And so long as there have been death and taxes, you can bet there’s been money-laundering.
That’s why the I’m-shocked-it’s-happening-here routine by the B.C. government seems a bit rich, so to speak.
Money-laundering in this province? It’s part of global culture.
Sunday, June 30, 2019
NO $1B SOLAR NEIGHBOURHOOD IN SASKATOON
Saskatoon city council effectively killed a proposed $1-billion solar-powered neighbourhood when it voted against changing city hall’s development schedule to accommodate Arbutus Properties.
Saturday, June 29, 2019
POLITICAL CONSENSUS ABOVE CONSTITUTION
Lilley: Ontario’s court of appeal put Laurentian Elite political consensus above the constitution on Friday when they released their carbon tax ruling.
Asked by the Ontario government to decide if the federal carbon tax was constitutional, the appeal court found, in a split decision, that yes it was. They did so not by relying on any enumerated power in the constitution but by falling back on the flimsy “Peace Order and Good Government” provision that federal governments relies on when they don’t have a solid argument otherwise.
Asked by the Ontario government to decide if the federal carbon tax was constitutional, the appeal court found, in a split decision, that yes it was. They did so not by relying on any enumerated power in the constitution but by falling back on the flimsy “Peace Order and Good Government” provision that federal governments relies on when they don’t have a solid argument otherwise.
It’s a weak position, a catch-all clause used when the powers laid out in Sections 91 and 92 of the constitution don’t fit the federal argument.
In fact, in their ruling the justices spend page after page not talking about the constitution, which this case was about, but rather the need for there to be action on climate change.
In fact, in their ruling the justices spend page after page not talking about the constitution, which this case was about, but rather the need for there to be action on climate change.
RETURN TO SENDER
An infamous load of Canadian trash that had been rotting in the Philippines for more than five years has come full circle, arriving by ship at a port south of Vancouver on Saturday morning.
The cost to Canada is $1.14 million for shipping and another $375,000 for the garbage to be burned in the Metro Vancouver incinerator.
The cost to Canada is $1.14 million for shipping and another $375,000 for the garbage to be burned in the Metro Vancouver incinerator.
Friday, June 28, 2019
CANADIAN ACCUSED OF ATTEMPTED SPYING FOR CHINA
The case of a Canadian man accused of trying to spy for China is once again tied up in mysterious closed-door proceedings over confidential information.
It has been more than five years since Qing Quentin Huang was arrested in Burlington, Ont., following an RCMP-led investigation called Project Seascape.
Huang, an employee of Lloyd’s Register, a subcontractor to Irving Shipbuilding Inc., was charged under the Security of Information Act with attempting to communicate secrets to a foreign power.
It has been more than five years since Qing Quentin Huang was arrested in Burlington, Ont., following an RCMP-led investigation called Project Seascape.
Huang, an employee of Lloyd’s Register, a subcontractor to Irving Shipbuilding Inc., was charged under the Security of Information Act with attempting to communicate secrets to a foreign power.
RV CRASHES ONTO FERRY
There is shocking video of a bizarre ferry crash that killed a Quebec man.
Surveillance cameras captured the moment an RV flew off a ramp and smashed onto the deck, just as the packed ferry was pulling out of dock in Tadoussac, about 250 kilometres northeast of Quebec City.
POLITICIANS' CLIMATE CHANGE YOWLING
Smith: What started out as global warming became climate change. Climate change then became a climate emergency. Instead of natural disasters, floods and fires are now “climate disasters”. This week the United Nations declared we were on the cusp of climate apartheid, described as “a scenario where the wealthy pay to escape overheating, hunger and conflict while the rest of the world is left to suffer” in despair, disease and death.
I guess the only place to go from here is to declare a climate genocide. Watch for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to be the first to do that.
HORGAN VISITS, MAKES NO SENSE, LEAVES
Braid: With a straight face, Horgan said the federal government is perfectly within its rights to build the Trans Mountain pipeline. That it is a federal responsibility.
“We have not been dragging our feet,” he said, referring to permits for the project. “The rule of law is paramount in Canada.”
But he does not endorse or approve TMX. That’s because he also believes the project is “a shared jurisdiction” with Ottawa.
“We have not been dragging our feet,” he said, referring to permits for the project. “The rule of law is paramount in Canada.”
But he does not endorse or approve TMX. That’s because he also believes the project is “a shared jurisdiction” with Ottawa.
AUSTRALIA'S SECURITY CONCERNS RE HUAWEI
Huawei Technologies plans to sell its majority-stake in submarine cable business joint venture Huawei Marine Systems to Chinese optical telecommunication network products company Hengtong Optic-Electric Co.
The sale comes as Huawei faces significant supply chain issues after the US banned American companies from selling goods or services to the Chinese telco giant, and accusations of being state surveillance tool have dogged the company.
In 2018, the Australian government blocked a Huawei Marine submarine cable between the Solomon Islands and Sydney over purported security concerns. At the time, Huawei also faced accusations of making a SI$40m (US$5m) political donation to the party of then-Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare, revealed in a report by the nation's parliamentary accounts committee. It called for a police inquiry, while Huawei strongly denied the allegations.
Thursday, June 27, 2019
FLIP OFF CHINA: BOYCOTT HUAWEI
The concerns over Huawei technology in our sensitive networks is real. Canada has ample reason to ban it from participating in our projects going forward purely on national security grounds. But we now have even more incentive — doing the right thing for the big reasons is also the right thing for relatively petty ones. Banning Huawei will both bolster our national security and flip off the regime in Beijing. That’s a textbook win-win. What the hell are we waiting for?
It won’t help the farmers or free our imprisoned citizens, but nothing short of capitulation to a hostile dictatorship is going to achieve that in the short term. If that wasn’t true, we wouldn’t be asking U.S. President Donald Trump to pressure China on our behalf … but we are doing exactly that. In the meantime, we have every reason to fight back as best we can, and might as well start now. A boycott of Huawei products and a ban on the company’s participation in our future projects is a great place to start.
It won’t help the farmers or free our imprisoned citizens, but nothing short of capitulation to a hostile dictatorship is going to achieve that in the short term. If that wasn’t true, we wouldn’t be asking U.S. President Donald Trump to pressure China on our behalf … but we are doing exactly that. In the meantime, we have every reason to fight back as best we can, and might as well start now. A boycott of Huawei products and a ban on the company’s participation in our future projects is a great place to start.
V-A NORMAN TO RETIRE; SETTLEMENT REACHED
Vice-Admiral Mark Norman will retire from the Canadian Forces after reaching an undisclosed settlement with the Department of National Defence.
The former vice-chief of the defence staff and the federal government reached a “mutually acceptable agreement, the details of which will remain confidential,” said a joint statement issued Wednesday by Norman and the Department of National Defence.
“Vice-Admiral Norman remains committed to the Navy, the Canadian Armed Forces and their mission,” the statement said. “However, after consulting with his family, his chain of command, and his counsel, VAdm Norman has decided to retire from the Canadian Armed Forces.”
The former vice-chief of the defence staff and the federal government reached a “mutually acceptable agreement, the details of which will remain confidential,” said a joint statement issued Wednesday by Norman and the Department of National Defence.
“Vice-Admiral Norman remains committed to the Navy, the Canadian Armed Forces and their mission,” the statement said. “However, after consulting with his family, his chain of command, and his counsel, VAdm Norman has decided to retire from the Canadian Armed Forces.”
DANGERS OF INCEL MEN WHO CAN'T GET LAID
Joint Base Andrews in Maryland recently issued a threat brief regarding "incels": members of an online movement that "adopt an ideology of misogyny, mistrust of women, and violence in response to their failed attempts at romantic relationships,"according to Task and Purpose.
The term "incel" is generally defined as: "...members of an online subculture who define themselves as unable to find a romantic or sexual partner despite desiring one, a state they describe as inceldom. Self-identified incels are largely white and are almost exclusively male heterosexuals. The term is a portmanteau of "involuntary celibates"."
Another, simpler definition: men who can't get laid.
The term "incel" is generally defined as: "...members of an online subculture who define themselves as unable to find a romantic or sexual partner despite desiring one, a state they describe as inceldom. Self-identified incels are largely white and are almost exclusively male heterosexuals. The term is a portmanteau of "involuntary celibates"."
Another, simpler definition: men who can't get laid.
CHINA DEMANDS USA REMOVE BAN ON HUAWEI
The big news overnight came from the South China Morning Post, which echoed what Bloomberg reported earlier this week, namely that the US and China have "tentatively" agreed to another truce in their trade war in order to resume talks aimed at resolving the dispute.
But while the original SCMP report helped boost risk sentiment overnight, sending futures to session highs, a subsequent report by the WSJ in turn slammed sentiment, after it detailed that the ceasefire is not unconditional but instead Chinese President Xi Jinping will present Trump with a set of terms the U.S. should meet before Beijing is ready to settle a market-rattling trade confrontation.
Among the preconditions noted by the WSJ, Beijing is insisting that the U.S. remove its ban on the sale of U.S. technology to Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies Co. Beijing also wants the U.S. to lift all punitive tariffs and drop efforts to get China to buy even more U.S. exports than Beijing said it would when the two leaders last met in December.
But while the original SCMP report helped boost risk sentiment overnight, sending futures to session highs, a subsequent report by the WSJ in turn slammed sentiment, after it detailed that the ceasefire is not unconditional but instead Chinese President Xi Jinping will present Trump with a set of terms the U.S. should meet before Beijing is ready to settle a market-rattling trade confrontation.
Among the preconditions noted by the WSJ, Beijing is insisting that the U.S. remove its ban on the sale of U.S. technology to Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies Co. Beijing also wants the U.S. to lift all punitive tariffs and drop efforts to get China to buy even more U.S. exports than Beijing said it would when the two leaders last met in December.
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
CANADIAN CHINESE NEWSPAPERS DOING THEIR PART
China watchers are raising concern over ads in Canadian Chinese-language newspapers criticizing recent protests in Hong Kong.
Large advertisements that ran in the Sing Tao and Ming Pao newspapers in the last two weeks denounce the protesters as “radicals” and appear to support the Communist Party’s position on a since-suspended extradition bill between China and Hong Kong.
“The affairs of Hong Kong are the internal matters of China,” reads a translation of a June 21 ad signed by numerous Chinese-Canadian groups. “We oppose any intervention by any foreign forces.”
Large advertisements that ran in the Sing Tao and Ming Pao newspapers in the last two weeks denounce the protesters as “radicals” and appear to support the Communist Party’s position on a since-suspended extradition bill between China and Hong Kong.
“The affairs of Hong Kong are the internal matters of China,” reads a translation of a June 21 ad signed by numerous Chinese-Canadian groups. “We oppose any intervention by any foreign forces.”
DEVOTED FAMILY MAN DONE AS LIBERAL MP
A Liberal MP hired his girlfriend as a constituency assistant, then fired her at his wife’s behest and refused to provide child support to their daughter, according to allegations contained in two lawyers’ letters obtained by the National Post.
Ying (Stella) Yu — who says she gave up a lucrative career in business to work for Don Valley North MP Geng Tan — fell into deep depression after her “ignominious” dismissal, with suicide attempts, anxiety attacks and crying fits, the two letters claim.
But the MP dismissed Yu’s mental-health problems, one of the letters alleges, urging her not to get professional help.
Ying (Stella) Yu — who says she gave up a lucrative career in business to work for Don Valley North MP Geng Tan — fell into deep depression after her “ignominious” dismissal, with suicide attempts, anxiety attacks and crying fits, the two letters claim.
But the MP dismissed Yu’s mental-health problems, one of the letters alleges, urging her not to get professional help.
VANCOUVER COUNCIL; HYPOCRITES EXTRAORDINAIRE
As cities around the world — particularly coastal ones — take a hard look at the costs of climate change, Vancouver’s council is debating asking fossil fuel companies to pay a share.
The motion would direct Vancouver’s mayor to write a letter to the world’s largest fossil fuel companies — those “with the highest percentage of greenhouse gas emissions” — asking them to be “accountable for their share of climate emergency costs.” West Coast Environmental Law, the organizer of the letter-writing campaign, has a list of 20 of those fossil fuel companies, none of which are based in Canada.
The motion would direct Vancouver’s mayor to write a letter to the world’s largest fossil fuel companies — those “with the highest percentage of greenhouse gas emissions” — asking them to be “accountable for their share of climate emergency costs.” West Coast Environmental Law, the organizer of the letter-writing campaign, has a list of 20 of those fossil fuel companies, none of which are based in Canada.
Calling Vancouver a hypocrite for opposing carbon emissions while also being the continent’s largest coal port.
Vancouver could see a record breaking year for the cruise ship industry - those cruise ships that are horrible for the environment
AFGHANISTAN MEMORIAL TO BE REDEDICATED
A battlefield cenotaph that became a focus of hurt and outrage for families of soldiers killed in Afghanistan will be rededicated in a public ceremony this summer, CBC News has learned.
The rebuilt memorial, which stood outside the Canadian headquarters in Kandahar throughout the war, was unveiled initially in a private service west of downtown Ottawa — one that was attended only by federal officials and senior brass.
Families of the slain soldiers whose faces are immortalized on the monument's black granite plaques were not invited to the May 13 unveiling. The event was kept a secret for three days, until social media posts appeared later in the week.
The rebuilt memorial, which stood outside the Canadian headquarters in Kandahar throughout the war, was unveiled initially in a private service west of downtown Ottawa — one that was attended only by federal officials and senior brass.
Families of the slain soldiers whose faces are immortalized on the monument's black granite plaques were not invited to the May 13 unveiling. The event was kept a secret for three days, until social media posts appeared later in the week.
PM MAY SINKING THE UK; £1 TRILLION TO DECARBONIZATION
As predicted, Theresa May’s lame-duck government has gone ahead and signed the £1 trillion suicide note committing the UK to ‘Net Zero’ decarbonisation by 2050.
Do any of the incompetent, virtue-signalling pillocks — both on the Government and Opposition benches — who signed this piece of magical unicorn fairytale tosh have any idea what £1 trillion looks like?
Do any of the incompetent, virtue-signalling pillocks — both on the Government and Opposition benches — who signed this piece of magical unicorn fairytale tosh have any idea what £1 trillion looks like?
Furthermore, even if we were to believe the green loons, braindead politicians, and rent-seeking scum suckers from the renewables industry who claim that it is possible, such gestures are only going to make sense if all the world’s major economies follow suit. Countries that choose to ‘decarbonise’ their economies unilaterally will simply be committing suicide by burdening their own producers with unnecessary extra costs.
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
THE DIVISIVE TRUDEAU
Speaking as the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau called Conservatives racists.
That is the sunny way he will take us in to the next election.
As the Huffington Post reports, Trudeau encouraged Muslims to engage with the Conservative Party, “So that never again would any mainstream party in Canada think it’s a good idea to stoke fears and divisions against Muslims or any other group of Canadians.”
That is the sunny way he will take us in to the next election.
As the Huffington Post reports, Trudeau encouraged Muslims to engage with the Conservative Party, “So that never again would any mainstream party in Canada think it’s a good idea to stoke fears and divisions against Muslims or any other group of Canadians.”
CHINA DISALLOWS TALK OF HONG KONG PROTESTS
Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zhang Jun said on Monday that China will not allow the massive protests in Hong Kong to be discussed at the upcoming G20 summit in Osaka, Japan.
Authoritarian China cannot silence representatives from other nations at the summit, the way it can oppress its own people, so what Zhang really meant is that China’s representatives will refuse to discuss Hong Kong if asked. U.S. officials have indicated President Donald Trump will broach the subject with Chinese Communist leader Xi Jinping in Osaka.
“I can tell you with certainty that the G20 will not discuss the Hong Kong issue and we will not allow the G20 to discuss the Hong Kong issue,” Zhang said at a press conference on Monday.
Authoritarian China cannot silence representatives from other nations at the summit, the way it can oppress its own people, so what Zhang really meant is that China’s representatives will refuse to discuss Hong Kong if asked. U.S. officials have indicated President Donald Trump will broach the subject with Chinese Communist leader Xi Jinping in Osaka.
“I can tell you with certainty that the G20 will not discuss the Hong Kong issue and we will not allow the G20 to discuss the Hong Kong issue,” Zhang said at a press conference on Monday.
$ BEHIND IMMIGRATION CRISIS IN BALKANS
The interesting thing ( fascinating thing actually) is that the common citizen here in the Balkans finds out more about the immigrant problem here in our region when reading the world news than the local news. You may not know unless you are out in the field every night, seeing all that.
There are several reasons for that, and the most important one is the fact that local governments are taking money from the EU do “deal” with immigrants HERE. In other words, the EU does not want immigrants, so they are giving local governments outside the EU money to deal with the situation and to keep those folks here.
Of course, the money ends up in the pockets of a few powerful people at the top of the pyramid, definitely not in the system that should take care of immigrants.
There are several reasons for that, and the most important one is the fact that local governments are taking money from the EU do “deal” with immigrants HERE. In other words, the EU does not want immigrants, so they are giving local governments outside the EU money to deal with the situation and to keep those folks here.
Of course, the money ends up in the pockets of a few powerful people at the top of the pyramid, definitely not in the system that should take care of immigrants.
GOOGLE CONTROLLING THE MESSAGE
A new undercover exposé by Project Veritas reveals that the company is programming its machine learning algorithms in order to avoid the "next Trump situation."
"We all got screwed over in 2016, again it wasn’t just us, it was, the people got screwed over, the news media got screwed over, like, everybody got screwed over so we’re rapidly been like, what happened there and how do we prevent it from happening again," said longtime Google employee and head of "Responsible Innovation," Jen Gennai.
"We’re also training our algorithms, like, if 2016 happened again, would we have, would the outcome be different?" she added.
"We all got screwed over in 2016, again it wasn’t just us, it was, the people got screwed over, the news media got screwed over, like, everybody got screwed over so we’re rapidly been like, what happened there and how do we prevent it from happening again," said longtime Google employee and head of "Responsible Innovation," Jen Gennai.
"We’re also training our algorithms, like, if 2016 happened again, would we have, would the outcome be different?" she added.
Monday, June 24, 2019
BEHAVIOUR IN KINDERGARTEN PRESAGES FUTURE
In 1985, a group of kindergarten teachers in Quebec got together at the end of the school year and filled out a series of detailed questionnaires about their students.
They rated the five- and six-year-olds’ behaviour on a three-point scale on measures of attentiveness (Does this child have their head in the clouds all the time? Are they easily distracted?); hyperactivity (Is this kid a fidgeter? Are they always moving?); opposition and aggression (Do they refuse to share? Do they bite?); and anxiety (Do they worry about everything and cry all the time?). There were also questions about children’s “prosociality,” or, in layman’s terms, their ability to be good. The teachers reported whether kids intervened to break up fights, comforted children who were sad, or invited classmates who looked lonely to join in a game.
Now, researchers at the University of Montreal have pulled 2,850 of those kids’ tax returns to try to figure out if their incomes from age 33 to 35 had any relationship with what they were like back in the days of daily nap times. The authors expected that kids who spent their school years pestering their classmates and ignoring their teachers would underperform in school and subsequently in the workplace.
And they were right: Even after accounting for IQ and some basic demographic and family information, they found that being a handful in kindergarten is a small, but significant risk factor for having a lower income as an adult.
They rated the five- and six-year-olds’ behaviour on a three-point scale on measures of attentiveness (Does this child have their head in the clouds all the time? Are they easily distracted?); hyperactivity (Is this kid a fidgeter? Are they always moving?); opposition and aggression (Do they refuse to share? Do they bite?); and anxiety (Do they worry about everything and cry all the time?). There were also questions about children’s “prosociality,” or, in layman’s terms, their ability to be good. The teachers reported whether kids intervened to break up fights, comforted children who were sad, or invited classmates who looked lonely to join in a game.
Now, researchers at the University of Montreal have pulled 2,850 of those kids’ tax returns to try to figure out if their incomes from age 33 to 35 had any relationship with what they were like back in the days of daily nap times. The authors expected that kids who spent their school years pestering their classmates and ignoring their teachers would underperform in school and subsequently in the workplace.
And they were right: Even after accounting for IQ and some basic demographic and family information, they found that being a handful in kindergarten is a small, but significant risk factor for having a lower income as an adult.
PEARSON AIRPORT WAS TARGETED BY HEZBOLLAH
Last month a Hezbollah sleeper agent was tried and convicted in New York on multiple charges related to terrorism. And the media hardly noticed. The Canadian media ignored the matter completely. I should add that Hezbollah is a proscribed international terrorist organization in both the U.S. and Canada.
This should be a concerning story for Canadians because what the Department of Justice’s release did not say was that one of the targets Kourani had along with JFK Airport was Pearson Airport in Toronto. That information came out at trial.
This should be a concerning story for Canadians because what the Department of Justice’s release did not say was that one of the targets Kourani had along with JFK Airport was Pearson Airport in Toronto. That information came out at trial.
CHROME BROWSER HAS BECOME SPY SOFTWARE
Google's Chrome is essentially spy software according to Washington Post tech columnist Geoffrey Fowler, who spent a week analyzing the popular browser and concluded that it "looks a lot like surveillance software."
My tests of Chrome vs. Firefox unearthed a personal data caper of absurd proportions. In a week of Web surfing on my desktop, I discovered 11,189 requests for tracker “cookies” that Chrome would have ushered right onto my computer but were automatically blocked by Firefox. These little files are the hooks that data firms, including Google itself, use to follow what websites you visit so they can build profiles of your interests, income and personality.
Chrome welcomed trackers even at websites you would think would be private. I watched Aetna and the Federal Student Aid website set cookies for Facebook and Google. They surreptitiously told the data giants every time I pulled up the insurance and loan service’s log-in pages.
My tests of Chrome vs. Firefox unearthed a personal data caper of absurd proportions. In a week of Web surfing on my desktop, I discovered 11,189 requests for tracker “cookies” that Chrome would have ushered right onto my computer but were automatically blocked by Firefox. These little files are the hooks that data firms, including Google itself, use to follow what websites you visit so they can build profiles of your interests, income and personality.
Chrome welcomed trackers even at websites you would think would be private. I watched Aetna and the Federal Student Aid website set cookies for Facebook and Google. They surreptitiously told the data giants every time I pulled up the insurance and loan service’s log-in pages.
LEAK EXPOSED PLANS FOR ICE RAIDS
The chronic problem of sabotage by bureaucrats hostile to the outsider president shaking up the Deep State will never be solved until unmasking and punishment become the order of the day. That’s why it is so heartening that with unusual swiftness, accusations are pointing to the alleged identity of a leaker who successfully delayed implementation of a key Trump policy initiative, the planned ICE raids on illegal alien scofflaws who have defied court orders for theior deportation.
This exercise will – if the allegations are sustained by evidence – help establish a norm of exposing the rat finks that could discourage future saboteurs.
Leaks to multiple media outlets, first reported by the Washington Post, exposed plans for ICE raids on illegal aliens who have gone through the appeals process and ignored court orders for their deportation. As a result, following strong Democrat protests, implementation of the plan has been delayed by two weeks.
Sunday, June 23, 2019
CANADIAN FARM FINANCE STATISTICS
Realized net farm income was down by 45.1 per cent on the year, the report noted.
Total farm assets increased by 4.4 per cent in 2018, to $623 billion, due largely to a 6.1 per cent increase in farmland values. However, the value of inventories declined by 3.2 per cent during the year which partially offset the farmland value increase.
Total liabilities in the farm sector rose by 8.7 per cent in 2018, hitting $100.8 billion, according to the report. The debt-to-asset ratio increased to 16.2 per cent, from 15.5 per cent in 2017, hitting its highest mark since 2011.
A Canadian farmer, Billy Bob, has a few things to say about financial matters
Total farm assets increased by 4.4 per cent in 2018, to $623 billion, due largely to a 6.1 per cent increase in farmland values. However, the value of inventories declined by 3.2 per cent during the year which partially offset the farmland value increase.
Total liabilities in the farm sector rose by 8.7 per cent in 2018, hitting $100.8 billion, according to the report. The debt-to-asset ratio increased to 16.2 per cent, from 15.5 per cent in 2017, hitting its highest mark since 2011.
A Canadian farmer, Billy Bob, has a few things to say about financial matters
NEW NATIONAL SECURITY LAW PASSED
The bill — which, after two years, passed through both houses of Parliament this week — gives Canada's signals intelligence agency new powers, although most of its new authority will come into force down the road.
Once the prime minister and cabinet issue an order, the Communications Security Establishment will be permitted under C-59 to launch cyberattacks (also called "active cyber operations") for the first time in Canadian history.
"Once again, Canadian lawmakers have failed to act to ensure that national security laws do not come at the cost of privacy, free expression, due process and government transparency," said Tim McSorley, national co-ordinator of the Ottawa-based International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group.
Once the prime minister and cabinet issue an order, the Communications Security Establishment will be permitted under C-59 to launch cyberattacks (also called "active cyber operations") for the first time in Canadian history.
"Once again, Canadian lawmakers have failed to act to ensure that national security laws do not come at the cost of privacy, free expression, due process and government transparency," said Tim McSorley, national co-ordinator of the Ottawa-based International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group.
SENATE PASSES EMERGENCY MARKET SAFEGUARDS BILL
Listeners familiar with Trump's fixations could infer that by "certain products," the president likely meant Chinese steel.
"There won't be, hopefully, transshipping," Trump said, referring to the practice of using one country as a stopover to another to dodge tariffs.
"If there's transshipping, I'll call Justin and he'll take care of it. And if he doesn't, I'll probably call him a second time. And if he doesn't, we'll have to talk," he said, looking at Trudeau.
"We'll be fine," Prime Minister Trudeau replied.
"I think the situation is very well taken care of," Trump concluded.
"There won't be, hopefully, transshipping," Trump said, referring to the practice of using one country as a stopover to another to dodge tariffs.
"If there's transshipping, I'll call Justin and he'll take care of it. And if he doesn't, I'll probably call him a second time. And if he doesn't, we'll have to talk," he said, looking at Trudeau.
"We'll be fine," Prime Minister Trudeau replied.
"I think the situation is very well taken care of," Trump concluded.
GOODALE OFF KILTER & OUT OF STEP
The Wascana MP has not just survived but flourished in Liberal leadership machinations and mutinies, holding trusted positions in the governments of Jean Chretien and Paul Martin. He has also served as a trusted lieutenant during the brief tenures of failed Liberal leaders Stephane Dion and Michael Ignatieff.
But in the current Justin Trudeau government, something about Ralph Goodale has seemed off kilter and out of step. Besides often seeming to be the only adult in the room, Goodale has been more a quiet stalwart than star performer.
Just as his uncomfortably long and nuanced “politician answers” now seem quaint in a world of snappy, seven-second soundbites, he has also morphed from Saskatchewan’s guy in Ottawa to an Ottawa courier reciting talking points to a skeptical audience back home.
From trying to defend the Trudeau brand of identity politics and the most left-wing government in Canadian history, Goodale struggles making the case for an unpopular carbon tax, laws that seem patently anti-Western resources and even his own role in approving the payment of $10.5 million to admitted terrorist Omar Khadr.
But in the current Justin Trudeau government, something about Ralph Goodale has seemed off kilter and out of step. Besides often seeming to be the only adult in the room, Goodale has been more a quiet stalwart than star performer.
Just as his uncomfortably long and nuanced “politician answers” now seem quaint in a world of snappy, seven-second soundbites, he has also morphed from Saskatchewan’s guy in Ottawa to an Ottawa courier reciting talking points to a skeptical audience back home.
From trying to defend the Trudeau brand of identity politics and the most left-wing government in Canadian history, Goodale struggles making the case for an unpopular carbon tax, laws that seem patently anti-Western resources and even his own role in approving the payment of $10.5 million to admitted terrorist Omar Khadr.
BLAIR BACKS AWAY FROM HANDGUN BAN
Bill Blair, the federal Liberals’ minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction explained why the government had decided against banning handguns. “I believe that would be potentially a very expensive proposition,” Blair said, referring to the potential costs of a massive buyback of almost a million lawfully owned guns and their related accessories. “But just as importantly,” he told the Globe, “it would not in my opinion be perhaps the most effective measure in restricting the access that criminals would have to such weapons, because we’d still have a problem with them being smuggled across the border.”
I guess the federal government needed almost a full year of study to conclude what was always blindingly obvious — the supply of firearms to the gangs responsible for most of the shootings in Canada’s largest cities comes from the United States. Some handguns can be traced back to Canadian owners (individuals, institutions or even gun stores). These guns can be stolen or unlawfully diverted onto the black market. But the evidence has long been clear that the U.S. remains the main supplier, and there’s zero evidence to suggest (and no reason to believe) that any tightening of the supply of guns from Canadian sources wouldn’t be instantly offset by an increased supply from the U.S. Guns sold on the black market in Canada can already sell well beyond the market value a target shooter would pay for it in a gun store. This is because selling guns, like any other controlled object, is lucrative. Banning Canadian guns would enrich smugglers, not reduce crime.
I guess the federal government needed almost a full year of study to conclude what was always blindingly obvious — the supply of firearms to the gangs responsible for most of the shootings in Canada’s largest cities comes from the United States. Some handguns can be traced back to Canadian owners (individuals, institutions or even gun stores). These guns can be stolen or unlawfully diverted onto the black market. But the evidence has long been clear that the U.S. remains the main supplier, and there’s zero evidence to suggest (and no reason to believe) that any tightening of the supply of guns from Canadian sources wouldn’t be instantly offset by an increased supply from the U.S. Guns sold on the black market in Canada can already sell well beyond the market value a target shooter would pay for it in a gun store. This is because selling guns, like any other controlled object, is lucrative. Banning Canadian guns would enrich smugglers, not reduce crime.
TIRESOME CLIMATE CHARADES OF TRUDEAU & SCHEER
Rex Murphy: It is a fiction and a delusion that Canada is in any way now or ever will be a significant influence, for good or ill, in the dreary, endless, pup-chasing-its-own-tail “fight against climate change.”
Canada’s leverage over the future climate of the entire planet is incidental and trivial. We are as a toothpick among redwoods. This is acknowledged. Were we to halt this country’s entire energy output, the race to eco-apocalypse that the doom-mongers say we’re on would not be slowed by a week. The coal mines of India and China would see to that.
As for Andrew Scheer’s cloud of blather (“Canada, yes us, is going to ‘invent’ the world out of climate doom”), it was another tepid spasm of “I’m the reasonable one here.” Instead of going to Fort McMurray, which is where energy policy should be announced if he wanted to show where his heart is, Scheer was in front of a picture-postcard calm lake under a beautiful blue sky — the kind of PR background you might find in a Greenpeace fundraising ad. It lacked only a swan with blue feathers and someone reciting Wordsworth.
Canada’s leverage over the future climate of the entire planet is incidental and trivial. We are as a toothpick among redwoods. This is acknowledged. Were we to halt this country’s entire energy output, the race to eco-apocalypse that the doom-mongers say we’re on would not be slowed by a week. The coal mines of India and China would see to that.
As for Andrew Scheer’s cloud of blather (“Canada, yes us, is going to ‘invent’ the world out of climate doom”), it was another tepid spasm of “I’m the reasonable one here.” Instead of going to Fort McMurray, which is where energy policy should be announced if he wanted to show where his heart is, Scheer was in front of a picture-postcard calm lake under a beautiful blue sky — the kind of PR background you might find in a Greenpeace fundraising ad. It lacked only a swan with blue feathers and someone reciting Wordsworth.
Saturday, June 22, 2019
SMUGGLING CHINESE MIGRANTS INTO BC
A years-long investigation by federal authorities has uncovered an elaborate “human smuggling network” that may have helped close to a thousand Chinese migrants cross the Canada-U.S. border via a public park just steps away from a busy B.C. port of entry, according to newly unsealed court documents obtained by the National Post.
A major part of the scheme saw Chinese nationals fly to the United States on valid travel visas, make their way to Seattle and then get dropped off by members of the network at or near Peace Arch Park — a 16-hectare park that straddles the international border between Surrey, B.C., and Blaine, Wash.
An email to would-be border jumpers, uncovered during the investigation and translated from Chinese, instructed them to “smile” and “be natural” when walking through the park and to pretend to take pictures. “If someone questions, the answer is, (I’m) only tourist … not going to Canada,” it said.
A major part of the scheme saw Chinese nationals fly to the United States on valid travel visas, make their way to Seattle and then get dropped off by members of the network at or near Peace Arch Park — a 16-hectare park that straddles the international border between Surrey, B.C., and Blaine, Wash.
An email to would-be border jumpers, uncovered during the investigation and translated from Chinese, instructed them to “smile” and “be natural” when walking through the park and to pretend to take pictures. “If someone questions, the answer is, (I’m) only tourist … not going to Canada,” it said.
GOOD RIDDANCE TO FORD'S CHIEF OF STAFF
The Premier’s office released a stunning statement Friday evening saying Ford had accepted his chief of staff’s resignation and that French will be returning to the private sector “as he had always planned.”
French’s resignation was met with disbelief and celebration within the entire Progressive Conservative party, including MPPs who tell CTV News Toronto there is a “wave of relief.”
Other party insiders say French was known to have a brash temperament and would often scold MPPs and staff alike.
“He’s aggressive, he is mean, he is condescending,” said another party source who was granted anonymity.
French, the source says, would regularly threaten to kick staffers or elected MPPs out of the Progressive Conservative caucus “for not being a team player.”
French’s resignation was met with disbelief and celebration within the entire Progressive Conservative party, including MPPs who tell CTV News Toronto there is a “wave of relief.”
Other party insiders say French was known to have a brash temperament and would often scold MPPs and staff alike.
“He’s aggressive, he is mean, he is condescending,” said another party source who was granted anonymity.
French, the source says, would regularly threaten to kick staffers or elected MPPs out of the Progressive Conservative caucus “for not being a team player.”
PUTTING THE BOOTS TO ALBERTA
Governor General Julie Payette can be forgiven if she is somewhat hand-weary today, having spent the last day of parliament giving Royal Assent with the flip of her pen to a stack of legislation — the two most-controversial bills widely seen as the death knell to Canada’s oil sector.
This is great news, of course, to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who has vowed to see the end of the carbon stain of the oilsands — now and in the future — and fare thee well to the billions of dollars in revenues, and hundreds of thousands of well-paying jobs, that will go with it.
This is great news, of course, to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who has vowed to see the end of the carbon stain of the oilsands — now and in the future — and fare thee well to the billions of dollars in revenues, and hundreds of thousands of well-paying jobs, that will go with it.
