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Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Unofficial referendums held in Canada over Khalistan independence

By
Quinn Patrick
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Over 200,000 people voted in two unofficial referendums on the creation of a separatist state called Khalistan within India, a controversial movement that is at the heart of the diplomatic fallout between Canada and India. 

The second referendum was held on Sunday in Surrey, B.C. at the same temple where Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was allegedly assassinated in June.

His murder sparked a diplomatic fallout after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that the Indian government played a role in Nijjar’s murder in the House of Commons on Sept. 18. 

The allegations, which have been denied by the Indian government, led to the expulsion of senior diplomats from both countries, travel advisories, visa suspensions and a cyberattack on the Canadian Armed Forces website. 

Sikhs in India are a minority group who mostly live in the province of Punjab and for many years they have wanted to separate from India and carve out their own region known as Khalistan. 

The first non-binding referendum was held on Sept. 10 and had a turnout so large that all the votes couldn’t be counted in a single day. 

Radio Punjab’s news director Sarbraj Kahlon said the latest vote was a success after 65,700 people showed up to cast a ballot on Sunday, according to The Canadian Press.

More unofficial referendums are in the works for Abbotsford, Edmonton, Calgary and Montreal in 2024, said Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who organized the one in Surrey on Sunday.

Pannun also credited Trudeau for creating a more friendly environment for open dialogue about the Khalistani independence movement without supporters fearing retribution for their support. 

Prior to his death, Nijjar was one of the organizers of the Khalistan referendum in Canada. Similar referendums have been held in other countries as well. 

“The organizers just want people to come, attend and just unite under one flag,” said Khalon. “As you know, this is a non-binding referendum but the organizers, they say, the United Nations, they are watching it closely.” 

Poilievre asks Trudeau to extend carbon tax pause to natural gas heating

By
Quinn Patrick
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The Conservative Party has promised to unanimously approve any government legislation that would offer Canadians who heat their homes using natural gas the same carbon tax break that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently extended for oil heating. 

About one third of homes in Atlantic Canada use oil for heating, however outside of the east coast region, natural gas is the most commonly used source for home heating, with the exception of Quebec, which predominantly uses hydroelectricity. 

Last Thursday, Trudeau announced a three-year pause on the carbon tax for homes that are heated with oil, a decision that was welcomed by several Premiers who had warned Trudeau about the repercussions a carbon tax on oil heating would have on Canadians’ wallets. 

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have now called for a pause on the carbon tax for residents who use natural gas for heating as well. 

Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre wrote an open letter asking the Trudeau government to remove the carbon tax from all home energy heating. 

“You have now admitted that your carbon tax is not worth the cost. In pausing the tax on home heating oil until after the election, however, you plan to keep the tax on lower emitting natural gas heat for which bills will be jumping even further in mere weeks as it gets colder,” the letter reads.

“There is no way to justify applying taxes on cleaner sources of heat especially when half of Canadians are living $200 away from insolvency and nearly two million have used a food bank in a single month, the highest figure ever recorded. That is why common sense Conservatives are offering our full cooperation to pass an emergency bill tomorrow to axe the carbon tax on all forms of heat before winter heat bills hit Canadians next month,” states the letter.

The minority Liberal government does not seem interested in taking up the offer however.

“Unlike Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives, we know that climate change is real and it cannot be free to pollute. That’s why we put a price on carbon pollution across Canada,” wrote Katherine Cuplinskas, a spokesperson for Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland in an email to Global News.

“The federal government’s announcement last week is a recognition that more time and new support is needed to help Canadians, in particular those who live in Atlantic Canada, transition to cleaner, more affordable home heating options.”

The federal government has also announced plans to offer financial incentives to Canadians who install home heating pumps that reduce dependence on heating with fossil fuels. 

Poilievre remains skeptical regarding the Prime Minister’s decision to put the federal surcharge on pause. 

While speaking in St. John’s Newfoundland on Friday, Poilievre said the pause was made in the name of votes, not in aiding Canadians’ cost of living. 

“Justin Trudeau is in total panic mode,” said Poilievre. “Justin Trudeau is not worried about the cost of living. He’s worried about the cost of votes.” 

