Percy from Nicaragua will take your order

A new dystopian star is born

Apr 27, 2022

Many Freshii customers have already encountered “Percy” — a video-calling device attached to cash registers at some locations in Ontario. Behind the screens are workers thousands of kilometres away in Nicaragua, making $3.75 per hour.

thestar.comMeet Freshii’s new ‘virtual cashier’ — who works from Nicaragua for $3.75 an hourUnion leaders ‘disgusted’ as restaurant chain develops ‘labour optimization programs’ that outsource jobs to countries that pay less.

Ontario labour minister Monte McNaughton expressed despair about Freshii adding a cheap virtual cashier in at least three locations. But there are ramifications beyond outrage over the fact that the face of “Percy” is being paid $3.75 an hour to process food orders in Nicaragua. The call centre system was stealthily rolled out over the past six months.

Ryerson is leaving the buildings

Toronto Metropolitan University @RyersonU

President Lachemi explains why our new name represents our mission, community and values so well. #torontomet

The visual identity for Toronto Metropolitan University attempts some consistency with the name officially left behind eight months after a residential school reckoning spelled the end of honouring Egerton Ryerson. TMU president Mohamed Lachemi explained an Indigenous name was overruled for the sake of unity.

Freedom Convoy organizer is getting a George Jonas Freedom Award. Tamara Lich’s current bail conditions prevent her from attending the June 16 dinner organized by the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms. Meanwhile, the Rolling Thunder organizers claim their weekend plans for an Ottawa motorcycle ride will be a respectful affair.

A throttle threat from Facebook

Meta Canada telling Ottawa the company wasn’t consulted about the online news bill was refuted as a “false claim” by the heritage ministry. It follows Twitter telling the feds that its plans to combat online harms sound pretty authoritarian. In the case of Facebook, the company could block links from appearing:

Anja Karadeglija @AnjaKaradeglija

Facebook hasn’t ruled out blocking news on its platform in Canada over the Liberal government’s news revenue-sharing bill, a company executive told MPs Tuesday nationalpost.com/news/politics/… via @nationalpost #C18

nationalpost.comFacebook could block news in Canada over revenue-sharing bill, exec saysBill C-18 would force large online platforms to share revenue with Canadian news publishers

“Barstool’s Dave Portnoy blasts liberal blog that tried to get him banned from Toronto pizzerias.” So went the headline from Fox News in the wake of the war with over giving his visit a controversial clickbait context. But after BlogTO news editor Lauren O’Neil called Portnoy’s podcast to explain the website’s attention strategy, game recognized game.

Finally, a move out of Moscow

Housewife is the new handle for the Toronto music duo formerly known as Moscow Apartment. Brighid Fry and Pascale Padilla were in their early teens when they took the name, and their debut single, “Annie,” got some traction in a time before sanctions against Russia. They’re back to playing for crowds, a year after this show in lockdown: