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Jan 12 2024

Ed. Toronto congestion. Trump blast. The Roundup

Jan 12, 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
Ed Broadbent, former federal NDP leader, dies at 87
Ed Broadbent, who catapulted the federal NDP to popularity in the 1980s, has died at the age of 87. He led the party from 1975 to 1989, and served as an MP from 1968 to 1989. Eric Sorensen looks at how Broadbent is being remembered as an passionate advocate for justice and equality; and a fierce defender for ordinary Canadians. [Global National]
History on the Run: The Media and the '79 Election
This documentary examines the media's coverage of the federal election of May 1979. Filmed over a 3-week period, it takes a fascinating look at journalists in action and the politicians who attempt to manipulate the media. Incredibly, I watched this Wednesday night -- it was the fifth, sixth or seventh time I've seen it -- the night before Ed passed. This is the election in which Broadbent and the NDP was making its first big splash. But in addition to rare video of Broadbent playing baseball at Christie Pits and other great campaign video, this is a great look at the dynamics, frustrations, imperatives, motives, etc. of how different media cover an election. The technology has radically changed since 1979 but, as someone who has been on the buses for six federal elections, there is a lot in this doc that feels very familiar. Must watch for #cdnpoli geeks if you've not yet seen it. All-time classic. [NFB]
A remarkable one from Michael Kovrig ... to remind the judge of the hell that is prison confinement. Kovrig calls it “raw suffering…a scarring experience for any human soul.” These are words from deep experience. Kovrig spent over 1000 days in solitary confinement, and not in a Canadian jail, but in a Chinese detention centre, where his fate could never be known. The Crown is seeking a sentence of 28 years for the former RCMP intelligence director; Ortis' lawyers are seeking a sentence of time already served.  [Wesley Wark]

Canada's economy has benefitted from non-permanent residents in recent years, Desjardins says, but efforts to stem the flow of temporary workers could deepen a forecasted downturn. [Global]
Another new e-petition calling for a change in government is before the House of Commons and is collecting signatures. This particular petition, originated by an Abbotsford, B.C. resident and placed before the House of Commons by Conservative and Abbotsford MP Ed Fast, calls on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to resign. 

It was open for signature Thursday afternoon just after 3 pm and only had 27 signatures earlier this morning.

But Fast's caucus colleague Michelle Ferreri had put a petition before the House that had a similar sentiment -- it declared no confidence in the Trudeau government and called on it to hold a confidence vote -- and, when it closed for signatures just before Christmas, it had more than 387,000 signatures, easily the most in e-petition history. I'm guessing that when those 387,000 get wind of the Fast petition, petition e-4764 going to pick up steam.

The Fast petition is open for signing until March. I'll be keeping an eye on its numbers. - DA
From the provinces
Provincial Housing Market Outlook: 2024 Shaping Up to be a Better Year
Preliminary December data from local real estate boards – released after our latest housing projection – suggests some better than anticipated momentum in housing at the end of last year. [TD Economics]
A report completed by TomTom, one of the first companies to roll out satellite navigation devices in cars, has ranked Toronto as third in the world for 10-kilometre travel times. [Global]
Edmonton's mayor says the city's homeless crisis has reached a breaking point, but the province says it already has a cabinet committee working on it — without the his involvement. [Global]
The provincial party’s most radical base will only be satisfied if English-speaking institutions disappear from Montreal’s landscape. [The Walrus]
New-ish podcast focused on BC politics  has the 36th premier on as guest. interesting episode. Have long admired how John Horgan organized the NDP to take power and then keep it. Horgan is now off to be Canada's ambassador to Germany. If you live, as Horgan says, on the other side of the Rockies, this is a great  introduction to one of most interesting and arguably most influential politicians in a provincial political history filled with colourful characters - DA
Elsewhere
Trump blasts civil fraud trial judge’s ‘Trump-derangement syndrome'
On the final day of his civil fraud trial, former U.S. president Donald Trump took aim at the judge and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Jackson Proskow reports on what Trump said; the warning he received; and how the Republican primaries could be affected by Chris Christie, a vocal critic of Trump, dropping out of the race. [Global National]
China does not want a continuation of the "current difficult situation" in relations with Canada, China's foreign minister told his Canadian counterpart during a phone call. [Global]
A Liberal MP and a Conservative senator are offside with the Trudeau government's position on Bangladesh's recent election. [CP]
Media
Why Platformer is leaving Substack
Casey Newton: We’ve seen this movie before — and we won’t stick around to watch it play out. [Platformer]
Having flagged the top tips at NICAR23, IRE23, and GIJC23 in Sweden, GIJN offers the following 10 user-friendly tools that you might consider in your next investigations.

The disruptive power of artificial intelligence (AI) will sweep through the information space this year at a time of intense political and economic volatility around the world. The implications for the reliability of information, and the sustainability of the mainstream media are likely to be profound in a year that sees critical elections due in more than 40 democracies, with wars continuing to rage in Europe and the Middle East. [Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism]
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Sci/Tech
“Such signal, much wow”: Starlink’s first texts via “cellphone towers in space”
SpaceX is showing off the first text messages sent between T-Mobile phones via one of Starlink's low Earth orbit satellites. "On Monday, January 8, the Starlink team successfully sent and received our first text messages using T-Mobile network spectrum through one of our new Direct to Cell satellites launched six days prior," a Starlink update said. [Ars Technica]

Survey of 13,000 developers finds that most believe AI will reduce their workload and want to use AI more, but many remain skeptical. [InfoWorld]
The Calendar
  • 1000 ET: Saint John, NB - LPC MP Wayne Long makes a funding announcement. 
  • 1000 ET: Winnipeg - Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre speaks to reporters.
  • 1045 ET: Southwestern Ontario - PM Trudeau tours a housing project, makes an announcement, and speaks to reporters.
  • 1430 ET: Southwestern Ontario - PM Trudeau meets with residents at a senior citizens facility.
  • 1600 ET: Salt Spring Island, BC - GPC MP Elizabeth  May speaks at an ASK Salt Spring event.
Issued this day ...
... in 2002: Scott #1935: NHL All-Stars — 3. Design: Stephane Huot. Illustrations: Charles Vinh.
The third  of a six-series set issued between 2000 — the date of the 50th NHL all-star game — and 2005 that featured the greats of the fastest game in sport. This souvenir sheet of six stamps features, from left to right starting at the top, Tim Horton, Guy Lafleur, Howie Morenz, Glenn Hall, Red Kelly, and Phil Esposito.

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