Numerous recent polls have shown Trudeau falling behind Poilievre if an election were held tomorrow.

“You have now flip flopped and admitted taxing heat will not help the environment. You must be consistent and keep the heat on and take the tax off now for all Canadians. Please contact me today to make arrangements to pass legislation axing the tax on all forms of home heating tomorrow,” concluded Poilievre’s letter to Trudeau. 

Ratio’d | Trudeau PANICS as support collapses in EAST, suspends carbon tax

By
Harrison Faulkner
-

In an abrupt move last week, Justin Trudeau decided to suspend his signature environmental policy – the controversial carbon tax – on home heating oil for three years. For some reason, the Liberals tried to spin this as a win but the reality is that this is another major blow to the Trudeau government. By suspending the carbon tax specifically on home heating oil and not on natural gas, Trudeau is making a desperate attempt to shore up collapsing support in Atlantic Canada – once a Liberal stronghold.

Over 40% of homes in Atlantic Canada rely on home heating oil to stay warm in the winter, but the rest of the country relies mostly on natural gas. And course, its Western Canada left holding the bag to pay up on a carbon tax imposed on them by Ottawa.

When it comes to Trudeau’s own survival, everything appears to be on the table, even his beloved carbon tax.

Watch the latest episode of Ratio’d with Harrison Faulkner.

Property rights at risk with court dismissal of landmark firearms ban challenge: critics

By
Isaac Lamoureux
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Source: Facebook

A Federal Court justice dismissed all claims made by the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights (CCFR) and other applicants in their landmark case against the Canadian government’s gun control policy.

Justice Catherine Kane’s ruling also extends to the general property rights of Canadians, say critics.

The Federal Court ruled in favour of the May 2020 Order-in-Council that prohibited over 1,500 models of what the government termed as “assault-style firearms.” The CCFR, along with five other applicants, had challenged this ban for over three years, asserting that the government did not possess the regulatory authority to enact such prohibitions.

In one of their YouTube videos, the CCFR explained the broad implications of this court proceeding. 

“The government can decide without any real justification that something you own should be illegal and will be confiscated,” said the CCFR. 

Not only firearms but any legally owned asset—from land and bank accounts to cars—could be at risk. The rationale for such confiscation might be cloaked under various guises: a climate emergency, a pandemic, public safety concerns, or economic reasons, the video highlighted.

They stressed that this legal battle was to defend against the massive confiscation of property from hundreds of thousands of Canadians who were licensed to own these firearms.

“Today, it’s about legally purchased firearms, but tomorrow it might be about something you own or a right you value,” they said in the video.

Rod Giltaca, the CEO and Executive Director at the CCFR, had been at the forefront of the legal battle and was named numerous times in the decision. 

“Every [Canadian] should be alarmed with this ruling. The [government] can take whatever it wants, whenever it wants, and the courts seem to agree,” he Tweeted shortly after the decision.

Justice Kane’s assertion that the government does not owe procedural fairness to Canadians in such matters is alarming. It sets a potentially dangerous precedent where the government might circumvent due procedures to enforce their will, suggested Giltaca. 

“The Governor in Council does not owe a duty of procedural fairness to individual firearm owners who may be affected by the Governor in Council’s exercise of its authority to prescribe firearms as prohibited,” reads line 467 of the decision.

Tracey Wilson, Vice President of Public Relations, said that she is shocked and disappointed by the decision out of the Federal court today and what it means for gun owners and all Canadians.

“It is a clear indication that we do not have property rights in Canada, and everything we own is at the whim of the current government. This should be alarming to everyone,” she told True North in an exclusive interview.

“We can interpret this to mean that the government has the ability to ban anything they want, at any time, should they deem it unreasonable to own, despite a long history of safe ownership,” added Wilson. 

Giltaca and Wilson echoed a similar sentiment. 

“We promised we would fight this unjust and irresponsible action by this Liberal\NDP government, and we will continue to do just that until every avenue and opportunity is exhausted,” said the CCFR in a media release.

It may be left to the court of public opinion in the next election, according to Wilson. 

