The scandal surrounding Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party’s cash-for-access fundraisers continues to develop. Last week, it was reported that Justin Trudeau invited five dozen Liberal Party donors to an official dinner in honour of the People’s Republic of China’s Premier Li Keqiang in September. The official dinner gave donors exclusive access to the Prime Minister, senior cabinet ministers, and top officials from the Chinese government. Despite Justin Trudeau’s attempt to portray these cash-for-access fundraisers as a means to “champion the middle class” and as a “non-story” made up by the media, he is in very deep trouble. For the first time in a decade, Parliament’s independent ethical watchdog will ask a sitting prime minister to defend his integrity. Will the ethics commissioner conclude that Justin Trudeau breached the Conflict of Interest Act? 

Last week, there were a number of developments relating to the national security of Canadians. During the trial of Ismael Habib, who is charged with attempting to leave Canada to join ISIS, it was reported that the RCMP’s terror investigation on young Quebec men who travelled to Syria is still ongoing. However, both the RCMP and the Crown have given very few details about the ongoing operation. Furthermore, in B.C., Khalid Ahmed Ibrahim was arrested on a terrorism peace bond under the suspicion that he might commit an act of terrorism. Lastly, in Windsor, Mohammad El Shaer was given a terrorism peace bond with 17 conditions. 

Since Canada’s anti-terrorism bill passed last year, police have sought 19 terrorism peace bonds. Perhaps the most known case is the Aaron Driver incident, in which Driver was killed by police as he was leaving his home in Strathroy, ON to conduct a suicide bombing for ISIS. At the time, Driver was living under a peace bond. Because of this incident, we have to question the effectiveness of a terrorism peace bond. Yes, the conditions under a peace bond are severe but do they actually prevent terrorist activities in Canada? Is incarnation a more suitable solution? 

With Christmas just days away, Shannon Stubbs, Conservative MP for Lakeland, Alberta is stepping up efforts to force the Trudeau Liberals to justify their decision to close the immigration case processing centre in Vegreville, forcing 280 workers to move, or travel 100 kilometres west to Edmonton.

Stubbs met Sunday with affected workers, Vegreville’s mayor, the local MLA, and area residents, to keep the pressure on the government for answers.

The community forum in Vegreville follows two solid months of pressure from Stubbs in Ottawa, where she challenged Immigration Minister John McCallum 15 times in Question Period and twice in adjournment proceedings, to release his department’s business case for the controversial closure.

The Liberal government has yet to release the business case in question.

“It will devastate the people in and around Vegreville,” Stubbs told the House of Commons during question period.

“The jobs of 280 people will be gone and 250 spousal jobs will be impacted. Three local businesses are owned by worker families, and a quarter of the students in the town’s schools are kids of workers,” Stubbs concluded.  

The MP for Lakeland, Alberta also tackled McCallum, his deputy minister, and immigration officials at the Citizenship and Immigration Committee.

“You’ve said there is a good business case,” Stubbs told McCallum and his officials. “But your own department admitted there was no cost analysis or economic impact assessment done about the closure, so will you release the business case?”

McCallum responded, “They were having trouble hiring people. There were major vacancies that they could not fill. It was felt there would a much stronger performance in Edmonton and hence the decision was made.”

Stubbs pushed back on McCallum and his officials, reading emotional letters from people affected by the closure.

One current employee in Vegreville discussed commuting to Edmonton, with additional vehicle costs, including fuel, maintenance, insurance. “The end result is nearly $19,000 per year in added costs just for my wife and I to be able to keep our current positions.”

 “I thought the Liberal government was trying to make life better for people but it’s becoming increasingly clear that rural Alberta is not within the realm of communities you are interested in helping,” another employee wrote.

Following the exchange in the immigration committee, Stubbs challenged the Prime Minister in Question Period to intervene and stop the relocation.

Stubbs explained how important 280 jobs are in a town the city of Vegreville:

“It’s like removing 290,000 jobs from Toronto, 187,000 from Montréal, 113,000 from Vancouver, 60,000 from Ottawa, and 55,000 from Edmonton.”

“This unnecessary and unfounded edict will hurt families, businesses, and communities in the region. When will the Prime Minister do the right thing and stop this cold-hearted, mean-spirited attack?”

Trudeau told Stubbs that a parliamentary secretary had already answered her question, before adding, “We approved a pipeline that is going to make a difference in the lives of millions of Albertans.”

That answer wasn’t good enough for Rona Ambrose. The Leader of the Opposition went on the attack, defending Stubbs.

“There is the Liberal arrogance that Albertans have come to expect from the Prime Minister,” said Ambrose.

