#Canadian banks risk

[inc-immigrationnewscanada]

Tariffs Could Slash Canada Banks Rally by 30%: New Alert

In an economic landscape shaped by recent political maneuvers, the Canada banks sector faces a precarious future. Analysts from the National Bank of Canada have issued warnings that a potential trade war with the United States, spearheaded by President Donald Trump’s tariff threats, could undo the recent gains in Canadian bank equities. This unfolding scenario could lead to a significant…

[insignificantstrawberry]

Drake being six on this list is misleading. He actually shouldn’t be on this list, since he doesn’t own a private jet.

He owns a private 767 CARGO PLANE

HORRIFIC

[hertwood]

I'M GONNA GET MY ALEX SHIRT

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Brazil gold mine by Canadian company puts Indigenous territory ‘at risk’, advocates say

Families in the Para region are worried they will be displaced to make way for an open-pit mining project.

In Brazil’s Para region, more than 800 Indigenous families could be forced to relocate as a Canadian mining company prepares to build a massive open-pit gold mine, activists warn.

The project would cover more than 2,400 hectares (5,930 acres) in one of the most gold-rich areas of the Amazon. The region is home to the Juruna, Arara, Xipaya and Xikrin peoples, along with many other riverine communities that cultivate small-scale farms and fisheries on the banks of the Volta Grande stretch of the Xingu River.

“The guaranteed right to our territory is at risk,” Lorena Curuaia, a leader of the Curuaia Indigenous people, told Al Jazeera. “We could lose territories that we have lived in for thousands of years.”

The Canadian mining company, Belo Sun, says its Volta Grande Gold Project would extract approximately six tonnes of gold per year for 17 years. It would include two open-pit mines, a tailings dam to store chemical waste, an explosives storage facility, a sanitary landfill, a fuel management station, lodgings and roads.

Continue reading.

Tagging @allthecanadianpolitics.

[seat-safety-switch]

Now that it's no longer winter in my part of the world, it's time to start thinking about buying winter clothing for next year. During the glorious four-and-a-half weeks we get before the snow falls again, the stores put out all their new ski gear for us to sample.

In Canada, it is critically important for your survival that you select only the finest things. A gap in a parka could mean a slow, icy death while waiting for the bus. Mittens that don't fit right will cost you a finger when you try to fumble for your keys to the mailbox. And the balaclava is the most problematic garment of all.

Don't believe me? Maybe you don't know what a balaclava is. It's Polish or French or something, for "ski mask." Balaclavae actually predate the existence of skiing, as they were discovered back in the stone age when cavemen needed to rob banks. And it's that aspect of their history that makes them so troubling nowadays.

While you don't need to go to a bank quite as often now as you used to, the tellers will still get a little on edge when you go in there to cash your pogey cheque while also wearing the classic uniform of a masked bank robber. I'm usually pretty good at remembering to remove them, but sometimes it's just a big hassle. A thin layer of ice covering it means that you'll get snow up your nostrils, and then you'll sound really stupid when you go to talk to the pretty bank teller at the end of the row. Plus your hair will be all fucked up. A non-starter. Better to just risk it, and keep the thing on.

What Canadian civilization needs is a way to separate effective weather gear from a criminal's disguise. Many have proposed alternative kinds of facial covering, ranging from balaclavas that are just brightly coloured, to a plastic mask with lifeless eyes saying "NOT A CROOK" even though it was clearly modelled after Brian Mulroney. These are half-measures, at best, and not enough to fix our broken society.

Here's what I propose: a ski mask licensing scheme. Everyone pays me a bunch of money when they wear their ski masks, fills out a little form, and I give them either a green (good person) or red (bad person) sticker. Then you just show your sticker to the teller, and everything is either fine or you suffer a brutal assault by the security guards. Sure, they could be counterfeit, but that would be illegal, and also why I would like to propose a companion red-and-green sticker licensing scheme.

