New Brunswick lifts ban on walking in the woods

The New Brunswick government has lifted its two-week ban on walking in the woods, but the Nova Scotia government continues to fine people for violating its ban.

25 people charged with violating Nova Scotia's woods and fire bans | Saltwire | Francis Campbell, Halifax Chronicle-Herald:

August 27, 2025 - "The Nova Scotia government’s commitment to crack down on people who ignore proclamations to stay out of the woods is not an empty promise. A spokesperson for the Natural Resources Department says there have been 15 charges laid for violations of the provincewide ban on open fires that started on July 30 and 10 charges for violating the woods restrictions that were implemented on Aug. 5.... 

"'To date, the people charged have not yet paid the fine but they have two months to voluntarily do that,' Adele Poirier, communications director with Natural Resources, said in an emailed response.... Those charged are required either to plead guilty and pay the amount payable within two months or to notify the court of an intention to appear in provincial court and plead not guilty and have a trial. A person charged can also plead guilty and make a penalty submission in court.

"The restrictions that came into effect Aug. 5 do not permit hiking, camping, fishing and the use of vehicles in the woods. The trail systems through the woods are off limits and camping is allowed only in campgrounds. The measures are in place on provincial Crown and private land until Oct. 15 or until the exceedingly dry conditions change enough to allow them to be lifted.... Private landowners are free to use their own properties but cannot host others to use wooded areas of their properties.

"On Monday, the New Brunswick government announced that after a two-week closure due to the high risk of wildfires in that province, Crown land would reopen to the public as of 12:01 a.m. Tuesday. New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt announced that restrictions remain on timber harvesting, which will only be allowed from 6 p.m. to noon and will be reassessed on a daily basis. The New Brunswick government reaffirmed that a provincewide ban on campfires and burning of any kind is still in place. 

"No such lifting of restrictions has been announced in Nova Scotia, where six active wildfires were burning Tuesday.... While the Nova Scotia government has signaled that the woods ban is a very serious measure not to be taken lightly, many residents have voiced their displeasure about the restrictions."
Read more: https://www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/35-people-charged-nova-scotias-woods-fire-ban-25-thousand-dollar-fine

Jeffrey Evely challenges sweeping travel ban in Supreme Court of Nova Scotia | Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (news release):

August 20, 2025 - "The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms announces that lawyers for Canadian war veteran Jeffrey Evely have filed a Notice for Judicial Review to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, challenging the province’s sweeping travel ban and Mr. Evely’s $28,872.50 fine for walking in the woods. An emergency hearing will be requested.

"Announced by Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston on August 5, the ban prohibits people from entering wooded areas for any purpose. Approximately 75 percent of the province is classified as 'woods.' The ban even applies to activities such as hiking, fishing, and walking, even though these carry no risk of starting fires. Mr. Evely is arguing that the travel ban is unreasonable and unconstitutional and violates his right to liberty and security of the person – protected by section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

“'Nova Scotia’s travel ban doesn’t target risky activities, but rather treats people as the problem, and bans them from the woods for any purpose. Nova Scotia’s limit on people’s liberties under a blanket claim of ‘safety’ is not rational and has no logical limit,' said constitutional lawyer Marty Moore.

"Mr. Evely, who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, connects his past service to the country to the need to resist unreasonable and unconstitutional government edicts. 'I believe that it is important to have the woods ban proclamation reviewed in light of our Charter rights because I served in Afghanistan and Iraq, so I know how hard won these freedoms really are, especially once they are lost,' he said. '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.'"
Read more: https://www.jccf.ca/jeffrey-evely-challenges-sweeping-nature-ban-in-supreme-court-of-nova-scotia/

Why he purposely entered the woods — getting a $28K fine | CBC News Nova Scotia | August 13, 2025:

America needs an 'America First' foreign policy

"Americans elected Donald Trump in part for his promise to put America first at home and overseas. He promised a war-weary America that he would start no new wars and would get us out of the existing ones. Eight months into his second Administration it appears his promise remains to be fulfilled," 

 

President Trump Should Return to an ‘America First’ Foreign Policy | Ron Paul Institute | Ron Paul:

August 25, 2025 - "After four years of unnecessarily confrontational foreign policy under President Biden, Americans elected Donald Trump in part for his promise to put America first at home and overseas. He promised a war-weary America that he would start no new wars and would get us out of the existing ones. Eight months into his second Administration it appears his promise remains to be fulfilled, as his approval rating continues to slip.

"On Ukraine, President Trump wisely observed coming into office that the conflict is 'Joe Biden’s war' not his own. Unfortunately he could not resist the temptation to get involved in the conflict, even under the guise of 'peacemaker.' I’ve often said that getting out of conflicts overseas is not that complicated: we should just come home. Even when there are no troops involved, 'just come home' means disengage from the conflict. But President Trump wants to play referee in the war while arming and supporting one side. Is it any wonder he is making no progress in ending the war?

