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Friday, July 4, 2025

Trudeau vacationing in B.C. after Liberal MPs told scheduling summer caucus meeting “impossible”

By
Quinn Patrick, True North Wire
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Source: SurferToday.com

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is on a family vacation in British Columbia. The trip comes as Liberal MPs have been demanding an in-person caucus meeting to discuss their party’s poor poll numbers and the loss of a key seat in a Toronto byelection last month.

Trudeau and his family left for B.C. on the weekend. The Prime Minister’s Office said the location of their holiday cannot be shared for security reasons, but flight trackers showed the government aircraft used to transport Trudeau taking off from Ottawa and landing in Tofino, a British Columbia beach destination, on Sunday.

A spokesperson for Trudeau’s office confirmed he will be reimbursing the government for the equivalent of commercial airline tickets for he and his family, as is standard procedure. 

The Prime Minister’s Office also said Trudeau will be paying for the family’s accommodations while there out of pocket and has already consulted with the Ethics Commissioner’s office about the trip’s details. 

Trudeau violated the conflict of interest rules in 2016 after accepting a vacation to Aga Khan’s private island in the Bahamas. 

The Conflict of Interest Act permits politicians to accept gifts and other perks from relatives or family friends exclusively. Family friends must have a well-documented, long standing relationship with the politician, which the commissioner said didn’t apply to the Aga Khan and Trudeau.

Additionally, Trudeau attracted controversy over his vacation to Jamaica last year. The ethics commissioner ultimately said the prime minister didn’t violate any rules in staying at a wealthy friend’s luxury villa. 

The prime minister’s trip to Tofino, B.C. in 2021 also became a scandal when he went surfing on Canada’s first ever Truth and Reconciliation Day, a national civic holiday established by his own government as a commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Trudeau later apologized to Tk’emlúps Nation Chief Rosanne Casimir after ditching multiple invitations to her community’s ceremony to honour the holiday, instead choosing to vacation in Tofino. 

Trudeau claimed that he could not visit the community because he had a phone call with Indigenous leaders while in Tofino. 

Earlier this month, Liberal caucus chair Brenda Shanahan shot down requests from numerous Liberal MPs for a summer caucus meeting, calling such a thing “impossible” due to “scheduling logistics.”

Many Canadians have come to associate the prime minister’s vacations with scandals and news of another was met with frustration by some. 

“Every time that Trudeau jets across the country to go on vacation it’s a reminder that he isn’t a climate activist, he’s a climate grifter,” posted one X user.

“Will we be on the hook for Trudeau vacation expenses? Or should he be expected to pay for his family vacation like the rest of us?” asked another.

“Housing crisis, healthcare crisis, unemployment crisis… Perfect time for a secret Trudeau vacation,” wrote another X user. “This is uncontrolled insanity!”

Canadian citizen shot after attempted terror stabbing in Israel 

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

A Canadian citizen was shot dead by the Israeli military after he attempted a terror stabbing in southern Israel.

The attempted attack comes as Canada continues to make headlines around the world for its frequent pro-Hamas protests.

“A terrorist arrived at the gate of Netiv Ha’Asara, got out of his vehicle and threatened the soldiers of the Netiv Ha’Asara’s standby squad with a knife,” the IDF said in a statement Monday. “The fighters responded by firing and neutralized the terrorist. There were no casualties to our forces.”

They added, “we emphasize that the suspect is a foreign citizen who arrived at the scene from Israel and not from the Gaza Strip.”

Reports have identified him as either Adam Qawarshi or Qawarshi Adam, a Muslim Canadian. 

The suspect had a Canadian passport on him, and reportedly entered Israel on Sunday with a tourist visa and rented a car for two weeks before immediately heading to the IDF outpost

According to Israeli media, he screamed, “Free Palestine” and “You’re killing civilians in Gaza!” before he was shot by the IDF.

Netiv Ha’Asara is a moshav community in Israel located near the Gaza strip.

The moshavim were targeted by Hamas fighters as part of the terrorist group’s bloody Oct. 7 attack. Twenty-two individuals were killed at Netiv Ha’Asara on Oct. 7.

Reacting to the news, Jewish group B’nai Brith Canada called on the Canadian government to take “immediate action” to protect Canadians from similar acts of violence. 

