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Apr 10 2024

CSIS recall. Dong warned. Ratings cuts: The Roundup

Apr 10, 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
Foreign interference inquiry hears details of Trudeau's briefings
Dozens of confidential documents have been entered as evidence at the public inquiry into foreign interference, detailing what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau knew about suspected interference in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections - and when. As David Akin reports, Katie Telford, Trudeau's chief of staff, testified about when the prime minister was briefed about potential security breaches, including involving allegations against former Liberal MP Han Dong. [Global National]
A CSIS report summary tabled at the inquiry alleged that China compelled students to vote for Han Dong’s nomination under the threat of losing their visas and possible consequences for their families. [Globe and Mail]

Spy agency provided classified briefing to Liberal Party officials about alleged irregularities in Dong’s 2019 nomination, Foreign Interference Commission hears. [Globe and Mail]
Members of Trudeau’s inner circle disputed that Dong argued for the continued detention of the "Two Michaels" after intelligence agencies released a summary of the discussion. [Global]d

The Conservatives have introduced a motion for the House of Commons to call on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to meet with the premiers on carbon pricing, and have it televised. [Global]
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has ruled out raising taxes on the middle class in the upcoming federal budget — but won't say if corporations or the wealthy are in for the same treatement. [CP]
From the Provinces
Two blows to B.C.'s credit status, as S&P cuts rating and Moody's turns negative
British Columbia's credit status took a double blow on Tuesday, with S&P downgrading the province due to the risk of "outsize" deficits, and Moody's turning its outlook negative. [CP]
Officials don't always know who is using groundwater it, how much they're using, or where they're drawing it from, experts say. There are gaps in mapping and other data that officials need to effectively manage water during times of scarcity. [CP]
When the writ is dropped for the next provincial election, [Loyal Wooldridge] will seek the BC NDP nomination in the new Kelowna-Centre riding and, if he gets that, vie for voter support. [Global]
Quebec Premier François Legault urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to 'listen to Quebecers' when it comes to concerns over immigration levels. [Global]
Elsewhere
Switzerland’s climate inaction violated human rights, historic court ruling says
The European Court of Human Rights's ruling is expected to resonate across Europe and beyond, and to embolden more communities to bring climate cases against governments. [Global]
The outlook downgrade follows a similar move by Moody's in December and comes as Beijing ratchets up efforts to spur a feeble post-COVID recovery in the world's second-largest economy with fiscal and monetary support. [Reuters]
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Media
Findings reveal that journalists operate at high risks due to the absence of protective mechanisms, rendering them highly vulnerable in threats situations. Also, journalists go through physical and psychological attacks from insurgents, the military, and the communities. Recommendations are offered to provide safety mechanisms to reduce journalists’ psychological trauma and physical stress. [Journalism]
Nine of the 10 most-watched streaming programs are reruns. In addition to the three from CBS, there is one from YouTube (CoComelon), one from Canada (Heartland), one from Australia (Bluey) and Suits. The only original series to crack the list is Stranger Things. [Bloomberg]
Science and Tech

There are a couple of ways you can get to the notification settings for any given app. From the lock screen or Notification Center, you can swipe left on a notification (but not all the way left — that will dismiss it) and tap Options. This will bring up some quick actions, including the option to mute that app’s notifications for an hour or the whole day. Those are handy ways to shush an app that’s pinging you a lot without having to remember to turn its notifications back on later. [The Verge]
The Calendar
  • 0930 ET: West Block - The NDP national caucus will meet.
  • 0930 ET: 025B West Block - The CPC national caucus will meet.
  • 0930 ET: Ottawa - Government House Leader Karina  Gould , Defence Min Bill Blair, and Public Safety Min Dominic LeBlanc testify at the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference.
  • 1000 ET: 225A West Block - The LPC national caucus will meet.
  • 1100 ET: 135B West Block - University Canada West representatives speak to reporters. 
  • 1130 ET: National Press Theatre - Emergency Preparedness Min Harjit Sajjan , Environmment Min Steven Guilbeault, Energy and Natural Resources Min Jonathan Wilkinson, and Indigenous Services Min Patty Hajdu speak about the 2024 wildfire season.
  • 1130 ET: 135B West Block - BQ MP Denis Trudel speaks to reporters.
  • 1130 ET: Ottawa - Housing and Infrastructure Min Sean Fraser speaks to the Canadiian Club.
  • 1430 ET: Ottawa - PM Trudeau testifies at the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference.
  • 1630 ET: 410 Wellington - Veterans Affairs (ACVA) | Meeting  88 - Drafting report.
  • 1630 ET: 415 Wellington - Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs (INAN) | Meeting  102 - Drafting report
  • 1630 ET: 425 Wellington - Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE) | Meeting  101 - Canada's Approach to Africa
  • 1630 ET: 025B West Block - Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) | Meeting  116 - Federal Regulatory Modernization Initiatives
  • 1630 ET: 330 Wellington - Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (INDU) | Meeting  117 - Bill C-27
  • 1630 ET: 125B West Block - Standing Committee on National Defence (NDDN) | Meeting  97 - Lack of Housing Availability on or Near Bases for Canadian Armed Forces Members and Their Families and the Challenges Facing Members and Their Families When They Are Required to Move Across the Country
  • 1700 ET: Ottawa - Innovation Min François-Philippe Champagne speaks about artificial intelligence.
Issued this day ...
… in 1957: Scott #369: Wildlife - Loon. Design: Laurence Hyde.
If I had to name five of the best designs for a Canadian stamp, this one makes that list. Typography, etching, weights of the ink -- perfect. 

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