"Likewise with Israel and Gaza, Trump’s promise to put America first has faltered. President Biden put Americans on the hook for additional billions of dollars to support Israel’s actions in Gaza without even a word about the slaughter and destruction. As more Americans become disgusted by Israel’s obliteration of the property and population of that tiny strip of land, Trump shows no signs of shifting from Biden’s approach. More money and more weapons are sent as starvation claims more and more children each day. Trump has reportedly remarked to a donor that his own base is turning against him because of his Israel policy. Yet he refuses to alter course and 'just come home.'

"Trump has even returned to the failed Latin America policy of his first Administration, in last week’s move toward a military confrontation with oil-rich Venezuela. Trump sent two warships and 4,000 US troops to the waters near Venezuela under the highly suspect accusation that the country’s president is actually head of an international drug cartel. He should have learned from the almost comical recognition of Juan Guaido as the real president of Venezuela in his first term that meddling in that country is not in America’s interest. It seems the neocons around him, including warhawk Marco Rubio, are sucking him into another unnecessary conflict.

"Add in Trump’s military attacks on Yemen and Iran and the balance sheet thus far does not point to an 'America first' foreign policy.

"There is still time for President Trump to change course and fulfill his promises to the American people. 

• Put Ukraine and Russia on notice that from this point the US is withdrawing from any role in the conflict. Let the Europeans work it out if they feel it is in their interest. Getting us out of NATO is also a good idea.
• End US financial and military support for an Israel that cannot seem to get along with its neighbors. Perhaps without the US backstopping Israel’s warmongering, the country and its leadership would start to reflect on the wisdom of starting wars with multiple countries in its neighborhood.
• Stop trying to overthrow Venezuela’s Maduro and everyone else the neocons have placed on the 'hit list.' End all sanctions and open up trade instead. Maduro’s failed socialist economic policies will be his undoing, not American sanctions or saber-rattling.

"America first above all means 'just come home.' It’s that simple."

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/president-trump-should-return-to-an-america-first-foreign-policy/

Nurse ordered to pay $93K for online comments

British Columbia nurse Amy Hamm, whose 2020 co-sponsorship of a billboard praising J.K. Rowling led to a years-long investigation of her online comments by the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives, has been suspended and ordered to pay the College almost $100,000. 

B.C. nurse suspended by college, asked to pay $94K in costs for comments about transgender people | CBC News | Canadian Press:

August 16, 2025 - "A B.C. nurse has been suspended and asked to pay nearly $94,000 in costs for making 'discriminatory and derogatory statements' about transgender people. The B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives says a disciplinary panel has issued a decision against Amy Hamm, suspending her for one month while also ordering her to pay the college costs and disbursements within two years.

"The panel said in its verdict in March that Hamm committed professional misconduct for making statements across 'various online platforms' between July 2018 and March 2021 that were partly designed 'to elicit fear, contempt and outrage against members of the transgender community.' The college says Hamm has filed an appeal of the discipline order in B.C. Supreme Court, and the decision on penalty and costs is stayed until that appeal has been resolved.... 

"Hamm has maintained that she is not transphobic, and she takes issue with an 'infringement on women and children's rights,' and was particularly concerned with transgender women having access to women-only spaces like prisons and change rooms. She previously said she completely rejects the concept of gender identity, calling it 'anti-scientific, metaphysical nonsense,' and on social media posts has referred to transgender women as men. 

"Hamm has received supportive statements from a wave of online followers, including author J.K. Rowling, and has written several columns for a variety of media outlets on multiple issues, including politics and crime, as well as sex and gender. She helped pay for a billboard in Vancouver supporting Rowling after she shared her views on gender identity online."

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/amy-hamm-discipline-bc-nurse-1.7610933

Amy Hamm with billboard in 2020. (Photo courtesy Amy Hamm / JCCF).

BC College of Nurses and Midwives orders Amy Hamm to pay $93,639.80 and suspends her license for one month | Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (news release):

August 14, 2025 - "Ms. Hamm had worked in healthcare for over 13 years and had been promoted to be a nurse educator. In 2020, she co-sponsored a Vancouver billboard that read, 'I ♥ JK Rowling,' referencing the author’s support for women’s rights and the right of women to access female-only spaces, such as washrooms, crisis centres, sporting events, and prisons. Following complaints from activists and a Vancouver city councillor, the billboard was removed, and two formal complaints were filed with the College accusing Ms. Hamm of transphobia and hate speech.

"The College launched an investigation that led to a 332-page report examining Ms. Hamm’s public statements between 2018 and 2021, including tweets, articles, and podcasts. The College’s Inquiry Committee argued that Ms. Hamm had made discriminatory and derogatory comments about transgender people while identifying as a nurse. After 22 days of hearings spanning a year and a half, the College’s disciplinary panel ruled that four of her statements amounted to unprofessional conduct.

