The construction of new housing in British Columbia isn’t keeping with the province’s exploding immigration, a new report says.
According to the latest analysis by the Chartered Professional Accountants of B.C., the province’s population surged by 162,000 people from July 2022 to July 2023, primarily fueled by a significant influx of international immigrants.
The province welcomed 175,024 international arrivals in 2023, a 64.8% increase from the previous year. This growth was predominantly concentrated in B.C.’s largest cities.
Despite the robust international immigration, B.C. faced a net loss of 8,228 residents to other provinces, largely due to high housing costs.
“One of the most concerning trends over the last year was the exodus of B.C. residents relocating to other parts of Canada,” the accountant group’s CEO, Lori Mathison, told Business in Vancouver.
“We’ve historically been able to attract more than we lose. High housing costs are a major reason for that reversal. Younger people in particular are looking elsewhere to build a future.”
The province also experienced negative natural growth for the second consecutive year, with deaths outnumbering births.
With the added strain, the housing market struggled to keep pace, with only a 1% increase in housing units completed in 2023.
This resulted in just one new housing unit for every five new arrivals.
Long-standing housing shortages, exacerbated by affordability issues, continue to pose significant challenges for residents and businesses alike.
To address these issues, experts suggest policies to boost housing supply, encourage investment, and increase real incomes to improve affordability and support sustainable growth in the province.
The Ontario College of Family Physicians is requesting immediate support from the provincial government to combat the province’s escalating family doctor crisis.
The not-for-profit representing over 18,000 family physicians released new data showing that the number of Ontarians without a family doctor has surpassed 2.5 million, rising from 1.8 million in 2020. The latest data available represents statistics as of Sept. 2023.
The Ontario College of Family Physicians said that over 160,000 Ontarians were added to the list without a family doctor in a six-month period.
“Every Ontarian deserves a family doctor, and patients should be able to find one in their community,” said the Ontario College of Family Physicians president, Dr. Mekalai Kumanan. “System-wide issues are stretching family doctors far beyond capacity. We need to address the pressing issues facing family doctors today.”
While many Ontarians have family doctors, too many have access restricted due to distance.
Research conducted by the Upstream Lab at St. Michael’s Hospital showed that 670,000 Ontarians live at least 51 kilometres from their family doctor. Over 130,000 Ontarians live more than 200 kilometres from their family doctor.
“It’s too far, and it’s impacting how Ontarians receive care because they are not seeing their family doctor — or any family doctor — as often as patients who live closer,” said Dr. Archna Gupta, a family doctor and one of the researchers with Upstream Lab.
“Our data shows that without a family doctor nearby, patients may need to rely on hospital emergency departments more frequently and do not get screened for cancer as often,” Gupta added.
Over 11,000 Ontario patients died on surgical waiting lists in 2022. As of Oct. 2023, there were over 200,000 Ontarians on surgical waitlists throughout the province.
The Ontario College of Family Physicians said that having a family doctor improves health outcomes, reduces mortality, decreases hospitalizations, and reduces healthcare costs.
However, even those with family doctors have had problems. True North previously reported that a family doctor referred one of his patients to an ear, nose, and throat specialist, only for him to wait three years to see him.
Previous research showed Canadians faced the longest healthcare wait times ever recorded in 2023. On top of that, a previous national survey estimated that over one in five Canadian adults don’t have access to a family doctor.
CEO of the Ontario College of Family Physicians, Deepy Sur, applauded some of the provincial government’s work but said that more changes could be made.
“A solution that could support family doctors now is to dramatically reduce the amount of paperwork. Ontario’s family doctors report spending up to 19 hours a week on paperwork — time that would be better spent with patients,” reads the press release.
A report released in early 2023 showed that physicians lose hours equal to 55 million patient visits per year on unnecessary paperwork and administrative tasks. The report said 18.5 million hours of physician time was wasted annually.
The Ontario College of Family Physicians claimed that doctors’ compensation has not kept pace with inflation or reflects the increasingly complex care provided and has caused doctors to leave the profession.
Healthcare leaders previously warned that the capital gains tax hike would cause doctors to flee Canada to the United States for a more competitive and less taxed income.
“Family doctors want to continue to be there for Ontarians, but they need more support to do so,” concluded the release.
