nationalobserver--2020-11-04--What should Canada do now?

What should Canada do now?

Four more years of an inscrutable , unpredictable Donald Trump .
Or a new chapter with a friendly , predictable Joe Biden .
Both options hung in the balance for Canada as the U.S. presidential election clawed through its unresolved Tuesday night cliffhanger offering no political certainty over who would occupy the foreign office most important to Canadian interests .
As Americans marched to the polls earlier Tuesday , Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland offered an assessment that foreshadowed the evening 's uncertainty .
“ Our federal government is absolutely ready .
We have thoughtfully prepared for all eventualities and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a plan no matter what happens , '' she said .
Tuesday 's early results came as Americans went to the polls , capping a campaign marked by voter intimidation , threats of postelection violence , and concern about the potential breakdown of democracy itself .
• Here ’ s how the outcome of the U.S. election could impact Canada • What will the U.S. election do to hate in Canada ?
• Most mechanics 'scared ' to work on electric vehicles , industry veteran says Colin Robertson , a retired diplomat who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canadians have every reason to be concerned about what has been unfolding south of the border , but now is not the time to take sides .
`` What can we do ?
Keep calm , consult with the allies and , as ( Prime Minister Justin ) Trudeau said , prepare for all contingencies . ''
The first returns showed Trump , as expected , winning in Indiana and Kentucky .
He also pulled ahead in Florida after an early see-saw for that crucial state .
It was going to be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a definitive result , said Mark Feigenbaum , the Toronto tax lawyer who is the chairman of Republicans Overseas Canada .
`` It 's really encouraging that a lot of people are out voting .
Whomever they 're voting for , I think it 's good , '' he said .
Early results showed Biden performing better than expected in Republican strongholds such as Texas and Ohio .
Biden 's strong showing in Ohio was significant because it represented a breakthrough in the Rust Belt that Trump dominated in 2016 .
But that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back in Ohio and started leading in Texas too .
Four more years of an inscrutable , unpredictable Donald Trump .
Or a new chapter with a friendly , predictable Joe Biden .
Bruce Heyman , Barack Obama 's second ambassador to Canada , cautioned : `` Judging a game at half time or the first period , you just ca n't do it .
You have to wait to the end . ''
The struggle for Florida , with its 29 votes in the electoral college , where a presidential candidate needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was closely watched .
Trump won the state in 2016 and Biden was behind in the key county of Miami-Dade .
Bessma Momani , an international affairs specialist at the University of Waterloo , said it was too early to draw any definitive conclusions .
“ People are just projecting their own hopes , ” she said .
“ The early voting is pretty spectacular .
From the academic side of this , usually early voting does not indicate a vote for the incumbent.
” Earlier Tuesday , a new poll from Leger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a clear majority of Canadians surveyed worried that the United States will suffer a breakdown of its system marked by `` social chaos '' if no clear winner emerges .
That fear was driven by the assumption that Trump wo n't accept defeat if he does in fact lose , or may prematurely declare victory on election night before all votes , including mail-in ballots , can be legally counted .
The Leger poll found that three-quarters of those surveyed in Canada are worried about the U.S. election , and 68 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complete breakdown of the political system in the U.S. leading to a period of social chaos . ''
Four out of five respondents said they were concerned that increased racial tension would lead to protests and violence .
`` It 's a bit like watching your neighbour 's roof catch fire , '' said Perrin Beatty , the president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce .
The survey of 1,516 Canadians selected from an online panel was conducted from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 .
Polls conducted this way do not come with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not considered random .
The survey delved deeper into Canadians ' anxiety : The possibility of `` significant civil unrest or violence '' in the streets on election day or the following days worried 77 per cent of respondents ; 72 per cent were concerned that Trump would n't accept the election result if he lost ; 62 per cent were worried about a stock market crash .
Georganne Burke , an Ontario-based dual Canadian-American citizen who has campaigned for Trump in the U.S. , blamed the Democrats for stoking fears of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was `` hype '' that Trump would refuse to accept a defeat .
`` That 's garbage .
Will he be unhappy ?
Sure , he 'll be unhappy .
Will he say outrageous things ?
Probably .
But he 'll leave . ''
The Leger poll left no doubt who Canadians want to win the White House — 80 per cent favoured Biden .
Trudeau said Tuesday that Canada 's job is to work with whomever American voters elect , and cited trade deals as particular evidence that his government has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he would spend some time watching the results Tuesday night , though he acknowledged that word of a definite winner could take days or even weeks .
If there should be trouble in the U.S. , Freeland said in response to a question about that possibility , Canadian diplomats will be prepared to assist Canadians living there .
`` It is absolutely a responsibility of our government to be there for Canadians outside out country , and we will be there for them , too . ''
Like Trudeau , Conservative Leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watching as Americans `` practise their democracy . ''
Sarah Goldfeder , now an Ottawa-based consultant and former U.S. diplomat under two American ambassadors , said Canadians must be vigilant to guard against the ideological infiltration of extreme , divisive politics into Canada .
`` Literally , stores are boarded up across America right now , in anticipation of civil unrest in the streets .
And that 's not good for anybody that has to do business with the U.S. '' This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 3 , @ @

Four more years of an inscrutable, unpredictable Donald Trump. Or a new chapter with a friendly, predictable Joe Biden. Both options hung in the balance for Canada as the U.S. presidential election clawed through its unresolved Tuesday night cliffhanger offering no political certainty over who would occupy the foreign office most important to Canadian interests. As Americans marched to the polls earlier Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland offered an assessment that foreshadowed the evening's uncertainty. “Our federal government is absolutely ready. We have thoughtfully prepared for all eventualities and I am really confident that we have a plan no matter what happens," she said. Tuesday's early results came as Americans went to the polls, capping a campaign marked by voter intimidation, threats of postelection violence, and concern about the potential breakdown of democracy itself.
Colin Robertson, a retired diplomat who served in multiple U.S. postings, said Canadians have every reason to be concerned about what has been unfolding south of the border, but now is not the time to take sides. "What can we do? Keep calm, consult with the allies and, as (Prime Minister Justin) Trudeau said, prepare for all contingencies." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The first returns showed Trump, as expected, winning in Indiana and Kentucky. He also pulled ahead in Florida after an early see-saw for that crucial state.
It was going to be a long night that would likely not produce a definitive result, said Mark Feigenbaum, the Toronto tax lawyer who is the chairman of Republicans Overseas Canada. Four more years of an inscrutable, unpredictable Donald Trump. Or a new chapter with a friendly, predictable Joe Biden. "It's really encouraging that a lot of people are out voting. Whomever they're voting for, I think it's good," he said. Early results showed Biden performing better than expected in Republican strongholds such as Texas and Ohio. Biden's strong showing in Ohio was significant because it represented a breakthrough in the Rust Belt that Trump dominated in 2016. But that gain appeared in doubt as Trump surged back in Ohio and started leading in Texas too. Bruce Heyman, Barack Obama's second ambassador to Canada, cautioned: "Judging a game at half time or the first period, you just can't do it. You have to wait to the end." The struggle for Florida, with its 29 votes in the electoral college, where a presidential candidate needs at least 270 votes to win, was closely watched. Trump won the state in 2016 and Biden was behind in the key county of Miami-Dade.
Bessma Momani, an international affairs specialist at the University of Waterloo, said it was too early to draw any definitive conclusions. “People are just projecting their own hopes,” she said. “The early voting is pretty spectacular. From the academic side of this, usually early voting does not indicate a vote for the incumbent.”


nationalobserver--2020-11-04--Canadians living in America tense and fearful about outcome of election

Canada 's diplomats were on standby to help Canadians living south of the border if turmoil erupts in the United States after a polarizing presidential election .
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said Tuesday the government considers it a responsibility to be there for Canadian citizens , and is prepared to help them .
`` Our federal government is absolutely ready .
We have thoughtfully prepared for all eventualities , '' she said .
`` That is not something that I ever thought would be a conversation I 'd be having living in the United States , '' Brill said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of violence is concerning , so too is the political polarization of the country .
Brill said she used to take pride in her Canadian approach of being tolerant and respectful of everyone 's political views but struggles with those who continue to support Republican Donald Trump and what it means for the future of her adopted country .
Canada 's diplomats were on standby to help Canadians living south of the border if turmoil erupts in the United States after a polarizing presidential election .
`` It scares me as an educator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it scares me as a citizen of the United States , '' she said .
`` Whether it 's a Republican or Democrat president , it 's never caused me any anxiety before but now it does . ''
Still , she 's unlikely to uproot her family and head back to Canada , she said , though her mother has joked the basement is ready .
`` I do n't feel like I want to give up on living in the United States , '' she said .
`` There could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country . ''
Christian Lander , a Torontonian now living in Los Angeles , said he is n't sure the country can ever go back to some kind of `` normal . ''
Even if Trump loses , he 's left in his wake a society where conspiracy theories overrule facts , and any attempt to correct the record are spun as a coverup , Lander said .
`` The lack of faith in any sort of facts , history or any sort of precedent is just gone , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out . ''
The divisions the Trump presidency have created will be difficult to heal , Lander said .
Trump is n't interested in reaching out to those who do n't support him , and those who do are fuelled by an anger that Lander called the `` last gasp of American white supremacy . ''
`` There 's nothing the Democrats could have said that would have changed it , '' he said .
There are an estimated 800,000 Canadians living in the U.S. , among them numerous actors and athletes who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the election .
Earlier this week , hockey great Bobby Orr endorsed Trump in a full-page newspaper ad , a move that had some critics suggesting athletes should stay out of politics .
Actor Seth Rogen , who is from Vancouver but is a dual citizen , was among the dozens of celebrities leading get-out-the-vote efforts in recent days , including a video posted online urging citizens to cast their ballot .
One impact of the last four years of Trump administration has been a decline in the number of Canadians moving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Canadian Studies shows that since 2016 , there 's been a 25 per cent drop in emigration to the U.S. from Canada .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 3 , 2020 .

