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Monday, July 7, 2025

Liberals vote down motion to have CBC testify on Israel-Hamas war coverage

By
Quinn Patrick
-

A motion to call several CBC employees before the standing committee on public accounts to explain a leaked internal email regarding their coverage of the Hamas-Israel conflict was voted down by the Liberal-NDP coalition on Tuesday.

“It has never been more clear that Hamas is a genocidal terrorist organization and it’s appalling that the taxpayer-funded CBC won’t recognize this. For this reason, common sense Conservatives wanted to summon the President of the CBC, Catherine Tait and the Director of Journalistic Standards, George Achi, to testify before committee and answer why the CBC doesn’t consider Hamas to be a terrorist organization,” said Lantsman.

Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman moved a motion to summon members of the CBC to speak before the committee to explain their actions after a leaked email revealed that the broadcaster was telling its employees not to use the word “terrorist” when referring to Hamas militants. 

“If the CBC can’t call an organization that murders the elderly, kidnaps children and rapes women the terrorist organization that they are, they don’t deserve taxpayer money. We’re bringing this to Parliament because Canadians are paying for it,” Lantsman posted on X. 

The internal email was written by CBC’s director of journalistic standards and public trust, George Achi, who told CBC journalists not to refer to anyone as “terrorists” when reporting on the conflict.

“The notion of terrorism remains heavily politicized and is part of the story,” said Achi. 

“Even when quoting/clipping a government or a source referring to fighters as ‘terrorists,’ we should add context to ensure the audience understands this is opinion, not fact. That includes statements from the Canadian government and Canadian politicians.” 

Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by the Canadian government since 2002.

“Last weekend, Hamas carried out one of the most horrific terror attacks in history on innocent Israelis, killing and injuring thousands of people. Six Canadians have now died in this horrific attack and many Canadians remain unaccounted for,” said Lantsman.

“Despite the brutality of Hamas’ crimes, Canadians were shocked to discover that the CBC has been advising its journalists not to use the word “terrorist” when referring to Hamas. The CBC refuses to do this in spite of Hamas being recognized as a terrorist organization for over 20 years by the Government of Canada.”

Lantsman and Conservative MP Rachael Thomas wanted to summon Achi for two hours of questioning before the committee, along with CBC President Catherine Tait and CBC Ombudsman Jack Nagler to explain the leaked email and to defend their position regarding their reporting on the Hamas-Israel conflict. 

The motion was ultimately voted down by the Liberal-NDP coalition and supported by the Bloc Quebecois. Those voting against argued that CBC should remain independent from government pressure when it comes to the angles they take on their reporting.   

“The Liberal-NDP government must stop protecting the CBC’s gross journalistic incompetence and allow Conservatives to demand answers from the CBC’s senior leadership. The CBC continues to fail Canadians by protecting Hamas in the court of public opinion. Conservatives will not stop until the CBC provides answers for this disgraceful editorial stance,” said Lantsman.

Democracy watchdog urges inquiry into “lap dog” RCMP’s “superficial” SNC-Lavalin investigation

By
Isaac Lamoureux
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A democratic advocacy group is calling for a public inquiry into the RCMP after newly released documents reveal an insufficient investigation by the police force into the federal government’s actions surrounding the SNC-Lavalin scandal.

Democracy Watch founder Duff Conacher said the RCMP’s investigation into the government was “superficial,” with investigators interviewing only three individuals. Conacher criticized the RCMP for not making a more determined effort to obtain internal and confidential cabinet communications vital for a comprehensive investigation.

The RCMP’s investigation report was obtained under Access to Information by Democracy Watch and initially shared with the Star, shortly before they shared the news. Following the breaking story, Conacher appeared on True North’s Andrew Lawton Show.

“The RCMP rolled over like a lap dog and did a very superficial investigation,” Conacher said on True North’s Andrew Lawton Show.

A central point of contention is the RCMP’s refusal to seek a court order or warrant to compel the release of critical cabinet materials that the government declined to provide.

“They could have gone to court to get a court order, a warrant for that, but decided not to, for, I think, unjustifiable reasons,” said Conacher.

The RCMP said its Sensitive and International Investigations team decided not pursue a criminal investigation.

“A number of factors were taken into consideration in reaching a final decision – this included the feasibility of a criminal investigation given a number of limitations such as judicial oversight, a higher evidentiary threshold, the current legislative framework, Parliamentary Privilege, as well as the likelihood of conviction,” the RCMP said. 

The entire investigation process was shrouded in secrecy, Conacher said, with the RCMP opting not to make it publicly known that it was even conducting an investigation. The absence of an open court to make the final decision raised additional questions about transparency and accountability.

Conacher pointed out how differently the RCMP behaved when it was investigating Jason Kenney’s government in Alberta. In that case, the RCMP announced its investigation, offered regular updates, and acted quickly in response to allegations. The same is true of the RCMP’s investigation into Doug Ford’s government in Ontario regarding the Greenbelt.

In the SNC-Lavalin case, the RCMP only acknowledged undertaking an “assessment” rather than an “investigation.” It also accepted cabinet confidence claims by the government at face value.

“It just raises a lot of questions about whether the RCMP is independent enough to actually investigate political wrongdoing in Canada, especially at the federal level,” said Conacher.

The RCMP defended its work in a statement to True North, affirming its independence as a police service.

“While the former National Division of the RCMP held the dual mandates of protecting Canadian dignitaries as well as investigating politically-sensitive matters, we go to great lengths to ensure that our mandate to investigate criminal offences is managed completely independently of our mandate to provide protective services to designated officials, ensuring investigations are conducted in a professional and objective manner entirely free from of any government influence,” said the RCMP.

Conacher also took aim at the federal government for using broadly cabinet confidence to shield documents from public and police scrutiny.

“It’s the most abused loophole in the so-called freedom of information laws across the country,” he said. “They really should be called the guide to hiding information from the public that the public has the right to know acts because that’s what they are.”

Delays and inconsistencies have marked the disclosure process surrounding Democracy Watch’s request for documents.

The Democracy Watch filed its request in July 2022. Initially, the RCMP shared only 19 documents out of the requested materials. In May 2023, it responded again, saying there were only 96 pages, redacting 86 due to an ongoing investigation.

“Turns out, actually, the investigation had ended in January 2023, four and a half months before,” said Conacher.

Subsequently, Democracy Watch received a letter in July saying that the dossier contained over 4,000 pages, of which 1,815 have been disclosed. The remaining documents, supposedly for cabinet confidence review, remain withheld, and this delay now extends into October 2023.

Conacher has called for establishing a dedicated anti-corruption police force that operates independently from federal and provincial cabinets. He suggests that this new entity should have its head and staff appointed by all party leaders to maintain its impartiality. This shift would ensure that political influence does not interfere with investigations.

Quebec already has one, thanks to its construction scandal, Conacher explained.

“The other provinces need it, and so do the federal level,” he said.

Additionally, Conacher envisions a new framework for public inquiries. He urges appointing an inquiry commissioner, selected by all party leaders, to oversee investigations into matters of public interest. This approach aligns with the process used in the inquiry into foreign interference in Canadian politics.

For true independence and effective enforcement of vital democratic laws, key watchdog appointments must be made via all-party committees, unlike the current practice where the ruling party allocates these positions in most provinces and at the federal level, explained Conacher.

The Daily Brief | Anti-Hate Network silent on pro-Hamas protests

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
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Source: X

As of Monday, five Canadians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war and three more remain missing

Plus, the Canadian Anti-Hate Network remains mum on anti-Israel protests raging across Canada.

And the Conservatives are demanding a parliamentary review of the CBC’s coverage of the Israel-Hamas war.

