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May 17 2024

Trudeau v Higgs. Eby’s warning. Speaker’s complaint: The Roundup

May 17, 2024
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
Trudeau calls New Brunswick’s Conservative government a ‘disgrace’ on women’s rights
Trudeau says Higgs and other conservatives around the country are trying to score political points off transgender and nonbinary children, who are "incredibly vulnerable." [Global]
Eight in 10 Canadians back a woman's right to an abortion and two in three don't want the notwithstanding clause used to restrict access to abortions, a new poll suggests. [CP]

The shortfall comes as Maynard is increasingly critical of the Liberals' handling of the 'overwhelmed' federal access to information system. [National Post]
Hosting duties rotate between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico for the annual series of meetings on transnational issues such as immigration and drug trafficking. [CP]
Over one in three Canadians aged 15 years and older have experienced some form of discrimination in the five years prior to the latest wave of the Canadian Social Survey. New data from the survey suggest that while the self-reported proportion of discriminatory incidents has remained relatively stable since 2021, discrimination continues to disproportionally affect certain groups. [Statistics Canada]
From the Provinces
Eby warns about United-Conservative merger, says B.C. voters face 'starkest choice in a generation'
Eby says BC United Leader Kevin Falcon and Conservative Leader John Rustad let the "mask slip" this week, confirming exploratory talks are underway about forming a single centre-right political alternative to the New Democrats. [CP]
British Columbia Voting Intentions
Among decided and leaning voters, the BC Conservatives, led by John Rustad, have 38% (+36% since the 2020 election), while the governing NDP, led by Premier David Eby, has 37% (-11%). BC United, led by Kevin Falcon, has 13% support (-25%), while the Green Party, with Sonia Furstenau at the helm, has 9% (-6%). [Pallas]
Randy Weekes 👆 is the 27th Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan and MLA for Biggar-SaskValley. He had already lost the nomination contest in his riding.
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly reveals abuse and intimidation from Sask Party MLAs
At the conclusion of the 4th session of the 29th Legislative Assembly, Randy Weekes read text messages into the public record  that revealed attempts to sway his decisions. He also reveals he had been intimidated by Sask Party MLAs throughout his run as Speaker. [YouTube]
New Brunswick PCs launch a pair of political ads
The New Brunswick PCs launched a pair of political ads Thursday. The next election is widely expected this fall but could be sooner! One ad is the 'attack ad" 👆 in which the NB PCs do what the Manitoba PCs, the Alberta UCP, and the Saskatchewan Party are all doing -- tie Justin Trudeau, the country's most unpopular politician, to their progressive opponent. The other ad 👇 from the NB PCs is one I cannot figure out but if you can figure out how it might move a swing voter who's thinking of abandoning the PCs for the Libs I'd love to know. In the meantime, here's 30 seconds of Premier Blaine Higgs on a motorcycle. - DA
Nova Scotia’s premier says the federal government’s criteria for funding important transportation links should be the same in every region of the country. [Global]

Quebec newsroom leaders are calling out a new bill to protect politicians from abuse, saying the legislation is excessive and potentially stifling to democratic debate. [CP]
Elsewhere
The record heat comes after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) on Wednesday signed a bill scrubbing most references to climate change from state law. Critics say the measure, which will take effect July 1, ignores the threats Florida faces from extreme heat as well as powerful hurricanes and worsening toxic algae blooms. [Global]
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Media
How MSNBC’s Leftward Tilt Delivers Ratings, and Complications
NBC’s leaders have been forced to grapple with how to square its cable news network’s embrace of progressive politics with the company’s straight-news operation. [NYT]

Appealing to advertisers’ better angels is never going to bring ads back to the news. But appealing to their bottom lines might. [AdExchanger]

The draft letter criticizes Kahn over recent comments seen by Times staff as dismissive of young reporters. [Semafor]
Science and Tech
Visa Uses Fraudsters' AI Tools to Beat Them at Their Own Game
Now Visa is adding what it calls the VAAI Score to better determine the likelihood of enumeration attacks by assigning each transaction a risk score in real time. This score will help issuers make better decisions when it comes to blocking transactions, Paul Fabara, chief risk and client services officer at Visa, said in a statement. That means cardholders making legitimate purchases don't have to worry about the card issuer declining their transactions as a preventative measure. [CNET] 
From getting verified to keeping the trolls at bay, these Instagram tips and tricks will make you a photo-sharing pro and help keep unwanted accounts (and Reels) at bay. A lot in here I may spend the long weekend reviewing to fine-tune my Instagram experience .. [PCMag]
The Calendar
  • 0900 ET: Norris Point, NL - ACOA Min Gudie Hutchings marks the opening of a new small boat basin.
  • 0900 ET: Carleton-sur-Mer, QC - Fisheries Min Diane Lebouthillier makes an infrastructure funding announcement.
  • 0930 ET: Eel River Cove, NB - LPC MP René Arseneault makes a funding announcement. 
  • 1000 ET: Quebec City - Innovation Min François-Philippe Champagne speaks about Budget 2024.
  • 1000 ET: Abram-Village, PE - LPC MP Bobby Morrissey makes a funding announcement. 
  • 1000 ET: Richmond, QC - Revenue Min Marie-Claude Bibeau  makes an infrastructure funding announcement.
  • 1030 ET: Winnipeg - PM Trudeau , Families and Social Development Min Jenna Sudds and Northern Affairs Min Dan Vandal speak abou the National School Food Program.
  • 1100 ET: Gros Morne, NL - ACOA Min Gudie Hutchings marks the completion of the Gros Morne National Park Visitors Centre
  • 1200 ET: Calgary - Transport Min Pablo Rodriguez speaks about the National School Food Program
  • 1200 ET: Windsor, NS - LP MP Kody Blois  makes an infrastructure funding announcement.
  • 1245 ET: Mississauga, ON - Small Business Min Rechie Valdez and Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan speak about the National School Food Program.
  • 1300 ET: Montreal - Deputy PM and Fin Min Chrystia Freeland and Environment Min Steven Guilbeault speak about the National School Food Program.
  • 1330 ET: North Bay, ON - LPC MP Anthony Rota  makes an infrastructure funding announcement.
  • 1530 ET: Sechelt, BC - LPC MP Patrick Weiler makes a funding announcement. 
  • 1530 ET: Port Moody, BC - LPC MP Ken Hardie makes a funding announcement. 
  • 1915 ET: Whitehorse, YT - Heritage Min Pascale St-Onge speaks to reporters.
Issued this day ...
… in  2012: Scott #2547: Calgary Stampede. Design: Xerxes Irani. Issued to mark the Stampede’s Centennial.

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