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Dec 5 2023

Health problems. Legault losing. Chinese jokes. The Roundup

Dec 5, 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 spends less on health care than other rich countries, and has fewer people training as family doctors and practising in generalist, office-based care. [Global]
Agnes Chow announced she is studying at a Canadian university in Toronto and intends to never return to Hong Kong. [Global]
The NDP, the Conservatives and their former leader Erin O’Toole were granted intervenor standing, meaning they won’t be able to ask questions of any witnesses. [National Post]
House Speaker Fergus apologizes over video message for Ontario Liberals
Fergus delivered the apology after the Conservatives said they planned to raise the issue in Parliament, given the Speaker is supposed to serve an explicitly non-partisan role. [Global]
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne handed down a mandate requiring the CRTC to prioritize consumer rights, affordability, competition and universal access. [Global]
From the provinces
Premiers’ Performance: Legault ends year at all-time low, Kinew enjoys post-election honeymoon
Neighbouring Premiers Scott Moe and Wab Kinew enjoy majority approval, perhaps bringing more joy to their holidays. Further east, there are more dour assessments for Premiers Doug Ford and Blaine Higgs, who are in familiar low-approval territory as 2023 comes to an end. However, they are joined by an unfamiliar face: Quebec Premier François Legault, whose approval has declined 16 points from last quarter. [Angus Reid Institute]
The Economic Forecast Council met B.C.'s finance minister on Monday and told her they foresee 0.5-per-cent growth in 2024, slightly below Conroy's recent forecast of 0.7 per cent. [Global]
Vaughn Palmer: The Abacus online poll by the numbers: NDP 44 per cent, B.C. Conservatives 26, B.C. United 17, and the Greens down at nine. The regional breakdowns also undercut a B.C. United argument against the Conservatives, that the party would split the centre-right vote in close contests, which woul help elect New Democrats. [Vancouver Sun]

Green Leader Mike Schreiner predicted last week’s byelection in Kitchener Centre would “go down to the wire," but his candidate won by a whopping 5,022 votes in a blow to the New Democrats soon after dumping Hamilton Centre MPP Sarah Jama for insubordination. [TorStar]
The Municipal District of St. Stephen in New Brunswick has declared a local state of emergency over the homelessness crisis, just days after the death of someone in a public space. [Global]

The City of Moncton has reversed a controversial decision not to display religious symbols, including the menorah and nativity scene, outside City Hall. [Global]
Elsewhere
Calls grow for Israeli PM Netanyahu to quit
As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial resumes after being suspended for nearly two months over the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, he's facing growing calls to step down. However, Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing and claims to be the victim of a carefully orchestrated plot to remove him from office. Daniele Hamamdjian speaks with some people in Jerusalem to hear why they want Netanyahu to resign. [Global National]
Maria Andreeva, whose husband has been fighting in Ukraine for more than a year, is also waging a battle in Moscow: to get him home. She is not alone. [Reuters]
In particular, Russia tried to inflame tensions that erupted after a series of public Quran burnings in Sweden, which resulted in protests breaking out around the Muslim world. [Kyiv Independent]
Standup comedy is booming in China, and Chinese people living around the world are setting up local Mandarin-language comedy clubs as far afield as Tokyo, Madrid and New York. [AP]
A special note...
Shogofa Danesh  is a young Afghan journalist and colleague who works with me in the Global News parliamentary bureau. She's trying to to pull her family out of harm's way from the Taliban by bringing them in Canada. They are currently in Pakistan as refugees. But to get them here, she needs our help Click here to read Shogufa's appeal and how you can help. 
Media
CBC/Radio-Canada to cut 10 per cent of workforce, end some programming as it faces $125M budget shortfall
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation/Radio-Canada announced Monday that it plans to cut about 10 per cent of its workforce and axe some programming to cope with a $125 million budget shortfall. [CBC]
A journalist or media worker is killed every day on average in the Israel-Hamas war. The head of the global organization representing the profession says this has become a conflict beyond compare. [AP]
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Sci/Tech
Canada’s first electric fire engine unveiled in Vancouver
The Rosenbauer RTX Pumper Truck cost the city $1.8 million, and is between $300,000 and $500,000 more expensive than a traditional diesel-powered engine. [Global]

With complex ecological modeling, scientists have found that plants may be soaking up 20% more CO2 than earlier predicted. It's no "get-out-of-jail-free card," but it highlights the crucial role nature needs to play as we try to stem global warming. [New Atlas]
The Calendar
  • 1000 ET: West Block - PM Trudeau meets with his cabinet.
  • 1030 ET: 135B West Block - NDP MP Laurel Collins speaks about creating a Youth Climate Corps.
  • 1100 ET: 125-B West Block - Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage (CHPC) | Meeting  103 - Tech Giants’ Current and Ongoing Use of Intimidation and Subversion Tactics...
  • 1100 ET: 425 Wellington Building - Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development (ENVI) | Meeting  89 - Committee Business, Freshwater
  • 1100 ET: 315 Wellington Building - Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans (FOPO) | Meeting  91 - FY24 Supp Bs | Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing
  • 1100 ET: 410 Wellington Building - Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT) | Meeting  86 - The 2023 Strike at the Port of Vancouver: Selected Impacts, Responses and...
  • 1100 ET: 225-A West Block - Standing Committee on Public Accounts (PACP) | Meeting  89 - Report 9, Processing Applications for Permanent Residence—Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada...
  • 1100 ET: 330 Wellington Building - Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (SDIR) | Meeting  41 - International Disability-Inclusive Education
  • 1300 ET: HoC foyer - Labour Min Seamus O'Regan and Employment and Workforce Development Min Randy Boissonnault announce members of an advisory table for workers.
  • 1530 ET: 415 Wellington - Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs (INAN) | Meeting  87 - Bill C-53 
  • 1530 ET: 410 Wellington Building - Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) | Meeting  87 - Immigration Min Marc Miller testifies on FY24 Supp Bs
  • 1530 ET: 315 Wellington - Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (INDU) | Meeting  101 - Bill C-27
  • 1530 ET: 425 Wellington Building - Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST) | Meeting  87 - Bill C-40
  • "1530 ET: 125B West BLock - Standing Committee on National Defence (NDDN) | Meeting  85 - 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
  • 1530 ET: 225A West Block - Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) | Meeting  94 - ArriveCAN Application
  • 1600 ET: 330 Wellington Building - Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs (ACVA) | Meeting  74 - Experience of Women Veterans
  • 1830 ET: 225A West Block - Joint Senate and House Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying 41 - Drafting report
Issued this day ...
... in 1980: Scott #877: E-P Lachapelle. Design: Jean Morin. Painintg by Edmond Dyonnet.
Emmanuel-Persillier Lachappelle (1845-1918), a physician, was the founder of Notre-Dame Hospital in Montreal. This stamp was issued on the centenary of that event. 

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