DOUG FORD'S DUMPSTER FIRE
Robin Urback: Instead, just this week, the Ford government appointed a relative of French's wife, as well as a friend of French's son, as two of four new agents-general for Ontario, tasked with drumming up business outside of the province. Ford then revoked the appointments less than 24 hours later, apparently belatedly realizing that you shouldn't pluck names from your Christmas party list for prestigious international appointments.
French, who has long been cited by both insiders and outsiders as the source of much of the premier's trouble, resigned as chief of staff Friday evening. This might be the structural reset caucus was looking for, but there's still a long way to go to rehabilitate Ford's image in the eyes of the public.
This back-and-forth has become somewhat of a pattern for the Ford government: Make some sort of triumphant announcement (Bigger class sizes! New autism funding structure! Retroactive cuts to municipalities!), cock your head at the blowback (But kids will be more resilient in larger classes! Don't you want us to eliminate the autism wait list? You know how much waste there is at city hall?) and then surrender to the pressure (Here's some money to prevent teacher layoffs. OK, we'll rework our autism plan. Fine, we'll cancel those retroactive cuts).
French, who has long been cited by both insiders and outsiders as the source of much of the premier's trouble, resigned as chief of staff Friday evening. This might be the structural reset caucus was looking for, but there's still a long way to go to rehabilitate Ford's image in the eyes of the public.
This back-and-forth has become somewhat of a pattern for the Ford government: Make some sort of triumphant announcement (Bigger class sizes! New autism funding structure! Retroactive cuts to municipalities!), cock your head at the blowback (But kids will be more resilient in larger classes! Don't you want us to eliminate the autism wait list? You know how much waste there is at city hall?) and then surrender to the pressure (Here's some money to prevent teacher layoffs. OK, we'll rework our autism plan. Fine, we'll cancel those retroactive cuts).
Friday, June 21, 2019
USA COMING FOR CANADA'S PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
It is a state with 21 million people, a huge concentration of medicine-consuming senior citizens and massive influence in the next U.S. election. And now, with President Donald Trump’s support, Florida is coming for Canada’s prescription drugs.
New legislation that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law last week will set up a formal, government-run system for importing cheaper medicines to the state from north of the border, a project Trump has urged his administration to help bring to fruition.
Individual Americans have been importing drugs from this country for two decades, the demand ebbing and flowing, the impact here rarely noticeable. But Florida’s initiative would seem to take the phenomenon to a new level, involving wholesale importation by America’s third-largest state, backed by the White House in a U.S. election cycle where high drug prices are front and centre.
New legislation that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law last week will set up a formal, government-run system for importing cheaper medicines to the state from north of the border, a project Trump has urged his administration to help bring to fruition.
Individual Americans have been importing drugs from this country for two decades, the demand ebbing and flowing, the impact here rarely noticeable. But Florida’s initiative would seem to take the phenomenon to a new level, involving wholesale importation by America’s third-largest state, backed by the White House in a U.S. election cycle where high drug prices are front and centre.
ELECTIONS CANADA CLAIMS UNIMPEACHABLE NEUTRALITY
Elections Canada is cancelling a $650,000 campaign to hire social-media influencers after a final review found comments from some of the online stars that could be viewed as partisan.
As it cancelled the program, the agency identified the names of the 13 influencers on Thursday. A review of the influencers’ online comments by The Globe and Mail found one had called in 2015 for Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper to be voted out of office. Another was quoted in 2016 as describing Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “really dreamy.”
An Elections Canada spokesperson said most of the $650,000 has been spent but said in an e-mail. “We are working with the agencies to recuperate some of the costs.”
CHINA PUNISHES PERCEIVED DISLOYALTY
Former Interpol President Meng Hongwei confessed to accepting more than $2 million in bribes and expressed regret for his crime, a Chinese court said Thursday.
Meng, who was elected president of the international police organization in 2016, disappeared into custody while visiting China from France at the end of September. Interpol was not informed of Meng’s detention and was forced to ask China about his whereabouts.
There are suspicions he fell out of political favor with Xi, who has come down hard on corruption and perceived disloyalty in what observers say is a campaign calculated to strengthen party control while bringing down potential challengers to his authority.
Meng, who was elected president of the international police organization in 2016, disappeared into custody while visiting China from France at the end of September. Interpol was not informed of Meng’s detention and was forced to ask China about his whereabouts.
There are suspicions he fell out of political favor with Xi, who has come down hard on corruption and perceived disloyalty in what observers say is a campaign calculated to strengthen party control while bringing down potential challengers to his authority.
EDUCATING AOC
A Polish lawmaker and committee chairman on trans-Atlantic trade has invited Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to visit former concentration camps in his country in an effort to educate the freshman legislator.
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez has recently been embroiled in a war of words with the political right, and indeed members of her own Democratic Party, after suggesting the Trump administration was running “concentration camps” in the United States (despite the Obama administration operating the same policy).
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez has recently been embroiled in a war of words with the political right, and indeed members of her own Democratic Party, after suggesting the Trump administration was running “concentration camps” in the United States (despite the Obama administration operating the same policy).
TRUMP DIALS BACK TENSION WITH IRAN
Iran said Friday it had "indisputable" evidence a US drone it downed had violated its airspace, as reports emerged in the US that President Donald Trump had approved then scrapped retaliatory strikes against Iranian targets.
The downing of the drone -- which Washington insists was above international waters but Iran says was within its airspace -- has seen tensions between the two countries spike further after a series of attacks on tankers the US has blamed on Tehran.
The downing of the drone -- which Washington insists was above international waters but Iran says was within its airspace -- has seen tensions between the two countries spike further after a series of attacks on tankers the US has blamed on Tehran.
Thursday, June 20, 2019
ILLITERATE VEGANS TARGET NB DAIRY FARMERS
Dairy farmers in New Brunswick are upset over advertising on billboards in Moncton and buses in Fredericton that claim “dairy is scary.”
The anti-dairy program is being supported by a vegan group trying to encourage people to strike dairy from their diets.
“We want to bring awareness to the horrors of the dairy industry that many people are not aware,” said Bill Wilson of Vegan Education Group New Brunswick, who also represents the Halifax chapter of the group.
The billboards, one showing a calf saying “dairy took my mom and my life,” were placed on facing Main Street in Moncton in the mid-June.
The anti-dairy program is being supported by a vegan group trying to encourage people to strike dairy from their diets.
“We want to bring awareness to the horrors of the dairy industry that many people are not aware,” said Bill Wilson of Vegan Education Group New Brunswick, who also represents the Halifax chapter of the group.
The billboards, one showing a calf saying “dairy took my mom and my life,” were placed on facing Main Street in Moncton in the mid-June.
New Brunswick literacy advocates are upset over advertising on billboards in Moncton and buses in Fredericton that have misspelled the word “dairy.”
‘Diary is Scary’TMX TO PAY FOR TRUDEAU'S NATIONAL GREEN DREAM
For Alberta, there was another powerful underlying message to Trudeau’s news conference wherein he announced the approval of Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion.
It was the clearest statement yet that the Liberals’ sole medium-term use for the petroleum industry is to finance the weaning of Canada off the petroleum industry.
Time and again Trudeau said that economic growth from petroleum resources is essential to pay for the shift to a green economy.
It was the clearest statement yet that the Liberals’ sole medium-term use for the petroleum industry is to finance the weaning of Canada off the petroleum industry.
Time and again Trudeau said that economic growth from petroleum resources is essential to pay for the shift to a green economy.
MORNEAU WARNS JOBLESS ALBERTANS RE POPULISM
With a pro-oil protest humming outside, Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau told a Calgary business crowd on Wednesday that he understands how the shift to a low-carbon future can be a source of anxiety.
But he also acknowledged there is deep anxiety, growing income disparity and stress across Canada in areas like Alberta.
"There's an increasing level of frustration and it's not just impacting small pockets of our population," said Morneau.
He warned that those stresses and the parallel rise of populism across the globe constitute a threat to "our pluralistic, inclusive society."
But he also acknowledged there is deep anxiety, growing income disparity and stress across Canada in areas like Alberta.
"There's an increasing level of frustration and it's not just impacting small pockets of our population," said Morneau.
He warned that those stresses and the parallel rise of populism across the globe constitute a threat to "our pluralistic, inclusive society."
SCHEER'S PLAN: GREEN TECHNOLOGY, NOT TAXES
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer unveiled a plan for the environment Wednesday that he said would meet Canada's emissions reduction targets while eliminating the current federal carbon tax regime.
The plan, detailed in a 60-page platform-like document, is focused on what it calls "green technology, not taxes." It hinges on setting strict emissions standards for major greenhouse gas emitters that, if exceeded, would force those companies to pay into a fund that would in turn be invested in government-certified clean tech companies — a policy the party said would force companies to make emissions reduction part of their business models.
The plan, detailed in a 60-page platform-like document, is focused on what it calls "green technology, not taxes." It hinges on setting strict emissions standards for major greenhouse gas emitters that, if exceeded, would force those companies to pay into a fund that would in turn be invested in government-certified clean tech companies — a policy the party said would force companies to make emissions reduction part of their business models.
"Conservatives fundamentally believe that you cannot tax your way to a cleaner environment. Instead, the answer lies in technology," Scheer said in a speech to supporters in Chelsea, Que.. "The fact is, we can actually create more jobs in Canada through technological growth while at the same time lowering global emissions.
JOB CUTS IN ONTARIO HEALTH AGENCIES
The Ford government announced Wednesday that 416 layoff notices will be handed out to employees at health agencies across the province.
The agencies include those that will be merged into the health super agency the government is creating, which was announced late last year and is called Ontario Health. The super agency includes the province’s local health integration networks, Cancer Care Ontario, eHealth Ontario, the Trillium Gift of Life Network and others.
“With each of these agencies having their own administrative and back-office supports, we are needlessly duplicating operations and spending money that we desperately need to pay for and enhance direct patient care,” a statement from Health Minister Christine Elliott read.
The agencies include those that will be merged into the health super agency the government is creating, which was announced late last year and is called Ontario Health. The super agency includes the province’s local health integration networks, Cancer Care Ontario, eHealth Ontario, the Trillium Gift of Life Network and others.
“With each of these agencies having their own administrative and back-office supports, we are needlessly duplicating operations and spending money that we desperately need to pay for and enhance direct patient care,” a statement from Health Minister Christine Elliott read.
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
AOC, ENGAGE THE BRAIN BEFORE THE MOUTH
New York lawmaker Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D) is seemingly denying that she explicitly compared migrant detention centers to the Holocaust in a series of defensive tweets and retweets posted Tuesday afternoon.
In a live stream posted Monday evening, Ocasio-Cortez accused the Trump administration of holding migrant families in the equivalent of “concentration camps” and invoked the well-known Holocaust remembrance phrase “Never Again.”
“That is exactly what they are. They are concentration camps,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “The fact that concentrations camps are now an institutionalized practice in the Home of the Free is extraordinarily disturbing and we need to do something about it.”
In a live stream posted Monday evening, Ocasio-Cortez accused the Trump administration of holding migrant families in the equivalent of “concentration camps” and invoked the well-known Holocaust remembrance phrase “Never Again.”
“That is exactly what they are. They are concentration camps,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “The fact that concentrations camps are now an institutionalized practice in the Home of the Free is extraordinarily disturbing and we need to do something about it.”
CNN SUCKS
CNN cut away from President Trump’s massive reelection rally in Orlando Tuesday evening after the crowd broke out in a “CNN Sucks!” chant.
CNN’s Brian Stelter claims the network simply cut away for “analysis.”
“After a ‘CNN sucks’ chant breaks out at Trump’s re-election event, Trump says ‘that is a LOT of fake news back there,'” Stelter wrote.
CNN’s Brian Stelter claims the network simply cut away for “analysis.”
“After a ‘CNN sucks’ chant breaks out at Trump’s re-election event, Trump says ‘that is a LOT of fake news back there,'” Stelter wrote.