“(Stubbs) asked a very good question about jobs. If it was 290,000 jobs in Toronto, the Prime Minister would have been paying attention and he would have answered the question. She deserves respect. Albertans deserve respect.”

“Why does the Prime Minister not get up, do the right thing, and give the people of Vegreville their jobs back?” the Leader of the Official Opposition asked.

Stubbs continues to press the government to release the missing business case for the controversial move. “The Mayor and council have offered the use of several vacant locations in Vegreville,” she says. “Continuing the Case Processing Centre in Vegreville doesn’t at all prevent the department from hiring in Edmonton if they determine a need.”

The people of Vegreville deserve better.

(This column originally appeared in the Toronto Sun)

Everybody seems to love Justin Trudeau.

Our prime minister is something of a whiz kid when it comes to getting positive news coverage, whether it’s for memorizing a few lines about quantum computing, striking cool yoga poses, declaring himself a ‘feminist’ over and over and over, or for taking perfect selfies with refugees, bureaucrats at Global Affairs Canada and even Chinese Panda bears.

Journalists all over the world swarm Trudeau at international summits and swoon over his good looks. He’s been called “dreamy,” “charming,” “handsome,” and a “genuine heartthrob.”

But the international fanboys and fangirls got to see a different side of Trudeau late last month. Many at home and around the world were surprised, and quite frankly dumbfounded, to hear Canada’s progressive Prime Minister offer glowing praise for ruthless Cuban socialist dictator Fidel Castro.

Following Castro’s long-awaited and much-anticipated death in late November, the government of Canada released Trudeau’s statement, claiming to speak on behalf of all Canadians.

Trudeau said it was “with deep sorrow” that he learned of the passing of “Cuba’s longest serving President.” (Dictators who ban political opponents, independent journalists and democratic elections tend to rule for a long time.)

Trudeau spoke of Castro’s “tremendous dedication and love for the Cuban people” and for their “deep and lasting affection” back at him. (Don’t tell that to the families of those killed by firing squad, the refugees whose boats were bombed as they tried to flee, or those who starve and suffer in political prisons.)

Trudeau praised the murderous tyrant, putting his family’s friendship with the Castros ahead of common sense and compassion to those who suffered under Castro’s heavy-handed rule.

Many were left wondering, how could Trudeau be that stupid?

Well, for Canadians who pay attention to Trudeau, this is nothing new. Trudeau has a long history of saying strange and off-putting things; things that make many Canadians feel embarrassed and uncomfortable.

The truth about Trudeau is, he isn’t always very serious.

His career before politics was uninspiring. He did odd jobs, travelled the world, taught drama and elementary French, and charged tens of thousands of dollars to give speeches. Before he became an MP, Trudeau was the type of guy you wouldn’t want your sister or daughter to bring over for dinner.

Even after he became an MP, Trudeau seemed like an aloof party boy. He said that budgets balance themselves and that…(READ MORE)

– Candice Malcolm’s latest book is now available atStupidThingsTrudeauSays.ca

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is taking cues from failed Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

He should proceed with caution, because things didn’t end well for her.

Clinton was running against one of the most reviled (by Democrats) Republican opponents in U.S. political history.

She had glowing endorsements from the media, unions, Wall Street, Hollywood, even many Republicans.

Yet she managed to lose.

Clinton was an uninspiring candidate, yes.

But what really sunk her campaign — no, it wasn’t the Russians — was that allegations of political corruption followed her wherever she went.

Then there was the Clinton Foundation, where

Hillary and Bill Clinton seemed particularly shameless about how they raised money.

While Hillary Clinton was Secretary of State, the Clinton Foundation received tens of millions in “donations” from Saudi princes and other Islamist dictatorships.

Officials from Qatar promised a $1 million donation and sought a private meeting with Bill Clinton. The gift was received, and yet, never declared to the State Department. It is not known if this meeting took place.

You can’t make this stuff up.

And that’s where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau comes in. We learned two disturbing revelations this week about the way Trudeau raises money.

First, Trudeau said he gets lobbied at Liberal Party fundraisers.

Second, we learned about foreign donations to his family’s charity, the Trudeau Foundation.

News broke in late November that the Liberal Party of Canada was hosting private fundraising events featuring Trudeau, with tickets selling for $1,500-a-pop.

Attendees at a May, 2016 event included wealthy Chinese businessmen with financial interests in Canada.

According to the Globe and Mail, Zhang Bin, an advisor to the Chinese Communist government, attended the dinner and it was soon thereafter announced Zhang Bin would be donating to Trudeau’s pet causes.

