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What will the “new” NAFTA mean for business in Canada?

The "new" NAFTA - officially renamed as the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) in Canada, but is referred to as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in the media - could be a benefit for businesses. While tariffs are being lifted and reduced trade talks thaw – it appears that the USMCA is a win/win/win for businesses on every side of the border. The new trade accord has free-trade when it comes to manufacturing, importing, exporting and resourcing. The USMCA sounds great, but will those rays reach areas like Northeastern Ontario? Will our resource and mining industries benefit? Also, what about our emerging technology sector? There is a lot to be figured out as this new trade deal goes through the approval process in Canada and America. Luckily, we have experts who can help! Marc Boivin, Manager at Freelandt Caldwell Reilly LLP, is an expert in the areas of organizational finance, assets acquisition, business valuation and transactions. Contact Marc to arrange an appointment regarding this topic by clicking the contact button below. Sources:

Need an expert to chat about movies and tv? We’ve got just the person for your coverage!

UMW’s experts are in the news and just recently Antonio Barrenechea, associate professor of English, was interviewed for two articles in the web magazine MEAWW. The first was on the relationship between summer and romantic comedies and why that season in particular seems to hold the ideal climate for on-screen love. "The Canadian literary theorist, Northrop Fry, provides insight into its origins. As with the seasons of the year, genres deploy archetypes of birth, maturation, decay, death, and rebirth, all within natural cycles," said Antonio Barrenechea, Professor of English at the University of Mary Washington. Professor Barrenechea opines that for Fry, comedy belongs to spring, and romance to summer. "Nature as background thus directs the foreground of social ordering and human affairs. Greenery and florals are to the romantic comedy as deserts are to the Western, and dark places and climates are to horror," Barrenechea added. This is translated beautifully on screen in movies like 'Call Me By Your Name', 'My Best Friend's Wedding', and the 'Before Sunrise' movies. The second probed the link between intelligence and dark humor.  In this piece, our expert explained our passion for dark humor and death. Antonio Barrenechea, Professor of English at the University of Mary Washington has a different opinion of 21st Century's vicarious morbidity fans. "Dark humor responds to our absurd condition with the armor of world-weariness. Except that, of course, we also know we can't really laugh such troubles away — which is why dark humor has a fatalistic dimension built into it," he said. Between Netflix, streaming services, TV, cable and the big screen – we are always talking about movies.  If you are covering, don’t hesitate to let one of our experts help with your stories. Antonio Barrenechea, associate professor of English, specializes in literature of the Americas and the cinema. He’s available to speak with media, simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.

China Employs Mass Surveillance as Authoritarian Tool in Xinjiang Province

China has been engaged in high-tech surveillance of citizens in its Xinjiang province, according to a New York Times report, creating “an incubator for increasingly intrusive policing systems” that could expand automated authoritarianism across the country and abroad. One of the prime motivators, ostensibly, is to monitor and subdue minority religious and ethnic groups. This practice presents obvious, multi-faceted ethical issues, says Benjamin R. Mitchell, PhD, an assistant professor in Villanova’s Department of Computing Sciences with expertise in computer ethics. “The Chinese government surveillance project in Xinjiang is a perfect example of why we must be cautious and thoughtful about the deployment of technology. Most of the basic technologies being deployed were not originally developed for this application, and many of them have alternative uses which are potentially beneficial, or at the very least less clearly harmful to human rights. But applying these technologies to the surveillance and oppression of large groups of citizens still requires a large, intentional effort, making this as much a social and moral problem as it is a technological one.” Modern technologies, constantly being refined and developed, have brought us closer to the potential spread of totalitarian states, Dr. Mitchell says. “George Orwell’s 1984 was intended as a cautionary tale, but there have always been authoritarian regimes that have viewed it as a how-to manual. In the past, however, the manpower requirements for implementing such a system made it impractical to scale up to very large target groups. Modern technologies like automatic facial recognition and machine learning are now beginning to make widespread deployment of such systems possible.” Decreasing costs of technological surveillance systems will make their misuse even more likely, and those that employ them are justly open to criticism and opposition, Dr. Mitchell noted. “While the cost and manpower requirements are still likely too high to deploy such a system nationwide, the costs are steadily being driven down through research and development, meaning the development of a totalitarian information state is easier than ever before. It is entirely appropriate to critique governments, companies, or individuals who knowingly contribute to the construction and deployment of systems intended to oppress.” Although technology plays a key role in the Chinese attempt to oppress or eliminate targeted groups within its own borders, it is certainly not the first of its kind to do so through authoritarian surveillance, says Dr. Mitchell. “We can look at examples like Nazi Germany or Soviet East Berlin to see how this type of surveillance and suppression has been used in the past; the technological sophistication may have been less, but the risks to human dignity and freedom were broadly the same. The technology is certainly an enabling factor, but the fundamental problems presented here are not new ones. Security is important for human flourishing, but we must remember that the targets of pervasive surveillance can never feel secure; in pursuing security thoughtlessly, we can destroy it. If we are to be moral, we must consider the security of all people, not just those in a position of power,” he concluded.

