Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says Justin Trudeau has just one day to scrap the impending carbon tax hike before the Conservatives will force a motion of non-confidence in Trudeau’s government. Poilievre says he’s willing to fight a “carbon tax election.” While the motion has little chance of succeeding, True North’s Andrew Lawton says Trudeau shouldn’t be afraid to defend the carbon tax at the ballot box if he’s so confident it’s the right call.
Also, a University of Toronto professor says he was punished for playing a philosophical game with students meant to spark debate. His mistake was including the statement “men can become women” as launching point for debate. Prof. Leigh Revers, who wrote about the ordeal in the National Post, joins Andrew to explain.
Plus, members of Parliament voted in favour of an anti-Israel NDP motion this week, with the Conservatives and three Liberals opposed. Robert Walker of Honest Reporting Canada joins the show to discuss.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has put Justin Trudeau on notice, planning a non-confidence motion this week if the prime minister doesn’t scrap the impending carbon tax hike.
“Today I am announcing that I am giving Trudeau one last chance to spike his hike. One last chance and only one more day,” Poilievre said during a Conservative caucus meeting Wednesday morning.
“If Trudeau does not declare today an end to his forthcoming tax increases on food, gas and heat, that we will introduce a motion of non-confidence in the prime minister.”
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre announces non-confidence motion in Justin Trudeau's government to force a "carbon tax election" if Trudeau won't scrap the impending tax hike. pic.twitter.com/ch1LM5VkcG
The motion reads “that the House declare non-confidence in the Prime Minister and his costly government for increasing the carbon tax 23 % on April 1, as part of his plan to quadruple the tax while Canadians cannot afford to eat, heat and house themselves, and call for the House to be dissolved so Canadians can vote in a carbon tax election.”
Poilievre gave Trudeau until Thursday to rescind the coming hike.
“A 23% increase on your gas, your heat and your groceries, because if you tax the farmer who makes the food, the trucker who ships the food, you tax all who buy the food,” said Poilievre.
While the Trudeau government had promised Canadians that they would receive more in carbon tax rebates than they would actually have to pay, Poilievre used figures from the Parliamentary Budget Office to refute the claim.
“I go into this painful excruciating detail to debunk the dangerous disinformation mouthed by the Prime Minister and repeated by the media,” said Poilievre.
“You know what’s dangerous? Malnutrition is dangerous. When we have a government and state-controlled media that are telling people that they are getting more than they are paying when exactly the opposite is true, that means people in food banks. That means hungry stomachs in our schools. That means people suffering.”
The increase will bring the tax from $65 to $80 per tonne of carbon dioxide emitted on April 1.
Canadians will also feel the hike at the pump, as they will soon be paying an additional three cents per litre on gas, bringing the total levy to $0.18 per litre as of next month.
The increase will affect home heating as well, raising it from $0.12 per cubic metre to $0.15.
“We as common sense conservative are saying ‘no’ to Trudeau’s 23% April Fool’s Day increase. We are saying ‘spike the hike until we as common sense conservatives can axe the tax,’” said Polievre.
“Canadians are good and decent people. They do not have to live like this. They should not have to give up on the things that we all used to take for granted like affordable food and homes all for the ego and incompetence of one man,” he added.
“Life was not like this before Justin Trudeau, it will not be like this after he is gone. We’re going to replace the hurt that he has caused with the hope that Canadians need.”
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith disclosed the anticipated timeline for the completion of Canada’s Trans Mountain crude oil pipeline expansion will be May.
Smith made the comments at the CERAWeek energy conference in Houston, Tex.
According to Smith, exports from the expanded system are scheduled to commence a month thereafter.
These projections align with statements made earlier this month by oil sands company MEG Energy stating that the project has requisitioned 2.1 million barrels for April and the same amount for May.
The $30.9 billion project, owned by the Canadian government, aims to substantially increase the transport capacity of oil from Alberta to the Pacific Coast, with targets of up to 890,000 barrels per day.
However, the project has been mired in a protracted history of delays and obstacles.
The final phase before the commencement of operations is the line fill process, marking a critical milestone that grants the Canadian oil market enhanced access to U.S. and Asian refineries.
