Atlantic Canadians are stepping up to help those in Florida following Hurricane Helen, a major storm that haemorrhaged the state, and ahead of Hurricane Milton, which is poised to hit the sunshine state on Thursday.
Several electrical crews from Nova Scotia Power embarked on the drive south, starting through Maine down to Florida to join around 20 other crews from other states commuting from California to Minnesota to Tampa after “receiving the call only 24 hours ago.”
“Nova Scotians are no strangers to the devastating impacts of these kinds of weather events. We are so proud of our colleagues who stand ready to help our American neighbours. Stay safe out there,” the company wrote, as the province has dealt with seven hurricanes since 2020.
The company is sending 35 electricians ahead of the hurricane to wait out the storm at the Georgia border, so that they can fix power lines, restoring people’s electricity after the damage is done.
Nova Scotia Power senior director of energy delivery Matt Drover told CBC News that the call came to the company directly from other electrical companies in the state.
“Our crews will really be focused on taking direction from the power companies, where to go, who to help out, and how to get power back on as quickly as we can,” he said.
“They will be very focused on removing trees, repairing power poles, power lines and things that have been damaged by those hurricane force winds. They’ll be directed where to go and make those repairs.
Additionally, Florida has received 5,000 from the U.S. National Guard and another 50,000 linemen from across the continent. This comes on the heels of the sunshine state sending many to help those in need after Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina.
“If you’re in the path of this storm you’re most likely going to lose power,” warned Florida Governor Ron DeSantis during a press conference on Wednesday.
Hurricane Milton is currently a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of up to 210 kilometres per hour which is poised to hit from Sarasota to Tampa Bay on Thursday along Florida’s west coast.
Tampa was already forced to endure massive flooding as a result of Hurricane Helene two weeks ago, now Milton could potentially be the strongest storm to hit the city in the last 100 years.
“Safety is the number one importance,” said Drover. “Once winds are below 80 km/h they can put their buckets up and begin to make repairs. They’ll be removing trees and navigating around flooding.”
The United Conservative Caucus of Alberta has officially reinstated Jennifer Johnson, following a recent controversy involving a heated exchange with a transgender activist.
The party’s announcement came Wednesday afternoon, and the UCP posted a video statement by Johnson on X announcing her return.
The 2023 election result for the Alberta MLA’s riding of Lacombe—Ponoka saw her garner 67.57% of the vote, followed by Dave Dale, the runner-up NDP MLA, who received 23.56% of the vote.
“Today, I want to take a moment to address a serious matter. Prior to being elected, I used an inappropriate analogy while discussing education policy surrounding trans youth, and for that, I sincerely apologize,” said Johnson. “I want all children working through gender identity issues to know that you are cared for, valued and respected.”
She had used an analogy which legacy media outlets claimed was a comparison of feces with transgender students.
Here is the audio that proves MLA Jennifer was not referring to trans kids as poop:https://t.co/rmVnXAfPZC
Transcript:
"And I don't know what you would think of the education system we have now, bad or good? It's actually amongst the top 3% in the world. It's actually ranked…
Johnson recently attended a meeting with the Lacombe Pride Society, Ponoka Pride Society, Central Alberta Pride Society, and others where one activist attempted to force her to say biological men can be women.
A picture tells a thousand words, and Rowling said, “Honestly, you don’t even need to turn up the sound.”
At the outset of the meeting, Victoria Bucholtz from Queer Citizens United and Queer Momentum asked Johnson, “Will you state on the record right now that trans women are women?”
Johnson didn’t answer. Instead, she asked for more time to think about the question.
Bucholtz did not accept that response. She said the two cannot disagree on the question and still have a discussion.
“I can still care about you even if we disagree,” said Johnson.
However, Johnson didn’t get much time to speak, as the nearly three-minute interaction featured Bucholtz speaking for the majority of the time.
Despite various local pride societies releasing a joint statement slandering Johnson, she did not bend the knee.
Johnson’s return to caucus follows Conservatives from across the province pleading with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to reinstate her.
