PM Carney says U.S. will not dictate free trade talks | CTV National News at 5:30 for April 22, 2026

Added: 2026-05-06

[00:00:03][music] >> Hello, glad you can join us. Here's what we have for you this Wednesday. [music] Conflicting narratives before crucial trade talks.

[00:00:14]It's not a case of the United States dictates the terms. The bomb so long the road for both Canada and the US.

[00:00:22]I'm laughing about it, but I'm up at night. Sweeping flight cuts and what to do if you have summer travel plans.

[00:00:30]We would like to see it. Plauds the UK's generational tobacco ban. How likely will Canada follow suit?

[00:00:40]>> [music] >> CTV National News with Sandie Rinaldo. A war of words today between Canada and the US as trade talks heat up with the Americans citing certain irritants before Kuzma negotiations can really begin. The Prime Minister responded with quote, we have some on our side as well.

[00:01:01]CTV's senior political correspondent Mike Le Couteur on the sticking points and what it means for the deal. Hey Mike.

[00:01:08]Sandy, well Canada's chief negotiator with the US says the July 1st deadline to review Kuzma is a checkpoint and not a cliff. That hasn't stopped the rhetoric from wrapping up.

[00:01:20]They just treat us unfairly at every margin they possibly can. The US Commerce Secretary describing the trading relationship with Canada to his fellow American lawmakers. And Howard Lutnick once again brought up a key gripe. It is outrageous that Canada will not put US spirits on the shelf. It is insulting. The Prime Minister Mark Carney pushed back on any suggestion that Canada has to make concessions to get back to the negotiating table. It's not a case of the United States dictates the terms. We have a negotiation. We can come to a mutually successful outcome. It will take some time. A prudent strategy according to this trade lawyer. I think where where Canada is drawing a line right now is this idea that we're going to give away the house before we even sit down to negotiate. And that that puts negotiators in a very difficult situation. The US has already outlined other irritants including limited American access to the Canadian dairy market and the online streaming act which brings American platforms under Canadian broadcast rules. We've made some counter proposals which which they're aware and the time will come to really roll up our sleeves. At the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, US Trade Representative Jameson Greer said the bigger issue is that the two countries have opposing philosophies on trade.

[00:02:47]They're doubling down on globalization where we're trying to correct for the problems of globalization. So those are two models that don't fit together very well. But part of the reason that Canada is looking for other trading partners is because of the trade war launched by the US.

[00:03:02]Sandy.

[00:03:03]All right, Mike. Thank you.

[00:03:06]Standing by CTV's chief political correspondent Vassy Kapelos. Okay Vassy, conflicting narratives on how all of this is playing out. Is this representative of how it's going to be to negotiate Kuzma?

[00:03:19]I think it is pretty much reflective of that and and it builds on certainly competing narratives that we have heard over the last number of months from Canada and from the United States. And I think perhaps nothing is more reflective of that than some of the comments today from both Jameson Greer and Howard Lutnick. Dominic LeBlanc, the Canadian Minister in charge of this relationship said that in his last conversation with Greer, he basically asked that this negotiation not take place in public and just a number of weeks later, look what happens. I think it is certainly putting a finer point on the fact that the United States representatives have no problem talking about their views of Canada and these negotiations and the Canadian government for the most part thus far takes a different view. All right, so Vassy, how much concern is there behind the scenes in Ottawa?

[00:04:07]There's actually a lot and I would say it has continued to or is starting to mount based on a lot of what Mike said in his piece, but also I think what is emblematic of that is what I would denote as a change in communication, a big shift in communication from the federal government. If you look at the last, you know, 48, 72 hours, the video from the Prime Minister, the many public comments from the Minister who's in charge of this file as I mentioned, Dominic LeBlanc. That was not the case even two weeks ago, three weeks ago. They were keeping their cards very close to the chest. They're facing a lot of opposition criticism in fact for doing that. All of a sudden now, they're talking a lot and I'm told it's because they're worried about how bad this thing could go. Mhm. Sandy.

[00:04:49]>> Okay. Vassy, thank you for this.

[00:04:51]Now, the White House says pressure from its naval blockade in the Middle East war zone is working and that President Trump is waiting for a quote unified proposal from Tehran.

[00:05:01]We are completely strangling their economy through this blockade. They're losing $500 million a day. The Kharg Island is completely full. They can't move oil in and out. They can't even pay their own people as a result of this economic leverage that President Trump has inflicted over them. Tensions escalated after Iran's Revolutionary Guard fired on three ships and then seized two in the Strait of Hormuz after Donald Trump extended the ceasefire.

[00:05:26]Negotiations between Washington and Tehran remain in flux. The United Nations also issued a stark warning about the broader conflict and the disruption to the global food supply.

