Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. discusses NATO meeting and military spending. Experts tackle crumbling infrastructure issues. Author Wendy Wong dives into data collection's impact on privacy and humanity.
Canada commits to meeting NATO's 2% military spending target by 2032, emphasizing defense capabilities in key regions.
Infrastructure challenges in Canadian cities highlight the need for increased investment in maintenance and upgrades.
Deep dives
Implementing NATO's Military Spending Target by Canada
Canada aims to meet NATO's military spending target of 2% of GDP by 2032, a commitment questioned for its delayed timeline and lack of specifics. Ambassador Hillman assures US allies of Canada's path to the target but faces skepticism due to unclear plans and timelines. Discussions emphasize Canada's contributions to NATO and global security, receiving positive reactions despite concerns over timelines and spending targets. The country's strategic focus on defense capabilities, particularly in the Arctic and Asia Indo-Pacific regions, is highlighted in bilateral meetings.
Infrastructure Woes Across Canada
Canada faces infrastructure challenges with water main breaks, crumbling structures, and investment gaps affecting various cities. Calgary, Montreal, Halifax, and Vancouver experience infrastructure issues impacting daily life. Experts emphasize the need for increased investment in infrastructure maintenance and upgrades to prevent further deterioration and ensure community safety and well-being.
Data Collection and its Impact on Humanity
The proliferation of data collection poses a threat to individual privacy and human rights, with companies amassing extensive personal data for profit and AI development. Author Wendy Wong raises concerns about the compounding effects of data collection on humanity's essence and autonomy, emphasizing the need for safeguards. The increasing power of AI and mass data accumulation raise ethical and privacy challenges that necessitate proactive regulation and public awareness.
Promoting Data Literacy and Responsible Use
Efforts to promote data literacy, particularly among adolescents and citizens, are crucial for navigating the digital era's risks and benefits. Advocates stress the importance of education and awareness to empower individuals to understand and manage their data footprint. Collaborative initiatives involving libraries and civic institutions can play a key role in enhancing digital literacy and fostering responsible data citizenship across society.
The fate of Joe Biden's presidency loomed large over this week’s NATO meeting, but Justin Trudeau had some big news of his own — agreeing to a major increase in military spending. Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. joins The House to talk about the summit, the spending and this country’s response to the American political drama.
Then, a dive into the recent slew of high-profile instances of crumbling infrastructure — from water mains to public pools — and how governments might go about fixing them.
Plus — for our Book Smart Summer series, author Wendy Wong talks about far-reaching data collection and its implications for our privacy, our relationships and our very humanity.
This episode features the voices of:
Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman
Matt Gurney, The Line
Frances Bula, freelance urban issues reporter
Mary Rowe, president and CEO, Canadian Urban Institute
Wendy Wong, author, We, The Data: Human Rights in the Digital Age
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode