Locked up for tweets in 2015, NL man still seeking a hearing

Andrew Abbass, who was wrongfully detained by the Newfoundland police in 2015 due to his social media posts, and confined to a psychiatric unit against his will, is still seeking a public hearing eight years later.  

He was detained by police after sending a tweet. 8 years later, he's fighting for a public hearing | CBC News | Ariana Kelland:

October 16 -"A man who was illegally detained by the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and housed for six days at a psychiatric unit against his will in 2015 is determined to bring his case to a public hearing. But the police officers at the centre of the complaints have gone to court to stop that from happening.

"Andrew Abbass filed public complaints against the now-retired Staff Sgt. Tim Buckle and Const. Joe Smyth in 2017, when new information surfaced during an unrelated police shooting inquiry. After numerous years, reports and appeals, the acting commissioner with the RNC police complaints commission has sent the matter to a public hearing. However, even that is in limbo, as both officers have applied to the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador for judicial review.

"'At the end of the day, no one has been found to be fully accountable in any meaningful way,' said Abbass, 42, in a recent interview at his home in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. It's been eight years since the alleged misconduct happened. Both Abbass and an expert in police discipline say the process against the two officers has dragged on far too long and speaks to the need for deep reform on police complaints procedures....

"Abbass first came to the RNC's attention in Corner Brook in 2014, when he attempted to charge then prime minister Stephen Harper and his foreign affairs minister for 'inciting genocide by the state of Israel against the Palestinian people.' Abbass had applied to the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador to hear his argument. The federal government issued a response, but a judge ultimately declined to hear the case in 2017....

"Then, on April 5, 2015 — Easter Sunday —  Smyth, a member of the premier's security detail, shot and killed Don Dunphy in his home in Mitchell's Brook, about 45 minutes outside St. John's. Dunphy was an injured worker who often strongly criticized the province's workers' compensation system online. Smyth, investigating a tweet sent by Dunphy that was interpreted as a threat, said Dunphy pointed a firearm at him. Abbass saw the two incidents as interconnected examples of government overreach, and made his feelings known on social media the following day.... 

"Abbass said he heard an interview with the premier on CBC Radio, in which he said there would be a cracking down of social media monitoring in the wake of Dunphy's shooting. He saw that as Davis doubling down, and considered it an affront to free speech. Abbass tweeted: 'How about this, premier of N.L.: I'm going to bring down Confederation and have politicians executed. Ready to have me shot, coward?' The tweet, he admits, was meant to antagonize.... 'I figured they would arrest me.'

"Four RNC officers came to Abbass's home in Corner Brook where he was living with his pregnant girlfriend and detained him under the Mental Health Care and Treatment Act. Despite spending the next six days in the psychiatric ward of the Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Corner Brook, Abbass was never charged with a crime. Nor was he certified as suffering from any psychiatric condition.... 

"In the wake of Abbass's arrest, the RCMP got a warrant to search his home over a tweet they viewed as potentially threatening against Stephen Harper. The tweet was sent before the Dunphy shooting, but the Mounties moved in only after he was detained by the RNC. He was charged with uttering threats but it was dropped soon after, at his first court appearance. However, once inside his home, they discovered marijuana and charged Abbass and his pregnant partner with cultivation. Abbass said he used it for medical reasons but didn't have a licence at the time. A judge gave him an absolute discharge."

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/andrew-abbass-rnc-complaints-1.6967702

 What happened to Andrew Abbass? An 8-year police complaints odyssey, explained | CBC NL - Newfoundland and Labrador | October 19, 2023:

Parents' Bill of Rights now law in Saskatchewan

"Parents' Bill Of Rights" Passed And Enshrined In Legislation | Government of Saskatchewan (press release):

October 20, 2023 -"The Government of Saskatchewan has passed the "Parents' Bill of Rights" and invoked the notwithstanding clause of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This protects the important role that parents and guardians have in supporting their children. The notwithstanding clause is part of the Constitution of Canada and allows federal and provincial governments to enact legislation that operates notwithstanding certain provisions of the Charter.

"'Parents and guardians have a right to know what is being taught in their children's school,' Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. '"The Parents' Bill of Rights" is an inclusionary policy that ensures that parents are at the forefront of every important decision in their child's life.'

"The Bill passed today invokes section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to entrench in law key elements of the parental inclusion and consent policies announced on August 22, 2023. It will permit the legislation to operate without interruption. 

"The passing of this Bill provides parents with assurance and confidence that they will be involved in the important decisions involving their children no matter where they go to school in Saskatchewan. The Bill has received royal assent and is now in force."

https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2023/october/20/parents-bill-of-rights-passed-and-enshrined-in-legislation

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe on passage of parents’ rights bill |cpac | October 20, 2023:

Ottawa detective on trial for investigating sudden infant deaths

Ottawa Police Services (OPS) detective Helen Grus has been suspended and charged with discreditable conduct for independently investigating whether an increase in sudden infant deaths correlates with mRNA vaccination.  

Trudeau regime puts Canadian detective on trial for investigating link between infant deaths and mRNA vaccines | The Dossier, Substack | Christopher Brunet:

October 11, 2023 - "While Covid isn't typically my area of focus, I felt a duty to write this story because it takes place in my hometown of Ottawa, so I reached out to The Dossier because I know that they cover Covid extensively. I am willing to bet that 99% of American readers have not heard of this Canadian case, and it deserves a wider audience.... [T]he most comprehensive coverage of this story has come from an independent journalist, Donald Best, who has written 11 articles about it.... Best is a former Detective Sergeant with the Toronto Police who has spent his life investigating organized crime. He's attended all of Helen Gru’s court hearings in person, and shared his notes with me, which I have attempted to summarize and disseminate in a digestible, self-contained format....

"Helen Grus ...[is] a 20-year veteran detective with the sexual assault and child abuse unit of the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) — her two recent performance reviews in 2019 and 2021 were,'Meets and exceeds expectations; exceeds all expectations'.... According to the Ottawa Citizen: Grus allegedly accessed case files of newborn and infant death investigations to which she wasn't assigned and inquired with the coroner about whether the parents of babies who had died unexpectedly during the pandemic were vaccinated against COVID-19. Investigators also alleged Grus contacted the father of a deceased baby directly on Jan. 30, 2022, to inquire about the mother’s COVID-19 vaccination status. Yes, you read that right: in Canada, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law if you are a detective who 'contacted the father of a deceased baby to inquire about the mother’s COVID-19 vaccination status.' During the Covid era, a waiter or grocery store clerk could inquire about a parent's vaccination status, but a detective couldn't.

"The investigation by Ottawa Police into potential links between mRNA vaccines and Sudden Infant Deaths in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers was halted due to Grus's suspension and subsequent charges.... Formally, Grus is charged with 'discreditable conduct' under section 2(1) of Ontario’s Police Services Act, plus, the prosecution has served her with a notice of increased penalty, which allows the OPS to seek her dismissal, demote her, or ask for a forfeiture of pay or vacation....

"On March 28, 2022, although Grus's suspension was not yet public knowledge, CBC Ottawa published a story sourced from anonymous leaks within the Ottawa police, initiating a trial by media. Before publishing the story, CBC gave the OPS a 24-hour deadline to respond, thus commandeering the direction and timeline of the internal investigation.... Following the CBC leak, OPS’ Professional Services Unit launched an investigation into who leaked it, but this investigation was abandoned. During Grus’ trial in August 2023, her defence team argued that the leak is what resulted in formal charges, requested disclosure of evidence regarding why this investigation was abandoned and attempted to subpoena and cross-examine the CBC News reporter, but their request was denied. Both Best and Grus’ lawyer contend this was an illegal leak.... 

