🎓University of Alberta closes endowment fund named after Nazi veteran recognized in the House of Commons
The University of Alberta is apologizing for having an endowment fund provided by Yaroslav Hunka, the Nazi veteran recognized in Parliament last week.
The Hunka family gave $30,000 to the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies at the school in 2019 for the Yaroslav and Margaret Hunka Ukrainian Research Endowment Fund.
U of A said it had decided to close the endowment.
The Centre for Holocaust Studies says this isn't the only endowment fund or tie the university has with people previously involved with Nazis. The centre claims former U of A chancellor Peter Savaryn was a member of the Waffen-SS.
Savaryn was U of A chancellor from 1982 to 1986 and helped found the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies at the university.
#Alberta
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The University of Alberta is apologizing for having an endowment fund provided by Yaroslav Hunka, the Nazi veteran recognized in Parliament last week.
The Hunka family gave $30,000 to the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies at the school in 2019 for the Yaroslav and Margaret Hunka Ukrainian Research Endowment Fund.
U of A said it had decided to close the endowment.
The Centre for Holocaust Studies says this isn't the only endowment fund or tie the university has with people previously involved with Nazis. The centre claims former U of A chancellor Peter Savaryn was a member of the Waffen-SS.
Savaryn was U of A chancellor from 1982 to 1986 and helped found the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies at the university.
#Alberta
🍁 Maple Chronicles
💉Addictions doctors urge feds to supervise hydropmorpone or stop handing out free drugs
More than a dozen addictions doctors have written to the federal government, calling on the Liberals to ensure that safe-supply drugs are provided in a supervised fashion or not at all.
In recent months, debate has exploded over Canada’s use of pharmaceutical-grade hydromorphone as an alternative for street drugs such as heroin or fentanyl, with the hope of reducing opioid overdose deaths. In 2020, the federal government funded 10 pilot projects that distributed hydropmorphone to opioid addicts in British Columbia, Ontario and New Brunswick.
The authors of the open letter, addressed to Ya’ara Saks, the minister of addictions and mental health, argue the research on safer supply is “methodologically weak” and that the program should be reformed, or cancelled altogether.
In the letter, the 17 signatories refer to the program as “Unsupervised Free Government Funded Hydromorphone,” and argue that it is “causing further harm to our communities by increasing the total amount of opioids on the streets and providing essentially unlimited amounts of opioids to vulnerable people with addiction.”
🍁 Maple Chronicles
More than a dozen addictions doctors have written to the federal government, calling on the Liberals to ensure that safe-supply drugs are provided in a supervised fashion or not at all.
In recent months, debate has exploded over Canada’s use of pharmaceutical-grade hydromorphone as an alternative for street drugs such as heroin or fentanyl, with the hope of reducing opioid overdose deaths. In 2020, the federal government funded 10 pilot projects that distributed hydropmorphone to opioid addicts in British Columbia, Ontario and New Brunswick.
The authors of the open letter, addressed to Ya’ara Saks, the minister of addictions and mental health, argue the research on safer supply is “methodologically weak” and that the program should be reformed, or cancelled altogether.
In the letter, the 17 signatories refer to the program as “Unsupervised Free Government Funded Hydromorphone,” and argue that it is “causing further harm to our communities by increasing the total amount of opioids on the streets and providing essentially unlimited amounts of opioids to vulnerable people with addiction.”
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Alberta ad campaign warns about federal electricity regulations
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Minister of Environment Rebecca Schulz wrote a joint press release, calling for Canadians to reject the federal government’s plan to have a net-zero electrical grid in the next 12 years.
“Alberta will incur the highest costs of any province in Canada as a result of the federal electricity regulations. Alberta’s government believes these additional dollars should be coming from the federal government, not the pockets of Alberta’s ratepayers,” reads the statement.
The provincial government will launch a national advertising campaign to inform Canadians about the negative consequences of adopting the federal net-zero emissions goal through the means of print, radio, television and social media.
