Meanwhile, in Canada...

[robkelk]

I could have called this "Why Canada is a bad choice for the 51st state", considering that nobody's said that that harebrained idea is cancelled (so we have to assume it isn't), but then I thought that a more neutral thread title would be better all around.

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Sexual orientation question to appear on census for first time in 2026

The questions to be asked in next year's census include a respondent's sex at birth, with the option to select male or female. Respondents are also asked to provide their gender, with the option to choose man (or boy), woman (or girl) or write in their own answer.

The census questionnaire also provides a definition of gender to guide respondents.

"Gender refers to an individual's personal and social identity as a man (or boy), a woman (or a girl) or a person who is not exclusively a man (or a boy) or a woman (or a girl) for example, non-binary, agender, gender fluid, queer or two-spirit."

Question 36, which is only to be asked for those aged 15 years and older, asks directly about sexual orientation, explaining that the information is being collected "to inform programs that promote equal opportunity for everyone living in Canada to share in its social, cultural and economic life."

Respondents can choose between "heterosexual (i.e. straight), lesbian or gay, bisexual or pansexual" or write in their own answer.

[hazard]

You know, for some reason, given international politics ongoing right now, I do not think it is a good idea to have those questions on the census.

[robkelk]

It's the only way to get accurate data. No matter what the fundies might believe.

[hazard]

I know it's the only way to get good data.

The problem is that when madmen get access to that data, they do crazy shit with it.

[robkelk]

That has never happened at Statistics Canada. Everyone in that department is bound by both the Official Secrets actand the Statistics Act -- and the politicians don't have access to the raw data.

[robkelk]

Poilievre has to contend with Alberta separatists as he vies for a Commons seat

tl;dr: As the leader of the federal political party with the second-largest number of members in the House looks for a by-election win (he doesn't get to be Leader of the Opposition without a seat in the House, just like the leader of the federal political party with the largest number of members in the House doesn't get to be Prime Minister without a seat in the House), he has to deal with a reception that he caters to the entrenched elite.

[Labster]

Another Canadian home-grown alternative: Canuckle, a Canadian-centric clone of Wordle

[robkelk]

Canada plans to recognize Palestinian state in September

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will recognize a Palestinian state in September if the West Bank's governing body meets certain conditions.

The prime minister said the Palestinian Authority must hold an election in 2026 and commit to other democratic reforms.

Listening to the announcement now. "Recognize" means at the UN. The recognition also depends on Hamas releasing all hostages immediately.

[robkelk]

Bick's pickles no longer stocked at some Canadian retailers

Bick's used to be a Canadian brand (our equivalent to Vlasic), but was bought out and moved south of the border in 2014. Now they're being hit with tariffs... and some retailers can't afford to stock them any more.

[robkelk]

Canadians are taking a big step back from the U.S. — and here's the data to prove it

Travel from Canada to the USA hasn't been this low since the COVID-19 lockdown. Travel from Canada to Europe is up.

Support for republicanism is down. Support for the monarchy is up.

The largest (okay, the only) nationwide bookstore chain reports that sales of Canadian-authored books are up by 25%.

Christopher Sands, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Canadian Studies in Washington, said it's not a surprise Canadian antipathy toward the U.S. has not gotten any better — the 51st state talk is gone but the tariffs are still wreaking havoc.

Carney made a series of goodwill gestures — ramping up defence and border spending, dropping the digital services tax and lifting the retaliatory tariffs — and still got nothing out of Trump on trade, Sands said.

"I can't expect Canadians to change their minds if they aren't getting anything in return — not even a gesture. Trump hasn't done anything to suggest that he gets he's gone too far with Canada," Sands said in an interview.

"We need a turnaround from Trump that's visible and public and gives Canadians a reason to stop being so angry. So far, there hasn't been anything to signal, 'OK, go back to normal, red alert over.' But I hope we can break the fever because it's gone on way too long.'"

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U.S. ambassador 'disappointed' with anti-American sentiment in Canada

"I'm disappointed that I came to Canada — a Canada that it is very, very difficult to find Canadians who are passionate about the American-Canadian relationship," Hoekstra said at an event hosted by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce.

Well, after the way you've been treating us, what did you expect?

Actions have consequences.

[hazard]

No, there are plenty of Canadians passionate about the American-Canadian relationship.

Hoekstra just doesn't like the emotions fueling that passion.

[robkelk]

Canada Post workers walk off the job after government demands reforms

[robkelk]

How the U.S. trade war uncorked a surprising boom for wineries across Canada

Wasylyshen, president and CEO of Ontario Craft Wineries, which represents more than 100 producers, said wine sales across all retail channels — from grocery and convenience stores to restaurants — have jumped by 78 per cent.

She said the boost in sales has led wineries to hire more staff, invest in new machinery and expand their offerings, such as adding a restaurant component.

"[Consumers] are supporting jobs, tourism, farm families, transportation, manufacturing," Wasylyshen said.

[nemonowan]

How the U.S. trade war uncorked a surprising boom for wineries across Canada

Wasylyshen, president and CEO of Ontario Craft Wineries, which represents more than 100 producers, said wine sales across all retail channels — from grocery and convenience stores to restaurants — have jumped by 78 per cent.

She said the boost in sales has led wineries to hire more staff, invest in new machinery and expand their offerings, such as adding a restaurant component.

"[Consumers] are supporting jobs, tourism, farm families, transportation, manufacturing," Wasylyshen said.

Looks like tariffs are good for SOME people.

[hazard]

Tariffs are usually pretty good for those people who can fill the demand that is left under served due to the disruption of the supply chain.

In this case, that's Canadian wineries, moving into the market that was previously occupied by American alcohol producers.

[robkelk]

That was a white-knuckle moment.

The House of Commons just voted on whether to accept the Budget. Unlike in the USA, the Budget vote in Canada is both a Ways and Means vote and a Confidence vote: if it fails, not only is the Budget rejected but also the government is dissolved and we have an immediate federal election. (Continuity of governance is provided by the Head of State, the Governor General acting on behalf of the Sovereign.) If it passes, spending may proceed immediately.

If the vote had been a tie, the Speaker would have cast the deciding vote... and, unlike in the USA, the Speaker is specifically non-partisan, not beholden to any party.

I saw one official abstention, and there was one other person absent from the vote for medical reasons.

Ayes: 170
Nays: 168

[Dartz]

Can the Governor General refuse a dissolution and tell the house to form a new government instead?

I'd presume it'd make sense at this point, as it's not actually been long since the previous election and 2 elections in a short period may be destabilising?

[robkelk]

Not for a confidence motion, no. That's a vote that the Members of Parliament think the current government -- including themselves -- needs to go.

And, yes, I strongly suspect that nobody wants two general elections in the same calendar year.

[Norgarth]

yeah, a 2nd election this soon may well end up with the NDP in power.

Between people being upset that the Liberals did so bad a job as to lose a confidence vote and the Conservatives for leading the no-confidence vote.