Alberta
How 5G Could Launch a Dystopian Future
In current times where the internet and the use of online resources is extremely prevalent it is important to keep up with the ever-changing rules and speculation of the morality within the internet. While one might assume there’s more freedom of speech than ever, most websites and media outlets are monitored by larger corporations or government agencies, meaning there’s more censorship of opposing opinions.
Government bodies and second party donors are making examples of individuals such as Dr. Rashid Buttar, an American osteopathic physician and author best known for his views on Coronavirus and how it has been managed. Buttar posted a video on YouTube discussing COVID-19 and criticizing how nations have been handling the pandemic. At 9 Million views, the video was taken down for violating YouTube’s community guidelines.
This begs the question, is free speech still actually free?
Community guidelines can be re-written and updated to reflect third party sponsors’ opinions and business plans, meaning there is no longer a free market of opinions. On websites such as YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook there is close monitoring of posts and comments for anything that violates the rules and regulations put in place, but there isn’t always a definitive line between right and wrong. Hate speech, bullying, and forms of discrimination are often left unchecked, causing many issues surrounding social media. Problems lie within posts that are considered opinion.
Political and economic views on accounts can lead to unsavory behaviour from other personal accounts who have opposing opinions, but people can’t face physical retaliation through a screen.
The introduction of 5G could change that.
5G (fifth generation technology) has become more developed, but the 5G cellular data network is still in its infancy stages in Canada. 5G is meant to be a quicker, more advanced way to harness the internet and stay connected, but there are many concerns with the idea. 5G allows larger amounts of data to travel more quickly than was possible with 3G and 4G. Being able to access information faster might sound like a good idea at face value, but researchers believe that 5G might be an easy target for hackers, or could even lead to governments using it to monitor their own people.
Companies such as Huawei have already begun launching phones with 5G technology, and there is speculation from the United States that the Chinese government is using their products to collect private and personal data from the public. A poll done by the Angus Reid Institute shows that 56 percent of Canadians want Huawei 5G products banned in Canada.
Although the American government is primarily worried about the Chinese government using 5G technology to collect metadata, Rep. Jim Himes, Chairman of Strategic Technologies and Advanced Research says that it might become necessary to use this technology. “We would find ourselves at a disadvantage relative to our opponents around the globe if we didn’t adopt and adapt.”
If the government can monitor your private life, companies and employers can access this information and turn you away if your views don’t match up with establishments’ stance. 5G could be the start of a new dystopian world where government bodies use the network as a way to closely watch and keep civilians subdued.
5G and its connection to health issues could be a conspiracy not yet proven, but the privacy rules this affects are topics that must be heavily considered when allowing outsider companies access to Canadian servers.
For more stories, visit Todayville Calgary.
From the Fraser Institute
By Tegan Hill
According to the recent mid-year update tabled Thursday, the Smith government projects a $4.6 billion surplus in 2024/25, up from the $2.9 billion surplus projected just a few months ago. Despite the good news, Premier Smith must reduce spending to avoid budget deficits.
The fiscal update projects resource revenue of $20.3 billion in 2024/25. Today’s relatively high—but very volatile—resource revenue (including oil and gas royalties) is helping finance today’s spending and maintain a balanced budget. But it will not last forever.
For perspective, in just the last decade the Alberta government’s annual resource revenue has been as low as $2.8 billion (2015/16) and as high as $25.2 billion (2022/23).
And while the resource revenue rollercoaster is currently in Alberta’s favor, Finance Minister Nate Horner acknowledges that “risks are on the rise” as oil prices have dropped considerably and forecasters are projecting downward pressure on prices—all of which impacts resource revenue.
In fact, the government’s own estimates show a $1 change in oil prices results in an estimated $630 million revenue swing. So while the Smith government plans to maintain a surplus in 2024/25, a small change in oil prices could quickly plunge Alberta back into deficit. Premier Smith has warned that her government may fall into a budget deficit this fiscal year.
This should come as no surprise. Alberta’s been on the resource revenue rollercoaster for decades. Successive governments have increased spending during the good times of high resource revenue, but failed to rein in spending when resource revenues fell.