Hurricane Season Starts June 01 – Are We Ready?

It’s that time of year again … where the warm winds of summer bring us tropical storms and hurricanes. Forecasters looking at the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season are predicting a slower year. It looks like El Niño is currying favor and its cooling temperatures mean less frequency of storms. So far, experts expect 12 to 14 tropical cyclones this season. Of those, five to seven could become hurricanes and two to four are predicted to become major hurricanes. But as we’ve learned from the past, it takes only one storm to devastate an area. In a previous post, Michael Prietula was featured and lent his expertise to show how communities and governments need to be prepared. Michael J. Prietula (PhD, MPH) is Professor in the Goizueta Business School and a senior faculty member in Emory's Center for Neuropolicy. He is an expert in the areas of organizations is crisis and is an expert in preparedness. He is available to speak with media, simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.

Apple continues to shine atop the Forbes Most Valuable Brands List

It’s a list that reads like the uniform of a NASCAR pit-crew. The top names and logos of some the most popular and well-known companies in the world. And this year, it’s once again Apple sitting on top of the list of Forbes World’s Most Valuable Brands. Rounding out the top 10 were also some of the heaviest hitters and most well-known names in the market.  Here’s the list.   1.    Apple 2.    Google 3.    Microsoft 4.    Amazon 5.    Facebook 6.    Coca-Cola 7.    Samsung 8.    Disney 9.    Toyota 10. McDonald’s Now building a bran in not easy. And one bad news story or misstep can taint a brand forever – just ask British Petroleum or the Weinstein Company. So, what does it take to build, maintain and preserve a brand for decades? It’s not as easy as you might think. If you’re covering or curious let one of our experts help. Professor Ryan Hamilton is a consumer psychologist, whose research investigates shopper decision making. In particular, he is interested in how brands, prices and choice architecture influence decision making at the point of purchase. Ryan is available to speak with media regarding brands and brand reputation – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.

Big Brother is watching (literally)…let our experts explain the new social credit system

There’s a new way of life coming to China, and for most observers it feels a lot like the book 1984. As officially explained, China’s new ‘Social Credit System’ – it is designed to enforce accountability, keep the public safe and as the Chinese government put it – to create a “culture of sincerity” that will “restore social trust.” What it will do is shame, embarrass, hamstring and potentially ruin the social and economic opportunities for anyone who falls out of line with strict government regulations and rules. It sounds frightening to us, but according to Chinese officials, it’s just a concept Westerners are to ‘unsophisticated’ to comprehend. Here’s a snapshot from the article attached below outlining some of the social shaming and consequences: “And the punishments are shocking. The government algorithm will go as far as to install an “embarrassing” ring tone on the phones of laolai, shaming them every time they get a call in public. But an embarrassing ring tone, flight bans and slow trains are just the beginning of the dystopian nightmare that is now daily life in China for tens of millions of people. A low social credit score will exclude you from well-paid jobs, make it impossible for you to get a house or a car loan or even book a hotel room. The government will slow down your internet connection, ban your children from attending private schools and even post your profile on a public blacklist for all to see. According to Australia’s ABC News, the government has produced a “Deadbeat Map” via an app on WeChat, which shows a radar-style graphic identifying every laolai in the vicinity of the user. “Tapping on a person marked on the map reveals their personal information, including their full name, court-case number and the reason they have been labeled untrustworthy. Identity-card numbers and home addresses are also partially shown,” ABC reported.” New York Post It’s as astounding as it is almost Orwellian. And it is happening.  Are you covering and do you need to know more? That’s where our experts can help. Dr. Glen Duerr's research interests include nationalism and secessionism, comparative politics, and international relations theory. Glen is available to speak to media regarding the rise of extremism – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.

The return on measles and how this once eradicated disease is making an epic comeback