Zhang donated $750,000 to the University of Montreal, $200,000 to the Trudeau Foundation and $50,000 to build a statue of Justin’s father, former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.

(The Foundation says the negotiations for the donations occurred before the fundraiser and that Justin Trudeau resigned from the Foundation in December, 2014.).

Another attendee at the $1,500-per-person fundraiser, Chinese banker Shenglin Xian, had a banking licence pending approval before the federal government, according to the Globe.

A few weeks later, his bank, Wealth One, was given final approval to operate in Canada.

(A Liberal party spokesman says Xian’s application was not discussed at the fundraiser.)

But after weeks of Liberals denying any lobbying had taken place at these private fundraisers, Trudeau, during his year-end news conference, said Liberal donors do use their access at such events to lobby him. (READ MORE)

Last week, Postmedia News obtained a report by the Canada Border Services Agency. The documents revealed that “in the next three years, Mexican drug cartels are expected to expand their presence in Canada by sending operatives and recruiting local airport or marine port workers with ties to Mexico” as a result of the Trudeau’s government’s decision to lift the visa requirement for Mexican travelers. This shouldn’t be news to the Liberal government. As True North’s Candice Malcolm pointed out, Mexico has a bad reputation for being a launching pad for criminal networks and terrorist organizations seeking to gain stealth entry into North America. A visa requirement was put in place on Mexican visitors to deter bogus refugee claims. Justin Trudeau’s decision to lift the visa requirement on Mexican travelers was reckless and has put Canadians’ safety at risk.

Last week, fifteen former clients of an imprisoned B.C. immigration consultant have now been deported to China. Despite the left’s denial, immigration fraud is alive and well. The individuals being deported were taking advantage of Canada’s generous immigration system, faking their education, their jobs, and even their residencies. In this case alone, 1300 people are either being deported or facing possible deportation. Kudos to the Canada Border Services Agency for their due diligence in this case. Is it time for a stricter immigration system in Canada? The Trudeau government doesn’t believe so.

The Trudeau government has failed Syrian refugees in Canada. The Prime Minister can shed tears, pat himself on the back, and do as many photo ops as he wishes but it doesn’t change the fact that many refugees are struggling with their new lives in Canada. Like with any problem this government has encountered in its mandate, they throw money at the problem. Unfortunately for them, Syrian refugees are not integrating into Canadian society and only half of adult Syrian refugees have found jobs. The tab is now on the provincial governments.  

(This column originally appeared in the Toronto Sun)

The Trudeau government is quietly working to strike a deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

After becoming Prime Minister, Trudeau lifted virtually all economic sanctions against Iran. During the UN General Assembly meeting in September, Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion met with regime officials to discuss the status of Canada-Iran relations.

Then, just last month, two Iranian MPs in the Trudeau government hosted an invitation-only roundtable with members of the Iranian community in Toronto. The event was held to discuss re-opening diplomatic ties – but was criticized for being stacked with pro-regime voices.

So, why should Canada reengage with the world’s number one state-sponsor of terrorism?

The Harper government cut diplomatic ties with Iran in 2012, following Great Britain’s decision to do the same after the UK embassy in Tehran was raided and ransacked. There was, and continues to be, fear for the safety of Westerners in Iran, since the regime routinely kidnaps visitors and uses them as pawns in government negotiations.

Besides the safety of our diplomats, there are many other reasons why Canada cut ties with Iran.

Its elite military unit – the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corp – is listed as a terrorist entity under Canada’s Criminal Code. Iran openly funds and trains other terrorist groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah and the Taliban.

Iran has maniacal nuclear ambitions. It wants the capacity to build a nuclear weapon, which it once claimed would be used to “wipe Israel off the map.”

Iran is a regional pest. It openly works to destabilize countries across the Middle East – from Syria to Yemen, Saudi Arabia to Afghanistan.

Iran shamelessly props up Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, who continues to massacre civilians in the most gruesome and tragic war of our time.

Iran is, categorically, without a doubt, a villain on the world stage.

But that’s not even the main reason why Canada should avoid Iran. Canada must proceed with caution because the Iranian regime is a danger to our internal security.

In 2012, the Canadian government posted a notice on the Iranian embassy door ordering all Iranian officials to leave the country within five days. We wanted regime officials out of Canada as quickly as possible.

That’s because Iran uses its embassies to spy, to undermine the West and to promote Islamist terrorism. For instance, Hamid Mohammadi, a diplomat working as a “cultural counsellor” in the Iranian embassy…(READ MORE)

(This column originally appeared in the Toronto Sun)

It has been exactly one year since Canada opened its doors to the first wave of Syrian refugees.

