/qnotables/ - ===Q Notables===

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20119305 (231447ZDEC23) Notable: Feds post $15 billion deficit in just seven months this year

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Feds post $15 billion deficit in just seven months this year

https://tnc.news/2023/12/22/deficit-seven-months-this-year/

budget deficit between April and October of this year, with $7 billion of those funds being spent in October alone.

To put that into context, the budgetary deficit over the same period in 2022 was $0.2 billion from April to October, reported the finance department.

Spending for all government programs increased in 2023, up overall by 5.4%, when compared to the same time last year as well.

Excluding net actuarial losses, program spending rose to $11.8 billion.

However, government revenues went up by 1.2%, or $3 billion, due to higher interest revenues and other non-tax revenues. Vontinue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20119336 (231453ZDEC23) Notable: Final Russia and Ukraine Bun Part Two / Ukrainian Defense Minister Umerov Says Kiev Will Force Young Men Who Fled the Country to Join the Army and Fight the War - Statement Is Rapidly Walked Back by Officials

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Ukrainian Defense Minister Umerov Says Kiev Will Force Young Men Who Fled the Country to Join the Army and Fight the War – Statement Is Rapidly Walked Back by Officials

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/12/ukrainian-defense-minister-umerov-says-kiev-will-force/

Ukraine is a very dysfunctional country, or so it seems to the outside eye, since every time one of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s top aides writes an article or gives an interview, there’s trouble.

First, it was Commander in Chief Valery Zaluzhny, that wrote an article in The Economist magazine and further exacerbated his tensions with Zelensky.

Now, the new defense Minister Rustem Umerov gave an interview to German media in which he stated that Ukraine wants to conscript able-bodied man who fled the country to Germany – only for the information to be walked back in 24 hours.

This comes as Ukraine wants to incorporate half a million new soldiers into its struggling army.

Back in November, the BBC reported that up to 650,000 Ukrainian men of military age have fled for Europe since the beginning of the war in February 2022.

That’s despite the fact that men aged 18-60 are prohibited from leaving Ukraine, barring special circumstances, under martial law.

Kyiv Independent reported: Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20119389 (231505ZDEC23) Notable: Final Media and Censorship Bun / Online Video Platform Rumble Leaves Brazil, Rather Than Obey Judicial Order To Censor Conservative Voices

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Online Video Platform Rumble Leaves Brazil, Rather Than Obey Judicial Order To Censor Conservative Voices

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/12/online-video-platform-rumble-leaves-brazil-rather-than/

The heavily contested – and likely illegal – election of socialist Lula da Silva as Brazilian President was not the only bad news to haunt the democracy of South America’s largest country.

Ever since Joe Biden was ‘elected’ in the US and sent CIA director William Burns to Brasilia as his first official envoy, things became crazy in the Brazilian Judiciary.

The Globalists, out-of-control Brazilian Supreme Court Justices, in particular, have taken a myriad of decisions that are patently absurd and detrimental to our society.

Many content producers were outright censored, and the pressure on platforms to comply with tyranny has been relentless.

Back in January, the online video platform, web hosting and cloud services business Rumble, based in Ontario, Canada, disobeyed a judicial order to block the conservative streamer Monark, and in June the platform appealed in Brazilian justice against this order.

Now, Rumble finally has had enough, and decided to ‘leave’ Brazil, blocking access to the platform, rather than comply with the tyrannical orders. Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20119628 (231604ZDEC23) Notable: Final Hamas and Israel Bun / 96% Of Saudis Oppose Ties With Israel, Hamas Grows In Popularity: Poll

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96% Of Saudis Oppose Ties With Israel, Hamas Grows In Popularity: Poll

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/96-saudis-oppose-ties-israel-hamas-grows-popularity-poll

A new poll has found that 96 percent of Saudi nationals believe that Arab countries should cut ties with Israel in response to the war in Gaza, and that the popularity of Hamas has grown significantly amid Israel's devastating military offensive on the embattled territory.

The result of the poll, conducted by the Washington Institute for Near Eastern Affairs, a pro-Israel think tank based in Washington, shows the difficulties the United States faces as it pushes for Saudi Arabia to normalise ties with Israel. Prior to the war in Gaza, the US was actively working towards achieving an agreement that would see Israel and Saudi Arabia normalize relations.

Such a deal would build upon existing normalization agreements such as those between Israel and Bahrain, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates which were brokered under the Trump administration.

During an interview with Fox News that aired in September, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated that the two countries were getting closer to such an agreement "every day".

Since then, however, Riyadh has put a pause on talks of normalisation and has publicised its diplomatic outreach as one that seeks "to stop the ongoing escalation".

While the kingdom has a monarchial system, public opinion plays a factor in the decision-making of Arab leaders, according to analysts. Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20119715 (231625ZDEC23) Notable: Final Russia and Ukraine Bun Part Two / China To Seek Rare Exemption From US Sanctions On Russia’s Latest LNG Project

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China To Seek Rare Exemption From US Sanctions On Russia’s Latest LNG Project

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/china-seek-rare-exemption-us-sanctions-russias-latest-lng-project

Chinese state energy giants plan to ask the United States for exemptions from the fresh sanctions on Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 project in a rare request to the U.S. as LNG deliveries could be threatened, Bloomberg reported on Friday, citing sources familiar with the issue.

The U.S. imposed last month fresh sanctions on Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 project, which is close to first production.

The Arctic LNG 2 project is being developed by Russia’s largest independent natural gas producer, Novatek, and was on track to begin first production later this year.