Despite the pipeline’s troubles, Trans Mountain reiterated its anticipation of furthering the pipeline expansion during the second quarter.
Yet, this optimism is juxtaposed with delays from federal regulatory bodies.
Coinciding with Smith’s statements, the Canada Energy Regulator issued an order Tuesday directing the project to halt work on a segment following inspections revealing workers operating without the proper permission to work in proximity to a red-tailed hawk ecological nesting site.
The regulator clarified that once an inspection officer deems the situation rectified, Trans Mountain will be permitted to begin work again in Abbotsford, B.C.
Insolvencies and delinquencies are on the rise for Canadian businesses and may continue to worsen with loans struggling to be repaid, according to new data from Equifax Canada.
A press release highlighting 2023’s fourth-quarter business credit trends revealed that business insolvencies increased 41.4% between 2023 and 2022.
Simon Gaudreault, chief economist and vice-president of research at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, told True North that the uptick of bankruptcies is “just the tip of the iceberg.”
The CFIB surveyed its members a few years ago, and only roughly 10% of those considering closing their business said they would officially file for bankruptcy. The rest would sell the assets, transfer the business, or utilize other means outside of a full bankruptcy process.
A significant contributor to this surge is the repayment of Canada Emergency Business Account loans, according to Equifax Canada.
On January 19, 2024, CEBA loans converted from interest-free with no monthly payments to a three-year term loan with 5% interest payable annually.
“With the deadline for CEBA loan repayments now passed, many businesses find themselves navigating the financial strain of monthly payments accompanied by a higher interest rate,” said Equifax Canada.
CEBA loans initially offered interest-free loans up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits. The amount was increased to $60,000 on December 4, 2020. Loan holders who initially received the $40,000 loan could apply for an expansion and receive an additional $20,000.
For loans repaid by January 18, 2024, the government offered forgiveness for up to 33% or $20,000 of the maximum $60,000 loan.
Jeff Brown, Head of Commercial Solutions for Equifax Canada, said that “Canadian businesses are facing a perfect storm of economic pressures.”
“The end of the initial grace period of CEBA loans, combined with high input costs, labour expenses, a slowdown in consumer spending and high-interest rates, is creating a challenging environment,” he added.
Approximately 25% of the 898,271 CEBA loan recipients missed the deadline. The total funds provided for CEBA loans and expansions was $49.2 billion.
The government’s decision not to extend the CEBA deadline was “the straw that broke the camel’s back,” according to Gaudreault.
While CEBA was a contributing factor, other contributors to business closures were lost revenue from public health closures, supply chain challenges, inflation, increased costs, rising interest rates, and labour shortages, according to Gaudreault.
Business credit account delinquencies have risen substantially, highlighted the report.
Industrial trade experienced an 8.8% increase in 30+ day account-level delinquencies. Financial trades saw an increase of 3.1%.
Installment loan delinquencies saw a similar surge. Early-stage delinquencies rose 12.5% and late-stage delinquencies rose 16.3% year-over-year. Equifax Canada said that this was due to businesses struggling with monthly loan payments.
The Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals issued a press release in February highlighting the Canadian insolvency statistics.
“Some businesses may not be able to manage the increases to their monthly bills, especially if they are already finding it difficult to drum up sales. That strain, combined with any additional financial challenges or setbacks this year could force businesses to shutter,” said André Bolduc, Chair of the association.
Statistics Canada’s most recent data shows 42,335 businesses closed in November 2023.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business surveyed its members in February, asking about the top concerns facing small businesses.
Financial situation of the business—cash flow, debt, etc.—led the pack at 20%. This concern was followed by labour shortages at 17%, taxes at 13%, operational costs, labour costs, and government red tape at 9%, 8%, and 7%, respectively, followed by a variety of other less common issues.
Gaudreault said the government can help small businesses in various ways, but cutting the upcoming carbon tax hike on April 1 would be the easiest way.
He feels that the carbon tax is unfair towards small businesses.
“A lot of the revenues from the tax come from small businesses, but they get a very small share in return.”
