Canada, USA at war, says Carney

‘You’re at war when you get attacked’: Mark Carney shows combative nature in face-off with Trump | Leyland Cecco, Heather Stewart, & Kalyeena Makortoff | The Guardian: 

August 30, 2026 - "Mark Carney stood before a walnut-veneered lectern, his face drawn tight, as he announced that talks with Canada’s biggest trading partner had collapsed. 'Last spring, I warned that America is trying to break us so that they can own us,' he said. “And I promised: that will never, ever happen. We are keeping that promise'.... Near the end of the press conference last Saturday, a reporter made reference to the sombre, combative tone of the speech: 'Why does it feel like today Mark Carney is going to war?'

"The prime minister paused. 'We were attacked. You’re at war when you get attacked,' he said. 'We got attacked'....

"After trade negotiations with the US broke down, the two sides traded recriminations and made good on threats to impose new tariffs on each other. In his latest act of petty antagonism, Trump signed an executive order on Thursday directing the US federal government to rename Lake Ontario as 'Lake America'. But Carney, in walking away from the proposed deal, did what few other leaders have done: dared Trump and the US to test his nation’s resolve....

"Joseph Steinberg, a professor of economics at the University of Toronto, said that while during the Brexit debate, Carney 'did not shy away from trying to tell kind of the hard economic truths', he had not spoken much about the economics of the current US trade war.... Carney’s decision to retaliate against the US has caused some economists, including Steinberg, to point out that Canada will take a far more painful blow than the US.... 'At the moment, Canadians are likely to be extraordinarily intolerant of making any kind of concessions to the US whatsoever, even if they are in our economic best interest,' he said.

"In January, Carney warned people at [the World Economic Forum in] Davos that 'compliance will not buy safety' in a world increasingly dominated by hegemonic powers. While it never mentioned Trump, his speech was seen as a thinly veiled critique of the US president.... One of Carney’s prescriptions – forging deep relations with like-minded 'middle powers' and restructuring to lessen reliance on former allies – has already taken shape in Canada, at a speed and degree to which the pollster David Coletto described as a 'wartime-footing government without a war'. 'It’s a government organised around an external threat that’s willing to suspend its own party’s orthodoxies, centralise power to move fast, and measure itself in outcomes rather than values,' he wrote.

"Carney abandoned many of the policies of his predecessor Justin Trudeau, including his carbon and electric vehicle mandates. He has also fast-tracked large projects, including an oil pipeline, and invested tens of billions more into defence.... 

"'The public has hardly blinked,' Coletto said in an interview. 'Mark Carney’s approval rating has just sustained itself through this entire period.... I’ve been surprised with his nuanced read of the country. He’s been adept at being not just politically effective but in holding his support together through a trying time. This suggests there’s little value in underestimating his political instincts.'

"Polling shows that Carney remains the leader Canadians trust most to steer the country through economic uncertainty. But the prime minister has also embraced a role that would once have seemed almost incongruous: asking a country vastly smaller and less powerful than its neighbour to stand its ground."

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2026/aug/30/youre-at-war-when-you-get-attacked-mark-carney-shows-combative-nature-in-face-off-with-trump

Canada turns to Europe amid escalating Trump trade war | Roundtable | TRT | September 8, 2026:

Canadian LIbertarians turn up the volume

Turning up the Volume on Freedom: Our First 30 Days

 by Derek Elliott, Leader, Libertarian Party of Canada

Friends, in just thirty days, we completely shattered expectations and built historic momentum for Canadian freedom.

It has been nearly a month since Michael Harris and I officially took the reins as Leader and Deputy Leader of the Libertarian Party of Canada. And let me tell you, the energy we are seeing right now is something this party hasn't experienced in a very long time.

For years, critics have claimed that libertarians just can't get on the same page. They thought we were too independent to pull in the same direction. Well, we just wrapped up our very first board meeting, and we proved them completely wrong. Under this new leadership, the entire board didn't just find common ground… we agreed on every single item unanimously. No gridlock, no endless debates, just total alignment on our mission to bring real choice back to Canadians.

That single, productive meeting set the stage for major action. In less than a month, we have officially established our party's very first youth wing, LYNX. This is a massive milestone. We are finally building a solid foundation for the future, engaging young people across the country, and giving them a real voice to stand up for personal liberty and economic freedom.

