New bill sparks separatism talk in Alberta. Premier Danielle Smith’s government proposed a bill lowering the threshold to trigger referendums in Alberta. The move was widely seen as a way to cater to the separatists who make up a small but vocal portion of her base. The bill came into effect in July but has undergone amendments. Separatist leaders plan to start canvassing next month to get their initiative on a ballot. (May 1 Edition)
Canadian anointed as Warren Buffett’s heir. The Oracle of Omaha picked Edmonton’s Greg Abel as the new CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Buffett had been in charge since 1965, turning a textile company into an investment behemoth that regularly outperformed the S&P 500. Abel, who worked jobs like fire extinguisher filler before rising at Berkshire as an energy exec, caught Buffett’s eye with managerial skills and a dedication to culture. (May 5 Edition)
Young people couldn’t find summer jobs. Young Canadians looking for work were left in the lurch, as a sluggish economy, years of population growth, and tariffs created a dearth of openings. In early May, Indeed reported that job postings were down 22% from 2024. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for returning students aged 15 to 24 between May and August was 17.9%, the highest since the summer of 2009 (excluding 2020). (May 21 Edition)
India sees the world’s deadliest aviation disaster in a decade. Air India Flight 171 from Ahmedabad to London crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all but one of the 242 people on board, as well as 19 on the ground. The tragedy was all the more alarming as the aircraft involved was the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, one of the world’s most popular jets, which hadn't crashed since taking off in 2011. The cause of the crash remains unclear. (June 13 Edition)
Trump tries to shut out Harvard international students. The White House barred foreign students and scholars from entering the country to study at Harvard after the school refused to reform screening practices. While the ban was quickly repealed, Trump has continued to target Harvard and, generally, create an environment many academics find troubling. Canada’s institutions are now stepping up their game to lure top professors. (May 25 Edition)