[darkmaga-returns]

Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem said that the new US administration presents “a major new uncertainty.” The markets had already priced in rate cuts ahead of the tariff threats, especially as inflation has allegedly reached the 2% target. This is the fifth time the Bank of Canada has cut rates in only six months after shedding 175 bps total. Yet, the central bank is not taking these tariff threats lightly because they could have a major impact on trade and the overall GDP. Macklem believes the bank can now take a “more gradual approach to monetary policy IF the economy evolves broadly as expected.”

The 25% tariff would send shockwaves through the Canadian economy. Around 77% of Canada’s exports are sent to the US, totaling $548 billion in 2023. The auto ($82 billion), energy ($166 billion), and manufacturing sectors would be particularly vulnerable due to the large cross-border trade. Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and New Brunswick send over 70% of their exports to the US. Reports state that up to 2.4 million jobs tied to these industries, or 12% of the Canadian workforce, could be at risk.

Trump mocked Trudeau last month during a Mar-a-Lago dinner party after suggesting Canada could become the 51st state if it insisted on relying so heavily on the US. This week, Trump reiterated the now ongoing joke on Truth Social. “It was a pleasure to have dinner the other night with Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada. I look forward to seeing the Governor again soon so that we may continue our in depth talks on Tariffs and Trade, the results of which will be truly spectacular for all!” Trump said in a social media post. While it may be humorous to mock Trudeau, these tariffs are a serious matter.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he believes Canada should retaliate with tariffs if appropriate. “But hopefully we’ll never go down that road. It’s not worth it and we’re so much stronger together. The last country the president should be worrying about is its closest ally and friend, Canada,” he said.

No one will win when using world trade as a political tool. The US economy will also feel the burden of these tariffs, and the supply chain will face disruptions. Unsettling trade with a key partner is not the way to solve the migration or illegal drug trade crises.

[devsgames]

how hard was it to set up stuff regarding economical/legal side of things for gamedev? (regirestering a company, register trademark, recieve income from steam, pay taxes, etc) i know that its country specific but i would want to hear your side of things

You're right in that it's incredibly specific to your location! I'll go over what I've had to do thus far for specifically living in Ontario, Canada; A lot of how I've gained the following insight has been from thorough Googling, looking on government resources and asking people.

Setting Up A Business

Here in Ontario we have generous small business laws, anyone making money from their own business is by default considered a "Sole Proprietorship". Normally businesses need to charge tax based on every Good or Service sold, however Sole Proprietorships don't need to do this until they reach $30k yearly profits in Ontario.

Currently I'm making maybe 5k a year from my games so I'm safe, and thus technically don't even need to register a business. The tradeoff however is that I'm legally and financially responsible for my own business, so if something happens financially or legally it's my own personal risk and not the business's.

There's a few business types here with different meanings (Partnership, LLC, Co-op, etc). Technically I should register one at some point but since it's just me and I'm broke it won't do much. To register a business in Canada isn't hard (I think it's basically just a 30 minute phone call where they give you a 'business number' for registeration and tax use and say "congrats you're a business now!). You have to come up with a unique business name which I've consistently floundered back and forth on and have never stuck to anything which is why "Dev's Games" is the best "brand" I have at the moment. Good thing I'm not registered yet!

Registering a Trademark

This also depends on your location, and I have never done this. I'm sure in many cases there is reason to if I really cared about exclusively using titles or names of things, but I honestly don't.

I also genuinely don't thinm not having a trademark as a problem! Trademarks strike me as useful for a company trying to build a big business around a name that is aleeady popular and ripe for idea theft (E.g Photoshop, Google, Adobe) and stopping others from using it. Right now, I'm so small that this doesn't matter, and I'd honestly consider someone drawing inspiration from me an honor as opposed to something I'd want to contain. Maybe if one of my titles got like SUPER viral down the road I'd seriously look into it; apparently it's a lot of paperwork and something you'd have to find a lawyer for.

