SK man who set 30 fires sentenced to probation

A Saskatchewan volunteer firefighter who confessed to starting 30 hay bale fires last summer has been sentenced to 18 months probation and 200 hours community service. 

Sask. volunteer firefighter who set hay bales on fire 30 times awaits sentencing | CBC News | Hannah Spray

June 25, 2025 - "As an arsonist kept setting hay bales on fire in western Saskatchewan last summer, comments a volunteer firefighter made to his colleagues raised their suspicions. That ultimately led police to focus their attention on Logan Sieben, a 25-year-old volunteer with the Macklin Fire Department in the town, about 225 kilometres west of Saskatoon.

"At Sieben's sentencing hearing last week in Unity provincial court, Crown prosecutor Danie Cilliers described how, as the fire department attended the hay bale fires, Sieben would say things like, 'the area does not have any cameras,' or 'there are two ways in and out.' Police questioned Sieben, who initially admitted to starting three fires. Ultimately, he accepted responsibility for starting 30 fires during a one-month period from July 29 to Aug. 26, 2024, Cilliers said.

"Cilliers argued for a sentence consisting of a six-month conditional sentence order — to be served in the community — followed by 12 months probation. He cited the high number of fires and Sieben's breach of trust to the community, as a volunteer firefighter, as aggravating factors for the judge to consider. 

"Defence lawyer George Green argued for a sentence of the same length, but in the form of 18 months probation on the same terms proposed by the Crown, including community service and mental health supports.... Green cited prior cases where other offenders set fires to houses, vehicles and even a fire department, and received sentences of probation.... 

"The Crown asked the judge to impose a restitution order for $76,650, the amount associated with the Macklin Fire Department's response to the fires. However, Cilliers acknowledged he doesn't know how much of that was covered by insurance, or how many RMs or property owners have paid their bills. Green said that when the restitution amount isn't 'crystal clear,' it needs to be left to the civil courts to sort out, so a restitution order would not be appropriate here."

Read more: cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/volunteer-firefighter-arsonist-sentencing-1.7570517

Macklin Fire Department / CBC.

Saskatchewan volunteer firefighter who set 30 fires in a month sentenced for arson | CBC News | Alexander Quon:

July 22, 2025 - "A former volunteer firefighter who pleaded guilty to setting hay bales on fire in western Saskatchewan last summer has been sentenced to probation and community service. Logan Sieben was a member of the Macklin & District Fire Department, which last year responded to 20 hay bale fires from July 28 to Aug. 25.... Sieben ultimately pleaded guilty to one charge of arson causing property damage.

"On Monday, Judge Ian Mokoruk released his decision during a hearing in Unity provincial court. Sieben will serve 18 months of probation, complete 200 hours of community service in 15 months and cannot possess any fire-starting tools.

"Mokoruk declined to impose a restitution order, despite Crown attorneys arguing during sentencing submissions that Sieben should pay $76,650, or the amount associated with the department's response to the fires.

"Macklin & District Fire Department Chief Justin Bast said he was hoping for a more severe sentence. 'I don't know that jail time would would solve the problem,' said Bast over the phone on Monday. 'Maybe a little bit of some type of house arrest or something like that and the restitution with that as well.'"

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/logan-sieben-sentencing-1.7590359

How gov't agencies can manipulate economic data

U.S. president Trump has accused the Bureau of Labor Statistics of manipulating economic data for political reasons. Ron Paul says that would be nothing new. 

Newsflash: Governments Lie | Ron Paul Institute | Ron Paul:

August 11, 2025 - "Bureau of Labor Statistics head Dr. Erika McEntarfer is one of the latest persons President Trump has told 'you’re fired.' President Trump said this month that he fired Dr. McEntarfer because the president believed she manipulated jobs data. Manipulations, he stated, include the updated May and June BLS numbers showing the U.S. economy created 258,000 fewer jobs than originally reported, as well as the weaker than expected July jobs report. All of this, the president suggested, was designed to make President Trump look bad.

