The federal body will be tasked with dishing out punishments for online “hate speech” under the Liberal government’s proposed Bill C-63 does not outline preserving freedom of expression as a priority in its latest departmental plan.
A scrutiny of the Canadian Human Rights Commission’s plan signed off by Justice Minister Arif Virani revealed a glaring absence of terms such as “freedom,” “freedom of expression,” or “free speech.”
Instead, the focus is predominantly on advancing divisive initiatives related to decolonization and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The commission expanded the scope to ensure that “diversity, equity, accessibility and anti-racism” would be “embedded across all our work through the commitment of our entire senior management team.”
Additionally, the department plans to give more say to its Decolonization and Anti-Racism Consultation Committee.
The absence of explicit commitments to safeguarding freedom of expression is notable, in light of the government’s simultaneous introduction of the Online Harms Act.
This legislative proposal, unveiled by Virani on Monday, aims to address online hate speech by imposing significant penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment for hate crimes.
Under the proposed amendments, individuals will have the ability to lodge complaints against online content deemed discriminatory towards protected categories such as gender, race, and disability.
The Commission would be empowered to investigate such complaints and send them to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal for adjudication, with the tribunal being authorized to levy fines of up to $70,000 and issue takedown orders for offending content.
It’s Friday! Kick back, grab a drink and enjoy the latest episode of Off the Record with Candice Malcolm, Harrison Faulkner and Rachel Emmanuel!
It seems like every where you look in Canada these days, you can find a woke progress flag – on flag poles of government buildings, on sidewalks, and elsewhere. However, this week, residents of Westlock, Alberta sent a clear message to the government by voting in favour of banning pride flags and rainbow crosswalks on municipal property. It’s clear Canadians are finally rejecting the woke agenda.
Plus, the legacy media in Canada reached a new low this week by weaponizing suicide to push their woke, authoritarian agenda.
A black Pope? Indigenous Vikings? A black George Washington? Google is under fire after its AI tool, Gemini, produced misleading and inaccurate photos of historical figures.
These stories and more on Off the Record! Tune in now!
The Globe and Mail issued an apology after facing backlash over a headline announcing the passing of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, labeling him as “one of Canada’s most divisive prime ministers.”
The outlet attributed the error to an “automated tweet” that did not align with its editorial standards.
An automated tweet about former prime minister Brian Mulroney contained a headline that was not in line with our standards. It has now been deleted.
In a tweet, the Globe and Mail acknowledged the misstep, stating, “An automated tweet about former prime minister Brian Mulroney contained a headline that was not in line with our standards. It has now been deleted.”
The headline sparked criticism from various commentators on social media platforms. Lawyer Ryan O’Connor questioned the appropriateness of such a headline, suggesting a double standard in the newspaper’s treatment of prime ministers from different political affiliations.
Can you imagine the Globe & Mail using such a crass headline after a Liberal Prime Minister passed away?
All Prime Ministers are by definition "divisive". Their parties win competitive, democratic elections, in which not all Canadians support them! pic.twitter.com/IoMBmR8yRj
Former CRTC vice chair Peter Menzies pointed out the headline was attributed to the Canadian Press, implying that similar issues might have occurred elsewhere.
Good. Canadian Press is the culprit and its auto-headline likely went many other places https://t.co/kvC6rJuaAo
Brian Mulroney, Canada’s 18th prime minister, passed away at the age of 84 on Thursday.
His daughter, Caroline Mulroney, announced his death on social media, expressing sorrow on behalf of the family.
1/3 On behalf of my mother and our family, it is with great sadness we announce the passing of my father, The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, Canada’s 18th Prime Minister. He died peacefully, surrounded by family.
Mulroney had been hospitalized in Palm Beach following a recent fall and was surrounded by his loved ones at the time of his passing.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid tribute to Mulroney, highlighting his contributions to the country and describing him as a courageous leader who dedicated himself to serving Canada.
“He was committed to this country — loved it with all his heart — and served it many, many years and many different ways,” said Trudeau in response to the news.
“He was an extraordinary statesman and he will be deeply deeply missed.”
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre echoed Trudeau’s sentiments, praising Mulroney as one of Canada’s greatest statesmen.
“He loved to have conversation. He was a brilliant conversationalist and a wonderful storyteller,” said Poilievre.
Canada’s state broadcaster will get an additional $90 million in funding next year from the Trudeau government, despite declining revenue, viewership and laying off 10% of its staff.