[00:05:38]The disruption of the Strait of Hormuz can push 45 million more people into hunger and starvation.

[00:05:47]Um so clearly we need to do something.

[00:05:51]Now, the Iran conflict is also about to affect your travel plans. Air Transat has announced it is cutting hundreds of flights. Air Canada, WestJet and Lufthansa are also trimming capacity blaming the volatile oil markets and soaring jet fuel costs caused by the war. CTV's Quebec bureau chief Genevieve Beauchemin now on the worsening travel chaos as some countries start to run out of fuel. Genevieve.

[00:06:18]Yes, Sandy. Some passengers' flight plans are being scrambled and some experts warn there could be chaotic times ahead for travelers.

[00:06:26]At the airport, the excitement of travel is dimmed by worries over flight plans.

[00:06:30]Well, we booked our trip a long time ago and so thankfully we got a very good discount and now if I was traveling, I think I would probably wait till after summer and see if things calm down and see what happens with the world. Transat is canceling hundreds of flights pointing to soaring jet fuel prices and a looming shortage in Europe. It says the changes represent a 6% reduction in capacity affecting routes in Europe and the Caribbean. The suspension of service to Cuba is extended until October. I'm just crossing my fingers. [laughter] Rebecca O'Sullivan booked a dream European vacation with Transat months ago for her 40th wedding anniversary. So it's just I'm in a state of limbo and I'm sure so many people are in a state of limbo, you know.

[00:07:17]And there's nothing we can do. Air Canada and WestJet have also trimmed capacity while Lufthansa has cut 20,000 short-haul flights. United Airlines said today its prices may have to rise by 20%. This is the biggest crisis the airline industry has had. Um bar none.

[00:07:33]In Canada, airlines need to rebook passengers on canceled or delayed flights on the next available one departing within 48 hours. But that may not be a solution. If there's no flight to go within 48 hours, what do you do?

[00:07:46]So refunds are the only thing in town.

[00:07:47]So there's there's a bunch of rules that are going to have to be looked at again.

[00:07:51]And insurance may not cover other costs classifying this crisis as an act of war. Refunding my flight does nothing for me because I still have to pay, you know, a few quite a bit of money for my tour. So refunding me, I don't want a refund from the airline. I want to get there. As airlines pass on part of the expense to travelers, some say they'll just have to stay closer to home. Sandy. All right, CTV's Genevieve Beauchemin. We're learning of a near miss involving another Air Canada plane this time at New York's JFK Airport exactly one month to the day after the deadly Air Canada Express crash at LaGuardia Airport.

[00:08:27]Brickyard 48, traffic 12 o'clock your right side immediately 7,000 ft, sir.

[00:08:30]They're all above you now.

[00:08:32]We're correcting. Brickyard 4464.

[00:08:35]The Federal Aviation Administration says on Monday an American Airlines regional jet missed its approach path and flew too close to an Air Canada Express plane that was cleared to land on a parallel runway. It says both crews responded to onboard alerts.

[00:08:53]Well, after backlash from the public, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said today the private jet recently purchased by the province has been sold.

[00:09:01]We sold the plane for the same price right back to Bombardier and said, "Okay, you take it back." Anyways, here nor there, it's done. I'm flying you know, commercial or we'll fly on the little puddle jumper that the OPP has.

[00:09:15]The province bought a 2016 Challenger 350 Bombardier jet on Friday with the decision immediately facing swift opposition.

[00:09:25]A notorious BC gangster who masterminded the mass murder of six people in a Surrey high-rise 19 years ago has been released from prison less than six years after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit murder. Jamie Bacon was released with conditions including a curfew. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison. Four of the Surrey six were targeted. Two were innocent bystanders.

[00:09:50]The murders were carried out to advance the illicit drug business of the Red Scorpions gang. The mother of one of the victims who was in the wrong place at the time describes her feelings about the release.

[00:10:03]You know, it's not sitting very well with me because I believe that Mr. Bacon should have been the person who served his his sentence the longest. He instructed the three people who came to do the killing that day not to leave any witness behind. Bacon's remaining sentence amounted to 5 years and 7 months with credit for time served.

[00:10:28]And a Quebec man is facing terrorism charges accused of promoting the violent ideology of the 764 Network.

[00:10:37]Well, this group is a nihilistic violent extremist group that promotes criminal and violent activities. So, they go online to basically learn, groom young individuals. The RCMP says the group targets children and teens through gaming and social media platforms.

[00:10:57]26-year-old Jeffrey Roussel is accused of publishing and promoting graphic, violent, and highly [clears throat] disturbing content. Police are calling on parents to be vigilant and report suspicious activity.

