Trudeau Is Lobbied but ‘Not Influenced’ at Liberal Fundraisers: Here’s What We’re Reading
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Here’s what we’re reading today:
1. Trudeau says he’s lobbied, but not influenced, at Liberal fundraisers
“Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged Monday that people lobby him at Liberal Party cash-for-access fundraisers, but said he ultimately makes up his own mind on what is good for Canada.
“It is the first time the Prime Minister has admitted that government business is being discussed at partisan Liberal money-raising events. This activity runs contrary to the very rules the Liberal Party made public earlier this year where it said government business is not discussed at pay-to-play fundraisers. At these events, Canadians or non-citizens who are permanent residents pay as much as $1,500 for access to the prime minister or other cabinet ministers.”
+1: Canada’s defense spending is less than one per cent of GDP, but Trump and NATO want us to double it. – Vice News
+1: Money began to rain on Trudeau Foundation once Justin took over Liberals, analysis shows – National Post
2. Beijing ‘seriously concerned’ after Trump questions ‘one China’ policy
“China has warned that it’s ‘seriously concerned’ after President-elect Donald Trump questioned whether the United States should keep its long-standing position that Taiwan is part of ‘one China.’
“Trump has signaled a willingness to confront Beijing, and his latest comments in an interview with Fox News suggested that he won’t hesitate to anger China until the country comes to the bargaining table on trade and North Korea.”
– CNN
+1: “Analyze Trump as a politician and you’ll only end up confused. Study him like a celebrity, however, and every baffling action makes sense.” – BuzzFeed News
+1: Through his company Palantir, Peter Thiel could profit directly from mass deportations – The Intercept
3. What is the point of political journalism?
“If so-called ‘fake news’ — the torqued or false stories that circulated everywhere on the internet during the presidential campaign (a.k.a. ‘lies’) — can apparently have a more substantial effect on public opinion than real news, what is the use of even creating the latter? If facts don’t matter, why bother reporting, or even defending, them?”
4. Social conservative Patrick Brown wants to ditch ‘social conservative’ label
“By next summer, a year ahead of the 2018 election, the Progressive Conservative Party aims to have candidates nominated in every single riding in Ontario. To all those thinking of running, PC leader Patrick Brown is sending a message: social conservatives, keep out.
“Despite winning the party leadership with significant backing from social conservatives, Brown has vowed to make his party more socially progressive.”
– CBC News
5. Amazon warehouse workers have resorted to sleeping in tents
“Amazon factory workers in Britain are sleeping in tents close to one of the company’s largest UK warehouses because they can’t afford the commute to work.”
