Each year as students go back to school, the calls for increased funding for public education get louder. Teacher’s unions spread fear about conservative governments making cuts to education, larger class sizes and that the only way to improve student outcomes is for more funding.
However, the facts show a different story that the legacy media doesn’t cover. It’s time for a Reality Check.
In this week’s episode of Reality Check with Jasmine Moulton, Jasmine dissects the left’s most popular arguments and uncovers where increases in education funding really go.
The German Bundestag re-introduced mask mandates for commercial and government flights this week after Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his diplomatic staff were seen flying to Canada maskless.
Scholz met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau while touring Canada to discuss possible energy solutions as Europe faces a crisis due to its reliance on Russian gas. Russia has promised to turn off the taps to its pipelines as a result of European sanctions stemming from the Ukraine conflict.
German-language media outlets such as Welt and Die Weltwoche reported on Scholz’ visit and the contradictory nature of Covid mandates.
“The fact that hardly anyone wore a mask on Scholz and Habeck’s government plane is actually not worth mentioning: travelling like this should have been normal for a long time,” wrote Welt journalist Tim Röhn in German. “But other rules still apply to all other citizens – without mercy.”
Nicht nur, dass Olaf Scholz sich selbst nicht an die unsinnige Masken-Regel halten mag, die er für alle Deutschen in allen deutschen Flugzeugen erlassen hat. Er kommt auch noch mit Maske aus seinem Jet, um das zu vertuschen. Er muss uns einfach für Trottel halten. pic.twitter.com/SgCcMQDO7b
A headline by Die Weltwoche read “Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Economic Minister Robert Habeck flew to Canada – without a mask, despite the obligation to wear one. Are you allowed to do that?”
“Laws can be annoying. Sometimes even pointless. Nevertheless, they apply. For all. without exception,” wrote Die Weltowche journalist Roman Zeller. “Unless your name is Olaf Scholz and you are Chancellor. Or Robert Habeck, the Green Economics Minister. They did not wear a mask on their recent flight to Canada.”
A media flurry and the ensuing public outcry has led German authorities to re-introduce a mask mandate on German flights.
The German government has since insisted that Scholz’s maskless flight did not break any rules despite masks being mandatory for travel in Canada.
“There is no mask requirement on air force flights. All travellers must present a recent negative PCR test before boarding. This ensures high-level protection,” wrote a government spokesperson.
Non-surgical masks are now mandatory on all long-distance flights in and out of Germany.
While visiting Canada, Trudeau shut down Germany’s hopes that the two countries could reach an energy agreement to provide natural gas.
Trudeau told reporters that there was a lack of a “business case” to invest in exporting natural gas to Europe.
“There are a number of potential projects, including one in Saint John, and some others that are on the books for which there has never been a strong business case because of the distance from the gas fields,” said Trudeau.
Seven United Conservative Party leadership candidates sparred on unity, agriculture, spending and energy in the last official leaders’ debate on Tuesday night in Edmonton.
Perceived front runner Danielle Smith’s proposed Sovereignty Act, which would refuse to enforce federal legislation that interferes with provincial jurisdiction or that constitutes an attack on the interests of Alberta, was discussed at length during the debate.
Smith said she has a mandate to pass the Alberta Sovereignty Act as evidenced through the equalization referendum. Quebec and Saskatchewan have both already declared themselves a nation within a nation, she said.
Former Transportation Minister Rajan Sawney said she “completely” disagrees. Smith’s proposal does require a mandate from all Albertans in a general election and “equating the equalization referendum to a mandate for the sovereignty act is ludicrous,” she said.
Speaking about energy diversification, Smith again nodded to her Sovereignty Act to protect Alberta from federal interference.
“I would double-dog dare (Ottawa) to take us to court if we were starting to build pipelines with our First Nations partners, and bringing not only our product to market but also bringing good paying jobs and prosperity to those communities because I tell you, we would win.”
Responding to the federal government’s plan to reduce fertilizer, Brian Jean said “these stupid moves by Justin Trudeau are going to starve the world.”
“Alberta has the opportunity to provide so much more.”
