WE really need to get rid of this guy

spaminator

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Justin Trudeau’s 10-year election anniversary post did not go over well with Canadians
He stepped down from office earlier this year

Author of the article:Denette Wilford
Published Oct 20, 2025 • 2 minute read

It’s been a decade since Justin Trudeau was elected as prime minister of Canada, and he wanted to pay tribute to that time.


The man who stepped down from office earlier this year after years of discontent from Canadians perhaps still doesn’t know how to read a room — and posted on social media about that fateful 2015 day.


“Ten years ago today, Canadians chose a more hopeful path,” he began on posts across his social media accounts including X, Instagram and Facebook.

“I’ll never forget that night in 2015,” he continued. “The energy, the optimism, and the belief that together, we could build a better future.”

Trudeau noted: “A decade later, we’ve lifted hundreds of thousands of people out of poverty, strengthened and grown the middle class, built a $10-a-day child care system, led the fight against climate change, advanced reconciliation, and made Canada more inclusive and fair for everyone.”

He then added how “deeply grateful” he is to “everyone who was part of this journey and believed that better is always possible.”

Naturally, the Internet had a field day with Trudeau’s post, to which he bravely left the comments sections open.



And while he had many supporters throw him some love on the anniversary of him prime ministership, others were not so celebratory.

In fact, the majority of comments under Trudeau’s X post were filled with rage and disbelief.

Political commentator Kat Kanada suggesting he “should be in PRISON” for his numerous scandals while PM.

Conservative Jinglai He seethed: “My generation will be forever worse off than our parents’ generation because of your destructive policies. Worst PM in history.”


Entrepreneur Mario Zelaya corrected Trudeau’s post, noting that “10 years ago was the beginning of your destructive path.”

He noted that his government “added more debt than all PMs in history,” “ruined our healthcare with uncontrolled immigration,” “violent crimes have skyrocketed,” “taxes are at all-time highs” and “investments and capital are fleeing the country.”


Zelaya added: “You divided our country and our people unlike anyone else in history. No one will ever forgive or forget what you and Jagmeet did. You decimated the livelihoods of Canadians. Shame on you.”

Political commenter Ryan Gerritsen described Trudeau’s post as “next level gaslighting” and “absolutely infuriating to read,” noting the rampant homelessness, out-of-control crime, high unemployment rates and how more children are suffering from food insecurity now more than ever.

“This man caused more division than any other PM. He campaigned on hating a group of Canadians.”



Others noted it was “the beginning of the end” and “the worst decision Canada ever made.”

One person joked: “10 years later he’s dating Katy Perry and his son is a rapper. What a guy.”

After weeks of speculation over last year’s Christmas holidays, Trudeau announced his resignation, though stayed on until a new Liberal leader and de facto prime minister was chosen.

“This country deserves a real choice in the next election,” Trudeau said at the time, “and it has become clear to me that if I’m having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election.”
 

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Justin Trudeau’s 10-year election anniversary post did not go over well with Canadians
He stepped down from office earlier this year

Author of the article:Denette Wilford
Published Oct 20, 2025 • 2 minute read

It’s been a decade since Justin Trudeau was elected as prime minister of Canada, and he wanted to pay tribute to that time.


The man who stepped down from office earlier this year after years of discontent from Canadians perhaps still doesn’t know how to read a room — and posted on social media about that fateful 2015 day.


“Ten years ago today, Canadians chose a more hopeful path,” he began on posts across his social media accounts including X, Instagram and Facebook.

“I’ll never forget that night in 2015,” he continued. “The energy, the optimism, and the belief that together, we could build a better future.”

Trudeau noted: “A decade later, we’ve lifted hundreds of thousands of people out of poverty, strengthened and grown the middle class, built a $10-a-day child care system, led the fight against climate change, advanced reconciliation, and made Canada more inclusive and fair for everyone.”

He then added how “deeply grateful” he is to “everyone who was part of this journey and believed that better is always possible.”

Naturally, the Internet had a field day with Trudeau’s post, to which he bravely left the comments sections open.



And while he had many supporters throw him some love on the anniversary of him prime ministership, others were not so celebratory.

In fact, the majority of comments under Trudeau’s X post were filled with rage and disbelief.

Political commentator Kat Kanada suggesting he “should be in PRISON” for his numerous scandals while PM.

Conservative Jinglai He seethed: “My generation will be forever worse off than our parents’ generation because of your destructive policies. Worst PM in history.”


