Coun. Zeb King calls on officials to leave U.S. platforms like Facebook and Twitter for the Fediverse, promoting digital sovereignty and user privacy.

Time to Log Off: Canadian Leaders Pushed to Abandon U.S. Social Media

In a bold call for digital independence, Central Saanich councillor Zeb King is asking fellow Canadian leaders to walk the talk—by stepping away from American-owned social platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

Instead, King is championing a move toward the Fediverse—a decentralized, open-source network of social media alternatives built with user privacy and sovereignty in mind. And he’s not just talking about it. He’s already there.

Why This Matters Now

This push comes amid growing concerns about the Canadian government’s hesitancy on imposing a digital services tax on tech giants from the U.S.—a delay many see as a retreat from protecting national interests in the digital space.

“The lack of action on the digital services tax looks like a step back,” King said. “If we can’t make legislative changes, let’s make personal ones. Let’s leave these platforms. Let’s show leadership beyond words.”

Meet the Fediverse: Privacy-First Social Media

So, what is the Fediverse exactly?
It’s a constellation of interconnected platforms that let users engage without centralized control. Here’s how it breaks down:

• Mastodon – for microblogging (think Twitter)
• Pixelfed – for photo sharing (like Instagram)
• PeerTube – for video hosting (alternative to YouTube)
• Lemmy – for community discussions (similar to Reddit)

These platforms run on the ActivityPub protocol, allowing cross-platform interaction and full user control over data. No algorithms, no surveillance capitalism—just community and communication.

A Political Push for Real Change

King recently posted on Mastodon—his platform of choice since November 2022—to share news of a meeting with Saanich North and the Islands MLA, Rob Botterell.
The result? Encouraging.

“He was so gracious, so open. He said, ‘I’m sold. Let’s do this,’” King shared. “That’s the kind of leadership Canada needs.”

Building a Canadian Social Hub

To help more politicians make the leap, King enlisted help from Chris Alemany, who runs SocialBC.ca, a Mastodon server tailored for British Columbians.

Alemany’s goal? Giving Canadians a place online that’s built by and for them—free from foreign corporate control.

“The Fediverse is about digital sovereignty,” said Alemany. “It allows public officials to interact on a Canadian-hosted platform while staying globally connected.”

Although he admits the open structure can confuse new users, he’s confident the platform’s transparency and ethics will win out in time.

A Growing Movement

Even Green Party leader and MP Elizabeth May is taking notice.

“I think it’s absolutely right to try other platforms and move off U.S.-based social media—or better yet, off social media entirely,” she said, though she acknowledges the difficulty of starting over.
With a huge Twitter following, May says it’s hard to leave, but she’s committed to making the switch.

“These platforms are corrosive to democracy,” she said. “They steal our privacy and feed off our personal lives. It’s time to break free.”

Let’s Talk About It

King understands that technical terms like “ActivityPub” might sound like jargon to some. But for him, the message is simple: It’s not just about platforms—it’s about who controls the conversation.

“If we’re going to build a healthier digital ecosystem, we need to start talking—offline and online—about how and where we interact,” King said. “Let’s make social media work for Canadians.”

Final Thought: A Digital Future on Our Terms

As more Canadian leaders begin to explore decentralized platforms, the push toward digital sovereignty could reshape how governments communicate—and how citizens stay informed.

Whether you’re a policymaker or just tired of surveillance-driven feeds, the message is clear:
The Fediverse isn’t the future of social media—it’s already her

B.C.’s unemployment rate drops to 5.6% despite trade war woes. Youth jobs still lag, but the province’s economy shows surprising strength and resilience.

B.C. Jobless Rate Falls, Even As Trade Tensions Rise

A Surprising Upswing in the Labour Market

In an unexpected twist, British Columbia’s job market is proving remarkably resilient — even as the trade war between the U.S. and Canada heats up.

According to the latest Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada, released Friday (July 11), B.C.’s unemployment rate fell sharply in June to 5.6%, a notable 0.8 percentage point drop from May. Meanwhile, the employment rate edged up to 61.4%, showing that more British Columbians are actively participating in the workforce.

While job growth is one factor, demographic shifts like retirements are also shaping the statistics.

National Trends: Stability Amid Global Uncertainty

Canada’s national unemployment rate dipped slightly as well, settling at 6.9%, down by 0.1 percentage points. Interestingly, both Canada and the U.S. saw minimal impact from escalating tariffs, with each reporting a 0.1 percentage point decline in joblessness last month.

However, a broader look reveals Canada’s unemployment rate is now 0.3 points higher than a year ago, while the U.S. rate has remained flat. This divergence signals that although both economies are weathering the storm for now, long-term effects may yet unfold.

Government Reaction: Growth Meets Growing Pains

B.C.’s Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, Diana Gibson, credits the province’s economic backbone for holding steady. She sees the latest data as a testament to B.C.’s adaptability.

“When I first came into office, the economic outlook was sunny — rates were dropping, inflation was easing, and businesses were ready to grow,” she said. “But the tariffs changed the landscape quickly.”

Despite strong hiring, Gibson cautioned that looming threats — such as U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed 35% tariffs on Canadian goods — continue to cast a shadow. Just the threat of additional tariffs, she warned, can freeze business decisions and choke investment.

Youth Unemployment: A Persistent Challenge

Not all the news is bright. The job market still poses a challenge for youth aged 15 to 24, a demographic that has long struggled with higher unemployment.

Last month saw some improvement: youth unemployment fell from 16.6% to 13%, a sharp 3.6 percentage point drop. But Gibson stressed that 13% is still far too high.

“We want to see young people landing those essential first jobs — whether it’s a summer gig or a stepping stone into their careers,” she said.

Trade Within Canada: A Work in Progress

Beyond the border battle, another front remains open — within Canada itself. B.C. continues pushing to remove interprovincial trade barriers and diversify its trading partners.

Gibson, fresh from meetings in Quebec City with provincial counterparts, reported progress. While Prime Minister Mark Carney aimed for full interprovincial free trade by July 1 — a goal missed — steps have been taken.

B.C. has now dropped 2 of its 15 exceptions to the Canada Free Trade Agreement. These exceptions allow provinces to protect certain industries, and Gibson said some may still be necessary to safeguard local economic interests.

Looking Ahead: Resilience vs. Risk

For now, B.C.’s economy is bending without breaking. But with global tensions rising and tariff threats looming, the province walks a fine line.

As Gibson put it, “Uncertainty isn’t a friend to business.” Yet, B.C.’s latest labour numbers suggest that determination, adaptability, and a bit of grit may just be enough to weather the storm.