Jean said he would develop a cross-commodity advisory board of farmers and ranchers to give information directly to the ministers and Premier.
Todd Loewen said more advisory boards aren’t needed — “we need to just get government out of the way of farmers and ranchers.” He also said the Trudeau Liberal’s policy is not an environmental policy, it’s a starvation policy, adding, “I guess they want to see us eating crickets instead of beef.”
“I actually think that if we use Justin Trudeau’s BS, we could probably fertilize our crops with that,” Loewen joked.
“Maybe the world couldn’t handle the crops with all that fertilizer.”
Former finance minister Travis Toews said the government will fail to deliver “unless board members, directors and department heads within the bureaucracy are completely and totally aligned with (the) government’s mandate.” He said it was a mistake the government didn’t require this alignment within its first month.
“There were mistakes made and we can never make those mistakes again, because we have a responsibility as elected members to deliver on the mandate that we promised Albertans during the campaign, and that means full alignment with senior bureaucrats,” he said.
Toews and Loewen went head to head on inflation and spending. Loewen said the UCP government spent more, noting the Alberta NDP’s last budget was $56 billion, while the UCP’s was $62 billion.
“That’s over 10% difference. And so we’re, we’re obviously spending more than the NDP did,” Loewen said.
Toews said “misinformation” is not helpful for Albertans. Additional pandemic costs were removed from operational spending which remained flat, he said.
Loewen responded that it’s “pretty easy” to separate “just one little thing” in the budget, but ultimately spending was higher in the UCP government.
UCP MLA Leela Aheer jumped in and said the operational spending was flat because the government “balanced the budget on the backs of our children, their education and our vulnerable.”
On education, Sawhney also said she would re-start the curriculum review which was implemented by Education Minister Adriana LaGrange. It was “controversial from the beginning,” Sawhney said.
“There are good elements to it, but obviously it hasn’t been rolled out properly,” she said.
Toews said he supports curriculum reform focused on disciplines of numeracy, literacy, and a fact-based education.
“Activist ideology has no place in a curriculum,” he said. “It has to be removed.”
Former Children’s Service Minister Rebecca Schulz Schulz wondered why Smith accepts net-zero policies.
“Buying into Trudeau’s Net Zero plan is very confusing for those of us, especially when you’re saying that you want to do things our own way,” Schulz said. “It doesn’t make sense.”
Schulz also said she would continue to suspend the fuel tax, and would take advice from Jean on his policies to make utilities more affordable.
There are 123,915 Albertans eligible to vote in the leadership contest. Members will elect a new leader and Premier on October 6.
Millions of dollars worth of hotel rooms will be reserved to house Ukrainian refugees the federal government announced on Tuesday.
According to Blacklock’s Reporter, a notice by the Department of Immigration titled Accommodations: Ukrainian Nationals reveals details of how the government plans to deal with the influx of 216,000 new Ukrainian refugees.
“The Department of Immigration will be responsible for damages caused to hotel property,” the notice explained.
Housing will be provided across Canada including in major hubs like Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary and elsewhere.
“The contractor must ensure additional room services or features typically available such as, but not limited to, in-room mini bars,” wrote department staff.
“Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel is one of the many special measures the Government of Canada has introduced to support the people of Ukraine due to the crisis resulting from the invasion of Ukraine.”
Advocates have urged the federal government to ramp up the intake of Ukrainian refugees as they flee the war-torn country which was invaded by Russia earlier this year.
“The program allows for a one-time accommodation stay of up to a period of 14 nights for individuals or families,” the notice claimed.
“In addition to this initiative Canada manages a number of other programs where there is a need for temporary accommodations. Although this requirement is primarily for the Canada-Ukraine initiative this request may be used to provide temporary accommodations for other migrants receiving Department of Immigration support.”
The temporary housing program is expected to be even larger than the mandatory quarantine hotel stays implemented at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ukrainian refugees are already being housed in hotels throughout Canada. A recent report by CBC News reveals that 100 families are staying at the Holiday Inn in St. John’s as federal authorities look to provide the refugees more permanent housing solutions.
