Vass Bednar
@VassB
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ED @McMasterMPP in Digital Society + 🎙️ host @globeandmail 's Lately @ppforumca Fellow + Senior Fellow @CIGIonline . productive policy provocateur (she/her)
Toronto + Hamilton
Joined September 2009
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Pinned Tweet
If you love me, let me track you - or something. On this week's Lately ep, we speak to Dr. Katina Michael about what we lose and gain when we normalize ~finding~ our friends like they're objects. From her fascinating Nortel roots to
@life360
's IPO, omg 🫶🗺️
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If a firm (*Shoppers) is going to do a “receipt check,” ~after~ I do the work of checking out myself, maybe don’t give me the option of NO RECEIPT during that process.
#innovation
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I can't help but wonder: if the Mayors of Toronto and Ottawa were women, would they be endowed with new magical STRONG powers? Just feels like white men giving other white guys more power is a tale as old as time. <<sex + the city GIF >> <<beauty & the beast GIF >>
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My favourite thing about Toronto cops ticketing cyclists for speeding is that when you are biking you literally have no way of knowing how fast you are going, which is unlike [checks notes] CARS.
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For me, the Rogers outage is less about rah rah rah competition reform (important! pending! relevant!) + *more* about how the digital economy needs connectivity to function. The internet can feel invisible but it is critical infrastructure.
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Wow - just announced by
@JustinTrudeau
, the government is turning to Canadian grocers to put forward "a concrete plan forward by Thanksgiving to stabilize and lower grocery prices across the country." 🦃
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When will we demand that the telecoms get spam and spoofing under control? These synthetic media scams are getting very sophisticated and encouraging vigilance and general awareness probably won’t cut it. 📞
I just fell prey to a scam that I now know is making the rounds (apparently someone shared ~exact same experience on TikTok). Got a call from my sister’s legit phone #, heard muffled crying in the background and a guy threatening to kill her if I didn’t send him $$$ immediately.
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Usually when an op-ed like this pops up, it is a *key indicator* that regulators are making the right calls. 💅
Canada risks going too far in overhauling competition law
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I'm so in ♥️ w/
@Penalosa_G
's quixotic campaign for
#TOpoli
Mayor. This guy is relentless, pounding the pavement (literally, figuratively) + sharing ambitious ideas for a better, more inclusive city. A city that is experience some serious out-migration (see
@MikePMoffatt
's work)
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Is it childcare
What the federal government has to offer small businesses led by women
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Only Toronto Life would go to FIESTA FARMS to interview people about spending and groceries. I dunno, I associate that (*largest independently owned grocery store in TO!) with being a little on the...fancier side? The ppl hardest hit maybe aren't shopping there.
Food prices are bonkers right now—and they’re set to keep rising in 2023. We asked Torontonians how inflation is changing the way they shop
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First day of school jitters - this morning we welcomed students from across Canada to the
@McMasterU
MPP in Digital Society. Sweet + surreal to greet these leaders on-screen, and thrilled that classes are in session. 🏫
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📺This airs tonight. My sound bite is in response to a question re: women (*parents) leaving the labour market and whether a hybrid model helps or hurts, and how.
"If men in their thirties were disappearing from the labour market, we'd call it a crisis. And when women do it, we call it a choice." —
@VassB
(
@McMasterSocSci
). Tonight at 8/11pm with
@DeenaLadd
(
@WorkersAC
),
@robyndoolittle
(
@globeandmail
) &
@spaikin
| Producer:
@carrletta
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BTW this is the new Master of Public Policy in Digital Society ("MPP-DS")
@McMasterU
that was mentioned. It's early days, there will be more to come. We're excited to add to the space in a novel way and bridge gap(s) b/c technologists + decision makers.
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💣🐚"A recording obtained by the Logic outlines Amazon's vigorous behind-the-scenes campaign to head off changes to Canada's Competition Act, including a threat to shut down marketplace, a platform used by 40k+ 3rd party sellers in the country" from
@MartinPatriquin
Caught on tape: Amazon exec threatened Marketplace shutdown in Canada if competition reforms go ahead.
