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Sep 16 2023

Rental debate. Debunking furries. Newspaper shutdowns: The Roundup

Sep 16, 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
Developers fear GST rebate on rental housing could raise prices
A skilled trades shortage could lead to more competition for workers and ultimately fail to drive down sky-high rents. [National Post]
The removal of GST for rentals in Canada is a welcome step to create more housing affordability but its impact on rents likely won't be felt any time soon, experts say. [Global]
A woman known as a QAnon-inspired conspiracy theorist who purports to be the "Queen of Canada" was forced out of Kamsack, Sask., on Wednesday. [CBC]
From the provinces
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs says he is not going anywhere, despite dissent earlier this year from within his Progressive Conservative party. [Global]
With Manitoba poised to make election history, front-runners contend with sexism, racism
Manitoba is expected to make history this election, no matter which of the two perceived front-runners vying for the premier’s seat comes out ahead. [CBC]
One week before the writ dropped, Arlene Last-Kolb stood atop the steps of the Manitoba legislature and kicked off a hot-button election debate: How should government care for those who use drugs? Don't think this is a ballot question in any MB riding but this is a question federal Conservatives spent a good chunk of time talking about at their recent policy convention.  [Wpg Free Press]
The five candidates to lead the Ontario Liberal Party each tell columnist Martin Regg Cohn why they are the best choice to defeat the Progressive Conservatives in the next provincial election. [TorStar]
Saskatchewan's Minister of Trade and Export Development Jeremy Harrison accuses Trudeau government as having “never treated the EPTA negotiations with India seriously.” [SaskToday]
Rumours have spread about the school division allowing children to identify as 'furries', promoting homosexuality, and sharing explicit materials [Global]
Elsewhere
Earth beyond six of nine planetary boundaries
This planetary boundaries framework update finds that six of the nine boundaries are transgressed, suggesting that Earth is now well outside of the safe operating space for humanity. [Science Advances]
This week's attacks against Russian targets are part of increased efforts to cut supply lines. [BBC]
(Researchers) identify 51 populist presidents and prime ministers from 1900 to 2020 and show that the economic cost of populism is high. After 15 years, GDP per capita is 10% lower compared to a plausible non-populist counterfactual. Economic disintegration, decreasing macroeconomic stability, and the erosion of institutions typically go hand in hand with populist rule. [American Economic Review]
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Media

Metroland Media Group is ending the print editions of its 70 community newspapers and is getting out of the flyer delivery business as it seeks protection under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act as part of a restructuring plan.
The move will see 605 jobs eliminated, including 68 journalists, which is about 60 per cent of Metroland’s total workforce. Around a third of the employees to be laid off work at Metroland’s flyer distribution operations, and another third are part-time staff. [KawarthaNOW]
News Media Canada announced the winners of its 2023 Canadian Community Newspaper Awards Friday and Nunatsiaq News was honoured with 11 awards, including four first-place finishes. [Nunatsiaq News]
Sci/Tech
An organization representing more than 150 Canadian tech companies is calling on the country to take a sensitive but speedy approach to artificial intelligence. [CP]

When we start learning a language, we soon find ourselves practicing how to ask for the time. [Open Culture]
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The Calendar
  • 1100 ET: Toronto - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh participates in a march to end fossil fuel use.
  • 1130 ET: Dusseldorf, Germany,  - Veterans Affairs Min Ginette Petitpas Taylor attends the 2025 Invictus Games.
  • 1230 ET: Toronto - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh attends the Roncessvalles Polish Festival.
  • 1250 ET: Montreal - PM Trudeau meets with UK Labour Party leader Keir Starmer.
  • 1320 ET: Montreal - PM Trudeau meets with Norway PM Jonas Gahr Støre.
  • 1400 ET: Montreal - Foreign Affairs Min Melanie Joly speaks at the Global Progress Summit 2023.
  • 1400 ET: Montreal - PM Trudeau meets with former UK PM Tony Blair.
  • 1430 ET: Montreal - PM Trudeau meets with former NZ PM Jacinda Ardern.
  • 1515 ET: Montreal - PM Trudeau speaks at the Global Progress Summit 2023.
Issued this day ...
Issued this day in 1946: Sc 268: King George VI Peace Issue -- Eastern Farm Scene. Design: Herman Herbert Schwarz.

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