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Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Police search for two suspects in BC poppy donation box thefts

By
True North Wire
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Police in Abbotsford, BC, are searching for two suspects who stole poppy donation boxes several days before Remembrance Day. 

“This behaviour is abhorrent. The money raised from donations provides direct assistance for our veterans in financial distress, as well as funding for medical equipment, medical research, home services, long term care facilities and many other purposes. These actions this suspect is disgraceful,” said Abbotsford Police Sgt. Judy Bird. 

The thefts occurred during two separate incidents on November 7 and November 8. 

Around 4 p.m. on Saturday, a man between 30 and 35 years old with a medium build entered Sandman Hotel at 32720 Simon Avenue and stole the donation box from the hotel’s front desk. 

Then on Sunday at 8:15 p.m. a suspect described as being in his 30s with a medium build stole another donation box from an Esso gas station at 2335 Clearbrook Road. 

Police are not certain whether it was the same suspect who was involved in both incidents. 

Those with information regarding the thefts are being asked to contact Abbotsford Police Department at 604-859-5225 or to text 22973. 

Canadians in British Columbia are commemorating a scaled down version of Remembrance Day this year due to a recent uptick in provincial coronavirus cases. 

“Normally, we recognize this important day by gathering at cenotaphs and spending time with the veterans, armed forces members and merchant marines in our lives who have served our country. This year, the best way we can honour veterans is by attending virtual ceremonies and keeping ourselves and our community safe,” said BC Premier John Horgan on Wednesday.

Tim Hortons, Starbucks offering free drinks to veterans and Armed Forces members

By
True North Wire
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Two of Canada’s largest coffee stops are giving free hot beverages to veterans and current members of the Canadian Armed Forces this Remembrance Day.

Tim Hortons and Starbucks announced that on November 11 current and former CAF members may get a free drink as a token of appreciation for their service.

“We pause every year to remember and honour the contributions and sacrifices made by those who have served Canada in times of war and peace,” said Tim Hortons Canada President Axel Schwan.

“From all of us at Tim Hortons, we give our sincere thanks to Canada’s veterans and Canadian Armed Forces members for their invaluable contributions to our great country.”

At Tim Hortons, any veteran or Canadian Armed Forces member in uniform or showing identification may get a coffee, tea, hot chocolate, French Vanilla, Latte, Americano or Cappuccino in any size.

At Starbucks, anyone who identifies as a veteran, currently serving CAF member or military spouse can redeem at tall coffee.

“Starbucks is proud to support Canadian veterans, currently serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and military families and honour the commitment and sacrifices these brave men and women have made for our country,” Starbucks said in a statement.

Both chains are also encouraging customers to donate to the Royal Canadian Legion’s poppy campaign.

Trudeau “disappointed” by Liberal MP who hired sister using taxpayer dollars

By
True North Wire
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the departure of Toronto MP Yasmin Ratansi on Tuesday after it was revealed that she used taxpayer funds to hire her sister at her constituency office for years. 

“I am deeply disappointed by the news I learned yesterday from Ms. Ratansi and how she handled the office. It is unacceptable and I expect there will be a thorough follow up by [House of Commons] administration on this,” said Trudeau on Tuesday.

Currently, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is himself facing an investigation by Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion for his conduct regarding the WE Charity scandal. If found guilty, this would be Trudeau’s third ethics law violation while serving as prime minister.  

Toronto MP Yasmin Ratansi made the announcement that she would leave her party’s caucus on Monday afternoon, only a day after CBC News revealed her conduct. 

“I made an error in judgment by employing my sister in my constituency office, and I have remedied the situation, but this does not excuse the error I made,” wrote Ratansi, who plans on continuing in her position as an independent MP. 

Former employees at Ratansi’s office have come forward to reveal that she attempted to cover up the employment of her sister by having her use a fake first name and asking staffers to keep quiet about the affair. 

