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Mar 22 2024

Confidence confirmed. Refugee flood. Birth switch: The Roundup

Mar 22, 2024
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
Poilievre motion of non-confidence in Trudeau over carbon price hike fails
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has survived a non-confidence motion on the carbon tax, after Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre tried to trigger a snap election over the Liberals' planned increase of the levy. David Akin looks at how some Conservatives also spent the day criticizing Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, who's the chief advocate for the carbon tax. [Global National]
Our analysis shows that, even in comparison to the full suite of Emissions Reduction Plan policies, large emitter trading systems are still the biggest driver of emissions reductions in 2030—contributing between 20 and 48 per cent of incremental emissions reductions in 2030. This analysis finds the carbon tax plays an important but less significant role in dropping emissions. [Canadian Climate Institute]
Temporary residents make up 6.2 per cent of Canada’s entire population. Over the next three years, the government plans to bring that percentage down to five per cent. [Global]

Even when their cases are rejected, many failed refugee claimants remain in Canada, numbers from the Canada Border Service Agency show. [Global]
MPs elected for the first time in 2019 will qualify with new election date. Mostly Conservatives. [National Post]
Defence Minister Bill Blair has introduced new legislation to remove the Canadian military’s jurisdiction to investigate sexual misconduct. [Global]
CPC adds a Nova Scotia candidate for Elxn45
The Conservative Party of Canada posted a note on social media that Isabelle Obeid, an educator, will be its candidate in the Halifax-area riding of Dartmouth-Cole Harbour, a riding currently held by Liberal Darren Fisher. Dartmouth has not elected a conservative candidate since 1988. (In 1988, it was a Progressive Conservative). The Conservative Party had no candidate here in 2021 -- candidate withdrew just before registration -- but in 2019 the Conservatives finished 3rd with 16% of the vote. So what's the handicap now? I'm looking at a potential NDP pickup here. New Democrats Robert Chisholm and Wendy Lill have won here before and, based on current Liberal polling in Nova Scotia, I have the NDP defeating Fisher by 14 points. - DA
From the Provinces
Manitoba premier Wab Kinew apologizes to men switched at birth in 1955: “Long time coming”
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has formally apologized on behalf of the province to Edward Ambrose and Richard Beauvais, two men who were accidentally switched at birth at a hospital in the town of Arborg in 1955. Marney Blunt looks at how the error was discovered and the range of emotions from both men and their families after the apology. Remarkable story. The Métis man was raised a Ukrainian. The Ukrainian was raised a Métis. [Global National]

Newfoundland and Labrador’s finance minister took the unusual step of sleeping at the legislature Wednesday night in order to present her budget after a chaotic demonstration by fish harvesters had prevented her scheduled budget speech. [CP]

Gas prices are set to rise in Alberta next month, with the provincial government fully reinstating its fuel tax following a drop in oil prices. [CP]

A Quebec minister is being scrutinized for questioning traffic on provincial roads, with public transit advocates and experts arguing not enough is being done by the government. [Global]
Dorothy Shephard says she will stay on as Tory member of the legislature for the Saint John Lancaster riding until the election, which has to be scheduled by October. [Global]
Elsewhere
Christian TV evangelicals fire up Trump support with messianic message
In both the 2016 and 2020 elections, evangelical voters staunchly supported Trump despite claims of adultery and sexual misconduct, which he denied. With Trump now facing dozens of criminal charges as he pursues a second term, some Christian media are bolstering his support by portraying him as an instrument of God's will who faces persecution by his foes. [Reuters]
The CETA free-trade agreement between Canada and the European Union is set to be put to a vote by France's Sénat on Thursday. The opposition has seized an opportunity to score points, less than three months before the European elections. [Le Monde]
The third Summit for Democracy (S4D3) in Seoul, Republic of Korea convened this week with a backdrop of serious and arguably worsening challenges to democracies globally. It’s imperative that this multilateral forum taking place in Seoul delivers on its ambitions to strengthen democratic institutions, reverse consequential backsliding globally, and tackle thorny problems, including corruption. PM Trudeau participated in this summit virtually on Thursday. [Brookings Institution]

Authorities in a rural district in northwestern Bangladesh said on Friday that they had launched an investigation following the discovery of a fake birth certificate issued from a local government office bearing the name of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. [La Prensa Latina Media]
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Media
A Nova Scotia judge will be asked on Friday to approve a plan to restructure or seek bidders to buy or invest in SaltWire Network Inc., the insolvent company recently granted protection from creditors. [CP]
Science and Tech
Heads up! DoorDash drones delivering meals in this US city
Today, it's burgers and fries in select locations. Tomorrow, Walmart and Walgreens. If you have a driveway, delivery should work just fine. [ZDNet]
WhatsApp has just made it easier to take note of more important messages from within a conversation. [Endgadget]
The Calendar
  • 0900 ET: Grand Bay--Westfield, NB - LPC MP Wayne Long makes a funding announcement. 
  • 1000 ET: Repentigny, QC - Environment Min Steven Guilbeault makes a funding announcement. 
  • 1030 ET: Ottawa - LPC MP Mona Fortier makes a funding announcement. 
  • 1115 ET: Montreal - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice host a pharmacare townhall.
  • 1300 ET: Montreal - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice speak about dental care at a seniors residence.
  • 1400 ET: Bowen Island, BC - LPC MP Patrick Weiler makes a funding announcement. 
  • 1900 ET: Montreal - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice attend an Iftar.
Issued this day ...
… in 2013: Sc #2633i die cut to shape: Canadian Photography - I. Design: Stéphane Huot.
For four years, starting in 2013, Canada Post issued what, IMO, is a terrific annual series of stamps highlighting Canadian photography artists. This first batch features the work of five different photographers and today’s stamp from that first quintet, features “Small Basement Camera Shop circa 1937” created in 2011 by Vancouver-based Rodney Graham (1949-2022). The piece is part of the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and it’s quite large: 5 feet by 5 feet. Medium: “Painted aluminum lightbox with transmounted chromogenic transparency.” Graham put himself in the middle of much of his work including this particular work. 

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