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Friday, July 4, 2025

B.C. ends its COVID-19 public health emergency after four years

By
Quinn Patrick, True North Wire
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Source: news.gov.bc.ca

British Columbia’s public health emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic is officially over, following the province’s chief medical officer rescinding all remaining restrictions.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry declared any remaining restrictions first implemented in March 2020 to be over Friday, including the controversial vaccination requirements for healthcare workers. 

“Today is indeed a very special day,” said Henry during a press conference in Victoria, B.C. on Friday. “We have reached the point in this journey that we’ve been on where I am confident that we can now lift the requirements of a public health emergency.” 

“So effectively immediately, today July 26, we will be ending the public health emergency for COVID-19 and rescinding the few related orders that are still in place.”

Henry confirmed that includes B.C.’s public health mandate that healthcare workers be vaccinated to “work in our healthcare system.”

According to Henry, the decision was made after “careful review” of all data and epidemiological indicators, which revealed that the province no longer requires a public health emergency to deal with COVID-19.  

“While COVID-19 is not gone, we now have high levels of protection in the health-care system and in communities throughout B.C,” said Henry. “Wastewater indicators and testing data show COVID-19 has levelled off and the number of people in intensive care and in hospitals is lower and stable. The level of protection provided by vaccines and hybrid immunity is also helping to protect us.” 

There are currently fewer than 200 people in hospital throughout the province as a result of contracting COVID-19.

B.C. initially declared its public health emergency on March 17, 2020, marking the first Canadian province to do so. 

The emergency mandated mask wearing, prohibited gatherings and public events, and shut down businesses. 

Henry was joined by B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix, who announced that health workers fired under the previous orders can now apply to fill available positions.

However, applicants must still provide their immune status for certain pathogens, including COVID-19. 

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called for B.C. to reinstate “every single nurse” that was fired under the province’s “insane vaccine mandates” with back pay. 

“B.C. is finally ending the insane vaccine mandates that shut out so many loyal nurses. How many people were denied care because these unscientific mandates pushed away needed nurses?” wrote Poilievre in a post to X. “Every single nurse should get their job again with back pay.”

Canada Soccer suspends women’s head coach amid further allegations of spying on rival teams

By
Noah Jarvis, True North Wire
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Source: Facebook / Canada Soccer

After bombshell news that staff of Canada’s women’s national soccer team used drones to spy on New Zealand’s national team, whistleblowers claim that this is a practice that has been going on for years, and that the head coach was aware.

Canada Soccer has suspended the women’s soccer team’s head coach, Bev Priestman, and the Canadian Olympic Committee has removed her from the Olympic team in connection with the scandal.

Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue announced the suspension and launched an external investigation of the allegations.

“Over the past 24 hours, additional information has come to our attention regarding previous drone use against opponents, predating the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” said Blue.

“In light of these new revelations, Canada Soccer has made the decision to suspend Women’s National Soccer Team Head Coach, Bev Priestman for the remainder of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and until the completion of our recently announced independent external review.”

Canadian Olympic Committee CEO David Shoemaker said that Priestman was likely aware that drones were being used to spy on opposing teams in France.

“I’ve seen some of them, some of the information they have, and we’ve gathered some additional information ourselves that made me conclude that she was highly likely to have been aware of the incident here in Saint-Etienne,” said Shoemaker.

Earlier in the week, Priestman offered to sit out of Canada’s game against New Zealand on Wednesday in the “spirit of accountability.”

Anonymous sources told TSN that Canada’s men’s and women’s teams have relied on drones to spy on their opponent’s training sessions for years, going back to the 2021 Tokyo Olympic games, where the women’s team won the gold medal.

The sources said that Team Canada has been using drones as far back as a Nov. 15, 2019 game against the U.S.A. men’s national team, where the Americans won 4 to 1.

The Honduras men’s national team had to stop a 2021 training session in Toronto before a World Cup qualifying match after a drone was spotted overhead. 

Former head coach of the men’s national team John Herdman acknowledged the incident, claiming that an overzealous fan may have been responsible for the incident.

“I’d imagine there’s probably a lot of people in Canada that fly drones, I’m sure,” said Herdman.

