Prime Minister Mark Carney seemed to be in an extra fun and sassy mood when answering reporters’ questions today. Of course, who wouldn’t be when part of the agenda involves going to the hockey rink with Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

Here’s the news for tonight:

The federal government is temporarily suspending fuel tax on gasoline and diesel across Canada starting next Monday until early September, amid conflicts in the Middle East.

The suspension is expected to reduce Canadians’ bills at the gas station by 10 cents per litre on regular gasoline and four cents on diesel.

At the announcement, Prime Minister Mark Carney, was accompanied with Finance Minister Francois-Phillippe Champagne and Energy Minister Tim Hodgson.

“We’re building a stronger, more resilient, and more independent Canadian economy. As we build, we’re cutting your taxes, reducing the costs of your homes, and providing you relief at the pump,” Carney said.

“We cannot control what other nations do, we’re focused on what we can control.”

The tax suspension would cost about $2.4 billion in lost revenue.

Sydney Ko has more. 

The Liberals officially flipped Terrebonne after a hard-fought campaign aimed at fending off a serious challenge from the Bloc Québécois.

MP Tatiana Auguste was greeted by a very cheerful crowd at Liberal headquarters when she officially secured her seat in Ottawa.

“I can’t wait to celebrate with my team,” she told reporters in French as she walked in for her victory speech. “It’s been a long year.”

This time, she won by a much wider margin of about 700 votes.

Asked by a reporter how Prime Minister Mark Carney’s popularity factored into her victory, Auguste said “I could not tell you exactly.”

In her speech, the newly elected MP said she was “thrilled to return to the largest Quebec Liberal caucus ever,” and said that with her seat in Ottawa, “Terrebonne is now at the decision table.”

Inside Bloc Québécois headquarters on Monday, the atmosphere was initially festive but turned increasingly somber as the Liberal lead widened and the number of uncounted polls dwindled.

Read more from Aya Dufour.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb made stops at Rideau Hall and a hockey rink during an official visit to Ottawa today.

Stubb met with Gov. Gen. Mary Simon before joining Prime Minister Mark Carney for a skate alongside the Ottawa Charge women’s hockey team.

Stubb told reporters he exchanges text messages with Carney almost daily as the two countries pursue closer ties.

Finland joined the NATO military alliance in 2023 in response to rising alarm about the threat posed by its neighbour Russia following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Stubb has delivered some of the most forceful rhetoric of any European leader about the threat Russia poses to peace on the continent.

The Canadian Press has more. 

In Other Headlines

Internationally

Amidst the war in the Middle East, the International Monetary Fund has its outlook for global economic growth. The IMF has downgraded its forecast for global growth from 3.1 per cent to 3.3. 

The agency blames the war in Iran, and the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the widespread uncertainty in global energy markets. The agency also increased its forecasted global inflation from 4.1 per cent to 4.4. 

The world’s economy has been experiencing surprising resiliency amidst Trump’s hardline protectionist policies. The agency said that part of this resilience can be chalked up to the AI tech boom. 

However, the “War in the Middle East has halted this momentum,” Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, the IMF’s chief economist said. 

The Associated Press has more. 

Meanwhile, Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez, who has made headlines in recent weeks for his opposition to the war in Iran, met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing. The two discussed international tensions and trends in trade worldwide. 

Sánchez is looking for stronger ties with Beijing as the war in Iran puts stress on the world’s economy and the relationship between Europe and Washington. This is the Spanish prime minister’s fourth trip to China in the past three years. 

The two spoke of international crises, with Xi warning against the “law of the jungle,” and Sanchez saying that “International law is being violated today by one country: Israel.” Spain is also hoping for greater economic ties with China. 

The Associated Press also has this one.

In Other International Headlines

The Kicker

With hockey seemingly becoming the unofficial theme of the day (or is it really the theme, always?), from Prime Minister Carney lacing up alongside Finnish President Stubb to the Ottawa Senators officially punching their ticket to the playoffs… it’s a fitting moment for this newsletter to lean all the way in.

Two Canadian NHL team heading to the playoffs, from a non-hockey fan’s standpoint, it’s a great year for Canadians, right?

Have a great evening!