Lobbyists representing Canadian songwriters, composers and music publishers are calling on the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to take an expansive interpretation of the Trudeau government’s Bill C-11 and regulate video game content.
ACCORD, a lobby group representing Canada’s music industry, wants the CRTC to ignore segments of the Heritage ministry’s draft directive on the implementation of the Online Streaming Act pertaining to the exclusion of video game regulation.
In justifying the proposed change to the government’s draft directive to ignore video games from regulation, ACCORD says that the Online Streaming Act was always meant to regulate broadcasting platforms while avoiding user regulation.
They say that video games have become an important facet of broadcasting in recent years, pointing to the introduction of “concerts” in video games that may warrant regulation from the CRTC.
“Given the intersection between video games and broadcasting, and in particular the existence of live concerts in what could be interpreted as video games, it is prudent to let the CRTC determine whether obligations should apply.”
The popular game Fortnite had hosted several in-game concerts with big name musicians like Ariana Grande, Travis Scott, and Marshmello during the Covid-19 pandemic, though it is unclear whether or not the game’s developers plan on continuing their concert series.
In addition, the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists is calling on the government to mandate “video online undertakings” grossing more than $1 million in annual revenue to register and submit to regulation under the CRTC. This would include content creators, specifically video game streamers and YouTubers.
U of Ottawa law professor Michael Geist says that Canadians who opposed Bill C-11 because of concerns the CRTC would regulate beyond the legislation’s stated limits have had their concerns validated.
“In short, the lobby groups validate the concerns expressed by thousands of Canadians that Bill C-11 opened the door to the regulation of user content, video games, and algorithms,” said Geist.
Regulation of video games by the CRTC opens the door for the regulator to throttle search results and featured content on digital video game marketplaces like the Xbox Game Pass, the PlayStation Store, or Steam.
The CRTC could also throttle search results for Canadian gaming creators on streaming and video platforms like Twitch and YouTube.
True North reached out to Heritage Canada for comment on the matter, but they were unable to provide one before the time of publication.
Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre told a voter last week that woke “diversity, equity and inclusion” (DEI) and “environmental, social and governance” (ESG) ideologies are garbage.
His comments come amid both ideologies being embraced by the Trudeau government, as well as woke institutions and corporations.
Poilievre was asked his thoughts on the two ideologies by a voter at a meet and greet, to which he responded, “it’s all garbage.” The exchange was caught on tape and posted to Twitter.
“Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” or DEI is defined by recruiting company Join as “an umbrella term used to define and refer to workplace initiatives, policies, and practices aimed at building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce.”
DEI initiatives have included race-based and gender-based hiring practices and quotas, as well as the promotion of Critical Race Theory and gender ideology.
“Environmental, social and governance” or ESG is defined by Venture capital firm BDC as “a set of practices used to evaluate a company’s operational performance as it relates to social and environmental impact.”
Critics say that ESG has led to more corporate wokism and the embracing of radical environmental agendas, such as boycotting fossil fuels. ESG funds also tend to perform poorly.
Poilievre said ESG is “a fake industry designed to make interest groups, corporate executives and insiders filthy rich,” adding that those people don’t care about any of the causes that they talk about.
“They’re a bunch of hypocrites and phonies.”
Poilievre also said he won’t buy into ESG “garbage” and will instead support “free enterprise economics where businesses get ahead by having the best product, not by having the best lobbyists.”
In the video, Poilievre is also seen reiterating his opposition to the World Economic Forum, vaccine mandates, a central bank digital currency and digital IDs.
“I’m banning my members from being involved in the World Economic Forum, we’re gonna get rid of the mandates, ban Central Bank digital currency, no mandatory digital ID.”
“I’m against any of these agendas, I’m never going to do what the UN tells me to do.”
The London Health Sciences Centre Children’s Hospital recently hosted a drag queen story time for children.
Drag performers Mz. Affra-Tighty and Lavender Skyes read to kids at the event, which was meant to promote diversity and inclusion.
To kick off Pride Week in London, Children's Hospital at LHSC partnered with @Rainbow0ptimist to bring Drag Storytime to patients, families and staff where we spent the morning reading books that promoted acceptance, inclusion and diversity.
— London Health Sciences Centre (@LHSCCanada) July 20, 2023
“I like the performance of the Drag Storytime because of the interaction, the clients, the children, passersby. Sometimes you get a really interesting look from someone, and they’re curious as to what’s going on. And then they come in, and they end up enjoying it with us,” said Affra-Tighty.
