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Nov 6 2023

Trudeau’s problem. SoCon Alberta. Quebec strike. The Roundup

Nov 6, 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
Premiers to focus on energy costs, health care at Halifax meeting of 13 leaders
The effect of carbon pricing measures on the rising cost of living across Canada is slated to take centre stage at this week's meeting of the country's 13 premiers and territorial leaders. [CP]
Why do people dislike Trudeau and is there a way back for the Liberals?
Among reasons that might sway them towards the Liberals are factors like a change in Liberal leadership, an improved economy, or apprehensions about the Conservative leadership. However, there isn't a singular dominating factor – a combination of events and shifts might be required to significantly swing the voter base. [Abacus Data]
Some charts 👇 I put together in the wake of the release of the third quarter fundraising numbers reported by each party:
▶︎ The Conservatives continue to raise more money than all other parties combined.
▶︎ Quarters where general elections occurred are shaded in yellow. Despite Conservative fundraising dominance, they lost all three elections in this period.
▶︎ For the current year, 2023, the NDP is the only party that has seen its revenue improve in each quarter.
▶︎ Reminder: Since 2007, donations to any entity registered with Elections Canada -- a party, riding association, candidate, et -- by a corporation, union, or NGO is prohibited. Only individual Canadians can donate and donations are capped at $1,700/year.
From the provinces
Social conservatives now in complete control of Danielle Smith's party
Don Braid: A general meeting that focused almost entirely on social-cultural issues shows social conservatives in complete control of UCP. [Calgary Herald]
B.C.'s ruling political power raised twice as much as rival B.C. United in past three months [Vancouver Sun]
Hundreds of thousands of Quebec public sector workers are off the job today in the first of a series of one-day strikes. [CP]
Prominent cardiologist, Dr. Eva Lonn, at McMaster University in Hamilton, is under review by the university after she called for pro-Palestinian rallygoers to be deported. [Global]
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Elsewhere
Vivian Silver's son was joined on 'The West Block' by Irwin Cotler, Canada’s now-former special envoy on preserving Holocaust remembrance and combating antisemitism. [Global]
Canadians trapped in the Gaza Strip who were previously told they could be allowed out over the weekend will have to wait longer for escape from the besieged Palestinian territory. [TorStar]
Media
TVO workers vote to accept deal with employer, ending 11-week strike
TVO says the accepted offer includes a wage increase of 7.7 per cent over three years -- three per cent retroactive to 2022, 2.75 per cent in 2023 and 1.75 per cent in 2024. [Global]
A pro-China network on Facebook has been spreading propaganda and disinformation for years. The actors in this community are getting away with it by claiming academic expertise and legitimacy. [Rappler]
Google today announced two changes to AdSense, but doesn't "expect publishers to see a change in their earnings" and payments. [9To5 Google]
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Sci/Tech
Relying on local processing, Matic can see your home and suck up liquid spills. [Ars Technica]
The Calendar
  • 0800 ET: Oromocto, NB - Veterans Affairs Min Ginette Petitpas Taylor and LPC MP Jenica Atwin visit a veterans affairs office.
  • 1100 ET: 035B West Block - Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE) | Meeting  81 - Situation at the Russia-Ukraine Border and Implications for Peace and Security
  • 1100 ET: 410 Wellington - Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) | Meeting 87 - Implications of Artificial Intelligence Technologies for the Canadian Labor Force /Committee Business
  • 1100 ET: 415 Wellington - Standing Committee on Health (HESA) | Meeting  87 - Meeting Requested Pursuant to Standing Order 106(4)
  • 1100 ET: 420 Wellington - Standing Committee on Official Languages (LANG) | Meeting  74 - Drafting report
  • 1100 ET: 425 Wellington - Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (SECU) | Meeting 81 - Bill C-20
  • 1130 ET: House of Commons foyer - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh speaks to reporters.
  • 1230 ET: Vancouver - LPC MP Joyce Murray makes a funding announcement. 
  • 1245 ET: Gatineau, QC - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh joins a picket line.
  • 1500 ET: C128 Senate Building -  Meeting of the Senate Commitee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs: Bill C-21
  • 1530 ET: 025B West Block - Special Committee on the Canada–People’s Republic of China Relationship (CACN) | Meeting  27 - Drafting report
  • 1530 ET: 425 Wellington - Standing Committee on Science and Research (SRSR) | Meeting  63 - Indigenous Traditional Knowledge and Science
  • 1530 ET: 330 Wellington - Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food (AGRI) | Meeting  81 - Drafting report
  • 1530 ET: 420 Wellington - Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (TRAN) | Meeting  87 - Projects of High Frequency Rail
  • 1530 ET: 410 Wellington - Standing Committee on the Status of Women (FEWO) | Meeting  85 - Women’s Economic Empowerment / Committee Business
  • 1530 ET: 035B West Block - Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (ETHI) | Meeting  90 - Governance and Management of Contributions by Sustainable Development Technologies Canada. Innovation, Science and Industry Min François-Philippe Champagne testifies.
  • 1530 ET: 225-A West Block - Standing Committee on Finance (FINA) | Meeting  114 - Increases in the Cost of Buying or Renting a Home in Canada
  • 1630 ET: B45 Senate Building -  Meeting of the Senate Commitee on Human Rights: Forced Global Displacement 
  • 1700 ET: B30 Senate Building -  Meeting of the Senate Commitee on Official Languages: Minority-language health services
  • 1900 ET: Parliament Hill - PM Trudeau delivers remarks at Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas on the Hill.
Issued this day ...
... in 1897: Scott #66: Queen Victoria "Maple Leaf" Issue. Photograph: W. & D. Downey. Engraving: Charles Skinner. 
These are the oldest stamps in my collection. This pair is the half-cent edition from the 8-stamp "Maple Leaf" Issue of 1897-98. There were just two million of the half-cent issue -- a relatively small run for its day -- and so this pair has a catalogue value of about $35. To compare, a mint "very fine" version of the 10¢ stamp from this series (Sc 73) for which just 300,000 were printed, has a catalogue value of about $2,400. I don't have have that one yet in my collection :) .

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