Category: Immigration (Canada)

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Chambers Of Commerce: Collecting Subsidies While Calling For Open Borders

According to the CEWS Registry, the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy has been handed out to some 235 institutions that have “Chamber of Commerce” as part of their name. That should alarm people, that hundreds of organizations that claim to promote business are getting handouts from Ottawa — or rather, taxpayers.

The Chambers of Commerce are just part of a long list of institutions that are getting funded to shill the “pandemic” narrative. These include: restaurants and hotels, political parties, law firms, more law firms, churches, and trucking associations, to name a few.

While it would be unrealistic to do a profile on all 235 organizations, let’s take a look at one: The Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

Description of the organization’s activities
Founded in 1925, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce is the nation’s largest business association, representing small and large firms from every sector and region in Canada. The Canadian Chamber is a network of 420 community chambers and boards of trade across Canada, in addition to individual corporate members and over 80 trade and professional organizations. The total membership exceeds 192,000. It is dedicated to the promotion and development of a strong economy. The chamber monitors federal and international issues, solicits the views of the Canadian business community and communicates them to policymakers in Ottawa and internationally. Headquartered in Ottawa, it also has staff in Toronto, Montreal and Calgary.

This is how the group describes its activities.

Instead of calling for people to be able to run their businesses freely, and with minimal interference, the Chamber of Commerce parrots the line that vaccines and rapid tests are the quickest way back to normal. On the surface, it looks like they are playing along because of the financial incentives provided. More on that coming up.

The “wins” they brag about include getting CEWS and CERS extended. CERS is the Canada Emergency Rental Subsidy which is available for businesses. This “business” group also brags about getting the hiring subsidy created, so that taxpayers help fund new employees.

While this organization does receive private donations, it undeniably is getting Government handouts as well. In fact, this has been happening for many years.

GOVERNMENT BRANCH SOURCE YEAR AMOUNT
Bank of Canada 2019 $1,375.00
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) 2015 $5,000.00
Canada Foundation for Innovation 2020 $2,300.00
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) 2021 $5,000.00
Canada Post Corporation (CPC) 2014 $10,000.00
Canada Post Corporation (CPC) 2015 $6,000.00
Canada Post Corporation (CPC) 2017 $6,000.00
Canada Post Corporation (CPC) 2018 $1,900.00
Canada Post Corporation (CPC) 2020 $10,000.00
Canada Post Corporation (CPC) 2021 $30,000.00
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) 2020 $850,623.60
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) 2021 $118,464.75
Competition Bureau Canada (COBU) 2016 $1,800.00
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) 2018 $3,400.00
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) 2019 $74,496.00
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) 2020 $22,451.00
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) 2021 $12,180
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) 2017 $56,548.68
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) 2018 $29,600.00
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) 2019 $2,500.00
Export Development Canada (EDC) 2014 $37,500.00
Export Development Canada (EDC) 2015 $29,000.00
Export Development Canada (EDC) 2016 $42,000.00
Export Development Canada (EDC) 2017 $63,000.00
Export Development Canada (EDC) 2018 $65,000.00
Export Development Canada (EDC) 2019 $65,000.00
Export Development Canada (EDC) 2020 $51,000.00
Export Development Canada (EDC) 2021 $79,100.00
Farm Credit Canada (FCC) 2018 $2,500.00
FedDev Agency for Southern Ontario 2018 $2,300.00
FedDev Agency for Southern Ontario 2020 $2,300.00
Global Affairs Canada (GAC) 2017 $1,900.00
Global Affairs Canada (GAC) 2018 $1,900.00
Global Affairs Canada (GAC) 2019 $2,300.00
Health Canada (HC) 2021 $4,947,978.19
Industry Canada 2014 $1,500.00
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2015 $1,800.00
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2016 $2,300.00
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2018 $2,300.00
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2019 $2,300.00
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2020 $530,300.00
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2021 $2,300.00
Montreal Port Authority 2020 $5,000.00
Montreal Port Authority 2021 $5,000.00
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) 2015 $132,300.00
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) 2017 $22,122.12
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) 2014 $1,500.00
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) 2015 $1,800.00
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) 2016 $1,800.00
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) 2017 $1,900.00
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) 2019 $2,000.00
Office of the Procurement Ombudsman (OPO) 2020 $2,300.00
Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsman 2018 $2,300.00
Ontario Federation of Agriculture 2020 $5,000.00
Port Alberni Port Authority 2016 $10,000.00
Prince Rupert Port Authority 2016 $4,500.00
Public Works and Government Services Canada 2014 $1,500.00
Royal Canadian Mint 2014 $2,500.00
Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (Port Metro Vancouver) 2014 $32,500.00
Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (Port Metro Vancouver) 2015 $10,000.00
Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (Port Metro Vancouver) 2016 $43,000.00
Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (Port Metro Vancouver) 2017 $65,000.00
Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (Port Metro Vancouver) 2018 $50,000.00
Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (Port Metro Vancouver) 2019 $40,000.00
Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (Port Metro Vancouver) 2020 $40,000.00
Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (Port Metro Vancouver) 2021 $57,500.00
VIA Rail Canada 2016 $7,500.00
VIA Rail Canada 2017 $18,500.00
VIA Rail Canada 2019 $10,000.00
VIA Rail Canada 2020 $10,000.00
VIA Rail Canada 2021 $15,000.00

You’d be forgiven for thinking that these were really Communists. Now, what is the Chamber of Commerce getting for itself? The listings should scare you. Keep in mind, that other Chambers of Commerce are likely also receiving money at the local level.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has been getting handouts going back many years. The CEWS is really just the least of it. It would also be interesting to know what the conditions were for that nearly $5 million they received from Health Canada.

The Chamber doesn’t appear to call for the end to martial law restrictions. Instead, they lobby for more handouts in order to cope with lockdowns. For a business orientated group, they seem completely okay with Government interference and restrictions.

There also appears to be no issue with policies like vaccine passports. After all, if Canadians don’t want to play along, they can just be replaced by TFWs who took the shots as a condition of employment.

This group also calls for drastically increased immigration, and more ways to remain in Canada. They also support free trade which will see industries outsourced based on cost. Think about how this plays out in the long term.

[1] Flood Canada with more people, driving up demand for work
[2] Support trade deals which reduce the supply of available work

Never mind the social impacts of importing large numbers from very different backgrounds, or the culture clash that will result. It appears these business groups don’t care about such things.

If you think it’s bad now, the agenda from a few years back is even worse. Or perhaps it’s just more open about what they really wanted then.

BORDER CROSSINGS – Beyond the Borders Initiative, with respect to implementation of the action plan items.
BORDER CROSSINGS – with respect to the development of a new International Crossing between Windsor and Detroit.
FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS – Promote balanced free trade agreements for Canada with Europe, India Japan and Korea. Promote Canada’s participation in the Trans-Pacific partnership and in the Trade in Services Agreement
IMMIGRATION – Expedited application process with regard to giving priority to applicants who possess skills in short supply in Canada and processing their applications within 6-12 months.
IMMIGRATION – Foreign Credentials Recognition Program with regard to working with the provinces/territories and business community to develop national accreditation standards to evaluate foreign credentials, professional and trade qualifications, and certification in regulated and non-regulated occupations that reflect employers’ needs
IMMIGRATION: Changes intended to attract and retain international students with respect to work permits, applications for permanent residency, and processing times for applications.
IMMIGRATION: Changes to increase the number of economic immigrants to this country to double the current rate. Renegotiation and signing of new memoranda of understanding with each of the provinces and territories to increase provincial caps for Provincial Nominee Programs. Adequate staffing of local Citizenship and Immigration Canada offices to meet demand and alleviate the labour market shortages.
IMMIGRATION: Regional strategy for settlement needs and at levels of service to ensure access to skilled workers in all regions of the country.
International Trade: Expanding trade and investment links with developing countries.
Labour: Ensuring that any changes to the Canada Labour Code are implemented only if they address a real problem or result in improvement for these employers, their employee and/or the Canadians they serve.
Labour: Asking the federal government, specifically the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, to work with the Canadian private sector to identify ways to increase long-term formal employment opportunities for the poor in developing countries, and facilitate the availability of financial institutional products and services, including microfinance, to stimulate job creation for the poor

The above section includes items from 2014 (#36 on their profile with the Lobbying Registry). The Canadian Chamber of Commerce (and presumably all chapters) support virtually open borders as it ensures ready access to an endless supply of cheaper labour.

Put bluntly, Canadian taxpayers are helping to finance groups calling for outsourcing of industries, and the importing of a new work force for what’s left. It not only causes havoc with jobs, but drives down wages for the ones that remain.

Now, about those 235 groups receiving the CEWS:

