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Sunday, July 27, 2025

LEVY: Leave the kids alone – Ottawa school mask debate a waste of time

By
Sue-Ann Levy
-

To say it was a gong show would be an understatement.

The first meeting of the new Ottawa-Carleton District School Board consisted of 3.5 hours of turmoil during which “defund the police” activist trustees — specifically chairman Lyra Evans and her sidekick NDPer Justine Bell — called police to remove angry parents from the board room.

The parental pushback was over a ridiculous attempt to implement yet another mask mandate on students, teachers and administrators.

In fact, one brave father stood up and begged trustees not to further “harm kids” by introducing another mandate.

“They make kids afraid of each other,” he said, getting emotional.

The draconian mask motion came from new trustee and obsessive masker Dr. Nili Kaplan-Myrth, who is becoming known for her impossible edicts and aggressive approach to those who challenge her.

She behaved rudely on a TVO interview in early September and subsequently in an Ottawa radio interview on Tuesday.

At 10:30 p.m. — after two lengthy recesses and a meeting that began 40 minutes late — the activist trustees did not garner the votes to continue. 

They adjourned the meeting promising another kick at the can at a yet to be determined date.

Kaplan-Mryth, who has formed an unholy alliance with new chairman trustee Evans and vice-chairman Bell, moved that the mask requirement stay in place until public health deems the flu season over in Ottawa and until the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario pediatric ICU has an occupancy of 85% or less for at least two weeks.

She claimed in her motion that there is “no evidence of harm” to an adult or child’s mental health from wearing masks and that expensive N95 masks should be the ones mandated.

At the meeting, the activist doctor — one of five wearing heavy N95 masks — reiterated her sentiment that those who don’t wear masks don’t care about others and that sometimes doing what is difficult is good for the benefit of the most vulnerable in the community. 

CHEO’s chief of staff Lindy Samson — who spoke like we were still in the thick of 2020 — seemed to suggest that masking would help reduce the wait times they’ve experienced “like never before” at the hospital.

“We’re looking to do whatever we can to stop the viral transmission,” she said. 

“Universal masking leads to lower COVID transmission in kids,” Samson added, ignoring the fact that Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases is what is really bringing young patients to the hospital ER.

As the deadline to end the meeting drew near and it became obvious that the logistics of a new mask mandate were a nightmare, Kaplan-Mryth kept amending her motion to limit when they should be worn and to allow for cloth masks.

When enforcement became the issue, she proposed that students and teachers “self-identify” whether they have a problem wearing masks and require a mask exemption — effectively watering down the entire motion.

The outcome of the special meeting should tell them that they’re wasting their time.

If put in place, the Ottawa public school board would be the only one in Ottawa and throughout Ontario with a mandate.

And for what?

To appease the obsessions of the hypochondriac NDP trustees and a ridiculously out of touch doctor?

I think it’s time for Dr. Kaplan-Myrth to get off her high horse and leave the kids alone.

Alberta Justice Minister calls on Ottawa to remove RCMP Commissioner Lucki

By
Rachel Parker
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Alberta Justice Minister Tyler Shandro says his province has lost confidence in RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki, and he’s calling on Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino to remove her. 

Shandro says Lucki has failed to provide accountability in two significant public inquiries. The Public Order Emergency Commission (POEC) which is investigating whether the federal government was justified in invoking the Emergencies Act, and the Mass Casualty Commission, an independent inquiry into the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting that claimed 22 lives. 

Shandro said Lucki failed to provide accountability in both inquiries and did not prove to Canadians that RCMP leadership could make changes to ensure that errors of judgment would not happen again. 

“Instead, commissioner Lucki, in sworn testimony, has dodged accountability and excused her actions,” he said in a statement.

“Over the past two years, commissioner Lucki has failed to deal with the RCMP’s history of systemic racism in a forthright and public manner, and has risked the integrity of an investigation into a mass shooting.”

“Further, as revealed last week, she failed to inform the federal cabinet of all law enforcement options available prior to the decision to invoke the Emergencies Act.”

While testifying at the POEC on Nov. 15, Lucki acknowledged that RCMP officers had the legal power to clear Freedom Convoy protestors without the Emergencies Act. But, she said she didn’t communicate the information in a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau just one day before he invoked the never-before-used Act.

Lucki admitted that, in hindsight, she should have communicated the information to the prime minister.

On Oct. 20, the Mass Casualty Commission published phone recordings of Lucki expressing frustration that the Nova Scotia RCMP would not publicly discuss weapons used to kill 22 individuals in the immediate aftermath of the massacre. 

The recordings came amid allegations that Lucki was interfering with the Nova Scotia RCMP’s investigation into the massacre at the request of former public safety minister Bill Blair and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). An RCMP officer alleged that Lucki had promised Blair and the PMO that specifics on the guns involved in the shooting would be released to advance the Liberals’ gun control legislation.

Shandro said the commissioner must be held to the highest of standards.

“So far, Minister Mendicino has stood idly by while commissioner Lucki has failed to meet even the most meagre of standards for the past two years. This is an abrogation of the minister’s core responsibility to Canadians and must be rectified before the RCMP’s reputation as Canada’s federal police service is further damaged.” 

Mendicino’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Daily Brief | Ottawa school board mask debate “a giant gong show”

By
Sue-Ann Levy
-

On Day 28 of the Emergencies Act hearings, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino testified that he was aware that the Freedom Convoy did not pose a threat to national security as is required in the Act. Plus, Convoy lawyer Brendan Miller was ejected from the building by Commissioner Paul Rouleau – a first at the Emergencies Act hearings.

Also, an Ottawa school board meeting turned into a giant gong show as a motion asking all students, teachers and staff be required to mask indefinitely was to be voted on.

And according to the think tank Cardus, more Canadian parents are choosing alternatives to public education.

Tune into The Daily Brief with Anthony Furey and Sue-Ann Levy!

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David Lametti Testifies | Emergencies Act Inquiry

By
True North Wire
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and several of his cabinet ministers will appear before the Public Order Emergency Commission this week to justify the government’s use of the Emergencies Act to quash the Freedom Convoy.

Today, Attorney General David Lametti will appear before the inquiry.

RCMP announces of probe of domestic Chinese police stations

By
Andrew Kozak
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Source: PIxaby

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced Tuesday morning that they are formally probing the issue of the Chinese Communist government having installed police stations on Canadian soil.

According to a news release, they are investigating reports of possible foreign actor interference at undeclared “police service stations” believed to be operating on behalf of the People’s Republic of China in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).”

“The RCMP is aware of reports of activities that are specifically targeting the Chinese diaspora in Canada and is investigating to determine any criminality related to this matter. Our aim is to prevent intimidation, threats and harassment as well as any form of harm initiated on behalf of a foreign entity being applied to any community in Canada,” an RCMP release states. 

The Chinese government has set up unofficial police “service stations” connected to the Fuzhou Public Security Bureau (PSB) and at least three stations are located in the Greater Toronto Area. China claims that through these entities they have been able to crack down on international crimes.

According to Chinese state media, the “service stations” have also been involved in forcing alleged criminals to be sent back to China. Chinese government officials have used tactics like recruiting family relatives, denying children a right to an education and other unscrupulous tactics to have alleged criminals return to the country.

The head of the PSB claims the stations are there to provide “efficient, high-quality and convenient services to overseas Chinese.” Safeguard Defenders, an NGO that aims to enhance civil and human rights in Asia, claims that over 230,000 people have been sent to China through unofficial negotiations.

“It leaves legal Chinese residents abroad fully exposed to extra-legal targeting by the Chinese police, with little to none of the protection theoretically ensured under both national and international law,” said Safeguard Defenders.  

Conservative MP Michael Chong called on the Liberal government to immediately take action and even demand answers from the Chinese ambassador to Canada.

“We’ve heard of threats directly targeting people who are advocating for minority rights in China, such as those from the Uyghur and Tibetan communities. These stations are now another tool that Beijing can use to repress Canadians here in the Chinese community in Canada,” said Chong. 

“The government needs to take immediate action. At minimum, they should be hauling the Chinese ambassador to Canada on the carpet through a formal demarche and strongly voicing our outrage.”

Research conducted by Rapid Response Mechanism Canada (RRMC) obtained from CTV News in June found that the Chinese government allegedly intervened in the 2021 Canadian federal election to influence Canadians not to vote for the Conservatives. 

On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed that he was never briefed on the fact that 11 candidates were suspected of benefitting from Chinese government interference during the 2019 election. 

“Let me be clear, I do not have any information, nor have I been briefed on any federal candidates receiving any money from China,” said Trudeau.

“I have asked the officials to examine these media reports and give all possible answers, everything they can, to the parliamentary committee that’s looking into this.”

The prime minister’s claims are contrary to reports that Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) officials presented briefings to Trudeau and his cabinet in January on the subversion. 

The RCMP report goes on to ask anyone with information about these police stations, including those who may have been harassed by Chinese communist agents, to contact them.

Civil liberty groups blast proposed BC “unexplained wealth” seizure law

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
-

British Columbia’s new Premier David Eby revealed on Sunday that he will be introducing new legislation to allow the government to seize property via an “unexplained wealth order.” 

