In next month’s federal budget, the feds are poised to put forward a framework legislation to bring open banking to the financial system. What is that, exactly? We’re glad you asked.  

Driving the news: Open banking is a system that lets users decide how their financial data is shared. Under the framework, banks would share a customer’s financial data with third parties, like fintech apps, via APIs.

Like a student who hasn’t been paying attention during class, the Canadian Armed Forces are unprepared and hoping they don’t get called on.

Driving the news: Just 58% of Canadian troops who are meant to respond to a potential crisis in a NATO nation are actually ready to do so, per a Department of National Defence report seen by the CBC, mainly due to a lack of personnel and a lack of ready-to-use equipment. 

With the Paris Olympics less than five months away, Canada’s sports bodies have put out a plea for more cash. 

What happened: The Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees (COC and CPC) submitted a budget request to the feds for $104 million in extra annual funding to cover rising operational costs of increased stakeholder demands, made clear by a new Deloitte report.

Much like the bankrupt crypto exchange FTX did after its collapse, the feds are embarking on a treasure hunt for vanished money. 

Driving the news: The House of Commons passed a motion giving the prime minister 100 days to recoup funds paid to ArriveCan contractors who didn’t actually do any work on the app, which could impact about 76% of subcontractors hired, according to one estimate. 

If you’ve ever longingly wondered why Canada can’t be more like Sweden, maybe a new pharmacare bill will help you feel a bit better.

Driving the news: The federal government has tabled the Pharmacare Act, which, if passed, would give Canadians access to free diabetes medication and birth control.

Debates about regulating online content and the safety of children can get… heated, to say the least. So before the yelling starts, let’s take a look at what tech companies will actually be expected to do under the Online Harms Act.

In response to a crackdown on Chinese investment in Canada’s critical mineral industry, major miners are deciding to drop the “Canada” part of their business.  

What happened: According to The Globe and Mail, Canadian miner SRG Mining plans to relocate to the United Arab Emirates, a move the company said will stop a national security review that could have put the brakes on its financing deal with a Chinese energy firm.

Today in news that we’re sure politicians will take in super chill fashion, the federal justice minister unveiled the first draft of a long-awaited Online Harms Act.

Driving the news: The proposed legislation covers content posted to social media platforms, live streaming services, and some user-uploaded pornography sites. If passed, it would also create a new digital safety commission tasked with upholding rules, making recommendations, and receiving user complaints.  

As people keep flocking to Alberta’s picturesque mountains, the province is struggling to find enough workers to keep the tourism industry afloat. 

What happened: Alberta is opening up a new path to permanent residency specifically for temporary foreign workers in the province’s tourism industry. Chefs, travel guides, and hotel receptionists are among the roles that will be eligible for the program starting in March.

How did ArriveCan, an app for screening travellers during the COVID-19 pandemic, become a spending scandal that has dogged the government for over a year?