Past issues Subscribe

Dec 21 2023

Wildfire year. Poilievre’s promise. Uncivil PCs. The Roundup

Dec 21, 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
Wildfire devastation voted Canadian Press news story of the year
It was the year unprecedented wildfires disrupted the lives of thousands from coast to coast, shattering records for the total area burned. [CP]
La rigueur budgétaire fera partie de l’ADN d’un gouvernement de Pierre Poilievre dès le premier jour, promet le chef du Parti conservateur, qui obligera les ministres de son éventuel cabinet à trouver un dollar d’économie par dollar de nouvelles dépenses projetées.

L’année 2023 a été « rough » pour Justin Trudeau, de son propre aveu, mais le premier ministre du Canada ne compte pas « reculer » pour autant, bien au contraire. Dans une entrevue de fin d’année avec Patrice Roy, il affirme qu’il sera au rendez-vous aux prochaines élections qui, dit-il, n’auront pas lieu avant 2025. [Radio-Canada]
In Ottawa, the teenaged boy accused of plotting an attack against Jewish people has appeared in court, where he faces several terrorism charges. RCMP say the teen possessed the key ingredients to make a TATP bomb. [Global National]

The familiar lime-green kits were not always reliable in detecting COVID-19, experts say, putting Canadians at risk. [Global]
A First Nations man known as Mukwa Bear is volunteering his time to search for missing Indigenous people across Canada, helping families who say police have not done enough to look for their loved ones. Neetu Garcha travels to northern B.C. and speaks with the tracker and why he is dedicating his life to the cause. [Global National]
Checking in on the two most popular e-petitions to the House of Commons that are still open should you wish to add your name to them:
  • e-4701 (Democratic Process): Calls for a confidence vote in the House of Commons and an election 45 days after that vote. Brought to the House by CPC MP Michelle Ferreri. Signed by 365,478 and counting (until Dec. 24).
  • e-4623 (Foreign affairs) Calls for Canada to withdraw to the United Nations and the World Health Organization. Brought to the House by CPC MP Leslyn Lewis. Signed by 60,841 and counting (until Feb 7)
From the provinces
PC attack ads show 'lack of civility,' new Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie says
Bonnie Crombie, the new leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, says she hasn't seen the attack ads the Progressive Conservatives have launched against her — but she has plenty of thoughts on them. [CP]

Nova Scotia's government is raising the wages of child-care workers in licensed centres and committing to provide them with pensions and benefits. [CP]
Elsewhere
Israeli military says it uncovered a Hamas command center in Gaza City, inflicting what it described as a serious blow to the Islamic militant group. [AP]
The move was both highly aggressive and part of a calculated effort to link the 45th president and the Nazi leader.  [Politico]
Media
'A front row to our funeral': Canadian local news coverage erodes in 2023
The loss of the weekly is one example of a flurry of closures of local Canadian newsrooms in 2023 that left municipal governments, non-profits and journalists themselves trying to figure out what's next. [CP]
Read More
Can u spare $5 a month for this newsletter? Click now!
Sci/Tech

Apple GPT in your pocket? It could be a reality sooner than you think. Apple AI researchers say they have made a key breakthrough in deploying large language models (LLMs) on iPhones and other Apple devices with limited memory by inventing an innovative flash memory utilization technique. [MacRumors]

The Big Book of R has a collection of almost 400 free R books and as we round out 2023 it’s the perfect time to look back at which have been the most popular. I track the stats and they’re openly accessible. [Oscar Baruffa]
The Calendar
  • 1100 ET: Calgary - Health Min Mark Holland makes a funding announcement. 
  • 1130 ET: Toronto  - PM Trudeau , Deputy PM and Fin Min Chrystia Freeland, Housing and Infrastructure Min Sean Fraser, Justice Min Arif Virani, Crown-Indigenous Relations Gary Anandasangaree, Women and Gender Equality Min Marci Ien and Mayor Olivia Chow make an announcement and speak to reporters.
  • 1400 ET: National Press Theatre  - Immigration Min Marc Miller speaks about measures for those affected by the Israel-Hamas conflict.
  • 1430 ET: Toronto - PM Trudeau meets with Mayor Olivia Chow.

Previous Issues

Load More