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Apr 6 2024

Hogue v Johnston. Leaker bailed. Female leaders: The Roundup

Apr 6, 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
Trudeau reluctant to respond to foreign election interference evidence
Canada's foreign interference commission has wrapped up a week of hearings, where new evidence about attempts by foreign powers to interfere in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections were heard. That evidence focused mostly on China and its apparent efforts to tilt the 2021 election towards the Liberal party. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been reluctant to answer questions about this new information.  Global's David Akin has been following the proceedings all week. [Global National]
“It could have been state-sponsored, it could have very well been organic, or it could have been somewhere in between," said one member. [National Post]
Documents published by the federal inquiry into foreign interference call into question some of the conclusions in former Governor General David Johnston’s probe. [Global]

Beijing is seeking to improve relations with Ottawa after years of diplomatic unease, and though it's not clear whether Canada is ready to play ball, some experts say. [CP]
After hearing from thousands of constituents and others about whether to walk away from the party, Housefather has determined that his "core values" remain Liberal ones. [Global]

The ex-RCMP official had been sentenced in February by Ontario Superior Court Justice Robert Maranger, after being found guilty of breaching Canada's official secrets law. [Global]

Friday's announcements on more funds for pre-fab construction and as part of a series of announcements teeing up what is set to be a housing-focused budget. [Global]
Canadians are hoping the upcoming federal budget will offer them a break from the rising cost of living, according to new polling released Friday from Ipsos. [Global]
From the Provinces
In historic move, Ontario will allow Indigenous languages to be spoken in legislature
A change to the rules that govern lawmakers in Ontario means MPPs will be able to speak Indigenous languages without asking permission for the first time in provincial history. [Global]
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says although she once spoke positively of carbon rebates, the rising cost of the federal levy means Prime Minister Justin Trudeau can no longer justify it. [CP]
Vaughn Palmer: Excuses aside, if the Conservatives can't vet their candidates well, their opponents will. [Vancouver Sun]
Vancouver city councillor Christine Boyle will hit the campaign trail soon after securing the NDP nomination in the new Vancouver-Little Mountain riding over fellow progressive Andrea Reimer. [CTV] 
Bruce Fitch says that after 21 years as the Progressive Conservative member for Riverview, he is keeping a promise to his family that he won't run again. [CP]
Elsewhere
DR Congo names first female prime minister amid escalating violence
Judith Suminwa Tuluka, a former planning minister, assumes her new role at a critical juncture for the nation, particularly in the strife-torn eastern region. [Africa News]
Iceland’s Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir will quit a year before the next general election to run for president in a move that could cost her environmentalist force the premiership in the north Atlantic nation. [Bloomberg]
This chart shows the number of female heads of state or government from 1946 to 2024 by country. [Statista]

A report from Microsoft says Chinese influence and cyber actors are more active and will 'likely' move towards interfering in upcoming elections in the United States and India. [Global]
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Media
Canada’s Embassy in Nepal hosted two capacity building workshops for journalists and students of mass communications in Kathmandu. The Embassy partnered with Kathmandu University – a prominent autonomous university in Nepal that is dedicated to maintaining academic excellence, and with Social Media Matters, a well-known organization which promotes online safety. [Global Affairs Canada]
Science and Tech

Want to download a YouTube video? Here are two easy download options and a more advanced Linux command line option. [ZDNet]
Issued this day ...
… in 1981: Sc #883 : Canadian Endangered Wildlife: Vancouver Island Marmot. Design: Michael Dumas. Illustration: Robert Bateman.
Latest info from the Marmot Recovery Foundation: The Vancouver Island marmot(Marmota vancouverensis)  is one of the rarest mammals in the world. The population has increased from a low count in 2003 of less than 30 wild marmots living in a handful of colonies to just over 250 marmots on over more than 20 mountains in 2021. It is a Priority 1 species under the BC Conservation Framework and classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Endangered Species.  As of the fall of 2021, there were approximately 25 colonies with marmots likely to emerge. These are spread between 2 metapopulations (clusters of colonies that marmots could travel between), and one isolated colony at Steamboat Mountain. There may be marmots in the Schoen Lake area, but there has not been a confirmed sighting in that area for over 5 years."

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