Blame the World Cup ⚽

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There’s an ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that has spread to neighbouring Uganda, leading the World Health Organization to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern — the organization’s second-highest level of alarm, behind a pandemic emergency. The Canadian gov is committing $8-million in international assistance for Ebola aid, and is also clamping down on travel and immigration (alongside Mexico and the United States). That includes suspending immigration documents from citizens of the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan for 90 days, marking the first time the Canadian gov has used its new powers under Bill C-12. But the World Health Organization and head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have questioned the restrictions, which Canada’s Health Minister says were not based on advice from public health officials. So what were they based on? Considerations around Canada, Mexico and the U.S. hosting the FIFA World Cup this summer. Somehow, FIFA entered the chat.

Former environment and climate change minister Steven Guilbeault resigned as an MP last week, saying Canada is backsliding on climate action. Rewind: Guilbeault quit cabinet last November over the federal gov’s signing of a memorandum of understanding with Alberta on a new bitumen pipeline to the B.C. coast, but he stayed in the Liberal caucus. Now, however, he’s had enough, saying in a social media post that he has come to the conclusion “that it is time for me to pursue my fight for environmental protection and the fight against climate change in a different way.” Guilbeault will remain a Liberal MP until the House of Commons rises for the summer. For more on what Guilbeault’s resignation means for Prime Minister Mark Carney, this pod’s got you covered. To hear three environmental experts answer questions about PM Carney’s record on climate action, head here.

No Comment: Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said the economic relationship between Canada and China is significant. Her comments came as China’s foreign minister Wang Yi took a three-day trip to Canada last week, which included meeting PM Carney. But journalists were not allowed to ask questions. The last time Wang Yi visited Ottawa in 2016, he unleashed a tirade on a Canadian reporter who asked about human rights in China. Maybe nobody wanted a sequel.

Fine Print: We talked before about the backlash over Bill C-22, a Canadian security bill that proposes giving police and spies easier access to information during investigations. That included American tech companies raising concerns about it. Now there’s an update: the Liberal gov now says it will amend its lawful access legislation. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree told reporters last week that he’ll propose amendments to better safeguard encryption and clarify what metadata has to be stored by tech and telecommunication companies. The terms and conditions are still getting edited.

Stall Tactics: A longstanding problem in Saskatchewan’s Legislative Building is finally being fixed. The issue? A lack of bathroom space for female MLAs. Women had access to a one-stall bathroom near the legislative chamber, while a private, multi-stall bathroom was reserved exclusively for male MLAs. Now renovations on a new private women’s bathroom for MLAs are nearly complete, and it will also include a separate, accessible space for families. It only took about 114 years.

Everyone’s talking about artificial intelligence these days — including PM Carney and Pope Leo. The two recently spoke about AI and the “imperative that AI must serve humanity”, with the PM welcoming the Pope’s leadership in the field. Their convo came a few days after the Pope published his first encyclical, which urged governments to slow down the development of AI systems, warning that they spread misinformation and prioritize conflict. Related to all this: Ottawa will release its AI strategy this week, expected to lay out the vision for widespread AI adoption across public and private sectors. From Parliament Hill to the Vatican, everyone seems to have thoughts on AI.

And now it’s time for dessert...your weekly crossword! A little hint for you: make sure you review last week’s edition to complete the crossword:

YOUR CROSSWORD

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