Good morning, Itâs Monday, August 19th. In todayâs news, opposition to a â15-minute cityâ alternative grows among municipalities, Poilievre argues that government-funded media is in direct conflict with free speech, RCMP arrest social media user over 'discriminatory' and 'racially offensive' posts, Canada says âUkraine can fire our weapons during attacks inside Russia,â and much more.
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15-Minute City 2.0: Opposition to Plan 20-50 Growing Among Municipalities
A growing number of municipalities in the Winnipeg Metro Region are pushing back against the proposed Plan 20-50, worried that it could strip power away from their locally elected councils. Plan 20-50 is designed to guide how the region, including Winnipeg and 17 nearby municipalities, will grow over the next 25 years. However, some communities feel they were forced into the plan without proper input and fear it could lead to decisions being made by a centralized authority rather than by those who know their towns best.
Cities like Selkirk and Niverville have been vocal about their opposition, arguing that their inclusion in the plan was unwarranted and that it doesnât reflect their unique needs. Theyâre also worried about the lack of an exit option if the plan doesnât work for them.
This situation is drawing comparisons to the controversy over 15-minute cities, where the idea of planning for more walkable, self-contained communities sparked concerns about local autonomy. In both cases, the centralization of decision-making power and the potential loss of control for local governments are major sticking points. Other cities like Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, Halifax and Montreal have set up planning regions already.
Public hearings on the plan have already drawn large crowds, showing just how heated the debate has become. As the province reviews the legislation that brought Plan 20-50 to life, these municipalities are calling for a pause until more clarity and local input are guaranteed. More
Tiny Thought: While offering convenience, 15-minute cities give the government too much control over where people can go and what they can do. It will also lead to more surveillance and strict zoning rules, making neighbourhoodsâand life in generalâfeel like Big Brother is constantly watching over your shoulder.
Poilievre Argues that Government-funded Media is in Direct Conflict with Free Speech
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized the state of local journalism in Canada, attributing its decline to the Liberal government's significant subsidies for legacy media. During an interview with The Lake Report, Poilievre condemned the Local Journalism Initiative (LJI), a government-funded program that pays journalists up to $60,000 annually to cover underserved communities. He argued that such subsidies compromise media independence and turn journalists into mouthpieces for the government.
Poilievre also mentioned that true journalistic freedom comes from the ability to attract audiences through subscriptions, advertising, and sponsorships, rather than relying on government funds. He praised the internet for enhancing journalism by introducing more diverse voices, which he believes fosters competition and strengthens the media landscape.
Supporters of the LJI and similar legislation, such as the Online News Act, argue that these measures protect Canadian media from tech giants like Meta and Google. However, the backlash from these companies has led to a significant decline in online engagement for Canadian news outlets, with a study revealing a 42.6% decrease in overall online engagement following Meta's ban on news links.
Public opinion appears divided, with a True North-commissioned poll indicating that 55% of Canadians believe taxpayer-funded media cannot report impartially, with younger Canadians and Conservative voters being the most skeptical. More
Tiny Thought: This is the kind of position that makes Poilievre appealing to Canadian votersâdespite the fact that he could benefit from Trudeau's state-backed media system if elected, he vows to dismantle it.
RCMP Arrest Social Media User Over 'Discriminatory' and 'Racially Offensive' Posts
The RCMP recently arrested a woman in connection with "discriminatory and harmful language" she allegedly posted on X (formerly Twitter), specifically targeting the South Asian community.
In response, the RCMP collaborated with the BC Hate Crimes Unit and received assistance from the public to identify the account user responsible for the posts. The woman was arrested on August 7th, though police have not released her name or other identifying details.
