fbpx
Thursday, July 10, 2025

Ambassador to China encourages Canadian students to travel to communist country

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
-

Canadian Ambassador to China Dominic Barton encouraged students at a McGill University conference to go to the communist nation and “build relationships.” 

Barton was one of several keynote speakers at the university’s McGill Institute for the Study of Canada Annual Conference which took place from October 28, 2021 to October 29, 2021. 

“We need to have more of our students in Canada spending time in other countries around the world, including China, to really understand how the place works, to be able to build relationships,” said Barton while on a panel speaking about national unity.

It has been a little more than a month since Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig were released from arbitrary detention by China after spending years in Chinese prisons. 

Barton, who was appointed to the role by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2019, has an extensive history doing business dealings in China. 

Throughout his career as a Managing Director of McKinsey & Company, the corporation worked with 22 of China’s 100 largest state-owned companies. Part of the work included providing consulting services to Chinese entities building artificial islands in the South China Sea – an area that China seeks to geopolitically dominate. 

In 2020, Barton was called before the House of Commons Special Committee on Canada-China Relations to testify on the state of affairs with the country and was grilled on his Chinese ties. 

“You were in charge of McKinsey…McKinsey was advising a company that was carrying out the Chinese government policy of building militarized islands in the South China Sea. Is it your position that those islands are in violation of international law?” Conservative MP Garnett Genuis asked the ambassador. 

“I am not familiar at all with us being involved with designing islands in the South China Sea,” replied Barton.

Recently, Barton has also called for more business engagement with China despite the communist government’s increased aggression internationally and here in Canada. 

“It’s critical that Canadian firms seize opportunities where they exist and take advantage of the continuing economic rise of Asia and China,” said Barton. 

“The growth and the nature of growth of China’s economy has significant implications for Canada’s economic prosperity. Regardless of one’s outlook on it, China really cannot be ignored … Where trade is concerned, our companies need to engage in support of our economic interest while being true to our values.” 

Liberals refuse to raise Canadian flag so it can be lowered for Remembrance Day

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
-

The Liberal government is refusing to raise the Canadian flag on Remembrance Day so that it can be ceremonially lowered to half-mast as tradition dictates.

Despite appeals from Conservative leader Erin O’Toole and others, the Department of Canadian Heritage says the flag will remain in place for the foreseeable future, unless directed otherwise by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“All Canadians are horrified by the reminders in Kamloops and Cowessess and we have deep grief and a drive to reconciliation,” said O’Toole. 

“I think the flag should be restored by that time and the prime minister has provided no direction here.”

Canada’s flag has been flying at half-mast at federal buildings, including Parliament Hill’s Peace Tower, since May 30, when Trudeau issued the order after the announcement of unmarked graves at former residential school sites. 

“If a half-masting notice is already in effect for federal buildings and establishments when another half-masting notice — whether mandatory or discretionary — is issued, no action in relation to the national flag of Canada is required,” Canadian Heritage officials told the Canadian Press. 

Trudeau also declined to raise the flag for Canada Day, even though flag protocol dictates that Canadian flags should never be at half-mast on July 1.

On Canada Day, Trudeau asked that the flag remain at half-mast for Canada Day. 

“As people across the country continue to honour the Indigenous children whose lives were taken far too soon, and as we reflect on the tragedy of residential schools, I have asked that the flag on the Peace Tower remain at half-mast for Canada Day,” tweeted Trudeau at the time. 

According to the rules which govern the display of the national flag, lowering the flag to half-mast is required on special commemorative days like Remembrance Day and the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism. 

Justin Trudeau is promising to restrict online speech

By
Andrew Lawton
-

The Liberals’ 2021 election platform commits to banning online “hate speech” in the first 100 days of Justin Trudeau’s reelected government. This will likely be a revival of Bill C-36, which died when the election was called.

In this special edition of True North’s The Andrew Lawton Show, we talk about why the government’s efforts to go after so-called hate speech are actually restrictions on free speech. Joining the show are lawyers Lisa Bildy of Libertas Law and Sarah Miller of JSS Barristers, as well as Quillette editor Jonathan Kay.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ANDREW LAWTON SHOW

Ontario doctor suspended from practicing medicine for criticizing vaccines and lockdowns

By
Jonathan Bradley
-

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) has barred a doctor who has been a vocal opponent of COVID-19 vaccines and lockdown measures from practicing medicine, alleging her activities put patients’ health at risk. 

