The Greater Toronto Area’s real estate market was a relative model of stability in March compared to Vancouver, where sales plunged 31.4 per cent year-over-year. There was one fewer property sale in the GTA last month compared to March 2018, and the average price inched up half a percentage point. Nevertheless, similar to in Vancouver, the Toronto Real Estate Board is decrying recent regulatory changes and renewing its call for a review of mortgage rules.

Twitter’s Jack Dorsey calls for more tech regulations

In an exclusive interview with BNN Bloomberg's Jon Erlichman, Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey echoed Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's call for new regulations of technology companies, but said the movement towards healthier conversations on social media platforms should be a collaborative effort.

IN CONVERSATION WITH JACK DORSEY

We've got Jon Erlichman's exclusive interview today with Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey about the future of the company. Watch for his perspective on keeping users happy by stamping out abuse on the platform, competition, Elon Musk, and candid commentary on Twitter's home city of San Francisco.

TRUMP ON TRADE

Speaking last night at the GOP’s spring dinner in Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump took shots at China’s trade “abuses” as that country’s vice premier lands in D.C. for negotiations, and this country (“We love Canada…But they knock the hell out of us on trade”). He also urged lawmakers to ratify the new North American free trade agreement. And on that front, JPMorgan’s forex team is warning of a potential “major NAFTA accident.”

STOCKS RISE

Major European indices are trading higher and futures are pointing to a rise at the open on Wall Street. Take your pick of drivers. The Financial Times is reporting the U.S. and China have “resolved most of the issues standing in the way” of a trade deal. Another PMI in China showed a pick-up in manufacturing activity in the country, likewise in the Eurozone. Meanwhile, U.K Prime Minister Theresa May will engage in cross-party talks in a bid to rally support in Parliament. And at home, the TSX finished yesterday at its highest level since Aug. 30 – within 304 points of its record close.

SNC FALLOUT

We’ll keep tabs on developments in Ottawa in the aftermath of Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott getting bumped from caucus. More directly in our wheelhouse: yesterday’s circular for SNC’s annual meeting shows CEO Neil Bruce and two other top execs weren’t awarded annual bonuses.  

OTHER NOTABLE STORIES

-Hudson’s Bay Company’s total comparable sales fell 1.4 per cent in the fourth quarter while adjusted earnings per share surged to $0.41. CEO Helena Foulkes says HBC is a “far stronger company today than a year ago, despite some of the top-line challenges this quarter.”

-Roots’ fourth-quarter adjusted profit fell 10 per cent to $0.53/share (narrowly beating estimates), while same-store sales rose 3.1 per cent.

-Sleep Country Canada co-founder, co-chair and former CEO Stephen Gunn is retiring next month.

-Aurora Cannabis has filed a shelf prospectus for up to US$750 million. Executive Chairman Michael Singer says there’s “no immediate” plan to proceed with a capital raise.

-Carlos Ghosn tweeted this morning he’s “getting ready to tell the truth about what’s happening. Press conference on Thursday, April 11.”

NOTABLE RELEASES/EVENTS

-Notable earnings: Hudson's Bay Co., Roots

-Notable data: ISM U.S. services index

-10:00 a.m. ET: Liberal caucus meeting in Ottawa

-1:00 p.m. ET: Teck Resources holds investor day in Toronto

-1:00 p.m. ET: Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland holds media avail in Ottawa alongside Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Stef Blok

-1:10 p.m. ET: Agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau speaks at Canadian Produce Marketing Association annual congress in Montreal

-China Vice Premier Liu He in Washington for trade talks

-LNG2019 conference continues in Shanghai (runs to Friday)