ESCAPING CHINA'S LOOMING GRASP
Hong Kong has been governed under a “one country, two systems” formula since its return from British to Chinese rule in 1997, allowing it certain freedoms, including an independent judiciary. Courts in mainland China are controlled by the Communist Party.
Yung is joining thousands of people who have left for Taiwan in recent years, citing fears of Chinese erosion of one country, two systems, a concept Beijing hopes it can introduce one day in Taiwan.
Beijing has never renounced the use of force to take over neighbouring, self-ruled Taiwan, which it regards as a recalcitrant, breakaway province.
Yung is joining thousands of people who have left for Taiwan in recent years, citing fears of Chinese erosion of one country, two systems, a concept Beijing hopes it can introduce one day in Taiwan.
Beijing has never renounced the use of force to take over neighbouring, self-ruled Taiwan, which it regards as a recalcitrant, breakaway province.
HORGAN STILL OPPOSES TRANS MTN EXPANSION
VICTORIA — B.C.’s premier is vowing to continue legal challenges against the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, in what may now be mostly symbolic opposition to a project Ottawa has again approved.
John Horgan said he’s disappointed the federal government gave another green light Tuesday to a plan to twin the existing pipeline from near Edmonton to Burnaby, which will triple capacity to 890,000 barrels a day.
While B.C. will continue two court challenges, Horgan said the province will grant any lawfully requested permits to start construction on the twinned pipeline this summer. “Although I regret the federal government’s decision, it is within their authority to make that decision,” he said.
John Horgan said he’s disappointed the federal government gave another green light Tuesday to a plan to twin the existing pipeline from near Edmonton to Burnaby, which will triple capacity to 890,000 barrels a day.
While B.C. will continue two court challenges, Horgan said the province will grant any lawfully requested permits to start construction on the twinned pipeline this summer. “Although I regret the federal government’s decision, it is within their authority to make that decision,” he said.
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
FIRST COURT CHALLENGE OF QUEBEC'S BILL 21
Legault’s government has invoked the Constitution’s notwithstanding clause, preventing the courts from striking down Bill 21 for violating certain Charter rights. But less than 24 hours after being passed into law, the legislation was already facing its first court challenge.
The National Coalition of Canadian Muslims and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association said Monday they’ll challenge Bill 21, and expect to be before Québec Superior Court on Thursday.
“(The challenge) is about jurisdiction, it is about a constitutional challenge. Essentially we’re arguing that one, it’s unconstitutional, and two, it will cause irreparable harm to religious minorities,” said Leila Nasr, NCCM’s communications co-ordinator. “On those grounds, we’re asking the court to stay the application of the law.”
The National Coalition of Canadian Muslims and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association said Monday they’ll challenge Bill 21, and expect to be before Québec Superior Court on Thursday.
“(The challenge) is about jurisdiction, it is about a constitutional challenge. Essentially we’re arguing that one, it’s unconstitutional, and two, it will cause irreparable harm to religious minorities,” said Leila Nasr, NCCM’s communications co-ordinator. “On those grounds, we’re asking the court to stay the application of the law.”
ANOTHER INNOCENT LIBERAL
Embattled Liberal MP Joe Peschisolido continues to claim he has never been involved in a controversial legal service known as a bare trust agreement and that he did not participate in a secretive transaction completed by his law firm in 2011 that might have helped an alleged “drug boss” from China launder money in a Coquitlam, B.C., condo deal.
But Global News has identified another 2011 bare trust land deal in Surrey, B.C., that directly connects Peschisolido’s legal services to another client from China named in a “transnational money laundering” investigation at a Richmond casino, according to legal filings and B.C. Lottery Corp. documents.
Last week, Peschisolido attempted to distance himself from the first B.C. bare trust condo deal identified by Global News, which involved Peschisolido’s law firm and Kwok Chung Tam, a convicted drug trafficker and alleged “brazen loan shark” and “heavyweight” with a powerful Mainland China heroin cartel.
But Global News has identified another 2011 bare trust land deal in Surrey, B.C., that directly connects Peschisolido’s legal services to another client from China named in a “transnational money laundering” investigation at a Richmond casino, according to legal filings and B.C. Lottery Corp. documents.
Last week, Peschisolido attempted to distance himself from the first B.C. bare trust condo deal identified by Global News, which involved Peschisolido’s law firm and Kwok Chung Tam, a convicted drug trafficker and alleged “brazen loan shark” and “heavyweight” with a powerful Mainland China heroin cartel.
HUAWEI TO LOSE $30BILLION
SHENZHEN, China — The U.S. blacklisting of Chinese telecom giant Huawei will reduce the company’s sales by $30 billion over the next two years, Huawei chief executive Ren Zhengfei said Monday, comparing the company to a “badly damaged plane.”
Speaking at company headquarters in some of his first remarks since the ban, Ren said the U.S. penalty is causing Huawei’s cellphone sales outside of China to drop by about 40 percent. Before the ban Huawei was the world’s second biggest seller of cellphones and the largest seller of telecom network equipment, with annual revenue of about $105 billion.
The Trump administration last month barred companies from selling U.S. technology to Huawei, saying the company was “engaged in activities that are contrary to U.S. national security or foreign policy interest.” Administration officials say they fear Huawei could tap into and monitor sensitive U.S. communications through its network technology.
Speaking at company headquarters in some of his first remarks since the ban, Ren said the U.S. penalty is causing Huawei’s cellphone sales outside of China to drop by about 40 percent. Before the ban Huawei was the world’s second biggest seller of cellphones and the largest seller of telecom network equipment, with annual revenue of about $105 billion.
The Trump administration last month barred companies from selling U.S. technology to Huawei, saying the company was “engaged in activities that are contrary to U.S. national security or foreign policy interest.” Administration officials say they fear Huawei could tap into and monitor sensitive U.S. communications through its network technology.
1000 MORE USA TROOPS TO MIDDLE EAST
Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan announced on Monday the deployment of about 1,000 more troops to the Middle East for what he said were defensive purposes, citing concerns about a threat from Iran.
Fears of a confrontation between Iran and the United States have mounted since last Thursday when two oil tankers were attacked, which Washington has blamed on Tehran, more than a year after President Donald Trump said Washington was withdrawing from a 2015 nuclear deal.
“The recent Iranian attacks validate the reliable, credible intelligence we have received on hostile behavior by Iranian forces and their proxy groups that threaten United States personnel and interests across the region,” Shanahan said in a statement.
Fears of a confrontation between Iran and the United States have mounted since last Thursday when two oil tankers were attacked, which Washington has blamed on Tehran, more than a year after President Donald Trump said Washington was withdrawing from a 2015 nuclear deal.
“The recent Iranian attacks validate the reliable, credible intelligence we have received on hostile behavior by Iranian forces and their proxy groups that threaten United States personnel and interests across the region,” Shanahan said in a statement.
HOC DECLARES NATIONAL CLIMATE EMERGENCY
The House of Commons has passed a motion declaring a national climate emergency, and supporting Canada’s commitment to meet the Paris Agreement emissions targets.
Conservative MPs voted against the motion, but it still passed 186-63 with the support of the Liberals, New Democrats, Bloc Quebecois and Green MPs. The motion was was put forward by Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna.
The motion describes climate change as a "real and urgent crisis, driven by human activity," notes how it is impacting Canadians, and states the need to pursue clean growth methods to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Monday, June 17, 2019
MCKENNA'S SMEAR OF OIL INDUSTRY RUINING ECONOMY
Gunter: Want to know why federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna turned down the bulk of important amendments to the Liberal government’s Bill C-69 – the pipeline assessment legislation that will make approval for new projects so complicated it has been dubbed the No More Pipelines Act?
McKenna believes her job is to smear a whole industry by claiming it is, in its entirety, a threat to all Canadians.
Can you imagine a federal Liberal minister saying she had to protect Canadians from Quebec’s asbestos or aerospace or dairy industries? Or Ontario’s manufacturers? Or B.C.’s timber industry?
McKenna believes her job is to smear a whole industry by claiming it is, in its entirety, a threat to all Canadians.
Can you imagine a federal Liberal minister saying she had to protect Canadians from Quebec’s asbestos or aerospace or dairy industries? Or Ontario’s manufacturers? Or B.C.’s timber industry?
QUEBEC ADOPTS SECULARISM BILL
Quebec's contentious secularism bill banning religious symbols for teachers, police officers and other public servants in positions of authority was voted into law late Sunday.
The bill prohibits public servants in positions of authority from wearing religious symbols on the job. Its opponents say the law targets religious minorities while the government argues it affirms the Quebecois people's secular identity.
The bill prohibits public servants in positions of authority from wearing religious symbols on the job. Its opponents say the law targets religious minorities while the government argues it affirms the Quebecois people's secular identity.
Sunday, June 16, 2019
WAR ON TANKERS TO EXACT A HIGH PRICE
Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo conveyed a message from US President Donald Trump to the Iranian leadership, asking the release of 5 US prisoners and inviting Iran to sit around a negotiation table, adding “he [Donald Trump] would be ready to suspend all sanctions only during the negotiations”. No guarantee was offered to freeze or revoke the sanctions. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei rejected the message and any dialogue with the US President and told his guest that he considers Trump unworthy to “to exchange a message with”.
Informed sources close to Iranian decision makers repeated the words of President Hassan Rouhani and the Iranian advisor to Sayyed Khamenei for international affairs, Ali Akbar Velayati, namely that “if Iran can’t export oil through the Persian Gulf, no-one in the Middle East will be able do this.”
The source “expects further attacks in the future, given the US decision to stop the flow of oil by all means at all costs. Thus, oil will stop being delivered to the world if Iran can’t export its two million barrels per day”.
Informed sources close to Iranian decision makers repeated the words of President Hassan Rouhani and the Iranian advisor to Sayyed Khamenei for international affairs, Ali Akbar Velayati, namely that “if Iran can’t export oil through the Persian Gulf, no-one in the Middle East will be able do this.”
The source “expects further attacks in the future, given the US decision to stop the flow of oil by all means at all costs. Thus, oil will stop being delivered to the world if Iran can’t export its two million barrels per day”.
IRAN BLAMED FOR BLAST-HIT TANKERS
It was not clear who would take part in assessing the tankers. After the May 12 attacks, in which a Norwegian-registered tanker was also hit, the UAE launched an investigation in cooperation with the United States, Saudi Arabia, Norway and France, which has a naval base in Abu Dhabi.
The UAE has said the probe shows that a state actor was behind last month’s operation, without naming a country, and that naval mines were most likely used.
The United States and Saudi Arabia have directly blamed Iran for the attacks on the six vessels. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday urged the international community to take a “decisive stand” but said Riyadh does not want a war.
The UAE has said the probe shows that a state actor was behind last month’s operation, without naming a country, and that naval mines were most likely used.
The United States and Saudi Arabia have directly blamed Iran for the attacks on the six vessels. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday urged the international community to take a “decisive stand” but said Riyadh does not want a war.
NO COSTING OR TIMELINES FOR NDP PLATFORM
In a speech delivered to a room full of supporters during an Ontario NDP policy convention in Hamilton on Sunday morning, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Canadians must have the “courage to dream.”
The party released a 109-page platform on Sunday, titled “A New Deal for People”
The commitments aren’t fully costed, nor are there firm timelines on many of the more ambitious promises, but the party plans to use revenue from increasing taxes on the wealthy and by closing tax loopholes to pay for massive commitments in health care, affordable housing and fighting climate change.
The NDP is promising to enact universal pharmacare in 2020 and to go several steps further. The party aims to publicly fund dental care, vision care, mental health care and hearing care within 10 years, according to officials who briefed reporters on Sunday, although it has no estimates of how much that might cost.
