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Tuesday, October 7, 2025

CUPE rejects antisemitism allegations in human rights tribunal statement of defence

By
Noah Jarvis, True North Wire
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Source: Facebook

Canada’s largest public sector union is rejecting claims before the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal that it has promoted and engaged in antisemitism.

CUPE Ontario and the CUPE 3906 local chapter were slapped with a human rights complaint from several of its Jewish members claiming antisemitism at the hands of the labour union, exemplified by the union’s policies and statements after the October 7 terrorist attack.

CUPE’s statement of defence argues that the human rights complaint is unfounded and that the complainants are mistaken in believing that statements and actions the union has taken were antisemitic or discriminatory.

CUPE is standing by a statement one of its chapters had made on Oct. 7, 2023, the day of Hamas’ terrorist attack killing 1,100 Israeli civilians, in which the union praised Palestinian resistance.

The original complaint to the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal noted that CUPE local 3906 had posted “Palestine is rising, long live the resistance” on X shortly after news of Hamas’ massacre had begun circulating. 

The statement of defence claims that CUPE 3906 was unaware of the massacre transpiring in Israel and that the union was only aware of images being shared of Palestinians destroying the wall surrounding the Gaza Strip. 

“CUPE 3906 did not discriminate against the Applicant by posting the October 7th Tweet. The October 7th Tweet did not, as the Applicant alleges, celebrate the murder and rape of Jewish children and civilians or call such actions justified,” reads CUPE’s statement of defence.

CUPE is also defending the president of its Ontario political wing, Fred Hahn, and a statement he made the day after Hamas’ massacre expressing thankfulness for the “power of resistance around the globe.”

The defence argues that Hahn was not promoting violence and discrimination against Jews while also denying he allegedly celebrated the murder and rape of Israeli civilians by pointing to Hahn’s advocacy for transgender rights. 

Hahn’s use of the phrase “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” is portrayed as a protest slogan for Palestinian liberation, freedom, and equality. 

However, Jewish advocacy organizations and the applicants both argue that the “river to the sea” chant is antisemitic, as it calls for the complete elimination of the Jewish state from the Jordan River to the Red Sea. 

While the complaint argues that promoting the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement against Israel is rooted in antisemitism and the denial of the Jewish connection to Israel’s land, CUPE argues that BDS is merely a non-violent movement pressuring Israel to comply with international law. 

Furthermore, CUPE expressed their firm opposition to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism, claiming that it conflates criticism of Israel with antisemitism. 

The lawyer leading the charge against CUPE, Kathryn Marshall expressed to True North her disappointment with CUPE’s response to the human rights complaint.

“The defence illustrates how deeply ingrained antisemitism is in CUPE. It’s a disturbing, long-winded manifesto of CUPE’s discrimination towards its Jewish members,” said Marshall.

“There is no acknowledgement of the pain and trauma they have inflicted on their members. Instead, they are doubling-down. We are prepared to fight all the way.”

Jyoti Gondek blames Danielle Smith for Calgary’s dramatic property tax increase

By
Isaac Lamoureux, True North Wire
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Source: Facebook//Facebook

Homeowners in Calgary are bracing for an even higher-than-expected property tax increase this year, with Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek blaming the significant hike on the provincial government.

Calgary City Council approved an 8.48% property tax increase for single residential homes. While assessment value has increased by 9.91%, municipal taxes increased by 6.66%, and provincial taxes increased by 12%, resulting in the total tax value rising by $309, or $26 per month.

Condo owners can expect a lesser monthly increase of $20, a 14.18% increase from 2023. High-rise apartments will see a 7.96% increase since last year.

This adjustment follows the city’s recent assessment of property values and the announcement of the provincial budget.

Every November, city council finalizes the municipal budget, yet it hinges on the release of the provincial budget in February to ascertain the municipality’s financial obligation to the province for its share of the education tax requisition.

The municipal portion of the property tax saw a slight decrease from the initially projected 7.8% to 7.2%, thanks to higher-than-expected growth in property assessments. However, this relief was offset by the 12% increase in the provincial education tax requisition, which the Calgary city council said was the reason for the hike in the provincial government’s portion.

While Mayor Jyoti Gondek placed some blame on the provincial government for the tax increase, Alberta’s minister of municipal affairs, Ric McIver, said Calgary’s increase in property taxes has “nothing to do with the provincial government.” 