Civil liberty organizations are up in arms over the proposed law, claiming it violates the rights of Canadians.

The BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) has called the proposed law an “unacceptable infringement” of rights. 

“The BCCLA believes that UWOs are an unnecessary expansion of government power and an unacceptable infringement of Canadians’ rights to the presumption of innocence, due process and privacy,” said the organization.

Unexplained wealth orders were first recommended in a report by the Expert Panel on Money Laundering in BC Real Estate in 2019.

“Civil forfeiture is already used much more readily than criminal prosecution but still requires a link to criminal activity, which may be hard to establish, especially where international transfers are involved,” wrote the panel in a list of recommendations. 

“Unexplained Wealth Orders could be used to confiscate property where there is no evident legitimate source of funds, providing another civil process tool that does not rely on criminal prosecution or evidence of a crime.” 

The premier made the announcement as part of his government’s Safer Communities Action Plan.

Eby claims that the law will be designed to target criminal enterprises and individuals who refuse to reveal the source of their wealth but civil liberties advocates have already raised the alarm about the legislation’s implications.

Eby pointed to findings by the province’s commission into money laundering and organized crime. 

“When we look at that situation, coupled with the report, the public inquiry into money laundering that says that we have a multibillion-dollar problem with money laundering in our province, action needs to be taken,” said Eby. 

If approved, the law is expected to go into effect in spring 2023.

BONOKOSKI: Ministers at the Emergencies Act inquiry are covering their rears

By
Mark Bonokoski
-

The ass-covering now truly begins as those testifying at the probe into the Emergencies Act are now senior politicians in the Justin Trudeau government.

Theirs will be an act of cleansing.

First in the box was Bill Blair, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and former chief of the Toronto police.

“I’ve spent most of my life telling police officers to do their job, and I have every confidence in them,” Blair told the commission. “I’m very proud of my profession. I’m very proud of the men and women who do that work, and I was just trying to encourage them.

“We as a society needed the police because they’re the only ones empowered to deal with these public order events and we needed them to do what was required to bring it to a peaceful resolution. And I was simply commenting that we needed them to do that job.”

Blair, for example, thought the Ottawa Police had an “incorrect” initial response.

“Based on the intelligence that they had, I think allowing those trucks into the downtown core to establish themselves and become essentially very large barricades … I believe that was a mistake,” he said. “It would be better had that not happened.”

And, when he saw news of progress at the Ambassador Bridge blockade in Windsor, Ont., Blair texted his chief of staff Zita Astravas to say “the police are finally doing their job.”

Coming around to the eventual major police action that was seen in the days following the invocation of the Act, Blair told the commission that he thought the police did “an excellent job” in clearing the convoy.

Blair was questioned about comments he made during a Jan. 28 call with his cabinet colleagues in which he said, based on notes taken: “we need to keep the language down.”

“I believe we all have a responsibility to do what is necessary to keep the peace and I was concerned that inflammatory language could incite a more violent response potentially or incite others to continue to come to the protest,” Blair said.

“And so I think one needs to maintain—and I’ve had some experience in this— in your language around an event to speak of it in such a way as to not aggravate it.”

He then went on to elaborate: “I believe in my experience sometimes people live down to your expectations, and so one would want to be careful in how you speak of these events,” he said. “I also quite frankly am always concerned about fear.

“I think fear is one of the greatest enemies of public safety and I think if our language is intemperate, we can make people quite fearful,” he explained. 

“And if people are fearful, then they don’t use public space. They don’t engage with their neighbours; it can actually create a more dangerous situation. And so my advice to colleagues was that we would remain temperate in our language.”

Again, mission accomplished.

Under questioning by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), the minister was asked whether he or his federal colleagues were feeling embarrassed about what was happening in Canada given the international attention on the convoy.

Blair responded: “I’ve never indulged myself in feelings of embarrassment. I’ve got a job to do, we have a responsibility to protect Canadians … and I believe all of my colleagues were deeply motivated by our responsibility to Canadians to do what was required to restore the rule of law and peace.”

The CCLA then called up an undated text message Blair sent to Astravas. According to the screenshot the minister said:

“I am wondering if anyone else is embarrassed that the protest on Wellington is expanding. Dozens of new porta-pottys and a new stage where they are currently holding a concert.

“I am embarrassed for my former profession. And worried for my government which is being made to look very weak and ineffective. I can’t believe that I am hoping that (Ontario Premier) Doug Ford will save us.”

When this was put to him Blair says while his remarks were “intemperate” he was very concerned, going on to list some of what was concerning him, from people losing confidence in the police and the views many had that the federal government was responsible for the situation. 

