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Saturday, July 5, 2025

Saskatchewan MLA accuses feds of performing illegal tests on private farmland

By
Noah Jarvis
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Saskatchewan Party MLA Jeremy Cockrill has published a letter accusing federal employees of trespassing onto the private property of Saskatchewan farmers to test pesticide levels. 

In the letter addressed to environment minister Steven Guilbeault, Cockrill argues that the federal government is encroaching on provincial jurisdiction by performing duties customarily carried out by the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency while failing to request permission of the property owners to carry out the tests.

Cockrill specifically accuses “(G)overnment of Canada employees, in clearly marked Government of Canada vehicles (of) trespassing on private lands.”

“Government of Canada representatives did not request permission to enter from the landowner, nor did they seek permission to perform testing or advise landowners of any other purpose or necessity for attendance.”

According to Cockrill, the Saskatchewan government was contacted by producers in Pense, Mossbank and Pilot Butte with concerns about people from clearly marked Government of Canada vehicles trespassing on private lands, claiming to test the water sources for pesticide/nitrate levels on their grounds.

The letter demands that the federal government “cease and desist” the soil testing of pesticides and nitrates in the soil of private property. It also threatens that continuation of the program could lead to the arrest of anyone caught performing the illegal tests.

Cockrill points to Section 3 of Saskatchewan’s Trespass to Property Act, “Without the consent of the occupier of a premises, no person who is not acting under a right or authority conferred by law shall: enter in or on the premises when entry is prohibited pursuant to this Act.”

If found guilty of violating this law, an assailant can face months of jail time and/or a hefty fine, with anyone who orders someone to commit the offence facing an up to $200,000 fine. 

The Trudeau government has begun to push massive fertilizer use reductions by farmers, citing their climate goals to bring Canada in line with the Paris Climate Accords. 

Farmers have expressed frustration with the Liberal government, as 72% of farmers say Trudeau’s emission reduction scheme will cause crop yield to plummet.

Similar emission reduction schemes in the Netherlands have led Dutch farmers to revolt against their government, blocking critical roadways and limiting the country’s food supply. 

While the Liberal agriculture minister blames misinformation for the combative sentiment against the fertilizer reduction scheme, President of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Gunter Jochum says the policy may spark Canadian protests similar to the Netherlands protests.

True North has reached out to minister Guilbeault for comment. Guilbeault has not responded to the requests.

Western University reinstates masks, mandates Covid boosters

By
Andrew Lawton
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Students and staff at Western University will have to get at least three jabs if they want to remain on campus this year.

The university has also reimplemented its mask mandate, which was suspended for the summer term.

The London, Ont. university quietly updated its vaccine policy Monday, just over two weeks before classes are set to begin.

Western, officially called the University of Western Ontario, appears to be the first Canadian university to implement a booster requirement for the broader campus community. The University of Toronto is requiring boosters from students who will be living in campus residences.

Multiple Western students confirmed to True North that they have not received formal notice of the policy change, which is buried in a link on a page which has not been updated in more than a month. The university’s newsletter announced the policy Monday afternoon after True North sent a request for comment.

The page, a July 21 Covid update from the university administration, promised “an update on the policy and all health and safety measures for the fall academic term the week of August 8.” By the time of publishing, no update had been published, even in light of the new vaccine policy, which is dated August 22, 2022.

Western’s existing policy required all students, staff and visitors on campus to be vaccinated with two doses.

This policy remains in place until October 1, when the booster requirement kicks in. Even visitors to the campus will be required to have at least three doses.

The new policy removes all mention of the term “fully vaccinated.”

Booster uptake in Canada has been generally low, especially among youth. According to the latest data, just 36.39% of 18-29 year olds have received three doses or more, with the rate dropping to 19.27% for 12-17 year olds.

In the policy, Western says it will extend a grace period for students who are ineligible for a booster based on when they received their second dose, but this is contingent on them getting boosted “within fourteen days of becoming eligible.”

Fanshawe College, a large public college also in London, announced last week it was doing away with its vaccine mandate altogether.

A Western administrator said the decision was about “safety.”

“This decision supports the safety of our students, employees and our community with the goal of preserving our in-person experience,” said Dr. Sonya Malone, Western’s occupational health physician. “The last school year showed us that our campus community was on board with the masking and vaccination policy, which was the key to successfully completing the fall and winter terms in person.”

Western is evidently not confident the booster requirement will stamp out viral spread on campus as the university warns it may still bring back mask and social distancing requirements.

“The University may implement further health and safety measures, including, but not limited to, measures in respect of mandatory masking and physical distancing,” the policy says.

