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Jul 10 2025

The Roundup: Rule review. Liquor deal. AI fight.

THU JUL 10 2025
David Akin's Roundup
Rule review. Liquor deal. AI fight. 
Canada
New insight on alleged anti-government militia in Quebec
Four Quebec men, including two active members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), are facing terrorism charges for planning to create an anti-government militia and seize land near Quebec City. Touria Izri speaks with the father of one suspect about the allegations and the arrest. [Global National]

When asked about the copper tariffs, Industry Minister Melanie Joly said she had not yet seen any executive order on the proposed levies. [Global]
Tariff negotiations between the two top trading partners are on a different track from those the U.S. is pursuing with other nations. But Canada may not get a better outcome. [NYT]

Wednesday's announcement said Ali has asked each minister to review regulations and "propose actions and measures to eliminate red tape." It said organizations would have 60 days to undertake their reviews and report on progress to Ali, and the process would be overseen by a newly created Red Tape Reduction Office. [CBC]
The federal Conservatives raised a record amount of money in 2024 and ramped up their spending in a major way ahead of the federal election, according to records filed with Elections Canada. [CP]
This is the transition binder prepared for Steven MacKinnon in March for his role in Carney's first pre-election cabinet. Minister MacKinnon would take on a new role, after the election, as Government House Leader. Patty Hajdu now has his job but I suspect the briefing binder she received from the department would be very similar to the one MacKinnon got in March. An excellent resource for anyone reporting on or interacting with this sprawling department that touches millions of Canadians every month. - DA
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The Provinces
Provinces agree to direct-to-consumer alcohol sales by 2026
 Most of Canada's provinces and territories have agreed to remove trade barriers for alcohol by spring of 2026. Neetu Garcha explains the cautious optimism within the industry, and the obstacles still needing to be sorted out. [Global National]

The $10-a-day child care program, announced in 2021, was a signature policy of former prime minister Justin Trudeau and had a 2026 goal to implement services nationwide. [Global]
Aurora
Elsewhere
Newsom blasts Trump during South Carolina tour as California governor stokes 2028 speculation
California Gov. Gavin Newsom embarked Tuesday on a two-day swing through rural South Carolina as the high-profile Democrat seeks to position himself as a leader for a party in rebuilding mode while simultaneously stoking fresh speculation about a potential 2028 presidential bid. [CNN]

U.S. President Donald Trump says he will implement a 50 per cent tariff on Brazil starting August 1, and cites the trial of former president Bolsonaro. [Global]
Media
CEO of Elon Musk’s X, Linda Yaccarino, resigns
Yaccarino did not give a reason for her decision to step down from the social media platform, which has become increasingly controversial since Musk bought it in 2022. [WaPo] (🎁 link)
As attacks on journalists escalate across the U.S., Maria Ressa is sounding the alarm: the dismantling of press freedom is happening faster than most Americans realize. From federal lawsuits against newsrooms to armed crackdowns on reporters covering protests, a coordinated campaign of intimidation is taking shape. “This feels like déjà vu and PTSD,” Ressa warned, recalling how Duterte’s government crushed independent media in the Philippines. Now, with lawsuits, shutdown orders and threats of license revocations piling up, U.S. journalists are facing a defining test of whether they will fight to defend a free press — or watch it slip away. [Editor & Publisher]

The union’s members allege that the AI provisions in their contract have been violated, and they’re preparing for a groundbreaking legal dispute with management. The outcome could set a precedent for how much input journalists ultimately have over how AI is used in their newsrooms. [Wired]

Press releases remain crucial tools for parties to get their messages into the media, while social media and parliamentary speeches also matter, albeit with varying effects by party. We also find that online news is more receptive to party messages than print, television, or radio news. Despite these differences, journalistic gate-keeping consistently favors large and government parties across all media types. [International Journal of Press/Politics]
Science and Technology
The losses could endanger the administration’s plans for landing astronauts on the moon and Mars. [Politico]
The Calendar
  • 1000 : Peterborough, ON - LPC MP Emma Harrison makes an infrastructure funding announcement. 
  • 1015 : Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Foreign Affairs Min Anita Anand speaks to reporters.
  • 1100 : Vancouver - Industry Min Melanie Joly and Infrastructure Min Gregor Robertson speak to the Board of Trade.
  • 1145 : Calgary, - Immigration Min Lena Metlege Diab attends a citizenship ceremony.
  • 1330 : Montreal - FEDDEV and AI Min Evan Solomon makes a funding announcement
Issued this day ...
… in 2015. Sc 2850. Alice Munro. Design: Paul Haslip, Marcio Morgado.
Munro (1931-2024) was the first Canadian woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.

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