Getting Payments

This is, you guessed it, just paperwork that depends on your operating location!

Established storefronts like Steam have a process for registering your account with them and when I started out this was the part of the process I was the most anxious for, but it's actually super easy (which is why there's so much shovelware on there). Steam as a baseline takes 30% of all your sales on the platform (an absolutely insane amount for what the platform does). You'll fill out some paperwork and based on your operating location to determine how much money Steam automatically sets aside for taxes (VST).

As a Canadian they take 0% because Canada-America has tax exemption treaties which make receiving payments from American companies like this tax-free.

Outside of that there's not much, you give them your bank account number and they send payments one month after month end (e.g. end of December they'll pay you for November's sales). Everything is in USD so be prepared for things to be a bit wonky in that respect, and note it costs $100 USD to add a game to Steam. Setting up store pages for your games is its own kind of busywork I won't get into here, but publishing to Steam on the whole is much more work than something like Itch.io.

All in all I like Steam's process for registering and they make it pretty easy to get onto the platform since it's in their interest to potentially make fat money off of your work for doing very little :)

Managing Income

I struggle with anxiety around finances so this part is long.

I set up my own bank account explicitly for earning/spending on my games - prior to getting laid off I only used it for that, but recently I've been having to pay rent from it now too sometimes.

Get a platform that allows you to track and categorize your expenses and income over time. I've been using Wave to balance my income and expenses, as I find it's pretty simple for my needs and lets me mark what different payments are to avoid losing secret money to things I forget about. It connects directly to your bank account, so it will be the most accurate form of income tracking.

Eventually you will buy things and forget what you bought, or receive money for something you're not sure why, or lose/receive money months after you should have. Steam and Itchio have ways of viewing your payouts and reports, but it's hard jumping through 2-3 websites trying to track down a magic number - viewing this all in one place is invaluable to your sanity and making sure you don't go broke. Having this will be a godsend to you during tax time.

Always have additional "rainy day" money set aside - when I started I put about $100 aside from each paycheque at my full time job into my business. Keep an eye on your income flow and know how much you can anticipate to spend on your work. Know how your business money relates to your personal finances and be ready to take money out of your business for emergencies, and vice versa for business emergencies. Money put aside to pay contractors is money you cannot and should not touch.

Contractors based in the US will often ask you pay them through a certain site, many of which aren't available outside the US. Don't be afraid to ask if they use something like Paypal instead. Keep extra money aside for them so you can tip. Make sure you're aware of how they expect to be paid, at what interval, and how much, and keep that money aside. And expense tracker is also helpful here.

Keep in mind most businesses operate on USD, and be mindful of how your local currency converts over. CDN is usually ~60-70% of USD, so I often have to pay more for things like subscriptions or labour then they're listed. When a contractor tells you their rates always be sure you know what currency they're talking about - sometimes I've expected to pay USD when I've had to pay AUS.

Also do not quit your dayjob. Make money through a stable employment and fund your games as a fun side hobby. Easier said than done, but there is an almost 0% chance you will be able to afford surviving off of making indie games as a full living and be afford to keep a roof over your head. I've shipped 4 games on Steam now and I only make about $100-$300 USD from sales there depending on the month. Minimum wage in Ontario is ~$25k a year, I am currently making like $5k from sales on Steam alone. Working at McDonalds would pay better.

Taxes

Taxes are very regional, so results will vary.

Usually businesses have to set aside sales taxes on goods sold. Since I'm a Sole Proprietorship in Ontario making less than 30k I don't have to. Taxes for me basically consists of saying "I made this much" to the government (good expense tracking REALLY helps here).

One thing to note is that at least here the government has NO IDEA how video games fit into business. Until recently there was no "Game Development" business type, and much of the tax reporting interface is obsessed with physical goods; it'll ask how much your "inventory" is worth, how many "goods" you have sold (games are technically "goods" even though they're not a physical thing). Basically be prepared for your tax system to be used to dealing with physical retailers and farmers, and not with digital-only software developers.

---

I'm sure there's more I can cover but my hands hurt. A lot of this is researching your local laws and/or talking to devs local to your area. It's not hard to do any of this necessarily, it's just a lot of paperwork (which is nevertheless super helpful to put together). Once you learn how it all works everything is way less scary though! :)

[silicacid]

UN says Israel will not renew visa for top aid official

Israel has told the United Nations it will not renew a visa for the top U.N. humanitarian aid official for the Palestinian Gaza Strip and West Bank, a U.N. spokesperson said on Friday.

Canadian-born Lynn Hastings, a veteran U.N. official, has served as the deputy special coordinator for the Middle East peace process and U.N. humanitarian coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory for nearly three years.

"We've been informed by the Israeli authorities that they would not renew the visa of Ms Hastings past the due date at some point later this month," U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

He said U.N. staff do not overstay their visas in any country, but stressed that U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has full confidence in Hastings. Dujarric did not say whether Hastings would be replaced.

A spokesperson for Israel's Foreign Ministry accused the United Nations of being biased and described as "disgraceful" the U.N. response to an Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants that Israel says killed 1,200 people.

"That's why Israel decided to check on - one by one - the visas that are issued to representatives of the U.N.," the spokesperson said.

At the end of October, Israel's Foreign Ministry accused Hastings - in a social media post - of failing to be impartial and objective, which the United Nations rejected.

"You've seen some very public attacks on Twitter against her which were utterly unacceptable," Dujarric said. "Personal direct attacks on U.N. personnel anywhere around the world is unacceptable and puts people's lives at risks."

Guterres on Wednesday warned the U.N. Security Council that the Gaza Strip, ruled by Hamas, was in the midst of an "epic humanitarian catastrophe."

Since the Oct. 7 attack, Israel has focused its retaliation against Hamas in Gaza, bombarding it from the air, imposing a siege and launching a ground assault.

More than 15,000 people are confirmed killed, some 40% of them under the age of 18, according to Palestinian health authorities deemed reliable by the United Nations. Many others are feared buried under the ruins.

This is what she posted:

[crevicedwelling]

fascinating! Different anon here for the for the winter isopod topic. (I'm in Canada, the Canadian Shield region, which is like... Extra rocky taiga mixed with lots of freshwater sources and deciduous forest.)

If the ground is frozen, where would they go? Like, where I'm from, it reliably gets down to -35 celsius (-31 F) every single winter, during it's coldest weeks. For areas not maintained by regular plough schedules (like roads and sidewalks and specific dedicated paths in yards and lawns), we get a lot of snow and ice buildup. (Even then, sidewalks and paths get build ups of ice. Roads are usually fine because of industrial metal scrapers on the ploughs but even then.) By the end of the winter, despite the constant upkeep of dedicated paths within our yard in order to minimize the amount of snow one sinks in when walking around, there's still a solid foot and a half of snow and ice underfoot, that's been incredibly compressed by the usage of the path. For areas not upkept, they are oftentimes dedicated as "dumping grounds" for snow we need to displace, so it builds up a lot. We get huge snow banks on the sidewalks, I'm talking taller than people and cars. It doesn't get that high in our yard, around four feet on average.

Our temperatures fluctuate a lot as well, and that causes melting, which the ground absorbs. Which freezes up the next time the temperature drops. I'd say at most a solid foot into the ground, it freezes. This oscillation of the temperature also causes there to be different layers and levels of consistency within the snow, as well as causing it to move around and shift and morph into new cracks and crevices and spots.

So with all of that in mind, where the hell would the isopods go? You mentioned under rocks warmed by sun, but where I'm from, rocks loose enough to provide any kind of crawlspace, rocks that aren't anchored in the ground, those easily get congealed within ice. Basically, if you plan on using or moving an item, you better move it before late october, after which it risks being trapped and abused by the weather conditions.