Canada's diplomats were on standby to help Canadians living south of the border if turmoil erupts in the United States after a polarizing presidential election. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said Tuesday the government considers it a responsibility to be there for Canadian citizens, and is prepared to help them. "Our federal government is absolutely ready. We have thoughtfully prepared for all eventualities," she said. But Canadians living in the U.S. said late Tuesday they personally don't feel prepared. What they said they feel is anxious, sad, and scared.
In the polarized American political environment, which saw clashes between demonstrators and police in many cities earlier this year, the election results could potentially lead to civil unrest. Across the U.S., photos surfaced of mainstreet shops boarding up their windows in possible preparation for the worst. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Daneet Brill, who grew up in Quebec and now lives in Connecticut, said she has family in Brooklyn, N.Y., prepared to flee their home and come to hers.
"That is not something that I ever thought would be a conversation I'd be having living in the United States," Brill said. Canada's diplomats were on standby to help Canadians living south of the border if turmoil erupts in the United States after a polarizing presidential election. But she said while the threat of violence is concerning, so too is the political polarization of the country. Brill said she used to take pride in her Canadian approach of being tolerant and respectful of everyone's political views but struggles with those who continue to support Republican Donald Trump and what it means for the future of her adopted country. "It scares me as an educator, it scares me as a mother, it scares me as a citizen of the United States," she said. "Whether it's a Republican or Democrat president, it's never caused me any anxiety before but now it does."
Still, she's unlikely to uproot her family and head back to Canada, she said, though her mother has joked the basement is ready. "I don't feel like I want to give up on living in the United States," she said. "There could be great things that happen in this country."


nationalobserver--2020-11-04--Teacher testifies at Bill 21 court challenge that her hijab is not source of 'discord'

Another Muslim teacher took the stand at the court challenge to Quebec 's secularism law on Tuesday , testifying that her hijab has no impact on her ability to teach .
“ I do not see any conflict between my faith and the way I teach , ” Bouchera Chelbi testified on Day 2 of the legal proceedings against Bill 21 , the law that bans public sector workers in positions of authority -- including teachers and judges -- from wearing religious symbols on the job .
Chelbi , who has taught English as a second language in Montreal for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has always acted professionally and treated her students equally regardless of race , religion or sexual orientation .
`` I never experienced any discord because of my head scarf , '' she said .
She said that in all her years of teaching , the only uncomfortable moment came when a lesbian parent of one of her students was ill at ease with her .
However Chelbi said the issue was quickly resolved after a meeting to discuss the child 's progress .
• Here ’ s how the outcome of the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. election do to hate in Canada ?
• Most mechanics 'scared ' to work on electric vehicles , industry veteran says She is allowed to teach in a hijab because she was hired before the law was introduced in 2019 , but she said the law would apply to her if she wanted to change jobs .
`` It 's a door closing , '' she said , referring to the possibility of career advancement .
Questioned about a woman 's sworn statement that her daughter had been pressured by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said such actions are wrong .
`` The head scarf can not be imposed , '' she said .
`` It 's up to parents to teach their children according to their own beliefs . ''
She said her hijab has never prevented her from feeling free but rather has given her a sense of being `` more complete . ''
The hearings in Montreal combine four separate lawsuits challenging Bill 21 into one trial , which is expected to last up to six weeks before Superior Court Justice Marc-Andre Blanchard .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from two Muslim teachers and one Sikh teacher , all of whom described feeling excluded from Quebec society because they choose to wear religious symbols .
Another Muslim teacher tells Bill 21 trial that her hijab has no impact on her ability to teach .
# bill21 # cdnlaw # quebecpoli Bill 21 makes pre-emptive use of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms notwithstanding clause , which shields legislation from court challenges over violations of fundamental rights .
In a bid to get around the notwithstanding clause , the plaintiffs are invoking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the charter , which they maintain are not covered by the notwithstanding clause .
In Quebec City Tuesday , Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette said the government is prepared to defend its secularism law before all courts .
`` It is up to the elected members representing the Quebec nation to choose how the relationship between the state and religions applies , '' he told reporters .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 3 , 2020 .

Another Muslim teacher took the stand at the court challenge to Quebec's secularism law on Tuesday, testifying that her hijab has no impact on her ability to teach.
“I do not see any conflict between my faith and the way I teach,” Bouchera Chelbi testified on Day 2 of the legal proceedings against Bill 21, the law that bans public sector workers in positions of authority -- including teachers and judges -- from wearing religious symbols on the job.
Chelbi, who has taught English as a second language in Montreal for 12 years, told the court she has always acted professionally and treated her students equally regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation.
"I never experienced any discord because of my head scarf," she said.
She said that in all her years of teaching, the only uncomfortable moment came when a lesbian parent of one of her students was ill at ease with her. However Chelbi said the issue was quickly resolved after a meeting to discuss the child's progress.


nationalobserver--2020-11-04--Canada faces economic, political instability after uncertain U.S election result

Canadian business leaders and political analysts say the morning after election day in the United States brings more political and economic uncertainty for Canada .
American voters — and their northern neighbours — must wait to learn whether they will be getting four more years of an inscrutable Donald Trump or beginning a new chapter with Joe Biden .
The U.S. presidential election remained unresolved Tuesday night , offering no certainty over who would occupy the foreign office most important to Canadian interests .
The cliffhanger had Canadian political observers saying it was too early to know what Canada would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It also meant Trudeau government , as expected , withheld all comment because there was nothing definitive to comment on .
• Here ’ s how the outcome of the U.S. election could impact Canada • What will the U.S. election do to hate in Canada ?
• Most mechanics 'scared ' to work on electric vehicles , industry veteran says Bessma Momani , an international affairs specialist at the University of Waterloo , says Trump , who many feared would want to declare a premature victory , might expect Canada to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Canada now is that Trump may want to declare victory before all votes are counted and expect allies to send in their congratulations , '' said Momani .
`` For those who do n't , like Canada who will want to wait this out , Trump will take this very personally ( and ) be punitive on trade matters . ''
In the wee hours of this morning , Biden preached patience and said everyone must wait for the ballots to be counted .
Not long after that , Trump essentially declared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take his fight to the U.S. Supreme Court .
Perrin Beatty , the president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce , said uncertainty is not good .
`` From a business perspective , people want to know what to expect for the next four years , '' he said .
`` But we 're simply going to have to wait . ''
Early Tuesday night , Biden made strong showings in Republican strongholds of Texas and Ohio .
He also came out strong in Florida , a vote-rich state in the U.S. electoral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed for victory , but Trump caught up and The Associated Press declared him the winner in all three of those key states .
`` It looks like we may be headed to the dreaded scenario : A close race that ends up in the courts , which gets to choose the winner , '' said Fen Hampson , an international affairs expert at Carleton University 's Norman Paterson School of International Affairs .
`` And it will breed political uncertainty , which is n't good for Americans or Canadians at a time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
For Americans voting in Canada , the delay was also frustrating .
Houston-born Jennifer Phillips , 30 , voted by mail from Vancouver in her native Texas after moving to Canada last year .
`` Americans know that issues like COVID , climate change , the global economy , require U.S. participation and leadership .
So you know , what happens in America impacts the world , '' said Phillips .
Living in Vancouver , she says she has breathed the smoke that has drifted northward from the California wildfires .

Canadian business leaders and political analysts say the morning after election day in the United States brings more political and economic uncertainty for Canada. American voters — and their northern neighbours — must wait to learn whether they will be getting four more years of an inscrutable Donald Trump or beginning a new chapter with Joe Biden. The U.S. presidential election remained unresolved Tuesday night, offering no certainty over who would occupy the foreign office most important to Canadian interests. The cliffhanger had Canadian political observers saying it was too early to know what Canada would be facing for the next four years. It also meant Trudeau government, as expected, withheld all comment because there was nothing definitive to comment on.
Bessma Momani, an international affairs specialist at the University of Waterloo, says Trump, who many feared would want to declare a premature victory, might expect Canada to say something. "A big challenge for Canada now is that Trump may want to declare victory before all votes are counted and expect allies to send in their congratulations," said Momani. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "For those who don't, like Canada who will want to wait this out, Trump will take this very personally (and) be punitive on trade matters."
In the wee hours of this morning, Biden preached patience and said everyone must wait for the ballots to be counted. Not long after that, Trump essentially declared himself the winner and said he would take his fight to the U.S. Supreme Court. Uncertain U.S. election spells economic instability for Canada. #USelection2020 #cdnpoli #cdneconomy Perrin Beatty, the president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, said uncertainty is not good. "From a business perspective, people want to know what to expect for the next four years," he said. "But we're simply going to have to wait." Early Tuesday night, Biden made strong showings in Republican strongholds of Texas and Ohio. He also came out strong in Florida, a vote-rich state in the U.S. electoral college with 29 of the 270 votes needed for victory, but Trump caught up and The Associated Press declared him the winner in all three of those key states.
The neck-and-neck race intensified. "It looks like we may be headed to the dreaded scenario: A close race that ends up in the courts, which gets to choose the winner," said Fen Hampson, an international affairs expert at Carleton University's Norman Paterson School of International Affairs. "And it will breed political uncertainty, which isn't good for Americans or Canadians at a time when our economies are reeling from COVID-19."