"The CBC scoop smugly states that 'Coroners examine medical facts, not detectives,' insinuating that Detective Grus acted improperly by taking initiative without explicit instructions.... To underscore just how wrong this 'she didn’t have the authority to dig on her own agency' argument is, the August 2023 trial heard that in 2018 Grus had combed through OPS records without permission to crack a cold case, which ended in apprehension and prosecution of a violent child rapist. If she is being persecuted now, logic dictates that she should be retroactively prosecuted for that violent child rapist arrest, as well.... 

"Grus' legal team contended that she wasn't pursuing an 'unauthorized investigation.' Instead, she was gathering evidence to present higher up the chain of command. She repeatedly tried to bring her investigation to the attention of her supervisors — for example, [t]here is a letter she sent to the Chief of Police in September 2021, asking him, 'Will Ottawa Police take full legal and financial liability for any injuries, adverse effects and/or death occurring to members following the receipt of any EUA vaccine potentially mandated?'....  

"Grus’ trial is set to continue on Oct. 30. With eight police witnesses yet to be cross-examined, and at least five expert witnesses, the tribunal is anticipated to extend well into 2024. Detective Grus has already personally covered over $40,000 in legal fees, a figure that could easily exceed $100,000 depending on how long this drags on. Let's help her. Here is a link to the Helen Grus Legal Defense Fund: https://givesendgo.com/helengrus. Should she win and have her legal costs covered, Grus has committed to refunding the donations or offering donors the option to redirect their contributions to a charitable organization. Please donate, and please share this article."

Read more: https://www.dossier.today/p/trudeau-regime-puts-canadian-detective

Political meddling suspected in Ottawa police investigation of Constable Helen Grus | Rebel News | August 15, 2023:

Argentina's "chainsaw-wielding libertarian"

Argentina's "chainsaw-wielding libertarian," Javier Milei, may become the country's president tomorrow.

A chainsaw-wielding libertarian could become Argentina's next president | CBC News | Thomson Reuters:

October 20, 2023 - "Argentina may be about to leap into the political unknown. The South American country, the region's No. 2 economy after Brazil, will vote in presidential elections on Sunday with a radical outsider, libertarian Javier Milei, in pole position to win, though he will likely face a second round run-off. The wild-haired, chainsaw-wielding economist — who has risen from relative obscurity over the last year — came top in an August open primary and leads all opinion polls ahead of Economy Minister Sergio Massa and conservative Patricia Bullrich.

"Milei, 52, is a poster child of Argentine voters' anger at inflation that may hit 200 per cent this year, rising poverty levels and a sliding peso currency that erases the real-world value of people's salaries and savings. Many blame the political elite and have latched on to Milei's burn-it-all-down rhetoric. He has used the chainsaw throughout his campaign to symbolize how he will slash government spending and waste.... 'Milei is a clean slate. He may be crazy, but at least he says what he thinks,' said Sebastián Pizzo, 33, a restaurant employee in Buenos Aires.

"The vote marks a major crossroads for Argentina, one of the world's top grains exporters, the No. 4 producer of electric battery metal lithium, and a growing shale oil and gas play.... The country is also the largest — by far — debtor to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with an outstanding $44 billion US loan program, as well as huge international debts with bondholders and a large currency swap line with China.

"Milei has criticized China, pledged to "burn down" the central bank, privatize public sector entities, and switch to the U.S. dollar. He is anti-abortion and anti-feminist. He's the candidate to beat, but the election remains a three-way race, with polls having proven unreliable for the August primary (failing to spot Milei's sharp ascent).... Pollsters generally agree the most likely result is that Milei comes first, but faces a second-round head-to-head with Massa on Nov. 19. A candidate needs 45 per cent of the vote or 40 per cent with a 10-point lead over second place to win outright on Sunday....

"Whoever wins will face a bleak economic outlook: the central bank's coffers are practically empty, a recession is looming, two-fifths of the population live in poverty and most expect a sharp currency devaluation that could fan inflation further.

