After Canada’s chief public health officer Theresa Tam told Canadians that they should get their masks ready for the fall and to also take the new Moderna booster jab, Harrison Faulkner hit the streets of Toronto to ask Torontonians if they will follow Theresa Tam’s newest guidelines.
LAWTON: Still no “buyback” program for Trudeau’s banned guns (ft. Rod Giltaca)
As the federal government’s amnesty period for firearms banned by the Liberal government’s 2020 order-in-council approaches its end next month, gun owners are still waiting for a “buyback” program that would allow them to lawfully surrender their soon-to-be-illegal guns. Canadian Coalition for Firearms Rights executive director Rod Giltaca joined True North’s Andrew Lawton to discuss a recent injunction filed by the organization, which seeks to extend the amnesty period and provide gun owners with more time to comply with the new regulations.
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TDSB trustee says parental rights don’t exist in response to One Million March for Children
The Toronto District School Board’s (TDSB) Ward 8 trustee Shelley Laskin told a parent supportive of the nationwide One Million March for Children that parental rights do not exist in Canada and that there are only children’s rights.
Laskin’s comments attacking the concept of parental rights came after a concerned parent emailed the trustee, expressing displeasure with the TDSB’s vocal opposition to the demonstrations happening across the country.
The TDSB had emailed the district’s parents with a letter from the TDSB’s director of education Colleen Russell-Rawlins and her associate directors preemptively denouncing the protests as “inflammatory,” “transphobic,” and “hateful.”
In response to the TDSB letter, the concerned parent sent a letter of his own to the TDSB, expressing his concerns he had with the TDSB’s statement which he claims misrepresents the diverse communities represented at the march.
Ward 8 trustee Laskin replied to the parent’s letter, disputing his claims to any parental rights that he has and attacking the demonstrations for allegedly being organized by hateful groups.
Laskin says that she learned parental rights do not exist in Canada from a TikTok video reposted to X (formerly Twitter) by an anti-conservative creator, depicting a transgender law professor from the University of Alberta explaining why the concept of parental rights is “American.”
“From the video in the post below, there is no such thing as “parental rights” in Canada that you mention,” said Laskin.
“There are children’s rights.”
Laskin disparaged the slogan “Hands Off Our Kids” as being “religious and openly intolerant of the 2SLGBTQ+ community” and said that the demonstrators were protesting “things that are NOT taught” in schools.
Laskin also linked to a report from the Canadian Anti Hate Network, a far-left activist organization that has spread misleading claims before.
The Anti Hate Network’s report makes unsubstantiated claims that the “protests are supported by a big tent of far-right and conspiratorial groups, including Christian Nationalists, COVID-19 conspiracy theorists, sovereign citizens, and anti-public education activists.”
True North reached out to Laskin for comment, asking her to clarify her position on parental rights. Laskin did not respond before the given deadline.
Canada leads UN declaration to fight online disinformation
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly was at the forefront of a declaration to mitigate online disinformation at the United Nations on Wednesday.
“This change is all happening at a speed and scale we’ve never seen before. We can’t afford to wait before acting,” said Joly, who referred to the declaration as a “concrete step towards establishing global norms on disinformation, misinformation, and information integrity.”
The document, called the Global Declaration on Information Integrity Online, was presented by Joly and claims to take the “necessary and appropriate measures, including legislation, to address information integrity and platform governance.”
Signatures of the document include the United States, Germany, Australia, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom, among others. A total of 28 countries signed the document.
These countries are promising to rid the internet of disinformation in a way that “complies with international human rights law,” like freedom of opinion and expression, according to the document.
The declaration plans to rely on news media in their fight against disinformation and countries on board have agreed to bolster “user access to diverse online content, including national and international sources of news and information,” and “promote and respect pluralistic media and journalism, and protect access to media content as one measure to counter disinformation.”
Newly created artificial intelligence like ChatGPT will be monitored “to identify the possible risks, impacts, harms, benefits and opportunities to the information ecosystem online.”
Joly hopes to combat threats posed by artificial intelligence which “has great potential to harm the integrity of the online information environment” by its ability to mass-produce disinformation.
The early workings of the document were spearheaded by Canada in partnership with the Netherlands, according to the National Post.
Joly said the declaration is a result of the rising “illiberal regimes,” like Russia, who she claims continue to “wage information warfare and pollute the information environment.”
Information integrity is defined in the document as a system which can ensure people will have access to accurate information while also being offered a variety of ideas.
