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Thursday, October 2, 2025

Freedom Convoy trial back on hold after lasting just one day in 2024

By
Isaac Lamoureux
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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. 

The trial has already exceeded its originally planned duration by months, leading to the need for rescheduling. The court must now determine a future date for the resumption of the trial.

Initially slated to conclude within 16 days, the trial, which began on September 5, 2023, has faced numerous delays. Contributing to the delays was the extensive time the Crown required to call up witnesses and the defence’s challenge to a $290 million class-action lawsuit filed by Ottawa residents against the convoy leaders, which their lawyers said was designed to “silence” the leaders’ right to free expression.

The most recent session, the sole one scheduled for 2024, focused on the contentious debate about the admissibility of transcripts from a February 2022 injunction hearing when the protest was still ongoing. 

“We heard submissions from both the Crown and the defence regarding the admissibility of the February 2022 injunction hearing transcripts,” wrote The Democracy Fund, responsible for crowdfunding Lich’s legal expenses, in their Day 34 trial update.

According to the legal group, the defence counsel tried to have the transcripts admitted to the record, which was contested by the Crown.

Diane Magas, the defence lawyer for Chris Barber, shared parts from both injunction hearings in court arguing they should be part of the official record. She highlighted the need to understand the context behind the injunction judge’s comments, explaining his acceptance or rejection of certain terms.

Magas emphasized that the hearings’ transcripts showed if someone broke the injunction, it would be treated as a civil issue, not a criminal one. She also mentioned the judge’s decision allowing people in Ottawa to keep protesting even after the injunction was issued.

Lawrence Greenspon, Lich’s lawyer, focused on earlier submissions made during the 2022 injunction hearing, highlighting that it was solely about honking and noise. 

“Greenspon highlighted the injunction judge’s remark that there was ‘no evidence of any breach,’ emphasizing the credibility of a superior court judge who heard experienced counsel’s submissions,” said The Democracy Fund 

After hearing the submissions made by the defence counsel, the Crown reversed its stance, agreeing to provide the full transcript to Justice Heather Perkins-McVey for context.

The Crown emphasized the injunction judge’s statement that the sole issue before him was honking horns, providing context to Greenspon’s “no evidence of breach” quote.

According to the account of courtroom proceedings, the Crown suggested that the injunction judge referred only to a lack of evidence regarding honking horns, not a lack of evidence of any wrongdoing. 

Counsel will meet next week with trial coordinators to schedule day 35 of the proceedings. 

The crown has remained determined to prove that Lich and Barber influenced protestors’ actions through their words, suggesting a co-conspiracy. The defence has dismissed this accusation as unsubstantial.

Lich and Barber are facing several charges related to the 2022 protests, including mischief, counselling mischief, counselling intimidation, and obstructing police for taking part in and organizing the anti-mandate Freedom Convoy.  

Lich was jailed for weeks while awaiting bail. 

Edmonton police seize weapons from homeless encampment as removals continue

By
Isaac Lamoureux
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Police in Edmonton have seized a cache of five dozen weapons while dismantling homeless encampments.

The Edmonton Police Service announced Tuesday the seizure of 60 weapons from Dawson Park, including 34 knives, 11 machetes, and 10 samurai swords along with pellet guns, axes, brass knuckles, and a collapsible baton.

The police used the seizure to underscore the escalating risks associated with the ballooning camps, which law enforcement have started to break down in the last week.

In addition to weapons, police officers have said that the camps are also dangerous due to fires, propane tanks, needles, and toxic drugs. 

The photos of the weapons were shared to the Edmonton Police Services’ social media accounts two hours before officers were set to clear the eighth encampment deemed high risk by the city and the police. An injunction had previously stalled the encampment removals

Last month’s court order specified conditions for clearing eight encampments flagged as safety hazards, like ensuring adequate shelter space and giving a 48-hour notice to residents. Social agencies are also to be provided notice at “earliest convenience”. 

The City of Edmonton confirmed with the government of Alberta that there was sufficient shelter space before the closure planned for Tuesday. However, police say the requirement for advance notice has increased risks. 

“We’ve seen booby traps in some encampments, and those pose real risks to our officers, to the cleanup crew, and to the general public,” Deputy Chief Warren Driechel said, according to CTV News. 

Adding to the danger of the encampments, low-level gangsters have been living in the encampments, police said. 

“They’re not overly sophisticated organizations. But what they make up for is the level of violence that they use,” said Driechel. “Not only do they victimize people within encampments, the crime that’s occurring on the street, the drug dealing, they turn on each other quite quickly. They are extremely ruthless.” 

The dismantling of these encampments has not been without resistance. One instance of opposition occurred at Tuesday’s encampment sweep. This event escalated when a crowd that had gathered throughout the day reacted to the arrest of a man by EPS officers. The man was arrested for assaulting a peace officer, and the charges are pending.

The police action, backed by the city, aims to dismantle these encampments deemed high-risk due to various factors, including fire risks, drug use, gang violence, and proximity to sensitive areas like schools and playgrounds. 

Currently, 750 more camps in the city are classified as high-risk, and EPS plans to continue monitoring and removing them.

On Tuesday, some residents of the encampment refused to leave.

“I’m making my stand! What are we doing? We’re standing up for our rights!” yelled Roy Cardinal, who only recently became homeless. 

Cardinal eventually allowed the police to dismantle empty tents, and an Edmonton city bus was deployed to provide warmth for the people present.

The city says the encampment was “cleaned” but not cleared. 

“Vacant structures and excessive debris were removed so that some of the onsite health and safety risks were reduced. No occupants left the site today,” said the city in a statement.

“While the planned closure was in full compliance with the city’s obligations under the interim order, including providing advanced notice to social agencies, the city adjusted its approach given the number of third parties on site.” 

The risks of injury and death due to fire remain extremely high, said the city. Edmonton Fire Rescue Services have responded to 135 fires in encampments this year, resulting in 22 injuries and three deaths. In the last week, two fires have led to injuries, and one propane tank has exploded. 

According to Homeward Trust Edmonton, there are 2,987 homeless people in the city as of Jan. 6, 2024. Of those, 1,714  are provisionally accommodated, 755 are unsheltered, and 518 are staying in overnight shelters.

Between Jan. 1 and Oct. 22 last year, 13,683 complaints were registered from members of the public regarding homeless encampments. 

In collaboration with the Alberta government and EPS, the city continues to assess and address the risks at these sites, complying with court orders and advocating for resources to tackle the underlying causes of homelessness.

The Andrew Lawton Show | Chrystia Freeland silent on journalist’s arrest despite past support for press freedom

By
Andrew Lawton
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Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland has had nothing to say about Rebel News journalist David Menzies’ arrest, which took place while he was questioning her on her way into a Richmond Hill event. Freeland’s silence is particularly curious given how she’s taken up the press freedom cause in the past, even co-hosting a media freedom conference with her then-counterpart in the United Kingdom. True North’s Andrew Lawton says the hypocrisy is brazen but shouldn’t be all that surprising. Plus, Rebel News founder Ezra Levant joins the show to explain why Rebel is suing Freeland and the RCMP.

Plus, while people are starting to talk about the housing and employment challenges being exacerbated by immigration, no one is willing to talk about mass immigration’s cultural effects. With the Canadian consensus on immigration eroding, Macdonald-Laurier Institute domestic policy director Aaron Wudrick says we need a grown-up conversation about immigration. He joins the show to discuss what that should look like.

Also, the agenda for next week’s World Economic Forum annual meeting has sessions about the next pandemic, the future of free speech, and several about accelerating the “transition” away from oil and gas.

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Taxpayer-funded org makes lube and oral sex dams available to minors

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
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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.” 

South Shore Sexual Health is an education and resource centre based in Bridgewater, N.S. that describes itself as “free, non-judgemental, and confidential for all ages and genders.” 

The “all-ages” centre has a variety of programs including a free “transformation closet” for transgender individuals who want to receive chest-binders, prosthetic penises and other products used for what proponents of gender ideology call “gender-affirming care.” 

One of the chief programs run by South Shore Sexual Health is a “safer sex supplies” service to people including minors.

“We give out free health supplies to all ages and genders when resources permit. Reach out to us if you need anything and we’ll let you know if we’re able to fulfill your request,” reads the South Shore Sexual Health website.

The products include both female and male condoms, “flavoured dental dams” used for oral sex, water-based lube, silicone lube packets and other sex products. 

In an FAQ on its website, the organisation tells minors that they do not need parental consent to begin gender transformation practices like chest-binding in an attempt to hide their breasts so that they can appear to be male. 

“Do I need my parents’ permission to get a binder?” the website reads. 

“No, it is not a medical device, so anyone can use a binder safely with the appropriate education. That means we will give you some pointers if it’s your first binder, as well as washing tips. We also encourage you to return it for a different size if you outgrow that one.”

Among the supporters listed by the organization are the Government of Canada, the Equality Fund, Nova Scotia Health and Wellness, the District of Lunenburg, the Town of Bridgewater and the Nova Scotia Community Health Board. 