[00:11:09]Well, a landmark and bold policy decision in the United Kingdom to impose a lifetime smoking ban on those born after 2008.

[00:11:20]The tobacco and vaping bill must still get royal assent and questions are being asked about enforcement. CTV's Annie Bergeron Oliver now on the generational ban and whether Canada will take note.

[00:11:31]Annie.

[00:11:32]Sandy, health experts asked the federal government to consider a similar proposal in 2023. Now, they're hoping this development in the UK will renew that conversation.

[00:11:44]The United Kingdom is looking to create its first smoke-free generation. It is in fact the biggest public health intervention in a generation and I finish your all noble lords, it will save lives. Lawmakers in the UK have passed a new bill that will introduce a lifetime ban on buying cigarettes for anyone born after 2008. The aim to prevent youth from developing nicotine addictions. It's a step in the right direction and we're really encouraged to see this hoping that officials in Canada will take note and see what can be done here within our borders to address smoking.

[00:12:21]Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death, illness, and disability in Canada. The latest data shows 12% of Canadians age 15 and older currently smoke cigarettes. Most started before the age of 18. When it comes to vaping, 10% of Canadians age 20 to 24 and 6.7% age 15 to 19 report vaping every day. There's not many things if anything that smoking is not going to drastically make worse, which is why I often say smoking is the most harmful thing that you can do for your health.

[00:12:50]Quitting is the best thing you can do for your health. The federal government has been asked to consider a very similar proposal before, but so far it hasn't made any moves. Experts hope the UK's bill will change that. It does have the potential to have a huge impact long-term. We are at lower smoking prevalence than we were historically. It makes it more feasible. Federal law currently prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18.

[00:13:14]Many experts Sandy say that age should be raised to 21.

[00:13:18]Okay, Annie, thank you for this. Coming up after the break, the challenge of scoring seats to the World Cup.

[00:13:25]We're seeing a sort of chaotic approach to ticketing and ticket prices, [music] ticket releases. The ticket scramble that has some fans crying foul.

[00:13:39]Mexico is ramping up security at multiple tourist sites after a gunman opened fire at the Teotihuacan pyramids killing a Canadian woman and injuring 13 others.

[00:13:50]Authorities are still trying to determine the gunman's motive saying he had notes on the 1999 Columbine school shooting in Colorado. The country set to co-host the 2026 World Cup in a couple of months.

[00:14:05]And Canada, as you know, is sharing hosting duties with Mexico and the US with games played in Toronto and Vancouver. Today, a new batch of tickets went on sale. CTV's Adrian Gobriel shares the rising excitement and the scramble for those tickets. Adrian.

[00:14:21]Sandy, in 51 days Team Canada will take the pitch right here at Field to begin the country's World Cup journey.

[00:14:27]Now, today there was another ticket release by FIFA who received plenty of backlash from some fans who tried to jump online and grab a pair for themselves.

[00:14:38]AND FOR CANADA!

[00:14:40]THE beautiful game has some fans calling a foul on FIFA for the roll out of tickets leading up to the World Cup. I think we're seeing a sort of chaotic approach to ticketing and ticket prices, ticket releases. FIFA has slowly released tickets in phases. Today's drop was sold as a last-minute sale to each of the World Cup's 104 matches. So, CTV News logged on to FIFA's site this morning to try and land a pair of tickets. 11:05, we have an update. It says that we're almost there.

[00:15:11]Okay, it's now 11:35 and I'm being told that the position in the queue is secured.

[00:15:19]Don't move with an exclamation mark. So, we waited and waited.

[00:15:25]It's now 2:00. It's been 3 hours. I'm not even halfway through the queue.

[00:15:31]I'm almost there according to the website.

[00:15:34]I'm going to miss my deadline, so we're out.

[00:15:38]I think it might well be that we see, you know, high demand from domestic supporters, but whether it will reflect the sort of global support that we typically see at these tournaments, that might be another question. The author of The Complete History of the World Cup, Rob Fielder, notes that some fans believe the phased roll out of ticket availability is FIFA simply creating an artificial scarcity in an effort to drive up prices. It feels very cynical on FIFA's part and very commercial. And I think what they would say is they're they're trying to act in the best interests of of the global game. CTV News reached out to FIFA for a comment.

[00:16:12]They've yet to respond. A report released in the New York Times this week reports that FIFA is struggling to sell tickets for the US men's World Cup opener claiming that as of April 10th, just over 40,000 tickets were purchased.

[00:16:25]The stadium's capacity is nearly 70,000.

[00:16:29]Though on this day, many of those waiting online to get their hands on a coveted ticket were left with less than a winning feeling.

[00:16:38]Now, today's ticket release comes just as Toronto police are warning footy fans of potential scams in the marketplace.

