Ronnie, Author at Canuck Law

October 27, 2021

Kape Technologies Buying Up VPN Services, VPN Review Sites

It’s fairly common these days to have VPNs (virtual privacy networks) for both business and personal computer use. But what about the companies who offer these services? How much data do they save, and what happens if they get bought about by another provider? Will the same terms and conditions be honoured for previous customers?

True, this broke a while ago, but is worth a mention for the long term security and privacy issues. Unfortunately, internet privacy is just assumed by far too many people.

The site restoreprivacy.com put a considerable amount of work into this article. They’ve compiled quite the reference list. Rather than rehashing everything, go visit their site for more information.

A few of the points listed are these:

2017: Crossrider purchases CyberGhost VPN for $10 million
2018: Crossrider changes name to “Kape”
2018: Kape purchases Zenmate VPN for $5 million
2019: Kape purchases Private Internet Access for $127 million
In May 2021, news broke that Kape had purchased a company called Webselenese. Like Kape, Webselenese also operates out of Israel and runs the websites vpnMentor.com and Wizcase.com.
2021: Kape purchases ExpressVPN for $936 million by far the largest VPN acquisition to date

VPNs do have legitimate purposes and make an enormous difference in protecting people online. However, no company is truly invulnerable.

How do we know that a VPN company is what it claims to be, and not a front for intelligence gathering? Such an operation would put Facebook to shame in terms of its capabilities.

Beyond privacy rights, there are also property rights to think about. If a person or company publishes content, and then ads are inserted (without consent), is that not interference? If content doesn’t reach its destination as it should, it can have financial consequences.

A few ideas to think about:
-Consider different browsers, 1 for sensitive use, another for more general use
-Have multiple encryption methods
-Think twice about sending certain material at all, which should be commonsense
-Talk in person, and avoid technology where possible
-Research who actually owns your VPN service
-Be prepared to walk away if needed

Yes, there is the argument that “if you aren’t doing anything wrong, you have nothing to hide”. However, there’s nothing wrong with people wanting to keep their personal lives private.

While this is a bit different from the normal subjects, it’s worthwhile to think about the long term impacts of your online data. Also, with the creeping authoritarianism and medical tyranny (for your safety of course), Governments could very well get in on this. One of the consequences of limiting public gatherings is that it drives people online, where it’s much easier to monitor their content.

(1) https://restoreprivacy.com/kape-technologies-owns-expressvpn-cyberghost-pia-zenmate-vpn-review-sites/
(2) Former Malware Distributor Kape Technologies Now Owns ExpressVPN
(3) https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2015/06/09/from-israel-unit-8200-to-ad-men/?sh=2755192f26e2
(4) These Ex-Israeli Surveillance Agents Hijack Your Browser To Profit From Ads
(5) https://restoreprivacy.com/expressvpn-executive-uae-surveillance/
(6) High-Level ExpressVPN Executive Ensnared in Criminal Surveillance Operation
(7) https://www.reuters.com/world/us/american-hacker-mercenaries-face-us-charges-work-uae-2021-09-14/
(8) Ex-U.S. intel operatives admit hacking American networks for UAE _ Reuters
(9) https://business-review.eu/news/israeli-company-crossrider-buys-romanias-cyberghost-for-eur-9-2-mln-132813
(10) Israeli company Crossrider buys Romania’s CyberGhost for EUR 9.2 mln
(11) https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-crossrider-renamed-kape-after-switching-to-cybersecurity-1001227178
(12) Crossrider renamed Kape after switching to cybersecurity – Globes
(13) https://blog.malwarebytes.com/detections/adware-crossrider/

October 23, 2021October 24, 2021

Nova Scotia FOI Request Shows Province REDUCED ICU Capacity In Recent Years

Our friend in Nova Scotia is back at it again, digging up dirt and information about the tyranny of Robert Strang. Here are some of the latest finds. Previously, there was the hospitalization scam debunked, the lack of data for masks in schools, and the screwy definition of “cases”.

Does it really make sense that ICU capacity has been REDUCED in recent years?

