fbpx
Thursday, July 10, 2025

Manitoba has issued 200 fines to businesses for violating COVID-19 restrictions

By
True North Wire
-

Manitoba is cracking down on businesses and individuals for violating the province’s strict restrictions in an attempt to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Manitoba has issued 200 fines, some for the new maximum penalty of $5000. The offences include failing to remind individuals to wear a mask, observing patrons standing less than two meters apart and not vacating the premises by 11 p.m. The province has also issued 307 warnings.

Recently, the province has doubled fines for individuals and corporations, with maximum fines for citizens up to $1,296 and $5000 for businesses, up from $486 and $2542.

New measures were implemented by Chief Provincial Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin on November 11. The measures under the Public Health Act dictate that no more than five people may gather at indoor or outdoor spaces. This applies to weddings, funerals and informal gatherings like house parties or dinners.

Manitoba has declared a state of emergency and is able to fine citizens for not wearing a mask in indoor spaces and is now looking to outside sources to help with enforcement. 

In a statement to True North, the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) noted that anyone exercising their constitutional rights of association, travel, worship and assembly under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms are protected. 

According to the JCCF, an individual charged with a fine for violating a Public Health Order while exercising a Charter-protected right can challenge the constitutionality of the Order itself as being a violation of that Charter-protected right. 

In recent weeks, Premier Brian Pallister has taken a hard-line approach to combating the virus and enforcing the government’s measures.

Pallister has encouraged Manitobans to use the province’s “tip line” to report other Manitobans who are allegedly violating the province’s restrictions. 

In addition,  Pallister announced on Tuesday that the province was hiring private security to enforce public health orders. G4S Security has been contracted by Manitoba and 90 G4S employees will be assisting the province in issuing fines

“The Public Health Act of Manitoba authorizes the Chief Public Health Officer to make Orders to respond to a pandemic. While the Order to restrict gatherings to five and under is made within his authority under the Act, it is an unjustified infringement of an individual’s Charter-protected right to associate,” writes the JCCF. 

On Thursday, the province announced further restrictions – restricting visitors in private residences, limiting public gatherings to no more than five people and only allowing businesses to sell “essential items.” 

Disclosure: The JCCF is representing True North and Andrew Lawton pro bono in their ongoing lawsuit against the Leaders’ Debates Commission and the federal government. 

Federal government reverses course on embassy machines made by China

By
True North Wire
-

The Trudeau government has backed out of a plan to purchase embassy security equipment made by a Chinese company after public outrage prompted a security review of the deal.

In July, it was reported that a $6.8 million contract was awarded to Nuctech, a Chinese state-owned enterprise formerly run by the son of a top Chinese Communist Party official. 

Nuctech was awarded the project over Canadian bidders. Had the contract been completed, Nuctech would have delivered, installed and operated the machines which were expected to be used in Canadian embassies throughout the world. 

The Conservative opposition slammed the deal at a Wednesday government operations committee meeting.

“I’m sitting here, and I’m dumbfounded that this could have possibly happened. I’m sorry for sounding so critical, but good lord,” said Conservative MP Kelly McCauley 

According to Global Affairs Canada official Dan Danagher, the deal with Nuctech has been scrapped.

The committee was also told on Wednesday that the Liberals didn’t require Nuctech to undergo a high-level security clearance because the equipment wouldn’t be connected to any embassy’s networks. 

“They recommended that we consider that service personnel who had access to the equipment should be security cleared,” said Danagher. 

However, the director-general of the Centre for Cyber Security, Michele Mullen, told MPs that modern X-ray machines do have some vulnerabilities that could be used by malicious actors. 

Despite rescinding the offer, the government has not ruled out potentially using Nuctech equipment in the future, depending on further review of the security implications. 

“There is work being done to be able to identify commodities that may be at higher risk of vulnerability moving forward, where we would need to ensure that we’ve got the appropriate security approaches or mechanisms to decrease the potential risk,” a procurement official told the National Post. 

