Despite the fact that Canadians are clearly opposed to unsustainable mass immigration and the importation of millions of people to Canada who may not share our fundamental values, the Trudeau government doubled down on record immigration levels at a press conference yesterday. Canada is on pace to add millions of new people into the country by 2026 despite knowing that the housing supply, infrastructure, and social programs can’t keep up.
If that wasn’t bad enough, thanks to a leaked concept paper from the Israeli intelligence agency, it is looking increasingly likely that Canada will accept large numbers of Palestinian refugees fleeing the Gaza Strip. Many of these refugees support Hamas and pose a major risk – so much so that their own Arab neighbours aren’t taking them in.
Watch the latest episode of Ratio’d with Harrison Faulkner.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party government has taken an unequivocally Alberta-first stance in its policies and messaging. From passing the Sovereignty Act to running ads in Ottawa taking aim at federal policy, Smith has been unafraid of positioning Alberta as Confederation’s provincial watchdog. In this special edition of The Andrew Lawton Show, we share Andrew’s fireside chat with Smith, recorded after her speech at True North Nation in Calgary last month – True North’s first ever live and in-person event.
Conservatives are set to push for a motion calling on the federal government to halt the federal carbon tax on all types of home heating until the next election.
In line with this initiative, during a Wednesday morning caucus address, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre called for a “carbon tax election,” tapping into the public’s growing concerns over the cost of living.
Poilievre introduced the motion on Tuesday but voting will not take place until Monday.
“That, given the government has announced a ‘temporary, three-year pause’ to the federal carbon tax on home heating oil, the House call on the government to end that pause to all forms of heating,” reads the motion.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has refused to budge on the issue, rejecting any further carve-outs or exemptions on the carbon tax. Despite this, provincial premiers and parties are ramping up the pressure.
The Premier of British Columbia, David Eby, said it’s unfair that Atlantic Canada is being targeted for federal relief on heating bills that won’t apply to British Columbia.
British Columbia, Quebec, and the Northwest Territories are excluded because they collect their own fuel tax.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe are calling on Ottawa to apply the same exemption to natural gas, the main heating used by residents in their provinces.
Manitoba’s new NDP finance minister called for “greater fairness” in applying the federal carbon tax.
For Poilievre’s motion to pass, it would have to receive support from the NDP in the House of Commons.
Numerous votes to cancel the carbon tax or stop it from increasing have been brought forward in the past but they have all failed.
In these votes, the majority of Liberal and NDP MPs have voted against the motions.
Jagmeet Singh, leader of the NDP, was recently questioned about the cost of living for Canadians and the carbon tax. He criticized the Liberal government’s plan for specific carve-outs, labelling the plan as being divisive.
Singh has since presented a plan to waive the GST on all heating for Canadians.
He also proposed a program to help Canadians upgrade their insulation, install better windows, and install heat pumps. He said this program could be funded by implementing a windfall tax on oil and gas companies, which he claimed are making record profits.
With the Conservative motion scheduled for a vote on Monday, the NDP’s decision will prove pivotal.
“What will Jagmeet Singh do? Will Jagmeet Singh stand with provincial NDPers? Will he stand with the voters, who put their trust in his MPs in places like Timmins and other cold Northern communities, or will he once again sell out working-class Canadians in order to suck up to Justin Trudeau? That will be his decision,” Poilievre said.
According to Global News, the NDP has since indicated it will support the Conservative motion to expand carbon tax exemptions to all home heating.
CBC’s top official is standing by the state broadcaster’s erroneous reporting on a Gaza hospital attack that never happened.
“I will not apologize because our journalism is among the finest in the world,” CBC CEO Catherine Tait told Conservative MPs Thursday. “Our journalists operate in an independent fashion independent of management, independent of the board of directors and independent of government and political influence.”
CBC CEO Catherine Tait refuses to apologize to Canadians for publishing false information regarding the Gaza hospital bombing. pic.twitter.com/trIpBGWDpz
Tait faced intense scrutiny in an appearance before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, where Conservative MPs Melissa Lantsman and Rachael Thomas questioned her regarding the CBC’s coverage of the incident.
Lantsman raised concerns about a headline stating that Palestinians claimed “hundreds killed in an Israeli airstrike on a hospital.”
“You said that you stand by the statement Palestinians say hundreds killed in an Israeli airstike on a hospital. It is a headline that has been debunked by governments across the world including even our own prime minister, albeit seven days late. So I want to know if you’ll apologize to Canadians and I want to know when we can expect a retraction from CBC,” asked Lantsman.