That alone would be reason to celebrate, but to top off an incredible first month, I travelled down to represent our party at the US Libertarian National Convention. Speaking in front of those people and being part of that massive crowd was an incredible honour. It gave us a fantastic platform to strengthen our international ties, share our vision for a free Canada, and bring a wave of fresh energy back home with us.

What we have accomplished in thirty days is just a small taste of what is coming. We are moving this party forward, we are turning up the volume on liberty, and we are showing Canadians that there is a professional, focused, and united alternative ready to stand up for them.

The momentum is on our side, but we need your help to keep it rolling. Drop a comment below to let us know what you think, smash that like button, and subscribe so you don't miss a single update. Share this video with a friend who is tired of the status quo, and let's get to work.

U.S. government kllls the Spirit

 Government Kills the Spirit | Ron Paul Institute | Ron Paul:

May 4, 2026: "One of the industries hardest hit by the spike in fuel prices caused by the Iran War is airlines. Jet fuel prices have doubled since the start of the war. Airlines have reacted to the fuel price increase by raising fares and baggage fees, as well as by cutting routes. 

"Raising prices is not a good option for 'budget' airlines since their main appeal to consumers is their low prices. Increasing prices could cause these carriers to lose business. The financial strain from the increased fuel costs led discount airline Spirit to ask the Trump administration for a bailout. President Trump said a bailout would be conditioned on Spirit giving the government an ownership stake in the company. Spirit was unable to reach a deal with the government, so Spirit went out of business on Saturday. However, several other budget airlines are seeking a government bailout.

"Spirit has been struggling for years. In 2022, the airline sought to get on better financial footing by merging with fellow discount airline JetBlue. The merger may have allowed for more effective competition with the dominant carriers. However, the Justice Department successfully opposed the merger in court on the grounds it would lead to more concentration in the discount airlines market. This is one of many examples of how an aggressive approach to antitrust enforcement can harm businesses and consumers.

"Spirit is not the first business President Trump has considered having the government 'invest' in. For example, in exchange for government approval of Nippon Steel’s acquisition of US Steel, the government was given a 'golden share' allowing the government to overrule decisions made by the company that the government determines are against US 'national security.' Among the other companies the government has obtained an ownership interest in are several minerals mining companies and computer chip manufacturer Intel. If discount airlines receive bailouts in exchange for granting government ownership stakes in their businesses, other companies impacted by the spike in fuel prices may line up for the same deal.

"Having government own part of what is a nominally private company interferes with the efficient allocation of capital. It also means business decisions will be made to please government officials and bureaucrats instead of to meet the needs and wants of consumers. Government officials will also act based on what will boost returns in the government’s investments.

"Government ownership of all or part of private businesses is the epitome of economic fascism. Yet, there have not been protests from the so-called 'anti-fascist' progressives over President Trump arranging US government ownership stakes in private companies. This is probably because they are looking forward to a Democrat president expanding government’s investment in, and control of, private businesses.

"There has been little criticism of President Trump’s acquisition of ownership interests in private companies from Republican politicians or conservative writers and activists. Many of them, though, would have opposed President Obama or President Biden tooth and nail if either had the US government take an ownership interest in private companies.

"Contrary to what many seem to think, full or partial government ownership of private companies does not magically become less of a threat to liberty and prosperity when done by a Republican. Congress should pass a law forbidding any part of the federal government — including the Federal Reserve — from taking an ownership interest in any private business."

Copyright © 2026 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/government-kills-the-spirit/

Nova Scotia ban on walking in woods unjustified, court rules

The Nova Scotia Supreme Court has acquitted Jeff Evely and voided the $28,000 fine he received after premier Tim Houston banned walking in the woods during fire season last year. Houston reacted to the ruling by vowing to ban it again this year if he decides it's necessary. 

From fire prevention to freedom violation — inside the court decision that rebuked Nova Scotia government |Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms | John Carpay:

April 27, 2026 - "In August 2025, the Nova Scotia government prohibited all activities across three-quarters of the province on the pretext of preventing forest fires — including hiking, picnicking, fishing, swimming, camping, and birdwatching. Rather than targeting high-risk activities such as smoking, campfires, and outdoor cooking, the law targeted people themselves.

Jeff Evely. Courtesy Jeff Evely/JCCF.

