00:00:00.000Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has once again placed herself at the forefront of protecting the country from tariffs,
00:00:16.600this time saying that Canada appointing a border czar would be the best way to avoid President Donald Trump's proposed 25% tariffs, which are expected today.
00:00:25.300The final report on Alberta's COVID-19 response that Smith commissioned in 2022 was published and recommends halting the use of COVID-19 vaccines in healthy children and teenagers, among other recommendations that oppose the mainstream narrative.
00:00:39.620Alberta's junior high students will soon learn more about anti-Semitism with an updated curriculum that the provincial government said was a result of the rise in anti-Jewish hatred worldwide following Hamas' brutal October 7th attack on Israeli citizens.
00:00:53.800Calgary's Green Line LRT project got the green light, following city council voting to proceed with the province's proposed alignment.
00:01:01.000All of this and more in this week's episode of the Alberta Roundup.
00:01:04.440I'm your host, Isaac Lamoureux, and I'm super excited to be here with you again. Let's hop into the first story now.
00:01:10.100Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is calling on Ottawa to appoint a border czar to work with U.S. counterpart Tom Homan and avoid the incoming tariffs proposed by the Trump administration.
00:01:19.500The tariffs are expected to come the same day this video is published, February 1st, but I am recording the day prior, so if anything changes between then and now, buyer beware.
00:01:29.040Following a meeting with the country's premiers, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other federal ministers on Wednesday, Smith revealed that she told them that a border czar was the best answer to the incoming tariffs.
00:01:41.020The one thing that we can do this week, in just the next couple of days, to have the best chance to avoid tariffs is to show clear and unequivocal action to secure the border.
00:01:50.940This should start with the appointment of a Canadian border czar to work with the new American border czar to jointly crack down hard on fentanyl and illegal immigrants.
00:01:59.720Homan previously raised concerns about Canada's border security shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump's 2024 election victory.
00:02:07.520Smith made the request for a czar after speaking with dozens of U.S. representatives, administrative officials, and Trump himself.
00:02:15.600She said this was clearly the most important first step to take.
00:02:19.400She also invited a Fox News team to the COOTS border to showcase the work already underway to prevent illegal immigration and trafficking.
00:02:26.560Alberta previously unveiled enhanced border security measures, including a patrol team of 51 officers, 10 support staff, 4 patrol dogs, 10 surveillance drones, and 4 narcotics analyzers.
00:02:39.320The province's 300-kilometer shared border with the U.S. would be monitored for drug smuggling, gun trafficking, and illegal immigration.
00:02:46.180While Alberta was the first province to introduce such measures, which they were able to do because the measures were in work for 18 months at the time, other provinces followed suit.
00:02:57.240Smith also thanked the federal government for allowing Alberta to send a Black Hawk helicopter to the border on Wednesday.
00:03:03.580As for who should be the border czar, Smith had a pretty good idea.
00:03:07.200She said she believed somebody with a high-ranking military background would be the best option to become the border czar.
00:03:12.640She said she had already recommended that her deputy minister, Paul Winnick, a former lieutenant general who served in the army for 38 years, become the czar.
00:03:21.680The federal government is aware of her recommendation, as she said, Jonathan Wilkinson was present when she made it.
00:03:30.600Someone who understands military operations, who understands deployment, who understands the seriousness with which we have to take this issue.
00:03:37.860She added that the czar would serve as a consistent voice at the table for Canada, considering Trudeau's soon-to-be resignation and the subsequent election shortly thereafter,
00:03:46.880provides Canada with no consistent voice at the negotiating table with the United States.
00:03:51.820The liberals have been considering pandemic-style payouts to businesses harmed by the tariffs.
00:03:56.580Again, Smith wouldn't even entertain the thought.
00:03:59.960She wouldn't even begin to discuss the package and her opinion of it because she said it was her goal to do everything she could to ensure that the tariffs never come to be.
00:04:08.200The Trump administration hinted that the 25% tariffs on Canadian imports would begin February 1st today, with another round coming in April.
00:04:16.800The latter tariffs will be determined after Trump receives a study he requested that is set to be delivered to him on April 1st.
00:04:23.160On top of what the borders are, Smith also proposed that Canada and the U.S. collaborate to establish a joint military base in the Arctic.
00:04:30.440You guys may already know if the tariffs came to be.
00:04:34.080And let me know what you think about Smith leading these negotiation tactics.
00:04:39.140Would Canada have been better off if she were actually at the helm of these negotiations and had the power to do as she pleased?
00:04:45.640The final report on Alberta's COVID-19 response was released.
00:04:49.300It recommends that the provincial government stop providing vaccines for healthy children and teenagers as the risks outweigh the reward.
