The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University

Some mayors of rural cities weren’t campaigning in Saskatchewan’s civic elections because they had no challengers for their seat. Is social media to blame? Our Executive Director, Karim Bardeesy explained why some candidates may think twice about throwing their hat in the ring: “Social media makes it easier for people to receive attacks on them as candidates — especially women candidates, racialized, Indigenous, people from other kinds of groups that have been historically targeted for abuse — and then get targeted through social media.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/etit7r25

The federal government announced this year it will invest $2.4 billion in AI compute to bolster Canada’s position as a global leader in AI innovation. In response to this announcement, we brought together established public and private sector players, along with not-for-profit, research, and government leaders, to discuss approaches for the deployment of these funds to ensure greater availability of AI computing infrastructure for Canada. What is AI Compute? As Graham 📊 Dobbs and Jake Hirsch-Allen write in a Toronto Star op-ed, “It is the computational horsepower needed to build and test state-of-the-art AI algorithms. AI infrastructure is a critical input in advancing Canada’s national AI ambitions; for a country falling behind on productivity, no technology shows more promise.”  What are the key policy considerations to ensuring Canada makes good on this investment? Read the roundtable recommendations in the report (link in the comments)

Daisies at Work: Our Director of Policy and Research, André Côté takes the stage with Co-Director of the Social Media Lab, Philip Mai and Associate Dean, Student Affairs, Dr. Nancy Walton as moderator at the TMU GradTalks event: Navigating Your Career in the Age of Generative AI. 

Calling all policy and program professionals! We’re hiring for two new roles to support our ambitious new Screen Break project. Our Senior Policy Analyst will be responsible for overall project coordination and delivery, including research design, analysis and knowledge dissemination, partner and relationship management including in governments and the education sector. Our Leadership Development Facilitator will be responsible for building the project’s supporter strategy from creating a coalition of education professionals and institutions to recruiting and training youth leaders to champion tech-focused policy changes. Apply by October 27. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eXAsYQXz

What’s spookier than ghosts and ghouls? The little-known tactics that companies use to trick consumers, leaving us worse off, paying more, and in the dark. For example, did you know that Mars Inc. (the American family-owned maker of Skittles, Mars Bars, and Orbit Gum) may also own your local veterinary practice? Or that other Big Candy companies have been accused of substituting worse products like corn syrup, paraffin wax, or vegetable oil in their chocolate to reduce costs and widen profits? These are symptoms of wider market trends relating to concentrated corporate power. Join us on October 31 for a ‘spooktacular’ lunch-time conversation with Denise Hearn and Vasiliki (Vass) B. Bednar about their new book, The Big Fix: How Companies Capture Markets and Harm Canadians. RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/dT3GWANm

With unions facing unprecedented pressure, a new wave of labour leaders are challenging the status quo – demanding fair wages, defending Charter rights and defying gender stereotypes. How are unions adapting to the future of work and what can workers do to prepare? Bring your questions for three leaders of Canada’s biggest unions in the private and public sectors: Lana Payne, National President, Unifor National Beatrice Bruske, President, Canadian Labour Congress - Congrès du travail du Canada JP Hornick, President, Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO) 📅Wednesday, October 30 📍 In-person at TMU and livestreamed 💡Learn from prominent Canadian labour leaders Register now: https://lnkd.in/gajQP8Sm

Sending a massive thank you to U.S. Ambassador David Cohen for his visit to the TMU Democracy Forum earlier this month, and to our host, Senior Fellow and Toronto Star Columnist, Martin Regg Cohn. We’re also grateful for the incredible hospitality of the DMZ team for providing us their space to hold this important conversation on democracy, U.S.-Canada relations and the media landscape. Missed this event? There’s more to come! Check out our events page for more information on our Dais Book Talks and our next Democracy Forum coming up this month. Visit us here for more info:  https://dais.ca/talks/

Uber started using 'algorithmic pricing' in Canada. Is that a good or bad thing? Our Manager of Economic Research Viet Vu suggests there might be an advantage: the new system could attract more drivers in peak demand times by offering better pay, lowering the wait time for a ride. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gr-hBNhZ

The rapid and recent influx of international students exposed critical flaws in our education and social systems. How did we end up in this mess and what can we do to fix it? In this Toronto Star op-ed, André Côté, Mahtab L. and Noah Morris propose a path forward to rebuild Canada’s image as a premier destination for international education. TL;DR: How can Ontario step up? 🎓A meaningful overhaul of our post-secondary education system anchored in a new vision that welcomes and supports the highest caliber, hungriest students from around the world. 🎓A rigorous quality-assurance check for institutions receiving international students.  🎓Enforce strict guidelines for recruitment practices ensuring transparency about programs, costs, and immigration prospects.  🎓Social and housing support services for international students must be enhanced and education institutions should contribute. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eGAXDrtW

📣 Calling all policy and program professionals! We’re hiring for two new roles to support our ambitious new Screen Break project. Our Senior Policy Analyst will be responsible for overall project coordination and delivery, including research design, analysis and knowledge dissemination, partner and relationship management including in governments and the education sector. Our Leadership Development Facilitator will be responsible for building the project’s supporter strategy from creating a coalition of education professionals and institutions to recruiting and training youth leaders to champion tech-focused policy changes. Apply by October 27, 2024. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eXAsYQXz