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*The "hero pay" of an additional $2/hour - a 10-15% increase in pay ended in June (6 months ago).
Loblaw Companies Ltd. is reporting that at least 56 employees have tested positive for COVID-19 since Christmas Eve at 43 stores it owns and operates in the Greater Toronto Area.
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Thank you very much for welcoming me. I am excited to join the global
@CIGIonline
community and look forward to contributing my "regs to riches" lens and constructively adding to the broader competition conversation as a smart generalist obsessed w/ the public interest.✌️🙏 💃🏽
Please join us in welcoming new Senior Fellow
@VassB
!
She is the executive director of the Master of Public Policy in Digital Society program at
@McMasterU
, where she is an adjunct professor of political science. Learn more here: cc:
@McMasterSocSci
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I’m a terrible photographer, but got a vaccine at a Costco earlier this morning. Much ❤️ for the “vaccinated” hat from the Pretend Store. Some locations in Ontario are offering bookings to people 18+ this weekend.
#VHCvaxxie
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I'm honoured to work w/ super talented, thoughtful ppl at the Globe and Mail to craft this podcast that sense-makes life in the new economy - while having just the right amount of fun w/ it. We are looking forward to sharing our first episode next week (!). Thanks for kind notes.
Introducing Lately, The Globe and Mail's new podcast!
Tune in every Friday as our host,
@VassB
interviews a fresh voice about the big, defining trends in business and tech. Don't miss Episode 1 launching on April 12 – save the date and subscribe everywhere you get podcasts.
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It’s a two-on-one in tomorrow’s
@TorontoStar
“Saturday Debate,” - hope I don’t get my Vass kicked on telecom policy. 🤞💻📞🏢
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“If the local Tim Hortons can’t find enough workers, it should raise wages, innovate or close. There is no economic imperative to prop them up; doing so makes it easier to put off productivity investments such as automation.”
Immigration: Canada’s economy can’t rely on temporary workers and study permits forever
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It is flattering to be included on a list like this. I don't know if I'm a ~changemaker~ but I am certainly proud of being part of the conversation, and I'm relentlessly optimistic that change is happening/possible.
Introducing the Report on Business magazine Changemakers of 2023.
Meet the 50 leaders at
#ROBChangemakers
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@VanmalaS
@ManishaKrishnan
I sometimes wear a brown sweatsuit that I have and just lay around catatonic/scrolling, while explaining to my husband that I "can't talk rn" b/c I am a "log in a bog."
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If you are looking for a gender inclusive alternative to "folks," may I suggest substituting with "party people"
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Competition is alive in Canada, etc.
Canadian airlines withholding flights this summer to boost demand and profits
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Childcare *is* innovation policy. This is the moonshot. 🌚
This is my favourite (nerdy) graph from our
@CntrFutureWork
report on the economic benefits of national child care. There's a very strong link between access to quality, affordable child care and women's labour force participation. Ont. & the prairies have the worst of both...2
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Surely the Globe & Mail is similarly committed to accountability and transparency and will be updating this with an appropriate disclosure reminding the reader that they have a $$ partnership w/ Facebook as of July 2021 - the “News Innovation Test.”
At Facebook, we’re committed to accountability and transparency – let’s collaborate to make progress
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If it turns out that "government" is really just some combo of the courts, Deloitte, and Bay Street then we have a problem.
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On the question on Twitter monetization, yes I would be willing to accept micropayments from my reply guys. It’s like the OnlyFans model, but for men constantly compelled to one up or correct you.
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High park today: some people were skating, other people were playing tennis, I saw my first Person Wearing Shorts (of 2021). Strong spring vibes in Toronto.
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Here is the final
#YouthPanel
report -- 13 Ways to Modernize Youth Employment in Canada:
#CDNpoli
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We went to Holt Renfrew to see how people are changing their shopping habits, etc.
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Confused why the new-ish “keep your powder dry”/ hide / avoid debates and media strategy during ~major elections~ doesn’t brand candidates as “quiet quitters.”
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I know we're all thinking about Alberta + sovereignty but *no one* is talking about how Roncesvalles has effectively been annexed from Toronto due to the severing of basically every transit connection (?). Like you used to be able to take the King, Queen, Dundas OR College car.