“The education property tax is an important revenue source that helps support the growing population of students and the need to build new schools, hire new teachers, and education assistants,” he said.

He added that the education property tax rate is set by the province and remains the same as it was in 2023.

The Alberta government’s website confirms the freeze but shows that growth in property values and increased development will result in education property tax revenue growing by $229 million in 2024-25.

The revenue increase will help mitigate the cost pressures of rising enrolment, said the province. The proportion of education operating costs funded by the tax will reach near-historical levels of 30%.

Commercial property owners will also see an increase, with the municipal and provincial portions of the non-residential property tax rate increasing by 3% and 3.8%, respectively, equating to an additional $276 monthly for a commercial property valued at $5 million. The tax burden distribution adjusts to 53.2% for residential and 46.8% for non-residential properties.

The distribution will result in Calgary’s municipal tax ratio reaching 4.37 to one. This means that for every dollar of assessed value, commercial property owners in Calgary will contribute 4.37 times more in municipal taxes than residential homeowners. The province’s legislated cap is five to one. The ratio in 2023 was 4.26 to one.

The city council voted 9-5 in favour of the tax rate bylaw.

One of the councillors who voted in opposition to the bylaw, Sonya Sharpe, said that she knew the tax increase would be hard not only on residents but on businesses as well. 

“I think the biggest disappointment for me isn’t even the numbers themselves. It’s council’s will to entertain any attempts at bringing that number down,” said Sharpe. 

She added that she and Councillor Andre Chabot moved over ten recommendations during budget deliberations last November to reduce investments or spending, and none of them passed.

Councillor Terry Wong also brought a motion earlier this year, supported by Sharpe, to provide a property tax rebate to residential taxpayers. It was voted down.

Despite this, Sharpe said she is cautiously optimistic that progress can be made with mid-cycle adjustments.

“But for the Calgarians already struggling to make ends meet, who are already dreading their property taxes in May, on top of the provincial portion, and trying to figure out what essentials they have to give up, it is too little too late.”

Councillor Chabot explained that Calgary residents are victims of their own success, given that the municipality is such a desirable place to move. This has resulted in a shortage of housing supply amid an increased demand, resulting in property values increasing.

“Calgarians may be equity rich through the increase in assessment, but it doesn’t affect their income, and the amount they have to pay out is limited by virtue of the fact that they may be equity rich but cash poor,” said Chabot, who also voted in opposition.

As the city prepares to dispatch tax bills in May, Calgary residents and business owners are left to adjust to the heightened financial demands, underscoring the ongoing tension between municipal budgeting and provincial funding policies.

Property tax bills are expected to be mailed on the week of May 20, 2024.

Canadians should look at the Taliban if they think Trudeau is corrupt: Liberal MP

By
Quinn Patrick, True North Wire
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Source: Facebook

A Liberal MP said Canadians who believe Ottawa is corrupt should “take a look at Afghanistan” during a Commons ethics committee.

Pam Damoff, a Liberal MP who represents Ontario’s Oakville—North Burlington riding, said Canadians who think the Trudeau government is too corrupt should look no further than how things are currently operating in war-torn Afghanistan. 

She made the comments at an ethics committee meeting discussing the RCMP’s decision to not criminally investigate the SNC-Lavalin scandal.

Damoff was discussing the importance of keeping police investigations at arms length from the government, unlike authoritarian governments which give orders for whom the police should investigate.

During one of her statements, she went off-subject to discuss the online criticism that she has received as a Liberal MP. 

 “I’ve been called a traitor,” said Damoff.

“I’ve been told that my government is corrupt and I often say to people, ‘take a look at Afghanistan, take a look at what’s going on in the Middle East right now if you actually want to see countries where there are terrorists running a country, as in Gaza,” she added. 

“You’ve got Afghanistan, women and girls have no rights at all and it really troubles me when people are making comparisons to other countries around the world. Like Russia, comparing Canada to that.”

“I’ve unfortunately been a victim of all those kinds of comments. Do you have anything to comment on how we can get back to a more civilized discussion on issues?” she asked the witness, former Privy Council clerk Wernick.

“I think the chair will reign us in as being off topic on today’s hearing,” replied Wernick. “I would say that I’ve given plenty of interviews and podcasts on this topic and you can find all of my output as a professor on my LinkedIn feed.”

