As police increasingly use facial recognition technology, calls grow for regulations | CTV News

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Some police services in Canada are using facial recognition technology to help solve crimes, while other police forces say human rights and privacy concerns are holding them back from employing the powerful digital tools. It’s this uneven application of the technology — and the loose rules governing its use — that has legal and AI experts calling on the federal government to set national standards. “Until there’s a better handle on the risks involved with the use of this technology, there ought to be a moratorium or a range of…

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Regulator OKs Nova Scotia Power’s $354M battery project | CBC News

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Nova Scotia Power is gearing up to build battery systems at three sites to help bring energy stability to the grid as the province moves to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources. The utility expects the project to cost about $354 million, with about $116 million covered by a federal grant and the remaining $237 million footed by ratepayers. NSP has financed some of the cost through the Canada Infrastructure Bank, with investment from the Mi’kmaw-owned Wskijnu’k Mtmo’taqnuow Agency. Read full story here: Regulator OKs Nova Scotia Power’s $354M…

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‘High risk’: Canada, allies warn of state-sponsored cyberthreats to civil society | Global News

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Cyber actors backed by Russia, China and other foreign adversaries are increasingly targeting non-profit and advocacy groups, journalists, human rights activists and other members of civil society, cyber agencies from Canada and other allies say. A joint advisory issued Tuesday from Canada’s Communications Security Establishment, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and FBI, and counterparts from the United Kingdom, Japan, Estonia and Finland warn such groups face a “high risk” of cyberattacks, as many have a “low defense capacity.” Read full story here: ‘High risk’: Canada, allies warn of…

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Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post | CTV News

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Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a “reality” of its sales-based revenue structure. Effective Monday, postage rates are increasing by seven cents per stamp, to 99 from 92 cents, for those sold in booklets, coils and panes. Domestic stamps bought individually, meanwhile, rise to $1.15, from $1.07. The rate change will also impact other prices, including those for U.S., international and domestic registered mail services. Read full story here: Stamp prices rise for the third time in…

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N.S. Power wants ratepayers to cover $22M bill for last year’s storm damages, repairs | CTV News

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Nova Scotia Power has filed an application with the province’s Utility and Review Board (UARB) to have ratepayers cover the cost of last year’s storm damage to the tune of $22 million. It’s a request that isn’t sitting well with Premier Tim Houston. “I wish Nova Scotia Power would have more empathy towards Nova Scotians,” Houston says. “Folks are already paying a lot in Nova Scotia when it comes to power. If you look at the last couple of years, you’ve seen combined increases near 15 per cent bills and…

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N.S. Power wants $31M from ratepayers for Michelin plant upgrade | CBC News

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Nova Scotia Power applied to regulators Friday for permission to spend $31 million for an electrical upgrade at the Michelin Tire plant at Waterville. If approved, the French tire maker will benefit, but all ratepayers will share the cost because of what Nova Scotia Power says is an unprecedented performance standard imposed by the Houston government in 2022. The province says its standards are designed to help large industrial operations that have complained about brief power interruptions leading to production shutdowns and financial losses. Read full story here: N.S. Power…

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Proposed changes to sharing of personal health data sparks pushback at N.S. legislature | CTV News

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Proposed changes to the way personal health information is handled in Nova Scotia was the focus of debate during Friday’s Question Period at the Province House. Health Minister Michelle Thompson(opens in a new tab) says the government wants patients to have easier access to their health records, but officials would collect broad data at the same time. “I’m not looking for records, no minister of health is going to want those records,” assured Thompson. “We want real-time aggregate data. I don’t want people’s personal health records.” Read full story here:…

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With AI, workplace surveillance has ‘skyrocketed’—leaving Canadian laws behind | CityNews Everywhere

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OTTAWA — Technology that tracks your location at work and the time you’re spending in the bathroom. A program that takes random screenshots of your laptop screen. A monitoring system that detects your mood during your shift. These are just some ways employee surveillance technology — now turbocharged, thanks to the explosive growth of artificial intelligence — is being deployed. Canada’s laws aren’t keeping up, experts warn. Read full story here: With AI, workplace surveillance has ‘skyrocketed’—leaving Canadian laws behind | CityNews Everywhere

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Did you get a text with your SIN that claims to be from Canada Revenue Agency? It’s a scam | CBC News

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Tax season is here and with it, a new scam. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre says the scam involves a text message, containing a person’s name and personal information, that appears to come from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). “We received reports of a text message claiming to be from the CRA which actually included the target or the victim’s social insurance number, advising that there is a payment due and requesting payment be sent to a provided phone number in the text message,” Jeff Horncastle, planning communications outreach officer at…

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Air Canada joins WestJet in hiking checked-bag fee. Could carry-on charges be next? | CBC News

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It comes as no surprise to some industry experts: Air Canada hiked its first checked-bag fee by $5 for economy-type fares this week, shortly after WestJet made the same move. “It’s a business,” said Karl Moore, an associate professor with McGill University’s faculty of management. “You’re leaving money on the table if you don’t do it. There’s no outrage about it, so you can make some more money.” It remains to be seen, however, if customers do express outrage once they’re hit with the higher bag fee. Even if they…

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