“Canadians will have a choice to make: a government that will spend billions of their tax dollars attacking licensed, vetted RCMP-approved firearms owners, or a government that will craft and employ serious policy to reduce crime, violence, and gun smuggling. Either they want more division and debt, or they want a safer country,” she said. 

The Andrew Lawton Show | “The anti-WEF”: Jordan Peterson-led UK summit kicks off

By
Andrew Lawton
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True North’s Andrew Lawton is live from London, United Kingdom, where the first Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (ARC) Forum kicked off today. The conference features 1,500 delegates from 72 countries with discussions about citizenship, responsibility and individualism, rather than globalism and collectivism. Andrew says this makes it an important counterbalance to the World Economic Forum and its annual Davos summits.

Also, a Liberal cabinet minister says if western Canadians want their concerns about the carbon tax to be heard, they need to vote Liberal.

Plus, Kris Sims of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation on the return of the Alberta legislature and the federal government’s home heating oil backtrack.

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Severe labour shortage in construction sector despite immigration surge: StatsCan

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
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Source: Unsplash

A recent report from Statistics Canada shows that the construction sector in Canada is grappling with a severe labour shortage that outpaces other sectors, contradicting claims made by Liberal Immigration Minister Marc Miller that record-level immigration targets are helping alleviate the housing crisis.

The study, released on October 25, 2023, titled “A toolkit for understanding housing supply” by analysts Florian Mayneris and Radu Andrei Pârvulescu, reveals that the construction industry has witnessed a more rapid increase in job vacancy rates compared to the rest of the economy.

“Overall, these variations in the number of workers and apprentices have been insufficient to meet labour demand in the construction industry: the job vacancy rates for the building trades have rapidly increased in all the provinces since the COVID-19 pandemic, a trend that started even sooner in Quebec,” wrote the authors. 

“While labour shortages affect all sectors, the job vacancy rates rose more in the construction sector than in the rest of the economy.” 

In August, Miller asserted that new skilled immigrants are essential for addressing Canada’s housing crisis and that the federal government would not revise its immigration targets despite public pushback. 

“The federal government is making housing more affordable and bringing in the skilled workers required to build more homes,” Miller said at the time. 

“Without those skilled workers coming from outside Canada, we absolutely cannot build the homes and meet the demand that exists currently today.”

Officially, Canada is set to let in nearly 530,000 new permanent residents in 2023. Additionally, the Liberal government expects 900,000 international students in Canada this year and is expected to let in more foreign workers than the 135,000 it let in last year. 

Support for immigration in Canada is at an all time low, as Canadians are increasingly priced out of the housing market. 

A new survey found that 44% of Canadians agree that there is “too much immigration to Canada” – an increase from 27% in 2022. 

The Fraser Institute conducted its own study into the matter earlier this year finding that over the last five years, population growth has far exceeded housing completions, resulting in soaring housing costs and affordability issues for many Canadians.

Analyzing annual population growth and housing completions in Canada from 1972 to 2022, the Fraser Institute found that from 2018 to 2022, Canada added an average of 553,568 people per year, with 321,065 being immigrants. In this period, immigrants accounted for 58% of Canada’s population growth. However, only an average of 205,762 new homes were completed each year in Canada, resulting in a striking ratio of 2.7 new people for every new home.

Young Canadians most worried about debt and more likely to miss payments

By
Isaac Lamoureux
-
Source: Pixaby

Young Canadians are buckling under financial pressures, with a recent Equifax Canada survey revealing that 52% of adults in this age group are anxious about their personal debt. 

The amount of those aged 18 to 34 stressing about their debt is notably higher than the average of 39%. 

Moreover, 36% of young Canadians reported that they have missed a bill payment this year, compared to 23% of all respondents.

Julie Kuzmic, Equifax Canada’s Senior Compliance Officer of Consumer Advocacy, underscored the pressing need for enhanced financial education.

“It doesn’t take much to become entangled in debt, especially in our current economic climate, as we shared in our recent Market Pulse Quarterly Credit Trends report for Q2,” Kuzmic stated in a press release.