I suppose shelter can be found within the thick buildups of needles under especially large coniferous trees, where snow and ice has a harder time penetrating and freezing to the core. And also human buildings would help too- like where we keep all of our firewood, we keep it clear of snow so that the logs don't rot or get frozen together.

I'm just amazed, honestly, that things like isopods and centipedes and ant colonies can survive and endure such harsh conditions for so long.

Crazy

if it’s any explanation, there don’t appear to be isopods in most of the area you described (map is off iNaturalist.) isopods are livebearing animals that can’t go dormant in egg or pupa form like insects can, so extreme cold is definitely a limiting factor in where they can exist. keep in mind also that most large North American isopods are invasive species from temperate Europe, so aren’t adapted to extreme northern environments in the first place.

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this Chicago Tribune story:

Where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron connect, powerful water currents rush in opposite directions over an antiquated pipeline known as Line 5. Along the pipeline’s route from Wisconsin to Ontario, via the Straits of Mackinac, more than 1 million gallons of oil have reportedly spilled in the past 50 years.

Experts say Line 5 is vulnerable to future leaks and poses a risk to the livelihood of Indigenous communities, the region’s thriving wildlife and the drinking water of millions of Great Lakes residents.

Decades-old battles to remove the Canadian-owned pipeline from the Bad River Band reservation by Lake Superior and the lakebed of the Straits of Mackinac have played out mostly in Wisconsin and Michigan, respectively. Activists seeking the shutdown of Line 5 recently brought the fight to Chicago to consolidate a larger grassroots effort ahead of a presidential election that policy experts say will be critical to the pipeline’s future. 

“Essentially, what we are asking for and urging that the current and the next administration do, is come up with a regional plan that continues this clean energy transition we’re already on,” said Bentley Johnson, director of federal government affairs at the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “Let’s start by decommissioning the most dangerous infrastructure that we have — and we really feel like the facts show that Line 5 is America’s most dangerous pipeline.

“In Bad River, we’re one storm away, one bad flood away from eroding the river bank and exposing this pipeline,” he said. “In the straits, we’re one anchor strike away, we’re one crack away from a devastating oil spill that jeopardizes the drinking water for tens of millions.”

Clean water remains the top environmental concern for most Americans, according to a Gallup poll conducted earlier this year. And protecting the Great Lakes, one of the world’s largest surface freshwater ecosystems, has become urgent as population growth and human-made climate change cause water shortages in parts of the United States. According to research by Colorado State University, nearly half of the country’s 204 freshwater basins might not be able to meet monthly water demands by 2071.

[sataniccapitalist]

“The floor seems to be shifting under the Canadian dollar as risks of a US-Canada trade war, large Bank of Canada cuts, a soft outlook for oil prices, and now political turmoil have seriously dented the loonie’s long-held status as the safer option in the high-beta commodity currency space.”

[getmypaytoday21]

Cash Advance in Quebec: Fast Financial Relief for Short-Term Needs

For Quebec residents needing quick cash to cover unexpected expenses, a cash advance can offer fast access to funds. This short-term financial solution is designed to help manage urgent costs like medical bills, car repairs, or utility bills, providing you with immediate cash when you need it most.

Here’s what you need to know about cash advances in Quebec, including how they work, requirements, benefits, and some important considerations before you apply.

What Is a Cash Advance?

A cash advance is a short-term loan that provides immediate funds, usually repaid on your next payday or within a few weeks. In Quebec, cash advances are often offered by payday lenders and online loan providers, making them accessible and convenient for those facing temporary cash flow issues.

How Does a Cash Advance Work?

Application: You can apply online or at a cash advance location in Quebec. The application typically requires basic information like your ID, proof of income, and bank details.

Approval Process: Cash advances don’t usually require a credit check, so approvals are quick, often within minutes.

