Good morning, It’s Tuesday, August 27th. In today’s news, Trudeau places restrictions on temporary foreign worker permits, The WHO calls for a 6-month, $135 million global plan to stop Monkeypox, Liberal government announces 100 percent tariffs on Chinese-made EVs, Four stabbings at Notting Hill Carnival in UK as 249 arrested, and much more.
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Trudeau Government Places Restrictions on Temporary Foreign Work Program After Admitting Over One Million Workers
The Trudeau government is implementing a significant crackdown on Canada’s temporary foreign worker program after admitting over a million workers in recent years. Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault revealed new restrictions during a Liberal cabinet retreat, focusing on areas with high unemployment rates. The changes include capping the share of temporary foreign workers an employer can hire, limiting their employment duration, and tightening the program overall.
Previously, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the government had fast-tracked applications to address labour shortages. However, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau explained that with the economy now showing signs of recovery—lower inflation and higher employment—the demand for temporary foreign workers has decreased. As a result, the government is rolling back these pandemic-era policies.
Starting September 26, the government will no longer process labour market impact assessments for low-wage jobs in census metropolitan areas where unemployment exceeds 6%. Additionally, businesses will be restricted to having no more than 10% of their workforce composed of temporary foreign workers in the low-wage stream. This marks a reversal from a 2022 policy that allowed companies in certain industries to hire up to 20-30% of their workforce through the program.
Despite these new restrictions, several industries, including agriculture, food processing, construction, and healthcare, will be exempt. This is notable given that a significant portion of temporary foreign workers are employed in the agricultural sector, where they often face harsh working and living conditions. A United Nations report has even described the exploitation in this industry as a form of "contemporary slavery."
In addition to these changes, the Trudeau government is reducing the maximum length of employment for temporary foreign workers from two years to one year. More
Tiny Thought: From my understanding, the Trudeau government is lowering the National Occupational Classification (NOC) thresholds, making it easier for temporary foreign workers in lower-skilled jobs (NOC levels 4 and 5) to qualify for permanent residency. In this case, these restrictions are pointless since foreign workers will quickly gain permanent residency, doing nothing to curb immigration or the current unemployment issues.
WHO Calls for 6-month, $135 million Global Plan to Stop Monkeypox
The World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa’s CDC have unveiled a joint global plan to curb the spread of mpox, declared a global health emergency. The initiative targets ongoing outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring countries, emphasizing international collaboration to control and eventually stop the virus's spread.
Key strategies include enhanced surveillance, prevention, and response efforts, along with advancing research and ensuring equitable access to vaccines and treatments. The plan, set to run from September to February, will cost an estimated $135 million, with WHO planning a fundraising appeal to member states.
The effort stresses global solidarity, community empowerment, and coordinated action among international agencies, local partners, and governments. In Africa, WHO and Africa’s CDC are adopting a unified approach to manage the crisis, as mpox has already caused over 17,500 cases and 517 deaths across more than 12 African countries this year. More
Tiny Thought: We’ve discussed this before, but it’s worth repeating: the virus has become more transmissible but significantly less deadly, which is a positive development. Earlier this month, I noted that the situation seemed to be more about financial gain for an organization that thrives on health crises (WHO). Now, monkeypox has escalated from a $15 million issue in Africa to a $135 million ‘global emergency,’ despite no significant change in the virus's spread or international danger.
Liberal Government Announces 100 Percent Tariffs on Chinese-Made EVs
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced new tariffs on Chinese imports, including a 100% tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs) and a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum products. These measures, effective October 1 for EVs and October 15 for steel and aluminum, aim to counter what Trudeau describes as China’s “unfair advantage” in these sectors.
The government will also restrict incentives for zero-emission vehicles and related programs to products from countries with free trade agreements with Canada. A 30-day public consultation will assess other critical sectors like batteries, semiconductors, and solar products.
This move aligns Canada with similar actions by the US and EU, which have imposed or plan to impose high tariffs on Chinese EVs. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan supported a coordinated approach on these trade issues, citing concerns about Chinese subsidies and national security.
