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Apr 20 2023

PSAC message. Ground Game 101. Tank loan.

Apr 20, 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
Freeland accused of being ‘smug’, ‘clueless’ after Disney+ comment
"I said to the kids, 'You're older now. You don't watch Disney anymore. Let's cut that Disney Plus subscription,''' Freeland told Global News in an interview.
The defence department is adopting new ways to determine whether companies can actually meet their commitments when bidding on contracts. [Global]
A new report says a leaked Pentagon assessment says Canada's "widespread" military deficiencies are "straining partner relationships and alliance contributions." [Global]
More than 155,000 PSAC members, including 35,000 workers in the union’s tax unit, went on strike Wednesday after failing to reach a deal on a new agreement with the government. [Global]
As a major federal workers' strike kicks off, picket lines are being set up in over 250 locations across the country, according to the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC). [Global]
Interim ethics commissioner Martine Richard, who is also the sister-in-law of Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc, will be stepping down effective immediately. [Global[
From the provinces

In an email, the party stated that Zulkifl Mujahid "has been named in legal matters that will be ongoing during the writ period." [Edmonton Journal]
He requested that the companies respond to his letter within 30 days detailing their respective statuses on the issue, and a joint plan to offer mobile service to all customers. [Global]
Some communities in Canada are embracing a 'nature economy.' It's the idea of protecting nature as a way of generating economic development. [Global]
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Elsewhere
NATO chief makes 1st visit to Ukraine since Russian invasion
Apart from the important symbolism of the visit, the exact purpose of NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's trip wasn't immediately clear. [Global]

Denmark and the Netherlands plan to provide Ukraine with at least 14 refurbished Leopard 2 battle tanks to be supplied from early 2024. Denmark’s foreign minister on Thursday called it “a significant donation” which came on top of a contribution by Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany to supply at least 100 Leopard 1A5 tanks. The Danish and Dutch defense ministers said the estimated cost of 165 million euros will be equally divided between the two NATO members. [AP]
Media
Writing Opinion Pieces as a Journalist
For journalists, writing opinion pieces takes a certain amount of courage and carries the risk of perceived bias. But by presenting rigorously reported arguments and maintaining transparency, journalists can use their expertise and lived experience to shape public conversation around issues they care most about. [The Open Notebook]

The federal Conservatives' top Quebec Tory says the party's concerns about the CBC do not apply to the broadcaster's French-language wing, but one of its senators suggests there is a need to look at its mandate. [CP]
Tech
Googling “heatmap format excel” returns a lot of results. Here we will see how to do a heatmap formatting with a DT in R. [R-bloggers]
Issued this day ...
... in 1984. Scott # 1011. Jacques Cartier. Design: Yves Paquin.
Issued to mark the 450th anniversary of the first voyage Cartier (1491-1557) made to what would become Canada. This was a joint issue with France, which put out an identical 2-franc stamp.
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