19 Comments

I doubt that the NDP will “uncouple” from the liberals as it’s the only way they ever get it impose their wonky policies on the rest of us. Historically they’ve jacked up Liberal minorities as it’s the only way they can ever get their hands on the levers of government. They are a shameless morally bankrupt party that is a perfect match for the liberals.

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founding
Oct 7, 2023Liked by Line Editor

Thank you.

While Jen mentioned to Online Harms Act in passing, this is where the real danger lies. It is in conjunction with Bill C-36 (or whatever it ends up being called) that the true menace of Bill C-11 and Bill C-i8 come to light. The latter two merely enable censorship, by identifying who to censor, and by narrowing the range of independent content providers, who might otherwise escape. But it is Bill C-36 that actually will enact the censorship itself.

On another point, it is true that bureaucracies tend to make work for themselves so as to survive and grow. But in the case of Canadian content, there is another, more maleficient force at play. It is the protection of the traditional media at any cost. New entrants and competitors must be slapped down, lest they harm the traditional incumbents by taking market share (and advertising). Why is this? It is to protect the jobs of a certain caste of producers, actors, writers, musicians, and assorted hangers-on. We have Canadian Artists(c) and then we have the threatening outsiders. I remember Peter Grant, the doyen of Canadian content, explicitly saying that promoting Canadian content is about protecting worthwhile Canadian jobs (conference speaker at U of Toronto Law School, spring of 2003).

Finally, a word about the CBSC. It is a private organization, although the final say on disputes is indeed with the CRTC. I remember asking the then head of CBSC, around 1997, whether CBSC was deliberately non-government so that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms would not apply to it. After some hemming, he agreed that this was one of the reasons. (Think freedom of expression.)

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Oct 7, 2023·edited Oct 7, 2023

Further to Matts’ point of the Canadian fluke utopian existence, Canada has never experienced the hard lessons of civil war, or revolution. Thus we have no conception of how precious and susceptible democracy is. Therefore most are politically ignorant, and here we are, in Gersons’ word, fucked.

Until we truly experience life altering government incompetence this will not change. I also fear we are about to become realists when the economy tanks.

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Some of us already experience life-altering government incompetence (and worse). Unfortunately, those experiencing such things are often seen by "the rest of us" as marginal or, even worse, "not like us".

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founding

It’s a shit show! Andrew Coyne had an article in the Globe and Mail today saying much the same thing. I’m as pissed off as Jen and all I do is listen to Podcasts, I don’t make them. The Liberals are legislating themselves out of a job with the CRTC not far behind.

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This episode was enlightening

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I very much agree with the points she is making. Jen has many many ways she can add emphasis, anger etc without using the “F” word. Frankly she uses it so much, it is distracting from her message. You may not have an issue, but many people will see her as inappropriate. I can’t wait to see the Liberals booted. I subscribe to Jen because I respect her reporting and her intelligence.

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founding

It’s a shit show! Andrew Coyne had an article in the Globe and Mail today saying much the same thing. I’m as pissed off as Jen and all I do is listen to Podcasts, I don’t make them. The Liberals are legislating themselves out of a job with the CRTC not far behind.

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The Liberals should never have been elected in 2015. The writing was on the wall immediately.

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Oct 8, 2023·edited Oct 8, 2023

Your analysis of the hazards found in the internet regulation laws put forward by the federal government was well-presented. I found it especially chilling to hear why the likes of Apple, Spotify and other big US platforms will simply decide that it wouldn't be worth their while to continue carrying podcasts made in Canada.

Well done (and thank you).

PS: Your point about the non-partisan nature of the threat was well-made. However, I fear that some partisans seem keen to make it only and ever about "the other party" and its failures.

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You cut it off just when I wanted to hear more. 100%, Venezuela didn’t know it was going to become Venezuela. We don’t know what we are doing to ourselves.

Jen, you said you are going to fight this, the Google bill. How?

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Jen's enjoyment at using the "F" word seems very odd. Don't see how it contributes to the value of her comments.

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So, about that Friday pm podcast release schedule in the expectation of slow-news weekends…

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But still, excellent episode. Sharing it widely.

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Your assumptions about Pollieve are just that - assumptions. Your patience with Trudeau's government is surprising. They have over involved government in all aspects of life except and understanding or focus on the economy. When you take all components of debt in Canada, we are the swcon highest debt to GDP in the G7 at almost 400% of GDP. We are in trouble. The consevatives will also do a poor job, but will be much more focussed on the economy.

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Your assumptions about Pollieve are just that - assumptions. Your patience with Trudeau's government is surprising. They have over involved government in all aspects of life except and understanding or focus on the economy. When you take all components of debt in Canada, we are the swcon highest debt to GDP in the G7 at almost 400% of GDP. We are in trouble. The consevatives will also do a poor job, but will be much more focussed on the economy.

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founding

The greatest harm is done by those with the best intenst

intentions...

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founding

Oh. I'd taken Jenn's concerns to heart awhile ago. My email server is in Switzerland and my phone thinks I'm in Norway.

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VPN for individuals, SASE for companies. Never surf naked :)

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