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Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Climate change ambassador charges taxpayers $254,000 in travel expenses

By
Quinn Patrick, True North Wire
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Source: X

New government records reveal that Canada’s ambassador for climate change has racked up a bill of $254,000 in travel expenses in less than two years of being appointed.

Access to information records obtained by Blacklock’s Reporter found that Catherine Stewart billed taxpayers for stays in luxury hotels which cost as much as $623 a night.

Stewart was appointed climate ambassador by Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault in August 2022, after serving as assistant deputy environment minister. 

According to Guilbeault, Stewart did “exemplary work” as assistant deputy assistant.

Blacklock’s reported that Stewart began taking international trips on her first day as ambassador, flying to Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Bali, Beijing, Bern, Brasilia, Brussels, Cairo, Copenhagen, Delhi, Florence, Geneva and Helsinki.

In less than two years into the role, Stewart had already travelled to Istanbul, Kinshasa, Leipzig, Lisbon, London, Milan, Mumbai, Munich, New York City, Paris, Rome, Sao Paulo, Sharm El-Sheikh, Vienna, Washington and Zurich.

Stewart’s expenses included airfare even when other options such as a train were available. 

According to the Government of Canada website, Stewart’s mandate includes “leading targeted engagements with key partner countries on clean growth and climate change” and “developing and managing relationships with key opinion leaders and stakeholders.”

“Nothing screams fighting climate change like burning through jet fuel and taxpayers’ cash,” Franco Terrazzano, federal director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, told True North. 

“This is a huge and recurring problem with this government where politicians and bureaucrats seem to go out of their way to fly around the world as much as possible and rack up huge taxpayer tabs.”

Stewart took a flight from Ottawa to Toronto to attend a climate conference last year to “promote Canada’s clean growth,” which cost $10,096, including airfare and $323 per night for accommodations at the Sheraton Centre Hotel.

According to the department, “in-person outreach was required to have candid conversations” and “showcase Canada’s leadership.”

A similar justification was given for Stewart’s visit to Berlin last year, which the department also deemed to be essential. 

“Ambassador Stewart engaged in outreach to advance the Prime Minister’s global carbon pricing challenge,” it wrote.

The ambassador also flew from Ottawa to New York City regularly and the records reveal she frequently stayed at high end hotels while there.

Stewart stayed at the Hotel Mercure in Rome at $390 per night, Hotel Maria Theresia in Vienna at $454 per night, and Amsterdam’s Manor Hotel at $551 per night.

During a trip to England for “carbon pricing outreach” last year, Stewart stayed at London’s Club Quarters Hotel at Trafalgar Square for $412 a night.

“The government should save taxpayers money and cut down on emissions by easing up on these extravagant international trips,” said Terrazzano.

True North contacted Stewart’s office but did not receive comment.  

Insect farm opening in Saskatoon this month

By
Quinn Patrick, True North Wire
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Source: Unsplash

Have you heard the latest buzz out of Saskatoon?

An agricultural technology firm will be opening its North American Insect Centre in the Saskatchewan city this month, with a focus on creating livestock feed out of flies.  

NRGene Canada said that its new facility will be open on July 30 and will be developed in collaboration with Swiss technology group Bühler to conduct research and development of soldier fly strains, notably the black soldier flies, native to South America.

The company’s goal is to promote insect protein as a sustainable source for livestock feed.

The insects feed on decaying organic matter, making them a prominent choice for reducing composting and manure, and NRGene plans to use such agricultural byproducts to feed them.

NRGene uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to develop better genetics, creating flies with larger larvae and reduced hatch time.

Minister of Trade and Export Development Jeremy Harrison said the facility sent a good signal about the province’s business climate.

“This announcement is good news for Saskatchewan and it is a positive sign that the province’s investment climate remains strong, despite the current challenges due to the global COVID-19 pandemic,” said Harrison in a press release.

“NRGene will be a great fit for Saskatchewan’s agricultural sciences cluster, bringing good jobs and capacity that will enhance our innovative AgTech, and increasing productivity in the agri-food sector.”

Climate-controlled larvae growth chambers simulate industrial conditions while the company is still in preliminary trials, it says that the results have been promising.

The original cycle length, from egg to maturation, is 42 days. NRGene has reduced that to 37 days. It takes only 12 days to harvest the larvae.

“The performance of NRGene’s BSF larvae in these trials highlights the potential of the collaboration between NRGene and Bühler. This demonstrates the potential of combining advanced technology with genetic innovation, paving the way for impactful advancements in the insect industry,” said Dr. Gil Ronen, CEO and co-founder of NRGene. 

