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Thursday, July 10, 2025

Anti-hate activist forced to apologize to Rebel News for false allegations

By
True North Wire
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A deputy director with the Canadian Anti-Hate Network (CAHN) issued a public apology for falsely claiming that Rebel News had incited the March 2019 Christchurch mass shooting. 

According to reports, CAHN’s Elizabeth Simons deleted a tweet alleging that the independent news outlet was an inspiration for the shooting and then issued a correction and apology for making the claim. 

“I’ve deleted a tweet that suggested the Christchurch terrorist was incited by Rebel News to commit violence. I did not have evidence to support that and apologize to Rebel News,” wrote Simons on Twitter. 

Simon’s account was only created in April 2021, the same month the apology was issued. The tweet also has the ability to reply disabled.  

“She falsely accused us of terrorism. It took months for her to confess that she made it all up,” tweeted Rebel News Commander Ezra Levant. 

“She’s a liar. Her apology is worthless.” 

Recently, the CAHN received over a quarter million dollars from the Trudeau government as part of its Anti-Racism Action Program. 

“This project will increase the organization’s capacity to counter online hate by hiring four team members to carry out the monitoring of extreme-right groups, report on their activities and file complaints with law enforcement; it will educate the public as to these groups and the damage they create, and will share information through its Facebook and Twitter followers,” wrote the CAHN grant description. 

The CAHN has been accused by critics of formenting a view that Canada is a hotbed of hate and far-right extremism. 

According to a letter presented to a House of Commons committee by the group, the organization described itself as “modelled after, and supported by, the esteemed Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) in the United States.”

Recently, the disgraced SPLC has had to deal with a number of scandals including being forced into a $3.3 million settlement after falsely labelling activist Maajid Nawaz and his organization as “anti-Muslim extremists.”

CAHN has also claimed in the past that around 300 hate groups exist in Canada, without being able to provide an example of a single one. The CAHN’s faulty claims have been further spread by NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and several other elected officials. 

Travel Restrictions Aren’t a Silver Bullet

By
Andrew Lawton
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The Trudeau government implemented travel restrictions weeks and months after they could help, continuing its pattern of making things up as it goes. Yet those calling for increased border restrictions, such as Ontario Premier Doug Ford and a number of columnists, are calling for solutions that could very easily trample on the rights of Canadian citizens. True North’s Andrew Lawton explains.

Watch the full episode here.

Trudeau government awarded Chinese firms $6 million in contracts in 2020

By
True North Wire
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Chinese firms received government contracts valued at $6 million last year according to information obtained by Blacklock’s Reporter.

In data tabled in the House of Commons, the government reveals the value of contracts awarded to Chinese firms stood at $5.8 million, with another $2.3 million going to direct foreign aid to China.

“The Liberal government’s business-as-usual approach to the People’s Republic of China should come to an end particularly with Canadians held hostage,” said Conservative MP John Williamson, who requested the data be tabled.

“Canadians should be aware of contracts from the Government of Canada handed to companies with links to mainland China.”

Canada-China relations have sharply declined since Canadian police arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on a U.S. warrant in 2019. China countered by arresting two Canadian citizens and banning certain Canadian products.

In the past year, China has also begun escalating tensions with Canadian allies like Australia and Taiwan.

“Beijing is proving it is a belligerent power toward other nations. It is wrong that our government won’t take stronger steps by working in concert with our allies, especially Australia, to defend our values and citizens,” added Williamson.

The Trudeau government has been criticized in the past for giving aid to China, a country with an economy worth over $13 trillion and has a military budget of $267 billion. In 2019, Canada gave China $41 million in aid.

Ambrose University reverses course after apologizing for black conservative speaker

By
True North Wire
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Ambrose University’s student union is reversing course after it accused a black Conservative speaker of causing “severe harm” to students after he gave a speech in February critical of anti-racism narratives. 

According to the National Post, the Calgary-based university’s student council rescinded an apology on Thursday for inviting the said speaker Samuel Sey.

Originally, the council claimed that they had “invited speakers to come and speak to our student body who have caused harm and offence with the words that they have spoken.”