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Random musing: one of the most important traits that I think a policy person can have is a *confident curiosity.* Like, just being hungry and willing to puzzle things out, learn more, and stay intrinsically motivated/hungry to challenge yourself.
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regs to riches is 3 years old today. Thanks for everyone that reads/shares/messages me about it. 🎂
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"Canadian industry is dominated by family dynasties and state-protected behemoths that enjoy extraordinary concentration and pricing power. Five banks are a near-oligopoly."
NEW: Think Succession, but Canada. The real-life story of how Edward Rogers fought his family—and possibly his late father's wishes—to gain control of a telecom giant.
Read the Big Take ➡️
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COVID-19 has changed the way that many ppl will and can work. I’m stoked (and honoured) to be joining a committee to explore the implications and opportunities relevant to the
#FutureOfWork
in our incredible province.
#ONpoli
Work is a foundational value of society and must be protected and rewarded.
Our future needs to be an abundance of good paying jobs for families and communities.
We need to help everyone take part in the new opportunities that are being created daily.
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The first time I felt it was *SERIOUS* w/ my boyfriend was when we merged our PC Plus points. Wait until I tell him our Optimum points are getting married, too.
We're excited to announce that on Feb 1st, 2018 the PC Plus & Shoppers Optimum programs are coming together as the PC Optimum program.
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If you're 🤬about too often paying higher prices & having fewer choices b/c of a lack of competition & you want a crackdown on misleading advertising, make 2023 the year that the Competition Act is overhauled and has the 🦷to do its job. Contact your MP, write into consultation.
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Real talk: Privatizing health isn't a philosophical debate. It's tax policy. If further privatization is so scary, we have to demand that the Premier find new health care dollars, and that means: tax.
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Recently ventured outdoors to test my new theory that I am a ghost haunting my husband, "unable" to leave the premises (*our apartment) or be seen by others.
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There should really be an award for all the work Dr. Robson does to break down policy stuff in Canada. 🏅
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Consumer protection hot take: brown sugar should only be allowed to come in re-sealable bags.
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"...because it doesn't makes sense that in a country like Canada, our largest grocery chains should be making record profits while Canadians are struggling as compute on the table. And we're seeing record usage of food banks."
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Dear Diary: Have you ever had the experience of being on a Zoom webinar where your work, intellect, advocacy and zeal is implicitly dissed by a former Commissioner of Competition? I have. *Right after* she said that she's "scared" of the new voices in the space. Well, I'm not. 💅
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I got an amazing email today with a post-script that said "likely I have misunderstood something vital," and I will now be embedding this into my own e-signature for all messages going forward.
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Very excited to read that this fall, the new season of
@CANADALAND
@COMMONSpod
hosted by
@ArshyMann
(*now weekly!) will interrogate Canada’s "unscrupulous monopolies."
#CompetitionMatters
📻
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Super interested in the third spaces that people will access today (coffeeshops, libraries, Macdonald's etc) + how white collar workers will be treated there. Will there be the same pressure or shame that other ppl who NEED those spaces so often feel? Will you spend $$ or 'squat'
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"As well, records show the Seattle-based e-commerce giant has funded some of the country's most prominent think tanks, which have produced reports critical of antitrust reform." Are 'independent' member-driven think tanks for sale in 🇨🇦? Can we achieve better transparency here?
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In this article, I look at how traditional, comforting and TRUSTED Canadian brands like Tim Horton's, The Bay, Canadian Tire, and Loblaw are ripping from big tech's playbook, and why we should care/pay better attention to these trends.
Canada hasn’t had a ‘tech lash’ yet, but consumers should still be wary
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Remember: need a penny/take a penny/have a penny/leave a penny? We got rid of pennies. But we need this casual system for reusable bags. These bags should always be circulating. 👜
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Last weekend I realized that I didn't totally understand how the internet works in Canada (not shy about it!). Now that I've read around and creeped telecom Twitter, I think I appreciate why it doesn't. Important to note structural factors that will inhibit new broadband builds.
