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Apr 21 2023

Battery bucks. Information problem. Twitter retreats.

Apr 21, 2023
David Akin's Roundup
Clippings of #cdnpoli, #media, and #tech content aimed at those with an interest in Canadian politics and policy. And sometimes Canadian postage stamps.
Canada
Canada’s EV battery contract with Volkswagen could be worth more than $13 billion
"This is going to be a game changer," Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne said in Ottawa Thursday. [Global]
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency says the migrants were found in a flooded bog west of Warroad, Minn., southwest of an official port of entry near Sprague, Man. [Global]
Before the federal workers' strike kicked off Wednesday, Canada was already facing a backlog of immigration applications and visa delays. [Global]

The team charged with combining two of the country’s largest telecom companies also includes a senior executive from Shaw Communications. [Globe and Mail]

Given early tree planting results and issues with establishing partnerships, it is unlikely that the 2 Billion Trees Program will meet its objectives unless significant changes are made. While the department nearly met its goal to plant 30 million trees in 2021, the first year of the program, it fell well short of its second-year goal. In the best-case scenario, after 2 years, the program would reach only 2.3% of the overall 2 billion tree goal in 2022. [Environment and Sustainable Development Commissioner of Canada]
Shannon Proudfoot: The problem with having a flair for gleaming manifestoes is that they tend to stick in the mind, and then they follow you around like a hapless tuba soundtrack. Great column [Globe and Mail]
From the provinces
Show them the money! Quebec MNAs should get $30,000 pay bump, committee says
An independent committee says the elected members of Quebec's National Assembly are underpaid and deserve a pay increase of $30,000 per year. [Global]

In 2020, a federal review panel found the marine terminal expansion would have “adverse residual and cumulative effects” on the ecosystem. [Global]
According to Wine Growers British Columbia, there could be 50 percent fewer wine grapes this year. [Global]
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Elsewhere
Joly's comments came after the Pentagon confirmed that "additional capabilities" were being deployed nearby in the region for contingency purposes, including potential evacuation. [Global]
U.K. Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab has resigned after an independent investigation into complaints that he bullied civil servants. Raab’s decision Friday came the day after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak received findings into eight formal complaints that Raab, who is also justice secretary, had been abusive toward staff during a previous stint in that office and while serving as foreign secretary and Brexit secretary. Raab had denied the allegations.  [AP]

Kemal Kirişci and Berk Esen argue the Turkish opposition has an opportunity to win the upcoming election, but it is far from guaranteed. [Democracy Paradox]
Media
Twitter has removed labels describing global media organizations are government-funded or state-affiliated. (That includes CBC) The move came after the Elon Musk-owned platform stripped blue verification checkmarks from Twitter accounts that don’t pay a monthly fee. (That includes me -- and I don't mind one bit)   [AP]
Earlier this year, Google ran a five-week test that prevented 3.3 per cent of its Canadians users from seeing news links when searching for journalism on its search engine. [Global]
The statement of claim, provided by his lawyers and filed Thursday, accuses Global News of publishing ``false, malicious, irresponsible, and defamatory'' stories. [Global]

“It’s gotten worse everywhere,” the Committee to Protect Journalists said about press freedom. [WSJ]
Pulitzer Prize winning digital media outlet BuzzFeed News is being shut down as part of a cost-cutting drive by its corporate parent that's shedding about 15% of its entire staff. In a memo sent to staff, Buzzfeed Inc. co-founder and CEO Jonah Peretti said that cuts would also occur across its business, content, tech and administrative teams, according to multiple media reports. [AP]
Tech

If your Apple Mail inbox on MacOS continues to be flooded with junk mail, there's something you can and should do about it. [ZDNet]
Issued this day ...
in 2008: Scott #2266. Guide Dogs. Design: Designwerke Inc.
Marks the 100th anniversary of the Montreal Association for the Blind. Hard to make it out but there is braille on this stamp which represents the denomination: ’52’.
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