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Saturday, October 4, 2025

CAMPUS WATCH: Carleton CUPE union denounced for justifying Oct. 7 massacre

By
Elie Cantin-Nantel
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The union representing Carleton University teaching assistants is facing criticism for a statement defending Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre as “retaliatory escalation” against “settler-colonial systemic violence and oppression.”

The statement from CUPE 4600, which represents teaching assistants, internally-funded research assistants, and contract instructors is being condemned as “heartless and reprehensible” by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, which says the remarks are just the latest in “a worrying pattern of pro-Hamas views” from CUPE unions.

“CUPE 4600 stands firmly in solidarity with the Palestinian people in their ongoing struggle for liberation,” reads the statement published by the union on Jan. 31. “We reject any conflation of the support for Palestinian life with the condoning of violence against civilians or antisemitism.”

The union then goes on to rationalize the Oct. 7 terrorist attack that killed over 1100 people, including children, and perpetrated sexual violence against women. 

“We recognize that the events of Oct. 7 are a retaliatory escalation against the current and long history of settler-colonial systemic violence and oppression in historic Palestine against the Palestinian people,” the union said.

“CUPE 4600 understands that in order to cease the continuous and tragic loss of life, the root cause of violent Israeli settler-colonialism must be addressed. We recognize that decolonization is not a metaphor and must be enacted through the repatriation of Indigenous land and life.”

In a statement to True North, CIJA vice-president for external affairs Richard Marceau said “there is no justification for the kidnapping, raping, and burning alive of innocent children, women, and men.”

Marceau accused CUPE 4600 of being “willfully ignorant” and called on Carleton University to denounce the union.  

“Hamas represents the exact opposite of Canadian values, and we’re disgusted by CUPE 4600’s heartless and reprehensible statement,” he said. “Jewish students, faculty, and staff can’t possibly feel safe in institutions whose unions are publicly siding with a terror group with a stated mission to annihilate all Jews.”

The union claimed that “humanitarian justice” requires the “liberation of Palestine.”

“The workers’ struggle and the struggle for liberation are inseparable,” its statement said. “Like all peoples of the world, Palestinians have fundamental rights to freedom, justice, and equality. As trade unionists, we are compelled to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for liberation, just as unions and workers did in the struggle for liberation from apartheid in South Africa.”

CUPE 4600 also accused Canada of having attempted genocide against Indigenous peoples. 

“We recognize that the genocide of Indigenous peoples on Turtle Island and in historic Palestine is inextricable. Canada is complicit in both as a colonial power embedded in the histories and development of settler-colonialism and as a current source of financial, political, and material support for Israel’s crimes.”

Marceau added that “it’s long past time for universities and CUPE themselves to publicly denounce and condemn these abhorrent views and get back to providing a safe and inclusive learning space for all students.”

Several CUPE unions, as well as CUPE leadership, have been under fire for anti-Zionist activities since the Oct. 7 attack.

As previously reported by True North, York University’s CUPE 3902 union released an anti-Israel “toolkit” that suggested members join the campus-wide teach-ins on Palestine and develop teaching materials, based on the resources provided, to indoctrinate students.

McMaster’s CUPE Local 3906 sparked controversy after it praised Hamas’ so-called “resistance” against Israel shortly after the Oct. 7 massacre. 

CUPE Ontario president Fred Hahn, meanwhile, expressed support for a Palestinian phrase commonly acknowledged as calling for the destruction of Israel and said on Thanksgiving saying he was “grateful” for “resistance.” He later apologized for that post. 


Twenty-five CUPE Ontario members filed a human rights complaint against the union and Hahn last November, alleging that their actions promoted “violence and discrimination against Jewish people.”
Neither CUPE 4600 nor Carleton University responded to True North’s request for comment.

Liberals break NDP promise with delay in dental plan expansion deadline

By
Quinn Patrick
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The federal government announced that it won’t be expanding the eligibility of its full dental plan until 2025, despite the pledge being one of the key promises that the Liberals made to the NDP under their confidence-and-supply pact.

The dental-care plan was designed to eventually cover the dental costs for all uninsured Canadians who earn less than an annual household income of $90,000. 

The initial pact between the Liberals and the NDP called for the program to be fully implemented by the end of the year, to ensure that there wouldn’t be a federal election before 2025.

