Tag: canada

US Set to Impose 50% Tariffs on $20 billion Worth of Canadian Products

The United States is set to impose 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian products early Saturday after last-ditch negotiations failed to resolve the latest strain in already tense relations between the historic allies.

President Donald Trump’s import taxes will hit about 5% of what Canada ships to the United States every year, including products ranging from hockey sticks to tongue depressors.

“Tonight, Canada declined to finalize the trade deal under the terms agreed earlier this week. Despite the U.S. offer to Canada to receive the best treatment of any major exporter to our market, new demands and walk backs of other commitments by Canada have upended the careful balance reached in the past days,” U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a statement read to reporters on a press call shortly before midnight.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded, “Last-minute changes in the U.S. proposed terms were unfair, uneconomic, and called into question the reliability of any deal.”

Carney said his government would announce additional support for Canadian workers and businesses in the coming days.

Greer said the U.S. offer was “forward-looking” and included “a historic economic and national security partnership.”

Keep reading

Justice Gillian Roberts cuts violent sex offender’s sentence over looming deportation

An Ontario judge reduced the prison sentence of a permanent resident convicted of a violent sexual assault, ruling that his near-certain deportation would make his punishment more severe.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Gillian Roberts sentenced 31-year-old Sergio Reyes Loor to four years in prison for sexual assault causing bodily harm, despite finding that five years would otherwise have been a fit sentence.

“The conviction will have devastating immigration consequences, making any punishment I impose more severe than it otherwise would be,” Roberts wrote. “As a result, I decrease the sentence to four years.”

Reyes Loor, an Ecuadorian permanent resident who first came to Canada in 2015, was convicted after Roberts found he sexually assaulted a severely intoxicated woman at his Toronto apartment in April 2023.

The woman remembered only fragments of the assault. Roberts found beyond a reasonable doubt that Reyes Loor knew she was too intoxicated to consent.

The injuries were severe.

“She was bruised all over, and the skin of her genitals torn,” Roberts wrote. The judge found Reyes Loor had taken advantage of the woman’s condition to “violently sexually assault her,” adding that he bit her, did not use a condom and caused significant physical and psychological injuries.

The Crown sought five years in prison. According to Roberts, defence counsel also agreed five years would be appropriate based on the facts as she found them, although counsel disputed those findings and launched what Roberts described as a “shockingly sexist and misogynistic attack on the complainant.”

Reyes Loor maintains his innocence and has no previous criminal record.

His lawyer told the court that if the conviction stands, Reyes Loor will lose his permanent resident status and be deported.

Roberts acknowledged that the seriousness of the crime meant a sentence avoiding immigration consequences was out of the question. However, she concluded that deportation itself should still be treated as a collateral consequence when determining a proportionate sentence.

“The circumstances of this case are far too serious to impose a sentence that will not have immigration consequences,” Roberts wrote.

Nonetheless, she reduced the sentence by one year, saying the “near certain immigration consequences” would make Reyes Loor’s punishment harsher than it otherwise would have been.

Under federal immigration law, permanent residents convicted of serious criminality can be found inadmissible to Canada and removed from the country.

Keep reading

Montreal minor allegedly used AI to plan school attack targeting Muslims, Haitians and LGBTQ+ community

A Montreal minor arrested in a national security investigation allegedly used artificial intelligence while planning a potential attack on a school and posted threats targeting Muslims, Haitians and members of the LGBTQ+ community, according to new details provided by the RCMP to Rebel News.

The RCMP’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team arrested the youth Friday morning after investigators said they had reasonable grounds to believe the suspect might commit a violent extremism offence.

The investigation began several weeks ago after the FBI provided intelligence to Canadian authorities.

In response to an inquiry from Rebel News reporter Alexa Lavoie, the RCMP revealed additional details not included in its initial public statement.

“According to the alleged facts, the individual was planning an attack at a school located in Montreal,” the RCMP told Lavoie.

Police said the suspect “allegedly used artificial intelligence as part of the potential planning of an attack in the Montreal area.”

The RCMP also clarified who was allegedly targeted by threatening messages posted online.

“He also allegedly posted threatening statements on Telegram targeting various groups, including Muslim, Haitian and LGBTQ+ communities,” police said.