South Shore Sexual Health also runs an attached sex shop called “Positive Pleasures Therapeutic Toys” which sells bondage/kink products, vibrators and other sex toys. 

While most adult sex shops in Canada prohibit entry to minors, True North contacted South Shore Sexual Health to ask whether their sex store was also available to “all ages” as their other services were but did not receive a response. 

There are no laws in Canada specifically prohibiting the sale of sex products to minors, however, there are age-of-consent laws in place that can apply in certain circumstances.  

The Daily Brief | Millei to attend WEF – True North will be on the ground

By
Lindsay Shepherd
-

Argentinian president Javier Milei will be heading to Davos for the World Economic Forum – and True North will be on the ground to cover the conference.

Plus, federal government spending on debt interest charges has increased by 36.7% in the third quarter of 2023.

And the World Health Organization quietly appointed a controversial Canadian trans activist to its transgender guidelines group.

Tune into The Daily Brief with Lindsay Shepherd and Isaac Lamoureux!

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CAMPUS WATCH: Segregated “black-only” student space opens at UBC

By
Elie Cantin-Nantel
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Source: UBC

The University of British Columbia has given in to pressure from woke student activists and opened a racially segregated “identity-affirming” space that’s “available only for black undergraduate and graduate students.”

The university says the new space, which opened at the start of the academic year in the Exchange Building of its Vancouver campus, seeks to give black students a place to “study, connect with each other, recharge, host events and sessions, as well as build community.” 

The space spans two floors, and offers an impressive list of amenities; including a full kitchen, a napping area, couches and bean bag chairs, a fireplace, a television, a printer, showers and lockers as well as coffee and tea.

The space also can host events from black student groups.

“The Black Student Space is an identity-affirming space available only for Black undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled at the UBC Vancouver,” notes UBC.

It adds that those of “Afro-Latinx” and Afro-Indigenous descent can also access the space.

Eligible students interested in using the space must apply to receive access. The sign up form asks students to attest that they are black and that they will abide by the space’s guidelines, which, among other things, caution against inviting non-black people to the space.

“This space is intended for students who identify as Black and are currently enrolled at UBC only. Please do not bring in any individual or animal (other than registered service animals) who is not permitted in the space without permission. Interactions in the spirit of friendship, curiosity, and openness help the space feel safer for all who belong,” the university says.

Students eligible to use the space are further urged to not make “negative comments regarding a person’s lifestyle choices and practices, including those related to food, health, parenting, substance use, and employment.”

The segregated space came after months of pressure from black activists on campus.

Black Student Association member Harmela Kassa told CBC back in Feb. 2023 that “there are Black students on this campus who need a space, who want a space to connect with other Black students on campus, and we need to facilitate that.” 

In launching the space, the university echoed the concerns raised by activists, noting that anti-black racism exists “in all systems such as the Canadian higher educational system.” 

This is not the first time that UBC has engaged in racial segregation. 

As previously reported by True North, white students were excluded from “Decolonial Dialogues” events held at the university last year amid organizers wanting to create a “safe space” for those who are Indigenous, black and persons of colour. 

Segregated black student lounges have also opened at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) as well as at Trent University in recent years.

UBC did not return True North’s request for comment.

Canadians cite complexity and unfairness as foremost concerns when it comes to taxes

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
-

A new survey conducted by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) revealed that Canadians are frustrated with the tax system and its complexity. 

The survey, which involved 25 focus groups across Canada, asked them to share their opinions and experiences with the tax system and the CRA. Sessions were held in Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax and also online between June 5 and July 6, 2023. A total of 196 people were interviewed, including 85 taxpayers, 57 small businesses and 54 tax intermediaries. 

The survey found that the most common word used to describe the tax system was “complex”, followed by other terms such as “confusing”, “complicated” and “difficult”. 

Many participants also expressed a sense of unfairness in the tax system, using words such as “unfair”, “unjust”, “too high” and the middle-class being “overburdened” with the tax share. 

Some participants pointed out that the tax system favours the wealthy and large corporations, who can exploit loopholes and avoid paying their fair share of taxes.

The survey also asked participants about their impressions of the CRA, which were more mixed and varied. 

Accountant and tax expert Neal Winokur told True North that he wasn’t surprised by the complaints and unfortunately, there wasn’t much the CRA could do to fix the situation until the government endeavours to take on tax reform. 