As far as regulations go, the technology and the industry is still quite new. 

Canada began making changes to its rules regarding insect-based animal feed over the past eight years, including approvals for pet food, and feed for poultry, hogs and fish. 

Similar facilities have opened across Canada, with Aspire Food Group opening the world’s largest edible cricket production facility in London, Ont. last year.  

That facility uses cricket flour to produce pet food and the company is interested in branching out into producing crickets for human consumption.

“Crickets are the insects with the most traction from a consumer standpoint and they’re also lower in fat than mealworms or black soldier fly larvae, so you don’t have to de-fat them and the powder has a 24-month stable shelf life,” explained cofounder Mohammed Ashour, while discussing plans to open a second facility. 

“On the human food side, the low hanging fruit is in Asia and parts of Europe, but for petfood we’re seeing excitement across the board.”

Pride in economy plummets, while Canadians remain proud of flag: poll

By
Isaac Lamoureux, True North Wire
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Source: Unsplash

Canadians are most proud of the Canadian flag and least proud of the Canadian economy, according to a new survey.

The survey, conducted by Research Co. between 2008 and 2011 and again from 2019 to 2024, asked Canadians which institutions and features of Canada elicited the highest feelings of pride.

During the survey’s first iteration in 2008, 62% of Canadians took pride in the Canadian economy. This feeling of pride rose to and peaked at 78% in 2011. Canadians’ pride in their country’s economy has since plummeted to 34% in 2024.

The Canadian flag has remained the institution or feature that Canadians remain most proud of in every iteration of the survey since 2008.

The research analyzed Canadians’ pride in twelve of Canada’s institutions and features.

In 2008, the three categories that elicited the least pride for Canadians were the Canadian justice system, the monarchy, and Parliament, at 42%, 36%, and 32%, respectively.

In 2024, parliament (38%) and the monarchy (35%) remained in the bottom three, but the Canadian economy surpassed them at 34%. 

“Back in 2019, four in five Canadians (80%) were proud of the Canadian economy. Five years later, the proportion is 46 points lower (34%), with particularly scathing reviews from women (30%), Albertans (25%), and Atlantic Canadians (22%),” said president of Research Co., Mario Canseco. 

The things Canadians take the most pride in have remained relatively unchanged between 2008 and 2024.

In 2008, the top three institutions and features that elicited feelings of pride for Canadians were the Canadian flag (86%), the Canadian Armed Forces (80%), and hockey (71%). In 2024, the placement remains the same: the Canadian flag (82%), the Canadian Armed Forces (72%), and hockey (71%).

Pride in hockey held the same percentage despite Canada’s Stanley Cup drought being extended by 16 years between the time of the two surveys. 

Most other categories have seen minimal changes over the years.

Canadians’ pride elicited by the country’s healthcare system has fallen only 2% between 2008 and 2024. The minimal drop in pride comes despite Canadians facing the longest wait times ever recorded. Canada’s healthcare system ranked the lowest among 30 high-income countries with universal healthcare. Canadians lost $3.5 billion due to medical wait times in 2023. 

On a provincial level, while British Columbia spent more on healthcare and education than any other industry, performance in the two areas decreased.

Polling showed that most Canadians feel private enterprise could deliver faster healthcare services. A previous Saskatchewan initiative that outsourced publicly funded medical work to private clinics reduced wait times by 47% between 2010 and 2014.

Pride elicited by the country’s healthcare fluctuates largely by region. Pride among those in Ontario is at 57%, followed by British Columbia at 52%, and Alberta at 50%. Less than half of Canadians take pride in Canada’s healthcare system in Quebec (46%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (34%), and Atlantic Canada (28%).

Pride elicited by the state of democracy in Canada has also only decreased by 2% between 2008 and 2024. 

Despite previous polls showing that Canadians outside of Quebec do not value official bilingualism, Canadians’ pride elicited by bilingualism has risen 6%, from 52% to 58% between 2008 and 2024. Between 2022 and 2024, Canadians’ pride elicited by bilingualism fell six points.

While immigration surpassed climate change as a top priority for Canadians, pride elicited by Canadians’ perspective on multiculturalism has risen 4% between 2008 and 2024, from 61% to 65%. However, pride elicited by multiculturalism saw a huge drop between 2022 and 2024, falling nine points from 74%. 

“A second tier shows a decline for two aspects of our country that have been repeatedly linked to previous and current Liberal Party governments: multiculturalism and bilingualism,” said Canseco.

