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Globe and Mail
33 minutes ago
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Budapest is ready to come out
Lau and Vivi, a young lesbian couple in Hungary, often hold hands walking through Budapest's streets. However, Lau has started to have troubling second thoughts about this show of affection since the government ramped up its anti-LGBTQ campaign. Right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who casts himself as a defender of what he calls Christian values from Western liberalism and whose supporters are mostly rural conservatives, has passed several laws affecting the lives of Hungary's LGBTQ community over the past decade. These include banning a change of gender in personal documents, legislation that effectively halts adoption by same-sex couples, and a law banning the use of materials in schools seen as promoting homosexuality and gender transition. In March, parliament passed a law that created a legal basis for police to ban Pride marches, key events for the LGBTQ community worldwide in campaigning for rights, celebrating diversity and highlighting discrimination. The governing Fidesz party said Pride could be harmful to children and so protecting them should supersede the right to assemble. 'Somehow unconsciously, I started to think whether I should dare to hold Vivi's hand in front of a child now,' said Lau, or Laura Toth, a 37-year-old DJ and sound technician working in Budapest's vibrant club scene. 'This does not mean I will not hold her hand now, but something started to work inside me.' Lau's partner, 27-year-old Vivien Winkler, says it is surreal that they should feel they are doing something wrong if they hug or kiss each other in the street, as they are in love and could even marry down the line – though in another country. Hungary has never allowed gay marriage, only civil unions. The couple fell in love two years ago. With their dog, they have moved into a cozy flat full of books and photos, and have set up a small studio in one room, where Lau makes her own music. She is set to release a track which she calls 'a queer love song.' Along with love, they also found true inspiration in each other. 'This LP is about my personal coming out story,' she said with a knowing smile, as this was not easy for her growing up in a town in eastern Hungary. With the help of therapy, she finally came out two or three years ago, first to her grandmother, who was more accepting than her parents. Vivien had a similar experience with her grandparents in Budapest who were very quick to embrace Lau as a member of the family. They are happy together and both regularly DJ in clubs. But they feel the air is thinning for LGBTQ people. 'We are continuously discussing that we may need to move abroad next year,' Vivien said. The Prime Minister told his supporters in February that Pride organizers 'should not even bother' planning the event this year. Some saw this as a tactic to hold on to conservative votes – in 2026 he faces elections and a new opposition party poses a serious challenge to his rule. 'We've defended the right of parents to decide how their children are brought up, and we've curbed views and fashions that are against nature,' the veteran leader said in May. Passage of the new law allowed police last week to ban the 30th Pride march due on Saturday. However, Budapest's liberal mayor said the march will be held on that date nonetheless, as a municipal event celebrating freedom, allowing it to circumvent the ban. Thirty-three foreign embassies including those of France, Germany and Britain, although not the United States, have backed the event. 'Pride will not ask for permission: this is a protest,' the Budapest Pride organizers have said. Lau and Vivi have attended Pride marches before but said this year's will be especially important. Laszlo Laner, 69, was an organizer of Budapest's first Pride in 1997 and played an active role in Hungary's gay movement after the collapse of the Communist regime in 1989. 'I think we will have the largest crowd so far, not only of LGBTQ people and sympathizers but also ... those who march for democracy, freedom of speech and the right to assemble,' he said. Hungarians were mostly accepting of the LGBTQ community, he added. This has been underpinned by polls. A survey by pollster Median in November, 2024, made for HATTER society, a Hungarian LGBTQ group, showed 53 per cent of Hungarians said it was acceptable for two men to fall in love, and 57 per cent said the same about two women. About 49 per cent would support same-sex marriage. People in Hungary are a lot less negative toward LGBTQ people than the government is trying to suggest, said Zsolt Hegyi, 57, who is gay and has never attended Pride but will join the march now. Events like Pride can help people who struggle to come to terms with their feelings to open up. 'They can get some encouragement that the world will not collapse after their coming out,' he said. Ballroom culture, which originated as a safe and inclusive space for Black and Latino LGBTQ individuals in New York, also offers a safe space in Budapest with its regular balls, where participants compete with dances in various categories. In Turbina, an arts and inclusive community space in the heart of Budapest, more than a hundred people gathered on March 15 for a ballroom event where participants donned costumes inspired by iconic queer personalities. Iulian Paragina from Romania, a dental technician who has lived in Budapest for four years, acted as Master of Ceremony and also danced. 'As a queer person, one of the biggest challenges is simply having the courage to live authentically,' he said. 