"Retired Master Warrant Officer Jeffrey Evely, who served Canada in Afghanistan and Iraq, saw the ban as Orwellian. He deliberately defied the decree with no guarantee of winning in court. He stated: 'It’s about human dignity … I find the cavalier attitude with which these freedoms have been impaired to be a gross indignity to our fallen soldiers, and a moral injury to those of us still here. This moral injury serves to exacerbate my PTSD symptoms, which I have been managing with therapy, medication, and daily outdoor activity, which I normally conduct in the woods.'

"Mr. Evely received a $28,873 draconian fine simply for walking in the woods. On April 17, the fortieth anniversary of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Nova Scotia Supreme Court struck down the province’s sweeping ban on walking in the woods.

In Evely v. Nova Scotia (Minister), 2026 NSSC 118, the court ruled that the decree affected Charter section 6 mobility rights: 'people could no longer go where they had once gone.' This was not a fleeting or insignificant restriction. It was one that substantially affected people’s lives. The court held that mobility rights 'sit at the heart of what it means to be a free person,' protecting Canadians against curfews, requirements to carry identity papers in public, and outright blockades on movement....

"The court found no evidence that government officials had even considered Charter rights or values before imposing the ban. The documents placed before the Minister did not refer to the Charter at all. Under Charter section 1, any limit on rights must be demonstrably justified with cogent and persuasive evidence. That obviously did not happen here, with the Nova Scotia government apparently oblivious to the existence of the Charter.

"The court also condemned the unacceptable vagueness of the term 'woods' in the Forests Act. The definition included bog (wet muddy ground), muskeg (swamp with water and partly dead vegetation), rock barrens, and land without trees but with 'surface evidence of past forest occupancy.' Nova Scotians facing the $28,873 fine and possible jail time were left in an interpretative quandary.... This vagueness of this Nova Scotia law also engaged Charter section 7 rights to life, liberty, and security of the person. The ban failed to provide fair notice and left the door open to arbitrary enforcement. While the court did not make a final ruling about section 7, it noted a compelling argument that the ban was so vague as to be incapable of being interpreted at all.

"This Evely ruling is a victory for freedom and common sense. It warns governments to think twice before violating Charter freedoms, which will likely result in invalidating the fine against Mr. Evely.

"Since the decision, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston has drawn sharp public criticism for flippantly stating that his government would do it again if he deemed it 'necessary.' This expresses the very attitude the court condemned: a willingness to disregard Charter rights. But, thankfully, there are freedom-loving Canadians like Jeff Evely who will courageously engage in civil disobedience, to the benefit of all citizens."

Read more: https://www.jccf.ca/western-standard-from-fire-prevention-to-freedom-violation-inside-the-court-decision-that-rebuked-nova-scotia-government/

Jeff Evely Wins! Court Rules WOODS BAN was Unjustified in Nova Scotia! Tim Houston Responds| Nova Scotia Cobra | April 27, 2026:

Reports of forced labor in China hearsay, Liberal MP Ma suggests

Floor-crossing Liberal MP Michael Ma has cast doubt on reports of forced labor in China, suggesting they are based on hearsay. 

Liberal MP Michael Ma downplays reports on China using forced labour | Toronto Sun | Lorrie Goldstein:

March 26, 2026 - "Liberal floor-crosser Michael Ma downplayed well-established reports of forced labour in China’s Xinjiang region on Thursday in an apparent attempt to discredit an expert witness on the topic at a House of Commons industry committee meeting. Ma launched a series of rapid-fire questions at Margaret McCuaig-Johnston, a senior fellow at the University of Ottawa and recognized as one of Canada’s preeminent commentators on Canada-China relations, who was testifying at the committee.

“'Have you witnessed forced labour in Xinjiang? Have you witnessed forced labour? Just a short answer — have you witnessed forced labour in Xinjiang, yes or no?' Ma demanded.... McCuaig-Johnston was clearly taken aback by Ma’s aggressive questioning as she testified that China uses slave labour from its minority Uyghur population in Xinjiang province in the production of Chinese-made vehicles.

"Ma asked her if she was relying on 'hearsay' in giving her testimony, prompting angry responses from Conservative MPs on the committee who accused him of ignoring numerous expert reports on forced labour and other human rights abuses in Xinjiang. Ma countered that he was asking legitimate questions and not expressing any opinion on Chinese labour practices. Asked later by a CBC reporter whether he believed there was forced labour in China, Ma said it goes on all over the world, but without citing China when he was asked about that specifically....

