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Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Trudeau’s doomed UN Security Council bid cost taxpayers over $8.6 million

By
True North Wire
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s failed pet project to get Canada a seat at the United Nations Security Council cost taxpayers over $8.6 million. 

According to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF), Trudeau’s doomed campaign had a final bill of $8,664,524. 

Records show that a majority of the funds went towards paying the salaries of the bureaucrats tasked with handling the campaign. In total, $6,218,498 went towards salaries while an additional $2,446,026 went towards “operational expenses.” 

Despite the millions Trudeau dedicated to acquiring a seat, Canada came in third place behind Ireland and Norway.

“Wasting millions of dollars for a seat on the UN’s security council would be bad enough, but spending over $8.6 million to finish in third shows that this campaign was a big swing and a miss for taxpayers,” said CTF Federal Director Franco Terrazzano.

“The amount the government spent on each vote is more than many Canadians earn each year.”

When broken down based on the 108 votes acquired during the campaign, Canada spent over $80,227 per vote. 

True North reached out to the office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for comment but did not hear back in time for publication of this report. 

As the CTF notes, a full breakdown of the costs has yet to be released by the federal government. 

Prior revelations show expenses like paying $24,000 to purchase Canada-themed candies and $140,000 on a trip for Trudeau which was cancelled.

“We already know the government spent more than $1,000 on cookies and key chains during the failed campaign,” said Terrazzano. 

“Taxpayers are eagerly waiting to see what else the government thought would be a good idea to spend our money on in its efforts to impress UN bureaucrats.”

As revealed by True North, the Canadian mainstream media gave Trudeau a pass for his failed bid while a similar effort by former prime minister Stephen Harper was lambasted and ridiculed by outlets like the Globe and Mail and the CBC. 

Liberal MPs filibuster committees to run out parliamentary clock before summer recess

By
True North Wire
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Liberal MPs are filibustering committee meetings to avoid answering questions on their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other matters prior to the end of the parliamentary session. 

According to the Globe and Mail, several committees have been delayed by Liberal committee members including the health committee and the defence committee.

One request by opposition members for documents relating to the government’s handling of the pandemic only produced 8,400 items despite claims by the federal government that over a million relevant documents were flagged for the request. 

“Where are the other 992,000?” asked New Democrat MP Don Davies.

During a recent health committee meeting, Liberal MPs filibustered a proposed schedule for the remaining seven meetings before the parliamentary session is over. 

Additionally, during a defence committee meeting, Liberal MPs pushed to block a chief aide to Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan from testifying. Similarly, a motion by the opposition to produce a report by June 9 was also delayed by the Liberals. 

Opposition MPs have accused Sajjan of covering up allegations made against retired Gen. Jonathan Vance after he refused to see evidence regarding the matter when first informed about the issue in 2018. 

The delay-tactics are in line with a trend by the Liberals to use the parliamentary process as a way to avoid accountability.

At the height of the WE Charity controversy, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau abruptly prorogued parliament effectively ending a committee investigation into the Liberal government’s handling of the $900 million federal student service grant. 

A procedure and house affairs committee meeting was also filibustered by Liberal committee members after opposition MPs asked for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to testify on why he prorogued parliament ahead of the 2019 election. 

At the time, Trudeau insisted that his decision to prorogue  was the “opposite” of what the Harper government did. 

While in opposition, Trudeau criticized former prime minister Stephen Harper, going so far as promising that future prime ministers would have to explain why they decided to prorogue. 

Canadians to pay more for Netflix beginning in July due to new Liberal tax

By
True North Wire
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As a result of Liberal plans to tax tech giants like Netflix, Canadians will be forced to pay more for their subscription services.

In a message sent to its Canadian subscribers, Netflix announced that federal GST/HST will apply to their bills beginning on July 1, 2021. 

“We hope you are enjoying your Netflix membership. Due to a recent change in Canada’s tax law, the Federal GST/HST will start to apply to your Netflix membership cost. The applicable GST/HST rate varies by province. You will see this on your next bill on or after July 1, 2021,” a company statement reads. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland unveiled the new tax scheme last year with the Fall 2020 Economic Statement. 

