Update… there is a warrant for him, but the JP who signed it ignored the police request for him to be kept in custody. So when he is picked up, he can walk after he appears.

Several police contacts told me they see this all the time and it’s typical of how the system works. The warrant is related to him breaching his probation which involved clauses he could not contact me for three years.

So basically you can violate your probation conditions in harassment cases and police can say hey you should hold this person, but it’s catch and release.

My colleague Shogofa Danish is one of the bravest, smartest, kindest people I know. She is an Afghan refugee and an incredible journalist.

She has been trying to save her parents (her family is on a list of Taliban "foreign spies").

We are trying to help
gofundme.com/f/help-me-save… Shogofa's parents are currently in Pakistan. We have till the end of the year to hit $20,000 to bring them here (Shogofa raised $4000 on her own).

The two spots that miraculously opened up for them (very hard to get one) only became avail in early Dec so we have very little time

Have been asking whether Canada wasn’t asked or declined to sign a statement condemning Hamas issued by the US, UK, Germany, France and Italy.

One source told me we were not asked.

Two others said we weren’t asked bc this is from The Quint, it’s own little mini-alliance.

A fourth source said we were not officially asked but that doesn’t mean there’s not an unofficial approach.
Unofficial approaches can happen to gauge interest and or whether there is going to be a debate about watering down or beefing up statements; and to determine speed of potential response.

Now media question time:

American media q1: you talked about security and economic partnership with Canada. Xi just went to Russia. Counties are forming opposing alliances, what does it mean for security basically Biden says he disagrees with premise of question. Says US has expanded alliances, doesn’t think China or Russia are.

President Biden begins his address with “Bonjour Canada” which gets a standing ovation. Biden recalls meeting Trudeau virtually during the toughest days of COVID-19

Twitter is shutting off dual factor authentication for accounts that don’t pay for verification. Including accounts already verified based on the job or person vs subscription.

Verified accounts that don’t pay will now be easier to compromise. Accounts ppl assume are legit. I would be less concerned if Twitter said we are just revoking all blue checks unless you pay, versus keeping them but reducing security for those accounts.

Over the last couple of months I’ve had multiple attempted hard hacks on my social media. Dual factor has mattered.

#Breaking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces he will appoint a special rapporteur to look into foreign interference in Canada. PM Trudeau says the Chinese govt, Iran and Russia have tried to interfere not just in our elections but Cda's institutions, democracy etc...

The Chinese spy balloon revealed by the Americans today (over America) had also entered Canadian airspace according to Canadian sources.

This tweet replaces one that had confusing verb tense. Statement from DND
A high-altitude surveillance balloon was detected and its movements are being actively tracked by NORAD.
 
Canadians are safe and Canada is taking steps to ensure the security of its airspace, including the monitoring of a potential second incident.
1/2

#Breaking Govt source: Trudeau government has directed officials at the Department of National defence to immediately drop their appeal of a federal court decision allowing victims of sexual misconduct an extended deadline (till Feb 5 2023) to come forward in class action suit for those just joining us: the fed court ruled victims of sexual misconduct should have till Feb 5 to file. Many faced extenuating circumstances (deployments, PTSD, hadn’t heard about class action etc).

The govt had promised to honour victims but then DND announced an appeal

Waiting for PMO or the Minister of National Defence’s office to explain why DND (according to a govt source) directed counsel to appeal a federal courting ruling extending the deadline for sexual misconduct victims to come forward in the class action lawsuit.

I asked Tues @ 2pm. I have repeatedly asked for an update. First there was silence then I was told something was coming soon.

Almost two days later no explanation from the political level.

The govt’s appeal would see well over 600 claims thrown out.

In fairness to the CDA - @YouriCormier and @GuyThibault1 have worked hard to modernize this institution.

The speech last night sounded like it was from 20 years ago and treated all the CAF’s issues as external afflictions (by media etc) not internal issues. No responsibility.

https://twitter.com/smsaideman/status/1590690959070740484

I’m not surprised someone holds these views… there are plenty in the institution who believe there is only bad press and not actual institutional and system problems.

What was… interesting… was the standing ovation in the room.

Watching Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay who is before committee today on the story @GlobalNational broke about a veteran who was told MAID was an option for his PTSD and TBI. This is the first time we have heard MacAulay speak to this (rest has been statements). MacAualy says this was isolated incident but also says investigation is continuing, so it is unclear how they know that when the investigation isn't complete. The veteran this happened to told @globalnews the employee told him she helped another veteran who went through with MAID

Smith starts by saying “Thank you. I’m back!” Smith says CPC family is all in one room “united and strong”

Conservative Leader @PierrePoilievre begins his first speech as party leader with a tribute to the Queen. Poilievre says he will put Canadians back in charge of their lives and their money. References to pandemic rules and inflation.

#BREAKING Multiple law enforcement sources have told Global News the suspect in the SK stabbing rampage, Myles Sanderson, is dead. Police sources say they believe he died from self inflicted injuries after police rammed his vehicle off the road. Multiple police sources had indicated they did not believe he would allow himself to be taken alive before he was located. Law enforcement sources were concerned he may be looking for firearms.

#BREAKING RCMP say Damien Sanderson is dead. His body was found with visible wounds in a heavily grassed area near a house being examined. His injures are not believed to be self inflicted. His brother Myles remains the subject of an RCMP manhunt. Myles is Damien’s brother. Myles is facing three counts of first degree murder, RCMP say. The police are warning Myles may be injured and seek medical attention. They say he could still be very dangerous even if injured.

Yep. Has to be a direct threat of physical harm. That said, I received an in person sexual assault threat and it didn't result in charges, the police went to his door and gave him a warning.

Important to note, that was in no way connected to my work, it was random.

https://twitter.com/atRachelGilmore/status/1557426647216824322

One officer told me that somep police feel crowns rarely want to act, and the courts don't tend to sentence people to any kind of serious measures. So while they can document and charge and it creates a record, it may not actually result in the action some think it would.

ArriveCan update: My mom and I arrived back in Canada yesterday. We had no problems clearing CBSA.

Now today I am receiving an email directing us to quarantine.

We are both fully vaccinated and have no symptoms.

I’ll update when I find out what’s going on. For the folks who want to believe this goes out to every traveller - it does not. I have used the app before without receiving anything like this.

The link puts me into the App with this message.

It’s clearly stating I am under quarantine

Returning to Canada from the US with my Mom.

Filling out the ArriveCan app for her on my account.

I’ve uploaded her proof of vaccination which the app acknowledges, yet it is telling her she has to get a COVID test to reenter. That is not the rule for vaccinated travellers. I’m wondering if this is because she has paper proof of vaccination and not a QR code?

Pretty disconcerting the night before we fly.

Exclusive DND sources say $4.9 B in announced NORAD spending may not be new money.

Frantic meetings at DND to see if $ has to be moved w/in existing defence budget.

Is Canada’s NORAD upgrade cash new? Defence chief uncertain Globalnews.ca globalnews.ca/news/8946037/c… When the announcement was made the Minister provided contradictory info. First saying the money was in the 2022 federal budget.

Then that it was in addition to it.

Then her office told me no, not in addition it’s in the 2022 budget.

In other random thoughts not related to any particular story (but one like I ran today will likely trigger this)... if fed govt orgs spent as much time on their comms as they do trying to unsuccessfully hunt down leaks, they would end up with better informed coverage. Also examples of what doesn't work, both from sr special ops officers

1. Sending out messages demanding people stop talking to me. I usually hear about these the same day you issue them.

2. Misleading ppl and saying I have told them who my source is or provided identifying info