nationalobserver--2020-11-04--Ontario's COVID-19 response plan revealed in Thursday's budget

The Ontario government is expected to lay out the next phase of its COVID-19 response as it presents its first budget since the start of the pandemic on Thursday .
The Progressive Conservative government postponed delivering a full fiscal plan earlier this year , citing the economic uncertainty caused by the global health crisis .
The fiscal update it gave instead in March included $ 17 billion in COVID-19 relief , a projection that was later revised to $ 30 billion by the end of 2020-2021 .
The province also initially predicted a deficit of $ 20.5 billion , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in light of the additional spending .
The province has already said Thursday 's budget will include details of the new standard for long-term care announced earlier this week , which would see nursing home residents receive an average of four hours of daily direct care .
• Here ’ s how the outcome of the U.S. election could impact Canada • What will the U.S. election do to hate in Canada ?
• Most mechanics 'scared ' to work on electric vehicles , industry veteran says Finance Minister Rod Phillips has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlook that will build on the measures presented in the spring .
`` As we all know , COVID-19 has created an unprecedented level of risk to the global economy .
So having a well thought out plan is more important than ever , '' he said earlier this week .
`` The next phase of Ontario 's action plan will make available every necessary resource to continue to protect people 's health going forward , and it will expand the support our government is providing to those still facing financial hardships due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ford also vowed last month to spend $ 9 billion in program spending that has so far not been allocated , after the unspent funding was flagged by the province 's fiscal watchdog .
In its report , the Financial Accountability Office noted the money could also be used to bring down what it projects will be a $ 37.2 billion deficit for 2020-2021 .
The watchdog said at the time that the reopening of businesses over the summer had led it to improve its financial outlook for Ontario , with its latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestic product will decline by 6.8 per cent this year , rather than the nine per cent it had forecast earlier in the year .
The Ontario government to lay out COVID-19 plans in tomorrow 's budget .
# budget # ontariobudget # ontpoli But it said even the improved prediction represents the largest annual decline on record , and warned any future recovery would be hampered if further lockdowns are implemented .
The Ford government has also said it is abandoning its plan to balance the books by 2023-2024 , in light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
The premier said last month that returning to balance will take place over `` a number of years '' and be done thoughtfully .
`` We 're going to make sure the No .
1 priority is to get companies back on their feet , get families back on their feet , '' Ford said at the time .
In a statement released Wednesday , the Opposition called for the budget to include immediate relief and sustainable funding for the hospital sector , mass hiring of public health staff to boost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid sick days for all workers , among other measures .
`` It ’ s clear Doug Ford hasn ’ t done enough to help people through the pandemic up until now , as he pinches pennies to save a buck and sits on billions of federal dollars .
He just doesn ’ t want to spend the money , '' NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said .

The Ontario government is expected to lay out the next phase of its COVID-19 response as it presents its first budget since the start of the pandemic on Thursday. The Progressive Conservative government postponed delivering a full fiscal plan earlier this year, citing the economic uncertainty caused by the global health crisis. The fiscal update it gave instead in March included $17 billion in COVID-19 relief, a projection that was later revised to $30 billion by the end of 2020-2021. The province also initially predicted a deficit of $20.5 billion, which was later raised to $38.5 billion in light of the additional spending. The province has already said Thursday's budget will include details of the new standard for long-term care announced earlier this week, which would see nursing home residents receive an average of four hours of daily direct care.
Finance Minister Rod Phillips has said the fiscal blueprint will provide a multi-year outlook that will build on the measures presented in the spring. "As we all know, COVID-19 has created an unprecedented level of risk to the global economy. So having a well thought out plan is more important than ever," he said earlier this week. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "The next phase of Ontario's action plan will make available every necessary resource to continue to protect people's health going forward, and it will expand the support our government is providing to those still facing financial hardships due to the pandemic."
Premier Doug Ford also vowed last month to spend $9 billion in program spending that has so far not been allocated, after the unspent funding was flagged by the province's fiscal watchdog. The Ontario government to lay out COVID-19 plans in tomorrow's budget. #budget #ontariobudget #ontpoli In its report, the Financial Accountability Office noted the money could also be used to bring down what it projects will be a $37.2 billion deficit for 2020-2021. The watchdog said at the time that the reopening of businesses over the summer had led it to improve its financial outlook for Ontario, with its latest projections showing the province's real gross domestic product will decline by 6.8 per cent this year, rather than the nine per cent it had forecast earlier in the year. But it said even the improved prediction represents the largest annual decline on record, and warned any future recovery would be hampered if further lockdowns are implemented. The Ford government has also said it is abandoning its plan to balance the books by 2023-2024, in light of the unprecedented financial demands of the pandemic.
The premier said last month that returning to balance will take place over "a number of years" and be done thoughtfully. "We're going to make sure the No. 1 priority is to get companies back on their feet, get families back on their feet,'' Ford said at the time. In a statement released Wednesday, the Opposition called for the budget to include immediate relief and sustainable funding for the hospital sector, mass hiring of public health staff to boost COVID-19 testing and contact tracing, and paid sick days for all workers, among other measures.


nationalobserver--2020-11-04--Nail-biter of a presidential election remains undecided

It 's morning in America , but not the calm one once showcased in a famous U.S. presidential ad .
Americans are waking up to uncertainty about their political leadership as the outcome of the bitterly contested 2020 presidential election remains unclear .
The final results were likely in the hands of a few key states as the counting of millions of mail-in or early ballots complicated what is normally a relatively swift process of election night vote tallies .
In a speech just before 1 a.m .
ET , Democratic challenger Joe Biden told supporters he was feeling good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on track to win this election . ''
President Donald Trump , the Republican incumbent , moved quickly on Twitter to knock Biden down , saying his campaign was up `` big . ''
As polls closed Tuesday , Trump was handed unsurprising wins in solidly Republican districts , with Biden scooping up comfortably Democratic states as well .
Trump also picked up the battleground states of Texas , Florida , Iowa and Ohio , while Biden carried New Hampshire and Minnesota .
• Here ’ s how the outcome of the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. election do to hate in Canada ?
• Most mechanics 'scared ' to work on electric vehicles , industry veteran says But as of 2 a.m. , several states remained too close to call , including Arizona , Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
The election took place against the backdrop of a historic crises : the COVID-19 pandemic that killed more than 232,000 Americans and decimated the economy .
Both men had sought to paint the other as unfit to govern through those challenges and their aftermath .
Deep divisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts by Trump 's campaign to cast doubt on the mail-in process , had raised fears of protests or clashes marring election day .
But few problems were reported as Americans waited hours to cast their votes in person , though court challenges by both campaigns remained underway .
Trump , however , cast further doubt when on social media early this morning he suggested his rivals were `` trying to steal the election . ''
Twitter hid the post , warning its content could be misleading .
We are up BIG , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Election .
We will never let them do it .
Votes can not be cast after the Polls are closed !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) November 4 , 2020 In a speech not long after that , Trump essentially declared himself the winner and vowed to take his fight to the U.S. Supreme Court .
U.S. election too close to call .
# USelection2020 # USelection # nailbiter # undecided This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 4 , 2020

It's morning in America, but not the calm one once showcased in a famous U.S. presidential ad.
Americans are waking up to uncertainty about their political leadership as the outcome of the bitterly contested 2020 presidential election remains unclear.
The final results were likely in the hands of a few key states as the counting of millions of mail-in or early ballots complicated what is normally a relatively swift process of election night vote tallies.
In a speech just before 1 a.m. ET, Democratic challenger Joe Biden told supporters he was feeling good about where his campaign was: "on track to win this election."
President Donald Trump, the Republican incumbent, moved quickly on Twitter to knock Biden down, saying his campaign was up "big."
As polls closed Tuesday, Trump was handed unsurprising wins in solidly Republican districts, with Biden scooping up comfortably Democratic states as well.
Trump also picked up the battleground states of Texas, Florida, Iowa and Ohio, while Biden carried New Hampshire and Minnesota.


nationalobserver--2020-11-04--Canadian agribusiness wants scale to measure environmental impacts, but critics are wary