The declaration promises that it will refrain from “blocking or restricting access to the Internet, eroding privacy, intimidating, harassing or abusing journalists, researchers and human rights defenders, interfering with their ability to operate freely, or criminalizing or otherwise punishing the exercise of the right to freedom of expression online.”
Internet platforms have also been invited by signatories to create their own measures to fight disinformation, like having transparency regarding how they operate their algorithms.
LAWTON: No end in sight for Tamara Lich trial (ft. Trish Wood)
As the criminal mischief trial of Tamara Lich and Chris Barber finishes up its third week, only three of the 22 scheduled witnesses have taken the stand. Journalist and filmmaker Trish Wood joined True North’s Andrew Lawton to provide an update on the trial and share her insights into the proceedings.
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US senator shreds Canadian healthcare as BC sends cancer patients south of border
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley defended the United State’s private healthcare system by pointing to Canada’s current healthcare crisis, which has prompted some provinces like British Columbia to turn towards private care for solutions.
During a Sept. 11 Senate debate, Grassley blasted “unacceptable waiting times” experienced by many Canadians in need of healthcare.
“In May, British Columbia announced that they are sending cancer patients to Bellingham, WA, in the United States, for treatment,” said Grassley.
“Canada is taking this action because its cancer patients face unacceptable waiting times. Currently, only 82.9 percent of the British cancer patients who require radiation start treatment within 28 days. That means that 17 percent of cancer patients are waiting at least a month or longer to start cancer treatment.”
Earlier this year, BC Health Minister Adrian Dix announced that the NDP government would cover the costs of specific cancer treatments at private clinics in the U.S. for Canadian patients, citing the province’s overburdened healthcare system.
“This commitment to supporting radiation treatment will initially focus on a specific group of patients – breast cancer and prostate cancer patients – are the largest patient populations receiving radiation therapy,” said Dix at the time.
According to Grassley, government-run healthcare is at the heart of the current issues faced by Canadians.
“A government-run healthcare system is not the answer. British and Canadian healthcare systems are plagued by longer and longer wait times and delayed care. These government-run healthcare systems are paying for patients to get care in the United States, not resorting to DIY healthcare,” said Grassley.
“This body needs to be reminded how government-run healthcare systems are broken and do not work.”
A SecondStreet.org poll from last year found that a majority of Canadians supported the idea of adding private clinics as an option into Canada’s healthcare mix.
A total of 72% of respondents wanted to see Canada follow a European model which reimburses citizens for surgeries done while abroad.
Poilievre tells Trudeau to “butt out” when it comes to parental rights
Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre said that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should “butt out” when it comes to parental rights and the debate around gender ideology in Canadian classrooms.
The response came after Trudeau commented on the 1 Million March 4 Children by calling it hateful.
The protest, which began on Wednesday and took place in a number of cities across Canada, saw thousands of protestors demonstrating against gender ideology being taught in schools and advocating for more parental say over curriculum.
“Let me make one thing very clear: Transphobia, homophobia, and biphobia have no place in this country. We strongly condemn this hate and its manifestations, and we stand united in support of 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians across the country – you are valid and you are valued,” Trudeau posted on X.
The protests were also denounced by NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and Toronto mayor Olivia Chow.
Poilievre however, remained silent on the issue over the last several days, as did members of his caucus.
It wasn’t until Friday that he responded to Trudeau’s comments on X.
“Justin Trudeau always divides to distract from all he has broken. This time, he is demonizing concerned parents. Parents should be the final authority on the values and lessons that are taught to children. Trudeau should butt out and let parents raise their kids,” Poilievre posted.
The post received praise from many in the Conservative base, notably psychologist Jordan Peterson, who commented on Poilievre’s post by writing, “Yes. The Conservatives are growing a spine. Thank you.”
Ford’s labour minister steps down, moves into private sector
One of Premier Doug Ford’s top members of cabinet, Labour Minister Monte McNaughthon, has announced that he will be stepping away from provincial politics on Friday.
As a result, David Piccini has been appointed to the role of the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
McNaughton said his departure is not a result of the ongoing Greenbelt scandal that has put Ford’s government in the crosshairs of critics but rather a choice of personal career change into the private sector, according to the Toronto Star.
“It is always difficult to know the right time to leave politics. After much soul searching over the summer months, I have accepted a job in the private sector,” said McNaughton.
His absence will force Ford into a second cabinet shuffle in the last two weeks.