For the 2024-25 fiscal year, CBC will receive approximately $1.4 billion, up from $1.3 billion last year, according to documents from Canadian Heritage.
CBC announced that it would be laying off 800 people from the network in December because of a projected shortfall of $125 million in April 2024, the beginning of the next fiscal year.
A CBC spokesperson said that $11 million of that shortfall was part of a projected 3.3% budget cut, according to CTV News.
In addition to the increased funding from the Trudeau government, CBC will also receive $7 million from Google as part of the newly introduced Online News Act, which requires tech giants to compensate Canadian news outlets for content posted on their platforms.
CBC executives claim that they were told to cut their budget by 3.3% by the government earlier this year.
“We were told to budget a 3.3 per cent cut, and that’s what we’ve done,” said CBC President and CEO Shaun Poulter in January following a parliamentary committee hearing.
However, the Treasury Board, responsible for reviewing spending in the federal budget, said that no such directive was given to the broadcaster.
“I’ve said right from the beginning that the reallocation decision for CBC/Radio-Canada was still pending,” said Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge in a statement on Thursday.
“Our government’s objective isn’t to jeopardize the vital role of CBC/Radio-Canada, when it’s a critical time to keep Canadians connected and informed from coast to coast to coast.”
According to CBC’s third-quarter report from 2022-23, viewership dropped to 4.4% during its national prime-time slot, down from 7.6% in 2018.
CBC confirmed that they had already cut 100 positions,including 50 on the CBC production side and 40 on Radio-Canada, as well as 10 corporate positions.
News of the additional funding comes on the heels of CBC President Catherine Tait announcing executives will still receive bonuses despite the cuts made to other departments.
The decision to give bonuses to executives earned Tait the top spot on the Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s Naughty List, an annual ranking of public officials accused of squandering public funds.
Tait was forced to defend her position as CEO before the House of Commons Heritage Committee earlier this year, particularly over the state broadcaster’s supposed role in combating disinformation during a time of substantial loss of trust from the public.
“The public broadcaster remains the single most effective tool that we have as Canadians to combat this disinformation. We are the only national media company in the country,” said Tait at the hearing in January.
Conservative MP Rachael Thomas was the first to press Tait on the CBC’s decline, questioning whether she deserves a bonus.
Thomas pointed out that under Tait’s leadership, CBC’s trust in the media has declined, viewership has halved, ad revenue dropped by 31%, and more than 100 correction notices have been issued in the last two years.
The Saskatchewan government has officially refused to send Ottawa federal carbon levy funds from natural gas after promising taxpayers relief.
SaskEnergy Minister Dustin Duncan said on a video posted to X by Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe that he was standing in Ottawa, where 40 years ago, Pierre Trudeau took a walk in the snow and decided to resign as Prime Minister.
“Today, I took a walk in the rain and made an important decision about the carbon tax. After the cold start that we’ve had to the week, we’re all well aware that it’s still winter in Saskatchewan. And Justin Trudeau continues to leave Saskatchewan people out in the cold,” said Duncan.
Duncan said that the carbon tax has always been unaffordable, and up until the Liberals implemented an exemption on home heating oil, primarily benefiting Atlantic Canada, it has been applied fairly. The exemption gave a cold shoulder to Saskatchewan, said Duncan.
“When asked what it would take to extend similar affordability relief to families in Western Canada, a Liberal minister suggested that we should elect more Liberals. That’s no way to run a country,” said Duncan.
Saskatchewan’s premier posted on X saying that when Trudeau gave a carbon tax exemption on heating oil to Atlantic Canada, he called it “relief amid soaring costs of living” and “the right outcome.”
“When our government does the same by taking the carbon tax off natural gas for Saskatchewan families, the Trudeau government calls it ‘anarchy.’ Has there ever been a more divisive federal government?”
Moe said that Saskatchewan would not accept this unfair treatment, leading the province to stop collecting the carbon tax on residential bills. The cessation of collection will save the average household in Saskatchewan $400 this year, according to Duncan.
Speaking after Saskatchewan’s announcement on Thursday, Minister of Energy Jonathan Wilkinson said that the government of Saskatchewan was attacking its people’s wallets.
“I’m very disappointed for two different reasons. The first is that the decision not to remit essentially is going to hurt people in Saskatchewan. They will no longer get the rebate. The rebate actually provides more money for most families in Saskatchewan,” said Wilkinson.
He added that Duncan said it would save people $400, but the rebate for a family of four is $1,500, and in rural areas, it’s $1,800.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation called on the government last year after the Parliamentary Budget Officer’s report showed the carbon tax cost families more than they got back in rebates.