Entrepreneur Mario Zelaya corrected Trudeau’s post, noting that “10 years ago was the beginning of your destructive path.”

He noted that his government “added more debt than all PMs in history,” “ruined our healthcare with uncontrolled immigration,” “violent crimes have skyrocketed,” “taxes are at all-time highs” and “investments and capital are fleeing the country.”


Zelaya added: “You divided our country and our people unlike anyone else in history. No one will ever forgive or forget what you and Jagmeet did. You decimated the livelihoods of Canadians. Shame on you.”

Political commenter Ryan Gerritsen described Trudeau’s post as “next level gaslighting” and “absolutely infuriating to read,” noting the rampant homelessness, out-of-control crime, high unemployment rates and how more children are suffering from food insecurity now more than ever.

“This man caused more division than any other PM. He campaigned on hating a group of Canadians.”



Others noted it was “the beginning of the end” and “the worst decision Canada ever made.”

One person joked: “10 years later he’s dating Katy Perry and his son is a rapper. What a guy.”

After weeks of speculation over last year’s Christmas holidays, Trudeau announced his resignation, though stayed on until a new Liberal leader and de facto prime minister was chosen.

“This country deserves a real choice in the next election,” Trudeau said at the time, “and it has become clear to me that if I’m having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election.”
But there are those in Canada who still have not learned their lesson because Carney will be even worse!! Just wait for it!!
 

spaminator

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 26, 2009
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Halloween display depicts municipal politicians hanging from noose in Manitoba
Author of the article:Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Fakiha Baig
Published Nov 02, 2025 • 1 minute read

A group representing bilingual Manitoba municipalities says it believes a Halloween display was meant to intimidate local politicians.
A group representing bilingual Manitoba municipalities says it believes a Halloween display was meant to intimidate local politicians.
A group representing more than a dozen Manitoba municipalities says RCMP are investigating a gruesome Halloween display the group believes was meant to intimidate local politicians.


Ivan Normandeau, president of the Association of Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities, says it involves five nearly life-sized person-shaped figures hanging from a noose in a home’s yard in the municipality of Tache, about 40 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg.


Normandeau, who is also the reeve of the nearby municipality of La Broquerie, says the display includes a yellow-and-white sign above the figures that says: Politics All Tricks No Treats.

He adds that four of the figures have the word “ward” written on their legs next to numbers that seem to refer to specific wards in Tache.

Tache Mayor Armand Poirier says his council met over the weekend to discuss the display and will release more details on Monday.

Mounties did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday.


Normandeau said he believed one figure represents Tache’s mayor, noting it wore a red crown and had a sign next to it that said: Tache Municipal Matters For Sale.

“This is so intimidating and it’s graphic,” Normandeau said.

“I know all the councillors in that municipality … It’s crazy how a person can put this in front of their house and think nothing of it.”

He said he has received threatening phone calls and emails over the years but has never seen a display like the one in Tache in the municipalities he represents.

He said social media has made people more comfortable intimidating government officials.

“I’ve been doing this for 12 years and it wasn’t as bad as the last five or six years with social media. It’s something that needs to be addressed,” he said.
 

spaminator

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Oct 26, 2009
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MP Arielle Kayabaga's 'shocking' $173K spending spree for vacay pay: Liberals
“Canadians deserve an explanation,” Conservative MP says of massive bill to taxpayers.

Author of the article:postmedia News
Published Nov 14, 2025 • Last updated 14 hours ago • 3 minute read

Arielle Kayabaga
Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Democratic Institutions Arielle Kayabaga participates in a family photo after a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, on Friday, March 14, 2025.
Conservatives are calling for answers after an Ontario Liberal MP’s eyebrow-raising nine-day spending spree billed to taxpayers came in at a whopping $173,574.


Arielle Kayabaga, who represents London West, briefly served as House Leader. That tenure started on March 14 and ended with the election call on March 23.


Kayabaga is one of 11 ministers cut from Prime Minister Mark Carney’s short-lived cabinet.

However, in that short span as House Leader, she spent $157,028 on “personnel” costs, according to figures details in Public Accounts, per Blacklock’s Reporter.

The billing period included Friday, March 21, two days before the election, when Kayabaga publicly appealed for campaign volunteers.

MP stays silent
Earlier this week, the MP would not say whether paid employees worked on her political campaign while on the public payroll, which is a breach of Treasury Board rules.

The six-figure billing over the nine days mainly reflected vacation pay for staff, a spokesperson said, per Blacklock’s.