  • 1000 ISLANDS GANANOQUE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • ABBOTSFORD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • Aboriginal Chamber Of Commerce – Grand Rapids
  • AIRDRIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • ALBERNI VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • ALBERTA CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
  • ANNAPOLIS VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • AURORA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • BAFFIN REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • BANCROFT & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • BATHURST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • BATTLEFORDS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • BEAUMONT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ASSOCIATION
  • BONNYVILLE & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOCIETY
  • BOW VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ASSOCIATION
  • BRACEBRIDGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • BRAZIL-CANADA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • BRIGHTON AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • BROCKVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • BURLINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • BURNS LAKE & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • CAMBRIDGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • CAMERA DI COMMERCIO ITALIANA DELL’ ONTARIO/ITALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF ONTARIO
  • CAMPBELL RIVER AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • CAMROSE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • CANADIAN GERMAN CHAMBER OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE INC
  • Canadian Women’s Chamber of Commerce
  • CASTLEGAR & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • CENTRE WELLINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BRANTFORD-BRANT
  • CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SERVING COQUITLAM, PORT COQUITLAM PORT MOODY
  • Chamber of Marine Commerce CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE MARITIME
  • Chambre de commerce Canada-Floride/ Chamber of commerce Canada-florida
  • Chambre de commerce de l’Est de Montréal Eastern Montreal Chamber of Commerce
  • CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE ET D’INDUSTRIE DE BÉCANCOUR NICOLET-YAMASKA / BECANCOUR NICOLET-YAMASKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • CHARLOTTETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • CHATHAM-KENT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • CHETWYND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • CHILLIWACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • CLOVERDALE DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • Coboconk, Norland & Area Chamber of Commerce
  • COLD LAKE REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ASSOCIATION
  • COLUMBIA VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • CORNWALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • COWICHAN LAKE DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • CRANBROOK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • DAWSON CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ASSOCIATION
  • DAWSON CREEK & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • DELTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • DRUMHELLER AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • DRYDEN DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • DUNCAN-COWICHAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • EAST GWILLIMBURY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • EAST HANTS AND DISTRICTS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • Eastern Prince Edward Island Chamber of Commerce Inc.
  • EDMONTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • EDMUNDSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE/LA CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE DE LA REGION D’EDMUNDSTON INC
  • ESTEVAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • FENELON FALLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • FERNIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • FORT FRANCES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • FORT MACLEOD AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • FORT MCMURRAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • FORT NELSON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • FORT SASKATCHEWAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • FORT ST JOHN AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • FREDERICTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • GANDER & AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC
  • GEORGINA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • GIBSONS AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • GRANDE PRAIRIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • GRAVENHURST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • GREATER BARRIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • GREATER KINGSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • GREATER LANGLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • GREATER NANAIMO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • GREATER NIAGARA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • GREATER OSHAWA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • GREATER PETERBOROUGH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce
  • GREATER SUDBURY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • GREATER VERNON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • GREATER VICTORIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • GRIMSBY & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • GUANGDONG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (CANADA)
  • GUELPH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • HALIBURTON HIGHLANDS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • HALIFAX CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • HALTON HILLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • HUMBOLDT AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CORP.
  • HUNTSVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • INDO-CANADA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • INNISFAIL AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOCIETY
  • ITALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN CANADA – WEST/CAMERA DI COMMERCIO ITALIANA IN CANADA – OVEST
  • JASPER PARK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • KAMLOOPS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • KAWARTHA LAKES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE-EASTERN REGION
  • KELOWNA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • KENORA AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • KENSINGTON AND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • KIMBERLEY BAVARIAN SOCIETY
  • KINDERSLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • KITIMAT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • LA CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE DE GASPE – /GASPÉ CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • LA CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE DE MANIWAKI-THE MANIWAKI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • LA CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE ITALIENNE AU CANADA. ITALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN CANADA CAMERA DI COMMERCIO ITALIANA IN CANADA
  • LA CRETE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • LAB WEST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • LABRADOR NORTH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC.
  • LAC LA BICHE & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • Lacombe and District Chamber of Commerce
  • LADYSMITH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • LAKE COUNTRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • LEAMINGTON DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • LEDUC REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • LETHBRIDGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • LINCOLN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • LINDSAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • LLOYDMINSTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • MEDICINE HAT AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • MILTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • MOOSE JAW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • MORDEN AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • MOUNT PEARL PARADISE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • MUSKOKA LAKES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • NELSON AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • NEW WESTMINSTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • NEWMARKET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC.
  • NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • NORTH BAY AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce
  • NWT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • OAKVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • ORILLIA AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • ORO-MEDONTE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • OWEN SOUND & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • PARKSVILLE & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • PEACE RIVER BOARD OF TRADE AND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • PEACHLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • PEMBERTON AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • PENTICTON AND WINE COUNTRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • PLACENTIA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • PONOKA & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOCIETY
  • PORT HARDY & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • PORT HOPE AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • POWELL RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • PRAIRIE SKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC.
  • PRINCE GEORGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • QUESNEL AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • QUINTE WEST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • RADIUM HOT SPRINGS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • RED DEER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • REGINA & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • RENFREW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • REVELSTOKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • RICHMOND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • RUSSELL AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • SALT SPRING ISLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • SARNIA LAMBTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • SASKATCHEWAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • SAUGEEN SHORES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • SAULT STE MARIE AND DISTRICT OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • SELKIRK & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC
  • SHERWOOD PARK & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • SICAMOUS AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • SIMCOE AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • SMITHERS DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • SMITHS FALLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • SOCIETY OF THE MORINVILLE AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • SOUTH SURREY AND WHITE ROCK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • SOUTHERN GEORGIAN BAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • Springfield Chamber of Commerce Inc.
  • SQUAMISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
  • ST. ALBERT AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOCIETY
  • ST PAUL & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ASSOCIATION
  • ST THOMAS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • STONY PLAIN & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • STRATHROY AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • SUMMERLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • SUSSEX AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC.
  • SWIFT CURRENT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • SYLVAN LAKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • THE ARMSTRONG-SPALLUMCHEEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • THE BRITISH COLUMBIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • THE CALGARY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • THE CANADIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NIAGARA FALLS, CANADA
  • THE EDSON AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce
  • THE GREATER MONCTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • THE GREATER SUMMERSIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • THE HAMILTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • THE MACKENZIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • THE MANITOBA CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
  • THE MOUNT FOREST DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • THE PARRY SOUND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • THE PAS AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • THE PERTH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • THE PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • THE SAANICH PENINSULA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • THE TABER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • The Winkler and District Chamber of Commerce
  • THE WINNIPEG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • THUNDER BAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • TILLSONBURG DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • TIMMINS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • TOBERMORY & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • TOFINO-LONG BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • Trail Chamber of Commerce
  • TRENT HILLS AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • TRURO AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • UCLUELET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • VAUGHAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • VEGREVILLE & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • VERMILION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • WASKESIU CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • WELLAND/PELHAM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • WEST PRINCE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • WEST SHORE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • WEST VANCOUVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • WEYBURN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • WHITBY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • WHITCHURCH STOUFFVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • WHITECOURT AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • WHITEHORSE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • WIARTON AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • WILLIAMS LAKE & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • WOODSTOCK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • YARMOUTH AND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • YELLOWKNIFE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • YORKTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Do you get it now? Your tax dollars are being used to support these “Chambers of Commerce”. These groups lobby Federal and Provincial Governments to spend even more money propping up businesses which impose mask and vaccine rules. They also support the open border agenda to mass import people who will work for less, and who are more receptive to taking experimental shots.

In many ways, this comes across as a protection racket. These groups push for certain “safety” grants and measures for their members, but always ones that profit them as well.

(1) https://chamber.ca/
(2) https://chamber.ca/campaign/business-led-recovery/
(3) https://chamber.ca/advocacy/wins-for-canadian-business/
(4) https://apps.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/hacc/cews/srch/pub/bscSrch
(5) https://apps.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/habs/cews/srch/pub/dsplyBscSrch?request_locale=en
(6) https://lobbycanada.gc.ca/app/secure/ocl/lrs/do/vwRg?regId=812012&cno=15787#regStart

(A) https://canucklaw.ca/media-subsidies-and-govt-financing/
(B) https://canucklaw.ca/media-controlled-opposition/
(C) https://canucklaw.ca/groups-calling-for-vaccine-passports-heavily-subsidized-by-government/
(D) https://canucklaw.ca/trudeau-using-taxpayer-money-to-subsidize-opposition-parties-liberals-too/
(E) https://canucklaw.ca/law-firms-bar-associations-receiving-canada-emergency-wage-subsidy-cews/
(F) https://canucklaw.ca/conflicting-out-its-not-just-cews-that-the-lawyers-are-receiving/
(G) https://canucklaw.ca/following-the-money-why-are-churches-really-pushing-the-vaxx-agenda
(H) https://canucklaw.ca/canadian-trucking-alliance-raising-lots-of-questions-lately/

Posted on

Reminder: Immigration Is Largely A Provincial Matter

The open borders into Canada is an issue that doesn’t get addressed nearly enough. A specific detail within that subject is who’s actually responsible for it. Yes, there are plenty of NGOs and special interest groups, but that’s a discussion for another time.

Trudeau (rightly) gets a lot of flack for promoting the replacement agenda. Harper and Mulroney, although more polished, were doing much the same thing. While they definitely deserve condemnation, this doesn’t tell the complete story.

What’s very rarely mentioned is the fact that Ottawa has Treaties with all 13 Provinces and Territories over immigration rates and categories. The terms differ somewhat. However, the basic principle is that they are agreements based on estimates of how many people they wish to import.