The party released a 109-page platform on Sunday, titled “A New Deal for People”
The commitments aren’t fully costed, nor are there firm timelines on many of the more ambitious promises, but the party plans to use revenue from increasing taxes on the wealthy and by closing tax loopholes to pay for massive commitments in health care, affordable housing and fighting climate change.
The NDP is promising to enact universal pharmacare in 2020 and to go several steps further. The party aims to publicly fund dental care, vision care, mental health care and hearing care within 10 years, according to officials who briefed reporters on Sunday, although it has no estimates of how much that might cost.
QUEBEC TO SCRAP 18,000 IMMIGRANT APPLICATIONS
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is holding firm on his plan to scrap thousands of pending immigration applications, meaning 18,000 people would have to restart the application process from scratch.
“The old (selection) criteria do not meet the needs of the labour market,” Legault said, speaking with reporters ahead of a rare weekend session of the National Assembly to fast-track Bill 9.
The legislation would give the immigration minister more authority over who receives permanent residency in Quebec. It would also allow the government to cancel roughly 18,000 immigration applications, some from people who waited in limbo for years as their files languished in the old system.
“The old (selection) criteria do not meet the needs of the labour market,” Legault said, speaking with reporters ahead of a rare weekend session of the National Assembly to fast-track Bill 9.
The legislation would give the immigration minister more authority over who receives permanent residency in Quebec. It would also allow the government to cancel roughly 18,000 immigration applications, some from people who waited in limbo for years as their files languished in the old system.
Saturday, June 15, 2019
CAMPAIGN OF FOIBLES AND FAILURES
Rex Murphy: The campaign fabricators of all parties are in near full swing now, busy in the back rooms trying out attack lines, how best to present every other leader but their own as a moral defective or an incompetent slug. Campaigns are mainly about leaders, not platforms. Personally I wonder why journalists make such a big deal about the latter and accommodate the idea they’re little more than window dressing around the leaders’ campaigns.
The cardinal purpose of all election advertising is to do in the other bunch’s leader. And the greatest leverage in taking down a leader is the faults, foibles and failures that he or she has, during the previous term, put on the plate for his or her opponents.
The cardinal purpose of all election advertising is to do in the other bunch’s leader. And the greatest leverage in taking down a leader is the faults, foibles and failures that he or she has, during the previous term, put on the plate for his or her opponents.
SO WRONG, SO SHALLOW, SO DENSE
On last night's episode of The Ezra Levant Show, Lorne Gunter called in with a very accurate picture of Prime Minister Peter Pan. With his family's money, Trudeau has never had to go beyond the basics.
Friday, June 14, 2019
FISCAL PROBLEMS OF NATIONAL PHARMACARE PLAN
The federal Liberals will face some difficult financial choices if they plan to implement Dr. Eric Hoskins' pharmacare plan as it's written: they can either convince some provinces to take smaller transfers than others, or double the cost of the program by treating all provinces the same.
Hoskins estimates the annual price tag for a national pharmaceutical programs would be about $15 billion once it's fully implemented.
But paying for the program exactly as the doctor ordered could be problematic.
Hoskins estimates the annual price tag for a national pharmaceutical programs would be about $15 billion once it's fully implemented.
But paying for the program exactly as the doctor ordered could be problematic.
IMMIGRATION EXPERIMENT IN RURAL COMMUNITIES
Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen says 11 communities the federal government is choosing for a new rural immigration program will gain new workers and citizens that are badly needed to boost dwindling economies.
On Friday Hussen announced the communities chosen for the "rural and northern immigration pilot" — a program that will give rural employers the ability to directly select immigrants to hire in their businesses and will also give immigrants the ability to choose one of these 11 communities to make their permanent residence.
"People don't realize just how much the rural economy needs immigration," Hussen said.
On Friday Hussen announced the communities chosen for the "rural and northern immigration pilot" — a program that will give rural employers the ability to directly select immigrants to hire in their businesses and will also give immigrants the ability to choose one of these 11 communities to make their permanent residence.
"People don't realize just how much the rural economy needs immigration," Hussen said.
CHARITY FINANCED TERROR; IS AWARDED GRANT
A Toronto-area organization that was suspended by charities regulators and fined $550,000 over concerns it may have funded armed militants in Pakistan has been awarded a federal summer jobs grant.
Employment Minister Patricia Hajdu was responding to a question from the Conservative critic for the program, John Barlow, who said 1,500 community groups had been denied summer jobs funding and asked whether the prime minister would revoke the grant.
“Under your ministry, summer camps for children and faith-based charities have been deprived of summer job funding for not passing your government’s ‘values test,'” Barlow wrote in a subsequent letter to the minister. “Meanwhile, a suspended organization with possible links to terrorism has received a substantial federal grant.”
Employment Minister Patricia Hajdu was responding to a question from the Conservative critic for the program, John Barlow, who said 1,500 community groups had been denied summer jobs funding and asked whether the prime minister would revoke the grant.
“Under your ministry, summer camps for children and faith-based charities have been deprived of summer job funding for not passing your government’s ‘values test,'” Barlow wrote in a subsequent letter to the minister. “Meanwhile, a suspended organization with possible links to terrorism has received a substantial federal grant.”
CHINA LASHES OUT AT FREELAND
Protests raging in Hong Kong are threatening to become yet another irritant in Canada's fraught relationship with China.
China's embassy in Canada on Thursday denounced the Canadian government's recent comments on the ongoing protests as "irresponsible" and "erroneous."
That appeared to be a reference to a statement from Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, which expressed Canada's concern over the unrest and described freedom of expression and assembly as the "bedrock" of society in Hong Kong.
China's embassy in Canada on Thursday denounced the Canadian government's recent comments on the ongoing protests as "irresponsible" and "erroneous."
That appeared to be a reference to a statement from Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, which expressed Canada's concern over the unrest and described freedom of expression and assembly as the "bedrock" of society in Hong Kong.
CANADA DESTROYING ITS OWN RESOURCE SECTOR
The long saga of the Liberal government’s Bill C-48, the West Coast oil tanker ban, and Bill C-69, the new project-approval regime, may be coming to an end this month. It will not go well.
The Senate will likely pass Bill C-48 against the recommendations of its own committee that studied the bill. And on Wednesday, the Trudeau government said it is only willing to accept a minority of the more than 180 amendments proposed by the Senate to C-69, euphemistically called the “No Pipelines” Bill by Alberta’s Premier Jason Kenney. That is, it will accept only those changes proposed by senators aligned with the Liberal party, while rejecting any suggested amendments backed by the industry and provinces who rely on oil and gas.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has said it wants to “develop our resources responsibly.” Both these bills will almost certainly make resource development more difficult, if not impossible. Add to these Trudeau’s carbon taxes aimed at curbing fossil fuels and regulations such as the new clean fuel standard, and it raises a serious question: What is Canada’s actual resource plan for the future?
The Senate will likely pass Bill C-48 against the recommendations of its own committee that studied the bill. And on Wednesday, the Trudeau government said it is only willing to accept a minority of the more than 180 amendments proposed by the Senate to C-69, euphemistically called the “No Pipelines” Bill by Alberta’s Premier Jason Kenney. That is, it will accept only those changes proposed by senators aligned with the Liberal party, while rejecting any suggested amendments backed by the industry and provinces who rely on oil and gas.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has said it wants to “develop our resources responsibly.” Both these bills will almost certainly make resource development more difficult, if not impossible. Add to these Trudeau’s carbon taxes aimed at curbing fossil fuels and regulations such as the new clean fuel standard, and it raises a serious question: What is Canada’s actual resource plan for the future?
LIBERAL MPs LEAVING IN DROVES
The departures of Trudeau's Liberal MPs began even before the SNC-Lavalin scandal erupted this year. In September, Ontario Liberal (and former Air Force officer) Leona Alleslev crossed the floor to join the Conservatives because of disagreements with the government’s handling of the economy and foreign affairs.
“Here at home, we see large amounts of capital investment leaving Canada while tax structures, federal infrastructure problems and politics prevent us from getting goods to market, and deter companies from expanding and undermine our competitiveness. For the first time in many years, Canadians don’t believe that tomorrow will be better than today and that their children’s future will be than theirs,” she said in a statement after crossing the floor.
Her concerns hit the nail squarely on the head as Trudeau has continued to hobble the economy and mishandle foreign affairs. Deficits have soared, taxes have increased, promises to meet the 2 per cent NATO guideline have been ignored, pipeline projects have idled, a ruinous green agenda has been imposed, and he and his government have worsened relations by undiplomatically hectoring China, Latin American states, and the United States about their failings.
“Here at home, we see large amounts of capital investment leaving Canada while tax structures, federal infrastructure problems and politics prevent us from getting goods to market, and deter companies from expanding and undermine our competitiveness. For the first time in many years, Canadians don’t believe that tomorrow will be better than today and that their children’s future will be than theirs,” she said in a statement after crossing the floor.
Her concerns hit the nail squarely on the head as Trudeau has continued to hobble the economy and mishandle foreign affairs. Deficits have soared, taxes have increased, promises to meet the 2 per cent NATO guideline have been ignored, pipeline projects have idled, a ruinous green agenda has been imposed, and he and his government have worsened relations by undiplomatically hectoring China, Latin American states, and the United States about their failings.
Thursday, June 13, 2019
EXPELLED FROM THE MEETING FOR ASKING QUESTIONS
President Patti Pettigrew assured the crowd of 400 residents at a Birchmount Community Centre public meeting Wednesday night she hoped to address “as many concerns” as she could about the Thunder Women’s Healing Lodge planned for the Cliffside area of Scarborough.
But it quickly became obvious after an hour of prayers, happy talk, lectures about respect and Indigenous drumming that the room had been stacked with sycophants of the Indigenous healing lodge and that the organizers had absolutely no intention of answering any real concerns, as in who exactly would reside in the 24 beds planned for the lodge.
But it quickly became obvious after an hour of prayers, happy talk, lectures about respect and Indigenous drumming that the room had been stacked with sycophants of the Indigenous healing lodge and that the organizers had absolutely no intention of answering any real concerns, as in who exactly would reside in the 24 beds planned for the lodge.
A PREVIEW OF CHINA'S CYBER ATTACKS
An encrypted messaging app said Thursday that it was hit by a powerful cyberattack from China as a major protest unfolded in Hong Kong.
The attack on the Telegram app, which slowed connectivity but did not compromise user data, came as thousands surrounded Hong Kong government headquarters on Wednesday to protest legislation that would allow people to be extradited to mainland China to stand trial. They protesters were forcibly dispersed by police using tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets. They did not assemble again on Thursday and debate over the legislation was delayed.
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov tweeted that most of the attackers had IP addresses from China.
The attack on the Telegram app, which slowed connectivity but did not compromise user data, came as thousands surrounded Hong Kong government headquarters on Wednesday to protest legislation that would allow people to be extradited to mainland China to stand trial. They protesters were forcibly dispersed by police using tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets. They did not assemble again on Thursday and debate over the legislation was delayed.
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov tweeted that most of the attackers had IP addresses from China.
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
PM: CONSERVATIVE PREMIERS A THREAT TO UNITY
On Tuesday, six premiers including Jason Kenney sent PM Trudeau a letter warning that Bill C-69 in its original form, as well as Bill C-48, will damage the economy from coast to coast.
On Bill C-48, which bans the shipment of Alberta petroleum products off B.C.’s north shore, the letter said: “We would urge the government to stop pressing for the passage of this bill which will have detrimental effects on national unity and for the Canadian economy as a whole . .“Immediate action to refine or eliminate these bills is needed to avoid further alienating provinces and territories and their citizens and focus on uniting the country in support of Canada’s economic prosperity.”