United Conservative Party (UCP) leadership candidates say Alberta Premier Jason Kenney’s move to index personal income taxes to inflation is a “good first step.”
Kenney announced on Tuesday that Alberta will bring personal income taxes in line with inflation for the 2022 tax year because the government’s finances are “back in order.”
During the final UCP leadership debate in Edmonton on Tuesday night, Kenney’s former transportation minister Rajan Sawhney said the indexing is a “good first step” but said the government must index seniors’ benefits and index benefits for age as well.
“It’s important, when we’re a wealthy province and we’re a government and we have surplus revenues, if we can help we absolutely should help those Albertans who need it the most at this time,” Sawhney said.
The government de-indexed income taxes in 2019, meaning tax levels were no longer tied to inflation.
In a video posted to social media, Kenney said his government promised to get its fiscal house back in order. Now, the government is forecasting a surplus of $13.2 billion because of oil royalties, and because government spending is under control, Kenney said.
“We’ve delivered and now we’re putting more money back in your pockets.”
We promised Albertans we would get our fiscal house back in order. We've delivered – and now we're putting more money back in your pockets.
I'm pleased to announce that Alberta will index personal income taxes to inflation, retroactive to the 2022 tax year.
Kenney said the policy will benefit the average taxpayer by about $300. It will cost the province $300 million.
Former Children’s Services Minister Rebecca Schulz also said she was also happy to see the government reindex personal income taxes.
Independent MLA Todd Loewen said indexing personal income taxes has cost Albertans more every day since it was implemented in 2019.
UCP MLA Leela Aheer said the government has not yet reindexed age as it had promised and “that’s something that we have to do immediately, as well as Alberta seniors benefits.”
“The dollars in this province that you spend your hard earned tax money belongs with you and helping you to build your province and make things move forward for all of us,” she said.
Recent polls have placed Aheer and Sawhney at the bottom of the seven leadership candidates. Danielle Smith is leading the pack, followed by former finance minister Travis Toews, UCP MLA Brian Jean, Schulz and Loewen.
NDP Finance Critic Shannon Phillips said the government de-indexed personal income taxes in their first budget, which increased income taxes on Albertans.
“This tax increase has cost Albertans hundreds of millions in additional taxes during the worst affordability crisis in 40 years,” she said in a statement.
It was laughable to see Toronto-Centre MP and Minister for Gender Equity Marci Ien tweet about the $100-million her government intends to throw at the 2SLGBTQI+ community to allegedly combat hate and discrimination.
The announcement was made with great fanfare at Ottawa Pride Sunday with the Prime Minister and various radical trans activists in the room.
Today, we announced Canada’s first ever Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan. Which will work to continue to elevate 2SLGBTQ+ equality, protect 2SLGBTQ+ rights, and address longstanding discrimination against 2SLGBTQ+ communities. pic.twitter.com/yNoU4ZGKnU
It was no doubt partly an attempt to throw a shiny object into the social media and legacy media-sphere to distract from the government’s bad week during which it was revealed that Laith Marouf – funded by the Heritage ministry –to conduct “anti-racism” courses across Canada – was exposed as a virulent antisemite.
The $100-million action plan is apparently aimed at creating a more equitable Canada for 2SLGBTQI+ communities in Canada, or so it contends.
According to the plan – which is chock full of words that appear to be from the Gender Studies departments of our woke universities – it was developed using a gender-based analysis/intersectional approach.
That suggests some 2SLGBTQI+ people are impacted by colonialism, ableism, sexism, classism, systemic racism – the latter straight from the tenets of Critical Race Theory which suggests blacks and by extension black LGBTQ folk are more oppressed than similar white folk.
In fact, the plan itself says that such people experience “minority stress.”
Reading through the 53-page document, it quickly became clear – besides the repeated use of bafflegab – that lumping the 2SLGBTQI+ population together was highly disingenuous.
The intent of this plan is to fulfill the government’s diversity and inclusiveness agenda. There’s no doubt in my mind that the $43-million-plus in “capacity building grants” will be aimed at black, racialized, Indigenous and gender equity activists.