Novatek holds a 60% stake in Arctic LNG 2. The other shareholders include CNOOC of China and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), French supermajor TotalEnergies, and Japanese firms Mitsui Group and Jogmec.

In September, the U.S. levied some sanctions on the Arctic LNG 2 project, designating Russian services companies connected with its development.

Two months later, the U.S. Department of State designated limited liability company ARCTIC LNG 2, the operator of the Arctic LNG 2 Project, as part of additional sanctions against Russia “to further target individuals and entities associated with Russia’s war effort and other malign activities.”

The $25-billion Arctic LNG-2 project is Russia’s second major LNG project, and the new U.S. sanctions prohibit all related transactions without a special license from OFAC until 31 January 2024.

Now CNOOC and CNPC are preparing to apply for sanctions exemptions to buy cargoes from Arctic LNG 2, to make sure that they don’t run afoul of the U.S., from which the Chinese firms also buy LNG, according to Bloomberg’s sources.

Earlier this week, unnamed industry sources told Reuters that Novatek had issued force majeure on future Arctic LNG 2 supplies for some clients following the sanctions imposed by Washington in November.

A Chinese request for exemptions from sanctions would be a rare occurrence for the world’s top crude oil and LNG importer, which has been importing oil from Iran, Venezuela, and Russia despite Western sanctions on the exports of those countries. Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20119747 (231632ZDEC23) Notable: Final Climate Change Bun / Tesla Launches New Mega Factory Project In Shanghai, Designed To Manufacture 10,000 Megapacks Per Year

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Tesla Launches New Mega Factory Project In Shanghai, Designed To Manufacture 10,000 Megapacks Per Year

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/tesla-launches-new-mega-factory-project-shanghai-designed-manufacture-10000-megapacks-year

Tesla has launched a new mega factory project in Shanghai, which will be capable of producing 10,000 Megapacks a year, according to multiple news sources including China's Global Times.

The packs are designed for large-scale energy storage and efficient renewable energy distribution, and will be available for global sales.10,000 Megapack units annually equates to about 40GWh of energy storage capacity.

Located in the Lingang area of the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone, the facility is slated to begin construction in early 2024 and commence operations by the end of that year, the report says.

The signing ceremony for the project took place on Friday morning.

"With Tesla's efficient production and manufacturing capabilities, coupled with the high-quality business environment in Lingang, the mega factory project is expected to refresh the 'Tesla speed,'" Tao Lin, vice president of Tesla, told Xinhua. Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20119776 (231640ZDEC23) Notable: Final Russia and Ukraine Bun Part Two / Russia Says Oil Exports Rose By 7% in 2023 Compared To Year Before Ukraine War

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Russia Says Oil Exports Rose By 7% in 2023 Compared To Year Before Ukraine War

https://www.zerohedge.com/commodities/russia-says-oil-exports-rose-7-2023-compared-year-ukraine-war

Russia’s crude oil exports this year will be 7% higher compared to 2021, Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov was quoted as saying on Thursday.

Russian crude oil exports in 2023 have exceeded by 7% the volumes exported in 2021 – just before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This year’s crude oil exports out of Russia are estimated at around 250 million tons, Russian news agency Interfax quoted Belousov as saying during a meeting of the Council for Strategic Development and National Projects.

“The most pressing problems last year have generally been resolved. This firstly concerns payments and cargo insurance, [and] secondly concens ensuring seaborne shipping of hydrocarbons by tanker fleet,” Belousov said.

Over the past year, Russia has amassed a “shadow fleet” of tankers, which helps it ship its oil to international markets, mostly to Asia.

Belousov’s comments came a day after the U.S. Treasury slapped more sanctions as it tightens enforcement of the Western price cap on Russian oil.

The U.S. designated a Government of Russia-owned ship manager and “several obscure oil traders who have emerged as frequent participants in the seaborne transportation of Russian-origin oil following the imposition of the price cap,” the Treasury said. It also updated guidance to strengthen the attestation and recordkeeping processes for certain covered service providers.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20119833 (231700ZDEC23) Notable: Eviction notices in Quebec soar to all-time high

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Eviction notices in Quebec soar to all-time high

https://tnc.news/2023/12/23/eviction-notices-quebec/

The number of eviction notices in Quebec has surged to more than five times what it was in 2020.

According to recent data compiled by the Coalition for Housing Committees and Tenants Association of Quebec, there has been a 132% increase in the number of notices issued to tenants this year.

This dramatic rise represents a jump from 1,525 cases last year to 3,531 cases in 2023, marking the highest count ever recorded by the tenant advocacy organization. In 2020, the number was 757, five times less than today.

“These figures represent a tiny fraction of the cases reported to housing committees. In reality, there are many more than that,” said Cédric Dussault, spokesperson for the organization, according to Le Soleil.

The figures gathered from around fifty housing committees across Quebec indicate a growing trend. These figures do not include evicted tenants in regions not covered by these committees or those who haven’t sought their assistance, meaning the actual number is likely higher. Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20119887 (231718ZDEC23) Notable: First part of 2024 “won’t feel good” says Bank of Canada governor

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First part of 2024 “won’t feel good” says Bank of Canada governor

https://tnc.news/2023/12/23/macklem-2024-wont-feel-good/

While interest rates are expected to decrease in 2024, the Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem warns that the Canadian economy will still be in “transition” next year.

“We’re very focused on core inflation,” said Macklem in an interview with BNN Bloomberg.

Macklem went on to say that the Bank of Canada will need to see “a number of months with sustained downward momentum in core inflation” before it cuts interest rates.

“(If) you look at our projection, it’s some time next year, but I’m not going to put it on a calendar,” said Macklem.

Many economists predict a rate cut in the second or third quarter of next year.