The announcement follows Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's earlier promise of tariffs and comes as the House of Commons trade committee plans hearings on the feasibility of such measures. More
Tiny Thought: On August 12th, Poilievre called on Trudeau to match the US tariffs on Chinese EVs. He also suggested tariffs on steel, aluminum and auto parts. Trudeau called his stance ‘baloney,’ two weeks later, here we are.
Four Stabbings at Notting Hill Carnival in UK as 249 Arrested
Recent reports from the Notting Hill Carnival highlight a troubling trend: a significant portion of the violence, including multiple stabbings, has been linked to individuals with immigrant backgrounds. The Metropolitan Police reported 249 arrests over two days, with many related to weapon possession and drug offences. Despite a large, celebratory crowd, violence was attributed to a small group exploiting the event for criminal activities. The police, who deployed thousands of officers, noted ongoing challenges in managing such events and addressing the violence associated with specific demographics. More
Consul General Refuses to Appear Before Committee to Testify on $9 Million NYC Condo
Canada’s consul general in New York City, Tom Clark, has refused to testify before a Parliamentary committee about the government's $9 million purchase of a luxury condo on Manhattan’s Billionaire’s Row. Despite being summoned along with Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, Clark will not attend, citing a scheduling conflict. The purchase, defended by Liberals as a potential asset, is criticized by Conservatives and taxpayers for its extravagance and lack of transparency. They argue the condo was an unnecessary luxury amid widespread economic struggles and call for Clark to justify the spending. More
Chaos in France After Macron Refuses to Name Prime Minister From Leftwing Coalition
France is facing political turmoil after President Emmanuel Macron refused to appoint a prime minister from the leftwing New Popular Front (NFP), which won the most seats in last month's snap election. Macron's decision, aimed at avoiding a government collapse, has sparked anger and threats of impeachment from the NFP. The coalition's candidate, Lucie Castets, was not chosen, leading to accusations of undermining democratic results and calls for protests. Macron has announced further consultations, but the NFP has stated it will only discuss forming a government. More
Dozens Killed in Pakistan Amid Surge in Separatist Violence
Terrorist attacks in southwestern Pakistan, primarily in Balochistan, have resulted in over 60 deaths, according to officials. The violence, attributed to the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), targeted police stations, railways, and highways, marking the most significant assault by secessionist terrorists in years. The BLA, which seeks independence for Balochistan and the expulsion of Chinese interests, claimed responsibility for the attacks. The Pakistani government responded with retaliatory strikes, killing 12 terrorists and vowing to bring those responsible to justice. More
German Chancellor Promises More Deportations After Solingen Knife Attack
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has vowed to increase deportations and strengthen knife laws following a deadly stabbing attack in Solingen on August 23, where an Islamic extremist from Syria killed three people and injured eight others. Scholz expressed his anger and commitment to preventing such incidents by tightening regulations on knife ownership and enhancing deportation policies. The suspect, who had an asylum application rejected and was due for deportation, had been missing for a period. Scholz emphasized that deportations have already increased by 30% this year and that further improvements are needed. More
Poll: Almost Half of Canadians Losing Sleep Over Financial Struggles
A recent Ipsos poll reveals that nearly half of Canadians are struggling with sleep and relationship issues due to financial stress. The survey shows 56% of Canadians are dining out less, 45% are shopping around for better grocery deals, and 37% are buying cheaper, less healthy food. About 23% have cut back on meals to save money, and 10% have visited a food bank in the past year. Despite the Bank of Canada’s recent interest rate cuts, 63% of Canadians feel they are inadequate for improving their financial situation, with many expecting inflation and economic conditions to worsen. More
Canadian Builders Taking Fewer Projects Planning to Cut Productivity in Half
Canadian builders are increasingly reluctant to start new projects, as productivity in construction has dropped for the eighth consecutive quarter, according to the Canadian Home Builders Association (CHBA) survey. The Housing Market Index (HMI) for single-family homes fell to 29.9 and for multi-family homes to 32.5, reflecting ongoing pessimism about the housing market. Builders in British Columbia and Ontario are particularly cautious, with significant declines in new starts. Overall, 61% of builders plan to reduce new home starts in 2024, largely due to the interest rates, which are also impacting housing affordability and homeownership. More