“Canadians need to know the risks they face if Ottawa’s proposed electricity regulations move forward without any amendments. The federal government is choosing to ignore the facts about their transition, but we are not. All Canadians need to be able to rely on reliable and affordable electricity and we will continue to fight for that,” wrote Smith in the release.
#Alberta #energy
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Minister of Environment Rebecca Schulz wrote a joint press release, calling for Canadians to reject the federal government’s plan to have a net-zero electrical grid in the next 12 years.
“Alberta will incur the highest costs of any province in Canada as a result of the federal electricity regulations. Alberta’s government believes these additional dollars should be coming from the federal government, not the pockets of Alberta’s ratepayers,” reads the statement.
The provincial government will launch a national advertising campaign to inform Canadians about the negative consequences of adopting the federal net-zero emissions goal through the means of print, radio, television and social media.
“Canadians need to know the risks they face if Ottawa’s proposed electricity regulations move forward without any amendments. The federal government is choosing to ignore the facts about their transition, but we are not. All Canadians need to be able to rely on reliable and affordable electricity and we will continue to fight for that,” wrote Smith in the release.
#Alberta #energy
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Forwarded from Song of Oil and LNG
🇨🇦Canada's greenhouse gas emissions up 2.1% in 2022 due to oil and gas production and cold winter
New data from the Canadian Climate Institute reveals that Canada's total emissions increased by 2.1% (14.2 megatonnes) in 2022 compared to the previous year, primarily due to emissions from the oil and gas industry and buildings. Despite this increase, Canada's overall emissions were still 6.3% below 2005 levels, falling short of the country's 2030 emission reduction target of 40 to 45% below 2005 levels.
The report highlights that emissions from the oil and gas sector and buildings caused 72% of the total increase in 2022. While other sectors, like electricity, witnessed a 56% decrease in emissions, carbon emissions from oil and gas and buildings have been rising since 2005. The Canadian Climate Institute calls for swift action at the federal and provincial levels, including implementing emissions caps for the oil and gas sector, methane regulations, and clean energy initiatives to combat rising emissions.
#Canada
@songofoil
New data from the Canadian Climate Institute reveals that Canada's total emissions increased by 2.1% (14.2 megatonnes) in 2022 compared to the previous year, primarily due to emissions from the oil and gas industry and buildings. Despite this increase, Canada's overall emissions were still 6.3% below 2005 levels, falling short of the country's 2030 emission reduction target of 40 to 45% below 2005 levels.
The report highlights that emissions from the oil and gas sector and buildings caused 72% of the total increase in 2022. While other sectors, like electricity, witnessed a 56% decrease in emissions, carbon emissions from oil and gas and buildings have been rising since 2005. The Canadian Climate Institute calls for swift action at the federal and provincial levels, including implementing emissions caps for the oil and gas sector, methane regulations, and clean energy initiatives to combat rising emissions.
#Canada
@songofoil
Canadian Climate Institute
Emissions from oil and gas, buildings undercut Canada’s climate progress, estimate finds - Canadian Climate Institute
New independent estimate shows Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions rose 2 per cent in 2022 from previous year
📈Minimum wage rises in six provinces
The minimum wage in Ontario rose to $16.55 an hour, Manitoba to $15.30. In Nova Scotia, P.E.I and Newfoundland and Labrador the minimum wage rose to $15.
Saskatchewan’s minimum wage also rose to $14, but is still the lowest in the country, trailing New Brunswick by 75 cents.
In Canada, the highest minimum wage is in the Yukon, where workers receive $16.77 per hour, followed closely by B.C.’s $16.75 per hour minimum wage.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The minimum wage in Ontario rose to $16.55 an hour, Manitoba to $15.30. In Nova Scotia, P.E.I and Newfoundland and Labrador the minimum wage rose to $15.
Saskatchewan’s minimum wage also rose to $14, but is still the lowest in the country, trailing New Brunswick by 75 cents.
