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Dec 30 2023

Second best. Legault lagging. CBC redefinition. The Roundup

Dec 30, 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
Best Countries in the World
Explore the U.S. News Best Countries overall rankings and see where each country ranks across 73 different metrics. We're number two! We're number two! [US News and World Report]

The Bank of Canada's policy rate could act as a barometer for the housing market in 2024, with rate cuts potentially bringing home buyers and sellers off the sidelines. [Global]
John Ibbitson: A Trump victory in the 2024 presidential election would mean that Canada’s closest friend and ally would no longer be either. [Globe and Mail]
From the provinces
Drivers using Highway 407 ETR will soon see tolls increase. The privately owned 108-kilometre stretch of roadway will have a new rate schedule take effect on Feb. 1. 
For more than four years, Quebec's governing Coalition Avenir Québec enjoyed a political honeymoon that lasted through the COVID-19 pandemic and helped the party get re-elected in 2022. [CP]
Elsewhere
Russia's biggest air attack of war kills 31 in Ukraine, officials say
Russia unleashed its biggest air attack of the war on Ukraine on Friday, killing 31 civilians, wounding more than 160 others and hitting cities and infrastructure across the country, officials said. [Reuters]
It's been called the biggest year for democracy since democracy began. More than a third of the world's population go to the polls in 2024 to elect leaders, including Taiwan, Russia, India and the United States. But that doesn't mean democracy is thriving. [Reuters]
Albania’s Parliament said it suffered a cyberattack with hackers trying to get into its data system, resulting in a temporary halt in its services. [Security Week]
China has appointed a new defense minister after months of uncertainty following the firing of his predecessor for reasons that have yet to be explained. [AP]
Media
St-Onge wants CBC role redefined before next election, possible change of government
The role of the public broadcaster should be redefined before the next federal election, Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge says, as the Liberals hedge against a possible change in government. [CP]
Nicole MacAdam, former editor-in-chief of he Ottawa Citizen shared her honest reflection on decision to leave journalism. Powerful essay from a former colleague ... [The Honest Talk]

MSNBC, NPR, Vox Media and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution are all aiming to capitalize on interest in the criminal cases against President Donald J. Trump with the shows. [NYT]
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Sci/Tech
How urban beekeeping in Canadian city might be driving the native species away
In her research, Quebec researcher Gail McInnis found that the rapid growth in urban beekeeping was negatively impacting nearby wild bee populations. [Global]

The Engadget team's pick of the worst things that happened in tech in 2023. Musk. Twitter. Surface tablet. Halo Hardware. E3. Cryptocurrency. Reddit. [Endgadget]
Issued this day ...
Issued this day 1987: Scott #1162: Domestic First-Class-Rate. Design: Yousuf Karsh, Tom Yakobina, Chris Candish.
Yes, this is the same photograph and same stamp design you saw three days ago in this newsletter on Sc 1357. This Karsh portrait of Queen Elizabeth II comes from a portrait session in 1984 when the Queen was 58. The portrait was then used as the annual definitive stamp first on this day in 1987 and then again eight times on stamps that were issued through until 2000. So, the final stamp (Sc 1683) featuring the Karsh portrait of the 58-year-old monarch was issued in the year the monarch turned 74.

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