Sey, who is a pro-life activist at the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform and blogger, was invited to speak at the university on February 4, 2021 for a Black History Month event. 

“As a Christian, what I was saying should not be controversial to them at all, but because they disagree with what the Bible says on racism, it becomes offensive to them,” Sey told the National Post. 

“They are essentially, by attacking me, attacking the Bible; I didn’t go there to share my opinion, I was going there to explain what the Bible says about racism.”

An updated apology on Ambrose University’s website clarifies the council’s position claiming that the post was never meant to be public and was only supposed to be seen by the students allegedly impacted by the event. 

“In accordance with our Freedom of Expression Statement, Ambrose will acknowledge diverse opinions and encourage our students to engage thoughtfully and graciously with those who differ with them; at the same time, Ambrose will cultivate an environment of charity and civility, supporting our students as they learn to navigate polarizing topics,” the post claims. 

“We have removed the statement/apology from Student Council and Student Life which appeared on this page. It was never intended to be public and sought only to provide support for those students who had been emotionally affected. Further, it didn’t include consideration of Ambrose’s commitment to freedom of expression, which is a vital part of our community experience.”

According to Sey, during the event he gave students the opportunity to criticize his views and engage in discussion. 

“I don’t want anyone to be afraid to challenge me because of my skin colour. My skin colour does not define truth. As Christians, the Bible is supposed to define what’s true,” Sey told the National Post. 

Snow on sidewalks “adversely impacts” Hamilton’s LGBTQ community: committee report

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
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Hamilton’s LGBTQ Advisory Committee claimed in a report that snow on the city’s sidewalks is a “disability justice” issue which adversely impacts the city’s LGBTQ community. 

The letter of support was presented to city council on Tuesday in response to a prior decision by the Hamilton’s Public Works Committee to not expand the portion of sidewalks cleared by the city following winter squalls. 

On April 19, the Public Works Committee voted down a motion by Coun. Nrinder Nann to vastly increase the area the city was responsible for. According to Nann’s motion, the city would have to clear an additional 783 kilometers of sidewalk, which could increase residential taxes by approximately $12.

Currently, the city only clears 397 kilometers out of the available 2,445 kilometers of sidewalks. 

“Not clearing snow from the City’s sidewalks is an issue of accessibility and disability justice. These issues adversely impact Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+Hamiltonians,” wrote LBTQ Advisory Committee Chair Cameron Kroetsch. 

“The Mapping the Void needs assessment that was published by the School of Labour Studies at McMaster University revealed that a disproportionate number of 2SLGBTQIA+ Hamiltoniansidentify themselves as having a disability (39.3% of the 872 respondents).“

Other organizations including Disability Justice Network of Ontario, the Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion and ACORN Hamilton have also been advocating for the issue. 

“This is more important than ever as members of our community will very likely continue to be isolated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Physical activity is harder to come by and many people have taken up walking outdoors not only as a means of exercise but also to relieve stress and anxiety,” wrote Kroetsch. 

“Feelings of security and safety using the City’s sidewalks will contribute to the mental health and wellness of those who have been isolated by this issue in the past.”

Estimates show that the motion could cost $4.44 million when taking into account de-icing and rough conditions. 

“Before we sign on the dotted line and [increase] taxes in the middle of a global pandemic, promising something we can’t deliver, maybe we should study it a little bit. Perhaps we should understand that this is being sold to this community under false pretence,” said Councillor Sam Merulla. 

The decision by the Public Works Committee has yet to be ratified by city council. 

FUREY: Some of the government’s COVID rules don’t add up

By
True North Wire
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Canada has been under strict lockdowns for over a year and many Canadians have realized some of the government’s COVID rules don’t add up.

As Anthony Furey explains, one outrageous rule is how in parts of Canada, the government only allows you to purchase “essential” items.

Hamilton offers race-based vaccine appointments

By
True North Wire
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The City of Hamilton is now accepting bookings for COVID-19 vaccine appointments based on the race of the applicants. 

On Monday, the city’s official Twitter account announced that vaccinations are now available for booking by black and racialized Canadians. 