In Canada, the highest minimum wage is in the Yukon, where workers receive $16.77 per hour, followed closely by B.C.’s $16.75 per hour minimum wage.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
🩺 Estimated 11,000 Ontarians died waiting for surgeries, scans in past year
An estimated 11,000 Ontarians have died while waiting for surgeries, MRIs and CT scans in the past year.
Only 56 per cent of patients who need CT scans and 35 per cent of patients who need MRIs receive them within their target time.
The surgical waitlist in Ontario surpasses 200,000 people.
This comes off the back of a 21-page report from CUPE’S Ontario Council of Hospital Unions that found hospital staff vacancies have grown dramatically, increasing 19 per cent over the last year, and currently 37,00 positions remain unfilled.
Their new research report shares the stark consequences of the long waits, as more than 2,000 people died on waiting lists for surgeries last year, up almost 50 per cent from the year before.
Another 9,400 patients died waiting for MRIs and CT scans.
#Ontario #healthcare
🍁 Maple Chronicles
An estimated 11,000 Ontarians have died while waiting for surgeries, MRIs and CT scans in the past year.
Only 56 per cent of patients who need CT scans and 35 per cent of patients who need MRIs receive them within their target time.
The surgical waitlist in Ontario surpasses 200,000 people.
This comes off the back of a 21-page report from CUPE’S Ontario Council of Hospital Unions that found hospital staff vacancies have grown dramatically, increasing 19 per cent over the last year, and currently 37,00 positions remain unfilled.
Their new research report shares the stark consequences of the long waits, as more than 2,000 people died on waiting lists for surgeries last year, up almost 50 per cent from the year before.
Another 9,400 patients died waiting for MRIs and CT scans.
#Ontario #healthcare
🍁 Maple Chronicles
B.C. construction companies offered cash incentive for hiring non-white males
A cash incentive available to British Columbia construction companies for hiring new workers doubles if a worker “self-identifies” as anything other than an able-bodied, heterosexual, white male.
On Wednesday, the British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) announced a new $10 million Apprenticeship Services Program that will give cash incentives to small and medium scale construction companies that hire and register first year apprentices for 39 Red Seal Trades.
The per-employee incentive is $5,000, but if an applicant self-identifies as a person of colour, woman, sexual minority, or person with a disability, it doubles to $10,000, according to the Western Investor.
Funding for the BCCA’s new program will come from the federal government’s Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy, launched by the federal government in September 2022.
#BritishColumbia
🍁 Maple Chronicles
A cash incentive available to British Columbia construction companies for hiring new workers doubles if a worker “self-identifies” as anything other than an able-bodied, heterosexual, white male.
On Wednesday, the British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) announced a new $10 million Apprenticeship Services Program that will give cash incentives to small and medium scale construction companies that hire and register first year apprentices for 39 Red Seal Trades.
The per-employee incentive is $5,000, but if an applicant self-identifies as a person of colour, woman, sexual minority, or person with a disability, it doubles to $10,000, according to the Western Investor.
Funding for the BCCA’s new program will come from the federal government’s Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy, launched by the federal government in September 2022.
#BritishColumbia
🍁 Maple Chronicles
🏳️⚧️602 transgender minors have had breasts surgically removed in Canada
A shocking new report reveals that hundreds of underaged Canadian girls have had their breasts surgically removed as part of so-called “gender affirming care” to accommodate their preferred gender identities.
The numbers were crunched by the Canadian Institute for Health Information.
As of 2018, healthcare statistics show that 602 patients under the age of 18 were recorded as receiving a double-mastectomy. Nearly half, (303) were kids under the age of 17 with the lowest recorded age being 14-years-old.
The actual number of minors who have undergone life-changing surgeries to accommodate their gender identities is likely larger as private clinics that cater to transgender clients were not included. Additionally, Quebec hospital data were unavailable.