“Although this heinous act took place in Israel, the attacker had only just arrived from Canada, meaning it could have easily happened here at home,” said B’nai Brith. 

“This disturbing incident highlights the urgent need for the Canadian government to address and prevent the spread of extremism and terrorism on our soil. The government must take immediate action to protect Canadian values and ensure our country does not become a breeding ground for such violence”

Since the Oct. 7 terror attacks, Canada has been plagued by radical pro-Hamas activism and protests. Hateful and violent messages have been seen and heard at numerous pro-Palestinian protests in Canada.

Pro-Hamas protesters in Ottawa and Vancouver praised the Oct. 7 attacks, while marchers across the country often praise the Palestinian Intifada and call for a global Intifada. 

Pro-Hamas protesters have also praised Yemeni Houthis terrorists. 

Hamas, Taliban and Islamic Republic of Iran flags have also been seen at pro-Palestinian protests.

For most of the summer, the campuses of several prominent Canadian universities, including the University of Toronto, McGill University and the University of Ottawa, were occupied by radical anti-Israel encampments – which were also home to hateful and pro-terror messages, as well as lessons on “Islamic Resistance.”

Anthony Furey announces bid for Toronto city council byelection

By
Noah Jarvis, True North Wire
-
Source: X

Long-time conservative columnist and media personality Anthony Furey has announced his campaign to run in a Toronto city council byelection. 

Furey announced his decision to run in the Don Valley West byelection on a Toronto talk radio station Monday morning, pledging to work on fixing Toronto’s big issues.

“We are underperforming in so many ways,” said Furey.  “And that is why I have made the decision that later on this morning, I will be going to city hall to officially register to run in the Don Valley West city council byelection to join city council so I can advocate for the residents of Don Valley West and the residents of this great city.”

Furey, a long-time conservative pundit who worked as True North’s former VP of editorial and content and as a Postmedia comment editor, dipped his toe into politics with his run for Toronto’s mayorship in the city’s 2023 byelection. 

Furey placed fourth in the byelection, right behind former Toronto police chief Mark Saunders and ahead of left-wing candidates Josh Matlow, a city councillor, and Mitzie Hunter, a former MPP. 

In a video posted to X, Furey said that as a city councillor, he would help find solutions to help reduce crime, improve Toronto’s traffic, and to stabilize the city’s budget without drastic tax hikes. 

On the 640 Toronto with host Greg Brady, Furey talked about the city’s failure to develop Toronto’s infrastructure, as demonstrated by the flood that engulfed the city last week.

When challenged on his position to restrain the increase in property taxes, Furey said that Toronto’s residents are not getting superior services in line with the increases in taxes.

“If we had done a high tax increase and then we saw ‘oh wow, the money’s actually going to solving all of those problems,’ I think people are reasonable in that they want to see results,” said Furey. 

“That’s the great frustration with these tax increases, we’re not seeing meaningful results.”

Furey is opposed to the renaming of Yonge-Dundas Square to Sankofa Square, saying the project shows that city council is not focused on the priorities that matter to Torontonians.

“The Sankofa Square thing matters because it is about priorities. Where councilors’ headspaces are at, what they’re focusing on, that they are telling staff to focus on.”

Mirroring his commitment during the mayoral byelection, Furey pledged to get rid of bike lanes on major streets with chronic vehicle congestion and to scrap plans to expand bike lanes to more major roads.  

The Don Valley West seat opened up after 14-year city councilor Jaye Robinson died in May following a five-year battle with breast cancer. 

Advanced voting in the byelection will run Oct. 26 and 27 with election day being held Nov. 4. Other candidates include Toronto Transit Commission transit policy director Dhruv Jain and former council candidate Evan Sambasivam.

The Andrew Lawton Show | Biden’s out; Trudeau’s in Tofino 

By
Andrew Lawton
-
Source: Pm.gc.ca

President Joe Biden has responded to the mounting calls for him to bow out of the presidential race by doing exactly that – announcing the suspension of his campaign on the weekend. Meanwhile, Trudeau is taking a leisurely family vacation in British Columbia as his party continues to drag in the polls. True North’s Andrew Lawton wonders whether he’ll finally take the hint.