Canadian agribusinesses are asking for a standardized scale to measure their environmental impacts — a request some advocates worry is little more than smoke and mirrors .
Their concern follows a report published last week by a coalition of Canadian agribusinesses , non-profits and government agencies .
According to the document , Canada ’ s agriculture and food sectors have already taken significant steps to measure their environmental impacts but , to remain globally competitive , need industry-wide , data-driven standards .
Food is responsible for between 21 and 37 per cent of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alone , agriculture is the sixth-largest emitter of GHGs , with 87 per cent of these emissions going to crop and animal production in 2019 , according to Statistics Canada , while food waste is responsible for roughly 56.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents annually , according to a 2019 report by Second Harvest , an organization advocating for food waste reduction .
That ’ s equivalent to the annual emissions of 12 million cars .
Not only that : industrial food production , processing , transportation and disposal has been linked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quality to labour issues .
• Here ’ s how the outcome of the U.S. election could impact Canada • What will the U.S. election do to hate in Canada ?
• Most mechanics 'scared ' to work on electric vehicles , industry veteran says “ Worldwide , there ’ s a dramatic shift to better assess how supply chains , companies and countries alike are making changes against global goals , ” David McInnes , an industry consultant and the report ’ s author , said in an interview .
Those include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , commitments under the 2015 Paris Accord and global targets to protect biodiversity .
Those issues are increasingly part of public policy , financing agreements and consumers ’ choices at the supermarket , McInnes explained .
It ’ s enough pressure to make the agri-food industry want to change its practices — and measure them .
“ You need to be transparent ; you need to report against goals , and that ’ s where benchmarking is becoming such a profoundly pervasive feature of how we produce and supply and consume our food.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with standardized goals , unlike the current situation .
As it stands , individual companies or industries have environmental and labour standards , but there is little co-ordination between them , making it difficult to get a holistic picture of changes to the overall impacts of Canada ’ s food system , McInnes said .
Not everyone is convinced .
“ The ( agribusiness ) argument always is 'more research is needed , more numbers are needed , ' ” said Darrin Qualman , director of climate crisis policy and action at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fewer # emissions and fewer unintended consequences , and slow the loss of # biodiversity , we ’ ve got to find ways to get more of what we need ( to farm ) from biology and less from industry , ” @ DarrinQualman said .
“ But we know so much about emissions from fertilizer , we know so much about the loss of insects and birds , we know so much about GHGs … We just need to act on that very rapidly.
” The problem isn ’ t a lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of sector-wide benchmarks , he explained .
It ’ s farming on an industrial scale — a model long promoted by the federal government , many universities and the agribusiness sector .
It ’ s a type of farming that ’ s inherently unsustainable , Qualman explained , because it relies heavily on artificial fertilizers , pesticides and seeds .
The report reviewed the sustainability targets of a swath of organizations , companies and governments across Canada 's food system .
Sustainable sourcing , GHG emissions and sustainable land use are key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by David McInnes/DMci Strategies “ What we have now is best described as a productivist system , ” he said .
That means farmers need to maximize the yields of a few commodity crops , many of them destined for export , to stay in business .
Maintaining those levels of productivity depends on artificial fertilizers , pesticides and carbon-intensive farming techniques .
And even if farmers want to farm more sustainably — and many do , Qualman said — it will be almost impossible for many to afford unless there are significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support .
It ’ s a model at the heart of some of the coalition members ’ businesses .
For instance , Bayer CropScience Canada and Syngenta Canada are both major distributors of seeds , herbicides and pesticides .
These companies ’ need to increase the use of these products won ’ t change , regardless of farms ’ efficiencies and the ability to clear sustainability benchmarks .
Not only that , Qualman worries that a heavy reliance on data — which is crucial for benchmarking to be effective — could harm farmers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and databases are owned by the same companies selling seeds , fertilizers and pesticides .
That ’ s not to say technology doesn ’ t have a place in agriculture , but he said it needs to let farmers manage their farms independently and control how their farm data is used .
Ultimately , he said , data and benchmarking alone won ’ t make farms and food systems more sustainable .
Supporting farming systems that don ’ t need fertilizers , pesticides and lots of fuel will .

Canadian agribusinesses are asking for a standardized scale to measure their environmental impacts — a request some advocates worry is little more than smoke and mirrors. Their concern follows a report published last week by a coalition of Canadian agribusinesses, non-profits and government agencies. According to the document, Canada’s agriculture and food sectors have already taken significant steps to measure their environmental impacts but, to remain globally competitive, need industry-wide, data-driven standards. Food is responsible for between 21 and 37 per cent of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, according to the UN Environment Program. In Canada alone, agriculture is the sixth-largest emitter of GHGs, with 87 per cent of these emissions going to crop and animal production in 2019, according to Statistics Canada, while food waste is responsible for roughly 56.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents annually, according to a 2019 report by Second Harvest, an organization advocating for food waste reduction. That’s equivalent to the annual emissions of 12 million cars. Not only that: industrial food production, processing, transportation and disposal has been linked to everything from declining pollinator populations to water quality to labour issues.
“Worldwide, there’s a dramatic shift to better assess how supply chains, companies and countries alike are making changes against global goals,” David McInnes, an industry consultant and the report’s author, said in an interview. Those include the UN’s sustainable development goals, commitments under the 2015 Paris Accord and global targets to protect biodiversity. Those issues are increasingly part of public policy, financing agreements and consumers’ choices at the supermarket, McInnes explained. It’s enough pressure to make the agri-food industry want to change its practices — and measure them. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions “You need to be transparent; you need to report against goals, and that’s where benchmarking is becoming such a profoundly pervasive feature of how we produce and supply and consume our food.”
But that process is more effective with standardized goals, unlike the current situation. As it stands, individual companies or industries have environmental and labour standards, but there is little co-ordination between them, making it difficult to get a holistic picture of changes to the overall impacts of Canada’s food system, McInnes said. “To get fewer #emissions and fewer unintended consequences, and slow the loss of #biodiversity, we’ve got to find ways to get more of what we need (to farm) from biology and less from industry,” @DarrinQualman said. Not everyone is convinced. “The (agribusiness) argument always is 'more research is needed, more numbers are needed,'” said Darrin Qualman, director of climate crisis policy and action at the National Farmers Union. “But we know so much about emissions from fertilizer, we know so much about the loss of insects and birds, we know so much about GHGs … We just need to act on that very rapidly.” The problem isn’t a lack of data on farming practices or the lack of sector-wide benchmarks, he explained. It’s farming on an industrial scale — a model long promoted by the federal government, many universities and the agribusiness sector. It’s a type of farming that’s inherently unsustainable, Qualman explained, because it relies heavily on artificial fertilizers, pesticides and seeds.
The report reviewed the sustainability targets of a swath of organizations, companies and governments across Canada's food system. Sustainable sourcing, GHG emissions and sustainable land use are key concerns for many of them. Graph by David McInnes/DMci Strategies “What we have now is best described as a productivist system,” he said. That means farmers need to maximize the yields of a few commodity crops, many of them destined for export, to stay in business. Maintaining those levels of productivity depends on artificial fertilizers, pesticides and carbon-intensive farming techniques.


nationalobserver--2020-11-04--Canada needs more resilient energy sector, oilpatch worker group says

A director at a group of oilsands workers committed to renewable energy development says the pandemic has demonstrated the need to build a better Canada that ’ s more equal and more resilient .
Bruce Wilson spent more than 30 years in the oil and gas industry and is now a director at Iron & Earth , a group that was founded in Victoria , B.C.
, and counts pipe fitters , ironworkers and other industrial labourers as members .
The climate emergency “ will be orders of magnitude greater in severity ” than what has happened with COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is going to require a response from federal and provincial governments that is commensurate with the challenge , he said .
“ We can see that the once-firm ground on which the oil and gas industry was founded is eroding , and eroding at an alarming rate , and you can choose to respond to that , or you can choose to turn away , ” he said .
“ The challenge is to say to people , ‘ Look , there ’ s a new legacy to be had , and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good jobs , it comes with meaning , and all of the other community-based things you hold dear.
’ And that ’ s the compelling conversation we need to have with people.
” The organization wants to see governments invest $ 110 billion over the next decade to create one million “ climate careers ” that would set the foundation for a green recovery .
This would be divided into four themes : a training program for fossil fuel and Indigenous workers , a retooling program for manufacturing , a retrofitting initiative , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A director at Iron & Earth , a group of oilsands workers committed to # renewableenergy development , says the pandemic has demonstrated the need to build a better Canada that ’ s more equal and more resilient .
Kavi Bal , senior press secretary to Alberta Energy Minister Sonya Savage , said it was important to note that oil and gas will continue to play a role in the years to come .
“ The energy mix is changing , but projections show continued global demand for fossil fuels well into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not cede that market to dictatorships like Russia and Saudi Arabia , ” said Bal .
The minister 's office said Alberta 's Recovery Plan , the provincial government 's response to the pandemic recession as well as a global oil price collapse , includes “ significant actions to diversify the economy and get Albertans back to work.
” That includes announcements this fall related to rare earth minerals on Sept. 23 , hydrogen on Oct. 6 , geothermal energy on Oct. 7 and petrochemicals on Oct. 30 , said Bal .
Alberta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding a range of initiatives in the province .
Ottawa announced $ 100 million this month from the federal Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund and the province announced $ 180 million from its technology innovation and emissions reduction system .

A director at a group of oilsands workers committed to renewable energy development says the pandemic has demonstrated the need to build a better Canada that’s more equal and more resilient. Bruce Wilson spent more than 30 years in the oil and gas industry and is now a director at Iron & Earth, a group that was founded in Victoria, B.C., and counts pipe fitters, ironworkers and other industrial labourers as members. The climate emergency “will be orders of magnitude greater in severity” than what has happened with COVID-19, Wilson said in an interview. That is going to require a response from federal and provincial governments that is commensurate with the challenge, he said. “For us, the pandemic, we think of a green recovery, and taking advantage of an opportunity to build a better society — a society that’s more equal, a society that’s more resilient, more robust — getting ready for the bigger challenge that’s ahead,” said Wilson. “We see this as a time for major investment, and we made that point in the run-up to the throne speech that (governments) need to invest some significant amounts of money.”
“We can see that the once-firm ground on which the oil and gas industry was founded is eroding, and eroding at an alarming rate, and you can choose to respond to that, or you can choose to turn away,” he said. A director at Iron & Earth, a group of oilsands workers committed to #renewableenergy development, says the pandemic has demonstrated the need to build a better Canada that’s more equal and more resilient. “The challenge is to say to people, ‘Look, there’s a new legacy to be had, and it comes with opportunity, it comes with good jobs, it comes with meaning, and all of the other community-based things you hold dear.’ And that’s the compelling conversation we need to have with people.” The organization wants to see governments invest $110 billion over the next decade to create one million “climate careers” that would set the foundation for a green recovery. This would be divided into four themes: a training program for fossil fuel and Indigenous workers, a retooling program for manufacturing, a retrofitting initiative, and nature-based solutions like forest restoration. ‘The energy mix is changing,’ says Alberta minister Kavi Bal, senior press secretary to Alberta Energy Minister Sonya Savage, said it was important to note that oil and gas will continue to play a role in the years to come.
“The energy mix is changing, but projections show continued global demand for fossil fuels well into the future. We believe that Canada should not cede that market to dictatorships like Russia and Saudi Arabia,” said Bal. The minister's office said Alberta's Recovery Plan, the provincial government's response to the pandemic recession as well as a global oil price collapse, includes “significant actions to diversify the economy and get Albertans back to work.” That includes announcements this fall related to rare earth minerals on Sept. 23, hydrogen on Oct. 6, geothermal energy on Oct. 7 and petrochemicals on Oct. 30, said Bal.


nationalobserver--2020-11-04--Island community plans to buy, preserve forest for local children

Katie Wheeler grew up counting salmon in creeks , swimming in icy ocean bays and examining the trees , plants and creatures in a section of rainforest on the northern end of her small B.C .
island .
The 17-year-old ’ s childhood memories are rooted in her experiences in the Children ’ s Forest on Cortes Island .
Now the young woman hopes to contribute to a community effort to protect the area so younger kids can enjoy it like she did .
Wheeler acts as a youth mentor for the Forest Trust for the Children of Cortes Island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopes of buying 640 acres of forest from timber companies for future generations .
“ ( The forest ) has a lot of endangered species of animals , plants and fungi .
And ecosystems that are non-existent now in a lot of places because of logging , ” Wheeler said , noting pockets of old-growth remain on the properties held by Mosaic Forest Management .
• Here ’ s how the outcome of the U.S. election could impact Canada • What will the U.S. election do to hate in Canada ?
• Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicles , industry veteran says A second generation of island kids enjoying the Cortes Children 's Forest .
Photo courtesy of the Forest Trust for the Children of Cortes Island Society “ I ’ ve lived on Cortes my whole life , so I ’ ve watched the forest change and grow , too , ” Wheeler said .
“ Now I 'm one of the older kids showing the younger ones all these things in the forest , which is pretty awesome.
” Wheeler participated in a recent MycoBlitz — a quick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Children ’ s Forest led by prominent mycologist and author Paul Stamets .
Then she acted as an interpretive guide to share the mycological findings with local families and kids .
The experiential family event reflects the main goals of the forest trust , said board chair Chris Dragseth , who noted nature-based initiatives and ecological surveys occur on a regular basis .
Community members on B.C .
's Cortes Island hope to buy 640 acres of forest from timber companies for future generations .
# conservation # BC # OldGrowth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust hopes to catalogue biodiversity in the area and provide children and families opportunities to practise environmental stewardship , he said .
The Children ’ s Forest encompasses timber holdings that are ecologically diverse and adjacent to Carrington Bay Regional Park Reserve , Dragseth said .
Protecting the forest would boost connectivity of the green space to maintain important wildlife corridors , as well as the James Creek watershed , which includes important wetlands and fish habitat .
“ It ’ s a pretty unique area , from an ecosystem point of view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s board has met with Mosaic managers to determine how best to move forward , he said .
“ We 've had discussions with Mosaic , and they 've been positive , ” Dragseth said .
“ But it 's unclear how long this is going to take.
” The trust won ’ t start a big fundraising blitz until the board can reach an agreement with Mosaic and get a fixed price for the land , he added .
“ Hopefully , in 2021 , we 'll have some more substantive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the land is likely to cost millions of dollars .
“ The rub is : How do we achieve that ( agreement ) and make sure that there 's a win-win for both parties ?
” But the group is hopeful about achieving its goals , said Dragseth , who added some large funders have expressed interest in donating when negotiations reach a critical stage .
Plus , the Cortes community has a history of success in protecting forests on the island .
Cortes Children 's Forest board chair Chris Dragseth said purchasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars .
Photo courtesy of Chris Dragseth After decades of activism , residents , with the help of the Strathcona Regional District , purchased 70 acres from a forestry company to create the Whaletown Commons Park in 2014 .
More recently , the tiny community of Surge Narrows on neighbouring Read Island successfully purchased 20 acres to add to its protected forest holdings .
As did community members in the small Vancouver Island town of Cumberland ; they have managed to protect more than 500 acres of forest land .
Wheeler is convinced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forest will be worthwhile .
Even she wasn ’ t aware of how much she benefited from forest learning until she left Cortes to attend high school on neighbouring Vancouver Island .
“ I realized how lucky I am to have been able to learn so much about the forest , ” Wheeler said .
She was puzzled when she discovered she knew more about plants and the environment than many of her classmates .
“ I didn ’ t realize it wasn ’ t normal to have that , ” Wheeler said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who didn ’ t know or have an interest in wild places , it made me realize how blessed I am to have had the opportunity .
”

Katie Wheeler grew up counting salmon in creeks, swimming in icy ocean bays and examining the trees, plants and creatures in a section of rainforest on the northern end of her small B.C. island. The 17-year-old’s childhood memories are rooted in her experiences in the Children’s Forest on Cortes Island. Now the young woman hopes to contribute to a community effort to protect the area so younger kids can enjoy it like she did. Wheeler acts as a youth mentor for the Forest Trust for the Children of Cortes Island Society, a charity formed in the hopes of buying 640 acres of forest from timber companies for future generations. “(The forest) has a lot of endangered species of animals, plants and fungi. And ecosystems that are non-existent now in a lot of places because of logging,” Wheeler said, noting pockets of old-growth remain on the properties held by Mosaic Forest Management.
A second generation of island kids enjoying the Cortes Children's Forest. Photo courtesy of the Forest Trust for the Children of Cortes Island Society “I’ve lived on Cortes my whole life, so I’ve watched the forest change and grow, too,” Wheeler said. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions “Now I'm one of the older kids showing the younger ones all these things in the forest, which is pretty awesome.”
Wheeler participated in a recent MycoBlitz — a quick, intense survey of the fungal species in the Children’s Forest led by prominent mycologist and author Paul Stamets. Community members on B.C.'s Cortes Island hope to buy 640 acres of forest from timber companies for future generations. #conservation #BC #OldGrowth Then she acted as an interpretive guide to share the mycological findings with local families and kids. The experiential family event reflects the main goals of the forest trust, said board chair Chris Dragseth, who noted nature-based initiatives and ecological surveys occur on a regular basis. Beyond leaving a forest legacy, the trust hopes to catalogue biodiversity in the area and provide children and families opportunities to practise environmental stewardship, he said. The Children’s Forest encompasses timber holdings that are ecologically diverse and adjacent to Carrington Bay Regional Park Reserve, Dragseth said.
Protecting the forest would boost connectivity of the green space to maintain important wildlife corridors, as well as the James Creek watershed, which includes important wetlands and fish habitat. “It’s a pretty unique area, from an ecosystem point of view,” Dragseth said. The trust’s board has met with Mosaic managers to determine how best to move forward, he said.


nationalobserver--2020-11-04--U of T hip-hop conference highlights virtual storytelling, activism

Hip-hop culture has much to add to the racial justice conversation taking place in the streets and on basketball courts across the United States and even in Canada , says a curator of a University of Toronto education series on the movement .
With 2020 bringing not just a pandemic disproportionately hurting Black people and other people of colour but also a seemingly endless and escalating list of Black victims of U.S. police violence , the dominant cultural expression of young Black America is a primary venue for artistic response .
So on the day after the U.S. election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to raise the voices of revolution with a series of moderated discussions between hip-hop artists and scholars .
“ Ideally , even with the confines of the pandemic and having to be digital , we 're trying to create with these conversations a kind of digital cypher , and the cypher is at the root of hip hop , ” said Zoe Dille , a manager of learning and community at U of T ’ s Hart House , a student activity centre .
A cypher in hip hop typically refers to improvisational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breakdancing , while the word can also mean a coded message .
• Here ’ s how the outcome of the U.S. election could impact Canada • What will the U.S. election do to hate in Canada ?
• Most mechanics 'scared ' to work on electric vehicles , industry veteran says Hip hop is about more than just rapping rhymes over beats , said Dille , who situates hip hop on a post-colonial continuum as a cultural movement in reaction to systems of power .
She says hip-hop ’ s message for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unity , shared experience , social activism .
“ Whenever you can privilege those voices , and they can get a platform to talk about their lived experiences or to talk about the moment that we are in , that 's always important and there is a heightened context right now , ” she said .
A short video from the inaugural Humanz of Hip Hop conference in 2019 .
Source Hart House via YouTube Those messages will be in focus during this week ’ s two-day conference , which features speakers including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the online discussion from Amsterdam .
Dille says that piping in distant guests to a live setting can be “ a bit weird , ” but that with everything online this time around , the reach of the conference has expanded and barriers to entry have fallen .
The day after the U.S. election , the Humanz of Hip Hop conference aims to raise the voices of revolution with a series of moderated discussions between # hiphop artists and scholars .
“ Now we can just think about anything and pretty much do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
“ The world has opened up in that way , so that ’ s been a positive , I think .
“ That 's freed us up in some ways , but , of course , now we 're however many months into this and I think people actual want to see real faces in real space , ” she added .
Thursday ’ s sessions provide U of T students and alumni with industry connections and space to explore possible careers involving hip hop .
Noting the spectre of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least a hundred people take part in the conference .
Dille , a dedicated basketball fan , is also looking ahead to next week ’ s instalment of Hart House ’ s Hip Hop 101 Café series , which will involve two sports broadcasters discussing the leadership role that NBA players took this summer in showing solidarity with Black Lives Matter protesters in the streets .
Players with the Milwaukee Bucks refused to take to the court in the immediate aftermath of the police shooting of Jacob Blake in nearby Kenosha , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powerful message from the locker room .
Their protest spread to work stoppages at other NBA playoff series , then onto women ’ s basketball , baseball and soccer , and finally to hockey .
Some NFL teams cancelled practices during their off-season .
Dille said that the event will unpack the complexity of seeing NBA players as multimillionaires , but “ then realizing that many of them have been victims of police brutality ... they are all subject to being Black men in America , mostly , when they ’ re not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cares about them being in the NBA when they ’ re not on the court , ” she said , noting the issue enabled Black men to be vulnerable in sharing their experiences .
Sterling Brown , one of the Bucks players who read their collective statement , has a federal lawsuit pending against the City of Milwaukee after police officers used a stun gun on him following a parking violation in January 2018 .
This week ’ s conference technically marks the start of Humanz of Hip Hop ’ s second year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer of online programming has merged the two seasons together .
Typically , the series would have wrapped up in April when exams start and then organizers would plan for the following year , she explained , “ but when lockdown came in in March , it was a mad scramble to try to switch everything to virtual , and we worked all summer long.
” That included teaming up with Yellowbrick to deliver a webinar in June on how to break into the sneaker industry , as well as regular drop-in virtual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beats .

