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Apr 25 2024

Repatriation refusal. Tories strayed. NPR’s crisis: The Roundup

Apr 25, 2024
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
Canada refused to repatriate woman from ISIS camp because she can’t be arrested: internal memo
The last Canadian woman trying to return from a detention camp in Syria is a national security risk because police lack evidence to arrest her, according to internal documents.[Global]
Justin Trudeau, Doug Ford and Honda executives are expected to announce the automaker is building an electric vehicle battery plant in Alliston part of a $15-billion investment. [Global]
Despite popularity of various measures, budget appears to have no immediate effect on vote intention. [Angus Reid Institute]
As the Liberals try to reverse their political fortunes with the latest federal budget, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ratcheted up attacks against his Conservative opponent on Wednesday, tying him to a far-right American figure. [CP]
Justin Trudeau, facing record-low approval numbers, is doubling down on his progressive agenda. But he is so upbeat (and Canada-polite) that it’s easy to miss just how radical his vision is. Can he make it work? [Freakonomics]
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he is considering personally reactivating his TikTok account, as the U.S. moves towards a ban on the popular social media platform. [Global]
At least three nominees have come forward for the role of NWT Conservative candidate at the next federal election. Here's the list so far. With the release of some new polls this week, my model now has the riding of Northwest Territories swinging to the NDP. by about 200 votes. So call that a toss-up. CPC, though, still in third in the model with about half the votes of both the NDP and LPC.  [Cabin Radio]
Former political adviser says Trudeau government to blame for rising costs. When CPC MP Ed Fast told me he was retiring, he suggested there could be a dozen fighting for this Conservative stronghold. Well, we've got four already.  [Abbotsford News]
From the Provinces
Tories ‘strayed’ from values, seek ‘way back’
“Many of you have expressed that you did not feel the 2023 provincial election campaign aligned with your values or the values you believed aligned with the PC Party of Manitoba,” the survey said as the PCs prepare to elect a new leader April 26, 2025. [Winnipeg Free Press]

The Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) continues to lose ground to the Parti québécois (PQ) in voter intentions, according to Pallas Data latest’s poll. [CityNews]
The Montreal mayor's remarks came on the heels of a new study by the Office Québécois de la Langue Française on how shoppers are welcomed by merchants. [Global]
During a stop in Mount Pearl on Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland skated around questions of her working relationship with Premier Andrew Furey following his repeated criticism of the federal carbon tax. [CBC]
Elsewhere
President Joe Biden signed a hard-fought bill into law on Wednesday that provides billions of dollars of new U.S. aid to Ukraine for its war with Russia, notching a rare bipartisan victory for the president as he seeks reelection and ending months of wrangling with Republicans in Congress. [Reuters]
Pedro Sanchez said he would step back from public duties "for a few days" to decide if he wants to continue leading the government amid a business corruption probe into his wife. [Global]
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Media
Inside the Crisis at NPR
Listeners are tuning out. Sponsorship revenue has dipped. A diversity push has generated internal turmoil. Can America’s public radio network turn things around? [NYT]

Design lead and doctoral researcher Maggie Mustaklem on why we should move on from outdated images of artificial intelligence. [Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism]
Come work with me and my colleagues in Global's Parliamentary Bureau. Great contract opportunity. The successful candidate has a proven record of breaking major stories, building a network of sources and contacts, and delivering to tight deadlines with strong editorial judgement. They have a passion for politics, understand how to work quickly and collaboratively to distill complex information into compelling and understandable stories – both from the bureau and in the field. [LinkedIn]
Science and Tech
If you're looking to change key functions on your computer's keyboard in Windows or macOS, these methods can help. [PCMag]
David Gewirtz: I threw my suite of simple coding tests against Meta AI. The results proved there's really only one AI chatbot worth your time for programming. [ZDNet]
The Calendar
  • 1000 ET: Alliston, ON - PM Trudeau , Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland, Innovation Science and Industry Min François-Philippe Champagne and Premier Doug Ford make a funding announcement. 
  • 1100 ET: Nickel Belt, ON - Intl Development Min Ahmed Hussen and LPC MP Marc Serré speak about the electric vehicle supply chain.
  • 1130 ET: Yellowknife - PrairiesCAN Min Dan Vandal , Defence Min Bill Blair and LPC MP Michael McLeod speak about Budget 2024.
  • 1130 ET: Trois-Rivieres, QC - BQ Leader Yves-François Blanchet and BQ MP René Villemure speak to reporters.
  • 1130 ET: Whitehorse - CEDQR Min Soraya Martinez Ferrada speaks at a tourism conference.
  • 1300 ET: Saskatoon - Foreign Affairs Min Melanie Joly speaks about the electric vehicle supply chain.
  • 1300 ET: Oshawa, ON - Health Min Mark Holland speaks about the electric vehicle supply chain.
  • 1345 ET: Delta, BC - Immigration Min Marc Miller , Diversity Min Kamal Khera, and Small Business Min Rechie Valdez speak about the electric vehicle supply chain.
  • 1400 ET: Dartmouth, NS - Crown-Indigenous Affairs Min Gary Anandasangaree speaks about the electric vehicle supply chain.
  • 2100 ET: Lethbridge, AB -  The first Alberta NDP Leadership race debate begins.
Issued this day ...
… in  2019: Scott #3178: Vancouver Asahi. Design: Subplot Design Inc.
This round stamp was issued to to draw attention to the story of the Vancouver Asahi amateur baseball team first formed in 1914  during a period of overt anti-Asian racism in B.C. But, according to the Canada Post note issued at the time of this stamp’s release,  “the team thrilled fans and outwitted competitors with a unique strategy of bunts, base stealing, speed and squeeze plays that the media dubbed “brain ball.”
The Asahi became one of the city’s most dominant amateur teams and between 1919 and 1941, won multiple league titles in Vancouver and along the Pacific northwest. However, the team was forced to disband after Canada declared war on Japan and interned more than 20,000 Japanese living on the west coast, most of them Canadian citizens.
The Asahi ultimately earned their place in the BC Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
The stamp features the 1940 team photograph, which includes Kaye Kaminishi (back row, second from left) – the Asahi’s last living team member.”

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