“Yes, Canadians’ concerns about the tax system being complex, complicated, confusing, difficult, unfair, unjust, and too high are all absolutely correct and the feelings are absolutely justified,” said Winokur, the author of the book The Grumpy Accountant.

“The sad truth is that the CRA cannot do anything to address these issues. The CRA is not responsible for the absolute horror show and complete mess that is the Canadian tax system. The responsibility lies with the Department of Finance, specifically, the Minister of Finance and the Prime Minister.”

According to Winokur, there hasn’t been a comprehensive update to the tax system since the 1970s when the government did a five-year study leading to an overhaul in 1971.

“Since 1971 however, every government that came to power kept adding on more and more band aid solutions to make small fixes and tweaks to the tax system here and there. So now we are left with a total mess,” said Winokur.

Some participants had a neutral or moderately positive view of the CRA. Others had a more negative view of the CRA, criticizing its lack of transparency, accountability and responsiveness. 

Some participants also expressed distrust and fear of the CRA, especially those who had experienced audits, disputes or penalties.

The survey also explored the issue of tax compliance and fairness, asking participants whether they thought loopholes or cheating were a bigger problem for the tax system. 

Responses were divided, with some participants arguing that loopholes are more problematic because they allow legal but unethical tax avoidance by the rich and powerful. 

Others argue that cheating is more problematic because it is a blatant violation of the law and undermines the integrity of the tax system. Some participants also suggested that both loopholes and cheating are equally problematic and need to be addressed by the CRA.

The survey results suggest that Canadians are dissatisfied with the current state of the tax system and want to see improvements made towards the end of simplicity. 

Diplomats afraid Victims of Communism might offend Vietnam

By
Quinn Patrick
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A memorial dedicated to the victims of communism is scheduled to be unveiled in Ottawa later this year however, diplomats are worried that the memorial may be upsetting to Vietnam and its diaspora for its focus on the evils perpetrated by their communist government.

According to Global Affairs Canada, Vietnam is Canada’s biggest trading partner within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Additionally, it’s one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and therefore holds a special place in Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.

Canadian diplomats first warned that focusing heavily on the victims of Vietnam under communism may not be well received by the nation itself during an analysis of the memorial in 2021, according to records released under an Access to Information request from the Ottawa Citizen. 

“While there could be good reasons as to why Vietnam would appear more frequently on this list, omitting to highlight other countries or events where there were many victims due to communism would risk an even stronger reaction from Vietnam,” reads the records.

The memorial contains a monument wall which lists the names of individuals, groups and several key events which highlight the wrongs perpetrated by communism on the world. 

“Highlighting events and names from countries where there were an important number of victims of communism will likely attract a negative reaction from countries cited,” warned diplomats. “This will need to be a political decision.”

Already the memorial has been the subject of controversy for its honouring of several alleged Nazi collaborators who participated in the Holocaust, which diplomats cautioned may potentially damage Canada’s image and increase tensions with other governments.  

Several Jewish advocacy groups have claimed that the memorial is complicit in  whitewashing the history regarding the active collaboration of Eastern European countries with Nazi Germany in the Holocaust. 

Among the names listed on the memorial are individuals who served with the Waffen SS, according to the Department of Canadian Heritage and federal documents, however, the exact number of individuals has been redacted.  

The $7.5 million memorial, called Memorial to the Victims of Communism was scheduled to be unveiled in November 2023, but was postponed and now remains fenced-off along Wellington Street in Ottawa’s downtown. 

“Although the Memorial to the Victims of Communism — Canada, a Land of Refuge was scheduled to be inaugurated by the end of 2023, the Government of Canada is doing its due diligence to ensure all aspects of the memorial remain compatible with Canadian values on democracy and human rights,” reads a statement dated Oct. 18 on the government website dedicated to the project.

Canadian Heritage also released a statement saying that it would be “reviewing all aspects of the project” before its unveiling. 

Other controversies surrounding the monument are its honouring of Canadian sailors who fought alongside the Soviet Union in World War II. The Soviets were an ally during that conflict and also fought the Nazis alongside Canadians in Yugoslavia, who are also honoured by the monument. 

Additionally, the size, location, cost and exact purpose of the monument have all been the subject of debate.

It was initially given a budget of $1.5 million over 15 years ago, which has since ballooned to $7.5 million, $6 million of which was derived from public funds.  The remaining money has been funded through private donations from the organization Tribute to Liberty.

Montreal Police warns against defamation for posting videos of porch thieves online

By
Isaac Lamoureux
-

In an unexpected twist to Montreal West’s ongoing porch piracy saga, local police have warned against posting videos of thieves online, citing defamation concerns. 