The research noted that when the country’s finances are in peril, optimism declines for other aspects. 

“The numbers outline a severe institutional crisis for the federal government, one that will not be easily eradicated with just slogans and platitudes,” said Canseco. 

Saskatchewan RCMP say explosive devices found in mailboxes are “modified fireworks”

By
Isaac Lamoureux, True North Wire
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Source: RCMP

The Saskatoon RCMP is investigating a series of bomb incidents in rural mailboxes, sparking concern among residents and law enforcement. 

The city’s RCMP received a report on Sunday that various mailboxes had been broken into with “suspicious objects” left inside of them, according to a news release issued by the RCMP.

The RCMP received a separate report on Monday morning of an explosive device being placed in a separate mailbox.

“Further investigation has determined that seven explosive devices were placed in mailboxes in the area. Six of them detonated, damaging the mailboxes,” said the Saskatoon RCMP. “No injuries were reported.”

The Saskatchewan RCMP’s Explosive Disposal Unit is assisting the city’s RCMP with its ongoing investigation.

The government agency is warning residents to not handle any unknown devices found in mailboxes. Should a resident find something suspicious, they are asked to call the Saskatoon RCMP at 310-RCMP.

Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers.

A spokesperson for the RCMP told True North that the devices found were “modified fireworks.” 

The spokesperson added that two additional damaged mailboxes have been found, bringing the total to eight. All of the mailboxes with explosive devices put in them were located East of Saskatoon, in Blucher and Corman Park between Highway 16 and Highway 5.

“The fireworks will not detonate, and thus are not a threat, unless they are lit,” said the RCMP’s spokesperson.

The recent findings and updates come as a result of the RCMP’s continued investigation, which is ongoing.

Ratio’d | Young Canadians are being SHUT OUT of the summer job market

By
Harrison Faulkner
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Young Canadians are being shut out of the summer job market and are being left behind. The reality is that while young Canadians can’t find summer work, there seems to be plenty of people employed at entry-level jobs. They just don’t seem to be Canadian. What is happening?

In fact, the number of temporary foreign workers hired at fast food restaurants has increased by 4,802%. You read that right. That is not an error.

Furthermore, temporary foreigners hired to be truck drivers increased by 361%. Something isn’t right here.

Either young Canadians don’t want to work or foreigners are being prioritized over Canadians. But when article after article says young Canadians want to work but can’t, it becomes obvious what is actually happening.

Watch the latest episode of Ratio’d with Harrison Faulkner!

Conservatives blast “woke censors” for erasing John A. Macdonald Heritage Minute

By
Andrew Lawton, True North Wire
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Source: Historica Canada - Facebook

A Conservative MP is taking aim at Historica Canada for deleting a Heritage Minute highlighting Sir John A Macdonald’s role in Confederation amid what it called “controversies regarding Macdonald’s treatment of Indigenous peoples.”

“After nine years of Trudeau, woke censors and activists are trying to erase our history and tell Canadians they should not be proud of our great country,” said Rachael Thomas, the Conservative party’s heritage critic. “Sir John A. Macdonald is one of the founders of our nation and our very first prime minister. His vision and leadership played a critical role in establishing our constitution on the principles of peace, order, and good government. These irrefutable facts cannot be erased.”

Historica Canada, the charity that produces the longrunning Heritage Minute series, quietly removed the episode in question, which was produced in 2015 in the leadup to Canada’s sesquicentennial, from its YouTube page.

The Heritage Minute in question, which remains available on Facebook, encapsulates Macdonald’s vision of a nation stretching “from sea to sea,” a dream realized through the construction of the Canadian Pacific railway.

In the video, the actor portraying Macdonald expresses his enthusiasm for Confederation: “To the east, the Atlantic provinces, then Upper and Lower Canada, across the Prairies, to the Rockies and beyond. A new country made one by a railway from sea to sea.”

A spokesperson for Historica Canada did not address Thomas’ criticisms directly, but rather reiterated the organization’s commitment to “educate Canadians on the history of this country, including both its achievements and failings.”

“In the case of Macdonald that means recognizing both his many accomplishments while in office – including his key role in Confederation – while also acknowledging those areas where his legacy is more complicated,” a spokesperson told True North. “The Minute is on hiatus from distribution – not permanently withdrawn – while we discuss ways to address that.”

Historica Canada told True North last week that when the Heritage Minute was produced, “the more intense discussions and subsequent controversies regarding Macdonald’s treatment of Indigenous peoples had not yet taken place.”

