Daily Digest October 30, 2018.

The DAILY DIGEST: INFORMATION and OPINION>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>HEADLINES ACROSS CANADA <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

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>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>NATIONAL NEWSWATCH<<<<<<<< http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/

Former governor general Adrienne Clarkson still bills more than $100,000 a year in expenses

Raitt says her privilege was breached by Liberal minister’s ‘tweet’ non-answer        ‘I learned a lot of things today’: Conservative senator wades into rapper fight after Twitter account hackedStatCan scooped up 15 years of personal financial data from Canadian credit bureau        Ford pledges to help Scheer defeat Trudeau

Canada has no legal obligation to repatriate its citizens detained in Syria, Goodale says        Tories continue to raise most money, but Liberals close gap as election nearsCanada Border Services Agency moves to ‘substantially’ increase deportations        Heated political rhetoric on carbon tax does disservice to Canadian votersUse It or Lose It        Power Play: Strategy SessionLack of council diversity puts municipalities at risk        Alberta’s economic crisis deserves more than political games

Opposition leaders unite to pressure Trudeau to call byelections        Ontario’s books suggest deficit should be considerably lower than Tories’ $15B figureDavid Johnston On New Debate Commission: Criteria For Party Leaders Has “Element Of Subjectivity”        Saskatchewan introduces climate change legislation as feud with Ottawa continuesFather of ‘Jihadi Jack’ says he can clear his son’s name – but the evidence is sealed        Conservatives blast Trudeau government over StatCan collection of personal financial dataNB Power to dodge major carbon taxes after Ottawa proposes looser rules on coal plants        Andrew Scheer says he and Doug Ford are working toward same goalsCritics call for cancellation of debate featuring Steve Bannon        Feds nominate former GG Johnston as new leaders’ debates organizer
MPs looking into whether RCMP are in contempt of Parliament for gun bill post        Opposition demands proof documents in Mark Norman’s case haven’t been destroyedFord doubles down on falsehoods about federal carbon tax        Hate speech or ‘public service’? Controversy surrounds Steve Bannon’s Toronto tripNDP calls for cancellation of Steve Bannon debate        Canadian FM visits Israel for first time since Trudeau electedOnce eager to help imprisoned ‘Jihadi Jack,’ Canadian officials suddenly turned away, emails show        Doug Ford meets Andrew Scheer as carbon tax fight heats upCalgary to consider cancelling 2026 Olympic bid after coming council committee vote        Liberals 39 Conservatives 28, NDP 19, Green 7, People’s 1: Nanos
Residents who admit to pot use turned away at U.S. border, says Estevan, Sask., mayor        Ottawa sticking to F-35 program as it gets ready for full fighter competitionDelaying Singh’s byelection might be calculated, but it isn’t unprecedented        CRA reaps more than $1 billion through clawbacks of federal benefits over five yearsChina’s military scientists target Canadian universities        Trudeau Mocks NDP ‘Sanctimony’ Amid Pressure To Call Byelections

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>LOONIE POLITICS<<<<<<<<<<<<<< http://looniepolitics.com/Shooting reshapes Liberals’ apology for 1939 refusal of ship of Jewish refugees - Jordan Press - The Canadian Press, Toronto Star
        Feds tap former GG to be new arms-length leaders’ debates commissioner - Rachel Aiello, CTV News
Federal minister says Saskatchewan and Ontario ‘playing political games’ after provinces skip trade meeting - Adam Hunter, CBC News
        Federal debate planning to be taken ‘out of back rooms,’ Liberal minister promises - Kristy Kirkup - The Canadian Press, Toronto Star
Liberals remove controversial police evidence clause from justice bill, but reject most other changes - Brian Platt, National Post
        Justin Trudeau hones his blame game on StatsCan data and Saudi arms deals - Macleans
How Doug Ford became an issue in the B.C. electoral reform campaign - Adrienne Tanner, Macleans
        Trudeau Liberals in no hurry to see Jagmeet Singh in the Commons - Mark Bonokoski, Toronto Sun
Ottawa launches national pay equity legislation and Department for Women and Gender Equality - Bill Curry, The Globe & Mail
        NDP spending your cash to buy votes - Lorne Gunter, Edmonton Sun