"Ms. Hamm has already appealed the College’s finding of unprofessional conduct to the Supreme Court of British Columbia. Her lawyer, Lisa Bildy, noted, 'In our view, the panel made a number of legal and factual errors that make the decision unsound, and we look forward to arguing these points before the BC Supreme Court. We are now considering whether to appeal the penalty decision as well.... This decision effectively penalizes a nurse for expressing mainstream views aligned with science and common sense,' continued Ms. Bildy. 'The Panel’s ruling imposes a chilling effect on free expression for all regulated professionals.'

"Ms. Hamm said, 'The College has chosen to punish me for statements that are not hateful, but truthful. I’m appealing because biological reality matters, and so does freedom of expression. I want to express my thanks to the thousands of Canadians who continue to fund my legal case through donations to the Justice Centre.'"

Read more: https://www.jccf.ca/bc-college-orders-amy-hamm-to-pay-93639-80/

Government statistics downplaying U.S. inflation

A recent survey found almost half of American parents taking on increased debt to buy their children's back-to-school supplies 

Another Reason to Ban Tik-Tok? | Ron Paul Institute | Ron Paul:

Aug 18, 2025 - "According to the July Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, prices rose by 2.7 percent over the past year, and by 3.1 percent when the 'volatile' food and housing sectors are removed from the calculation. Markets rose following the release of the CPI since the increase in price inflation was not as high as expected. This led to an increase in expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates next month.

"Of course, the CPI numbers are manipulated to understate the true rate, and effects, of inflation. One way this is done is by 'Chained CPI.' This is where the government does not consider consumers impacted by price increases that make their favorite products unaffordable if there are affordable substitutes available – as if government bureaucrats can determine what is and is not an adequate substitute for a good made unaffordable by the Federal Reserve.

"The official government figures do not take into account 'shrinkflation.' This is when a business responds to price inflation by reducing product size and otherwise reducing a good’s quality. Shrinkflation makes it appear that consumers are paying the same prices but in fact they are paying more since they are getting less of the product.

"Examples of 'shrinkflation” include increases in the size of cardboard toilet paper holders by 25 percent. This allows toilet paper companies to reduce the amount of paper per roll while maintaining the same number of rolls per package. 

"Other examples of shrinkflation include using wider bottles with concave bottoms for liquid soap, thus enabling soap manufacturers to hide the 15 percent reduction in the amount of soap per bottle, substituting cheaper vegetable oil for dairy milk in chocolates, and substituting foam pool noodles with an 'angel' hair noodle that contains 40 percent less material. Shrinkflation also exists in the airline industry. Ticket prices may have remained steady, or even declined, but travelers now must pay a fee for many 'frills‘ that used to be included with the ticket, such as baggage check-in, on-flight food and beverage service, and seat selection.

"Those looking for evidence of how inflation is affecting Americans might want to stop looking at CPI reports and instead go on Tik-Tok and other popular social media sites. There they will find videos of parents highlighting the burden placed on the family budget by the skyrocketing price of school supplies. A survey by Bankrate found that 29 percent of family budgets were strained by the growing costs of school supplies, while a survey by Intuit Credit Karma found that 44 percent of parents were going into, or increasing, their family’s debt in order to buy their children school supplies. School supplies prices have even risen at big box retailers like Wal-Mart and Target. Even Dollar Tree has raised some prices to over a dollar!

"The reason so many parents are struggling to afford school supplies is not corporate greed, but the Federal Reserve’s inflationary policies. The best thing Congress can do for America’s families is cut spending, thus reducing the pressure on the Fed to monetize the federal debt thus further weakening the dollar.

"Congress should also reform the monetary system by passing the Audit the Fed bill and repealing all laws that discourage the use of competing currencies such as precious metals and cryptocurrencies. 

"Sadly, even Tik-Tok videos of parents struggling to afford school supplies will likely not cause Congress to take these steps. Instead, the videos are more likely to cause Congress to renew efforts to ban Tok-Tok."

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/another-reason-to-ban-tik-tok/

Press freedom in Canada restricted in 2024, says U.S. State Dept. report

The U.S. State Department's annual global survey of human rights included "credible reports of serious restrictions on freedom of expression and press freedom" in Canada during 2024.  

2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Canada | U.S. Department of State | Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor | Executive Summary 

"There were no significant changes in the human rights situation in Canada during the year. Significant human rights issues included credible reports of serious restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom, including unjustified arrests or prosecutions of journalists and activists.... The law provided for freedom of expression, including for members of the press and other media, and the government generally respected this right. An independent media, an effective judiciary, and a functioning democratic political system combined to promote freedom of expression, including for media members, although significant curtailments of press freedom remained.