"Ma was elected as a Conservative in the riding of Markham—Unionville in the April 2025 federal election before crossing the floor to the Liberals in December. He accompanied Prime Minister Mark Carney on his trip to China in January to forge a 'new strategic partnership' with China. The Commons industry committee is examining Carney’s deal that eliminated Ottawa’s 100% tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles and initially allow up to 49,000 Chinese-made EVs into the Canadian market, with a “most-favoured-nation” tariff rate of 6.1%....

"UPDATE: Ma later apologized for his remarks, saying he 'inadvertently came across as dismissive of the serious issue of forced labour.' He said he was talking about the Chinese city of Shenzhen, not Xinjiang province, where China has been widely accused of using its minority Uyghur population as forced labour."

Read more: https://torontosun.com/news/national/liberal-mp-michael-ma-china-forced-labour

China forced labour 'hearsay,' Liberal MP suggests | Canadian Press | March 26, 2026:

Chinese Media Amplify MP Michael Ma’s Dismissal of CCP’s Forced Labour | Epoch Times | Olivia Gomm:

March 27, 2026 - "Media in China are promoting Liberal MP Michael Ma’s skepticism about the existence of forced labour in China following an exchange with a China expert at a parliamentary committee meeting this week.... Chinese media outlet Guancha published an article on March 27 about Ma’s remarks, saying 'Canadian scholars hype "forced labour"' in the article’s headline. The article, which was widely cross-published on multiple Chinese-language platforms, said McCuaig-Johnston’s response to Ma 'caused an uproar'.... 

"Ma asked McCuaig-Johnston: “Your claim about forced labour in Shenzhen — have you witnessed this yourself? Have you been there ever?'... Responding to Ma’s questioning, McCuaig-Johnston said she has been to China 'many times' over nearly 50 years. Ma cut her response short and asked again whether she has witnessed the forced labour herself, to which she responded that she works 'closely with Human Rights Watch where researchers did witness it'.... The Guancha article said McCuaig-Johnston 'euphemistically admitted that she has not personally witnessed the so-called "forced labor" and is indeed hearsay.' It also said accusations of forced labour in China 'have always been absurd lies' that are 'based on ideological bias” and have been used to “smear China.”

"Conservative MP and industry critic Raquel Dancho ... commented on the Chinese media report, saying that whatever Ma’s intentions were, 'his questions parroted implicitly the CCP-certified position—that controversy around forced labour is manufactured.' 'Chinese state media used those questions to push their propaganda,' Dancho said in a post on X. 'Despite his excuse, this was the outcome'....

"Canada sanctioned Chinese officials in December 2024 for persecuting Uyghurs, Falun Gong practitioners, and Tibetans, noting that these groups are subject to various forms of suppression by the Chinese regime, including arbitrary detention and forced labour. The House of Commons voted unanimously in favour of a motion tabled by the Conservatives in February 2021 that declared Beijing’s persecution against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in China a genocide. All opposition MPs and non-cabinet Liberal MPs supported the motion, while cabinet abstained from the vote."

Read more: https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/chinese-media-amplify-mp-michael-mas-dismissal-of-ccps-forced-labour-6004820

War as the enemy of liberty

War allows governments to increase spending, taxes, and regulations in order to feed the war machine. War also enables the government to violate personal liberty. Wars can justify measures that remain in place long after the wars end.

War Abroad and Authoritarianism at Home | Ron Paul Institute } Ron Paul:

March 23, 2026 - “'War is the health of the state.' That phrase, coined by Randolph Bourne, explains why opposition to war is a priority of many libertarians. War allows governments to increase spending, taxes, and regulations in order to feed the war machine. Wars can justify measures that remain in place long after the wars end. An example of this is income tax withholding that was created to fund World War Two.

"The use of war as a justification for increased interference in the market is reason enough for libertarians to oppose war. However, war also enables the government to violate liberty. During the Civil War, President Lincoln suspended habeas corpus, shut down newspapers, and instituted a military draft. The draft was also used in World Wars One and Two, as well as Korea and Vietnam. During World War One, Congress passed the Sedition Act, outlawing criticism of the government. Widespread violations of liberty are a hallmark of the ongoing 'war on terror.' An infamous example of war being used to justify violations of liberty is the internment of Japanese Americans during World War Two.