There are also efforts underway to enact Municipal Nominee Programs to let individual cities determine how many people come into the country.

As an analogy: consider a worker who grabs takeout food for 10 of his colleagues on a lunch break. While the cashier may have dealt only with him, the overall order was placed on behalf of everyone. The food that he brings back to the office will (largely) be what his co-workers asked for.

According to Section 95 of the Constitution, the Provinces have the authority to make their own laws with respect to immigration. By contrast, it says that Ottawa may “from time to time” make their own laws. This suggests that the true power over mass entry into Canada really lies with the Provinces.

Agriculture and Immigration
Marginal note: Concurrent Powers of Legislation respecting Agriculture, etc.
.
95 In each Province the Legislature may make Laws in relation to Agriculture in the Province, and to Immigration into the Province; and it is hereby declared that the Parliament of Canada may from Time to Time make Laws in relation to Agriculture in all or any of the Provinces, and to Immigration into all or any of the Provinces; and any Law of the Legislature of a Province relative to Agriculture or to Immigration shall have effect in and for the Province as long and as far only as it is not repugnant to any Act of the Parliament of Canada.

It’s not facetious to look at the Federal immigration policy as merely a compilation of the 13 Treaties that have been signed with the Provinces and Territories. They inform Ottawa what they want, and Ottawa puts together a policy. Yes, this Ministry is managed Federally, and legal challenges go to the Federal Court, but the policy details are hammered out with the lower levels of Government.

Even if the Federal Government (in theory) were to challenge a Provincial immigration rule, the broad scope of Section 92 (Provincial jurisdiction) would make it difficult. A Judge could very well throw out any challenge as being ultra vires, or outside Ottawa’s scope.

Much of the political class, and many of the pundits don’t seem to have any understanding about how this works. That includes writers who do this professionally.

The Provinces have their own Nominee Programs, and others, such as Agricultural or Regional. They hold tremendous influence in determining the number of people who enter Canada on visas.

Keep in mind, the additional strain on social services like schools and hospitals must also be taken into account when these Treaties are made and renewed. These services are, of course, run by the Provinces.

While it would be nice to blame the Trudeau Liberals (and successive “Conservative” administrations), it’s misplaced to dump it all on them. Who’s demanding to bring in more people lately? Well, it’s Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and New Brunswick. All of those Premiers claim to be conservatives. Yes, the Feds do compile the Annual Reports to Parliament, but the contents are drafted in collaboration with the Provinces and Territories.

Have you ever heard Jason Kenney, Scott Moe, or Doug Ford asking to put the brakes on immigration?

(1) https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/agreements/federal-provincial-territorial.html
(2) https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/transparency/consultations/2020-consultations-immigration-levels-and-municipal-nominee-program/discussion-guide.html
(3) https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/const/page-3.html#h-24
(4) https://spencerfernando.com/2021/01/21/why-the-conservatives-should-make-decentralization-their-core-idea/
(5) https://canucklaw.ca/immigration-annual-reports-to-parliament/

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Canadian Trucking Alliance Raising Lots Of Questions Lately

Underway right now a very, VERY large group of truck drivers is heading to Ottawa to protest mandatory vaccinations and to demand that policy be rescinded. Now, do their associations have their backs? Not in the slightest.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance made waves recently when they condemned the planned “convoy to Ottawa”. From their own statement:

The vast majority of the Canadian trucking industry is vaccinated with the overall industry vaccination rate among truck drivers closely mirroring that of the general public. Accordingly, most of our nation’s hard-working truck drivers are continuing to move cross-border and domestic freight to ensure our economy continues to function.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) does not support and strongly disapproves of any protests on public roadways, highways, and bridges. CTA believes such actions – especially those that interfere with public safety – are not how disagreements with government policies should be expressed. Members of the trucking industry who want to publicly express displeasure over government policies can choose to hold an organized, lawful event on Parliament Hill or contact their local MP. What is not acceptable is disrupting the motoring public on highways and commerce at the border.

“The Government of Canada and the United States have now made being vaccinated a requirement to cross the border. This regulation is not changing so, as an industry, we must adapt and comply with this mandate,” said CTA president Stephen Laskowski. “The only way to cross the border, in a commercial truck or any other vehicle, is to get vaccinated.”

Instead of supporting the people who pay their salaries, the C.T.A. makes the suggestion to “call your Member of Parliament”. That’s interesting, considering that all parties are pretty much on board with the same thing. Like so many unions and association groups before, the C.T.A. seems content to throw the workers under the bus. On the surface this is alarming.

The C.T.A does not exist in isolation. Provincial counterparts make up this group, giving it more political power, and ability to influence policy.

Another red flag is that several of the groups that make up the Canadian Trucking Alliance have been receiving CEWS, the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. This includes British Columbia, Alberta, and the Atlantic Provinces. Right there, loyalty to the members is tested against the best interests of their employees.

Yes, this is beating a dead horse, but plenty of industries are taking the blood money. This includes: restaurants and hotels, political parties, law firms, more law firms, and churches, to name a few.

In November 2020, the Manitoba Trucking Association received a $125,000 grant from the Western Economic Diversification Program. The stated goal was helping companies adapt to the “pandemic” circumstances in their businesses. Previously, they had taken $268,000 back in 2014. The Atlantic Provinces Trucking Associaton received $37,500 back in 2013 from the Federal Government.

In a move that should surprise no one, the C.T.A. regularly lobbies the Federal Government on a number of issues. Readers of this site should expect this. One item to note is immigration:

“Immigration – related to temporary foreign worker program and support for demand driven immigration allowances specific to assisting shortage of qualified truck drivers.”

While the C.T.A. is putting the screws to its own people, and supporting vaccine mandates, they are also calling on Ottawa to make it easier to import a replacement workforce. Presumably, the people coming into the country will only be able to as a condition of taking the shots (2 or 3 so far). The Saskatchewan Trucking Association — a member group — is also pushing to have an increase in immigration to import more truck drivers. So did their Ontario counterpart in 2019. What sort of picture are we getting here?