Also, the bureaucracy has grown in Canada by 42% since Trudeau took office, with 108,000 new public servants despite the population only growing by 14% in the same time. We discuss with Kris Sims from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

Plus, gun control groups are in a panic over what they say is an “abandonment” by the Liberals of their commitment to getting rid of “assault-style rifles.” Tracey Wilson of the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights weighs in.

“He is a partner to Canadians”: Trudeau reacts to Biden dropping out of presidential race

By
Noah Jarvis, True North Wire
-

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has added his well wishes in the wake of President Joe Biden announcing that he’s suspending his reelection bid.

Biden’s announcement comes after weeks of discussion about the state of his mental faculties and speculation whether or not he would step down.

Trudeau thanked Biden for his service as a public official and being a partner and friend to Canada..

“I’ve known President Biden for years. He’s a great man, and everything he does is guided by his love for his country,” said Trudeau in a post to X.

“As president, he is a partner to Canadians — and a true friend. To President Biden and the First Lady: thank you.”

Canada’s ambassador to the United States, Kirsten Hillman, lauded the president for improving Canada-U.S. relations, among other things..

“President Biden is an experienced, thoughtful, and dedicated leader,” said Hillman. “In working together on issues that matter to Americans and Canadians, from economic security to fighting climate change and supporting Ukraine, the U.S.-Canada relationship has flourished under his leadership.”

Biden also received praise from fellow centre-left politicians in the anglosphere: newly minted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer saluted Biden for his long career in politics while Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked the president for his leadership and work in accomplishing shared goals. 

Biden’s resignation comes weeks after the 81 year old’s disastrous performance in his presidential debate against former president – and now Republican nominee – Donald Trump, in which Biden’s cognitive abilities appeared to have greatly declined from his 2020 presidential campaign.

American media had reported that top Democrats like former president Barack Obama, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, and former House speaker Nancy Pelosi encouraged Biden to step down in private while some key Democrats, such as Adam Schiff, made their concerns public.

Biden’s leadership struggles draw parallels to the precarious situation Prime Minister Justin Trudeau finds himself in. 

After a critical byelection loss in Toronto–St. Paul’s, a riding once considered to be a safe seat for the Liberal party, Trudeau has seen calls for him to step down as the Liberal leader by members of his party, including one MP. 

While Trudeau’s approval rate is lower than Biden’s, Canada’s multi-party parliamentary democracy allows prime ministers to withstand greater unpopularity than American presidents. 

The Daily Brief | Concerns about gender ideology are a security threat?

By
Lindsay Shepherd
-

The new interim director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service authored a report maligning concerns about gender ideology as a domestic security threat.

Plus, Ford plans to build large Super Duty trucks at an Ontario production plant it had originally intended to use for electric vehicles.

And Elections Canada wants to change rules for the political nomination process in the wake of foreign interference, including measures to bar non-citizens from voting in party candidate nominations.

Tune into The Daily Brief with Lindsay Shepherd and Isaac Lamoureux!

B.C. doctor calls on province to fund anti-obesity drugs

By
Quinn Patrick, True North Wire
-
Source: Flickr

A B.C. doctor is calling on the provincial government to cover medications for obesity, which she believes will put an end to what she calls a “two-tiered system” for those overweight. 

Diabetes and obesity specialist Dr. Ali Zentner launched a petition demanding that medications like semaglutide and liraglutide be included under B.C.’s PharmaCare. 

The drugs are anti-diabetic and anti-obesity medications which can cost patients up to $450 per month.

“We acknowledge that in today’s healthcare system OBESITY CARE in general is lacking and pharmacotherapy for obesity is not covered under Pharmacare,” reads the petition. “Instead patients are required to pay for medication out of pocket or have special coverage through third party insurance. As such we have created a TWO TIERED SYSTEM for obesity care in BC.”

“We challenge the government to stop the weight bias and cover obesity medications under Pharmacare. We know that obesity is a DISEASE and not the fault of the patient,” continued the petition. 

According to Statistics Canada data recorded in 2018, around 23% of B.C. adults are obese, however, weight management medications are not currently covered under B.C. PharmaCare. 

Zentner, who works with the Vancouver-based Revolution Medical Clinic told CBC News that she spoke with B.C. Premier David Eby directly in a meeting last year but that little action has been taken on the issue thus far.

“The premier thanked me for my time and passed it onto the minister of health, who has passed it onto PharmaCare who is waiting for (Canada’s drug agency),” she said. “So it keeps getting kicked down the line.”