The central bank started increasing interest rates in March of 2022, aiming to tame inflation with a long term goal of bringing it back to 2% in 2024. Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20119895 (231724ZDEC23) Notable: Final Wokeism Bun / New book challenges unmarked graves narrative

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OP-ED: New book challenges unmarked graves narrative

https://tnc.news/2023/12/23/flanagan-unmarked-graves/

The new book Grave Error: How the Media Misled Us (and the Truth about Residential Schools) constitutes a much-needed response to the moral panic unleashed on May 27, 2021, when the chief of the Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc announced that ground penetrating radar had located the remains of 215 “missing children” in an apple orchard on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in B.C.

In short order, the storyline of “mass unmarked graves” and “burials of missing children” ricocheted around Canada and much of the world. It received significant coverage in the New York Times, Washington Post, and the Guardian. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau set the tone of the government response when he ordered Canadian flags to be flown at half-mast on all federal buildings to honour the “215 children whose lives were taken at the Kamloops residential school.” In this way, possible burial sites were elevated to the status of confirmed victims of foul play, making Canada sound like a charnel house of murdered children.

The discovery of the so-called unmarked graves was subsequently chosen by Canadian newspaper editors as the “news story of the year.” And the World Press Photo of the Year award went to “a haunting image of red dresses hung on crosses along a roadside, with a rainbow in the background, commemorating children who died at a residential school created to assimilate Indigenous children in Canada.”

Over time, a persistent narrative has grown out of that initial announcement in Kamloops. It can be summarized as follows: Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20119920 (231733ZDEC23) Notable: Final Wokeism Bun / Ottawa spends $9.9M to create “gender-inclusive environment” for youth in Iraq

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Ottawa spends $9.9M to create “gender-inclusive environment” for youth in Iraq

https://tnc.news/2023/12/23/ottawa-gender-inclusive-iraq/

As Canada grapples with its own economic challenges, International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen announced Wednesday that nearly $10 million will be sent to support youth employment initiatives in Iraq.

Hussen explained that the Middle East and North Africa are key areas of focus for Canada’s foreign policy. The strategy for the Middle East focuses on stability, resilience, and economic development, he said.

“This is a long-term play, because investment in the stability and economic resilience of countries like Iraq and the Middle East is in Canada’s national interest,” said Hussen.

The $9.9 million will support vocational and technical education programs over the next five years, facilitated by a collaboration between the World University Service of Canada and Canadian Leaders in International Consulting. While based in Ottawa, these organisations focus on international projects.

The Training and Workplace Advancement Solutions for Opportunities in the Labour Force (TAWASOL) project, as outlined in the release by the World University Service of Canada, aims to empower over 20,000 students annually in Iraq through enhanced training and employment opportunities.

“The TAWASOL project is a five-year initiative (2023-2028) that seeks to create a more enabling and gender inclusive environment for youth employment to flourish in Iraq,” reads the statement.

The federal government has allocated $4.7 billion to its Middle East strategy since 2016. This funding is being used not only to combat extremism but also to develop strategies for post-conflict reconstruction, according to Hussen. Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20119939 (231742ZDEC23) Notable: Final Climate Change Bun / Guilbeault used ‘misleading data’ to defend electric car mandate

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Guilbeault used ‘misleading data’ to defend electric car mandate

https://www.rebelnews.com/guilbeault_used_misleading_data_to_defend_electric_car_mandate

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) admitted their 2035 ban on inexpensive gas vehicles will cost drivers billions of dollars and will 'disproportionately impact' northerners, rural Canadians, and the working poor. Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20119980 (231802ZDEC23) Notable: Final Covid and Other Pestilence Bun / Leslyn Lewis warns that WHO pandemic treaty amendments are undemocratic

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Leslyn Lewis condemns 'undemocratic' amendments to WHO pandemic treaty

https://www.rebelnews.com/leslyn_lewis_condemns_undemocratic_amendments_to_who_pandemic_treaty

Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis told Health Minister Mark Holland in a letter of her concerns regarding the WHO pandemic treaty and its intrusion on Canada’s sovereignty. Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20120041 (231820ZDEC23) Notable: Trudeau Liberals defer implementation of gun control bill until late 2025

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Trudeau Liberals defer implementation of gun control bill until late 2025

https://www.rebelnews.com/trudeau_liberals_defer_implementation_of_gun_control_bill_until_late_2025

Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc confirmed on December 20 his government will defer regulation and confiscation of 'prohibited' firearms until December 1, 2025. Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20120076 (231830ZDEC23) Notable: Final Immigration Bun / Federal report claims Canada is a 'preferred destination' for 'climate refugees'

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Federal report claims Canada is a 'preferred destination' for 'climate refugees'

https://www.rebelnews.com/federal_report_claims_canada_is_a_preferred_destination_for_climate_refugees

Canada is a preferred destination for 'climate refugees,' says Policy Horizons Canada. They claim extreme drought, rising food insecurity and water scarcity will worsen globally over the next 10 to 15 years. Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20120146 (231852ZDEC23) Notable: Final Houthis and Red Sea Bun / Pentagon's Operation Prosperity Guardian "Falls Apart" As Spain, Italy, France Reject Request

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Pentagon's Operation Prosperity Guardian "Falls Apart" As Spain, Italy, France Reject Request

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/pentagons-operation-prosperity-guardian-falls-apart-spain-italy-france-reject-request

Australia is the latest country to reject a request from the United States to send warships to the Red Sea under the command of the Pentagon's Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect commercial vessels along the critical maritime trade route from Iran-backed Houthi.

Defense Minister Richard Marles told Sky News that Australia's military would not send a "ship or a plane" to the Red Sea but would triple the number of troops for the US-led maritime force.

"We need to be really clear around our strategic focus and our strategic focus is our region," Marles said.

The Pentagon's formation of Operation Prosperity Guardian, a new task force to protect shipping from Houthi drone and missile attacks in the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea, requires increased warship patrols by the US and allies. This will create a security umbrella over commercial vessels to defend from attacks.

Reuters said about twenty countries have signed up for the Pentagon's new operation. However, several countries, including Australia, Spain, Italy, and France, have rejected the Pentagon's request to participate in the operation.

Spain's Defence Ministry said it would only participate in NATO-led missions or European-coordinated operations - not ones commanded by the Pentagon: Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20120358 (231951ZDEC23) Notable: Final Law and Disorder Bun / Face Biometrics Taking Over Authentication and Age Assurance

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Face Biometrics Taking Over Authentication and Age Assurance

https://www.activistpost.com/2023/12/face-biometrics-taking-over-authentication-and-age-assurance.html

Biometrics in support of reusable digital ID is a theme running through several of the news articles that drew the most viewers over the past week on Biometric Update. Worldcoin is cleared for a return to operations in Kenya, BT is planning UK government certification for its digital ID, and a webinar examined SpruceID’s work on California’s mDL. In a slightly different vein, a new partnership between Tech5 and Visa will work on delivering cash transfers from government to people digitally. Each involves contactless biometrics, mostly face. Face biometrics also feature in popular stories about Google’s new age estimation service, Thales’ ambitions in Indonesia’s smart capital city project, and emerging startup VNPay.

Top biometrics news of the week Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20120959 (232205ZDEC23) Notable: Final Covid and Other Pestilence Bun / New Brunswick auditor general says province failed to give any evidence for 33 COVID-era decisions

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New Brunswick auditor general says province failed to give any evidence for 33 COVID-era decisions

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/new-brunswick-auditor-general-says-province-failed-to-give-any-evidence-for-33-covid-era-decisions/

New Brunswick Auditor General Paul Martin has stated that the province’s Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health was unable to provide evidence-based data to justify 33 different COVID-related decisions it made.

The Auditor General for the Canadian province of New Brunswick has released a critical report highlighting that provincial health officials could not give any evidence-based documentation to support 33 COVID-related decisions it made during the so-called pandemic.

New Brunswick’s Auditor General Paul Martin, in his recently released 2023 Auditor General’s Report – Volume II, under the heading “COVID-19 Pandemic Response,” noted that despite the public health department having multiple COVID systems in place, he found “areas for improvement.”

Martin’s office selected 33 public-related recommendations from the province’s Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, and then asked the department to back up these recommendations with evidence.

“The department was unable to provide requested documentation, acknowledging that they ‘did not create a compendium or a repository of all of the scientific articles, papers, publications and analyses it consulted during the pandemic and therefore we cannot provide a fulsome and detailed list of all of the evidence consulted and used when recommendations were being formulated,'” noted Martin while speaking to the legislature’s public accounts committee.

Although the department was able to support some of its infection protocol decisions, Martin noted that these were internal, and not “public-facing.” Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20124161 (241445ZDEC23) Notable: Final Russia and Ukraine Bun Part Two / PM Orbán Says European Union Is ‘Blackmailing’ Hungary, Withholding Funds Over Budapest’s Position on Ukrainian Membership and Aid

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PM Orbán Says European Union Is ‘Blackmailing’ Hungary, Withholding Funds Over Budapest’s Position on Ukrainian Membership and Aid

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/12/pm-orban-says-european-union-is-blackmailing-hungary/

Conservative champion, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is in constant dispute with the European Union over an array of Globalist policies that Brussels wants to impose on every member – but that Budapest rejects.

The EU – that Orbán has called ‘a bad parody of the Soviet Union – tarnishes Hungary as ‘poor’ on the rule of law, while simultaneously propping up Ukraine, a country with a government that has banned all opposition parties and censored virtually every media outlet critical of Zelensky.

So this week Orbán said that the European Commission, led by über Globalist Ursula von der Leyen, is ‘blackmailing’ Hungary by withholding billions in frozen funds.

Orbán said the blackmail is admitted by the ‘blackmailers’ themselves — the members of the European Parliament.

Politico reported: Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20124223 (241507ZDEC23) Notable: The Spirit of HMCS Bonaventure Calls for the Political Will to Beef Up Canada’s Defence

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The Spirit of HMCS Bonaventure Calls for the Political Will to Beef Up Canada’s Defence

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/12/spirit-hmcs-bonaventure-calls-political-will-beef-up/

Commentary

Perhaps forgotten in Canadian history is that the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) once had aircraft carriers. The last one was the HMCS Bonaventure, which plied Atlantic waters with jet fighters and anti-submarine warfare aircraft until 1970. Economies of budget then set in and the shrinking of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) began and subsequently plummeted in the post-Cold War environment.

Those were heady days when the Bonaventure was part of a robust Canadian military. The ship provided significant capabilities to defend the northern waters from Soviet submarines and long-range aircraft.

Canada had nuclear warheads—under U.S. lock and key—for its air defence missiles based at home and its strike aircraft based in Europe, as part of the NATO deterrent against the Soviet threat of invasion. At the time, Canada provided a substantive component of NATO. Since then, the Canadian military component has withered to a shadow of its former self. Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20124291 (241527ZDEC23) Notable: Final Russia and Ukraine Bun Part Two / Putin Now Serious About Negotiating End To War: Diplomats

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Putin Now Serious About Negotiating End To War: Diplomats

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/putin-now-serious-about-negotiating-end-war-diplomats

In a fresh weekend report The New York Times says that President Vladimir Putin is ready to negotiate an end to the nearly two year-long 'special operation' in Ukraine, at a moment most of the territory which forms the four 'annexed' oblasts remains firmly under Russian military control.

However, to some degree, Putin has consistently held open the chance to negotiate... it's just that "negotiate" in the Kremlin context would be on the basis of Crimea and the Donbass being fully recognized as Russian Federation territory. Until recently, the West considered this an impossibility, but US and European officials have more recently quietly admitted Moscow has more or less 'won'. The NY Times quotes Putin in the following: Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20124383 (241556ZDEC23) Notable: Final Covid and Other Pestilence Bun / Toronto-based COVID test supplier edited results before receiving billions from taxpayers

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Toronto-based COVID test supplier edited results before receiving billions from taxpayers

https://www.rebelnews.com/toronto-based_covid_test_supplier_edited_results_before_receiving_billions_from_taxpayers

BTNX, a Toronto-based small rapid test supplier, reportedly deleted dozens of samples used in a study they submitted to Health Canada in October 2021. During the pandemic, Ottawa purchased 404 million rapid tests imported from China by BTNX on 15 contracts worth $2 billion.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20124426 (241611ZDEC23) Notable: Final Hamas and Israel Bun / Antony Blinken Asks Why World Isn’t Demanding Hamas Surrender

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WATCH: Antony Blinken Asks Why World Isn’t Demanding Hamas Surrender

https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2023/12/22/watch-antony-blinken-asks-why-world-isnt-demanding-hamas-surrender/

Secretary of State Antony Blinken asked Wednesday why the world was pressuring the victim of terror, Israel, instead of pressuring the terrorist “aggressor,” Hamas, whose surrender would end the war in Gaza and save the lives of many Palestinian civilians.

Blinken was answering questions from reporters in a year-end press conference when he delivered this response on the Gaza war: https://www.c-span.org/video/?c5099230/user-clip-blinken-asks-world-pressure-hamas-surrender

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20124529 (241646ZDEC23) Notable: Final Climate Change Bun / Scott Moe says Ottawa’s wishful thinking on climate led to current economic woes

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Scott Moe says Ottawa’s wishful thinking on climate led to current economic woes

https://tnc.news/2023/12/24/moe-ottawa-climate-economic-woes/

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe blames the federal government’s climate policies for plunging Canadians into rising inflation rates and unaffordability.

In a year-end interview with Brian Zinchuk for the energy-focused outlet Pipeline Online, Moe accused the federal Liberals of being out of touch with reality and took a swing at the carbon tax specifically for accelerating inflation. Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20124575 (241700ZDEC23) Notable: Final Media and Censorship Bun / CBC CEO Catherine Tait claims top spot on taxpayers’ “Naughty List”

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CBC CEO Catherine Tait claims top spot on taxpayers’ “Naughty List”

https://tnc.news/2023/12/24/cbc-tait-naughty-list/

CBC’s president and CEO, Catherine Tait, has claimed the top spot on the Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s Naughty List, an annual ranking of public officials accused of squandering public funds.

Tait’s inclusion comes as she faces scrutiny for announcing job cuts for hundreds of CBC employees just weeks before Christmas, coupled with her decision to retain executive bonuses for herself and other top staff.

Franco Terrazzano, the federal director of the CTF, lambasted Tait’s actions accusing CBC’s management of taking money from taxpayers while leaving workers unemployed.

“It takes a special type of Scrooge to lay off hundreds of employees weeks before the holidays and not be willing to give up your own bonus, but that’s exactly what taxpayers heard from CBC big shots,” said Terrazzano.

Joining Tait on the Naughty List are Senator Pierre Dalphond, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston. Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20124612 (241718ZDEC23) Notable: Halifax’s annual Christmas Tree for Boston stands as a reminder of friendship

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Halifax’s annual Christmas Tree for Boston stands as a reminder of friendship

https://tnc.news/2023/12/24/halifaxs-annual-christmas-tree-boston/

In the heart of Boston Common, a towering Canadian Christmas tree stands as a bright emblem of friendship between two cities forever bound by a tragic historical event.

Nova Scotia’s annual Tree for Boston tradition, spanning over a century, sees the province generously gifting Boston with a majestic Christmas tree.

The roots of this exchange trace back to the fateful year of 1917 when Halifax was ravaged by one of the largest man-made explosions before the atomic bomb.

The cataclysmic event occurred when a French cargo ship laden with explosives collided with a Norwegian vessel in Halifax Harbor, creating a devastating fireball that claimed the lives of nearly 2,000 people, injured 9,000, and left entire neighbourhoods flattened to rubble.

Compounded by a blizzard that hindered rescue efforts, the survivors were left destitute and freezing. In the face of this unprecedented disaster, Boston emerged heroically. Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20128721 (251703ZDEC23) Notable: Final Vaccine Injury and Mandates Bun / Peter Sweden-EU: THROWS AWAY 215 Million Covid Vaccines

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Peter Sweden-EU: THROWS AWAY 215 Million Covid Vaccines

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/12/peter-sweden-eu-throws-away-215-million-covid/

Some huge news. At least 215 million expired doses of the mRNA shots have been destroyed by the EU – This comes at a cost to the tax payer of around €4 BILLION.

Looks like people are not interested in taking the boosters anymore, so countries have been forced to throw them away.

The EU bought massive quantities of the brand new mRNA shots that has never been tested for long term side effects.

In fact, they ordered a whopping 4.2 BILLION vaccine doses, enough for giving each citizen in the EU 9 doses. Is this why they pushed so hard for people to get the boosters, so that they could get rid of their surpluss vaccines? Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20128734 (251707ZDEC23) Notable: EAEU Countries Sign Full-Fledged Free Trade Agreement With Iran

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EAEU Countries Sign Full-Fledged Free Trade Agreement With Iran

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231225/eaeu-countries-sign-full-fledged-free-trade-agreement-with-iran-1115800986.html

Member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) have signed a full-fledged free trade agreement with Iran, which should replace the temporary agreement in effect since 2019.

The signing took place on the sidelines of a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Russia's St. Petersburg. The agreement was signed by the chairman of the board of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), Mikhail Myasnikovich, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk and Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Abbas Aliabadi. The deal was also signed by representatives of Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

The temporary agreement on the creation of a free trade zone between the EAEU and Iran was concluded on May 17, 2018 and is in effect from October 27, 2019.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20128749 (251715ZDEC23) Notable: Final Hamas and Israel Bun / IDF carries out ‘wide-scale’ airstrikes on Hezbollah as rockets from Lebanon hit north

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IDF carries out ‘wide-scale’ airstrikes on Hezbollah as rockets from Lebanon hit north

https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-says-wide-scale-airstrikes-on-hezbollah-as-rockets-from-lebanon-strike-north/

Anti-tank missile hits house in Avivim, causing no casualties; alert sirens go off in multiple communities along border and in Galilee Panhandle

The Israel Defense Forces said it carried out “wide-scale” strikes against Hezbollah targets Sunday after barrages of rockets from Lebanon targeted multiple communities in northern Israel.

The IDF said fighter jets hit military buildings, rocket launchers, and other infrastructure belonging to the Iran-backed terror group in response to the rocket attacks. It also said it opened fire to “remove threats” at several areas along the border.

Cross-border attacks from Lebanon have persisted since the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip on October 7, when the Palestinian terror group carried out a devastating assault.

In one incident Sunday, an anti-tank missile from Lebanon hit a home in the border community of Avivim, causing significant damage but no injuries.

Communities close to the frontier with Lebanon have been largely evacuated of civilians since October. Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20128779 (251726ZDEC23) Notable: Final Russia and Ukraine Bun Part Two / Serbia thanks Russia for ‘color revolution’ warning

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Serbia thanks Russia for ‘color revolution’ warning

https://www.rt.com/news/589632-serbia-thanks-russian-spies/

Moscow shared vital intelligence with Belgrade, according to Prime Minister Ana Brnabiс

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabiс has expressed gratitude to the Russian security services, which alerted Belgrade to plans for riots in the capital.

Pro-Western demonstrators attempted to break into government buildings in Belgrade on Sunday evening, in what Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic called an attempted color revolution. While Vucic initially thanked unnamed “foreign services” for letting his security services “know exactly what the thugs were preparing,” Brnabiс later revealed that Belgrade was tipped off by Moscow.

“I feel that it is important, especially tonight, to stand up for Serbia and to thank the Russian security services who had that information and who shared it with us,” Brnabic told TV Pink on Sunday night.

“I can only say thank you, and it probably won’t be popular with those from the West,” the prime minister said, adding, “When we shared that information with everyone else, they said: ‘Well, that’s Russian disinformation, that’s spreading fake news.’” Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20128819 (251742ZDEC23) Notable: Final Wokeism Bun / CAMPUS WATCH: Professor slams “cash-strapped” university for hiring elite firm to run snitch line

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CAMPUS WATCH: Professor slams “cash-strapped” university for hiring elite firm to run snitch line

https://tnc.news/2023/12/25/professor-slams-saint-marys/

Saint Mary’s philosophy professor Mark Mercer is slamming his “cash-strapped” university for hiring an elite firm to run a snitch line.

Earlier this year, the mid-sized Halifax university announced the launch of an “anonymous whistleblower hotline” for people to anonymously disclose concerns about suspected improper activity, such as a breach of any university policy or regulatory requirement, as well as financial or research misconduct.

The university has hired elite accounting firm Grant Thornton to run the system.

In an email to True North, the university said the reporting system “provides a mechanism for university members to confidentially and/or anonymously disclose concerns.”

“The safe disclosure policy applies to all employees, students, volunteers, contractors and suppliers of Saint Mary’s, and works in tandem with our other codes and policies on conduct, such as Research Policies, the Code of Student Conduct Policy, the Sexual Violence and Harassment Policy and others,” the statement continued.

Posters promoting the new system have popped up around the university’s campus.

In an interview with True North, Mercer said he is worried about the effect the snitch line will have “on the culture of the institution” amid members of the woke class defining “unacceptable behaviour” as anything that they don’t like. Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20128847 (251748ZDEC23) Notable: Final Immigration Bun / Record-setting anti-Trudeau petition closes with 387k signatures

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Record-setting anti-Trudeau petition closes with 387k signatures

https://tnc.news/2023/12/25/anti-trudeau-petition/

A viral petition calling for a non-confidence vote against Justin Trudeau’s government has closed, amassing 386,698 signatures in the month it was open for Canadians to sign.

Petition e-4701, initiated by Melissa Outwater from Peterborough, Ont. and sponsored by Conservative MP Michelle Ferreri, called for a vote of no confidence and a federal election within 45 days should the vote pass.

The petition, which was launched Nov. 24, closed Christmas Eve. True North had previously covered the petition when it surpassed 121,000 signatures in its first six days.

Outwater said that she created the petition based on advice given by Trudeau himself.

“When he was testifying in the Emergency Act inquiry. He let Canadians know that we have a democratic process, and we should be using it,” said Outwater.