YEAR	MONTH	# ICU Beds
2016	January	120
2016	February	120
2016	March	120
2016	April	126
2016	May	126
2016	June	126
2016	July	126
2016	August	126
2016	September	126
2016	October	126
2016	November	126
2016	December	126
2017	January	126
2017	February	126
2017	March	126
2017	April	126
2017	May	127
2017	June	127
2017	July	127
2017	August	127
2017	September	127
2017	October	127
2017	November	127
2017	December	127
2018	January	127
2018	February	127
2018	March	127
2018	April	127
2018	May	127
2018	June	127
2018	July	127
2018	August	127
2018	September	127
2018	October	127
2018	November	127
2018	December	127
2019	January	127
2019	February	127
2019	March	127
2019	April	120
2019	May	120
2019	June	120
2019	July	120
2019	August	120
2019	September	120
2019	October	120
2019	November	120
2019	December	120
2020	January	120
2020	February	120
2020	March	120
2020	April	121
2020	May	121
2020	June	121
2020	July	121
2020	August	121
2020	September	121
2020	October	121
2020	November	121
2020	December	121
2021	January	121
2021	February	121
2021	March	121
2021	April	117
2021	May	117
2021	June	117
2021	July	117
2021	August	117
2021	September	117

One would think that the Province would be working to expand those numbers. It went from 127 beds to 120 in just a few years. After all, this is supposedly the middle of a global pandemic. Makes you wonder what’s really going on here.

Strang said proof of vaccination will help keep communities safe, ensure children and youth can safely attend school, and protect the health-care system and its providers.

Strang and Premier Tim Houston did not call the system a vaccine passport — a measure introduced in other jurisdictions that has sparked debate over privacy and personal freedom versus public health. However, there doesn’t appear to be any difference between a vaccine passport and the Nova Scotia policy announced Wednesday.

Recently, it seems that Robert Strang was recently quoted as saying: “proof of vaccination will help keep communities safe, ensure children and youth can safely attend school, and protect the health-care system and its providers.” But it turns out this policy isn’t based on any evidence, nor does the Government know where any such proof can be found.

And a friendly reminder: public gatherings were previously banned for your safety.

Also, if you haven’t checked out Fluoride Free Peel, Christine Massey and her group have done a stunning amount of work proving that this “virus” has never actually been isolated. What is shown on television is just a computer simulation of what people claim they believe it looks like.

(1) Copy of FOIPOP 82 Data – Updated
(2) https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-covid-19-vaccine-passport-1.6168189
(3) 2021-01663-HEA Decision Letter signed
(4) https://www.fluoridefreepeel.ca/fois-reveal-that-health-science-institutions-around-the-world-have-no-record-of-sars-cov-2-isolation-purification/

October 12, 2021October 12, 2021

A Talk With Bo, On The Challenges Of Navigating Ontario Schools

Some context for this piece: Bo is a high school student in Ontario. Her Dad (a friend of the site), arranged for this interview, and it ended up as a written conversation online. This was last night. Bo finds the school situation difficult to deal with, and accommodations less than satisfactory. She hopes that this is a way to get her story out to other people.

For obvious reasons, certain information has to be removed. We can’t have any doxing or harassment here. The talk is being reprinted with Bo’s permission.

[Canuck 18:56]
Alright.
Well, how are things going for you?

[Bo 18:57]
Well, school wise, not so great

[Canuck 18:57]
You’re still doing virtual?

[Bo 18:57]
Yea, I mean I don’t really want to be wearing a mask for partially the whole day

[Bo 18:58]
Considering that the admins do not let you switch to in-person back to virtual

[Bo 18:58]
If you’re doing in person, you’re doing that the whole semester or whole year

[Bo 18:58]
I don’t think I can tolerate a mask for that long

[Canuck 18:59]
Are they not concerned with the long term health effects of masks?

[Bo 19:00]
Doesn’t seem like from what I see, during meetings I can catch a glimpse at the class, whom were masks the entire period, not to mention while I was picking up textbooks at the high school I had heard a teacher remind kids who were outside at that time to keep their masks on

[Canuck 19:01]
Guess they aren’t all that convinced their vaccines actually work

[Bo 19:01]
They do small 5 minutes walks from time to time, one teacher records herself, and even outside during walks do they still wear masks

[Bo 19:01]
[In reply to Canuck]
haha I guess so

[Bo 19:02]
They do covid screening everyday

[Bo 19:02]
aka. Nose-rape

[Canuck 19:02]
Crazy, isn’t it?

[Bo 19:03]
I agree, and it’s pretty depressing for us virtual students even if there isn’t a lot of us

[Bo 19:03]
Not even half the class, or quarter of the class

[Bo 19:03]
At least 3 virtual students including me

[Bo 19:03]
On my second week period, I am the only one and you get pretty much ignored

[Canuck 19:04]
On purpose, or do they just forget about you?

[Bo 19:04]
or tossed aside at least, since you are at least importance, what will the teacher prefer, to focus on a class full of students or the lone virtual student

[Canuck 19:06]
They should try to make sure you’re able to learn. Being online doesn’t make you a “lesser” student

[Bo 19:07]
[In reply to Canuck]
I can’t really tell, but I mean, I’ve been forgotten, for example during business class last Friday, I was given a test to complete and I had a few questions regarding it, the teacher was there to answer them then later left, he gave 45 minutes for the test but I was there for a hour as I had several more questions to ask. After a hour, he came on the test I was still finishing and I asked him where did he go, class still had a hour and a half to go, he just told me ‘Oh, I guess the secondary/supply teacher didn’t open or join the meet’ oh, and just adding, the supply never joined the meet for the rest of the period and I just handed the test in

[Bo 19:08]
[In reply to Canuck]
Sadly, most teachers which is 3 of the 4 main ones consider or act like I’m a lesser student

[Bo 19:08]
There is only one notable teacher who at least tries to put effort in teaching virtual students

[Canuck 19:09]
If you don’t mind me asking, what classes do you have this semester?

[Bo 19:09]
Business, Science, History and Arts

[Canuck 19:09]
A good mix?

[Bo 19:10]
Ehh sorta, art teacher loves to assign too much work

[Bo 19:10]
11 detailed drawings, and one other assignment, all within 3 days

[Canuck 19:11]
wow

[Bo 19:11]
Not to mention all the overlapping work from other periods

[Bo 19:11]
I find art and science a bit hard for virtual, since I like doing things hands on sometimes, and I, myself am a visual learner, a lot of the teachers just read things and leave you to do the rest

[Bo 19:12]
Science, they do experiments which we can barely see due to the poor camera quality

[Canuck 19:12]
Watching a video isn’t really the same things as getting your hands dirty

[Bo 19:13]
Art, the teacher just gives a few examples to us online students, and shows the other in-person students how to do it herself right then and there

[Bo 19:14]
[In reply to Canuck]
That’s exactly what I mean

[Bo 19:15]
It’s quite unfortunate I will not be able to do my biology unit properly this year, they will be doing a dissection of a animal this semester, and I’m not sure how we would be able to participate

[Bo 19:15]
I don’t know

[Canuck 19:16]
What would you be dissecting? Rats? Fish? Lizards?

[Bo 19:17]
For now I’m not sure but the biology unit is next week and my teacher has hinted at a dissection of a animal

[Canuck 19:17]
ah

[Canuck 19:18]
How are your friends handling this? The masks, testing and vaxx can’t be easy on them.

[Bo 19:20]
The thing is now that you mention it, I don’t have a lot of friends anymore or so had much in the first place, those that I considered ‘friends’ weren’t to happy or keen about my decision on not taking the vaccine, some actually mocked me saying ‘What? Am I going to grow a extra limb or something’ even though I’ve never said anything about such things, I just kept my reasons private

[Bo 19:20]
A lot of people came to me saying they got the vaccine

[Bo 19:21]
My best friend which I’m surprised about hadn’t taken it, and in doing so, has been having a rough time

[Bo 19:21]
I know her for being a popular person in school, but now that I started getting on contact with her again she seems more depressed

[Bo 19:21]
stating that she cannot go anywhere and that majority of the time she is at home