However, the Trudeau government announced last week that expanding the program to adults aged 18 to 65 wouldn’t begin until some time next year. 

“I got a clear answer that it would begin before the end of 2024,” said NDP health critic Don Davies, referring to an email he received from Health Minister Marc Holland only a week before the latest change in deadline.

According to Oak Bay News, Davies said the two parties’ agreement was “crystal clear” regarding when the program was scheduled to be implemented.

“So we expect enrollment to begin for everybody this year,” said Davies.

Over 400,000 Canadians have registered for the enrolment process to date and the dental plan is scheduled to begin accepting claims in May. 

The current age requirement for the program is for people over the age of 72, with eligibility expected to be lowered to 65 and up in May. 

By June, people with disabilities and children under the age of 18 will be permitted to apply for the program. 

“Everyone else who’s eligible can apply online starting in 2025,” said Seniors Minister Seamus O’Regan last Wednesday during a press conference in Ottawa.

Holland said the delay in enrollment was due to complications with the program.

“Would I like to get there tomorrow? Yes, but physics and the laws of gravity and reality constrain us, and so our ambition has to be constrained with getting it right,” said Holland.

Holland went on to say the enrolment process may be a significant barrier for those who haven’t previously received oral healthcare. 

“We have to make sure, as much as we possibly can, that we get it right and that they have a positive experience,” said Holland.

According to Davies, private insurance company Sun Life, which has been contracted to distribute the plan, can process as many as 500,000 applicants a month.

“If there’s any deviation from the confidence-and-supply agreement, the NDP will take the government to task over it,” said Davies.

Taxpayers on the hook for $870 million roof for Montreal’s Olympic Stadium

By
Isaac Lamoureux
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A taxpayer advocate is sounding the alarm over the Quebec government’s “risky gamble with taxpayers’ money.”

Montreal’s Olympic Stadium is set for a significant overhaul with the announcement of a new $870 million roof, a project spearheaded by the Quebec government and expected to be completed by 2027. 

The announcement was made by ministers Caroline Proulx and Chantal Rouleau, alongside Parc Olympique president and CEO Michel Labrecque, at a news conference on Monday morning.

The stadium was built for the 1976 Summer Olympics. Having existed for almost 50 years now, the stadium had previously made headlines for the issues with its roof. Quebec Tourism Minister Caroline Proulx said that the first retractable roof, installed in 1988, was a disaster, as numerous tears appeared soon after installation. A second retractable roof was installed a decade later, which tore off in a snowstorm in 1999.

Officials have been looking to replace the roof again for more than 20 years. 

“After the indifference of previous governments, we decided to settle the matter once and for all,” said Proulx. 

Nicolas Gagnon, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s Quebec director, said that cost overruns have become par for the course with the Olympic Stadium. The Olympic Stadium and its adjacent structures were expected to cost $250 million. In the end, it was built for approximately $1.3 billion in 1976. In 2023 annualized dollars, Gagnon said this represents nearly $4.8 billion.

Proulx highlighted the current state of disrepair, noting that the latest data on the roof show it currently has 20,000 tears. 

“The images of the tears circulating around the world are frankly embarrassing. It’s starting to be hard to love our stadium in spite of everything,” said Proulx. 

According to Proulx, if nothing is done, the roof would have to be dismantled within a year or two, leading to the complete closure of the stadium. She said closure is unthinkable given that the stadium is a cornerstone of economic and tourism development in Quebec.

She said that the current government is doing what no government has done before by restoring the stadium, a national and international landmark, to full functionality by replacing the current roof with a new fixed, rigid, and reliable one. 

Proulx said the decision to invest in a new roof, rather than demolish the stadium, was influenced by several factors, including the complexity of the structure’s location above the Montreal metro and the presence of leased office spaces within the stadium’s tower. The government estimates demolition would cost $2 billion.

Currently, the stadium faces limitations, with events being cancelled if more than three centimetres of snow are expected. Proulx said that the stadium can only be operational for a period of 120 to 180 days a year, limiting the stadium’s most lucrative months — from November to April.

The new roof is expected to address these challenges, enabling the stadium to host events year-round without weather-related disruptions.