Tune into The Daily Brief with Cosmin Dzsurdzsa and Noah Jarvis!

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The Andrew Lawton Show | Liberals promise bill regulating “online harms”

By
Andrew Lawton
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The Liberals have seized on a wave of antisemitic protests to reiterate their pledge to introduce a law regulating “online harms.” The bill, which the Liberals originally promised to table in 2021, would ban restrict online “hate speech” at a lower threshold than what exists in law right now – and penalize social media platforms that allow it. True North’s Andrew Lawton says the answer to hate is not censorship.

After taking credit for making grocery store owners lower their prices, the Liberals are now complaining that grocers haven’t provided a firm plan. Canadian Taxpayers Federation federal director Franco Terrazzano weighs in.

Also, United Conservative Party members will vote on policy resolutions aimed at protecting parental rights when it comes to children changing gender and pronouns at school Alberta Premier Danielle Smith hasn’t yet committed to taking the same actions that the governments in New Brunswick and Saskatchewan have though. True North COO and longtime Alberta politico William McBeath joins the show to discuss.

Plus, American media have taken notice of Pierre Poilievre’s handling of a reporter who accused him of being Trump-like in an awkward interview.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ANDREW LAWTON SHOW

Alberta UCP members to debate parental consent policy for school pronoun changes

By
Isaac Lamoureux
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Members of Alberta’s United Conservative Party are set to wade into pronoun politics at their upcoming convention.

Among the resolutions to be debated at next month’s UCP AGM is a policy on whether parents should have to consent for their children to change their gender and pronouns at school.

The UCP AGM will take place in Calgary Nov. 3 and 4, its first convention since Premier Danielle Smith was elected. Members will debate 30 policy proposals. 

One of the most contentious topics on the agenda is a resolution surrounding gender pronouns in schools, which has sparked intense discussions within and outside the party.

The pronoun resolution, proposed by the Edmonton-West Henday UCP constituency, suggests that teachers, schools, and school boards should require written consent from parents or guardians for children under the age of 16 to use a different name or pronoun at school. 

“Parents, not schools, are the legal guardians of their children,” the policy states. 

The proposal takes inspiration from Saskatchewan’s education minister, who noted, “Schools require a signed permission slip to take children on a field trip so it’s unclear why schools should not require parental consent for identification changes.”

“Schools should not be in the business of going behind parents’ backs,” the policy says. This proposal aligns with similar rules already implemented in Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and Manitoba.

Smith was non-committal on the policy, but said her caucus is looking into it.

“These are really complicated family matters (and) very personal decisions.” She added, “It’s incumbent upon us as adults to make sure that we keep a safe, supportive environment for kids,” she said.

Party policy resolutions are non-binding, meaning the UCP government would not be required to act on the policy if it passes.

“The policy process is one of the measures that our cabinet and caucus use in making a decision, but we also confer with stakeholders, and we also talk to Alberta,” said Smith. “I want to see how the debate goes, and then we’ll make some decisions once we see whether or not (the policy) passes.” 

Another policy proposal supports a “comprehensive Bill of Parental Rights which ensures that all legislation will recognize and support parents’ rights to be informed of an in-charge of all decisions to do with all services paid by the province, including education and health care.”

Debbie Owusu-Akyeeah, the executive director of the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity, expressed concerns regarding framing policies related to parental rights. “They’ve set a trap with parental rights as a political argument,” she said, according to the Canadian Press. 

Smith said, “It had been my hope from the beginning that we wouldn’t politicize this.”

Kristopher Wells, Canada research chair for the public understanding of sexual and gender minority youth, said he’s concerned about a possible loss of safety for LGBTQ+ kids who could be outed to their parents before the children themselves are ready to tell them. 

Smith said, “We have to always be mindful as we have these conversations that there are young people who are really struggling with gender identity, they’re struggling with puberty, struggling with how they fit in.” 

Other proposed resolutions include policies tying school funding to student enrolment and ensuring school libraries do not provide access to materials of a “sexual, racist, or abusive nature.”