B.C.’s Ministry of Health did not respond to True North for comment. 

Munk senior fellow Dr. Shawn Whatley said that drugs like Ozempic have “transformed diabetes and obesity care.” 

“People lose 100 lbs and more (safely). They can get off all their other meds (often 5 or 6 different prescriptions),” Whatley told True North.

However, B.C.’s Ministry of Health only covers Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes treatment, not weight loss. 

In a statement to CBC News, the province’s Ministry of Health said that Canada’s Drug Agency recommended against provincial and territorial drug plans covering Ozempic for weight loss because the drug’s submission for approval didn’t evaluate its health risks in relation to such use.

“We pay for many things — often of little benefit for boutique conditions. If the state is promising to pay for something that makes a major difference, why not start here? Given how many people could benefit from this treatment, I can’t imagine how much it would cost,” said Whatley.

Patient costs are guaranteed to increase once health problems become more serious, which Zentner says only adds to the case for covering these drugs.

“This is nothing compared to the costs of personalized therapy, which is just around the corner,” said Whatley. 

“This is a moment of truth for governments. They’ve promised to take care of everyone. They put medical insurance companies out of business (nationalized/socialized them). If they’ve made a grand promise, this is a real test of whether they can deliver.” 

Ontario resident goes viral after speaking out about immigrants pooping on the beach

By
Clayton DeMaine, True North Wire
-
Source: TikTok / Ontario Parks

Videos from a Wasaga Beach resident in Ontario are being shared widely on social media after she accused immigrants, mainly from India, of defecating in holes on the beach and burying it.

Tiktoker “ItsNattylxnn2.0,” is a local in the Ontario resort town that boasts the world’s longest freshwater beach.

“Natty” went viral online after ranting about being unable to take her kids to the beach because visitors have been using it as a toilet.

She claimed to have discovered feces in spots where she witnessed Indian families digging and even setting up a tent over the hole for the day.

“It’s pre-planned, premeditated. They dig the hole. There are tents,…They pitch the tent; you think they’re going to change, but they’re not. They are using them as washrooms,” she said in one video.

Another video in which she complained about the central part of the beach, known as Beach One, attracted over 410,000 views on TikTok.

“I’m tired of people saying that the people pooping on the beach (is) ‘what they do back home.’ We are not back home. We are in Canada, and as a local, I refuse to let my kids dig in the sand on Beach One,” she said in the video.

@itsnattylxnn2.0 I am going to be making a series , i will be going down to the main end to show everyone the thousands of tents that are still up. No tourist respects tge no tent rule , also they still dig holes under tents to use the washroom nd i will be documenting it. #wasagabeach #foryoupage #fyp #beachproblems ♬ original sound – Mynamesnatty😈

She has received mixed comments on her videos, from people pushing back, saying that she is lying—to many others both local and elsewhere in Canada vouching for her, saying they have experienced the same thing.

“I worked on beach one for a summer, and I used to have to tell them to stop, and they just wouldn’t,” one user said in the comments.

One TikToker from India made a video calling the minority of Indian immigrants who are acting in ways that make negative headlines like this “problematic” and not a representation of the Indian-Canadian community.

@realtorgarysodhi For those pooping on the beaches, please stop. #indiansincanada #wasagabeach #realtorgarysodhi #canada #brampton #surrey #toronto ♬ original sound – Gary Sodhi

“They did it off my backyard. There were three different families of maybe 25, 30 people that came for barbecues who would set up right on the fence of my backyard. I saw them digging the hole. I saw them placing a tent (over it). When they left, there was poop,” Natty said in another video.

Natty said the issue became noticeable after the COVID-19 lockdowns were lifted.

“People were coming to the beach, and the washrooms were closed. So they were making their washrooms,” she said in another video where she called those who did so selfish. 

She has faced accusations of racism for her comments.

She responded to one TikTok user who called her a racist colonizer by saying she has a First Nations background.

“People are too scared to speak up because they think that it’s being racist. It’s not because if another white person was doing that, would you feel any type of way to tell them to ‘pull your pants up.’ ‘Don’t be doing that on a beach?’” she said. “This has nothing to do with targeting someone based on their skin colour and everything to do with protecting our beaches, our parks. These are places that everyone is supposed to be able to go to and enjoy.”