“And when a big team like Honduras turns up I’m sure people are probably interested in what they’re doing when they come into our country. So I know for sure we won’t be heading into people’s countries too early because with drones these days, people can obviously capture footage. You’ve got to be really careful.”

Team Canada staff are alleged to have spied on a Japanese women’s national team training session in the 2021 Olympics before a game in which Canada and Japan tied 1-1. 

A contractor for Canada Soccer was caught attempting to film Panama’s women’s national team in July 2022 in the World Cup qualifiers, resulting in a complaint to Canada Soccer and Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football, one of FIFA’s governing bodies. 

True North reached out to Team Canada for comment, but received no response.

LAWTON: Have the Liberals abandoned their “assault-style” firearms ban?

By
Andrew Lawton
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Source: Unsplash

Canadian gun-control groups are expressing concerns over the federal government’s slow progress on its “assault-style rifles” ban, with one group suspecting the Liberals have “abandoned” their commitment to stricter firearm regulations. Tracey Wilson of the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights joined True North’s Andrew Lawton to discuss.

Off the Record | Too many immigrants in Canada?

By
Andrew Lawton
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Source: Facebook

Canada’s immigration system used to be renowned worldwide and Canadians took great pride in the country’s welcoming attitude towards newcomers. However, after the Trudeau government opened the floodgates, a new poll shows Canadians now believe immigration numbers are too high. How did we get here?

Plus, Canada’s women soccer team is accused of using a drone to spy on New Zealand’s soccer practice. Is this the most embarrassing sports moment for Canada?

And everything and anything seems to be racist for activists at the University of Alberta these days.

Tune into Off the Record with Andrew Lawton, Noah Jarvis and Isaac Lamoureux!

Don Cherry’s daughter Cindy dies unexpectedly at 67 years old

By
Isaac Lamoureux, True North Wire
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Source: Facebook

Don Cherry is facing the difficult reality of outliving one of his children. 

The 90-year-old sports broadcasting legend’s daughter, Cynthia Margaret “Cindy” Cherry died unexpectedly at Trillium Health Centre, Mississauga, on Jul. 15, at 67 years old. 

Don’s son, Tim Cherry, shared the news in a Facebook post on Thursday, describing his sister’s sudden passing as a “shock.” 

“As most of you know, I wouldn’t be here today without Cindy and the Grace of God. Cindy donated one of her kidneys to me when both my kidneys failed, and I was on dialysis. She was only 18 years old and saved my life,” said Tim. 

He said that Cindy lived a very charitable life. She established the Rose Cherry Home for Kids (now the Darling Home for Kids), which annually provides over 40,000 hours of respite, palliative, and residential care to families across Ontario. 

Cindy raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and increased awareness of organ donation for the Kidney Foundation with the help of the WHL. She worked for animal rescue and founded the Don Cherry Pet Rescue Foundation, helping thousands of abused animals. 

Tim confirmed that she was also a big part of Don Cherry’s Grapevine podcast.

Don released the first episode of his podcast on Nov. 19, 2019, just over a week after he was fired from Sportsnet for comments made on his show, Coach’s Corner, criticizing those who do not wear poppies.

“You people love — they come here, whatever it is, you love our way of life. You love our milk and honey, at least you could pay a couple bucks for poppies or something like that,” said Don. “These guys (veterans) pay for your way of life that you enjoy in Canada — these guys paid the biggest price.”

Coach’s Corner began in 1982 and its growth saw Don Cherry become one of Canada’s most well-known personalities. The 2004 CBC show, The Greatest Canadian, featured a viewer-selected top-ten list which included the former NHL player and coach.

Hockey Night in Canada’s ratings crashed after Don’s firing, declining 18% between Dec. 14 2018 and 2019.

An obituary for Cindy on a funeral home website said donations could be made to Don Cherry’s Pet Rescue Foundation in her memory.

The website also allows people to sign an online guestbook to offer condolences.

Canadians from coast to coast have already signed the guestbook. Some of them knew her personally, whereas others said they felt they knew her as listeners and fans of the podcast. The signatures and accompanying comments spoke highly of Cindy and sent condolences to the Cherry family.

