Happy Friday! Outside of Alberta’s latest separation discourse, it’s been a quiet day on the Hill. But let’s get to the news.

In for a long read? Here’s one about a very overworked bridge in Vancouver that may be affecting our supply chain…

A coalition of exporters and manufacturers is calling on the federal Liberals to address a key transportation link to the Port of Vancouver, warning that failing to shore up the aging Second Narrows rail bridge risks jeopardizing Canada’s status as a reliable trading partner.

The group penned a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Transport Minister Steve MacKinnon last week, demanding the government come up with a “long-term solution” for the bridge that “reflects the national importance of this corridor, the shippers that depend on it, and the economic growth potential that this corridor holds.”

Michael Bourque, president of Fertilizer Canada, one of the signatories of the letter, said that Carney’s efforts to diversify Canada’s trading partners are dependent on the smooth operation of the ports, and Second Narrows represents a “single point of failure” that could stall shipments for producers across Western Canada.

“The Port of Vancouver is the most important port we have… because it is the most efficient way to get from the Prairies to tidewater, and there’s no question that if we don’t start working on the infrastructure writ large… we will not be successful with our trade diversification,” he said.

Marco Vigliotti has more. 

Alberta’s latest step toward a possible vote on splitting from Canada adds an unwelcome layer of unpredictability in an already shaky global economic landscape, business leaders said Friday.

More ambiguity means investment dollars stay on the sidelines, projects get more expensive and delays become more likely, said Deborah Yedlin, president and CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.

“At this moment in time, we don’t have that luxury,” she said.

“Uncertainty is the enemy of investment, and we’re now introduced to new elements of uncertainty.”

Premier Danielle Smith said in a televised address late Thursday that the Oct. 19 referendum will include a question on whether Alberta should remain in Canada or if the province should hold a binding referendum on separation. Nine other questions announced in February deal with immigration and constitutional matters.

The Canadian Press has more. 

Also, former federal spending watchdog Kevin Page says he remains unconvinced by the prime minister’s explanation of why Ottawa hasn’t yet shown the math for how it will meet its newest NATO spending commitments.

Page says Ottawa has been not sufficiently transparent about its plans, and must explain how it will go about significantly ramping up defence spending through to 2035.

NATO members met last year in The Hague and agreed to spend the equivalent of five per cent of GDP on defence by 2035 — but federal fiscal updates have yet to chart the numbers that far out.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said earlier this week that if Ottawa had put out a plan last year, it would already be dated because of how quickly modern warfare is changing.

CP’s got this one too. 

In Other Headlines

Internationally

Elsewhere, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced Friday that she’s resigning at the end of June, citing her husband’s diagnosis with cancer.

“Unfortunately, I must submit my resignation, effective June 30, 2026,” she wrote in a letter President Donald Trump. “My husband, Abraham, has recently been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer. He faces major challenges in the coming weeks and months. At this time, I must step away from public service to be by his side and fully support him through this battle.”

Trump quickly praised Gabbard and announced Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Aaron Lukas will serve as acting director of national intelligence.

“Her wonderful husband, Abraham, has been recently diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, and she, rightfully, wants to be with him, bringing him back to good health as they currently fight a tough battle together,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that Gabbard has done “an incredible job, and we will miss her.”

CNN has more. 

Hundreds of people prosecuted for crimes related to the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol in 2021 plan to seek compensation from the U.S. government once a new taxpayer-funded anti-weaponization program is up and running.

An advocacy group representing Jan. 6 defendants is working with more than 450 people who are readying claims on the basis they were unfairly prosecuted.

“It’s going to be justice on this matter, one way or another,” said Treniss Evans, founder of Condemned USA and himself a pardoned Jan. 6 defendant.

“This ripped apart families. People were destroyed because the false narrative of insurrection played out.”

Merrick Garland, who was attorney general for the Biden administration, has repeatedly denied allegations of politicization and has said his decisions followed the facts and the law.

Read more from CBC. 

In Other International Headlines

The Kicker

The Great Glebe Garage Sale is here and the city is about to become the most competitive marketplace.

The annual event takes place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Glebe Community Association says new traffic and parking restrictions have been imposed, so it’s strongly recommended that people bike, walk or take the bus.

More from CTV.