'A dangerous decision': Canadian news is disappearing from Instagram, Facebook

Tech experts warn that this move will make it challenging for Canadians to determine if the news they are consuming on social media is from a factual source or misinformation


Corné van Hoepen
·Contributor, Yahoo News Canada
Thu, August 10, 2023 

Canadians are no longer able to access news on social platforms Instagram and Facebook as tech giant Meta has followed through on their promise to block news on their platforms. While the ban officially went into effect on Aug. 1, it has been steadily rolled out across Canada over the past two weeks.

Meta signalled this move would be coming as a response to the federal government passing its Online News Act, Bill C-18, back in June.

Google followed suit shortly after by announcing they would be removing links to Canadian news from Canadian Search, News, and Discover products if an agreement with the Canadian government cannot be reached by the time obligations under the Online News Act come into force.

With the news blackout already in effect on Instagram, and Facebook soon to follow, news links and content posted by news publishers and broadcasters in Canada will no longer be viewable by people in Canada.

"In the future, we hope the Canadian government will recognize the value we already provide the news industry and consider a policy response that upholds the principles of a free and open internet," Rachel Curran, Meta's head of public policy in Canada, said in a statement




Expert unpacks Meta's decision to pull news content

Ottawa law Prof. Michael Geist says there's very low economic value to Meta for having news content on its social media feeds. 'Facebook is far more important to the news sector than the news sector is to Facebook,' Geist says.
How will the Meta ban impact Canadians?

Instead of being able to access news stories on Meta platforms, Canadians are now being greeted by a placeholder reading "People in Canada can't see this content."

Screenshot of Yahoo Canada Instagram after Meta news ban

News links to articles, reels — which are short-form videos — or stories, which are photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours, have also been affected by the block.

Tech experts warn that this move will make it increasingly challenging for Canadians to determine if the news they are consuming on social media is from a factual source or misinformation.

Ahmed Al-Rawi, head of the Disinformation Project at Simon Fraser University says the inability to authenticate news provided by a verified news source could lead to an increase of fake news.

He says losing the ability to share credible news links will lead to an increase in the sharing of screenshots, which could be easily doctored using editing software or AI.

Police forces across Canada are also sounding the alarm on how the Meta ban will negatively impact the way they share information.

A spokesperson for the RCMP’s national headquarters told media that Facebook and Instagram have been utilized by the force as a means of sharing critical information with the public.

Unsure yet of just the extent the Meta ban will have on police operations, new ways of distributing public safety messages are currently being explored.
Unpacking Bill C-18

So what exactly is Canada's Online News Act, also known as Bill C-18?

Introduced by the federal government in April 2022, Bill C-18 was announced as a means of forcing tech giants such as Meta and Google, to fairly compensate news publishers for posting content on their platforms.


It was introduced in an effort to support an industry that has struggled to stay afloat since the transition from print to digital news.

Data released by the Canadian government shows that over 450 news outlets have closed since 2008 with 60 of these closures occurring in the last two years alone.

"Journalists and newsrooms are not earning what they should from their work," said Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez during his introduction of Bill C-18.

Some features included in bill are:

A new legislative and regulatory framework that would mitigate bargaining imbalances between digital platforms and news outlets over the way digital platforms allow news content to be accessed and shared on their platforms.

Digital platforms would have an opportunity to reach fair commercial deals with a wide range of news businesses outside the scope of the legislative framework before they are required to go to arbitration.

News businesses could be sure that negotiations with digital platforms would be fair and transparent through additional measures, such as a code of conduct and undue preference provisions.

Bill C-18 received Royal Assent on June 22, 2023 and obligations for tech giants in accordance with the act are expected to come into force within the next six months.
Meta claps back

In a statement shared online one year ago, the tech giant shared its concerns on the draft legislation issued by the Canadian government.

"We believe the Online News Act misrepresents the relationship between platforms and news publishers, and we call on the government to rethink its approach to help create a more fair and sustainable news industry in the long-term," reads the statement.