"Following Dr. McEntarfer’s firing, many commenters worried that President Trump’s actions would create the perception that government unemployment and inflation data is manipulated to produce the numbers desired by the president. A loss of confidence in government statistics could impact demand for US Treasuries ... increasing government’s interest payments.

"President Trump is correct that BLS manipulates statistics related to the economy, but it has been doing so since long before Donald Trump moved to the White House. For example, starting in 1994, the BLS stopped including 'discouraged' workers who have stopped looking for work in the official unemployment figures. The BLS also includes those working part-time as employed even if the only reason they are working part-time is they cannot find full-time work. According to John Williams, publisher of the website Shadow Stats, including discouraged and part-time workers who want full-time work in the unemployment figures increases the unemployment rate by almost 20 percent!

"The government also understates the effects of inflation. One way it does this is by using 'chained CPI.' Chained CPI means that even if price inflation has made steak unaffordable for most Americans, the government does not consider their standard of living lowered if they can buy a 'substitute' such as hamburger. This ignores the fact that if consumers viewed hamburger and steak as equivalent then they would likely have chosen cheaper hamburger before Federal Reserve-caused price inflation made steak unaffordable.... According to John Williams’s Shadow Stats, using a more accurate definition of inflation would increase the inflation rate to as much as 12 percent.

"Manipulating the unemployment and inflation rates allows the government to gaslight the people into believing that the economy is strong and any signs of weakness — such as rising prices or an increase in unemployment in their town — are anomalies that do not reflect the economy’s real condition. Manipulating the inflation figures to understate the true amount of inflation also lowers the 'cost of living' increases the government must provide for veterans, beneficiaries of Social Security, and others. This provides a way for government to cut spending without Congress members having politically difficult votes.

"President Trump has done a service by highlighting that government statistics regarding the economy are manipulated. Many of those criticizing President Trump for endangering the 'credibility' of government’s inflation and unemployment numbers are either unaware of, or more likely have no problem with, manipulating data to fool the public into thinking the welfare-warfare system and the fiat money system are 'working.' They only object to manipulating the data to benefit President Trump. President Trump should ensure the government’s unemployment and inflation figures are as accurate as possible by appointing John Williams of Shadow Stats to head the Bureau of Labor Statistics."

Copyright © 2025 The Ron Paul Institute. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is gladly granted, provided full credit and a live link are given.

https://ronpaulinstitute.org/newsflash-governments-lie/

Shadow Stats: https://www.shadowstats.com/ 

2nd Canadian rights group weighs in on hiking ban

A second Canadian province has imposed a summer ban on hiking, fishing, picnicking, and dog walking in the woods on Crown land to prevent wildfires; and a second Canadian rights group has weighed in on the issue.

New Brunswick warned to lift ban on low-risk activities, such as walking, hiking, and fishing, on Crown land | Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (news release): 

August 11, 2025 - ""The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms announces that a legal warning letter has been sent to Premier of New Brunswick Susan Holt and Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Development John Herron, urging them to reverse their province-wide ban on public access to Crown land. 

Image generated by Grok, created by xAI.

"The universal ban on access to nature across the province applies to low-risk activities such as hiking, cycling, fishing, or even walking a dog.... 

"Constitutional lawyer Allison Pejovic states that these sweeping restrictions violate Canadians’ right to liberty – protected by section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Ms. Pejovic writes that 'walking through the woods and fishing do not pose a risk of starting fires. Punishing Canadians by restricting their freedom to roam and enjoy nature is disproportionate and not rationally connected to preventing forest fires.'

"Less restrictive measures, such as banning smoking and recreational fires, increasing patrols on Crown land, and improving forest management, could address legitimate fire concerns without violating citizens’ liberty.

"The letter cautions that if the province proceeds with 'overbroad, arbitrary, and grossly disproportionate restrictions,' the province could face a legal challenge.... Ms. Pejovic remarks that 'treating people as the problem rather than targeting actions that actually create fire risks shows a serious and concerning disregard for human rights and individual liberty.'

"The letter urges the province to immediately remove the ban on harmless recreational activities on Crown land."