While she has since been released from custody, police have recommended several Criminal Code charges, though these have yet to be approved. The investigation is ongoing, but authorities said the woman will make her first court appearance in the coming weeks, at which point more details will be shared. More
Ukraine Can Fire Our Weapons During Attacks Inside Russia, says Canada
Canada has confirmed that Ukraine can use Canadian-supplied tanks and missiles in its operations on Russian soil, with no geographic restrictions on the donated military equipment. Canada has committed over $4 billion in military assistance to Ukraine and continues to provide support, including air defence systems and armoured vehicles. Ukrainian forces have made advances in Russiaâs Kursk region, controlling significant territory, and Canada remains committed to aiding Ukraineâs defence efforts. More
Tiny Thought: Regardless of oneâs perspective on this decision, this shift means Canada has moved from supplying Ukraine with weapons to defend itself against an invasion to supplying Ukraine with weapons to support their invasion of another country.
Asylum City: Olivia Chow to Throw âUndocumented Residents Dayâ in Toronto
Toronto has reaffirmed its status as a sanctuary city, welcoming all undocumented migrants and committing to support residents regardless of immigration status. The city encourages participation in an "Undocumented Residents Day" event on August 20th to discuss the challenges and contributions of illegal immigrants. The policy ensures the city does not share undocumented residents' information with federal authorities to protect them from deportation. More
Tiny Thought: Letâs applaud people for illegally entering the country, therefore breaking our laws, and then celebrate them with a big party while shielding them from the federal governmentâŚwhat?
Sweden Considers Offering Naturalized Citizens Money to Return to Countries of Origin
The Swedish government is considering expanding a program that pays foreigners, including naturalized citizens, to leave the country. Currently, the "voluntary remigration" scheme offers 10,000 Swedish kroner ($960) per adult and 5,000 kroner ($480) per child, plus travel costs. This move aims to address challenges with integrating migrants into Swedish society, including rising gang violence and a strain on public resources. The proposal comes as Sweden experiences its first net emigration in over 50 years and seeks solutions to improve social cohesion and reduce public discontent due to mass migration. More
After Criticism, Federal Government Reverses Plan to Limit Funding for Residential School Grave Searches
The federal government has reversed its decision to limit funding for searches of former residential school grounds after facing backlash from Indigenous communities. Initially, the government reduced the funding cap from $3 million to $500,000 per year for the Residential Schools Missing Children Community Support Fund. However, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree announced the cap would be lifted, acknowledging that the change did not align with the government's commitment to supporting the identification of burial sites and missing children. More
Tiny Thought: So far, hundreds of school sites have been searched without any bodies being found. Reducing funding seems like a reasonable approach.
X to End Operations in Brazil Over âCensorship Ordersâ
Elon Musk announced that social media platform X will close its local operations in Brazil amid a legal dispute with Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes. Moraes, known for his efforts to combat disinformation, had imposed strict orders on X, including threats of arrest for non-compliance. The closure is seen as a response to these demands, which Musk argues would compromise free speech principles. Despite the office closure, Brazilian users will still be able to access X. More
This is AI: Cisco Lays Off 5,500 Workers to Invest More in AI, Despite $10.3 Billion in Profit
Despite Cisco posting $10.3 billion in profits last year, the company is laying off 5,500 workersâabout seven percent of its staff. This move is part of Cisco's strategy to invest more in AI, following a pattern seen in other tech companies like Microsoft and Intuit. Cisco's CEO Chuck Robbins emphasized AI as a key focus, while the layoffs have led to a rise in the company's stock price. Critics argue that while AI is cited as a reason for job cuts, it often masks traditional cost-cutting measures. More
Starbucks Welcomes New CEO Brian Niccol with a $113 Million Payday
Starbucks is offering new CEO Brian Niccol a hefty $113 million compensation package, including a $10 million sign-on bonus and a $75 million equity grant. Niccol will also earn an annual salary of $1.6 million, with performance bonuses ranging from $3.6 to $7.2 million. The compensation aims to offset the pay heâs leaving behind at Chipotle, where he significantly boosted stock prices and profits. More