“It was such a privilege and joy to know Cindy. What a truly Wonderful Soul! Cindy will be so missed but her spirit will most certainly live on in those people and causes she cared about,” reads one signature from a friend.

“We’ll all miss our Sunday lunches and chats on the porch. Time to rest now Cindy, be at peace,” said Tim.

CAMPUS WATCH: Controversial uOttawa prof under fire for Trump-Netanyahu post

By
Élie Cantin-Nantel, True North Wire
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Source: X / Facebook

A controversial University of Ottawa professor is being accused of calling for the assassination of former U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Amir Attaran, a professor in the Ottawa university’s law and epidemiology faculties, posted on X that he’d “like to see the Secret Service fail again” in response to the two leaders meeting.

Attaran shared a New York Times article titled “Trump Announces He Will Meet with Netanyahu on Friday at Mar-a-Lago.”

“I’d like to see the Secret Service fail again,” he wrote on X.

The reference to the U.S. Secret Service comes as more is revealed about the agency’s failure to prevent the July 13 attempt on Trump’s life at a rally in Butler, Penn.

Attaran was immediately called out on social media, including by popular American X account Libs of TikTok.

“This professor at uOttawa appears to be hoping for another assassination attempt against Trump and Netanyahu,” posted Libs of TikTok. “Is this acceptable behaviour from one of your employees @uOttawa?”

The University of Ottawa did not return a request for comment. 

Attaran also did not respond to a query about his post.

As previously reported by True North, Canadian university professors have faced criticism online for posts expressing disappointment over Trump’s survival of an attempt on his life.

“Damn, so close. Too bad,” posted University of British Columbia medicine professor Karen Pinder after the assassination attempt. “What a glorious day this could have been.”

UBC animal care researcher Ingrid Barta meanwhile had posted, “Damnit, so close! And now he’ll milk being a victim for more votes. I reeeeally wish the person had better aim.”

This is also not the first time that Attaran’s social media posts have caused controversy.

Back in 2022, Attaran faced international backlash for shaming a United Airlines flight attendant on social media for not wearing a mask.

His shaming came amidst an air-travel mask mandate having been lifted in the U.S., but not in Canada. The different policies had created confusion for non-Canadian airlines, many of whom chose to no longer enforce a mask mandate on their flights to and from Canada.

Attaran’s mask shaming had been criticized by Canadian and international figures from all sides of the political spectrum.

Attaran has also previously been criticized for social media posts about Quebec.

The Daily Brief | Poilievre “open” to forced treatment to quell drug crisis

By
William McBeath
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Source: Facebook

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he’s “open” to adopting a forced intervention and treatment approach to quell Canada’s growing drug problem, but he wants to see evidence that it would work first.

Plus, Canada has issued more international student permits this year than in the same period last year.

And the devastating effects of the wildfires in Jasper have resulted in 30-50% structural damage, according to the Alberta government.

Tune into The Daily Brief with William McBeath and Noah Jarvis!

U.S. senators warn of terrorism concerns over Canada’s acceptance of Gaza refugees

By
Clayton DeMaine, True North Wire
-

United States senators are sounding the alarm about Canada’s plan to take in more refugees from Gaza and what that means for American security.

Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, among others, penned a letter asking for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to increase security along the Canada-United States border, given the possibility of unvetted Hamas terrorists making their way to Canada through the Trudeau government’s resettlement efforts.

“The possibility of terrorists crossing the U.S.-Canada border is deeply concerning given the deep penetration of Gazan society by Hamas,” the letter said. “It would be irresponsible for the U.S. to not take necessary heightened precautions when foreigners attempt to enter the United States.”

The letter raises concerns about improperly vetted Gazans, who could have ties with terrorism, obtaining internationally recognized travel documents from Canada once their refugee claim is accepted, allowing them across America’s “porous northern border.”

Because Canada is expanding its temporary resident visa program to Gaza and the West Bank, the senators note that asylum seekers would be given a refugee travel document, which acts as a valid form of travel ID.

They said asylum seekers from the region are at higher risk due to “unreliable identification” and, as a result, would lack the same level of scrutiny and vetting as immigrants from other countries.