Damoff’s comments sparked a swift backlash on social media, with many Canadians feeling that simply pointing to a more corrupt government than your own is not an ideal defence. 

The Liberals have been found in violation of ethics laws several times since 2015.

Damoff also said she has been targeted with threats for her stance on firearms.

“As someone who has advocated quite vocally for gun control, I became the target and have been for a number of years of the gun lobby,” said Damoff. “Which has included threats, you know, memes and all kinds of things.”

“Recently, Mr. Barrett,” referring to Conservative MP Michael Barrett, “posted a video on social media with all our email addresses inviting people to contact us about trying to shut down the investigation of the RCMP and as a result my staff actually had to open a subfolder in my inbox and labeled it ‘misogyny’ because of the actual horrific emails and messages I was getting on social media.”

“Do you have any thoughts on the direction our country has gone in the last few years?” Damoff asked witness Michael Wernick.

Wernick maintained that during his time as a clerk, he never instructed RCMP not to investigate the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau or his government regarding the scandal as media reports claimed.

LEVY: “Grassroots” group in Toronto schools whitewashes Hamas terrorism

By
Sue-Ann Levy
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Source: Unsplash

In recent days, a group called Toronto Palestinian Families has initiated a search for like-minded parents to make sure kids in Toronto District School Board schools are “physically, psychologically and emotionally safe” during the continuing Gaza conflict.

The TDSB has disavowed any responsibility for creating this although the school board is mentioned throughout its manifesto.

Board spokesman Ryan Bird, when contacted, said it was an “external group to the TDSB” and, as such, that the board was not in a position to comment.

Yet the ever-controversial Javier DaVila, who calls himself an anti-oppression educator and has been suspended four times by the board for his outrageous anti-Israel activities, is promoting this, along with someone who identifies as @iman_annab.

DaVila, whose Twitter feed is chock full of anti-Israel propaganda and rhetoric, has raised $64,000 to date to fight B’nai Brith for allegedly defaming him in 2021.

He brags online that his legal team is Dimitri Lascaris and Stephen Ellis, two well-known anti-Israel voices. Lascaris, in particular, has spent the past five months on social media posting anti-Israel propaganda.

He also blocked me on X and only allows like-minded individuals to contact him.

When I emailed DaVila for comment at the TDSB, I received an automated reply indicating he was on leave “until further notice.”

According to the manifesto, provided to True North by a Jewish teacher with the Toronto District School Board, the group is a “grassroots” organization of Palestinian families pushing for “safe and inclusive spaces” that are free from anti-Palestinian racism and other inequity in the school board.

As has become predictable with these “grassroots” groups, names are never provided. 

They say they take an “intersectional and anti-oppressive lens” when it comes to all expressions of “faith, gender identity and sexual identity” – totally whitewashing the fact that Hamas and those who live in Gaza do not recognize gender identities or homosexuality. 

It is actually laughable.

They also claim they’ve collaborated with Jewish families who stand in solidarity with Palestinians – no doubt meaning the self-loathing fringe Jewish groups who march alongside the hate fests in downtown Toronto.

The manifesto makes six demands of the TDSB, jointly with Toronto Jewish families, which are also not named.

Reading just like the DaVila resource manuals created in 2021 (which I exposed)  it demands that anti-Palestinian racism be included in the Toronto school board’s equity policy and that training materials be developed on Palestinian human rights and anti-Palestinian racism.

The “grassroots group” of anonymous people also wants the board to “publicly affirm” that TDSB students and staff will not be punished for criticizing the state of Israel.

This is where I take the greatest exception.

Almost weekly, Toronto public school students have been given carte blanche to leave class and march on the streets screaming aggressive anti-Israel vitriol that includes calling for the eradication of the Jewish state.

Not that many of them know what the chant “From the River to the Sea, Palestine shall be free” actually means, which is a tremendous statement about the ignorance of TDSB’s (and other) students.

Another demand is to end collaborations with groups that “perpetuate anti-Palestinian racism” and target progressive Jewish voices (meaning the self-hating Jews). 

In other words, Jewish advocacy groups should not be permitted, according to this manifesto, to push back against the Jew hatred.

Finally, the anonymous grassroots group has demanded that the TDSB reiterate the words of the Israel-hating UN and UNRWA about the alleged genocide in Gaza.