[Canuck 19:21]
That’s really sad

[Bo 19:21]
Yea, but there isn’t much I can do

[Bo 19:22]
another thing to consider is, last year everyone did virtual, it was easier to make friends then and there

[Bo 19:22]
but now that there is barely anyone in virtual, that is no longer really a option for me

[Bo 19:22]
Majority of everyone I know do in person

[Bo 19:23]
It makes me feel a bit of sorrow knowing that I wouldn’t be able to experience school for awhile, or so even try making friends

[Bo 19:23]
seeing others enjoy their time at school makes me want to go, but I still have my reasons not to attend in-person

[Canuck 19:24]
I’m guessing masks/testing/vaxx play heavily into that decision

[Bo 19:25]
Yes it does, though another smaller reason is because of a health condition

[Canuck 19:26]
ah, okay

[Canuck 19:28]
(You may not know), but as for your teachers, do they actually believe in this, or are they just doing what they’re told?

[Canuck 19:29]
Do they believe in all these “health measures”?

[Bo 19:31]
I (Think) they do, I hear one asking the students all the time to social distance, keep their masks on, sanitize their hands etc. I’ve heard my science teacher say a couple of times though, that wearing a mask is such a pain due to it being hard to hear her, and harder for us virtual students, but I like to believe that they do believe in these health measures, but another part of me likes to believe that a few of them are only doing this because they are told to do so

[Bo 19:31]
I don’t think any sane person would wear a mask for a whole day almost

[Bo 19:32]
If they had a choice, I would bet a few of them would actually take it off, while the other half would keep it

[Bo 19:32]
Though, they themselves has gotten the vaccine, so I’m most leaning to the fact that they do believe in these health measures

[Canuck 19:33]
I see

[Canuck 19:35]
Interestingly, one would think that science teachers would think a little bit more.

The air you breathe is 21% oxygen, and if it dips under 19.5%, it’s considered a workplace hazard, according to OSHA in the U.S. A mask will make your O2 intake under 19.5% in under a minute

[Bo 19:36]
Jesus, well apparently I don’t think she knows that and probably would believe it ironically

[Bo 19:36]
wouldn’t*

[Canuck 19:38]
According to the Canadian Biosafety Handbook, section 9.1.6., unless you have your own supplied air source, masks would be useless anyway. It’s crazy how people just don’t ask questions

[Bo 19:38]
It’s the sad reality of things

[Canuck 19:39]
It is

[Bo 19:39]
I could challenge the teachers about this, but I’m afraid that they would disregard the messages, attempt to silence me etc.

[Canuck 19:39]
Do people think you are a conspiracy nut?

Canuck, [11.10.21 19:40]
(I get called one)

[Bo 19:41]
I think so or at least a couple, it’s funny as I said during virtual school, do I need a vaccine to go to school in public chat, and one of the 2 virtual kids went ‘What? you didn’t take the vaccine?, why?’ aggressively as if I attacked him, but I really do think people that know I haven’t taken the vaccine see me as conspiracy nut, although I’ve only once been called that directly

[Bo 19:41]
It’s more mocking type of stuff, like I said earlier a lot of people said ‘am i going to grow a extra limb or something lol’

[Canuck 19:42]
Well, what are your reason(s) for not taking it?

[Bo 19:46]
Well various, the vaccine isn’t fully tested, it was more rushed, my health condition, the fact that I still need to wear a mask after it, another fact on how it is being extremely forced, if you dont take the vaccine you arent allowed to go anywhere (Some countries, and from what a friend that lives in germany has said) can’t go on a plane, I am now seeing signs where you need proof of vaccination to enter stores, I find this really suspicious or weird, youtube disabling comments on covid information videos, and some that aren’t disabled, are flooded with comments against the vaccine, its just how it is being pushed

[Bo 19:46]
I dont recall any other major pandemic having forcing vaccines on people like this

Canuck, [Canuck 19:46]
All of which are reasonable concerns

[Bo 19:47]
Ah, as I thought

[Canuck 19:47]
Has your dad told you what happened to a few of our videos, from reading the product inserts?

[Bo 19:47]
Yea he has

[Bo 19:48]
Also, I may need to head off soon

[Canuck 19:48]
okay

Canuck, [11.10.21 19:49]
I guess the last thing: if there was something you really wanted people to know, what would it be?

[section redacted]

[Bo 19:58]
Whoa, thats interesting, I’ll consider that too, thank you very much

[Bo 19:59]
I have to head off now though, sorry

[Bo 20:00]
Alright thank you

The talk ended here. Anyhow, thank you to Bo and her Dad for setting this up. Hopefully, this will be heard be parents with similar concerns.

October 11, 2021October 11, 2021

Some Thoughts On Why Flair Airlines Supports The Mandatory Vaccination Policy

It seems a bit counter-intuitive that a discount airline would be so enthusiastic about the policy of mandatory vaccines for travelers. Flair Airlines is one such company. Then again, looking a bit deeper, there may be other reasons for doing this.

Specifically, it appears the Flair Airlines LTD. has been getting CEWS, the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. Of course, they are likely getting other subsidies as well.

After all, this company went from serious financial hurt, to being able to expand its operations across Canada. Such a sudden shift requires a lot of money.

A quick look through the Federal Lobbying Registry shows that Flair has been quite busy getting the attention of public office holders. The middlemen they send are also worthy of a closer look.

1. Saad Baig, StrategyCorp Inc

Saad Baig is a Director in StrategyCorp’s Public Affairs group and brings six years of experience advising senior cabinet ministers in the Government of Ontario.
.
Most recently, Saad was Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister of Finance where he was a pivotal part of the team that tabled Ontario’s first balanced budget in ten years. He served as the lead advisor to the Minister on matters relating to tax policy, economic policy and municipal finance. Saad led the development of the 2016 Fall Economic Statement and 2017 Ontario Budget in key areas including transportation, infrastructure, economic development and international trade.
.
Prior to joining the Ministry of Finance, Saad spent over three years as the lead advisor for infrastructure policy to several ministers where he participated in key negotiations on federal-provincial infrastructure matters, designed municipal funding programs, developed infrastructure planning legislation and coordinated policy and issues for two crown agencies.
.
Saad has been involved in numerous political campaigns at the municipal, provincial and federal levels including the 2014 central campaign for the Ontario Liberal Party.

This lobbyist for the discount airline spent 6 years in the Ontario Government, in a variety of roles, working for Kathleen Wynne and Dalton McGuinty.

2. Garry Keller, StrategyCorp Inc

Garry has served in several key leadership roles in Canadian politics, including as Chief of Staff to Canada’s Foreign Minister, John Baird; Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Opposition Rona Ambrose, and chief Parliamentary advisor to Prime Minister Stephen Harper. He also served as a Chief of Staff to the Government House Leader and the Chief Government Whip, Director of Communications to the Minister of the Environment and Director of Parliamentary Affairs to the President of the Treasury Board. He also served as Acting Chief of Staff to the United Conservative Party Caucus in Alberta in 2017.
.
As the Chief of Staff to the Foreign Minister, Garry was required to deliver strategic, communication and political advice on both international and domestic matters. He has experience in dealing with regulatory and legal matters, national security matters, trade negotiations, as well as the promotion of Canadian interests and Canadian values on the world stage. He is also an experienced practitioner of the Access to Information Act.
.
Garry regularly provides commentary on domestic and international politics for CTV News Channel, TVO’s The Agenda and a variety of talk radio shows across Canada. His commentary has also appeared in the National Post and the Globe and Mail, and he has appeared on a number of panels for associations and other organizations on Canadian politics.

Keller spent many years as a Conservative Party of Canada operative, and handler for various politicians. He also moved on to Alberta politics.

3. Sébastien Labrecque, StrategyCorp Inc

Before pivoting to government relations, Sébastien worked in the federal government, which led him to develop a thorough understanding of the inner workings of policy and research development in the public service. Thanks to his experience at Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Sébastien possesses an extensive knowledge of the policy and stakeholder ecosystems in the areas of housing finance and the digital economy.

Labrecque spent over a year and a half working for the Federal Government before he switched over and became a lobbyist.

