Oh, look – more government waste:
Cabinet’s $90 billion regional high speed rail venture will “change life as we know it,” Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon yesterday told MPs. MacKinnon acknowledged the service will be inaccessible to most Canadians, but said it would create “new worlds of intercity travel” for some Ontarians and Québecers: “You’re a businessperson, someone who wants to go to a hockey game or a baseball game and come back the same evening.”
**
Crown corporation Alto paid out nearly $3 million in performance bonuses to 134 officials, years before construction is set to begin, while Canadian families are crushed by inflation, housing costs and record taxation.
The Alto high-speed rail fantasy is proposed to connect Toronto and Quebec City sometime in the next five years, with construction slated to begin in 2029. Transport Minister Steve McKinnon confirmed earlier this year that once this mega-project is approved, expropriation of private property will begin “almost immediately.”
Despite no tracks being laid and a clear plan still in development, there have already been plenty of taxpayer-funded payouts.
A new Order Paper Question response from the Minister of Transport shows some of those jaw-dropping numbers.
For the 2025-26 fiscal year, Alto dished out $2.76 million in bonuses to 100% (yes, every single one) of its 134 officials – 18 executives or above and 116 others.
That’s over $1.23 million to executives, averaging out to over $68 000 each, in bonuses.
Another $1.53 million in bonuses went to regular staff; but for what? Meetings? Consultations? Photo-ops?
Perhaps the all-expenses-paid public consultations “open houses” that spanned Quebec and South Eastern Ontario from January to March of this year.
This is part of the massive cash already poured into what’s being called a doomed-to-fail project.
The Liberals, under then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, announced an 'investment in the co-development phase' of this electric rail project to the tune of $3.9 billion over six years, starting 2024-25. That’s in addition to the nearly $372 million put into it from Budget 2024.
That’s billions committed before anyone has seen a tangible infrastructure plan.
The total projected cost is estimated at $60 to $90 billion.
Your money. Their bonuses.
**
Managers have spent nearly $1.6 million advertising a regional high speed rail service that doesn’t exist, records show. The Crown corporation responsible for the railway-on-paper now has 13 vice presidents: “How many?”
And they want to
know why public trust in them is waning.
Related:
A defence industry start-up whose chief lobbyist is the brother of Deputy Defence Minister Christiane Fox won a private audience with the Prime Minister to discuss drone technology, records show. The Privy Council yesterday had no comment: “Can you assure Parliament and Canadians that you won’t be using your office as a public office holder to further the interests of private individuals?”
Also – “shut up, peasants!”:
he explained:
Chief Justice Richard Wagner warned against “attacks” against the justice system and took issue with criticism painting judges as partisan actors or obstacles to the will of the people.
During his annual press conference Tuesday, Wagner said that “rhetorical attacks” questioning the legitimacy of courts and judges weakens Canada’s judicial system. He also applauded unnamed chief justices who recently spoke out after critical comments from a politician.
“What happened in Canada most recently, if you refer to some attacks or attempts to politicize the judiciary, there was a strong reaction of the chief justices in some provinces… there were strong messages given by the chief justices, as that is their responsibility,” Wagner told reporters.
Though he refused to single out any particular criticism or critic, Wagner’s comments appeared to be thinly-veiled criticism of statements by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.
In January, the three chief justices of Alberta courts issued a rare public message emphasizing the importance of judicial independence just days after Smith said she wished she could “direct the judges” on her weekly radio show.
“The judges get very, very prickly when you criticize them, but boy… they deserve the criticism,” Smith told a caller who complained that Justin Bone was out on bail when he allegedly killed two people in Edmonton.
On Tuesday, Wagner said that criticism and questioning is party of a healthy democracy, but drew the line at what he called attempts to undermine public confidence in the justice system.
“We have seen judges and courts sometimes portrayed as partisan actors, or described as obstacles to the will of the people,” he noted. “A non-partisan judiciary, sheltered from all politicization, is essential for the rule of law.”
Why should the public feel confident in a
legal system that spares criminal migrants so as not to affect their
immigration status?
The fatigue is
real and even the Senate knows it:
The Senate yesterday by a 41 to 32 vote quashed a proposal to criminalize Indian Residential School “denialism” under threat of two years’ jailing. The vote came moments after cabinet announced it opposed the amendment: “Senators may have already noticed the online backlash to the amendment has begun.”
Also:
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada admits it has no records documenting any ‘points of contact’ with British Columbia’s approximately ‘200-plus First Nations,’ according to a response to an access-to-information request from the Western Standard.
The access-to-information request sought basic “summary-level details” on the latest documented interactions with each First Nation in the province.
The details requested were simple: the name of the First Nation as recorded federally, the date of the most recent contact, the type of interaction — such as an email, letter, phone call, financial submission or meeting — and any brief description thereof.
The department stated in its reply that a search of records under its control found “none responsive” to the request.
Unable to sell
the cultural extortion, the Liberals walk back on it:
Heritage Minister Marc Miller yesterday in an abrupt reversal suspended a CRTC order tripling fees on Netflix and other video streaming services. The decision came 48 hours after Miller voted with 192 other MPs to sustain the fee hike: “Does this have anything to do with the United States threatening a tariff investigation?”