Over the course of the past year, Meta says they have been transparent and made it clear to the Canadian government that the legislation misrepresents the value news outlets receive when choosing to use their platforms.

"The only way we can reasonably comply with this legislation is to end news availability for people in Canada," the statement goes on to say.

What now?

Multiple Canadian media outlets have come together and are urging the Competition Bureau to do something about Meta blocking news content.

Canadian media ask Competition Bureau to investigate Meta's news ban

Multiple Canadian media outlets are urging the Competition Bureau to do something about Meta blocking news content. It's in retaliation to the Online News Act, also known as Bill C-18, which calls on tech giants to compensate the media for their journalism. Australia tried something similar in 2021, but people in that country can still view content on Facebook and Instagram. Touria Izri looks at the standoff here, and how Australia was able to resolve the conflict.

People in Canada can continue to access news online by going directly to news publishers’ websites, downloading mobile news apps, and subscribing to their preferred publishers," Meta reassures in their statement.

Public response

Canadians are reacting strongly to Meta's decision to ban news on its platforms, however many of the reactions point to generalized confusion to the implications of the ban.

Several posts seem to suggest that the ban only applies to certain leanings within the Canadian media landscape. One social user was quick to point out that this ban applies to all Canadian news companies.

Another user, who seems to be unfazed by the ban, tells other users that "If its not worth your time to go directly to the information, how valuable is it?"

One user expressed concern over if Meta announced a news ban, how likely is it that perhaps other platforms may follow suit?

Other users remain hopeful that this may only be a temporary halt as negotiations between tech giants and the Canadian government are taking place.

One user is going so far as to call Meta's ban a "dangerous decision."

Some social media users suggest alternative means of accessing Canadian news.

The occasional post shares a supportive perspective of the Meta ban.

 Toronto Police Service spending on fallen K9 funeral raises eyebrows

The decision to honour fallen K9 Bingo sparks criticism over spending, forcing animals to serve


Corné van Hoepen
·Contributor, Yahoo News Canada
August 2, 2023·

A lengthy motorcade consisting of Toronto Police Service (TPS) vehicles passed through downtown Toronto on the morning of July 27 as a tribute of honour to their fallen service dog Bingo, who had tragically been killed in the line of duty.

On July 25 at approximately 8:40 p.m., Sgt. Brandon Smith and his K9, Bingo, of Police Dog Services were searching for a reported armed suspect in the vicinity of Kipling Avenue and Dixon Road in Toronto, according to a media release.

Police allege that officers and the suspect had an interaction and Bingo was tragically shot and killed.

The suspect was shot by police and transported to hospital, and currently is in custody.

“As an animal lover, I was very saddened to learn about the passing of Bingo, a Toronto Police K9 dog who was killed in the line of duty while keeping his handler and other officers safe yesterday,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford said after news of Bingo's death broke.

K9 Bingo and Sgt. Smith
Toronto police held large procession for fallen K9

A media release shared by TPS alerted the public that the force would be holding a procession as a means of honouring their fallen service member.

Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw called the service dog's death senseless and tragic while highlighting the critical role K9's play on the police force.

“They provide an additional resource to our members to help keep communities safe, whether it is tracking a suspect, apprehending violent suspects or tracking and locating evidence, some of which is incredibly dangerous,” Demkiew said in a statement.

Bingo was known as a high-energy dog who bonded well with his partner in the short time they were together, said Staff Sergeant Eric Hembruff in a statement. “He has had a few successes in his seven months and was very good at his job. He made the ultimate sacrifice, taking a bullet that might have been meant for one of our officers.”

“It was unnecessary and absolutely heartbreaking for the handler and the entire Service,” added Superintendent Colin Greenaway, the Police Dog Services Unit Commander.

The procession, made up of Police Dog Services, the Emergency Task Force and and the Motor Squad departed from the Emergency Veterinary Clinic and proceeded to Guelph University for end of life veterinary services.

