York experts discuss Canada's campaign to discourage asylum claims, news outlets suing OpenAI, the Canada Post strike, and more
Professor Yvonne Su weighs in on Canada launching a $250,000 global online advertising campaign to caution potential asylum-seekers about the challenges of making a refugee claim. The initiative comes as Canada grapples with a backlog of 260,000 refugee cases amid rising global displacement. Su expresses skepticism about the global ad campaign's effectiveness and its broader implications. "We have people coming from places like Palestine and Lebanon, fleeing violence and instability. Campaigns like this, paired with stricter policies, send a very negative message that Canada is not upholding its humanitarian responsibilities," Su tells OMNI News, adding the campaign's messaging could impact Canada's global image as a compassionate and inclusive country. "We pride ourselves on being a country with warm hearts, even in cold weather. But what this is sending is a very chilling message that we are closing our doors."
Professor Pina D'Agostino talks to NPR about five Canadian news outlets suing OpenAI claiming it violated copyright law by using their articles to train its large language model. "We're talking about valuable content and who has the right to access and own that content," says D'Agostino. "Responsible AI starts with licensing. Why not license the content?"
Professor David J. Doorey weighs in on the countrywide strike of Canada Post workers as it enters its third week. Negotiations for a new collective agreement were suspended last Wednesday after a government-appointed mediator said that Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) remained too far apart at the bargaining table. Doorey tells The Globe and Mail that under the Canada Labour Code, it is illegal to lay off or even to threaten to lay off employees because they exercised their legal right to strike. Speaking to Benefits and Pension Monitor, Doorey raises concerns about Canada Post's decision to lay off employees amidst a labour action involving over 55,000 workers: "On its face, Canada Post appears to be violating that section of the labour code."
Professor Dasantila Golemi-Kotra weighs in on data showing that more Manitobans have been vaccinated against the flu than COVID-19 this fall, even though the number of COVID infections recorded in Manitoba this season is well above the number of influenza cases. Golemi-Kotra says while Manitoba's overall vaccination rate didn't shock her, she was surprised the rate for seniors wasn't higher. "People don't see an urgency to get vaccinated [against COVID-19], because virulence of this virus is not as it used to be," she tells CBC.
In an op-ed for Financial Post, Professor Fred Lazar discusses COP29, pledges for financial contributions and the need for accountability. "The recent UN climate summit, COP29, ended with rich countries promising to transfer $300 billion a year — a year! — to poor countries," writes Lazar. "Transferred money should go directly to ordinary people. None should go to national leaders or NGOs. And transfers should be conditioned on countries improving their score on TI’s corruption index, becoming 'more free,' as measured by Freedom House, and reducing their military spending."
Lazar also speaks with CBC for an article about Air Canada becoming the second major Canadian airline within the past year to remove complimentary carry-on luggage from its cheapest fare offering. Other airlines already charging for carry-on luggage include Porter, Flair and Sunwing, which was bought by WestJet in 2023.
Professor Grant Packard weighs in on Mastermind Toys, a beloved 40-year-old retailer known for educational toys that filed for creditor protection a year ago citing increasing competition. The store currently has an 88-square-foot space at Union Station — a pop-up that will be gone shortly after Christmas. Mastermind is now hosting ticketed evenings marketed for date nights or gatherings among friends. Packard says these events accomplish something that should be a goal for Mastermind — getting customers into stores beyond Christmas time.
Professor Vijay Setlur talks to The Globe and Mail about pro athletes supporting charities and causes with their time and money. "It helps build the equity in their brand, and also indirectly allows for promotion of their own initiatives," says Setlur. "It's an opportunity for them to increase their authenticity." Speaking to The Hockey News, Setlur also weighed in on the similarities between the new Toronto Sceptres' logo and a logo appearing on a uniform worn by Taylor Swift during her "Shake It Off" music video. Setlur believes it's unlikely that Swift's legal team would take action. The reputability of the Professional Women's Hockey League as a women's sports league could dissuade Swift, says Setlur.
Professor Mary Forgarty comments on "The Culture" exhibit at the AGO. "Having a large-scale Hip Hop exhibit at the AGO for the first time like this still underscores Toronto’s role in shaping Hip Hop at a global level, and everyday Torontonians can use this opportunity to recognize the city’s contributions to the culture," Forgarty tells Now.
Graduate student Elio Iianacci interviews the actor, comedian and social media personality Pete Zias on creating Total Trash Live, his scene-stealing role in the horror movie Ganymede, and his upcoming role in the play Messy White Gays for IN Magazine.
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