Canada has ‘serious concerns’ about Venezuelan election results, Freeland says

Canada has ‘serious concerns’ about Venezuelan election results, Freeland says

Canada’s deputy prime minister is echoing comments made by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, saying Canada has “serious concerns” about the official results of the election in Venezuela. Speaking in Toronto, Chrystia Freeland said the government is in conversation with its allies over the results amid claims from Venezuelans that the vote was rigged. “Canada has … Read more

Groups representing minorities say they’re alarmed by foreign interference legislation

Groups representing minorities say they’re alarmed by foreign interference legislation

Groups representing minority communities are warning that a recently introduced law giving Canada’s intelligence agency and the federal government new powers to counter foreign interference is open to abuse. Bill C-70 received royal assent on June 20. The law introduces new criminal provisions against “deceptive or surreptitious acts” done “for the benefit of or in association … Read more

Lev Rubinstein, a Devoted and Defiant Lover of Language

Lev Rubinstein, a Devoted and Defiant Lover of Language

In a remembrance, the poet Sergei Gandlevsky, one of the people who knew Rubinstein best, called him “implausibly sociable.” He was not indiscriminate—he didn’t suffer fools, careerists, and narcissists—but he had a vast range of social possibilities. He accepted every birthday-party invitation, most dinner-party invitations, and many invitations to go grab a drink. He was … Read more