A recent roundup of stories from The Canadian Press highlights several significant issues ranging from government transparency to social media trends, all reflecting current events in Canada.
Openness advocates unimpressed by early proposals for Access to Information reform
Advocates for federal transparency have expressed their dissatisfaction with the early proposals for reforming Canada’s Access to Information regime. The Treasury Board Secretariat announced a mandatory review of the law last June, which enables individuals to request federal documents, including internal emails and policy memos. A draft discussion paper, however, recognizes existing problems, such as the absence of documentation regarding governmental decisions, inconsistent declassification of historical records, and notable difficulties accessing records related to Indigenous affairs. James Turk, from the Centre for Free Expression at Toronto Metropolitan University, noted that the acknowledgment of problems brings “no comfort whatsoever,” citing that these issues have been longstanding.
Carney skips question period on Parliament's first day back, meets with Premier Ford
On the first day of Parliament's return following the holiday break, Prime Minister Mark Carney, recently active in securing investment globally, chose to skip question period to meet with Ontario Premier Doug Ford. On the same day, Carney announced a 25 percent increase in the GST credit aimed at assisting lower-income families cope with rising grocery prices. Their meeting addressed strategies to strengthen and create a more independent Canadian economy, particularly in light of the economic strains faced by Ontario due to U.S. tariffs on autos. The Conservative Party has criticized Carney's travel schedule, suggesting he is more focused on international affairs than addressing domestic affordability issues.
'A huge problem': Toronto snowstorm highlights accessibility issues, disability advocates say
Following a significant snowstorm that blanketed the Greater Toronto Area with over 50 centimeters of snow, disability advocates have raised concerns regarding accessibility. David Lepofsky, a blindness advocate, pointed out the complications of clearing such snow volumes while calling for increased support for individuals with disabilities. Rabia Khedr, from the advocacy group Disability Without Poverty, emphasized the difficulties faced by disabled individuals living alone amidst snow-clogged roads. Khedr noted that the Ontario government is obligated under the Disabilities Act to implement standards for municipalities to mitigate the effects of severe weather on people with mobility issues, a regulation that remains unfulfilled.
Why two skulls unearthed in B.C. could be harbingers for future archeological woes
The discovery of two ancient human skulls and jawbones on a property in Kamloops, British Columbia, last June raises concerns about potential future challenges in archaeology. The Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation declared the area, owned by Park Place Seniors Living, a sacred site. A lawyer representing the landowner stated that the client was asked to cover $80,000 for security, archaeological studies, and a ceremonial smudging, but has declined to pay. Chief Rosanne Casimir stressed the need for reform in the B.C. Heritage Conservation Act, which mandates that landowners and developers manage archaeological work but lacks provisions that might expose them to costs, possibly deterring the reporting of archaeological discoveries.
Viral social media trend reminiscing about 2016 a gold mine for AI firms
A current viral trend of sharing photos and videos from the year 2016 has proved to be highly beneficial for artificial intelligence firms. Experts claim the surge of images provides a valuable resource for training AI models, with the easily labeled data simplifying the teaching process regarding how people, places, and things evolve over time. Nicolas Papernot, an associate professor of computer engineering at the University of Toronto, pointed out that data collection and labeling, typically time-consuming and costly, is being accomplished by the public through their posts. Sarah Saska, CEO of consultancy firm Feminuity, noted that such models, once trained, could be utilized to track personal identities over time and create plausible yet fake videos of individuals.
