ICYMI: May 19-24
For Jacobin, I wrote about Danielle Smith’s referendum-within-a-referendum gambit.
I went on I Hate Bill Maher to talk to Will Weldon about the most recent episode of Real Time, including an absolutely unhinged pro-Israel rant at the end of New Rules.
Blogroll
Story of the Week
When the Biggest AI Data Centre Comes to Your Town, Ximena Gonzalez, The Tyee (May 19)
Like the federal government, Alberta’s government has also created a provincial data centre strategy.
Launched in the fall of 2024, following a promotional trip to San Franciscoled by Alberta Minister of Technology and Innovation Nate Glubish, the document promotes the advantages Alberta offers for AI data centres — from ready access to fossil fuels and water to “regulatory efficiency” and low corporate taxes.
Some of the document’s goals are now influencing policy.
In April, MLA Brian Jean introduced Bill 30, the Expedited 120-Day Approvals Act, to fast-track the development of major projects, which include AI data centres.
Meanwhile, some Albertans feel they’ve been left behind.
“People don’t know a lot about AI data centres,” said Jesse Cardinal, executive director of the Indigenous-led group Keepers of the Water, pointing at the outsized amount of water and energy these facilities consume, as well as the air and noise pollution they are known to generate.
“These projects are being pushed on us with no accountability, while the communities are left with the consequences.”
Alberta
Alberta’s electoral boundary changes could reshape the political landscape. These maps show where, Matthew Scace and Dexter McMillan, Globe and Mail (May 19)
Invest Alberta’s Sam Jaber called himself a CPA despite lacking accreditation, Tom Cardoso and Carrie Tait, Globe and Mail (May 19)
Alberta separatists threaten to oust Premier Danielle Smith over referendum question, Ken MacGillivray and Adam MacVicar, Global News (May 20)
With Alberta referendum, Danielle Smith is selling out Canada to save her job, Richard Warnica, Toronto Star (May 22)
Danielle Smith opens door to amending Constitution to alter treaty rights, Rahim Mohamed, National Post (May 22)
Canada
U.S. Pauses Key Defence Accord Despite Carney’s Military Spending Hike, Alex Cosh, The Maple (May 19)
The Canadian military refused to release this photo, but we obtained a copy in the end. Here’s how, David Pugliese, Ottawa Citizen (May 19)
Carney government eying curbs on right to strike, labour leaders warn, Tonda MacCharles, Toronto Star (May 20)
Flagship $20B-plus carbon capture project lowered goals in Ottawa-Alberta oilsands deal, Darius Snieckus, Canada’s National Observer (May 20)
Protesters rally against planned AI data centres in Vancouver, CBC News (May 23)
Unions warn Carney government is considering sweeping changes to labour law — including the right to strike, Marina von Stackelberg, CBC News (May 23)
Sexual harassment, name calling, bullying: How ‘toxic’ conditions in some Toronto councillors’ offices fed a city hall union drive, Mahdis Habibinia, Toronto Star (May 24)
U.S.
Massie Is Defeated in Kentucky, Falling to a Trump-Backed Challenger, Robert Draper, New York Times (May 19)
CBC pulls Kars4Kids ads after U.S. court bans ‘deceptive’ jingle, Thomas Daigle, CBC News (May 19)
Donald Trump abruptly postpones AI order after White House infighting, Joe Miller, Financial Times (May 21)
Senators seek to curb US Treasury’s ability to fund foreign allies, Lauren Fedor and Claire Jones, Financial Times (May 21)
World
Middle East
Early War Goal Was to Install Hard-Line Former President as Iran’s Leader, Mark Mazzetti, Julian E. Barnes, Farnaz Fassihi and Ronen Bergman, New York Times (May 19)
We’re publishing Sally Rooney in Hebrew, in line with BDS. Here’s how and why, Haggai Matar, +972 (May 19)
In first, Israel convicts Palestinian citizens for chanting slogans, Baker Zoubi, +972 (May 20)
The Man Who Explains Israel to John Fetterman, Alex Shultz, New York (May 21)
Tech
Social-Media Companies Settle Youth-Harm Case Ahead of Wave of Trials, Erin Mulvaney and Meghan Bobrowsky, Wall Street Journal (May 21)
White House Approves $9 Billion for Spy Agencies to Catch Up on A.I., Dustin Volz and Julian E. Barnes, New York Times (May 22)
Culture
Hollywood, Gaza, and the Invisible Blacklist, Alex Press, The Key (May 20)
The Passion Of The Drake: A (Mostly) Objective Review Of His Three New Albums, Israel Daramola, Defector (May 21)