Two senators are urging the Canadian government to ban all advertising for sports betting apps and websites, citing concerns about the pervasive nature of these ads and their impact on individuals of all ages. This call, supported by 40 other senators, stems from worries that the constant exposure to gambling messages, which can fill up to 21% of broadcast runtime during sports events, is influencing people to view their phones as “pocket-sized casinos.” While some measures have been taken, such as banning sports personalities in gambling ads, the senators believe further action is necessary, echoing the rationale behind banning cigarette ads due to the potential societal harm. While some officials agree with the need for regulations, they are also open to other options, such as an act respecting a national framework on sports betting advertising.
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Marineland, a Niagara Falls attraction, is requesting emergency funding from the Canadian government to care for its whales, warning of imminent euthanasia due to financial constraints. The park’s request to export 30 belugas to a Chinese aquarium was denied by the Fisheries Minister, who cited a 2019 law restricting whale captivity and entertainment shows. Marineland claims relocation is the only alternative to euthanizing the animals, as other options are unavailable, and it is now for sale but has not yet found a buyer.
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Air Canada union says flight attendants will continue strike, defy government, a decision that has set the stage for a significant showdown. The union’s defiance comes in the wake of a government order to cease the strike, highlighting the deep-seated issues fueling the conflict and the flight attendants’ determination to fight for what they believe they deserve. This sets up a fascinating scenario of potential penalties and an uncertain government response.
The core of the union’s resistance seems to stem from what they perceive as a blatant conflict of interest on the part of the Chair of the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), Maryse Tremblay.… Continue reading
Air Canada flight attendants were forced back to work and into arbitration by the Canadian government Saturday after a strike stranded over 100,000 travelers during the peak summer travel season. Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu intervened, citing economic risks and the need for resolution, ordering the Canada Industrial Relations Board to extend the existing collective agreement. The union representing the 10,000 flight attendants criticized the government’s action, claiming it violated their right to strike, while the Business Council of Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce welcomed the move. Air Canada has said it could take up to a week to fully restart operations, impacting an estimated 130,000 people daily.
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The Canadian government will end its funding for federally-funded hotel housing for asylum seekers by September 30, 2025, a measure that has cost approximately $1.1 billion since 2020. This decision impacts the 485 asylum seekers currently housed in Ontario and Quebec hotels. While the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will assist in finding alternative housing, advocates and experts express concerns about the limited availability of affordable housing and municipal shelter capacity, especially in cities. Additionally, the government has recently cancelled plans to revamp the asylum system and proposed border laws will likely create new challenges. Community organizations, many of whom are already stretched thin, fear the end of funding will lead to increased homelessness for asylum seekers.
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Following a suspicious surge in Tesla EV sales and subsequent rebate claims totaling $43 million in just three days, the Canadian government has frozen Tesla’s rebate payments. This action, taken after Tesla claimed a sales rate of 1.5 vehicles per minute, is pending a full audit of each individual claim. Further, Tesla’s eligibility for federal rebates is revoked until existing US-Canada tariffs are resolved. This federal freeze compounds existing provincial-level exclusions, impacting Tesla’s Canadian sales, previously its fifth-largest market.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood