As the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting wraps up, the question still remains – what interest do hundreds of business executives and world leaders have in meeting every year in Davos?
Author of “The Covid Consensus,” Thomas Fazi joins The Rupa Subramanya Show to talk about the group of technocrats who are planning to influence global policies affecting climate, digital ID and vaccination.
In the first part of the interview, Rupa and Thomas discuss exactly who these elites are and what their role is in eroding national sovereignty in favour of globalist ideals.
Things are not going well for Justin Trudeau these days. After a string of rough polling numbers, an overwhelming majority of Canadians now feel like Canada is in a recession. All of that exposed itself this week when Justin Trudeau let loose on a 5-minute tirade railing against Pierre Poilievre, Freedom Convoy protesters and anyone who challenged him over the last 3 years.
Stick around for the Ratio of the Week award on the latest episode of Ratio’d with Harrison Faulkner.
The head of a Canadian group advocating for the rights of Iranians facing repression at home says that the European Union’s latest vote to call on member states to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity could tilt the table for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to do the same.
According to Council of Iranian-Canadians President Avideh Motmâenfar, Trudeau has been shifting his stance on the Iranian regime as it increases its crackdown on dissidents but his rhetoric isn’t enough.
“I refuse to attribute the failure of the Federal Government to list the IRGC as a terrorist entity to a lack of proper knowledge about the terrorist nature of that organization. Indeed, since the commencement of the ongoing uprisings in Iran, we have seen time and time again Trudeau uttering pretty accurate descriptions of the Islamic Republic and, particularly, the IRGC,” said Motmâenfar.
“Even, to save face, the government has announced some new, however insignificant, sanctions against a number of the IRGC commanders, such as travel bans under the Immigration Act. But why is it that Trudeau has resisted for so long and continues to resist listing the IRGC as a terrorist entity?”
Yesterday a vast majority of the European Parliament voted to call on the EU and its member states to blacklist the IRGC. The vote comes after protests by Iranian diaspora rocked several European cities.
According to Conservative MP Garnett Genuis, the Liberal government isn’t living up to its commitments when it comes to condemning Iran. In 2018, Trudeau along with other Liberal MPs voted on a motion by Genuis to list the IRGC under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
“Sadly, this turned out to be another instance of Liberals trying to look like they care without actually taking concrete action. The Canadian government has, however, provided no clear indication of why they don’t want to list the IRGC. If Liberals continue to break their word on this, then they should at least explain why,” Genius told True North.
Motmâenfar says the reluctance can be explained by Iranian regime apologists within the Trudeau government.
“What has changed is that the repressiveness of the murderous rulers of Iran, including the IRGC, has made it too costly even for their hardcore apologists on the international stage to not condemn them and acknowledge their true nature,” said Motmâenfar.
“The impact of the interference of the IRGC agents in the Canadian decision-making bodies seems to have created a situation where the interests of some highly influential Canadian politicians will be endangered once the IRGC is listed as a terrorist entity.”
A group of organizations on Monday wrote an open letter to Ottawa City Council, asking it to get behind an effort to cancel an upcoming event by Jordan Peterson.
The self-described coalition of organizations said it represents thousands of Ottawa residents who experienced trauma from what they label the far-right, which it says occupied Ottawa after Peterson avidly supported the ‘Freedom Convoy.’
“He even had some of the leaders on his podcast including BJ Dichter and showed support for Tamara Lich,” their open letter states.
Members of the coalition included Bright Light Veterinary Eye Care, Ottawa Pride Hockey, and Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity (CCGS).
HAPPENING NOW: Hundreds gather outside of the @CPOntario headquarters to support @jordanbpeterson in his fight against politically motivated professional censorship. These supporters want Peterson and Trudeau to debate.https://t.co/AU7WNTqW8k is where you can sign the petition. pic.twitter.com/DrpPna9P86
The group specifically asked city council to write a letter to the Canadian Tire Centre – the large venue hosting Peterson – explaining that residents are concerned and want the January 30 event cancelled.
The coalition said protests outside Ottawa high schools last year against “gender ideology” bore arguments similar to Peterson’s.