The updated policy remains in place for at least a year, meaning students who have not received three doses of a Covid vaccine will be excluded from any on-campus classes in the winter and summer terms as well.

Even online students are affected by the policy if their courses require in-person exam attendance.

Western University formally announced the policy after True North sent a request for comment. This article has been updated to include the university’s explanation for the policy.

U of T report says almost 6 million Canadians experienced food insecurity in 2021

By
Elie Cantin-Nantel
-

A new report by University of Toronto (U of T) researchers found that almost six million Canadians experienced food insecurity in 2021.

The Household Food Insecurity in Canada 2021 study, led by U of T nutritional sciences professor Valerie Tarasuk’s research group PROOF, used data from 54,000 households in Statistics Canada’s Canadian Income Survey.

The report found that 5.8 million people, including 1.4 million children, lived in households facing food insecurity. The total number amounts to the equivalent of 15.9% of households across the 10 Canadian provinces.

The percentage of people facing food security varied by province – with Alberta having the highest rate of food insecurity (20.3%) and Quebec having the lowest (13.1%).

The rate of food insecurity for the other provinces is the following: New Brunswick  (19.0%), Saskatchewan (18.8%), Newfoundland and Labrador (17.9%), Manitoba (17.8%), Nova Scotia (17.7%), Ontario (16.1%), PEI (15.3%), British Columbia (14.9%). 

Data regarding food insecurity in Canada’s territories is not yet available

The report also found that Canadian households facing food insecurity were also reliant on government assistance –  63% of households relied on social assistance, 42% relied  on Covid-19 benefits and 39% relied on employment insurance.

The report found that the Covid-19 restrictions and lockdowns, which led to massive job losses, had a minor impact on food insecurity. Canada’s current economic challenges, particularly historical inflation rates, are playing a major role.

“The situation now is that inflation and prices are skyrocketing,” said Tarasuk. “People with severe food insecurity will suffer more deprivation, and more often turn to acts of desperation in the face of hunger.”

“That’s the urgent challenge for policymakers.”

While inflation slowed to 7.6% in July, food prices continue to increase at a fast pace. Sky-high inflation has caused the price of food in Canada to rise to almost 10% compared to last year.

According to the Daily Bread Food Bank, a Toronto-based food charity, nearly triple the number of people visited a food bank in June 2022 (171,631) compared to June 2019 (65,000).

In addition to the demand for services, Daily Bread Food Bank CEO Neil Hetherington says food banks’ operations are also being impacted because of the increased cost of food.

“We are at a crisis stage and as more people come to food banks across the country, it is more expensive for us to be able to feed that need.”

China-developed business park now open in British Columbia

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
-

The Vancouver Logistics Park opened its doors at the end of July in Surrey, British Columbia after years of planning between the Chinese and provincial governments. 

To date, only 80,000 square feet of the facility has been completed but the entire project will be a massive 470,000 square feet centre and will house exhibition arenas, warehouses and business spaces. 

Beijing first proposed the project as part of its global Belt and Road Initiative, which seeks to spread China’s economic power via infrastructure developments and partnerships abroad. 

The development is being completed by World Commerce Valley, a company belonging to Hong-Kong Based Shing Kee Dodown Group. 

Construction first began in 2018 after former BC Liberal premier Christy Clark signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese province of Guangdong. 

Among those who attended the opening ceremonies for the facility were BC Minister of Trade George Chow, chairman of the Canadian Alliance of Chinese Associations Wei Renmin and representatives from various industry and cultural groups. 

The opening comes as tensions between China and Canada continue to escalate and renewed concerns about Chinese foreign interference in Canada’s politics and in the Chinese diaspora community. 

BC-based journalist Victor Ho was recently paid a visit by Canadian Security Intelligence Service officers after he was blacklisted by the Chinese government for opposing the takeover of Hong Kong. 

Ho was placed on a “wanted list” by China after attending a July event in which activists and community leaders announced a Hong Kong “parliament in exile.” 

“How come our government keeps silent so long?” said Ho of Liberal government inaction on foreign interference. 

“They have full responsibility to take care of the safety of citizens because they are elected by the voters, that is you and me.”

Consultant on government-funded “anti-racism” project posts antisemitic tweets

By
Noah Jarvis
-

The Trudeau government gave a $130,800 grant to an organization whose senior consultant has posted multiple antisemitic tirades.

The Community Media Advocacy Centre (CMAC) received the grant as part of the government’s “anti-racism” program. The senior consultant for CMAC Laith Marouf has posted a series of tweets that denigrate the Jewish community while encouraging Palestinians to resort to violence against Israelis. 