“COVID-19 vaccine appointments are now available for Black and other racialized populations/people of colour ages 18+ who live in postal codes L9C, L8W, L8L, L8N and L9K at the COVID-19 vaccine clinic at FIRSTONTARIO CENTRE, Friday to Sunday this coming week,” the city tweeted. 

According to official statistics, Hamilton’s racialized community makes up approximately 19% of the city’s population. 

To justify the decision to distribute vaccines based on race, public health officials cite that people of colour are “disproportionately” impacted by COVID-19. 

“We know that Black and racialized communities have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and are therefore a group that we want to get vaccine to earlier in the prioritization framework,” said Hamilton Medical Officer of Health Dr. Elizabeth Richardson. 

In response to the announcement, numerous Canadians reacted with outrage online, accusing the city of perpetuating racism.

“Looks like my prophetic satire strikes again. There is definitely nothing racist about vaccinating people as a function of their race. That’s simply ‘progressive’ because it is a noble way to fight systemic racism. Slowly we inch…” tweeted evolutionary psychologist and Concordia University professor Gad Saad. 

Similarly, University of Toronto professor and psychologist Dr. Jordan B Peterson flagged the tweet by asking “How could this possibly go wrong?” 

Eligible Canadians hoping to book a vaccination appointment will be required to show proof of address. At this point, walk-ins are not being accepted and all eligible candidates are being asked to book their vaccination through the Public Health Services COVID-19 health line at 905-974-9848, ext. 7. 

McKenna promises to “do a better job” following scathing auditor general report

By
True North Wire
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Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna is promising more accountability after the auditor general found her department continuously failed to meet its goals.

Speaking to the House of Commons transport committee, McKenna said the department needs to “do a better job of explaining” following the condemnations from the auditor general.

“We need to fix this. That’s something I am committed to because we obviously need to get a full accounting,” she said.

“Let’s be one hundred percent clear. We have lost no projects. We have tracked all the projects.”

In March, Auditor General Karen Hogan published a report slamming the government’s $188 billion Investing in Canada Plan, warning that goals were not being met, progress was not being reported and funding was going unspent.

“The absence of clear and complete reporting on the Investing in Canada Plan makes it difficult for parliamentarians and Canadians to know whether progress is being made against the intended objectives,” Hogan wrote.

Earlier in the month, Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux told the transport committee that McKenna’s department is not able to provide documentation for 9000 separate infrastructure projects.

Conservative Infrastructure critic Andrew Scheer said the government’s infrastructure department “is in shambles.”

“This is unacceptable. It is up to Justin Trudeau and his ministers to ensure their departments are functioning. How did they lose 9,000 projects?” said Scheer in a statement.

In the face of criticism from Hogan and the transport committee, McKenna defended her department, claiming they have accurate information on infrastructure projects but they have done a poor job communicating it.

“We have provided the information on all the projects,” said McKenna. 

McKenna has also been criticized for her department’s handling of many projects under the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

The Canada Infrastructure Bank, which has yet to complete a project since being created by the Liberals four years ago, recently failed to invite the public to its annual public meeting, leading to more accusations of unaccountability.

Canada will be in lockstep with allies on vaccine passports: Trudeau

By
True North Wire
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters on Tuesday that Canada would be in alignment with its international partners and allies on the issue of COVID-19 vaccine passports. 

“We are of course looking very very carefully at this issue, even as we are in the third wave right now, dealing with extremely urgent and difficult situations. We continue to plan for how we reopen the economy, how we reopen our borders, how we get back to normal, which is something that all Canadians want to do. Obviously, as was the case pre-pandemic, certificates of vaccination are a part of international travel to certain regions and are naturally to be expected when it comes to this pandemic and the coronavirus,” said Trudeau during a news conference.  

“How we actually roll that out in alignment with partners and allies around the world is something that we’re working on right now to coordinate. I can assure you that our decisions will be based on science and the fact that those discussions are ongoing right now means that we will be aligned with our partners around the world.”

Vaccine passports have become a contentious issue for human rights groups and civil liberties organizations. 

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) has described the idea of using vaccine passports to access public or private services a “radical” idea. 