After showing the total cost minus the rebates, the carbon tax cost the average family $710 in 2023 after rebates. The average cost in Saskatchewan was $410. For 2024-25, the PBO report shows this amount increases to $525 and increases every year thereafter to the final date calculated of 2030-31, which would cost Saskatchewan families $1,723 after rebates.
Duncan said that this is not a decision the province takes lightly and understands that it may come with consequences. Last December, the Saskatchewan legislature unanimously passed a law giving the province exclusive responsibility for compliance with the federal carbon tax on home heating.
“This is also about fairness and our government refusing to allow Trudeau to treat Saskatchewan people like second-class citizens,” said Duncan.
However, SaskEnergy is breaking federal emissions law by choosing not to remit the carbon levy, which could result in fines or potential jail time for executives, according to Global News.
In addition to no longer collecting the carbon tax on SaskEnergy bills, the government of Saskatchewan will not be remitting the federal carbon tax on natural gas that Saskatchewan families have used to heat their homes.
“The Trudeau-NDP carbon tax has been a disaster, driving up the cost of almost everything while doing nothing to reduce emissions. The real solution would be for Trudeau to scrap the carbon tax on everyone and everything,” said Duncan.
Until that happens, Saskatchewan families will not pay Ottawa for their household SaskEnergy bill. The federal government will not receive those amounts from the government of Saskatchewan.
Alberta’s latest budget includes a $2.6 billion surplus but concerns remain as the province is expected to borrow a substantial amount of money to meet its near-term goals.
Plus, Alberta also announced that it will be introducing a $200 annual tax for electric vehicle owners upon registration to match the fuel tax.
And Canada is bringing back visas for Mexican nationals after facing pressure from US authorities.
Tune into The Daily Brief with Cosmin Dzsurdzsa and Isaac Lamoureux!
Justin Trudeau’s Online Harms Bill, Bill C-63, is the biggest threat to freedom of speech in this country. It introduces nothing short of a surveillance state replete with snitch lines, kangaroo courts and mass censorship.
But Canadians can’t count on the legacy media to tell the truth about Trudeau’s latest power grab. Instead of sounding the alarm, the media is cheering on the prime minister and doing his dirty work in smearing the opposition.
If Canada were a free country, with a free press, the media would be ringing the alarm over this assault on freedom of speech.
Tune into Fake News Friday on The Candice Malcolm Show.
Correction: Michael Geist is the Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-Commerce Law at the University of Ottawa and NOT the former head of the CRTC.
Last July 25, just 12 days after Richard Bilkszto’s tragic suicide, education minister Stephen Lecce announced a review of the circumstances leading to his death.
Calling the allegations raised in the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) principal’s $750,000 statement of claim against the board “serious and disturbing,” Lecce said he wanted to ensure what happened to Bilkzsto in a series of DEI workshops led by Kike Ojo-Thompson never happened again.
But seven months since Lecce’s pronouncement, the alleged review is nowhere, as is the one announced by TDSB education director Colleen Russell-Rawlins at the end of last July.
Bilkszto took his own life in mid-July of last year.
Both his lawyer Lisa Bildy and his family have said the 24-year much-loved principal was under immense stress after being humiliated by Ojo-Thompson—a race “expert” hired by the TDSB to preach anti-black racism dogma during a series of training sessions. The ones attended by Bilkszto were in late April and early May of 2021.
A Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) report agreed that during those sessions Ojo-Thompson’s conduct was “abusive, egregious and vexatious” and could be considered “workplace harassment and bullying.”
Despite the WSIB report, the TDSB anti-racism cabal ostracized him and cancelled contracts with him subsequent to the sessions.
Bilkszto filed a $750,000 lawsuit in April of 2023. But Bildy told True North this week that it is still on hold as the family continues to settle his estate.
An FOI request, received in November of last year, showed that Ojo-Thompson made $315,000 from the TDSB and the Peel District School Boards for her bully sessions during 2020 and 2021 alone.
Lecce said, when announcing the review last July, that the Bilkzsto tragedy points to the need for “greater accountability” by school boards to ensure DEI training is free from “harassment and intimidation.”
The minister indicated he was looking for “options to reform professional (DEI training).”
But seven months later, the review appears to be off the radar and filed under S, for swept under the rug.
In fact, I did not even receive the courtesy of an acknowledgement, let alone a response from Lecce’s media people, despite several attempts over the past few days to acquire a status update.
The TDSB did reply to my request to them for an update on the review also announced by Russell-Rawlins.
That review was to be led by King International Group, an outside consultant.
But spokesman Ryan Bird, told me that they “don’t have a date when the review will be complete.”
In other words, it’s all smoke and mirrors — swept under the rug by an education director who likely hopes the tragedy will fade from everyone’s memory and an education minister who doesn’t have the courage to take on the DEI industry.
The latest slap in the face to Bilkzsto’s memory came this past week when the TDSB released a teaching manifesto — Facilitating Critical Conversations — which claims that schooling in North America is a “colonial structure” and that “white supremacy” dominates classrooms.
The inane manual was created by four visible minority anti-racism and anti-oppression educators and includes advice straight out of the Critical Race Theory (CRT) playbook — which labels whites as oppressors and blacks as the oppressed.
TDSB teacher Natasha Mansouri, who is chairman of “Friends of Richard Bilkzsto,” said they have been “eagerly awaiting” the education minister to honor his word about a review but have yet to hear about any report seven months later.
She says last October 15 at Mel Lastman Square the friends of Richard made a promise to “honor his legacy” so his name will never be forgotten.
Mansouri expressed gratitude to all of those who have generously contributed to their fundraising efforts to create a scholarship in Bilkzsto’s name.
”We recognize that in this climate, it takes courage to even do so (contribute) and that is one of the principles Richard stood for, to stand up, take a stance and speak up” she said.
She added that countless articles have been written that directly or indirectly mention Bilkszto and the way he was treated because of his skin colour by other licensed educators.
At least two libraries in BC have refused patron requests to purchase the bestselling book “Grave Error: How the Media Misled Us (And the Truth About Residential Schools),” written by C.P. Champion and Tom Flanagan.
Published by True North and Dorchester Books in early December 2023 and sold exclusively on Amazon, the book moved approximately 500 copies on its release date, and nearly 2,000 copies in the first week alone. It is currently the #1 Amazon.ca bestseller in Canadian Literature.
Shortly after the book was released, Victoria resident Curby Klaibert requested that the Greater Victoria Public Library (GVPL) acquire the title, as he wanted to get the facts about residential schools and the dubious “unmarked graves” narrative propagated by the legacy media.
Days after submitting his request, Klaibert received an email reading, “Thank you for submitting a title suggestion to Greater Victoria Public Library. Unfortunately, the library will not be acquiring this title at this time.”
“GVPL makes purchasing decisions based on the criteria outlined in the Board Collection Policy available on our website.”
The email did not present any reasons behind the rejection, but Klaibert suspects the rejection was “political.”
“All these people are complicit in propagating and promoting this fake news, and it seems that our politicians and even our libraries are refusing to even allow the conversation to take place,” Klaibert told True North.
The GVPL states as part of their collection philosophy that “Libraries have a core responsibility to safeguard and facilitate access to constitutionally protected expressions of knowledge, imagination, ideas, and opinion, including those which some individuals and groups consider unconventional, unpopular or unacceptable.”
“The collection is developed to present as many points of view as possible within the constraints of budget, space, and availability of resources.”
Klaibert sent the library customer service team two follow-up emails asking for an explanation, but he was ignored.
“I find it quite offensive actually that this has transpired, and that the library doesn’t have the common courtesy to come clean as to why they are not adding this book to their collection. The fact that they just ignored my request…. They just want me to go away. They don’t want this can of worms opened up, and I think the can of worms needs to be opened up,” Klaibert said.
“The Greater Victoria Public Library is not living up to their own board collection policy.”
Klaibert has requested three or four book acquisitions from GVPL in the past, but this is the first time one of his suggestions has been turned down.
GVPL patron Gary Calder also requested that his library acquire Grave Error, but he received the same rejection message as Klaibert.
Calder wrote an appeal letter, which he dropped off in mid-January. In his letter, he noted the book’s topic “couldn’t be more current and relevant,” and that all of the anthology’s authors are Canadians of stature.
Calder hasn’t received a reply.
On February 1, True North submitted a suggestion that the Fraser Valley Regional Library (FVRL) purchase Grave Error. A couple weeks later, FVRL posted the message, “Not Approved.”
“Thank you for suggesting a purchase. It appears that this title has been self-published or independently published. Independent published titles are more difficult to get from our library vendors, are more expensive, and their binding does not stand up to library circulation. FVRL will not be purchasing it at this time. We may reconsider if it’s picked up by a traditional publisher,” the notification read.
Grave Error can be found at the Burnaby Public Library, Thompson-Nicola Regional Library, and Prince George Library, as well as many other libraries nationwide that haven’t had any issues with the book’s binding or acquisition process.
The rejection message was posted right as FVRL was celebrating “Freedom to Read Week.”
“Celebrate Freedom to Read Week, February 18 to 24! This annual event encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom, which is guaranteed under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” FVRL posted on Instagram.
“FVRL supports YOUR freedom to read! Our libraries offer a wide range of materials representing various points of view. We value open access to information for all members of our communities, and we stand against calls for censorship.”
The Greater Victoria Public Library also celebrated reading banned books during Freedom to Read Week.
True North requested comment from the Greater Victoria Public Library for this story but did not receive a reply.
Have you also requested Grave Error or another title to your local library and received a rejection? Contact [email protected] to go on the record with your story.
Canada’s 18th Prime Minister Brian Mulroney has died at the age of 84. He served as Prime Minister from 1984-1993 and is perhaps best known for brokering Canada’s free trade deal with the U.S.
“On behalf of my mother and our family, it is with great sadness we announce the passing of my father, The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, Canada’s 18th Prime Minister. He died peacefully, surrounded by family,” wrote daughter Caroline Mulroney in a post to X on Thursday.
1/3 On behalf of my mother and our family, it is with great sadness we announce the passing of my father, The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, Canada’s 18th Prime Minister. He died peacefully, surrounded by family.
Mulroney was born in 1939 to a working class Irish-Canadian family who lived in Baie-Comeau, Quebec.
He grew up in the isolated community which was home to both anglophones and francophones, something that would give Mulroney a political edge later in life.
Mulroney first became prime minister in 1984 after beating out then-prime minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau and he was later reelected in 1988.
In both elections Mulroney won with a majority government, marking the first time a Conservative party leader would hold back-to-back majority governments since Sir John A. Macdonald.
Mulroney brokered the free trade agreement between Canada and the U.S. under President Ronald Reagan.
“Our message is clear here and around the world — Canada is open for business again,” said Mulroney during the 1985 “Shamrock Summit” standing alongside Reagan.
Trade between the two nations exploded over the coming years, ending almost 100 years of protectionism laws.
He also introduced GST, a national 7% levy on all goods and services procured in Canada to quell budget deficits. The tax dramatically reduced his popularity among voters.
“It is clearly not popular, but we’re doing it because it’s right for Canada. It must be done,” Mulroney told Canadians in 1990.
Mulroney was against apartheid in South Africa, which was a burgeoning issue on the world stage during his time in office. He took a strong stance in support of Nelson Mandela.
“We regard you as one of our great friends because of the solid support we have received from you and Canada over the years,” Mandela told Mulroney over the phone, according to Memoirs, a book written by Mulroney. “When I was in jail, having friends like you in Canada gave me more joy and support than I can say,” said Mandela.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre sent his condolences to the Mulroney family in a press release on Thursday, saying,“It is with great sadness that Canadians learn of the loss of one of our greatest ever statesmen, the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney. The love and prayers of all Canadians go to his beloved children, Caroline, Ben, Mark and Nicolas, and the love of his life, his best friend and wife, Mila.”
“He unleashed free enterprise, crushed inflation, restored fiscal sanity and concluded one of the greatest free trade agreements the world has ever seen, which remains largely in place today. These changes gave thousands of working-class families the same opportunities he had, that is, the chance to work hard, buy a home, and build their dreams,” wrote Poilievre.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith also took to social media to express her condolences and gratitude for the late political leader.
“I am profoundly saddened to learn of the passing of Canada’s 18th Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney,” wrote Smith.
“I first met Prime Minister Mulroney when I was the Progressive Conservative U of C campus club president in 1992. I was just joining politics and felt inspired by his dedication to public service. He will be remembered by all Canadians for his service, and his commitment to our country.’”
I am profoundly saddened to learn of the passing of Canada’s 18th Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney.
I first met Prime Minister Mulroney when I was the Progressive Conservative U of C campus club president in 1992. I was just joining politics and felt inspired… pic.twitter.com/OXhBgBNqdB
According to CBC News, while reflecting on his time in office in 2010, Mulroney said, “Quite frankly, it’s interesting to me to sit back many years later, having had to endure the abuse and recriminations and the pounding, and to see that it’s turned out well for Canada. That’s all I wanted.”