“To present a Minute – particularly given their extensive use in schools – without mentioning these other aspects of his time in office is to provide an incomplete image lacking proper context,” the spokesperson said. “This view was reflected in some feedback from educators.”

Historica Canada said it was putting the minute on “hiatus while we assess what other accompanying content we can provide in order to offer a more complete treatment.”

In her statement, Thomas linked the decision to a broader “woke culture” she says a Conservative government would reject.

“Instead of Trudeau’s woke culture that is attempting to tear down our country, common sense Conservatives will restore the Canada we know and love and celebrate the proud country we call home,” she said.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre similarly chided the Trudeau government for being governed by a “weird, woke ideology” in his speech to supporters at the Calgary Stampede on the weekend.

It “destroys our education, dishonours our history, and divides our people,” Poilievre said.

Dual citizen Bloc MP who voted in French elections “delighted” with far-left surge

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

A Bloc Quebecois MP with Canadian and French citizenships boasted about voting in the French legislative elections and said she was “delighted” with surprise results that saw a coalition of far-left parties surge.

A number of Quebecers voted in the election, with 260,000 French citizens living in the province. Among those who voted was a sitting Canadian MP.

In an X post following the reveal of exit polls Sunday, Terrebonne Bloc MP Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagne, wrote, “I’m a French citizen, I voted in the legislative elections and I’m delighted with the result of the French elections.”

Sinclair-Desgagne has both French and Canadian citizenship.

“I did not campaign because I am above all a Quebec elected official,” she added. “Now that democracy has spoken: Long live France.”

According to X, she posted her statement from Nice, France.

The right-wing Rassemblement National led by Jordan Bardella and Marine Le Pen was expected to win the second round of the elections Sunday, having led

 in the first round of balloting with 33.1 % of the votes. 

However, that hope was shattered when the New Popular Front, a far-left coalition of several parties including La France Insoumise, the Socialist Party, the Ecologists, and the French Communist Party, came out on top with 182 seats. 

The centrist “Ensemble” coalition, which included Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party, won 168 seats, while the Rassemblement National received 142 seats. 

The centre-right French republicans received 46 seats and other parties won 42 seats.

France’s right-wing defeat came amid centrist and far-left parties teaming up to drop candidates out in key races to lower the chance of vote splitting to the benefit of Rassemblement National.

As a result, many races had only two candidates instead of three.

Sinclair-Desgagne was not the only Bloc Quebecois official to comment on the French election results. Bloc leader Yves-Francois Blanchet also weighed in.

“We’ve been hearing a lot, particularly in the regions here in Quebec, about a French election that seemed to come on top of a right-wing surge with extreme tendencies (albeit of a different kind) in the United States and Canada.” he wrote on X. “But France resisted. It’s a joy!”

Blanchet added that “it’s not all over in the USA either” and claimed that “Quebec will also resist!”

In the past, Canadian politicians have faced criticism for holding dual citizenship.

Former Conservative leader Andrew Scheer faced backlash for having dual Canadian-American citizenship. Scheer was born in Canada, but his father is American and gave citizenship to him and his siblings.

Scheer had vowed to renounce his U.S. citizenship. He however backtracked after losing the 2019 federal election.

Former federal NDP leader Thomas Mulcair and former federal Liberal leader Stephane Dion also faced criticism for having dual Canadian-French citizenship. 

While individuals with dual citizenship are allowed to sit in the Canadian parliament, other countries have taken more hard line stances on the matter.

In Australia, those with dual citizenship are barred from running for federal office. In 2017 and 2018, a dozen Australian MPs and senators were kicked out for being dual citizens. 

Sinclair-Desgagne’s office did not return a request for comment.

Growing number of Canadians believe the Holocaust to be exaggerated 

By
Quinn Patrick, True North Wire
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Toronto Holocaust Museum - Source: Facebook

A new survey points to a growing skepticism about the Holocaust’s death toll, particularly among younger Canadians. 

Leger conducted a previous poll on the subject in 2019, which found 17% of Canadians believed that fewer than six million Jews died in the Holocaust. By May 2024, however, that number had increased to 24%.

The latest poll, which was conducted for the Association for Canadian Studies, found that even from February 2024 and mid-May 2024 there was an uptick in this sentiment.

Leger found that 5% of Canadians in February thought the Holocaust was exaggerated; by May, that number had jumped to 9%.  

In the span of four months, that view had more than doubled between those aged 45 to 54 and nearly doubled in those aged 25 to 34.