Crypto Theft Surges 80 Percent in First Seven Months of 2024
In the first half of 2024, losses from cryptocurrency theft surged dramatically, with $1.58 billion stolenâan 84.4% increase from the previous year. Despite a general decline in illicit crypto activity by nearly 20%, theft and ransomware payments both saw significant rises. Centralized exchanges have become primary targets for hackers, partly due to higher crypto asset prices. Ransomware payments also increased, reaching nearly $460 million and potentially setting a new record for the year. More
Leonard Hayflick, the Man Who Discovered why No One Lives Forever, Dies at 96
Leonard Hayflick, a prominent biomedical researcher who discovered that normal cells have a limited number of divisionsâknown as the Hayflick limitâdied at 96 from pancreatic cancer. His groundbreaking work in the 1960s revealed that cells age and cease to divide after a certain point, challenging earlier beliefs that cells were immortal. A critic of the quest for immortality, Hayflick argued that extending human life indefinitely was not only impractical but also potentially dangerous. More
Scottish and Irish Rocks Confirmed as Rare Record of 'Snowball Earth'
A new study led by UCL researchers identifies the Port Askaig Formation in Ireland and Scotland as possibly the most complete record of "snowball Earth," a period when the planet was entirely covered in ice. This formation, up to 1.1 km thick, dates back 662 to 720 million years to the Sturtian glaciation, a crucial event that may have sparked the rise of complex life. Unique among similar-aged rocks, the Port Askaig Formation shows the transition from a tropical climate to the glaciation. The study, published in the Journal of the Geological Society of London, suggests this site could become a key reference point for the Cryogenian Period. More
Mike Tyson Feels âReady to Goâ for Rescheduled Fight with Jake Paul on November 15th
Mike Tyson, 58, is gearing up to fight Jake Paul on November 15th in Arlington, Texas, after a health scare pushed the match back. Despite his age and the risks, Tyson says he's back to training, feeling good and pumped for the fight. Jake Paul, who recently fought Mike Perry, is excited about the chance to learn from Tyson, even if Tyson's glory days are behind him. The sanctioned fight will stream on Netflix and feature eight 2-minute rounds with heavier gloves. More
Cain Velasquez Pleads No Contest to Attempted Murder
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez pleaded no contest to felony attempted murder, assault, and multiple weapons charges in a California court. The plea, made in exchange for a lighter sentence, came ahead of his trial for a February 2022 incident where he allegedly shot at a man accused of molesting his son, wounding the man's stepfather instead. Velasquez will avoid life in prison with the possibility of parole. Sentencing is set for October 18, with a recommendation from the probation department to follow. Velasquez had been out on $1 million bail since November 2022. More
Tiny Thought: From what I understand, the father of the guy accused of molesting Cainâs son was helping him flee when Velasquez shot him. I get itâshooting people is definitely not okay. But given the whole situation, I donât think Velasquez should be sent to jail.
Tyreek Hill Officially Challenges Noah Lyles to a 50-yard Race
Noah Lyles thinks Tyreek Hill is just trying to get attention, but Hill is ready to prove him wrong. Hill has challenged Lyles to a 50-yard race, a distance he believes will favour his quick start. Lyles, who dismissed Hillâs claims as clout-chasing, says Hill needs to back up his words by making official arrangements. Fans are eager to see if theyâll settle the debate in a race, potentially turning it into a high-profile event for charity. More
Indiana Jonesâ Iconic Felt Fedora etches $630,000 at Auction - The brown felt fedora worn by Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom sold for $630,000 at auction, significantly surpassing its expected range of $250,000 to $500,000, according to Propstore.
Inmates Attempt Prison Break by Disguising Themselves as Women During Visiting Hours - Two dangerous criminals tried to escape from prison in Fortaleza, Brazil, by disguising themselves as women during visiting hours. They wore long wigs, skirts, and improvised breasts, but their poorly executed disguises were quickly recognized by guards. They were caught before they could leave the prison.
On this day in 1942 World War II: Over 4,000 Canadian and British soldiers were killed, wounded or captured raiding Dieppe, France