'Personally, I used to feel relatively safe in Budapest, up to a point ... Today, our voices are being silenced, whether it's through banning Pride, limiting freedom of expression, or pushing harmful narratives.' The gradual erosion of LGBTQ rights has had a chilling effect on the community, said Armin Egres Konig, 25, who is trans and non-binary, and works as a social worker for HATTER society. They were personally affected by the 2020 law that made it impossible for transgender people to legally change genders, as it was enacted before their coming out. While they found an inclusive and accepting community at university, they find being trans can be difficult in everyday life. 'In the world out there it is very hard to be a trans person and I faced harassment in the street.' The Canadian Medical Association is fighting Alberta in court over a law limiting gender-affirming care, one of the recent changes that have made the province one of Canada's most restrictive places for trans youth. Alanna Smith spoke with The Decibel about the case. Subscribe for more episodes. Andrej Ivanov: Serbia is still struggling to show pride in its queer community. But things are getting better Rachel Browne: What my trans brother's coming-out taught me about allyship Pete Crighton: Queer folks can find common ground across generations
Globe and Mail
40 minutes ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Chinese company Hikvision ordered to shut down operations over national security concerns
The Canadian government has ordered Chinese video surveillance and telecommunications equipment maker Hikvision to cease all operations in the country over national security concerns, Industry Minister Melanie Joly said on Friday. 'The government has determined that Hikvision Canada Inc's continued operations in Canada would be injurious to Canada's national security,' Joly said on X, adding that the decision was taken after a multi-step review of information provided by Canada's security and intelligence community. Hikvision did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Pedestrians reclaim Portage and Main as Winnipeg reopens the famed intersection after 46 years
History books will show that Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham was the first pedestrian in more than four decades to traverse between Portage Avenue and Main Street, finally reopening what is widely known as the crossroads of Canada to foot traffic after years of fervent debate. Well, kind of. Many others have routinely jaywalked across the downtown thoroughfares since 1979, when barricades were erected to prioritize the free flow of cars and trucks. People on foot have since been crossing illegally or using an underground concourse beneath the 16 lanes of traffic at the famed intersection, proximate to the longitudinal centre of the country. But on Friday, hundreds of eager residents beat Mr. Gillingham to his preplanned photo-op moment. With the buttery midmorning sun spotlighting their path, shrouds over the new walk signals were lifted, and the mayor became just one among a crowd of many to legally cross the road when the last remaining barriers were removed. He marked the occasion, as music blared, with a healthy dose of classically Winnipeg-flavoured sardonicism. 'When I was a kid growing up, playing hockey, idolizing Dale Hawerchuk, I dreamed of having my own press conference at Portage and Main,' Mr. Gillingham said to roaring laughter. 'This is very special,' he continued cheekily, speaking from a podium facing the intersection while pompoms were thrown in the air. 'Today, we're putting an end to 46 years of debating whether or not people should be allowed to cross the street.' On a more serious note, Mr. Gillingham acknowledged that getting to this point wasn't easy. The reopening has long been opposed by both city councillors and residents. 'We know that there's still more work to do. Work to improve safety, work to address homelessness, and work to drive economic growth downtown,' he said. 'But making the intersections more accessible and more connected helps move us in the right direction for everyone.' In fact, Mr. Gillingham himself was opposed to the reopening for years as a city councillor. He even stood against it during his 2022 mayoral election campaign. In 2018, his predecessor, Brian Bowman, had promised a reopening. But he backtracked after two-thirds of Winnipeggers (most of whom were from the city's suburbs) voted against it in a non-binding plebiscite. Ultimately, Mr. Gillingham's 180 about putting pedestrians back on the streets was a practical decision. Last year, a city report indicated that the intersection's underground concourse was significantly prone to leakage – costing around $73-million to repair, with up to five years of construction-induced traffic delays. The mayor told reporters he didn't have a definitive date to shutter the concourse, or a decision on whether it would be permanently or partially closed. While he spoke, Haley Yurman, who works at local coffee chain Empty Cup, one of several businesses housed in the underground walkway, waved a sign behind him: 'Still brewing one level down.' Ms. Yurman said she is unsure if her café will need to relocate. On Friday, dozens of long-standing community advocates showed up in full force to celebrate the milestone. Over the years, they had initiated campaign upon campaign to fight against urban planning that puts cars before people. Many drivers honk-honk-honked in support, as people took selfies atop the newly-established pedestrian refuge islands at the four corners of the intersection. Some commuters, however, honked out of anger, cussing at the event's attendees from their car and truck windows. 'I really never thought I'd see this in my lifetime. There's been so much resistance,' said Martina Kucey, shortly after making a jaunt across the walkways with her golden retrievers, Carter and Bishop. 'But here it is. It's finally happened. And I never want to see it go away.'