We have now welcomed more than 35,000 Syrian newcomers through churches, charities, community organizations and government-funded resettlement groups.

During this time, we have learned that admitting the refugees was the easy part.

What happens next is far more challenging.

These newcomers must be engaged, welcomed into our communities and encouraged to join the Canadian family.

There must be a deliberate effort to ensure they learn the local languages, integrate into our economy and accept and adopt Canadian values.

We want them to become truly Canadian.

This important work of integration has too often fallen by the wayside.

The Canadian Senate released a report this week on Syrian refugee resettlement efforts. Its findings are discouraging.

During months of hearings, refugee resettlement workers emphasized the lack of planning, resources and care made available by the Trudeau government.

There were stories about poor living conditions, a failure to provide food and shelter to newcomers and unreasonable queues for language training classes.

There were also stories about Syrians who wished to return to Syria rather than being stuck in Canada.

We heard the same thing over and over again.

Our government is failing many Syrians during this pivotal moment in their transition to life in Canada.

This failure starts with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau himself.

His government often seems more concerned with the public relations aspect of the Syrian refugee program than proper integration.

Now, we have proof this is the case.

An access to information request, filed by the Rebel Media’s Christopher Wilson, revealed how the Trudeau government prioritized a photo opportunity ahead of the needs of refugees arriving in Canada.

Government staff were scrambling to get Syrians to sign privacy waivers to ensure they could be photographed with Trudeau and other Liberal politicians upon arrival.

“We have the forms to be signed. The ideal would be for this to happen prior to departure in Beirut (knowing that people can change their minds),” wrote a staffer in an internal email.

Rather than focusing on a genuine plan to welcome and resettle these refugees, government officials were apparently focused on making sure Trudeau got the perfect photo with the Syrian refugees.

That is shameful. We must do better.

The Senate report contained plenty of recommendations on how the government can do more to help Syrian refugees.

But not if the Trudeau government puts its political interests ahead of the interests of both Syrian newcomers and Canadians.

It is now up to individuals, families and communities to pick up where the Trudeau government has failed.

We must ensure that Canada does not follow in the footsteps of Europe, where closed and isolated Muslim communities have often created social divisions and major security threats.

The Christmas season is a perfect opportunity for Canadians to offer a helping hand.

If there are Syrians or any refugees in your community, say hello and make them feel welcome.

Invite them to your Christmas party, a holiday concert or to a community or church event.

Volunteer to work with refugees and donate to a local food bank.

Show them Canada is an open and welcoming place.

Our government may only care about refugees when news cameras are around, but it is our duty to care about them all the time.

Last week marked the one-year anniversary of when the first group of Syrian Refugees arrived in Canada. December begins the so-called “Month 13”, when financial aid from the federal government stops for some government-sponsored refugees, leaving provincial governments to pick up the tab. Many refugees fear what lies ahead for their future in Canada. Overwhelming evidence suggests that Justin Trudeau’s interest in Syrian Refugees ended with the selfies at Pearson Airport when the first group of refugees arrived. 

There are a number of cases of Syrian Refugees failing to integrate successfully across the country – such things as failing to learn an official language or finding a job. Statistics show that only about 10 per cent of refugees found employment in their first year in Canada. This shouldn’t come as news to the federal government – refugees, provincial governments, and immigration services have told the government numerous times that there are a lack of resources available to the refugees in Canada. Moreover, privately sponsored refugees have found much better success in integrating into Canada yet some private sponsors are STILL waiting on the government to provide them with a family to sponsor. What started off as an election promise by the Trudeau Liberals has turned into a nightmare for Canadian taxpayers and the refugees.

As True North’s Candice Malcolm said, “Trudeau has developed a penchant for putting international interests ahead of the best interests of Canadians”. Time and time again, this has proved to be true – particularly last week.

First, Justin Trudeau demonstrates his lack of ethics by hosting under-the-radar fundraisers with wealthy Chinese millionaires and officials from the People’s Republic of China. One of the attendees even said he lobbied Justin Trudeau to make it easier for well-heeled investors from China to come to Canada. He said he told Mr. Trudeau the program put in place by the former Conservative government was “too harsh”. We can’t make this stuff up…

Second, Justin Trudeau lifts the visa requirement for Mexican travelers. Why? We’re not exactly sure why. But we do know that this will cost the taxpayers $262 million over the next decade, in part to deal with the surge of asylum seekers. This was a figure estimated by the Canadian government because they are well-aware of the fact that anyone on Canadian soil can ask Canada for asylum. Did we mention that Mexico has a huge drug and crime problem? Did we also mention that prior to the visa being placed by the previous Conservative government, Mexico had one of the highest rate of bogus refugee claims? Again, we can’t make this stuff up. Justin Trudeau has demonstrated time-and-time again that international interests matter more than what’s best for Canada. 