[1] Force Canadians out, or to retire, with mandatory medical procedure.
[2] Import new truckers who would be willing to work for less, and take the shots.

Unfortunately, this is hardly the only industry where this is happening.

If you think the trucking groups are only lobbying Federally, you would be very much mistaken. It continues on:

TIME GOVERNMENT BRANCH AMOUNT
2018 WorkSafeBC $1,826,134
2019 Employment and Social Development Canada $22,000
2019 Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure $1,400,000
2019 Natural Resources Canada $20,000
2019 WorkSafeBC $1,393,716
2020-01-15 to 2021-12-31 WorkSafeBC $4,641,567
2020-03-31 to 2021-03-31 Transportation and Infrastructure $1,540,000

The British Columbia Trucking Association (which is part of C.T.A.) has regularly been receiving money both Provincial and Federal Governments. That may explain why there is no real opposition to forcing the truckers to take the experimental shots. In fact, C.T.A. put out a joint statement with Ottawa on the topic of vaccinating workers.

Why does the Canadian Trucking Alliance support mandatory vaccines, and object to the protests in Ottawa? Maybe, just maybe, their interests aren’t with the individual truckers. Perhaps, money does influence policy positions.

Taking a quick look through CEWS and other Federal grants, there are plenty of trucking companies who are receiving handouts as well. This would explain why so many are on board with vaccine mandates.

Instead of looking out for workers, the C.T.A. touts the advantage of a projected driver shortage claiming it will ultimately drive up wages. Sure, except for the people who were let go.

(1) https://cantruck.ca/canadian-trucking-alliance-statement-to-those-engaged-in-road-border-protests/
(2) https://apps.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/hacc/srch/pub/advncdSrch
(3) https://apps.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/habs/cews/srch/pub/dsplyBscSrch?request_locale=en
(4) https://search.open.canada.ca/en/gc/id/wd-deo,GC-WD-DEO-2020-2021-Q3-1103,current
(5) https://search.open.canada.ca/en/gc/id/wd-deo,GC-WD-DEO-2013-2014-Q4-00142,current
(6) https://search.open.canada.ca/en/gc/id/acoa-apeca,276-2013-2014-Q1-00004,current
(7) https://lobbycanada.gc.ca/app/secure/ocl/lrs/do/vwRg?cno=622&regId=916231#regStart
(8) https://www.lobbyistsregistrar.bc.ca/app/secure/orl/lrs/do/vwRg?cno=596&regId=56562530
(9) https://www.sasklobbyistregistry.ca/search-the-registry/registration-details/?id=a541fccd-1c72
(10) https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2022/01/declaration-commune-des-ministresalghabra-oregan-et-qualtrough-et-du-president-de-lalliance-canadienne-du-camionnage.html
(11) https://cantruck.ca/vaccine-mandate-leading-to-better-driver-pay-carrier/
(12) https://ctacanada.com/quality-service/

(A) https://canucklaw.ca/media-subsidies-and-govt-financing/
(B) https://canucklaw.ca/media-controlled-opposition/
(C) https://canucklaw.ca/groups-calling-for-vaccine-passports-heavily-subsidized-by-government/
(D) https://canucklaw.ca/trudeau-using-taxpayer-money-to-subsidize-opposition-parties-liberals-too/
(E) https://canucklaw.ca/law-firms-bar-associations-receiving-canada-emergency-wage-subsidy-cews/
(F) https://canucklaw.ca/conflicting-out-its-not-just-cews-that-the-lawyers-are-receiving/
(G) https://canucklaw.ca/following-the-money-why-are-churches-really-pushing-the-vaxx-agenda

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Ontario Divisional Court Rules Requirement For Teachers To Be Proficient In Math Is Unconstitutional

There is a group that’s asking for handouts in order to water down the standards required to teach in Ontario. Unfortunately, it seems that they’ve had success.

The Ontario Teacher Candidates’ Council is an NGO that claims to advocate on behalf of (potential) teachers looking to get certified in Ontario. The group states that it was created largely in response to the new requirement that new teachers have a certain level of proficiency prior to getting to teach students. The online begging started quickly.

Is this really in the best interests of students? Is eliminating a pretty reasonable requirement in the name of “diversity and equity” the way to go about this? It’s pretty alarming that (apparently) large numbers of people can obtain and undergraduate degree, and a bachelor of education, and have a limited grasp of mathematics.

This also highlights a serious flaw with the legal system in Canada. NGOs can commence lawsuits claiming they have a “public interest standing”, and try to get the laws changed to suit their political ideologies. Providing the papers are worded properly, this is routinely down. Courts often grant such standing.

The Ontario Teacher Candidates’ Council was founded in early October [2019] largely in response to the Math Proficiency test which was made a mandatory requirement for the qualification of new teachers. According to the OCT, “On August 20, 2019 two regulations were filed: Regulation 271/19, Proficiency in Mathematics, under the Ontario College of Teachers Act, and Regulation 272/19, Objects of the Office under the Education Quality and Accountability Office Act, 1996. As a result certification requirements were updated to ensure that Ontario teachers are prepared for the modern demands of a changing society and increasingly dynamic learning environment.”

We believe that this test is not equitable, fair, justified or backed by data. The EQAO office has been rushed into creating a massive test in just months. In the past, EQAO has taken 3 years to roll out new tests. There is no definitive evidence which suggests that new teachers will become more effective math instructors as a result of this test, nor that students will perform better in math as a result of this. The last government-implemented test for teachers cost taxpayers $22 million and the results were mostly abandoned. This new legislation is costing tens-of-millions of dollars for a test which decides the futures of thousands of Ontarians. This new legislation comes to teacher candidates who have spent tens of thousands of dollars on their education and carefully planned the steps they would need to take to reach their goals. These thousands of jobs deeply affect the economy and future of our great province. Read our Email Templates on the Newsletter page to see our questions and arguments regarding this test. Help us, the people, even if our government will not.

It’s interesting that this group claims there’s no evidence that such requirements help. From the looks of their members, most probably couldn’t pass an introductory statistics course.