“Irrespective of Canada’s immigration policies, the U.S. should not waive common-sense terrorist screening and vetting for any individual entering the U.S. through other countries,” the letter said.

The senators noted the record numbers of suspected terrorists being caught at America’s northern border as one reason to heighten security and disregard Canada’s vetting process for immigrants from the region.

Conservative immigration critic Tom Kmiec said Justin Trudeau has to answer for this.

“It is common sense that any person coming to Canada from a conflict zone be properly screened to protect our national security,” Kmiec told True North. “Justin Trudeau needs to answer for how 233 alleged terror suspects entered Canada and the even more embarrassing fact that U.S. border agents had to intercept them because Trudeau isn’t doing his job.”

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Field Operations has encountered more than 233 suspected terrorists at America’s northern border so far in the fiscal year of 2024. 

Canadian immigration experts have also raised concerns about the Canadian government’s plans.

“The Gaza program is extremely ill-advised,” immigration lawyer Sergio Karas told True North in an interview. “For lack of a better word, it’s really stupid to have a program where you’re going to bring in people without being able to vet them fully.”

Karas said the infrastructure in Gaza makes background checks unreliable and therefore impossible.

“When you are vetting people from countries where terrorism is a way of life, who are you going to ask for information? How are you going to determine if a person has ties to Hamas or any other terrorist organization or if a person has family members who are connected with Hamas,” he said.

Karas had outlined concerns with bringing in Gazan refugees before, in which he highlighted a survey which found over 70% of Gazans and those in the West Bank endorsed the Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel.

“All of these individuals that we’re bringing without proper vetting are going to undermine Canada’s relationship with the United States and the relative ease Canadians have enjoyed when travelling to the United States,” he said.

He said the potential scrutiny Canada could face regarding its immigration policy could damage business, as travellers face delays and heavier screening and to Canada’s reputation.

“We better get this under control and our own house in order before the Americans tell us what to do. They have the largest economy in the world and their population is like 10 times bigger than ours,” he said. “They can live without us, and we cannot live without them, so we had better make nice of this.”

Immigration Minister Marc Miller did not respond to a request to comment.

“Worst nightmare for any community”: Danielle Smith chokes up discussing Jasper fire

By
Isaac Lamoureux, True North Wire
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Source: CPAC

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith was so overcome with emotion during Thursday’s press conference that she could barely get the words out while providing her wildfire update. 

“We’re seeing potentially 30 to 50% structural damage, to give you some idea,” said Smith. “You’ve seen the images as I have. We don’t know particularly which structures have been damaged and which ones have been destroyed.”

Smith’s emotion nearly overcame her as she recounted what Jasper meant to her and to many Albertans.

“With some of the most beautiful scenery in the entire world, our grandparents visited to experience the majesty of this place with its mountains, lakes, and meadows. They took our parents, who then took us to this special spot that they’d spent time in as children,” said Smith.

“And now we take our own kids and our own loved ones and visitors from around the world to feel that same feeling that you get. Your first glimpse of the mountains on the horizon. A feeling that even though you’ve just left home, you’re coming home.”

Stephen Lacroix, managing director of Alberta’s Emergency Management Agency, said that the fire reached 100 metres in height. Despite being over five kilometres away from Jasper, it made its way to the town in less than 30 minutes due to heavy wind gusts.

“There’s little to nothing you can do when you have a wall of flames coming in like that. Kudos to those folks that were the heroes that stood their ground in order to fight that fire,” he said. “Kudos to the folks who are the structural firefighters that were preparing for that fire to be coming. But nobody anticipated that fire to come so fast, so large, and so quickly.”

Alberta Emergency Services Minister Mike Ellis said that there were an estimated 25,000 people in Jasper at the time of evacuation, but most of them were visitors who had a place to return to. The number of provincewide evacuees exceeds 17,500.

Emergency response centres are set up in Grande Prairie, Edmonton, and Calgary to support evacuees with hotels and meals. Any adult evacuated for more than seven days can receive $1,250 in support, and any child is entitled to $500.

As of Thursday afternoon, 176 wildfires were burning in the forest protection area of Alberta. Of those, 54 are deemed “out of control,” 50 are “held,” and 69 are “under control.”

