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Thursday, October 2, 2025

Conservative MP demands ethics investigation into Trudeau’s Jamaican holiday

By
Isaac Lamoureux
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Conservative MP and ethics critic Michael Barrett is urging the interim Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Konrad Winrich von Finckenstein, to probe Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s lavish vacation in Jamaica. 

Barrett wrote in a letter raising serious ethical concerns over Trudeau’s stay at a luxury estate owned by a family friend, businessman Peter Green.

Barrett, in the letter to von Finckenstein, questioned the Prime Minister’s stay in Jamaica. The estate where Trudeau stayed, known for its high rental costs, was provided to Trudeau and his family free of charge.

“But the Prime Minister was hardly staying in a friend’s guest room over the Christmas holidays. Quite the contrary. The National Post reports that the Prime Minister stayed at the luxurious Prospect Estate in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Specifically, the Post found that the Prime Minister was staying at the opulent ‘Frankfort’ villa,” Barrett wrote.

“It is quite clear that the Frankfort villa has a defined commercial value, and that the corporate owners of Prospect Estate would be forgoing substantial revenue by letting the Prime Minister stay at the resort free of charge. As such, it is quite apparent that we are talking about a gift – and a very substantial gift at that,” he further emphasized.

Barrett highlighted the disparity between the gift’s value and the average Canadian’s income, saying, “For context, the estimated $84,000 commercial value for the Prime Minister’s nine nights of accommodation is greater than Canada’s median household income of $70,332.”

This is not the first time Trudeau faced criticism for his vacation trips, such as a previous trip to the same resort that cost taxpayers at least $162,000.

Throughout Barrett’s letter, he referred to the Conflict of Interest Act.

“No public office holder or member of his or her family shall accept any gift or other advantage, including from a trust, that might reasonably be seen to have been given to influence the public office holder in the exercise of an official power, duty, or function,” reads Section 11 of the Act. 

While the Conflict of Interest Act allows a public office holder to accept gifts from a friend or relative that they have paid for, Barrett argued that the vacation is more than just a simple gesture of friendship. He emphasized that staying at a resort with such high commercial value should be seen as a substantial gift.

“To the average Canadian, an $84,000 gift to a Prime Minister, regardless of whether it comes from a lifelong friend, his corporation, or a perfect stranger, could reasonably be seen as intending to influence the head of government and would lead to a compromise of his integrity,” Barrett asserted. 

“Certainly, the fib told to the Canadian Press, before the vacation, that the family would cover the costs, demonstrates a compromise of personal judgment and, more broadly speaking, may well betray the Prime Minister’s own understanding that Canadians would see his accepting this vacation as a gift as compromising his integrity.”

The PMO initially defended the Prime Minister’s holiday, citing consultation with the ethics commissioner prior to the trip to ensure compliance with rules. 

Barrett posed several questions to von Finckenstein. 

He asked whether the Prime Minister’s Office had fully disclosed that Trudeau’s stay was at a commercial resort rather than a private residence or whether a false impression was given of Trudeau staying at a friend’s house. He asked whether the original opinion came from the basis that Trudeau’s family would “cover the cost”, as initially stated by the PMO, or whether it was from the more recent claim that it was “at no cost.” Finally, he asked whether it was disclosed how the $84,000 benefit was paid for – personally, by a friend, or by a corporation. 

Barrett concluded his letter by saying that the PMO could clear up the confusion by releasing relevant correspondence with von Finckenstein’s office. 

“But given the routine stonewalling by the PMO, I hope you and your office will provide clarity for the many Canadians wondering how a sitting Prime Minister accepting such a substantial gift could possibly be legal, let alone ethical.” 

The Daily Brief | Rebel News takes Freeland and police to court

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
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Rebel News.

Rebel News is hitting back for the arrest of David Menzies by taking Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, the RCMP and York Regional Police to court.

Plus, a Nova Scotia sexual health organisation that has received federal and provincial funding offers free-of-charge lubricant, flavoured oral sex dams and other adult products to “all-ages.”

And after returning for just one day in the new year, a judge has halted the trial of Freedom Convoy leaders Tamara Lich and Chris Barber.

Tune into The Daily Brief with Cosmin Dzsurdzsa and Lindsay Shepherd!

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RCMP to start collecting race-based data in pilot project

By
Quinn Patrick
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The RCMP is launching a pilot project to better track interactions between police and people of different ethnicities by collecting race-based data in select locations, according to a press release from the force. 

Following two years of consultation, the pilot project will begin collecting data this month on ethnicities when it comes to arrests, the use of force and routine checks. 

The RCMP says information is valuable to serve a diverse population and will offer ways to improve those interactions, in particular with Indigenous and black people.

The pilot project will begin in Wood Buffalo/Fort McMurray, Alta., Thompson, Man., and Whitehorse, Yukon. 

There are also two additional sites where the project will take place, however they remain unnamed. Two more are scheduled to begin in British Columbia and in Nova Scotia later this year. 

The pilot project is in response to comments made by former RCMP commissioner Brenda Lucki that the police force suffered from systemic racism following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. Floyd was a black man killed by a Minnesota police officer, sparking mass protests and riots across North America. 

“The collection of race-based data to understand police interactions (such as wellness checks, and arrests) and use of force will provide evidence-based information to help improve how the RCMP provides services to diverse communities,” said the RCMP. 

“Specifically, this will: Identify differences in policing outcomes for Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities; Better understand the nature, extent and impact of systemic racial disparities in community safety; Enable data-driven decision making and policy development; Build trust with communities; Improve community safety outcomes.”

The goal of the project is to build trust with communities and make informed policy developments based on the data. 

“This initiative is an important milestone in becoming a more modern and inclusive policing organization,” said RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme.

“The initiative isn’t about singling out individuals. It’s about helping us identify and improve our policies, practices and training to better support our employees.”

All data collected and managed will adhere to the rules of the RCMP Act and the Privacy Act, according to the force. 

Data will be collected for one year before starting analysis, which will then be presented to the public, without any individuals being identified. If considered a success, the pilot project will be rolled out nationwide.  

Putin grants citizenship to ex-NHL Player Brendan Leipsic

By
Isaac Lamoureux
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After being ousted from the NHL and joining the KHL, Brendan Leipsic has been granted citizenship by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Leipsic, originally from Winnipeg, and U.S. boxer Kevin Johnson, received Russian citizenship under a decree published on a Russian government website, according to Reuters.

Putin’s decision to grant citizenship to Leipsic and Johnson is part of Russia’s pattern of offering citizenship to Western public figures. Russia has given citizenship to some celebrities who have requested it and publicly spoken out in support of the country, including U.S. actor Steven Seagal and French actor Gerard Depardieu, who have also received Russian citizenship.

Leipsic’s journey to Russian citizenship follows his exit from the NHL, where he faced backlash and was released by the Washington Capitals in 2020 after being involved in a scandal over inappropriate remarks about fellow players and women in a social media group chat.

An anonymous Instagram user made the chat, which was intended to remain private, public to inform the women they were being targeted. 

The conversation involved players labelling women they’d slept with as “kills,” ridiculed their physical appearances, and included claims about Leipsic’s cocaine use. It also contained derogatory remarks about the wife of Vancouver Canucks’ Tanner Pearson and the girlfriend of Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid, as well as criticisms of Washington teammates Nic Dowd and Garnet Hathaway for excluding Leipsic from their podcast.

“It’s very heartbreaking to see,” said Chloe Giesbrecht, a Winnipeg resident mentioned in the chat, according to the Toronto Sun. “You see hockey on TV, (players) signing sticks and taking photos, but what are they doing behind all of that? They’re supposed to be role models, and this is the exact opposite … of what you would want your son to be like.”

Prior to his exit, Leipsic was in his third full season of playing in the NHL. The Nashville Predators drafted Leipsic and later traded him to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Las Vegas Golden Knights claimed him in the 2017 expansion draft. He was then traded to the Vancouver Canucks, followed by being claimed by the Los Angeles Kings on waivers. The Kings did not resign him; instead, the Washington Capitals signed him for $700,000.

After leaving the NHL, Leipsic joined the KHL, playing for HC CSKA Moscow and Metallurg Magnitogorsk before signing a two-year deal with SKA Saint Petersburg last June.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine remains ongoing. In September 2023, Canada had committed more than $9.5 billion in multifaceted assistance to Ukraine, $2.4 billion being towards military aid. 

Victoria hospital assigns 2SLGBTQIA+ “liaison nurse” despite healthcare staffing crisis

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
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Victoria, B.C.’s Royal Jubilee Hospital saw dozens of operating room closures and staff shortages in recent years, but this hasn’t stopped Island Health from piloting a new “2SLGBTQIA+ Liaison Nurse” program.

The program will supposedly help people from marginalized sexualities access better care. 

Recent years have witnessed a surge in operating room closures and staff shortages in British Columbia’s capital, prompting observers to label the healthcare situation in Victoria a crisis. 

The repercussions of the understaffing have forced major hospitals in the region, including Royal Jubilee Hospital, to shut down operating rooms for extended periods, resulting in the postponement and rescheduling of at least 141 surgeries.

Island Health’s decision to implement the 2SLGBTQIA+ Liaison Nurse program has stirred debate, with some questioning the allocation of resources amidst a severe healthcare crunch. 

Royal Jubilee Hospital has faced significant challenges, leading to closures lasting up to 69 days. Questions remain about how the introduction of a specialized liaison nurse may divert attention and resources away from addressing the broader staffing crisis.

Leah Hollins, the chair of the Island Health board, defended the move, emphasizing the importance of improving health support for the LGBTQ community. 

In a press release, Hollins praised the addition of the liaison nurse position.

“This new liaison nurse position is a wonderful addition to our care teams and will provide an important service,” said Hollins. 

“This is an important step as Island Health works to improve health supports for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.”

Registered nurse Emily Wyatt currently occupies the liaison nurse position, assuming responsibilities that include providing emotional support, healthcare advocacy, preventative harm reduction, education, and connecting or referring individuals to community and social resources.

However, questions arise about whether individuals accessing the program will be given prioritized care or referrals over regular hospital visitors. True North sought clarification from Island Health on this but received no response. Island Health’s media spokesperson, Andrew Leyne, directed inquiries to a statement published by the organization.

“The nurse will also collaborate with various hospital units to evaluate the staff education on 2SLGBTQIA+ issues and provide resources and opportunities for non-judgmental discussions to facilitate learning,” the statement reads. 

“The 2SLGBTQIA+ liaison nurse pilot project at RJH will be reviewed to determine additional locations in the future.” 

LEVY: Olivia Chow makes her socialist fantasies a reality with Toronto’s budget

By
Sue-Ann Levy
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Source: Facebook

Toronto voters — at least a small group of woke fools — asked for it and they got it.

Fresh from her incompetent mishandling of the pro-Hamas apologists, who’ve hijacked Toronto with their vitriolic protests over the past three months, socialist mayor Olivia Chow introduced her 2024 budget with a 10.5% tax hike Tuesday.

I wish I could say I’m surprised. But I knew from years of watching her that this tax-and-spend politician, who’s always lived off the public teat, would be terrible for Toronto’s bottom line. 

And I guess her equally incompetent predecessor, John Tory, kind of set the stage in 2022 with his 7% tax hike.

That’s an extra $321 per year for what city officials say is an average home valued at $694,381. 

Let’s be real here. Unless you’re talking about a 400-square-foot box in the sky, how many Toronto homes are valued at $694,381?

Let’s also put her increase in context, considering the fawning legacy media never will.

This is over and above the late November agreement by the province to upload the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway, which represents $3 billion in capital support over three years and $1.2 billion in operating dollars or $385 million this year.

The garbage and water rates are also going up 3% each, which is not included in the tax hike. Former socialist mayor David Miller — a likeminded tax-and-spender — took those entities off the operating budget in 2005 to make the tax hike seem smaller.

The tax hike will bring in an extra $378 million, not including the building fund levy.

But none of that is enough to a socialist whose Sanctuary City budget talks about welcoming more refugees and asylum seekers with open arms to the tune of $250 million.

That brings the number of shelter beds to 10,600. That’s a 41% increase since 2020 for what is supposed to be an emergency response only. That’s why I’ve always called it a homeless industry. 

Do any of our politicians ever say, “No, we can’t accommodate anymore?”

The budget says if money is not forthcoming from the federal government, an additional 6% tax hike could be in order!

By contrast, there is little reference to public safety except to give more money to Chow’s community crisis response team — a socialist dream that will do nothing to tackle or counter the rise in violent crime and the in-your-face violent protests by the pro-Hamas apologists.

But even worse, Chow and the defund-the-police types on council have no concern about bringing more unvetted asylum seekers into the city with no more police to address the influx.

What possibly could go wrong?!

The budget presentation starts off by saying the goal is to get the city “back on track to a financially stable and sustainable future.”

What a laugh.

I have repeatedly have said and continue to have no doubt that under the socialist regime of Olivia Chow, our tax dollars will be directed to bike lanes, not-so-affordable housing, costly shelter beds and other touchy-feely leftist pet projects that will allow the selected few to benefit, but will do nothing to improve the quality of life for average citizens.

I’m predicting now Toronto will continue to decline and her budget decisions will come with a huge price — sacrificing safety in favor of welcoming more people who do  nothing to contribute to the city’s coffers.

But I also predict that those who did not vote for this tax-and-spend socialist will vote with their feet — choosing to sell their homes and leave Toronto.

LAWTON: Journalist arrested while questioning Chrystia Freeland (ft. David Menzies)

By
Andrew Lawton
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On Monday, Rebel News journalist David Menzies was arrested outside a memorial service for Flight PS752 victims while attempting to question Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. Menzies joined True North’s Andrew Lawton to explain the moments leading up to the now-viral incident, and express his feelings about the situation.

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Ottawa gives org that signed letter denying Hamas rapes $138K to fight gender-based violence

By
Elie Cantin-Nantel
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The Trudeau government is giving over $138,000 in funds aimed at advancing gender equality and ending gender-based violence to an organization that signed an anti-Israel open letter denying that Hamas terrorists raped Israeli women in the Oct. 7 attack.

The funding for the Pride Centre of Edmonton is part of a new $7.3 million package for Alberta-based feminist and LGBTQ organizations that was announced Thursday.

Funding will go to 18 organizations, and come from four separate streams; one aimed at increasing the capacity of Indigenous women and “2SLGBTQQIA+” organizations in addressing gender-based violence, another aimed at addressing gender-based violence through promising practices and community-based research, as well as a stream that funds the “2SLGBTQI+” Community and one that funds “LGBTQ2” Projects.

“Working with grassroots organizations, led by Indigenous and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people is how we will create, and sustain safe communities here in Alberta,” said employment, workforce development and official languages minister Randy Boissinault, who announced the funding on behalf of Minister for Women Marci Ien.

“Supporting the life-saving work of these 18 organizations in Alberta, brings us one step closer to ending gender-based violence in Canada.”

However, some on social media were quick to call out the government for giving $138,442 to the Pride Centre of Edmonton in its funding package, given their signing of the notorious anti-Israel letter.

Another organization receiving funding (up to $264,383) as part of the package is the University of Alberta – whose sexual assault centre and then director Samantha Pearson also signed the notorious letter denying rapes. The university’s president condemned the letter and Pearson was dismissed amid a public outcry.

The anti-Israel letter in question, penned by people “residing in so-called Canada” calls on Members of Parliament to resign over their “complicity” in the alleged “genocide” of Palestinians. 

The letter goes on to condemn NDP leader Jagmeet Singh for pushing what they consider to be an “unverified accusation that Palestinians were guilty of sexual violence.”  

It was also signed by far-left Ontario MPP Sarah Jama.

It should be noted that the Israeli Defence Forces confirmed that rapes took place on Oct 7, and Israeli police have collected eyewitness testimony of gang rapes.  

The letter also falsely blames Israel for an explosion at Gaza’s Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in October – a blast which Israeli and American intelligence has demonstrated was caused by a failed Islamic Jihad rocket, and claims that calling Hamas fighters terrorists perpetuates an “Islamophobic trope.”

This is not the first time that Pride Centre of Edmonton, which describes itself on its website as “a non-judgmental, welcoming space where people of all attractions, identities, and expressions can be themselves, find support, meet new people, and be part of a caring community,” has been under fire. 

In 2019, the organization was accused of having a racist and transphobic culture.

Neither the minister’s spokesperson nor Pride Centre of Edmonton responded to True North’s request for comment.

Trudeau hints at “responsibly” designating the IRGC a terrorist entity

By
Quinn Patrick
-

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to calls for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to be deemed a terrorist entity on Monday by saying it was within the realm of possibility as he faces public pressure to do so.

“We will continue our work, including continuing to look for ways to responsibly list the IRGC as a terrorist organization,” said Trudeau, while speaking at a memorial for the victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752.

Flight 752 was shot down by the IRGC while flying over Tehran on Jan. 8, 2020, at a time of rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran over the assassination of chief military leader Qasem Soleimani. 

There were 55 Canadians and 30 permanent residents aboard the flight when it crashed, all 176 passengers were killed in the attack.

The victims’ families have since called for the IRGC to be listed as a terrorist organization in Canada but to no avail.  

“The government must end the delay,” said Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre in a statement. “Canada must be a leader in condemning the actions of these terrorists and stand in solidarity with the victims and their families.”

One branch of the IRGC, known as the Quds Force, was labelled a terrorist entity under the Harper government in 2012. 

The Quds Force represented the external affairs branch of the IRGC apparatus, which helped to develop strong relations between other military organizations like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. 

“Canadian law needs to be much stronger,” British Columbia lawyer Ramin Joubin told CTV News. 

Joubin has been compiling a database that tracks the number of Iranian regime members operating in Canada for some time. 

He said that those who speak out against Iran are often threatened by regime advocates.

“We have about 700 names right now that either have temporary residence, permanent residence or citizenship that are in Canada and that are somehow regime affiliates,” said Joubin.

“They came to Canada knowing this was going to be their safe haven.”

Joubin said that if they were put on Canada’s terrorism list, Canadian law enforcement would have the necessary tools to prosecute IRGC agents and loyalists who intimidate and harass Canadians who speak out against the regime.

“[The IRGC] smell[s] weakness in your legislation, they’re going to come in and they’re going to take advantage of that,” said Joubin.

The federal government has said that they are hesitant to label the IRGC a terrorist group because so many of its members are conscripted, however, the U.S. has already done so under former president Trump in 2019.

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