Investigators also executed a search warrant at the youth’s residence, seizing electronic devices and any other evidence considered relevant to the investigation.

The police operation was intended to disrupt the suspect’s alleged activities and require him to enter into a peace bond under Section 810.011 of the Criminal Code.

That provision allows authorities to seek a recognizance where there are reasonable grounds to fear a person may commit certain terrorism or criminal organization offences, without waiting for the feared offence to occur.

Despite the arrest, the investigation remains ongoing and charges could be laid at a later date.

“The investigation is ongoing, and all of the evidence will be analyzed,” the RCMP told Rebel News.

The youth was scheduled to appear Friday in Youth Court at the Montreal courthouse.

The RCMP characterized the investigation as involving ideologically motivated violent extremism and said combating such threats remains a national priority.

Keep reading

More than 400 Canadians filing for bankruptcy every day as rates hit financial-crisis levels

More than 400 Canadians are filing for bankruptcy every day as bankruptcy rates climb to their highest level since the 2008-09 financial crisis.

Nancy Snedden, president of BDO Debt Solutions and host of Your Money on VOCM, says the current pace works out to roughly 17 Canadians filing for bankruptcy every hour.

That’s approximately 408 Canadians every day.

More than 37,000 Canadians filed for bankruptcy during the second quarter of 2026, according to Snedden, representing a 6.9% increase compared with the same period last year.

The increase comes as Canadian households face growing pressure from everyday expenses and debt payments.

A recent Equifax Canada report found more Canadians are struggling to make ends meet and keep up with their monthly bills and debt obligations.

The latest figures also come amid a broader increase in insolvencies. Federal Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy data released earlier this month showed June recorded the second-highest number of consumer insolvencies for that month on record and marked the sixth consecutive year of increasing June insolvencies.

Canadian households have spent years dealing with elevated living costs and higher borrowing costs, putting additional pressure on people carrying mortgages, credit-card balances and other debts.

Snedden encouraged Canadians facing financial trouble to seek help and investigate available debt-relief options before their situation worsens.

At the current pace cited by BDO, more than 12,000 Canadians would be filing for bankruptcy every month.

Keep reading

Alberta Influencer launches site to report teachers pushing ideology in schools

After an Alberta teacher promoted a loophole using Edmonton Oilers Pride flags to circumvent Alberta legislation against pushing ideology in K-12 schools, social media influencer “Berta Proud Dad” has launched a way for parents and students to report instances of activist teachers breaking the law.

Lawrence Magee, who runs the social media handle Berta Proud Dad, spoke with Juno News about an initiative he started in response to parents coming to him about teachers rebelling against the elected provincial government’s efforts to prevent ideological indoctrination in schools.

Magee was alerted by parents to an Alberta teacher, Peter Mackay, who was urging other teachers to sneak pride flags into schools by exploiting an apparent loophole in the government’s efforts to remove political flags from classrooms under Bill 25.

The bill, which received royal assent on May 14, 2026, aims to ensure instruction is balanced and neutral rather than presenting a teacher’s personal political or ideological views as fact.

Mackay shared a post on Instagram pointing out that the directive to schools on which flags were permitted to be displayed includes sports flags. He endorsed using an Edmonton Oilers Pride flag to circumvent the effective ban on Pride flags in the classroom.

Magee noted that the ban is to remove all political ideology from the classroom, including Palestine flags, antifa stickers, and anything else not connected to the province or nation’s history.

In response, Magee launched reportateacher.ca for parents to report any teachers “not following the rules that the government set out in Bill 25.

Keep reading

Fact Check: Premier Smith claims Russian interference is happening in the referendum campaign. Is it?

Speaking to Focus Punjabi on OMNI TV, Premier Danielle Smith said, “There are various shares of information online that appear to be amplified by different bot farms that may have a link to Russia.”

The whiffs of foreign interference in the referendum have yet to turn into a smoking gun of any sort. That’s why the premier was careful to use the terms “may” and “appear” in her statement. The foreign interference bogeyman has been an effective tool for federalists to discredit an independence movement which has existed far longer than the internet has.