"The election will likely split the vote between the top three runners, with a further two candidates polling at under five per cent. That will impact the make-up of Congress, which is being partially renewed and will likely end up fragmented. No coalition is expected [to] have a majority in either chamber, forcing the next president to negotiate across political divides. Frontrunner Milei would have a relatively small number of seats in Congress and little regional government support. 

"Many voters, however, appeared resigned to a Milei win — a reflection of how the former television pundit has managed to take hold of the political narrative, leveraging memes and videos online that have resonated with younger voters."

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/argentina-presidential-election-javier-milei-1.7002584

Javier Milei's fiery attacks on Argentina's socialists | ReasonTV | August 25, 2023:

Prayer ban story is misinformation, says Blair

Defence Minister Bill Blair is calling the story of a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) directive allegedly banning public prayer by its chaplains Conservative-spread misinformation, while the Epoch Times (which broke the story) now reports that chaplains are leaving the CAF in response to it. 

Minister Blair Says Tories Spreading ‘Misinformation’ on New Military Chaplain Directive on Prayer | Epoch Times | Noé Chartier:

October 20, 2023 - "Defence Minister Bill Blair says the Conservative Party is spreading “misinformation” by saying military chaplains are no longer allowed to say prayers during public functions. 'Let’s be very clear: [Canadian Forces] chaplains are not – and will not be – banned from prayer on Remembrance Day, nor at any other time,” Mr. Blair wrote on X on Oct. 19. 'When the Conservatives spread misinformation about our military, we’ll always call it out.'

"The minister was reacting to an Oct. 18 social media post by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre saying the government is banning military chaplains from praying at Remembrance Day ceremonies. 'Our veterans don’t have a prayer under Trudeau,' Mr. Poilievre said.

"The Epoch Times previously reported exclusively on the new directive ... from the Office of the Chaplain General in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The previous directive, in place since 2013 and titled 'Public Prayer at Military Ceremonies,' gave guidelines on how chaplains should conduct prayers, while giving further instructions for inclusion. 'The chaplain shall preface the prayer with remarks that invite those who, for whatever reason, are not disposed to pray, to use that time for silent personal reflection or contemplation as others pray,' it reads.

"The new directive, titled 'Chaplains’ Spiritual Reflection in Public Settings,' doesn’t say that chaplains are allowed to lead prayers, but only 'reflections'. 'While the dimension of prayer may occupy a significant place for some of our members, we do not all pray in the same way; for some, prayer does not play a role in their lives,' says the Oct. 11 directive signed by the Chaplain General, Brigadier-General Guy Belisle. 'Public reflections must be done in an appropriate manner to engage all those gathered.' It adds that chaplains need to adopt a 'sensitive and inclusive' approach when addressing CAF members in public'....

"The new directive quotes from a 2015 Supreme Court opinion, which ruled that a city council in Quebec shouldn’t recite a Christian prayer before meetings in order to protect the religious neutrality of the state. The court 'set a strict standard for religious neutrality by the state, which the [Royal Canadian Chaplain Service] has a legal obligation to abide by,' says the directive. 'This requirement is aligned with the principle of inclusion that is paramount within the CAF.'"
Read more: https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/blair-says-tories-spreading-misinformation-on-new-military-chaplain-directive-on-prayer-5513779

Leaked Email Says Chaplains Leaving Military After New Religious Prayer Prohibitions | Epoch Times | Noé Chartier:

October 20, 2023 - "Some military chaplains are leaving the Canadian Armed Forces following a new directive on public prayer, says an internal email sent by a military officer obtained by The Epoch Times. The directive forbids the use of words such as 'God' and 'Heavenly Father,' which active-duty chaplains say in effect means prayers are forbidden. 

"The Oct. 19 email was sent by a mid-level officer in personnel management with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) to wing commanders and other RCAF 'enior leaders across the country following the rollout of the new directive on Oct. 11. In the email, the officer said she had been “informed that the CA is noticing the release of some Chaplains based on this directive.' 'CA' is likely an acronym for 'Canadian Army.' 'If anyone has noticed a similar trend, please share your findings as it may be worth a discussion,” wrote the officer on Oct. 19.... 