Read more: https://www.jccf.ca/new-brunswick-warned-to-lift-ban-on-low-risk-activities-such-as-walking-hiking-and-fishing-on-crown-land/

>40,000 jobs lost in Canada in July

More than 40,000 jobs disappeared from Canada's economy in July, driving the national employment rate down to its lowest point since the COVID pandemic. 

Canada's economy shed over 40,000 jobs in July, partly offsetting earlier growth | CBC News | Thomson Reuters:

August 8, 2025 - "The Canadian economy lost more than 40,000 jobs in July, sinking the share of people employed to an eight-month low, Statistics Canada reported on Friday, as the labour market gave back substantial gains seen in June. The unemployment rate, however, remained steady but at a multi-year-high level of 6.9 per cent, the agency said.

"The economy shed 40,800 jobs in July against a net addition of 83,000 jobs in June, taking the employment rate — or the percentage of people employed out of the total working-age population — to 60.7 per cent. The employment rate was the lowest since the pandemic and the loss of jobs was concentrated among permanent employees....

"The declines were largely driven by job losses among young people aged 15 to 24, a cohort that has struggled to find work.... Their employment rate dropped to 53.6 per cent, the lowest since November 1998, excluding the pandemic. 

"The youth unemployment rate, meanwhile, hit 14.6 per cent — the highest rate for this group since September 2010, again barring the pandemic years. High school students returning to class in the fall are having an especially difficult time finding work....

"The sectors hit hardest last month included the information, culture and recreation industry, which lost 29,000 jobs, while construction lost 22,000 jobs, and business, building and support services shed 19,000 jobs. Transportation and warehousing made gains with a 26,000-job bump."

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canada-labour-force-survey-july-1.7604068

Nova Scotia premier bans walking in woods

Nova Scotia premier Tim Houston has announced a province-wide ban on hiking, camping, and fishing in the woods due to an elevated risk of wildfires. 

N.S. bans hiking and use of vehicles in woods as dry conditions raise wildfire fears | CBC News:

August 05, 2025 - "The Nova Scotia government has announced it's banning hiking, camping, fishing and use of vehicles such as ATVs in the woods due to an elevated wildfire risk. Camping in campgrounds is still permitted, but trail systems through woods are off-limits under the new rules.

Nova Scotia has opened a hiking snitch line.

"The rules are in place for provincial Crown land until Oct. 15 or until weather conditions allow them to be lifted. The fine for violating the ban is $25,000. The public can still access beaches and parks, except for trail systems. 

"As hot and dry conditions in the province persist, Premier Tim Houston said at a news conference Tuesday that these proactive measures are a 'small price to pay' to avoid devastation like the province saw in 2023, when wildfires destroyed more than 200 homes....

"Landowners are being encouraged to voluntarily follow the same restrictions on their private land to minimize the risk of wildfires. While landowners will not face a fine for activities such as hiking in their own woods, any guest of theirs who is found violating the ban could be fined.... 

"Travel and activity in the woods were also banned in May 2023 while the province battled two major wildfires that destroyed hundreds of homes. The restrictions were initially put in place for about four weeks or until conditions allowed them to be lifted. The restrictions were lifted after about a week." 

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/hiking-ban-vehicles-wildfire-concerns-1.7019695

Canada's nanny state is out of control! Nova Scotia forest lockdowns banned hikes and picnics | Canadian Constitution Federation | August 7, 2025:

CCF Warns Premier Houston: Hiking Ban Threatens Freedoms, Petition Demands Repeal | Canadian Constitution Federation (news release):

August 7, 2025 - "The CCF [Canadian Constitution Federation] has formally sent a letter to Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston and National Resources Minister Tory Rushton urging the provincial government to reconsider the recently announced restrictions on hiking, birdwatching, fishing, picnicking and other outdoor activities in the province’s forests. Citing wildfire risks amid dry conditions, the ban was announced and came into effect Tuesday, August 5.

"While the CCF recognizes the importance of wildfire prevention and supports targeted safety measures, this sweeping ban unnecessarily and disproportionately restricts responsible outdoor recreation that has zero fire risk. The ban negatively impacts the well-being of Nova Scotians. The full letter can be read here.

