We finish up the month by returning to 1936, to enjoy a colourized version of Things to Come – H.G. Wells
Do end February with some terrific tips!
Things You’re Gonna See On The CBC
CBC's Rosemary Barton is having a difficult time giving Doug Ford the W. pic.twitter.com/6RhqGuHukN
— Stephen Taylor (@stephen_taylor) February 28, 2025
Feb. 24, 2025 Low Lunar Orbit
Art Of The Deal: Mexico
DEA’s Most Wanted in U.S. Custody
In a stunning move just days before the Trump administration is set to impose sweeping tariffs over Mexico’s role in America’s fentanyl crisis, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum engineered the largest single-day extradition of cartel leaders in history, delivering 29 top-level traffickers—including one of the most notorious figures in modern drug war history—into U.S. custody.
Among those flown north on Mexican military aircraft Thursday was Rafael Caro Quintero, the infamous cartel boss accused of ordering the brutal 1985 torture and murder of DEA agent Enrique ‘Kiki’ Camarena, a crime dramatized in the Netflix series Narcos: Mexico. Other high-profile extraditees include Antonio Oseguera Cervantes, alleged brother of Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) leader “El Mencho,” as well as key leaders from the Zetas, the Gulf Cartel, and La Nueva Familia Michoacana.
In Washington, U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi hailed the mass extradition as a turning point in the war on cartel violence. “As President Trump has made clear, cartels are terrorist groups, and this Department of Justice is devoted to destroying cartels and transnational gangs,” Bondi said in a press release. “We will prosecute these criminals to the fullest extent of the law in honor of the brave law enforcement agents who have dedicated their careers—and in some cases, given their lives—to protect innocent people from the scourge of violent cartels.”
This was done at no small risk to herself, so credit where it’s due.
Ontario Election Results: Open Thread
Here you go, fwiw.
That was over fast, election called for Ford’s PC’s.
Money Woes
Only three years of deficits? I somehow doubt this will end that quickly since the recession is just starting. I can’t imagine what red ink the other provinces will soon be drowning in.
The budget predicts three years of deficits, largely due to a $4.4 billion decrease in oil and gas revenue from what was forecasted in the current year’s budget. Non-renewable resources make up 23 per cent of the province’s current revenue.
The price of a barrel of West Texas Intermediate oil, the benchmark Alberta uses for budgeting, is estimated at $68 US in 2025-26. That’s a drop of $6 from the previous year’s budget.
This is the first deficit budget for an Alberta government since the 2020-21 fiscal year, presented during the early days of the pandemic.
Stick A Lobster Fork In It…
More evidence that the marginal consumer is tapped out and expensive food choices are off the menu.
Halifax-based Clearwater Seafoods announced Thursday plans to change its lobster operations, which will result in permanent and temporary job losses in Nova Scotia.
Lockeport Mayor Derek Amalfa said about half of the 145 people employed at the Pierce Fisheries plant in the town will lose their jobs…
The other question I have is how several Mi’kmaq communities raised their half of the $1 billion to buy this outfit. I somehow doubt that they just floated a bond in the equity markets.
In January 2021, Premium Brands Holdings Inc. partnered with seven Mi’kmaq communities — led by the Membertou First Nation in Cape Breton and Miawpukek First Nation in Newfoundland and Labrador — to finalize the purchase of Clearwater for a total investment of $1 billion.
Jeffrey Epstein Didn’t Kill Himself
Mark Carney says he had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein or his crimes when he met with Ghislaine Maxwell at his sister-in-law’s estate…
…Even though Epstein had seven different phone numbers to reach Carney’s sister-in-law? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/noauzk85f1
— Canada Proud (@WeAreCanProud) February 27, 2025
From the replies: At least 2 of those numbers are for Carney’s wife Diana.
Great Success!
What’s The Problem With Decoupling?
This piece by Julius Ruechel is so good I’m republishing in its entirety, but do go give him a repost.
The “Canada First” response to decoupling with the 🇺🇸 is totally ridiculous once you dig beneath the surface.
Around 20% of Canada’s GDP comes from trade with the USA. So, here’s the problem with “decoupling”
1. Even if the regulatory hurdles could be cleared, it would take many years to build pipelines to BC coast to ship to China. In the meantime, you’re looking at DEPRESSION levels of economic contraction as we decouple from the US.
2. And do you think the militant environmental groups would play nice if Canada starts building pipelines to the coast? Net result. Social unrest.
3. And now you’re just replacing dependency on America with dependency on China. Nice. Who would you rather be entangled with? You think China wouldn’t demand concessions once Canada’s economy becomes dependent on them? Talk about jumping from the frying pan into the fire…
In this scenario China can buy from anyone, but Canada would collapse if China stops buying from us once we turn them into our new biggest customer. But there’s one difference… China won’t be inviting us to statehood inside their Empire as equals.
Continue reading
Seems Legit
National Post- Actor Gene Hackman, 95, his wife, 63, and dog found dead in their New Mexico home
Foul play was not suspected, but authorities did not release circumstances of their deaths and said an investigation was ongoing
Jeffrey Epstein Didn’t Kill Himself
The FBI NY appears to have GONE ROGUE
AG Letter says FBI NY Is WITHHOLDING Critical Epstein Documents
This after reports that the FBI was secretly destroying Epstein documents
No one should be surprised: Federal sources informed Fox that this release is unlikely to contain any significant revelations.
She Wants To Nuke The US?
Rebel News- Chrystia Freeland says America is turning into a “predator” and that Canada needs to work with our nuclear-armed allies as the U.S. stops being the leader of the free world.
“recall how many of the slam-dunk COVID-related assumptions of 2020 turned out to be completely wrong”
David Clinton- How the Government-Communications Industry Threatens Free Speech
Well they’re obviously not the same thing. But it’s fair to suggest that whenever citizen expression is suppressed, government speech is amplified. Which does make it that much more important for us to understand exactly what government is currently saying and how they’re saying it.
How to potentially bankrupt a province
Brian Zinchuk: How much might building SMRs cost Saskatchewan Hint: it’s not cheap.
This is a major piece talking about the costs that could be incurred building small modular reactors. Those costs could be unobtainable, which is why coal is back on the table in a big way.
The numbers come from the Tennessee Valley Authority, who already operate three nuclear plants and is the largest utility in the US. They plan on building the same model of reactor.
Also:
Moe proclaims pipeline projects “pre-approved,” Smith joins in.
I’m not sure how a provincial government can pre-approve something it has no regulatory power over.
I Was Told There Was No Fentanyl Problem
National Post- How the deadly drug became Canada’s public enemy No. 1
“When I started my career, heroin was the opioid of choice — the king of opioids,” said Hamilton Police Det. Matt Dugdale in Ontario. “But I’ve seen a complete shift, to the point where I don’t even see heroin anymore … It’s all fentanyl, all the time.”
It’s Probably Nothing
What’s The Hold Up?
Worst. Resignation. Ever.
Western Standard- Trudeau made 104 federal appointments after announcing resignation
Cold Canuck Hands
More wedge politics is crawling out the Trudeau chute today.
Reminder: you’re protected by an amnesty until the end of October.
They can go pound sand.
Do nothing, give them nothing.
Stay the course, hold the line 🇨🇦 https://t.co/gXLP8TgDem
— Tracey Wilson (@TWilsonOttawa) February 27, 2025