Vice President Vance meets Zelenskyy, Pearson airport gold heist, GST holiday and more

JD Vance is at the Munich security conference, where he accused the European Union of retreating from its fundamental values. The U.S. vice-president said countries are censoring free speech. Germany’s leaders were furious. Vance also met with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, working on a critical minerals deal that would be part of an agreement to end the war.

The Conservative caucus meets in Ottawa. The MPs are united on several things, including criticizing the Liberals. A main target: Mark Carney, who polls suggest is the front-runner in the leadership race.

And: New details from the Fifth Estate about the gold heist at Pearson Airport. Police allowed one of the main suspects to leave the country. They made the calculation – tip their hand, or let him get away?

Also: Saturday is the last day to take advantage of the three-month GST holiday. We look at whether it was worth it for businesses, or the economic fortunes of the country.

Plus: Iodine deficiency, auto tariffs, “Buy Canadian” apps, and more.