Elon Musk Voices Support for California Bill Requiring Safety Tests on AI Models
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of social media platform X, has called for California to pass SB 1047, a proposed AI bill that would require tech companies and AI developers to conduct safety testing on their models. Musk has been a proponent of AI regulation for over 20 years. Meanwhile, California lawmakers have introduced numerous AI-related bills this session, though many have stalled. Microsoft and OpenAI support another bill, AB 3211, which would mandate labeling of AI-generated content to combat misinformation. With elections around the world, there are growing concerns about the impact of AI-generated content on politics. More
China Produced Large Quantities of Water Using the Moon’s Soil
Researchers from China have made significant progress in lunar resource utilization by turning Moon soil into water. Using samples from the 2020 Chang’e-5 mission, scientists discovered that lunar soil contains hydrogen, which, when heated, reacts with other elements to produce water vapor. This breakthrough could produce 51-76 kg of water, enough to meet the daily drinking needs of 50 people. This method could support future Moon missions and the establishment of a lunar base. However, details on the energy requirements and exact elements involved remain unclear. This discovery positions China as a key player in the Moon's resource race, with plans to establish a Moon base by 2035. More
NASA’s Asteroid-Bashing Mission May Have Sent Parts of the Asteroid Towards Earth
NASA’s DART (Double Asteroid Reduction Test) mission, which impacted the asteroid Dimorphos in September 2022, has resulted in debris that may intersect Earth's orbit within the next decade. However, scientists reassure that the rocky particles are unlikely to cause significant harm, as most will burn up upon entry into Earth's atmosphere. The mission was designed to demonstrate how a spacecraft can alter an asteroid’s trajectory to prevent future threats, rather than to address an imminent danger. Data from LICIACube, which observed the impact, estimates that about three million particles were created, with some potentially visible from Earth. More
Historic Switcheroo: Danny Jansen Set to Play for Two Teams in One Game
Danny Jansen is set to make baseball history as the first player to appear for both teams in the same game. Originally playing for the Toronto Blue Jays in a suspended game against the Boston Red Sox on June 26, Jansen was traded to Boston before the resumption. When the game resumes on Monday, he will catch for the Red Sox, finishing his at-bat from his time with the Blue Jays. Despite a modest career batting average, Jansen's unique situation has garnered attention, and an authenticator will be on hand to document the historic moment. More
Oasis Reportedly 'Promised Over $88 Million Payday to Reform and Embark on a Global Tour'
Oasis is reportedly set for a major reunion, with a $88 million deal on the table to reform and tour globally. The band, which disbanded in 2009 following a backstage clash between brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, is expected to make its comeback at Glastonbury in 2025. Following that, they might perform at Manchester's Heaton Park and complete a 10-day run at Wembley Stadium, surpassing Taylor Swift's record for the most nights by a solo artist at the venue. The announcement comes as Liam Gallagher hints at the reunion and continues his solo tour celebrating Oasis' debut album. More
Olympic Star Mondo Duplantis Breaks Pole Vault World Record Again
Armand "Mondo" Duplantis, the pole vaulter who dazzled at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has broken his own world record again. Just 20 days after setting a new mark of 6.25 meters in Paris, Duplantis cleared 6.26 meters at the Silesia Diamond League in Poland. Originally from Lafayette, Louisiana, but representing Sweden, Duplantis has now set the men's pole vault world record ten times since February 2020. His latest achievement further solidifies his dominance in the sport. More
Riders Stranded 243 Feet up on Six Flags Attraction During Storm - At Six Flags Mexico, riders on the Supergirl Sky Flight (picture individual swings haning from long chains) were stranded 243 feet in the air for about 10 minutes during a massive rain and wind storm.
Man With ‘World’s Largest Penis’ Reveals the Hardest Things About His Daily Life - Matt Barr, who claims to have the world's largest penis, has shared the challenges he faces due to his size. Despite gaining attention for his record-breaking member, he struggles with issues like finding suitable clothing, experiencing dizziness during erections, and receiving odd propositions. Barr’s condition, known as macrophallus, has made everyday activities difficult and led to unusual experiences, including being barred from a yoga class. Apparently it’s 14.2 inches.
On This Day in 1883 - Krakatoa volcano, west of Java in Indonesia, erupts with a force of 200 megatons of TNT and kills approximately 40,000 people