Editorials - Sept. 13, 2024

Last week, the U.S. Justice Department unsealed indictments alleging that an unnamed company, whose description closely matches a company run by two Canadian far-right social media influencers - Tenet Media is operated by Lauren Chen and her husband Liam Donovan -spouted a steady stream of pro- Donald Trump content that the indictment says was part of a Russian-funded propaganda campaign. 

 

With the advent of the internet and social media, it has become impossible to know who is behind the posts, articles, videos, memes and blogs that we are consuming. At least in the days of print and broadcast media, the advertisers and sponsors were in plain view. 

 

Everyone who receives public money is required to post a logo from the level of government providing the funds. While it is ostensibly to promote the good works of our hard-earned tax dollars, it does also provide some transparency. Fortunately, in Canada, whether you are a publisher or a non-profit theatre or a charitable organization, receiving a grant comes without interference on content, other than reporting that verifies that you did what you said you were going to do with it. 

 

With the public’s growing distaste for advertising, a lack of transparency has been allowed to grow and is accepted as the new normal. We all hear about “influencers” getting rich from their social media, but does anyone stop to think about who is funding them? – DS

Well... this just got very exciting. That will be the sentiment of some regarding the news that the federal NDP has pulled out of the Supply-and-Confidence Agreement with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the  Liberal Party that allowed the two parties to operate as a de facto majority government, delivering on promises from both parties, as long as the NDP’s demands were met - a condition of the agreement. Others will say that it has destabilized the Canadian political landscape, which is completely at odds with why it was created in the first place. 

 

Those who hate Trudeau will be pleased, despite surely disliking NDP leader Jagmeet Singh just as much as they do Trudeau, seeing this as some of the final rats to leave a sinking ship. Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre sees this as his best chance at an early election. What it actually will be remains to be seen. There is clearly no love lost between Singh and Poilievre so, when push comes to shove, it’s hard to envision Singh doing something that will benefit Poilievre, and yet, Trudeau’s party hasn’t delivered what the NDP wants either.

 

Many editorialists and columnists have opined as to what this new development will mean for the next election, whenever it may be, but one thing is for sure. The ground of the Canadian political landscape is not nearly as solid as it once was. An unpredictable future lies ahead and, for some, that’s a scary sentiment, while others will welcome any change and a future that does not include Justin Trudeau. 

 

The coming months promise to be interesting and different and they may, in fact, yield the change for which so many have been pining. And yet, will those so eager for change be so blinded by their hatred that they’ll accept an alternative in place of a viable alternative? – SL 

Ontarians know how to throw a festival and the range of events across the province proves it. Whether you’re soaking in the farming heritage of Huron County or rubbing elbows with A-listers in the heart of Toronto, there’s no need to choose between rural charm and urban glitz.

 

Take the Huron Pioneer Threshers and Hobby Association’s annual reunion in Blyth, for example. This event is a living museum of sorts, showcasing advancements in agriculture that have powered not only Huron County’s history, but also industries far beyond the farm. The steam engines roar to life as antique tractors parade by, offering a glimpse into how the backbone of modern farming was built. Demonstrations of threshing, blacksmithing and cider pressing fill the air with the scents and sounds of a bygone era, while tractor pulls and fiddle competitions give a taste of the area’s local flavour. Meanwhile, down in Toronto, the city is buzzing with the glamour of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Celebrities flock to the “Big Smoke” for film premieres, parties and some good old-fashioned hobnobbing. 

 

The beauty of Ontario is that you don’t have to pick one over the other. TIFF’s high-energy atmosphere and the rural charm of the Thresher Reunion may seem worlds apart, but they both share a common goal: to celebrate culture, history and progress. Whether you’re watching steam engines chugging through Blyth or catching the latest cinematic masterpiece in Toronto, these festivals highlight the diverse experiences that make Ontario so unique. Both of these festivals offer space to learn, explore and celebrate - whether it’s the technical marvels of farming or the artistic achievements of cinema. This diversity is one of the province’s strengths. Ontario doesn’t force you to pick a side; there’s room for everyone to enjoy the best of both worlds. – SBS