Hip-hop culture has much to add to the racial justice conversation taking place in the streets and on basketball courts across the United States and even in Canada, says a curator of a University of Toronto education series on the movement. With 2020 bringing not just a pandemic disproportionately hurting Black people and other people of colour but also a seemingly endless and escalating list of Black victims of U.S. police violence, the dominant cultural expression of young Black America is a primary venue for artistic response. So on the day after the U.S. election, the Humanz of Hip Hop conference aims to raise the voices of revolution with a series of moderated discussions between hip-hop artists and scholars. “Ideally, even with the confines of the pandemic and having to be digital, we're trying to create with these conversations a kind of digital cypher, and the cypher is at the root of hip hop,” said Zoe Dille, a manager of learning and community at U of T’s Hart House, a student activity centre. A cypher in hip hop typically refers to improvisational rapping, often accompanied by beatboxing and breakdancing, while the word can also mean a coded message.
Hip hop is about more than just rapping rhymes over beats, said Dille, who situates hip hop on a post-colonial continuum as a cultural movement in reaction to systems of power. She says hip-hop’s message for today’s world is clear: unity, shared experience, social activism. “Whenever you can privilege those voices, and they can get a platform to talk about their lived experiences or to talk about the moment that we are in, that's always important and there is a heightened context right now,” she said. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Video of Humanz of Hip Hop
A short video from the inaugural Humanz of Hip Hop conference in 2019. Source Hart House via YouTube The day after the U.S. election, the Humanz of Hip Hop conference aims to raise the voices of revolution with a series of moderated discussions between #hiphop artists and scholars. Those messages will be in focus during this week’s two-day conference, which features speakers including DJ/scholar Lynnée Denise, who will join the online discussion from Amsterdam. Dille says that piping in distant guests to a live setting can be “a bit weird,” but that with everything online this time around, the reach of the conference has expanded and barriers to entry have fallen. “Now we can just think about anything and pretty much do it,” notwithstanding time differences, she said. “The world has opened up in that way, so that’s been a positive, I think. “That's freed us up in some ways, but, of course, now we're however many months into this and I think people actual want to see real faces in real space,” she added.
Thursday’s sessions provide U of T students and alumni with industry connections and space to explore possible careers involving hip hop. Noting the spectre of digital fatigue, Dille said she hopes at least a hundred people take part in the conference.


nationalobserver--2020-11-03--Ford eases restrictions as Ontario COVID-19 case count hits new high

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he will ease restrictions on the province 's COVID-19 hot spots , hours after health authorities reported a single-day record in new cases and in contrast with Quebec 's recent extension of `` red-zone '' measures .
Ontario rolled out a new colour-coded system Tuesday that will determine when and to what extent coronavirus restrictions are placed on parts of the province .
Areas with the lowest case counts , positivity rates and community transmission levels will fall into a green category , with the most permissive rules .
The system then moves upward through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with increasingly strict measures , topped off by a grey `` lockdown '' level where maximum measures would be implemented .
The framework goes into effect this weekend , allowing restrictions previously placed on hot spots including Toronto , Peel Region and Ottawa to lighten .
The softer rules mean gyms and cinemas can reopen and indoor dining will resume — with capacity limits — following closures under `` modified Stage 2 '' measures imposed on Oct. 10 .
Ontario reported an unprecedented 1,050 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday , and 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Here ’ s how the outcome of the U.S. election could impact Canada • What will the U.S. election do to hate in Canada ?
• Most mechanics 'scared ' to work on electric vehicles , industry veteran says About 80 per cent of the new cases were in the hot spots of Toronto and the surrounding regions of Peel , Halton , York and Durham .
Quebec reported 871 new COVID-19 infections and 34 more deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus , including five that occurred in the previous 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prolonged red-zone restrictions until Nov. 23 for 12 of its 19 health regions , said the number of people in hospital rose by 27 to 526 , and 85 people were in intensive care , a rise of four .
The country 's top doctor unveiled new recommendations Tuesday around non-medical masks , saying they should be made of at least three layers and stressing their importance as the country heads indoors for winter .
Face masks should comprise two layers of tightly woven fabric such as cotton or linen , plus a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' such as non-woven polypropylene , according to the Public Health Agency of Canada .
“ We ’ re not necessarily saying throw out everything that you have , '' Dr. Theresa Tam , Canada 's chief public health officer , said at a news conference .
Premier Doug Ford eases restrictions as Ontario hits single-day record in new coronavirus cases .
# ontario # covid-19 # pandemic # stopthespread `` The fit is the most important thing , '' she said , emphasizing a pinched nose and full coverage of nose and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a departure from news conference habit , the country 's top politicians and doctors wore their masks except when speaking , underscoring the role of face coverage .
`` Because it ’ s winter , because we ’ re all going inside , we ’ re learning more about droplets and aerosols .
It ’ s just another layer of protection , '' Tam said in Ottawa .
In Ontario , Ford 's new framework sought to balance health priorities with pandemic fatigue , which has occasionally boiled over into protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has declared a state of emergency ahead of a planned demonstration against COVID-19 restrictions this weekend .
Mayor Mary French moved the town of nearly 7,500 people to high alert this week in anticipation of what local police described as an `` anti-masking freedom march '' on Saturday .
The mayor made the declaration Monday in response to `` the potential for civil unrest and service disruptions '' tied to the demonstration .
On the same day , the federal Liberals tabled a bill that would extend the federal wage subsidy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ value of payments as concerns over small businesses ' survival prospects escalate .
The bill also creates a new commercial rent-relief program to provide aid directly to businesses .
The Liberals ' last version relied on landlords to apply for help , which they did n't do in great numbers .
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole is calling for the Liberals to put a pause on federal audits of small businesses hit hard by COVID-19 .
He says too many small and medium-sized businesses are struggling to survive during the pandemic , and still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unfair audit requests from the Canada Revenue Agency .
Many small businesses , such as restaurants and in the tourism sector have been asking unsuccessfully for months for extra help through the federal wage-subsidy program to keep employees on payrolls , O'Toole says .
`` And then the audit process .
Can you imagine a small business holding on by a thread and having the tax collector descend on you with an audit ?
I think it 's horrible .
It 's unfair , '' O'Toole said during a morning press conference .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ first published Nov. 3 , 2020 .

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he will ease restrictions on the province's COVID-19 hot spots, hours after health authorities reported a single-day record in new cases and in contrast with Quebec's recent extension of "red-zone" measures. Ontario rolled out a new colour-coded system Tuesday that will determine when and to what extent coronavirus restrictions are placed on parts of the province. Areas with the lowest case counts, positivity rates and community transmission levels will fall into a green category, with the most permissive rules. The system then moves upward through yellow, orange and red categories, with increasingly strict measures, topped off by a grey "lockdown" level where maximum measures would be implemented. The framework goes into effect this weekend, allowing restrictions previously placed on hot spots including Toronto, Peel Region and Ottawa to lighten. The softer rules mean gyms and cinemas can reopen and indoor dining will resume — with capacity limits — following closures under "modified Stage 2" measures imposed on Oct. 10. Ontario reported an unprecedented 1,050 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, and 14 new deaths due to the virus.
About 80 per cent of the new cases were in the hot spots of Toronto and the surrounding regions of Peel, Halton, York and Durham. Quebec reported 871 new COVID-19 infections and 34 more deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus, including five that occurred in the previous 24 hours. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The province, which last week prolonged red-zone restrictions until Nov. 23 for 12 of its 19 health regions, said the number of people in hospital rose by 27 to 526, and 85 people were in intensive care, a rise of four.
The country's top doctor unveiled new recommendations Tuesday around non-medical masks, saying they should be made of at least three layers and stressing their importance as the country heads indoors for winter. Premier Doug Ford eases restrictions as Ontario hits single-day record in new coronavirus cases. #ontario #covid-19 #pandemic #stopthespread Face masks should comprise two layers of tightly woven fabric such as cotton or linen, plus a third layer of a "filter-type fabric" such as non-woven polypropylene, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. “We’re not necessarily saying throw out everything that you have," Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's chief public health officer, said at a news conference. "The fit is the most important thing," she said, emphasizing a pinched nose and full coverage of nose and mouth, but also comfort and breathability. In a departure from news conference habit, the country's top politicians and doctors wore their masks except when speaking, underscoring the role of face coverage.
"Because it’s winter, because we’re all going inside, we’re learning more about droplets and aerosols. It’s just another layer of protection," Tam said in Ottawa. In Ontario, Ford's new framework sought to balance health priorities with pandemic fatigue, which has occasionally boiled over into protest. The town of Aylmer, Ont., has declared a state of emergency ahead of a planned demonstration against COVID-19 restrictions this weekend.