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This new program isn't being designed in a vacuum (or just my apt). It is informed by an Advisory Board of industry leaders at the forefront of digital policymaking in Canada + around the world. We are grateful for their insight, expertise, and experience.
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Maybe the Vaccine Hunters could come out of retirement but for children’s pain and fever medicine.
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On top of *everything,* I’ve been told that flare jeans are coming back.
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Electronic surveillance in the workplace is nothing new, but it is becoming more sophisticated and alarmingly common as we work remotely.
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Tonight,
@TheAgenda
explores "hustle culture." It was interesting to reflect on the forces that keep our 'career' top of mind, potentially at the expense of our health and our relationships. Best def'n I found was "performative workaholism" 😬. Glad to meet
@amil
and
@shanikt
.
Do you need a break from hustle culture? Tonight on The Agenda
@VassB
(
@McMasterSocSci
),
@shanikt
(
@recesscommunity
), and
@amil
talk with
@namshine
about the growing pushback against the churn of the gig economy. At 8/11pm | Producer:
@VickyQiao3
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We are not a 1-star city, so why would we “partner” with this US-firm that has bad reviews in the App Store? ⭐️ 🤷🏼♀️
U.S. firm set to win controversial city hall online payment contract, despite objections from Toronto’s tech sector
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No new pro-active investments in robust contact-tracing (which we abandoned...) or calls for volunteers to help, no $$ innovations on rapid testing (save for private-led ventures), no paid sick days to support workers. Vague restrictions on mobility that lack coherent rationale.
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I wish that the House of Commons finance committee's live stream had a chat function where MPs could react, etc. ❤️👎
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A few distinguishing features of the MPP: co-teaching that pairs academics w/ industry leaders, skills labs, a super-engaged Advisory Board, AND students enjoy a 1-year subscription to
@the_logic
(1st ~ever~ partnership with a university, NBD). Learn more, message me 👇👇
Our new Master of Public Policy in Digital Society is a 12-month interdisciplinary program that addresses our growing need for creative people who can shape the policies that govern and protect our digital spaces. |
@McMasterSocSci
@VassB
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This year sucked in so many ways. The best most special thing I was able to do despite it all was take my 94 yo grandmother to Greece (was lucky + privileged to not experience a career interruption as a result). 2nd best thing was being best wo-man at my twin brother's wedding.🦖
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Loblaw is throwing us for a loyalty loop as they grow their data empire across health, finance verticals. Can appreciate why they're making these bets + wish they were more transparent re: "shopping better" strategy. Now the most clicked "Regs to Riches,"
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Please sign my petition to make it possible to advance your slides with a pedal.
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Thank you very much, and I'm so looking forward to working with the
@ppforumca
thought community. Look for three podcasts on "Brave New Work," talking: algorithmically mediated work, fighting surveillance creep + using alternative datasets in June-ish. 📻🦾
Please join us in welcoming
@janet_annesley
and
@VassB
to our team of Fellows!
Veuillez vous joindre à nous pour accueillir
@janet_annesley
et
@VassB
dans notre groupe d'Associés!
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Is this going to be like the 2003 blackout? If so, what did we learn from that?
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We're going to chat it up Monday eve at 7.00 pm ET with a bit of a look-ahead on digital policy issues in Canada. Join us! We'll unmute with gratitude and curiousity. 🤓
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If I ever release a platform I am also putting a jumbo photo of myself on the front.
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3 of our graduate students in the MPP-DS
@McMasterU
contributed research to this initiative, the "Regulatory Capture Lab." It starts to interrogate the concept of "capture" as it pertains to government expertise and the policy interests of the largest technology companies.
Canada is sleepwalking into bed with Big Tech, as politicos float between firms and public office
#StarOpinion
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Imagine you *had* to download Facebook in order to get the flu vaccine, sign up for TikTok to get immunized against tetanus, or activate Twitter to protect against pertussis. Why do we have *an app* just for one company and not the entire province?
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"Bank of Canada officials have tended to play down the role of profit in driving inflation. But they have begun arguing that companies need to return to more competitive price-setting behavior to get inflation under control."
