver who did nothing wrong and the police officer now under scrutiny.

[00:13:49]Canada's Olympians and parolympians from the Milano Cortina Winter Games were honored in the nation's capital today.

[00:13:55]They received a standing ovation from MPs in the House of Commons and got the chance to discuss their experience competing for Canada.

[00:14:03]We know the entire country is behind us supporting us, cheering us on, and we really feel that when we're at the games and I think we're just so proud to represent Canada on the world stage like that.

[00:14:11]>> There's something so special about sport. Like we bring so many people together and to inspire the next generations and say, "Hey, this is possible for you."

[00:14:19]>> The athletes also got to meet the prime minister and Governor General.

[00:14:24]A giant cage is being constructed at the White House ahead of an event with the Ultimate Fighting Championship or UFC.

[00:14:32]Dubbed UFC Freedom 250, it will take place on the South Lawn on June 14th.

[00:14:37]That's President Trump's 80th birthday.

[00:14:40]This event marks another controversial White House construction project in addition to a new ballroom and paving over the rose garden for a new patio.

[00:14:51]Authorities say a second person has died from their injuries after a chemical tank ruptured at a Washington state paper mill. Nine others are missing and presumed dead. Crews are still trying to stabilize the tank before the bodies can be recovered. The rupture released a corrosive chemical used in the paper making process. Authorities say there's no longer any threat to the public.

[00:15:12]A Florida woman who was pulled over for distracted driving has had her ticket dismissed after police body camera video of the traffic stop went viral.

[00:15:22]>> This is why you're being pulled over in the city of Lagor. Today we're doing an operation for distracted driving and you drove past me holding the phone with your right hand manipulating that phone.

[00:15:29]I mean I thought you >> Now the woman does not have a right hand. She requested the deputy's body camera footage as part of her plan to challenge the ticket in court, but a hearing never happened because the deputy who issued the citation requested it be dismissed. Video of the incident has racked up more than 100 million views online.

[00:15:53]Still ahead, a dire warning from the World Health Organization about the deadly Ebola outbreak.

[00:16:04]Italy's highest court has ruled that businesses such as hotels and restaurants can refuse to serve tap water. The decision is in response to a tourist complaint against a luxury hotel that refused to serve her tap water during meals. She was instead offered mineral water at $11 per bottle.

[00:16:23]And you can bet tourists and locals alike are thirsty this week. Europe is in the middle of a record-breaking heat wave. Italy experienced the brunt of the scorching temperatures, which climbed as high as 42 degrees. 16 cities are now under an orange alert, warning of potential health risks for vulnerable people. Uganda has now closed its border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo to try and contain the region's deadly Ebola outbreak. There have been at least 220 suspected deaths in the DRC. The World Health Organization says the country is facing a catastrophic collision of disease and conflict. As Redmond Shannon reports, aid groups say their efforts are being hampered by recent cuts to foreign aid.

[00:17:07]>> Eid al Adha, Islam's feast of sacrifice.

[00:17:11]In the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, there is more sacrifice this year. Prayer gatherings in stadiums are cancelled with worshippers sticking to their local mosques.

[00:17:25]Many observing hygiene protocols.

[00:17:29]Normally, we greet with a handshake or a hug, but this year there is none of that, says this man. However, in many areas affected by the Ebola outbreak, misinformation and suspicion toward authorities are serious issues.

[00:17:44]>> People have stormed Ebola clinics to recover bodies or set fire to facilities in frustration. The worrying spread of the virus is amplified by conflict in the country. Huge numbers of people are on the move or living without proper sanitation. Before heading to the DRC, the head of the World Health Organization called for an immediate ceasefire, saying the WHO cannot build community trust or isolate the sick while bombs are falling. And so engaging with communities to assure them of our humanitarian motives, uh, of our intent to work, um, independently of actors to the conflict is critical. Aid groups say severe international aid cuts mean the prevention of and response to outbreaks are not what they were in the past. Over the past year, between a 25 to 30% reduction in humanitarian assistance globally. Um and that's been driven by multiple donors by the US government, but also by Germany, the UK, and others.

[00:18:44]Canada begins restricting incoming travel from affected countries.

[00:18:48]Thursday, the United States is reportedly setting up a quarantine center in Kenya for its citizens who are exposed to Ebola. Redmond Shannon Global News London.

[00:19:01]Found alive in a flooded cave. Up next, why the work of rescuers in Laos isn't done yet.

[00:19:13]Emotional scenes today in Laos. Five villagers trapped in a flooded cave for over a week were found alive deep underground. Two others are still missing. The cave is in a remote area with challenging terrain. Mike Armstrong reports on the extraordinary rescue effort.

[00:19:33]>> This was the moment five trapped villagers were found. There were wide smiles as well as tears.

[00:19:40]Men who found them filmed the moment.

[00:19:43]They can be heard on the recording telling the villagers over and over not to cry.

[00:19:50]Outside the cave, a different reaction.

[00:19:52]About a hundred people have been working for days AT THE SITE, >> HOPING for the news they got Wednesday.

[00:19:59]>> The head of the operation says the men were found at about 4:30 in the afternoon local time, but that the search continues for the two men still missing.

[00:20:09]Now, the conditions in the cave are dangerous, bordering on nightmarish.

[00:20:15]The network underground is described as being like a flooded maze, and there's barely any visibility in the thick brown water. Divers have to feel their way around.

[00:20:26]>> The collapse risks are high because you're constantly touching the roof.

[00:20:29]>> Nico Paci is a Finnish cave diver when the men were found.

[00:20:34]>> Take a look.

[00:20:36]>> Getting to them through the cave was tight. He says divers had to remove their oxygen tanks at points because they had to pass through spots as small as 60 cm across. Barely wide enough for just their shoulders.

[00:20:49]>> If there's somebody in front of you, you're stuck and uh there's no way to turn around until you hit the next chamber, which can be 100 meter forward.

[00:20:57]>> Now, the villagers went into the cave May 19th. We're basically amateur miners looking for gold deposits despite the danger and warnings from authorities.

[00:21:07]They were trapped about 300 m in when heavy rain flooded the cave entrance behind them.

[00:21:15]>> After what Paci calls the brief relief of finding the men, the task now turns to extricating them. If it all seems unlikely, he posted on social media Wednesday, saying those who say it can't be done shouldn't interrupt the people doing it. Mike Armstrong, Global News, Montreal.

[00:21:34]>> And that is Global National for this Wednesday night. I'm Jeff Simple.

[00:21:37]Tonight's Your Canada is the Blue Nose 2 ship in Lunenburgg, Nova Scotia. We love seeing your Canada, so please email your photos to global national at globalnews.ca.

[00:21:45]Thanks for watching. Hope to see you back here again tomorrow. Have a great night.