(Sidebar: see here.)
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree says he is now open to shortening the time electronic service providers would be required to retain digital metadata under a proposed bill intended to help police and spies.
Just days ago, Anandasangaree flatly rejected the idea of changing a provision in the legislation that could require service providers to retain metadata — digital traces of a communication, but not the email or text itself — for up to one year.
Critics of the provision say the measure would allow for the capture of private information about ordinary Canadians who have no connection to any crime.
University of Ottawa law professor Michael Geist told the House of Commons public safety committee the stored metadata, including location information, would amount to "a comprehensive surveillance map of virtually every Canadian."
In an interview Tuesday, Anandasangaree said that after further discussions with people interested in the bill, the government is more open now to shortening the maximum time frame of one year.
The government is expected to propose several changes to the bill at the public safety committee, which is going through the legislation clause by clause.
The Liberals say the bill will ensure law enforcement agencies have the legal tools to prevent, investigate and respond to modern crime and protect Canadians in a manner consistent with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Opponents argue the legislation unnecessarily expands the powers of police and intelligence agencies, endangering privacy, flouting the Charter and making Canada less attractive to business.
The first section of the legislation would allow authorities to demand that a telecommunications provider such as Bell or Rogers reveal whether it provides service to an individual or a number of interest — a measure intended to speed up investigations.
The second part would require electronic service providers to develop and maintain the technical capabilities to enable police and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service to obtain communications and information for their probes.
Also:
Bill C-9 removes the “good faith religious speech” defence from the Criminal Code. While amendments restore the clause requiring the Attorney General’s consent for hate speech prosecutions, critics argue that enforcement would still remain largely discretionary.
The bill gives authorities expanded powers regarding hate propaganda offences and creates new hate-related offences. Critics contend that the legislation could affect online communications and public expression in ways that are not always clear. Ordinary discussions, religious teachings, or public opinions could become the subject of complaints or legal scrutiny.
These changes could permit greater use of hate propaganda provisions by private complainants. Individuals sharing lawful content could face lengthy legal battles and significant legal costs defending themselves — even when their speech is ultimately found to be lawful.
Section 2(b) of the Charter protects Canadians’ right to speak, write, and debate ideas — even unpopular or controversial ones. Critics argue that Bill C-9 increases the risk that lawful speech could be challenged.
Consider some of these examples.
A small blog criticizing government policy on climate change, taxes, or education could become the subject of complaints if someone considers the content harmful.
Journalists reporting on controversial issues may hesitate to publish critical opinions.
University professors presenting multiple viewpoints in a classroom could face complaints under broad standards.
When laws are broad and penalties are high, people are more likely to self-censor to avoid legal trouble. This chilling effect can influence Canadians’ everyday discussions, online and in public spaces.
Section 2(a) of the Charter protects freedom of religion and conscience. Canadians are supposed to be free to practice their faith and express moral or ethical views publicly.
Bill C-9 could affect these expressions if they are interpreted as promoting hatred, particularly given the removal of the longstanding religious speech defence.
Some real-world examples could include the following.
Churches posting traditional teachings on marriage or family could face complaints.
Religious educators might avoid certain scriptural topics.
Faith communities may feel pressured to silence parts of their message to comply with evolving legal standards.
Restrictions on religious expression affect more than faith communities — they erode every Canadian’s right to discuss ideas openly and freely.
The Charter, first of all, is rubbish.
It is the reason why the idea of banning the Bible (let us
be candid) is being bandied about.
Anyone not paying attention (and
Canadians simply don’t) will see this as a societal good even though
any form of the printed word would be at risk.
Muslim families are being encouraged to not bury their loved ones at a cemetery in Thorold, Ont., by a leader in their community who says the city's steps to accommodate Muslim burial practices don't go far enough.
Thorold politicians tweaked the city's cemetery policy on June 2 so that burial plots within an existing, open area of the cemetery can be orientated to face the holy city of Mecca as Muslim faith requires.
But Asad Mahmood, imam of Mosque Aisha in Thorold, said the city failed to properly accommodate the Muslim community because it didn't agree to open up a section of the cemetery land where a Muslim infant is already buried, and where a dedicated Muslim burial area could be created.
City politicians say they're also willing to offer to have the Muslim child's body exhumed and reburied at no cost to the family alongside other Muslim graves in the other section, if the family wants.
Mahmood said the steps taken by the city fall short.
"As a result, we will not be encouraging Muslim families to use Lakeview Cemetery until there is a fair and just solution that provides a designated area for Muslim burials," he told CBC News. "This issue is not about special treatment. It is about equal treatment, religious accommodation, and ensuring that all residents can bury their loved ones with dignity and according to their faith."
The city found itself embroiled in controversy six months ago when the family of a Muslim teen girl killed in a car crash, 18-year-old Alina Masud, found out hours before she was to be buried at the Thorold cemetery that the burial couldn't proceed.
The shocked family was told a clause in a city bylaw wouldn't allow the burial in a cemetery area deemed unopened until other sections are filled.