UCP members will also vote on whether to take a policy banning race-based admissions and diversity, equity and inclusion offices at universities and colleges.

CAMPUS WATCH: Student unions praise “necessary” Hamas terrorism against “so-called Israel”

By
Elie Cantin-Nantel
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Canadian student unions, from York University to the University of Toronto, are facing backlash over anti-Israel statements issued amid Israel facing the deadliest Hamas attack in decades. 

The statements are the latest in a string of anti-Israel activity that has come out of Canadian academia since the attack.

In a joint statement, the York Federation of Students, York University’s Graduate Student Association and the Glendon College Student Union said the events that took place in “so-called Israel” serve as “a reminder that resistance against colonial violence is justified and necessary.”

“Recently, in a strong act of resistance, the Palestinian people tore down and crossed the Illegitimate border fence erected by the setter-colonial apartheid state of so-called Israel. These resistance efforts are a direct response to the ongoing and violent occupation of Palestine,” says their statement.

“So-called Israel has continually restricted Palestinian movement to & from Gaza, creating an open-air prison and obstructing access to essential resources within the apartheid fence for decades.”

The statement goes on to liken North America (referred to by some Indigenous people as Turtle Island), to the West Bank and Gaza as “occupied lands.”

“From Turtle Island to Palestine, and across all occupied lands, these events serve as a reminder that resistance against colonial violence is justified and necessary. This is ‘decolonization’ and ‘land-back’ actualized as we continue to see the Palestinian people stand firm in their resistance against their oppressors.”

The statement also denounced “so-called Canada” for being a “settler colonial state” that continues to be “complicit in the ongoing genocide (of Palestinians).”

York University condemned the unions’ statement on X.

“York University unequivocally condemns the inflammatory statement shared by three student unions last night. Freedom of expression has limits and comes with responsibilities. It must never reach into promoting or justifying violence against unarmed civilian,” the school said.

“To suggest otherwise is abhorrent and does not reflect the views of York University, nor the perspective of many thousands of York University students.”

The statement was also condemned by Ontario’s Colleges and Universities Minister Jill Dunlop, who called it “unacceptable” and said such language “must not be tolerated.” She wants the unions to “apologize and rescind their statement.”

Others have called for the union to be decertified, and for the student representatives behind the statement to be expelled.

Michael Mandel, a third year Jewish student at York, told True North he was “disgusted and saddened by the student unions’ statement regarding Hamas’ war on Israel. A student union’s responsibility is to ensure the safety of all students on campus, but that statement does the opposite to Jewish and Zionist students.”

He added that “going back to campus is scary and knowing we do not have the support of our student unions makes it worse.”

“But the Jewish community is resilient, and I appreciate the support of our non-Jewish Zionist allies.”

York students have also been signing a Change.org petition condemning their unions.

Neither the York Federation of Students, the York University’s Graduate Student Association nor the Glendon College Student Union responded to True North’s request for comment.

The University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union also issued an anti-Israel statement – which was subsequently condemned by the university administration and Jewish groups.

In an Instagram post, the union said it stood “in solidarity with all Palestinians and innocent civilians affected by the ongoing conflict in Gaza and around its borders.”

They also accused Israel for having “maintained a military occupation over Palestinians, stripping them of their lands and rights. The colonization of Palestine has resulted in ethnic cleansing and mass genocide, which has violated international law time and time again.”

“As a student Union, we advocate for peace and for the investment of weaponry, arms manufacturing and any investment in apartheid.”

In response to the statement, University of Toronto Mississauga vice-president & principal Alexandra Gillespie said “many of our students, staff, faculty, alumni, and parents of students have shared their pain and disappointment over a statement made by the University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union (UTMSU).”

“We remind everyone to be mindful of the impact of their words so that they do not deepen polarization, create anxiety and division, fuel animosity, or create fear. Anti Semitism, islamophobia, racism, and discrimination of any kind have no place on our campus.”