While 2023 was challenging, Gaudreault says he remains optimistic that 2024 could see signs of improvement. However, he added that Canada’s labour shortages and ageing population remain significant concerns.
As the city ushers in the spring season under persistent drought conditions, Calgary officials are hinting at the imminent need for water conservation orders for the second consecutive year.
The potential of outdoor water restrictions as early as May comes in response to a forecast predicting warmer than usual temperatures, raising alarms over the city’s water supply sustainability.
Mayor Jyoti Gondek said Calgarians have reduced water consumption over the last 20 years. She said that the city is taking less water from the river than it did in 2003, with a population that has increased by half a million.
“It’s critical that we work together to do our part and incorporate water conservation into our daily routines this year,” she said. “It’s in Calgarians’ nature to answer the call when an emergent situation arises, and I know this year will be no different.”
The city will make its contribution towards conserving water this spring. The city said in a news release that its vehicles will be less “sparkly clean,” that park spaces will be less green, and display fountains will operate less frequently “to make every drop count.”
When outdoor water use is required, Calgary will be more prudent about how it is used. The city plans to reuse stormwater to water golf courses, park spaces, and flower baskets and use an efficient irrigation system, which uses 30% less water to keep sporting turfs in good condition.
This April, Calgary will begin acampaign called “Together We Can Make Every Drop Count,” which aims to will provide Calgarians with ways to conserve and consume water more judiciously.
“Not only will these actions save water, but it will also help them save money on their water bills,” said the city’s press release.
Calgary also recommended that its citizens begin taking short showers, washing only full loads of dishes and laundry in their respective machines, and turning off the tap when brushing their teeth or shaving. The city said this can help save the average household hundreds of litres of water per month and “collectively more than three million litres.”
The city also advocated for installing rain barrels and using mulch in gardens to reduce water evaporation.
Nicole Newton, Manager of Natural Environment and Adaptation, said the forecast predicts warmer-than-average temperatures this spring. She noted that warmer weather could increase pressure on the city’s water supply if citizens are not mindful of their water use.
“If dry conditions persist, outdoor water restrictions may be in place as early as May 1 to ensure there is enough water to meet Calgary’s essential needs, including water for drinking and fighting fires, as well as to support our neighbours and river health,” she said.
In an op-ed previously published on True North, Alberta’s Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz echoed the concerns of warmth. She said that the last three years brought droughts and water shortages to various areas in the province, particularly southern Alberta, last summer.
She added that the world was experiencing El Niño, a global phenomenon causing less snow and rain, accompanied by higher temperatures. She said that forecasts indicated a 62% chance that this would continue until June 2024.
The province has five stages in its water management plan. The plan ranges from Stage 1, a minor drought, to Stage 5, a province-wide emergency. At Schulz’s time of publication in December, the province was at Stage 4. Alberta remains in Stage 4.
Schulz warned that Albertans would have to come together to secure the province’s water supply.
Calgary has its own management plan based on current drought conditions. The range spans from normal, to dry, very dry, and extremely dry. During the very dry and extremely dry ranges, there are four stages of mandatory water restrictions.
Each stage has a variety of restrictions. Violating the restrictions can result in a fine ranging from $400 at Stage 1 to $3,000 at Stage 4.
Alberta previously announced up to $165 million in federal-provincial drought relief for livestock producers. Calgary, Medicine Hat, and other communities implemented voluntary and mandatory restrictions on water to assist Alberta’s strained river basins.
City officials will continue to oversee watershed conditions, including snowpack levels, river currents, reservoir volumes, upcoming forecasts, anticipated water usage, and other relevant factors to guide Calgary’s necessary response.
Calgary will provide an update on drought conditions and its expected response in late April.
Changes may be coming to Alberta’s Local Authorities Election Act that would allow local politicians to have their political party affiliations listed alongside their name on the ballet.
Such legislative changes are currently being considered by Alberta’s United Conservatives allowing local politicians at the municipal level to run on behalf of provincial and federal parties, or create their own.
The proposed changes would resemble how certain municipalities already operate like Montreal, Quebec City and Longueil in Quebec and Vancouver, Victoria, Surrey and Richmond in B.C.
