Good morning, It’s Monday, February 3rd. In today’s news, Trump’s tariffs are implemented prompting Canadian retaliation, a massive money laundering operation is driving up your cost of living, a detective faces disciplinary action for probing infant deaths too deeply, and Doug Ford unveils a $22 billion stimulus package, and much more.
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The Trump Tariffs Are Here: Canada Retaliates With 25 Percent Tariffs on $155 Billion Worth of US Imports
On February 1, President Trump signed an order imposing 25 percent tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China, alongside a 10 percent tariff on Canadian energy resources. The tariffs are framed as a response to concerns over illegal immigration and drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl production and illegal border crossings from these countries. Trump's administration argues that these nations need to cooperate more closely with the US on border security and drug control. He also cited the trade deficit with Canada as another reason for the tariffs, claiming it was necessary to balance trade relations.
In response, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Canada's retaliation with tariffs on $155 billion worth of US imports. The immediate impact will be on $30 billion worth of goods starting February 4, with additional tariffs on the remaining $125 billion following in 21 days. The targeted goods include a wide range of consumer products such as alcohol, fruits, vegetables, clothing, and appliances. Trudeau also hinted at considering non-tariff responses like controlling critical mineral and energy exports to the US.
While Trump framed the tariffs as part of a broader strategy to tackle illegal immigration and drug trafficking, critics view them as an overreach, ignoring the deep historical and economic ties between Canada and the US. In his response, Trudeau criticized these measures as harmful not just to Canada but to the US as well, pointing out that the tariffs will raise costs for American consumers.
On the Canadian side, while some might argue that Trudeau’s retaliatory tariffs are an understandable response, they also risk escalating the situation without achieving meaningful results. His decision to delay the full implementation of tariffs to give companies time to adjust suggests an attempt to avoid a full-scale trade war, but it also raises questions about the effectiveness of such half-measures. Furthermore, the emphasis on non-tariff retaliation like energy or mineral exports, particularly in a time when global energy security is fragile, could backfire if not handled carefully.
At the provincial level, leaders like Ontario’s Doug Ford and Alberta’s Danielle Smith are voicing their frustration. Ford advocates for a dollar-for-dollar response, while Smith, from energy-rich Alberta, has warned against using oil exports as leverage, fearing economic harm on both sides of the border. Other provincial leaders, like BC’s David Eby, are also making symbolic gestures, such as excluding US suppliers from procurement deals, yet these actions feel more like political posturing than effective countermeasures.
The overall situation presents a complex web of economic retaliation, political maneuvering, and national security concerns. While both sides have valid reasons for their actions, the lack of constructive dialogue and the deepening trade rift reflects a missed opportunity for collaboration and a more thoughtful, long-term approach to the issues at hand. The economic consequences for both nations could be severe, particularly given the deeply intertwined trade relations, but both sides are entrenched in positions that make compromise harder to achieve. Source
Casinos, Cartels, and Real Estate: Canada’s Money Laundering Problem
The Vancouver Model is one of the most sophisticated money-laundering operations in the world, yet most Canadians remain unaware of its impact on their economy, housing market, and public safety. For years, criminals and wealthy foreign nationals have exploited Canada’s lax financial oversight, using British Columbia’s casinos and real estate sector to wash billions of dollars in dirty money. The scheme is so blatant that footage has surfaced of individuals walking into casinos with hockey bags full of cash, exchanging them for chips, and later cashing out in clean, untraceable Canadian dollars.
British Columbia’s Premier David Eby acknowledged the province’s notoriety for money laundering: “We are famous internationally – or, more accurately, we have become infamous – for money laundering. The sheer volume and the size of these transactions on a regular basis in casinos is just astounding.” The process, known as the Vancouver Model, relies on China’s strict capital controls, which prevent citizens from moving more than $50,000 abroad annually. To bypass these restrictions, Chinese nationals looking to move large sums of money partner with organized crime groups. They wire their money to criminal organizations in China, which then arrange for equivalent amounts to be delivered in cash to them in Vancouver—often using funds derived from drug sales, particularly fentanyl. Once the money is converted into casino chips, the individual places a few low-risk bets before cashing out, now holding clean Canadian dollars without any direct financial link to China.