The new design features a fixed roof with a translucent strip and a skylight, enhancing the stadium’s aesthetic appeal and functionality. The project’s budget breakdown includes 18% for dismantling the old roof, 12% for constructing the technical ring, and 69% allocated for the assembly and installation of the new roof. The new roof is expected to last 50 years. 

The Legault government said that replacing the roof and implementing the Olympic Park business plan will generate nearly $1.5 billion over ten years, according to CTV News.

Gagnon said the government has provided little support for these numbers.

“It’s a risky gamble with taxpayers’ money,” he said. 

“If the government is so sure that the stadium’s renovations will attract more promoters and events, why not consider a partnership with private companies willing to take the risk?”

Trudeau’s office invited Nazi veteran to reception at Fort York Armoury

By
Quinn Patrick
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office invited Waffen-SS veteran Yaroslav Hunka to a reception the prime minister was hosting for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 

Hunka was the Ukrainian veteran given a standing ovation in the House of Commons during Zelenskyy’s visit last September. Trudeau blamed House speaker Anthony Rota, who resigned over the incident. 

The Prime Minister’s Office previously claimed it no involvement in communicating with Hunka’s presence.

The standing ovation sparked an intense backlash from Jewish advocacy groups.

Trudeau apologized, not personally, but on behalf of Canada shortly after the incident occurred.

“I also want to reiterate how deeply sorry Canada is for the situation this put President Zelensky and the Ukrainian delegation in,” said Trudeau at the time.  

Trudeau would not offer a personal apology, continuing to say it was the Speaker of the House’s responsibility – and not his government’s.

“The speaker was solely responsible for the invitation and recognition of this man and has wholly accepted that responsibility and stepped down,” said Trudeau, referring to Rota’s resignation.

“This was a mistake that has deeply embarrassed Parliament and Canada. All of us who were in this house on Friday regret deeply having stood and clapped even though we did so unaware of the context,” said Trudeau.

However, according to an invitation recently reviewed by the Globe and Mail, Trudeau invited Hunka to “a special event” at Fort York Armoury in Toronto later that evening on Sept. 22. 

The invitation was “sent to Mr. Hunka four days before the reception from the Office of Protocol of Canada.”

The invitation was in the form of an email with the subject titled “Invitation from the Prime Minister of Canada – September 22, 2023.”

“Dear Yaroslav Hunka, The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, is pleased to invite you to a special event. The event will take place on Friday, September 22, 2023, at 8.30pm in Toronto, Ontario,” read the email. 

“Once we receive confirmation of your attendance, the formal invitation will be issued, including detailed information regarding registration and access.”

The invitation goes on to inquire about any possible mobility restrictions Hunka may have and that the invitation is “for the invitee only, does not include a guest and is non-transferable.”

The Prime Minister’s Office said that Trudeau had no knowledge that Hunka’s name was among those on the invitation list compiled by the Canadian Ukrainian Congress. 

“The Prime Minister had no knowledge of this individual before the independent recognition by the former Speaker of the House of Commons. Last September, there was a community event with the President of Ukraine in Toronto with over 1,000 people invited. Hundreds of Canadians were invited upon the recommendation of groups like the Ukrainian Canadian Congress,” wrote Ann-Clara Vaillancourt, a spokesperson for Trudeau in an email to the Globe and Mail.  

“The individual in question’s name was submitted by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. The individual did not attend. Knowing what is known now – the individual shouldn’t have been invited.”

However, critics of Trudeau believe that this latest incident is indicative of a pattern of not taking responsibility for his own actions. 

“Yet again, Justin Trudeau has been caught lying. Instead of admitting that he and his office personally invited a Nazi to an official Prime Ministerial reception with the Ukrainian President, he has lied for months to the Canadian people and has blamed everyone but himself,” said Sebastian Skamski, a spokesperson for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.

“It is appalling and bewildering, although entirely unsurprising, that Justin Trudeau would embarrass our country and undermine our relationship with an ally, only to lie about it and refuse to apologize for the embarrassment and hurt he has caused.”

Poilievre announces “Charter-proof” plan to crack down on auto thefts

By
Noah Jarvis
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Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre says his recently plan to crack down on auto thefts will be constitutionally sound and won’t be struck down by the courts. 

At a Brampton, Ont. press conference Monday, Poilievre rolled out a plan he says will tackle the scourge of auto thefts, promising “jail not bail” for repeat offenders. 