“She kept the existing staff that were in place prior to her arrival,” said Mark Kennedy, spokesperson for the Government House Leader. “Ms. Kayabaga did not hire any additional staff.”

The MP earlier this week signed a letter repeating Kennedy’s statement and has refused to speak to reporters.

“For any further questions, please contact the Office of the Government House Leader,” Kayabaga wrote.

The Privy Council Office declined comment, per Blacklock’s.



Conservative MP Kelly Block, who represents Carlton Trail-Eagle Creek in Saskatchewan, called the matter shocking.

‘Canadians deserve an explanation’
“Canadians deserve an explanation,” Block said on social-media platform X.

“With spending habits of $175,000 in nine days, no wonder Liberal MP Arielle Kayabaga hasn’t been able to buy a home,” another commentor on X said, referring to the MP saying in 2023 that she had not been able to purchase a home.

Records show that while House Leader, Kayabaga attended a single cabinet meeting before returning to her home riding. Parliament was prorogued at the time, without any House business.

“I want to keep fighting for London West and I want to do it with you,” Kayabaga wrote in a post to X. “Sign up with the link in my bio to volunteer, request a lawn sign or chip in with a donation. Let’s do this together.”


Treasury Board rules restrict use of public funds for public business.

“Resources cannot be used for partisan purposes,” said Guidelines On The Conduct Of Ministers, Ministers Of State, Exempt Staff And Public Servants During An Election. “This includes ministers’ departmental offices, wherever located.”

“Ministers of state and exempt staff are obliged to ensure resources of the department and portfolio – financial, materiel and human resources – are not use for partisan purposes,” said Guidelines. “In the context of an election, they must be especially vigilant with respect to the distinction between official government business supported by departmental and portfolio resources, and partisan political activities, taking care to avoid even the appearance that departmental and portfolio resources are being used for campaign purposes.”


Wasn’t immediately clear on her duties
Following her swearing-in on March 14, Kayabaga told reporters she was unsure of her duties.

“I am new in my role so I am excited to learn more and also to collaborate,” she said, per Blacklock’s.

“Why do we need a House Leader when we expect there will be no return to the House?” asked a reporter.

“Well, we don’t have an exact answer on that,” Kayabaga at the time. “We always have to have a House Leader, which is very important for our democracy.”

“We want to make sure we’re a team that is focused on serving Canadians and that includes parties across the House,” Kayabaga added. “It is what Canadians want. We want to be unified. Team Canada is not just for the Liberal Party. It’s for every single party in the House of Commons.”

“Have you reached out to the House leaders?” a reporter asked.

“Not yet,” replied Kayabaga.

“What are your priorities?” a reporter asked.

“To have a democracy that is secure,” Kayabaga replied.

“How does it feel?” a reporter asked.

“It feels great,” Kayabaga replied.
 
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spaminator

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Mayor's ‘priority’ Dundas TTC station renaming comes with hidden costs
A city bureaucrat told the TTC that changing the name of the subway station would necessitate $400,000 worth of map updates that needed “to be accounted for.”

Author of the article:Justin Holmes
Published Nov 16, 2025 • Last updated 7 hours ago • 6 minute read

Dundas station
A woman uses her phone while waiting for the subway at the TTC’s Dundas station in Toronto, Thursday February 2, 2023.
The renaming of Dundas station could come at a $400,000 cost to City Hall – if not more – and has generated friction at the TTC, the Toronto Sun has learned.


That renaming was decided upon at a May meeting of the TTC board. What’s now Dundas will become TMU station as part of a sweeping partnership with nearby Toronto Metropolitan University.


The specifics of that deal, which will provide the school’s expertise to the transit operator, are secret. A freedom-of-information request by the Sun yielded hundreds of emails about the renaming, but large portions of documents related to TMU and the cost of the new name have been blacked out.

What’s not hidden in the emails is the discomfort that Josh Colle, the TTC’s chief strategy and customer experience officer, had with the “very contentious issue” – and with the price of the change.

$400,000 for map upgrades
Chris Ronson, of City Hall’s transportation services division, told the TTC in an April email that changing the name of Dundas station would necessitate $400,000 worth of map updates.


“This is a significant one-time cost that (transportation services) and Bike Share have not budgeted for,” Ronson wrote.

“The December 2023 council decision is clear that there is to be no net impact on the (City of Toronto’s) budget as a result of the station name changes.” He wrote that those costs “need to be accounted for” in the report that would accompany the TTC board’s decision.


