The Aristotle Foundation’s new book, The 1867 Project, makes the case that Canada should be cherished, not cancelled. On the eve of Canada Day – or Dominion Day, rather – True North’s Andrew Lawton does a deep dive into just why the activists who malign and denigrate Canada are just plain wrong.
In this edition of the show, Andrew talks to the editor of The 1867 Project, Dr. Mark Milke, and two of its contributors, Mount Allison University professor Dr. Rima Azar and professor emerita and former member of parliament Lynn McDonald about Canadian history, identity politics, and the mob.
A Liberal MP from Atlantic Canada has publicly criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s carbon tax hike and the impact of his government’s energy policies on the region’s economy.
Wayne Long, who represents the riding of Saint John–Rothesay in New Brunswick, said he is feeling the pressure from his constituents who are struggling with the high cost of living while the Trudeau government ramps up costly carbon tax hikes.
Long said he supports the Liberal government’s carbon pricing plan, but argued that it needs to be better communicated and adjusted for Atlantic Canada.
He said the 10% top-up to carbon rebates for people in rural areas is not enough to offset the pain at the pump.
Long’s comments come as Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre shored up support in the region.
“(Poilievre is) having a free run of it right now,” Mr. Long said. “I don’t like it. But we need to respond.”
“Whether we like it or not, we’ve got a problem. It can be a problem of communication or perception, but we’ve got a problem.”
The Liberal MP also said he is unhappy with his own government’s approach to the clean fuel regulations, which he said are penalizing Irving Oil, Canada’s largest oil refinery and a major employer in Atlantic Canada.
According to the Telegraph Journal, the Liberal MP said the government has not listened to the company’s concerns and has imposed a “top-down” system that does not reward its efforts to become carbon neutral.
Long is not running for re-election in the next federal election, but his comments reflect the growing anxiety among Liberals in Atlantic Canada, where they hold 24 out of 32 seats.
While in New Brunswick, Poilievre took a dig at the Trudeau government for penalizing the energy sector.
“(There’s) countless reasons why this should be one of the most prosperous places on planet Earth,” said Poilievre.
“But we’ve got a federal government that is waging war on our energy sector right now, favouring foreign production rather than domestic.”
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs appears to have strong support among Progressive Conservative Party members amid an attempt to oust him over among other things, his new parental rights policy.
Twenty-six riding presidents have submitted letters to initiate a leadership review. The latter is the first step in the process of reviewing the party’s leadership.
The calls to review Higgs’ leadership come after he 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.
Dissidents claim 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 that has resulted in serious missteps and the undermining of New Brunswickers’ confidence in the Progressive Conservative government.”
However, several PC Party executives say the “silent majority” stands with the premier, amid support in the province for his stance on gender identity.
Local media outlet Brunswick Newsspoke with PC riding presidents following a meeting with Higgs and the party’s provincial council last weekend.
“We are all in support of the premier,” said Moncton Southwest riding president Sherry MacEachren. “From what I could tell, there was overwhelming support for the premier from the riding associations.”
Fredericton-Grand Lake riding president Mark Paul-Elias echoed those sentiments. He noted that “there were a few people who weren’t happy with what was going on and you’re going to have that. You have 73 people in a room, they’re not all going to be happy.”
Paul-Elias added “the people who are upset are going to make the most noise”, but in reality, a “silent majority” supports the premier.
“The fact that someone would ask for a review doesn’t necessarily mean they want the premier removed. To me, they might be asking for a reaffirmation of his leadership.”
“From where I sit, the premier is the right man at the right time to lead this party.”
Jordan Manzer, who represented the riding of Carleton-York at the meeting, believed 50 to 55% of the people present backed Higgs. He, however, believes support is even greater among the party’s grassroots, amid the parental rights policy being popular not just with Conservatives, but with New Brunswickers at large.
“They still have to go to the entire membership for a vote. I think party members would side with Higgs, especially in southern New Brunswick where most of the support for our party resides,” said Manzer.
Members of the New Brunswick PC Caucus have also been voicing their support for the premier, including Moncton Southwest PC MLA Sherry Wilson.
Speaking with CBC last week, Wilson said those who do not support Higgs and his parental rights policy should step away.
“For the people who don’t support our premier, and don’t look at the good work and the big picture and what’s best for the people we serve here in New Brunswick, I think maybe it’s time for them to step away.”
For Wilson, supporting parental rights is a Conservative value.
“To me it’s a Conservative value that parents are involved in their children’s lives. How do we fix it? I think maybe some of them maybe need to step down. They need to go and just retire, just get out of politics if that’s the way they think.”
Multiple grassroots efforts have also been started to support Higgs – as previously reported by True North.
A new site has been launched in support of Premier Blaine Higgs as he stands for parents & families. The site also highlights some important values: Don't delete parents & the money should follow the families educational choices: https://t.co/pjGq6RxZiPpic.twitter.com/yHkw6aOitr
New Brunswick activist, mother and TV personality Faytene Grasseschi launched the Don’t Delete Parents campaign in support of Higgs and his parental rights policy.
The media and establishment Conservatives want to get rid of New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs for protecting vulnerable children and defending parental rights. We need to make sure we show him that we will support and defend him both publicly and if there's a leadership review… pic.twitter.com/i8CaguPFAW
Pro-Life group RightNow has also started a petition in support of the premier.
In response to the riding presidents filing the paperwork to initiate a leadership review, Higgs said, “I was not surprised,” adding that he stands by his policy.
“The group leading the charge for a leadership review has been very vocal about their plan following our decision to review sections of policy 713,” he said.
“I stand by the changes we made, and I stand by the parents who continue to voice their concerns about this policy. I have said all along that we can provide a safe and welcoming learning environment for children while still respecting parents.”
“The process leading to a leadership review is long and detailed. In the meantime, I will continue to focus on the priorities of our province and acting in the best interests of all New Brunswickers.”
A leadership review needs 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 likely to take place in the fall.
A two-thirds majority at council is needed to call a convention where party members would vote on the premier’s leadership.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.
A campaign is launched in support of New Brunswick Progressive Conservative Premier Blaine Higgs and his new parental rights policy.
And in response to the Trudeau government’s Online News Act, Google announced on Thursday that it would be blocking Canadian news links across its platforms.
Plus, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is being accused of playing politics in his response to New Brunswick’s parental rights policy.
Tune into The Daily Brief with Cosmin Dzsurdzsa and Elie Cantin-Nantel!
One in 5 natural health product brands are seriously considering leaving Canada due to new proposed regulations on supplements, according to the Canadian Health Food Association.
Canadians who purchase natural health products and supplements such as multivitamins, probiotics, and herbal remedies may see large price increases and less variety because of the incoming rules imposed by the Trudeau government.
According to 2016 Health Canada data, 71% of Canadians are natural health product users.
Catherine Cole, owner of a health food store in Huntsville, ON called The Great Vine, posted on her business Instagram page, “They’re looking to re-regulate an industry, our industry, that is incredibly well-regulated. In fact, we have the best regulations in the world.”
“The Canadian Health Food Association worked with Health Canada over the last two decades to create an infrastructure that guarantees natural health products in Canada meet superior standards and can be trusted. We have glorious regulations in place. All vitamins and supplements sold in Canada have NPNs (Natural Product Numbers),” Cole explained to True North.
“We have done our due diligence.”
As part of Bill C-47, the Canadian government will soon have power to “require and disclose information, to order the modification of labels and packaging, to order the recall and stop sale of a product, and to require tests, studies and assessments.”
In a Canadian Health Food Association survey, over 70% of natural health product brands said they would have to pull product from the market if the changes go through, as some of their offerings may become unprofitable. This would result in less variety for consumers.
Dozens of Canadian health food stores, naturopaths, and individuals with wellness-centered lifestyles are posting on social media to support the “Save Our Supplements” movement.
Some are expressing their fears that something as simple as vitamin D will soon require a doctor’s prescription, even though booking a doctor’s appointment in Canada can take weeks, and getting into a walk-in clinic is borderline impossible in some communities.
Others make the argument that taking supplements and other natural health products can keep people out of the already overburdened Canadian medical system.
“I believe the situation is still quite fluid so we are able to speculate on outcomes but not rely on them as fact yet,” said Cole. “This is a period of informing the public, retailers, and suppliers about what may be coming down the pipe and the potential results that might occur.”
“Canadians rely on their access to vitamins and supplements and they expect that these products that support their health will remain within their means to access.”
From assaults on historical figures such as John A. Macdonald to cancel culture and charges that Canada is a genocidal nation-state, the country that every generation and every immigrant built is now facing routine and corrosive attacks. How did this happen?
The 1867 Project is a book featuring twenty critical thinkers who argue that we are awash in relentless grievance narratives and utopians who expect Canada’s history to be perfect. They also argue that the rise of critical race theory, identity politics, and ideological politics in the education system also plays a part.
To launch The 1867 Project and to discuss the current state of Canada, True North’s Candice Malcolm will host a live show with some of the authors, including Jamil Jivani, Matthew Lau and the book’s editor Mark Milke.
It’s almost Dominion Day and on the latest episode of Ratio’d, Harrison is bringing back his ‘Cancel Canada Day’ TikTok reaction segment. July 1st is without a doubt the worst day of the year for nation-hating self-loathing leftist activists. Despite trying their best to tear down our statues, rename our streets, slander the flag, embarrass our once-feared military and lie about our history, millions of Canadians from all walks of life come together to wave the flag with pride and celebrate our great country.
The sight of proud Canadians wearing red and waving the maple leaf is enough to trigger the vocal minority. They would all prefer if we cancelled our fireworks celebrations, lowered our flags and wore orange.
To all of those that feel bad for being Canadian, feel free to leave whenever you want.
How do totalitarian regimes emerge? What makes regular citizens report their relatives and neighbours in to authorities?
Professor of Clinical Psychology at Ghent University and author of “The Psychology of Totalitarianism” Mattias Desmet joins The Rupa Supramanya Show to discuss Mass Formation Psychosis, a phenomenon deeply rooted in group psychology where intolerance towards dissident voices and allegiance to ideology are seen as an ethical duty in affected societies.
Mattias and Rupa talk about instances of Mass Formation Psychosis occurring even before the Covid-19 pandemic, such as during the Iranian Revolution and in the Soviet Union.
Lastly, Mattias shares his thoughts on how this psychosis can have a lasting effect on the culture for years.
New Brunswick activist, mother and TV personality Faytene Grasseschi is launching a campaign in support of Progressive Conservative Premier Blaine Higgs and his new parental rights policy.
The Don’t Delete Parents campaign also calls on the New Brunswick government to implement school choice – a policy that has been implemented in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec.
A new site has been launched in support of Premier Blaine Higgs as he stands for parents & families. The site also highlights some important values: Don't delete parents & the money should follow the families educational choices: https://t.co/pjGq6RxZiPpic.twitter.com/yHkw6aOitr
Earlier this month, the New Brunswick government announced changes to education policy 713, which included a new requirement for children under the age of 16 to get parental consent before they can officially change their name or pronouns at school.
The policy has caused outrage among trans activists and supporters of gender ideology, as well as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other Liberal politicians.
Some Progressive Conservatives in New Brunswick have also come out against the policy change. Two cabinet ministers resigned over the ordeal, and 26 riding presidents submitted letters to initiate a leadership review.
The internal revolt concerns Grasseschi.
“We need to organize to support him,” she said in an email to True North. “If his political career falls over this, it will send a message to elected officials nationwide that standing with parents is political suicide.”
Grasseschi’s campaign is built around three goals; supporting Premier Higgs, not deleting parents and implementing school choice.
“We pledge to support Premier Blaine Higgs in his strong stand in support of parents and families. We pledge to promote the common sense principle that parents should never be deleted from a child’s life by the government. We pledge to promote the common sense principle that a family’s tax dollars should go to supporting their child’s education directly,” reads the campaign website.
The Don’t Delete Parents campaign also has three calls to action; signing a pro-Higgs petition, emailing New Brunswick MLAs and sending the Premier a message of support.
“It is time for us to launch a grassroots movement in New Brunswick of parents that will support The Hon. Blaine Higgs in his stand for families,” says Grasseschi.
“Parents should be the first to be informed on any topic related to their child’s health and well-being.”
Grasseschi is not the only one rallying behind Higgs. Pro-Life group RightNow has also started a petition in support of the New Brunsick premier.
“The media and establishment Conservatives want to get rid of New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs for protecting vulnerable children and defending parental rights,” says RightNow. “We need to make sure we show him that we will support and defend him both publicly and if there’s a leadership review in the PC Party of New Brunswick.”
The media and establishment Conservatives want to get rid of New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs for protecting vulnerable children and defending parental rights. We need to make sure we show him that we will support and defend him both publicly and if there's a leadership review… pic.twitter.com/i8CaguPFAW
Higgs continues to stand firmly in defence of his parental rights policy.
In an interview with CBC’s Power and Politics Tuesday, the premier stated that “parents need to have a voice” and insisted he’s taking “a balanced approach.” He added that he’s received “a tremendous outpouring of support” for his position.
Higgs has also said he’s prepared to call an election over the policy, and that he is fine with putting his career at stake to support parents.
“As a father and a grandfather, I don’t think there is anything more important than the role and responsibility of a parent in raising their children. As a province, our future is the next generation. That is worth standing up for,” said Higgs.
A Leger poll commissioned by SecondStreet.org found that 69% of Maritimers and 57% of Canadians agree that schools should make parents aware that their kids are wishing to change genders or pronouns.
Support for the latter was higher among those with kids in their household, compared to those without kids.
Grasseschi is the founder of 4MyCanada, an organization that “works to keep Canadians up to date on national items of interest and gives direction on how they can use their time, talent and influence to effect positive change.”
She is also the host of Faytene TV, a show “speaking directly to the issues shaping Canada.”
Just two days ahead of its enforcement, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Atlantic provinces are calling on the federal government to immediately halt the implementation of the federal Clean Fuel Regulations.
The new regulations, which take effect on July 1, are part of Canada’s climate plan requiring producers and importers of liquid fossil fuels, like gasoline and diesel, to gradually reduce the fuel’s carbon intensity.
Alberta Environment and Protected Areas Minister Rebecca Schulz say the new policy will harm provincial economies in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Atlantic Canada.
“Combined with the federal government’s carbon tax increase, higher gasoline and diesel costs are expected, putting added cost pressures on other goods and services across the country,” she said in a statement.
“Now is not the time to drive up prices at the pump and increase expenses for vulnerable households, businesses and industries. Families and businesses cannot continue to afford reckless cost and tax increases imposed by the federal government.”
Per the new regulations, the carbon intensity of impacted fuels must fall to 15% below 2016 levels by 2030. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, this will deliver 26 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions reductions. It establishes a carbon credit market in which reducing emissions earn credits that can be sold.
In May, the Parliamentary Budget Office said the Canadian economy will also take a hit under the policy, revealing the regulations will decrease real GDP by up to 0.3% or $9 billion by 2030.
“It is a significant increase in price due to these clean fuel regulations,” Yves Giroux, the Parliamentary Budget Officer, said at the time.
The PBO further estimated that the cost would range from 0.62% of disposable income, or $231, for lower-income households to 0.35% of disposable income, or $1,008, for higher income households.
The impact is highest in the Prairies and Newfoundland and Labrador, costing the average household in Saskatchewan $1,117 or 0.87% of their disposable income, the PBO said.
Schulz also said Alberta already has an Emissions Reduction and Energy Development Plan, which targets a carbon-neutral economy by 2050. The plan currently has no set targets, with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith saying consultations with the industry must come first.
The news comes days after Smith met with Federal Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc. In that meeting, Smith said the federal and provincial governments must create a working group to study net zero by 2050.
