The Andrew Lawton Show

The CRTC has delayed implementation of its Online Streaming Act – the law that allows the government to control what you see on platforms such as YouTube, Netflix, and podcast databases – until “late 2025,” a postponement that more than likely kicks it to after the next federal election. True North’s Andrew Lawton says this might be a bit of a reprieve for Canadians who want the governments hands off their content. Also, while healthcare is in the provincial domain, it’s federal gatekeepers who are preventing Canadians (except those living in Quebec) from accessing healthcare choice. SecondStreet.org president Colin Craig says this is an opportunity for federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. He joins the show to discuss. Plus, Saskatchewan’s court of appeal has upheld the government’s former restriction on outdoor gatherings. This comes the same week as British Columbia’s Supreme Court upheld B.C.’s vaccine mandate for healthcare workers. Charter Advocates Canada litigation director Marty Moore returns to weigh in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tried to deflect a feisty question from a reporter wondering why he’s still there when he and his party are so dismally unpopular in the polls despite throwing everything at the wall to turn things around. He insists he is delivering for Canadians and isn’t the problem. True North’s Andrew Lawton weighs in. With auto thefts at an all-time high, Ontario is moving to revoke driver’s licences from repeat car thieves. Criminal lawyer Ari Goldkind joins to discuss. Plus, Alberta under Premier Danielle Smith has put its own sovereignty and jurisdiction front and centre in a way the province hasn’t in recent memory. Professor Barry Cooper, one of the architects of the province’s sovereignty act, joins to discuss Alberta’s present and future place in Confederation, which he expands on in a new essay for C2C Journal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The RCMP’s long-awaited review of its response to the Freedom Convoy is out, showing that officers were concerned they had been politicized by the federal government’s handling of the protest. Crucially, the RCMP has called out the government for “misrepresenting” police information, or claiming information came from the police when it didn’t. True North’s Andrew Lawton weighs in. Also, the Ontario government is cracking down on cell phone use in classrooms, but education advocates say the ban doesn’t go far enough. Fraser Institute researcher Paige MacPherson joins to discuss. Plus, young Canadians are less likely to couple up and the ones that do are having fewer and fewer children. Dr. Tim Sargent of the Centre for the Study of Living Standards joins to unpack Canada’s fertility crisis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Police in Calgary and Edmonton moved in on anti-Israel encampments at the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta on the weekend, while McGill University in Montreal is fighting in court today for an injunction to clear the occupation on its campus. More than two years ago, the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act to clear out Freedom Convoy demonstrators in Ottawa – a decision that has since been ruled unconstitutional by the Federal Court. Where is the line between a legitimate (albeit disruptive) protest and an illegal occupation? True North’s Andrew Lawton discusses with Canadian Constitution Foundation lawyer Josh DeHaas. Weeks after the federal government finally conceded there might be too many temporary foreign residents in Canada, Immigration Minister Marc Miller has suggested one way to decrease the numbers – convert them to permanent residents instead. Also, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s annual Teddy Awards – honouring the very worst in government waste – have been released, with a federal agency a lifetime achievement award for paying seniors to talk about their sex lives and CBC being honoured for paying millions of dollars in executive bonuses. CTF federal director Franco Terrazzano joins the show to discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was ejected from the House of Commons yesterday after refusing to withdraw a comment that Justin Trudeau was a “wacko” (although he offered to replace it with “extremist” and “radical”). The pearl-clutching Liberals and journalists should be less focused on tone-policing and more on governing, True North’s Andrew Lawton says. Plus, a new documentary, Covid Collateral, exposes the harms of lockdowns and the censorship of scientists throughout the pandemic. Filmmaker Vanessa Dylyn joins to discuss. Plus, it’s the four year anniversary of the order-in-council that prohibited over 1500 types of firearm and promised a two year “buyback” that has so far never materialized. Rod Giltaca of the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights weighs in on where things stand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has vowed that his efforts to keep criminals behind bars will be constitutional, telling the Canadian Police Association he will “make them constitutional using whatever tools the constitution allows me to use to make them constitutional. I think you know exactly what I mean.” It looks like he’s teasing the first ever federal use of the Charter’s notwithstanding clause. True North’s Andrew Lawton weighs in on why that matters. Also, the capital gains tax hike proposed in the federal budget is the ‘final nail in the business investment coffin,’ one economic analyst says. Jake Fuss from the Fraser Institute joins to explain why. Plus, British Columbia has asked the federal government to reverse its pilot project on decriminalizing drug use in public spaces just one year into the three year trial. Is this finally a recognition of failure on the part of the drug-permissive B.C. government? Centre for Responsible Drug Policy founder Adam Zivo joins to discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to a Hill Times report, Justin Trudeau has told Liberal