Colle seemed at first incredulous at the news, writing to strategic adviser Hayley Waldman: “Oh come on.” By the next evening, he had changed his tone.

“We need to address this,” he said in an email to Waldman. “I’m not sure why many of these things can’t just be replaced when they are naturally scheduled.”

Roughly a week later, Waldman relayed an electrical engineer’s “high-level estimate” of the time to change all names “on our electrical drawings” from Dundas to TMU station.


As with many dollar figures in the emails, the amount is redacted, but Waldman is told it is being done with internal labour.

After seeing the amount, Colle replied: “Brutal, but thank you.”

The documents suggest the renaming could cost as much as $2.2 million, which was given as an estimate for renaming both Dundas and Dundas West stations, or as little as about $780,000, as cited in a cost breakdown from November 2024. The TTC board has said some elements of the renaming could be snuck in at a far lower cost with other transit upgrades – and a few emails echo that.

Details of TMU deal confidential
In an emailed statement, TTC spokesman Stuart Green said most of the details of the TMU deal are confidential, and would not confirm a total for the renaming. Green did say the university is “fully covering, with no additional funds required from the TTC,” the cost of the Dundas station name change.


It may be that the final price was brought down by cutting corners.

In March, Waldman wrote to Colle with cost breakdowns for the Dundas job.

“Please note that the cost for wall signage included in the breakdown is for temporary signage only, not new sandblasted tile. That will eventually be an additional cost that we don’t yet have,” Waldman wrote.

Sandblasted tile at Bloor-Yonge station
The TTC used this photo in an internal email to illustrate the difference between a temporary subway sign and sandblasted tile.
Colle’s emails point to the renaming being a pet project for Mayor Olivia Chow and TTC Chair Jamaal Myers. (Colle’s father is Councillor Mike Colle, who, as a close ally of the mayor, sits on City Hall’s powerful executive committee.)

“While confirming estimated costs for the name change, additional significant costs and complexities were identified that we are now working through,” Josh Colle wrote to his team a few days after he got word of the $400,000 map updates.


“This initiative is a priority for the mayor and chair and my hope is that we can use these extra two weeks to make certain we’ve captured all costs related to a potential renaming and be ready for the May board.”

It’s unclear which “costs and complexities” Colle is referring to, but his email makes explicit mention of the $400,000 to update maps.

It appears the “priority” initiative Colle is writing about is not the TMU deal, which is not mentioned, but the rebrand. The phrase “name change” appears three times in Colle’s email, including in the subject.

Chow, Myers, ‘on a path’
The emails suggest there was a push around November 2024 to get Dundas renamed.

“This has been a very contentious issue for our board members and city council,” Colle wrote to TTC interim CEO Greg Percy on Nov. 1 of that year, “but it seems like the mayor and chair are finally aligned on a path forward that would see Dundas renamed after TMU in exchange for them covering the costs and a partnership that would see some other benefits accrue to the TTC.


“Our new (renaming) policy would then only apply to Dundas West and that renaming process would proceed once approved by board.”

The only issue, Colle said: The board never told the TTC to do any of that.

“Our direction does not include the renaming of Dundas to TMU, so if following our board direction, our report will leave the mayor, local councillor and others unhappy. It also has the potential to reopen the entire debate at our board and citywide,” he wrote.

“My team is drafting a second version of our board report that sees us accepting council’s request, despite that direction not coming from the board. That will leave us open to very fair questions and criticism from some.”

On Nov. 14, Colle wrote in an email: “As you know, this is the direction the chair wanted to go.” The day before, Colle wrote that the report was being drafted to honour “requests of the mayor’s office and chair.”


It’s clear that approach didn’t sit well with him.

“Worth reinforcing,” Colle wrote later in that email, “that this direction could open us up to the following questions: Doesn’t your recommendation to rename Dundas contravene your very own new policy you’re asking us to approve? There is no board direction to rename the station as TMU – where did you receive this direction? Shouldn’t we just leave this as Dundas and save the money and divisive debate?”

Dundas station, YDS Square
First Yonge-Dundas Square, now Dundas station. The TTC board has voted to remove the Dundas name from the subway stop and replace it with TMU.
Myers did not respond to a request for comment. In an emailed statement, Chow’s office said the TMU deal is part of “a compromise that involved a few civic assets, saving taxpayers millions of dollars,” compared with her predecessor John Tory’s plan to spend $12.7 million to rename Dundas St.