Canadians aged 25 to 34 were the most likely to think that the official figures of the Holocaust had been exaggerated, at 31%, followed by those aged 18 to 24, at 27%. Just over one-fifth of Canadians aged 35 and older shared this view. 

“The findings of the recent Leger poll should be of concern to all Canadians. While there are still survivors living amongst us, it is hard to fathom how the number of Canadians who question the scope of the Holocaust continues to rise,” Rich Robertson, director of research and advocacy with B’nai Brith Canada told True North.

“Suggestions that the Holocaust has been exaggerated are sinful and an insult to the millions of victims of Nazi persecution.”

The poll suggested that social media platforms could play a role in Holocaust downplaying, with users of Snapchat and Telegram being the most likely to hold skeptical beliefs.

More than half of Telegram users (52%) and almost a third of Snapchat users (31%) said that fewer than six million Jews died in the Holocaust.

X users were the most likely to know the correct number of how many Jews died, with nearly 67% accepting the official number, followed by LinkedIn users at 50%.

Almost half of YouTube users, 48%, followed by 47% of TikTok and Facebook users and 46% of Instagram users all believed the number to be six million.  

Canadians’ perception of Jews was also a key indicator in whether or not they believed the Holocaust to be exaggerated, with 36% of those who held a “very negative” view of Jews to believe it was. 

That number dropped to just 5% among Canadians who held a “very positive” view of Jews. 

Canadians who had never met a Jewish person were also more likely to view the Holocaust death toll as exaggerated.

Of the reasons cited for skepticism, one-fifth of respondents claimed that media, cinema and books were the reason for the number six million, while another 6% said it’s  “not the worst event in history.” 

A small minority of respondents, 7%, said it’s hard to know what the real figures are and 4% said it’s time for the world to move on. 

Only 1% of Canadians cited Israel’s war on Gaza as the reason for believing the Holocaust numbers to be inaccurate, while another 5% said it’s exaggerated to garner sympathy for Jewish people.

Robertson said the numbers underscore the importance of continuing to educate Canadians about the Holocaust and its death toll.

“It is essential that all members of Canadian society take the necessary action to stymie this alarming trend. Mandatory Holocaust education is an excellent start, but it is imperative that our leaders find ways to combat the growth in Holocaust skepticism and denialism amongst young adults who are no longer exposed to the mandatory curriculum,” said Robertson. 

Ontario KFCs go halal, ban pork to ensure “diverse and inclusive” menu, nationwide rollout to come

By
Clayton DeMaine, True North Wire
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KFC Canada - Source: Facebook

Ontario KFC restaurants are now Muslim-friendly with halal chicken and the removal of pork products from the menu.

All Ontario KFC restaurants, except those in Thunder Bay and Ottawa, have switched to halal chicken and removed pork products, including bacon, from the menu, except for joint KFC-Taco Bell locations.

KFC has “ensured all chicken products are Halal Certified including but not limited to chicken,” a May letter from the company to Muslim community leaders said. The letter was widely shared on social media this week.

“This initiative is a testament to our commitment to providing diverse and inclusive menu options for all our customers,” the letter said, promising the changes would be rolled out to all KFC locations nationally by the end of the year.

KFC Canada did not respond to True North’s requests for comment. However, after calling multiple stores in Ontario, True North confirmed that “everything in the store is halal” and that bacon has been taken off the menu.

Halal, an Arabic word that means “legal,” refers to food that is safe for observant Muslims to consume. There is a certification process to confirm that halal foods have been processed in accordance with Muslim scripture.

KFC has partnered with halal suppliers such as Maple Lodge Farms, which owns Zabiha Halal, which bills itself as “Canada’s #1 Halal food brand.”

Zabiha Halal’s website says all of its meat is prepared by ensuring that each bird is alive before being slaughtered. Automated blades are used to precisely cut the “esophageal, pulmonary, jugular and carotid channels,” leaving the bird’s head attached while a Muslim orally recites, “In the name of Allah, Allah is the greatest!” 

“We employ more than 25 Muslim blessers to ensure that the chickens are properly blessed on the slaughtering line,” Zabiha Halal says on its website’s frequently asked questions section.

“Our halal slaughter is a continuous process. The Muslim blessers recite Tasmiah at the time each bird comes under the rotary blade. We understand that it is not possible for a person to continuously recite Tasmiah, over long periods, at the same rate,” It said. “To keep the speed consistent, the blessers at the slaughter station are rotated with other blessers to prevent fatigue. This rotation continues for the duration of the slaughter process.”