In Wednesday’s press release, the party said that Johnson’s reinstatement follows an internal caucus vote.
“Over the past 17 months, MLA Johnson has done a very good job as a local MLA. After having a very thoughtful discussion with our caucus team, our MLAs voted to acknowledge her hard work, recognize her efforts, and welcome her into the government caucus,” Chief Government Whip Shane Getson said.
Johnson had been sitting as an Independent since her removal from the party, but her status as a United Conservative MLA is in effect immediately.
The ongoing investigation into the Jasper wildfire is set to intensify, with the Conservatives proposing a motion to extend the study by four additional meetings.
Plus, Lululemon founder Chip Wilson’s home was vandalized over his anti-BC NDP “communist” sign.
And a Canadian university wants to fill 75% of its new medical school with race and sexual orientation of candidates in mind.
Tune into The Daily Brief with Lindsay Shepherd and Isaac Lamoureux!
Two brothers United States authorities had convicted for skirting sanctions on Iran by exporting restricted materials back to their home country managed to legally resettle in Canada after their sentencing with new identities.
According to documents obtained by Global News, Iranian brothers Amin and Arash Yousefijam were sentenced for using shell companies to illegally export sensitive manufacturing equipment back to their home country of Iran, while living in Michigan in 2021.
Beginning in 2015, the two brothers and a third conspirator in Iran operated a shell company, Austin General Trading, to conduct what is known as a “cross-stuffing” scheme.
They would purchase and export restricted materials from U.S. manufacturers, hiding that Iran was the real destination of the exports and using banks located in foreign countries.
The contents would first be transported to the United Arab Emirates where they would be moved from their original containers and then illicitly re-shipped to Iran, a ploy referred to as transshipping.
Following their conviction, they returned to Ontario where they had lived previously. Upon arriving, the two applied to have their names changed to Ameen and Aurash Cohen.
A request that was ultimately granted by the Ontario government in April 2022.
According to government records, during the time of their application, both were still serving out the remainder of their sentences, which included a supervised period of one year following their release as well as a form of parole.
Using his new name of Aurash Cohen, Arash Yousefijam became a registered dentist and began working in Ottawa, while his brother Amin gained employment as a compliance officer for an international company in Richmond Hill, Ont.
Amin’s name change certificate was issued by the province despite not being a Canadian citizen and at a time when the Canada Border Services Agency was in the process of deporting.
The two would buy a house in Richmond Hill later that year.
Ontario law requires applicants seeking to change their names to provide details of past criminal convictions and are not permitted to receive new identities for an “improper purpose.”
The CBSA tracked Amin despite his new identity and sent his case to the Immigration and Refugee Board for a deportation order. His hearing will begin at the end of the month.
Arash is a naturalized Canadian citizen, meaning he cannot be deported, he told Global News that the reason the pair changed their identities was to “start a new life.”
“It’s just some legal issues that I had and they got resolved and I’m back,” he said. “As far as I’m concerned, I’m a Canadian citizen, I paid my dues, I just got time served, I returned to Canada.”
He went on to say that he saw his brother Amin’s deportation case as unfair, claiming that “it is definitely not fair because I’m not having any consequences but he is.”
However, the CBSA called Amin’s identity change an attempt to undermine Canada’s efforts to protect the citizens from threats posed by the Iranian regime, alleging that as someone with an MBA in banking, he poses “an increased security threat towards Canada in regards to terrorism and attack by nuclear weapons,”wrote the agency in its report.
He had already worked for several banks, including RBC, and has said that he hoped to become a vice-president in the banking industry.
“Mr. Yousefijam’s activities directly compromised the efforts of the Canadian government with respect to its foreign policy goals vis-a-vis Iran,” the CBSA report continued.
Immigration authorities are presently trying to deport over a dozen alleged senior members of the Iranian regime who’ve recently been caught living in Canada.
