Canada
Boissonnault’s former business partner claims autocorrect to blame for "Randy" text messages
Liberal cabinet minister Randy Boissonnault’s former business partner stunned MPs Wednesday by claiming multiple text messages referring to business dealings with “Randy” were the result of an autocorrect error. The House of Commons’ ethics committee is probing Boissonnault’s relationship with Global Health Imports (GHI), a company he co-founded with Edmonton entrepreneur Stephen Anderson before he was re-elected as a Liberal MP in 2021. Global News reported that Anderson allegedly sent a series of text messages referring to a partner named “Randy” in September 2022 – after Boissonnault was sworn in as a Liberal cabinet minister, and a year after he said he “ceased active involvement” with the company. Boissonnault held shares in GHI, which he was legally allowed to do, until disposing of them two weeks ago.
Why experts are calling Jennie Carignan’s promotion to defense chief a ‘glass cliff’
Canada's military will make history on Thursday when Jennie Carignan is promoted to the rank of general and takes over command as chief of the defense staff.
Meet the new CDS: Jennie Carignan
In 2021, she was promoted to lieutenant-general, and became CAF’s first Chief for Professional Conduct and Culture. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced her appointment as the first female Chief of the Defence Staff and promotion to General on 3 July 2024. The appointment takes effect on 18 July 2024, with the change of command ceremony. Comprehensive bio from Wiki's volunteers.
Daughters of Russian tycoon worth $18B want off Canada’s sanctions list, but minister says no
In a letter obtained by Global News, Mélanie Joly argued Mikhail Fridman could use his children to evade sanctions.
Former safety minister wants 'protective zones' for MPs' offices as threats increase
Mendicino, a Toronto Liberal MP, said under the plan anyone who intimidated or otherwise harassed people within the buffer zone of perhaps 50 to 100 metres would be subject to harsher criminal penalties including jail time.
Trudeau cabinet to meet Friday, amid shuffle speculation
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet is expected to meet on Friday. The agenda sets aside 30 minutes for ministers to meet virtually Friday morning, to talk about 'appointments.' The meeting comes amid speculation around the prime minister shaking up his inner circle.
MPs facing notable riding shifts next election are doing ‘double duty’ this summer
Many MPs whose ridings are adding new territory ‘are taking full advantage of this summer to get to know some of these communities a little better,’ says Conservative MP John Williamson.
The Provinces
Ontario’s strongest mayors? The leaders making the most of enhanced powers
The mayors of Brampton, Caledon and Brampton have all used strong mayor powers to make major staffing decisions. Internal documents show the provincial government is watching.
B.C. to join legal challenge of how Canada calculates equalization payments
Newfoundland and Labrador announced plans to take Ottawa to court in May, saying the existing system puts it at a disadvantage.
Manitoba, N.L., only provinces to offer publicly to take asylum seekers from Quebec
Canada's premiers have agreed to Quebec's request to stand together and call on the federal government to more evenly distribute asylum seekers across the country.
‘It’s a brand name’: Why a Quebec business feels targeted by language inspectors
Party Expert, a well-established retail store, is coming under fire from Quebec's French language inspectors over its name and exterior signs.
Elsewhere
Key Democrat Schiff calls on Biden to drop out of presidential race
Democratic U.S. Representative Adam Schiff called on Joe Biden to end his reelection bid, becoming the 20th congressional Democrat to do so.
RNC delegates are wearing ear bandages like Trump’s
The bandage can be made of sturdy paper, of flimsy napkin, or of gauze and tape, but it must always be white, and always worn covering the right ear — exactly the way former president Donald Trump first appeared when he entered the convention hall Monday evening, his highly anticipated public debut following an assassination attempt at a rally just two days earlier.
Media
Group in charge of Google’s $100M for news outlets lays out its governance model
The Canadian Journalism Collective submitted plans to Canada’s broadcasting regulator this week outlining the structure of the board that will ultimately oversee the funds. That submission was made public on Wednesday.
Elon Musk moving X HQ to Austin, SpaceX HQ to Texas
"This is the final straw. Because of this law and the many others that preceded it, attacking both families and companies, SpaceX will now move its HQ from Hawthorne, California, to Starbase, Texas." [Musk said ]. "X HQ will move to Austin." The law he's referring to was signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday. It bans school districts from requiring that parents be notified if their child changes their gender identity.
Science and tech
7 New iOS 18 Messages Features You Should Probably Know About
You can schedule texts, send messages via satellite when you don't have service and more on iOS 18, which is currently available as a public beta.
The Calendar
- 0930 ET: Wolfville, NS - LP MP Kody Blois makes an infrastructure funding announcement.
- 1030 ET: Ottawa - Governor General Mary Simon presides over a Change in Command of the Canadian Armed Forces. PM Trudeau, Defence Min BIll Blair and Veterans Affairs Min Ginette Petitpas Taylor will also attend.
- 1200 ET: Vancouver - Environment Min Steven Guilbeault makes a funding announcement.
- 1200 ET: Winnipeg - LPC MP Terry Duguid makes a funding announcement.
- 1300 ET: Peterborough, ON - Small Business Min Rechie Valdez makes a funding announcement.
- 1400 ET: HoC foyer - BQ Leader Yves-François Blanchet speaks to reporters.
- 2100 ET: Edmonton - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh hosts a town hall.