Video captured of the procession shows a long line of Toronto Police Service vehicles with amber lights flashing proceeding through downtown Toronto.

Procession held in honour of Toronto Police Service K9 Bingo, tragically killed in the line of duty

On July 27, Toronto Police Service held a procession for police dog, Bingo, who was killed in the line-of-duty. Credit: Toronto Police Service

A heart-rending video posted from outside the Toronto police headquarters showed the moment Bingo's lifeless body was carried out of the detachment on a tiny stretcher.

While the public outpouring of support for Toronto Police Service and the loss of their service dog was evident, advocacy groups were quick to point out the significant cost coming from taxpayer's pockets for the fallen K9.

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON

Justin Trudeau, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau separation likely won't impact prime minister's image

"It’s not as if Sophie has been a huge factor in his public appearances," historian and professor Robert Bothwell said


Jermaine Wilson
·Writer
August 3, 2023

Canadian Prime minister Justin Trudeau and wife Sophie Trudeau arriving ahead of the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey, central London. Picture date: Saturday May 6, 2023. (Photo by Jacob King/PA Images via Getty Images)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau made a shocking announcement on Wednesday that they have decided to separate.

After a memorable 18-year marriage, the prime minister took to Instagram to share a statement about the couple's decision, including asking for privacy for himself and his children.

“As always, we remain a close family with deep love and respect for each other and for everything we have built and will continue to build,” the statement reads, which was also post on Grégoire Trudeau's Instagram page.

“For the well-being of our children, we ask that you respect our and their privacy. Thank you.”

The couple have three children, 15-year-old Xavier, 14-year-old Ella-Grace and nine-year-old Hadrien.

'She wasn’t all that prominent a figure'

With the unexpected separation from his wife, many Canadians are left wondering if the separation will impact the prime minister's image.

Historian and professor at the University of Toronto, Robert Bothwell, indicated that as of now, the separation won’t help Trudeau image, but nor will it hurt him.

“It’s not as if Sophie has been a huge factor in his public appearances, she wasn’t all that prominent a figure,” Bothwell said.

“I really don’t think it’d be much impact on Liberal party faithfuls or the politicians around him, and I’d be really doubtful if it had much impact on the general public. She’s just not that prominent a figure.”

Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and his wife Margaret walk along a street on the small French territorial island of St. Pierre Tuesday, August 4, 1971. The Trudeau's made a short unofficial visit to the island, which is off the east coast of Canada, during a tour of Canada's eastern provinces. 

(CP PHOTO/Peter Bregg)

Throughout Canada’s history, Trudeau is the second prime minister to announce a separation while in office, following his father.

As Bothwell recalls, Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s image actually improved following his separation from Margaret Trudeau. The couple announced their separation in 1977 and filed for divorce in 1983.

“I remember being at a Liberal convention and polls were done around '78 or '79, and somebody said, you really won’t believe this, but his popularity has gone up since the split," he said.

While details around the current prime minister's separation remain unknown at the moment, the public's reaction is unmistakably visible, judging by the thousands of comments flooding Trudeau and Grégoire Trudeau's Instagram pages.

'Intense vitriol and attacks': Trudeau separation draws backlash, sympathy from Canadians

Canadians are showing a wide range of emotions after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau formally announced their separation.

Corné van Hoepen
·Contributor, Yahoo News Canada
Updated August 3, 2023·

Canadians reacted with a flurry of social media posts in the wake of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau's formal separation announcement on Wednesday. The pair announced on social media that they were officially separating following 18 years of marriage.

"Hi everyone, Sophie and I would like to share the fact that after many meaningful and difficult conversations, we have made the decision to separate," reads a statement posted by Trudeau on social media.

An official statement released by the Prime Minister's Office said Trudeau and Grégoire have "signed a legal separation agreement" and the pair "have worked to ensure that all legal and ethical steps with regards to their decision to separate have been taken, and will continue to do so moving forward.”

Public reaction to the Trudeaus separation

The prime minister and his wife's formal announcement of separation made headlines around the world and garnered a strong buzz on social media.

