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Thursday, July 10, 2025

BRODIE: Calgary City Council has one successful political party. Now, it needs more.

By
Ian Brodie
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File it under “Politics makes for strange bedfellows”.  When Jason Kenney’s UCP government overhauled the rules for municipal elections, it opened the way for unlimited corporate and union donations to third-party advertisers (TPAs).

TPAs back candidates for city councils and school boards with advertising campaigns, social media mobilization and door-to-door organization.  While they don’t select candidates for municipal elections and cannot coordinate with them, they provide well-financed, centralized and professional political support to candidates – political parties in all but name.

And while a few businesses and independent voters dipped their toes into the year’s municipal campaigns with their own TPAs, the unions representing Calgary’s municipal workers seized the opportunity with gusto. 

Calgarians for a Progressive Future, the main third-party advertiser backed by the unions of City Hall and Calgary Transit, promoted a slate of candidates including Jyoti Gondek, the city’s new mayor. 

Funding increased pay rates and staffing levels for the City’s unionized works means future property tax increases, increases that will not do much to attract investment to the City and its endangered downtown core. 

Only one major mayoral candidate promised a four-year municipal tax-free, and he suggested that City Hall workers could take a pay freeze to help make the tax freeze work.  That candidate was attacked by Calgarians for a Progressive Future and finished a distant second on election night. 

Unions are an essential part of our political system in Canada.  Anyone is free to organize and take part in elections.  Unions, however, enjoy a big advantage under the UCP’s reforms since union donations from union members are tax-deductible.  When the rest of us support a TPA, we do it with after-tax dollars.

Elections work best when voters have choices and when all sides put their best efforts into organizing. City Hall unions are going to be deeply involved in municipal politics, and it is high time that taxpayers had a TPA on their side as well. 

Or, better yet, why not recognize that politics is a team sport and simply recognize that TPAs work like political parties and should be organized like political parties. 

Political parties bring lots of advantages to elections.  They identify voters and get them to the polls – something that can only improve local politics when voter turnout is so low. 

Parties make it easier for voters to figure out where candidates stand on major municipal issues – another advantage in an election like this month’s Calgary race where so many incumbents were retiring and so many new faces were involved.  And, finally, political parties vet the life histories of their candidates for skeletons that should disqualify some from running.  It is hard to believe a municipal party would have let Sean Chu run given his chequered history.  Municipal parties would be on the lookout for similar problems with candidates running for the other parties.

While federal and provincial parties often enforce rigid party discipline, it is unlikely municipal parties would be such monoliths.  City politics is too close to issues that matter to voters for city councillors to be held hostage to party bosses.  And since the mayor is directly elected, council members can vote as they wish without toppling the mayor in the way a prime minister or premier can be toppled by losing some votes on a budget bill.

For the provincial NDP, Calgary’s election was a dry run for their 2023 provincial campaign.

Calgarians for a Progressive Future is composed of the same public-sector unions that form the backbone of the Alberta NDP.  During the municipal campaign, they collected voter data, trained and organized teams of field workers and identified candidates that will all be put back into the field to defeat the UCP and return the NDP to office in less than two years.

The UCP has opened the door to political party organizations at the municipal level, but it’s time for the Kenney government to finish the job. 

Municipal politics where only City Hall unions are organized to support candidates won’t help any municipality get better and will eventually hurt the UCP provincially. 

Let the City Hall unions organize a party, and let everyone else organize parties to balance the union influence. 

MALCOLM: COVID-19 is not a threat to kids

By
Candice Malcolm
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Now that the next vaccine push will be targeting children aged 5-11, let’s look at the actual numbers for that age group.

The following figures come from Health Canada’s comprehensive database on COVID-19. Dating back to early 2020, there have now been a total of 1.68 million cases and 28,838 deaths.

(According to Alberta’s chief medical officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw, COVID deaths include cases where COVID was thought to be the primary or secondary factor contributing to death. According to a Stats Canada report , 90% of COVID deaths list a secondary cause on the death certificate, most commonly Alzheimer’s, chronic heart disease or dementia.)

Of the 1.68 million COVID cases to date, the most infected age group are those under the age of 20. There have been approximately 350,000 cases in this age cohort, making up 21% of all cases.

But despite experiencing the highest numbers of COVID cases, Canadians aged 0-19 experience the lowest hospitalization rate.

Only 2% of those hospitalized for COVID-19 are among those under 20. Compare this to my age bracket (30-39) with 7.5% hospitalization, my mother’s age bracket (60-69) with 17.7% hospitalization, or my grandmother’s age bracket (80+) with 25% hospitalization.

Of the 350,000 cases for Canadians under 20, only 1,824 have been hospitalized. We also know that a significant number of these were incidental hospitalizations — meaning that they went to hospital because they were suffering from something completely unrelated but happened to test positive for the virus during routine screening.

So despite having the most exposure to COVID, young Canadians are not suffering the same health outcomes as older populations.

When it comes to the mortality rate in this age group, the facts are clear: it’s basically nil.

Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 17 COVID-related deaths in Canada among children and teenagers. Not 17,000, not 1,700. Just 17.

That makes up 0.1% of all COVID deaths in Canada. The COVID case-fatality rate for Canadians under the age of 20, therefore, is 0.002%.

In other words, COVID is not a threat to kids. It wouldn’t even make the list of the top 10 causes of death for children.

And notably: the numbers show that a fully vaccinated adult is still at a much greater risk of being hospitalized or dying from COVID than an unvaccinated child.

Researchers have known this since the early days of the pandemic.

There is a “growing body of literature that is giving us some experience with that COVID-19 look s like in children, which, as we’re learning, is very different than what COVID-19 looks like in adults,” American pediatric infectious disease physician Dr. Jennifer Schuster said in June 2020.

The science shows us that COVID is not a deadly virus for kids.

So why are we going into overdrive with protective measures for kids? Mask mandates at schools, rules preventing kids from talking during their lunch break, social distancing measures and at-home virtual learning — all of these have negative impacts on a child’s ability to communicate, learn and enjoy their precious childhoods.

Readers of this column will know that Alberta recently announced its youngest COVID victim — a 14-year-old boy. However, the boy’s family clarified that he had tragically died of stage 4 brain cancer, not COVID. Alberta retracted this information and said they will now only announce a COVID death in a young person after an investigation has taken place.

Canadian parents need to know these facts and more as they assess the various heavy-handed measures that are being placed upon our kids.

FUREY: The kids deserve a normal Halloween

By
Anthony Furey
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COVID-19 and the government’s strict public health measures ruined Halloween for kids across Canada last year.

This year, even with a better understanding of the virus, the government continues to implement strict rules for Halloween. For example, in Ontario, kids are being advised not to scream while trick-or-treating.

Anthony Furey discusses.

Canadian cartoonist exhibit cost taxpayers $15,799

By
Jonathan Bradley
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The Trudeau government used taxpayers’ dollars to fund a cartoon exhibition.

The cartoonist behind “For Better or For Worse” (FBorFW) Lynn Johnston received more than $15,000 from the Mission Cultural Fund, according to a blog post issued by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) on Friday.

The Mission Cultural Fund is a federal fund that was established to promote Canadian arts abroad.

Federal director at the CTF Franco Terrazzano said this funding is a waste of taxpayers’ money. 

“We are more than $1 trillion in debt and these bureaucrats think spending thousands of dollars on cartoons is a good use of tax dollars?” said Terrazzano. “Lynn Johnston is a successful artist, (and) she doesn’t need to be pocketing money from taxpayers.”

“FBorFW” has been published in more than 2,000 newspapers. 

Documents obtained by the CTF show despite Johnston’s success, taxpayers were billed thousands of dollars to show off her art in the US.

The District of Columbia art installation, called “The Comic Art of Lynn Johnston,” coincided with the 40th anniversary of “FBorFW” being published. “The Comic Art of Lynn Johnston” was displayed at the Embassy of Canada, Washington, D.C. from September 2019 to January 2020, costing taxpayers $15,799. 

This cost was higher than the initial budget of $15,000. Global Affairs Canada told the CTF that while the installation was planned to be completed in-house, the department was unable to print the foam core posters comprising most of the exhibit. The work was outsourced at a cost of $1,226, which resulted in a budget overrun. 

Global Affairs said the number of visitors to the exhibit was not tracked. 

“Due to our proximity to Capitol Hill and the many galleries and museums of the Smithsonian Institution, the embassy gallery receives a lot of foot traffic from tourists and residents alike,” said Global Affairs. 

In the past, the Mission Cultural Fund has paid artist Peaches $8,813 for an art installation with sex toys, given singer Bryan Adams $52,000 for a collection of photos of his famous friends and provided author Margaret Atwood $10,000 to promote “The Testaments” in Australia. 

Terrazzano said this latest instance with Johnston is another prime example proving bureaucrats have too much of taxpayers’ money available. 

“Taxpayers don’t need sex toy exhibits, we don’t need to be footing the bill for rock stars and we don’t need to be going overbudget on cartoons,” he said. “We need Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to scrap the Mission Cultural Fund.”

Johnston’s studio FBorFW.com could not be reached for further comment in time for publication. 

Wildrose Independence Party leader says secession is only hope for Alberta

By
Andrew Lawton
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Alberta’s equalization referendum isn’t enough to quell western alienation. Wildrose Independence Party leader Paul Hinman says Canada is a “sinking ship,” and the only way Albertans can save themselves is by leaving the country. As Premier Jason Kenney faces a leadership review in April, Hinman says Albertans unhappy with the status quo need to vote for independence. He joined The Andrew Lawton Show to explain why.

Watch the full episode of The Andrew Lawton Show.

Alberta government to consult rural residents on economy

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
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The Alberta government is launching an initiative to consult rural residents on how to better grow the province’s economy. 

According to Associate Minister of Rural Economic Development Nate Horner, the virtual tour will run through December and will engage residents, business owners and community leaders from rural Alberta. 

All sessions will be held over Zoom or Microsoft Teams and those unable to attend will be able to submit their own concerns in an online survey. 

“Supporting local businesses and attracting new investment to Alberta is key to the success of our economic recovery after the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global collapse of energy prices and the worst economic downturn in almost 100 years. All Albertans, urban and rural, should benefit from Alberta’s Recovery Plan,” said Horner. 

According to a 2018 study by the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties, rural Albertans contributed approximately $89.6 billion to the province’s GDP. 

Airdrie RCMP and Rocky View County Enforcement Services will also host a virtual town hall on November 4, between 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm to discuss rural crime with local communities. 

“I think there’s a number of things people are interested in knowing. I think one of the things they would like to know is what exactly does the RCMP’s response to rural crime look like? And what are citizens’ roles in that?” Airdrie RCMP Insp. Lauren Weare told Airdrie Today. 

On Friday, Alberta Justice Minister Kaycee Madu completed a separate consultation with rural residents focusing specifically on law enforcement and crime.

The province’s success in curbing rural crime has prompted several communities to report a dramatic drop in crime statistics. In August, the rural town of Innisfail reported that crime rates were down across the board including assaults, robberies, homicides and sexual assaults which decreased by 43%.

Among the initiatives Alberta has introduced include expanding the powers of Alberta Sheriff highway patrol officers to be able to respond to traffic and other incidents. The expansion led to the addition of 260 officers.  

Comedian’s jokes about disabled child singer protected by free speech: Supreme Court

By
Jonathan Bradley
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A Quebec comedian’s jokes about a disabled child singer do not fall outside the parameters of free speech, the Supreme Court of Canada has found.

In a 5-4 split decision, the Supreme Court ruled that while comic Mike Ward’s jokes ridiculed singer Jeremy Gabriel, who suffers from Treacher Collins Syndrome, Gabriel was targeted by Ward because of his fame, not his disability. 

Ward was previously fined $42,000 by a Quebec human rights tribunal, which found his jokes to be discriminatory and violated Gabriel’s dignity. This was later upheld by the Quebec Court of Appeal.

The Supreme Court found the comedian’s jokes did not seek to incite other people to mock the singer, and he cannot be blamed for the actions of others who copied the jokes. 

“The impugned comments … were made by a career comedian known for this type of humour,” said the majority judgment. “They exploited, rightly or wrongly, a feeling of discomfort in order to entertain, but they did little more than that.” 

The Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in favour of comedian Mike Ward is an important one in defining the scope and importance of free speech, a civil liberties organization says.

CCF executive director Joanna Baron said this decision clarifies the test for discrimination in the context of a conflict between the right to the safeguard of dignity and freedom of expression. 

“In particular, the decision underscores the fact that free speech has inherent social value and should be protected from unjustified state intrusion,” said Baron. “Merely causing offence does not amount to discrimination and should not attract state-imposed fines.”

The CCF intervened in the case, argued the test for discrimination should be modified to reflect the important role that freedom of expression plays in an open society. 

The court adopted the CCF’s proposed test, finding that where there are competing rights under the Quebec Charter, they must be balanced with proper regard for democratic values, especially freedom of expression. It affirmed this position that freedom of expression is a defence and an internal limit to the scope of rights protected in the Quebec Charter. 

CCF litigation director Christine Van Geyn said it is not the role of governments to censor comedy through punitive fines or to tell comedians what jokes they can make. 