Shockingly, Trudeau took this caution as virtually treasonous. Here’s what the PM said as he entered the Commons Wednesday: “I think it’s absolutely irresponsible for conservative premiers to be threatening our national unity if they don’t get their way.
On Bill C-48, which bans the shipment of Alberta petroleum products off B.C.’s north shore, the letter said: “We would urge the government to stop pressing for the passage of this bill which will have detrimental effects on national unity and for the Canadian economy as a whole . .“Immediate action to refine or eliminate these bills is needed to avoid further alienating provinces and territories and their citizens and focus on uniting the country in support of Canada’s economic prosperity.”
Shockingly, Trudeau took this caution as virtually treasonous. Here’s what the PM said as he entered the Commons Wednesday: “I think it’s absolutely irresponsible for conservative premiers to be threatening our national unity if they don’t get their way.
LIBERALS REJECT C-69 AMENDMENTS
The federal government is rejecting most of the amendments proposed by Conservative senators to Bill C-69.
A senior government official speaking on the condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak publicly on the matter, said after going through every amendment — there were 187 by one count — the government has concluded most of the proposals by Conservative senators were designed to weaken the bill.
"The vast majority of conservative proposals are simply unacceptable," he said.
A senior government official speaking on the condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak publicly on the matter, said after going through every amendment — there were 187 by one count — the government has concluded most of the proposals by Conservative senators were designed to weaken the bill.
"The vast majority of conservative proposals are simply unacceptable," he said.
LIBERAL'S LAW FIRM INVOLVED IN MONEY LAUNDERING
The law firm of Richmond Liberal MP Joe Peschisolido facilitated a secretive financial transaction that might have helped an alleged Chinese cartel “drug boss” launder his unexplained wealth through a Metro Vancouver condo development, a Global News investigation reveals.
The deal was completed while Tam was still serving a conditional sentence for a 2010 drug trafficking conviction, court records show. The bare trust allowed Tam to conceal his ownership stake in a $7.75-million purchase of a 3.7 acre property in Coquitlam, B.C. that sold for $14.8 million in 2015.
As Global News has reported, Tam’s alleged leadership role with the Big Circle Boys and his alleged deep ties to B.C.’s casino and real estate industries could make him a poster child for the province’s public inquiry into the so-called “Vancouver Model” of transnational money laundering.
But the legal services completed by Peschisolido’s former practice — which the B.C. Law Society took custody of in April 2019 for unexplained reasons — could also attract the inquiry’s spotlight.
The deal was completed while Tam was still serving a conditional sentence for a 2010 drug trafficking conviction, court records show. The bare trust allowed Tam to conceal his ownership stake in a $7.75-million purchase of a 3.7 acre property in Coquitlam, B.C. that sold for $14.8 million in 2015.
As Global News has reported, Tam’s alleged leadership role with the Big Circle Boys and his alleged deep ties to B.C.’s casino and real estate industries could make him a poster child for the province’s public inquiry into the so-called “Vancouver Model” of transnational money laundering.
But the legal services completed by Peschisolido’s former practice — which the B.C. Law Society took custody of in April 2019 for unexplained reasons — could also attract the inquiry’s spotlight.
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
WARY OF DEPENDING ON CHINA's RARE EARTH
Some while ago, precious rare earths important in the production of microchips, electronics and electric motors were almost exclusively sourced in China. However, as Statista's Katharina Buchholz points out, in recent years, several nations have picked up production again while new players entered the market, diversifying it at least to some degree.
Yet, China was still responsible for more than two thirds of global production, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. But as many countries are wary of depending on China, especially when it comes to technology products, countries with rare earth deposits are likely to exploit them further.
Yet, China was still responsible for more than two thirds of global production, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. But as many countries are wary of depending on China, especially when it comes to technology products, countries with rare earth deposits are likely to exploit them further.
THE INDECIPHERABLE, CRINGEWORTHY TRUDEAU
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s announcement Monday that Canada will ban single-use plastics was an election gimmick, not a real plan.
The first hint occurred when Trudeau was rendered utterly indecipherable by a reporter simply asking him: “What do you and your family do to cut back on plastics?”
The first hint occurred when Trudeau was rendered utterly indecipherable by a reporter simply asking him: “What do you and your family do to cut back on plastics?”
Here’s the response from the Prime Minister of Canada, with Trudeau strategically positioned in front of an idyllic lake setting, standing behind a bilingual podium, touting, “Un Futur Plus Propre/ A Cleaner Future”:
CONTROVERSIAL OTTAWA RIVER NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP
A proposed dump for low-level nuclear waste near the Ottawa River has stirred up opposition from community groups, environmentalists, and municipalities worried the waste could leach into the river that flows past about 50 federal ridings, including Ottawa Centre, the home of Parliament Hill and Canada’s environment minister, Catherine McKenna.
Members of Parliament from riverside ridings closest to the site of the proposed dump at thesprawling nuclear laboratories at Chalk River, Ont., are largely staying out of the fray. That includes Ms. McKenna, who has the final say over an environmental assessment for the project that is being conducted through a Harper-era assessment process, which she and an independent review panel have discredited.
Ms. McKenna told The Hill Times during a press conference that she “heard” concerns from her constituents about the project, but didn’t say whether she shared them. Her office did not respond to numerous interview requests on the subject.
Members of Parliament from riverside ridings closest to the site of the proposed dump at thesprawling nuclear laboratories at Chalk River, Ont., are largely staying out of the fray. That includes Ms. McKenna, who has the final say over an environmental assessment for the project that is being conducted through a Harper-era assessment process, which she and an independent review panel have discredited.
Ms. McKenna told The Hill Times during a press conference that she “heard” concerns from her constituents about the project, but didn’t say whether she shared them. Her office did not respond to numerous interview requests on the subject.
SENATORS' AMENDMENTS TO OIL TANKER BAN
Independent and Conservative Senators are working on amendments to the government’s controversial bill to ban oil tankers from ports along most of the B.C. coast, despite Transport Minister Marc Garneau’s signal to the Senate in May that the government didn’t want to compromise on the core elements of the bill.
Both the Independents, some of whom are collaborating on their proposed amendments, and Sen. Patterson—the Conservative critic for the bill—were working on amendments to carve out a “corridor” for oil tankers to travel through the banned area of the coastal waters to one or more ports along the coast. Mr. Garneau (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce-Westmount, Que.) had rejected that idea during testimony before the Senate Transport Committee last month, arguing that any oil spilled in the corridor could spread through the water to other coastal areas, undermining the purpose of the bill.
Sen. Pratte said the Independents were examining more than one option for tanker corridors that could be tacked onto the bill, including creating one at the northernmost tip of B.C. He said they were also considering amendments that would add a three or five year sunset clause after which the ban would expire, since the government has sold the bill as a temporary “moratorium” despite the fact that, as currently written, it would make the ban permanent.
Sen. Pratte said the Independents were examining more than one option for tanker corridors that could be tacked onto the bill, including creating one at the northernmost tip of B.C. He said they were also considering amendments that would add a three or five year sunset clause after which the ban would expire, since the government has sold the bill as a temporary “moratorium” despite the fact that, as currently written, it would make the ban permanent.
Monday, June 10, 2019
AVOID THE SNAPPING END
Ferguson said the Nature Conservancy of Canada encourages motorists to slow down when they see a turtle on the road and check to be sure they can safely steer around it.
They also made a video with tips on how to move a turtle.
They also made a video with tips on how to move a turtle.
She adds that most turtles can be easily carried across the road, while larger snapping turtles can be lifted by the back of their shells and “walked” across like a wheelbarrow.
Sunday, June 9, 2019
PROTESTING EXTRADITION LAW IN HONG KONG
Hong Kong was plunged into a fresh political crisis on Sunday night after hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets to thwart a proposed extradition law that would allow suspects to be sent to mainland China to face trial.
After seven hours of marching, organizers estimated 1,030,000 people took part, far outstripping a demonstration in 2003 when half that number hit the streets to successfully challenge government plans for tighter national security laws.
After seven hours of marching, organizers estimated 1,030,000 people took part, far outstripping a demonstration in 2003 when half that number hit the streets to successfully challenge government plans for tighter national security laws.
KEYBOARD WARRIORS TAKING ON FARMERS
Farmers hoping to share their work on social media have to make a decision: are they willing to take the risk that, by posting a photo of their barn or their animals, a furious animal-rights activist might track them down?
“It’s a growing problem,” says Andrew Campbell a dairy and grain farmer outside of London, Ont. “We started getting into people threatening to come to the farm.” Indeed, the flood of online criticism and outright cyberbullying directed towards farmers is taking a toll on their mental health.
Campbell was among the farmers whose testimony before a parliamentary committee informed a recent report that made suggestions to improve mental health among farmers in Canada
“It’s a growing problem,” says Andrew Campbell a dairy and grain farmer outside of London, Ont. “We started getting into people threatening to come to the farm.” Indeed, the flood of online criticism and outright cyberbullying directed towards farmers is taking a toll on their mental health.
Campbell was among the farmers whose testimony before a parliamentary committee informed a recent report that made suggestions to improve mental health among farmers in Canada
SCHOOL SPONSORED RACISM COSTS $11.2 MILLION
A major legal victory was handed to Gibson Bakery in Oberlin, Ohio, on Friday. The family-owned business was embroiled in a #FakeNews scandal and accused of racism in 2016 by the powerful Oberlin College.
The incident that launched the destruction of the Gibsons' business began when a black Oberlin College student entered the bakery and tried to buy alcohol with a fake ID and attempted to shoplift. Allyn Gibson, who is white, followed the student out of the store and an altercation ensued with two other black students who beat the elderly store owner while he lay on the ground. Gibson was found to have acted within his rights as a store owner and the three students, Jonathan Aladin, Endia Lawrence, and Cecelia Whettstone, plead guilty to aggravated assault. But that's not where the story ended.
Saturday, June 8, 2019
WHEN THE LIES GET TOO OBVIOUS
May 30, 2019. St. Mary, Montana. Officials at Glacier National Park (GNP) have begun quietly removing and altering signs and government literature which told visitors that the Park’s glaciers were all expected to disappear by either 2020 or 2030.
In recent years the National Park Service prominently featured brochures, signs and films which boldly proclaimed that all glaciers at GNP were melting away rapidly. But now officials at GNP seem to be scrambling to hide or replace their previous hysterical claims while avoiding any notice to the public that the claims were inaccurate. Teams from Lysander Spooner University visiting the Park each September have noted that GNP’s most famous glaciers such as the Grinnell Glacier and the Jackson Glacier appear to have been growing—not shrinking—since about 2010. (The Jackson Glacier—easily seen from the Going-To-The-Sun Highway—may have grown as much as 25% or more over the past decade.)
In recent years the National Park Service prominently featured brochures, signs and films which boldly proclaimed that all glaciers at GNP were melting away rapidly. But now officials at GNP seem to be scrambling to hide or replace their previous hysterical claims while avoiding any notice to the public that the claims were inaccurate. Teams from Lysander Spooner University visiting the Park each September have noted that GNP’s most famous glaciers such as the Grinnell Glacier and the Jackson Glacier appear to have been growing—not shrinking—since about 2010. (The Jackson Glacier—easily seen from the Going-To-The-Sun Highway—may have grown as much as 25% or more over the past decade.)
AOC's $10 TRILLION CLIMATE CHANGE PRICE TAG
Green New Deal advocate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) told reporters on Capitol Hill on Wednesday that any considerable climate change program must come with a minimum $10 trillion price tag to have a real “shot.”
“I think we really need to get to $10 trillion to have a shot,” she told the Hill.
Ocasio-Cortez acknowledged that it is a “ton” of money and attributed the monster of a price tag to the severity of the issue.
“I think we really need to get to $10 trillion to have a shot,” she told the Hill.
Ocasio-Cortez acknowledged that it is a “ton” of money and attributed the monster of a price tag to the severity of the issue.
TARIFFS SUSPENDED; MIGRATION CURBED
"The Tariffs scheduled to be implemented by the U.S. on Monday, against Mexico, are hereby indefinitely suspended."
Trump had announced the tariff threat in response to a surge in illegal migration to the U.S. through Mexico this year. More than 144,000 people were apprehended after illegally crossing the southern border in May or were refused entry to the U.S. That’s the most in a single month in at least five years; the number has grown every month since January.
Mexico has agreed to "strong measures to stem the tide of Migration through Mexico, and to our Southern Border," Trump wrote.
Trump had announced the tariff threat in response to a surge in illegal migration to the U.S. through Mexico this year. More than 144,000 people were apprehended after illegally crossing the southern border in May or were refused entry to the U.S. That’s the most in a single month in at least five years; the number has grown every month since January.
Mexico has agreed to "strong measures to stem the tide of Migration through Mexico, and to our Southern Border," Trump wrote.
Friday, June 7, 2019
UK PM MAY's LAST DAY, FARAGE HAS A SAY
Prime Minister May announced a fortnight ago that she would be stepping down on Friday the 7th of June as Conservative Party leader.
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage has summed up Prime Minister Theresa May’s legacy on her last day as party leader: “failure”.
While in the future historians may debate whether Mrs May’s tenure as prime minister was a failure, here is a selection of her political low-lights in the past two years, ten months, and 25 days that may indicate the general tenor of her time in office
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage has summed up Prime Minister Theresa May’s legacy on her last day as party leader: “failure”.
While in the future historians may debate whether Mrs May’s tenure as prime minister was a failure, here is a selection of her political low-lights in the past two years, ten months, and 25 days that may indicate the general tenor of her time in office
SEND CHRETIEN & DESMARAIS TO CHINA
Former prime minister Brian Mulroney says the government should enlist a former prime minister to lead a high-powered delegation to China to win the release of two imprisoned Canadians — but not him.
"What they might want to do is take a look at sending over someone like Jean Chretien, who has a lot of respect of the Chinese," Mulroney told The Canadian Press.
Mulroney said the former Liberal prime minister should be accompanied by another well-placed Canadian: Chretien's son-in-law Andre Desmarais, the deputy chairman and co-CEO of Montreal's Power Corporation. Desmarais is also the honorary chairman of the Canada-China Business Council.
"What they might want to do is take a look at sending over someone like Jean Chretien, who has a lot of respect of the Chinese," Mulroney told The Canadian Press.
Mulroney said the former Liberal prime minister should be accompanied by another well-placed Canadian: Chretien's son-in-law Andre Desmarais, the deputy chairman and co-CEO of Montreal's Power Corporation. Desmarais is also the honorary chairman of the Canada-China Business Council.
SENATE SUPPORTS TANKER BAN & C-69
Senators voted on Thursday to save Ottawa’s controversial oil tanker ban, potentially ending a prolonged pushback in the Senate against legislation that has been met with intense criticism by Western provinces and the energy industry.
In a 53-38 vote, senators rejected the adoption of a report that would have effectively killed Bill C-48, the moratorium on oil tankers in northern B.C. waters. Also on Thursday, senators adopted a heavily-amended version of another contentious natural resources bill, C-69, which is now headed back to the House of Commons for review. The legislation would overhaul Canada’s environmental assessment process for major projects like oil pipelines and power lines.
Industry groups and some senators blasted the decision to salvage the tanker moratorium on Thursday. “The vast majority of Trudeau-appointed Senators have decided it is more important to support a bad Liberal bill than to listen to concerns from provincial governments from across the country,” Conservative senate caucus leader Larry Smith said in a statement.
In a 53-38 vote, senators rejected the adoption of a report that would have effectively killed Bill C-48, the moratorium on oil tankers in northern B.C. waters. Also on Thursday, senators adopted a heavily-amended version of another contentious natural resources bill, C-69, which is now headed back to the House of Commons for review. The legislation would overhaul Canada’s environmental assessment process for major projects like oil pipelines and power lines.
Industry groups and some senators blasted the decision to salvage the tanker moratorium on Thursday. “The vast majority of Trudeau-appointed Senators have decided it is more important to support a bad Liberal bill than to listen to concerns from provincial governments from across the country,” Conservative senate caucus leader Larry Smith said in a statement.
WATCH FOR THE SMOKE FROM PARLIAMENT HILL
Ivison: Former Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall has compared the government’s environmental assessment bill to kindling, fuelling the flames of Western alienation, and its oil tanker ban to lighter fluid.
If he’s right, the Prairie sun is about to be obscured by more smoke — this time emanating from Parliament Hill.
The Trudeau government is planning an incendiary end to the parliamentary session by passing the environmental impact bill, C-69, and the tanker ban off the B.C. coast, C-48, — to the chagrin of the governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan — before attempting to quell Western anger by announcing its support for the Trans-Mountain pipeline on June 18.
If he’s right, the Prairie sun is about to be obscured by more smoke — this time emanating from Parliament Hill.
The Trudeau government is planning an incendiary end to the parliamentary session by passing the environmental impact bill, C-69, and the tanker ban off the B.C. coast, C-48, — to the chagrin of the governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan — before attempting to quell Western anger by announcing its support for the Trans-Mountain pipeline on June 18.
NOT SO CLEVER NOW, EH JUSTIN?
Writing stuff down is almost always a bad idea. Justin Trudeau had been a candidate for the federal Liberal leadership for six weeks when he published a column in the Financial Post, in November of 2012, decrying Stephen Harper’s clumsiness on China. “The Conservatives kicked off their stewardship of the relationship with unhelpful sabre-rattling, followed by a stubborn silence,” he wrote. “Recently, they have made attempts at courtship, but China’s leadership has a long memory. Influence and trust is built through consistent, constructive engagement.”
“Further, the Conservatives have developed their approach to Asia, such as it is, behind closed doors. This is a mistake. Where is the leadership to explain to Canadians why this relationship is so important, to engage Canadians in the conversation, to make us aware of the opportunities?”
Fast forward to today, and the smoking rubble of the Canada-China relationship under Trudeau.
“Further, the Conservatives have developed their approach to Asia, such as it is, behind closed doors. This is a mistake. Where is the leadership to explain to Canadians why this relationship is so important, to engage Canadians in the conversation, to make us aware of the opportunities?”
Fast forward to today, and the smoking rubble of the Canada-China relationship under Trudeau.
Thursday, June 6, 2019
D-DAY: A PHOTO REMEMBRANCE
A convoy of Allied landing craft, protected by barrage balloons, crosses the English Channel on its way to France during the Normandy Landings, World War II, 6th June 1944. The craft are carrying ground support personnel and equipment of the US 9th Air Force. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
MEXICO ENFORCING BORDER SECURITY
One day after US and Mexican negotiators failed to reach a deal to prevent punitive US tariffs from going into effect over border security, Mexican soldiers, armed police and migration officials blocked hundreds of migrants after they crossed into Mexico from Guatemala in a caravan on Wednesday.
According to Reuters, the response from Mexico marks a major step in compliance with President Trump's demands that the country halt the flow of illegal immigration, primarily from Central America, in order to avoid 5% tariffs which are set to begin on Monday.
In May, US border patrol officers arrested over 132,000 people crossing into the country from Mexico, which is 1/3 more than in April, and the highest monthly figure since 2006 in what US officials have repeatedly said are "crisis" levels.
According to Reuters, the response from Mexico marks a major step in compliance with President Trump's demands that the country halt the flow of illegal immigration, primarily from Central America, in order to avoid 5% tariffs which are set to begin on Monday.
In May, US border patrol officers arrested over 132,000 people crossing into the country from Mexico, which is 1/3 more than in April, and the highest monthly figure since 2006 in what US officials have repeatedly said are "crisis" levels.
LAVALIN CLAIMS VICTIM ROLE IN ABUSE OF PROCESS
The federal prosecution service says SNC-Lavalin misunderstands the role of the attorney general in criminal cases, and should not be allowed to file new arguments as the company fights in the Federal Court of Appeal to avoid a criminal trial on corruption and fraud charges.
In March, SNC-Lavalin lost its attempt in Federal Court to overturn the DPP’s decision, as Justice Catherine Kane ruled it was a matter of prosecutorial discretion and thus not reviewable by the court.
But the company filed an appeal in April, and it’s seeking to introduce amendments to its initial Federal Court application so it can allege an abuse of process. Justice Kane ruled that abuse of process was the only grounds on which the DPP’s decision could be reviewed, but SNC-Lavalin had not made that allegation.
In March, SNC-Lavalin lost its attempt in Federal Court to overturn the DPP’s decision, as Justice Catherine Kane ruled it was a matter of prosecutorial discretion and thus not reviewable by the court.
But the company filed an appeal in April, and it’s seeking to introduce amendments to its initial Federal Court application so it can allege an abuse of process. Justice Kane ruled that abuse of process was the only grounds on which the DPP’s decision could be reviewed, but SNC-Lavalin had not made that allegation.
ASTERIX, A SUCCESS FOR THE ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY
In 2018, Asterix spent 213 operational days at sea, according to the RCN. The navy numbers, however, don’t tell the whole story. They only represent the days at sea conducting operations. In fact, Asterix in 2018 was deployed 355 days. That included days in foreign ports, loading up with supplies, etc. The planned “at sea” times for both 2019 and 2020 are 229 days.
The Liberal government has rejected Davie’s plan to convert a second commercial ship into a supply vessel, stating that such a capability isn’t needed.
Asterix is the only refuelling and resupply vessel that is assigned to the RCN; the navy’s other supply ships were taken out of service years ago.
The Liberal government has rejected Davie’s plan to convert a second commercial ship into a supply vessel, stating that such a capability isn’t needed.
Asterix is the only refuelling and resupply vessel that is assigned to the RCN; the navy’s other supply ships were taken out of service years ago.
MPs BENT ON CENSORING INTERNET REVEALED
Steyn: On Tuesday Lindsay Shepherd, John Robson and I gave evidence to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. The overall vibe of the event was summed up by this headline:
Official records expunged, video feed cut and witnesses maligned: MPs bent on censoring internet show true colours
Official records expunged, video feed cut and witnesses maligned: MPs bent on censoring internet show true colours
D-DAY THROUGH CANADIAN EYES
Minutes after midnight on June 6, 1944, the first Canadians dropped into France from airplanes, followed hours later by troops storming the beaches and then tanks rumbling in after them. The Allied command had taken advantage of a tiny window of good weather, favourable tides and moonlight, and with three words from the laconic Supreme Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower — “Okay, we’ll go” — they set about reversing their fortunes in the Second World War. More than 10,000 Canadian sailors and 15,000 Canadian troops were involved and, according to the Department of National Defence, they suffered a total of 1,074 casualties on that day alone. And after landing on the beach, they kept battling through France, suffering ever more casualties. Stuart Thomson reveals what Operation Overlord, the battle for the beaches of Normandy, looked like through Canadian eyes on that historic day.
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
PARAMEDICS REFUSING CALLS TO OTTAWA
Periard says needs in their own community aren't being met because their ambulances are constantly being drawn to Ottawa.
"We had zero ambulances within the united counties of Prescott-Russell, while calls were being done in Ottawa,"
"It increases our response time within our municipality because we have 2000 square kilometres, if we have less vehicles to cover our area, they're going to be travelling more distance."
Those gaps also translate to money coming out of Prescott-Russell taxpayer pockets—nearly $1.5 million over the past two years. Of that, Ottawa would owe just over one million. But currently there’s nothing to compel either neighbouring department to pay back that money.
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