"Three serving chaplains have told The Epoch Times that to their understanding, the restrictions in the new policy in effect mean that prayers are banned during official ceremonies such [as] Remembrance Day and mess dinners. The chaplains spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing reprisals."
Read more: https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/leaked-email-says-chaplains-leaving-military-after-new-religious-prayer-prohibitions-5514285

ACT Party revives libertarianism in New Zealand

David Seymour's libertarian ACT {Association of Conumers and Taxpayers) Party looks set to be a crucial coalition partner in New Zealand's next government. 

New Zealand is showing what a viable libertarianism looks like | Washington Post - Henry Olsen:

August 10, 2023 - "Populist conservatism has been on the march around the globe in recent years. But in New Zealand, many conservatives are beginning to embrace an old ideology: libertarianism. This surprising trend is thanks to David Seymour, leader of New Zealand’s classically liberal ACT Party. He has rapidly transformed his faction from a nearly extinct institution to a vibrant, growing movement, setting an example for conservatives worldwide. 

"Seymour is a young intellectual. The 40-year-old became politically active in college, unsuccessfully running for Parliament in 2005 against then-Prime Minister Helen Clark, a Labour Party member. He then went to Canada to work at a free-market think tank, the Frontier Centre for Public Policy, for four years. That experience, he told me in an interview, gave him a chance to read classical liberal economic thinkers such as Karl Popper, Friedrich Hayek and Thomas Hazlett....

"In 2014, Seymour ran for Parliament again and won, becoming ACT’s only parliamentary representative for six years. In fact, the party received less than 1 percent of the vote in New Zealand’s 2017 election, which brought the Labour Party’s Jacinda Ardern to power. At the time, it looked as if classical liberalism in New Zealand was in terminal decline much, much as it was elsewhere. 

"But that assessment did not account for Seymour’s grit and genius. He aggressively used his seat to push new ideas such as legalizing euthanasia. He also did not flinch from other issues, becoming the only member to vote against the legislation Ardern passed after the 2019 Christchurch shootings to confiscate guns. Seymour also made his way onto the select parliamentary committee overseeing the government’s covid-19 policies and used social media to gain visibility. All of these activities raised Seymour’s profile and made ACT relevant. The party received its highest share of the vote ever in the 2020 election, winning 10 seats in the 120-seat Parliament.... With the traditional center-right party, the National Party, tipped to win 46 seats, ACT could become a crucial governing partner....

"This success is fueled by Seymour’s insistence on applying classically liberal principles to issues beyond just taxes, regulation and spending.... That approach is nowhere better observed than on ACT’s stance against identity politics. The ruling Labour-Green alliance has been pushing to provide special government benefits for the island nation’s Indigenous people, the Maori, and even interpreting New Zealand’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, to require 'co-governance' between the elected government and Maori leaders. Seymour contends this is wrong and destructive of 'classical liberal values of universal human rights' because it gives citizens different political rights and powers based solely upon their race....

"Seymour’s willingness to lean into cultural issues rather than shy away from them also applies to criminal justice. ACT calls for trying 17-year-old violent offenders as adults and a host of other 'law and order' policies. This further illustrates that his party is not running solely on tax cuts (though it is proposing significant reductions); he knows political parties need to meet voters where they are before they gain their trust to lead them where they ought to go. 

"No matter what happens in the October election, this likely won’t be the last you’ve heard of Seymour if his party does well. Ardern was just 37 when her election inspired leftists around the world. Seymour could similarly make freedom cool again.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/08/10/new-zealand-act-party-seymour-libertarianism/

The rise of the ACT party & David Seymour | Newshub Nation | August 4, 2023:

New Zealand moves sharply to the right in national elections | Washington Post | Michael E. Miller:

October 14, 2023 - "New Zealand moved sharply to the right on Saturday with the National Party, led by businessman-turned-politician Christopher Luxon, poised to form a coalition with the libertarian ACT Party and make good on promises to cut government spending and taxes."