#healthcare
🍁 Maple Chronicles
A shocking new report reveals that hundreds of underaged Canadian girls have had their breasts surgically removed as part of so-called “gender affirming care” to accommodate their preferred gender identities.
The numbers were crunched by the Canadian Institute for Health Information.
As of 2018, healthcare statistics show that 602 patients under the age of 18 were recorded as receiving a double-mastectomy. Nearly half, (303) were kids under the age of 17 with the lowest recorded age being 14-years-old.
The actual number of minors who have undergone life-changing surgeries to accommodate their gender identities is likely larger as private clinics that cater to transgender clients were not included. Additionally, Quebec hospital data were unavailable.
#healthcare
🍁 Maple Chronicles
🇨🇦🇮🇳 As the spat between Canada and India continues to progress, Indian politicians are resorting to the most serious accusation available to them: Why are you gay? (Who says I'm gay?)
India is speculating that the assassinated Sikh separatist was gay and that Trudeau "used to like him," but was rejected.
I did not have the Trudeau is gay and killed a Sikh separatist leader over unrequited love on my bingo card for 2023.
#India #Trudeau
🍁 Maple Chronicles
India is speculating that the assassinated Sikh separatist was gay and that Trudeau "used to like him," but was rejected.
I did not have the Trudeau is gay and killed a Sikh separatist leader over unrequited love on my bingo card for 2023.
#India #Trudeau
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Forwarded from ASIANOMICS
🇵🇭🇬🇧🇨🇦🇯🇵🇺🇸 Philippines, allies kick off naval drills amid Asia-Pacific tension
Forces from Manila, Britain, Canada, Japan and the United States kicked off two weeks of joint naval exercises in Philippine waters as a "show of force", amid flaring regional tension.
This year's "Sama Sama" drills are being held in the southern part of the island of Luzon, featuring naval exercises in areas such as anti-submarine warfare, air defense and search and rescue, the Philippine navy said.
Five vessels, two from the United States, and one each from Britain, Canada and Japan, joined the Philippine-hosted drills that will run until October 13.
#ThePhilippines #UK #Canada #Japan #USA
@asianomics
Forces from Manila, Britain, Canada, Japan and the United States kicked off two weeks of joint naval exercises in Philippine waters as a "show of force", amid flaring regional tension.
This year's "Sama Sama" drills are being held in the southern part of the island of Luzon, featuring naval exercises in areas such as anti-submarine warfare, air defense and search and rescue, the Philippine navy said.
Five vessels, two from the United States, and one each from Britain, Canada and Japan, joined the Philippine-hosted drills that will run until October 13.
#ThePhilippines #UK #Canada #Japan #USA
@asianomics
🇨🇦🇮🇳 Trudeau says he's 'not looking to escalate' tensions as India tells 41 Canadian diplomats to leave
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government is "not looking to escalate" a diplomatic row with New Delhi, but declined to say whether Canada would match India's decision to ask for the removal 41 Canadian diplomats.
Trudeau made the comments on his way into the Liberal caucus meeting in Ottawa on Tuesday, hours after India told Canada that it must repatriate 41 diplomats by Oct. 10. India has allegedly threatened to revoke the diplomatic immunity of those diplomats told to leave who remained after Oct. 10.
Asked if his government would retaliate by asking India to remove diplomats based in Canada, Trudeau insisted his government would try to keep working with New Delhi.
"We're not looking to escalate, as I've said, we're going to be doing the work that matters in continuing to have constructive relations with India through this extremely difficult time," Trudeau said.
#India #Trudeau
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government is "not looking to escalate" a diplomatic row with New Delhi, but declined to say whether Canada would match India's decision to ask for the removal 41 Canadian diplomats.
Trudeau made the comments on his way into the Liberal caucus meeting in Ottawa on Tuesday, hours after India told Canada that it must repatriate 41 diplomats by Oct. 10. India has allegedly threatened to revoke the diplomatic immunity of those diplomats told to leave who remained after Oct. 10.