The consequences of this system have been devastating. In addition to fueling organized crime, the Vancouver Model has played a major role in inflating real estate prices in Vancouver. Once their money is laundered, foreign investors—often through complex and opaque ownership structures—pour their capital into high-end properties. This has driven housing prices to unsustainable levels, effectively locking out local buyers and worsening the affordability crisis. At the same time, the criminal organizations facilitating these transactions are using their profits to expand drug trafficking operations, deepening the opioid crisis that has plagued Vancouver and beyond. In 2018, an estimated C$46.7bn was laundered countrywide across Canada.
The British Columbia government introduced anti-money laundering measures in 2015, requiring proof of the source of funds for large casino transactions. These measures have led to a reported 100-fold decline in illegal transactions, but the damage has already been done. Billions have been funnelled through the system, with lasting consequences for Vancouver’s housing market and public safety. Despite the crackdown, Canada remains a global hub for money laundering, and without systemic reforms, the cycle will continue. The question is whether the government is willing to take real action or if money laundering will remain an unspoken cost of doing business. Source.
Helen Grus vs. The State: When Investigating Infant Deaths Becomes a Crime
When a series of infant deaths coincided with the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, Detective Helen Grus began looking into whether there was a connection. For that, she was punished.
After 26 days of legal wrangling, Grus faces a charge of discreditable conduct—not for lying, fabricating evidence, or breaking the law, but for asking the wrong questions. The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) claims she failed to take adequate notes and didn’t inform her superiors. But the real issue at hand is clear: politics dictated that certain inquiries could not be made.
From the start, Grus was up against a system determined to shut her down. Her superiors had already banned any discussion of COVID-19 in the office. She was suspended in February 2022—just weeks after questioning OPS leadership about the vaccine mandate. The case against her ignores critical evidence, including her research on Pfizer’s own data on adverse vaccine events, while dismissing expert medical testimony in her defence. The message is obvious: the investigation itself was the crime.
The tribunal’s handling of the case reeks of political interference. Grus' lawyer argued that government pressure—from Ottawa police brass to possibly even Health Canada—played a role in suppressing her findings. Grus remains on duty, but this trial is a warning to any investigator who dares challenge the state’s preferred narratives. The verdict is weeks away, but the real question has already been answered: truth-seeking is only allowed when it serves the right interests. Source.
Doug Ford Promises $22 Billion Stimulus Package if He is Re-elected Ontario Premier
Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford announced a $22 billion stimulus package to build infrastructure in response to the potential threat of US tariffs. The package includes $15 billion for capital projects like widening the Queen Elizabeth Way and $5 billion for the province's infrastructure bank to invest in housing and other projects. Ford's plan will proceed regardless of US President Trump's tariff decisions. Meanwhile, Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie unveiled a transit safety proposal, including $4.1 billion for platform barriers at all Toronto subway stations, but did not disclose its full cost. NDP Leader Marit Stiles criticized Ford's record on transit projects, while Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner focused on environmental issues. More
Border Shootout Unravels Dark Web of AI-Obsessed, Gender-Fluid Extremists Behind Multiple Killings
A deadly shootout near the Canadian border involving US Border Patrol agents has led to a sprawling investigation. The incident, which killed a Border Patrol agent and a suspect, is linked to a group of young individuals with a shared interest in artificial intelligence, veganism, and fringe philosophies, including gender fluidity. The group has allegedly been involved in several killings across three states, often driven by personal grievances rather than political or ideological motives.
Key figures include Teresa Youngblut, who survived the shootout, and Felix Bauckholt, who was killed. Bauckholt, who was transitioning and had radical views, had connections to other members of the group. The investigation has uncovered links to previous murders, including the killing of a California man and a double homicide in Pennsylvania.