“The toxic, and often violent, rhetoric touted by Peterson – whose . . . ideas are misogynistic, homophobic, transphobic, and racist has led to an increased environment of hate.”
Several news outlets quoted advocacy manager of CCGS, Jaime Sadgrove, saying Peterson is the last thing Ottawa needs.
Earlier this month, Peterson garnered media attention when he publicized a conflict between himself and a regulatory agency, which demanded he undergo social media communication re-training.
Peterson said the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) issued a demand letter stating his license to practice clinical psychology was in jeopardy. He said the demand was a result of his social media activity – including a retweet of Conservative party leader Pierre Poilievre.
The publicized conflict sparked a protest outside the CPO, where protesters, similar to last year’s Freedom Convoy, expressed themselves alongside Canadian flags.
Ottawa City Council has not formally addressed the issue.
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s meeting notes from last February say BMO CEO Darryl White wanted to classify Freedom Convoy protesters as “terrorists.” BMO never replied when True North asked for comment on it, but True North’s Andrew Lawton ran into Darryl on the streets of Davos and asked him directly.
An air safety investigation released on Thursday says police negligence contributed to a collision between a drone and a small aircraft. It’s a clear sign that more caution is needed around drone operations, says one leading aviation expert.
The investigation from Transportation Safety Board of Canada said the police crew member piloting a drone outside Toronto Buttonville Municipal Airport likely became “task saturated,” leaving a drone hovering for two minutes in airspace that was also being used by a student pilot of a small airplane during final approach.
“The student pilot and flight instructor heard and felt a solid impact at the front of the aircraft,” the report said. “Suspecting a bird strike, they continued the approach and made an uneventful landing.”
The student pilot and flight instructor on board landed their aircraft safely.
That doesn’t mean all collisions will end cleanly, according to former Air Canada COO Duncan Dee.
Dee told True North that the existence of drones adds a new complexity for airports – and that it’s concerning to see operators breaking the law by entering air traffic space.
“The part that’s so bizarre about this case is this wasn’t just some amateur drone operator who was playing with their drone,” he said. “This was a police force.”
When asked what Thursday’s finding means for the future of air travel in Canada, Dee said the key takeaway is drone rules need to be followed.
“There were basic elements they neglected to do,” he said. “It’s obviously a significant concern for operators in the country.”
At the time of the collision, the police drone pilot was conducting reconnaissance in the area around Toronto Buttonville Municipal Airport, the report said.
The drone spotter, paired with the pilot, had not been briefed on his duty to keep watch of the drone, the report said. He was also not taught how to scan for planes.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delved into a fear-mongering tirade about certain death as a result of climate change during a special address at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Wednesday.
Guterres delivered a speech alongside WEF founder Klaus Schwab to the international elite audience.
“We are flirting with climate disaster. Every week brings a new climate horror story. Greenhouse gas emissions are at record levels and growing. The commitment to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees is nearly going up in smoke. Without further action, we are headed to a 2.8 degree increase and the consequences, as we all know, would be devastating,” said Guterres.
“For several parts of our planet it would be inevitable and for many, it would mean a death sentence.”
United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres warns of impending "climate disaster" at the World Economic Forum before saying oil and gas companies need to be held accountable for having business models "inconsistent with human survival." pic.twitter.com/3F4mdCYigy
During his remarks, Guterres also accused the oil and gas industry of peddling a “big lie” for seeking to expand operations during an uptick in global demand.
“Some in big oil peddle the big lie. And like the tobacco industry, those responsible must be held to account. Today, fossil fuel producers and their enablers are still racing to expand production,” said Guterres.
“Knowing full-well that this business model is inconsistent with human survival. Now, this insanity belongs in science fiction, yet we know the ecosystem meltdown is cold, hard scientific facts.”
Critics of the WEF have accused the organization and its adherents of requiring sacrifices from ordinary people while they continue to enjoy lavish lifestyles jet-setting around the world.
Last week Greenpeace International blasted the global leaders for taking hundreds of “ultra-short private jet” flights to Davos, Switzerland to hobnob with their elite friends.
“The rich and powerful flock to Davos in ultra-polluting, socially inequitable private jets to discuss climate and inequality behind closed doors,” said Greenpeace transport campaigner Klara Maria Schenk.