“I think it’s horrific that a member of Parliament that’s entrusted to behave honourable and ethically can get away with impunity. It really questions the integrity of the institutions,” an unidentified former employee of Ratansi told CBC News. 

It is believed that Ratansi’s sister has been working for years in her constituency office since she was first elected in 2004. 

Before 2012 when House Board of Internal Economy bylaws were updated, it was only against parliamentary rules to hire “immediate family” such as parents, children or spouses. This rule did not include siblings prior to the change. 

Sources say that Ratansi’s sister was working at her office from between 2005 to 2011 and then was re-employed in 2017, after Ratansi won re-election in 2015. 

“The idea was we bring her in but try to conceal her identity, keep her hidden, keep her tucked away so that people don’t find out that her sister is employed in the office,” said the unidentified former employee. 

Former employees of Ratansi also allege the former Liberal MP made offensive comments on a number of occasions and created a “toxic and verbally abusive” environment in the office.

Chief Government whip Mark Holland told CBC News that he had no knowledge of the situation until the story was released. 

The opposition has issued calls for Ratansi’s resignation. 

Is the cure worse than the disease?

By
True North Wire
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The politicians and public health officials in Canada are back at it again – enforcing more lockdown measures while disregarding the facts and data.

Public officials are once again disregarding the consequences of lockdown measures and ignoring everything we’ve already learned about the virus, including who the most vulnerable populations are.

Anthony Furey says the government needs to make smarter decisions.

UPDATE: After an IIO investigation, the RCMP acted appropriately

By
Leo Knight
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Source: RCMP

Two weeks ago, I reported on the case of a sudden death in the family of the former Commanding Officer of “E” Division RCMP Craig Callens. 

The circumstances raised a number of questions, specifically if the civilian oversight organization in B.C. the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) was notified and called in to conduct an independent investigation? 

Callens’ wife Joanne was a still serving member at the time, and under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding, a serving police officer at the scene of a sudden death would have been obligated to contact the IIO.

I contacted the Chief Civilian Director of the IIO Ron MacDonald with several questions raised by members of the RCMP who felt the Callens family was receiving special treatment not available to the rest of members in B.C. 

Within a day, I was advised the IIO had not been involved and yes, if the circumstances were as stated they should have been.

I am pleased to report that the IIO has since investigated what happened in this case and after a full investigation, they reported no impropriety existed and they were satisfied with its findings.

The IIO released a press release and sent me the following email message: 

“Further to our conversations and emails, we have looked into the matter referred to in the attached release. The evidence demonstrates that in fact there was no on duty officer present when the incident occurred, nor was the firearm at the scene an RCMP issued weapon.

I appreciate you passing the information along to us because of the concern that this may have been a matter that should have required a referral from the RCMP. As noted in our release, we have confirmed that in fact this was not a matter requiring a referral.

This release will be published tomorrow morning.

Take care and thanks again.”

Ron

I am heartened that in this case, the system worked thanks to the prompt attention paid to this matter by the IIO. I can report to the rank and file members who raised their concerns that the matter was investigated thoroughly and nothing inappropriate was found.


While I am quick to criticize our national institutions when it appears they have done something inappropriate, I am also quick to report when they followed all appropriate procedures and laws.

Nursing home residents spent a year knitting 2,000 poppies for Remembrance Day

By
True North Wire
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Residents, staff and volunteers at Halifax’s Oakwood Terrace Nursing Home spent an entire year knitting upwards to 2,000 poppies in anticipation of Remembrance Day. 

The poppies were displayed outside of the nursing home for a few days as a way to honour Canada’s fallen veterans.

“Several of our residents here helped with it. I did quite a few poppies myself, but there were so many people that helped, people from outside that volunteered. I can’t even imagine how many people helped, but they certainly did a fantastic job,” 89-year-old resident Evelyn Graves told Global News. 

“I’ve had a lot of family involved in the military, and I have a son right now that’s in Camp Hill because of his work with the military and it’s very important for everybody to remember.”