Dr. Rochagne Kilian, a former emergency room doctor from Owen Sound, Ont., spoke out multiple times against mask mandates, the safety of COVID-19 vaccines and lockdown measures. 

Dr. Kilian resigned as an emergency room doctor at the local hospital in August. The CPSO suspended her from practicing medicine entirely as of Wednesday. 

CPSO spokesperson Shae Greenfield said in a statement emailed to True North on Wednesday that the suspension is an interim order made under the Health Professions Procedural Code of the Regulated Health Professions Act, which permits the regulator to issue interim orders where it has evidence that patients might be exposed to risk of harm or injury. 

“Although we are limited in what we can disclose at this point, additional information about Dr. Kilian’s conduct will be made available at the earliest possible opportunity,” said Greenfield. “That may include allegations referred to the Ontario Physicians and Surgeons Discipline Tribunal.” 

Members have the ability to appeal interim orders to the courts, at which point the CPSO would present information supporting their decision, according to Greenfield. 

Dr. Kilian is known for being an outspoken critic of COVID-19 vaccines and lockdown measures. In September, she was a speaker at anti-lockdown protests organized by the Grey-Bruce Freedom Fighters. She has also spoken out against vaccine mandates, vaccine passports and mask mandates.

Dr. Kilian could not be reached for further comment in time for publication. 

Earlier this month, the CPSO barred Dr. Kilian and Dr. Mark Raymond Trozzi from issuing medical exemptions to mask mandates, COVID-19 vaccinations and testing.

In a statement issued earlier this year, the college stated that physicians should not communicate any statements that go against public health orders.

“(Doctors have) a professional responsibility to not communicate anti-vaccine, anti-masking, anti-distancing and anti-lockdown statements and/or (promote) unsupported, unproven treatments for COVID-19,” the CPSO statement said.

“Physicians must not make comments or provide advice that encourages the public to act contrary to public health orders and recommendations.”

CPC MPs speak out against vaccine mandates, call for rapid testing alternative

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
-

Several Conservative MPs have spoken out against Canadians being fired from their jobs for refusing to disclose their personal medical information. 

According to Blacklock’s Reporter, a number of MPs made the comments while speaking to the media following the Conservative caucus meeting on Wednesday.  Among those were Conservative MP Glen Motz. 

“There’s a lot of Canadians who are at risk of losing their jobs because of vaccine mandates and I think that’s a concern for many. It’s a bigger issue than just MPs,” said Motz. 

“I have not disclosed my health status to anybody. I think the whole issue is a distraction. I think Trudeau’s done a great job of dividing Canadians, period.” 

Other MPs advocated that Canadians who refuse to disclose whether they are vaccinated or not to employers should be accommodated with rapid testing.

“We believe in choice for Canadians. We believe that where people need to be vaccinated they should have another option like rapid testing,” said MP Mark Strahl. 

“I’m concerned about my constituents who are being impacted by these mandates, people who are being told if they’re unable to be vaccinated they’re going to be fired. I think that’s discriminatory. I think that’s punitive. I don’t think it actually serves a public health purpose. Those are the people I’m fighting for. I’m not here to fight for myself.”

Additionally, MP Michael Barrett also pointed out that in some places vaccination rates are so high that people shouldn’t have to risk their livelihoods.

“Vaccines are safe and effective and you know this is our way forward. We maintain of course that rapid tests should be made available to anyone who hasn’t yet been vaccinated,” said Barrett.

“This is incredibly important. We should be at a point now in our pandemic, particularly with vaccination rates rising, that people aren’t losing their livelihoods.”

While the Conservatives originally came out in opposition to the House of Common’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole recently flip-flopped on the issue.

Yesterday, Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole stated that his caucus would abide by a recent order requiring all parliamentarians in the House of Commons to be vaccinated. O’Toole stated that he will challenge the matter by raising a point of privilege at the soonest opportunity. 

Albertans want equalization gone. What’s next?

By
Andrew Lawton
-

Albertans have voted to remove equalization from the constitution, though now it’s up to Alberta’s government to make the case to a federal government that hasn’t generally cared about the west. Premier Jason Kenney will have to deliver to quell the growing Alberta independence movement, True North’s Andrew Lawton says. Andrew sits down with Wildrose Independence Party leader Paul Hinman and Economic Education Association chairman Danny Hozack to talk about what comes next. Also, 30,000 people are flying to Glasgow for COP26 to tell you to fly less and stop eating meat.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ANDREW LAWTON SHOW

The woke left is winning the culture war – and punishing our kids

By
Candice Malcolm
-

The woke left’s despicable, reductive and divisive ideology is everywhere in Canada – including our schools.

From ridiculous politically correct rules for Halloween to over-the-top public health measures during the pandemic, the woke left is ruining our culture and destroying childhoods across the country.

True North’s Candice Malcolm says children are bearing the brunt of the left’s authoritarian control and it is absolutely unacceptable.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE CANDICE MALCOLM SHOW

BC faces surgery delays after 4,000 unvaccinated healthcare workers put on leave

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
-

British Columbia has decided to postpone surgeries and tests after placing 4,000 healthcare workers on unpaid leave due to their decision not to get vaccinated against COVID-19. 

According to Health Minister Adrian Dix, northern and rural communities will be the most impacted by the delays since they do not have access to a large pool of casual staff to replace the workers. 

“Let’s say something such as renal (kidney) care, where you have a limited number of employees and one or two of them are not able to work in that circumstance, it’s really challenging,” said Dix. 

“I think it’s fair to say that in some areas, for example diagnostic imaging, our labs in different parts of the province, there’ll be some impact. We’ll either have to initially reduce hours in order to address that or provide other staff in the weeks to come.”

Chief Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has indicated that staff from larger health authorities near Vancouver and elsewhere will temporarily be tasked with filling positions in those areas. 

“We’ll be looking at other parts of the system to supplement areas in the Interior where there’s a shortage of people on a temporary basis,” said Henry.

“We’re hopeful, certainly, that some people, and we’ve been seeing this in the last number of days, will get immunized, and we’re hopeful that they do that and address the problem that way.”

On Tuesday, an additional 1,800 long-term care workers were put on unpaid leave for being unvaccinated. 

As reported by True North, media articles going back to September indicate that tens of thousands of healthcare workers across Canada could face discipline or be fired for being unvaccinated. 

In Quebec, nearly 15,000 nurses faced suspension for being unvaccinated, however, the provincial government recently backed off on its plan after facing protests from nurses and pushed the vaccination deadline into the near future. 

“We will not accept having people in our health-care system who are not vaccinated,” Health Minister Christian Dubé said in September. 

“So if you want to minimize the amount of time during which you will not be paid, go get vaccinated soon.” 

US troops in Taiwan to counter China aggression: President Tsai Ing-wen

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
-

Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen confirmed that US troops are stationed on the island nation to counter China’s growing aggression in the region. 

In an interview to CNN, President Tsai told reporters that the threat posed by China’s communist government grows “every day” for Taiwan. 

“Here is this island of 23 million people trying hard every day to protect ourselves and protect our democracy and making sure that our people have the kind of freedom they deserve,” said Tsai.

“If we fail, then that means people that believe in these values would doubt whether these are values that they (should) be fighting for.”

The disclosure was the first time in over 40 years where a president officially acknowledged the presence of US troops. 

“We have a wide range of cooperation with the US aiming at increasing our defense capability,” said Tsai. 

The move could further aggravate China, which considers the democratic nation as part of its own territory. 

In recent weeks, China has conducted aerial military exercises in the region including flying nuclear-capable bombers into Taiwan’s air defence zone. 

Recently Taiwanese diplomat Taipei Economic Cultural Office (TECO) Director General Lihsin Angel Liu called on the Canadian government to offer “more support” for the country as it tries to find acceptance from the international community. 

Critics of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have accused him of being soft on China and not doing enough to make it clear that its aggression towards Taiwan is not acceptable. 

“The Liberal government has been promising a new framework for relations with China for years,” Conservative MP Garnett Genuis told True North earlier this month.