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/14/new-zealand-election-national-act-coalition/

Canadian military kills Remembrance Day prayers

As part of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiative, the Canadian military has instructed its chaplains to eliminate prayers and references to God in this year's Remembrance Day commemorations. 

Remembrance Day 2017 in Ottawa. Photo by Benoit Rochon. CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. 

No More Prayers on Remembrance Day, Military Tells Chaplain Service | Epoch Times | Noé Chartier:

October 16, 2023 - "Canadians about to attend Remembrance Day ceremonies across the country could come across different proceedings than they’re used to, as the military has told its chaplain service that religious prayers in official public functions are now forbidden. 'While the dimension of prayer may occupy a significant place for some of our members, we do not all pray in the same way; for some, prayer does not play a role in their lives,' says the Oct. 11 directive obtained by The Epoch Times. 'Therefore, it is essential for chaplains to adopt a sensitive and inclusive approach when publicly addressing military members,' says the directive signed by Chaplain General Brigadier General Guy Belisle.

"In practice, this means that a chaplain, or padre as they’re commonly known in the ranks, cannot recite from the Bible or allude to God while participating in ceremonies and public functions. Instead, the 'spiritual reflection' must be “inclusive in nature, and respectful of the religious and spiritual diversity of Canada.' The move is part of the larger cultural change process in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) implemented by the Liberal government, which aims to put principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at the core of the organization.

"For public reflections, the directive tells chaplains they must 'carefully choose words that are inclusive' and that they should use a language 'mindful of the Gender Based Analysis (GBA+).' This in effect tells chaplains to refrain from referring to a 'Heavenly Father'.... [T]he directives also will remove the traditional scarves chaplains wear, which bear the crests of their respective religions.... 'Chaplains must consider the potential that some items or symbols may cause discomfort or traumatic feelings when choosing the dress they wear during public occasions,' says the directive. The Faith Tradition crests will be replaced by the crest of the Royal Canadian Chaplain Service (RCChS).

"The decision comes after the Minister of National Defence Advisory Panel on Systemic Racism and Discrimination released a report in January 2022 that was critical of religion in general. A section on the CAF chaplaincy said that 'religion can be a source of suffering and generational trauma,' especially for LGBT individuals and indigenous people. 'Some chaplains represent or are affiliated with organized religions whose beliefs are not synonymous with those of a diverse and inclusive workplace,' it added....

"Brig. Gen. Belisle says the RCChS conducted an in-depth analysis of a Supreme Court decision from 2015. The directive cites Mouvement laïque québécois v. Saguenay (City), which pertains to a self-proclaimed atheist complaining about the Saguenay city council reciting a prayer before meetings. 'The evolution of Canadian society has given rise to a concept of neutrality according to which the state must not interfere in religion and beliefs,' wrote the Supreme Court. 'The state must instead remain neutral in this regard, which means that it must neither favour nor hinder any particular belief, and the same holds true for non-belief.' 

"Brig. Gen. Belisle’s directive says the policy will be enforced through education in vocational school and by taking disciplinary action against chaplains who do not comply with the directive. This includes withdrawal from the CAF chaplaincy.

"Department of National Defence spokesperson Derek Abma says the directive does not apply to other non-official settings. 'In a chapel, chaplains may always offer prayer consistent with their own spiritual and faith traditions,' he told The Epoch Times in a statement.... Mr. Abma did not deny that religious prayers are now forbidden on events such as Remembrance Day....

"An active military chaplain who requested anonymity to avoid reprisals told The Epoch Times that the new policy is a violation of a covenant Canadians have with the war dead. He says he thinks Canadians would not want to attend a Remembrance Day ceremony in which our dead are not honoured in prayer.... 'We have a covenant with the dead,' he said. 'Most of those who fought in the Great Wars did so for God and country, and deserve to be honoured in that way. This new policy is first and foremost a violation of that covenant.'"

Read more: https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/no-more-prayers-on-remembrance-day-military-tells-chaplain-service-5511240