BoC’s inflation fight faces a new hurdle: getting businesses’ pricing power back to normal
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Big yay! The consultation on the Future of Competition Policy in
#CDNpoli
(that was mentioned back in February and echoed in the Budget) will launch on Thursday, closes at the end of February 2023. Anyone can respond. Huge opportunity for 🇨🇦🚀💪
#CompetitionMatters
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Could someone *please* remind me how it is that we are hurtling towards an election in Canada where competition policy may not even be...mentioned? Thx.
President Biden delivers remarks and signs an executive order on promoting competition in the American economy.
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Honestly? I love this. Why? Common sense, government working + doing what it is supposed to do. Don't say your stuff is recyclable if it's not. Can see this becoming a bigger issue for tons of other products.
Keurig Canada to pay $3 million penalty to settle our concerns over coffee pod
#recycling
claims:
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This is a very interesting proxy to admit to - $4 profit, like after overhead and salaries? Fascinating Loblaw dialogue in the replies. 👀
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To get our son a passport photo I need to get a photo where: his eyes are open, mouth closed, AND you can’t see my hands holding him up (??). I’d rather pull a sword from a stone or maybe just a rabbit out of my ball cap. What’s the utility of a baby photo over 5-10 years anyway?
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I think Tribunal showed contempt for Canadians when it lamented that so many ppl were writing in being pissed about the proposed merger (which was awesome).That’s democracy, not the Tribunal. Make your voice heard in the way that suits you by end of Feb:
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Here's how these travellers in the Air Canada lounge have been changing their travel plans.
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The bank told my 93 yo Spartan grandmother (over the phone) to consider banking online, and to make an appointment to bank online. This is a problem.
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I'm taking a sabbatical of sorts later this year and I need to find someone entrepreneurial & thoughtful to run the MPP in Digital Society for ~10 months. You get to learn + do a lot of great policy stuff, wouldn't have to take on my teaching duties. Know someone? Is it you?
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💉 COVID vaccination, meet customer acquisition 🤝
Starting today, residents of Ontario can request their COVID-19 vaccine through the PC Health app. To get started, download the app. Apple App Store: , Google Play:
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“The provincial government’s school testing program for students + staff ended “quietly” on June 30, leaving parents like Christine Sanger surprised to find the ONLY option remaining for asymptomatic children is a $40 rapid antigen test offered at Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaw.”
Parents, experts dismayed at Ontario government decision to quietly end coverage for free asymptomatic COVID testing for kids as summer begins.
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I have to think that when 3 people from
@CDHoweInstitute
name drop you in the 1st sentence of their op-ed, you’re doing something right. 💃
Opinion: Anti-big populism threatens Canadian economic success
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There Are Better Ways For An Editorial Board to Oppose Elements of Legislation While *Also* Being Transparent and Forthcoming About the ~Millions~ of Dollars They Have Received from Meta and Google In Advance of the Bill, You Guys. - unsigned
There are better ways for a government to help journalism
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I told Jodi that if a millennial is RLY lucky, they can pick 2/3: house, childcare, retirement. Very few families are at 3/3. This has implications for retirement stability and career growth. The new “invisible hand,” is family help + money. Must discuss.
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My think tank idea: "C+P" - we just take great ideas from other jurisdictions and s-p-e-l-l out how to do them here, sometimes w/ draft legislation. PS. This is Canada in a nutshell.
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I spoke to my policy mentor/guru/crush today and she said, "well, there are no more slam dunks. They have ALL been dunked!!" which I loved b/c 1. omg, TRUE 2. policy work today is incredibly complex/nuanced 3. weird appeal to my sporty side. Guess what also evolves? BASKETBALL 🏀
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As so many of pointed out, it's mind-blowing that amidst significant challenges and change, the Mayoral campaign is a 🍰walk w/o a hot seat. We don't need a steady hand at the wheel, we need to switch gears and get out_of_the_freaking_vehicle! "STEP AWAY!"
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Ya, I said "bullshit" on
@TheAgenda
- for some people having "pandemic epiphanies," it could be related to the lack of purpose with their white-collar office work. When you strip away the office, amenities, collisions with co-workers - what is work?
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