Asked if his government would retaliate by asking India to remove diplomats based in Canada, Trudeau insisted his government would try to keep working with New Delhi.
"We're not looking to escalate, as I've said, we're going to be doing the work that matters in continuing to have constructive relations with India through this extremely difficult time," Trudeau said.
#India #Trudeau
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Liberal MP Greg Fergus elected Speaker of the House of Commons
Liberal MP Greg Fergus has been elected as the new Speaker of the House of Commons following a secret ranked ballot election on Tuesday.
Fergus, who represents the Quebec riding of Hull-Aylmer near Ottawa, is the first Black Speaker of the Commons.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Liberal MP Greg Fergus has been elected as the new Speaker of the House of Commons following a secret ranked ballot election on Tuesday.
Fergus, who represents the Quebec riding of Hull-Aylmer near Ottawa, is the first Black Speaker of the Commons.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Transparency report on Global Affairs staff misconduct details bid-rigging, harassment, drunk driving and more
Bid rigging, crashing a government car while intoxicated and sexually harassing co-workers are just some of the reasons Global Affairs Canada employees were fired or resigned last year, as the department works to tackle misconduct and better protect whistleblowers.
The information is contained in the first annual report titled “Addressing Misconduct and Wrongdoing at Global Affairs Canada.”
The number of cases is likely underestimated largely because many GAC employees fear reprisal if they blow the whistle on wrongdoing, the report noted.
The department determined that 56 cases of misconduct and wrongdoing were found to have basis between April 1, 2022 and March 30, 2023.
Of that number, three were for harassment and violence, 23 were for administrative misconduct, four were related to issues with security clearance and one was for fraud and financial misconduct. Over a dozen involved individuals were fired or resigned, whereas the rest were either suspended, written up or had notes added to their security files.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Bid rigging, crashing a government car while intoxicated and sexually harassing co-workers are just some of the reasons Global Affairs Canada employees were fired or resigned last year, as the department works to tackle misconduct and better protect whistleblowers.
The information is contained in the first annual report titled “Addressing Misconduct and Wrongdoing at Global Affairs Canada.”
The number of cases is likely underestimated largely because many GAC employees fear reprisal if they blow the whistle on wrongdoing, the report noted.
The department determined that 56 cases of misconduct and wrongdoing were found to have basis between April 1, 2022 and March 30, 2023.
Of that number, three were for harassment and violence, 23 were for administrative misconduct, four were related to issues with security clearance and one was for fraud and financial misconduct. Over a dozen involved individuals were fired or resigned, whereas the rest were either suspended, written up or had notes added to their security files.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Ottawa bid to bring Google onside over Bill C-18 falls short
Ottawa’s attempts to use proposed regulations to bring Google onside with the Online News Act have failed to satisfy the tech giant, which has warned that it could stop Canadians from searching for news on its platforms unless the government makes further changes.
A month ago, the federal Heritage Department published proposed regulations intended to clarify how the law would work in practice, and to end a tense standoff over the law with Google and fellow tech giant Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram.
The proposed regulations set a $230-million cap on the amount Google and Facebook would together have to inject into Canada’s news sector. Google would have to pay $172-million of that.
But in an e-mailed statement on Monday, the final day of a month-long public consultation period on the draft regulations, Google said the government’s proposals have not fixed what it sees as fundamental flaws with the legislation. It warned that making wholesale changes to the text of the Online News Act may be the only way to address its concerns. This would require bringing the bill back to Parliament.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Ottawa’s attempts to use proposed regulations to bring Google onside with the Online News Act have failed to satisfy the tech giant, which has warned that it could stop Canadians from searching for news on its platforms unless the government makes further changes.
A month ago, the federal Heritage Department published proposed regulations intended to clarify how the law would work in practice, and to end a tense standoff over the law with Google and fellow tech giant Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram.
The proposed regulations set a $230-million cap on the amount Google and Facebook would together have to inject into Canada’s news sector. Google would have to pay $172-million of that.