“Today I’m announcing that a Pierre Poilievre government will go after the real criminals by restoring jail not bail – jail not bail for repeat violent offenders and career car thieves,” said Poilievre. 

Poilievre said he would pass legislation to require mandatory jail time for repeat offenders, increase the mandatory minimum sentence from six months to three years, remove the possibility of receiving house arrest, lengthen sentences for car thefts associated with organised crime, and reform the bail system. 

The Stephen Harper government had passed tough-on-crime legislation to create mandatory minimum sentences for a variety of crimes, though many of these laws were struck down by the courts, citing violations of the right to life, liberty, and security of the person and the right against cruel and unusual punishment.

True North asked Poilievre about how he would ensure his anti-auto theft legislation would withstand judicial scrutiny.

“My legislation is Charter-proof and constitutionally sound,” responded Poilievre.

The Conservative leader went on to blame the Liberal government for bail system reforms, which made it easier for offenders to receive bail. 

“It’s not the courts that have turned loose criminals and allowed this crime wave, it’s Justin Trudeau. It was not the courts that passed C-75, the catch and release bail system, it was Justin Trudeau. It was not the courts that brought in house arrest for repeat car thieves in C-5, it was Justin Trudeau.”

Poilievre listed three priorities that he believes will ameliorate Canada’s auto theft problem. 

“A common sense Conservative government will fix the criminal code to put the criminals in jail, we will reform the RCMP to stop organised crime, and we will secure our ports to keep the illegal drugs and guns out and our cars in the country.”

A wave of auto thefts has swept across the country in recent years, as criminal organisations have been using Canadian ports to send stolen cars to Africa and the Middle East. 

In Toronto, instances of motor vehicle theft have increased by over 350% from 2015-2023 while the Region of Peel has been reeling from an over 200% increase from 2020-2024.

LAWTON: Why environmentalists are wrong about coal

By
Andrew Lawton
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In the ongoing global discourse surrounding environmental conservation and sustainable energy, coal has often been vilified as a major contributor to climate change and environmental degradation. But is this really the case? In this latest instalment of the Unjust Transition series, Northback CEO Mike Young joins True North’s Andrew Lawton to explain why the narrative around coal may need a closer examination.

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Danielle Smith opens Alberta representative office in Ottawa

By
Rachel Parker
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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and her new special envoy to Ottawa are encouraging other provinces to join them and set up shop in the nation’s capital. 

James Carpenter has been appointed as Alberta’s senior representative to the federal government as the province reopens an Ottawa office for the first time in nine years. 

In a press conference Monday morning, Smith encouraged other provinces to follow Alberta’s lead. 

“You could probably talk to any premier. I don’t think any one of them has a very positive or constructive relationship with the federal government right now for the same reasons that we do,” Smith said from Ottawa. “It doesn’t matter what the political stripe is.”

Carpenter echoed the premier’s calls for more provinces to join him, saying that Quebec is the only other province with an office in the capital, even though it’s just across the river. 

“If Quebec needs to have an office in Ottawa, it would make you wonder a little bit why Alberta hasn’t had one for a while,” he said in an interview with True North. 

Smith said the office will seek to strengthen the province’s relationship with partners on Parliament Hill, other parts of Canada, and help Alberta stay informed on emerging decisions. It’s also one way her government is delivering on its promise to stand up for Alberta within a united Canada, she said. 

“This office is going to play a key role in sharing Alberta’s story as widely as possible through (Carpenter’s) work here,” she said. 

Carpenter, from Olds, previously served as chair of the Central Alberta Economic Partnership. He described his position as an advocacy role. 

“Basically, we’re going to be building relationships and working with the bureaucrats and the elected officials, stakeholders, and interested parties in regards to Alberta issues on a federal level,” he said. 

He said energy and the environment will be top priorities along with agriculture, childcare, and health.

“The hope is to get into rooms that we normally wouldn’t get into and find pathways to settle issues and find solutions to further Alberta interests.”

For instance, Carpenter is hoping to advance major First Nations projects by getting them in front of decision makers and stakeholders.

Smith is expected to meet with several federal ministers while in Ottawa, including Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan, Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne and Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc.

During her press conference, Smith also publicly accepted an invitation from the Parliamentary Natural Resources Committee chair George Chahal to appear before his committee to explain Alberta’s renewables policy.