These are radical trans activists like Fae Johnstone – who attended the announcement and expressed her delight at being granted a shout-out by Ien.
Another incompetent Trudeau Ministerial appointment @MarciIen. Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth centering a trans misogynist. How much grant money is Marci gonna throw at this one? Who is doing the vetting? Another Laith Marouf in the offing. pic.twitter.com/w7UUpKam2B
— David Pasko_OCT 光復香港時代革命 (@DavidPasko_OCT) August 29, 2022
Johnstone is the antithesis of Jenn Smith, the trans activist from B.C. I wrote about earlier this week.
Johnstone has a history of accusing anyone who questions radical gender ideology – that attempts to indoctrinate elementary school kids – as being “TERFs (trans-exclusionary radical feminist) and transphobic” as well as messengers of “anti-trans hate.”
Anyone doubting that anti-trans hate is on the rise in Canada, that we’re somehow “different” from the US and UK…
The National Post, owned by PostMedia (who own newspapers across Canada) is now echoing calls to (further) restrict access to gender affirming care for youth. pic.twitter.com/Oyt8lqnMhj
Her often angry and unintelligible tweets exemplify the growing divide in Canada’s LGBTQ+ community. Many lesbians and gays want nothing to do with radical trans activism – which appears to be perpetuated by biological males who identify as women and call themselves “queer.”
Echoing @TylerKBoyce’s point that investing in 2SLGBTQIA+ community organizations is more important now than ever.
A well-funded queer sector is essential to address rising anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate.
These are the kind of people Ien and the rest of the federal diversity bureaucrats are listening to when they set policy.
Is it any wonder we have scandals like that involving Laith Marouf?
This tweet thread from Ottawa-based gender rights activist Mia Ashton sums up the fiasco that is Ottawa funding quite nicely:
It's hard to remain positive in Canada with Trudeau at the helm. Yesterday, the "Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan" was announced, with $100 million in funding for groups that believe men can be women, castrating kids is something to celebrate, and same-sex attraction is transphobic. pic.twitter.com/mmfC5uN0cS
The Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ) says that people vandalizing their campaign signs threatened to stab volunteers who installed them.
In a press release Monday, the party said that there were two separate incidents where volunteers were allegedly threatened with a knife after asking vandals to stop damaging campaign signs.
The first incident took place Saturday night in the Montreal riding of Rosemont and the second took place in Sept-Iles Sunday afternoon.
Montreal Police spokesperson Gabriella Youakim told the Montreal Gazette that a 49-year-old man was arrested in connection to the incident in Rosemont. He was released the following day and is set to face unspecified charges.
On Monday, the PCQ said police are looking for the Sept-Iles suspect.
PCQ leader Eric Duhaime called the situation devastating, but said he is “relieved to know that both (volunteers) are doing well, despite the circumstances”
“It is beyond me that in a democratic state like ours, events like this can still happen,” he added.
Duhaime also said that “the supporters of all parties, without exception, have the right to be actively involved in politics, without having to fear for their safety.”
In response to the incident, Quebec Liberal Party leader Dominique Anglade said, “I encourage people to voice their concern, voice their opinion, but stay away from attacking anyone, of course.”
Meanwhile, Quebec Premier Francois Legault pointed out that some of his campaign signs were also destroyed, adding “I denounce that for all parties. It’s unacceptable and it’s against the law.”
The incident comes amid a nationwide discussion around abuse directed at political figures – which was sparked after Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was verbally ambushed by an angry man in Grande Prairie, Alberta last week.
WATCH: Canada’s deputy prime minister and finance minister, Chrystia Freeland was verbally abused while approaching the elevator of a city hall building in Grande Prairie, Alberta, when one man shouted at her. #Canadapic.twitter.com/J81DF5mCYk
Progressive politicians like Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh were quick to denounce Freeland’s experience on Twitter – but did not tweet their thoughts on what happened to the Conservative volunteers.
Former Liberal MP and CEO of the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center Michael Levitt blasted his former colleagues for not taking a stand against the hiring of fired “anti-racist” antisemite consultant Laith Marouf.