During the 2015 federal election and well into his first term, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed that his government would not be introducing a Netflix tax. 

“Mr. Speaker, the NDP is proposing to raise taxes on the middle class, which is something we promised we would not do and have not done. We explicitly promised in the 2015 election campaign that we would not be raising taxes on Netflix,” Trudeau told the House of Commons on February 5, 2021. 

“People may remember Stephen Harper’s attack ads on that. They were false. We actually moved forward in demonstrating that we were not going to raise taxes on consumers, who pay enough for their Internet at home.”

Despite his earlier claims, the Trudeau government’s push for a Netflix tax has made it more expensive for Canadian consumers to stream TV shows and movies. 

Prior to the tax change, Canadians were already paying more for the streaming service than their American counterparts by at least one dollar. 

Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill to be replaced with “carbon-neutral” alternative

By
True North Wire
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After decades of operation, the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill will be replaced with a flame that runs on “carbon-neutral” gas.

First reported by Blacklock’s Reporter, the Department of Public Works recently disclosed that the natural gas fixture of the Centennial Flame will be replaced by one that runs on bio-methane. The change is currently underway.

The department says the flame produces 38 tonnes of carbon emissions per year. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average car produces 4.6 tonnes.

Despite the Trudeau government’s green agenda and implementation of a carbon tax, Canada’s emissions have increased every year since the Paris Agreement in 2016.

In 2019, Canada produced 730 megatonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, an increase of one megatonne over 2018.

Globally, Canada accounts for roughly 1.5% of global carbon emissions. In comparison, China’s pollution surpasses the combined emissions of the developed world — 27% of all carbon emissions. 

The Centennial Flame has operated near-continuously since 1966 using natural gas. Every year, several thousand dollars are collected from coins thrown into the fountain below the flame and donated to charity.

The Department of Public Works says the fountain and bronze crests of the provinces and territories around it will not be altered, with only the natural gas fixture being replaced.

“The amount of natural gas used to keep the flame burning on average in the last five years was 105,364 cubic metres annually at a rate of 23¢ per cubic metre,” staff wrote.

“The amount of natural gas consumed annually, and the associated emissions, fluctuate from year to year.” 

The Centennial Flame was first lit on December 31, 1966 to begin celebrations of the hundredth anniversary of Confederation.

“The flame should become the symbol of our first centennial year and should not be extinguished,” Then-prime minister Lester B. Pearson said at the lighting ceremony.

“Let the world know this is Canada’s year in history.”

Catholic school board trustees quit over decision to fly pride flags

By
True North Wire
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Two trustees with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WRCDSB) left their positions over what one calls the board’s domination by a “newly created religion of Wokeism.” 

According to school board chair Melanie Van Alphen, trustee Kevin Dupuis handed in his resignation on Saturday. 

Dupuis told the Waterloo Region Record that he had some concerns regarding the recent decision by the board to fly a rainbow flag at its schools for pride month in June. 

“The Pride flag is a part of what I feel is happening in our society where we are creating identity politics that makes victims out of absolutely everyone,” said Dupuis.

According to Dupuis, he also has concerns about the notion of “white privilege.” 

“It scares me when we are teaching our children to be ashamed of their skin colour,” said Dupuis. 

“This is a form of racism in itself … I don’t see how exchanging one form of racism for another benefits anyone.”

Dupuis also stated that the result of identity politics in the school creates division instead of unity. 

“If this board wishes to continue down this newly created religion of Wokeism, I will be resigning because I don’t want to have to defend the path that the board has decided to take,” wrote Dupuis in a statement on the matter. 

“Identity politics divides our youth into various subcategories of race, ethnicity, religion and gender when we should be uniting everyone as equals and as children of God. We need to provide an environment where everyone feels welcome and not divided by our differences.”

After a push by activists earlier this year, a number of school boards including the WRCDSB voted to raise pride flags for the first time. 