In other words, Jewish students be damned.

This is so utterly ridiculous, it should speak for itself.

However, let’s remember that this is likely being crafted by those who forever see themselves as victims and who have had virtual free rein in the city of Toronto and in TDSB schools to spew their anti-Israel vitriol.

Education director Colleen Russell-Rawlins and her cabal of DEI administrators have not put a stop to the hate and seem not to care, according to sources, about how uncomfortable Jewish students and teachers are feeling in the board.

As for the equity employee who is promoting this manifesto on X, DaVila has also been advocating for Pride Toronto to issue an anti-Israel statement.

That’s not all.

He’s filed a bizarre complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal that is to be heard on May 15.

In it he alleges that a particular administrator in the DEI field with the Toronto District School Board allegedly “leered” at him and that he was targeted for unwarranted disciplinary action in May 2018. 

He also alleges that the board failed to complete its HR investigation for more than 15 months, among other things.

According to documents provided to True North, the human rights tribunal will hold a summary hearing in May on “whether the allegations should be dismissed as having no reasonable prospect of success.”

Senate passes updated free trade deal with Ukraine without Conservative support

By
Quinn Patrick, True North Wire
-
Source: Facebook

A bill to implement Canada’s updated free trade agreement with Ukraine passed the Senate on Wednesday, without the support of a single Conservative senator. 

Similarly, it previously passed through the House of Commons without a single vote from a Conservative MP. 

“In order for this trade deal to be implemented, Ukraine must agree to promote a carbon tax. That is not something we can support,” said Conservative House Leader Andrew Sheer following its ascent from the House.

“Should Ukrainians ever decide to make a different choice, it would be in violation of a trade deal,” said Scheer.

The reason for the Conservatives disapproval of the bill is tied to the fact that the trade deal promotes not only the current carbon pricing scheme in place, but allows for future carbon pricing. 

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has vowed to scrap the carbon tax if elected, meaning his government would then have to renegotiate the deal to remove any references to carbon pricing. 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has used the Conservatives disapproval of the bill as an accusation of their lack of support for helping to defend Ukraine from its ongoing invasion by Russia.

“He is choosing to not stand with Ukraine, not stand with Ukrainians, and not stand with Ukrainian Canadians,” said Trudeau last month, referring to Poilievre.

Trudeau likened the Conservatives stance on the bill to that of the U.S. Republicans who have previously advocated for an end to U.S. aid to Ukraine. 

The updated agreement is designed to help Ukraine rebuild its infrastructure after the war, according to Trade Minister Mary Ng. 

The Alberta Roundup | Former mayor alleges corruption in Chestermere

By
Rachel Parker
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Source: City of Chestermere

This week on the Alberta Roundup with Rachel Emmanuel, Rachel interviews former Chestermere Mayor Jeff Colvin and former city councillor Stephen Hanley. The two were dismissed, along with two other city councillors and three chief administrative officers, by Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver.

McIver has said the city was being governed in an improper, irregular and improvident manner. He has ordered a financial inspection of the city’s books and the city is currently being run by an interim administrator.

The dismissed mayor and councillor allege the province began investigating their council after they found irregular spending patterns in Chestermere’s books. They also say city staff deleted emails and weren’t forthcoming with requested information.

They are now seeking to have the case heard by the court.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ALBERTA ROUNDUP

La Presse apologizes for antisemitic cartoon; heritage minister’s response falls short

By
Isaac Lamoureux, True North Wire
-
Source: LinkedIn

One of Canada’s largest French media outlets has apologized for a politically charged cartoon depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a manner reminiscent of antisemitic propaganda.

La Presse withdrew the controversial cartoon Wednesday, but Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge, failed to condemn it.

During a scrum after the Liberal caucus meeting Wednesday morning, St-Onge said critiques of Israel are “normal.”

“But what I am going to say is that, of course, you know, with everything happening right now in the Middle East and the tension that it’s bringing in Canada as well because communities are feeling this conflict very profoundly, that it’s normal that there are critiques with such a cartoon,” said St-Onge.

The heritage minister continued in French, saying that she would not give any judgments regarding this issue.

“But given the current situation in the Middle East, where there is a lot of tension and the various communities which are affected here in Canada, I believe that this kind of cartoon is going to be the target of criticisms. But we need to have respectful conversations and with compassion and respect,” she added. 

