5 things you need to know this morning: Jan. 13, 2025

Start your day off right with five things you need to know this morning.

Five things you need to know

1. Smith, Peterson and O'Leary head to Florida to charm Trump

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has paid a visit to the court of President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Florida. Smith, accompanied by Canadian celebrities Kevin O'Leary and Jordan Peterson, said she had a "friendly" chat with Trump, emphasizing the "mutual importance" of the US–Canadian energy trade. She later said, however, that she hasn't seen "any indication" that Trump is going to call off the threat of a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods.

Over the last 24 hours I had the opportunity to meet President @realdonaldtrump at Mar-a-Lago last night and at his golf club this morning.

We had a friendly and constructive conversation during which I emphasized the mutual importance of the U.S. - Canadian energy… pic.twitter.com/TPgCB8kATP

— Danielle Smith (@ABDanielleSmith) January 12, 2025

2. Canada Post increases stamp prices 25%

Beleaguered Crown corporation Canada Post is raising the cost of stamps by 25 per cent today. Stamps purchased in a booklet, coil or sheet will now increase in price from 99 cents each to $1.24.

Canada Post stamps just got more expensive https://t.co/l7fusaf03h

— CTV National News (@CTVNationalNews) January 13, 2025

3. Firm proposes class-action lawsuit against Costco Canada

A Canadian law firm has proposed a class-action lawsuit against Costco, accusing the American grocer of unfair pricing. Perrier Attorneys, in Quebec, said Costco Canada charges more for items sold online than those sold in-store.

Proposed class action alleges Costco illegally overcharged online shoppers https://t.co/8tKrGQtcIa pic.twitter.com/mJ2uvXEOWZ

— Toronto Sun (@TheTorontoSun) January 10, 2025

4. News agency asks: 'Could the next election kill the CBC?'

With Tory Leader Pierre Poilievre potentially poised to become the next – or next but one – prime minister, the Canadian Press news agency has asked: "Could the next election kill the CBC?" Poilievre has long promised to "defund" the state broadcaster, which he regards as hopelessly biased. His party's heritage critic, Damien Kurek, has branded the CBC a "broken and failing propaganda machine."

With Conservatives promising to ‘defund,’ could the next election kill the CBC? https://t.co/fmLOpYXZg9

— CityNews Toronto (@CityNewsTO) January 13, 2025

5. CBC columnist writes: 'I don't want to be a Karen. But as a brown woman, is there something to be learned from her?'

The CBC has given column space to a woman who asserts that white women, or "Karens," according to the racist terminology, tend to get better service because they complain more. The article – written by Zahra Khozema, who is described as a "Pakistani Canadian journalist" – includes first-hand accounts of the author's unproven speculations that white women are treated better than her, prompting her to enrol in the "Karen Academy."

I don't want to be a Karen. But as a brown woman, is there something to be learned from her? https://t.co/6XDw4Xsyzf #Society #Women

— B.Viddy (@B_Viddy) January 13, 2025