“It is clear that the Liberal government is missing in action when it comes to responding to the domestic and international challenges posed by the Chinese Communist Party.”

Media didn’t disclose doctor’s $2M in Pfizer funding in coverage promoting child vaccination

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
-

Several of Canada’s largest legacy media companies failed to reveal nearly $2 million worth of Pfizer Pharmaceuticals funding that a leading pediatrics professor from Alberta has received while pushing for vaccination of 5-11-year-olds. 

Dr. Jim Kellner, a pediatrician and University of Calgary professor, has been cited as an authority in dozens of articles published by CTV News, CBC, Global News, the Toronto Star, and the Globe and Mail on vaccinating children and other pandemic related issues. 

Since 2014, Kellner’s research has received $1,940,443 from Pfizer Pharmaceuticals for various vaccine studies, with the most recent grant of $787,004 being allocated until the year 2022. 

Kellner’s research funding was not disclosed by the above outlets in numerous articles going back to 2020 despite it being publicly reported in his CV, which is published on the University of Calgary’s website.

According to his CV, the latest spate of funding is for “Calgary Area Streptococcus pneumoniae Epidemiology Research” and a “Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine.”

True North reached out to Kellner for comment and clarification regarding his Pfizer funding and media appearances but did not receive a reply by the time this article was published. 

Throughout the pieces where Kellner is cited, he is alternatively referenced to as a “professor and researcher,” “pediatrician”, “infectious disease specialist at the Alberta Children’s Hospital,” ”infectious disease expert”, “member of the federal COVID-19 Immunity Taskforce” and other variations. Kellner is also employed by Alberta Health Services. 

An article published by CBC News this Wednesday titled “Wondering about vaccinating younger kids against COVID-19? Alberta experts weigh in,” cites Kellner on the topic of giving the Pfizer vaccine to kids without referencing his funding.

“From my perspective the risk benefit analysis is showing there’s a definite benefit to providing the vaccine to prevent infection and prevent serious outcomes of COVID-19,” Kellner is quoted as saying. 

In another article published in April by the public broadcaster, Kellner encourages expanding the groups of people eligible for a COVID vaccine “especially by age” and is quoted as saying that “the No. 1 thing that can make a difference is vaccination.” 

According to CBC search results, Kellner’s name turns up over 41 times and appears in numerous videos and articles on the topic of vaccination without any indication of how much money he has received from the vaccine manufacturer Pfizer. 

Government of Canada data shows that the Pfizer-BioNTech (Cormirnaty) vaccine is the most used vaccine in Canada with over 14 million Canadians having received at least one dose of the product. 

In an article published in June by the Globe and Mail, Kellner questions the protection natural immunity offers.

“We’re encouraging and it’s recommended that people who’ve had COVID get vaccinated, and you could argue that people who have had COVID may be more likely to get vaccinated, having had the experience,” Kellner told the Globe and Mail. 

The outlet has cited Kellner as an authority at least seven times.

As for the Toronto Star, Kellner shows up as an expert in at least 11 articles, many of which promote vaccination of children all without disclosing his funding. 

The latest article published on October 18, 2021, features Kellner discussing Pfizer vaccine trials on kids and is quoted alongside Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla. 

Similarly, Global News cites Kellner numerous times including in interviews on his research on COVID-19 and children without revealing his nearly $2 million in funds from Pfizer. 

As for CTV News, Kellner makes several headline appearances in his role as a pediatrician including in an article dated October 20, 2020.  

“If a higher percentage of children attending school can be vaccinated, that’s going to be an important part of helping make things safer going forward, and helping us get back to normal,” Kelner is quoted as saying in the article which doesn’t disclose his funding from Pfizer. 

According to CTV News’ search results, Kellner’s name is cited in at least four articles on COVID-19 going back to 2020, none of which mention his ties with the vaccine manufacturer. 

True North has reached out to all of the relevant outlets cited in this article but did not receive a response by the given deadline.

As exclusively reported by True North earlier this month, the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star similarly didn’t disclose the AstraZeneca funding of prominent op-ed writer and professor Mark Lautens.

 

1...951952953...1,460Page 952 of 1,460

Related stories

© 2025 True North | Privacy Policy