The display was inspired by a similar endeavour undertaken by a Calgary church in 2019. 

“Of course, with COVID-19, there’s been a lot of isolation and our volunteers haven’t been able to come inside since March,”  said Oakwood Terrace’s recreation programmer Chantal Beaulieu.

“So this has been a great outlet to keep our volunteers and our residents still connected, along with the family members that have been contributing as well.”

Currently, the display is located at Sullivan’s Pond Park in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, where it is expected to remain until the day after Remembrance Day. 

“As we think back to those days, because I lived through them, it’s really good to know that our young people are being taught the significance of (the poppy),” Graves told Global News. 

Throughout the country, many Canadians are finding new ways to commemorate Remembrance Day due to recent coronavirus restrictions. 

Nova Scotia’s health authority released guidelines on how to safely commemorate the occasion. 

“While we may not be gathering the way we are used to, there are things people can do to make sure Remembrance Day ceremonies stay safe,” tweeted the official Nova Scotia Government account.

They are currently recommending virtual ceremonies instead of in-person ones, however, those who wish to attend an in-person ceremony are being asked to limit groups to 250 people outdoors. Meanwhile, those attending indoor ceremonies are being asked to wear non-medical masks and to maintain physical distance.

CSIS warns that Beijing is harassing and intimidating Chinese diaspora in Canada

By
True North Wire
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The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) is warning that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is using undercover agents to intimidate and silence members of the Chinese diaspora in Canada who are critical of the regime. 

CSIS believes that this campaign is part of a global effort by China that could undermine Canada’s national security. 

Since 2014, the Chinese Ministry of Public Security has been engaged in Operation Fox Hunt. The effort, which was initiated by President Xi Jinping, seeks to target CCP officials who fled abroad to escape the clutches of the regime. 

According to FBI director Christopher Wray, Operation Fox Hunt’s objectives have recently expanded beyond its initial goals of targeting criminals and high-level officials to now suppressing dissent among ordinary Chinese citizens living abroad. 

CSIS confirmed with the Globe and Mail that China has also been operating to intimidate the Chinese diaspora in Canada using clandestine methods. 

“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.”

It is not clear how many people have already been targeted by the Chinese government in Canada but CSIS is urging anyone who has information to contact the authorities. 

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has also stated that they are aware of China trying to influence and threaten dissidents in Canada but no charges have been laid at this point. 

Former CSIS director and former national security adviser Richard Fadden said that the problem goes back many years and that it is significant for CSIS to publicly admit that this is an ongoing issue. 

“The Chinese authorities are very active. They are very sophisticated. They have almost unlimited resources and in particular, the Chinese diaspora in Canada is quite large,” said Fadden.

Hamilton’s Sir John A Macdonald statue vandalized

By
True North Wire
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A statue of Canada’s first prime minister and the founder of Confederation was vandalized at Gore Park in Hamilton on Monday.

Hamilton Police are investigating the incident after they received a call in the early hours of the morning regarding a “mischief” incident involving the statue.

“It is very early in the investigation and we are working to identify those responsible for this crime and to bring them forward to answer for their actions,” Hamilton Police media relations officer Jerome Stewart told CBC News. 

The Sir John A. Macdonald monument was covered in paint and the ground in front of the statue was marked with the words “Land Back,” a reference to Indigenous rights movements. 

Cleaners moved into the area and the statue was mostly cleared by Monday afternoon. 

The incident follows several similar acts targeting Canadian historical monuments over perceived historical racism. 

In August, a similar statue in Montreal was toppled and decapitated by far-left activists while police officers stood by. 

“We are a country of laws, and we are a country that needs to respect those laws even as we seek to improve and change them,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the incident.

“Those kinds of acts of vandalism are not advancing the path towards greater justice and equality in this country.”

Similarly, in September city officials with the Ontario township of Baden quietly removed a statue of Macdonald from its pedestal in the early hours of the morning in the interest of “reconciliation.” 