The event was held in partnership with the Rainbow Optimist Club.
“I choose this. This is comfortable for me. It is easy for me to do because I’ve been doing it for so long and it allows me to express myself and interact with people and raise a lot of money for charity,” said Affra-Tighty.
On social media, the event received widespread condemnation.
“It takes 3 months for cancer patients to get an MRI, but okay,” wrote Canadian columnist Jonathan Kay.
UK women’s rights activist Kellie-Jay Keen also criticized the London Health Sciences Centre over the planned event.
“Not even the very ill children are safe from this mockery. Why are so many people do stupid that they can’t see it?” said Keen.
Critics of drag queen story times have accused the events of attempting to confuse children about their identity and indoctrinate them into controversial gender ideology.
As recently reported by True North, a drag queen story hour at Pride Winnipeg celebrations was also the subject of public outcry after it was revealed that the performers have posted extreme and satanic-themed content on their public social media profiles.
The story of Garnet Harper is a tragedy that exposes the reality that Canada is still very much under a medical tyranny. Harper, 35, died in May after needing a kidney transplant and being denied access to the kidney donor wait list because he was unvaccinated. Harper even had brothers willing to offer up their own kidneys to donate to him but still the London Health Science Centre refused to let Harper get a kidney due to his vaccination status.
In the wake of Harper’s death, the London Health Science Centre (LHSC) eventually changed their vaccine requirement to a recommendation but only for kidney transplants. The LHSC still requires two doses of vaccine in order to receive a heart or lung transplant.
Harper was left to die by the medical establishment in Canada because he made a medical choice that the establishment disapproved of. He leaves behind a family of 5 children along with his wife.
Disgruntled members of the New Brunswick Progressive Conservative Party have failed the first step in triggering a leadership review of Premier Blaine Higgs – with the party president saying they did not submit enough valid letters to initiate the process.
The review push is not entirely dead: in her letter, Erika Hachey says those seeking a review will have until Aug. 19 to submit valid letters. The party's provincial council will meet Sept. 9.
The inability to get the required letters necessary presents a major setback for those wanting to remove Higgs over his parental rights policy.
Back in June, the New Brunswick government announced changes to education policy 713 to, among other things, require that children under the age of 16 receive parental consent before they can officially change their name or pronouns at school.
While the policy change outraged trans activists, supporters of gender ideology and Liberal politicians, it also was met with opposition from some Progressive Conservatives. Two PC cabinet ministers resigned over the ordeal, while some party members began organizing to force a leadership review.
Dissidents have claimed their opposition to Higgs isn’t solely based on the parental rights policy, but rather on “a pattern of autocratic leadership over the past three years.”
In July, members submitted what they believed were the required letters to trigger a review – letters from at least 50 party members, including presidents of at least 20 PC riding associations. Dissidents said they had submitted letters from 26 presidents.
However, PC Party president Erika Hachey wrote to members on Monday to inform them she had determined “that the requirements have not been satisfied.”
“The leadership review process has not been triggered.”
A review with legal advice found that just over 40 letters from current party members were submitted, and just 15 of those were from actual riding presidents.
Hachey gave Aug. 19 as a new cut-off date for members to submit letters – meaning the effort to remove Higgs is not over yet.
If the efforts were to end up successful on the second try, the leadership review would then need to be approved by the PC Party’s provincial council – which is made up of roughly 75 people including riding presidents, five caucus members and other regional party heads.
Their next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 9
A two-thirds majority at council is needed to call a convention, where party members would vote on the premier’s leadership.
Reacting to the news of the bid, socially conservative group RightNow said, “after months of trying to organize, Higgs’ opposition was only able to submit 40 letters by party members in an attempt to trigger a leadership review in the entire province. Only 15 of those were from riding association presidents.”
When pro-life New Brunswick premier Blaine Higgs decided to defend parental rights, both the mainstream media and establishment conservatives relentlessly attacked him. Higgs didn't back down, which motivated some to call for a leadership review. After months of trying to… pic.twitter.com/AARLSGJe7z
The group also called on its supporters to continue to support the premier and sign its pro-Higgs petition.
As previously reported by True North, several PC Party executives believe the “silent majority” stands with Premier Higgs, amid strong support in the province for his stance on gender identity.
A Leger poll commissioned by SecondStreet.org found that 69% of Maritimers agree that schools should make parents aware that their kids are wishing to change genders or pronouns.
