Johnston’s time. Crombie question. Cyber gulag. David Akin's Roundup

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May 23 2023

Johnston’s time. Crombie question. Cyber gulag.

May 23, 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

David Johnston will recommend Tuesday whether Canada needs interference inquiry

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said he will abide by David Johnston's recommendations, including if he recommends a public inquiry. [Global]

As inquiry decision looms, here's how Canada's foreign interference saga has evolved

In what many saw at the time as too little, too late, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tapped Johnston in March to lead an investigation into the extent and impact of foreign interference in Canada.
The federal government said it gave Johnston access to classified documents and Canada's security agencies to conduct that work. [CP]

From the provinces

Alberta Election 2023: Advance voting set to open Tuesday morning

Provincial election day isn’t until May 29 but Albertans looking to get their vote in early have the chance to do that starting early Tuesday morning with the opening of advance voting. And, in Alberta -- you can vote anywhere in an advance polls. If you live in Red Deer but happen to be shopping at West Edmonton Mall, you can vote at the mall and have your vote counted back in Red Deer. It's an excellent innovation. [Edmonton Journal]

Still-undecided bloc key as Alberta election enters homestretch

A continued trend towards advance voting also means a significant proportion of Albertans will head to the polls before May 29. [Calgary Herald]

Bonnie Crombie strikes Liberal leadership exploratory committee

The creation of an exploratory committee is the clearest sign yet that growing rumours about Bonnie Crombie's plans to run for the Ontario Liberal leadership are on the money. [Global]

After ‘disgraceful’ remarks, First Nations leaders call on Quebec MNA to resign

Pierre Dufour, a Coalition Avenir Quebec MNA, has come under fire for his comments dismissing alleged abuse by police against Indigenous women in Val-d'Or. [Global]

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Elsewhere

How a CCP Propaganda Campaign Targeted the Dalai Lama – The Diplomat

The latest smear campaign succeeded beyond China’s wildest dreams by playing into Western ignorance about Tibetan culture – and self-righteous “cancel culture” on social media. [The Diplomat]

Germany rejects criticism it watered down language on gas at G7 summit

The German government on Monday rejected criticism that it pushed to weaken existing commitments for phasing out natural gas at a summit of leaders from the Group of Seven major industrialized democracies, saying the concluding statement is in line with international climate efforts. [AP]

The cyber gulag: How Russia tracks, censors and controls its citizens

It's becoming increasingly difficult for Russians to escape government scrutiny. Authorities monitor social media accounts, prosecuting critics of President Vladimir Putin or the war in Ukraine. Surveillance cameras with facial recognition systems allow police to swiftly detain activists and draft dodgers. Even a once-praised online government service platform is seen as a tool of control, with plans to serve military summonses through it — rendering useless a popular draft evasion tactic of avoiding being handed the paperwork in person. Activists say Putin’s government has managed to harness digital technology to surveil, censor and control Russians — new territory in a nation with a long history of spying on its citizens. [AP]

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Tech