• The law criminalized 'hate speech' in any public place and defined it as communication that incited hatred against any identifiable group where such incitement was likely to lead to a breach of the peace or communication that willfully promoted hatred against any identifiable group, other than in private conversation. The maximum penalty was two years’ imprisonment.
• The public media and majority of private media were substantially dependent on government sources of funding for their activities. Government intervention in the media market favored means of communication that did not diverge from government-suggested bounds of political speech, and government policy and practices often disadvantaged independent media. 
• The government used a variety of mechanisms to fund public and private sector media in the country, ranging from direct grants and tax credits to mandatory payments and funds collected from broadcasters, streaming services, and news platforms, but distributed or regulated by the government. News organizations faced direct and indirect pressure to conform their political speech in order to gain or maintain access to these funds, leading to self-censorship. Independent news organizations that did not take government funds faced a substantial market disadvantage.
• During the year, the Online News Act of 2023 came into force. The law required large digital media platforms pay news businesses when their content appeared on the platform. The law empowered the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission to set mandatory bargaining guidelines between platforms and news businesses and to otherwise enforce and set regulatory guidance for the act, including codes of conduct and eligibility of news businesses to participate, powers which could be used to discriminate against political speech or disfavored independent media outlets.
• In September, a Federal Court judge upheld the government’s decision to disqualify an independent news organization from journalism tax credits. The organization was one of the few in the country that produced critical reporting on the government’s response to protests of the COVID-19 lockdowns.
• In March, the government announced a grant of 58.8 million Canadian dollars (CAD) ($43.2 million) to extend the Local Journalism Initiative to 2027 that funded media organizations to hire journalists or pay freelance journalists to produce civic journalism for “underserved communities” across the country. The funding brought total government support for initiative to CAD 94.7 million ($69.6 million) over eight years since its launch in 2019. Independent media organizations without access to these funds faced increased market pressure. The Changing Narrative Fund revenue stream of the initiative, announced during the year, prioritized funding for hiring journalists in the 'Indigenous, Black, racialized, ethno-religious minority, people with disabilities and 2SLGBTQI+ communities,' discriminating against journalists who fell outside of these favored categories.
• In January, Edmonton police arrested Indigenous journalist Brandi Morin on assignment with Ricochet Media for obstruction for conducting interviews with residents at an Indigenous-led homeless encampment when police arrived to dismantle the encampment. Police detained Morin for several hours, although Morin had identified herself as a journalist. Authorities dropped charges against Morin in  March after prosecutors determined no public interest was served in pursuing the case.
• In May, a member of parliament of the governing party and other officials allegedly attempted to use supposed security threats to impose unreasonably high security charges (more than the costs of the events otherwise) on two independent media organizations’ events. The organizations alleged that they were targeted for their political speech and had a lawsuit pending.
• Rather than participate in government-mandated bargaining, some American digital platforms announced that they would no longer make news content available to Canadian users, leading to substantial censorship of news content including local news content. The opposition party described the Online News Act as a government censorship law, because of its effects on the character and quality of the country’s news reporting.

Chris Barber and Tamara Lich. CBC photos.

• A trial of two organizers of the 2022 'Freedom Convoy' concluded during the year. A verdict was still pending at year’s end. In response to the 2022 convoy (which protested draconian lockdown measures that substantially damaged the communities and economic livelihoods of many Canadians), the government took the unprecedented step of invoking the Emergencies Act, leading to large-scale social media censorship and debanking. In January, the Federal Court ruled that the government’s imposition of the Emergencies Act was unreasonable and violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The federal government appealed the decision.
• The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) continued its legal efforts to block an independent news outlet’s Access to Information request for CBC’s communications with American social media platform Twitter (now X) dating to 2018. The news outlet previously published investigative reporting alleging that the CBC exerted pressure on Twitter/X to censor it and other disfavored news outlets over political speech.

Read more: https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/canada

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 hiking 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

Nobody would be the ideal Federal Reserve chair

Nobody knows best how to manage the U.S. economy. Nobody even knows what the correct interest rate should be. Nobody would make the perfect Federal Reserve chairman.

Nobody for Fed Chairman | Ron Paul Institute | Ron Paul: 

July 28, 2025 - "President Trump has recently suggested that, unless Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell cuts interest rates, the president might revert to his The Apprentice days and tell Powell, 'you’re fired.' President Trump backtracked on firing Powell after the president’s comments caused stock markets to fall. However, it is almost certain that President Trump will not reappoint Powell when Powell’s term ends in May.

"Media reports indicate the leading candidates to replace Powell include Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, former Federal Reserve Board Governor Kevin Warsh, and National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett. A more interesting question than who will replace Powell is why would anyone want to, since the next Fed chairman will likely face another Fed-caused meltdown.

"The national debt is over 37 trillion dollars and rising. Yet few in Congress are serious about cutting federal spending. This puts pressure on the Fed to keep interest rates low to limit the cost of ongoing debt interest payments. So, the Fed continues monetizing the debt, pumping more money into the economy, weakening the dollar’s purchasing power, and eroding the American people’s standard of living. 

"The Federal Reserve’s low interest rate policy also distorts the market, leading to the bubble-boom-and-bust business cycle that has plagued the American economy since the last link between the dollar and gold was severed in 1971.

"The Fed’s job is also made more difficult by a reduced demand for Treasury securities among investors, causing the Fed to increase its purchases. This pumps more money into the economy, further eroding the dollar’s value.

"Concerns about the national debt’s effect on monetary policy are a key factor behind the recent increase in gold prices and the interest in cryptocurrencies. The danger posed by the national debt is one reason why foreign countries are increasing their gold holdings and considering challenging the US dollar’s world reserve currency status.

"Whoever succeeds Jerome Powell as Fed chairman will face a no-win choice. He could try to keep interest rates low to ensure the federal government’s interest payments remain manageable, at the cost of making it more likely the US economy will face another Federal Reserve caused meltdown. Instead, he could try increasing rates to limit price increases thus raising the cost of managing government (and private sector) debt to unsustainable levels, throwing the economy into a severe downturn.

"Congress members and President Trump are attacking Chairman Powell for spending over two billion dollars on Federal Reserve headquarters renovations. This is a waste of taxpayer money, but it pales in comparison to the harm suffered by the American people because of the Federal Reserve’s inflationary policies.

"Treasury Secretary Bessent has suggested expanding the investigation beyond the costs of renovating the Fed headquarters to examination of 'the entire Federal Reserve institution' to determine if the Fed has 'succeeded in its mission.' This suggests Secretary Bessent would support passing the Audit the Fed legislation, which is a step toward returning to a constitutional and sound monetary policy. However, anyone who understands Austrian economics knows a fiat money system managed by a secretive central bank can never succeed in creating lasting prosperity and will eventually crash the economy.

"No person or persons can know the 'correct' interest rates, and the Federal Reserve’s attempts to control interest rates are destructive like other central planning. The proper answer to who should be Fed chairman is … nobody."

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/nobody-for-fed-chairman/

Montreal church fined for hosting Christian singer

The Democracy Fund has taken on the legal defence of the Montreal church fined for having U.S. Christian singer Sean Feucht perform at one of its services. 

Montreal church fined for worship service; TDF takes on legal defence | The Democracy Fund (news release):

Sean Feucht in 2021.  Photo by
Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons.

July 28, 2025 - "The Democracy Fund [TDF] has stepped in to represent Ministerios Restauración/Église MR — the Montreal church at which US-based artist Sean Feucht worshipped on July 25, 2025. 

"Ministerios Restauracion Church was issued a ticket with a fine in the amount of $2,500 for engaging in Christian worship at a Friday service. 

"Video shows police entering the Church before or during the worship service. Later, protesters attempted to forcefully shut it down.

"Feucht, a Christian musician and activist known for leading large outdoor worship events across the U.S., was in Montreal as part of a Canadian visit. His presence drew criticism from local activist groups.

"Officials accused the Church of violating municipal bylaws related to event permits or zoning. However, no such regulations prohibit regular worship gatherings.

"TDF litigation director, Mark Joseph, said:

 'Freedom of religion is a fundamental freedom under s.2(a) of the Charter: you do not need permission or a permit from the government to worship at a church in Canada. It is absurd to suggest otherwise, and it risks setting a dangerous precedent that will extend to all religions. TDF and its lawyers intend to fight this matter and are eager to respond to this obvious Charter infringement in court.'....

"Legal fees are expected to be sizable in this case, but TDF is committed to supporting religious freedom for all Canadians. We will need your help to defend the Ministerios Restauración Church: please consider making a charitable donation to TDF. 

"Founded in 2021, The Democracy Fund (TDF) is a Canadian charity dedicated to constitutional rights, advancing education, and relieving poverty. TDF promotes constitutional rights through litigation and public education and supports an access to justice initiative for Canadians whose civil liberties have been infringed by government lockdowns and other public policy responses to the pandemic."

Read more (or donate) here: https://www.thedemocracyfund.ca/montreal_church_fined_for_worship_service_tdf_takes_legal_action

Double standard in Lich-Barber prosecution

"The selective prosecution (or non-prosecution) of offences committed by protesters, based on the protesters’ political views rather than on their behaviour, is a serious affront to the rule of law."

The Glaring Double Standard in the Prosecution of Lich and Barber | Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms | John Carpay:

July 24, 2025 - "If Chris Barber and Tamara Lich had organized a series of massive rallies in Ottawa to protest the federal government’s failure to control the earth’s climate, would they have been criminally charged with mischief and held responsible for clogging up Ottawa’s downtown core?... If the rude anti-Trudeau flags displayed by some truckers had instead been rainbow flags, or Hamas flags, would the federal government have declared a national emergency, and used violence against peaceful protesters? And would Crown prosecutors now be asking for an eight-year jail sentence for Barber and seven for Lich? 

