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Canadian here, and this is just false. There's nothing remotely 'radical' about the NP. The National Post is has an editorial bias, but the only source that t

Canadian here, and this is just false. There's nothing remotely 'radical' about the NP. The National Post is has an editorial bias, but the only source that the publication could be considered 'radical' would be the editorial letters from Conrad Black, which are not 'news'. Otherwise, it's a welcome bit of information from the insufferably poor lack of perspective offered by the CBC, the national broadcaster. I wouldn't trust the 'National Post' as a 'single source' of news, it's not broad enough, however, it's an important part of the fairly limited diaspora of news in Canada. The evidence for this is right in the story: however ultimately benign this issue is, it's an incredibly important bit of information for Canadians to have, and the CBC is not giving us this information. Moreover, the article itself is clear, well written, well sourced and I can't fathom how someone would really characterize it as clickbait other than if they misread the headline. So you can have a possibly sensational headline (arguably) from a privately owned news paper that has to earn a profit, or, no news at all because the national broadcaster, The CBC, apparently doesn't think you need to know that the government uses this data. I'm thankful for the NP, and there's a dearth of good journalism in Canada. The Globe and Mail is equally behind a paywall, the Toronto Star and Sun are rubbish, the Montreal papers are very Quebec focused - and so it's slim pickings otherwise.

Pxtl 5y ago
National Post is the loudest voice for climate change denial in Canada. That alone should be enough to consider it disreputable.
arcticbull 5y ago
> The CBC apparently doesn't think you need to know that the government uses this data. Canadian here. I agree completely with the CBC. This is one of the least interesting non-stories I have seen in years. "Public health agency does job - uses aggregated, anonymous statistics to see how people move and interact in hopes of improving public health." Oh no. Anyways. > I'm thankful for the NP, and there's a dearth of good journalism in Canada. Well, there is the CBC :)
- jollybean 5y ago
  This is 100% a legitimate news story. In an era of increased government surveillance and arbitrary encroaching powers, this is exactly what news is. That the government is apparently using the data anonymized for COVID research etc. is obviously important. Honestly it's a bit odd to think there are people who would just 'look the other way' and trust that the system without information. Thankfully, we have a news diaspora and other journalist can monitor the program and follow the story with 'access to personal information requests' from them, Telus etc..
  - arcticbull 5y ago
    > In an era of increased government surveillance and arbitrary encroaching powers, this is exactly what news is. The government did not create any new powers here, this dataset was available for a long time, and the public health agency is now using it in service of its goal - furthering the public health of Canadians. > That the government is apparently using the data anonymized for COVID research etc. is obviously important. Why is anonymous data important to you? I don't mean this in a provocative way, I'm genuinely curious. I'd honestly submit de-anonymized data to PHAC if asked. Seems like a worthwhile mission. I have no idea how PHAC could harm me or anyone else by knowing I went down to the Loblaws on MacArthur in Vanier this morning. > Honestly it's a bit odd to think there are people who would just 'look the other way' and trust that the system without information. I think it's fair - important even - to ask the questions, but if you find the answer is a non-story, then don't publish it or at least publish it without a negative, suspicious framing. Once they found the data was anonymous and being used under existing authority exactly for the thing it was supposed to be, it's sort of a move along, nothing to see here moment. I know that doesn't sell papers for the grandparent company in New Jersey.
    - ziml77 5y ago
      What's the significance of them being headquartered in NJ?
      - arcticbull 5y ago

Pxtl 5y ago

National Post is the loudest voice for climate change denial in Canada. That alone should be enough to consider it disreputable.

arcticbull 5y ago

> The CBC apparently doesn't think you need to know that the government uses this data. Canadian here. I agree completely with the CBC. This is one of the least interesting non-stories I have seen in years. "Public health agency does job - uses aggregated, anonymous statistics to see how people move and interact in hopes of improving public health." Oh no. Anyways. > I'm thankful for the NP, and there's a dearth of good journalism in Canada. Well, there is the CBC :)

jollybean 5y ago
This is 100% a legitimate news story. In an era of increased government surveillance and arbitrary encroaching powers, this is exactly what news is. That the government is apparently using the data anonymized for COVID research etc. is obviously important. Honestly it's a bit odd to think there are people who would just 'look the other way' and trust that the system without information. Thankfully, we have a news diaspora and other journalist can monitor the program and follow the story with 'access to personal information requests' from them, Telus etc..
- arcticbull 5y ago
  > In an era of increased government surveillance and arbitrary encroaching powers, this is exactly what news is. The government did not create any new powers here, this dataset was available for a long time, and the public health agency is now using it in service of its goal - furthering the public health of Canadians. > That the government is apparently using the data anonymized for COVID research etc. is obviously important. Why is anonymous data important to you? I don't mean this in a provocative way, I'm genuinely curious. I'd honestly submit de-anonymized data to PHAC if asked. Seems like a worthwhile mission. I have no idea how PHAC could harm me or anyone else by knowing I went down to the Loblaws on MacArthur in Vanier this morning. > Honestly it's a bit odd to think there are people who would just 'look the other way' and trust that the system without information. I think it's fair - important even - to ask the questions, but if you find the answer is a non-story, then don't publish it or at least publish it without a negative, suspicious framing. Once they found the data was anonymous and being used under existing authority exactly for the thing it was supposed to be, it's sort of a move along, nothing to see here moment. I know that doesn't sell papers for the grandparent company in New Jersey.
  - ziml77 5y ago
    What's the significance of them being headquartered in NJ?
    - arcticbull 5y ago