Similarly, according to the Cambridge Times councillor Greg Retizel also handed in his resignation with the board on Monday.

“I applaud the sentiment behind flying the flag, I understand a genuine want to bring healing to one of the many marginalized communities in our midst; however, I believe this attempt is misguided,” said Retizel. 

“If we are to fly a flag to let people know that all are welcome and respected here I would suggest that we have flags made up with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and devote the month of June to the Sacred Heart.” 

Kenney warns against cancelling Sir John A. Macdonald

By
True North Wire
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Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says it’s wrong to cancel and erase the legacy of historical figures like Sir John A. Macdonald.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Kenney warned against attacking historic figures for positions inconsistent with today’s standards.

“I think Canada is worth celebrating. I think Canada is a great historical achievement. It is a country that people all around the world seek to join as new Canadians. It is an imperfect country but it is still a great country, just as John Macdonald was an imperfect man, but was still a great leader,” he said.

“So if we go full-force into cancel culture, then we’re cancelling most if not all of our history. Instead, I think we should learn from our history. We should learn from our achievements but also our failures.”

A wave of anger has been directed at several historical figures after investigators say 215 human remains are buried at the grounds at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.

The results are preliminary and the company conducting the investigation plans to release a report this month.

The question to Kenney was prompted by the Calgary Board of Education decision on Tuesday to rename Langevin High School. Hector-Louis Langevin, a Father of Confederation and cabinet minister, is considered one of the architects of the residential school system.

On Monday evening, Charlottetown, PEI’s City Council voted to remove its statue of Sir John A. Macdonald, just weeks after voting to keep it where it was.

Kenney says that no figure in Canadian history is perfect, noting that other great figures in Canadian history such as Tommy Douglas and members of the Famous Five advocated for eugenics and are not being attacked.

Kenney went on to say that trying to erase Canadian history would not serve the interestst of reconciliation, adding it would be better to recognize historical wrongs and address them.

“I really think it’s inappropriate to focus on one or two figures if we want to get into a debate about cancelling Canadian history. We need to understand that it means all of our history, and I think that kind of destructive spirit is not really the spirit of reconciliation,” he said. 

“The spirit of reconciliation is to learn from the wrongs of the past, to seek to remedy them, while knowing our history and moving forward together.”

“The greatness of Canada is that we have overcome those things.”

Air Canada executives received $10 million in bonuses despite federal bailout

By
True North Wire
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Source: Wikimedia

Air Canada executives and management were paid $10 million in bonuses along with share purchase options at a time when the company was negotiating a COVID-19 bailout package with the federal government. 

According to CTV News, executives were awarded the “COVID-19 Pandemic Mitigation Bonus” for their “exceptional performance during this unprecedented period.” 

The deal reached with Liberal government was called the “liquidity program” and it included $4 billion worth of loans from taxpayers. 

Additionally, the airline company received a $500 million investment from the government and an additional $1.4 billion loan for customer refunds. 

“This support comes with strict conditions to protect Canadian travellers, Canadians’ tax dollars and Air Canada’s workers,” said Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland when the bailout was first announced. 

Early on in the pandemic, Air Canada’s CEO and CFO agreed to forgo their salaries to weather the pandemic. 

“Despite this historically difficult year for Air Canada’s finances, our leaders helped the company and its shareholders weather the storm and keep the business in strong financial position while maintaining respect for our brand and what it represents for Canadians and global travelers. We believe we must retain and motivate our senior leaders to help Air Canada recover as quickly as possible, and you will see some compensation decisions to support those goals,” claimed a company document. 

As of last March, Air Canada has shed at least half of its work force and is operating at a loss of $3.8 billion.

In response to the revelations, Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole claimed that while his party does favour support for the tourism and travel industry, he believes that funding should go directly to the frontline workers. 

The New Book Burners

By
Andrew Lawton
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Halifax’s public library is standing firm in support of free speech as an activist group tries to get Abigail Shrier’s “Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters” removed from library shelves. True North’s Andrew Lawton says the library is making the right call, noting that woke activists aren’t used to anyone telling them ‘No’.