“It’s still under debate, it’s still under consultation. We’re still going through the process on that. (It) may not apply to everyone, may just be a pilot project, and may just be targeted to the major cities,” Alberta Premier Danielle Smith told a room full of civic leaders in Edmonton on Friday.
Smith said the reason for the proposed change is to offer Albertans a better understanding of who and what kind of politician they are voting for.
“It may be that that dynamic has not developed in most of the municipalities but it’s clearly developing in Calgary and Edmonton. We just think that there does need to be some transparency and governance around that,” added Smith.
“If that’s going to occur, we feel there just needs to be some structure around what the reporting looks like on that, because we want to make sure that people have the transparency that we have in provincial politics and that we have in federal politics.”
Some municipal leaders oppose the potential change, however, like Tyler Gandam, president of Alberta Municipalities and mayor of Wetaskiwin.
“I think it might change the dynamics of how people run, period. I’m not sure why this is going to improve how a municipality is able to govern and create better communities,” Gandam told Global News.
“Which colour pyjamas I wear at night for a political party that I might align with I don’t feel is relevant to why we’re spending more money on infrastructure, or the parks or the roads and sidewalks we’re going to repair or replace.”
However, those who support the change believe that voters have a right to know if the candidate they are voting for will uphold the same policies as the incumbent politicians or if they are aligned with a party offering different platforms.
The proposed changes would still allow politicians to run as independents.
While it remains unknown if the changes to the legislature will be implemented in time, the province is scheduled to hold its next municipal elections in 2025.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly announced that Canada will no longer send arms to Israel after facing pressure from pro-Palestine groups.
The announcement comes after a majority of Liberal MPs and cabinet voted in favour of a modified NDP resolution which will ensure that Canada “cease the further authorization and transfer of arms exports to Israel to ensure compliance with Canada’s arms export regime and increase efforts to stop the illegal trade of arms, including to Hamas.”
While the motion was non-binding, Joly said it needs to be more than just simply symbolic and marks the end of Canada sending arms to Israel.
“It’s a real thing,” Joly told the Toronto Star, who as foreign affairs minister, has the authority to approve or reject military exports.
However, Joly also said that she remains uncertain as to the extent of the ban in practice.
Joly had already announced a temporary suspension regarding military exports to Israel on Jan. 8, but senior officials with Global Affairs claim that they have continued to accept and process applications on a case-by-case basis.
However a recent statement from Global Affairs claims they haven’t sent ‘weapon systems for conventional arms or light weapons’ to Israel in over 30 years.
“Canada has not received any requests, and therefore not issued any permits, for full weapon systems for major conventional arms or light weapons to Israel for over 30 years. The permits which have been granted since October 7, 2023, are for the export of non-lethal equipment,” reads the statement.
While other documents from Global Affairs claim to have given almost $30 million in military goods to Israel in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.
According to peace research group Project Ploughshares, “documents recently released by Global Affairs Canada show that Canadian officials authorized nearly $30-million in military goods to Israel since October 7, 2023. These recent arms export authorizations are in addition to the more than $140-million in military goods Canada has transferred to Israel over the last decade.”
While the majority of Canadians, including most premiers, are united against the Trudeau government’s upcoming carbon tax increase, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues to gaslight Canadians about the tax.
Trudeau wants you to believe despite the affordability crisis, the carbon tax actually somehow makes you richer because of the rebates.
Canadian Taxpayers Federation Alberta director Kris Sims joined The Andrew Lawton Show to discuss.
Eddie Cornell, a veteran in the CAF for over 20 years had his bank account unconstitutionally frozen by a government order for his participation in the Freedom Convoy. Representing Eddie and 19 other plaintiffs, his lawyer Blair Ector has just filed a multimillion dollar civil lawsuit against Justin Trudeau, senior members of his cabinet, Canada’s five major banks along with several credit unions, the RCMP, the Ottawa Police and the Canadian Anti-hate Network.
On this episode of The Faulkner Show, Eddie and Blair lay out their case against Justin Trudeau and tell their side of the story.
