All eyes on me

Good morning. Per a new study in the journal Nature Communications, researchers have figured out how tobacco plants produce nicotine and were able to recreate the natural process in a lab. The findings could spur safe drug development using tobacco without the addictive nicotine.

Theoretically, they could also be used to make the most diabolical vape juice of all time.

Today’s reading time is 5 minutes.

Markets: It was another solid outing for bank earnings yesterday, with RBC, TD, and CIBC all posting higher profits and beating analyst estimates in their quarterly reports. However, CIBC shares plummeted 5.4% on the news that it was selling most of its Caribbean unit.

Big Tech is worried Canada is leaving a digital key under the mat for cybercriminals.

What happened: The Liberal government will make amendments to its controversial lawful access legislation, Bill C-22, after fierce opposition from big tech companies, civil liberties groups, and even Canada’s own privacy commissioner. 

Catch-up: In its current form, Bill C-22 would require telecoms and internet service providers — including Google, Meta, and Apple — to change their systems to give law enforcement easier access to people’s digital information for criminal investigations.

Why it matters: Law enforcement agencies say they simply can’t keep up with the new technologies that criminals are using, and that the lawful access changes will help them better detect and respond to public safety threats. On the other hand, if the bill is too broad, it could encroach on Canadians' privacy and open the door to more serious cyberattacks. 

Zoom out: A major U.S. cyberattack in 2024 actually stemmed from similar lawful access changes. Salt Typhoon, a hacking group allegedly backed by Beijing, exploited a telecom system loophole that was created to comply with lawful access legislation. Hackers were reportedly able to intercept phone calls and texts between top government officials, including Donald Trump and JD Vance.—LA

The U.S. and Iran reach tentative deal to extend their ceasefire by 60 days. The two sides have reportedly come to terms on a deal that would extend the current ceasefire, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and pave the way for further negotiations around Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Under the agreement, which U.S. President Donald Trump hasn’t yet signed off on as of writing, Iran would have to remove all mines from the Strait in the next 30 days. (Bloomberg News)

Ottawa lures some of the world’s best young researchers to Canada. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly announced yesterday that 659 doctoral and post-doctoral scholars have been offered a collective $84.3 million worth of three-year grants to join Canadian universities, with a third of them coming from the U.S. The federal government has been quick to pounce on an exodus of top researchers and academics from the States. (The Logic)

Germany and South Korea sweeten their submarine bids. German shipbuilder TKMS is now offering to fast-track a Canadian order of its submarines and deliver four of them by 2036 should Ottawa select its bid. Meanwhile, the other bidder vying for the contract, South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean, is offering to help Maritime Launch Services develop Canada’s first commercial spaceport. Both companies have promised to create tens of thousands of jobs in Canada. (CBC News)

📡 What else is on our radar: 

Communities don’t grow on ambition alone—they grow when the industries behind them are competitive, resilient, and delivering in the real world.

Canada’s forest products sector is one of those quiet heavy lifters. It underpins the materials, supply chains and nearly 200,000 jobs that keep communities running coast to coast.

Why it matters:

The opportunity:
With more predictable timelines, better-coordinated government approvals, and wider adoption of modern building standards, Canada has a clear path to scale this advantage—driving growth at home while staying competitive globally.

Bottom line: Stronger forest sector → stronger communities → stronger economy. See how: fpac.ca

Real estate mogul Tilman Fertitta is buying Caesars Entertainment for about US$5.7 billion. The deal will add Caesars’ 52 casinos and resorts to Fertitta’s portfolio, which already includes the NBA’s Houston Rockets, the Golden Nugget casino brand, and a number of restaurant chains. 

Why it matters: Caesars may have flashy signs across the Strip, but the casino group has been struggling as of late. Its stock was down ~40% over the last year before news of takeover interest was first reported back in February. The slide was driven mostly by a dip in tourists making the trip to Sin City. Canadians have played a big role in that slump: Visits from Canadians, who make up as much as half of Vegas’ foreign tourism, fell 17% last year.

The Canadian Football League (CFL) could get a much-needed jolt of life with its new media deal.

What happened: The CFL inked its largest broadcast deal ever, extending its partnership with Bell Media for another six years while adding streaming partners in DAZN and YouTube. A source told The Canadian Press the collection of pacts is worth around $500 million. 

Zoom out: This ambitious new rights deal is part of a broader growth agenda for the CFL after years of dwindling interest. Starting this upcoming season, the league is modifying rules to make the games more fast-paced and exciting. It also wants to add a new team by 2030. 

Why it matters: There is insatiable demand for live sports content right now that the CFL has been able to get a piece of. If it can capitalize on this deal and grow the fanbase, this uniquely Canadian sports institution could be revitalized.—QH

🌎 Hint: This alpine town is known as one of the world’s adventure capitals, helping popularize bungee jumping and jet boating. It’s famous for its pinot noir, ski slopes, and glacier-carved lake. It is also home to Fergburger, a burger restaurant that has grown a cult following and attracted visitors from around the world to try its meat frisbee. 

Care to venture a guess? Lock in your answer here.

💰 US$1.2 million. Profits that a Google engineer allegedly made placing bets on Polymarket using confidential company information. The employee, who has now been charged with insider trading, used internal data to bet over $2.7 million on markets related to Google’s 2025 most popular searches.

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