00:04:57.300Following months of interviews, research, and analysis, the report claimed that halting the use of COVID-19 vaccines in healthy children and teenagers would follow what some other jurisdictions have already done, such as Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and the U.K.
00:05:11.740The report called for the cessation of the vaccine for teenagers and children because the risk of COVID-19 in the two groups is, quote, exceptionally low.
00:05:20.700The report asked a question, which was, quote,
00:05:23.900The tagline, safe and affected, was repeatedly used to assure the population and encourage vaccination against COVID-19.
00:05:30.220Based on the evidence that has emerged to date, it cannot be concluded that these COVID-19 vaccines are safe.
00:05:37.100The report revealed evidence to suggest that it was not effective.
00:05:41.080For example, it highlighted that the original Pfizer vaccines did not prevent death compared to the placebo in their clinical trials in any age group.
00:05:49.400The report alleged that Alberta Health Services removed a dashboard from its website after it showed higher hospitalization rates among the vaccinated than the unvaccinated.
00:05:59.020It also said there is a lack of reliable data proving that COVID-19 vaccines protect children from severe COVID-19.
00:06:05.680The task force that published the research said COVID-19 vaccines were not designed to stop transmission.
00:06:11.920The report also highlighted risks to taking the vaccine.
00:06:16.660There is reliable evidence of harm following vaccination, and the COVID-19 vaccine trials were not designed to detect rare or long-term adverse effects.
00:06:25.520There is a known risk for myocarditis, especially in young males.
00:06:28.960The task force also referenced Pfizer's own safety data from three months after authorization, which reported 1,223 deaths attributed to the vaccine and 42,086 injured within four days of vaccination.
00:06:42.840Almost half, 45 percent of these, were from individuals between the ages of 18 to 50 who had a negligible risk from infection.
00:06:52.640There is no long-term safety data for these novel mRNA vaccines.
00:06:55.960It called for various other conclusions and recommendations that oppose the mainstream narrative.
00:07:18.920One recommendation was to research the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines more before widespread use in adults and children.
00:07:26.920The task force also said that infection-acquired immunity should be explored and communicated more in a future pandemic,
00:07:33.760considering there was little to no evidence to suggest that vaccine-acquired immunity was superior to infection-acquired immunity.
00:07:40.400The report also called for constructing a website and or call-in center for the vaccine injured in Alberta.
00:07:45.880It also called for a mechanism to opt-out of federal health policy when due process has not been satisfied at the provincial level.
00:07:53.600True North previously reported that only 6 percent of vaccine injury claimants had been paid.
00:07:58.720The Alberta Medical Association issued an initial statement on the report that was getting many negative replies and was since deleted.
00:08:05.720The statement was issued again, with comments turned off this time.
00:08:09.440The association called the report, quote,
00:08:11.360The Canadian Medical Association went on to support the AMA's comments.
00:08:18.280You can guess the reaction that they received on X.
00:08:20.720They are getting blasted in the comments.
00:08:23.300I asked the AMA how it deemed a 269-page report filled with data and evidence from esteemed medical professionals anti-science and anti-evidence, but received no reply.
00:08:33.380The report examined ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, and other treatments, but noted public health authorities largely opposed them despite early research showing promising benefits.
00:08:45.300The restrictive approach taken by Alberta health authorities towards alternate COVID-19 therapeutics is concerning and further investigation is required into the restriction of treatment options for COVID-19.
00:08:56.380The researchers recommended legislative amendments allowing medical professionals to use approved medications for off-label treatments and explore alternative therapies.
00:09:05.480The report was commissioned by Alberta Premier Daniel Smith in 2022 with a mandate to explore the province's response to COVID-19.
00:09:12.380The task force included prominent medical professionals including Drs. Gary Davidson, Jay Bhattacharya, and Byron Bridal.
00:09:20.300The Albertan government announced upcoming curriculum on Monday, which was International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
00:09:25.960The updated curriculum will mean Alberta's junior high students will soon learn more about anti-Semitism influenced by the rise in anti-Jewish hatred worldwide following Hamas' brutal attack on Israeli citizens on October 7th.
00:09:42.000I firmly believe we must do everything possible to combat rising anti-Semitism and educate young Albertans about the realities of anti-Semitism.
00:09:50.960Ensuring all students learn about the injustices faced by those who historically were and continue to be marginalized or who have experienced discrimination will help us confront hate and build stronger communities.
00:10:02.140The Jewish Federation of Edmonton and the Calgary Jewish Federation applauded the provincial government's announcement, which the organizations said proved the government was taking a stance against anti-Semitism.
00:10:12.540The CEO of the Jewish Federation of Edmonton, Stacey Levitt-Wright, said,
00:10:18.480By ensuring these critical lessons are part of the learning experience for students, we are fostering empathy, understanding, and resilience in future generations.