But in an e-mailed statement on Monday, the final day of a month-long public consultation period on the draft regulations, Google said the government’s proposals have not fixed what it sees as fundamental flaws with the legislation. It warned that making wholesale changes to the text of the Online News Act may be the only way to address its concerns. This would require bringing the bill back to Parliament.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
🗳NDP wins majority government in Manitoba
The NDP sailed to victory Tuesday night with a solid win that cements leader Wab Kinew as Manitoba's first First Nations premier and also nets the party enough seats to form a majority government.
The PC leader will step down as party leader, she said as she conceded her party's defeat to the NDP.
After the Kirkfield Park byelection last year, the PCs held 36 seats to the NDP's 18, and the Liberals had three — one seat short of official party status.
On Wednesday morning, the NDP had won 30 seats, the PCs 19 and the Liberals one, with seven races still too tight to call.
#Manitoba #election
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The NDP sailed to victory Tuesday night with a solid win that cements leader Wab Kinew as Manitoba's first First Nations premier and also nets the party enough seats to form a majority government.
The PC leader will step down as party leader, she said as she conceded her party's defeat to the NDP.
After the Kirkfield Park byelection last year, the PCs held 36 seats to the NDP's 18, and the Liberals had three — one seat short of official party status.
On Wednesday morning, the NDP had won 30 seats, the PCs 19 and the Liberals one, with seven races still too tight to call.
#Manitoba #election
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Defence minister insists $1B spending reduction is not a budget cut
Deputy minister Bill Matthews told MPs on the House of Commons defence committee that the department is identifying "proposals for spending reductions" that total more than $900 million over four years, while trying to minimize the impact on military readiness.
The chief of the defence staff, Gen. Wayne Eyre, said top military leaders were meeting to discuss what that will mean.
"There's no way that you can take almost a billion dollars out of the defence budget and not have an impact," Eyre said
Yet in a statement on Friday, Defence Minister Bill Blair's spokesman Daniel Minden said: "Any claim that Canada is 'cutting' defence spending is not accurate, because overall defence spending has increased and will continue to increase."
The most recent federal budget projects that the department's budget will be $39.7 billion in 2026-27, up from $26.5 billion in the current fiscal year.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Deputy minister Bill Matthews told MPs on the House of Commons defence committee that the department is identifying "proposals for spending reductions" that total more than $900 million over four years, while trying to minimize the impact on military readiness.
The chief of the defence staff, Gen. Wayne Eyre, said top military leaders were meeting to discuss what that will mean.
"There's no way that you can take almost a billion dollars out of the defence budget and not have an impact," Eyre said
Yet in a statement on Friday, Defence Minister Bill Blair's spokesman Daniel Minden said: "Any claim that Canada is 'cutting' defence spending is not accurate, because overall defence spending has increased and will continue to increase."
The most recent federal budget projects that the department's budget will be $39.7 billion in 2026-27, up from $26.5 billion in the current fiscal year.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
🇨🇦🌐 Canada's move to control the online space (and make some money from it)
Canada has long tried to promote local content. There are rules requiring Canadian radio and television to play a certain amount of Canadian-made content. For radio, 30-40% of the music played should be Canadian. But more recently, the government has decided to expand its initiative to impact the rapidly changing online space.
After years of debate, controversial bills C-11 and C-18 were signed into law this year. How will they affect the content Canadians consume?
🔹Online Streaming Act (Bill C-11)
The bill empowers the CRTC to require broadcast platforms to "prioritize the needs and interests" of Canadians by supporting Canadian content and increasing its discoverability.
The law will affect online streaming services that operate in Canada and generate annual revenues of $10 million or more. It will also oblige these services to register with the CRTC and provide information about their content and subscribers.
🔹Online News Act (Bill C-18)
The bill will oblige search engines and social network platforms to compensate Canadian online news publishers for reproducing their work or providing links to their content.
Profits will go towards funding Canadian news organizations and the creation of new content. Large media outlets, such as CBC, will benefit the most from the law.
