The holidays are a great time to disconnect from the world, but they’re also a great time to learn about the world. Is that an oxymoron? Absolutely! So, we did you a favour: while you were re-charging, we were keeping up with the news, the stories, the predictions, and the year-in-review recaps so you didn’t have to. Even better? We’re highlighting the best stories that dropped over the holidays so you can get all caught-up. But first we need to make sure you’re up to speed on the crazy week that was.
Trudeau Announces His Resignation
We’ve covered this story extensively, helping breakdown what exactly is prorogation, how this announcement impacts our country and what Justin Trudeau’s legacy might be, for better or worse. Of course, we’re here to help contextualize the news – to show you how this story relates to your class and your life. We’re not here to give hot takes. Which isn’t to say hot takes aren’t fun, and that hearing different perspectives isn’t important. To that end, here’s a sampling of what some of our nation’s best writers had to say about Trudeau’s decision:
Trudeau’s resignation speech in full
The Context: How Justin Trudeau captured the zeitgeist, and how he lost it
Opinions:
In one of his final acts, Justin Trudeau showed Canadians he’s become what he once fought against
Next: Exit Trudeau. The Liberals give themselves three months to save the furniture.
What will Canada’s second Trudeau era leave behind?
Justin Trudeau resigned too late. There is no salvaging the Liberal Party now
The 51st State
Trudeau’s resignation announcement wasn’t the only major story this week. The other one? The musings of US President-elect Trump, who continues to discuss annexing Canada as America’s 51st state. Should we take him seriously? Is he trolling us in pursuit of a better negotiating position? You decide:
The Story:
Trump’s ‘economic force’ threat against Canada sparks concern, disbelief
No longer a joke: Ministers say Trump’s threats to absorb Canada need to be taken seriously
Opinions:
Back off, Donald Trump. Canada’s not for the taking.
The phoney Donald Trump annexation crisis
Where Two Stories Become One
How and when Trudeau is resigning and Trump’s threats to annex Canada are actually deeply interlinked stories. How so? Prorogation, of course. By now you understand what this term means, and why it’s both constitutional and controversial. Here’s a sampling of takes on the prorogation situation, the role of the governor general in this matter, and whether an alternative Canadian government would make a difference:
With the country under attack, Trudeau leaves it to drift – for months
Do Trudeau’s actions prove we need to make the Governor General democratically legitimate?
Would Poilievre be better at protecting Canada from Trump?
March 9th
The Liberal Party of Canada released the rules for their leadership contest and the winner will be announced on March 9th. That’s big news because the winner of the Liberal leadership race will also become Canada’s next prime minister. At least for a few weeks. We will follow this story closely for you, but if you’d like to get a head start, begin here:
Liberal Party of Canada Unveils Criteria for Leadership Race
And Check These Stories Out!
Before we go back in time, here are a few more stories that broke this week that deserve your attention:
Meta eliminates fact-checking in latest bow to Trump
Elon Musk helped Trump win. Now he’s looking at Europe, and many politicians are alarmed
The Holiday Recap:
Yes, this past week was zany, but so too were the holidays. Here’s a sampling of stories you may have missed while you were downing eggnog – stories we think still deserve your attention.
Top Story:
We told you that more people voted in 2024 than at almost any point in human history. The results are in:
2024 was a ‘Year of Elections’ when democracy lost out
And Don’t Skip These Stories:
- Do centrist Canadians even exist in our polarized country anymore?
- A new study tells us biodiversity is in a bad way, and the challenges we face are interlinked
- Your teacher, Shachi Kurl, illustrates that we’ve fallen out of love with Canada
- Can we – should we – regain national pride by moving beyond guilty history?
- On a similar topic, how meaningful are land acknowledgements?
Class-Specific Stories:
Social Studies:
- Do prime ministers have too much power in Canada?
- Speaking of prime ministers, it’s almost Pierre Poilievre’s turn to lead
- What will a Pierre Poilievre government look like? Jordan Peterson unearthed some insights
- Love or hate Poilievre – love or hate Trudeau – political polarization is destroying families
- Is polarization to blame for our lack of national pride? Or is it that we’ve just misplaced our national identity
- You know who loves their country, no matter what? Newfoundlanders! Remember when Newfoundland becoming a province wasn’t a slam dunk? Of course you don’t! So, listen to this podcast.
Science:
- Bad news! More species have been listed as at-risk of extinction in Canada
- Good news! Scientists think we’ve only identified 10% of all species in the world
- Bad news! Things aren’t going well in artic ecosystems for all species, even the ones we haven’t discovered yet
- Good news? Probability doesn’t exist! (Say what now?!)
- Definitely good news! You too can become a scientist and go through this emotional rollercoaster daily!
Careers & Economics:
- Human decisions can’t be replaced with AI
- Why companies are moving away from ESG and DEI goals, even in Canada
Writing & Research:
- The power of literary art to save biodiversity’s lesser lights
- I’m sure you’ve used AI to help with your writing, right? Is that something you should disclose?
Art & Visual Storytelling
- What will capture our artistic imaginations in 2025?
- Annual wildlife photography winners to inspire you
Inquiry Media Updates!
Here’s a selection of stories that touch on what you’ve been learning in class:
- Gas Could Mean Billions for Indigenous People in Canada. Some Fear a Cost.
- Alberta’s new wolverine trapping rules lead to divide between trappers and researchers
- Buffalo Treaty celebrates 10 year anniversary on revitalization of the sacred animal
- Grizzlies act as nature’s gardeners for huckleberries to reshape Rocky Mountain ecosystems
And Before You Go:
We thought these stories might make you smile, or make you think…or both!:
- No Humans Born In The 1800s Are Still Alive, But These 3 ‘Ultra Surviving’ Animals Are—Here’s Their Story
- How to make better decisions for long-term happiness
- Will humans ever speak wolf?
- AP photographers capture stunning scenes of nature and wildlife in 2024
Happy reading! Have a great weekend and we’ll speak next week.