"Sadly, these are questions that must be asked in light of what appears to be a glaring double standard that sees crimes in Canada being prosecuted — or ignored — depending on the politics of the protesters.

"In July 2021, 'protesters' tore down and damaged a large statue of Queen Victoria on the [Manitoba] Legislature grounds, in broad daylight, with police watching.... In February 2022, Manitoba Justice announced that, while property destruction was a crime and not a valid exercise of freedom of expression, none of the criminals would be prosecuted!... In March 2020, protesters blockaded railroads across Canada in the name of stopping oil and gas development.... Prime Minister Trudeau offered to meet with them, and police did little.... Less than two years later, thousands of Canadians, including many truckers, assembled peacefully in Ottawa to protest vaccine mandates. The prime minister refused to meet with them, declared a 'national emergency,' and then the protesters were met by the force of armed police and had their bank accounts frozen.

"On May 11, 2020, lone protester Cody Haller was arrested, dragged out of the Alberta legislature grounds, and given a $1,200 dollar ticket. The 'rule of law' was apparently very important when people protested against the violation of their Charter freedoms: complete and total obedience to health orders was expected.... A few weeks later, neither police nor Crown prosecutors objected to anti-racism protests across Canada that were clearly in violation of public health orders. In Regina, the chief of police spoke at one of these clearly illegal rallies.... 

"The selective prosecution (or non-prosecution) of offences committed by protesters, based on the protesters’ political views rather than on their behaviour, is a serious affront to the rule of law.

Chris Barber and Tamara Lich. CBC photos.

"Crown prosecutors in Ottawa are now seeking jail sentences for Barber and Lich that are too rarely imposed on people convicted of serious crimes. The Crown also seeks to confiscate Barber’s truck, affectionately known as Big Red, even though Barber had followed instructions from Ottawa police about where to park Big Red, and later moved Big Red after police requested him to do so. The Crown does not dispute that the Freedom Convoy, in which thousands of people participated over the course of three weeks, was devoid of the violence, vandalism, arson, threats, and other criminal conduct that frequently characterize other protests.... 

"When convicting Lich and Barber of criminal mischief, the judge noted that 'Ms. Lich and Mr. Barber consistently said this was to be a peaceful protest. There are no messages, Tik Tok or otherwise, where they used violence or threats of same. They did not incite or aid supporters in engaging in intimidating, aggressive or threatening behaviors by their mischief or blocking roads. They were not trying to intimidate the downtown residents....There are no words spoken where they suggested to make it difficult for police to do their lawful duties. The actions of the Accused on their respective arrests were consistent with what they told their followers; their actions led by example'....

"Lich has already spent 49 days in jail. Both Lich and Barber have been subjected to more than three years of criminal proceedings, while Crown prosecutors in Ontario claim that they lack adequate resources to prosecute murders and other serious crimes.

"The double standard in law enforcement in Canada is glaring. If the judge imposes any jail time on Lich, Barber, or both, it will bring the administration of justice into grave disrepute in the minds of millions of Canadians, and further tear our social fabric."

Read more: https://www.jccf.ca/epoch-times-the-glaring-double-standard-in-the-prosecution-of-lich-and-barber/ 
– or Read this column in Epoch Times

A personal message from John Carpay as we await Chris Barber’s sentencing | Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms | July 23, 2025: 

U.S. foreign policy led to chaos in Syria

The civil war in Syria is the result of more than 13 years of U.S. government foreign policy.

America’s Syrian Civil War | Ron Paul Institute | Ron Paul:

July 21, 2025 - "As Syria descends into full-scale civil war, with more than a thousand people killed in just the last few days, it may be a good time to remember the phrase, 'Assad must go.' That was the slogan the regime-changers rolled out some 14 years ago during the 'Arab Spring' that was supposed to usher liberal democracies into power throughout the region.

"From Tunisia to Egypt to Libya and on to Syria, the plan was to remake the Middle East according to the will of Washington’s 'master planners.' The State Department, the media, the Pentagon, and the think tanks fed by the military-industrial complex were all enthusiastically on-board the program because making war and overthrowing governments is their bread and butter.

"If the United States pursued a foreign policy of non-interventionism as laid out by our Founders the massive 'national security state' would cease to exist. We would return to being a republic and they would have to return to honest work.

"Instead, a determined effort that took nearly 14 years finally produced the 'regime change” in Syria last December that the neocons wanted. Assad did finally go – to exile in Russia – but as is always the case with US-directed regime change, his replacement was even worse. Imagine all those years fighting the 'war on terror' and then cheering when a branch of al-Qaeda takes power in Syria. Yet that’s exactly what happened, with President Trump going so far as to praise Syria’s self-appointed president as, 'a tough guy, a fighter, with a very strong background.'