Chahal wrote on X on Sunday that he hoped Smith would explain to the Natural Resources committee “why she’s putting clean energy investments at risk.”

“As a proud Albertan I want to know why she’s stranded $33 billion in renewables projects as our province struggles to keep the lights on,” he wrote.

Smith said her phone is on.

 “And if he would like to invite me to that I’d be more than happy to come. And this is part of the reason why we’re here — is to be able to explain Alberta’s position and be able to collaborate with our federal partners.”

King Charles III diagnosed with cancer

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
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Buckingham Palace has announced that King Charles III has been diagnosed with a form of cancer and will undergo regular treatments while temporarily stepping back from public engagements.

The statement, issued by Buckingham Palace on Monday, said that the cancer was detected during the King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, which he underwent last month.

The King, who is 75 years old, has commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties. 

“During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer,” wrote Buckingham Palace.

However, he will continue to undertake state business and tend to official paperwork as usual, the statement said.

The King expressed his gratitude to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. 

He also said that he remains “wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible”

The statement also noted that the King has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation about his decision. 

The King, who ascended to the throne in 2022 following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, is the head of state of Canada and 15 other Commonwealth realms. 

He is also the head of the Commonwealth of Nations, a voluntary association of 54 independent countries.

Federal government extends ban on foreign home buyers to 2027

By
Quinn Patrick
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Source: Center for Gaming Politics (https://centerforilpolitics.org/)

Canada has extended its ban on foreign home buyers to 2027. The ban was initially scheduled to be lifted on Jan. 1, 2025, but with mounting concerns over a housing crisis, an additional two years has been placed on the ban, bringing it to Jan. 1 2027.  

The federal government had first prohibited non-Canadians from acquiring residential real estate in 2022, with the measure initially scheduled to expire next year. 

“By extending the foreign buyer ban, we will ensure houses are used as homes for Canadian families to live in and do not become a speculative financial asset class,” said Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland in a statement Sunday.

Freeland said that the federal government was worried about Canadians being priced out of their local housing markets.

Non-Canadians who are buying vacant land or residential property that has yet to be developed have been carved out of the ban. 

Foreign students and people who hold work permits have also been exempted from the ban as well as long as they have been residing in Canada for an extended period of time and have not previously purchased property. 

Canada’s national average cost for a home in December was $730,400, an increase of 36% when compared to the average in 2019.

In places like Toronto, the average home price is $1.1 million and that number goes up to $1.2 million in Greater Vancouver.

According to BNN Bloomberg, the Toronto City Council will review a motion on Tuesday to tax the home purchases of non-residents at a rate of 10% of the property value. 

The city tax would be in addition to the already in place “non-resident speculation tax” of 25% imposed by the provincial government. 

Toronto’s executive committee is recommending that Toronto approve the motion which aims to “maintain a level of affordability in the residential real estate market by discouraging international buyers from purchasing property in the City of Toronto, particularly those buyers who do not intend to live in the property,” according to a statement from the committee. 

“Overall, the introduction of the Municipal Non-Resident Speculation Tax is expected to have a positive impact on reducing speculation, and where speculation may persist the Municipal Non-Resident Speculation Tax will positively contribute to the City’s multi-year budgeting strategy.. Preliminary estimates indicate the City may generate up to $15 million in revenue in 2025, following the lifting of the federal ban.” 

The Andrew Lawton Show | Establishment is against Danielle Smith’s gender policies – but parents aren’t

By
Andrew Lawton
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The left has been harshly critical of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s planned ban on cross-sex hormones and gender reassignment for minors, as well as her requirement of parental consent for gender changes at schools. But polling shows parents, even non-conservatives, across Canada are overwhelmingly in favour of such policies. Will common sense win out?

Also, True North’s Andrew Lawton checks in with Phelim McAleer, co-creator of the Climate Change on Trial podcast, for an update on climate scientist Michael Mann’s lawsuit against Mark Steyn as the trial enters its fourth week.

Canadian Taxpayers Federation Alberta director Kris Sims returns for her regular Monday drop-in to talk about the Liberals’ “carbon tax rebrand” and a brewing “Wing night mutiny.”

Plus, in today’s instalment of Unjust Transition, Andrew talks to the President of Liberty Energy, Ron Gusek.

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