The city offered a different plot but the family instead buried her at a Niagara Falls cemetery.
The city posted an apology online over the controversy at the time, saying the grave was "inadvertently" sold in the unopened area, but city policy prevented the teen girl from being buried where the family wanted.
"We sincerely apologize for the added burden this situation has caused during an already difficult time," the city said.
The Muslim community, including the girl's father, held a vigil at Thorold city hall at the time to protest the city's decision.
The controversy and subsequent meetings on the issue led to accusations of racism that left some city politicians rattled.
"We were the subject of inappropriate threats, verbally on the phone and also social media posts," Coun. Nella Dekker said at a June 2 city council meeting.
Coun. Henry D'Angela said he, too, faced the wrath of people believing the city was anti-Muslim.
"I was also accused of being a racist," he said. "We're more than willing to work towards accommodation" for religious beliefs. "The whole idea [was] not to have a segregated cemetery."
Coun. Tim O'Hare pushed to have the city eliminate the clause barring burials in the unopened section so Muslims could be buried there together, but his motion on that was narrowly lost in a vote this week.
Instead, the majority of council opted to agree to Mecca-facing burial plots in an existing section in which non-Muslims are also buried.
CBC News reached out to the city for comments from Mayor Terry Ugulini. In response, the city issued a statement saying council carefully considered several options before opting to accommodate Muslim burial traditions within currently open sections of the cemetery.
"The city remains committed to providing respectful and inclusive cemetery services while balancing the long-term planning and operational needs of the cemetery," the statement said.
After the December controversy, the city hired a consulting firm to complete an independent review of options for accommodating Muslim burial practices at the cemetery. Consultant Amanda Gebhardt presented city politicians with various options on June 2.
She noted in the report that cemeteries must be "inclusive, non-discriminatory and responsive to community needs" under provincial law, the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Bereavement Authority of Ontario.
"The report clearly defined that this is a basic human right…to ensure that all religions are able to practice their doctrines according to their beliefs," O'Hare told CBC News.
He called the city decision to allow Mecca-facing burials for Muslims a "bittersweet" decision because while it's a step in the right direction it doesn't allow Muslim burials in the section where the Muslim infant is buried.
"I think that would have been a compassionate decision for council to make," he said. "I've been fighting on behalf of the Muslim community and all religions to be able to have sections in Lakeview Cemetery."
Mahmood said the new report shows many other Ontario cities have dedicated Muslim burial areas in their cemeteries.
"We're not asking for anything weird or unreasonable. We just wanted a designated spot."
Unwilling to get their legs blown off for an ungrateful
country or poseurs?
Young Canadians respect the military though few want to actually enlist, says in-house Department of National Defence research. Cabinet is on a recruitment drive to meet its minimum target of 71,500 regular forces, trained and equipped: “The most compelling reasons to consider an Armed Forces career are practical and financial.”
When one cannot manufacture
genuine outrage, import it from America:
The Senate yesterday rewrote a hate crimes bill to restrict the public display of the noose. The amendment came on a personal appeal by Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard (N.S.) who recounted her own experience with anti-Black bigotry: “They yell profanities at you and tell you to go back to Africa.”
We don’t have to trade with China:
South Korea insists its newly announced plan to build nuclear-powered submarines by the mid-2030s is aimed squarely at countering North Korea. But while Pyongyang may be the immediate justification, the decision carries implications far beyond the Korean Peninsula, with one country likely to be watching particularly closely: China.
In the cold logic of military planning, stated intentions matter far less than capabilities.
This means Beijing is unlikely to focus solely on Seoul’s defensive rhetoric. Instead, analysts say, Chinese strategists will see a future fleet of nuclear-powered attack submarines — operated by a U.S. treaty ally — possessing the endurance, stealth and operational reach to pierce deep into regional waters and strategic chokepoints for extended periods.
Or China is trying to drive a wedge between the two nations.
**
Forty-eight hours after cabinet appointed a new panel on anti-Jewish discrimination, Liberal-appointed Senator Yuen Pau Woo (B.C.) yesterday asked in Question Period whether it was anti-Semitic to depict Israelis as sex criminals: “Is this why the government has been so silent on the United Nations’ inclusion of Israel on the blacklist of countries that engages in sexual violence in conflicts?”
China is buying up our farmland.
— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) June 6, 2026
Farmers are being approached directly by Chinese buyers with offers of cash far beyond market value.
The full amount of land that's been sold is not even fully known, but some estimates put Chinese ownership at around 277,333 acres of U.S.… pic.twitter.com/Rh2cwTpqim
Could Henry Nowak have survived?:
🚨BREAKING: SPECIALIST DOCTOR SAYS HENRY NOWAK COULD HAVE LIVED IF NOT FOR POLICE
— Basil the Great (@BasilTheGreat) June 4, 2026
In summary:
- Henry was alive when they arrived and likely clotted
- Aggressive police intervention likely tore clot
- Major Trauma department was minutes away from scene
- Judge and Pathologist… pic.twitter.com/76gGDvXxh0