"Assad, like Libya’s Gaddafi and the others targeted for 'regime change,' was no saint. But as with Libya, we are seeing the chaos unleashed by US intervention in Syria is making the country far worse than before. Libya has remained in chaos and civil war for the past decade, with no future for its people. That seems to be what is in store for Syria as well. The new, unelected regime has slaughtered Alawites and Christians from nearly day one, and last week turned its guns on the Druze minority. A country of many different faiths and ethnic groups has been ripped apart, probably for good.

"Those pushing regime change all these years called us 'Assad apologists' when we cautioned against intervention. We should not expect an apology now that their regime change has achieved the opposite of what they promised....

"Centrally-planned economies produce luxury for the elites and poverty for everyone else. Yet the US foreign policy establishment believes it can centrally plan the government, economy, and even religion of countries thousands of miles away and about which it knows nothing. Once again we can see how wrong they are and what destruction their actions cause.

"Syria’s descent into mayhem and violence is another tragic reminder that Washington’s neocons are very good at undermining and overthrowing governments abroad that refuse to 'play ball' according to DC rules, but when it comes to actually bringing anything of value from the chaos they create they are hopelessly incompetent. In Syria the damage is done, and future generations will continue to suffer from the cruel folly of those convinced they know how to run everyone else’s lives."

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/americas-syrian-civil-war/

Libertarian Harris runs in Battle River - Crowfoot

Mike Harris has registered as the Libertarian Party of Canada candidate for the August byelection in Battle River - Crowfoot.

2025 Candidates | Michael Harris | Libertarian Party of Canada:

"Something exciting is happening in Alberta.

"Michael Harris, our candidate in the Battle River–Crowfoot by-election being held August 18th, is putting Liberty front and center in a daring by-election bid against Pierre Poilievre. While the political establishment repeats the same tired promises, Michael and his team are doing something bold — travelling town to town, talking to real people about real freedom.

"This is the unmistakable energy of a vibrant and determined movement.

"We’re reaching out to you not just to share the good news, but to invite you to be a part of it. Whether it’s helping on the ground, spreading the word, or simply staying connected, your involvement matters more than ever. This is our moment to show Canadians that liberty is more than a talking point — it’s a principle worth fighting for.

"If you'd like to join the team in Battle River–Crowfoot or donate to his campaign, visit Michael’s website at www.michaelharrisformp.ca or you reach Michael Harris directly at michaelharrisformp@gmail.com, or contact us at communications@libertarian.ca. Getting involved in this campaign puts the message of liberty in front of voters at a pivotal moment — while the opposition leader seeks a new seat, we’re offering Canadians a new voice. Opportunities to contribute are wide open, and now is the time to step in and ride the wave of growing Libertarian momentum.

"Thank you for being part of something bigger. Together, we're building a freer future — one principled candidate, one riding, and one conversation at a time."

https://www.libertarian.ca/michael_harris

RCMP ordered to produce account freeze records

Court compels RCMP and TD Bank to hand over records related to freezing of peaceful protestor’s bank accounts Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (news release):

July 4, 2025 - "The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms announces that a judge of the Ontario Court of Justice has ordered the RCMP and TD Bank to produce records relating to the freezing of Mr. Evan Blackman’s bank accounts during the 2022 Freedom Convoy protest.

Evan Blackman (photo courtesy Evan Blackman).

"Mr. Blackman was arrested in downtown Ottawa on February 18, 2022, during the federal government’s unprecedented use of the Emergencies Act. He was charged with mischief and obstruction, but he was acquitted of these charges at trial in October 2023. However, the Crown appealed Mr. Blackman’s acquittal in 2024, and a new trial is scheduled to begin on August 14, 2025. 

"Mr. Blackman is seeking the records concerning the freezing of his bank accounts to support an application under the Charter at his upcoming retrial. His lawyers plan to argue that the freezing of his bank accounts was a serious violation of his rights, and are asking the court to stay the case accordingly.

"'The freezing of Mr. Blackman’s bank accounts was an extreme overreach on the part of the police and the federal government,' says constitutional lawyer Chris Fleury. 'These records will hopefully reveal exactly how and why Mr. Blackman’s accounts were frozen,' he says. Mr. Blackman agreed, saying, 'I’m delighted that we will finally get records that may reveal why my bank accounts were frozen.' 

"This ruling marks a significant step in what is believed to be the first criminal case in Canada involving a proposed Charter application based on the freezing of personal bank accounts under the Emergencies Act."

https://www.jccf.ca/court-compels-rcmp-and-td-bank-to-hand-over-records-related-to-freezing-of-peaceful-protestors-bank-accounts/

Official Epstein story not the only one to question

It is good to see people questioning the Justice Department's claims on Jeffrey Epstein and his alleged client list. The advancement of liberty requires a widespread questioning of authority. 