Christie Tucker, information unit manager for Alberta Wildfire, said that 1,900 Albertan firefighters, contractors, and support staff are working hard this wildfire season.

Australia was the first to send international support, with 50 firefighters arriving on Tuesday. An additional 400 firefighters are expected to arrive by the weekend, with 100 from Mexico, 200 from South Africa, and another 100 from Australia and New Zealand. 

The Alberta government passed legislation in the spring session, granting them more authority to intervene when fires crossed jurisdictional lines.

Jasper National Park falls under Parks Canada’s jurisdiction, with a unified command between the federal government and the municipality of Jasper.

Because Alberta is not part of this unified command, Smith said that they can’t send any equipment into their federal airspace, including unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters, and water bombers, without being integrated with the federal agency.

Alberta’s minister of forestry and parks, Todd Loewen, said that Parks Canada requests equipment which Alberta then provides, but cannot act proactively.

Tucker said that the province provided night-vision helicopters to Parks Canada Wednesday night. The extreme conditions made it impossible to fly them, however. 

Smith met with federal Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan Thursday and had a call scheduled with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to discuss further coordination. Alberta has called on the Canadian Armed Forces for assistance.

Jasper and various surrounding municipalities have been issued evacuation orders. Other nearby municipalities remain on high alert, urged to be ready to depart at a moment’s notice if necessary. 

Sajjan and Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault are set to host a news conference on Friday morning to discuss the wildfire situation in Alberta.

Smith told Albertans to not lose hope.

“To those in Alberta and around the world who have experienced the magic of Jasper, the magic is not lost, and it never will be,” Smith said.

House committee to investigate $9 million Manhattan condo bought for Canadian consul

By
Quinn Patrick, True North Wire
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Source: Wikipedia

Canada’s consul general in New York City will be brought before a Parliamentary committee to answer for the government’s decision to buy a $9 million condo in Manhattan’s famous “Billionaires’ Row.” 

Tom Clark, a former journalist appointed to represent Canada in New York, and Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly have been summoned to testify before the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates.

They, along with other department officials, will be asked to explain the rationale behind the purchase of a new condo south of Central Park at taxpayers’ expense. 

Representatives from the Treasury Board and government procurement department, as well as a panel of New York City real estate agents, will also attend the committee. 

Global Affairs Canada confirmed the condo purchase, located in the Steinway Tower at 111 West 57th St. in Manhattan, in a recent press release.

According to the department, the condo was purchased for “networking receptions, official briefings, and hospitality events such as discussions with business and political leaders.” 

Liberal MP Ron McKinnon defended the purchase, arguing that it’s an asset which can be liquidated and therefore is not an expense.

“It is owned by the Government of Canada. It can be sold at some point and presumably the value recaptured,” said McKinnon.

The committee is seeking that the government have the property assessed by a third-party and provide a list of  “all properties, including addresses and listing prices, that have been viewed or considered for purchase for the Consulate General’s official residence in New York.”

Global Affairs Canada spokesperson Sabrina Williams said earlier this month that the department decided to proceed with purchasing a new, smaller and more economical apartment instead of paying the costs of renovating its current residence.

Williams claimed that the move will actually save Canadian taxpayers over $2 million. 

According to the department, the previous residence was purchased in 1961 and has not been refurbished since 1982. 

“It’s good that MPs are forcing bureaucrats to explain themselves because sticking taxpayers with a $9 million bill for a condo located in Manhattan’s ‘Billionaire’s Row’ is ridiculous,” federal director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation Franco Terrazzano told True North.  

Real estate website StreetEasy had the condo listed on its website, which described the property as being a 3,600-square foot residence with three bedrooms and four bathrooms.

The new condo has “an elegant entry foyer offers white macauba stone floors, and the stunning powder room is finished in jewel onyx” reads the listing description. “The separate kitchen features a wet bar and is finished with Cristallo Gold quartzite countertops and backsplash, custom hand-crafted cabinetry, and a full suite of Gaggenau appliances.”

Global Affairs Canada did not respond to True North’s request for comment. 

“Time and time again, this government forces taxpayers to pay for its extravagance. When will the government realize that it’s broke and struggling taxpayers are tapped out?” said Terrazzano. 

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