Caregiving by 40, the Strong Borders Act

Monday, August 4, 2025

This week from The Walrus:

“A Misfire at Birth”: The Trouble with Canada’s So-Called Border Security Law

With its rushed timing, vague provisions, and far-reaching implications, Bill C-2 has sparked alarm

BY CARMINE STARNINO, WESLEY WARK

A US Customs and Border Protection officer canine unit searches vehicles at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry in Buffalo, New York.

This spring, the Mark Carney government introduced Bill C-2. Formally dubbed The Strong Borders Act, the legislation gives the federal government and border officials broad new powers to search devices, collect data, and make immigration decisions without full parliamentary oversight. The bill also allows the government to suspend certain refugee protections during a declared emergency. Supporters argue it’s a necessary response to rising threats like smuggling and organized crime. Critics warn it opens the door to government overreach. What does Bill C-2 actually propose? And what does it signal about the government’s approach to national security? To help unpack the bill’s implications, The Walrus reached out to Wesley Wark, one of the country’s most thoughtful analysts of intelligence and security policy.

Read or Listen to the Story

A piece of machinery sits underground at the Mosaic potash mine in Saskatchewan.

Potash Companies Are Getting Rich. Saskatchewan, Not So Much

Billions go to shareholders, while the province guts schools, services, and social supports

BY ERIC CLINE

A photo shows a man in a hazmat suit holding a vial containing a green liquid

He Asked a Chatbot How to Start a Pandemic. It Answered

A former UN weapons inspector brought the results to the White House. The message: anyone can do this now

BY KYLE HIEBERT

A photo illustration of a black-and-white, vintage-looking picture of a woman, eyes close, hand to face. There are yellow scribbles surrounding her head and red scribbles over her forehead.

Canada Created a Cold War Isolation Laboratory. It Ended in Scandal

Researchers promised breakthroughs in psychology—until rumours of brainwashing took over

BY MATTHEW S. WISEMAN

Photo shows an old man and a young man seated together

Millennials Are Becoming Caregivers Whether They’re Ready or Not

Still under 40, many are responsible for aging parents while raising kids and managing debt

BY RACHAEL PILTCH-LOEB

Summer Reading 2025

Enjoy fiction, poetry, and art. Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at the Summer Reading issue being promoted on CTV’s The Social

BY VARIOUS CONTRIBUTORS

An illustration of a miner holding a small unicorn and chiseling rock with its horn.

We Can Still Make Works of Deep Value at a Time of Shallow Resources

What we do is connect the solitary work of creation to a broader public conversation. And we try to make something that lasts

BY CARMINE STARNINO

I’m Obsessed with Other People’s Spotify Playlists

From frenemies to crushes, I learn more from their taste in music than on Facebook or Instagram

BY DHRITI GUPTA

Dog Parks Are the Third Space I Needed in These Polarizing Times

With my new puppy by my side, I’m having meaningful, even difficult, conversations about politics for the first time in years

BY PACINTHE MATTAR

An aerial view of the Diavik Diamond Mine at Lac de Gras, Northwest Territories

Whiteouts, Ice Roads, and Wolverines: What Working at a Diamond Mine in the Far North Is Like

In minus forty, even a twisted ankle can turn deadly if no one knows where to find you

BY JEREMY THOMAS GILMER

Makeup and Money

A TikTok breaking down Daphné B's story on the persuasive pull of beauty influencers

BY GISELLE D'ANNA

Today’s Quiz Question

Millennials are the world’s new caregivers, but the role comes with challenges including unstable jobs, stagnant wages, and caring for both children and elderly parents. Despite this, public health expert Rachael Piltch-Loeb says millennials bring a big asset to caregiving. What is it?

Yes, I Know the Answer

When animals thrive, we all do. Join us at The Walrus Talks: The Power of Animals for an insightful evening exploring the ethical, environmental, and scientific impacts of animal welfare in Canada and worldwide.

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with innovative thinkers and connect with a community that cares about creating a more compassionate world for all living beings.

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Science Communication and Crisis Leadership

Global crises don’t just test systems—they expose weaknesses in how we communicate. In this episode, Dr. Prativa Baral, global health expert, explores why clear, trustworthy science communication is as essential as accurate data. Drawing from her work with the WHO, World Bank, and UN, she unpacks the high cost of misinformation and what it takes to build public trust during times of crisis.

Listen Now

THE WALRUS THANKS ALL OUR ADVERTISERS. BECOME ONE.

As the executive director, I am frequently asked this question. These days, I reply: “The Walrus was made for this moment.” From on-again, off-again trade news and negotiations to a new prime minister, we are committed to Canada’s conversations. As a non-profit newsroom, this work isn’t possible without our readers’ support. If you believe in Canada’s stories, support our paywall-free journalism with a donation today.

And to give you a full picture, I’m pleased to share The Walrus’s highlights of 2024 with you, a reader of Canadian journalism. At this point, 2024 might feel far in the rearview mirror, but it continues to shape The Walrus today.

Our team is small, but our commitment is big; just like our country. Every story we publish is the result of writers, artists, and editors going the extra mile (well, kilometres) to bring Canada closer together through compelling, fact-checked, and regionally grounded reporting.

Thank you for your support.

Jennifer Hollett
Executive Director
The Walrus

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