“I have spoken with Premier Ford to let him know that I am stepping down from my cabinet duties immediately and will be resigning my seat in the days ahead. I will not be seeking re-election,” said McNaughton.
“I support Premier Ford and am proud to have served in his cabinet. I am forever grateful for the opportunities he’s given me to contribute to this amazing province. I believe strongly in his team and its vision.”
Premier Ford issued a statement in response to McNaughton’s resignation, saying that, “He made this decision based on what is best for him and his family at this point in his life and career. I’m very grateful for Monte’s work as a key member of our team.”
Ford went on to praise the former minister’s work, “Monte helped build a coalition of private-sector union support that has never existed in the history of the Ontario PC Party. He introduced ground-breaking measures to protect workers’ rights and ensure that more workers are in the driver’s seat of their own careers,” he said.
Some political pundits have thought McNaughton had the qualifications to be a future Conservative party leader.
He was noted for his ability to work with labour unions, being endorsed by eight private-sector unions in the June 2022 election, including an endorsement from union leader Patrick Dillon, who laid the groundwork for the Working Families coalition.
On Oct. 1st, Ontario’s hourly minimum wage will increase to $16.55, up from $15.80, thanks largely to McNaughton’s efforts as Labour Minister.
McNaughton also played a key role in the Tories’ Big Blue Collar Machine strategy, which earned the Progressive Conservatives a new riding in Toronto, Hamilton, Windsor and Timmins – ridings that were once long standing strongholds for the NDP.
McNaughton won his riding for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex four times and his resignation will likely hurt Ford, who is already in hot water over the recent Greenbelt scandal.
His resignation marks the third time a member of Ford’s party has left since the scandal came to light, along with former chief of staff Ryan Amato and Ford’s housing policy adviser Jae Tresdell.
The controversial land swap deal was met with such public backlash that Ford was forced to reverse the deal and apologize for his decision.
Filmmaker Aaron Gunn to seek Conservative nomination in British Columbia
Conservative activist and filmmaker Aaron Gunn announced on Friday that he will be seeking the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) nomination for the British Columbia riding of North Island—Powell River.
The seat has been held by NDP MP Rachel Blaney since 2015 but Gunn hopes his candidacy would flip the riding.
“Over the past few years, I’ve watched as the quality of life for Canadians has deteriorated,” said Gunn in a press release.
“Whether it’s the cost of living, a collapsing health care system, or public safety, everything seems to be getting worse.”
According to Gunn, he hopes to put taxpayers at the forefront of his candidacy.
“I believe in putting taxpayers first, respecting our constitutional rights and supporting the hard-working men and women who built and continue to build this country every single day,” Gunn continued.
“I have spent the past several years producing documentaries that seek to uncover the truth and highlight the hardships facing many Canadians. While I am proud of my work investigating these issues, I don’t want to just report on them; I want to do something about them.”
Gunn recently directed and produced several films investigating Canada’s public safety and drug crisis. Those films include “Canada is Dying” and “Vancouver is Dying.”
This is not the first time Gunn has waded into politics. In 2021, he announced that he would be running for the BC Liberals leadership before they branded to BC United.
Gunn was disqualified by the BC Liberal Party for denying the claim that Canada committed genocide against Indigneous people.
At the time, Gunn accused the party of abandoning its commitment to free speech.
“Today, it became clear that conservatives, and all British Columbians who believe in common sense and freedom of speech, are no longer welcome in today’s BC Liberal party,” said Gunn in 2021.
Gunn has received an endorsement from the mayor of Campbell River, Kermit Dahl, for his CPC nomination bid.
“As mayor of Campbell River, I can think of no better representative to take on the Trudeau-NDP coalition than Aaron Gunn,” said Dahl.
“As a municipal government, we need strong advocates at the federal level to fight for us and our needs. In a time when politics can be divisive, Aaron stands out as a voice of reason, advocating for policies that benefit all residents of our community. I wholeheartedly endorse Aaron and look forward to working with him as our new member of parliament.”
Prince George–Peace River–Northern Rockies Conservative MP Bob Zimmer also endorsed Gunn’s candidacy.
CANTIN-NANTEL: Parents speak out against gender ideology
Thousands of Canadians gathered in Ottawa on Sept. 20th to demand greater parental rights and an end to gender ideology teachings in schools.
True North’s Elie Cantin-Nantel was on the ground at the One Million Person March for Kids to speak with participants. He also spoke with one of the protest’s organizers, Kamel El-Cheikh.
