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Mar 31 2023

Spyware ban. UCP quitter. America’s test.

Mar 31, 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
Interim RCMP commissioner hasn’t read mass casualty report but ‘committed to go through’ recommendations
The Mass Casualty Commission's final report on the April 2020 shooting included 130 recommendations, 75 about policing. [Global]
Federal Vote Deep Dive: Despite national lead, major urban centres represent a significant obstacle for CPC
Liberals hold significant advantage in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver; CPC dominate in Albertan metros [Angus Reid Institute]

Ottawa’s approval would allow the transfer of Shaw’s wireless licences to Quebecor’s Videotron, paving the way for Rogers to close its $20-billion takeover of Shaw. [Globe and Mail]
Biden issued an executive order on Monday aimed at restricting the U.S. government’s use of spyware that poses risks to national security. [Global]
Ottawa Police are investigating an attempted break-in at the residence of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's national security advisor, the second such incident involving one of his top aides in recent months. [CTV]
Most households paying the federal carbon levy on fuel will see a “net loss” in the coming years even after rebates meant to cover the costs of the tax are taken into account, Parliament’s budget watchdog estimated Thursday. [TorStar]
Cabinet member Dominic LeBlanc was found to have breached conflict-of-interest rules in 2018 for approving a lucrative fishing licence for a company run by a family member. [Global]
The Canada Revenue Agency will pilot a new automatic system next year to help vulnerable Canadians who don't file their taxes get their benefits. [Global]
From the provinces
B.C. to expand use of civil forfeiture to go after potential proceeds of money laundering
The B.C. government has introduced legislation that will expand the use of the Civil Forfeiture Act to go after proceeds of laundered money in the province. The amendments to the act include the creation of unexplained wealth orders. I'm very certain that the reporting my colleague Sam Cooper has done on this issue has been a big driver in this important move. [CBC]

Dennis King was attending the wake of Alberton Mayor David Gordon, who died Saturday, when the immigration and race forum was being held in Charlottetown. The Progressive Conservatives say organizers wouldn't accept a non-leader substitute. [CBC]

While legal critics say Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s phone call with a street pastor facing criminal charges related to last year’s border blockade was inappropriate, the deputy premier defends his boss. [Edmonton Journal]

In the video criticized on social media, Torry Tanner said teachers are showing pornographic material to children as young as five and helping them change their gender identity. [Global]

Candice Bergen has signed on to co-chair the Manitoba Progressive Conservative election campaign, weeks after resigning her seat in the House of Commons. [CP]

An Ontario Liberal member of provincial parliament says she is joining the race to be Toronto's next mayor, adding another high-profile name to an already-crowded field of contenders. [CP]
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Elsewhere
This podcast was published March 24 but, given current events, is definitely worth a listen. The New Yorker's plugged-in Washington bureau hashes out: "As the country braces for an indictment in Manhattan, our political roundtable looks at the precedents and politics behind the many criminal investigations into the former President." Key moment for me is when Susan Glasser recalls interview she did with Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen -- the key witness, apparently for the State of New York -- in which Cohen apparently said these indictments are the things that "keep Trump awake at night." [New Yorker]
An American cybersecurity firm says a Chinese hacking group that is likely state-sponsored and has been linked previously to attacks on U.S. state government computers is still “highly active” and is focusing on a broad range of targets that may be of strategic interest to China’s government and security services.  [AP]
Media
For what it's worth: I had/have a Twitter blue-check under the last ownership but I, too, am not paying for a blue-check. The blue-check, IMO, was a benefit for Twitter not for me. Twitter ought to be paying me. Not the other way around. - DA

The six newspapers had already dropped from daily to weekly, and will now publish only online. [Ottawa Citizen]
Tech
Fusion Energy: Potentially Transformative Technology Still Faces Fundamental Challenges
Nuclear fusion could produce electricity without carbon emissions or long-lasting nuclear waste. However, this technology faces challenges before it can produce commercial electricity. [US Government Accountability Office]
Tucked into the 2023 federal budget unveiled on Tuesday in Ottawa, the Liberals have announced plans to explore implementing a standard charging port across Canada, in an effort to save Canadians some money and reduce waste. [CTV]
Issued this day ...
... in 1978: Sc #762a se-tenant pair PB: 1978 Commonwealth Games. Design: Stuart Bradley Ash. 
I've said it before and I'll say it again: These stamps are hideous. Sorry. 
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