Jewish groups also issued condemnations.

Allied Voices for Israel executive director Daniel Koren said in a statement “we demand that the UTM administration takes accountability for the actions of its students and ensures a safe space for Jewish and/or Israeli students and their allies on campus.

“It is time to make clear that anti-Jewish hatred goes against the values of the University of Toronto and has no place on its campus or among its campus community. UTM must take a strong stand against the glorification of terrorism – now.”

The University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union did not respond to a request for comment.

Student Unions are not the only ones in Canadian academia to share anti-Israel sentiments following the Hamas attack.

As previously reported by True North, several Canadian academics expressed support online for Palestinians “taking their land back,” decrying so-called Israeli “colonialism.”


SCREENSHOT: McGill campus club celebrates Hamas’ attack on Israel

At McGill University, an official campus club praised Hamas’s action as “heroic” and “monumental” in a Facebook post. The group also cheered on the launching of rockets and the taking of hostages. 

PBO projects Liberal gov deficit to reach $46.5 billion with stagnant economic growth

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
-

The Liberal government’s budget deficit for 2023-24 is expected to reach a whopping $46.5 billion, according to the latest report from the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO). 

This is $6.4 billion higher than the projection made by Ottawa when it presented this year’s budget in April. 

The PBO attributes the increase to new spending measures announced by the federal government since then, which amount to $28.6 billion over six years. The measures include a $13 billion investment for a Volkswagen EV plant, $16 billion for a Stellantis EV battery plant and the GST rental rebate. 

According to the PBO the Canadian economy will experience zero growth in the second half of 2023, as the Bank of Canada maintains high interest rates to curb inflation. 

Consumer spending is projected to remain weak until mid-2024, while real GDP is expected to contract by 0.2 per cent in 2023.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has criticized the government for its fiscal management and called for immediate spending cuts in response to the report. 

CTF federal director Franco Terrazzano said that the government is wasting money on interest charges and increasing the cost of living while the debt burden for future generations grows further.

“As bad as the budget was, the independent budget watchdog is showing that federal finances are in even worse shape,” said Terrazzano. 

“The Trudeau government continues to mismanage our finances and that means more money wasted on interest charges, higher cost of living and more debt that Canadians’ kids and grandkids will have to pay back.”

The PBO projects that the federal debt-to-GDP ratio will rise to 42.6 per cent in 2023-24, up from 40.9 per cent in 2022-23. 

“The feds have already blown through their budgeted deficit projection by more than $6 billion and we’re only halfway through the budget year,” Terrazzano said. 

“And the government’s been solemnly signalling the bond rating agencies that it would get the debt-to-GDP ratio going down, but the PBO shows it’s going up.”

BC to cap number of days homes can be used as short-term rentals, increases fines

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
-

A new provincial bill in British Columbia aims to regulate the saturated short-term rental market and convert more units into long-term housing for residents. 

On Monday, the province’s NDP government introduced a new law targeting popular online platforms that offer short-term rental services, such as Airbnb. The bill increase fines for those who use homes primarily as short-term rental properties.

According to the government, the short-term rental market in B.C. has reached a record high, with about 28,000 active listings per day, a 20% increase from last year. 

“There is no question, in British Columbia short-term rentals have gotten out of control,” said British Columbia Premier David Eby. 

“Thousands of homes that used to be available to buy or rent are now off the market and people who are looking for a decent place to live are struggling more than ever.”

More than 16,000 of these listings are entire homes that are rented out for a majority of the year, reducing the supply of long-term rental housing for those in need.

The bill, known as the Short-Term Accommodations Act proposes to limit the number of days that an entire home can be rented out as a short-term rental to 180 days per year, unless it is a principal residence or has a special exemption. 

It also proposes to prohibit online platforms from listing units that are subject to a residential tenancy agreement or are part of a social housing program. A move which the government argues will return more short-term rentals to long-term homes.

The bill also proposes to increase fines and provide better tools for local governments to deal with a high amount of short-term rental properties. 

Under the act, penalties for operators who violate local bylaws would be increased and online platforms will be required to share data with the province and local governments to facilitate enforcement and tax auditing. 

The bill would also mandate online platforms to display business licence numbers on listings where required by local governments and to remove non-compliant listings promptly. 

Furthermore, it establishes more provincial rules and enforcement around short-term rentals. The bill would create a provincial registry for short-term rental operators and require them to obtain a registration number from the province. 

The province will also have the authority to inspect and investigate operators and online platforms for compliance and to impose administrative penalties for non-compliance.

The government says the bill is intended to balance the interests of short-term rental operators, guests, neighbours and communities, while addressing the housing affordability crisis in B.C.

CAF aircraft intercepted in “aggressive manner” by Chinese military jet

By
Quinn Patrick
-

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) had a brush with a Chinese military jet on Monday after it intercepted a Canadian Aurora aircraft in an “aggressive manner” while flying over international waters off the coast of China.  

The CAF is currently operating in the area to help enforce sanctions against North Korea as part of Operation NEON. 

“They became very aggressive and to a degree we would deem it unsafe and unprofessional,”  said Maj.-Gen. Iain Huddleston in an interview with Global News.

During the eight-hour CAF mission two different planes and possibly more consistently intercepted the Canadian aircraft over several hours.

“It’s a ramp-up of the aggressiveness that’s really unexpected and unnecessary in the context of the mission that we’re flying,” remarked Huddleston.

The majority of intercepts were conducted in what the CAF called a professional manner; however at one point the last Chinese jet flew as close as five metres from the Aurora aircraft, creating a blind spot for the Canadian plane. The Chinese jet remained in dangerously close proximity and was armed with air-to-air missiles. 

“I’m concerned when they do that. There’s a heightened risk to those sorts of interactions and we’d like to avoid those as much as we can. We record these things up through the chain with the evidence we gather and then allow our diplomatic agencies to become involved,” said Huddleston.

Additionally, multiple flares, akin to fireworks, were shot off near the CAF plane by the Chinese jet. 

While the flares were being launched, the crew aboard the Aurora aircraft had lost contact with their base due a glitch in their telecommunications. 

“The first flare incident, the fighter released two flares off our wing. So, that’s not particularly concerning because the fighter was stable, it moved away from us. […] But then the pilots reported it fired flares thereafter from near the front of the plane so that’s much more concerning. In terms of escalation that’s a very unsafe act,” said Huddleston.

Those aboard the CAF plane were attempting to assist in the blocking of illegal oil shipments to North Korea. While conducting their surveillance, the 13-member crew discovered and identified a listed “vessel of interest.”

“We’re here enforcing a United Nations resolution. We are not here acting against the Chinese. We don’t want to have anything untoward happen that would result in loss of life,” said Huddleston.

The reason for China’s aggressive behaviour remains unknown to Huddleston, as the Canadian crew kept their flight path within international waters. The crew also had ongoing communications with the Chinese pilots to identify themselves and the purpose of their mission.

In June, a Chinese warship almost collided with an American destroyer USS Chung-Hoon during a Canada-U.S. joint mission to sail through the Taiwan Strait.

Ratio’d | What “Decolonization” ACTUALLY means

By
Harrison Faulkner
-

Over the past week, we have heard academics, politicians and activists justify the Hamas attacks in Israel in the name of “decolonization”. This is an alarming trend seeing as how these exact same people routinely use the word ‘decolonization’ whenever they talk about issues involving Indigenous Canadians.

As some have pointed out, when these activists say that ‘decolonization’ is necessary in Canada and that Hamas’ actions in Israel is also ‘decolonization,’ Canadians must wake up to what is actually being endorsed and the dangers that it presents to Canadians.

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

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