The source of the latest allegations is Cipher AI, which is a tool that scans foreign media sites. Cipher’s recent snapshots (roughly 150 flagged items over two-week windows in July and August 2026, about 80% linked to Russian content farms) document amplification of anti-government or pro-separation talking points.

That volume is modest against the total volume of Canadian social media discussion on energy policy, federal-provincial relations, and the referendum. Russian bot farms also plug Temu items and porn sites. It doesn’t mean they are being guided by foreign governments or have an agenda at play.

Identifying “foreign interference” requires more than detecting non-Canadian IP addresses, Russian-language origins, or content farms. Cipher flags “dubious claims” from foreign media or proxies and tracks amplification. Human reviewers then decide whether material qualifies as disinformation or coordinated influence. This step is subjective.

Alberta Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis reported that the RCMP found “no credible information” suggesting the separatist movement itself has been subject to foreign interference. CSIS sent a form letter to NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi saying they are watching the situation, but monitoring a risk is not the same as confirming that risk has materialized into significant interference capable of steering results.

The U.S. element cited in reports is largely public and open. Presidential rhetoric about Canada as a potential “51st state,” meetings between independence advocates and alleged U.S. officials (with no commitments reported), and commentary from Trump-aligned media figures. There is no coordinated campaign, and there haven’t been efforts to interfere in Alberta from south of the border.

There has been no indication of significant overseas foreign interference in Alberta’s referendum campaign.

Past reports involved a group in the Netherlands making money for themselves by creating pro-independence YouTube channels and a noodle merchant from Indonesia who made $14 from Facebook by placing pro-independence postings.

Albertans are capable of distinguishing messaging and determining how to vote. The ground game in the referendum is what’s moving the needle in the independence movement through public meetings and door-knocking campaigns.

Foreign interference is an insignificant factor in the campaign despite how hard federalists are trying to amplify that narrative.

Keep reading

Pay The Money Back: Ford cabinet ministers’ riding associations spent $356,000 on meetings, restaurants and events

Five riding associations represented by Ontario Progressive Conservative cabinet ministers spent more than $356,000 over two years on expenses categorized as “meetings hosted,” according to an analysis first reported by the Toronto Star.

The expenses were paid from political donations, which qualify donors for provincial tax credits. Elections Ontario records do not identify who was reimbursed for the meetings or, in many cases, who attended.

The biggest spender was Associate Solicitor General Michael Tibollo’s Vaughan—Woodbridge PC riding association, which reported $47,200 in meeting expenses in both 2024 and 2025, for a two-year total of $94,400. The money went to Venu Event Space for Tibollo’s annual “Chestnut Roast” fundraiser.

Energy Minister Stephen Lecce’s King—Vaughan association came next at $79,647 over two years. Its expenses included nearly $15,000 for Beretta Farms beef at a 2024 community barbecue, $1,850 at Mr. Congee Chinese Cuisine and $900 at Eagles Nest Golf Club.

Former tourism minister Stan Cho’s Willowdale association spent $68,646 over two years. In 2024 alone, it reported $54,000 in meeting expenses, including $4,333 in meals at the Niagara Marriott on the Falls, $3,409 at Japanese restaurant and oyster bar Nome Izakaya, $6,970 listed as “Rogers Blue Jays” and $9,708 at Sher-E-Punjab.

Labour Minister David Piccini’s Northumberland—Peterborough South association spent $57,325 over the two years. Expenses previously reported by the Star included sushi-rolling classes and restaurant meals in Toronto and Fort Lauderdale. In 2025, the association also spent $1,533 at BATL Grounds, an axe- and knife-throwing venue.

Solicitor General Michael Kerzner’s York Centre association rounded out the top five with $40,472 over two years. Its 2024 expenses included $17,374 in hospitality catering, plus $831 at Chicken’s Nest Kosher Restaurant and another $5,642 in catering from the restaurant.

The five associations spent $356,312 combined. By comparison, riding associations representing the other 32 cabinet and associate ministers spent a combined $325,720 over the same period. Premier Doug Ford’s Etobicoke North association reported just $2,548 in “meetings hosted” expenses.

The Ontario PC Party said riding association budgets can be used for fundraising, volunteer appreciation, stakeholder outreach and community events. The spending complied with Ontario election financing rules.