Some kinder messages offered up words of support for the family, as separation is a difficult process for anyone. Others pointed to how any marriage would be made difficult given all the hardships that the prime minister faced throughout his time in office.

One social media user highlighted the overwhelming amount of hate tweets and conspiracy-based responses Trudeau's announcement received, by stating "all the hate and accusations towards the Prime Minister of Canada during difficult times is just pathetic & not the country I grew up in."

Others put it more simply: "It's none of our business."

Following the news, founder and leader of the People's Party of Canada (PPC) Maxime Bernier posted a tweet stating the notice of separation doesn't matter, and what matters is "he leaves the office of the prime minister."

Others simply stated that they felt absolutely "no sympathy" for Canada's leader, along with his family. Instead, some pointed to their own suffering.

It continues a wave of hate that's followed the prime minister, sometimes displayed through the "F*** Trudeau" flag.

no sympathy

he chose power and more enrichment

he could have been a private individual and been a father using his wealthy inheritance

Canada will be better without him

if he resigns then he could be a father to his children using his great fortune

— Gif_Whisperer (@TheGifWhisperer) August 2, 2023

Amid all the sympathy and backlash, one social media user offered up the question if news of the separation will influence the impression the public has of the prime minister.

And amid the major news that's dominated headlines, others are also looking to shine on light on important issues in the day-to-day lives of Canadians.

A look back at the Trudeau marriage

Trudeau, 51, and Grégoire, 48, officially tied the knot in a Montreal church in May 2005 and during their 18 years of marriage, had three children together — two sons, Xavier, 15, and Hadrien, nine, and one daughter, 14-year-old Ella-Grace.

Grégoire, a former media personality, stunned the public when they first laid eyes on the glowing bride — dressed in a simple low-cut floral gown with a long veil trailing behind her. Trudeau was dressed in a gold tuxedo with gold silk stripes and upon emerging from the ceremony in the chapel, stepped into a 1959 Mercedes 300 SL, formerly belonging to Trudeau’s father.

Justin Trudeau, son of the late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, leaves with his new bride Sophie Gregoire in his father's 1959 Mercedes 300 SEL after their marriage ceremony in Montreal Saturday, May 28, 2005.(CP PHOTO/Ryan Remiorz)

While the prime minister and his wife portrayed a united front to the public, Grégoire said in an interview with Global News in 2015, that “no marriage is easy,” and that she was “almost kind of proud of the fact that we’ve had hardship,”

The pair's last public appearance together was during Canada Day 2023 in Ottawa.

ERITREAN PROTEST

9 people injured after 'violent' demonstration at Toronto park: 'I am shocked'

Police were called to Earlscourt Park in the city's west end on Saturday morning after a large crowd gathered and a fight broke out.


Chris Stoodley
·Lifestyle and News Editor
Sat, August 5, 2023 

Toronto Police work the scene of a protest that turned "violent"

 in Toronto's Earlscourt Park on Saturday, Aug. 5. 

(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey)

A "demonstration that turned violent" at a Toronto park left numerous people injured on Saturday, with some feeling "shocked and saddened" about the incident.

Toronto police shared a series of posts on X (Twitter) starting Saturday morning shortly before 10 a.m., noting that a large crowd gathered in Earlscourt Park where one person was carrying a knife.

Officers said there were reports of injuries and some tents on fire at the park. Within an hour, Toronto Police Operations (TPO) updated their post noting that it appeared to be a "demonstration that turned violent."

While medics were on-scene helping patients at the park, at least nine people were transported to the hospital. One person suffered serious injuries after being stabbed, while the other eight people experienced non-life-threatening injuries.

Around 2:15 p.m., police shared another update indicating that the "event had turned violent again."

"Officers from across the city are assisting in gaining control," TPO shared. "Please stay out of the area."

Festival Eritrea Toronto is hosting a series of activities at Earlscourt Park between Aug. 5 and 7.