Taxpayers billed $36 million for new home office equipment

By
True North Wire
-

The Liberal government spent over $36 million in taxpayer funds on new office equipment intended for government employees who work from home.

According to Blacklock’s Reporter, the Department of Public Works defended the purchase as necessary. 

“The department expects that employees will continue to leverage flexible work arrangements post COVID-19 and will therefore make ongoing use of this equipment,” the department wrote in an Inquiry of Ministry.

In total, $36.26 million was spent by federal departments on desks, computers, printers, monitors, office supplies and other items. 

“Some of the costs to support employees working from home may be offset by savings resulting from reduced occupancy of buildings,” the department wrote. 

“For instance, the department saw a reduction of approximately $4 million in building operations costs between March and June compared to a similar period in 2019.”

Records show that federal workers with the Department of Public Works have recently been complaining about their “repetitive” and “uninspiring” workload. 

“We have been seeing employees coming to our Office in great distress as a result of their workload for several years now,” writes Mental Health Ombudsman André Latreille. 

“As our employees have repeatedly told us, it is difficult if not impossible to find meaning and dignity in work when all we can do is try to keep from drowning in a pool of repetitive, menial and uninspiring tasks that don’t adequately leverage the unique abilities, strengths and talents of our people.”

Earlier this year, federal workers were given a substantial salary increase after the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) reached a deal with the Liberal government. PSAC members were given a retrospective raise for 2018, an additional 2.2% increase for 2019 and a 1.35% raise for this year.

NDP MP endorses motion to ban “triggering” abortion imagery from pro-life signs

By
True North Wire
-

An NDP MP has endorsed a petition calling on the federal government to create legislation that would ban “graphic imagery” from pro-life protest signs and materials. 

Petition e-2977 which was endorsed by NDP MP Lindsay Mathyssen rails against “displaying extremely graphic images of allegedly aborted fetuses” in Canadian cities. The petition argues that such imagery is “triggering” to women. 

The petition then calls for the government to “amend or create legislation setting out the limitations regarding what imagery and content can be used in a protest or demonstration that is subject to public viewing.”

“[And to] amend or create legislation regarding if, and how graphic imagery can be delivered to homes across the Country (i.e. putting such pamphlets in envelopes with a “Viewer Discretion” warning).” 

The petition, which was opened on November 16, 2020, has so far received 744 signatures, a majority of which came from Ontario.

Recently, Conservative MP Garnett Genuis was targeted by his progressive colleagues after launching a pro-family billboard campaign in response to earlier advertisements calling on people to have one or no children. 

Liberal MP Hedy Fry accused Genuis of “funding anti-choice advertisements” for paying for the billboards which quote Mother Teresa. 

“How can there be too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers,” the billboards read. 

“These ads are a response to the ‘one child one planet’ ads. They have nothing to do with abortion. MP Fry is spreading conspiracy theories again,” said Genuis. 

Vancouver asks Liberals to decriminalize possession of hard drugs

By
True North Wire
-

The mayor of Vancouver revealed his plan to decriminalize possession of hard drugs as British Columbia sees a shocking increase in overdose-related incidents. 

“Personal possession and use of drugs is not a criminal justice issue, it is a health issue,” said Mayor Kennedy Stewart. 

“It is time to end the stigma around substance use, help connect more of our neighbours to health care, and save lives.”

Should the plan pass through a federal health exemption, Vancouver will be the first city in Canada to pursue decriminalization. 

Stewart’s plan has received support from BC Premier John Horgan and the province’s top health official Dr Bonnie Henry, as well as others. 

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested that he would support a push for decriminalization after approving a project by the city to deal a “safe” supply of hard drugs to Vancouver’s addicts. 

“The federal government has taken all measures required for this to be operational. Now we’re just waiting for the provincial guidelines,” said Stewart in March. 

Vancouver has seen a total of 328 overdose-related deaths in the city so far in 2020. According to Stewart, 2020 is projected to be a record year for deaths as a result of overdoses.

