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Sep 13 2023

London Liberals. BC Poilievre. Chinese Disinfo.

Sep 13, 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 the Liberal caucus retreat lay out a clearer path amid Poilievre’s rise?
Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives saw a summer surge in the polls, with a recent Abacus survey placing the Tories 14 points ahead of the Liberals. [Global]
If an election were held today, all signs point to a landslide Tory victory and a humiliating Grit loss. Is there a way for the Liberals to regain their footing? A host of experts and insiders weigh in. [The Hub]
London North Centre Liberal MP Peter Fragiskatos said that he’s been pushing for the retreat to be held in London for quite some time. [Global]
Conservative Party members may have voted clearly in favour of banning medical interventions for transgender youth, but party leader Pierre Poilievre still isn’t saying whether he thinks the policy should become law. [CBC]
Conservative MP Frank Caputo said Pierre Poilievre’s view ‘will probably be exactly what I have to say because he’s the leader’. [Kamloops This Week]
Following a policy convention last weekend, Poilievre brought his messages about affordability and 'jail not bail' policies to the Island. In video report here, he speaks to reporters from regional newsrooms.  [CHEK]
Theo Argitis: Common sense implies there are simple fixes to big problems, and there are not. [Financial Post]
An Ontario man who was persuaded to invest $11,000 USD in a platform after seeing a video of what appeared to be Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Elon Musk endorsing the platform said he was shocked to find it was all a scam — and that the video had been a deepfake. [CTV]

Health Canada has authorized the Moderna COVID-19 booster shot, with the aim of strengthening people's protection against the virus for the fall. [Global]
South Okanagan – West Kootenay MP Richard Cannings announced today that he will not seek re-election in 2025. With the re-draw of the BC electoral map, this riding was already going to be hard to hold for the NDP and now, without a strong incumbent like Cannings, it seems more likely it will shift to the Conservatives.  [NDP press release]
From the provinces
2018 Ontario housing minister mandate letter promised to ‘protect the Greenbelt’
In his 2018 mandate letter to Steve Clark, obtained by Global News, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the Greenbelt must be protected. [Global]
Global News can reveal the 2018 mandates given to the Minister of Finance, Treasury Board and all cabinet ministers instructing them to “identify efficiencies and savings.”
Between July 2018 and July 2021, Ontario Crown lawyers dedicated 1,672 taxpayer-funded hours to the province's case to keep Premier Doug Ford's now-leaked mandate letters secret. [CBC]
Elsewhere
Chong, whose tale of Chinese meddling has been a political headache for the federal Liberal government, is testifying before the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. [Global]
China Sows Disinformation About Hawaii Fires Using New Techniques
Beijing’s influence campaign using artificial intelligence is a rapid change in tactics, researchers from Microsoft and other organizations say. [NYT]
Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin met at a Russian spaceport, fueling Western concerns that North Korea may provide military support to Russia’s war in Ukraine. [NBC]
From Bud Light to Target, right-wing anger at "woke capitalism" is scaring corporate America. [Vox]
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Media
Premier François Legault is calling on Québec solidaire (QS) and the Quebec Liberals to stop buying Facebook ads, even though he doesn't rule out the possibility that his own party will buy some as well. [CTV]
Scientist Christopher Reddy says researchers and journalists need to work together to separate fact from speculation. [Undark]

Populist supporters have a complex relationship with journalism (e.g., embracing elites’ negative rhetoric, yet consuming news profusely). This study explores this relationship. [International Journal of Press/Politics]
Sci/Tech
Following keynote events Tuesday that saw Apple introducing the new iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple allowed allowed members of the media in attendance to spend some hands-on time with the new devices. [MacRumours]
What iPhones used to cost
Apple introduced its iPhone 15 line today with improved cameras and a more standard USB-C charging cable. It is the company's most expensive iPhone ever by $100. [Axios]
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The Calendar
  • 0715 ET: St. John's, NL -   The Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans meets: Seal population study
  • 1100 ET: Moncton, NB - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh speaks to reporters. 
  • 1215 ET: London, ON - PM  Trudeau and Housing and Infrastructure Min Sean Fraser make a housing announcement and speak to reporters. 
  • 1230 ET: London, ON - Labour Min Seamus O'Regan tours a Western University project
  • 1400 ET: Moncton, NB - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh meets with Acadian community groups.
  • 1415 ET: London, ON -   The Liberal National National Caucus will meet.
  • 1500 ET: Moncton, NB - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh meets with NB labour leaders
  • 1600 ET: Richmond, BC - Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre speaks about natural health products.
  • 1800 ET: Moncton, NB - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh attends the NDP nomination meeting in the riding of Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe.
  • 2030 ET: Vancouver - Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre speaks with supporters at Rosh Hashanah reception.
  • 2200 ET: Vancouver - Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre meets with members of the Chinese community.
Issued this day ...
... in 1979: Sc 836a se-tenant pair: Inuit - Shelter and Community. Design: Reinhard Derreth.
Canada Post issued four four-stamp issues from 1977 to 1980 that highlighted Inuit culture and this pair is from the third quartet in that set. Sc 836 “Building an Igloo” (left)  features the soapstone sculpture Five Eskimos Building an Igloo by Abraham of Povungnituk (1927-1994)  … . Sc 835 “Summer Tent” (right) features the print Summer Tent by Kiakshuk of Cape Dorset (1886-1966).

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