Not only is TMU paying for new signs, “the dollar value of their contribution to the TTC as part of the ongoing research and data partnership is well above the hard costs for the TTC and other city departments,” the statement added.

Green did not respond to questions about the actual cost of the renaming, the use of sandblasting for signage or additional costs related to the TMU name, but said the “partnership between the TTC and TMU is an exciting one with many benefits.” He pointed to a TTC report that touted the upside of “collaborating with some of the best and the brightest minds in research and technology.”

In a brief statement, City Hall said it can’t comment on “other incident costs” but confirmed the $400,000 “preliminary” estimate.


“The costs to update these signs are currently being reviewed and are expected to be reduced due to competitive procurement,” the statement added. “Conversations remain ongoing with the TTC on how the updates will be funded, and as they are leading the initiative to rename Dundas station, further comment on the station renaming is best directed to them.”

jholmes@postmedia.com
 

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Ontario NDP asks integrity commissioner to investigate labour minister
Labour Minister David Piccini has come under fire for his handling of Ontario's $2.5-billion Skills Development Fund

Author of the article:Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Allison Jones
Published Nov 25, 2025 • 2 minute read

Immigration Minister David Piccini
Labour and Immigration Minister David Piccini speaks at Queen's Park on July 28, 2025.
The leader of Ontario’s NDP is asking the province’s integrity commissioner to investigate the labour minister, alleging he breached ethics rules in handing out skills training funding.


Labour Minister David Piccini has come under fire for his handling of the $2.5-billion Skills Development Fund after an auditor general report found his office has been selecting funding recipients over the advice of bureaucrats.


NDP Leader Marit Stiles says in her complaint that she believes there has been preferential treatment and Piccini has violated several sections of the Member’s Integrity Act, including rules against using their office to improperly further private interests.

“We believe there are credible allegations of preferential treatment regarding the approval, oversight and distribution of SDF grants,” Stiles wrote to integrity commissioner Cathryn Motherwell.

“The disproportionate number of low scoring applicants with close political ties to the government has undermined public confidence.”


Motherwell’s office confirmed it had received the complaint and is now reviewing the materials to decide whether to launch an investigation.

One Skills Development Fund recipient, Keel Digital Solutions — which the minister has said received a lower score — is being closely scrutinized by critics, as media reports say one of its lobbyists is a close friend of Piccini’s.

The government said it has asked the Ontario Provincial Police to look at the results of an audit on another source of government funding Keel has been receiving for student mental health that identified “irregularities.”

The company says it believes the government is conflating that with the Skills Development Fund “for the sole purpose of distracting from a self-inflicted mess.”


A spokesperson for Piccini said the minister will fully participate in any process initiated by the integrity commissioner.

Various media reports have said that some beneficiaries of the fund are unions that endorsed the Progressive Conservatives in elections and people who have donated to the party.

The auditor also found that more than 60 of the lower-scoring applicants were approved after they hired a lobbyist, which has the opposition crying foul over what they call preferential treatment.

Piccini has vehemently defended the fund and its process, though he has said he will follow the auditor general’s recommendations to improve it and has said his office chose applications on projects that fulfil government priorities.
 

spaminator

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Campbell's soup executive caught in recording ripping ‘poor’ customers in derogatory rant
'Bioengineered meat — I don’t wanna eat a piece of chicken that came from a 3-D printer.'

Author of the article:Denette Wilford
Published Nov 25, 2025 • Last updated 1 day ago • 3 minute read

Cans of Campbell's soup are displayed
Cans of Campbell's soup are displayed in a supermarket on March 25, 2021, in New York.
A Campbell’s soup executive is accused of making disparaging comments about their employees and the customers who buy their products.


Martin Bally, Campbell’s vice-president and chief information security officer, allegedly made the offensive remarks during a November 2024 meeting that was secretly recorded by Robert Garza, a former cybersecurity analyst with the company.


Garza said he had a gut feeling that “something wasn’t right with Martin” so he set up a sit-down with Bally to discuss his salary and decided to record it, WDIV reported.

On Nov. 20, Garza filed a lawsuit alleging racist remarks, admissions of drug use at work, and retaliation after he reported it. Campbell Soup Company, Bally, and supervisor J.D. Aupperle are named as defendants in the suit.

What the Campbell’s v-p allegedly said
In the recording, a voice alleged to be Bally’s can be heard blasting Campbell’s products and mocking its consumers.


“We have s*** for f***ing poor people. Who buys our s***? I don’t buy Campbell’s products barely anymore,” the man alleged to be Bally is heard saying.

“It’s not healthy now that I know what the f***’s in it,” Bally allegedly said before going on to rip apart the soups’ ingredients.

“Bioengineered meat — I don’t wanna eat a piece of chicken that came from a 3-D printer.”

Bally also allegedly made derogatory comments about certain minority workers at the company.

“F***ing Indians don’t know a f***ing thing,” the voice purported to belong to Bally said. “They couldn’t think for their f***ing selves.”

Martin Bally, Campbell’s Company’s vice president and chief information security officer.
Martin Bally, Campbell’s Company’s vice president and chief information security officer. LinkedIn
Employee explains why he recorded exec
Garza had only been working for the company for two months before the conversation took place.


“He has no filter,” Garza said of Bally to the outlet. “He thinks he’s a C-level executive at a Fortune 500 company and he can do whatever he wants because he’s an executive.”

Garza told WDIV that he felt “pure disgust” from the meeting, and again after listening to the rant.

He initially kept the recording to himself, but decided to report the disturbing comments to his supervisor. Garza was terminated 20 days later.

Garza’s complaint accuses the company of maintaining a racially hostile work environment, and alleges the termination was retaliatory while he “was really sticking up for other people.”

What Campbell’s had to say
A Campbell’s spokesperson told the New York Post that Bally has been placed on temporary leave while they conduct an internal investigation.


“If the comments were in fact made, they are unacceptable. They do not reflect our values and the culture of our company,” the spokesperson said.

“We are proud of the food we make, the people who make it, and the high-quality ingredients we use,” they continued.

“The comments heard on the recording about our food are not only inaccurate — they are patently absurd.”

The company added that it was not aware of the recording before Garza’s lawsuit was filed.


Garza told WDIV that he raised concerns with human resources but did not hear back.

It took Garza 10 months to find another job. He called Campbell’s’ handling of the situation “simply terrible.”

“They have a motto: ‘We treat you like family here at Campbell’s — come work for us,’” Garza said. “That’s not the case.”

Garza is seeking damages for wrongful termination and retaliation.
 

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Liberal MP Karina Gould opts out of Ontario party leadership race
Former cabinet minister says she will not seek the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party

Author of the article:Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Published Dec 09, 2025 • 1 minute read

Liberal House Leader Karina Gould speaks to reporters in the foyer of the House of Commons in West Block on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ont. on Monday, Sept. 16 2024.
OTTAWA — Ontario Liberal MP and former cabinet minister Karina Gould says she will not seek the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party.


Gould began exploring the possibility of a run after Bonnie Crombie said she would resign from the party’s top job in September following a leadership review.


Gould finished third in the federal Liberal leadership contest, behind Prime Minister Mark Carney and former finance minister Chrystia Freeland.

She says there were many people asking her to mount a campaign for the provincial party’s leadership and she seriously considered it.

Gould says she feels she can be most effective by remaining as the MP for Burlington and representing her constituents, who have been hit hard by U.S. tariffs on steel and the auto sector.

Gould served in cabinet for eight years under former prime minister Justin Trudeau but has not been included in Carney’s cabinet team.
 

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'Fun' Southwestern Ontario MPP fires back at criticism over Christmas card
Bobbi Ann Brady says she has become known at Queen’s Park for her fun, memorable Christmas cards.

Author of the article:postmedia staff
Published Dec 09, 2025 • Last updated 1 day ago • 3 minute read

An image of the 2025 Christmas card from Haldimand-Norfolk Independent MPP Bobbi Ann Brady was published on X by a former municipal politician, Dennis Travale, who called it "inappropriate."
An image of the 2025 Christmas card from Haldimand-Norfolk Independent MPP Bobbi Ann Brady was published on X by a former municipal politician, Dennis Travale, who called it "inappropriate."
A Southwestern Ontario MPP says she’s become known at Queen’s Park for her fun, memorable Christmas cards as this year’s edition draws criticism from a former municipal politician.


Bobbi Ann Brady, an Independent who represents Haldimand-Norfolk, says that while many politicians adorn their holiday greetings to constituents with staid family photos around a fireplace, she opts for more creative cards.


One year she posed on a horse. She looked ready for a game of shinny in another, gripping a hockey stick on an outdoor rink – wearing a dress and high heels.

“Since I was elected, I’ve been known at Queen’s Park to have the very best cards,” she said. “I’m known as being the fun MPP.”

In this year’s version, Brady is pictured bare-foot in a festive Dr. Seuss pajama set perched on a metal chair, which is facing backward, and sipping from a red mug that reads: “Naughty. Nice. I tried,” a reference she says is to politics.


In a social media post, Brady said the card was approved by the Legislative Assembly. The video post has received hundreds of comments overwhelmingly in support of the MPP. One of the comments was from Simcoe photographer Daryl Granger, who took the photo.

“Once again I was thrilled to work with Bobbi shooting her Christmas card images. Bob and I have been friends since Grade 2. She has her head on her shoulders,” Granger said.

But former Norfolk County Mayor Dennis Travale, who Brady says has been a detractor for years, is definitely not on her Christmas card list. He got copies of the card via email and weighed in on it on social media.

On Twitter on Dec. 4, a Queen’s Park reporter referenced a “very spicy” Question Period, their post also including a photo of a cabinet minister handing out Christmas cards. Travale posted an image of Brady’s card in response and wrote: “Spicy? Is that a reference to the Independent MPP from Haldimand-Norfolk?”


Travale says he takes issue with Brady’s pose.

“I find the card to be suggestive and extremely inappropriate,” he said when asked about his post. “What is it about a woman straddling a chair in such a pose that is anywhere close to celebrating the birth of the Christ child?

“Would a similar pose by a male, in skin-tight attire, straddling a chair be equally acceptable? Her decision to use the photo for her Christmas card is, in my view, highly unprofessional and immature, especially for a person in such a high, elected position purportedly representing thousands of people in Haldimand and Norfolk.”


The criticism is “completely politically charged,” Brady said.

“What’s going on in his mind?” she said. “If he thinks there is something suggestive, that’s on him. I am wearing pajamas, and the mug is the message. It’s meant to be cute.


“Part of the reason I’ve been successful is because I’m relatable, not stiff in a suit. I won’t pretend to be someone I’m not to satisfy my politically motivated critics.”

Brady said her Christmas cards have been given to a few hundred people at Queen’s Park and will be sent to a couple thousand constituents who she has had contact with during the year. She writes a personal message in each one and includes a New Year’s Levy invitation.

The MPP, who ran as an independent in 2022 after a kerfuffle involving the local Progressive Conservatives’ nomination process, called out Travale and others condemning her card.

“It is very, very disgusting at this time of year. Shame on them. Maybe they should worry less about the way I look and focus on policy,” she said.

“I don’t believe being elected should rob you of your unique, fun personality. If some want to use Christmas to attack my character or dampen the joy shared with my supporters, that’s a reflection on them.”
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spaminator

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Alberta premier Danielle Smith facing recall petition
Petitioner said Smith doesn't live in the community she serves, noting she hasn't made an effort to understand her constituents

Author of the article:Eddie Chau
Published Dec 11, 2025 • Last updated 1 day ago • 2 minute read

Danielle Smith
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks at event at Heritage Park in Calgary on Friday, December 5, 2025. Brent Calver/Postmedia
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is facing a citizen-led recall petition to get her kicked out of office.


Smith is one of 20 United Conservative MLAs (Member of Legislative Assembly) named in the recall petition, which was approved by Elections Alberta on Wednesday.


Among the names listed in the petition are Smith (MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat), Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz and Technology and Innovation minister Nate Glubish.

There are 21 names in the recall efforts, which include one NDP MLA, Amanda Chapman of Calgary-Beddington.

Why was the recall petition launched?
In her application, petitioner Heather VanSnick said the Alberta premier doesn’t live in the community she serves, noting Smith hasn’t made an effort to understand her constituents.

In an interview with CBC News, VanSnick said her riding “is being ignored.”


“She isn’t serving us in the way that we need to be served. She isn’t an integral part of her own riding,” said VanSnick. “She’s not here.”

VanSnick needs to collect more than 12,000 signatures in order to move the petition forward.

In the application, VanSnick stated Smith has long ignored local constituents and experts in developing policies.

“Effective leadership requires genuine connection and consistent engagement, both absent in her tenure,” VanSnick said in the application, also pointing out that Smith needs to go because she has been weakening public services and favouring privatization.

Smith’s response to petition claims
During a news conference on Wednesday, Smith pushed back at some of the claims made in the recall petition.


“I can tell you that Brooks-Medicine Hat, they used to call themselves the ‘forgotten corner,’ and they’re not forgotten anymore,” Smith said, per CBC News.

The Alberta premier said a lot of projects have progressed in the Brooks-Medicine Hat riding, including the modernization of schools, upgrades to health facilities, and the JBS-Highway 873 connection road.

Smith also said she gets constituent feedback from quarterly town halls. She called the recall petition a “process being abused,” comparing it to the longest ballot campaign.

What happens next?
Petitioners have three months to collect signatures that equate to 60% of the total number of votes cast in the riding during the 2023 election. According to Elections Alberta, that equates to 12,070 signatures for Brooks-Medicine Hat.

If the petition is successful in getting enough signatures, a vote is then held to determine whether the representative gets to keep their position.

If the representative loses, a byelection is then held.

– With files from Canadian Press
 

spaminator

Hall of Fame Member
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Michael Ma departs Conservatives, crossing floor to join Liberals
Markham-Unionville MP's arrival brings Liberals one seat shy of forming majority government

Author of the article:Ian Shantz
Published Dec 11, 2025 • Last updated 19 hours ago • 3 minute read

Michael Ma
Markham-Unionville MP Michael Ma on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, crossed the floor to join the Liberals. Photo by HANDOUT /mpmichaelma.ca
Toronto-area MP Michael Ma is crossing the floor to join Mark Carney’s Liberals.


In a statement issued on Thursday night, the MP for Markham–Unionville said he was inspired to leave the Conservative caucus after listening to his constituents.


“After listening carefully to the people of Markham–Unionville in recent weeks and reflecting with my family on the direction of our country, I have informed the Speaker and the leader of the Opposition that I will be joining Prime Minister Mark Carney in the government caucus,” Ma said in a statement released by the Liberals.

“This is a time for unity and decisive action for Canada’s future.”

On Thursday, video from that evening’s Liberal Christmas party posted to social media showed Carney introducing Ma to a roaring crowd of party staffers and MPs.


Move brings Liberals closer to a majority
Ma now brings the Liberals one seat shy of a majority with 171 seats in the House of Commons.

“I came to Canada at 12 years old as the youngest of seven, quickly learning the importance of hard work and resilience. Those values — building up others, delivering results and choosing a path that creates opportunity — have guided me throughout my career in business and now as a member of Parliament,” the Hong Kong-born politician said.

“In that spirit, I have concluded that Prime Minister Mark Carney is offering the steady, practical approach we need to deliver on the priorities I hear every day while door-knocking in Markham–Unionville. That includes making life more affordable, growing a strong Canadian economy, strengthening community safety and creating real opportunities for young people and families who are working hard to build their Canadian dream.”


In a statement on social media, Carney said he was “proud to welcome Michael Ma to our team.

“(I) look forward to working together to build our country, protect our communities and create more opportunities for the people of Markham-Unionville and all across Canada,” Carney said.



Ma ‘let down’ his constituents: Poilievre
In a statement posted on social media, Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre said Ma’s decision let down his constituents, who elected him as a Conservative to oppose the very policies he’s now endorsing.

“The people he let down the most are the ones who elected him to fight for an affordable future,” he said.

“He will have to answer to them.”

Conservative sources said Ma’s decision came as a shock with more than one identifying Ma as an attendee of the Tory Christmas party on Wednesday evening.


3rd MP to announce they’re leaving caucus
The move by Ma came a few weeks after former Nova Scotia Conservative MP Chris d’Entremont also departed the Tory caucus to join the government benches and Alberta-area MP Matt Jeneroux said he would be resigning from his seat in the House of Commons.


Jeneroux is expected to stay with the Conservative caucus until the spring.

News of d’Entremont’s departure was ripped by senior Conservatives with deputy leader Melissa Lantsman saying he chose not to do the job for which voters sent him to Ottawa. Haldimand–Norfolk MP Leslyn Lewis, a former leadership contender, also called the floor-crossing a “very sad” situation.

Ma’s first time serving as an MP
Ma was first elected as an MP in the last federal campaign.

He ran against Liberal Peter Yuen, who was chosen as the area’s candidate after Paul Chiang stepped down.

Chiang stepped down as the Liberal candidate in Markham–Unionville after he suggested to a media outlet that a political opponent could be turned over to Chinese officials for a bounty.

Carney denounced Chiang’s comments, but stood by the candidate before he dropped out.

— With files from Bryan Passifiume, Jordan Ercit and The Canadian Press.