Canada
Trudeau marks "difficult" Holocaust Remembrance Day
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited the Holocaust Museum in Toronto day to mark the annual Holocaust Remembrance Day. It is the first remembrance day since the Hamas attacks of October 7. Trudeau said those attacks, the subsequent war and world reaction to it has made this year's remembrance day especially difficult.
Singh bashes Trudeau, Poilievre in Halifax, offers no hint when he'll trigger an election
Jagmeet Singh riled up party faithful on Sunday at the closing of the Nova Scotia NDP convention at the Lord Nelson in Halifax.
Growing security concerns for politicians in Canada
On Parliament Hill, there is worry about the safety of federal politicians. Increasingly intense political rhetoric, division on the streets and online is causing some politicians to step away altogether.
Spike in 'violent rhetoric' since Oct. 7 attack from 'extremist actors,' CSIS warns
The Israel-Hamas war has led to a spike in "violent rhetoric" from "extremist actors" that could prompt some in Canada to turn to violence, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warns.
Macklem tries to stay out of the fray as MPs do their best to use him to score points
Conservatives sent out a news release following Macklem's appearance in committee, which said the governor had "confirmed that Trudeau's $61 billion in new spending is 'not helpful' in bringing inflation down and lowering interest rates." But what was missing was the fact that Macklem never singled out federal spending. He noted provinces increased their spending, and it was largely deficit-financed.
The Provinces
Nova Scotia NDP leader says party is election ready, announces housing plan
Nova Scotia’s NDP leader trained her sights on the next provincial election as she announced a program aimed at easing the cost of housing during a rousing campaign-style speech before the party’s annual convention in Halifax.
Large wind power project in Cardston County cancelled: ‘Pretty big blow’
Reeve of Cardston County disappointed with TransAlta decision to cancel wind farm and says province is to blame.
Elsewhere
Just How Dangerous Is Europe’s Rising Far Right?
Across Europe, the far right is becoming the right, absent any compelling message from traditional conservative parties. If “far” suggests outlier, it has become a misnomer. Not only have the parties of an anti-immigrant right surged, they have seen the barriers that once kept them out crumble as they are absorbed into the arc of Western democracies.
Ukraine unveils AI-generated foreign ministry spokesperson
The ministry said it would “for the first time in history” use a digital spokesperson to read its statements, which will still be written by humans. Not sure how I feel about this.
Ukraine: Over 100 cultural figures killed by Russian forces since full-scale invasion
‘At least 102 cultural figures – including writers and artists – have been killed by Russian forces in Ukraine since 24 February 2022. As we mourn their unbearable killings and urge accountability, we once again call on the international community to do everything in its power to support Ukraine’s c
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
Jaishankar says the protests in Canada have gone beyond the limits of free speech, and he reacted to last week's arrest by repeating claims that Ottawa allows Indian criminals to immigrate to Canada. He also accused Canadian politicians of various stripes of giving electoral clout to people wanting to carve out a Sikh homeland separate from India, called Khalistan.
Media
How Americans view Big Tech in 2024
Most think social media companies have too much political power and censor political views they oppose. Still, Republicans stand out on several measures, with a majority believing major technology companies are biased toward liberals. Roughly eight-in-ten Americans (78%) say social media companies have too much power and influence in politics, up from 72% in 2020 – a shift that’s largely due to growing concern among Democrats. Overall, Americans are far more likely to say social media has a negative rather than positive impact on the country.
In campus protests, students are wary of the media
Journalists covering campus Gaza protests are finding some students hesitant to talk and other hurdles from law enforcement and university administrators.
As viewers move to online streaming services and social media, do we still need free-to-air TV?
Data from OzTam — Australian media's official audience measurement source — shows viewership of commercial free-to-air channels among children and teens has fallen dramatically in the past decade or so. Article from Australia Broadcasting Corp. and focuses on the Australian experience but one would have to believe the trend on free-to-air TV is the same here in Canada.
Reader Notes
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Science and tech
9 Surprising Uses For Siri
Siri has some features you might not know about, especially if you're running iOS 17.
There's Now 1 EV Charging Station for Every 5 Gas Stations in California
Drivers of electric vehicles in California now have a lot more public places to stop for some juice instead of being strictly tethered to their home EV chargers. The state is hoping that this boost in convenience and accessibility may encourage more drivers in the Golden State to go electric.
The Calendar
- 1100 ET: Cap-aux-Meules, QC - BQ Leader Yves-François Blanchet and BQ MPs Kristina Michaud, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, and Martin Champoux meet with seal hunters.
- 1100 ET: 035-B West Block, - Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) | Meeting 98 - Drafting letter.
- 1100 ET: 415 Wellington, - Industry and Technology (INDU) | Meeting 122 - Bill C-27
- 1100 ET: 315 Wellington, - National Defence (NDDN) | Meeting 102 - Space Defence
- 1100 ET: 425 Wellington, - Veterans Affairs (ACVA) | Meeting 93 - Drafting report.
- 1200 ET: 225-A West Block, - Indigenous and Northern Affairs (INAN) | Meeting 106 - Committee Business
- 1500 ET: Havre-aux-Maisons, QC - BQ Leader Yves-François Blanchet and BQ MPs Kristina Michaud, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, and Martin Champoux tours a cheese-making facility.
- 1530 ET: 330 Wellington, - Health (HESA) | Meeting 114 - Opioid Epidemic and Toxic Drug Crisis in Canada
- 1530 ET: 225-A West Block, - Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) | Meeting 112 - FY24 Supp Cs. Appearing: Employment Min Randy Boissonnault, Citizens' Services Min Terry Beech
- 1530 ET: 025-B West Block, - Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE) | Meeting 106 - FY24 Supp Cs. International Development Min Ahmed Hussen testifies.
- 1530 ET: 330 Wellington, - Health (HESA) | Meeting 114 - Opioid Epidemic and Toxic Drug Crisis in Canada
- 1530 ET: 225-A West Block, - Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) | Meeting 112 - FY24 Supp Cs. Employment Min Randy Boissonnault and Citizens' Services Min Terry Beech testify.
- 1530 ET: 415 Wellington, - Natural Resources (RNNR) | Meeting 97 - FY25 Main Estimates. Natural Resources Min Jonathan Wilkinson testifies.
- 1530 ET: 125-B West Block, - Official Languages (LANG) | Meeting 98 - Federal Funding for Minority-Language Post-Secondary Institutions
- 1530 ET: 410 Wellington, - Public Accounts (PACP) | Meeting 118 - Committee Business
- 1530 ET: 425 Wellington, - Public Safety and National Security (SECU) | Meeting 105 - Bill S-210. Senator Julie Miville-Dechêne and CPC MP Karen Vecchio testifies.
- 1830 ET: 025-B West Block, - Special Committee on the Canada–People’s Republic of China Relationship (CACN) | Meeting 41 - Canada–People’s Republic of China Relations
Issued this day ...
… in 1980. Scott #854: Endangered Wildlife - Greater Prairie Chicken. Design: Robert Bateman. This species did not make it. An assessement in 2010 found that the Greater Prairie Chicken, a kind of grouse that was once an abundant breeder from Ontario through to Alberta, was “extirpated” — extinct — after 9,000 years of roaming the Canadian prairies. “Habitat loss and degradation and hybridization with the Sharp-tailed Grouse contributed to its extirpation from Canada.” Here’s that 2010 assessment.