4. Kristina Martin, Loyalist Public Affairs

Kristina is a seasoned strategic communications and government relations expert with over a decade of experience working in politics, government relations and the non-profit sector. Based in Ottawa, she knows the inner workings of Parliament Hill and is recognized as a connector and go-to advisor for corporate and nonprofit leaders to advance complex policy agendas.
.
Before joining Loyalist Kristina worked as Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Canada’s largest science and technology outreach organization, Actua. Prior to that she worked at a national government relations and strategic communication firm.
.
Kristina has also served as a communications and political advisor to federal elected officials.

Kristina Martin spent many years with the Federal Liberals when they were in opposition. Now that they are back in power, she’s in a position to wield some real influence.

5. Conal Slobodin, StrategyCorp Inc

Slobodin has since left StrategyCorp and gone to Walmart. However, he has held roles in the Federal Government, and is a former consultant for the Yukon Liberal Party. Small world.

6. Andrew Steele, StrategyCorp Inc

As a Vice President at StrategyCorp, Andrew emphasizes client service, creative solutions and professionalism. He provides counsel on management consulting projects, communications challenges and government relations files at the federal, provincial and municipal level.
.
Previously, Andrew served as Senior Advisor to the Premier of Ontario, as well as Chief of Staff in several Ministries. He has held senior campaign roles for the Liberal Party of Canada and the Ontario Liberal Party.
.
Andrew was the founding CEO of the Pecaut Centre, a non-profit management consulting firm housed at the Boston Consulting Group. More recently, Andrew was essential to implementing the strategic transformation of public broadcaster TVO into the province’s partner for digital learning inside the classroom.
.
A director of the board of the Michael Garron Hospital, Andrew graduated with distinction from the MBA program at Ivey. He writes regularly on public policy as an opinion columnist for the Globe and Mail and others.

Steele, by his own admission, has held senior campaign roles for both the Ontario Liberals, and the Federal Liberals. The connection to Michael Garron Hospital is an interesting one. That’s where Michael Warner, the pro-lockdown doctor, Michael Warner works. Melissa Lantsman, MP-elect for Thornhill, is also a Director.

As for Kenzie McKeegan, Dan Mader and Chris Froggatt, check out this piece on their recent work as Pfizer lobbyists. Have to wonder what all of these political hacks arranged in order for Flair to get onboard with these passports.

There doesn’t seem to be an obvious mention of a bailout, but it’s the most likely thing to search for. And they are definitely getting CEWS from the taxpayers.

(1) https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/airline-transportation-mandatory-vaccination-1.6206844?fbclid=IwAR38cd6IDeB-_TKKGxfRWnyNe9dg2VUons6nOc0Yp8_xKtll5xvazN9L8kM
(2) https://apps.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/hacc/cews/srch/pub/bscSrch
(3) https://lobbycanada.gc.ca/app/secure/ocl/lrs/do/advSrch?V_SEARCH.command=refineCategory&V_TOKEN=1234567890&V_SEARCH.scopeCategory=solr.facetName.registrationStatus%3D1
(4) https://lobbycanada.gc.ca/app/secure/ocl/lrs/do/advSrch?V_SEARCH.command=navigate&time=1633983200675
(5) https://www.linkedin.com/in/saadbaig/
(6) https://strategycorp.com/people/baig-saad/
(7) https://archive.is/sgF3b
(8) https://www.linkedin.com/in/garry-keller-73130b79/
(9) https://strategycorp.com/people/keller-garry/
(10) https://archive.is/aFUE1
(11) https://www.linkedin.com/in/s%C3%A9bastien-labrecque-4497915b/
(12) https://strategycorp.com/people/labrecque-sebastien/
(13) https://archive.is/usIo6
(14) https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-martin-3b1b6741/
(15) https://loyalistpublicaffairs.ca/kristina-martin/
(16) https://archive.is/IFW5a
(17) https://www.linkedin.com/in/conal-slobodin/
(18) https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmsteele/?originalSubdomain=ca
(19) https://strategycorp.com/people/steele-andrew/
(20) https://canucklaw.ca/melissa-lantsmans-real-record-as-a-lobbyist-after-installing-doug-ford/

October 10, 2021October 12, 2021

Who’s Pulling Blaine Higgs’ Strings?