The image was based on the titular character Nosferatu in a 1922 German film that later inspired antisemitic cartoons published by the Nazi propaganda newspaper Der Stürmer. 

The cartoon portrayed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a vampire with long claws, pointed ears, and wearing an overcoat. 

Netanyahu stands on a ship above an inscription that reads “Nosfenyahou, en route to Rafah,” in the cartoon that has since been retracted.

The caricature led various Jewish advocates, such as groups, MPs, Senators, and others, to demand a retraction and apology from La Presse.

B’nai Brith Canada was one of the many Jewish groups and human rights organizations that demanded an immediate retraction and apology from La Presse in a post to X.

“At a time where Canadian Jewry are suffering from the effects of an unprecedented rise in antisemitic incidents, to publish such a hurtful image is a painful insult to the Jewish community and an affront to Canadian morals,” wrote B’nai Brith Canada.

Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner said that there is nothing compassionate or respectful about the cartoon, taking aim at St-Onge’s refusal to denounce it. 

“Canadian Jews are facing massive rising levels of antisemitism, and for the Canadian Minister of Heritage to say this was about the freedom of the press was an abject failure on her part to address antisemitism and to condemn it,” she said.

While Rempel believes that the press has the right to do what it wants, she said that what La Presse published was a blatant example of Nazi-era antisemitic imagery.

She said that St-Onge could have demonstrated moral clarity but failed to do so.

“I was shocked when I saw the fact that this minister danced around this issue, as opposed to taking a firm and solid stance. I believe that she owes a clarification and, more importantly, an apology for her horrendous, abject failure to condemn this image,” said Rempel Garner.

The government needs to ensure that the levels of antisemitism that the Canadian Jewish community is facing are reduced, according to Rempel.

“This is something that every parliamentarian has a duty to understand and protect against. Every parliamentarian should feel as comfortable as I am and as angry as I am that this was published in a major Canadian journal today. This should never have passed editorial standards. And the fact that the Minister of Canadian Heritage failed to say this is atrocious. It’s appalling.”

La Presse issued a mea culpa, titled Our Apologies, to anyone the caricature offended, saying that the cartoon was intended to critique Netanyahu’s policies and confirming that it has been removed from all of their platforms.

“It was aimed at the Israeli government, not the Jewish people,” said La Presse.

“It was unfortunate to depict the Prime Minister as Nosferatu, the vampire, since this movie character was taken over by Nazi propaganda during the Second World War, as readers pointed out to us after publication,” added the French newspaper. 

“It was never our intention to promote anti-Semitism or harmful stereotypes. On the contrary, La Presse has already loudly denounced the deplorable rise in anti-Semitism since the start of the war, in Quebec and elsewhere in the world,” it added.

While St-Onge failed to explicitly condemn the caricature, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did.

“It is unacceptable to bring back antisemitic tropes and allusions like that. It is distasteful and exactly the wrong thing to do, particularly in these times. It is a good thing that it was pulled. It was a good thing that they’ve apologized, but it never should have happened in the first place,” said Trudeau. 

Take Back Alberta founder planning Elections Alberta protest after being “subpoenaed”

By
Isaac Lamoureux, True North Wire
-
Source: Facebook/X

The founder of a political action group being probed by Alberta’s election regulator is planning a protest at Elections Alberta’s headquarters.

David Parker, who runs Take Back Alberta, is planning a protest Friday afternoon when he’s been summoned for an interview with the office of Alberta’s chief electoral officer.

The investigation into Take Back Alberta began months ago, prompting Parker to declare an “endless war” on Elections Alberta.

The non-partisan office responsible for administering provincial elections, byelections, and referenda “subpoenaed” Parker just over a week ago, Parker said.

While Elections Alberta has the authority to issue summonses, Parker’s appearance will not be under oath as it is not a legal proceeding.

Parker said that he has been “running them around a little bit,” making Elections Alberta desperate to conclude the investigation “because I’m upping the pressure every day now.”

Parker expects 500 people to join him at the Take Back Alberta protest outside the offices of Elections Alberta, slated for Friday between noon and 3 pm.

“There’s a lot of people that are very angry about this,” said Parker.

Elections Alberta said it is unable to comment on potential allegations or ongoing investigations.