“Davos has a perfectly adequate railway station, still these people can’t even be bothered to take the train for a trip as short as 21 km. Do we really believe that these are the people to solve the problems the world faces?”
The group’s research shows that 1,040 private jets flew in and out of the Swiss luxury ski resort town.
Sports media pundits are making lots of noise after Flyers defenceman Ivan Provorov refused to don a pride-coloured jersey and rainbow stick tape on Monday night’s pre-game warm-ups.
Off the ice, Canadian officials have announced that the government will join a global coalition started by the World Economic Forum and US President Joe Biden to influence markets and foster a net-zero world by 2050.
Meanwhile, police are following up on new leads related to a church fire that happened last week in Rose Prairie, B.C.
Plus, a House of Commons committee is launching a parliamentary inquiry into government contracts awarded to consulting firm McKinsey & Company.
These stories and more on The Daily Brief with Anthony Furey and Rachel Emmanuel!
A Wilfrid Laurier University student who has gone viral for using random items as face coverings to mock his school’s mask requirement is planning an in-person protest to demand a permanent end to the mandate.
As of January 2022, Laurier continues to require masking in instructional spaces – almost three years since the pandemic began.
Join students/staff/concerned citizens protesting the current mask mandates that still persist at @Laurier and @UWaterloo
“I want them to withdraw this mandate, I’m tired of students being told what to do,” fourth year philosophy student Kamil Bachouchi told True North. He added that he doesn’t feel like Laurier has the right to mandate masks.
Bachouchi, who was previously kicked out for not disclosing his vaccination status, believes the majority of students are opposed to the mask mandate. However, he says that not enough students are currently speaking out amid some fearing academic repercussions.
“People want this to be over. The only reason it’s not over is because (Laurier is) still holding on to it”.
Bachouchi told True North a number of students have told him they plan on attending his demonstration – which is planned for Sat, Jan. 28, 1pm, at Waterloo Town Square.
Bachouchi’s protest is being held with Students Against Mandates (SAM), an organization which he is a member of. SAM describes itself on its website as a “community of proud critical thinkers who support decision making backed by data.” The group opposes mask and vaccine mandates on college and university campuses.
In addition to planning an in-person demonstration demanding a permanent end to the mandate, Bachouchi is continuing his creative and humorous “peaceful revolution” against the policy – where he wears random items as masks to class. He started the latter last fall after one of his professors warned that maskless students would be kicked out.
Mask of the Day: a Leaf of Lettuce!@Laurier and @UWaterloo are STILL forcing students to cover their faces.
His face coverings have included a Ziploc bag, a bucket, a grapefruit, a snorkel, a Spiderman costume and, most recently, a leaf of lettuce. He has also mocked the requirement by wearing 10 masks, a gas mask as well as a hazmat suit.
Bachouchi’s mask stunts have gone viral on social media, receiving attention from renowned Canadian author and psychologist Jordan Peterson and Toronto-based media platform 6ixBuzz TV.
Do Canadians have any idea how insane our country appears from the outside? It certainly doesn't appear so… Students, why are you continuing to pay your tuition when you're treated this way @Laurier@UWaterloo@WesternUhttps://t.co/qxKTfHp5VB
“The reaction that I had on social media is outrageous to me” Bachouchi told True North, adding that he was not expecting to go viral. “For me, at first, it was just like a way to vent,” he said, noting that he only had a few hundred Twitter followers when he began posting pictures of his face coverings.
In addition to receiving attention from prominent social media users, Bachouchi caught the eye of Laurier’s Dean of Students office. The latter sent him an email in December reminding him of the university’s mask policy and claimed it received complaints regarding his compliance.
Happy to announce that the Dean of Students of @Laurier has taken notice, and has officially gotten in touch with me regarding my face coverings.
“I was following their rules technically, so they let me know that they know… because they couldn’t tell me not to do it,” said Bachouchi.
Bachouchi says he will continue to wear random items as face coverings until Laurier drops the mask mandate, telling True North “I don’t have any plans on stopping.” He also hopes others will join him in not complying or making a joke out of policy.
