Recession-ish 💸

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Canada has an AI strategy. Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled the long-awaited plan, titled AI for All, last week. It promises a lot of new money – $2.3 billion, to be exact — toward AI training, adoption and support for Canadian businesses and tech companies. Other goals include creating up to 90,000 AI-related jobs and work opportunities for young Canadians by 2031 and providing all Canadians with access to free AI literacy training. For more on what’s in the strategy (and what’s not), listen to this pod, or hear directly from Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, as he defends the new AI Strategy. So far, experts have found plenty to worry about, saying the strategy is light on specifics, leaves people on the receiving end of AI systems unprotected and doesn’t resolve harder governance questions. For a different perspective, listen here to the 33-year-old co-founder of Canada’s leading AI company, Cohere, as he shares what AI critics get wrong.

Canada has a recession question. Some analysts define a technical recession as two quarters in a row of declining GDP — which recent Statistics Canada economic data showed. But other economists consider the term unhelpful, and the Bank of Canada’s senior deputy governor warned MPs on a parliamentary committee against putting too much weight in the definition. Politicians, however, are seizing on the term, including Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and U.S. President Donald Trump. PM Carney recently addressed the recession question, saying Canada’s economy is going through a settling in period. Whatever you call it, it’s fair to say the economy isn’t exactly thriving right now. Listen to this pod for an economics reporter’s take on the numbers, and turn on this pod to hear how Canada can avoid a deepening recession. Plus related to all this: payments went out last week for the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit — find out if you’re eligible here.

New Chapter: Canada’s new governor general was sworn in on Monday at a ceremony at the Senate building in Ottawa. Former Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour replaces Mary Simon, the first Indigenous person to hold the position. Monday’s ceremony — considered one of the most important ceremonies in Canadian democracy — included musical performances, a poem by Parliament’s poet laureate, an address by PM Carney and Arbour’s first speech as GG.

Slow Down: We told you before about the Carney gov’s proposed legislative changes to speed up major projects, including a one year target for approval processes. Now the feds are slowing down the sweeping changes — just a little. Following “valuable feedback from thousands”, the gov is extending the public engagement period from June 7 until July 22, with plans to table legislation on the changes this fall.

Park Politics: A political battle over one of B.C.’s most popular parks is back. Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Park has closed for brief reconnection periods since 2023, with entry restricted to members of Líl̓wat and N’Quatqua First Nations. But backlash has followed, as well as disputes about the length of the closures. Head here for a detailed look at what’s going on, and what it says about the B.C. gov’s commitment to reconciliation.

The biggest soccer tournament in the world kicks off this week, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States. Toronto and Vancouver are hosting 13 matches for the FIFA World Cup, the largest world cup in history. Yet just days before the tournament began, thousands of seats in both Toronto and Vancouver remained unsold (likely because of steep prices, which are a part of a whole ticket saga). That’s led to headlines like “The World Cup Comes to Canada. But Does Anyone Care?” and “Toronto turns its back on the World Cup.” Still, excitement is building about the games and the worldwide attention. If you’re showing up for the snacks, the vibes and occasionally asking someone to explain offside, here’s your guide to surviving a World Cup watch party.

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:

THIS WEEK'S CROSSWORD

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