In a glowing second quarter report to investors, TC Energy Corporation said that its British Columbia Coastal GasLink LNG pipeline is near the finish mark and has reached 91% completion.
In a press release on Friday, TC Energy wrote that Coastal GasLink remains on planned cost and time schedules. The company also announced it would separate its Natural Gas Pipelines and Power and Energy Solutions businesses from its Liquid Pipelines business.
“The separated industry-leading companies will have greater strategic focus to execute major projects, drive efficiencies and operational excellence, and enhanced flexibility to pursue disciplined growth,” explained TC Energy President Francois Poirier.
“In addition, we have made significant progress on our 2023 strategic priorities. First, we continue to safely execute our secured capital program, including Coastal GasLink and Southeast Gateway which remain on planned cost and schedule.”
In the first six months of 2023, TC Energy placed $2.1 billion in natural gas or liquids into service. The company says it expects to meet it’s projected $6 billion target by the end of the year.
“The Coastal GasLink project is approximately 91 per cent complete overall and continues to track cost and schedule with mechanical completion expected by year end,” wrote TC Energy.
“As previously communicated, based on the expectation that additional equity contributions will predominantly be funded by TC Energy, there is a pre-tax impairment charge of the full value of our investment in Coastal GasLink LP of $843 million ($809 million after tax) in second quarter 2023.”
The development of Coastal GasLink has been met with fierce opposition from radical environmental activists.
As reported by True North, the RCMP failed to press any charges last year after a Coastal GasLink work camp was beset upon by a mob of axe-wielding attackers who destroyed critical equipment on the work site.
Earlier this year, a worker at the pipeline site was also set upon by a gang of attackers. The RCMP have since arrested five suspects in relation to the attack.
“Criminal acts by persons under the guise of protesting, particularly the violence exhibited by the suspects in this instance, will not be tolerated,” an RCMP statement said.
A Milton man who was charged with second-degree murder for killing an armed home invader had a murder charge dropped on Monday.
According to Global News, the Crown withdrew the charge, citing that there was no reasonable prospect of a conviction against the defendant, Ali Mian.
Mian was charged with murder earlier this year after several armed intruders allegedly entered his home around 5 a.m. on Feb. 19. Halton Regional Police believe the intruder’s intent was to commit robbery.
“I thank the crown for using their reasonable discretion and agreeing to withdraw the charges today,” said Mian’s lawyer Jag Virk. “My client is very happy and thankful.”
“He’s been under tremendous stress since being charged knowing that if he was found guilty he’d been spending considerable time in jail and he was only trying to protect himself and his mother.”
Mian lived in the home located on Gibson Crescent in Milton along with his mother who was also present during the robbery. He is a registered firearm owner and allegedly shot at the armed intruder. Several of the intruders fled the scene when police arrived, however they were able to identify one of the suspects as Alexander Amoroso-Leacock, 21, from Toronto. Police pronounced him dead at the scene.
Virk argued that Mian used his gun legally against Amoroso-Leacock as he was armed and posing a threat to him and his mother. Virk claimed that Mian should never have had the charge laid against him in the first place, as this was a case of self-defense.
“His intention was not to kill the intruder, he only shot at him once,” said Virk in a statement.
Two arrests were made following the incident, Romario Clarke, 20, from Oshawa, was charged with one count of break and enter and additionally with one count of unauthorized possession of a firearm. Mian was the other arrest and he was charged with murder. The three other suspects who fled have yet to be located.
Released on $130,000 bail, Mian was given a number of conditions such as surrendering his passport and firearm license. He was also to live with his grandmother and not possess any weapons.
EDITOR’S NOTE: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated Mian was acquitted.
The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre (FINTRAC) issued an operational alert last week warning regulators to be on the lookout for indicators of “underground banking schemes” – a majority of which have a link to China.
Of a sample of 48,000 financial transactions flagged by FINTRAC as being the result of said schemes, one of the primary facts “was incoming wire transfers from entities or individuals in China, notably in Hong Kong, followed by the movement of these funds through financial institutions.”
FINTRAC officials said that Canadian investment firms and financial institutions were often on the receiving end of “large bank drafts ultimately funded from unknown sources in China.”
The operational alert was part of FINTRAC’s Project Athena, which is run in collaboration with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit – British Columbia.