Mistrusting Government about Epstein and More | Ron Paul Institute | Ron Paul:

July 14, 2025 - "Last week the Department of Justice announced that Jeffrey Epstein did not maintain a 'client list' of prominent individuals who may have broken the law at Epstein’s private island.... In February, in response to a question about when Epstein’s client list would be made public, Attorney General Pam Bondi said she had it on her desk and would soon release it. She now says she meant she had a file related to Epstein, not the Epstein client list. 

"The Justice Department also claimed it did a full investigation of the circumstances surrounding Epstein’s death and can definitively say that Epstein committed suicide even though an autopsy paid for by Epstein’s brother concluded that Epstein was likely murdered.

"The Justice Department’s announcement last week was met with outrage, much of it coming from some of President’s Trump’s most prominent allies, such as popular media figures Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, and Benny Johnson.

"The willingness of so many Trump allies to openly criticize the Epstein announcement and other actions like the bombing of Iran is a positive development. 

"Advancing liberty requires that more people refuse to automatically trust government officials, whether concerning Epstein, wars, the economy, or other important matters.

"Widespread questioning of government presents an opportunity for the liberty movement. Those who understand the philosophy, history, and economics of liberty can explain that it is not just that some government officials lie. Instead, all governments lie, and the more important the issue the bigger the lie. In fact, the modern state is built on a series of lies, including:

• that the moral prohibitions against murder and theft do not apply to the government,
• that government regulations protect consumers, workers, and small businesses from greedy corporations,
• that the best way to help the poor is through government bureaucracies, not private charities,
• that government bureaucrats know a child’s educational needs better than do the child’s parents,
• that the US government is justified in intervening in countries around the world because the US is an exceptional force for justice and liberty and its crusade for global democracy is worth the ending of many innocent lives,
• that the government has the moral authority to override personal health and lifestyle choices — such as whether to drink raw milk — for our own good,
• that foreign aid takes money from wealthy Americans to give to poor people in other countries,
• that a government-created central bank can print the way to prosperity while enabling a welfare-warfare state without causing a boom-bust business cycle and continuously reducing the average American’s standard of living through eroding the dollar’s purchasing power,
• that gun control, mass surveillance, and airport harassment keep us safe, and
• that government is the source of our rights so government can restrict or 'modify' our rights at will.

"Exposing such lies is key for restoring liberty. The good news is that the more mistrust of government grows the easier it will be to find people receptive to our message."

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/mistrusting-government-about-epstein-and-more/

Chris Carbert granted bail pending appeal

2022 Coutts protester Chris Carbert has been granted bail pending his appeal of his 2024 conviction and sentence.

Coutts blockade leader granted bail pending appeal of convictions, sentence | CBC News | Meghan Grant:

Chris Carbert. Photo Bridge City News.

June 30, 2025 - "One of the men serving a sentence for convictions connected to the 2022 Coutts border blockade has been granted bail pending his appeal. Chris Carbert is serving a 6½-year sentence for mischief over $5,000 and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. He has appealed his convictions and sentence. 

On Monday, Alberta Court of Appeal Justice Jo-Anne Strekaf ruled Carbert can be released pending his conviction appeal arguments, which are set to be heard in September. 'Detention pending his appeals is not necessary for the protection or safety of the public,' wrote Strekaf in her 10-page decision.... Strekaf ordered Carbert's lawyer Katherin Beyak and prosecutors to appear before her with a release plan. Carbert was convicted alongside Anthony Olienick, who was handed the same sentence in 2024. Both men were acquitted on the more serious charge of conspiracy to murder RCMP officers.... 

"With credit for the time he spent in custody pending trial, Carbert had two years, seven months left to serve when he was sentenced in September 2024. Carbert is eligible for statutory release in June 2026 and his prison sentence will expire in April 2027. 

"Strekaf cited the Corrections Services Canada assessment completed for the purposes of Carbert's parole hearing which found he is a low risk to reoffend and has support from three prison workers; an officer, the chaplain and the shop instructor. '[Carbert] has demonstrated that there is no substantial likelihood that he will commit a criminal offence or interfere with the administration of justice if released from detention pending the hearing of his appeals,' wrote the judge. 

"Strekaf also noted that both Carbert's conviction and sentence appeals may not be completed until after his mandatory release date. 'In effect, if he remains in custody, he may have served most, if not all, of his sentence regardless of the outcome of his appeals,' wrote the judge."

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/coutts-blockade-protesters-carbert-bail-pending-appeal-1.7574336

Coutts protester Chris Carbert granted bail pending appeal | July 2, 2025 | Landon Hickok | Bridge City News | July 2, 2025: