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Jun 12 2025

The Roundup: Singh Surveiled. Election myths. Moe's retreat.

THU JUN 12 2024
David Akin's Roundup
Singh Surveiled. Election myths. Moe's retreat.
Canada
Indian agent had Jagmeet Singh under close surveillance
The incident, detected in late 2023, prompted police to place tight security around the NDP leader. [Global]
June 2025 Political Update
In our latest poll, we examine a the post-election rebound in national confidence, unity, and trust, as well as the lasting impacts of polarization and disinformation. [Ekos Politics]
  • Some interesting observations here: 
  • On vote intention, Ekos finds the same state of play as Nanos: NDP support has doubled since the election -- and resignation of its leader --- while Conservative support has dropped 10 points -- even at its leader vows to stay on. Liberals essentially unchanged from e-day support. 
  • "The bigger threat to the stability of Parliament is not the Conservatives, but the NDP (at least in the short term) . The NDP has nothing but upside to an early election" Agree!! 
  • Pierre Poilievre has seen his approval rating fall to an all-time low 
David Coletto: I thought it was worth setting the record straight on five of the most common myths or perspectives I’ve heard about the 2025 election. Some of these myths contain a grain of truth. But most oversimplify what was a complicated election shaped by two dominant forces: a desire for change at home and anxiety about what’s happening south of our borders. [The Conversation]

The Bloc Quebecois has argued the internal trade portion of Bill C-5 could be passed quickly, but called for a separate study of the changes to major project reviews. [Global]
Prime Minister Mark Carney has recruited Hydro‑Québec CEO Michael Sabia to take over as the country’s top bureaucrat to advance his ambitious agenda. Mr. Sabia had served as deputy minister of finance before he left government in 2023 to serve as head of the Quebec pension plan and later Hydro‑Québec. The current Clerk of the Privy Council John Hannaford announced Wednesday that he will leaving the government as the head of the public service and top adviser to the Prime Minister. [Globe and Mail]

A University of Toronto research group that has been monitoring the meetings of world leaders since 1998 says its analysis shows Canadian protests are more peaceful and smaller. But similar to the recent demonstrations in Los Angeles, they're likely to be against the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump. [CP]
David McGrane: History shows alliance with Liberals leads to electoral disaster. How New Dems can regain their identity. [The Tyee]
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The Provinces
The province “will be returning to its standard procurement processes and documentation,” the government confirmed  “This change was made to allow Saskatchewan people the option to choose where they want to buy these products or consider alternatives,” it says. [Regina Leader-Post]
John Abbott said Wednesday that rather than proceed with a costly trial that could end with a judge asking him to leave his seat, he'll do it himself. His decision will allow the court case to end, he said, adding, "We won the election." [CP]

"We're talking to all of the pipeline proponents; anyone who has had success in building a pipeline in Canada and has an interest in perhaps coming together as a consortium. Or, if one emerges as being a principal proponent, then we'll be interested in talking to them, too," Smith told reporters following a speech to the Global Energy Show. [CP]
Chris Wiebe, who ran as the NDP candidate in the southeastern Manitoba constituency of Dawson Trail in 2023 and also served as the party's vice-president for southern and southeastern portions of the province, gave up his NDP membership in March. [CBC]
Aurora
Elsewhere
Bragg Soldiers Who Cheered Trump's Political Attacks While in Uniform Were Checked for Allegiance, Appearance
One unit-level message bluntly saying: "No fat soldiers. ... If soldiers have political views that are in opposition to the current administration and they don't want to be in the audience then they need to speak with their leadership and get swapped out," another note to troops said. [Military.com]

On May 12, the Justice Department asked Colorado's secretary of state to turn over "all records" relating to 2024 federal elections, as well as preserve any records that remain from the 2020 election — a sprawling request several voting experts and officials told NPR was highly unusual and concerning, given President Trump's false claims about elections. [NPR]
Media

Corus Radio has made a round of sweeping layoffs that include the majority of on-air staff at its Ottawa stations, JUMP! 106.9 (CKQB-FM) and boom 99.7 (CJOT-FM). [Broadcast Dialogue]
Science and Technology
Apple’s AI-driven Stem Splitter audio separation tech has hugely improved in a year
In 2024, Apple rolled out the Stem Splitter feature in Logic 11. Powered by AI tools and requiring Apple Silicon in order to work, Stem Splitter could "recover moments of inspiration from any audio file and separate nearly any mixed audio recording into four distinct parts: Drums, Bass, Vocals, and Other instruments, right on the device," Apple said. "With these tracks separated, it’s easy to apply effects, add new parts, or change the mix." [Ars Technica]
The Calendar
  • 0900 : Gatineau, QC - LPC MP Sophie Chatel and Senator Rosa Galvez speak about legislation to protect Gatineau Park.
  • 1000 : 135B West Block - Representatives of The Movember Institute of Men's Health speak to reporters.
  • 1015 : Senate Foyer - BQ Leader Yves-François Blanchet and BQ MP Yves Perron speak s about C-202.
  • 1100 : 135B West Block, - World Sikh representatives speak about the G7.
  • 1130 : NPT- PRAIRIESCan Min Eleanor Oszewski , NRCAN Min Tim Hodgson, Indigenous Services Min Mandy Gull-Masty, and Environment MIn Julie Dabrusin speak about wildfires.
Issued this day ...
… in 1987. Sc 1124 CAPEX 87.  Design: John Mardon. 
The CAPEX 87 International Philatelic Exhibition was held in Toronto from Jun 13 to 21 in 1987. It was the third time Canada hosted the exhibition and, in honour of that occasion, Canada Post issued four stamps plus a souvenir sheet featuring post offices. Scott 1124 pictured here has the post office in Saint-Ours, Qc which opened in 1940 and which Canada Post said was an example “of a building specially adapted to the heritage character of its community.” It’s still there today. 

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