Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed…
Conservatives converge on downtown Calgary, eager to hear from party leader Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is set to address his party faithful this evening in Calgary, in a speech that many anticipate will set the tone for the Tories heading into the next election.
The party on Thursday kicked off its national convention, where delegates are expected to signal their support for Poilievre’s continued leadership.
Conservative member of Parliament Andrew Scheer says he thinks there will be many delegates who’ve never attended a convention before, but are there because of Poilievre.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is also set to speak at the event, but a number of other conservative premiers who were in Ottawa meeting with the prime minister won’t be making an appearance.
Trump threatens tariffs, decertification on Canadian-made aircraft
U.S. President Donald Trump singled out Bombardier in a threat to decertify and tariff Canadian-made aircraft Thursday, marking the latest escalation of trade tensions between the neighbouring countries.
In a post on social media, Trump alleged that Canada has “wrongfully, illegally and steadfastly refused to certify the Gulfstream 500, 600, 700, and 800 Jets.”
Canada has re-emerged as a target of Trump’s threats since Prime Minister Mark Carney gave a widely praised speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The president says if “this situation is not immediately corrected,” he will put a 50 per cent tariff on Canadian aircraft sold in the United States.
In response, Bombardier says it provides many jobs in the U.S. and hopes the matter is quickly resolved, while experts question whether Trump’s threats are actionable.
U.S. face-off with Cuba could put Canada ‘in a vise grip’: former ambassador
As Canada warns travellers of food and electricity shortages in Cuba, experts say any move by the U.S. to overthrow the island’s communist leadership would put Canada in a bind much worse than the aftermath of the American armed intervention in Venezuela.
That’s because Canada has much closer investment and personal ties with Cuba than with Venezuela, where the U.S. staged a military operation to remove President Nicolas Maduro earlier this month.
Matthew Levin, Canada’s ambassador to Cuba between 2010 and 2013, says Ottawa has tried to liberalize the country through trade and personal ties, but needs to be careful about the looming renegotiation of the continental trade deal with Washington.
Mark Entwistle, who was Canada’s envoy to Havana between 1993 and 1997, says Washington has long sought regime change in Cuba and could try to blockade the island, which in turn could put pressure on Ottawa to call out violations of international law.
Alberta separatist says members of Smith’s caucus have signed referendum petition
A key figure in Alberta’s separatist movement says some members of Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party caucus have signed a petition looking to force a vote on the province’s independence.
Jeff Rath, with the petition group Stay Free Alberta, says he can’t disclose who has already signed due to confidentiality rules, but that he expects more will add their names.
Smith has faced calls from other premiers this week to denounce the separation movement, and her office has deferred questions to her caucus, which says Rath doesn’t speak for its members.
The premier has said she doesn’t want to demonize any Albertan for losing faith in Canada, while Opposition N-D-P Leader Naheed Nenshi has criticized Smith for not taking a stand against separatism.
Hyman scores, Oilers top Sharks 4-3 in OT
Zach Hyman scored one minute and six seconds into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers came all the way back to edge the San Jose Sharks 4-3 on Thursday.
Leon Draisaitl had a goal and two assists for the Oilers (28-19-8), while Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard each scored and contributed a helper.
Connor Ingram stopped 17 of the 20 shots he faced in Edmonton’s net.
The Sharks (27-21-4) took an early lead with Collin Graf scoring 26 seconds into the game and Adam Gaudette making it 2-0 at the 1:35 mark of the first period.
Yaroslav Askarov stopped 28 of the 32 shots he faced in the San Jose net.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 30, 2026.
The Canadian Press