“This case isn’t about whether the jokes Mr. Ward told were funny or if they were in bad taste,” said Van Geyn. “It is about the notion that it is not for the government to decide.” 

True North journalism fellow Andrew Lawton praised this decision, but said the prolonged legal battle is in and of itself concerning in a free society.

“While the Supreme Court made the right decision, it’s shameful that a comedian’s jokes had to go through a decade of litigation to reach what should have been the obvious conclusion,” said Lawton. “Comedy is about slaying sacred cows, and offensive jokes, even if they are rude or uncivil, are free speech.”

In 2012, when Gabriel was 15 years old, his family filed a human rights complaint against Ward with the QHRC, which referred it to a human rights tribunal. 

Ward had a live show called “Mike Ward s’eXpose” from 2010 to 2013, where he ridiculed people who no one else would. 

Ward described Gabriel in his live shows as “little Jeremy” and “the kid with the sub-woofer on his head,” and made other similar jokes about the boy’s disability. 

The tribunal heard Gabriel grew despondent, contemplated suicide, and sought psychiatric help to cope with the ridicule he experienced from other people. 

The tribunal ruled in Gabriel’s favour in 2016, awarding him $25,000 for moral damages and another $10,000 for punitive damages. Gabriel’s mother received $5,000 for moral damages and another $2,000 for punitive damages. 

Ward appealed the decision. In 2019, the Quebec Court of Appeal ruled in a 2-1 decision that the comedian’s jokes compromised the singer’s right to safeguard of his dignity and could not be justified, even in a society where freedom of expression is valued. 

The Quebec Court of Appeal did roll back the payments to Gabriel’s mother, saying she was not a victim of discrimination. 

The “experts” fear-mongered about a fourth wave. They were wrong.

By
Anthony Furey
-

In September, public health “experts” in Ontario predicted a devastating fourth wave in October, which would see thousands of cases of COVID-19 on a daily basis. The “experts” said more restrictions were needed.

Their prediction was wrong. Fewer restrictions were put in place in Ontario and the province saw relatively low daily cases on a consistent basis.

Anthony Furey discusses in his latest video.

Alberta completes marathon rural crime consultation with locals, police

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
-

Alberta Justice Minister Kaycee Madu completed a marathon tour on Friday where he consulted Albertans, police and community groups on rural crime. 

According to a press release, Madu attended over 60 events where he met with citizens and law enforcement officers in communities like Grande Prairie, Spruce Grove, La Crete and elsewhere. 

“I want to thank the many Albertans who shared their concerns about rural crime. What you told us will help inform our ongoing work to ensure Albertans feel safe and protected in their homes, no matter where they live,” said Madu. 

“We know the federal government must step up by enacting laws that put a stop to the revolving door justice system that allows repeat offenders to victimize law-abiding citizens over and over again, and we echo the call of Albertans for them to act quickly on this.”

Among the topics discussed were slow police response times in rural communities, victims’ services and a potential Alberta Provincial Police Service. Another separate consultation on economic issues important to rural Albertans is being conducted by Associate Minister of Rural Economic Development Nate Horner which is set to run through December. 

Premier Jason Kenney has sought an inquiry into a potential provincial law enforcement body that would overtake the duties of the federal RCMP. 

On Friday, a report on the potential provincial police service revealed that it could cost taxpayers $366 million to create and $735 million a year to maintain. 

The report also noted that while expensive, a provincial police force could be more cost-effective and efficient than the federal model in the long run.

“During my rural crime tour this summer, rural Albertans made it clear that they are deeply concerned about crime in their communities,” said Madu about the report. 

“PwC Canada has developed a policing model that could address long-standing concerns about response times in rural areas and put more boots on the ground. We’re eager to share these innovative and thought-provoking ideas with stakeholders and hear their thoughts over the coming months.”

Additionally, Kenney stated that the report made a “compelling case” to begin designing an Alberta police force. 

The CBC publishes a racist screed, then quietly rewrites it

By
Candice Malcolm
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It’s Fake News Friday on The Candice Malcolm Show!

This week, Candice calls out the CBC for publishing a racist screed against white conservatives written by an Elections Canada worker. Not only are election workers supposed to be non-partisan, but the author of this opinion piece alleges that anyone who votes for a right-wing party is a racist bigot.

To make matters worse, when the state broadcaster started receiving pushback, they quietly rewrote the opinion piece.

If True North had an award for Fake News of the Year, this opinion piece would definitely be a contender.

Candice breaks it all down on the latest episode of The Candice Malcolm Show. Tune in now!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE CANDICE MALCOLM SHOW

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