Smith Exposed, Freeland Fumes, Carney Goes Global - Friday Night
I’ve got a few things to catch you all up on tonight and as promised tomorrow I will have a video and article out about Bill C-5. Give me some ideas for bonus stories in the comments or the group chat if you have any. xoxo -Cole
Bad news for Alberta separatists:
Back in 2023, Danielle Smith launched a public survey asking Albertans if they wanted to leave the Canada Pension Plan. She falsely claimed Alberta was entitled to nearly half of the CPP’s assets a number that even economists called nonsense. Her government refused to release the survey results for months. Now we know why: 94,000 Albertans were surveyed, and 63% said “no” to leaving the CPP. Only 10% supported the idea.
Let’s be honest if most Albertans don’t want to leave the pension plan, they probably don’t want to leave the country either.
Ottawa calls out BC Ferries over Chinese ship deal:
After backlash over BC Ferries contracting a Chinese state-owned company to build four new vessels, Chrystia Freeland is stepping in. In a letter to BC Ferries, she demanded guarantees that no federal funding is supporting this contract, especially given national security concerns. BC Ferries receives $38 million annually from the federal government, plus a $308 million bailout during COVID, and a $75 million loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank. Freeland wants confirmation that none of that is going to China and that Canadian cybersecurity is being protected.
Canada and the EU’s biggest defence deal ever:
Prime Minister Mark Carney is headed to Brussels this Sunday for the EU Summit, where Canada is expected to enter into the EU-Canada Security and Defence Partnership Agreement. It’s being described as the largest defence agreement Europe has ever signed with a non-EU country, and one of the most significant defence pacts in Canadian history. More details will follow when the agreement is finalized, but this is shaping up to be a major step in Canada’s evolving global defence strategy.
As always Cole, thank you for shining important light on several issues here in Canada.
I am heartened by the Alberta CPP survey results and appreciate how many Albertans care about staying in Canada.
Having spent 20 years of my Engineering career managing heavy steel fabrication plants across Canada, I am certain we have the talent and capacity to have built the BC Ferry vessels in Canada, and wonder about the procurement process. I am very impressed by the toughness exhibited by Minister Freeland in her letter, and hope the order can be reversed.
I am very pleased with PM Carney's work to build new relationships with Europe and the EU.
I would like to see if the deal that BC Ferries made can be reversed. Was the BC government aware of the deal? First, the approval for an American-financed pipeline, and now the Ferries.