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Jun 28 2023

Khanna Qs. Rage index. Teens vote.

Jun 28, 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
Can heatwave deaths be no more by 2040? Canada’s new adaptation plan says yes
The final version of the national adaptation strategy is expected to include targets to shore up resistance to wildfires, extreme heat and major storms. [Global]
Arpan Khanna, who won a federal byelection in Oxford to retain the seat for the Conservatives, talks about the tight win and nomination spat. [Brantford Expositor]
This decline in anger has been primarily concentrated among men, leading to the largest gender gap recorded on the Rage Index over the past year, with women significantly angrier than men. This gap is especially pronounced when it comes to feelings towards the Canadian economy (60% of women frustrated/angry vs. 46% of men) and their personal financial situations (41% of women frustrated/angry vs. 32% of men). [Pollara]
Canada's competition watchdog released its much-awaited study into the country's retail grocery market, painting a picture of an industry dominated by few players. [Global]
The potential multibillion-dollar sale, which has not been finalized, would see Canada purchase up to 16 Boeing P-8A surveillance aircraft from the U.S. [Global]
From the provinces
New faces, 2 ministers bounced as part of N.B. cabinet shuffle by Blaine Higgs
Daniel Allain, who was minister of local government, and Jeff Carr, who was transport minister, were demoted today by New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs for his cabinet shuffle. [Global]
British Columbia will provide up to 8,000 free portable air-conditioning units to keep vulnerable people cool and protected during extreme hot weather events, Health Minister Adrian Dix said. [CP]
Political observers say Olivia Chow's victory in Toronto's mayoral byelection, which marks the first time a person of colour will lead the city, is a reflection of progress. [Global]
Doug Ford may have previously predicted Olivia Chow would be an "unmitigated disaster" as Toronto's next mayor, but he says today that he will find common ground and work with her. [Global]
Of the 38-member caucus, everyone will have a critic portfolio, committee role or leadership job. [Edmonton Journal]
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Elsewhere
How Should NATO Think About Ukrainian Membership After Russia’s Coup Attempt?
NATO will strengthen its partnership with Ukraine at its upcoming Vilnius summit, but the failed coup in Russia could add to divisions over membership. [Council on Foreign Relations]
Sixteen- and 17-year-olds will be allowed to vote in local elections in a prominent Vermont town and serve on the community’s selectboard if elected after the Democrat-controlled state Legislature overrode the Republican governor’s veto of the charter change for Brattleboro. [AP]
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Media
Postmedia, Toronto Star owner in merger talks
The two media giants have entered into non-binding discussions on options for combining operational assets, according to company officials. [National Post]
Meta's head of public policy in Canada says there are no talks underway with the federal government on the new online streaming law and the social media giant is moving on its threat to drop Canadian news from its platforms. [CBC]
Social media users are claiming information about Canada's wildfires has been limited because posts were being blocked under the country's new Bill C-11, a digital platform regulation measure. This is false; the government and a public policy scholar said the law is not yet in effect and will not be applied to user-generated content on social media. [AFP]
Tech
A.I.’s Use in Elections Sets Off a Scramble for Guardrails
Gaps in campaign rules allow politicians to spread images and messaging generated by increasingly powerful artificial intelligence technology. The NYT takes note of the use of AI by failed Toronto mayoralty candidate Anthony Furey. [NYT]

Researcher Dr Larissa Suzuki tells how NASA is developing a ChatGPT-style interface -- definitely not to be confused with 2001: A Space Odyssey's HAL. [The Guardian]
Issued this day ...
Issued this day in 1961: Sc #394: Colombo Plan. Design: Bernard James Reddie.
Issued to mark the 10th anniversary of the Colombo Plan. This plan came out of meetings held in 1951 Colombo, Sri Lanka (then known as Ceylon) attend by the finance ministers of Canada, UK, Australia, Pakistan, and New Zealand and by the prime ministers of India and Ceylon. A secretariat was created, the Colombo Plan for Co-operative Economic Development in South and South-East Asia, and its main focus was and is the development of human resources in the region. 

The Colombo Plan continues its work today but Canada ceased to be a member of the organization in 1992. 

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