This edition of Newsoids will be Canadian-based.
The Kitchen Bandit of Kitchener: The latest in food robberies: A blonde-haired robber wearing a black hoodie, red gloves and reflective sunglasses was seen by security camera to have smashed open the front door of Mom’s Bread and Pie Company in Kitchener, Ontario, fumbled with trying to stuff a digital tablet and a receipt printer into their bag; and went into the kitchen to finally make off with a slice of Key Lime Pie and a basket of ice cream sandwiches. Theft is under $5000. Waterloo Police are investigating. (1 Aug)
Make Lying Against the Law: A Liberal-sponsored petition is being circulated and sponsored by MP Karim Bardeesy (Taiaiako’n-Parkdale, Ont.) to criminalize political lies. The preamble to Petition E-6679 provided no examples of what it means by what it calls “making public statements that are false and without evidence”. It appears to be modeled on a similar attempt in the UK for there to be a mechanism in place for the politician caught lying to issue a public correction. (1 Aug)
First Nations water even more unfit to drink? Blame First Nations: Of 35 First Nations communities, there are 37 long-term boil water advisories, according to Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, a 32% increase since last year. This reverses a trend over the past four years where 148 boil water advisories have already been lifted, and the Ministry has not explained why this happened, but did release a statement saying “the First Nations are in charge”. Most of the current advisories are concentrated in three provinces: Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. (1 Aug) (Federal map)
Another year, another station closure: The Internet, cable, and online streaming services have taken a toll on local broadcast television. On July 28, it was reported that the TV station CHAT in Medicine Hat, Alberta, had applied to the CRTC to close down. There has been a total of six TV stations that have closed since 2019. To add to CHAT, there were two in Lloydminister, one in Kenora, one in Riviere Du Loup, and one in Red Deer. (28 July) (Earlier CBC Report)