"'The Nova Scotia government is threatening ordinary citizens with $25,000 fines for hiking, even though this poses virtually no threat of starting a fire,' said CCF Counsel Josh Dehaas. 'We are calling on the government to rescind these draconian measures and let Nova Scotians safely enjoy their world-famous forests for the remainder of the summer and beyond.'

"'When safety becomes a weapon, everyone loses,' said CCF Litigation Director Christine Van Geyn. 'Nova Scotia’s forest ban is overkill and it’s deja vu. It’s happening now because the government got away with it last time. This is a classic example of safetyism: a mentality where risk becomes an excuse for control, not communication. Once the government sees that overreach is workable, it’s replayed every few years.'

"The CCF is now circulating a public petition calling on the government to immediately rescind the ban and restore access to the province’s forests. If the restrictions are not lifted, the CCF may take legal action."

https://theccf.ca/ccf-warns-premier-houston-hiking-ban-threatens-freedoms-petition-demands-repeal/

Read letter: https://theccf.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025.08.06-CCF-letter-to-Houston-and-Rushton.pdf

Sign petition: https://theccf.ca/restore-access-to-ns-forests/

U.S. cold war with Russia heats up

The cold war between the United States and Russia heated up last week, with President Trump ordering nuclear-armed submarines deployed "in the appropriate regions."

Cold War 2.0 Heats Up | Ron Paul Institute | Ron Paul:

August 4, 2025 - "Last week the nuclear rhetoric between the US and Russia made some of us feel like we were transported back to 1962. Back then, Soviet moves to place nuclear-capable missiles 90 miles off our coast in Cuba led to the greatest crisis of the Cold War. The United States and its president, John F. Kennedy, could not tolerate such weapons placed by a hostile power on its doorstep and the world only knew years later how close we were to nuclear war.

"Thankfully both Khrushchev and Kennedy backed down – with the Soviet leader removing the missiles from Cuba and the US president agreeing to remove some missiles from Turkey. Both men realized the folly of playing with 'mutually assured destruction,' and this compromise likely paved the way to further US/Soviet dialogue from Nixon to President Reagan and finally to the end of the Cold War.

"Fast forward more than 60 years later and we have a US president, Donald Trump, who last week stated that he had 'ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions,' meaning nearer to Russia. Had Russia attacked the US or an ally? Threatened to do so? No. The supposed re-positioning of US strategic military assets was in response to a sharp series of posts made by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev on social media....

"The war of words started earlier, when neocon US Senator Lindsey Graham’s endless threats against Russia received a response – and a warning – from Medvedev. Graham, who seems to love war more than anything else, posted 'To those in Russia who believe that President Trump is not serious about ending the bloodbath between Russia and Ukraine… You will also soon see that Joe Biden is no longer president. Get to the peace table.'

"Medvedev responded, 'It’s not for you or Trump to dictate when to "get at the peace table". Negotiations will end when all the objectives of our military operation have been achieved. Work on America first, gramps!' That was enough for Trump to join in to defend his ill-chosen ally Graham and ended with Medvedev alluding to Soviet nuclear doctrine which provided for an automatic nuclear response to any first strike on the USSR by US or NATO weapons.

"The message from the Russian politician was clear: back off. It was hardly Khruschev banging his shoe at the UN screaming 'we will bury you,' but it was enough for Trump to make a rare public pronouncement about the movement of US nuclear submarines.

"Trump is understandably frustrated that his promise to end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours has not been fulfilled after six months in office. President Trump doesn’t seem to understand that you cannot arm one side in a war and then demand that the other side – the side that’s winning – stop fighting. That has never happened in history.

"What is most tragic is that the war in Ukraine could have likely been ended if not in 24 hours, then surely in six months if Trump simply ended Joe Biden’s policy on Ukraine. It is continued US support for the war that keeps the war going. Even the US mainstream media admits that Ukraine will lose. But Trump seems under the spell of the neocons who can never reverse a failed policy.

"Hopefully the return of nuclear rhetoric will awaken some in DC to the danger that the neocons pose to our country. We are no longer in 1962."