Globe and Mail
2 hours ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
AIMCo interim CEO could earn millions in bonus pay after leadership overhaul
Alberta Investment Management Corp.'s interim chief executive officer could earn a multimillion dollar compensation package after the provincial pension fund manager's senior ranks were overhauled and its former chief investment officer received millions of dollars in severance pay. Ray Gilmour stepped in as interim CEO last November after a career as a senior public servant, following the Alberta government's abrupt purge of AIMCo's board and senior management. Mr. Gilmour was paid $241,869 in less than five months on the job, to March 31, according to AIMCo's annual report released Friday. That included $210,796 in base salary, plus pension contributions and other pay. When prorated for a full fiscal year, Mr. Gilmour could be paid an annual base salary of more than $500,000. Mr. Gilmour is also part of AIMCo's corporate incentive plan, which sets his base target for bonus pay at 355 per cent of his salary, or about $1.78-million, according to a copy of his employment contract obtained by The Globe and Mail under an access to information request. Alberta's purge at AIMCo followed a clash of visions, complaints about leadership However, the agreement says that Mr. Gilmour can earn a maximum of 2.5 times that incentive target, and it has been customary for previous AIMCo CEOs to earn approximately 1.75 times the target payment for good performance. At that level, Mr. Gilmour would earn about $3.1-million in incentive pay, for total compensation of at least $3.6-million. AIMCo's annual report does not list any incentive payments to Mr. Gilmour as of March 31. His base salary is redacted in the documents released to The Globe. 'Our compensation structure is based on market salaries in similar Canadian institutional investment organizations, with executive compensation and associated terms discussed and validated by the Board's independent compensation adviser,' AIMCo spokesperson Sabrina Bhangoo said in an e-mailed statement. Though Mr. Gilmour was appointed as interim CEO, his employment agreement says that AIMCo wishes to employ him 'as Chief Executive Officer,' and does not mention his interim status. AIMCo's annual report shows that the pension fund manager also appears to have paid millions of dollars to former CIO Marlene Puffer as a 'transition agreement payment.' Ms. Puffer left AIMCo in September, roughly six weeks before Alberta's government dismissed other senior leaders. Ms. Puffer was paid $5.91-million in 'other compensation,' which includes the transition payment that would have been agreed to under previous leadership. She also earned more than $250,000 in base salary. 'The separation arrangement disclosed is in keeping with our contractual obligations made by previous leadership. No additional compensation is owing,' AIMCo's statement said. Former CEO Evan Siddall, who was dismissed in November, appears not to have come to terms financially with AIMCo as of March 31. He was paid $1.56-million in total compensation last fiscal year but received no transition arrangement payment during the fiscal year, according to the annual report. In his last full fiscal year as CEO, Mr. Siddall was paid $3.77-million in total compensation, and nearly $4.6-million in total direct compensation, including $585,000 in base salary. The report also says AIMCo paid $957,397 to third parties on behalf of the former CEO, and that $458,312 had not yet been reimbursed as of March 31, 'inclusive of imputed interest.' AIMCo has included that amount in 'accounts receivable.' Stephen Harper, the former prime minister who was appointed chair of AIMCo's board in November, said 'there is more work ahead in our task of restoring confidence and stability in Alberta's investment manager,' in a message in the annual report. 'We are making progress with the new management team on ensuring that sound governance, ambitious objectives, professional operation, and responsible risk management permeate the firm,' Mr. Harper said. In his own message in the annual report, Mr. Gilmour said that in the coming months AIMCo 'will be focused on the continuation of a business transformation program to improve the technology, data and processes that are the foundation of the work we do on behalf of our clients.'
Globe and Mail
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Canada's national anthem is 45 years old today
While the country will celebrate it's birthday next week, O Canada got a head start on Friday, celebrating its 45th year as the official national anthem. While it was often used as the de facto national anthem for years, O Canada was officially adopted through the National Anthem Act on June 27, 1980. A few days later, on Canada Day, the Act was proclaimed by Gov. Gen. Edward Schreyer at a public ceremony on Parliament Hill in front of thousands of Canadians, making O Canada an official national symbol. The song actually has existed for more than a century, though its lyrics have changed several times over the decades. Commissioned to mark Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day celebrations in Québec on June 24, 1880, O Canada's music was composed by Calixa Lavallée and its French lyrics were written by Adolphe-Basile Routhier. While many different English versions of the song emerged as it grew in popularity across the country, the most well-known English lyrics were written in 1908 by Robert Stanley Weir, a lawyer and judge. Opinion: 'O Canada' without the cross - why it's time to revisit the lyrics of the national anthem The Government of Canada website says the lyrics of the official French version have remained unchanged since 1880. Weir's English lyrics underwent several modifications over the decades on their way to becoming the official English version. Previous versions of the song included closing lines like 'Defend our rights, forfend this nation's thrall' and 'Bless our dear land this day and evermore.' Some lines were changed more than once. In 1913 the original line 'True patriot love thou dost in us command' became 'True patriot love in all thy sons command.' In 2018 that line changed again to 'in all of us command.' The Canadian Encyclopedia says discussions about discriminatory aspects of the anthem, including the gender-exclusive use of the word 'sons,' began in the 1950s. Former Liberal member of Parliament Mauril Bélanger, who pushed to drop 'sons' from the lyrics for years while battling ALS, introduced a private member's bill in 2016 to change the line. It was approved in the House of Commons as Bill C-210 a month later by a vote of 225 to 74. It wasn't until 2018 — after several debates in the Senate and after Bélanger had passed away — that the change became official when the bill became law. The new gender-neutral lyric received mixed reviews and Conservative senators abstained from the final vote in 2018. While the original manuscript of 'O Canada' no longer exists, there are two copies of the first edition. One is held in the archives of the Séminaire de Québec and the other is at the Université de Montréal.