Trudeau Liberals position carbon tax as ‘we care, those guys don’t’ - Kelly McParland, National Post
        The Liberals should give Jagmeet Singh his chance to enter Parliament - Editorial, The Globe & Mail
Days ahead of Stafford family protest, Tories set to thrust McClintic transfer back into spotlight - Amanda Connolly, Global News
        Singh accuses Trudeau of disrespect for voters after PM leaves 3 ridings vacant - Janice Dickson, The Canadian Press, CTV News
Mac will announce new laptop, many product upgrades Tuesday- Mark Gurman - Bloomberg, Toronto Star
        Canada’s household debt flashes red in Morgan Stanley risk report- Piotr Skolimowski - Bloomberg, Financial Post
U.S. urges EU to stop WTO hearings on metals dispute, hopes for deal with Canada, Mexico- Reuters, The Globe & Mail
        China’s yuan sinks to 10-year low against U.S. dollar- CTV News
Airlines, trucking industry face sharp rise in fuel prices- Kyle Bakx & Meegan Read, CBC News
TOUTES LES NOUVELLES PUBLIES DEPUIS 24 HEURES http://fr.canoe.ca/infos/aujourdhui/

Abattu par des policiers: la famille de Nicholas Gibbs poursuit la Ville de Montréal pour plus d'un million $Plus        Des objets de Stephen Hawking aux enchères à LondresPlusNetflix commande une série documentaire sur PrincePlus        Bébés sans bras: 11 cas supplémentaires, selon Santé Publique FrancePlusPittsburgh enterre les premières victimes de la tuerie antisémite, Trump en visitePlus        États-Unis: mort mystérieuse de 2 soeurs, retrouvées attachées dans la rivière HudsonPlusRoches ou souvenirs, la Lune aux enchères en novembrePlus        Montréal : mort suspecte au square VigerPlusMerkel rejette toute perte d'influence après l'annonce de son départPlus        Merkel dit ne pas craindre de perdre en influence internationalePlus
Un antidémarreur éthylométrique sur tous les véhicules neufs?Plus        La Russie va répondre aux manoeuvres géantes de l'OTAN par des tests de missilesPlusLa Nasa va continuer à chercher son rover martien OpportunityPlus        Accident d'avion en Indonésie: Jakarta ordonne l'inspection des Boeing 737 MAXPlusAttentat au Metropolis : Richard Bain joue le tout pour le toutPlus        Un homme perd la vie à la suite d'une poursuite policière à Sorel-TracyPlusDonald Trump veut mettre fin au droit du solPlus        Étudiants à l'usine: un sous-traitant d'Apple épinglé en ChinePlusLe typhon Yutu provoque des milliers d'évacuations aux PhilippinesPlus        Italie: neuf morts dans des intempéries, nombreuses écoles fermées

FOREIGN AFFAIRS & GENERAL INFO

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>LOONIE WORLD<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< http://looniepolitics.com/ Don’t Be Fooled by Trump’s Caravan Misinformation Campaign - Raul Reyes, CNN
        Clinton Was Right About Trump’s ‘Basket of Deplorables’ - Damon Linker, The Week
Win or Lose, Republicans Will Get More Extreme - Jonathan Chait, New York Magazine
        Supreme Court turns away GOP challenge to new Pennsylvania electoral map - Lydia Wheeler, The Hill
Liberals Are Angry Because They Were Sure Trump Would Fail - Stephen Moore, Washington Times
        Trump rips the media as critics call for him to ‘tone it down’ - Adam Edelman, NBC News
Trump’s closing television ad for midterms doesn’t include Trump - John Wagner, Washington Post
        End of era beckons as Merkel says she will give up CDU party chair- Reuters, The Times Of India
Sri Lankan political crisis could lead to bloodbath, says speaker- Michael Safi, The Guardian
        Nine people wounded in Tunis suicide bomb attack- Al Jazeera