In February 2020, there was a podcast for “Education Is A Right“. Apparently, the right to a QUALITY education isn’t that important. If this really was about the students, there would be efforts to attract, retain, and upgrade the best teachers available. Instead, this group takes the opposite approach.

This isn’t something that anyone should be proud of. The Ontario Divisional Court essentially says that pandering to the anti-white diversity crowd is more important than providing quality education. Quite simply, whites passing at too high a rate implies systemic racism.

Parents would be up in arms if they were made aware of this. That said, it seems doubtful that there has been any publicity within those circles. At least the College of Teachers had enough sense to reject this idiocy.

One would think that this group would want to do what they can to ensure people of all groups are able to pass basic proficiency testing in math. However, that’s not the way they go. Turning to the ruling:

Significant Disparities in Success Rates
[32] The EQAO collected demographic information about Field Test takers through the voluntary demographic questionnaire which revealed significant disparities in success rates based on test-takers’ race, language and disabilities.

[33] In particular, the Field Test demographic data showed that non-White candidates writing in French were only successful 55 percent of the time, whereas White candidates writing in French were successful 84 percent of the time. Candidates who identified as belonging to non-White ethno-racial groups (such as African, Indigenous, Latino and Middle Eastern) failed at a significantly higher rate than White candidates. Candidates who indicated they had a cognitive disability failed the Field Test at over twice the rate of candidates without a disability.

Apparently there are differences in the average cognitive abilities between groups. The solution is obviously to reduce (or eliminate) standards, to ensure there is no difference.

Also, let’s not mince words. This isn’t just an effort to dumb down the teaching profession. This is an attempt to reduce the number of whites, and replace them with non-whites.

What Is the Appropriate Remedy?
[161] A declaration will issue that the Mathematics Proficiency Test and the legislative provisions that create it infringe s. 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the infringement cannot be justified under s. 1. Specifically, the Proficiency in Mathematics regulation (O. Reg 271/19), as amended, and s. 18(1)(c) of the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c.12 are of no force or effect.

[162] A declaration will issue that the Ontario College of Teachers shall grant certification to teacher candidates who have not passed the Mathematics Proficiency Test (or shall grant full certification in the case of teacher candidates whose certification is conditional on passing the Mathematics Proficiency Test) but have otherwise met all other certification requirements.

Conclusion
[167] The application for judicial review is granted. The following relief is ordered:
(a) The Mathematics Proficiency Test violates s. 15(1) of the Charter, is not justified under s. 1, and is unconstitutional;
.
(b) O. Reg. 271/19, Proficiency in Mathematics, as amended, under the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c.12 is unconstitutional and of no force and effect;
.
(c) Paragraph s. 18(1)(c) of the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c.12 is unconstitutional and of no force or effect;
.
(d) The Ontario College of Teachers shall grant certification to teacher candidates who have not passed the Mathematics Proficiency Test (or shall grant full certification in the case of teacher candidates whose certification is conditional on passing the Mathematics Proficiency Test) but who have otherwise met all other certification requirements; and
.
(e) The Respondent shall pay the Applicants $90,000 in costs of the application.

Basically, the Ontario Divisional Court ruled that it was discriminatory in order to force all teachers to have a certain mathematical background.

And on top of it, a $90,000 costs award was also handed down. Now, will the donors get a refund for their contributions, or will the group owners just pocket it?

Bella Lewkowicz is a French teacher with Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. The group itself boasts some pretty impressive educational credentials. It’s baffling then why they would work like this to dumb down the teaching profession. Is it guilt? Self-hatred? Or is this some more destructive impulse?

(1) https://www.otcc.ca/
(2) https://www.otcc.ca/get-involved
(3) Home _ Ontario Teacher Candidates’ Council
(4) https://www.otffeo.on.ca/en/news/ontario-court-declares-that-the-ontario-math-proficiency-test-is-unconstitutional/
(5) https://twitter.com/OTCC19
(6) https://www.gofundme.com/f/otcc-legal-fund?utm_campaign=p_cp_url&utm_medium=os&utm_source=customer
(7) https://twitter.com/otffeo/status/1471940285210968070
(8) https://www.otffeo.on.ca/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/12/2021-12-16-OTCC-v-Ontario-FINAL-signed-by-all.pdf
(9) Court Ruling Divisional Court 2021.12.16 OTCC v Ontario FINAL signed by all
(10) http://edisaright.ca/episode-31-student-teachers-challenge-new-math-test-in-ontario
(11) https://www.linkedin.com/in/bella-lewkowicz-5232951/

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IMM #5(D): Remittances – Where Is The Money Actually Going?

It’s one thing to talk about remittances being sent abroad, but where is it going? A quick look at the top recipients shows an unsurprising result. The largest amounts of money are sent to places which bring the most people to Canada annually. This has China, India and the Philippines at the top of the list.

The exact formula for these projections isn’t released, but it’s likely due to limited surveys, information from financial institutions and organizations, and some extrapolation. The numbers can’t be taken as exact, but just a rough idea of what’s going on. StatsCan also has its own estimates.

Pew Research On Remittances From Canada In 2017 (Top 60)