Marouf who benefited from a $130,800 federal grant was exposed earlier this month for a series of antisemitic tweets in which he said “Jewish White Supremacists” deserved a “bullet to the head.”
“Looking back on events over the last week (with) regards to (the) Marouf affair, I’m utterly disheartened,” tweeted Levitt.
“Taking a stand against antisemitism should be a given & yet so few of my former Liberal colleagues have done so. This truly hurts. Jewish MPs shouldn’t be left to call this out alone.”
Looking back on events over the last week w/ regards to Marouf affair, I’m utterly disheartened. Taking a stand against antisemitism should be a given & yet so few of my former Liberal colleagues have done so. This truly hurts. Jewish MPs shouldn’t be left to call this out alone.
Critics have accused the Liberals of refusing to take responsibility over the hiring of Marouf.
In a statement by Minister of Housing and Diversity Ahmed Hussen, he placed blame on Marouf’s organization, the Community Media Advocacy Centre (CMAC), instead of taking responsibility for hiring him.
“We call on CMAC, an organization claiming to fight racism and hate in Canada, to answer to how they came to hire Laith Marouf, and how they plan on rectifying the situation given the nature of his antisemitic and xenophobic statements,” wrote Hussen.
CMAC is composed of Marouf and his wife.
Recent reports have shown that the Liberal government was aware of Marouf’s antisemitic views as far back as April.
In an interview with the National Post, Liberal MP Anthony Housefather claimed Hussen was informed of Marouf well in advance of the news breaking in August.
“I said the contract had to be cancelled. I alerted him and I persistently communicated with the minister in his office, from the day I learned about it, until today, and aggressively demanded that action be taken. Action could have been taken more quickly,” said Housefather.
On this episode of The Rupa Subramanya Show, Rupa is joined by Dr. Neil Rau, an Infectious Diseases Specialist and Medical Microbiologist at Halton Health to get an expert opinion on the mandates that crippled Canada’s economy and changed the fabric of our society.
Rupa and Dr. Rau look at several universities in Ontario that are still requiring masking and vaccine mandates in order for students returning to school in just a few weeks. Despite the fact that Ontario Public Health is not planning to mandate boosters, the universities are doubling down.
In addition, Dr. Rau talks about his own experience being called an “antivaxxer” for questioning whether additional vaccine doses would improve case numbers and for advocating for the role that natural immunity could play in ending the pandemic.
On Monday, Liberal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino pledged to rush through internet censorship legislation once parliament returns this fall.
According to Blacklock’s Reporter, Mendicino said his government would “lean in” on the incoming “online safety” bill.
“I assure you that Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez and others within our government are leaning in on this and will bring forward the legislation as quickly as possible,” said Mendicino.
Prior to the last federal election, the Liberals attempted to introduce Bill C-36 which would amend the Criminal Code to charge people with up to $70,000 in fines or house arrest for being “likely to foment detestation or vilification of an individual or group.”
The bill would also revive the controversial Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act which was shut down by the Stephen Harper government for violating fundamental rights to freedom of expression.
“I know that Minister Rodriguez is very eager to bring forward this legislation,” said Mendicino. “Others within our government are very eager to take the feedback they have received.”
Civil liberties and constitutional rights groups have called Ottawa’s plan to censor the internet by appointing a “Digital Safety Commissioner” an affront to fundamental rights and democracy.
Last year, the federal government opened up consultations on how best to deal with harmful online content.
Among the groups opposed to the proposed legislation was the Independent Press Gallery (IPG).
“The Proposal is overly broad and unworkable. It encroaches on free expression and fails to provide adequate protection to ensure that the Executive or regulator exercise their authority reasonably,” wrote IPG President Candice Malcolm.
“The mechanisms and results proposed will stifle communication, infringe on basic freedoms, and suppress diversity of perspectives.”
True North journalists are certified members of the IPG.
In total, the federal government received 9,218 submissions on the law, a vast majority of which were opposed to internet regulation.
In a Feb. 3 report titled What We Heard: The Government’s Proposed Approach To Address Harmful Online Content officials wrote that “only a small number of submissions from stakeholders were supportive” of the measures.
