In the news today: Champagne talks TikTok, Musk and AI bill

Ottawa: So, there’s a lot happening in Canada right now. Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne is chatting about TikTok and its future here. The government is in a bit of a tussle with TikTok, trying to shut down its Canadian offices. Champagne thinks families should decide for themselves if they want to keep using the app.

He said, “That’s a choice for people to make with eyes wide open.” But when it comes to his own family, he’s keeping it private. He mentioned that his personal experience might not be the same as everyone else’s.

In a recent interview, he also touched on the resignation of former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, which has stirred up some questions about the Liberal government’s stability. Champagne has been in his role since 2021 and stayed put after a cabinet shuffle.

Back in November, the government ordered TikTok to close its operations in Canada after a security review, but the app will still be available for users.

On another note, Canada’s UN ambassador Bob Rae is pushing for global cooperation on development goals, despite the rising geopolitical tensions. He’s optimistic about sticking to the 2030 targets for tackling big issues like poverty and climate change.

And speaking of weather, Vancouver just had its wettest year this century! They recorded over 1,367 millimeters of rain last year, thanks to some intense storms. It’s a lot of water, but hey, that’s Vancouver for you!

In Charlottetown, there’s a cool new idea called a “bike bus” for kids heading to school. Instead of the usual yellow bus, kids can ride their bikes in a group, led by volunteers. It’s a fun way to get to school and stay active!

Lastly, Toronto’s mayor, Olivia Chow, is a big “Star Trek” fan. She even has a model starship in her office! She’s been a fan since the 60s and now leads a city that’s become a hub for the franchise. How cool is that?