‘Tropical Trump’ Bolsonaro threatens to upend Brazil’s foreign policy- France 24
        Lion Air crash: Boeing 737 plane crashes in sea off Jakarta- BBC News
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>THE LEBANON DAILY STAR<<<<<<<< http://www.dailystar.com

Israel: didn't know fatal Gaza strike targets were children        Bangladesh, Myanmar agree to begin Rohingya repatriation by mid-NovemberUN rights chief wants 'international experts' to help probe Khashoggi hit        Denmark to push for EU-wide sanctions against Iran: Foreign MinisterRussia to test missiles in NATO exercise zone        US sanctions will have 'severe consequences' for world order: IranTrump to push end to birthright citizenship as US elections loom        'Plans complete' for assault on Kurd militia in Syria: TurkeyNetanyahu says mediation can help to prevent Gaza collapse: report        Druze on Golan Heights protest against Israeli municipal elections
Turkey rejects Syrian accusations over Idlib deal        Why Italy is the latest to question policy orthodoxy Poison gas and horror warfare: World War I’s weapon of terror        Libya’s south falls prey to foreign armed groupsEstonia withdrawing from UNIFIL, Finland downsizing

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From: "Mahmood Elahi"
Subject:  Democracy is not a tyranny of the majority
To: The Editor, The Toronto Star
Copy to: Rt. Hon. John Tory, Mayor of Toronto (please forward).
Democracy is not a tyranny of the majority
Re: Letter: “Majority of voters don’t support Tory,” Adriana D’Arpino, Oct. 29.

Democracy was invented by the ancient Athenians who believed that aristocrats and oligarchs did not have any divine right to rule and ordinary people must have a say in governing as it touches their own lives. So they invented a system of government involving ordinary people and called it Demokratia government by the people.

Democracy of the government by the people is a brilliant idea and like all brilliant ideas, it has some apparent contradictions the most seductive one is majority rule. But this is not democracy, simply rule by the majority. When the Athenians allowed the majority to rule, the poor majority imposed heavy taxes on the rich minority who conspired to bring down democracy.

After several bouts of civil war, the Athenians took practical steps to stem any tyranny of the majority and make democracy work for all.

Central to this was the Athens Council, composed of 500 people chosen through  lottery, to represent a cross section of society. All social classes were represented equally. The Athens Council had the power to override any decision that ignored the legitimate concerns of any minority. The idea of checks and balances was born.

Letter writer Adriana D’Arpino seems not to realize that democracy is not about the majority rule nor about proportional representation. It is about the participation of all people – the majority and the minority – in the political process. Inventors of democracy understood this and put a check on the majority rule.

Toronto Mayor John Tory may not have won the majority of votes, but he represents all citizens of Toronto as long as they care to participate in the governing of the city. She should be ashamed of not voting. Voting is the beginning of participation in the political process.

MAHMOOD ELAHI

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Subject: Electric cars a better
To: <general.inquiries@encana.com>,<letters@nationalpost.com>
The Editor
National Post

Copy to: Mr. Gwyn Morgan, Founding CEO of Encana Corp (please forward).

Electric cars a better alternative natural gas vehicles
                                
Re: “Lower carbon emissions with lower taxes,” by Gwyn Morgan and “Tesla profits blows past analysts’ estimates,” Dana Hull, both Oct. 25.

Gwyn Morgan says: “Converting gasoline or diesel-fuel vehicles to natural gas reduces carbon dioxide emissions by roughly a third.” By this measure, zero-emission electric cars are better as alternative.

Two-third of Canada’s power generation come from renewable sources, mostly hydro, of energy. As such, resorting to electric cars for mass transportation will reduce carbon emission to near zero. Mass produced all-electric Tesla Model 3 promises that future.