Funding: Once approved, the funds are sent to your bank account, sometimes within hours through e-Transfer or direct deposit.

Repayment: The loan amount plus any fees is usually due on your next payday. Some lenders may offer flexible repayment options for a slightly longer term.

Benefits of Cash Advances in Quebec

Quick Access to Funds: Cash advances are ideal for emergencies, as they provide immediate funds without lengthy approval times.

No Credit Check Needed: Most cash advance providers don’t perform a credit check, making them accessible to people with low credit scores.

Flexible Usage: You can use a cash advance for a wide range of expenses, from car repairs to last-minute travel.

Easy Online Applications: Many Quebec lenders offer online applications, allowing you to apply from the comfort of your home.

Requirements for Getting a Cash Advance in Quebec

To qualify for a cash advance, lenders generally require:

Proof of Income: Regular income, such as employment income, government benefits, or pension funds.

Canadian Bank Account: A bank account for direct deposit and repayments.

Government-Issued ID: Proof of identity and Quebec residency.

Contact Information: A valid phone number and email address.

Things to Consider Before Taking a Cash Advance

While cash advances provide immediate financial relief, there are a few important considerations:

High Fees and Interest: Cash advances often come with high fees. In Quebec, payday lenders can charge up to $15 per $100 borrowed, which can add up quickly.

Short Repayment Period: Repayment is typically due on your next payday, which can be challenging if you don’t have enough cash flow to cover the loan.

Risk of a Debt Cycle: Repeatedly relying on cash advances may lead to a cycle of debt. Borrow only what you need and plan to repay on time.

Tips for Using a Cash Advance Responsibly

Borrow Only When Necessary: Use a cash advance only for urgent expenses that can’t be postponed.

Budget for Repayment: Make sure you’ll have sufficient funds to repay the loan on time to avoid additional fees.

Explore Other Options First: If possible, consider alternatives like personal loans, borrowing from family or friends, or using a credit card cash advance if it’s more affordable.

Understand the Terms: Be clear on the fees, interest rate, and repayment schedule before agreeing to the loan.

Alternatives to Cash Advances in Quebec

Credit Union Loans: Many credit unions in Quebec offer short-term loans at lower interest rates than payday lenders.

Installment Loans: These loans allow for longer repayment periods and may offer better terms than cash advances for those who qualify.

Credit Card Cash Advance: While credit card cash advances have high interest, they might still be cheaper than payday loans if paid off quickly.

Community Assistance Programs: For essential expenses, check if any local resources or assistance programs in Quebec can help.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I get a cash advance with no credit check in Quebec?Yes, most cash advance lenders don’t require a credit check, focusing instead on your income and ability to repay.

2. How much can I borrow with a cash advance?Cash advance amounts typically range from $100 to $1,500, depending on your income and the lender’s policies.

3. How quickly can I receive the funds?Many lenders offer same-day or next-day funding, particularly if you apply online.

4. Are cash advances expensive?Yes, cash advances come with high fees due to their short-term nature. In Quebec, the maximum fee allowed is $15 per $100 borrowed.

5. What happens if I can’t repay my cash advance on time?If you’re unable to repay on time, contact your lender. Many lenders offer extensions, but they usually come with additional fees. Avoid defaulting, as it could negatively impact your financial situation.

Cash advances in Quebec provide a quick financial solution for short-term needs, but they come at a cost. While they can help in emergencies, it’s essential to borrow responsibly, considering both the repayment terms and potential alternatives. By planning carefully, a cash advance can provide the immediate relief you need without compromising your financial stability.

[the-jackals]

Got a response from the email I send the government (Canada) in October:

Full email transcription:

On behalf of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, I would like to acknowledge receipt of your correspondence.

The Government of Canada extends its deepest condolences to all those who have lost family members and loved ones, including Canadian citizens. During this extremely difficult time, our hearts are also with Canadians who have family and friends in the region.

