Sept 2, 2016
National Newswatch – Joanna Smith
Leitch asks whether Ottawa should screen immigrants for ‘anti-Canadian values’
In the context of vetting the candidates for the Conservative party leadership in Saskatoon, Candidate Leitch, current MP for Ontario Simcoe-Grey, has stirred even the members of the Conservative party itself with her question contained in a survey to people who signed up to hear from her on her leadership platform: “Should the Canadian government screen potential immigrants for anti-Canadian values as part of its normal screening for refugees and landed immigrants?” Some party members are calling for her to withdraw. http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2016/09/01/leitch-asks-whether-ottawa-should-screen-immigrants-for-anti-canadian-values/#.V8h7-fnyuUk Related article: Saskatoon Star Phoenix, Jonathan Charlton Kellie Leitch: Barbaric cultural practices tip line was a good idea we failed to articulate http://thestarphoenix.com/news/politics/kellie-leitch-barbaric-cultural-practices-tip-line-was-a-good-idea-we-failed-to-articulate Related article: Simcoe.com – John Edwards Simcoe-Grey MP Leitch refuses to comment on anti-Canadian values vetting question http://www.simcoe.com/news-story/6837466-simcoe-grey-mp-leitch-refuses-to-comment-on-anti-canadian-values-vetting-question/ Related article: Press Progress – Conservative MP suggests ‘diversity and human rights’ are ‘un-Canadian’ and ‘endangers children’ https://www.pressprogress.ca/conservative_mp_suggests_diversity_and_human_rights_are_un_canadian_and_endangers_children Related article: CBC News – Nahlah Ayed It’s immigration, stupid: The irresistible politics of keeping people out – Trump, May, Sarkozy ramp up their anti-outsider rhetoric http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/immigration-trump-may-sarkozy-1.3745387
CBC News – Elizabeth Thompson
Canada’s restricted gun ownership increased 9.5 per cent in 2015 – Number of restricted guns in Canada has doubled since 2004
Restricted guns are generally automatic and semi-automatic rifles and handguns. It is noteworthy that Canada has seen an almost 10% increase in these weapons, estimated by one arms expert as a spin-off from changes in the US gun laws where it is easier to acquire a weapon like the AR-15, a favourite of the recent mass killers. One author and expert, A.J. Somerset, says: “The trend in the United States with this growing market, with all kinds of marketing and advertising and so on, is naturally just pushing the same trend in Canada and we see growth in restricted firearms licences as a result.” http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-s-restricted-gun-ownership-increased-9-5-per-cent-in-2015-1.3745464
Toronto Star – Alex Boutilier
Former electronic spy chief urges Ottawa to prepare for ‘cyber war’
John Adams used to be Canada’s electronic spy chief. In a paper prepared for the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, released in July 2016, he says that we are in the infancy of a period of cyber warfare and we need to start getting ready to wage cyber war. Adams offers a contemporary context and then lists the perceived threats to Canada from cyber space. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/09/01/former-electronic-spy-chief-urges-ottawa-to-prepare-for-cyber-war.html Full Report (a 18 page downloadable pdf) Canadian Global Affairs Institute – John Adams Canada and Cyber https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/cdfai/pages/1085/attachments/original/1467750257/Canada_and_Cyber_-_John_Adams.pdf?1467750257 Related article: CBC News – J.M. Porup Turning security flaws into cyber weapons endangers Canadians, experts warn http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/security-flaws-cyberweapons-1.3742751 Related article: Globe and Mail – Robert Fife Department of National Defence’s new $1-billion facility falls short on security http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/department-of-national-defences-new-1-billion-facility-falls-short-on-security/article31685234/
CBC News – Catherine Cullen
More than 100 Canadians have opted for assisted death since law passed – Federal government is required to record assisted deaths but has yet to begin tracking numbers
So far, in response to the assisted dying legislation, more than 100 Canadians have sought the help of doctors to die. Since the federal government has not yet begun tracking (as the legislation requires) and since several provincial governments are resisting disclosure, the number at this point is probably low. The Canadian Medical Association assessment to date: “Based on anecdotal reports from CMA members, things seem to be proceeding relatively well with respect to availability of physicians and interpretation of federal legislation.” http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/assisted-dying-tracking-numbers-1.3744347
Globe and Mail – Canadian Press
Six cities chosen as test sites for national anti-poverty strategy
The first step is to test out a national housing plan but the idea is to see what works and what doesn’t work using the experience of those already involved in the response to the housing crisis. The six cities are: St. John, NB, Trois-Rivieres, Que., Toronto, Winnipeg, Yellowknife and Tisdale, Sask. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/six-cities-chosen-as-test-sites-for-national-anti-poverty-strategy/article31694201/