Moving along, we get to New Brunswick, which is run by Blaine Higgs, who identifies as being a conservative. He has been in Office since November 2018, or about 3 years. So, he’s had some time to settle in.

Effective September 22, 2021, the Province had a vaccine passport in place. For a lack of a better term, these are “movement licenses” which allow people to maintain some semblance of freedom. (Credit to RoadtoSerfdom Twitter Account).

Let’s take a look at who Higgs has been talking to recently. Granted, some of the postings happened before he took power. Still, the same people keep coming around, trying to influence policy.

This series continues on who’s pulling the strings of influential politicians. Previously, Elizabeth May, Erin O’Toole, Michelle Rempel, Steven Guilbeault (Part 1 and Part 2), Doug Ford (many times), Rankin & Strang, Jason Kenney, Scott Moe and Brian Pallister were covered.

What a lot of pharma lobbying there has been in the last few years. And all this for a very small province. But don’t worry, because that certainly won’t impact how Higgs runs the affairs for New Brunswick.

1. Canadian Biosimilars Forum (Pfizer, Merck), Ross Wallace

Ross Wallace is part of Santis Health, which lobbied on behalf of Canadian Biosimilars Forum. The CSF is a coalition of pharma companies, much like Innovative Medicines Canada. Interestingly, Wallace worked for AstraZeneca for over 5 years prior to joining this group.

2. Innovative Medicines Canada, Pamela Fralick

Pamela Fralick and Innovative Medicines Canada were addressed in more detail earlier. IMC actually works as a collective to push for the joint interests of the pharmaceutical industry. See Item #4 for more information on them both

3. Innovative Medicines Canada, Cheryl Stewart-Walsh

Cheryl Stewart-Walsh is the Regional Director (Atlantic Canada) for Innovative Medicines Canada. Interestingly, she helped install Mike Savage as Mayor of Halifax, then worked in his office.

4. Merck Canada, Octavio Rego

Octavio Rego appears to have been in the pharma industry for the bulk of his working life. He spent 8 years at Sanofi, then another 13 at Merck.

5. Purdue Pharma, Rémy Bouchard

Rémy Bouchard now works for Purdue, but has had a lengthy career in other companies. These include: Teva, AstraZeneca, and GlaxoSmithKline.

Side note: Higgs was part of the “coalition” of controlled opposition conservatives who pretended to oppose the Federal Carbon tax. Hard to challenge something when you enthusiastically support the overall agenda.

Anyhow, have a look around, and see what’s really happening. Want to know why all these politicians are so adamantly pro-vaxx? It’s not that complicated. Of course, this doesn’t take into account what may be happening off the books.

October 9, 2021October 12, 2021

Who’s Pulling Brian Pallister’s Strings?

Former Manitoba Premier, Brian Pallister, really knows how to be an asshole. Recently, he doesn’t even try to hide it anymore. Pardon the missing link to the original video, but this was from June 2021.

Welcome to our continuing series on who’s pulling the strings of influential politicians. Previously, Elizabeth May, Erin O’Toole, Michelle Rempel, Steven Guilbeault (Part 1 and Part 2), Doug Ford (many times), Rankin & Strang, Jason Kenney and Scott Moe were covered.

Before anyone says anything, yes, Pallister has left office. That being said, he’s done a lot of damage while he was still Premier. It’s long past time to call him out for it.