CBC was among several media outlets around the world who accepted at face value a Hamas claim that Israel killed 500 people with an airstrike against Gaza’s al-Ahli Baptist Hospital. In fact, a Hamas rocket fell short and blew up in the hospital parking lot, with no confirmed casualties.
CBC CEO Catherine Tait doubles down in her refusal to issue an apology or offer an explanation for the lack of correction in the CBC’s article concerning the Gaza hospital bombing, which blamed Israel. pic.twitter.com/nDMPSTk1cC
Thomas questioned the lack of a correction notice regarding the story.
“I’m asking the CBC with regard to your journalistic standards, you say that you’re supposed to offer a correction notice. That didn’t happen. Why?” asked Thomas.
“Again I defend our journalism and its independence. Our journalists conduct themselves in an independent fashion. I cannot answer the question as to when they post a correction or when they do not, that is their business and they conduct themselves according to the journalistic standards and practices,” said Tait.
During the committee hearing, Conservative MPs faced interruptions from Liberal and NDP committee members when attempting to question Tait.
In addition to the hospital bombing controversy, CBC has faced criticism for its policy of not referring to Hamas militants perpetrating violence in Israel as “terrorists.”
This policy remains in place despite backlash from Jewish advocacy organizations. CBC’s director of journalistic standards and public trust, George Achi, instructed journalists not to use the term “terrorists” when covering the conflict.
Achi argued that the designation of “terrorists” is a matter of opinion, not fact, given the politicized nature of the term.
Hamas is officially recognized as a terrorist group in Canada.
The leaked email from Achi sparked significant backlash, particularly from Jewish groups, leading to an ongoing debate over terminology and its implications in news reporting.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing criticism online for allowing his youngest son to dress up as a beheaded person for Halloween amid reports of atrocities emerging from the Israel-Hamas war.
Israel’s government has said that the terrorist group Hamas beheaded innocent people as part of its barbaric October 7 attack on the Jewish state.
Hadrien seems to have misplaced something… but that’s not going to stop him from trick-or-treating. Happy Halloween, everyone – have fun out there! pic.twitter.com/D6KNfCmPjr
Trudeau’s photo resulted in criticism from Canadians, including political and media figures, on X.
Former Canadian Ambassador to Israel Vivian Bercovici wrote, “the Prime Minister of (Canada) Justin Trudeau posing with his young son who is in costume as a beheaded person. The callousness is beyond belief. I get that it’s Halloween. But in light of what’s going on in the world. This just is not cool. Not funny. And he is a sick sick man.”
The PM of 🇨🇦 @JustinTrudeau posing with his young son who is in costume as a beheaded person. The callousness is beyond belief. I get that it’s Hallowe’en. But in light of what’s going on in the world. This just is not cool. Not funny. And he is a sick sick man. https://t.co/aPqyhgLMLT
Her sentiments were echoed by former Conservative senator Linda Frum, who asked “why post this? Hadrien didn’t need the attention, and the Jews didn’t need another kick in the teeth.”
Nepean PC MPP and former Ontario cabinet minister Lisa McLeod wrote “oh my Goodness. Given the events in the Middle East a beheaded children’s costume is mightily inappropriate.”
Oh my Goodness. Given the events in the Middle East a beheaded children’s costume is mightily inappropriate. https://t.co/fWh7FsKkHC
McLeod’s colleague, Carleton PC MPP Goldie Ghamari, said “this is the literal definition of ‘tone-deaf’”
Rebel News founder and President Ezra Levant wrote, “Justin Trudeau dressed his son up as a child that was beheaded. Just stop and think about that.” Canadaland publisher Jesse Brown bluntly asked, “How can he be this f**king dumb?”
Justin Trudeau dressed his son up as a child that was beheaded.
Others criticized Trudeau specifically for posting the photo.
Journalist Jen Gerson wrote, “I really cannot expect this poor kid to have understood the larger geo-political implications of this costume. But, like, man, tweeting this out was a choice.”
I really cannot expect this poor kid to have understood the larger geo-political implications of this costume.
She added that “it is insensitive for an ostensible world leader to post a picture of his child wearing a costume depicting a beheading only a few weeks after children were literally beheaded by Hamas.”
One user wrote “am I the only one who isn’t offended by the costume worn by Trudeau’s kid? Come on, people. IT’S HALLOWEEN. This pearl-clutching over a kids costume is nauseating.” Another user said “can’t believe I’m defending Trudeau, it’s Halloween dude, nothing about this costume is insensitive.”
“The nasty comments are totally ridiculous. I’m glad the Trudeau children get a normal night. You should see what came to my door! Great fun. All of it,” wrote another user.
Another user noted, “I’m not outraged by this. It’s a great costume. As for Trudeau, leader of Canada, getting called tone deaf for letting it happen, I’d say more narcissistic.”
Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney said he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of running for the federal leadership for the Liberal Party of Canada.
Carney is presently the chair of Brookfield Asset Management and the United Nations special envoy on climate action. Carney was also the governor of the Bank of England.
“It’s not a decision that I need to take now,” said Carney in an interview with the Globe and Mail.
Carney has been considered a viable candidate for many years by Liberal party members.
The next federal election is scheduled for 2025 and already Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has committed to running as the Liberal party leader.
However, Trudeau’s public support has dipped dramatically over the years and has consistently fallen behind Conservative leader Pierre Poilievere in the polls when it comes to voting preference.
Liberal party fundraising has also dropped off since Trudeau recommitted to leading his party into the next election.
On Wednesday, a call for Trudeau to step down as party leader came from Percy Downe, a senator and former chief of staff to Liberal prime minister Jean Chretien.
In a National Newswatch op-ed, Downe said Trudeau’s resignation would be a “prudent course of action.”
Carney, who has previously never run for political office, said he would also consider putting his name on the ballot to be an MP.
Carney spoke at two climate summits this week in Ottawa, where he lauded Trudeau’s government for their policies on climate change but also criticized the government’s move to pause the carbon tax.
“I very much want Canada to be at the forefront of this transition. For Canada and for Canadians. There’s every reason why we should be. And so, I’ll lean in where I can, to help out in Canada,” Carney told the Globe and Mail.
Without mentioning him directly, Carney also criticized Poilievre’s approach to climate change, saying that more than just slogans needed to be done on the environment front.
“You have to have a plan, not slogans,” said Carney. “We need to continue to raise the bar here in Canada and if you know a party is coming in front of Canadians, whenever the next election is, without a plan, with just slogans, that’s irresponsible.”
Despite this, most national polls show more Canadians are turning towards the Conservatives, they currently hold a double-digit lead over the Liberals in every region except Quebec.
“You can have in effect slogans that sound good, that sound appealing, that ultimately are detrimental,” said Carney. “I’m the one in the conversation who’s actually been in business, who actually is in business, and makes decisions,” added Carney.
“I’m not a lifelong politician. You tend to see people who – often – are lifelong politicians have a very simplistic view of markets. They don’t understand how decisions are really made. They don’t understand how things are interconnected.”
Getting rid of the carbon tax would significantly curb inflation, the head of the Bank of Canada told members of Parliament.
Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem told the House of Commons finance committee Tuesday that removing the federal carbon tax could reduce inflation by as much as 15%.
The inflation rate currently sits at 3.8%, but Macklem claimed that could go down by 0.6% to 3.2% for the next year, without the federal government’s carbon pricing scheme further driving up the cost of goods and services.
The carbon tax adds more than 17 cents per litre to light fuel oil and over 14 cents per litre to the cost of gasoline.
These increases are then passed on to goods, raising the prices of groceries and other commodities.
Statistics Canada reported that 15% of households are cutting back on their grocery costs to afford paying their energy bills.
Macklem’s comments to MPs come on the heels of the Trudeau government’s newly announced three-year pause on federal carbon pricing for home oil heating, which affects few homes outside of Atlantic Canada.
The announcement prompted several premiers to ask for the pause to be extended to natural gas home heating as well, though Trudeau has so far dismissed these calls.
The Bank of Canada has maintained interest rates at 5% with a hope of returning to the target rate of 2% by 2025. The central bank is also expecting a 3.5% Consumer Price Index average until some time next year.
Agriculture and Agri Food Canada (AAFC) has issued an apology for an error in a departmental results report wherein the ministry claimed that it was working towards a “30% reduction of fertilizer use” in Canada.
Minister of Agriculture Lawrence MacAuley published the “2022-2023 Departmental Results Report” which contained the discrepancy.
“The Department published a ‘What We Heard Report’ compiling the feedback received, which will inform AAFC’s work in collaboration with the sector, towards meeting the target of a 30% reduction of fertilizer use from 2020 levels by 2030,” wrote the original report.
AAFC has since said that the call for a blanket 30% reduction of fertilizer use was a mistake and that it would revise the report to accurately reflect the government’s emission goals.
The apology came after True North contacted the federal government to explain the statement, which conflicts with the department’s stated goal of reducing fertilizer emissions by 30% by the end of the decade.
“The Government of Canada wants to be clear that it is not imposing a 30% reduction in fertilizer use. This is in fact an error, which will be corrected in our Departmental Results Report. We would like to apologize for any confusion this may have caused,” AAFC Media Relations Officer Samantha Seary told True North.
“There is no mandatory reduction in fertilizer use on Canadian farms. Canada’s fertilizer emissions reduction target does not represent a ban or a mandatory reduction on fertilizer use. Any plan to reduce agricultural emissions will not impose restrictions on the amount of fertilizer that Canadian farmers use, nor will it limit Canada’s ability to maximize food production.”
Although the government claims that the reduction in fertilizer emissions would not impact crop yields, internal AAFC analysis shows that it would in fact harm crop production, especially in western Canada.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has claimed in the recent past that it’s “misinformation” to say that the government wants a 30% reduction in fertilizer.
“I can reassure you that’s not the plan. We are not mandating a 30% reduction in fertilizer use,” said Trudeau at a town hall earlier this year.
“I know there’s a bit of misinformation out there around going after farmers around fertilizer. That’s not what we are doing. There’s some concern about what’s happening in Europe, the Netherlands particularly but that’s not what we’re doing.”
True North asked AAFC whether it considered its report to have spread misinformation by making the same claim; the department did not address the question directly in their provided statement.
Trudeau denies that he will be mandating a 30% reduction in fertilizer for Canadian farmers. He claims there is "a bit of misinformation out there around going after farmers."https://t.co/PHR7jF0lJMpic.twitter.com/xPPpFU2NEb
This isn’t the first time that AAFC has called for a “30% reduction in fertilizer use” instead of a reduction in fertilizer emissions.
According to exclusive documents obtained by True North and reported in the Fertilizer Files, Fertilizer Canada representatives raised concerns about a deputy minister at AAFC who claimed during a Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute webinar that the government wanted to “reduce fertilizer use” altogether.
Additionally, former agriculture minister Marie Claude-Bibeau delivered a speech in 2021 to her European counterparts wherein she expressed a desire for Canada to be “very closely aligned” with “the fertilizer reduction target in the EU’s Farm to Fork strategy.”
One of the key concerns raised by farmers groups and stakeholders is that the federal government has poorly communicated its goals on its fertilizer emission reduction strategy and hasn’t provided a clear path forward for the industry to move toward.
Additionally, internal AAFC documents show that the federal government has considered a carbon tax-like “regulatory backstop” to enforce compliance with the emission reduction target.
“We want to support measures that producers can take voluntarily to reduce their emissions, while maintaining or growing crop yields. Nitrogen fertilizer plays an important role in Canadian agriculture,” Seary told True North.
“Efforts to achieve emissions reductions will focus on improving nitrogen management and optimizing fertilizer use – not a mandatory reduction in the use of fertilizers. The goal is to enhance farmers’ yields, while reducing emissions.”
In response to the troubling rise in antisemitism and hate crimes targeting Jewish people, the Ontario government has announced a comprehensive overhaul of Holocaust education in the curriculum.
Starting September 2025, the Ontario government is set to implement an expansion of the mandatory grade 10 history curriculum. This expansion will involve a comprehensive exploration of the Holocaust.
The course will be designed to link the Holocaust to extreme political ideologies such as fascism, the historical context of antisemitism in Canada during the 1930s and 1940s, and the ongoing repercussions of rising antisemitism in contemporary times.
Ontario’s Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce, emphasized the province’s commitment to combating the rise of antisemitism and hate.
“We will ensure that ‘Never Again’ is our legacy to the next generation as we safeguard and promote those fundamental Canadian values of democracy, freedom, civility and respect,” he said.
In conjunction with the curriculum expansion, Ontario is investing $650,000 in community partnerships to develop educational resources and training for teachers on the topic.
Groups to be consulted on the curriculum will include the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, Liberation75, the Canadian Society for Yad Vashem, and the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto’s Holocaust Museum.
Together they will be developing educational resources, teacher training workshops, and online support materials to enhance Holocaust education for various grade levels and assist teachers in effectively delivering the content.
The initiative arrives against a backdrop of disturbing statistics.
According to a 2021 survey by Liberation75, one in three teens in Canada and the United States think the Holocaust was fabricated, exaggerated or were unsure it happened.
In 2022, B’nai Brith’s Annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents recorded 2,769 antisemitic incidents, marking one of the highest rates of hate crimes ever recorded in Canada.
Jewish Canadians, who constitute only 1% of the population, were victims of 14% of all reported hate crimes in 2021, according to Statistics Canada.
In 2021, police-reported hate crimes targeting Jewish people rose by 47% from the previous year.
The expansion of Holocaust education also complements mandatory learning introduced in the Grade 6 elementary curriculum last year.
Ontario’s Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, Michael Ford, highlighted the significance of the reform.
“The new mandatory courses and educational resources will help students learn about the Holocaust and how antisemitism manifests today,” he said.
British Columbia is also set to expand Holocaust education by 2025.