The Trudeau government has pursued other initiatives such as safe injection sites in an attempt to curb the opioid pandemic.

However, according to a March report by Alberta Health, the presence of safe injection sites actually led to increases in overdoses and crime in the area. 

“Except for Edmonton, stakeholder feedback predominantly suggested that [injection sites] have had a negative social and economic impact on the community,” the report reads.

“In Edmonton, however, there were reports that stakeholders felt intimidated and were prevented from expressing their true sentiments and opinions about these sites out of fear of retribution from site supporters.”

Conservative motion to toughen stance on China passes House of Commons vote

By
True North Wire
-

A Conservative motion calling on the federal government to combat China’s aggression and make a decision on Huawei’s involvement in Canada’s 5G networks narrowly passed on Wednesday afternoon. 

The motion titled “Foreign policy toward China” calls on Canada to recognize that “the People’s Republic of China, under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, is threatening Canada’s national interest and its values, including Canadians of Chinese origin within Canada’s borders.” 

It then goes on to request that the federal government “make a decision on Huawei’s involvement in Canada’s 5G network within 30 days of the adoption of this motion,” and to “develop a robust plan, as Australia has done to combat China’s growing foreign operations here in Canada and its increasing intimidation of Canadians living in Canada, and table it within 30 days of the adoption of this motion.”

The motion passed with 179 votes in favour and 146 votes against, which included the opposition of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau himself. 

Recent polling shows that an overwhelming 75% of Canadians do not want Ottawa to approve Huawei’s involvement in Canada’s 5G network – the record highest level of distrust in the company.

A number of public security experts have warned Canada about the Chinese tech giant. Both Canadian and American authorities believe Huawei’s presence on 5G networks would pose a risk to national security and would endanger intelligence-sharing relationships between Western allies.

Earlier this month it was revealed by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service that China was ramping up efforts to use state agents to intimidate and harass Chinese-Canadians who are critical of President Xi Jinping’s authoritarian rule. 

“Certain foreign states routinely attempt to threaten and intimidate individuals around the world through various state entities and non-state proxies. These states, such as the People’s Republic of China, may use a combination of their intelligence and security services as well as trusted agents to assist them in conducting various forms of threat activities,” CSIS head of media relations John Townsend told the Globe and Mail.

“Importantly, when foreign states target members of Canadian communities, these individuals, for various reasons, may not have the means to protect themselves or do not know they can report these activities to Canadian authorities. The fear of state-backed or state-linked retribution targeting both them and their loved ones, in Canada and abroad, can force individuals to submit to foreign interference.”

ESKENASI: The provinces continue enforcing more lockdown measures

By
Sam Eskenasi
-

Provinces in Canada are enforcing more lockdown measures in an attempt to curb the spread of the coronavirus. But are these measures justified?

In Manitoba, the government has hired private security to enforce its lockdown measures. Meanwhile, the PEI government has enforced mandatory masks in public spaces despite having only 3 active cases.

Sam Eskenasi warns these extreme measures could be coming to your province in the near future.

Nearly 824,000 people who didn’t file their taxes claimed CERB

By
True North Wire
-
Source: Flickr

The Liberal government might have distributed billions in Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) funds to ineligible claimants. 

According to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), nearly 824,000 people went on to claim the $2,000 a month payment without having filed a tax return in 2019. 

“I find it remarkable. This is a huge amount,” said Conservative MP Kelly McCauley. 

“People were losing their homes and really needed help, but claims were made by others who were either ineligible or didn’t really need it. I want the government to do a proper, transparent audit of this. We just owe it to taxpayers.”

Earlier legislation passed by the federal government allowed people without jobs who had made at least $5,000 in the past year to claim the benefit. 

Those listed as “not filed” by the CRA counted for a total of 823,580 claimants potentially costing Canadians $1.66 billion in wasted or misallocated emergency funds. 

On Tuesday, the CRA could not explain how those who never filed their taxes could have received the funds. 