For the first time ever, Canada has become a net importer of electricity, causing increased costs for consumers and highlighting the vulnerability of a net-zero energy strategy. Macdonald-Laurier Institute senior fellow Philip Cross joined True North’s Andrew Lawton to explain why “energy blindness” is resulting in higher prices and potential energy shortages.
Former president and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump was shot in the ear after an attempted assassination at a Pennsylvania rally.
One spectator and the shooter were killed while another spectator was injured and in critical condition.
Trump was addressing supporters in Butler, Penn. Saturday evening when several two bangs interrupted his speech. Trump was seen putting his hand to the ear and lowering himself to the ground before being swiftly tackled by Secret Service agents.
After a second volley of shots, one of the agents surrounding the former president can be heard saying “shooter is down” before helping lift Trump up from the stage and escorting him into a waiting vehicle.
Trump arose with blood on his ear and the side of his face. He fist-pumped the air several times as he was helped off stage while supporters chanted “USA, USA, USA.”
A statement from the Trump campaign called the apparent attack “heinous.”
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and being checked out at a local medical facility,” a campaign spokesperson told reporters.
On Sunday, Trump urged Americans to “stand united.”
“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand united, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win,” Trump said on Truth Social, a social media company owned by the former president.
Law enforcement sources have said the shooter, who was reportedly on a roof outside the security perimter, was killed by Secret Service agents.
The shooter was Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Penn. His motive remains unknown, officials say.
The shooter’s father, Matthew Crooks, told CNN he was trying to establish “what the hell is going on.” He indicated that would not comment further until he spoke to law enforcement.
One witness told True North he was disturbed by the incident.
“I’m all nerves. I’m freaked out,” the man said. “I hope we can fight through this.”
“I’m all nerves. I’m freaked out… I hope we can fight through this.”
A man who witnessed the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump’s life responds. pic.twitter.com/q15Y4nIEKu
The United States Secret Service confirmed Trump was “safe” after the attack vowing to release further information when available.
“An incident occurred the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania,” read a statement from the chief of communications for the Secret Service, Anthony Guglielmi. “The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former president is safe. This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available.”
WATCH: In the seconds after the assassination attempt on his life, former US President Donald Trump – his face streaked with blood – reaches through the secret service and pumps his fist in the air.
In a brief address to reporters Saturday evening, President Joe Biden said he was “grateful” that Trump is safe and thanked Secret Service for their efforts. “There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it,” Biden said.
Canadian Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre also condemned the attack and said he was glad the shooter was dead.
“I condemn in the strongest of terms the attempted murder of former President Trump today,” Poilievre wrote. “I am relieved he is safe. My prayers are with other innocent people harmed or killed by this heinous act. I am also happy that the suspected shooter is dead. Democracy must prevail.”
True North’s Rachel Parker was on the scene for the rally, which police sources said had about 12,000 attendees.
HAPPENING NOW: Here is a tiny look at thousands of people attending the Donald Trump rally in Butler PA. Police tell me they are expecting north of 12,000 people today. #PATrumpRallypic.twitter.com/7UQAkQ2RJ0
Today on the Alberta Roundup with Rachel Parker, Rachel discusses how the province’s population continues to grow, mainly because of immigration, which is resulting in an increased demand for housing and an increase cost of living for Albertans. Is it time to hit the brakes on immigration? Why is the UCP government still encouraging foreigners to come to Alberta, even going as far as offering a pathway to permanent residency for those willing to become police officers?
Plus, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre gets a warm welcome to Alberta during the Calgary Stampede while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was a no-show.
And the water crisis in Calgary continues as Calgarians continue to be plagued by city council incompetence.
Newly released records show Canada’s Ambassador for Climate Change, Catherine Stewart, billed over $254,000 in travel expenses in under two years, including stays at luxury hotels costing up to $623 per night. Canadian Taxpayers Federation Alberta director Kris Sims joined True North’s Andrew Lawton to discuss this latest example of climate hypocrisy.
Today marks one year since Toronto District School Board principal Richard Bilkszto took his own life.
Other than a few former friends and colleagues who continue to celebrate his legacy, the tragic story has been virtually forgotten.
Those friends have created an organization called Friends of Richard Bilkszto to laud current and future educators who embody his values. Their first awards ceremony took place last month.
But the media circus of one year ago fizzled out within weeks of his untimely death and the promises of reviews into the circumstances that led to his suicide — namely taking a close look at the harmful impact of DEI training — appear to have been all but permanently buried under the rug.