00:10:27.760We look forward to further collaborating with Alberta Education in making sure these important teachings are delivered effectively across all grades.
00:10:35.020In 2023, Jewish people were subject to 70% of all religiously motivated hate crimes despite accounting for less than 1% of Canada's total population.
00:10:45.360Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre called for the deportation of temporary residents carrying out violent or hate crimes in Canada on the same day Alberta unveiled the updated curriculum.
00:10:56.060Alberta's government previously introduced mandatory Holocaust education in elementary schools in November 2023.
00:11:15.600The draft K-6 social studies curriculum released in April 2024 also includes lessons on anti-Semitism.
00:11:22.400It is currently being piloted and will be fully introduced in the 2025-26 school year.
00:11:28.220As the draft curriculum continues to be developed, the provincial government aims to continue working with provincial Jewish organizations to determine when and where students should learn about anti-Semitism.
00:11:38.680The Greenline LRT project has reached its next development after Calgary City Council voted to proceed with a better Greenline alignment that the province said will be 76% longer and serve 60% more Calgarians.
00:11:50.640The new project will incorporate an elevated alignment and will save over $1 billion compared to if it were tunneled downtown.
00:11:57.500The Alberta government said that the savings will be reinvested into the project to extend the line further south.
00:12:04.200By increasing ridership and expanding access, we are ensuring that taxpayer dollars deliver maximum value while building a stronger, more connected city.
00:12:12.160The province said it looks forward to working with the city and the federal government going forward to get this project completed and that the project will be a win for Calgary, the province, and the future of public transit in Alberta.
00:12:22.920You may remember that the province previously called the Greenline LRT a, quote, multi-billion dollar boondoggle.
00:12:28.420However, now, Transport Minister Devin Drishan celebrated the council vote in a post to X.
00:13:48.980Even when Jyoti is right, she manages to be right for the wrong reasons.
00:13:52.940Remember, she's opposed to the current plan because it doesn't waste enough money.
00:13:57.060I'm opposed to it because it wastes too much money.
00:13:59.380The whole Greenline needs to be scrapped.
00:14:01.720Yeah, let me know in the comments what you guys think about the Greenline and your opinion on the province keeping the project alive.
00:14:07.560So that wraps up our stories for this week. Let's hop in to the comment roundup.
00:14:11.620The first comment comes from at US Lanja, or us Lanja, who said, quote,
00:14:16.880Well, you cannot hold Trudeau solely responsible.
00:14:19.800Every elected NDP and Liberal MP supported him. Never forget people.
00:14:24.060Yeah, so this comment reflected a broad theme of comments that came from most of you in the last video.
00:14:28.820You answered the title of the previous episode, confirming that the tariff dispute was 100% Trudeau's fault.
00:14:34.920I like what you said here, though, US Lanja, because Trudeau did not act alone, and he alone is not the problem with Canada or the Liberal Party.
00:14:44.900Let's remember the Conservatives' new slogan, which is just like Justin, because the party is arguing that everyone in the Liberals is just like Justin,
00:14:54.420and that if Canadians were to vote Liberals in the next election, they'd be in for much of the same, irrespective of who governs the party.
00:15:01.460The next comment comes from at Parker KE, who said, quote, Alberta saves Canada. Thanks.
00:15:07.780Then somebody commented on their comment. That was at JC Nealon, who said, quote, again and again.
00:15:14.000Yeah, this seems to be the belief held by many, and was certainly exemplified during these tariff disputes,
00:15:19.460as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, despite not being the Prime Minister nor the leader of the premiers,
00:15:24.300was in the US consistently negotiating on the country's behalf, and one of the only leaders who was trying to make the tariffs never come to be through collaboration.
00:15:33.860Of course, you'll all know that the other premiers and the Prime Minister at one point, or even still,
00:15:38.660wanted to use retaliation instead of collaboration, but that would mean, of course, that the tariffs do exist to retaliate.
00:15:45.480And Smith seemed to be the only one trying to avoid that altogether.
00:15:49.880With our lame duck Prime Minister, it really seems that Smith has stepped up to the table,
00:15:54.760and become the pseudo PM in regard to the tariff negotiation, because she's the one holding all the cards,
00:16:00.820by controlling most of the country's most valuable commodity, which is, of course, oil and gas.
00:16:06.060I'm curious to ask, though, do you guys think if Smith were PM, would we be in the same situation?
00:16:10.900And if not, how would the country look instead?
00:16:13.500The last comment I'll highlight today comes from at Blasheep, who said, quote,
00:16:18.160Gondek makes more than Smith, over $200,000?