Referring to Amin, the CBSA said that he “actively participated in a conspiracy utilizing a clandestine procurement and shipping network, whose purpose was to circumvent U.S. sanctions to the benefit of Iran.”
“The purpose of these sanctions is based on national security goals, including being a response to state-sponsored terrorism and human rights abuses, and most notably, to restrict the ability of Iran to develop nuclear weapons,” noted the agency.
Jewish community members and groups are asking for an apology from the Mayor of Toronto after she was noticeably absent at a community-led vigil to honour the victims of the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel.
In an interview on Wednesday’s radio show on NewsTalk1010, Chow said she “really regrets” not “being able” to be at the vigil, claiming her office did not receive an invitation.
An online petition with nearly 2000 signatures calls for Chow’s immediate resignation. Several voices online are also calling for Chow’s staff who may be responsible for the mayor not receiving the invitation, to be held accountable as well.
John Moore, the host of NewsTalk1010, said that she should have reached out even if Chow hadn’t received the invitation, knowing what an important day of mourning Oct. 7 was for the Jewish community.
“I wanted to mourn with the Jewish community of the tragic loss of lives and the horrific things that Hamas did,” Chow said. “My office said, and they even went to the IT staff (searching) in the inbox. They didn’t find (the invitation to the event), etc. I was wondering whether it got spammed, and anyway, it doesn’t matter. You’re absolutely right. I should have been there.”
Chow also released a statement before a city council meeting Wednesday, where she acknowledged the pain of Jewish citizens of Toronto but was absent of any apology for not attending the vigil.
“I want to acknowledge the deep pain and anguish in our city. Monday was a difficult day for so many people. It was the grim anniversary of the October 7 attack by Hamas in Israel, which claimed the lives of 1200 people and the abduction of over 200, many of whom are still held hostage,” Chow said. “For Toronto’s Jewish community, it was a deeply painful day for many with friends, family or other connections to Israel.”
She then spoke about how “for many others” Oct. 7 marks the start of a broader war in the Middle East, though didn’t express why.
“The day also signifies the start of a war that has shaken the entire region, the war in Gaza, which has caused tens of thousands of Palestinian lives, and now the bombing of Lebanon,” she said. “There is deep pain and anguish in Toronto’s Muslim Palestinian and Lebanese communities.”
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs has asked for an apology, saying that Chow’s excuses for missing the event are not acceptable as she was contacted multiple times in advance.
“Mayor Olivia Chow seems to find all the words except the right ones to explain away her decision not to attend the Oct. 7 commemoration in Toronto,” Michelle Stock, the Vice President for CIJA Ontario, said in a statement. “Her interview today on NewsTalk1010 and her statement before today’s council meeting were embarrassing exercises in avoiding accountability for her and her staff, who disappointed thousands and thousands of members of Toronto’s Jewish community.”
Stock said CIJA gave Chow the “benefit of the doubt” about missing three separate invitations and being asked personally about her attendance but that her comments on the radio show indicate that more was involved than her not receiving an invitation.
“I got caught up in the long discussion on bike lanes over Kingsway area where emotions were very high and the meeting went quite long and by the time I was done, I was exhausted,” Chow said on the radio. “I didn’t even know precisely what time the event was.”Stock claims the statements indicate that Chow knew there was a commemoration scheduled.
“As exhausting as discussing bike lanes may be for the Mayor, we assure her the Jewish community is more exhausted,” Stock said. “Over the last year, Toronto’s Jewish community has had to justify their right to exist as Jews, feeling unsafe as constituents in the city Mayor Chow is purported to lead. Although she claims she wants her city to be safe and inclusive for everyone, her persistent inaction says otherwise.”
Chow also said that she was celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, but CIJA, on behalf of the Jewish community, noted that it’s not equivalent to honouring the victims of the largest attack on Jews since the Holocaust.
According to Toronto police, days before Oct. 7, 2024, there has been a rise in hate crimes committed since Oct. 7, 2023, with the Jewish community facing a 70% increase from the same period a year before the deadly attack.