The organization said that investigating any potential breach of the Elections Finances and Contributions Disclosure Actis within the authority of the Election Commissioner.

In response to the protest, Elections Alberta said the safety of its staff is “paramount.” 

“As a precaution, we will be restricting access to the Elections Alberta office on Friday, March 22, to visitors with pre-existing appointments only,” said Robyn Bell, a spokesperson for Elections Alberta.

Multiple people, including Parker, are expected to give speeches at the protest. First in line is Parker, who intends to speak before his interview around 12:30 pm. He also said he’ll be releasing a recording of his interview.

In a post to X last Friday, which had garnered 100,000 views by Wednesday, Parker said that the subpoena was issued with demands that he release the entire list of donors to Take Back Alberta. He argues this request violates the Elections Act, as the donations were not for political advertising.

“I will not be releasing the names of our donors so they can be harassed by left wing activists,” wrote Parker.

Parker said that Elections Alberta has hired multiple investigators to determine whether Take Back Alberta has violated election laws. He added that he has been cooperative and feels he has done nothing wrong.

Elections Alberta allegedly accused Parker and Take Back Alberta of election advertising during its town hall meetings. He defended these meetings, saying he tells stories about his life and has people get up to talk about their reasoning for being involved in politics.

Meanwhile, Parker said that he is aware of over 50 complaints submitted to Elections Alberta about collusion between the Alberta NDP and unions, which he added the organization refuses to investigate.

There is a double standard between how Take Back Alberta and Alberta teacher unions are treated, given unions have NDP literature in their meeting rooms and the Alberta Teachers’ Association actively campaigned against the United Conservative Party, according to Parker.

He said concerns raised about the unions have fallen on deaf ears.

“They are investigating Take Back Alberta for simply teaching people how their democracy works and encouraging people to get involved in their democracy,” said Parker.

“It’s not even an attack on me. It’s an attack on our democracy.”

He added that the president of the Alberta Federation of Labour, Gil McGowan, is running to be the Alberta NDP’s leader while remaining the federation’s president. McGowan is sending emails out to the Alberta Federation of Labour about what he’s doing, which is a bigger violation than anything Take Back Alberta has done, said Parker, adding that Elections Alberta is not investigating this matter.

The left-wing bias within Elections Alberta results from the fact that most people currently employed there were hired under former Alberta NDP Premier Rachel Notley, according to Parker.

Editor’s note: David Parker is married to a True North journalist, who did not contribute to this story.

Police offer $50K reward for tips that lead to gun trafficker’s arrest

By
Quinn Patrick, True North Wire
-
Source: tps.ca / Facebook

The Toronto Police Service is seeking a convicted firearms trafficker who is on the run after failing to appear in court for sentencing and they have offered a reward of up to $50,000 for any information that may lead to his arrest. 

Kamar Cunningham, 39, of Toronto had initially been arrested in 2018 for his involvement in tracking firearms from the U.S. into Canada. His arrest was part of an investigation called Project Patton.

Project Patton led to the largest single seizure of firearms in the city’s history at the time, resulting in 75 arrests. 

Among those was Cunnigham, who was convicted of several firearms trafficking charges in November 2020.  

“He has been released on bail three times,” said Supt. Steve Watts at a police conference in Toronto on Tuesday. 

“Each time he has violated his release conditions before being arrested and released on bail again…. Not surprisingly, he did not appear once again for a sentencing hearing.”

Police announced the $50,000 reward along with Toronto Crime Stoppers and the Bolo Program, an acronym for “be on the lookout.” The program aims to make wanted notices more visible to communities. 

“Gun violence continues to be one of the most significant public safety issues that plagues our community and affects our city,” said Watts.

“The vast majority of these crimes are being perpetrated by people in possession of illegal firearms. Many of these weapons find their way onto our streets and find their way through illicit channels across the U.S.-Canadian border and into the hands of criminals who show absolutely no regard for human life.”

In May 2021 Cunningham was sentenced in absentia to nine years in custody but was initially released on bail while awaiting trial.

He was later arrested again for violating his bail conditions, according to Bolo’s website.

He was arrested again for a third time for violating his release conditions while on bail but did not appear for sentencing. 

Cunningham is now wanted on a bench warrant, superior court bench warrant, surety warrant and failing to comply with a release order. 

