On Day 3 of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, Deputy Prime Minster Chrystia Freeland – who also happens to be on the WEF Board of Trustees – arrived in Davos for the summit.
However, when asked by True North’s Andrew Lawton how she can perform both her rules effectively, she refused to answer. Freeland wasn’t the only one to run away from the media today as Tony Blair and John Kerry also ducked questions from Andrew.
Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman hopes that the European Parliament’s recent vote to demand that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) be listed as a terrorist entity serves to push Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the same direction.
In an emailed statement to True North, the MP for Thornhill praised Wednesday’s near-unanimous vote.
“We’ve called on the government to list the IRGC as a terrorist organization and to protect the safety and security of Canadians,” said Lantsman. “Now that the EU has done the right thing, we hope that those calls are heard by a prime minister who voted himself to list the IRGC as a terrorist organization.”
Lantsman was referencing Conservative MPs Garnett Genuis’ opposition motion from Jun. 12, 2018 which called on the House of Commons to “immediately designate the (IRGC) as a listed terrorist entity under the Criminal Code of Canada.”
“I moved a motion more than 4 years ago to list the IRGC as a terrorist organization. Liberals voted for that motion but have still failed to act. They continue to make promises to the Iranian people and then fail to follow through,” Genuis told True North.
“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.”
Trudeau and other Liberal MPs voted in favour of the motion at the time.
The European Parliament vote came after massive rallies in Strasbourg, France and other European cities this week in response to Iran’s violation of women’s rights, as well as execution and imprisonment of those protesting the Islamist regime.
A total of 598 MEPs voted to call on the EU and its member states to add the IRGC to the bloc’s terror list as it prepares further sanctions against Iranian authorities.
‼️The EU Parliament has today voted to call for the EU and its Member States to include the IRGC on the EU’s terrorist list.
The amendment of my group (@ecrgroup) was passed with an overwhelming majority.
Despite similar protests in Canada, the Trudeau government has fallen short of its commitments.
In October, the PM announced that 10,000 officials from the IRGC would be permanently banned from entering the country and added to an immigration and refugee list of terrorist organizations.
Critics blasted the government for failing to fully designate the group under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
“As more countries recognize the true nature of the IRGC, Canada is falling behind. We hope that this move in Europe will put increased pressure on the Trudeau government to finally stop dithering, give up on appeasement, and stand with the Iranian people,” said Genuis.
Canadian officials announced Wednesday 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.
Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced Canada will become a government partner to the “First Mover Coalition,” a global group of 69 green-technology advocates from top corporations.
“Canada’s participation in the First Movers Coalition reflects our government’s commitment to support industrial decarbonization,” said Champagne.
The coalition says it will cooperatively influence seven industries that contribute 30% of global carbon emissions: the industries of aluminum, aviation, chemicals, concrete, shipping, steel and trucking.
Companies will use collective purchasing power to affect change, the coalition says. The goal is to cooperatively direct more money to technology that cannot yet compete with carbon-intensive technology.
Champagne says it’s a strong investment.
“A net-zero carbon emissions world is only attainable if we bring key technologies to commercial scale,” he said.
This move reflects the federal government’s commitment to decarbonizing industries and advancing clean technologies, it says.
Decarbonizing is not a new commitment though, as the federal government recently made similar plays for a zero emission 2050.
In November, the federal government released its “Roadmap to Net-Zero Carbon Concrete by 2050” initiative, saying Canada will attempt to cut all emissions from cement and concrete industries in the next 27 years.
The concrete initiative utilizes the federal government’s “Net-Zero Accelerator,” a multi-billion dollar investment aiming to decarbonize heavy industry, support clean technology, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Police are following up on new leads related to a church fire that happened last week in Rose Prairie, B.C.
Cst. Chad Neustaeter told True North Wednesday that investigators will speak to witnesses over the next few days about the fire at Upper Pine Gospel Chapel.
“They’re trying to determine if it’s suspicious or not,” said Cst. Chad Neustaeter of Fort St. John RCMP.
Upper Pine Gospel Chapel was the 71st instance added to True North’s list of churches that have burned or been vandalized since the middle of 2021.
On Monday, police of Hamilton, Ont. said they arrested a 49-year-old man of no fixed address after he allegedly attempted to burn a 168-year-old church on New Year’s Eve.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over a year ago responded to a wave of arson and vandalism that targeted churches across Canada. He denounced the acts as wrong, but then said the underlying emotions were understandable.
“I understand the anger that’s out there against the federal government, against institutions like the Catholic church,” he said. “It is real, and it is fully understandable given the shameful history that we’re all becoming more and more aware of.”
At the time, many speculated the wave of arson and vandalism against churches was a cultural response to the apparent discovery of human remains near a former Kamloops, BC, residential school.
True North’s Andrew Lawton is once again live from Davos on day three of the World Economic Forum’s 2023 annual meeting.
Today, Andrew was given the cold shoulder by John Kerry, Tony Blair, and Chrystia Freeland. Freeland refused to answer whether her position with WEF puts her in a conflict of interest as a cabinet minister. But the day in Davos brought other developments, such as the Moderna CEO blaming public debate for low vaccination rates and an oil and gas CEO calling for higher carbon prices around the world.
Andrew goes through the highlights from the last couple of days in Davos and weaves it together with the bigger picture in this live edition of The Andrew Lawton Show.
Sports media pundits are collectively blowing a gasket after Flyers defenceman Ivan Provorov refused to don a pride-coloured jersey and rainbow stick tape on Monday night’s pre-game warm-ups.
Provorov said in a statement that the move stems from his religious beliefs.
“I respect everybody’s choices. My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion. That’s all I’m going to say,” said Provorov.
“I respect everybody and I respect everybody’s choices. My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion.”
Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov on refusing to wear a rainbow jersey for warm ups during “Pride Night” due to his Russian Orthodox faith. pic.twitter.com/wCUl8slmRB
Reacting to the event, several pundits have expressed outrage including Breakfast Television host Sid Seixeiro who called on the NHL to give the Flyers a “million dollar” fine and to “attack” Provorov for his beliefs.
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov didn’t take part in the NHL’s “Hockey Is For Everyone” pregame warmups – where players wore Pride-themed jerseys and used sticks wrapped in rainbow Pride tape – citing his religion as the reason. @sid_seixeiro shares his thoughts ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/8c7XnP2FYJ
“I think you fine the Flyers a million dollars for this. I’m not kidding. Figure this out and stop offending people on nights when it’s not about that, it’s supposed to be about inclusivity,” said Seixeiro.
“The (NHL) need to attack this… Nothing scares me more than any human being that says ‘I’m not doing this because of my religious beliefs’ because when you look at people’s lives who say that publicly, you would throw up at what you saw.”
Other Canadian sports journalists joined in on the conversation including the Toronto Star’s Bruce Arthur and the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Giana Han.
John Tortorella once said he would bench any player who didn’t stand for the US anthem. So what have we learned here https://t.co/uHoFxG2pKv
Meanwhile, TSN sports journalist Pierre LeBrun claimed Provorov was “hiding behind religion” and not showing respect.
But Provorov obviously does not respect “everyone”. If he did respect everyone, he would have taken part in warm-up and worn the Pride Night jersey. Don’t hide behind religion. https://t.co/Qk6dTgAnmP
Similarly, TSN commentator Gord Miller claimed that the Flyers should have barred Provorov from playing in the game although he had a right to refuse to participate.
1. Ivan Provorov had the right to refuse to participate in the Pride Night activities in Philadelphia.
2. The Flyers should have responded by not allowing him to play in the game.
3. Freedom of expression doesn’t give you freedom from the consequences of your words or actions. https://t.co/9fdffAQk1N
US climate envoy John Kerry flew to Davos to implore the world to do more to reduce carbon emissions. However, when Andrew Lawton asked him about China’s emissions, he had nothing to say.
