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Jan 23 2024

Ross v Bachrach. Transit strike. TikTok rules: The Roundup

Jan 23, 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
Head vs. Heart: 2-in-3 Liberal voters are more motivated to block the CPC than back a party they’re passionate about
"A new year is revealing a massive gap in enthusiasm between the two parties most likely to form government after the next federal election. New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds the Conservatives maintain a significant advantage in both sheer vote intent numbers as well as motivation." [Angus Reid Institute]
David Coletto: As the window closes on replacing Trudeau, my gut and my polling tells me he isn't the leader for the times. [Abacus Data]
The Conservative Party of Canada is thrilled to announce Ellis Ross as the new common sense Conservative candidate in Skeena—Bulkley Valley. Ellis Ross is a proud British Columbian and former Chief of the Haisla Nation. He has served the people of Skeena as the MLA since 2017. Ross was the Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing, and is currently the Critic for Energy & LGN. [Conservative Party of Canada]
Akin's notes: Ross, an Indigenous leader, won election to the provincial legislature twice as a BC Liberal and served in Christy Clark's cabinet. He represents, IMO, a significant challenge to incumbent NDP MP Taylor Bachrach, a former mayor of Smithers. Bachrach was first elected MP in 2019, succeeding New Democrat Nathan Cullen who held the riding from its creation in 2004. 
The Liberals are not expected to be much of a factor here. The fight for the seat will be a straight up Orange-Blue battle between Bachrach and Ellis. Bachrach won in 2021 with 43% to the Conservative's 36%. - DA
The federal New Democrats are holding a three-day caucus retreat in Alberta's capital, a place where the party would like to grow its support. [CP]

Mary Robinson is a globally recognized leader in the agricultural sector. A proud Atlantic Canadian, she currently serves as the Vice-President of the World Farmers’ Organisation and is a managing partner of the Robinson Group of Companies, a 6th-generation farm and agribusiness in Prince Edward Island. She is the past President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and the first woman to hold that position. She serves as an inspirational leader for women in agriculture throughout Canada. [PMO]

The federal government is putting a temporary cap on the number of international students allowed to come to Canada. The problems Ottawa says it's trying to solve by introducing the measure, the potential repercussions for foreign students – and how long it’s expected to last. Abigail Bimman reports. [Global National]
A Quebec man has pleaded guilty to uttering threats toward Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Quebec Premier François Legault in a series of online videos. [Global]
Dying with Dignity Canada played a huge part in the legalization of MAID. Few have the resources to oppose them. [The Walrus]
Philippe Lagassé: Forget about a bipartisan consensus on defence. Our parties don't even have coherent partisan approaches. [Substack]
Douglas Todd: The honorary commander of the regiment is tired of Canada’s armed forces being treated as a punching bag, targets of multiple accusations, including racism [Vancouver Sun]
From the provinces
B.C. considers ‘special mediator’ for transit strike as thousands impacted by stoppage
Labour Minister Harry Bains presented the option Monday after picket lines went up at major transit centres in Metro Vancouver, where bus and SeaBus service was suspended. [Global]

The Alberta government is opening up a new front in its fight with the federal government. [CBC]
SaskPower announced the contractor that will be creating the largest solar facility in Saskatchewan. [Global]

The World Mayor prize has been handed out since 2004 by the City Mayors Foundation based in London, U.K. It recognizes “a mayor and city that have made outstanding contributions to friendship, partnership and cooperation between towns and cities at home and across borders,” according to the foundations website. [SaltWire]
Elsewhere
U.S. Department of Justice preparing legal brief as both sides appeal Line 5 decision
The U.S. government has been asked to explain to a federal appeals court precisely how it believes the country's 1977 pipeline treaty with Canada should impact efforts to shut down the controversial cross-border Line 5. [CP]
Turkey's parliament is widely expected to approve Sweden's NATO membership bid on Tuesday, clearing the biggest remaining hurdle to expanding the Western military alliance. [Reuters]
Alternative for Germany chief Alice Weidel says she will hold a referendum on EU membership if elected. [FT]
Media
TikTok, Instagram influencers need more rules for drug ads
Influencers with no medical training regularly use TikTok and Instagram to promote prescription drugs. It’s time for more rules. [Stat]
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Sci/Tech

Electric vehicles fail at a lower rate than gas-powered cars in the extreme cold, according to a road assistance service in Norway. [Electrek]
Lamborghini licenses MIT’s new high-capacity, fast-charging organic battery tech
Researchers have been scrambling to find alternative materials for lithium-ion batteries, from manganese to sodium. Now they might have another: TAQ. [Tech Crunch]
The Calendar
  • 0830 ET: Montreal - PM Trudeau speaks to reporters. 
  • 0900 ET: Chicoutimi, QC - BQ Leader Yves-François Blanchet speaks to reporters.
  • 1000 ET: Montreal - PM Trudeau will meet with his cabinet
  • 1100 ET: 135B West Block,  -  National Association of Women and the Law representatives speak to reporters.
  • 1100 ET: Edmonton  -  The NDP national caucus will meet.
  • 1115 ET: North Bay, ON - LPC MP Anthony Rota makes a funding announcement. 
  • 1400 ET: Chicoutimi, QC - BQ Leader Yves-François Blanchet and BQ MPs Mario Simard, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Yves Perron, and Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay speak to reporters.
  • 1400 ET: Edmonton - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh speaks to reporters.
  • 1700 ET: Chicoutimi, QC - BQ Leader Yves-François Blanchet marks five years as leader of the Bloc Quebecois.
  • 2000 ET: Vancouver - LPC MP Marc Serré speaks at an AME Roundup event.
  • 2000 ET: Edmonton - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh hosts a town hall meeting.
  • 2130 ET: Victoria - GPC MP Elizabeth  May hosts a town hall style meeting.
  • 2130 ET: Prince Rupert, BC - Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre speaks to supporters.
Issued this day ...
Issued this day in  1956: Scott #359: Hockey. Design: James Simpkins.

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