"Given this history, it is not surprising that the Iran War may lead to crackdowns on free speech. Following criticisms of the media’s coverage of the Iran War by President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr made a post on Twitter telling broadcast networks that the FCC has the power to revoke their broadcast licenses if they do not fulfill their responsibility to act in the 'public interest.' This was clearly a threat to revoke the license of any broadcast network whose coverage of the war displeases the Trump administration.

"Threatening to use the FCC’s power to shut down broadcast networks that the president dislikes is a blatant violation of the First Amendment by Chairman Carr. Chairman Carr may think that he can get a court to approve revoking a broadcaster’s license for its war coverage by claiming it is endangering national security. This would hardly be the first time the government used national security as an excuse to censor its critics.

"Since the US is waging the Iran War in collaboration with Israel and the Trump Administration supports defining criticism of Israel as antisemitism, it is not out of the realm of possibility that opposition to the war will be labeled as antisemitic hate speech and be banned.

"Thousands of American troops are being deployed to the Middle East. With no end to the war in sight and the US military taking on the task of ensuring oil tankers have safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the US military may soon need a major increase in troops. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has refused to rule out the possibility that President Trump may reinstate the draft.

"The Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) makes implementing the draft easer then ever by automatically registering every 18-year-old man with the Selective Service. The draft assumes rights are gifts from government that can be revoked at the whim of government officials. Violations of liberty come along with wars. Therefore, opposition to wars unrelated to the legitimate security needs of the country must be a priority for all who value liberty."

Copyright © 2026 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/war-abroad-and-authoritarianism-at-home/

US goes to war with Iran

Stuck in Another Disastrous Middle East War | Ron Paul Institute | Ron Paul:

March 2, 2026 - "Unfortunately, President Trump listened to the neocons and Benjamin Netanyahu instead of his MAGA base and other voices of caution as he launched a surprise attack on Iran over the weekend. For the second time in nine months, the US Administration used negotiations ... as a cover to launch a pre-planned attack.

"Last week’s talks produced 'progress' according to all sides, with technical teams set to meet this week to work out the details. President Trump, however, suddenly announced that he was not happy with the talks because the Iranian side refused to say 'the magic words' that they would not pursue nuclear weapons. But Iran has been insisting for decades that they have no interest in producing a nuclear weapon and our own intelligence has confirmed that they are not doing so.

"Shortly after President Trump’s announcement, the US and Israel launched their attack, killing Iran’s religious leader along with some 40 other political and military leaders in a 'decapitation' strike.

"It was supposed to be like the Venezuela operation. Quick and painless for the US. Kill the leadership and the long-suffering people would take to the streets and reclaim their country. It may make a good plot for a Hollywood movie, but in real life these regime change operations have never worked. Millions did take to the streets in Iran, but it was to mourn the slain Ayatollah and to reaffirm support for their government. 

"Just like we 'rallied around the flag' after the attacks on 9/11.

"Quickly, Iranian retaliation for the attacks began to take their toll on US assets and Israel. US soldiers have been killed and US fighter jets have been shot down. US bases in the region are either damaged or destroyed. Likewise, US embassies and consulates have come under attack, including by Iraqis likely still furious over the US destruction of their country 20 years ago. And, with the Pentagon warning that the operation may go weeks instead of days, we are quickly running out of missiles.

"Billions of dollars have already been spent on this unprovoked attack, and when the smoke clears – if it does – we may see hundreds of billions or maybe much more having been wasted on yet another Middle East war. Just what President Trump promised he would not do.

"The neocon 'cakewalk' crowd, including (Senator) Lindsey Graham and others, have been proven wrong again. Tragically, more American servicemembers may die while the neocons blame someone else for the fiasco they helped launch.

"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said of the US/Israeli attack that 'this combination of forces enables us to do what I have longed to do for 40 years…' But the purpose of the US military is not to fulfill the decades-old wishes of foreign leaders. There is a good reason we have a Constitution that says only Congress can declare war.

"Launching a military strike during negotiations will have lasting negative effects for the United States. Who would ever trust US diplomacy again if talks are used as a distraction for pre-planned attacks?

"The Administration is doing its best to spin this unfolding disaster as all going according to plan, but what is the plan? No one knows. Do they know?

"Here’s a plan: End this today. Return the destroyed US bases to the countries where they are located. And just come home. That is what a real 'America first' movement looks like."

Copyright © 2026 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/stuck-in-another-disastrous-middle-east-war/