🔹What is expected of online platforms?
The original stated goal is to preserve Canadian culture, support Canadian content (including in French), Indigenous content. While it is feasible to impose such rules domestically, it seems almost impossible to implement them on global platforms.
To comply with the rules, YouTube will have to change its algorithms to push Canadian and Indigenous content to users based in Canada. Broadcasting platforms will have to follow the CRTC's guidelines on how to support and promote Canadian content, which sounds pretty vague and can be very binding on companies.
Tech giants like Google and Meta, if they follow the new rules, will have to give Canada preferential treatment and start paying for simply posting news links. This could set a dangerous precedent that other countries could take advantage of. Therefore, the tech giants are not willing to go along with these demands and have already started limiting content for Canadian users.
🔹Financial gain
The Online Streaming Act would result in at least $830 million in additional funding.
The government, trying to negotiate with the tech giants, is proposing a $230 million cap on the amount Google and Facebook would together have to inject into Canada’s news sector to comply with the Online News Act. Google would have to pay $172 million of that. The CBC would likely receive the largest amount of money from the bill.
🔹Liberals vs. Conservatives
The new broadcasting laws were initiated and supported primarily by the Liberal government. Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre is using the outrage surrounding the new laws as another chance to smear Justin Trudeau. Poilievre says his Conservative government would repeal the law if given the chance. And with growing support for the Conservative Party, those threats may be very real.
Is this a war against free speech? Depends on how far the government is willing to go.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Canada has long tried to promote local content. There are rules requiring Canadian radio and television to play a certain amount of Canadian-made content. For radio, 30-40% of the music played should be Canadian. But more recently, the government has decided to expand its initiative to impact the rapidly changing online space.
After years of debate, controversial bills C-11 and C-18 were signed into law this year. How will they affect the content Canadians consume?
🔹Online Streaming Act (Bill C-11)
The bill empowers the CRTC to require broadcast platforms to "prioritize the needs and interests" of Canadians by supporting Canadian content and increasing its discoverability.
The law will affect online streaming services that operate in Canada and generate annual revenues of $10 million or more. It will also oblige these services to register with the CRTC and provide information about their content and subscribers.
🔹Online News Act (Bill C-18)
The bill will oblige search engines and social network platforms to compensate Canadian online news publishers for reproducing their work or providing links to their content.
Profits will go towards funding Canadian news organizations and the creation of new content. Large media outlets, such as CBC, will benefit the most from the law.
🔹What is expected of online platforms?
The original stated goal is to preserve Canadian culture, support Canadian content (including in French), Indigenous content. While it is feasible to impose such rules domestically, it seems almost impossible to implement them on global platforms.
To comply with the rules, YouTube will have to change its algorithms to push Canadian and Indigenous content to users based in Canada. Broadcasting platforms will have to follow the CRTC's guidelines on how to support and promote Canadian content, which sounds pretty vague and can be very binding on companies.
Tech giants like Google and Meta, if they follow the new rules, will have to give Canada preferential treatment and start paying for simply posting news links. This could set a dangerous precedent that other countries could take advantage of. Therefore, the tech giants are not willing to go along with these demands and have already started limiting content for Canadian users.
🔹Financial gain
The Online Streaming Act would result in at least $830 million in additional funding.
The government, trying to negotiate with the tech giants, is proposing a $230 million cap on the amount Google and Facebook would together have to inject into Canada’s news sector to comply with the Online News Act. Google would have to pay $172 million of that. The CBC would likely receive the largest amount of money from the bill.
🔹Liberals vs. Conservatives
The new broadcasting laws were initiated and supported primarily by the Liberal government. Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre is using the outrage surrounding the new laws as another chance to smear Justin Trudeau. Poilievre says his Conservative government would repeal the law if given the chance. And with growing support for the Conservative Party, those threats may be very real.
