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In other news, several families were scammed in Glasgow. Families thought they were bringing their children to a “Willy Wonka Experience” but were greeted with a warehouse resembling a meth lab. 

Ontario's Higher Education Receives a $1.3 Billion Boost

In a landmark decision, the Ontario government has committed $1.3 billion to bolster the province's colleges and universities, marking a pivotal shift in support for higher education amidst post-pandemic recovery and legislation changes limiting international student enrollment. 

Why it’s big: This initiative marks a notable increase in government backing, distinguishing itself from past efforts through its ambition and scope. The funding is targeted at revitalizing campuses and enhancing educational quality, setting a new precedent for provincial support. 

But: While the funding is universally recognized as a positive step, some institutions have voiced concerns that it may not fully cover the extensive needs of the sector, highlighting ongoing financial strains and the quest for sustainable solutions.

Big Picture: This financial boost is expected to have far-reaching effects on the quality, accessibility, and sustainability of higher education in Ontario. By examining potential impacts on tuition fees, enrollment trends, and the province's educational reputation, it's clear that this investment could significantly influence the future direction of higher learning in Ontario. 

As Ontario looks to the future, the funding marks a pivotal moment for the province's higher education sector, embodying a bold commitment to fostering growth, resilience, and innovation in the face of evolving challenges. 

New Bill by Liberal Government Set to Condemn the Spread of Online Hate

To combat the spread of hate online, the Liberal government is proposing a bill that would change laws and allow them to combat a variety of categories of detrimental online content, including self-harm and bullying videos.

What’s it going to do: In total, seven new categories of online content would be monitored by the bill, and its enactment includes making changes to the criminal code by increasing the length of sentences for spreading hate online. A five-member digital safety commission will be established by the bill to enforce the rules put in place, but this board would have restrictions in terms of accessing personal information online. All private forms of online conversation, such as email would be exempt, as it only applies to public forums such as social media platforms.

This bill has been long awaited by members of the public, as it was first pledged during the Liberals 2021 election campaign. According to a conservative spokesperson, the party has not yet decided whether they will vote in favour of the bill.

Looking Ahead: On Monday, Minister of Justice Arif Virani summarized the bill’s importance well, stating, “It does not undermine freedom of speech. It enhances free expression by empowering all people to safely participate in online debate”. Virani expressed his eagerness for the bill to pass, pointing out that the government had put tremendous effort and time into getting it right; its denial now would be a frustrating blow for Canadian citizens.

📈 Market Updates

Economic Pulse 🌐 

Canadian inflation in January returned back down within the Bank of Canada’s 1-3% target range as core inflation metrics also moved lower. If Q4 GDP growth remains positive, a “technical” recession, constituted by two consecutive quarters of contraction, will be avoided.

Elsewhere, in the Eurozone, inflation has calmed significantly and is approaching the European Central Bank’s (ECB) target of 2%. Despite this, inflation in services remains high, leading the ECB to likely retain elevation in benchmark interest rates moving forward

Money Moves 💰️ 

Qualcomm’s 350+ million purchase of Israeli semiconductor firm Autotalks is facing a formal probe from the UK’s antitrust watchdog over competition concerns. The Competition and Markets Authority has set an April 25 deadline to decide whether to approve the transaction or start an in-depth investigation.

In other news, luxury goods leader LVMH is in negotiations to acquire French magazine Paris Match from media conglomerate Lagardere in a bid to diversify product offerings.

👀Job Opportunities

• Mr. Beast is looking for a Strategy Coordinator 

• Hill & Knowlton is looking for a Summer Intern for either their Consumer Marketing team or Public Relations team.

• Chime is hiring a Threat Intelligence Intern for this summer.

• Flare is seeking an analytical and critical thinker for their Marketing Intern position.

📞Word on the Street

• Jason Lake reacquires Complexity Gaming from GameSquare for $10.36 million

• F1 Team Principal Christian Horner had several illicit texts leaked after a lengthy investigation over misconduct allegations.

• Elon Musk will sue OpenAI for pursuing profit over benefiting humanity.

Writers: Amin Nazari, Isaac Moore and Simon Ing

Senior Editor: Amyn Dehal

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