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Sunday, June 29, 2025

Food banks reporting worst summer in 40 years

By
Harrison Faulkner
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As inflation wreaks havoc on the cost of living, Food Banks Canada CEO Kirstin Beardsley says this may be the worst summer Canada’s food banks have ever seen.

According to the Canadian Press, Beardsley says inflation has caused a strain on their network.

“You’ve got more people coming through the doors because they aren’t able to put food on the table for their families, you’ve got fewer people in the community who are in a position to give — they might not need a food bank but their budgets are stretched,” says Beardsley. 

According to Beardsley, the number of first-time users has risen significantly in recent months. 

Canada’s consumer price inflation in June rose to 8.1% – the largest yearly change since January 1983.

Historically-high inflation rates have increased the cost of goods and services across Canada.

According to Statistics Canada, the cost of basic accommodations jumped by nearly 50% across Canada when compared to last year. Air travel also saw a 6.4% increase in prices. 

Heavily impacted food items include onions which jumped by 25% in June, prices of carrots also spiked by 23% while canned beans went up by 20%.

Meats like chicken breast and ground beef spiked by 20% and 10% respectively. 1kg of chicken breast costs $15.04 on average while 1kg of ground beef goes for $10.32.

The governor of the Bank of Canada Tiff Macklem warned Canadians to brace for further economic stress this winter and further skyrocketing prices.

In June, Food Banks Canada reported approximately seven million Canadians went hungry at least once between March 2020 and March 2022. As inflation continues to rise, the situation will likely become more dire. 

Food Banks Canada is appealing to Canadians to donate food and make monthly donations if they’re able. 

“If you are in a position to give, please think about your neighbours in need,” said Beardsley. 

Canadians who are in a position to give can make a donation to Food Bank Canada here.

Tamara Lich released from jail

By
Andrew Kozak
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Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich has been released from jail after a Superior Court judge granted her bail on Tuesday. 

Lich was arrested in June after being accused of violating her previous bail conditions, specifically one preventing her from communicating with other convoy organizers including Benjamin Dichter, Chris Barber and Tom Marzzo except in the presence of counsel.

On Tuesday, Ontario Superior Court Justice Andrew Goodman ruled that Lich’s alleged breach of bail conditions was “tenuous.” Goodman says Lich demonstrated adherence with her conditions by seeking to change the conditions in courts and in his conversations between Lich and her surety.

“I find it highly unlikely that this 49-year old accused with no criminal record…would face a potentially lengthy term of imprisonment,” Goodman said.

Goodman ruled that Lich will not be charged with sedition or starting riots, regardless of how some people have viewed the Freedom Convoy.

In his ruling, the judge said the bail process is not a forum to address opinions of the convoy’s activities nor to advance any political position. 

“No court would ever seek to control the possession or manifestation of political views,” Goodman said.

The judge concluded by cautioning Lich, saying that “it must be crystal clear to you by now that the authorities are monitoring your every action.” 

During the hearing on Monday, Crown attorneys claimed that Lich violated her bail conditions in which she was ordered not to communicate with any convoy organizers. 

Lich’s lawyer Lawrence Greespon argued that Marazzo and Lich did nothing more than shake hands and pose for a photo at the event where she received the Freedom Award for her role in the convoy in February.

Goodman said the Justice of the Peace Paul Harris had made “erroneous” conclusions and “misapprehended” the evidence against Lich when deciding she broke her bail conditions. 

The new conditions of her bail include another $37,000 bond and tightened rules around communication with the convoy organizers.

Lich spent nearly 30 days in jail after a Canada-wide warrant for her arrest was issued by Ottawa Police. 

Lich faces charges of mischief, obstructing police, counselling others to commit mischief and intimidation. Her next court appearance is scheduled on July 28.

Canada should support Iranian uprising against regime: John Baird

By
Andrew Lawton
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When the people of Iran rise up against their government, western governments should get behind them, former Canadian foreign affairs minister John Baird said.

Speaking exclusively to True North’s Andrew Lawton outside Durres, Albania, Baird said it’s not for Canada or other countries to impose regime change, but they can support the Iranian people when they pursue it themselves.

“Military backed regime change by force doesn’t work. We saw that, regrettably, in Iraq. Having said that, we’ve got to stand with the people in the resistance,” Baird said. “It won’t be western governments that choose the next government of Iran, it will be a democratic choice…. And when the people of Iran begin to do the final push to freedom, those of us outside whether it’s in the west, the Arab world, or Israel, should support their aspirations and do all we can to help.”

Baird said he thinks that moment is coming soon.

“When change happens – when regimes fall – it’ll happen very quickly,” he said. “And there’s no doubt we’re getting closer to that day.”

The interview took place at Ashraf-3, the headquarters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK), an Iranian resistance group linked with the National Council of Resistance of Iran.

The MEK was supposed to host its flagship Free Iran Global Summit last weekend, but had to cancel the event due to a terror threat first publicly acknowledged by the United States embassy in Albania. Baird was among hundreds of foreign dignitaries slated to attend, including former Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper and a delegation of Canadian members of parliament.

In the interview with True North, Baird said it’s clear the Iranian regime led by Ebrahim Raisi and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is in “fear” of the MEK, which boasts a network of thousands of resistance members operating inside and outside of Iran.

The (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) is starting to crack,” Baird said. “The government is afraid. The fact that they were scheduling a terrorist attack on Ashraf 3 this weekend showed how much they fear this, this organization.”

Baird, who served as foreign affairs minister from 2011 to 2015, said Iran is increasingly isolated from the world, including other Muslim nations like the Sunni gulf states of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain.

“They live right across the Gulf from the mullahs in Tehran,and so they’re every bit as afraid of this regime as we are,” Baird said, noting Iran’s continued large-scale state sponsorship of terrorism in the Middle East and around the world.

Baird expressed his support for the National Council of Resistance of Iran’s “Ten Point Plan for Future Iran,” a declaration championed by the organization’s president-elect, Maryam Rajavi. The plan calls for a democratic and secular Iran, rejecting clerical rule and embracing freedom of speech, religious freedom, and gender equality.

Baird said Rajavi’s roadmap is good for Iran, and also the world, which helps explain the support across party lines in Canada, the United Kingdom, and United States for the Iranian resistance.

He was clear to point out, however, that it’s the people and not the politicians at the centre of the fight.

“I’m inspired by their courage and bravery,” he said.

NDP MP says ArriveCAN is about tracking, not safety

By
Elie Cantin-Nantel
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NDP member of parliament Brian Masse is calling on the Trudeau government to scrap the controversial ArriveCAN requirement, saying it has nothing to do with public health.

“I always fight for safety 1st, ArriveCAN is not that. It’s being used as a back door to permanently track all border crossing,” Masse said.

“MPs need to speak up now or it will destroy our tourism industry, frustrate & create longer line ups when the technology fails.”

Masse told the Windsor Star he has been calling for the requirement to be scrapped for about a month.

“All it does is delay traffic and frustrate people. It has no practical application to enhance public safety.”

Masse believes one of the reasons the app doesn’t enhance safety is because people can input their details 72 hours before their crossing, giving them time to get infected with the virus.

He also said that ArriveCAN “only covers vaccinations one and two,” and not the boosters – making the app outdated.

Masse told the Windsor Star that there is a consensus among border town MPs that the app is causing harm to Canada’s reputation.

“Branding is now becoming an issue,” said Masse. “All border MPs know this. We are basically watching the destruction of our tourism industry.”

“People are just going to stay away.”

Despite growing demands from the public, politicians and industry experts to scrap ArriveCAN, the Trudeau government is continuing to double down on its mandatory use – claiming the pandemic isn’t over.

The feds also recently made enhancements to the app to allow people to submit CBSA customs and immigration declarations prior to their arrival.

This has led to speculation the Trudeau government is planning on making the ArirveCAN app a permanent feature of entry to Canada.

Documents reveal that federal bank kept track of customers supporting Freedom Convoy

By
Andrew Kozak
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Internal documents procured through an Access to Information request by Blacklock’s Reporter confirm that Farm Credit Canada of Regina (FCC) told employees to record the names of customers who supported the Freedom Convoy. Emails among staff showed names were still being compiled even after the Emergencies Act was lifted. 

“If you become aware of a customer’s involvement, report it immediately,” the FCC chief operating officer Sophie Perreault wrote in an email dated February 23. FCC customers suspected of sympathizing with the Freedom Convoy were not to be told they were under watch, wrote Perreault. The Emergencies Act was lifted a few hours later.

“If you become aware of potential customer involvement in blockades, occupations and other support of activity related to the ‘Freedom Convoy’ you must submit a tip to the customer diligence centre,” said the email. 

“Include the customer’s name, stated involvement, date and any other pertinent details. Please do not complete any investigative work yourself or communicate any information about FCC’s approach to customers who voluntarily disclose their involvement.”

Perrault warned that customers would face “appropriate action” if they’re deemed supportive of the convoy.

“Any individual and entities that have been verified by the authorities as participating in illegal activity under the Act will face appropriate action which will include not onboarding those found to violate the Act, freezing disbursements and assessing the need to terminate business relationships,” Perraultl wrote.

Records show as late as February 28, five days after the Act was lifted, employees continued to record the names of customers as Freedom Convoy sympathizers.

Blacklock’s Reporter confronted the FCC on February 24, but the agency denied any blacklist.  “FCC has not compiled any list with respect to the Freedom Convoy,” wrote managers at the time. 

“FCC employees must not speak to media.”

The FCC claims in another email from an unnamed manager that employees were not instructed to “hunt people down and start scouring the net to see if a customer was involved” in the convoy. However, internal emails revealed that employees were doing just that as late as February 28.

Here is another tip for file,” wrote one employee. 

“I have identified two FCC customers that occupied Ottawa,” wrote another. “Both had trucks parked (blockade) and there are several photographs online. If sources are required please let me know.”

Emails also revealed that some FCC employees questioned their employer’s directive to report the names and “other pertinent details” of customers who supported the Freedom Convoy. 

“Why are we investigating this?” wrote one manager. “I expected we would get a list from the RCMP.”

On Feb 14, the Trudeau government invoked the Emergencies Act to crack down on weeks-long Freedom Convoy demonstrations against government Covid-19 mandates and restrictions. A special Joint Committee on the Declaration of Emergency was formed on Mar. 3 to investigate Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to invoke the never-before-used act. 

In June, the government decided to release the documents it used to justify invoking the Emergencies Act to the Public Order Emergency Commission on Tuesday after claiming for weeks that they were protected under cabinet confidence.

Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper endorses Pierre Poilievre

By
Elie Cantin-Nantel
-

Former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper has endorsed Pierre Poilievre’s bid to become the next leader of the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC).

The endorsement comes as party members across the country receive their mail-in ballots to vote in the contest. 

In a video posted Monday evening, Harper said Poilievre has been the “most vocal and effective critic of the Trudeau Liberals” and is “proposing answers rooted in sound conservative ideas, but one’s adapted for today’s realities.” 

The former prime minister believes Poilievre has earned strong support among the Conservative caucus and party members and Poilievre is “bringing the most new members and a new generation” into the CPC.

“That’s how we win the next federal election,” Harper said.

In response to the endorsement, Poilievre said he “was proud to serve in [Harper’s] Cabinet, and it’s a big honour to have his support in this leadership race.”

In response to Harper’s endorsement, rival candidate Jean Charest said that the former Prime Minister  “was successful in uniting the Conservative Party of Canada.” He added that he commits to doing the same if he is chosen to be the party’s next leader. 

“Mr. Harper has made a personal choice. He and his supporters will always be welcome in the CPC.”

In February, sources close to Harper said the former prime minister was opposed to the prospective candidacy of former Quebec Liberal Premier Jean Charest. 

“He will not sit idly by if Jean Charest enters the race,” an unnamed source told Quebec newspaper La Presse in February.

“The boss (Harper) is of the opinion that Jean Charest is not a real conservative.” 

Harper served as Canada’s prime minister from 2006 to 2015, winning a historical majority in 2011. He is considered to be one of the top conservative figures in Canada.

The winner of the 2022 federal Conservative leadership race will be announced in Ottawa on September 10.

UCP leadership candidates vary in approach to fight feds’ fertilizer reduction scheme

By
Rachel Parker
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Alberta’s United Conservative Party (UCP) leadership candidates are all concerned with Ottawa’s plan to reduce fertilizer emissions, but offer different proposals to fight back should they be elected Premier in October.  

The federal government is looking to impose a requirement to reduce nitrous oxide emissions from fertilizers by 30% as part of its overall effort to reduce emissions by 40 to 45% by 2030.

Reducing fertilizer use by 30% right now means less food at a time when the world needs it most, said leadership candidate and UCP MLA Rebecca Shulz.

“Instead of picking fights with those who produce our food, (the federal Liberals) should be cleaning up their own messes and making life more affordable for people right across this country,” Shulz said in a video posted to social media. 

The proposal is a direct attack on Alberta farmers and the food supply, said candidate Danielle Smith. The former Opposition Wildrose leader pointed to the controversial Alberta Sovereignty Act, which would bar federal legislation deemed harmful to the province, as the solution.

“Angry letters is not enough anymore, they don’t work,” she said in a post to Facebook. “It’s time to act with strength to protect our provincial jurisdiction from Ottawa.”

The Sovereignty Act is the product of the Free Alberta Strategy Group, of which co-founder Rob Anderson recently took a leave to serve as Smith’s campaign chair. 

Todd Loewen, who also supports the Act, agreed that strongly worded letters, panels, reports, and referendums have not slowed down Ottawa’s attack on Alberta and its industries. 

“We need to just say no to these federal intrusions into our business,” Loewen said in a statement to True North.

A Brian Jean government would file an immediate Court reference on Trudeau’s proposed nitrogen/fertilizer emission caps and invite other provinces to join, said Jean.

Jean said the March 2021 Supreme Court ruling, which ruled in favour of Ottawa’s plan to impose a carbon tax on the provinces, should not apply to agriculture and fertilizer – both of which are under exclusive provincial jurisdictions.  

“We would also challenge, under the grounds that the science on the relationship between fertilizer and climate change is not persuasive and the harms from limiting fertilizer would more than exceed any notional national benefit on emissions,” he said in a statement to True North.

Former Finance minister Travis Toews said he would work with like-minded provinces to apply a “full court press” and push Ottawa back. Alberta’s farmers and ranchers are the best in the world, and they’re already incentivized not to over fertilize, he said.

“So right now, I would work to defend Alberta farmers and ranchers and ensure that our focus — instead of on simple fertilizer use reduction — is focused on maximizing responsible production at a time when the continent, and in fact the world, needs responsibly produced Alberta and Canadian agricultural products.”

UCP MLA Leela Aheer said the federal government is once again demonstrating it doesn’t trust carbon pricing to meet its emission targets  “and the first Canadians in the crosshairs are farmers.” Sector based targets are not compatible with economy wide carbon pricing, she said in a news release.

“The Environment Minister must make a choice: exempt agriculture from carbon pricing or stop his ruinous sector target,” she wrote to supporters. 

UCP members will elect a new leader and Premier on October 6. 

Rallies held across Canada in solidarity with Dutch farmers

By
Elie Cantin-Nantel
-

Canadians across the country held rallies on Saturday to show solidarity with Dutch farmers. 

Farmers in the Netherlands have been protesting Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s controversial emissions reduction plans, which will require farmers to drastically reduce their nitrogen emissions in order for the country to meet its 2030 climate goals.

Farmers say the plan will decimate their industry.

Vehicle convoys and rallies organized by Canadians to show support for the Dutch farmers were held in several Canadian provinces, including Ontario and Alberta.

Separate convoys left from Brockville and Renfrew Saturday morning and joined forces midday in Kanata, a suburb of Ottawa.

The convoy then did a “slow roll” towards the Dutch Embassy in  downtown Ottawa, but faced several restrictions and regulations imposed by Ottawa Police. 

The convoy was greeted by a large group of supporters who had gathered downtown – many of whom were waving dutch flags.

In Toronto, a convoy was organized in Newcastle, Sunderland, Barrie, Orangeville, Cambridge and Hamilton – all sharing Vaughan Mills as their final destination.

A rally was also held in downtown Toronto, which was attended by a large number of people.

Among those in attendance was 71-year old Joanne Walsh, a fully vaccinated Canadian citizen who was ordered into quarantine for not using the Trudeau government’s ArriveCAN app.

In Alberta, a convoy of demonstrators drove from Calgary to Edmonton, passing by multiple towns along the way, including Red Deer.  

According to social media posts, the Alberta convoy included farming machinery and a Lamborghini.

The Convoy arrived at the Alberta Legislature in downtown Edmonton Saturday afternoon, where it too was greeted by supporters.

Despite the Dutch government’s controversial emissions reduction plans leading to massive protests, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is planning on adopting a similar policy. 

The Trudeau government wants to reduce 30% of fertilizer use by the year 2030, a proposal which has received backlash from provincial governments and farmers. 

CBC employees earned $30 million in Covid bonuses during pandemic

By
Andrew Kozak
-

The CBC paid $30 million in Covid bonuses to over 1000 employees amounting to roughly $15,000 each in 2020 and 2021, even though the state broadcaster reported draining ad revenue and a lack of funding from the government at the time.

Figures showed a total of $15,013,838 paid to 1034 employees in 2020, resulting in $14,520 each and a total of $15,398,101 to 1033 employees in 2021, at the sum of $14,906 for each employee. Access To Information records obtained by Blacklock’s Reporter detailed payments to bonuses to unidentified executives at the CBC. 

During this time, the CBC was forced to lay off 11 staff at its Radio Canada International division and required a $21 million government bailout during the pandemic, in addition to its $1.5 billion annual federal grant.

“The Covid-19 pandemic and the challenges of covering it put immense pressure on CBC’s workforce, operations, finances and systems,” said an April 20, 2021 cabinet briefing on Funding Support For The CBC. “The postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics also put additional pressure on its cash flow.”

In the first quarter of 2020, the CBC reported a $15 million decrease in revenue and $10 million increase in government funding as compared to the first quarter of the 2019-2020 fiscal year. The second quarter saw a further decrease in revenue by $10 million and $4 million decrease in government funding. The CBC’s revenue again decreased in the third quarter by $5 million while funding increased by a total of $20 million.

A spokesperson with CBC Leon Mar told the National Post the bonuses were paid out as part of the corporation’s broader business plan, meant to “focus collective and individual efforts on achieving the Corporation’s objective.”

During the pandemic, the state broadcaster halted its local newscasts in major Canadian cities  in an effort to reduce its costs. 

At the time, the general manager of news Susan Marjetti said this decision was being made to “temporary pool our resources.” 

“Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures,” said Marjetti.

The CBC’s decision led to a backlash from many MPs, who claimed their constituents relied on the local newscasts for their news. 

“I cannot stress how shortsighted this would be,” wrote then-Liberal MP Scott Simms for Coast of Bays, NL, chair of the Commons heritage committee. 

“This lack of understanding and focus as to the proper role of a public broadcaster is deeply concerning and it brings into serious question the judgment of executives in times of crisis,” wrote then-Liberal MP Wayne Easter.

“In Prince Edward Island CBC is the only TV network that provides important coverage of the premier and cabinet ministers.”

Blair and Lucki deny interference allegations in mass shooting investigation

By
Andrew Kozak
-

Former Public Safety Minister Bill Blair is denying accusations that the government pressured RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki to release information relating to the investigation of the Nova Scotia mass shooting to justify the Trudeau government’s gun control legislation.

“At no point did I direct the RCMP in any operational matter, including public communications,” Blair testified at the House of Commons public safety committee on Monday. “I did not ask them to release any specific information, nor did I receive a promise for them to do so.”

RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki, who also appeared before the committee, blamed “conference-call misunderstandings” on the allegations that she had interfered in the Nova Scotia mass shooting investigation.

Lucki denied all accusations that she asked local police to make the details of the weapons used by Gabriel Wortman public. Lucki also denied that pressure came from then-Public Safety Minister Bill Blair or PM Justin Trudeau. 

“I did not interfere in the investigation around this tragedy,” Lucki said. “Specifically, I was not directed to publicly release information about weapons used by the perpetrator to help advance pending gun control legislation.”

The allegations were first uncovered in handwritten notes by RCMP Senior Mountie Darren Campbell in a report published by the mass casualty inquiry last month. Campbell specifically detailed pressure Lucki had allegedly put on investigators to release sensitive details.  

The notes, which were backed up by testimony by RCMP Communications Director Lia Scanlan, described a telephone meeting after a conference call on April 28 where Lucki chastised officials for not releasing information on the shooter’s firearms, claiming she’d “promised” Blair and Trudeau that the information would be made public. 

Lucki testified that she “may have” used the word “promise” during conversations with the Trudeau government about releasing the information.

Lucki says she had already told Blair that information in a confidential April 23 memo that contained a list of firearms seized from Wortman’s residence would be released to the public on April 28, blaming the scandal on miscommunications during the teleconference.

“When my communications team told me (the list of seized firearms) would be included (in the April 28 press conference,) I relayed this information back to Minister Blair’s chief of staff and the deputy minister of public safety,” Lucki said. 

In June 2020 the RCMP confirmed that all five weapons used by the shooter were illegally sourced and were illegal prior to the Trudeau government’s gun ban. The list of Wortman’s arsenal would be made public in November 2020 as a result of an access to information request made by the National Post.

Lucki testified that she considered the matter closed after being told that releasing the information would jeopardize the ongoing investigation. 

“Had I known my words and my approach had such an effect, I would have definitely made things right sooner,” she said.

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