The weekend is in sight and CTV's newsroom has the top stories to get you all caught up as you begin your day.
Here are the five things you need to know: Belgium has reached a deal to back a deal between the European Union and Canada; the ethics commissioner is set to appear at a committee today as the Liberals face a backlash over fundraisers; the first of 21 new senators are to be appointed; former prime minister Brian Mulroney is slamming any talk of diminishing immigration by Conservative leadership hopefuls; and Ontario Provincial Police are texting thousands in a bid to crack a cold case.
Plus for "Life Hack Thursday," advice on how save space in your luggage while travelling.
If you're looking for a newscast to catch up on the morning’s top stories, watch CTV News On the Go.
1. Deal reached: The Belgian government has come to an agreement with a holdout region, setting the stage for the approval of a trade pact between the European Union and Canada.
2. Liberal fundraisers: Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson is expected to appear before the Parliamentary Ethics Committee today, as opposition MPs continue to hammer the Liberals over fundraisers attended by cabinet ministers.
3. Non-partisans: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to announce the first batch of non-partisan appointments to the Senate, with an aim of filling 21 vacancies. The first nine appointments – five women and four men – range from an art historian to a human rights lawyer.
4. Talking points: Former Progressive Conservative prime minister Brian Mulroney says "any talk about diminishing immigration or immigrants" in Canada is "unacceptable" as the Tory leadership race ramps up.
5. Texting for clues: The Ontario Provincial Police will be texting thousands of cellphone users who were in the vicinity of a murder last December, in a bid to garner information to solve the cold case. The OPP calls it a new, innovative technique while legal experts say the force may be on shaky legal ground if the mass texting tosses up any clues.
And one more thing for "Life Hack Thursday": Just because you’re heading out on a long trip doesn’t mean you need to bring three suitcases along. Travel writer and former Bond girl Rachel Grant offers her tips for saving space in your luggage while packing for a trip.