Ferreri said she would present the petition in the House of Commons and send a clear message that Canadians are demanding change.

“The facts speak for themselves,” Ferrari said. “Justin Trudeau has delivered record high food bank usage, homelessness, skyrocketing housing prices, an opioid and mental health crisis, a violent rise in crime and multiple ethics violations.” Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20129148 (251914ZDEC23) Notable: Final Climate Change Bun / Canadian PM Trudeau Is ‘Afraid’ That Second Trump Term Will Bring an End to Globalist Climate Policies

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Canadian PM Trudeau Is ‘Afraid’ That Second Trump Term Will Bring an End to Globalist Climate Policies

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/12/canadian-pm-trudeau-is-afraid-that-second-trump/

Globalist poster boy, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is obsessed with his ‘flagship’ climate alarmist policies.

Problem is, fewer and fewer seem to share this obsession.

The population rejects his approach, as polls show the Conservative opposition, that rejects measures such as the Carbon Tax, with a significant lead.

The courts reject his approach, as some of his climate- related legislation has been deemed unconstitutional.

The provinces reject his approach, as a never-before seen coalition of Provincial Premiers has stood up against his policies.

So, while his premiership is in a shambles, Trudeau decided he needed to weigh in on the American Presidential campaign, and do so with his usual display of Trump Derangement Syndrome.

In an interview to the ultra-liberal Canadian media, the PM said that ‘every American administration brings challenges for Canada’.

Trudeau recalled what he termed Trump’s ‘desire to move backwards on climate change’ that ‘was a menace not just to Canada but to the world’. Yeah, right.

CBC reported the PM as saying:

“‘Yes, there’s a concern — particularly around the environment, at a time where it’s so important to move forward on protecting and building an economy of the future where energy workers, miners, forestry workers across this country — and manufacturing across this country — continues to be successful as we move towards lower emissions’, he said. ‘A Trump presidency that goes back on the fight against climate change would slow down the world’s progress in ways that are concerning to me’.”

The United States is Canada’s largest trading partner and most important ally. So it stands to reason that there should be genuine interest in the way things develop down below.

However, Trudeau is only trying to score some political points with his own Liberals by repeating the tired old talking points about the Trump ‘danger’.

“When Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris climate agreement in 2017, Trudeau said he was “deeply disappointed” by the decision. Days later, the Liberals marked World Environment Day with renewed vigor.

‘If the U.S. administration is going to step back on climate action, Canada is going to step up and do even more’, said Catherine McKenna, federal environment minister at the time.”

Trudeau is leading the crying over the very real prospect that President Trump will again withdraw the US from the Paris accord.

Maybe the Liberal leader could prioritize convincing his own constituency of the validity of his crippling climate policies, before venturing into fear mongering other countries’ elections.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20133230 (261644ZDEC23) Notable: Final Drag Queens and Transgender Bun / Trudeau’s Canada: Tampons Now Available in Men’s Bathrooms at Parliament

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Trudeau’s Canada: Tampons Now Available in Men’s Bathrooms at Parliament

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/12/trudeaus-canada-tampons-now-available-mens-bathrooms-parliament/

While Canadians worry about the rise in the cost of living, woke Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and liberals are focused on tampons.

Under a new policy, tampons and sanitary pads are now available for free in men’s bathrooms at the Canadian Parliament.

The policy requires all federally regulated employers, which includes airports and military bases, to offer free menstrual products in all washrooms, regardless of what gender is identified on the door.

Canadian Conservative Sen. Linda Frum shared the news on X, “Back in the day, when only women menstruated, we had to pay for our own products. But now that men menstruate too, these products, as of this week, are mandated to be free in all men’s washrooms in all federal workplaces, including Parliament Hill — where this photo was taken today.”

The New York Post reports:

“This means that every female-identified, male-identified and all gender toilet rooms will need to have menstrual products,” the regulations posted to Canada’s Employment and Social Development website say.

“Unrestricted access to menstrual products better protects menstruating employees and makes sure that they feel safe to use the toilet room that best reflects their gender.”

It is up to each employer to find the funding necessary to purchase these products and disposal containers.

In a statement, Trudeau’s government said that “providing employees with access to menstrual products supports better health outcomes and workplace productivity while reducing the stigma often associated with menstruation.”

Brian Lilley writes in the Toronto Sun, “Then there’s one of those phrases again that is all about eliminating women from our language, “menstruating employees.” It’s right up there with mentruators – recently used in our Parliament – or terms like pregnant people, people who lactate or chestfeeders.”

“Today, we can’t use terms like women because according to the current thinking – but not backed up by biology – not all people who menstruate are women. Men, we are told, can have periods.”

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20133282 (261655ZDEC23) Notable: As Threat of Invasion From Venezuela Escalates, the US Runs Military Drills With Allied Guyanese Armed Forces; UK sends warship

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British Warship Deployed to the Coast of Guyana, in Major Escalation of the Dispute Against Venezuela for the Oil-Rich Essequibo Region

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/12/british-warship-deployed-coast-guyana-major-escalation-dispute/

All over the world, national borders between countries have become the focus of geopolitical tensions, as frontier disputes going back decades or even centuries are reignited.

In South America, the hundred year-old territorial boundaries between Venezuela and Guyana are once again a source of regional tensions.

Caracas renewed its claims to the 62,000-square-mile Essequibo region, which is internationally recognized as part of Guyana, after 11 billion barrels of recoverable oil and gas were found off the coast of Guyana in recent years.

After Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro held a controversial referendum over the claims for the area, diplomatic efforts have been in motion to keep the situation from escalating into a military conflict.