Toronto paramedics were on-scene at Earlscourt Park to help patients injured during the demonstration. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey)

But protesters around the world have been demonstrating against Eritrea's government, which some are calling "one of the most repressive regimes in the world."

Last month, at least 26 police officers were injured during an Eritrean cultural festival in Germany.

Earlier this week, hundreds of people were detained in Sweden after up to a thousand protesters attacked the Eritrea Scandinavia festival in Stockholm.

This past week, a petition was also created — which currently has more than 1,500 signatures — to stop an "Eritrea Festival" event scheduled for Aug. 6 at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel.

Toronto police said one person was stabbed and eight others were injured during the event. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey)

People on social media shared their disappointment about the Earlscourt Park incident.

Alejandra Bravo, the city councillor for the area, shared a statement expressing that she was "shocked and saddened to hear of the violence that broke out."

"Please give [police] space and time to complete their work," Bravo continued in her post. "Earlscourt Park and some local roads are closed to traffic."

Some called for the violence to be shut down, while others noted they were surprised the violence wasn't happening at this weekend's Toronto Caribbean Festival.

 

Thousands rally on Las Vegas Strip in support of food service workers demanding better pay, benefits


Thu, August 10, 2023 



LAS VEGAS (AP) — Thousands of hospitality workers rallied Thursday evening beneath the glittery lights of the Las Vegas Strip to call attention to ongoing union contract negotiations for higher pay and better benefits for food service workers at one of the largest arenas on the famed tourist corridor.

The Culinary Workers Union, a political powerhouse in Nevada, said in a statement ahead of the rally that servers, dishwashers, cooks and bartenders who work at T-Mobile Arena have been locked in contract negotiations for nearly a year with their employer, Levy Premium Food Service. The workers say they want a fair contract that will ensure “one job is enough to provide for their families.”

Union members packed the walkways near the arena on Thursday, with the crowd mostly dressed in red spilling onto Las Vegas Boulevard.

The union represents 60,000 hospitality workers in Las Vegas and Reno, including 200 Levy employees who work at the arena, the home stadium of the Vegas Golden Knights.

The action comes two weeks after members voted 97% in favor of authorizing a strike if a contract isn't reached soon. It is the union's second gathering on the Strip in recent months highlighting the ongoing negotiations with Levy, which provides food and drink services to arenas, convention centers and other venues nationwide.

In June, thousands also dressed in red assembled on the Strip for a march to bring attention to the contract negotiations, waving signs that read “ONE JOB SHOULD BE ENOUGH” at passing cars and tourists.

Levy said in a statement it was discouraged by the union's decision to rally after several months of negotiations.

“We remain committed to working diligently with the Union to reach a fair agreement that shows our team members how much we value them,” the statement said, “and we look forward to returning to the bargaining table soon.”

MGM Resorts International, which operates T-Mobile Arena, did not respond to a request for comment.

Lucia Orozco has worked as a cook at the arena since it opened in 2016. She described herself and her husband, a hospitality worker at a nearby Strip casino, as hard workers who don't spend outside of their means. Yet they live paycheck to paycheck and don't have money saved to retire anytime soon.

“I worry about it because I'm very close to retirement,” the 56-year-old said. “I don't have too much time left.”

Orozco, who was among the block of union members who voted to authorize a strike, said she wasn't surprised by the results of the vote.

“Everybody's tired of not making enough,” she said.

A date for a strike has not been set, but the union said its members have taken major steps toward walking off the job, including making picket signs and signing up for shifts on the picket line.

The possible strike looms ahead of the Golden Knights’ first preseason home hockey game Sept. 27 against the Los Angeles Kings and the team's season opener at home Oct. 10 against the Seattle Kraken. If the union strikes, it would happen against the backdrop of thousands of hospitality workers in Southern California, also demanding higher pay and improved benefits, walking off the job last month. The union there described it as the largest strike in its history.

___

Associated Press photographer John Locher in Las Vegas contributed.

Rio Yamat, The Associated Press