(This column originally appeared in the Toronto Sun)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has finally followed through on a major election campaign pledge – a promise he made not to Canadians, but to Mexicans. As of this week, Mexican travelers are now permitted to enter Canada without a visa.

The decision to lift the visa requirement for Mexicans will surely win Trudeau favours with his buddy Enrique Peña Nieto, Mexico’s President. But what will it mean for Canadians?

According to a regulatory analysis done by the government of Canada, the decision will cost Canadian taxpayers $433.5 million over 10 years in increased law enforcement resources due to fake refugee claims.

Mexico struggles with basic law and order issues stemming from a hostile drug war that has persisted for over a decade. Without a visa requirement, anyone from Mexico will simply be able to show up on our Canadian doorstep without prior notice.

Thanks to Canada’s incredibly lenient – if at times naïve – refugee policy, anyone on Canadian soil can claim to be a refugee and ask Canada for asylum.

This creates a perverse incentive for people from around the world, including criminals, fraudsters, human smugglers and the odd terrorist, to buy a one-way ticket to Canada to take advantage of our generosity.

Visa requirements for countries with a track record of nefarious activities helps Canadian officials screen visitors to ensure they do not have a criminal background, history with organized crime networks or terrorist affiliates, and to ensure they plan to eventually leave Canada.

In 2008, prior to the visa requirement, nearly 10,000 Mexicans claimed to be refugees and asked for asylum in Canada. Because of Canada’s generous social programs, these applicants gained immediate access to healthcare, education, housing and monthly welfare cheques.

Of those 10,000 asylum-seekers, only about 10% were found to be bona fide refugees according to Canadian law and United Nations definitions. The other 90% were rejected or abandoned, requiring deportations courtesy of the Canadian taxpayer.

Not only was this an expensive undertaking, it also caused significant national security concerns. Mexico has a bad reputation for being a launching pad for criminal networks and terrorist organizations seeking to gain stealth entry into North America.

In 2009, the Harper government slapped a visa requirement on Mexican visitors, and the problem quickly went away. By 2013, there were only 84 refugee claims from Mexican nationals, the majority of which were accepted as legitimate refugees.

And yet, without providing a coherent explanation as to why Canada should change course, Trudeau has cancelled a visa policy that has served Canada well. Instead, Trudeau’s decision will cost taxpayers an additional $433.5 million, while also undermining national security and blurring our borders.

Trudeau has developed a penchant for putting international interests ahead of the best interests of Canadians.

In recent weeks, he’s visited…(READ MORE)

(This column originally appeared in the Toronto Sun)

Justin Trudeau has a habit of putting his foot in his mouth and saying silly and embarrassing things.

Last weekend, however, when he praised Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, Trudeau didn’t just embarrass himself. He embarrassed all Canadians.

In a statement that claimed to speak on behalf of all of us, Trudeau sent a message that is counter to our way of life, our principles and the very heart of Canadian identity.

He praised the communist dictator, and called him a “remarkable leader.” He said Castro was “a larger than life leader,” and wrongly stated that “even detractors recognized his tremendous dedication and love for the Cuban people.”

Trudeau’s fawning over Castro was quickly repudiated and condemned by voices across the political spectrum and around the world.

When news broke of Castro’s death last weekend, I went to the Miami neighbourhood of Little Havana – the largest Cuban diaspora community in the world. I saw first-hand how Cuban-Americans celebrated the end of Castro’s wicked life.

I spoke to a woman whose family had their property seized when Castro took power in 1959. Her husband was forced to do manual labour on a farm, despite having had a successful career in business.

I spoke to another man whose brother was arrested and killed by a firing squad. He was never charged or convicted of a crime, his family was never told why he was killed.

I spoke to a man who came to Florida as a ten-month old. His mother packed up the family in the middle of the night and they fled Cuba on a rickety old boat.

“He was a monster, he was a tyrant, a criminal and a communist, and my people have been suffering (from) him for 57 years,” said Emilio, a Cuban-born exile living in Miami.

The messages I heard were consistent, and they were clear. Fidel Castro is finally dead, and both Cubans and freedom-loving people all over the world have cause for hope and celebration.

Castro was one of the few remaining communist dictators, left over from one of the darkest chapters in human history. His regime was responsible for tens of thousands of deaths, hundreds of thousands of exiles and millions of lives ruined.

It’s no surprise that the Cubans I spoke with had such harsh words for…(READ MORE)