“Mr. Cunningham is not simply a suspect or an accused, as is usually the case for Bolo campaigns. He is a convicted criminal,” said Bolo’s executive director Maxime Langlois. 

“This is the first time Bolo has had the displeasure of featuring a convicted criminal in a Toronto campaign.How is that even possible? … In six years of running Bolo, I’ve never heard such a lax application of bail by our courts,” he added.

“We’re talking here about someone who had repeatedly shown a disregard for rule of law, who had broken his bail conditions time and again, who was convicted of trafficking firearms and who, despite all this, was allowed to remain in the community.”

Cunningham is known to have “strong family and criminal ties” in the Greater Toronto Area, which Toronto police believe may be aiding him in his evasion. 

He is suspected to still be within the GTA somewhere using an alias and fake ID. Police believe Cunningham to be still “continuing his criminal activities.”

He is described to be 6’1, around 160 pounds with brown eyes, black hair and has a full sleeve tattoo on his right arm.

Born in Jamaica, it’s also suspected that he may still have ties there. 

“If anyone sees Cunningham or knows of his whereabouts, they should immediately call 9-1-1,” wrote TPS in a press release.

“Anyone offering him assistance in evading arrest may be considered an accessory after the fact and face charges.”

Crime Stoppers confirmed that a tip leading to Cunnigham’s arrest can be submitted anonymously and the reward will still be paid out, which will remain available until Dec. 4.

Trudeau’s electric vehicle mandate “not feasible” for power grid: study

By
Quinn Patrick, True North Wire
-
Source: Unsplash

The Trudeau government’s proposed mandate to ban the sale of all new gas and diesel-powered vehicles by 2035 may prove to be untenable for the country’s power grid, according to a new study from the Fraser Institute.  

The analysis, titled Failure to Charge: A Critical Look at Canada’s EV Policy, takes an in-depth look at the federal mandate, which would force the national power grid to produce 15.3% more electricity than it currently does within the next 11 years. 

“Canadians need to know just how much additional electricity is going to be required in order to meet Ottawa’s electric vehicle mandate, because its impact on the provinces — and taxpayers and ratepayers — will be significant,” said G. Cornelis van Kooten, the study’s author and a Fraser Institute senior fellow. 

In line with the European Union’s mandate to ban the sale of all gas-powered vehicles with EV by 2035, Trudeau plans to do the same in Canada. 

As announced in December by Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard will mandate that all new cars and trucks be electric by 2035.

Not only will the shift to EV only sales be a significant burden on the power grid, it may not even be possible. 

“Requiring all new vehicle sales in Canada to be electric in just 11 years means the provinces need to substantially increase their power generation capabilities, and adding the equivalent of 10 new mega-dams or 13 new gas plants in such a short timeline isn’t realistic or feasible,” said van Kooten.

The shift to “green” power would also mean the installation of 5,000 new wind turbines, however each turbine would still be required to be backed up by natural gas for days when the wind is not blowing. 

Even if every Canadian were driving an electric car, there would still be the issue of offsetting the power grids’ baseload requirement because the vast majority of people would recharge their car battery overnight, as one does with their cell phone. 

Currently, the power grid is protected against the heavy electricity use of the afternoon and evening, however, overnight charging will throw off the peak load and introduce a new unpredictable component. 

“Baseload capacity requires a generating source that is reliable and operates near capacity all year round except for planned outages. Baseload power can only be provided by a coal plant, combined-cycle natural gas turbine, nuclear power plant, or hydro-with-reservoir facility. Wind cannot serve as a baseload power source because of its intermittency,” reads the study.

“The unpredictable nature of the night-time load resulting from EV recharging can be satisfied to some extent by baseload plants, but more likely by peak plants such as open-cycle natural gas turbines (OCGT) and diesel generators. Wind, run-of-river hydro and solar are also important potential energy sources but they require OCGT facilities as backup.”

There is also the issue of Canada’s climate, with winters often lasting over six months in many parts of the country, keeping EV batteries charged will prove to be an ongoing problem for most Canadians. 

“Although investment in EVs is ongoing, harsh Canadian winters reduce the feasibility of EVs — batteries are less efficient and more difficult (and sometimes nearly impossible) to recharge if temperatures are well below freezing. This is a particular problem where outdoor parking prevails, which is the case at many workplaces and residential areas in some regions of Canada,” reads the study.

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