“The Palestinian offer of peace to Zionists, is the same offer Saladin gave to Crusaders: -Accept equality, & you can stay unharmed. -Loot everything & leave; & we will not get in your way. -Fight us and you will die. Simple, just, and uncompromising,” said Marouf in a Twitter post. 

Marouf also said that “Life is too short for shoes with laces, or for entertaining Jewish White Supremacists with anything but a bullet to the head.”

In another tweet, Marouf claimed that once “Palestine” was “liberated,” the Jewish population will be cast out from the country and will have to “go back to where they came from.”

“You know all those loud mouthed bags of human feces, aka the Jewish White Supremacists; when we liberate Palestine and they have to go back to where they came from, they will return to being low voiced bitches of thier Christian/Secular White Supremacist Masters.”

In an announcement promoting a CMAC “anti-racism” event,  Marouf provided a quote for the CMAC press release as he thanked Canadian Heritage for the generous grant.

The $130,800 grant was given to CMAC by Canadian Heritage to help develop an “anti-racism” strategy for Canadian media, as CMAC argues media in Canada should take an “anti-racist” approach to cover the news. 

Minister Hussen issued a statement denouncing Marouf’s comments, making clear that the government does not support antisemitism.

“Our position is clear — antisemitism and any form of hate have no place in Canada. That is why I have asked Canadian Heritage to look closely at the situation involving disturbing comments made by the individual in question.”

While the nature of Marouf’s day-to-day work with CMAC is unknown, the CMAC website and Marouf’s personal website share the same contact cell number. As of this article’s publication, the line has been disconnected. 

Conservative heritage critic John Nater issued a statement expressing frustration with the government’s lack of due diligence in issuing a grant to an organization with a history of antisemitism.

“It is inexcusable that Heritage Canada and the CRTC have not taken steps to ensure government

funds are not provided to any individual or organization espousing hatred against Jewish people,” Nater said.

“I urge you to immediately take steps to verify the information that has been reported and to halt all further funding to the CMAC.”

At the time of publication, Marouf nor CMAC has responded to True North’s request for comment.

WATCH: Seven Liberal claims about the Freedom Convoy officially DEBUNKED

By
True North Wire
-
Darrin Calcutt

Several key pieces of testimony have poked holes in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s justification for using the Emergencies Act to quash peaceful freedom convoy protestors in February.

True North has listed seven instances where officials have categorically disputed the Liberal government’s claims about the Freedom Convoy.

Alberta Roundup | Smith tells Kenney to stay out of leadership race

By
Rachel Parker
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On this week’s episode of The Alberta Roundup with Rachel Emmanuel, Rachel discusses how Premier Jason Kenney and UCP leadership candidate Danielle Smith butt heads over the Sovereignty Act. The act, which Smith is in favour of, seeks to bar federal legislation deemed harmful to Alberta.

Plus, in light of news that an official with Veterans Affairs Canada inappropriately brought up doctor-assisted euthanasia with a veteran seeking treatment for mental health issues, UCP leadership candidate Travis Toews says if he becomes premier, he will do everything in his power to ensure this radical service isn’t offered to those suffering from mental illnesses.

And if you’re looking for your start in Alberta politics, you could become the next leader of the Alberta Liberal Party! This week, it was revealed that no one submitted a nomination to run in the party’s leadership contest by the party’s deadline.

Rachel discusses these stories and more on The Alberta Roundup!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ALBERTA ROUNDUP WITH RACHEL EMMANUEL

Passenger rights advocate slams Ottawa for not holding airlines accountable

By
Elie Cantin-Nantel
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Source: Wikimedia

Air Passenger Rights president Gabor Lukacs says the federal government is failing to hold airlines accountable amid what he describes as “shady corporate behaviour.”

This comes as Canada’s aviation sector is in a state of chaos due to long lines at airports, flight cancellations and delays as well as lost baggage. 

As previously reported by True North, passengers are entitled to compensation of up to $1000 if their flight is delayed or cancelled due to a circumstance that is within the airline’s control.

However, Air Canada and Westjet have been refusing to compensate certain passengers who have been subject to delays. Air Canada even claimed that staffing shortages are a safety issue, which makes it exempt from having to provide compensation.

Lukacs decried the practice, telling True North that “presenting crew shortage as safety is fraudulent. That is breaking the law.”

He also said that the federal government has not been holding airlines accountable.

“The Canadian Transportation Agency’s job would be to enforce the law. They can issue very hefty amounts of penalties to airlines on top of what they owe passengers. And they’re not doing that,” said Lukacs.

Lukacs claims few reported violations committed by airlines have resulted in fines being handed out.