RANK DESTINATION ESTIMATED AMOUNT RUNNING TALLY
1 China $4,144,000,000 $4,144,000,000
2 India* $2,877,000,000 $7,021,000,000
3 Philippines $2,370,000,000 $9,391,000,000
4 France $1,297,000,000 $10,688,000,000
5 Italy $1,072,000,000 $11,760,000,000
6 Vietnam $953,000,000 $12,713,000,000
7 Lebanon* $853,000,000 $13,566,000,000
8 Germany $810,000,000 $14,376,000,000
9 United States $662,000,000 $15,038,000,000
10 United Kingdom $569,000,000 $15,607,000,000
11 Pakistan* $562,000,000 $16,169,000,000
12 Sri Lanka $488,000,000 $16,617,000,000
13 Belgium $459,000,000 $17,076,000,000
14 Hungary $436,000,000 $17,512,000,000
15 Nigeria $436,000,000 $17,948,000,000
16 Portugal $409,000,000 $18,357,000,000
17 Poland $341,000,000 $18,698,000,000
18 South Korea $327,000,000 $19,025,000,000
19 Jamaica $315,000,000 $19,340,000,000
20 Bermuda $285,000,000 $19,625,000,000
21 Egypt $269,000,000 $19,894,000,000
22 Netherlands $181,000,000 $20,075,000,000
23 Czech Republic $177,000,000 $20,252,000,000
24 El Salvador $157,000,000 $20,409,000,000
25 Mexico $156,000,000 $20,565,000,000
26 Japan $153,000,000 $20,718,000,000
27 Haiti $144,000,000 $20,862,000,000
28 Guatemala $142,000,000 $21,004,000,000
29 Romania $139,000,000 $21,143,000,000
30 Hong Kong $136,000,000 $21,279,000,000
31 Austria $133,000,000 $21,412,000,000
32 Kenya $123,000,000 $21,535,000,000
33 Croatia $119,000,000 $21,654,000,000
34 Morocco $114,000,000 $21,768,000,000
35 Colombia $113,000,000 $21,881,000,000
36 Ukraine $108,000,000 $21,989,000,000
37 Spain $107,000,000 $22,096,000,000
38 Denmark $101,000,000 $22,197,000,000
39 Australia $98,000,000 $22,295,000,000
40 Switzerland $91,000,000 $22,386,000,000
41 Iran $90,000,000 $22,476,000,000
42 Ghana $82,000,000 $22,558,000,000
43 Thailand $79,000,000 $22,637,000,000
44 Bangladesh $78,000,000 $22,715,000,000
45 Uganda $76,000,000 $22,791,000,000
46 Israel* $71,000,000 $22,862,000,000
47 Sweden $66,000,000 $22,928,000,000
48 Serbia $62,000,000 $22,990,000,000
49 Slovakia $62,000,000 $23,052,000,000
50 Guyana $59,000,000 $23,111,000,000
51 Russia $59,000,000 $23,179,000,000
52 Peru $57,000,000 $23,227,000,000
53 Tanzania $57,000,000 $23,284,000,000
54 Qatar $54,000,000 $23,338,000,000
55 South Africa $52,000,000 $23,390,000,000
56 Jordan $48,000,000 $23,438,000,000
57 Algeria $45,000,000 $23,483,000,000
58 Bosnia-Herzegovina $41,000,000 $23,524,000,000
59 Ecuador $39,000,000 $23,563,000,000
60 Finland $38,000,000 23,601,000,000
n/a All Others $958,000,000 $24,559,000,000

*Indicates not all transactions between certain countries can be estimated.

Pew Research is just one group that tracks and estimates remittances by country in a particular year. They put that figure for money leaving Canada in 2017 to be about $24.6 billion. To be fair, these are calculated to a large degree by computer modelling, so take it with a grain of salt. Still, it’s a starting place to look.

Pew and the World Bank openly admit that remittances are used by many countries to prop up their economies to a large degree.

Now, an argument “could” be made that these remittances have an overall benefit globally, and there’s the poverty reduction aspect. But in that case, public officials should just be honest about it, and not pretend that the aim is all to benefit the host country.

The United States is believed to be the largest source of remittances, with about $150 billion sent abroad annually.

The World Bank has written in opposition to the idea of taxing remittances. They openly admit that it would significantly cut into the amount of money the destination country receives.

There’s more to it than simply sending money abroad. Keep in mind, restaurants and hotels are among the largest users of programs like for Temporary Foreign Workers. For the last 2 years, they have been heavily subsidized by the taxpayers. Chains are included in this list as well.

As for agriculture workers, Ottawa has been using public money to subsidize the quarantine costs of people entering the country. Now, we’re not going to actually stop the entry of people coming in during a “deadly pandemic”, with high unemployment levels. The Government will just use tax dollars to offset a financial burden imposed on employers.

Why would businesses be supporting these programs for all these years? It’s economical to. Simply put, increasing the supply of labour drives down the relative value, or wages. Also, it’s much easier to support a family in a country with a lower cost of living, even with the remittance fees.

Anyhow, just something to think about when it’s reported that we need more and more people to come here. There are other factors at play.

(1) https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/blog/cs/sending-money
(2) https://www.pewresearch.org/global/interactives/remittance-flows-by-country/
(3) https://apps.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/hacc/cews/srch/pub/bscSrch
(4) https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/01/29/remittances-from-abroad-are-major-economic-assets-for-some-developing-countries/
(5) https://search.open.canada.ca/en/qp/id/aafc-aac,AAFC-2021-QP-00003
(6) https://blogs.worldbank.org/peoplemove/why-taxing-remittances-bad-idea
(7) https://canucklaw.ca/imm-5c-remittances-remain-high-even-as-unemployment-rates-soared-in-2020/
(8) https://canucklaw.ca/imm-5b-global-remittances-hidden-costs-of-immigration/

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Ottawa Doling Out Grants For Development Of Artificial Intelligence, Job Market To Be Crushed

An issue that isn’t covered often enough is the role of automation and artificial intelligence on the labour market. While employment rates rise and fall, the prevalence of these new technologies is certain to have devastating effects on the amount of jobs available.

What happens when large numbers of people find that their fields no longer exist? What happens when professionals who have spent decades learning a trade or skill see it evaporate almost overnight? The long and short term effects of this are something essential to cover.

It should be noted that many who champion this next industrial revolution are also advocates of open borders and mass economic immigration. They also support so-called free trade, or globalization, which sees companies outsourced simply to reduce production costs. What happens when these are combined? In terms of supply and demand, this isn’t difficult to figure out.

[1] Continue high levels of immigration
[2] Outsource work to 3rd world to reduce costs (where possible)
[3] Slash available jobs and industries to work in locally

It gets even worse. Not only is this happening in Canada, but large amounts of taxpayer money are used to accelerate the collapse of the job market. The examples below are just a portion of what is being handed out under the title of “artificial intelligence”.