After months of false start, California-based Tesla Corp has started its mass production this month. As Dana Hull reports: “Tesla Inc. posted only its third quarter profit over and generated more cash than expected, bolstering Elon Musk’s bid to make selling electric cars a financially sustainable business.”

With a range of 300 kilometres, Tesla Model 3 is a zero emitter of carbon when powered by renewable energy. The only drawback is that at $50,000, it is very expensive for regular customers. This can be brought down by tax exemption for electric cars. This way, electric cars will become affordable and carbon-emission can be lowered drastically.

MAHMOOD ELAHI

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From: John Feldsted <jfeldsted@shaw.ca>
Subject: Report on Impacts of Marijuana Legalization in Colorado

Report on Impacts of Marijuana Legalization in ColoradoThis is long but gives us a picture of what may be in store for us now that Cannabis is legal. We appear to be headed down a rocky road.

Legalization is the easy part; control and social impact is not cheap or easy.

John Feldsted
Political Consultant & Strategist
Winnipeg, Manitoba

If anyone would like to be added to my mailing list, send an e-mail to jfeldsted@shaw.ca With a subject line:  Conservative Friends List

(LAKEWOOD, Colo., Oct. 26, 2018) – The Colorado Division of Criminal Justice Office of Research and Statistics today released “Impacts on Marijuana Legalization in Colorado,” a report that compiles and analyzes data on marijuana-related topics including crime, impaired driving, hospitalizations and ER visits, usage rates, effects on youth, and more.
The full study can be found online at http://cdpsdocs.state.co.us/ors/docs/reports/2018-SB-13-283_report.pdf.
DATA HIGHLIGHTS:
CRIMEData suggests that law enforcement and prosecutors are aggressively pursuing cases against black market activity. The quantity of cases filed for serious marijuana-related crimes has remained consistent with pre-legalization levels, however organized crime cases have generally increased since 2008.

• Felony marijuana court case filings (conspiracy, manufacturing, distribution, and possession with intent to sell) declined from 2008 to 2014, but increased from 2015 through 2017.
  • The most recent increase in filings might be in part because legislation changed the legal indoor plant count, providing law enforcement agencies with greater clarity and tools to increase their enforcement of black market activity.
  • Felony filings in 2017 (907) were still below 2008 filings (1,431).
• Filings in organized-crime cases followed a similar pattern, with a dip in 2012 and 2013 followed by a significant increase since 2014.
  • There were 31 organized crime case filings in 2012 and 119 in 2017.
• Filings for juveniles under 18 remain at the same level as pre-legalization.

DUI & TRAFFIC FATALITIESThe impact of marijuana consumption on the safety of drivers is a major focus, as any fatality on our roadways is a concern. More data about the impairing effects of marijuana and more consistent testing of drivers for marijuana are needed to truly understand the scope of marijuana impairment and its relation to non-fatal crashes.

• The number of trained Drug Recognition Experts increased from 129 in 2012 to 214 in 2018, a 66% increase. Thousands of additional officers have been trained in Advanced Roadside Impairment Detection.
• Colorado State Patrol (CSP) DUI cases overall were down 15% from 2014 to 2017.
• The percentage of CSP citations with marijuana-only impairment has stayed steady, at around 7%. The percentage of CSP citations with any marijuana nexus rose from 12% in 2012 to 17% in 2016, then dropped to 15% in 2017.
• About 10% of people in treatment for a DUI self-reported marijuana as their primary drug of abuse, compared to 86% who report alcohol as their primary drug of abuse.
• The percent of drivers in fatal crashes who tested positive for Delta-9 THC at the 5ng/mL level decreased from 11.6% in 2016 to 7.5% in 2017.
• The number of fatalities where a driver tested positive for any cannabinoid (Delta 9 or any other metabolite) increased from 55 (11% of all fatalities) in 2013 to 139 (21% of all fatalities) in 2017.