Also, lockdown double standards plus lawyer Lisa Bildy on the government’s ongoing prosecution of Aylmer’s Church of God.

Canada spent $624.2 billion on COVID-19 pandemic: report

By
True North Wire
-

A new report reveals that Canada spent more on the COVID-19 pandemic than it had during the entirety of World War II. 

Estimates show that between March 2020 and April 2021, Canada spent $624.2 billion on pandemic initiatives. 

When broken down, Canada spent an average of $1.5 billion a day for the entire year. 

The study was conducted by the Toronto Star in association with economists from the University of Toronto, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the Macdonald-Laurier Institute (MLI). 

Canada’s spending surpassed World War II levels by December 2020. When taking into account inflation, the Second World War cost the country $252 billion at the time. 

In 2021, the Trudeau government has already surpassed its 2019 commitment of $373.5 billion by 37%. According to estimates, $512.6 billion has already been dedicated towards pandemic programs in 2021. 

“That’s money that’s gone forever. You can boost your income the following year, but the income you lost in 2020, that’s gone. That’s money for households, money for businesses, money for governments to pave roads and invest in health care,” MLI senior fellow Philip Cross told the Toronto Star. 

“We’ve simply never seen anything like it. These are only the short-term costs. The cost of the pandemic, when all is said and done, will be much, much bigger.”

The study also found that in 2020, Canada’s economy took a 8.3% hit to its GDP totalling $2.31 trillion as of 2019. 

Critics of the Trudeau government have claimed that the Liberal’s spending habits have led to life becoming more expensive for ordinary Canadians. 

“Everything is getting more expensive under the current Liberal government. Inflation powered through the government’s target to a 10-year high. We now have proof: Lumber, houses and even food are increasingly expensive. Life is more expensive. That is a fact,” said Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole during Question Period on May 25, 2021.

Former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. calls out biased media coverage of Israel-Hamas conflict

By
Jonathan Bradley
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Canadian news outlets have been unfair towards Israel in their coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict, says former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren. 

Oren appeared as a special guest at a lecture organized by pro-Israel advocacy group Honest Reporting Canada called “The Media War Against Israel” on Sunday. 

The former ambassador said news outlets have been inaccurately using the term “disproportionate” when reporting on Israel’s response to the terrorist organization Hamas.

“Under international law, proportionate force is the force required to eliminate a threat,” said Oren. “And clearly with rockets still firing at the end of the war with Gaza, we have not eliminated the threat.” 

The 2021 Israel-Hamas conflict began when Hamas began firing rockets into Israel from the Gaza strip. Hamas ultimately launched more than 4,000 rockets, 90% of which were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome defense system. Israel conducted about 1,500 strikes on Hamas targets. The tensions subsided after 11 days with a May 21 ceasefire.

Israel has been criticized for launching strikes that have civilian casualties, but Oren said Hamas does not invest any money in civil defense and actually seeks to have Israel kill people in Gaza.

He noted that this strategy leads to the unintentional killing of people in Gaza by Israel, Hamas can turn into public outrage to justify its attacks on Israel.

According to the former ambassador, despite Israel’s attempts to move trucks with food, construction materials and medicine into Gaza, Hamas intentionally maintains a humanitarian disaster to garner positive news coverage by international outlets. 

The 2021 Israel-Palestine crisis has led to many Jewish people being victims of violence and hate crimes around the world, including in Canada. B’nai Brith Canada said the number of anti-Semitic assaults in May 2021 surpassed the total for all of 2020.  

During the lecture, Honest Reporting Canada chairman Jonas Prince said progressives have been using coded language to show their disdain to Israel. One example Prince references is the slogan “from the river to the sea: Palestine will be free,” which means to eliminate Israel. 

Prince said slogans such as these ones normalize anti-Semitism and as a result Jews are made to feel that they need to denounce their Zionism or face boycotting. 

“This kind of crime for being a Jew I don’t think we’ve seen since the ‘30s,” said Prince. 

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