Once long gone and considered a thing of the past – measles is back in America. The childhood disease that was usually easily contained by a simple shot along with vaccinations for mumps and rubella, used to ensure that our communities and the general population enjoyed herd immunity and remained for the most part safe from these once dangerous and highly-contagious diseases. But things have changed, and this year America has set a record … unfortunately taking public health a few steps back along with it. “Less than two weeks ago, the number of measles cases reported in 2019 broke the previous recent annual record, beating 667 cases reported in 2014. At the time, that was the highest number of cases reported since the disease was eliminated in the U.S.” May 06, 2019 – ABC News It’s a two-pronged problem and not so easy to unravel, first of all: Is it a matter of effective communication? Is public health losing the battle to online fake news? Are parents taking for granted the value of vaccinations? Does government need to intervene with mandatory immunizations? As well, there’s the bigger picture to consider… Who isn’t getting vaccinated and why? What’s the risk to the general population? And who are the compromised people who justifiably can’t be immunized and what threat does this pose to them? There are a lot of questions out there as well as a lot of false information – and that’s where our experts can help. Dr. Jessica Smith Schwind researches emerging infectious diseases in global health settings. She is an expert in the areas of epidemiology and disease detection. Dr. Melissa Carrion is an Assistant Professor in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies and her current research is focused on maternal vaccine refusal and what are the common messages and experiences that influence these decisions. Both are available to speak with media regarding this issue – simply click on either icon to arrange an interview.

Diplomas, degrees and massive debt – what’s the answer?

For most – this time of year is when parents get to watch their children become young adults as they accept their degree or diploma and ideally enter out into the world of careers and the workplace. However, for most – it also means facing the reality of serious student debt. As of last year, it was reported that … In America, the average student debt is $38,390. The median student debt is between $10,000 and $25,000. 2% of the borrowers owe $100,000 or more. The total US student debt was $1.52 trillion shared among 44.2 million      people. The numbers are staggering.  But what toll does this take on the career options of young graduates? Does the concept of debt discourage pursuing higher education? Why is education so expensive? And … what can, and should students be doing to avoid leaving school so deep in the red? There are a lot of questions to be answered and that’s where our experts can help.

Measles is back…and our experts want people to leave the facts about vaccinations to the experts

Last week, America hit a record.  Confirmed cases of measles eclipsed 700 cases. The disease that was once considered eradicated is now back and it has public health officials concerned. Dr. Todd Reinhart is the Dean of Sciences and Health Professions at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, and he has more than two decades of experience in infectious disease research.  He’s a strong proponent of vaccinations and weighed in with his thoughts and perspective. “I’m not shocked,” says Reinhart. “I know there’s been a strong anti-vaccination movement and there’s a lot of misinformation out there.” He believes social media has been largely responsible for this movement to not vaccinate. The publication of the “Wakefield” paper, which suggested that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine might be linked to autism — even though retracted — got a lot of attention.  However, that research that vaccinations cause autism has been debunked and even most recently there’s a study out of Denmark that covered 5,000,000 person years and there was no association with immunization and developing autism. Reinhart wants the public to look at the bigger picture and consequences. “It’s important to protect that child but also the broader society. Vaccines have been the strongest public health success story over the last few centuries. Measles is one of the most highly contagious viruses that we know. The odds of your getting it, if you’re exposed to it and you haven’t been immunized, is 90 percent. Part of the concern is for infants who aren’t immunized, the elderly because their immune systems are weaker, and those who are immunocompromised.” But there is also the matter of rights to be considered and that is playing a big part in all of this. “The problem is that individuals’ rights intersect with medicine, public health practice, and collective rights. If my infant, who couldn’t be immunized, contracts it through a carrier who could have been immunized, who has the higher ground because of rights? The problem is that even with clear data and clear information, people have been allowed the right, for the most part, to make the decisions they want,” Reinhart reiterates. If you are looking for answers and facts when it comes to vaccinations – it’s best to visit credible sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or local public health websites. If you need to speak with an expert about this topic for your news coverage – let us help. Dr. Todd Reinhart is Dean of Sciences and Health Professions, Professor, Biology and Health Professions at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. He has a degree in cancer biology from Harvard University’s School of Public Health and is an expert in the areas of infectious diseases. Simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.

5G: The Next Wave of Wireless – Are you ready for it? Join our Experts on May 2 to Find Out!

It’s coming and it is going to change the shape of wireless communications. On May 2 join IDC Canada’s Lawrence Surtees & Jean Philippe Bouchard to discuss potential consumer and enterprise use cases of 5G. Lawrence Surtees manages IDC Canada's communications research agenda and is IDC's lead analyst covering the Canadian communications services sector. Jean Philippe Bouchard is Vice-President, Mobility and Consumer Research, Canada. They will be speaking about how wireless providers throughout the world are gearing up for the next generation of wireless communications. As well, they will discuss the significance of 5G, the status of spectrum allocation in Canada and provide an update on service provider plans and how the importance of 5G wireless transcends mobility Join us at IDC Directions 2019 in Toronto on May 2 to learn more. Location: St. James Cathedral Centre: Snell Hall, 65 Church Street | Toronto Date: May 2, 2019 Time: 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM - Registration & Networking Breakfast |  8:30 AM - 3:30 PM Conference Program Register Today before it's too late!  If you're a member of the media and would like to attend this event, please contact Cristina Santander at csantander@idc.com