“Project Athena focuses on improving the collective understanding of the money laundering threat, strengthen financial systems and controls, and disrupt money laundering activity in British Columbia and across Canada,” explains FINTRAC.
The issue of criminal money laundering from Chinese sources has been a problem that has plagued British Columbia for some time now, even prompting the provincial government to launch an inquiry.
With the revelations by intelligence sources that China interfered in the last two federal elections, even the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation was implicated in a shady money transfer tied to foreign interference. According to media reports, the foundation received a $200,000 donation from Chinese businessmen Zhang Bin and Niu Gensheng.
Other indicators of money laundering flagged by FINTRAC were when a client “has ties to China and is using their accounts for pass-through activities funded by individuals/entities located in China, notably in Hong Kong, whose relationship is unclear.”
Additionally, FINTRAC warned of looking out for Chinese entities that have “limited to no online presence and there are no details relating to the types of services offered by the sending entity.”
Another red flag was that the stated purpose of the incoming funds from China was for the “purchase of property but the funds were used to purchase Guaranteed Investment Certificates.”
On the other hand, regulators and banks are being told to look out for money transfers from China which were marked for education (tuition fees, living expenses) or personal purposes but “are then used towards payments with indications suggesting the purpose of payment is for a real estate-related transaction.”
“Given the focus of Project Athena on links to China, notably in Hong Kong, the indicators in this Operational Alert reflect underground banking activities suspected of being tied to China-linked money laundering organizations,” wrote FINTRAC.
“The prominence of China, notably Hong Kong, in the indicators is a result of professional money launderers exploiting efforts by the Chinese diaspora in Canada to circumvent currency control restrictions to access their funds outside of that country.”
A Peel District School Board (PDSB) teacher says he and other educators were forced to attend a “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” (DEI) session containing Critical Race Theory (CRT), attacks on white people and claims that merit and objectivity are linked to “whiteness.”
DEI sessions for educators have recently been under scrutiny following the suicide of Toronto principal Richard Bilkszto – who was allegedly bullied at a diversity seminar. Ontario’s Ministry of Education has since ordered a review into training for teaching staff.
The PDSB teacher, who asked to remain anonymous, told True North he found his board’s “anti-racism” session toxic and not contributing to the greater good of education.
He said the panel took place in September 2020 as part of mandatory professional development. The session came following a summer of Black Lives Matter protests and riots triggered by the murder of George Floyd in the United States.
The panel featured four black PDSB employees, including vice-principal Melissa Wilson. In her introduction, Wilson said her academic practice “is informed by Critical Race Theory, anti-colonial education and black feminist methodologies.”
In an audio recording of the session provided to True North by the teacher, Wilson is heard making several controversial remarks about race.
“We were all born into a racist society,” claimed Wilson.
She also claimed race is a social construct rather than a biological concept. “So myself as a Critical Race Theorist, even though I know there’s no biological substance to this identity as black, I do identify as a black female.”
Wilson then said that “if you identify as white, or people identify you as white in our society, then you are more likely to be seen as normal, pleasant, acceptable and really not pretentious at all.” Black people meanwhile are “often seen as not belonging, as suspicious, as more criminal, and needing to be controlled more.”
She went on to discuss “whiteness,” claiming that white people “generally do not want to speak about race and racism” and are defensive and argumentative. She said the latter is “white fragility.”
Wilson also said that “if we are avoiding talking about things such as racism… and if we are also not talking about other structures of power, such as colonialism, patriarchy, heteronormativity and so forth, then (what) we’re left with in whiteness is this idea of individualism.”
She then went on to link objectivity and merit to “whiteness.”
“All that matters is the individual or objectivity or meritocracy, meaning that when we look at meritocracy, this idea that those who are successful, by capitalism’s definition of successful, have somehow earned that. And those who have not attained that level of success, need to just simply work harder because there’s no such thing as these structures of power that are shaping their lives.”
Wilson also claimed that the PDSB has “a culture of whiteness,” amid 80% of teachers at the board being white – something she said was problematic. “The expected behaviour for us as professionals is all really based on the perspectives and expectations of white people, who are the overwhelming majority.”
She also challenged white teachers to discuss race with their students and study their “whiteness” to understand how they’ve been socialized into it and how it affects their profession.
For the PDSB teacher, the session’s net effect was “to splinter everybody.” He added that CRT “divides everyone it touches.”