“It is unacceptable. ‘Sorry’ should not be the hardest word for her to say. We’re demanding an apology, and if she is truthful about her regret, we hope she will agree to meet with CIJA without delay to discuss ways she can protect our community from the hate we’re facing today, as we have been over the last year.”
Chow did not respond to True North’s requests to comment before the deadline provided.
A Canadian university wants to fill 75% of its new medical school with race and sexual orientation of candidates in mind – barring people from non “equity-deserving” groups from accessing a majority of the admission offers.
On social media, some have accused the Toronto Metropolitan University’s application policy for entry into its medical program of openly discriminating against people based on identifiable differences such as race and sexual orientation.
TMU’s selection process for the 2025 intake of its medical program states that 75% of the 94 seats the program offers are expected to be taken from either the school’s Indigenous, Black or other “equity-deserving” admissions pathways.
“Our admissions pathways are designed to account for systemic bias in applicant review processes and eliminate barriers to success for these groups in the medical school admissions process,” Dr. Dominick Shelton, interim assistant dean of recruitment and admissions, said on the school website. “We are also committed to ensuring that the pathways provide an inclusive and supportive process for applicants from these groups.”
The standard for undergraduate programs is that applicants must have a minimum Grade Point Average of 3.3 to be considered for admission, and this is still the case for students applying in the general admissions stream.
For applicants applying through the new admissions pathways, however, those who are Indigenous, Black or from “equity-deserving” groups may not need to meet the same standard of success as those in the general admissions stream.
“In exceptional circumstances, applicants in the three admissions pathways (Indigenous, Black, and Equity-Deserving) with a GPA below the minimum requirement of 3.3 may have their application considered for admission by the relevant pathway subcommittee,” it said.
Under each of the diversity, equity and inclusion pathways to the program, applicants are required to write a 500- 1000-word essay about their identity as members of the desired groups.
The school encourages applicants who haven’t met the 3.3 GPA minimum academic standard to indicate their barriers due to their Indigenous, Black, or “equity-deserving” identity, resulting in poor academic performance.
Students in the new application streams have to provide documents, such as proof of refugee status or medical notes, attestation from community members they identify with, or just a written acknowledgement that they identify if documentation is not appropriate.
The school states that it has a right to revoke admissions if someone is found to have committed fraud in their application.
The school provides examples of equity-deserving groups but leaves the application open for those who believe in an equity-deserving group that’s not mentioned.
“Racialized people, racialized immigrants and children of racialized immigrants,” people with disabilities, neurodivergence or those living with chronic health conditions, people who identify as part of the “2SLGBTQ+ community or gender or sexual minority,” and more are included in as examples of equity-deserving groups.
Others included students from“non-traditional educational pathways” as well as individuals with “lived experiences” of poverty or low socioeconomic status or experienced “socio-cultural barriers such as being on the child welfare system or having “precarious housing.”
“It’s disheartening to see that people will miss out on opportunities because of a racist and discriminatory process,” a paramedic who alerted True North to the policy said. “How can the public trust their medical professionals are adequately trained if they are selected based on their ethnicity?”
The paramedic told True North that they wished to remain anonymous due to fear of reprisal in their professional life.
A further look at the course learning outcomes for the medical program shows a heavy focus on DEI idealogy in the first “phase” of the four-year undergraduate program.
“Students will acquire and apply knowledge, skills and abilities in the basic sciences and in clinical, social and health systems science,” it said. “Students will also deepen their understanding of anti-racism, equity and bias, as well as the systemic inequities driving health and healthcare disparities.”
True North requested comment from both TMU and the Ontario Minister for Colleges and Universities, Nolan Quinn.
Premier Doug Ford said he was “thrilled” that TMU School of Medicine officially became accredited at the end of September.
“This final hurdle paves the way for the first new medical school in the GTA in over 175 years, with new doctors set to graduate by spring 2026 to help connect more people to care in Ontario,” he said.
Well-known podcaster and psychologist Jordan Peterson said that discrimination based on race and sexual orientation will only lead to more division.