Canada unequivocally condemns Hamas’ terror attacks on Israel on October 7, the appalling loss of life, and the heinous acts of violence perpetrated in those attacks, including sexual violence. We condemn Hamas’ unacceptable treatment of hostages and call for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages. The International Committee of the Red Cross must be granted full access to the hostages and be allowed to deliver medical assistance.

We support Israel’s right to defend itself in accordance with international law. In defending itself, Israel must respect international humanitarian law.

Canada previously called for humanitarian pauses on hostilities in order to allow for hostages to be released and for much-needed humanitarian aid to reach Palestinian civilians. When a pause occurred, it allowed for the release of more than 100 hostages and supported an increase in humanitarian access to affected civilians. We want to see this pause resumed and support urgent international efforts towards a sustainable ceasefire.

A sustainable ceasefire cannot be one-sided. Hamas must release all hostages, stop using Palestinian civilians as human shields, stop intentionally occupying civilian sites for terrorist purposes, and lay down its weapons. Hamas can have no future in the governance of Gaza.

We are alarmed at the diminishing safe space for civilians in Gaza. The price of defeating Hamas cannot be the continuous suffering of all Palestinian civilians. We remain deeply concerned by the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and ongoing risks to all Palestinian civilians. Safe and unimpeded humanitarian access must be increased and sustained. Canada was among the first nations to provide humanitarian assistance, and we have provided tens of millions of dollars to partners to address urgent needs. Canada will ensure that no money goes into the hands of Hamas.

Canada remains committed to working with partners toward a just and lasting peace in the region, based on a two-state solution, where Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace and security, with dignity and without fear.

Thank you for taking the time to write. Please accept my warmest regards.

Jean-Luc Marion

Director, Prime Minister’s Correspondence

Office of the Prime Minister

And here’s the transcript of the email I sent on October 29th:

To Prime Minister Justin Trudeau:

;

Minister of Foreign Affair

Dear Prime Minister Trudeau, Minister Joly,

I’m horrified by the ongoing genocide being committed in Palestine, as well as Canada’s direct involvement in it. Israeli occupation under a far-right nationalist government is rapidly escalating the full ethnic cleansing of Palestinians of all religions. Citizens in Canada do not unconditionally support Israel, and many of us support resistance against apartheid.

We are aware that Canada holds massive influence over Israel’s militarization and can demand a complete end to occupation if we wished. We will not stop until this happens.

If your party and government do not demand that Israel’s Occupying Forces put an end to their illegal occupation and stop Canada from giving weapons to Israel, I will have to use whatever platforms I have to make sure that you are never re-elected.

Our demands for Israel, on behalf of the citizens of Gaza and the West Bank: Open the Raffah border crossing and keep it open for humanitarian relief. STOP the genocide of Gaza.

If you truly believe in democracy as you claim, you will listen to Palestinian voices and stop using the same propaganda tactics that have been used to manipulate the public during past atrocities.

You have the power to put pressure on Israel and help end suffering under this occupation. If you want to be on the right side of history, demand that humanitarian aid be allowed into Gaza and help put an end to ethnic cleansing by the Israeli military and their use of blockades. Ensure that Canada vocally supports reparations and return of land to Palestinian citizens.

Do not be complicit in genocide.

Sincerely,

[cindylouwho-2]

Etsy Shop Closures - For Shipping Late?

UPDATE [May 27, 2024] - I am happy to announce that Heather's shop has been restored, with no explanation from Etsy as to what happened or why her appeal was denied. The only thing we know for sure is that publicizing the situation brought swift action. I am leaving this post up as a cautionary tale.

Warning to all sellers: it appears Etsy is now closing shops for a few orders being scanned or shipped later than the processing time that was listed on Etsy. 

That used to be something you might get a warning for, and in the last few years you might get a 90-day payment reserve, but closure is something new. 