Conclusion: Butt covered.

Next up? Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, who testified Tuesday that cabinet ministers were worried about their personal safety from the outset of the Freedom Convoy protest in Ottawa because some demonstrators had posted online about targeting their homes.

Fearful politicians. Another box ticked.

Premier Smith announces inflation relief measures, including fuel tax relief

By
Rachel Parker
-

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced wide-ranging measures in a new Inflation Relief Fund to help Albertans through the cost-of-living crisis. 

In an announcement to the province on Tuesday night, Smith said details of the proposal are still being finalized but will include $600 for each senior and each child under 18 every six months. The measure is for families with household incomes below $180,000. 

Smith said too many parents are having to choose between nutritious food for their families and mortgage payments, while seniors are choosing between medicine and fuel.

The province will also suspend the entire provincial fuel tax for at least six months and make the current fuel relief program permanent. Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney first stopped the fuel tax in April, but it was partially reinstated in October once oil prices fell below $100 USD per barrel.

The government will retroactively index all provincial tax brackets to 2022, meaning larger rebates for Albertans. Further, beginning in January, the government will index for inflation a host of benefits, including income support, the Seniors benefit, the Alberta Child and Family benefit, the Persons with the Developmental Disabilities benefit and Assured Income for the Several Handicapped. 

Smith said the province would provide an increased rebate on consumer electricity bills through the winter months, totalling an additional $200 per household. The measure is also intended to limit spikes in winter electricity rates while continuing with the current natural gas rebate program. 

The premier said the announcement is just the first step, and there is much more to do. 

“I will ensure every decision our government makes from now until this crisis is over balances affordability for Albertans with the need for continued balanced budgets and fiscal responsibility,” said Smith.

Regarding the problems plaguing Alberta’s healthcare sector, Smith said Health Minister Jason Copping and Alberta Health Services (AHS) administrator John Cowell initiated a health reform action plan to target the most urgent challenges, including faster response times for Albertans waiting in the emergency room, for an ambulance or for surgery. 

Speaking at the Rural Municipalities of Alberta fall convention on Nov. 8, NDP Leader Rachel Notley promised to restore stability to healthcare by undertaking the largest recruitment effort in the province’s history, if elected premier next year. She also said Smith’s government is consulting with “conspiracy theorists” from former US President Donald Trump’s office, referring to Dr. Paul Alexander who will speak with Smith’s health advisors. 

Smith said her proposed Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act would be ready in about a week. That’s the new name for the Alberta Sovereignty Act; legislation Smith proposed during the United Conservative Party leadership race to bar federal bills deemed harmful to the province. 

The new premier said the legislation would act as a constitutional shield to protect Albertans. 

The new premier closed her speech by saying that while she took controversial positions as a talk show host, many of her opinions have changed as she listened to Albertans. She said it’s her job today to serve Albertans to the best of her abilities. 

Day 28 Recap of Emergencies Act hearings | Mendicino aware convoy didn’t pose national security threat

By
Harrison Faulkner
-

On Day 28 of the Emergencies Act hearings, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino testified that he was aware that the Freedom Convoy did not pose a threat to national security as is required in the Act.

Previously redacted hand-written notes which were made public Tuesday indicated that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s national security and intelligence advisor Jody Thomas was aware on Feb. 14 – the day the Emergencies Act was invoked – that a Section 2 threat to the security of Canada was not met.

Commission counsel asked Mendicino, “were you aware that it had been concluded that Section 2 of the CSIS Act was not met?”

“Yes, I was aware that CSIS had concluded that Section 2 under the CSIS Act was not met. I was aware of that fact,” Mendicino responded.

In order for the government to be justified in invoking the Act, the government must first conclude that a threat to national security as defined by Section 2 of the CSIS Act is met.

Section 16 of the Emergencies Act states, “threats to the security of Canada has the meaning assigned by section 2 of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act.

Convoy lawyer Brendan Miller asked Mendicino about his public comments regarding law enforcement officials requesting the Act, despite testimony at the Commission and before Parliament from law enforcement officials that they never asked the government to invoke the Act.

“You had said after and during the invocation, ‘We are listening to law enforcement. According to law enforcement, we need the Emergencies Act.’ You said that right?” Miller asked Mendicino.

“Yes,” he replied.

“And law enforcement didn’t advise you they needed the Emergencies Act, did they?” Miller said.

“I had every reason to believe that law enforcement was supportive and requested the Emergencies Act through the tools that could only be granted through that statute,” Mendicino replied.

Prior testimony from RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki confirmed that Lucki had told Deputy Minister of Public Safety Rob Stewart via email that she was “of the mind that not all existing tools have been exhausted” by law enforcement prior to the invocation of the Emergencies Act.