Previous research has shown that, in Alberta, a $1 increase in resource revenue is associated with an estimated 56-cent increase in program spending the following fiscal year (on a per-person, inflation-adjusted basis). However, a decline in resource revenue is not similarly associated with a reduction in program spending. This pattern has led to historically high levels of government spending—and budget deficits—even in more recent years.
Consider this: If this fiscal year the Smith government received an average level of resource revenue (based on levels over the last 10 years), it would receive approximately $13,000 per Albertan. Yet the government plans to spend nearly $15,000 per Albertan this fiscal year (after adjusting for inflation). That’s a huge gap of roughly $2,000—and it means the government is continuing to take big risks with the provincial budget.
Of course, if the government falls back into deficit there are implications for everyday Albertans.
When the government runs a deficit, it accumulates debt, which Albertans must pay to service. In 2024/25, the government’s debt interest payments will cost each Albertan nearly $650. That’s largely because, despite running surpluses over the last few years, Albertans are still paying for debt accumulated during the most recent string of deficits from 2008/09 to 2020/21 (excluding 2014/15), which only ended when the government enjoyed an unexpected windfall in resource revenue in 2021/22.
According to Thursday’s mid-year fiscal update, Alberta’s finances continue to be at risk. To avoid deficits, the Smith government should meaningfully reduce spending so that it’s aligned with more reliable, stable levels of revenue.
Author:
Better, faster, more affordable auto insurance
Alberta’s government is introducing a new auto insurance system that will provide better and faster services to Albertans while reducing auto insurance premiums.
After hearing from more than 16,000 Albertans through an online survey about their priorities for auto insurance policies, Alberta’s government is introducing a new privately delivered, care-focused auto insurance system.
Right now, insurance in the province is not affordable or care focused. Despite high premiums, Albertans injured in collisions do not get the timely medical care and income support they need in a system that is complex to navigate. When fully implemented, Alberta’s new auto insurance system will deliver better and faster care for those involved in collisions, and Albertans will see cost savings up to $400 per year.
“Albertans have been clear they need an auto insurance system that provides better, faster care and is more affordable. When it’s implemented, our new privately delivered, care-centred insurance system will put the focus on Albertans’ recovery, providing more effective support and will deliver lower rates.”
“High auto insurance rates put strain on Albertans. By shifting to a system that offers improved benefits and support, we are providing better and faster care to Albertans, with lower costs.”
Albertans who suffer injuries due to a collision currently wait months for a simple claim to be resolved and can wait years for claims related to more serious and life-changing injuries to addressed. Additionally, the medical and financial benefits they receive often expire before they’re fully recovered.
Under the new system, Albertans who suffer catastrophic injuries will receive treatment and care for the rest of their lives. Those who sustain serious injuries will receive treatment until they are fully recovered. These changes mirror and build upon the Saskatchewan insurance model, where at-fault drivers can be sued for pain and suffering damages if they are convicted of a criminal offence, such as impaired driving or dangerous driving, or conviction of certain offenses under the Traffic Safety Act.
Work on this new auto insurance system will require legislation in the spring of 2025. In order to reconfigure auto insurance policies for 3.4 million Albertans, auto insurance companies need time to create and implement the new system. Alberta’s government expects the new system to be fully implemented by January 2027.
In the interim, starting in January 2025, the good driver rate cap will be adjusted to a 7.5% increase due to high legal costs, increasing vehicle damage repair costs and natural disaster costs. This protects good drivers from significant rate increases while ensuring that auto insurance providers remain financially viable in Alberta.
Albertans have been clear that they still want premiums to be based on risk. Bad drivers will continue to pay higher premiums than good drivers.
By providing significantly enhanced medical, rehabilitation and income support benefits, this system supports Albertans injured in collisions while reducing the impact of litigation costs on the amount that Albertans pay for their insurance.
“Keeping more money in Albertans’ pockets is one of the best ways to address the rising cost of living. This shift to a care-first automobile insurance system will do just that by helping lower premiums for people across the province.”
Quick facts
- Alberta’s government commissioned two auto insurance reports, which showed that legal fees and litigation costs tied to the province’s current system significantly increase premiums.
- A 2023 report by MNP shows
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