It is a sad statement indeed about Ontario’s terribly unaccountable woke school system and how resistant our school board officials are to change for the better.
Bilkszto took his own life after being humiliated by DEI expert, Kike Ojo-Johnson, hired by the board through a sole-sourced contract, approved by education director Colleen Russell-Rawlins, to preach anti-black racism dogma to TDSB staff.
In April of last year, Bilkszto filed a $750,000 lawsuit against the board, alleging breach of contract, defamation of character and reprisal by the board’s woke brass after he was accused — in front of 200 colleagues — of upholding white supremacy, as well as shamed and humiliated at two sessions run by Ojo-Thompson of the KOJO Institute in the spring of 2021.
His lawyer, Lisa Bildy, told True North this week that she has “nothing new to report” with respect to any decision by Bilkzsto’s family to proceed with the lawsuit.
Even though the WSIB agreed in 2021 that the KOJO contractor’s conduct was “abusive, egregious and vexatious” towards Bilkzsto, the TDSB anti-racism brass continued to ostracize him and cancel his contracts.
A subsequent FOI request revealed that Ojo-Thompson was the contractor of choice for the Toronto and Peel Region boards while Russell-Rawlins was in charge — making $315,000 in 2020 and 2021 alone through sole-sourced contracts.
A review announced by former education minister Stephen Lecce to look for “options to reform professional DEI training” — to make it free of “harassment and intimidation” — appears to have gone nowhere, especially with the ministry now taken over by Todd Smith.
Smith’s social media has been chock full of local events and announcements for weeks — and with a premier like Doug Ford, who appears not to have true conservative values, I doubt very much DEI will come under scrutiny.
TDSB spokesman Ryan Bird told True North its external investigation — conducted by the King International Group — is “continuing.”
”While we anticipate that it will be completed soon, we do not have an exact date,” he said.
That makes it easier for departing TDSB education director Russell-Rawlins and the largely woke trustees who prop her up — led by Shelley Laskin and Rachel Chernos-Lin — to slip out the door without having to account for the tremendous damage done by the DEI trainers she hired to push her anti-black racism agenda.
If trustee Weidong Pei has anything to do with it, that won’t happen.
He told True North he doesn’t intend to let her leave without accounting for what happened to Bilkzsto. Still the search committee for the new director is chock full of woke trustees who’ve allowed Russell-Rawlins to do what I perceive as incredible damage to the board.
They’ve turned a blind eye to the violence, to the bullying of staff who don’t agree with the DEI agenda and to the rampant antisemitism within the board.
Pei said he tried to get on the selection committee but was refused by the cabal of woke trustees.
It seems nothing short of ministry involvement will ensure that the board has a fresh start with a new director.
Meanwhile, Natasha Mansouri, a key member of the Friends of Richard Bilkzsto, says she feels something is definitely not right.
While she does not know of any ramifications, she believes there is a “palpable fear of repercussions” among educators who knew Bilkszto or know his story.
”They either avoid talking about it altogether or speak in low voices, concerned about being overheard,” Mansouri said.
She says some were “scared” to attend last month’s award ceremony and tribute to Bilkszto and some of those who did attend did not want their images shared.
It’s a helluva way to treat the memory of an excellent educator who had a beautiful soul.
I do hope that Pei is able to successfully force Russell-Rawlins and her woke cabal to account for the actions that led to this terrible tragedy.
In a recent op-ed, renowned physicist Lawrence Krauss argues that academia, specifically Science magazine’s endorsement of gender-based hiring policies, undermines merit-based principles, compromises academic quality, and is driven by ideology rather than evidence. Krauss joined True North’s Andrew Lawton to explain why academia’s obsession with diversity-by-any-means is self-destructive, and what can be done to stop it.
Kimberly Polman, a dual Canadian-American citizen, has been arrested and charged with terrorism-related offences following her repatriation from Syria.
Authorities accuse Polman of joining and participating in ISIS activities after leaving Canada in 2015.
She allegedly travelled to Syria to work as a nurse for the terrorist organization, influenced by an online ISIS member who later became her husband.
Polman was captured by Kurdish forces in 2019 and repatriated to Canada in 2022.
She was among 50 Canadians held in a Syrian camp for displaced persons. Upon her return, Polman was arrested in Montrea alongside Oumaima Chouay, a 27-year-old womanl.