Miller then asked Mendicino to explain his comments on the Act being used to clear blockades at border crossings when all border crossings had been cleared prior to the use of the Act.

“It is my understanding that CBSA did use the Emergencies Act powers to prevent two foreign nationals from entering into Canada…by invoking the act we were addressing a gap and what was necessary in those circumstances,” Mendicino said.

Despite it becoming clear from prior witness testimony that CSIS advised cabinet that the Freedom Convoy protest did not constitute a threat to national security as defined by the CSIS Act, Mendicino testified that public servants who “operate in the security and intelligence sphere did advise that the threshold had been met.”

Mendicino also said today that, “as you heard from CSIS, the threshold was met in the broader interpretation of the law.”

Commission counsel also asked Mendicino about how the government decided that the legal threshold was met to invoke the Act when CSIS concluded that the Freedom Convoy did not pose a threat to national security.

Mendicino maintained the position that just because the definition of a threat to the security of Canada wasn’t met, based on interpretation of the legislation, the government made the right decision.

“It was about looking at a protest which became illegal on a national scale,” Mendicino said. “The extraordinary jeopardy that it placed our economy in, the thousands of Canadians that had their jobs interrupted. The fact that businesses were shuttered, the fact that sectors were compromised. The fact that all of this was tied to a politically stated objective to overthrow the government if it refused to reverse course on pandemic policy.”

“Ultimately, for me, at the end of the day, it worked,” Mendicino said.

Prior to Miller’s cross-examination of Mendicino, Miller repeatedly clashed with Commissioner Paul Rouleau over his frustration that a decision to unseal previously redacted documents pertaining to Mendicino’s testimony had taken too long and that it had negatively interfered with his ability to cross-examine the witness.

Rouleau ejected Miller from the building – a first at the Emergencies Act hearings – before eventually allowing him to return to cross-examine Mendicino.

Miller spoke to the media outside of the building after getting ejected by Rouleau.

Miller was also the subject of a formal cease and desist letter sent Tuesday in regards to comments he made at Monday’s hearings.

He claimed that the unidentified man who was caught on camera holding a swastika flag and flying a Confederate flag at the Freedom Convoy was in fact veteran communications professional Brian Fox, who works at the prominent firm Enterprise Canada. It was also claimed that Fox was working alongside the federal government as part of some clandestine operation. 

Lawyers representing Fox and Enterprise Canada said in the letter that Miller’s remarks were “high defamatory”. They state that Fox was not in Ottawa at any point during the time of the convoy and that, far from being a federal Liberal collaborator, is a longstanding member of the federal Conservatives.

“Your implication that Mr. Fox colluded with the incumbent government to discredit protesters has absolutely no basis in fact, and is reckless,” the letter states.

Testifying after Mendicino Tuesday was Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc.

What happens next?

Hearings resume tomorrow morning at 9:30 am ET.

Attorney General David Lametti and the Minister of National Defence Anita Annad are scheduled to testify tomorrow.

Chrystia Freeland and Justin Trudeau are scheduled to testify on Thursday and Friday respectively.

True North will continue to bring you daily coverage of the ongoing Public Order Emergency Commission.

Hamilton library hosts drag queen storytime for “gender-variant” 0 to 4 year olds

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
-

On Thursday the Hamilton Public Library (HPL) will host what’s being billed as a “family-friendly” drag queen storytime advertised to “gender-variant” 0 to 4 year olds. 

According to the event page, performer Hexe Noire will be leading the “supportive and inclusive storytime” at the city’s Terryberry Branch.  

“Hear family-friendly, culturally diverse stories and songs in celebration of families with 2SLGBTQ+ parent(s) and gender-variant children,” reads the event descriptor.

Drag queen story times have faced scrutiny from parents in recent months over concerns that children are being targeted by gender ideology. 

As exclusively reported by True North in August, Quebec drag queen Sebastien Potvin, also known as Barbada de Barbades, has been reading to children in libraries for years. 

“The thing is if I don’t do it, you know, be in a very respectful way for the kids… in a way with words that they understand, in words that they comprehend in order to understand at their level what drag is, they’re gonna learn anyways,” Potvin told True North.

“They’re gonna see stuff on TV. They’re gonna see stuff online, they’re gonna see stuff on Instagram.”

Similarly, the Pickering Public Library hosted a “drag queen story time” for kids aged 0 to 12 this year. 

Meanwhile in British Columbia, a youth pride dance advertised to children in grades K-12 explicitly restricted parents and guardians from attending the event due to “privacy and safety concerns” for LGBTQ+ youth. 

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