“Once the crisis is over there will be ample time to check and verify. Some individuals might by inadvertence – I wouldn’t want to imply they might be dishonest – might have made some mistakes. Verification will occur. It’s the Agency’s job,” said Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier on May 11 before the parliamentary government operations committee. 

Records also show that 14,070 people earning $210,371 or more in 2019 also received the emergency funds and another 23,9000 earning between $147,667 to $210,371 were also paid CERB by the government.

Earlier this month, the Conservatives called on the Liberal government to stop auditing small businesses who benefit from a different fund, the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. 

“The first thing the government can do is stop treating small business owners like tax cheaters. Stop auditing them and coming in asking for onerous documentation while they are in survival mode and trying to cope with the pandemic,” said Conservative MP Pat Kelly who brought forward the motion.

FACT CHECK: Are there 300 active “far-right” hate groups in Canada?

By
True North Wire
-

The federal NDP recently launched a “Stop Hate” fundraising and awareness campaign where they claim, without any citation, “In Canada, there are 300 active far-right extremist groups operating across the country, right now.”

True North reached out to multiple NDP officials and asked for the document, report or source that contains the evidence for this claim. 

We did not receive a response. 

However, the assertion that there are 300 active far-right groups in Canada can be traced back to Ontario Tech University professor Barbara Perry, a “hate studies” researcher. Perry and her Centre on Hate, Bias and Extremism are receiving $366,985 in taxpayer money to research “right-wing extremism.”

Perry published a report with co-author Ryan Scrivens in 2015 that suggested there were approximately 100 active hate groups nationwide.

As of 2019, Perry has been telling the media that figure is now 300. She has mentioned in previous interviews that her count includes multiple chapters of the same umbrella group.

Canadians may have seen headlines over the years about small rallies in various cities organized by anti-immigrant groups such as Pegida, the Three Percenters, La Meute or the Soldiers of Odin. 

That still leaves 296 groups to be accounted for.

Perry’s uncorroborated claim that there are 300 active hate groups in Canada has been republished by Global News, CTV, VICE, TVO, the Canadian Press, APTN and WE Charity as well as many international news outlets. 

True North reached out to Perry and asked her for the document, report or source that lists these 300 active far-right extremist groups. 

“This is a number that is coming up in the context of our current research. We have not published on it yet as we still have some ways to go,” Perry replied.

The verdict: the NDP, the Canadian media and dozens of other organizations are spreading an unsubstantiated claim. No verifiable research or documentation exists to back up the assertion that there are 300 active far-right hate groups in Canada.

Government spent $2.4 million on failed UN Security Council bid

By
True North Wire
-

The Trudeau government’s unsuccessful campaign to win a seat on the United Nations Security Council has cost taxpayers at least $2,446,026 million according to Blacklock’s Reporter.

In records recently posted by cabinet, some of the expenses include $310,000 for ten employees to “campaign on a full-time basis” and $70,000 in hospitality expenses.

In June, Canada came third in the vote, with Ireland and Norway winning the two available seats.

“Since November 2019 the Minister of Foreign Affairs held well over one hundred bilateral meetings and phone calls with counterparts where Canada’s UN Security Council campaign was consistently one of the topics raised,” staff wrote.

The $2.4 million bill only counts expenses specifically dedicated to the campaign and does not include staff time and all travel expenses associated with the failed bid.

Observers suggested that Canada had a very low chance of winning a seat given that Ireland and Norway announced their campaigns years earlier. In the weeks before the vote, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau went on a desperate series of trips to try and win votes.

On a tour of Africa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau courted Senegal’s vote despite the country’s dismal human rights record. During the visit, Senegalese President Macky Sall defended the criminalization of homosexuality in his country.

Trudeau also promised Canadian troops for the World Health Organization and the World Food Programme missions around the world.

In the aftermath of the vote, the government’s failure was largely ignored by the mainstream media, with not a single English-language outlet questioning Trudeau on the failure of his high-profile campaign.

1...1,1431,1441,145...1,460Page 1,144 of 1,460

Related stories

© 2025 True North | Privacy Policy