nationalobserver--2020-11-03--Canada's top doctor unveils new three-layer non-medical masks and winter COVID-19 advice

OTTAWA — The country ’ s top doctor unveiled new recommendations Tuesday for non-medical masks , saying they should be made of at least three layers and stressing their importance as the country heads indoors for winter amid a surging COVID-19 case count .
Face masks should comprise two layers of tightly woven fabric such as cotton or linen , plus a third layer of a `` filter−type fabric '' such as polypropylene , according to the Public Health Agency of Canada .
“ We ’ re not necessarily saying throw out everything that you have , '' Dr. Theresa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health officer , said at a news conference Tuesday .
`` The fit is the most important thing , '' she said , emphasizing a pinched nose and full coverage of nose and mouth , but also comfort and breathability .
In a departure from news conference habit , the country ’ s top politicians and doctors wore their masks except when speaking , underscoring the role of face coverage in battling the pandemic as temperatures drop .
• Here ’ s how the outcome of the U.S. election could impact Canada • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hate in Canada ?
• Most mechanics 'scared ' to work on electric vehicles , industry veteran says `` Because it ’ s winter , because we ’ re all going inside , we ’ re learning more about droplets and aerosols .
It ’ s just another layer of protection , '' Tam said in Ottawa .
The World Health Organization recommended wearing filtered , three-layer masks as early as June 12 , but Tam said face coverings are an area of `` evolving science . ''
The mask memo came as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday , and 14 new deaths due to the virus .
About 80 per cent of the new cases were in the hot spots of Toronto and the surrounding regions of Peel , Halton , York and Durham .
Despite the unprecedented number of daily cases , Premier Doug Ford said he will ease restrictions on the province ’ s hot spots , in contrast with Quebec ’ s recent extension of `` red-zone '' measures .
Ontario rolled out a new tiered system Tuesday that will determine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are placed on parts of the province , a move the government said will help fight the pandemic at a regional level .
The World Health Organization recommended wearing filtered , three−layer masks as early as June 12 , but Tam said face coverings are an area of `` evolving science . ''
# COVID19 # stopthespread # wearamask Areas with the lowest case counts , positivity rates and community transmission levels will fall into a green category with the most permissive rules .
The colour-coded system then moves upward through yellow , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , topped off by a grey `` lockdown '' level where the most stringent protocols would be implemented The framework goes into effect on Saturday , allowing restrictions previously treated as hot spots including Toronto , Peel Region and Ottawa to loosen up .
The softer rules mean gyms and cinemas can reopen and indoor dining will resume — with capacity limits — following closures under `` modified Stage 2 '' measures imposed Oct. 10 .
Meanwhile , Quebec reported 871 new COVID-19 infections and 34 more deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous 24 hours .
The province , which last week prolonged red−zone restrictions until Nov. 23 for 12 of its 19 health regions , said the number of people in hospital rose by 27 to 526 , and 85 people were in intensive care , a rise of four .
Governments have struggled to balance health priorities with economic woes and pandemic fatigue as the prospect of social isolation and uncertainty around vaccines adds a bleaker tint to the onset of winter .
On Monday , the federal Liberals tabled a bill that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop a previously planned slide in the value of payments as concerns over small businesses ’ survival prospects escalate .
The bill also creates a new commercial rent−relief program to provide aid directly to businesses .
The Liberals ’ last version relied on landlords to apply for help , which they didn ’ t do in great numbers .
Conservative Leader Erin O ’ Toole is calling for the Liberals to put a pause on federal audits of small businesses hit hard by COVID-19 .
He says too many small and medium-sized businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and still have been hit by what he calls unfair audit requests from the Canada Revenue Agency .

OTTAWA — The country’s top doctor unveiled new recommendations Tuesday for non-medical masks, saying they should be made of at least three layers and stressing their importance as the country heads indoors for winter amid a surging COVID-19 case count. Face masks should comprise two layers of tightly woven fabric such as cotton or linen, plus a third layer of a "filter−type fabric" such as polypropylene, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. “We’re not necessarily saying throw out everything that you have," Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, said at a news conference Tuesday. "The fit is the most important thing," she said, emphasizing a pinched nose and full coverage of nose and mouth, but also comfort and breathability. In a departure from news conference habit, the country’s top politicians and doctors wore their masks except when speaking, underscoring the role of face coverage in battling the pandemic as temperatures drop.
"Because it’s winter, because we’re all going inside, we’re learning more about droplets and aerosols. It’s just another layer of protection," Tam said in Ottawa. The World Health Organization recommended wearing filtered, three-layer masks as early as June 12, but Tam said face coverings are an area of "evolving science." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The mask memo came as Ontario reported a single-day record of 1,050 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, and 14 new deaths due to the virus.
About 80 per cent of the new cases were in the hot spots of Toronto and the surrounding regions of Peel, Halton, York and Durham. The World Health Organization recommended wearing filtered, three−layer masks as early as June 12, but Tam said face coverings are an area of "evolving science." #COVID19 #stopthespread #wearamask Despite the unprecedented number of daily cases, Premier Doug Ford said he will ease restrictions on the province’s hot spots, in contrast with Quebec’s recent extension of "red-zone" measures. Ontario rolled out a new tiered system Tuesday that will determine when and to what extent coronavirus restrictions are placed on parts of the province, a move the government said will help fight the pandemic at a regional level. Areas with the lowest case counts, positivity rates and community transmission levels will fall into a green category with the most permissive rules. The colour-coded system then moves upward through yellow, orange and red with increasingly strict measures, topped off by a grey "lockdown" level where the most stringent protocols would be implemented The framework goes into effect on Saturday, allowing restrictions previously treated as hot spots including Toronto, Peel Region and Ottawa to loosen up. The softer rules mean gyms and cinemas can reopen and indoor dining will resume — with capacity limits — following closures under "modified Stage 2" measures imposed Oct. 10.
Meanwhile, Quebec reported 871 new COVID-19 infections and 34 more deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus, including five that occurred in the previous 24 hours. The province, which last week prolonged red−zone restrictions until Nov. 23 for 12 of its 19 health regions, said the number of people in hospital rose by 27 to 526, and 85 people were in intensive care, a rise of four. Governments have struggled to balance health priorities with economic woes and pandemic fatigue as the prospect of social isolation and uncertainty around vaccines adds a bleaker tint to the onset of winter.


nationalobserver--2020-11-03--Proposed changes to Broadcasting Act could raise $800M from streamers

Online platforms like Netflix and Spotify may end up spending more than $ 800 million on Canadian content over the next three years under a series of policy changes the federal government has proposed in a new bill Tuesday .
The proposed changes to the Broadcasting Act are meant to ensure online streaming platforms experiencing booming revenues face the same regulations as traditional broadcasters , which have seen profits decline in recent years .
`` A separate system for online broadcasters simply does n't work .
This outdated regulatory framework is not only unfair for our Canadian businesses .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability to tell our own Canadian story , '' said Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault at an Ottawa press conference .
`` The government believes that everyone who benefits from the system should contribute to it fairly . ''
Guilbeault 's proposed changes centre on creating a new category within the Broadcasting Act for `` online undertakings '' that will apply to streamers and broadcasters transmitting programs over the internet .
• Here ’ s how the outcome of the U.S. election could impact Canada • What will the U.S. election do to hate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' to work on electric vehicles , industry veteran says The changes involve giving new powers to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission , an arm's-length regulator of the broadcast industry .
Those powers could include the ability to force online steaming platforms to make Canadian content more discoverable and to make financial contributions to support Canadian music , stories , creators and producers .
A technical document provided by the government estimates those contributions could reach as much as $ 830 million by 2023 .
The bill will also allow the CRTC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadcasting when prohibited from doing so or failing to submit information required .
Critics have long complained that tech giants caught violating the law are often fined paltry amounts that do n't act as a deterrent because they are a mere fraction of the business 's revenues .
Guilbeault did not offer an estimate of how steep penalties could be , but said that he intends to get proposed changes implemented quickly , if they are approved by the House of Commons and Senate .
Online platforms like Netflix and Spotify may end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Canadian content over the next three years under a series of policy changes the federal government proposed in a new bill on Tuesday .
`` We are going as fast as we can , '' he said .
`` We have n't reformed the Broadcasting Act since 1991 , so it takes time to do it properly , but we do n't want to take too much time because we know that there 's an emergency to act quickly . ''
The changes come after years of growing calls from industry players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be regulated in the same manner as Canadian companies .
The push for change was spurred by the increasing numbers of Canadians turning away from traditional broadcasters in favour of streaming platforms like Netflix , Spotify , Amazon Prime and Crave for video and music .
The government 's technical note said online video services have grown their revenues by 90 per year over the last two years , while Netflix has made its way into 62 per cent of Canadian households .
Netflix said in an emailed statement to The Canadian Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and remain committed to being a good partner to Canada ’ s creative community while also investing in local economies.
” Netflix reported revenues of $ 780 million revenue in Canada in the first nine months of the 2019 fiscal year , while the CRTC said the traditional television sector saw its revenues decline on average by 1.8 per cent per year between 2014 and 2018 .
On top of facing revenue declines , traditional broadcasters have also had to comply with government demands to support Canadian music and storytelling , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such requirements .
The government will now turn its attention to bridging that gap .
The government 's technical document said it could ask the CRTC to decide which online broadcasters should be regulated , but Guilbeault stressed that user generated content , news content and video games will not fall under the policy .
The CRTC may also be tasked with determining the merits of giving additional regulatory credits to those producing content that is `` culturally desirable , but otherwise less likely to be produced , such as supporting Indigenous Peoples @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities.
” The note said the CRTC may also be ordered to look into what qualifies as Canadian content and whether that definition takes into account tax credits or intellectual property .
Even regulatory tools that would provide fair and transparent remuneration for musical artists could be analyzed , the document said .
Guilbeault teased that further regulations could be coming soon to deal with tech giants like Facebook , Google and Apple , which have had tremendous impacts on the revenue of media companies and disrupted advertising .
`` We are working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Canadian ecosystems , but these elements will come further down the road . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published November 3 , 2020 .