SEIZURES ON PUBLIC LANDSSeizures on public lands are an indicator of the size of the black market in Colorado. Data reported by the National Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) show that federal agencies have made significant seizures of marijuana on public lands and illegal indoor grows both prior to legalization and since 2012, with very large seizures in recent years.

• The Drug Enforcement Agency’s cannabis eradication of outdoor and indoor grows did not show a trend from 2006 to 2017. For example, eradication of outdoor plants ranged from as many as 29,655 in 2009 to as few as 2,059 in 2017. 
• Similar to trends seen with other law enforcement activity, seizures on public lands dipped significantly in 2013 and 2014 compared to 2009-2012. Seizures then rose continuously from 2015-2017.
• In 2017 alone, more than 80,000 plants were seized on public lands.

DIVERSION OUT OF STATEDiversion out of state is another indicator of the size of the black market, and is a must-track data point as we aim to work with our federal and state partners to diminish illegal activity related to marijuana.

• The number of seizures reported via the El Paso Intelligence Center increased from 2012 (286) to 2015 (768) but decreased in 2016 (673) and 2017 (608).
• Marijuana seizures by the US Postal Inspection Service have increased steadily since 2010, from 15 parcels seized containing 57 pounds of marijuana in 2010 to 1,009 parcels containing 2001 pounds in 2017.

HOSPITALIZATIONS & ER VISITSThese are critical data points so we can track harmful exposure to children, inappropriate usage, and other drivers of marijuana-related hospitalizations. These and related data points prompted legislative and regulatory developments between 2014 and 2016, including child-resistant packaging requirements, requirements for edibles to be marked with a universal symbol so they can be identified even outside their packaging, limitations on the total amount of active THC in an individual retail marijuana edible, and prohibitions on the manufacturing and sales of edibles in the shape of a human, animal, or fruit.

• Rates of hospitalization with possible marijuana exposures increased steadily from 2000 through 2015.
• Human marijuana exposures reported to the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center increased significantly from pre-legalization to 2014, then flattened out from 2014-2017.

SCHOOL DISCIPLINE & ACHIEVEMENTNew data points are helping us gain a better understanding of school discipline; overall the state is not seeing an impact of recreational marijuana use on high school graduation and drop-out rates.

• The total number of suspensions, expulsions, and law enforcement referrals for any reason has remained consistent post-legalization.
• Marijuana was the most common single reason for school expulsions (22%) and law enforcement referrals (24%) in the 2016-17 school year, the first full year where marijuana was reported separately as a reason for disciplinary action.
• Graduation rates are up and drop-out rates are down since 2012. The Graduation rate rose steadily from a 10-year low point of 72 percent in the 2009-2010 school year to 79 percent in the 2016-2017 school year. Over that same time period, the drop-out rate decreased from 3.1 percent to 2.3 percent.

YOUTH USAGE & ATTITUDES (12-17 years)Surveys show Colorado is not experiencing an increase in youth usage of marijuana. Preventing negative impacts on youth has been a focus of various state efforts, including public education campaigns that raise awareness about the health and legal consequences of teen marijuana use. The Marijuana Impacts report compiles and analyzes data previously released in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) and the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (HKCS) to examine trends related to youth usage and impacts.

• The youth marijuana rate reported via NSDUH for the 2015/16 school year (9.1%) was the lowest it’s been since 2007/08 (9.1%).
• According to HKCS, the proportion of high school students reporting using marijuana ever in their lifetime or reporting past 30-day use remained statistically unchanged from 2005 to 2017.
• According to HKCS, the proportion of students trying marijuana before age 13 went down from 9.2% in 2015 to 6.5% in 2017.
• Alcohol was the most common substance students reported using at any point in their lives (59%) followed by e-cigarettes (44%) and then marijuana (35%).

“Impacts on Marijuana Legalization in Colorado” is shared with state legislators and posted for the public to review online.
REF: https://colorado.gov/pacific/dcj/news/colorado-division-criminal-justice-publishes-report-impacts-marijuana-legalization-colorado

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