The group's leader, Jack Amadeus LaSota (also known as Ziz), is a prominent figure in the rationalist community, with ties to others who share similar views on violence and gender fluidity. Law enforcement agencies are coordinating efforts to track down the group's members and uncover their role in multiple violent incidents. More
Trump Ordered the US Bombing of ISIS Targets in Somalia - More
At Least Seven People Have Died in a Philadelphia Plane Crash - More
Senior USAID Security Officials Put on Leave After Attempting to Refuse Musk’s DOGE Access to Agency Systems - More
Canadian Government Sends Nearly $42 Million Tax Dollars to 2SLBTQI+ Organizations on the Eve of US Tariffs - Liberals announce $41.5 million initiative supporting 106 different projects aimed at “advancing equality” for the 2SLGBTQI+ community. More
US Education Department Reaffirms Title IX Enforcement Based on Traditional Definition of Sex - The department says it will interpret ’sex' to mean male or female sexes as outlined in the 2020 regulations. More
Trudeau Government Delays Capital Gains Tax Hike After Taxpayer Backlash
Canadians worried about the capital gains tax hike can breathe easier—for now. The Liberals announced they’re delaying the increase until next year, following legal pressure from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF). Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc framed the move as a responsible step before tax season, but critics see it as a forced retreat.
The deferral follows a CTF lawsuit against the Canada Revenue Agency, arguing the tax was unconstitutional since it hadn’t passed Parliament. CTF’s Franco Terrazzano called it a major taxpayer victory but warned the fight isn’t over. The proposed hike, raising the inclusion rate from 50% to 66.7% on gains over $250,000, was expected to generate $19.4 billion but could cost 414,000 jobs.
With the next federal election expected in or before October 2025, the tax’s fate now rests with voters. Even Liberal leadership hopeful Chrystia Freeland has distanced herself from the policy, while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has vowed to scrap it entirely. More
Ontario Joins BC in Removing US Booze From Provincial Liquor Retailers - More
Chrystia Freeland Wants to Target Elon Musk’s Tesla with Tariffs - More
So now we can’t afford to buy a Tesla or Chinese BYD, but we’re going ‘all electric by 2035’ 🙃
New Theory Unites Einstein’s Theory of Relativity with Quantum Mechanics
Scientists at University College London (UCL) have introduced a radical new approach to unifying quantum mechanics and general relativity—one of physics’ greatest unsolved mysteries. Instead of forcing gravity into a quantum framework, their "postquantum theory of classical gravity" proposes that spacetime remains classical while quantum mechanics is modified to accommodate its effects.
Led by Professor Jonathan Oppenheim, the team suggests that spacetime undergoes unpredictable fluctuations, influencing quantum behaviour in unexpected ways. Their theory eliminates the need for the traditional "measurement postulate" in quantum mechanics and could resolve paradoxes like black hole information loss.
To test their ideas, the researchers propose an experiment measuring tiny fluctuations in mass over time. If their predictions hold, this could revolutionize our understanding of gravity and quantum physics. With high-stakes bets placed on the outcome, the next few years could bring groundbreaking discoveries about the fundamental nature of the universe.
For a much more detailed explanation - Read More
New Fabric Can Heat up Almost 50 Degrees to Keep People Warm in Ultracold Weather - More
Luka Doncic Heads to the Lakers and Anthony Davis Goes to the Mavs in Blockbuster Trade
In a stunning NBA trade, Luka Dončić has been dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers, while Anthony Davis heads to the Dallas Mavericks in a blockbuster deal. The trade also involves the Utah Jazz, who receive Jalen Hood-Schifino and two second-round picks.
Dončić now teams up with LeBron James in LA, while Davis forms a new duo with Kyrie Irving in Dallas. The move prevents Dončić from signing a $345 million supermax extension with the Mavs, limiting his new Lakers deal to $230 million.
The trade sent shockwaves through the league, with players like Devin Booker and Kevin Durant expressing disbelief. Both Dončić and Davis are currently injured, leaving uncertainty about when they’ll debut for their new teams. More
Raptors and Senators Dans Boo During US National Anthem Amid President Donald Trump's Tariff Announcement - More
NFL Reportedly Considering Measuring First Downs with Electronics System Next Season - More
Grammy Winners 2025 List - More
Groundhog Day 2025: Willie, Fred and Sam at Odds Over Spring’s Arrival
Influencer Films Herself Vandalizing Public Property, Cries After Getting 5 Years in Prison - Play stupid games…
A VW Golf Abandoned in the Short-term Parking Area in Berlin Airport for a Whole Year Racks up a Whopping $209,124 in Parking Fees
They don’t have to be. Fix this.
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Love these daily summaries!