Canada
Deal reached in WestJet mechanics' strike, but travel disruptions still expected
“The damage to Canadians and our airline is massive, a swift resolution was necessary; we take no victory laps on this outcome but will sleep better tonight knowing further harm has been prevented,” airline president Diederik Pen said in the release, which was posted late Sunday.
An unknown Newfoundland soldier killed in the First World War laid to rest
The remains of a soldier from Newfoundland killed in the battlefields of France during the First World War will be laid to rest in St. John's on Monday.
Canada's Common Sense Caravan
I think it's important for anyone interested in Canadian politics to pay close and serious attention to the message put out by politicians, particularly the messaging from Pierre Poilievre's Conservative Party which, more than any other party, has shown little interest in allowing mainstream, independent media from reporting on its activities. So, you may want to check this out -- whether you're a fan of Pierre Poilievre, a foe, or have no idea what he's about. You're going to see the party put out a lot more of these.
This one is a long (5 minutes+) monologue from Poilievre, behind the wheel in an RV, as he drove around Quebec in the week leading up to St Jean Baptise Day, with lots of video featuring his family while he narrates a voice track that alternates between "family photo album" and Conservative political messaging. These videos are one of the most important ways Poilievre has built the support he now enjoys in the polls. -DA.
The Provinces
Ford PCs lead by 16 despite increase in disapproval of the provincial government’s performance
Last May, among women, the PCs and Liberals were in a tight race. This month, Ontario PCs’ lead the Liberals by 10 points, as support for the PCs increased by 6 points and support for the Liberals decreased by 5 points. Similarly, among those 45 to 59, the PCs are now ahead by 19 points, an increase of 8 points from last month.
3 years and a record $239M in recovery funding later, Lytton still hasn't rebuilt
Only a handful of people have returned to Lytton, B.C., after the community was reduced to ash by a catastrophic fire three years ago on June 30, 2021. That's despite more than $239 million in provincial and federal recovery funding committed to help rebuild. A lot of people, including B.C.'s auditor general, are asking; Why?
Advocate calls on Alberta to opt out of $10-a-day child care plan
An advocacy group is calling on the Alberta government to withdraw from the federal government's $10-a-day child care plan.
Elsewhere
France’s Far Right Scores Big in First Round of Elections, Polling Suggests
A surprise decision by President Emmanuel Macron to hold a snap election appears to have backfired badly, giving the National Rally a decisive victory.
Sierra Leone passes law to end child marriage
In West Africa's Sierra Leone, the country has taken a significant step forward in the fight against child marriage by passing a new law criminalizing the practice. The passing of this new law is a welcome development for Sierra Leonean refugees who have resettled in Canada, as they are beginning to see attitudes changing.
Media
The Promise And Perils Of AI In The Media
The future of journalism hinges on how responsibly AI can be integrated in newsrooms, speakers told the more than 400 journalists and media professionals from 30 countries who gathered at the Philippine International Convention Center to attend the conference focused on the theme “The Future of Facts.” While AI offers powerful tools, they said, it needs to be deployed carefully.
Lori Paris, much-loved Canadian Press newscaster and supervisor, dead at 46
Paris developed necrotizing fasciitis after she fell while walking her much-loved dog this past week and died on Saturday morning at the Toronto Western Hospital, her sister said.
Reader Notes
This newsletter is curated by David Akin, chief political correspondent at Global News. The headlines, excerpts, and photos are generated by the publishers of the clipping. The publisher is at the bottom left of the clipping. If I've got a comment, you''ll see that in italics. But if I've generated the headline and the excerpt, I'll take the attribution by finishing with -DA in bold.
A reminder: This newsletter relies on voluntary donations to keep on trucking. You can help with a monthly pledge -- Just $5 would do it -- via Patreon or, if you want to make a one-time donation, send an e-transfer to jda@davidakin.com. Thanks for all your help!
Science and tech
Maker of RStudio launches new R and Python IDE
Posit, formerly RStudio, has released a beta of Positron, a ‘next generation’ data science development environment based on Visual Studio Code.
The Calendar
- 0830 ET: St John's - PM Trudeau speaks at the official ceremonies marking the 100th anniversary of the Newfoundland National War Memorial, including the reinterment of the remains of an unknown Newfoundland First World War soldier.
- 1030 ET: Toronto - Immigration Min Marc Miller attends a citizenship ceremony.
- 1055 ET: Ottawa - Deputy PM and Fin Min Chrystia Freeland and Heritage Min Pascale St-Onge attend the national Canada Day ceremony.
- 1100 ET: Sidney, BC - GPC MP Elizabeth May participates in a Canada Day event.
- 1400 ET: Burnaby, BC - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh attends a Canada Day celebration.
- 1430 ET: Sidney, BC - GPC MP Elizabeth May participates in a Canada Day parade.
- 1630 ET: Burnaby, BC - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh attends a Canada Day celebration.
- 1830 ET: Port Moody, BC - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and NDP MP Bonita Zarrillo attend the Golden Spike Days Festival
- 2130 ET: Burnaby, BC - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh attends Burnaby Street Fest.
Issued this day ...
… in 2000: Scott #1862a se-tenant block of 4. Stampin’ The Future. Design: Lise Giguère.
Canada Post gets kids to design the stamps. 56,000 entries were submitted and these are the four winners, clockwise from top left, Colour-blind World by Andrew Wright; Building Canada by Christine Weera; Astronauts by Anne Nardelli; and New and High Tech by Sarah Lutgen. Happy Canada Day!