[00:16:45]They're telling you to use an authorized site if you can manage to get your hands on a pair. Hm. Sandy. Okay. CTV's Adrian Gobriel. Thank you, Adrian.

[00:16:57]Okay, so tick season is here, which means you need to be extra vigilant as a warm weather draws everyone to the outdoors. Experts say check yourself regularly for those black-legged biters to avoid nasty tick-borne illnesses.

[00:17:10]CTV's Paul Hollingsworth outlines the risks.

[00:17:14]Many Canadians are now spending more time outside and Donna Lugar is reminding people tick dangers are re-emerging this spring. No, I was in bed in the dark because I had a light sensitivity.

[00:17:27]>> Lugar was diagnosed 14 years ago with multiple tick-borne illnesses. She's urging all Canadians to avoid ticks and the diseases they carry.

[00:17:37]>> You have to make the tick checks a part of your daily routine.

[00:17:41]>> Biology Professor Vet Lloyd says bites from black-legged ticks are the most dangerous. They're going to be spitting into your bloodstream uh pathogens, disease-causing microbes, bacteria, viruses that they've picked up from the wildlife. Based on recent medical research, tick-transmitted illnesses are overwhelmingly Lyme disease, but there are others to watch for. Anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and actually last year we started to see in the most southern part of Ontario something called Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Each are treatable and they come with a multitude of symptoms. Fatigue to varying extent. Some people have bone and joint complaints where they have inflammation of of various joints.

[00:18:27]Sometimes it's migratory.

[00:18:29]Uh some people can have nerve pain.

[00:18:31]Lloyd believes the recent harsh winter has led to an increase in the tick population because deep snow serves as an insulating blanket. They spend the winter in the top surface of the soil waiting for it to be warmer again. Which is basically now. According to Vet Lloyd, mid to late April marks the beginning of tick season for many parts of Canada. Lugar agrees with Lloyd, but also warns because of the fluctuation in Canada's climate, >> they can be active any month of the year.

[00:19:04]>> Which means she fears Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses are becoming a year-round concern. Paul Hollingsworth, CTV News, Halifax.

[00:19:14]And while you're safely enjoying the outdoors, we don't recommend this next health tip, which seems to be working for the macaque monkeys of Gibraltar.

[00:19:27]A new Cambridge University study says the monkeys are self-medicating eating soil as a kind of antacid to soothe upset stomachs after munching on human junk food. Consuming dirt apparently helps digest high-caloried foods like sweets and salty snacks that are left by tourists. So, a word of advice, don't try this at home.

[00:19:50]Okay, sometimes animals can only get by with a little help from their human [music] friends though. Coming up, what Canadian farmers are giving up to protect [music] a special species.

[00:20:04]Today is Earth Day and around the world people are marking it by recycling electronics, turning off lights, building seawalls, or planting to protect drowning islands. In Prince Edward Island, farmers are pushing back their hay harvest to help a threatened songbird. CTV's Maria Sarou is at one of those farms and Maria, tell us how it works.

[00:20:26]Sandy, by delaying when all this grass is cut, farmers here are giving bobolinks a chance to fledge before the machinery moves in.

[00:20:35]Walking their dogs in the morning is when the Mathisons start to notice the bobolinks are back. The couple farms more than 300 acres and about 25 of them, including this field, are dedicated to delayed cutting. This is our normal spring growth right now, but in the summer, the hay is about 2 ft high and the bobolinks nest right down on the ground. This is what it'll look like a few months from now. Across the island, nearly 60 landowners are holding off on their first cut of hay to give chicks more time to grow. Bobolinks have been listed as threatened under Canada's Species at Risk Act since 2017 and a federal status report says their numbers fell about 73% from 1970 to 2019 with habitat loss as one of the main reasons.

[00:21:20]They love to sit and sing and they love to dream. It's not just happening here.

[00:21:25]Similar efforts to protect bobolinks are underway in other provinces, including Quebec and Ontario.

[00:21:31]Doing this can affect a farmer's bottom line. The Mathisons sell square bales to horse owners across the province. To help offset losses, PEI's ALUS program offers about $25 an acre per year.

[00:21:44]>> By supporting them, we're bringing back that habitat while not taking it out of agricultural production. So, it's really a beautiful example of coming together, people and nature. Canada is home to about a quarter of the global bobolink population during breeding season. So, what happens in fields like this matters beyond one farm and even Canada's borders. They're just fascinating and they're fun to watch. The Mathisons will hold off on cutting the grass until mid-July or whenever the bobolinks leave the field. Sandy. Okay, Maria, thank you. And thank you for sharing your time with us. I'm Sandie Rinaldo. See you tomorrow.

[00:22:22]>> [music]