Canada
Canada’s democracy ‘under attack,’ ex-China envoy warns after NSICOP report
A National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) report alleged that sitting federal politicians are 'witting' participants in foreign interference.
Conservatives call for 'other Randy' to testify as minister's business dealings face ethics probe
The Conservatives have filed a motion requesting that the "other Randy" allegedly employed by a company co-founded by Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault appear in front of a parliamentary committee.
Government disputes 'misleading' claim it blocked 1,000-plus documents
PCO spokesperson Pierre-Alain Bujold said in his statement that the government was transparent with all review agencies including NSICOP and that it provided all the information that “aligns with the mandate provided by Parliament, as defined by the NSICOP Act.” “This legislation does not provide access to cabinet confidences,” Bujold wrote.
Virani open to change Online Harms bill; Tories say modernize current laws instead
Virani defended the Online Harms Act to the House of Commons Friday for the first time since he tabled the legislation back in February. Since then, legal and privacy experts, as well as civil society advocates, have voiced concerns about its potential to limit free speech.
Strike for Canadian border workers on hold until Wednesday: union
The Public Service Alliance of Canada initially said border workers were set to strike as early as 4 p.m. Friday if the two sides hadn't reached a deal.
NDP’s “punk-rock politician” Charlie Angus to focus on music
No one’s more surprised than Angus that he’s been a member of the House of Commons for two decades. “Being a politician was not on my bingo card,” he said. “I didn’t vote when I was younger. I was pretty much an anarchist.
Kris McNichol Seeks Conservative Party nomination in Courtenay-Alberni riding
According to a release, "with a strong background in business, sport, and community involvement, McNichol hopes to bring his passion and expertise to represent the interests of the people in Courtenay-Alberni." This is at least the second person to announce a candidacy for the Conservative nomination in this riding, which has been held by New Democrat Gord Johns ever since it was created in 2015. The predecessor ridings, however, did elect Conservative/Canadian Alliance MPs.
The Provinces
Disagreement over ‘made-up numbers’ and Ontario’s ‘billion-dollar booze boondoggle’
Ontario announced a sped-up plan to liberalize the sale of alcohol across the province, with a price tag of $225 million. Critics say the cost is significantly higher.
N.B. legislature wraps up before election with tense exchanges and emotional speeches
Premier Blaine Higgs and Liberal Opposition Leader Susan Holt had tense exchanges during question period on a variety of subjects, including the nearly $174 million spent on travel nurses that a recent auditor general's report said was partly mismanaged.
Quebec’s parliamentary session ends with quest to reclaim powers from Ottawa
Quebec's national assembly winter session is coming to a close. Amid all the controversy of the past few months, Premier François Legault says there are things to celebrate.
Elsewhere
Biden campaign drops an attack ad on Trump from Normandy
The minute-long video — which was shared on X after Biden concluded a speech at Pointe du Hoc — went after Trump for reportedly disparaging service members, including calling them “losers” and “suckers.”
How Hamas Ends: A Strategy for Letting the Group Defeat Itself
Over the course of decades of research, I have assembled a dataset of 457 terrorist campaigns and organizations, stretching back 100 years, and have identified six primary ways in which terrorist groups end. These pathways are not mutually exclusive: frequently, more than one dynamic is at work, and multiple factors play a role in the termination of a terrorist group. But Israel should pay close attention to one route in particular: groups that end not through military defeat, but through strategic failure
How AI chatbots responded to basic questions about the 2024 European elections right before the vote
We give examples of how three chatbots reacted to questions and widely shared misinformation about the EU vote in France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
Reporter's Notebook: On The Campaign Trail With Peter Magyar, The New Star Of Hungary's Opposition
New opposition hope Peter Magyar is delighting crowds in Hungary. Many, though, are not convinced.
Media
Google signs deal with organization to distribute $100M to Canadian news companies
The Canadian Journalism Collective will be responsible for ensuring eligible news organizations get their share of the money. The collective is a federally incorporated non-profit organization that was created for this purpose, and was founded in May by a group of independent publishers and broadcasters.
After Jan. 6, Twitter banned 70,000 accounts. Misinformation plummeted
The study, published in the journal Nature on Tuesday, suggests that if social media companies want to reduce misinformation, banning habitual spreaders may be more effective than trying to suppress individual posts.
Reader Notes
A reminder that the headlines, photographs and excerpts here are generated by the publishers themselves: Global News, CBC, The Canadian Press, etc. Where I have something to say, you'll see a comment in italics. And if I'm the author of the entire excerpt, I'll note my authorship by finishing a note with -DA.
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Science and tech
Here's every iPhone model that will support Apple's upcoming AI features (for now)
Want to experience all the anticipated iOS 18 AI goodness due at WWDC? You may need to upgrade.
The Calendar
- 1030 ET: Toronto - Diversity and Inclusion Min Kamal Khera speaks about Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy.
- 1130 ET: La Malbaie, QC - BQ Leader Yves-François Blanchet and BQ MP Caroline Desbiens attend the Festival Pour un Instant.
- 1130 ET: Ottawa - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh speaks to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' annual conference.
- 1330 ET: Calgary - GPC MP Elizabeth May speaks to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' annual conference.
- 1415 ET: Calgary - GPC MP Elizabeth May meets with FCM executives.
- 1500 ET: Edmonton - Employment Min Randy Boissonnault makes an infrastructure funding announcement.
- 1900 ET: Calgary - GPC MP Elizabeth May speaks at a GPC fundraising event.
- 2030 ET: Edmonton - GPC MP Elizabeth May speaks at a GPC fundraising event.
Issued this day ...
… in 1996: Scott #1604 souvenir sheet of 6: Historic Land Vehicles — The fourth in a series of five issues to feature some of the vehicles to traverse Canada’s roads and fields over the decades. This set, featuring “Industrial and Commercial Vehicles” includes, clockwise from top left, an 1899 Still Motor Co Ltd Electric Van; a 1947 White Model WA 122 Tractor-Trailer; a 1938 International D-35 Delivery Truck; a 1936 Champion road grader; a 1975 Hayes HDX 45-115 logging truck; and a 1914 Waterous Engine Works road roller.