The lack of enforcement by the federal government is problematic according to Lukacs, because it condones a disregard for the rule of law by airlines.

“If there are no real consequences for breaking the law, if it’s not going to hit their bottom line, why should they comply with the law?” He said. “There’s no incentive for airlines to comply with the law.”

The Canadian Transportation Agency is currently facing a backlog of over 18,000 cases, hence Lukacs says Canadians should use other means to hold airlines accountable.

“Passengers who face… problems should take airlines to small claims court.” 

While a current issue, Lukacs says accountability for airlines from the federal government began going downhill in 2013.

Canadian Transportation Agency spokesperson Martine Maltais told True North that its members “strictly decide cases based on the evidence entered into the record of proceedings (that parties had an opportunity to comment on) and by applying the law.”

She also said that “no side discussions take place with the industry with respect to cases before the CTA” and that a number of safeguards are in place to ensure independence and impartiality.

Air Canada and Westjet did not respond to True North’s request for comment in time for publication.

Small businesses struggling to deal with pandemic debt: survey

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
-

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) revealed that small businesses were facing an average debt of $158,000 due to the pandemic. 

According to Blacklock’s Reporter, the report titled Small Business Insolvency: The Tip Of The Iceberg found that a total of 17% of small businesses were considering shutting their doors completely due to the prospect of not being able to pay off debts. 

“Small firms are in for a rough recovery. Governments can step in and help by taking concrete measures. Governments need to decide whether they will make the problem worse by raising taxes,” said CFIB CEO Dan Kelly. 

“Small businesses are feeling the financial pressure mount and seem to have much less room to maneuver.” 

The poll also found that 54% of businesses did not have pre-pandemic revenues and that 62% were holding onto debts accumulated during the pandemic. 

“Only ten percent of Canada’s small business owners would choose to file for bankruptcy if they were unable to keep their doors open,” the report stated. 

“Forty percent of businesses at risk of closure would simply stop operating rather than go through the bankruptcy process. Canadian business insolvency data does not reflect these types of closures.”

Canadians across the country have also had to deal with the prospect of declaring bankruptcy. An Ipsos poll from April found that 49% of Canadians were nearly $200 away from not being able to keep up with their financial obligations. 

Another 31% said that they weren’t earning enough income to be able to pay their bills or other monthly payments. 

During the second quarter of the year personal insolvencies were up by 11% when compared to the year prior. 

Canadians filed over 26,000 bankruptcy claims for that quarter.

Lantsman accuses government of misleading public on airport delays

By
Noah Jarvis
-

Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman is accusing the government of fudging numbers in order to mislead the public on just how many flights are being delayed and cancelled, as well as the long wait times travellers have to endure in security and customs. 

In a lengthy thread on Twitter, the Thornhill MP pointed to a government graphic that makes the claim that 85% of flights left on time or within an hour of their scheduled departure. Lantsman noted that on Aug 17, 40% of Pearson Airport’s flights were delayed, and noted that the government’s messaging ignores the problems at Pearson.

“Yesterday 238 flights were delayed at Pearson. That’s 40%. Not 15%. Adding *within one hour* and taking the average across all Canadian airports paints a pretty inaccurate picture of the actual problem,” Lantsman tweeted.

Over the past few months, Canadian airports have suffered some of the worst delay and cancellation rates in the world, routinely placing above some of Europe’s and America’s worst airports. 

Lantsman also ridiculed the government for ignoring that the problem is mostly concentrated at Toronto’s Pearson airport and Montreal-Pierre Trudeau airport, and presenting data aggregated across all Canadian airports can obfuscate the problem at these airports.

In response to the government claiming that 88% of travellers got through security in 15 minutes or less, Lantsman claims the government is purposely fudging the numbers.

“Look at peak times in the hub airports. Wait times actually increased between June and July according to public CATSA data. Aggregating the data across more airports ignores that delays are concentrated at YYZ and YUL where the solution is asking travellers to come 3hrs early.”

In an interview with Andrew Lawton, former Air Canada COO Duncan Dee claimed that it now takes four times longer to process travellers when compared to pre-pandemic times.

Lantsman capped her thread off by re-posting photos of the long lines in security and customs travellers took while waiting. 

In June, the Trudeau government formed a cabinet committee to help alleviate the pressure being felt at Canadian airports. However, travellers are still enduring abnormally long wait times.

Trudeau’s transport minister Omar Alghabra is set to testify before the transportation committee regarding the airport crisis, a motion brought forward by MP Lantsman.

True North reached out to Transport Canada for comment. As of this article’s publication, they have yet to respond.

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