“Mr Ford, if this isn’t illegal, the laws against discrimination in Canada have become worthless. This will destroy the professions and foster racial hatred as that is its aim,” he said. “Stop it now. Return to merit.”
Source: Justin Trudeau – Prime Minister of Canada: YouTube
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was censored in the House of Commons and prohibited from speaking for an entire day because he accused Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly and her government of “pandering to Hamas” since the October 7th terrorist attack, which saw 1,200 civilians killed.
House Speaker Greg Fergus ruled the accusation unparliamentary.
In truth, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has repeatedly sided with Hamas and echoed pro-Palestinian talking points, advancing policy that plays into the hands of the terrorist organization.
These are all of the times Trudeau has appeased Hamas and its supporters:
Senior Hamas leader thanks Canada for ceasefire support (October)
Senior Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad publicly thanked the Trudeau government for its stance on the ceasefire. Hamad expressed appreciation for Canada, Australia and New Zealand for their support in pushing for a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza.
He praised the “positive stance” of these countries, viewing it as part of a global effort to isolate Israel and end its occupation.
Trudeau accuses Israel of targeting civilians (November)
After Israel launched a military response to Hamas’ brutal October 7 terror attacks, Trudeau publicly criticized the Israeli government, accusing Israel of “targeting civilians” and urging “maximum restraint” in Gaza.
This drew sharp condemnation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who accused Hamas of committing “double war crimes” by using civilians as human shields. Trudeau’s critique was seen by many as an effort to appease pro-Palestinian activists in Canada while undermining Israel.
Canada’s vote for a Gaza ceasefire (December)
In a significant shift away from Canada’s traditional pro-Israel stance, the Trudeau government was one of the few countries that supported a United Nations resolution calling for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” between Israel and Hamas.
This move, supported by 153 countries, marked a stark contrast to Canada’s previous alignment with Israel at the UN. Critics argued that this vote played into Hamas’ hands, as it sought to shield the group from the consequences of their October 7 attacks on Israeli civilians.
Global Affairs Minister meets a terrorism sympathizer (March)
Global Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly stirred outrage when she met with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas, known for his Holocaust denial and financial support for terrorists. Even more controversial was the fact that Jewish Liberal MP Ya’ara Saks was photographed holding hands with Abbas. In their social media post, the Liberals did not mention Abbas’ support for Hamas and the “martyr’s fund,” which goes towards terrorists.
Liberal support for radical NDP motion on Palestine (March)
In another move seen as catering to Hamas sympathizers, Trudeau’s Liberals supported an NDP motion that pushed Canada toward recognizing a Palestinian state.
Though the wording was softened at the last minute, the motion still aligned Canada more closely with groups and nations that have been historically hostile to Israel.
Trudeau’s government, in lockstep with the NDP and Bloc Quebecois, once again distanced itself from Canada’s traditionally pro-Israel foreign policy.
Today on Rachel and the Republic with Rachel Parker, Rachel is joined by True North columnist Sue-Ann Levy to discuss a resurgence in Trump Derangement Syndrome.
Rachel speculates that the loonies are out in full because the Republicans are picking up steam while Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris falters.
The two also discuss the impact of Donald Trump returning to Butler, PA with Elon Musk.
The ongoing investigation into the Jasper wildfire is set to intensify, with the Conservatives proposing a motion to extend the study by four additional meetings.
Conservatives set forward a motion that calls for additional testimony from forest management experts, stakeholders, Indigenous communities, and impacted individuals during the four additional meetings.
“Over the last two weeks, an alarming amount of evidence has been released at the environment committee that shows Minister Guilbeault was negligent in protecting Jasper, wrote Conservative MP Dan Mazier in a post to X, where he shared the motion.
The investigation so far has uncovered several issues, said Mazier.
Guilbeault’s senior officials were found discussing the cancellation of prescribed burns for “political” purposes months before the fire, which caused nearly $1 billion in damage and destroyed a third of the town, resulting in over 360 square kilometres of burned or partially burned area and 358 destroyed structures.