members of Parliament not to worry, because despite the Conservatives’ large lead over the Liberals, this will all get sorted out next year. True North’s Andrew Lawton says any Liberal MPs serious about their political futures should be showing Trudeau the door right about now. Also, anti-Israel protesters at McGill University in Montreal have established an encampment to demand the university divest endowment funds from Israel and cut ties with Israeli academic institutions. Columnist and Montrealer Barbara Kay joins the show to discuss. Plus, new data show that carbon emissions in British Columbia have continued to rise despite the province’s long-running carbon tax. Why should Canadians keep going along with this? Kris Sims from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation weighs in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As more and more people sound alarms about the implications of the Liberal government’s latest budget, Justin Trudeau and Chrystia Freeland are still saying it’s a budget that injects “fairness” into the Canadian economy. This comes as the Canadian and Ontario governments each pony up $5 billion to create 1,000 jobs creating electric vehicles and batteries for Honda. True North’s Andrew Lawton digs in with Aaron Wudrick of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. Also, activists and the government say extreme weather events are the fault of climate change and justification for aggressive environmental policy – but according to the data, this just isn’t true. Andrew unpacks with Dr. Kenneth Green from the Fraser Institute. Plus, what should government do – if anything – about Canada’s low birthrate? Andrew sat down with Crestview partner Ginny Roth at the Canada Strong and Free Network conference in Ottawa to discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the Liberal government continues to drag in the polls, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has set out to put himself out in front of more Canadians – evidently of the mind that he’s the solution and not the problem. In one podcast interview this week, Trudeau accused Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of feeding into angry populism rather than providing solutions. True North’s Andrew Lawton weighs in. Also, Canadian Armed Forces soldiers who were expelled because they didn’t get vaccinated against COVID-19 have received waivers allowing them to return to work. Is this a step in the right direction or too little too late? Lawyer Catherine Christensen of Valour Law joins to discuss. Plus, the federal government says plastic is a toxin – using that argument as a rationale to regulate and restrict plastics. This comes as a massive U.N. summit convenes in Ottawa with the goal of setting up a “plastics treaty.” Andrew unpacks with plastics scientist Chris DeArmitt of Phantom Plastics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been nearly four years to the day since the Liberal government prohibited more than 1,500 types of firearms and set in motion a “buyback” to confiscate the lawfully-owned guns from their owners. Since then, not a single gun has been acquired. In fact, Alberta and Saskatchewan have put up roadblocks making it next to impossible for the government to confiscate guns in those provinces, and now Canada Post has said it wants nothing to do with the buyback, dashing federal hopes that the Crown corporation could manage the firearm pickups and transfers. True North’s Andrew Lawton weighs in. Also, a massive U.N. summit has convened in Ottawa with the goal of setting up a “plastics treaty.” Andrew discusses with Chris DeArmitt of Phantom Plastics. Plus, is defunding CBC as easy or desirable as it sounds? Andrew shares an interview with Jen Gerson, co-founder of the Line, recorded at the Canada Strong and Free Network conference. Antisemitism has become the new normal in Canada with the tacit or even explicit endorsement of political leaders. Andrew talks about it with author and broadcaster Dahlia Kurtz, author of the new book “Dear Zionist, You Are Not Alone.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Footage from a weekend anti-Israel rally shows protesters openly cheering for Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, referring to it as a sign that Palestinians are almost free and calling for Oct. 7 to become “every day” for Israelis. Antisemitic protesters feel safe enough in their views that they no longer feel the need to mask their Jew hatred with terms like “anti-Zionist,” True North’s Andrew Lawton points out, noting that calls for dead Jews should terrify, but not surprise, us. The federal government spent $2.2 million in legal fees trying to defend its use of the Emergencies Act in Federal Court, only to get a decision that broke the law in doing so. Also, CBC is getting tens of millions of dollars more from the feds but the president of the state broadcaster won’t even do an interview with a CBC journalist. Kris Sims from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation joins to weigh in. Plus, a United Nations summit taking on plastic is starting up in Ottawa this week. What does this mean for Canadian consumers and businesses? Vinyl Institute president Aiñe Curran joins to discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An increasing number of young Canadians can’t afford to buy a home, but Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek says not to worry: a lifetime of renting can give “more freedom” and make people feel “liberated,” calling home ownership an outdated concept. True North’s Andrew Lawton says it’s a convenient way to avoid solving the housing crisis, and also markedly similar to the controversial “own nothing and be happy” trope advanced a few years back by a World Economic Forum author. Also, Andrew shares his full fireside chat with Premier Blaine Higgs about federalism, conservatism, and parental rights, filmed live at the Canada Strong and Free Network’s annual conference in Ottawa last week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The federal government unveiled its latest budget yesterday and, surprise surprise, it’s full of big spending with no plan to balance the budget. But the Liberals did find room to shovel more money to CBC and over a billion dollars to “combat hate.” True North’s Andrew Lawton unpacks it with Franco Terrazzano of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and Catherine Swift of the Coalition of Concerned Manufacturers and Businesses of Canada. Plus, Andrew shares his interview with Christine Van Geyn of the Canadian Constitution Foundation from the Canada Strong and Free Network conference about the dismal state of civil liberties in Canada. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Canada’s Governor General is supposed to be apolitical and above partisanship, but Her Excellency Mary Simon opted to convene a panel about the dangers of “online harms” while the federal government is championing a controversial law that uses such harms as a pretext to regulate internet speech. The panel had no critics of the legislation, but plenty of people championing it. True North’s Andrew Lawton weighs in. Also, it’s budget day, so Andrew checks in Canadian Federation of Independent Business vice-president of legislative affairs Ryan Mallough to see how rough a ride Canadians are in for. Plus an interview with former federal finance minister Joe Oliver from last week’s Canada Strong and Free Network conference. Lifelong Liberals are breaking with their party over Justin Trudeau’s leadership of it. Andrew checks in with former Liberal member of Parliament Dan McTeague about why that is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh may not know how to negotiate but apparently he can read polls, now saying that carbon taxes aren’t the only option to fight climate change. Justin Trudeau says he’s “confused” about Singh’s position now, which has previously been unequivocal support, even as resistance to the tax swells across Canada. True North’s Andrew Lawton weighs in. Also, Kris Sims from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation joins for her regular Monday checkin. Plus, Andrew’s fireside chat with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith from last week’s Canada Strong and Free Network conference in Ottawa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the third and final day of the Canada Strong and Free Network’s flagship conference in Ottawa and True North’s Andrew Lawton Show is once again live from the exhibit hall. In today’s show, Andrew speaks to former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott about freedom, conservatism, and why the right has to articulate its own position on climate and the environment instead of accepting the left’s premises. Also, the Fraser Institute’s Paige MacPherson on choice and education, plus the Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s Franco Terrazzano on whether there is hope on the horizon for Canadian taxpayers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Across the country, communities are being hollowed out and overrun by tent cities and increasing homeless populations. What has gone so wrong? True North’s Andrew Lawton catches up with former Toronto mayoral candidate Anthony Furey to discuss on the margins of the Canada Strong and Free Network’s annual conference, the flagship event for the country’s conservative movement. Also on the show, former adviser to Margaret Thatcher John O’Sullivan, plus Tracey Wilson of the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights, and some other folks who get pulled in as the show progresses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Canada's flagship conservative conference, hosted by the Canada Strong and Free Network, kicks off today in Ottawa, with a roster of speakers including former British prime minister Boris Johnson, former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. True North is broadcasting live from the convention all week.In today's kickoff episode, True North's Andrew Lawton speaks to Canada Strong and Free Network president Adam Bolek about the conference theme, "leading with conviction." Also on the show: Macdonald-Laurier Institute domestic policy director Aaron Wudrick, Durham member of Parliament Jamil Jivani, and filmmaker-turned-Conservative candidate Aaron Gunn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A report from the “sustainable economy” firm Corporate Knights says Justin Trudeau’s government pledged to spend $48.6 billion on climate change over the last nine years but has ‘only’ spent $34.3 billion, calling for the government to “follow through” on its commitments. True North’s Andrew Lawton says encouraging the government to throw more money at the weather isn’t going to change anything. Also, the firearms industry group that contracted with the federal government to work with firearms stores on the so-called gun buyback now says the government is in over its head. Wes Winkel, president of the Canadian Sporting Arms and Ammunition Association, joins the show to discuss. Plus, a study from the Aristotle Foundation finds that while Jewish groups condemn attacks on Muslims, Muslim groups in Canada don’t tend to reciprocate. Study author Rahim Mohamed explains his findings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Saskatchewan has just expanded its provincial firearms office, putting public safety and protecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners front and centre as the federal government continues to curtail lawful gun ownership in this country. Saskatchewan’s approach has been celebrated by firearms advocates – Andrew welcomes to the show the province’s firearms commissioner, Robert Freberg, and chief firearms officer, Murray Cowan, to explain why. Also, as federal members of Parliament take a big pay raise, Alberta MLAs have opted to freeze their wages. Andrew discusses with Canadian Taxpayers Federation Alberta director Kris Sims, as well as why CBC is in desperate need of a defunding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices