Morning briefing: Unpaid CERB loans and Iran’s bold World Cup stance

Hello “Andrew from Narcity here. ☕

On top : A TikToker says she found the perfect way to reduce wrinkles and negate the use of botox: using copious amounts of duct tape to physically smooth the skin on his face. Although that leaves the topic sounding like Buffalo Bill’s Thesilenceofthelambsyou have to admit it’s a huge leap forward over previous technology – not using tape and just looking like a human.

In case you missed it

1. Remember CERB and CRB? About 240,000 Canadians still have to repay theirs

Earlier this year, about 260,000 Canadians were notified that they had received emergency COVID-19 benefits for which they were in fact not eligible. Well, it looks like the encore barely made a dent in the balance; According to documents tabled in the House of Commons earlier this week, it was revealed that around 240,000 Canadians have yet to repay CERB/CRB payments wrongly received, reports Helena Hanson. Here’s what this unpaid debt means.

Wait what? The Canada Revenue Agency says it will help Canadians who are unable to repay all of their benefits to offer an interest-free repayment plan. Otherwise, the government has the power to take “serious financial or legal action,” such as putting a lien on your home or seizing property altogether.
In numbers : About 19,000 Canadians repaid $16 million in benefits; the rest is approximately $1.2 billion in cash received in error.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE

2. As soccer powerhouses cower before FIFA, Iran team boldly aligns with protesters

When Iran’s national anthem played ahead of the team’s World Cup game against powerhouse England on Monday, the Iranian players stood in complete silence – save for boos from their own fans in Qatar Stadium. The statement was widely interpreted as a show of solidarity with anti-government protests that have erupted in Iran since mid-September, when a young woman died in police custody after being arrested for not wearing the hijab properly. , reports Asymina Kantorowicz. This is the latest political twist in what has become one of the most ethically questionable international sporting events in years.

In their words: “We have to accept that the conditions in our country are not good and our people are not happy,” Iran captain Ehsan Hajsafi said before the game.
In numbers : More than 400 people have died in the Iranian protests, with more than 16,000 – many of them young women – also arrested.
My take: Consider that a coterie of powerful footballing nations – including England – abandoned plans to wear armbands with the anti-discrimination phrase “OneLove” after FIFA authorities threatened to punish players with yellow cards. Now consider the very real danger that Iranian players have placed themselves in by standing alongside their country’s protest movement. It’s courage.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE

3. Near-Tragic School Bus Crash Leaves Everyone Wondering What Happened

One moment Derek Tappen’s five-year-old son, William, was jumping off the school bus after a day of studying. Then, in the blink of an eye, he was dragged with the bus down Tappen’s Street in Mount Pleasant, Ontario, his body trapped by the bus doors. Luckily, Derek was there to spring into action, alerting the bus passengers to the calamity. Now Tappen, the Grand Erie District School Board and school bus operator Voyago are racking their brains to figure out how this could have happened. Patrick John Gilson spoke to key players for their take on the situation. Here’s what he learned.

In His Words: “He just had a little scrape on the skin of his leg where the doors closed on him,” Tappen said of his son’s injuries. Phew.
My take: Echoing the sentiment of the father in the story, it’s odd that school buses don’t have the same door sensors as elevators or even most transit buses. Let’s install them.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE

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What else you need to know today

🏘️ MARKET MANIA
Bad news, residents of British Columbia: there is no place in the province where the average cost of living aligns with $15.65 per hour, the provincial minimum wage. Still, Morgan Leet breaks down what you’ll need to earn on average to afford to live in one of six of the most affordable cities in the province.

💭 ULTRA NOSTALGIA
With the Zellers brand set to make a comeback in 2023, it’s time to revisit what has made the Canadian brand such a distinct part of our collective retail experience. Tristan Wheeler takes us on a journey down memory lane to identify six reasons why Zellers was superior to its biggest American rival, Walmart – including its giant anthropomorphic bear mascot, Zeddy.

🌯 SNACK ATTACK
Just when Morgan Leet thought she was out, we’re picking her up for a second article in today’s newsletter. Born and raised in New Brunswick, our intrepid Western Canadian editor says there are a few East Coast snacks every Canadian should try at least once. From familiar staples like garlic fingers to niche names like partridge racks, see the full list here.

🚍 BUS PASSION
There is a new cross-border bus service offering $60 fares between Montreal and Boston. OurBus’ newest route is still in the pilot stage, with full service expected in early 2023. However, as MTL Blog’s Willa Holt reports, there’s a big twist you’ll need to consider before buying your tickets.

🎂 BIRTHDAYS
Model Hailey Bieber, wife of the Biebs himself, turns 26 today. Disgraced South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius is 35. ScarJo is 38 years old. Napster nerd Shawn Fanning is 42 years old. Your mom’s #1 crush, Mark Ruffalo, is 55. Soprano and E Street Band star Steven Van Zandt is 72. Tennis icon Billie Jean King leads the way at 79.

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thanks for reading NarcityMorning brief from Canada — the newsletter that has enough respect for the late Rodney Dangerfield to give him its own line to mark the 101st anniversary of his birth.

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