What ChatGPT means for the new future of national security
If we fail to recognize systems like ChatGPT as the warning shots that they are, we can look forward to a future in which gaping holes in Canada’s policy and security posture are exposed by predictable AI breakthroughs on a regular basis.
Clearer amendments needed for progress on Liberal bill to ban assault weapons, says gun control group
The House Public Safety Committee met on Feb. 14 and Feb. 17 to discuss the effects of withdrawn amendments to Bill C-21.
After Rouleau’s report, Emergencies Act Committee members say pressure’s on to ‘get this right,’ or ‘we will see this again’
MPs from three parties on the Declaration of Emergency Committee agree on one thing, at least: they don’t want to see a repeat of last year’s events.
Freedom Convoy left downtown Ottawa scarred, but it’s time to heal
As much of a nightmare as this month-long siege was for those of us who lived through it, calling any of its participants ‘fringe’ was and still is a false characterization.
PM’s regrets welcome, but would have been better a year ago
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly expressed regret on Feb. 17 for denouncing all Freedom Convoy protesters last year as a “fringe minority” who held “unacceptable views.” He told reporters that he spoke too generally, and conceded that many protesters just wanted to be heard, especially after two years of pandemic restrictions. He also acknowledged that […]
Policy-making in a crisis: preparing for the unexpected
Governments need to invest more in foresight capacity, scenario planning, advanced analytics and in early warning systems rather than relying on static forecasts. Consider black-swan events and how they might present, no matter how unlikely. Hope is not a plan, but preparedness can beget one.
Rouleau lays much of the blame for Ottawa’s occupation where it belongs—with Doug Ford
He reminds everyone that, under Canada’s federal system, restoring order in an Ontario city in the midst of near-riotous conditions is the remit of the Ontario government.
Clear vision needed to find Lucki successor
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki raised a few eyebrows when she announced her imminent retirement on Feb. 15. In a note to staff, she wrote that her last day on the job will be March 17. “I’m so proud of the steps we’ve taken to modernize—to increase accountability, address systemic racism, ensure a safe and equitable […]
Economic justification for invoking emergency powers raises concerns about future use, says civil liberties advocate
Finance Canada officials told the Public Order Emergency Commission they were highly concerned the Freedom Convoy blockade of the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ont., would hurt Canada’s reputation with its largest trading partner.
‘Better communication, coordination, and possibly regulation needed’ for aerial objects, says former defence minister
David Pratt says he believes NORAD had no option but to take down the objects to prevent them from posing a danger, but Janice Stein says nations need to notify each other when they launch weather balloons which should have electronic signatures. ‘This is called governance.’