Is this a war against free speech? Depends on how far the government is willing to go.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Governor General spends $117,000 on dry cleaning
Canada’s Governor General and Rideau Hall have racked up a six-figure dry cleaning tab in recent years, according to records obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
The Office of the Secretary to the Governor General dropped $117,566 on professional dry-cleaning services since 2018, despite having in-house staff on the payroll responsible for doing the laundry.
Rideau Hall’s dry cleaning tab costs taxpayers an average of more than $1,800 a month.
It’s enough money to dry clean 13,831 blouses, 6,204 dresses or 3,918 duvets, according to the prices at Majestic Cleanersin Ottawa.
Details of dry-cleaning expenditures at Rideau Hall were released in response to an order paper question from Conservative MP Kelly McCauley.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Canada’s Governor General and Rideau Hall have racked up a six-figure dry cleaning tab in recent years, according to records obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
The Office of the Secretary to the Governor General dropped $117,566 on professional dry-cleaning services since 2018, despite having in-house staff on the payroll responsible for doing the laundry.
Rideau Hall’s dry cleaning tab costs taxpayers an average of more than $1,800 a month.
It’s enough money to dry clean 13,831 blouses, 6,204 dresses or 3,918 duvets, according to the prices at Majestic Cleanersin Ottawa.
Details of dry-cleaning expenditures at Rideau Hall were released in response to an order paper question from Conservative MP Kelly McCauley.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
🇨🇦🇮🇳 Joly urges talks after India reportedly orders dozens of Canadian diplomats to leave
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly urged India on Tuesday to thaw frosty bilateral relations through private diplomatic talks, after New Delhi reportedly ordered two-thirds of Canadian diplomats out of the country.
“In moments of tension, because these are tensions between both our governments, it is more than ever important that diplomats be on the ground,” she told reporters on her way into a cabinet meeting. “That is why we believe in the importance of having a strong diplomatic footprint in India.”
But Ms. Joly said she does not want to get into a public discussion over the expulsion of Canadian diplomats.
“We will continue to engage privately because we think that diplomatic conversations are best when they remain private.”
#India
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly urged India on Tuesday to thaw frosty bilateral relations through private diplomatic talks, after New Delhi reportedly ordered two-thirds of Canadian diplomats out of the country.
“In moments of tension, because these are tensions between both our governments, it is more than ever important that diplomats be on the ground,” she told reporters on her way into a cabinet meeting. “That is why we believe in the importance of having a strong diplomatic footprint in India.”
But Ms. Joly said she does not want to get into a public discussion over the expulsion of Canadian diplomats.
“We will continue to engage privately because we think that diplomatic conversations are best when they remain private.”
#India
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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🍁 Maple Chronicles
🍁 Maple Chronicles
🥬 Montreal food depot forced to turn people away amid increasing demand
The demand for services at the Depot Community Food Centre in NDG has gotten so high that, for the first time since it opened, the organization has had to start turning people away.
Staff say a busy day would include around 200 prepared meals, but nowadays, that feels like a regular shift.
The Depot offers meals and access to an affordable marché to the community. The cost of living is rising among clients, management says, and it means the amount of people needing their services is climbing, too.
A rise in demand means The Depot can’t serve everyone, despite increasing its budget by half a million dollars this year.
To compensate, the centre has had to cut the market basket sizes by a third, and those who used to come twice a month, can now only come once.
#Quebec
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The demand for services at the Depot Community Food Centre in NDG has gotten so high that, for the first time since it opened, the organization has had to start turning people away.
Staff say a busy day would include around 200 prepared meals, but nowadays, that feels like a regular shift.
The Depot offers meals and access to an affordable marché to the community. The cost of living is rising among clients, management says, and it means the amount of people needing their services is climbing, too.
A rise in demand means The Depot can’t serve everyone, despite increasing its budget by half a million dollars this year.
To compensate, the centre has had to cut the market basket sizes by a third, and those who used to come twice a month, can now only come once.
#Quebec
🍁 Maple Chronicles