“We encountered numerous examples of Parks Canada Fire management actively obstructing our activities.”
President of Arctic Fire Safety Services, Kris Liivam, accuses Parks Canada of mismanaging the Jasper wildfire by obstructing private fire crews and failing to coordinate… pic.twitter.com/5fZFy1nbVs
Mazier also said the investigation revealed that the top officials at Parks Canada could not say how many hectares of dead pine remain in Jasper.
True North previously reported that a Jasper official said Parks Canada’s fire prevention staff was so confident in their firefighting abilities that they intentionally allowed dead wood to collect inside of the national park.
Peter Scholz, who was hired by Parks Canada in 2008, estimated that by last summer, close to 40% of Jasper National Park trees were standing deadwood killed by pine beetle infestation.
Former Conservative MP and current Mayor of Yellowhead County, Jim Eglinski, testified in the House of Commons in 2017, warning about the pine beetle infestation.
“Residents are concerned for their own safety and that of the visitors and the security of their homes. With a high risk of wildfire fueled by a forest devastated by the pine beetle, have the liberals put a plan in place to protect this park?” he asked.
“We were deflated. We built up our mission. We could have done more to help.”
President of Arctic Fire Safety Services, Kris Liivam, says Parks Canada barred his team from engaging the Jasper wildfire. pic.twitter.com/9BBDzBTdYW
Another thing revealed by the investigation was that Parks Canada turned away firefighters who arrived on the scene.
Fifty firefighters and 20 firetrucks were turned away by Guilbeault’s office when they arrived in Jasper to help fight the fire, revealed Conservative MP Blaine Calkins.
President of Artic Fire Safety Services Kristopher Liivam testified that they were deemed “non-essential” and were ordered to leave by Parks Canada.
He also revealed that Parks Canada ordered hydrants for Jasper with different threading than those used in other Alberta and British Columbia municipalities, which meant that only seven compatible adapters were available.
At one point, Liivam said his crew was forced to watch structures burn because they could not connect to the nearby hydrant due to its incompatible threading.
The statement provided by Liivam “should warrant a deeper investigation into this agency’s fire mismanagement and overall role as guardians of Canada’s most important and cultural assets,” he said.
At one point, the committee chair stopped Liivam from testifying, arguing that the interpreters could not interpret him. However, various people testified in French directly after and had no issues with interpretation.
Alberta’s Minister of Forestry and Parks, Todd Loewen, testified that Alberta increased the firefighting budget by 55%, from $101.4 to $155.4 million. The province also increased its contingency amount from $1.5 to $2 billion, a 33% increase.
Alberta’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services, Mike Ellis, said the province tried to help fight the fire by being included in the unified command.
President of Arctic Fire Safety Services, Kris Liivam, explains that despite his crew being qualified firefighters and having made prior arrangements to assist at the Jasper fire, they were unexpectedly turned away without explanation. pic.twitter.com/3vq1i3TfEC
He said that the Liberals’ Minister of Emergency Preparedness, Harjit Sajjan, was not opposed to Alberta being in the unified command and a decision-making position. However, Minister Guilbeault was.
Guilbeault and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have a long history of not getting along.
“Canadians are demanding answers,” said Mazier when sharing his motion to X. “We won’t stop until we get them.” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Wednesday that Randy Boissonnault will serve as Ministerial Lead for Jasper despite Boissonnault facing a separate ethics probe at the committee level.
BC Conservative leader John Rustad pledged he would direct the provincial government to demand that Ottawa deports non-citizens who glorify and support terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
Plus, representatives from downtown business associations across Canada are calling on the federal government to reform bail laws due to criminal activities by repeat offenders making it difficult for businesses to thrive.
And the Canadian Taxpayers Federation announced on Friday that it is joining the fight against Newfoundland and Labrador’s legal bid to increase federal equalization payments.
Tune into The Daily Brief with Cosmin Dzsurdzsa and Clayton DeMaine!
