Trust in our Institutions

[lenaitch]

The EU has red tape for their red tape bundles...

If Canada Wants a Plan B for Trade, Europe Could Be the Answer​

It’s time for us to play the field​

What potential obstacles could come up?

When people think of the EU, they will often think of regulatory burden. But regulation is like cholesterol. There’s good cholesterol and there’s bad cholesterol. There’s good regulation and there’s bad regulation. Regulation isn’t inherently bad. It’s just a question of understanding it.

I think there are always challenges to regulation that not everybody always agrees with, but I think this is something that Canadian companies should be watching very carefully. For example, EU regulations are increasingly focusing on supply chains and the transparency of companies’ obligation to report on those supply chains.

Because, again, the EU is embarking on this with a view to become more competitive. And while the EU market may not be as attractive as the US market right now in terms of growth, it is a big market. There’s nearly 450 million people. It’s a wealthy market. And they’re very aware of their challenges and taking some active steps to try to address them.

If Canada Wants a Plan B for Trade, Europe Could Be the Answer | The Walrus

It’s time for us to play the field

thewalrus.ca

Would industry possibly have to adjust production, tooling, etc. to satisfy or be compliant with the European market? No doubt. It's a different world from the heavily integrated North American market, but I don't envision the fundamental changes to Canadian society and governance that was cited.

”Trade with European Union will require massive compromises and adoptions by Canada of standards and levels of environmental action, rules for property ownership, our constitutional division of powers, our common law, our laws of contract, our travel, trade in a manner that is not compatible with how 10s of millions of Canadians want to live their lives.”

 

[Fishbone Jones]

The 51st State stuff was just Trump twisting our tit, IMO. Carney made it an explosive action and ramped up the existential threat and what an evil interloper trump was. Unfortunately, a large part of my age group swallowed the bait like a bass after a rattle lure. Fortunately though, a number are starting to see carney for the liar he is.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Would industry possibly have to adjust production, tooling, etc. to satisfy or be compliant with the European market? No doubt. It's a different world from the heavily integrated North American market, but I don't envision the fundamental changes to Canadian society and governance that was cited.

We'd better figure it out... China's in there now:

Why the European Union won't hit China with the 100% tariffs that Trump wants​

Last week, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with the European Union's sanctions envoy, David O'Sullivan, in Washington, and US Energy Secretary Chris Wright met with High Representative Kaja Kallas and Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen in Brussels. On Friday, G7 finance ministers held a call centred on sanctions.

But Trump's message dashed hopes that a new common front might soon emerge.

While Brussels voiced readiness to accelerate the phase-out of Russian fossil fuels, it pushed back rather decisively against the request for the three-digit tariffs.

"Any new measures to be announced in the 19th sanctions package will be fully in line with EU rules and procedures, notably the long-held principle that our sanctions do not apply extra-territorially," said a spokesperson of the European Commission.

Privately, diplomats were franker: no way.

Why the EU won't hit China with the 100% tariffs that Trump wants

Donald Trump's request for 100% tariffs on China is unlikely to gather the necessary support among European Union countries. #EuropeNews

www.euronews.com

 

[Jarnhamar]

Canadian military falling short on recruitment, housing needs: AG reports​

"We have work to do" defence minister says

An example of how this played out in real time is that in the spring, there were just 205 residential housing units available, and more than 3,700 applicants on waitlists.

​

 

[The Bread Guy]

Tik Tok Canada franchise: not so fast ....

TikTok Canada files Notice of Application for Judicial Review on Canadian entity shutdown order - Newsroom | TikTok

TikTok is the world's leading destination for short-form mobile videos. Our mission is to capture and present the world's creativity, knowledge, and moments that matter in everyday life. TikTok empowers everyone to be a creator directly from their smartphones, and is committed to building a...

newsroom.tiktok.com

TikTok files challenge against Canadian government order to dissolve its business in the country

TikTok has challenged a Canadian government order to shut down the Chinese video-sharing app’s business operations in the country that was imposed over national security concerns.

apnews.com

Short & sweet on the why from the attached 16 page filing**:
View attachment 89687
** - OIC: Order in Council; GIC: Governor in Council (aka Cabinet); ICA: Investment Canada Act; NSR: National Security Review

Latest on this one: Federal Court says TikTok Canada can stay open.

Federal Court sets aside TikTok Canada shutdown order

Federal Court has set aside a government order for TikTok to wind down operations in Canada, meaning the social media company can keep running its offices here while the industry minister conducts another review.

ca.news.yahoo.com

 

[OldSolduer]

Latest on this one: Federal Court says TikTok Canada can stay open.

Federal Court sets aside TikTok Canada shutdown order

Federal Court has set aside a government order for TikTok to wind down operations in Canada, meaning the social media company can keep running its offices here while the industry minister conducts another review.

ca.news.yahoo.com

Why am I NOT surprised about this?

We are far too "tolerant".

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Latest on this one: Federal Court says TikTok Canada can stay open.

Federal Court sets aside TikTok Canada shutdown order

Federal Court has set aside a government order for TikTok to wind down operations in Canada, meaning the social media company can keep running its offices here while the industry minister conducts another review.

ca.news.yahoo.com

Of course they did. Why would anyone think different.

 

[Jarnhamar]

Of course they did. Why would anyone think different.