In an interview with True North, the PDSB teacher said, “there’s nothing wrong if what it is is about combating racism, and wanting all of us to have equality of opportunity and even to lift disadvantaged groups.” However, he takes issue with assumptions “that people are disadvantaged solely on the basis of skin colour,” and assuming “that people based on the color of their skin are oppressors.”
He also finds claims that being punctual or objective are signs of “whiteness” or having a difference of opinion is a sign of “white fragility” to be crazy.
The teacher doesn’t see how DEI ideology “make things better for kids or teachers.”
“In fact, I see it as being the most divisive thing that you could possibly do to people… It weakens the standard of education, it weakens any sort of behavioural expectations, and I think we’re actually seeing the effect of it playing out, across public education in Ontario.”
The teacher also told True North he believes only a minority of educators support CRT – but that the minority is vocal and intimidating. “The vocal minority speaks and everybody else just sits silently hoping to get through it, hoping to not say something that’s gonna get them in trouble.”
He believes it’s time to stop imposing CRT and DEI ideology and instead focus on students. “We need to refocus on lifting all students up and making sure that what we are doing is in the best interests of all kids in our care.”
In the past, Ontario teachers have faced investigations for opposing CRT.
In March 2022, Ottawa high school teacher Chanel Pfahl was placed under investigation by the Ontario College of Teachers after she made remarks and postings opposing CRT in schools on Facebook.
This is what teachers in Ontario are being investigated for nowadays.
In February 2023, the College decided that it would not be moving Phafl’s case to a disciplinary hearing, opting instead to administer a brief “oral caution.”
Meanwhile, a lawsuit filed by deceased TDSB principal Richard Bilkszto makes disturbing allegations about what took place after he challenged a DEI instructor.
The lawsuit alleges Bilkszto was bullied, shamed, humiliated and repeatedly labelled a “white supremacist” after he politely challenged a claim that Canada is far more racist than the United States. The DEI instructor subsequently suggested that the TDSB take action against Bilkszto for allegedly choosing not to “unlearn” his white supremacism.
The lawsuit has yet to be served and the allegations have not been proven in court.
The lawsuit also claims that the TDSB reneged on the contract to hire Bilkszto at Burnhamthorpe Collegiate when he returned from a sick leave he took following the incident. He also had other contracts revoked and failed to get other internal positions as well.
Bilkszto committed suicide in July. His family claims he dealt with plaguing stress stemming from the incident.
True North reached out to Wilson and the PDSB for comment but neither responded in time for publication.
Port and dock workers in B.C. may have potentially come to an agreement regarding the dispute over their labour deal.
As reported by the Canadian Press, both the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Canada and the B.C. Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) have released statements that confirm a collective agreement has been negotiated.
The strike action stopped operations at B.C. ports with pressure from the federal government to intervene. The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) assisted with the agreement and it will be presented to union members shortly. The deal had been rejected twice previously, leading to calls for back-to-work legislation.
Federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan released a statement on July 19, saying that the board must, “either impose a new collective agreement on the parties or impose final binding arbitration” should a negotiated resolution no longer be an option. The statement went on to say, “Following the Incident Response Group meeting with the Prime Minister on July 19, the government is prepared for all options and eventualities.”
Last week, the CIRB was tasked with discovering whether a negotiated resolution could be reached after it was rejected by the full membership of the union. Despite the fact that the government’s incident response group’s involvement would normally be reserved for times of national crisis, it’s the second time the board has weighed in on disagreements between the BCMEA and ILWU Canada.
The 7,400 workers represented by the union rejected the previous agreement which put the operations of over 30 port terminals back on hold.
Calls for the federal government to legislate an end to the disagreement came from a number of business groups and several politicians as billions of dollars’ worth of goods were frozen at B.C. ports during the almost two week strike.
The Business Council of Canada, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade are among the groups who were in favour of such legislation.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has also spoken on this issue referring to it as a “logistical nightmare” burdening the economy of Western Canada. She has called upon all federal parties to “immediately return to Ottawa and pass back-to-work legislation.”
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has come out to show his support for the port workers stating, “We cannot lose sight of what is at stake for B.C. port workers, but also for all workers.”
The statement released by the port worker’s union did not disclose why the members have rejected the agreement however the union has commented on the onslaught of automation in the industry as well as the erosion of maintenance jurisdiction by third-party contractors.
The rejected deal included 19.2% increase in compounded wage as well as a $3,000 signing bonus for each full-time employee. This could potentially raise the median annual wage from $136,000 to $162,000 without including the worker’s benefits and pension.