The global elites at the World Economic Forum are back again this year with more plans to tell you how to live. True North is there on the ground and was finally accredited by the WEF, but the man himself – Klaus Schwab – says no to our questions and the Saudis send us packing.
Meanwhile, US Senator Joe Manchin, attending Davos, stands up for the Canadian oil and gas industry. Plus, learn how global elites are trying to win us over with high end hot chocolate!
These stories and more on this special edition of The Daily Brief with Anthony Furey and Andrew Lawton!
Canada is donating 200 armoured vehicles to Ukraine, after the country recently requested tanks to assist in defending itself from Russia.
Defence Minister Anita Anand made the announcement while visiting Ukrainian defence officials in the capital city of Kyiv.
The vehicles, Senator Armoured Personnel Carriers, are multi-purpose four wheelers designed for border patrol operations. The 200 are valued at $90 million.
“During today’s productive visit to Kyiv, I met with Ukrainian officials… to learn about Ukraine’s most pressing security needs, and to reaffirm Canada’s steadfast support,” said Anand.
The announcement comes after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday that the government was still considering a separate request from Ukraine for Leopard 2 tanks.
Canada acquired 100 Leopard 2 tanks 16 years ago. Officials estimated the deal would cost $1.3 billion, accounting for the purchase price and long-term maintenance.
A fleet of tanks would make at least the third military donation to Ukraine this month.
Defence Minister Anand announced last week a missile launching system purchased directly from the United States to give to Ukraine. The missile system and its munitions were estimated at roughly $406 million in value.
“Canada will continue to collaborate with the United States, as well as other Allies and partners, to address Ukraine’s defence priorities in the short and long term,” Anand said.
The Canadian government has donated $1 billion in the last 12 months for military assistance towards the war in Ukraine – and $4 billion for financial, humanitarian, and other assistance.
The Girl Guides of Canada (GGC) officially renamed their Brownies branch – designed for 7 and 8-year-old girls – to Embers earlier this January over growing concerns of racism.
The name-changing effort stems from current and former GGC member complaints over what they describe as the racist nature of the word Brownies, which allegedly “caused harm” to racialized girls and women. The Jan. 11 GGC press release said that the name of the branch acted as a “barrier to belonging,” deterring girls from joining the GGC altogether or postponing their entry until they were old enough to participate in other sections, such as the Guides or the Pathfinders.
Concerns with how racialized (Black, Indigenous and people of colour) girls and women felt when addressed as a “Brownie” were primary motivators spurring the official rebranding. The GGC website said that racialized girls “didn’t like being called a ‘Brownie’” because it prompted “teasing and racist comments,” making them “feel extremely uncomfortable.”
In an appeal to inclusive language, the newly christened Embers– a name signifying “potential waiting to be unleashed”– will “create a space where every girl feels that she belongs.”
Jill Zelmanovits, GGC’s Chief Executive, said that following the rumblings of a name change over the last couple of months, “families have signed up with Girl Guides for the first time because changing this name means Girl Guides is more inclusive for their daughters.”
Although the branch for 7 and 8-year-olds is called Brownies after the centuries-old household fairies in English folklore who aid in chores undetected, GGC is still changing the name because of “how it makes women and girls feel.”
Efforts pushing for a name change began in early November when girl guides executives began accepting input, consulting with “racialized girls in Guiding, the National Indigenous Advisory Circle, community partners and organizations, as well as GGC National Youth Council, Provincial Commissioners and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Facilitators.” They came up with two name options, Comets and Embers, which were released in mid-November and then put out for a vote. Embers won “overwhelmingly” according to Zelmanovits.
The phasing in of the name Embers on all GGC resources, programs and portals is slotted to be complete by Sep. 1. After this date, girls cannot wear any clothing or crests associated with the original Brownies name.
GGC board of directors unanimously agreed the Embers-Brownies name change was the right course of action “to reduce harm to racialized girls and stand by our commitment to inclusion, equity and anti-racism.”