Keep reading

Freedom Convoy blacklist circulated to thousands of financial firms, records show

A federal blacklist containing personal information about Freedom Convoy supporters was circulated to potentially thousands of financial firms, according to new records uncovered by Blacklock’s Reporter.

Blacklock’s reports that regulators in Ontario distributed the information to between 1,000 and 2,000 brokerages and other firms, with no restrictions placed on further distribution.

The blacklist originated with the RCMP and included names, birth dates, telephone numbers and other personal information. Earlier parliamentary records showed it was distributed by unencrypted email to as many as 50 financial institutions, along with industry organizations and securities regulators.

The list was created after the Trudeau government invoked the Emergencies Act in February 2022. Authorities froze $7.8 million held in 437 bank and credit union accounts and cryptocurrency wallets associated with Freedom Convoy supporters.

The Federal Court of Appeal ruled in January that the government’s invocation of the Emergencies Act was unlawful.

Finance officials have also acknowledged the names on the blacklist were not verified.

“There was no verification,” then-assistant deputy finance minister Isabelle Jacques testified in 2023. “We didn’t do any follow-up.”

The revelations contrast with comments from then-finance minister Chrystia Freeland, who said in 2022 the RCMP had provided financial institutions with information on protest leaders, organizers and people whose trucks participated in blockades.

Blacklock’s previously reported parliamentary records showing the blacklist also went to Canadian operations of foreign financial institutions, including Bank of China, State Bank of India, BNP Paribas, Citibank, Habib Bank, ICICI Bank, Mizuho Financial Group and Wells Fargo.

Keep reading

B.C. government has given $8.7M to group hosting ‘jockstrap’ dance parties

Have you ever heard of the HIM (Health Initiative for Men) Society?

Founded as a grassroots organization focused on gay men’s health, HIM entered into a formal contract with Vancouver Coastal Health in 2009 to deliver health-promotion services.

Today, it says it provides health-based programs and services for gay, bisexual and queer men and gender-diverse people. Over the past seven years, according to HIM’s CRA filings, the organization has received more than $8.7 million from provincial and federal government sources.

So, what exactly are taxpayers helping fund?

For one, HIM hosts something called the “HIMBO Jock Tea Dance,” where attendees are invited to show up in jockstraps and “lube up” their thighs for the event.

Culture Guard, a political advocacy organization that says it works to protect traditional family values and ways of life, first put HIM on my radar. Culture Guard sent a public accountability letter to Premier David Eby, asking why his government continues to provide substantial public funding to a registered charity involved in events like the “HIMBO Jock Tea Dance.” 

Let me show you some of what Culture Guard highlighted, using screenshots from HIM’s own website.

For example, there is their “QUEERLY DESIGNED & LOCALLY MADE” merchandise. HIM’s website describes it as the “horny lovechild” of HIM. And then there is their “Collab,” inviting adult-content creators to sit down together and build community.

HIM describes some of these activities through the lens of HIV prevention. On its own website, the organization says: “Connectedness is HIV prevention,” and “Dancing together is HIV prevention.” It has continued to receive substantial public funding through provincial health authorities, such as Vancouver Coastal Health, Interior Health, and Fraser Health, as well as from the federal government.

Like Culture Guard’s letter to Premier Eby, I too have reached out to clarify whether your tax dollars have actually gone to preventing disease or to funding sexually charged jockstrap dance parties and adult content communities for the gay and queer men in BC.

I have not yet heard back at this time.

Keep reading

Second SickKids staff member charged in child sexual exploitation case in less than a month

Another employee at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children is facing serious criminal charges related to child sexual exploitation, less than a month after a physician at the same children’s hospital was arrested on similar allegations.

Antonio Alvin Dela Cruz, 55, worked on SickKids’ housekeeping team. Toronto Police say he faces five charges stemming from an online child-luring investigation, including luring a person under 18 by means of telecommunication, making sexually explicit material available to a person under 18, exposing genitalia to a person under 16, and accessing and possessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material.

According to police, the Internet Child Exploitation Unit began investigating in October 2024. Investigators allege Dela Cruz communicated with a 15-year-old through social media and phone chat applications, made inappropriate comments and sent explicit images.

Keep reading