I’ve come across a few of these cases in the past few weeks. The most egregious one where I can confirm most of the facts is Etsy’s closure of HeatherJordanJewelry, on May 23 or 22. The shop had Star Seller status (SSS) at the time (proving that SSS is useless to protect you from much, if Etsy decides they want you gone). Heather opened the shop in 2010 and had almost 10,000 sales, almost all at a much higher price point than the average Etsy order. 

What happened to Heather could happen to almost anyone. She had been commuting between her home in Toronto and her parents’ place near London ON to help them out. She had been mailing orders in both cities through ChitChats, a popular Canadian shipping service that allows users to ship via USPS (they transport the packages across the US border). ChitChats closed its London location April 30, but opened a London drop spot in mid-May, through courier service Intelcom. 

Heather started submitting her ChitChats orders there, and saw them scanned by staff. However, she only discovered later that those scans did not transfer to Etsy, so by the time the mail services scanned the packages 1-2 days later, it was past some of her processing times. This had not previously been a problem with the ChitChats office, and appears to be related to their new drop spot. 

Just a week later, Etsy notified Heather that it had issued a refund for one of her recent orders. When she went to her shop to check the case, she discovered the shop was suspended. She had not been notified of the suspension in any way. Heather appealed immediately and was rejected, with the Etsy rep claiming the account had “several risk indicators”.

After extensive discussion with Heather, the other known risk factors I identified are

Higher order values than most Etsy shops

Original shop location and current bank in the United States, where she lived when she opened. Since Etsy cannot transfer shop locations from the US to Canada (or between most countries), this is a common situation. Etsy never told her to close this shop and open a new one with Canadian banking info, and Heather was able to verify her bank etc. as most of us have had to do in the past few years.

Some orders show as shipping from Niagara Falls NY, where ChitChats drops off the USPS orders. Shipping from a different country is common, not just for Canadian shops using similar services, but also for anyone using print-on-demand services to fulfill orders. (Heather was only doing the former) 

If Etsy were shutting shops for 2 or 3 alone, we should be flooded with reports right now, but we aren’t. I know many Canadian shops with US bank info and/or US ship-from addresses, and they are still open. So the main trigger has to have been “shipping late” in Etsy’s eyes, even though the orders were dropped off and scanned within her processing times. Since I have received more than one message this month where “shipping late” seems to be the major issue, I am convinced this is now a large risk factor for being suspended, even if the shops do likely need other minor anomalies to get removed. Remember, Heather’s shop had Star Seller status at the time she was closed; it’s not as if she was doing tons of things wrong. 

So what does this mean? 

If I drop orders at UPS or Canada Post and they don’t scan them until the next day, does that mean Etsy closes my shop? 

What if you get into an accident after printing your shipping labels, so you can’t mail the day you said you would, just once? 

What happens when Etsy’s own systems make errors and say that tracked orders aren’t actually tracked? (Yes, that is happening.)

I sincerely think that Etsy’s automated systems have made a significant error here, which has taken away a major source of income from an innocent small business owner. Someone needs to review this case.

Mark this down as reason #5943 that you should never rely on an Etsy shop as your main income. 

Heather's own post on her Facebook page:

and

Please spread this story around so people can be aware of the risks of selling on Etsy.

[nek-ros]

theres this "anti woke" (homophobic) canadian family trying to move to russia so they sold their stuff to this russian bank but apparently their assets are frozen and they are at risk of being kicked back to canada bc apparently they only have a tourist visa. i think theyre gonna get kicked out like next month

[zee-man-chatter]

Scary article, with interest rate rising, the price of houses SHOULD go down, except the banks and government have pulled another rabbit out of the hat by extending the amortization period on mortgages. Half of mortgages are now held by investors, and the article goes on to say this is far more flaky than the Lehman Brothers debacle. At some point reality will hit, but the question is, how long will the risk juggling go on before it comes crashing down to earth?