According to the town, the statue was stored into an undisclosed storage facility while officials determine what to do with it.  

Polls show that a  majority of Canadians are opposed to activists vandalizing and removing statues of historical Canadian figures. 

A poll conducted by Ipsos showed that 74% of Canadians disagreed with the actions of protesters who topple monuments, while only 26% of people agreed with them. 

Liberals decide to keep Leaders’ Debate Commission in place

By
True North Wire
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The federal Liberal government is keeping the Leaders’ Debates Commission around for the next federal election.

Privy Council President Dominic LeBlanc announced the organization’s extension last week, claiming that the Leaders’ Debates Commission “engaged Canadians in our federal elections.”

“Leaders’ debates play an essential role in federal elections, and are a cornerstone of Canada’s healthy, vibrant, and diverse democracy,” LeBlanc said in a statement. “Since its creation in 2018, the independent Leaders’ Debates Commission has engaged Canadians in our federal elections, and provided a platform for citizens to compare and learn more about prospective prime ministers and their ideas for the country.”

Debates Commissioner David Johnston, who previously served as Canada’s governor general, was reappointed.

The creation of the Leaders’ Debates Commission in 2018, ahead of last year’s election, ensured the government body would be responsible for organizing and hosting election leaders’ debates. During the 2019 election, Trudeau refused to do any English debates other than the one hosted by the commission in Gatineau, Que.

While part of the Leaders’ Debates Commission’s mandate was to ensure access to its debates, its commitment to journalistic freedom was challenged in court after it denied accreditation to True North’s Andrew Lawton, as well as Rebel News reporters David Menzies and Keean Bexte.

True North and the Rebel took the commission to court. The outlets were granted injunctions hours before the first debate began and were ultimately permitted to attend and cover it.

The initial judge found the Leaders’ Debates Commission’s decisions “lacking in discernible rationality and logic, and thus…neither justified nor intelligible.” The case is still ongoing.

Documents show that by January, the Commission had spent $131, 281 fighting to restrict the rights of journalists.

Andrew Lawton pointed out that the permanence of the commission makes it all the more important have a commitment to press freedom from the government.

“One of the Leaders’ Debates Commission’s defences in our ongoing lawsuit is that there’s no point having a discussion about long-term media access because it’s just a temporary body with no guarantee it will be around when the next election comes,” said Lawton. 

“Well, the government has decided the commission is here to stay, which makes it all the more important for the government and the commission to realize they don’t have the right to ban independent journalists from covering their debates.”

Records of Trudeau’s WE speaking engagements destroyed, committee hears

By
True North Wire
-

On Monday, MPs at the House of Commons ethics committee learned that records pertaining to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s and his wife’s WE Charity speaking engagements were destroyed. 

“At the start of the meeting we heard something new, and that’s that Speakers’ Spotlight has destroyed all of the records of speaking engagements for the individuals named in the motion – the prime minister and his spouse – for any period outside of seven years,” said Conservartive MP and committee member Michael Barrett. 

Opposition members of the committee have been pushing the federal government to answer further questions regarding the prime minister’s involvement in the WE Charity scandal. 

Earlier this year, the Liberal government was entangled in yet another ethics scandal after it was revealed WE Charity was chosen to oversee a $900 million sole-sourced federal summer student service grant. The charity has since abandoned the bid for the program and terminated its operations in Canada.  

Several members of the prime minister’s family, including his wife, his mother and his brother received payments from the organization for various speaking fees. 

“On the eve that those documents were to be released to the committee and on the day that illegally redacted documents were released to the finance committee, prime minister Justin Trudeau prorogued parliament,” said Barrett referring to the last session of the House of Commons. 

“Since that time, Speakers Spotlight had communicated with the committee clerk once this session started and even said that the documents were ready to go, but just now we heard that those documents, many of them had been destroyed.” 

Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion is currently investigating whether the prime minister broke ethics laws.

If found guilty, the violation would be the third time that the prime minister has broken ethics laws while in office.  

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