Poilievre’s hope. Health politics. Grok test. The Roundup

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Dec 22 2023

Poilievre’s hope. Health politics. Grok test. The Roundup

Dec 22, 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

Poll finds 2023 Poilievre ads spur same voter response as 2015 Trudeau ads

“What we’re seeing with Poilievre is that Poilievre is doing in 2023 what Trudeau did in 2015. He’s now grabbing the ‘hope agenda,'” said Greg Lyle of polling firm Innovative Research. “He’s becoming the party of hope. And Trudeau is now become the party of the status quo.” [Global]

COVID-19 leaves lessons to learn, Trudeau says amid rapid test controversy

Canada needs to learn from the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says amid controversy surrounding its rapid test purchases. [Global]

Is Justin Trudeau dating? What PM said in Quebec year-end interviews

Trudeau is known to be more candid with French-language media and this year was no exception, with hosts asking him if he was dating anyone. [National Post]

[Press release] Government of Canada approves sale of HSBC Bank Canada to the Royal Bank of Canada with conditions

Today, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance ... approved the sale of HSBC Bank Canada (HSBC) to Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), subject to strict terms and conditions imposed on RBC. Conditions include providing financing to build affordable housing. [Government of Canada]

Let's Talk Budget 2024

Pre-budget consultations are an opportunity for Canadians from across the country to share their ideas and priorities for how the government can build an economy that works for everyone. What is most important to you? What challenges do you see ahead? The Government seeks your input on next year's budget. [Government of Canada]

From the provinces

Alberta directed removal of COVID, flu references in fall vaccine campaign, documents show

Documents show the provincial government also instructed the health authority to limit information on the benefits and efficacy of vaccination. [Globe and Mail]

Premier responds to Globe and Mail report that province directed AHS to remove COVID, flu references in ads

Dr. James Talbot, an adjunct professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta, and the province's former chief medical officer of health, said the behaviour described is "not just outrageous, it's idiotic. To tell Alberta Health Services it has to cut out what the benefits of taking the vaccine are, is to make any kind of campaign that they put out a waste of money," Talbot said. [CBC]

Elsewhere

EVs and hybrids had a noticeable effect on US fuel consumption, says EPA

Record-low carbon emissions and record-high fuel economy, and the biggest improvement year on year for almost a decade. [Ars Technica]

China bans export of rare earths processing tech over national security

China, the world's top processor of rare earths, banned the export of technology to make rare earth magnets on Thursday, adding it to a ban already in place on technology to extract and separate the critical materials. [Reuters]

Media

How a Global News investigation into federal pandemic contracts unfolded

Global News ran standard checks on all 17 suppliers that won contracts for rapid tests. BTNX stood out, so Global News traced the company’s supply chains around the world. [Global]