Online platforms like Netflix and Spotify may end up spending more than $800 million on Canadian content over the next three years under a series of policy changes the federal government has proposed in a new bill Tuesday. The proposed changes to the Broadcasting Act are meant to ensure online streaming platforms experiencing booming revenues face the same regulations as traditional broadcasters, which have seen profits decline in recent years. "A separate system for online broadcasters simply doesn't work. This outdated regulatory framework is not only unfair for our Canadian businesses. It threatens Canadian jobs and it undermines our ability to tell our own Canadian story," said Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault at an Ottawa press conference. "The government believes that everyone who benefits from the system should contribute to it fairly." Guilbeault's proposed changes centre on creating a new category within the Broadcasting Act for "online undertakings" that will apply to streamers and broadcasters transmitting programs over the internet.
The changes involve giving new powers to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, an arm's-length regulator of the broadcast industry. Those powers could include the ability to force online steaming platforms to make Canadian content more discoverable and to make financial contributions to support Canadian music, stories, creators and producers. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions A technical document provided by the government estimates those contributions could reach as much as $830 million by 2023.
The bill will also allow the CRTC to levy monetary penalties for non-compliance, broadcasting when prohibited from doing so or failing to submit information required. Online platforms like Netflix and Spotify may end up spending more than $800 million on Canadian content over the next three years under a series of policy changes the federal government proposed in a new bill on Tuesday. Critics have long complained that tech giants caught violating the law are often fined paltry amounts that don't act as a deterrent because they are a mere fraction of the business's revenues. Guilbeault did not offer an estimate of how steep penalties could be, but said that he intends to get proposed changes implemented quickly, if they are approved by the House of Commons and Senate. "We are going as fast as we can," he said. "We haven't reformed the Broadcasting Act since 1991, so it takes time to do it properly, but we don't want to take too much time because we know that there's an emergency to act quickly."
The changes come after years of growing calls from industry players and advocates for foreign tech giants to be regulated in the same manner as Canadian companies. The push for change was spurred by the increasing numbers of Canadians turning away from traditional broadcasters in favour of streaming platforms like Netflix, Spotify, Amazon Prime and Crave for video and music. The government's technical note said online video services have grown their revenues by 90 per year over the last two years, while Netflix has made its way into 62 per cent of Canadian households.


nationalobserver--2020-11-03--Here’s how the outcome of the U.S. election could impact Canada

The United States is Canada ’ s neighbour , closest ally and most pivotal trading partner .
What happens there is bound to shape our lives somehow — and the 2020 presidential election is no exception .
This fall , Canada ’ s National Observer explored what the outcome of the election could mean for us .
While you wait for the results to come in , here ’ s a roundup of what we learned .
America ’ s climate choices will likely also define policy choices in Ottawa Biden ’ s platform includes a “ clean energy revolution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get the U.S. to net-zero emissions by 2050 .
Trump has repeatedly questioned the science of climate change and undermined environmental protections .
So in terms of what to do about the climate crisis , this election is a pivotal crossroads .
That matters because carbon emissions don ’ t recognize borders , and neither do climate-linked natural disasters .
But it ’ s also important because it ’ s difficult for Canada to be out of step with the U.S. on climate policy : Businesses here have been known to lobby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of rules on both sides of the border can make it difficult for businesses to compete with their counterparts in the U.S .
Climate policy , the border , disinformation and hate — the results of # election2020 will shape many aspects of life in Canada .
Catch up while you wait for the final tallies to roll in .
# USelection Read more about America ’ s two different paths on climate here .
People holding QAnon signs protest on Parliament Hill in Ottawa in 2018 .
The conspiracy theory has become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. election .
Photo via Twitter , illustration by Canada 's National Observer An American conspiracy theory is stirring up trouble in Canada QAnon — a convoluted , sprawling and baseless conspiracy theory from the U.S. — gained new prevalence in Canada this year amid COVID-19 and the presidential campaign .
Violent incidents related to QAnon are still relatively rare , but experts are increasingly warning that it could be a security threat .
The question of what we do about it is complex : Most anti-extremism programming in the past has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20s , but QAnon supporters tend to be middle-aged and elderly people .
Read more about why this particular conspiracy theory is so capable of mobilizing people , even some in Canada , here .
The election has brought uncertainty along the border The border between the U.S. and Canada has been closed to non-essential travel since March , when the COVID-19 pandemic first took hold in Canada .
When will it open again ?
Nobody knows — officials have said it ’ s likely to remain shuttered as long as the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s COVID-19 plan is more likely to reduce that problem than Trump ’ s , but no one really knows what ’ s going to happen .
That ’ s led to a very uncertain situation for businesses , especially in border regions , that rely on close ties with the U.S. “ Peace always pays , and we have none right now , ” said Flavio Volpe , president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers ' Association , which represents a multitude of employers in the Windsor region .
Read more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the election here .
It 's not clear whether President Donald Trump , left , or former vice-president Joe Biden , right , will take the White House , but Biden is currently favoured to win .
Photos from Joyce N. Boghosian/White House and Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons The next four years of U.S.-Canada relations will likely be challenging Over the past four years , Trump ’ s relationship with Canada has been contentious , which is deeply unusual for two countries that are usually tight allies .
Even Ontario Premier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a huge Trump fan , says he won ’ t be sending a Christmas card this year .
Another four years of Trump , then , might be challenging .
Biden has said he would work to repair America ’ s relationship with its allies if elected , but a win for him wouldn ’ t automatically fix the fractures that have come to the surface .
Read more about the bumpy ride ahead here .
The racism Trump tapped into isn ’ t going away — that goes for Canada , too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hate-related incidents increased in the U.S. and Canada .
Some of what the U.S. experiences usually trickles across the border , and there was already fertile ground here for far-right groups .
Now , as America decides which path it wants to take , the choice will likely affect us again .
The racism Trump emboldened won ’ t disappear if he loses , so Canada must figure out how to reckon with that .
Read more about how hate in the U.S. affects Canada here .

The United States is Canada’s neighbour, closest ally and most pivotal trading partner. What happens there is bound to shape our lives somehow — and the 2020 presidential election is no exception. This fall, Canada’s National Observer explored what the outcome of the election could mean for us. While you wait for the results to come in, here’s a roundup of what we learned. The fate of a Canadian pipeline is at stake The controversial Keystone XL pipeline, which would carry crude from the Alberta oilsands to the Gulf Coast, is already under construction. The Alberta government, which sees it as essential to the province’s economic future, has even invested $1.5 billion in the project.
But President Donald Trump and the Democratic nominee, former vice-president Joe Biden, have very divergent ideas about whether it should go ahead. Trump supports it, but Biden has threatened to cancel Keystone XL if he’s elected, saying it’s “high pollutant.” Read more about Alberta’s big bet on the U.S. election here.
America’s climate choices will likely also define policy choices in Ottawa Biden’s platform includes a “clean energy revolution” and a US$2-trillion plan to get the U.S. to net-zero emissions by 2050. Trump has repeatedly questioned the science of climate change and undermined environmental protections. So in terms of what to do about the climate crisis, this election is a pivotal crossroads. Climate policy, the border, disinformation and hate — the results of #election2020 will shape many aspects of life in Canada. Catch up while you wait for the final tallies to roll in. #USelection That matters because carbon emissions don’t recognize borders, and neither do climate-linked natural disasters. But it’s also important because it’s difficult for Canada to be out of step with the U.S. on climate policy: Businesses here have been known to lobby heavily against it, because different sets of rules on both sides of the border can make it difficult for businesses to compete with their counterparts in the U.S. Read more about America’s two different paths on climate here. People holding QAnon signs protest on Parliament Hill in Ottawa in 2018. The conspiracy theory has become more prevalent in Canada this year amid the U.S. election. Photo via Twitter, illustration by Canada's National Observer
An American conspiracy theory is stirring up trouble in Canada QAnon — a convoluted, sprawling and baseless conspiracy theory from the U.S. — gained new prevalence in Canada this year amid COVID-19 and the presidential campaign. Violent incidents related to QAnon are still relatively rare, but experts are increasingly warning that it could be a security threat. The question of what we do about it is complex: Most anti-extremism programming in the past has been aimed at young men in their 20s, but QAnon supporters tend to be middle-aged and elderly people.