Company	Lobbyist	Active Since
Abbvie Corporation	Nathan Clark	October 04, 2021
Alliance For Safe Online Pharmacies	Joanna Carey	September 13, 2021
Alliance For Safe Online Pharmacies	Dani Peters	June 25, 2021
AstraZeneca Canada Inc.	Kiersten Combs	September 01, 2021
Boehringer Ingelheim Canada	Andrea Sambati	September 15, 2021
Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association	Dean Crawford	October 01, 2021
Emergent BioSolutions	Rob Gilmour	August 26, 2021
Emergent BioSolutions	Amber Ruddy	August 30, 2021
GlaxoSmithKline	Faris El-Refaie	September 13, 2021
Hoffman-La Roche	Ronnie Miller	September 24, 2021
Innovative Medicines Canada	Pamela Fralick	September 13, 2021
Janssen Canada Inc.	Lauren Stone	January 15, 2021
Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association Of Canada	Stephanie Dunlop	December 18, 2020
Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association Of Canada	Sandra Hanna	August 19, 2021
Organon Canada Inc.	Michael Casia	July 06, 2021
Pharmacists Manitoba	Jeremy Sawatzky	January 07, 2021
Sanofi Pasteur	Erin Iverson	September 08, 2021

As with the last article, this only covers active registrations. Now, the presence of these drug lobbyists wouldn’t have any impact on Pallister’s hardline pro-vaccine stance, would it? Brian hasn’t been compromised, has he? Let’s take a look at who some of these people are.

1. Alliance For Safe Online Pharmacies, Dani Peters

Dani Peters, or rather, Danielle Peters, runs a firm called Magnet Strategy Group. She also helped secure a $173 million Federal grant to Medicago. Partly this was for a vaccine, partly it was for the production of a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant.

As for ASOP, the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies, their agenda is pretty straightforward. They want it to be easier for people to purchase drugs online.

2. Emergent BioSolutions, Rob Gilmour

How very interesting. Rob Gilmour works for Counsel Public Affairs, which also employs Amber Ruddy. He’s spent over 16 years as a political consultant in Ontario. Additionally, he has been the Deputy Executive Director of the PC Caucus while Doug Ford was Premier. What a small world it is.

Emergent BioSolutions is the company that actually manufactures AstraZeneca’s products. Not too many people know that. So Kiersten Combs would have the same goal as the lobbyists for Emergent.

3. Emergent BioSolutions, Amber Ruddy

It has been brought up before how Amber Ruddy is actually the Secretary of the National Council of the Conservative Party of Canada. She does this while remaining a pharma lobbyist. She also works to undermine medical privacy in Canada. Apparently, few people have a problem with all of this.

Ruddy also used to be a lobbyist for GlaxoSmithKline, but doesn’t appear to have a current registration.

4. Innovative Medicines Canada, Pamela Fralick

Pretty strange that the President of Innovative Medicines Canada would also be running: (a) the Canadian Cancer Society; (b) the Canadian Healthcare Association; and (c) the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. It especially makes sense when looking at how many organizations are part of this group.

5. Neighbourhood Pharmacy Ass’n of Canada, Stephanie Dunlop

Stephanie Dunlop worked for the Conservative Party of Canada in 2014/2015. Then she tried to get Erin O’Toole installed as CPC leader in 2017. After that, she worked to make Doug Ford the Premier of Ontario. Now, she lobbies for big pharma. This is a pattern we see over and over again.

6. Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association Of Canada, Sandra Hanna

Sandra Hanna has been with Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada for close to 4 years, according to her LinkedIn profile. Curiously, she has a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the University of Toronto. The Association has quite the interesting list of partners and members.

The Association was very interested in the recent Federal election, to put it mildly. They even released their own “toolkit” for how to influence the role of pharmacy.

7. Pharmacists Manitoba, Jeremy Sawatzky

Before becoming a lobbyist, Jeremy Sawatzky had a career in news and sports broadcasting. Turns out, he also worked in the Manitoba Government, which probably proved useful.

As before, this isn’t everyone who is involved in such activities. That being said, it should shed some light on just who the people are pulling the strings.

Additionally, Manitoba Health doesn’t appear to be a registered charity. Other Provinces are. However, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority certainly is one. What should shock no one is that its top 10 employees are paid over $350,000 per year.

Let’s not forget about Pallister hiring G4S last year, a surveillance and intelligence firm, that also was involved with detentions and prisons. He also openly mused about imposing curfews late last year. Remember, this is all about keeping people safe from a virus.

Have to wonder why the mainstream press in Canada never bothers to report any of this. It’s not like the information was difficult to find.

Author: Ronnie

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