True North reached out to Wilfrid Laurier University for comment but they did not respond in time for publication.
While posters for the protest say it is being held against both Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo’s mask mandates, Waterloo dropped its mandate on Jan. 9.
Campus Watch keeps an eye on what’s happening at schools across Canada. Do you have a story to share about a college or university near you? Let us know at [email protected].
The Canadian Taxpayer Federation (CTF) is again doing what it does best, which is exposing the hypocrisy of the Trudeau government as it sets out on a cabinet retreat in a few days to supposedly “focus on continuing to make life more affordable for Canadians.”
As if . . .
As the CTF said, the “rubes”—that’s you, me, us—are mad, and angry moreover for being “ripped off” in the greater scheme of things.
“Taxes and regulations are making it hard to put food on the table,” the CTF wrote in an op-ed first published in the Sun papers.
“Politicians and bureaucrats are misleading us.
“They’re wasting our money and not being honest about how it’s spent. And they’re showering themselves with bonuses and raises no matter how bad of a job they’re doing,” says the federation.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised that “we are not going to be saddling Canadians with extra costs … the last thing Canadians need is to see a rise in taxes right now.”
So why did the government spend $450,000 to study and promote a home equity tax?
The truth of the matter is that the federal government is raising five taxes this year. The Canada Pension Plan tax, Employment Insurance tax, the carbon tax and alcohol taxes are going up.
And, to top it off, the PM is imposing a second carbon tax through fuel regulations.
This isn’t the only time the government misled taxpayers. The CTF lists them off.
Trudeau’s former environment minister said the government had “no intention” to raise the carbon tax after 2022. The carbon tax is now increasing to 37 cents per litre of gas by 2030.
The Trudeau government claims with a straight face that “families are going to be better off” with the carbon tax and its rebates. Politicians continue making this claim even though the Parliamentary Budget Officer shows it’s a pack of lies. The average family will be out hundreds of dollars this year—even after the rebates.
“If politicians were serious about fighting misinformation, they would stop misleading taxpayers”, says Franco Terrazzano, the federal director of the CTF.
Politicians are raising taxes to paper over the wasteful spending, he says.
The federal government spent $8,800 on a sex toy art exhibit in Germany. It spent $6,000 per night on a single (London) hotel room (during the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.)
Trudeau won’t say who stayed in the $6,000 hotel room, and neither will anyone in his entourage. Everyone’s mum’s the word.
It spent $1 million on the governor general’s week-long trip to the Middle East that included a bill for almost $100,000 for airplane food.
Big business is also on the take. “The government announced $295 million for the Ford Motor Company, $12 million for Loblaw, $420 million for Algoma Steel and $372 million for Bombardier,” says the CTF.
Average Canadians skipped meals because of the regulations and inflation coming from governments, the CTF argues, while politicians and bureaucrats won’t even skip a raise.
“Members of Parliament took three pay raises since the beginning of COVID-19. A total of 312,820 federal bureaucrats received a raise. There were zero pay cuts”, says the CTF.
The government even doled out $361 million in bonuses during the pandemic. All while departments failed to meet half of their objectives.
No wonder we rubes are angry.
The Bank of Canada failed to keep inflation low and still handed out $45 million in bonuses and raises.
“The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has one goal: housing affordability for all.” Canadians couldn’t afford homes in 2020 and 2021. The CMHC still gave its employees nearly $60 million in bonuses and wage hikes.
VIA Rail lost millions and took a taxpayer bailout, yet still handed out bonuses, raise and lavish executive pay cheques.
The CBC, which costs taxpayers $1.5 billion a year, handed out $51 million in bonuses and raises during the pandemic.
“If politicians don’t want Canadians to be angry, there are simple solutions: stop taking so much money, stop misleading, stop wasting money and stop rewarding failure with our tax dollars,” says Terrazzano.
Meanwhile, Trudeau and his cabinet are off to a retreat on Jan. 25, and the PM had the nerve to say this:
“This Cabinet retreat will be an important opportunity to build on our continued efforts to make life more affordable for the middle class and people working hard to join it. In 2023, we will keep working relentlessly to build a better future and a strong economy for all Canadians.”