Alberta deploys new surveillance teams to combat rural crime

By
Isaac Lamoureux, True North Wire
-
Source: Morinville News

Criminals targeting rural areas will have to nervously look over their shoulder, thanks to two new surveillance teams implemented by the provincial government.

Public Safety and Emergency Services Minister Mike Ellis announced the deployment of two surveillance teams on Thursday. One is operational in northern Alberta, and one in southern Alberta. Although the announcement was made on Thursday, the teams have been operational for six weeks. 

These teams, funded by a $4.3 million investment, aim to support local police in surveilling criminal targets. The investment is part of the $27.3 million dedicated to boost the Alberta Sheriffs operational capacity, announced with Alberta’s 2023 budget.

The Alberta Sheriffs and RCMP both have their own surveillance units; however, they focus primarily on serious and organized crime investigations. 

“Two new surveillance teams are filling a gap by helping rural RCMP detachments with local investigations to combat local crime,” said Ellis. 

Assistant Commissioner for the RCMP Trevor Daroux said the federal police agency was happy to hear the news. 

“Addressing rural crime is one of the top priorities of the Alberta RCMP, and our partners at the Alberta Sheriffs already play a vital role in keeping Albertans safe,” said Daroux. “The creation of these new surveillance teams will help augment our ongoing crime reduction strategies in Alberta communities.” 

Break-ins committed by prolific offenders and fuel thefts from farmers are examples of crimes targeted by the new surveillance units.

“Their addition will significantly enhance law enforcement’s ability to surveil criminals and suspected criminals in rural areas where there is often little capacity to do so,” said Ellis.

Both teams are fully staffed and operational.

“We’re sending a message. The message to convicted and prospective offenders is that you are not welcome here. Crime is not welcome in any Alberta community — rural, urban, or remote,” said Ellis. 

While he said that the provincial government is taking action on rural crime, he reiterated the province’s commitment to call on the Liberals to address bail reform to protect public safety.

The superintendent of Alberta sheriffs, Mike Letourneau, joined Ellis at the press conference. He said that each team is composed of one sergeant and seven sheriffs, all of whom have extensive training and experience in specialized surveillance. Some of the sheriffs have as much as 17 years of experience. 

“They’ll be available to help police gather intelligence and information on known and suspected offenders and obtain evidence that will help lead to charges in court,” he said. 

Ellis said that while talking to MLAs who represent rural Alberta, he observed that crime tops their list of concerns. 

The new surveillance units function as support, and generally have an RCMP member or police agency member attached to them. 

Letourneau said that smaller towns with one to three RCMP members working there would partner with surveillance units to help surveil and arrest suspects during break and enters and similar crimes. 

“Criminals often view these smaller communities, rural areas, as places where they can conduct their criminal activities away from the watchful eye of law enforcement,” said Letourneau. “But their perception is misconstrued as we take yet one more step to protect public safety throughout the province.”

Joe Biden bows out of presidential race and endorses Kamala Harris

By
Andrew Lawton, True North Wire
-
Source: X

President Joe Biden has ended his reelection bid following weeks of mounting calls for his resignation.

In a statement Sunday afternoon, Biden said he would be stepping down as the Democratic nominee for the good of his party and the United States, committing to focusing his attention on serving out his presidential term.

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,” he wrote. “And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”

In a follow-up post on social media, Biden endorsed his vice-president, Kamala Harris, to run for president in his place.

“My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President,” he wrote “And it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”

Biden has faced private and public pressure to step down, increasingly since an abysmal debate performance against Republican nominee Donald Trump last month. Biden presented as incoherent and unintelligible at times, raising questions about his cognitive capacity and ability to serve as president and defeat Trump in November’s elections.

Democrats have also been frustrated with Biden’s poor polling against Trump. The gap between the two candidates has widened since Trump survived an assassination attempt in Butler, Penn. last week.

This week, top Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, the former House speaker and current Senate minority leader, respectively, voiced their concerns over Biden’s candidacy.

In a statement, Trump said he was ready to “remedy the damage” Biden has done.

“Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve – and never was!” the former president wrote. “He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement. All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasn’t capable of being President, and he wasn’t.”

The Democrats will formally nominate their candidate at their convention in Chicago next month.

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