But now, Guyana’s former colonial power, Britain is sending a warship to the region to help defend the rapidly developing country.

Guyana had the world’s highest real GDP growth rate in 2022, growing 62.4%, expected to expand by another 27.2% in this year.

Reuters reported: Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20133395 (261717ZDEC23) Notable: ‘Chilling’: Smart Toys Are Increasingly Recording and Tracking Your Kids, Warns Watchdog Report

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‘Chilling’: Smart Toys Are Increasingly Recording and Tracking Your Kids, Warns Watchdog Report

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/12/chilling-smart-toys-increasingly-recording-tracking-kids-warns/

Santa’s watchful eye will have an unyielding rival this Christmas: smart toys, according to a November watchdog report.

In an article titled, “Trouble in Toyland 2023,” the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund warned of the threat of increasingly popular toys loaded with artificial intelligence.

The report listed a number of playthings and their concerning spy-like technology, and also gave advice as to what to do about them.

Nowadays, even “simpler” toys and games are equipped with data-gathering A.I. They’re often rigged with cameras and microphones for facial and vocal recognition and even GPS tracking.

Many toys, like miniature soccer balls and play doctor’s kits, come with apps and can connect to the internet or Bluetooth.

Some are geared toward children as young as 3 years old, according to the report.

For example, Fisher Price’s Smart Toy Bear was meant for children 3 – 8.

The bear could listen, talk and record conversations for future reference, according to PIRG. But in 2019, the product was discontinued because of the app’s vulnerability to hacking. Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20133484 (261741ZDEC23) Notable: U.S. Retaliates With “Proportionate Strikes” on Iran-Backed Terror Groups in Iraq After Drone Attack on Base in Erbil

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U.S. Retaliates With “Proportionate Strikes” on Iran-Backed Terror Groups in Iraq After Drone Attack on Base in Erbil Injures Three “U.S. Personnel”, Including One Critically Wounded Servicemember

The U.S. retaliated against Iran-backed terror groups in Iraq Monday night (early Tuesday local time) after a drone attack on the Al-Harir airbase near the civilian airport in the northern Iraq city of Erbil earlier Monday injured three U.S. personnel, including one critically injured servicemember according to a statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. U.S. Central Command also issued a statement saying indications are that several terrorists were killed in the retaliatory airstrikes. Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20133592 (261803ZDEC23) Notable: Final Russia and Ukraine Bun Part Two / Russian Forces Take Heavily Fortified Town of Maryinka in Biggest Triumph Since Bakhmut

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Russian Forces Take Heavily Fortified Town of Maryinka in Biggest Triumph Since Bakhmut

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/12/russian-forces-take-heavily-fortified-town-maryinka-biggest/

The year is ending on an upbeat note for the Russian Federation troops that have just conquered the heavily fortified town of Maryinka, in the outskirts of Donetsk city.

This is a major development, the biggest since Moscow troops regained the initiative, and also the greatest achievement since they gained control of Avdiivka (Bakhmut) in May.

By taking Maryinka, the Russians have significantly pushed back the Ukrainian artillery. For years, Kiev used Maryinka has a key launching pad for drone and artillery strikes against civilians in Donetsk.

Watch: drone footage of Maryinka ruins. Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20133631 (261812ZDEC23) Notable: Final Russia and Ukraine Bun Part Two / Ukraine 'Celebrates' Destruction Of Major Russian Navy Vessel In Rare Crimea Air Raid

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Ukraine 'Celebrates' Destruction Of Major Russian Navy Vessel In Rare Crimea Air Raid

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/ukraine-celebrates-destruction-major-russian-navy-vessel-rare-crimea-air-raid

Ukraine's military has conducted a rare airstrike on a docked Russian warship in an early morning raid on Tuesday. The amphibious landing ship Novocherkassk is said to have sustained significant damage, but The Associated Press is reporting that a pair of Ukrainian fighter jets were shot down by Russian anti-air defenses shortly after.

The landing ship "Novocherkassk" was docked in the Crimean city of Feodosia, with crew aboard during the assault, resulting in one person killed and two injured. Russia's TASS said the attack resulted in an ammunition store being blown up. Continue...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/20134031 (262000ZDEC23) Notable: Final Wokeism Bun / OP-ED: Defunding independent schools will rob families of ability to choose

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OP-ED: Defunding independent schools will rob families of ability to choose

https://tnc.news/2023/12/26/macpherson-defunding-independent-school/

Some critics are once again calling on the British Columbia government to stop funding independent schools. This, they say, would mean more money for government-run public schools. But in fact, if the government stopped funding independent schools, it would likely cost B.C. taxpayers more money and severely damage the ability of many B.C. parents to choose the right school for their children.

About one in eight B.C. schoolkids currently attend independent schools, which deliver the provincial curriculum but often with alternative approaches in the classroom. That’s 13.2 per cent, a higher proportion than in any other province.

Families choose independent schools for many reasons. For some kids, their learning styles or interests don’t fit the one-size-fits-all model of government-run schools. Many kids are bored or have behavioural issues in government-run classrooms. Some kids crave enriched academics, some face significant learning challenges. And some families want a school that celebrates their religion or culture.

Currently, the B.C. government provides independent schools with between 35 to 50 per cent of the per-student grant provided to government-run public schools. In other words, some of the parents’ tax dollars follow their children to the schools of their choice. As a result, B.C. taxpayers currently pay only 35 to 50 per cent of the education costs for 13.2 per cent of B.C. schoolkids. So it’s a good deal for taxpayers.

What would happen if the government stopped funding independent schools? Continue...