Copyright © 2025 The Ron Paul Institute. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is gladly granted, provided full credit and a live link are given.
https://ronpaulinstitute.org/cold-war-2-0-heats-up/

Carney gov't won't stop Billion-dollar ferry loan

Notwithstanding its 'buy Canadian' policy and an ongoing trade war with China, the Carney government will not interfere in a Crown corporation's $1 Billion loan to B.C. Ferries to buy new boats from a state-owned Chinese shipyard. 

Federal Ministers ‘Disappointed’ With BC Ferries Over China Vessel Orders, Won’t Cancel $1B Loan | Epoch Times | Matthew Horwood & Paul Rowan Brian:

August 1, 2025- "Federal ministers told MPs they are 'dismayed' and 'disappointed' by BC Ferries’ decision to purchase vessels from Chinese shipyards, but they won’t ask the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) to cancel the $1 billion loan it provided the corporation for the purchase. Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson, who oversees the CIB, and Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland made the comments on Aug. 1 as they testified before the House of Commons transport committee.... 

"In June, BC Ferries announced it had hired state-owned China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards to build four vessels. The announcement came amid concerns with Chinese interference in Canada, as well as the United States imposing 50 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum, which has prompted Ottawa to prioritize 'buy Canadian.' No Canadian shipyard participated in the procurement process, with B.C. shipyard Seaspan saying it didn’t bid on the contract due to the difficulty of competing with countries that have lower industry standards. 

"Robertson told the committee that Ottawa had no role in approving the $1 billion CIB loan for purchase of the vessels, saying the infrastructure bank operates at arm’s length from the federal government.... Robertson said he’s 'disappointed' by BC Ferries’ decision to hire a Chinese state-run shipyard, but argued the new ships will benefit Canadian workers through 'hundreds of millions of dollars in Canadian based maintenance [and] service support over the life of these vessels'.... Robertson, who became housing minister on May 13, said he only became aware of the CIB loan to BC Ferries on June 11 once it was too late to reverse-course on the deal signed March 28.... Robertson said his policy directions going forward would focus on a 'buy Canada' approach.

"Tory MP Leslyn Lewis, who serves as her party’s infrastructure critic, expressed disbelief that it took Robertson one month to learn about the CIB loan. Lewis subsequently put forward a notice of motion to abolish the CIB, saying its loan to BC Ferries violates section 6 of its founding act, which pledges to invest and attract investment in the Canadian public interest and with an aim to strengthen the sustainability of Canada’s infrastructure.

ImagePerson, B.C. Ferries vessel Coastal Renaissance in 2016. CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.

"Freeland testified at the committee before Robertson and said that Transport Canada has provided $38 million in annual support to B.C. for ferry operations. She said she received assurances that this money would not be used in the procurement of Chinese ships.

"Opposition MPs pressed Freeland on whether she supported cancelling the CIB loan but she did not answer the questions.... Freeland reiterated that she was disappointed by the decision, and that she was doing 'everything in my power' to ensure Canadian workers, steel, and aluminum are prioritized.... Freeland said she is convening a meeting with the provinces and territories, ferry owners, shipyards, and steel and aluminum industry representatives to discuss 'the challenges related to the procurement of ferries in Canada.'

"CIB CEO Ehren Cory spoke Aug. 1 before the committee, saying that CIB’s loan to BC Ferries benefits Canadians regardless of where the ferries are being built.... He added that when discussions began in September of last year with BC Ferries about a loan, where the vessels would be constructed was not yet known and 'wasn’t part of the decision,' as the focus was on benefiting the approximately 23 million customers who use BC Ferries annually.

"Asked by Liberal MP Stéphane Lauzon about whether mandating Canadian labor and materials in projects comes down to political will, Cory said 'yes,' adding that if the government mandated BC Ferries to source vessels from Canada, the CIB would support that indirectly — possibly by increasing its loan. However, he noted that repaying a larger loan could mean higher fares for ferry riders."

Read more: https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/transport-minister-tells-mps-shes-dismayed-by-bc-ferries-china-orders-doesnt-call-for-1b-loan-cancellation-5895476