A significant 86% of all respondents voiced the sentiment that the government should adopt a more hands-on approach to tackling housing affordability. 

Further, 69% of young Canadians are more likely to explore “side hustles”, with 48% considering taking second or third jobs to increase their income and meet their financial obligations. 19% of all respondents are considering relocating due to affordability constraints.

The survey also spotlighted young Canadians’ pronounced reliance on social media platforms for financial advice. 42% of this demographic turns to these channels for financial insights, a stark contrast to the 22% of all respondents. 

While concerns about debt are pervasive, with 45% of all respondents anxious about paying off debt like mortgages and student loans, a mere 18% have sought professional counsel on debt management.

“Financial education is an essential building block towards financial resilience to help people make informed financial decisions and protect their well-being,” said Kuzmic.

Young Canadians, while proactive in monitoring credit reports, seem to downplay the risk of identity theft. 32% believe they are unlikely to become victims of identity theft, compared to 19% of all respondents. 

In addition, only 61% have up-to-date anti-virus software, lagging behind the 72% of the general population.

Conducted between September 15-18, 2023, using Leger’s online panel, this survey involved 1,564 participants and has a margin of error of +/-2.5%, 19 times out of 20.

Saskatchewan promises law to prevent poppy bans ahead of Remembrance Day

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
-

The government of Saskatchewan has announced its intention to introduce a new piece of legislation aimed at safeguarding the rights of workers to display a poppy on Remembrance Day. 

The proposed Saskatchewan Remembrance Day Freedom Act would proscribe employers from enforcing regulations that prohibit their employees from donning the emblem in tribute to Canada’s veterans.

The act was first announced during the throne speech delivered by Lt.-Gov. Russ Mirasty last week before being presented with the inaugural poppy of the year at Government House in Regina. 

Premier Scott Moe expressed that the government’s decision to take action stemmed from grievances voiced by certain employees, including those in the public sector, who were not permitted to wear a poppy at their workplaces. 

However, specific employers or industries were not disclosed.

“Honouring our veterans and what they have done — in giving us the opportunity to A, have a democracy, B, the opportunity to wear any other pin on at all — that should be recognized and honoured each and every day,” said Moe. 

“Wearing a poppy and having the right to wear a poppy at your place of work, or anywhere you choose in this province, most certainly, I would say, is significant.”

The government aims to pass the bill within the current legislative session and obtain royal assent before November 11. 

However, Moe acknowledged uncertainty regarding the consequences for employers who violate the law.

Saskatchewan is emulating the example set by Ontario, which modified its Remembrance Week Act in 2021. 

The law ensures that every employee can wear a poppy, except when doing so might pose a risk or danger to themselves or others.

Feds to hike taxes on alcohol by 4.7% in 2024

By
Quinn Patrick
-

A taxpayer group is calling on Ottawa to put an end to plans to raise taxes on alcohol by 4.7% next year.

According to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, the tax increase is an unnecessary burden as Canadians face increased affordability issues. 

“Canadians are struggling with inflation and the last thing we need is the feds making it more expensive to enjoy a cold one at the end of a long work week,” said Franco Terrazzano, CTF Federal Director. 

“Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should be trying to make life more affordable and that means scrapping his alcohol tax hikes.”

Every year on April 1, the alcohol escalator tax automatically raises federal excise taxes on beer, spirits and wine.

“This is fundamentally undemocratic because politicians are increasing their tax take without a single vote in Parliament,” said Carson Binda, CTF British Columbia Director. “The feds need to stop binging on alcohol taxes.”

Already taxes account for a sizable amount of alcohol, making up 50% of the cost of beer, 65% of the cost of wine and over 75% of the cost of spirits. 

In addition to the annual alcohol tax increase, this past April 1 also included a tax increase in order for MPs to get a pay raise.

The Daily Brief | 50-year-old trans swimmer competes against teen girls

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
-

Parents at a Toronto area aquatic centre are alarmed by a 50-year-old trans swimmer who is competing against girls as young as 13.

Plus, Canadian singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie has come under fire for allegations that her Indigenous heritage may be false.

And the average cost of a home in Canada is now 141% higher than the median household income.

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

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