Topic: Theresa Tam

The Public Health Agency of Canada admitted to purchasing de-identified cell phone location data to monitor population movements during the COVID-19 pandemic. Privacy experts and the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, Daniel Therrien, debated the ethics of using personal information for "legitimate business interests" without explicit consent. The hosts critique the concept of "democratically appointed institutions" overseeing such surveillance.

Manitoba health officials reported four cases of the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant, though all individuals have already recovered. Despite the low numbers, Canadian Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam released a controversial modeling chart showing a "rocket projectile" spike in cases if public health measures are lifted. Critics described the yellow trend line on the chart as hyperbolic and physically impossible given testing capacities.