Both women were initially released under a terrorism peace bond with conditions, including that they wear ankle monitors.
Polman has been under a terrorism peace bond since November. Her next court appearance is scheduled for August 2 in Vancouver.
Authorities credit the success of the investigation to strong intelligence and policing partnerships.
“Along with our Canadian and international partners, the RCMP remains committed to combating violent extremism both in Canada and abroad, policing partners, local communities and families are all key in the successful identification, prevention and disruption of terrorist activities, as well as individual disengagement from violent extremism,” said Pacific Region RCMP Supt. Jag Dhot in a press release.
Polman’s family maintains that she is compliant with the conditions of her release and no longer associated with ISIS.
Polman herself claims she was lured to Syria by her husband.
An all-ages nude swimming club in the Toronto area has tweaked its rules after its booth at a “family-friendly” transgender pride parade went viral on social media.
Online outrage prompted the all-ages Toronto-based nude swimming club, GTA Skinnydippers, to change its rules. Originally the club welcomed youth aged 14 to 18 to swim naked among adults for free and without parental supervision.
The group had a kiosk featuring members in the nude, advertising the group at the parade that children attended last month in Toronto. The incident was covered widely by media outlets, including True North, prompting questions from Canadians on the legality of the group’s inclusion of children in its events.
The organization has since changed its website and policies, taking an illustration of naked children and photos showing the nude backsides of children with their families off of its site and removing some of the controversial rules that were listed previously.
Wording surrounding the prevalence of erections among male attendees was also altered.
The website originally downplayed erections as a possibility for “someone who is comfortable being naked at swims” while saying it’s “very rare to see one.” The updated site just includes guidelines for what to do if you get one.
“Most men do not get aroused however, if it happens we recommend staying in the pool or the hot tub until it subsides. If you need to get out we ask you wrap yourself in your towel,” the site now says.
The group has now raised the minimum admission age to 16 for those who want to swim without parents; however, youth memberships remain free.
“If you are under the age of 16, you must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older. You pay the same fee as a youth,” the website said.
A change in tone from the original post which said, “If you fall between the age of 14 and 18, you are welcome to attend for FREE without a guardian.”
Although he thinks the online backlash was primarily rooted in misconceptions and “clickbait headlines,” Greg Snow, the president of the Federation of Canadian Naturists, a nudist organization, believes the change doesn’t go far enough. “Naturism,” also known as nudism, refers to a subculture of people who practice a lifestyle of non-sexual nudity.
Snow, who’s been in the nudist community in Canada for 19 years, told True North that he’d like to see the group raise the age limit, banning children who aren’t accompanied by an adult from its swimming events altogether.
“In response to talking with the people (at GTA Skinnydippers), they decided to change it. And I hope they decide to change it even further. It’s at 16, and I hope they change it to 18. That’s my personal opinion, and that’s the normal standard for naturist clubs and venues,” Snow said.
He said the Federation of Canadian Nudists, which started in 1986, is a separate entity from the GTA Skinnydippers, but believes it has a role to play in setting out best practices for nudist organizations in Canada.
Snow defended GTA Skinnydippers, saying that the policy was never intended to be an invitation to potentially vulnerable and impressionable children to swim naked with adults without parental consent.
“It was poorly worded, and that’s why they changed it,” he said.
Snow claimed the policy was supposed to be for those in that age group who have been to the events before with their parents and want to go at a time when their parents cannot make it.
He said people assume incorrectly that any time an adult is naked around a child, the adult must be a pedophile. Naturists don’t view nudity as inherently sexual, and people who criticize them do, Snow argued.
“That’s their only experience being naked with another person, having sex. They can’t imagine anything other than that,” Snow said.
He said other groups, such as the International Naturist Federation, have received “online attacks” and “threats” after its president, Stéphane Deschênes, defended GTA Skinnydippers community.
Some online are still criticizing the group, saying the naturist community is “playing victim” now in the face of criticism, despite making the website changes within the last week.
“The real issue was always about their complete disregard for the safeguarding of minors. While most members probably aren’t a danger, predatory individuals go where poor safeguarding rules are in place,” podcaster Melanie Bennett posted on X.
Snow said that “children in naturism” are some of the safest children in the world, claiming that “everyone is vigilant” and people in the community look out for each other.
GTA Skinnydippers did not respond to True North’s request for comment.