“We need to step outside of our own fear, and demand government leaders step outside of theirs, and subject every intervention, vaccine passports included, to a rigorous analysis grounded in science, in necessity, and in proportionality. With this, as with every policy decision and technical intervention we make to facilitate public safety during this pandemic, we still need to think, up front, about what we want our country to look like now, and in the future,” wrote the CCLA. 

Other countries around the world, including 27 member states of the EU, are already taking steps to make the idea a reality. This week, EU officials initiated talks with the US on the development of an international COVID-19 passport known as a Digital Green Certificate. 

Trudeau has expressed some reluctance about the idea in the past saying that such a practice could be a form of “discrimination.” 

“The idea of certificates of vaccination for domestic use does bring in questions of equity. There are questions of fairness and justice. There could be discrimination,” Trudeau said in March. 

“There are some people who, because of medical conditions or other reasons, will not be able to get vaccinated. There are others who are not on priority lists who will have to wait much longer before getting vaccinations. These are things that we have to take into account.”

What we know so far about the Gen. Vance allegations

By
True North Wire
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The Trudeau government once again finds itself mired in controversy. At issue is the Liberal government’s handling of sexual misconduct allegations levelled at Canada’s former chief of defence staff Gen. Jonathan Vance since at least 2018. 

Vance was first appointed to the top military position in 2015. 

A number of committees have been dedicated to investigating the specific allegations and the larger issue of sexual harassment in the Armed Forces at large. 

On Jan. 14, Vance retired as Chief of the Defence Staff after serving in the position for nearly five years.

Soon after Vance’s retirement, Global News published an exclusive report detailing allegations made by at least two women under his command. 

One of the women claimed she had a relationship with Vance for years contrary to the Canadian Armed Forces’ code of conduct, which prohibits unreported personal relationships between superiors and those under their command. Meanwhile, another younger woman came forward in the same report to claim that Vance had made sexual comments in an email exchange.

Vance has since claimed that he did not recall the email interaction but was open to apologizing for it. With regard to the other allegation, Vance has claimed that the relationship with the subordinate was not sexual at the time she was within his chain of command and he has denied all allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

Several months after the Global News report, Maj. Kellie Brennan eventually went public with her claims that she had a relationship with Vance. According to her testimony before the House of Commons status of women committee, Vance allegedly fathered two of her children during their years-long affair. 

Reports reveal that Brennan and Vance had been in a relationship since at least 2001 when both of them worked in Gagetown, New Brunswick. By 2006, Brennan was directly under Vance’s authority while both of them worked for the Armed Forces in Toronto. 

Brennan also claimed that Vance told her that he was “untouchable” by the military police and that he had even instructed her to lie about the allegations. 

In 2018, former military ombudsman Gary Walbourne requested a private meeting with Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan to raise the allegations. 

Despite Walbourne’s concerns, Sajjan refused to look at the evidence or hear about the matter any further and the issue was passed along to the Privy Council Office.  

“My intent was to have that conversation with the minister, but we never got far enough to have the conversation because he stopped the meeting,” said Walbourne about the exchange. 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has since claimed that he had no knowledge about the 2018 allegation prior to it being reported in the news. 

“I first learned of allegations against Gen. Vance in Global News reporting. We have launched an independent investigation,” said Trudeau at the time. 

According to committee records, after Sajjan had passed the matter along, Janine Sherman from the Privy Council Office contacted Walbourne to discuss the matter further. However, upon meeting, the issue was dropped after the victim didn’t feel they had enough assurances of protection from retaliation. 

Now, it has been revealed by former Trudeau adviser Elder Marques that the prime minister’s top aide Katie Telford was also aware about the allegations made against Vance nearly three years ago. 

“I think very quickly everyone had the same information, which was very limited, and we quickly moved to asking the Privy Council to now take carriage of that matter and do what it could with that information to have an investigation ultimately take place,” said Marques. 

In April, the Liberals pushed to end the defence committee’s investigation into military misconduct and the allegations against Vance. An inquiry into the matter is still ongoing at the status of women committee, where the Conservatives hope to invite Telford to testify. 

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