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Oct 9 2023

Stranded in Israel. Kinew’s message. Sound lesson. The Roundup

Oct 9, 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
Canadians stuck in Israel as flights are cancelled, embassy closed for Thanksgiving
Some Canadians said they were stuck in Israel amid deadly fighting Sunday, as airlines cancelled flights out of the country and reaching the Canadian Embassy on a holiday weekend proved difficult. [CP]
The Prime Minister unequivocally condemned Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israel and expressed Canada’s full support for Israel’s right to defend itself. The Prime Minister and ministers considered the latest developments, their concern for the loss of civilian life, and Canada’s close engagement with partners and allies in the international community.
Related: 
[Prime Minister's Office]
The move comes amid a push for more competition in Canada's grocery sector as well as on other consumer goods, as inflation continues to impact Canadians' wallets. [Global]
As Canada's population continues to grow, high-frequency rail could play an important role in helping ease transportation woes — and help tackle climate change, experts say. [Global]
From the provinces
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is speaking out against a series of events being held that celebrate attacks against Israel that have left more than 700 people dead and thousands more injured. [CP24]
Brandon Burley has a new job, one day after announcing his resignation as Mayor for the City of Morden. Today, Burley was named a member of Manitoba premier designate, Wab Kinew's, transition advisory team. The 11-member team includes representation that spans the province ... [Pembina Valley Online]
Colby Cosh: Maybe only [Kinew] could win an election for the NDP and say that a government can’t put your life back together unless you meet it halfway. [National Post]
 At the government offices at Marysville Place, there's a line of EV chargers. And there's one fast charger, right in front of Environment and Climate Change Minister Gary Crossman's reserved parking space.  [Telegraph-Journal]
New constituency maps that will be used in Saskatchewan’s next general election in 2024 are now available on the Elections Saskatchewan website. The new constituencies come into effect at the time of the next provincial election, scheduled for October 28, 2024. [Elections Saskatchewan]
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Elsewhere

Israel’s defense minister said the authorities would block deliveries of food, water and fuel into the Gaza Strip. Israeli troops were still fighting Palestinian militants in border areas, two days after an invasion that has left hundreds dead. [NYT]
A former deputy national security advisor for Israel is calling the attack by Hamas this weekend an "earthquake" for the country and people's sense of security. [Global]
The state’s congressional redistricting illustrates how gerrymandering hollows out the political center and strengthens the fringe, experts say. It also helps explain Kevin McCarthy’s downfall. [WaPo]
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Sci/Tech
How to Make the Audio in Your Projects Sound Better
The right hardware and software — combined with time to learn — can improve the soundtrack in your videos, podcasts and other creative endeavors. Audacity has been one of my indispensable tools for years. It's fabulous.  [NYT] 
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has Apple's most advanced camera system to date, with an updated 48-megapixel lens, improved Ultra Wide lens, and a new 5x Zoom. [MacRumors]
Issued this day ...
... in 1982. Sc 945ax - Booklet Stamps. Design: Raymond Bellemare.
I am not one of those (yet) who collects booklet stamps but I am partial to stamps that feature my line of work: politics and journalism. And so I was happy to collect all 10 booklets which have the Scott catalogue number BK84 as they feature drawings on their cover of all ten provincial legislatures. Mind you, the catalogue is vague on the precise issue date. It could have been this day in 1982 but the catalogue only says “October 1982.” So it could have been this day tomorrow or this day yesterday.

 In any event, the booklet contained four of Raymond Bellemare’s “Maple Leaf” design stamps: 2 x 5¢, an 8¢ and a 32¢. Then there’s an exhortation to “Collect Canadian Stamps.”

The front and back covers of this booklet, as I mentioned, feature red ink drawings of the 10 provincial legislatures. For today’s highlight, I chose the Manitoba Legislature as it was the one I most recently visited during the just-concluded Manitoba election.
 
Acquiring the whole set of 10, by the way, is not a terribly expensive proposition. The catalogue price for each booklet is $1.50 but you could probably pick up the whole set for $10 or less.

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