ORGANIZATION DATE AMOUNT
AbCellera Biologics Inc. Apr. 14, 2020 $175,631,000
AIMS Global Secretariat Aug. 26, 2020 $2,500,000
Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute Jul. 12, 2019 $2,750,000
Algolux Inc. Mar. 1, 2021 $667,000
AltaML Inc. Nov. 23, 2020 $1,000,000
Apollo Machine & Welding Ltd. Apr. 1, 2021 $581,500
Association des médecins vétérinaires practiciens Apr. 9, 2021 $998,456
Ayogo Health Inc. Oct. 2, 2018 $1,730,740
BoG of NorQuest Col & Concordia Uni Dec. 30, 2019 $1,150,000
CAE Inc. Jul. 16, 2018 $150,000,000
CAE Inc. Jan. 28, 2021 $190,000,000
Canadensys Aerospace Corporation Oct. 8, 2020 $2,498,664
Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network Inc. Jul. 6, 2020 $49,500,000
Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network Inc. Jul. 7, 2020 $30,000,000
Canadian Forage and Grassland Association Jul. 3, 2020 $996,032
Carleton University Aug. 15, 2019 $1,500,000
Circle Cardiovascular Imaging Inc. Nov. 19, 2020 $2,647,000
COENCORP Consultant Corporation May 1, 2021 $600,000
Cognitive Systems Corp. Aug. 22, 2018 $7,268,261
COREM Aug. 8, 2019 $860,000
Council of Canadian Academies Jan. 7, 2020 $1,147,956
Eddyfi NDT inc. Nov. 9, 2018 $1,550,675
Ecoation Innovative Solutions Inc. Aug. 24, 2020 $3,875,000
Element AI Inc. Jun. 10, 2020 $20,000,000
Enns Brothers Ltd. Jul. 1, 2020 $660,000
Fluidigm Canada Inc. Jun. 1, 2018 $650,000
Giatec Scientific Inc. Oct. 1, 2018 $800,000
Genov, Roman Apr. 1, 2017 $1,136,025
Governors of the University of Alberta Oct. 29, 2018 $2,500,000
Governing Council of the University of Toronto Aug. 3, 2018 $25,000,000
Governing Council of the University of Toronto Mar. 30, 2019 $17,000,000
Governing Council of the University of Toronto Dec. 1, 2020 $1,254,375
Imagia Cybernétique Inc. Aug. 31, 2018 $1,000,000
Information Technology Association of Canada Nov. 1, 2018 $1,980,358
Linamar Corporation Jul. 6, 2018 $49,000,000
Lytica Inc Nov. 6, 2019 $1,080,000
Mckee Demczyk, Debbie Mar. 7, 2018 $2,000,000
McMaster University Oct. 18, 2019 $1,479,441
MindBridge Analytics Inc. May 1, 2019 $14,500,000
Miru Smart Technologies Corp. Apr. 1, 2021 $600,000
Mission Control Space Services Inc. Feb. 3, 2021 $3,042,959
Montréal International Jul. 9, 2020 $9,480,000
North Inc. Nov. 8, 2018 $24,000,000
North Inc. Oct 31, 2018 $24,000,000
Octopusapp Inc. Sep. 1, 2020 $3,000,000
OCED Aug. 27, 2020 $982,000
Purdie, Thomas G Apr. 1, 2013 $651,061
Savormetrics Inc. Nov. 30, 2018 $867,000
Scale.AI Mar. 15, 2018 $229,765,127
Sheikhzadeh, Mehdi Mar. 7, 2018 $2,000,000
SSIMWAVE Apr. 1, 2019 $4,232,550
Sunnybrook Research Institute May 21, 2019 $49,000,000
Tangent Design Engineering Ltd. Feb. 1, 2017 $600,000
Tangent Design Engineering Ltd. Aug. 1, 2021 $700,000
Technologies Numetrix inc. Jun. 8, 2021 $608,288
Teledyne Digital Imaging Inc. Jul. 15, 2020 $1,000,000
Terry Fox Research Institute & Imagia Cybernetics Inc. Aug. 28, 2020 $49,000,000
Tessonics Inc. Apr. 1, 2021 $600,000
University of British Columbia Jan. 1, 2020 $1,203,433
University of Manitoba Mar. 5, 2021 $1,603,078
Valacta Limited Partnership Dec. 2, 2019 $566,617
Vineland Research and Innovation Centre Apr. 1, 2018 $4,138,197

This is by no means all of the grants, just the larger ones listed.

Keep in mind, while Canada continues to bring record numbers of people into the country, we are automating entire industries. This will lead to massive losses of employment for those already here. The result is far more people, competing for far fewer positions. This sort of thing typically leads to much lower wages and benefits.

Getting artificial intelligence into aerospace and highly technical fields seems harmless enough, but it’s not going to stop there. Proponents of the AI trend never seem to realize that their jobs can also be automated out of existence as well.

This AI push will also impact the low skill market as well, and nothing is off the table. One such grant involves spending over $4 million to implement AI into the agricultural industry, and to automate a lot of the more “low skill” work. Another grant was for $30,000,000. Depending on the locations, this could mean the lack of any other options for many.

Far from being hyperbolic, automation replacing jobs has happened for decades, and will continue to do so. The service industry seems to be next on the list. Does anyone seriously think that workers will be hired back once replaced by robots? What happens to the people who can’t find work as a result of this?

Without an alternative in place for the people impacted by these drastic changes, expect chaos and instability to result from this initiative.

An interesting side note: the “political left” typically opposes free trade and globalization for the reason that it undercuts wages, and sees jobs shipped overseas. In short, decent work disappears. Mass automation will have much the same effect, and yet, silence from those same activists. How strange.

As for the “political right”: how exactly does gutting entire industries help secure an economic recovery? This trend is surely going to get worse.

Seriously, who thought this was a good idea for society?

(1) https://search.open.canada.ca/en/gc
(2) https://search.open.canada.ca/en/gc/?sort=agreement_start_date_s%20desc&page=1&search_text=artificial%20intelligence
(3) https://search.open.canada.ca/en/gc/id/csa-asc,003-2020-2021-Q4-04881,current
(4) https://search.open.canada.ca/en/gc/id/aafc-aac,235-2018-2019-Q3-00066,current
(5) https://search.open.canada.ca/en/gc/id/ic,230-2021-2022-Q1-0143,current
(6) https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/22/restaurants-looking-for-labor-and-speed-turn-to-robots-.html

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