This advisory, coming from Quebec’s provincial police force, The Sûreté du Québec (SQ),  focused on protecting the alleged perpetrator’s privacy, igniting a wave of disbelief and ridicule among residents and online commentators.

“You cannot post the images yourself because you have to remember, in Canada, we have a presumption of innocence and posting that picture could be a violation of private life,” said SQ communications officer Lt. Benoit Richard, according to CTV News Montreal.

Defamation, by legal definition, involves damaging someone’s good reputation through slander or libel. 

This police caution struck many as absurd, as it seemingly protects the privacy of criminals over the rights of victims. The statement has led to a flurry of reactions online, with one user on X sarcastically saying, “You ALL know every court in Canada would LOVE to rule that thieves have a reasonable right to privacy while stealing.” 

Montreal West councillor Lauren Small-Pennefather acknowledged the daily struggle residents faced with porch pirates. 

“It’s something we deal with on a daily basis,” she said.

The irony of the situation is not lost on residents, as the very tools (security cameras) intended to deter thieves are now the subject of controversy due to potential legal repercussions.

Expressing dismay at the current state of affairs, one X user referenced not only the recent police quote but also the B.C. Supreme Court ruling that drug use in playgrounds was protected under the constitution.

“Congratulations LiberalNDP, we have reached that point where criminals have more rights than law-abiding citizens,” said the user.

Another user posted a similar sentiment.

“Insanity in Canada where criminals’ rights matter more than innocent victims. Definitively dystopian/dysfunctional/disgraceful,” said the person on X.

This sentiment echoes the frustration felt by many who see the police’s warning as a step backwards in effectively tackling crime. 

Many users posted similar comments, with over 700 replies to Canada Proud’s post about the story on X. 

Addressing the defamation concern, “Defamation involves making false statements that harms someone’s reputation. Posting a video of someone stealing a package is not defamation (laughing emoji),” said one user on X.

In a time where porch thefts are on the rise, as a FedEx survey indicates that 28% of Canadians have had a package stolen, the advice to refrain from posting evidence online seems to undermine community efforts to deter and identify criminals. Overall, 70% of online shoppers are at least somewhat worried about package theft.

FedEx claimed that tracking shipments and checking delivery notifications are the most common ways to protect from package theft, with 61% of shoppers saying that they do this.

Despite this, Small-Pennefather said that porch pirates are getting smarter.

“You have people that are following the vehicles, and when they see a parcel that’s dropped off, they then go and take the parcel if nobody comes to the door to retrieve the parcel,” she said.

She added that requiring a signature on the parcel for pick up, meaning the package cannot be dropped at your door unattended, or arranging to pick packages up from the carrier at the depot are good precautions to take. 

Lt. Benoit Richard recommends that citizens call 911 if anything is stolen from them.

“If you get some proof that somebody might have stolen something, call the police, give that proof to the police. We’ll do the investigation, bring that person to justice and file some charges,” he said.

Rebel News suing Chrystia Freeland, RCMP over arrest of David Menzies

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
-
Rebel News.

Rebel News is taking Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, the RCMP, and the York Regional Police to court following the arrest of one of its reporters, David Menzies.

The incident unfolded on Monday during a memorial service in Richmond Hill dedicated to the victims of Flight PS752. Menzies was apprehended by law enforcement officers while attempting to question Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland on a public street. 

The arresting officer alleged that Menzies had assaulted a police officer while walking alongside Freeland.

However, Menzies was released without any charges, leading him to speak out about the incident in an exclusive interview on the Andrew Lawton Show. During the interview, Menzies vehemently denied that he committed assault.

“Far from the RCMP’s narrative, (the officer) did the assault,” Menzies said. “I wasn’t under arrest at the time, and I just want to go out on a limb here, if I was some guy wearing a balaclava and wearing camouflage and looked like I had something that resembled a handgun. I could see a preemptive strike by law enforcement, but they know who we are. I had the Rebel News mic flag.” 

Rebel News founder Ezra Levant announced on X the media organization’s intention to file a lawsuit against those involved. He said Rebel would be suing over false arrest, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, and assault.

The incident has garnered widespread condemnation from various figures such as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressing their disapproval.

Poilievre took to X to express his concern, stating, “This is the state of freedom of the press. In Canada. In 2024. After 8 years of Trudeau.”

Elon Musk, known for his outspoken views about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government, commented on the video of Menzies’ exchange with Freeland and her security. 

Musk remarked, “They won’t make it past the next election,” referring to the Liberal Party of Canada.

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