Zabiha Halal boasts that its practices are approved by “leading Muslim scholars” and internationally recognized halal certification bodies such as Muslim law interpreting organizations such as Sharia Consulting Services and Fiqh Council of North America.

According to the 2021 census, 581,950 Muslims lived in Ontario, making up about 4.9% of the province’s total population. Approximately 424,930 Muslims lived in the Greater Toronto Area alone.

Around 61% of Canada’s Muslim population lived in Ontario as of 2021.

KFC, which is owned by Yum Brands, is run by Sabir Sami, a Pakistan-born CEO who now lives in Toronto.

The move by the chicken company has garnered significant debate online.

“Halal is a barbaric form of torture. They slit the animal’s throat while it’s alive so it pushes the blood out faster. In civilized countries like ours, we stun the animal first, it feels no pain,” one user said.

“It’s like being offended by peanut-free candy bars because you aren’t allergic to peanuts when you had no intention of buying a bar with peanuts in the first place,” one user on X said. “My only concern is companies exclusively hiring Muslim butchers so they can market their meat as halal.”

Others dismissed calls for a boycott by pointing out that other chains, such as Mary Brown’s and Popeye’s, have been halal for years and that there is nothing wrong with eating halal meat if you’re not a Muslim. 
“Halal chicken isn’t going to convert you to anything. Halal chicken is usually cheaper than the other options,” one user said.

Majority of Canadians want names and jail time for MPs accused of foreign interference: poll

By
Isaac Lamoureux, True North Wire
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Source: X

Nearly seven in ten Canadians believe that the names of MPs involved in foreign interference should be released immediately, and they should be forced to explain themselves publicly. Meanwhile, 65% think that these MPs should be criminally charged and jailed, according to a new poll.

The Nanos research, released on Monday, mirrors findings from an Angus Reid poll, which found that 69% of Canadians believe that the government should release the list of MPs suspected of collaborating with foreign governments.

The names of elected officials collaborating with foreign governments were mentioned in a report from the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians that was tabled in the House of Commons at the beginning of June. The tabled report contained numerous redactions, concealing the names of those accused of participating in foreign interference.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has criticized the Liberals for not releasing the names of parliamentarians in the NSICOP report.

In turn, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh have attacked Poilievre for refusing to read the unredacted version, arguing that his ability to oppose the government would be compromised by reading the report.

Some leaders who read the report weren’t on the same page. Singh said that there were MPs who knowingly participated in foreign interference, while Green Party Leader Elizabeth May said of the same report that there was no list of treacherous MPs and that the media blew the allegations out of proportion.

While 68% of Canadians called for the names to be released to the public, 28% said that MPs should have the opportunity to privately defend themselves before the committee on foreign interference first.

Canadians were given the chance to select multiple options for the type of punishment elected officials should face if found guilty of interfering in Canada’s democracy on behalf of a foreign country.

Sixty-five percent of Canadians said guilty MPs should face a criminal charge and jail time. Fifty-three percent said that convicted MPs should be removed from caucus. Only 12% of Canadians said that MPs involved in foreign interference should be issued a fine with a warning. An equal 3% of Canadians said that MPs aiding foreign governments should be fired or lose their seat and not be allowed to work in political life anymore, with another 3% saying they were unsure.

Almost nine in ten, 89%, Canadians said that only residents of a riding who are Canadian citizens should be able to vote. Fewer than one in ten, 8%, of Canadians said that residents who are not citizens should be able to vote.

MPs from all parties have called on Trudeau to launch a foreign agent registry, which would mandate anyone involved in government or election influence to register their activities if they work on behalf of a foreign power.  

Bill C-70 received royal assent on Jun. 20 establishing the registry.

Nanos’ poll showed that three-quarters of Canadians support the registry, compared to 72% who supported such measures in 2023. When accounting for those who support and somewhat support the registry, the number rises to 92% of Canadians, compared to 4% who oppose or somewhat oppose it, with the remainder unsure.

The number of Canadians who deemed it inappropriate to advocate for a foreign power was close to the number who believed that the names should be released, at 74%.

Meanwhile, 13% of Canadians felt that it was somewhat inappropriate for an elected MP to advocate on behalf of a foreign power, bringing the total to 87% of Canadians who think it’s somewhat inappropriate. Conversely, only 2% said it was appropriate, while 5% said it was somewhat appropriate.

True North previously asked every MP if they were implicated in foreign interference. You can view the list of replies here.

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