Nothing to see here. Please take your pamphlet with the Panda bear on the way out.

 

[The Bread Guy]

Nothing to see here. Please take your pamphlet with the Panda bear on the way out.

Still in business in the U.S. as well, too, though, waiting for a deal for some of the assets to be sold to American investors.

Here’s what you should know about the US TikTok deal | TechCrunch

A number of investors are competing for the opportunity to purchase the app, and if a deal were to go through, the platform's U.S. business could have its valuation soar to upward of $60 billion. As TikTok's future remains uncertain, a number of prominent moguls and companies are competing for...

techcrunch.com

 

[CBH99]

Latest on this one: Federal Court says TikTok Canada can stay open.

Federal Court sets aside TikTok Canada shutdown order

Federal Court has set aside a government order for TikTok to wind down operations in Canada, meaning the social media company can keep running its offices here while the industry minister conducts another review.

ca.news.yahoo.com

So this has gone completely under my radar until just now...

What's the issue with Tik Tok in Canada? How is it a national security threat?


(My girlfriend & I have a TikTok account where I dub my voice over what I'm pretty sure my dog is saying to us, and we film these short silly imaginary conversations)

 

[Altair]

So this has gone completely under my radar until just now...

What's the issue with Tik Tok in Canada? How is it a national security threat?


(My girlfriend & I have a TikTok account where I dub my voice over what I'm pretty sure my dog is saying to us, and we film these short silly imaginary conversations)

Every Chinese company is duty bound to share their information with the state.

If tiktok has any malicious spyware on their apps, they can read and geolocate your phone.

If they have any information on your phone, the CCP can ask for it and they need to hand it over

Granted, the NSA does all of this as well, but without needing to order western tech companies to do it.

 

[The Bread Guy]

... What's the issue with Tik Tok in Canada? How is it a national security threat?

TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is China‑based, so their rules could ultimately apply to data, including data held outside China. And we know who might be at least tempted to have a looky-loo at foreign data in China - especially individual folks' stuff for naughty things like pressure, blackmail, or targeting, right?

More, from the Public Safety info machine (2024 version) ...

Parliamentary Committee Notes: Security Concerns with TikTok Social Media Application

Briefing materials

www.publicsafety.gc.ca

... and in less government-y terms: "Intelligence chief warns Canadians that China can use TikTok to spy on them - CSIS director says data gleaned from popular app 'is available to the government of China' ..."

 

[OldSolduer]

Of course they did. Why would anyone think different.

Part of the problem is the judiciary.

 

[CBH99]

Every Chinese company is duty bound to share their information with the state.

If tiktok has any malicious spyware on their apps, they can read and geolocate your phone.

If they have any information on your phone, the CCP can ask for it and they need to hand it over

Granted, the NSA does all of this as well, but without needing to order western tech companies to do it.

So no word of a lie, I had Christmas dinner with a guy who works for the NSA. (The fact that I can honestly say that still kinda blows me away tbh - was quite the unexpected treat)

Without wanting to say too much out of respect for both potential OPSEC & PERSEC reasons, we did learn the following...


- The NSA runs immediate family members through a mandatory week long self-defense and awareness course, including evasive driving and tactical use of firearms (pistol)

- That the US government essentially has the same power to compel tech companies to turn over user data upon request as the CCP does; and that apps such as Tik Tok and Instagram MUST leave a back door in the software to allow fairly easy access by government agencies/law enforcement

...

How aggressively government agencies pursue that information is obviously determined on a case by case basis, with combating child pornography & combating terrorism related messaging being the main reasons given.


(The above points are both OS, even if not easily found. But they are OS.)


EDIT - His wife had a f**king blast doing the 1 week mandatory course, and wishes it had been 2 weeks. Absolutely loved it & sounded like she would have changed careers on the spot if given the opportunity

 

[RangerRay]

Every Chinese company is duty bound to share their information with the state.

If tiktok has any malicious spyware on their apps, they can read and geolocate your phone.

If they have any information on your phone, the CCP can ask for it and they need to hand it over

Granted, the NSA does all of this as well, but without needing to order western tech companies to do it.

TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is China‑based, so their rules could ultimately apply to data, including data held outside China. And we know who might be at least tempted to have a looky-loo at foreign data in China - especially individual folks' stuff for naughty things like pressure, blackmail, or targeting, right?

More, from the Public Safety info machine (2024 version) ...

Parliamentary Committee Notes: Security Concerns with TikTok Social Media Application

Briefing materials

www.publicsafety.gc.ca

... and in less government-y terms: "Intelligence chief warns Canadians that China can use TikTok to spy on them - CSIS director says data gleaned from popular app 'is available to the government of China' ..."

Also, their algorithms will push out propaganda favourable to the PRC, Iran, Hamas, Russia, and other bad actors, and restrict counter information from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Israel, Ukraine, etc.

 

[CBH99]

Also, their algorithms will push out propaganda favourable to the PRC, Iran, Hamas, Russia, and other bad actors, and restrict counter information from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Israel, Ukraine, etc.

Now THAT is something I hadn't really considered...

 

[Altair]

Also, their algorithms will push out propaganda favourable to the PRC, Iran, Hamas, Russia, and other bad actors, and restrict counter information from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Israel, Ukraine, etc.

Mine has dogs and people dancing.

That said, I haven't been on it in a few months